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Drive for Detroit: Week 1 in Review

September 3, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Four of last season’s 10 MHSAA football champions began 2019 over the weekend 0-1. Ten teams that didn’t win a game last season stand 1-0 – and the two longest losing streaks in the state came to an end.

How's that for a new season and fresh start? And that's not even mentioning the storms that pushed many games to finish near or after midnight Thursday and roughly 40 to be completed later in the holiday weekend. 

Below is our weekly review at some of the results that popped off the page most from every region of the state, with a little perspective on wins and losses that might mean even more as we get into late September and October.

"Drive for Detroit" is sponsored by MI Student Aid..

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Beaverton 16, Breckenridge 6 The Beavers are coming off two straight eight-win seasons and just missed catching Breckenridge on opening night last year, falling 20-19. This time they outpaced the Huskies, last season’s Division 8 runners-up, to take a 2-1 lead in their recent opening-night series. Click for more from the Midland Daily News and see highlights below from MI Sports Now.

Watch list Port Huron 33, Flint Carman-Ainsworth 6 Although Carman-Ainsworth is coming off a down season, expectations are always high – and Port Huron’s should be now too after avenging last season’s 38-22 defeat and as the Big Reds seek their first playoff berth since 2014.

Remember this one Montrose 16, Cass City 14 These two both could be on the way to big things; after last year’s 48-22 Montrose win, the Rams went on a Division 6 Semifinal run and Cass City won its league.

More shoutouts Freeland 27, Marshall 26 (OT) A blocked extra point and then a fumbled extra point attempt snap were part of a wild overtime that saw the Falcons defeat the Redhawks by three points or fewer for the second straight season. Davison 54, Fenton 27 The Cardinals came out best in a matchup of likely league contenders, scoring 50+ points against a Tigers program that hadn’t given up that many since 2016. 

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Detroit Catholic Central 24, Detroit Martin Luther King 22 These two met for the first time since the 2001 playoffs, and the result was the most exhilarating of an exceptional weekend of games at the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State. DCC didn’t score during the second half but held off a potential King scoring drive late in the fourth quarter to edge the reigning Division 3 champion. Click for more from MLive-Detroit and see below for highlights from State Champs Sports Network.

Watch list Southfield Arts & Technology 28, Clarkston 14 These two will meet again in league play in Week 6, and it might be the statewide game of that week after the Warriors began their rebound from two straight sub-.500 seasons with a massive win over the reigning Division 1 runner-up.

Remember this one Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 7, Utica Eisenhower 0 It’s “six wins and in” the playoffs for one more season, and with these teams representing two of the strongest leagues statewide – Brother Rice the Detroit Catholic League Central and Eisenhower the Macomb Area Conference Red – every win counts that much more.

More shoutouts Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 35, Saline 21 Reigning Division 1 champion Chippewa Valley graduated a ton on offense but found enough against another 2018 semifinalist in Saline. Lake Orion 17, Lapeer 7 The Dragons are 1-0 for the first time since 2013 after handing the Lightning its first regular-season loss since Week 8 of 2017.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Pewamo-Westphalia 14, Reading 0 The Pirates handed reigning Division 8 champion Reading its first defeat since the end of 2017, but more impressively P-W locked down an offense that a year ago posted the 10th-most points in MHSAA 11-player history. The Pirates haven’t lost a regular-season game since their 2017 opener. Click for more from the Hillsdale Daily News.

Watch list Lansing Eastern 35, Owosso 0 One win meant a million for the Quakers, who broke a 38-game losing streak – and with one more victory would equal their best finish since 2010.

Remember this one New Lothrop 54, Lake City 7 Only a game of the P-W/Reading magnitude could bump this rematch from last season’s Division 7 Semifinals out of the headlining spot, as the reigning champion Hornets again put up 50+ points on the Trojans after winning last November 51-22.  

More shoutouts DeWitt 31, Traverse City Central 26 The Panthers traveled to Thirlby Field and hung on for a nice win over an annual playoff qualifier. Central Montcalm 22, Morley Stanwood 20 After a winless 2018, Central Montcalm broke a 13-game losing streak with its first victory over Morley Stanwood since 2014.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Maple City Glen Lake 26, Millington 7 The Lakers’ nonleague schedule is loaded, and they almost couldn’t have hoped for better against a Millington team coming off its 15th straight playoff season. Glen Lake enjoyed three touchdown passes from Reece Hazelton in scoring all of its points during the first half. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Watch list Evart 20, Frankfort 3 The Wildcats have made the playoffs once over the last five seasons and won a combined six games over the last two – but if opening night is an indication, they could match all of that this fall after downing a Frankfort team that’s made the playoffs five straight seasons and beat Evart in their last meeting 30-0 to open the 2016 playoffs.

