Drive for Detroit: Week 2 in Review

September 6, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Three overtime thrillers. Two matchups pitting arguably the best programs from their respective areas. One of the most intriguing games in Michigan 8-player football history. 

If you missed following Week 2's results, you truly missed out – but we're here to help. 

Catch up below for many of the most telling results from another Labor Day weekend.

Bay & Thumb

Algonac 14, Almont 7

This is turning into quite the Blue Water Area Conference rivalry series, with Algonac extending its run to three straight over Almont (1-1) after losing to the Raiders 72-7 in 2014. Last season’s win helped the Muskrats to an eventual share of the league title; this one definitely gives them an upper hand again only a game into the BWAC schedule. Offense was at a premium once again, but Algonac (2-0) scored in the second and fourth quarters and has given up only nine points over its first two games. Click for more from the Port Huron Times Herald.

Also noted:

Beaverton 39, Harbor Beach 22 – The Beavers (2-0) are already one win shy of tying last season’s total after dealing the frequently-powerful Pirates (1-1) a first defeat this fall.

Port Huron Northern 27, Marine City 24 – The Huskies (1-1) are looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2010, and beating Marine City (0-2) for the first time certainly will help.

St. Clair Shores South Lake 54, Madison Heights Madison 28 – South Lake (2-0) could be a clear favorite in the Macomb Area Conference Silver after avenging last season’s 56-42 title-deciding loss to the reigning champion Eagles (1-1).

Davison 49, Mount Pleasant 14 – Tariq Reid ran for 309 yards and scored five touchdowns as Davison moved to 2-0 and dropped the Oilers to 0-2.

Greater Detroit

Southfield Arts & Technology 24, Clarkston 18 (OT)

What a start/bounce back for the first-year Warriors. The school, formed by a merger of the former Southfield High and Southfield Lathrup, opened this season and its football history by falling to Detroit Martin Luther King 39-0 during opening weekend. So that made this rebound win over the always-tough Wolves (1-1) at least a little unexpected – and gave Southfield A&T an early edge in a strong Oakland Activities Association Red as well. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Also noted:

Utica Eisenhower 26, Macomb Dakota 13 – Only the stunner by Southfield A&T could trump this massive win by Eisenhower (2-0), which ended a five-game losing streak to its MAC Red rival; Dakota (1-1) beat the Eagles twice last season, including in the District Final.

Walled Lake Western 33, Canton 30 – These two combined to go 22-4 in 2015, but Western (2-0) is off to the better start so far after dealing a heartbreaker to the Chiefs (0-2).

Allen Park 38, Wyandotte Roosevelt 0 – The Jaguars (2-0) have outscored their first two opponents by a combined 100-0 after avenging last season’s loss to the Bears (1-1).  

Detroit U-D Jesuit 20, Ann Arbor Pioneer 7 – The Cubs are 2-0 for the second straight season after bottling up a Pioneer team that went 7-4 a year ago.

Mid-Michigan

Grand Ledge 28, DeWitt 21

The game everyone in the Lansing area has waited years to see lived up to its billing, as the reigning Capital Area Activities Conference Blue champion Comets outlasted the annual powerhouse from the CAAC Red. Grand Ledge didn’t totally ground DeWitt’s high-powered offense, but did come up with necessary stops and multiple turnovers to improve to 1-1 with league play beginning this week. The Panthers, also 1-1, will move on to trying to extend their 38-game league winning streak that dates to 2008. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Also noted:

Haslett 9, Flushing 6 – The Vikings (1-1) made it three straight over Flushing (1-1); they’ve won by a combined eight points over those three recent meetings.

Pewamo-Westphalia 64, Dansville 0 – The Aggies (1-1) are likely still one of the best teams in the Central Michigan Athletic Conference, but the reigning Division 7 runner-up Pirates (2-0) are likely just this good.