Remember this one Grayling 22, Roscommon 6 The Vikings have made the playoffs seven times this decade, but finished only 3-6 a year ago – while Roscommon came into this season off a league title and 10-2 finish to 2018.

More shoutouts Alcona 16, Tawas 14 The Tigers went from two straight nine-win seasons to one victory in 2018, but the bounce-back has begun with this avenging of a 48-24 last-season loss. Kingsley 36, McBain 6 These teams combined to go 18-5 a year ago, and this result matched the second-best by the Stags’ defense from 2018.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Blissfield 33, Ottawa Lake Whiteford 14 The Royals broke a seven-game opening-night losing streak against Whiteford, in the process handing the Bobcats their first regular-season defeat since Week 9 of 2015. Whiteford also hadn’t given up 30 points in a game since the 2016 Division 8 Final. Click for more from the Toledo Blade and see highlights below from BCSN.

Watch list Erie Mason 58, Petersburg Summerfield 40 After four straight seasons of finishing 1-8, Erie Mason is 1-0 for the first time since 2003, the last time the Eagles made the playoffs.

Remember this one Jackson Lumen Christi 14, Kalamazoo United 12 The Titans ran their state-best winning streak to 24, but hardly with ease against a United team with some key new faces.

More shoutouts Homer 18, Michigan Center 0 The Trojans got off to the right start coming off their first sub-.500 season since 2009 by beating the reigning Cascades Conference runner-up. Ann Arbor Huron 63, Ecorse 14 The River Rats won for the first time in 40 games, putting up 63 points after scoring 98 over the entirety of 2018.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Berrien Springs 28, Grand Rapids West Catholic 3 The Shamrocks are riding a string of five straight playoff seasons into the fall, but it’s hard to argue they’ve had a better start during this run. West Catholic has made the playoffs 16 straight seasons and is coming off a 2018 that saw respectable defeats to two eventual MHSAA champions. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.

Watch list Paw Paw 42, Three Rivers 0 Edwardsburg tends to own the Wolverine Conference, and Three Rivers has been its biggest challenger the last few seasons – but that role could fall to Paw Paw coming off this big win and an 8-3 finish last year that also included a playoff victory over Three Rivers.

Remember this one Mendon 14, Decatur 7 Two of the best in the Southwest 10 Conference and also at least regionally in Division 8 saw each other right away with the Hornets running their recent winning streak over the Raiders to three straight.  

More shoutouts St. Joseph 32, Battle Creek Central 19 The Bears avenged last season’s 34-27 loss to the Bearcats, a meeting that led things off for two eventual playoff qualifiers. Coldwater 47, Haslett 30 The Cardinals also evened the score against their opening night opponent after falling to Haslett 28-7 a year ago and going on to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Iron Mountain 17, Negaunee 14 These teams have proven to be just about even over two straight openers, with the Mountaineers now winning both by three points. Last year the same result previewed an 8-3 season for Iron Mountain and a 5-4 by the Miners, who are looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Watch List Lake Linden-Hubbell 32, Norway 14 The Lakes are coming off their first back-to-back sub-.500 seasons since the early 1970s, but they’re hoping that breaking a three-game losing streak to Norway is the start of a turnaround. 

Remember this one Bark River-Harris 56, Gwinn 50 (OT) The Broncos are another team seeking a comeback after falling to 2-7 in 2018, and avenging last season’s 36-20 loss to Gwinn may have them on the way.

More shoutouts Sault Ste. Marie 22, Cheboygan 16 The Blue Devils went 5-4 last season while averaging just 15 points per game, and this week’s 22 would’ve been their second-highest total last fall. West Iron County 32, Munising 6 Beating Munising on opening night has been good to the Wykons, who made the playoffs all four previous seasons this decade after they won that matchup. West Iron missed the playoffs in 2015 after falling to the Mustangs in Week 1.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Muskegon 41, Warren De La Salle Collegiate 7 After closing last season with a tough defeat in the Division 3 Final, the Big Reds opened this fall with a second straight win over two-time reigning Division 2 champion De La Salle. During the first half alone, Muskegon quarterback Cameron Martinez ran 13 times for 109 yards and three scores. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.

Watch List Grand Rapids Catholic Central 17, River Rouge 14 GRCC is coming off a third straight trip to at least the Division 4 Semifinals and is back in the swing after winning this one on a field goal with 2:15 to play.

Remember this one Hart 48, Holton 40 (2OT) Hart hasn’t had a winning season since 1997 and didn’t have a varsity at all in 2015, but started this fall with this victory over a 2018 Division 8 semifinalist.

More shoutouts Montague 42, Reed City 0 Last season’s Division 6 runner-up avenged a 34-13 loss to the Coyotes while handing them only their second regular-season defeat over the last five years. Zeeland West 28, East Grand Rapids 21 Surprisingly, this was the first meeting between these perennial Division 3 powers – so although they’d never met before, it’s not hard to anticipate them possibly meeting again in the playoffs.

8-Player

HEADLINER Brimley 24, Rapid River 12 Simply put, this was the Bay’s biggest win during a decade of 8-player football. Rapid River is the reigning 8-Player Division 2 champion and had beaten Brimley 80-55 in last year’s regular-season finale. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.

Watch List Pickford 48, Crystal Falls Forest Park 16 A junior-heavy Pickford team finished 8-Player Division 1 runner-up last season and opened its return by nearly doubling up on last season’s 18-point win over the always-powerful Trojans.

Remember this one Climax-Scotts 16, Wyoming Tri-unity Christian 12 The Panthers’ 8-player debut was as good as expected, and they quickly will have more chances to show what they can do with Lawrence, Bellevue and Camden-Frontier coming up over the next three weeks.

More shoutouts Powers North Central 66, Cedarville 12 The Jets lasted only a week in last season’s Division 2 playoffs, but opened this fall with a win over a 2018 semifinalist. Martin 20, Bellevue 12 The Clippers are another new 8-player team and coming off a playoff season in 11, and they should be excited after this debut against one of the state’s best in 8 over the last two seasons.

Second Half’s weekly “Drive for Detroit” previews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter@mistudentaid.

PHOTO: Davison put 54 points on the scoreboard to win its season opener against Fenton. (Photo by Terry Lyons.)

Haslett defenders bring down a Goodrich ball carrier stretching for extra yardage Friday.

1st & Goal: 2023 Playoff Week 3 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 13, 2023

Seven of last season’s MHSAA Football Finals champions remain in the playoff mix as we move into the final two weeks of the 2023 season, and no doubt at least a few of the annual contenders have become accustomed to playing this late into the fall.

MI Student AidBut plenty more also are sharing in the thrill of playing mid-November football for the first time.

This weekend’s 8-Player Semifinals sent Indian River Inland Lakes into its first championship game in this sport, and Marion to its first since 1990. The 11-player brackets saw five first-time champions Regional champions – and two more that won Regional titles for the first time since well before any of their current players were born.

See below for a glance at all 72 games as the ride continued through the playoffs' third week, and click here for the full playoff schedule (including linked schedules for all 288 teams in the field this season).

8-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Indian River Inland Lakes 12, Pickford 0 Inland Lakes (11-1) earned its first trip to a football championship game with yet another impressive win – the Bulldogs’ last four opponents finished a combined 33-9. The shutout came against an offense that averaged 46.5 points per game entering the weekend. Pickford finished 10-2, its best since its 2019 championship season. Click for more from the Cheboygan Daily Tribune.

HEADLINER Martin 42, Kingston 34 The reigning Division 1 champion will play for a repeat as Martin outlasted Kingston in its closest matchup since back-to-back losses in Weeks 3 and 4. The Clippers (10-2) hadn’t had a single-digit game since, but stayed a step ahead by reaching 40 points for the third time over the last four weeks. Kingston (9-3) is a combined 18-4 over the last two seasons. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

8-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Marion 42, Lake Linden-Hubbell 36 Playing in a fourth-straight Semifinal, Marion (11-0) earned its first championship game trip since 1990, coming back from a 14-8 halftime deficit as both offenses found their footing over the final two quarters. Marion’s final touchdown – which ended up the deciding score – was run in by an offensive lineman who stepped back into his former position. Lake Linden-Hubbell (8-4) finished its winningest season since 2016. Click for more from Cadillac News.

HEADLINER Adrian Lenawee Christian 42, Deckerville 14 Another dominating Lenawee Christian run continued, as the Cougars (12-0) pulled within one more win of a third undefeated season over the last four. They have not scored fewer than 41 points in a game this fall, and were able to slow a Deckerville offense that entered the weekend averaging 48.5 ppg. The Eagles (9-3) capped their winningest season since 2019. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.

11-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Davison 28, Rockford 14 The Cardinals won this Regional Final matchup of undefeated teams, doing so in part thanks to arguably its most impressive defensive performance of the fall. Davison (12-0) held Rockford scoreless until midway through the third quarter, limiting an attack that averaged nearly 43 points per game entering the weekend. The Cardinals also found their way offensively against a Rams defense that had given up only 10 points per game during its 11-0 start. Click for more from the Flint Journal.

Regional Roundup Belleville 49, Northville 7 Belleville (12-0) won a sixth-straight Regional title by adding to a 42-0 Week 9 win over Northville (10-2) in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association championship game. Those were the Mustangs’ only losses this fall. West Bloomfield 21, Clarkston 20 The Lakers (10-2) may be talking about this one for years to come, as they trailed Clarkston 20-0 before coming back to not only claim a Regional title but avenge their Week 6 loss to the Wolves (6-6). Southfield Arts & Technology 31, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 21 A&T (11-1) clinched its first Regional title since the school opened in 2016 after a merger of the former Southfield High and Southfield-Lathrup, and this was the school community’s first Regional championship including those predecessor programs since 2014. Chippewa Valley (9-3) capped its winningest season since 2019 with its three defeats by a combined 14 points.

11-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Waterford Mott 40 Gibraltar Carlson 19 A special season for Mott just became historic, as the Corsairs (10-2) – after winning their second District title in program history last week – claimed their first Regional championship and also set a program record for wins. Kalieb Osborne threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more for Mott. Carlson finished 10-2 and sets its program record for wins as well this fall. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Regional Roundup Muskegon 42, Saginaw Heritage 14 Muskegon (10-2) earned its seventh Regional championship over the last eight seasons. Heritage (9-3) finished its winningest season since 2006, with Braylon Isom adding two more receiving touchdowns to his MHSAA career record that ended at 52. East Lansing 42, Byron Center 20 East Lansing (10-2) is on its way to the Semifinals for the first time since 2007 after breaking away during the fourth quarter against the Bulldogs (10-2), who completed their longest run since 2016. Warren De La Salle Collegiate 34, Roseville 14 The reigning Division 2 champion Pilots (10-2) won their sixth Regional title over the last seven seasons, ending the fall for Roseville (8-4) for the fourth-straight season.

11-Player Division 3

HEADLINER Mason 44, Walled Lake Western 41 (OT) This matchup was up for grabs until the very end before Mason secured a third-straight Regional title. Western (10-2) nearly avenged Mason’s 30-7 win over the Warriors in Week 8; the Bulldogs (12-0) led at halftime, then trailed by double digits much of the third quarter, and then Western sent the game to overtime before Mason’s Kaleb Parrish scored the game winner on a pass from Cason Carswell. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Regional Roundup Detroit Martin Luther King 20, River Rouge 19 (OT) The two-time reigning champion Crusaders (7-5) pulled a win closer to possibly playing for a third-straight title, holding on into overtime as well to end Rouge’s six-game winning streak and season at 7-5. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 33, Gaylord 7 Last season’s Division 2 runner-up Forest Hills Central (11-1) also is one win away from a potential return to Ford Field after handing Gaylord (11-1) its only loss. The Blue Devils capped their best season since 2002. Zeeland West 42, Parma Western 7 West is headed back to the Semifinals for the first time since 2015, giving the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green two of the final 32 teams (with Muskegon). Western finished 10-2, having tied its program record for wins with its third District title victory over the last six years.

11-Player Division 4

HEADLINER Portland 21, Niles 14 Portland (12-0) broke free from a 7-7 game heading into the fourth quarter to win its second Regional title in three seasons. Both defenses shined, holding their opponents to season lows. Niles’ only other defeat was by a point in Week 2 as the Vikings (10-2) capped their best run with a program record for wins and first District title. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Regional Roundup Goodrich 24, Haslett 17 The 2022 Division 4 runner-up Martians (11-1) pulled within one more win of playing for the title again, twice holding off Haslett comeback attempts after building double-digit leads. The Vikings (8-4) capped their longest run since 2005. Grand Rapids South Christian 55, Big Rapids 35 The reigning champion Sailors (9-3) scored their most points since opening weekend to distance themselves from a Big Rapids team that finished its winningest season since 2003 at 10-2. Harper Woods 46, Carleton Airport 19 Harper Woods (9-3) claimed its first Regional title as it continued its best season since 2007. Airport’s only losses this fall in finishing 10-2 were to teams playing in Semifinals. (See Week 3 opponent Flat Rock below.)

11-Player Division 5

HEADLINER Grand Rapids Catholic Central 30, Grand Rapids West Catholic 28 The was the closest matchup between these longtime rivals since 2017, as West Catholic took a 28-24 lead with 3:49 to play but GRCC’s Connor Wolf then ran in for the winning score to go with his two touchdown passes. The Regional title was the eighth straight for the Cougars (11-1). The Falcons finished 11-1 coming off their Division 6 title in 2022. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Regional Roundup Flat Rock 56, Detroit Southeastern 26 Flat Rock (9-3) is another first-time Regional champion, earning its first trip to the Semifinals since 1976 (when the MHSAA Playoffs were only two rounds). Southeastern finished 8-4, its winningest record since also going 8-4 in 2018. Corunna 56, Macomb Lutheran North 18 Corunna (12-0) topped 300 yards rushing and 400 yards of total offense in winning its first Regional championship since 1996. Lutheran North capped arguably the best bounce-back season in the state this season, going from 3-6 a year ago to a 9-3 with a first District championship and school record for wins. Frankenmuth 35, Kingsford 13 Frankenmuth won its fourth-consecutive Regional title, scoring the most points Kingsford (10-2) allowed this season and holding the Flivvers to 176 total yards and -6 rushing. Kingsford capped its winningest season since 2004.

11-Player Division 6

HEADLINER Ovid-Elsie 38, Constantine 25 From the division that seemed heading into the weekend like perhaps the most wide-open, Ovid-Elsie (8-4) may have earned the biggest stunner of the Regional Finals. The Marauders were just 3-4 with two regular-season games to go but have won their first Regional title since 2008 and by handing Constantine (10-2) it first loss since Week 2. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Regional Roundup Kingsley 51, Gladstone 27 Kingsley (10-2) is headed back to the Semifinals for the first time since 2019 as the offense raised its scoring average to nearly 49 points per game by going over 50 for the fourth time over the last five weeks. Gladstone finished 9-3 for the second-straight season. Reed City 28, Midland Bullock Creek 14 The Coyotes (9-3) have won eight straight games to reach the Semifinals for the second-straight season, this time ending Bullock Creek’s longest playoff run since 2005. The Lancers finished 8-4 coming off two straight 4-5 seasons. Almont 49, Detroit Edison 24 Almont (11-1) also is back in the Semifinals for the first time since 2019 after ending Edison’s longest playoff run and winningest season at 8-4 with a first District title.

11-Player Division 7

HEADLINER North Muskegon 28, Pewamo-Westphalia 27 North Muskegon led through the first half, then trailed until late, but scored last to secure its first Regional title since 1986. These two also had met in a season opener, the Norsemen (12-0) winning that one 17-14, and this time QB James Young scrambled back-and-forth nearly the width of the field to find Landon Christensen on the game winner with 1:21 to play. P-W finished 10-2, both losses to North Muskegon by that margin of four total points. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.

Regional Roundup Jackson Lumen Christi 21, Clinton 14 The reigning Division 7 champion will play in its seventh Semifinal in eight seasons after advancing from one of its only close matchups this fall. Clinton (10-2) led 8-7 at halftime before Lumen (11-1) moved ahead halfway through the third quarter and held off a late comeback attempt. Menominee 40, McBain 0 Menominee (10-2) won its first Regional championship since 2016 and is the final Upper Peninsula team playing this fall after posting its fifth shutout this season and fourth-straight game giving up 14 or fewer points. McBain ended its longest run since 2015 at 7-5. Millington 35, Montrose 15 Millington claimed its first Regional title since 2016 and set a school record for wins as Dallas Walsh raced to four touchdown runs. Montrose’s 8-4 record ran its streak of winning seasons to 14.

11-Player Division 8

HEADLINER Ubly 41, Ithaca 20 Ubly’s profile already was pretty high entering this season with two Division 8 championship game appearances over the last three seasons, and it no doubt grew with this win over the Yellowjackets (11-1) – who were also undefeated and considered a title contender. The Regional title was the fifth straight for the Bearcats (12-0). Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.

Regional Roundup Beal City 20, Iron Mountain 6 Beal City (11-1) still has given up only 95 points this season, and it slowed down an Iron Mountain offense that scored 50 per game during its 11-0 start. Ottawa Lake Whiteford 54, White Pigeon 6 Another meeting of undefeated contenders saw the reigning Division 8 champion Bobcats (12-0) score nearly half the 109 points that White Pigeon (11-1) allowed this season. Riverview Gabriel Richard 31, Clarkston Everest Collegiate 28 Gabriel Richard (8-4) also was 3-4 with two regular-season games to play and joined the first-time Regional champions, handing Everest (9-3) its first loss since Week 3.

MHSAA.com's weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and X (Twitter) @mistudentaid.

PHOTO Haslett defenders bring down a Goodrich ball carrier stretching for extra yardage Friday. (Photo by Terry Lyons.)