Portland 40, Hillsdale 0 – The Raiders (2-0) are another Lansing-area team looking elite so far after dealing Hillsdale (1-1) its first shutout loss since 2011.

Fowlerville 38, Charlotte 25 – The Gladiators have had some tough seasons since last making the playoffs in 2010, but are 2-0 for the first time since 2009 after downing the Orioles (0-2). 

Northern Lower Peninsula

Charlevoix 22, Boyne City 14 (OT)

The Red Rayders (2-0) have come up with stunning wins from time to time over the last few years and are riding a streak of two straight winning seasons. But this still must qualify as the most stunning in recent memory – Charlevoix hadn’t scored on Boyne City over their last two meetings and hadn’t beaten the Ramblers since 2011. Boyne City (0-2), a Division 6 regional finalist last fall, isn’t far off its usual pace, however; the two losses this season are by only a combined 17 points. Click for more from the Petoskey News.

Also noted:

Manton 28, Johannesburg-Lewiston 24 – Aside from the Week 9 victory that gave the 2014 Rangers their only playoff appearance of the last two decades, beating the Cardinals (who were 43-12 over last five seasons) might be Manton’s best win since the early 1990s; both teams are now 1-1.

Alpena 33, Sault Ste. Marie 20 – The Wildcats (1-1) are looking for their first winning season since 2004, and getting past a 2015 playoff team like the Blue Devils (1-1) will help.

Traverse City St. Francis 21, Maple City Glen Lake 13 – This is the latest chapter in what’s become a strong rivalry, as St. Francis moved to 2-0 and Glen Lake to 1-1 with both likely contenders in their respective leagues.

Manistee 36, Hopkins 30 – The Chippewas (1-1) have improved yearly over the last three and bounced back from an opening-night loss by beating a Hopkins team (1-1) trying to rebound from its first sub-.500 season since 2006. 

Southeast & Border

Concord 28, Homer 26 (OT)

Tune back in later this week for a feature on Concord, which struggled through back-to-back 1-8 seasons in 2013 and 2014 before making a huge jump to 7-3 last year. The Yellowjackets (2-0) hadn’t beaten Homer since 2009 and fell 32-30 last season as the Trojans went on to win the Big 8 Conference title. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen-Patriot.

Also noted:

East Jackson 30, Vandercook Lake 28 – The Trojans (1-1) have three wins total over their last four seasons, but got a huge one against a Jayhawks team (0-2) that finished 8-2 a year ago.

Hudson 8. Morenci 6 – The momentum in this rivalry swung back to the Tigers (2-0), who had lost two straight to Morenci (1-1) and have given up only 14 points total over two games this fall.

New Boston Huron 21, Carleton Airport 14 – The Chiefs (2-0) opened Huron League play with a second win by seven points or fewer, but also fourth straight over Airport (1-1)

Temperance Bedford 51, Fenton 28 – Last season’s 0-4 start is a distant memory for the Mules (2-0), who got past a Fenton team (0-2) coming off its eighth straight playoff appearance. 

Southwest Corridor

Marshall 17, Coldwater 7

The Redhawks (1-1) came back from an opening-night loss to Benton Harbor to avenge last season’s 9-7 defeat to Coldwater (1-1) that ended up deciding the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference title. In doing so, Marshall also ended the Cardinals’ 13-game regular-season winning streak; the latter’s only loss last fall came in a Division 3 Semifinal. Click for more from the Battle Creek Enquirer

Also noted:

Benton Harbor 28, Grand Rapids South Christian 21 – The Tigers (2-0) continued to show last season’s success wasn’t just a one-and-done by sending the Sailors to 1-1.  

Paw Paw 22, Plainwell 9 – The Redskins (2-0) are off to their seventh straight 2-0 start despite missing the postseason a year ago; Plainwell (1-1) rebounded off last season’s Paw Paw loss to still make the playoffs and will look to do so again.  

Schoolcraft 51, Watervliet 30 – This wasn’t as close as Schoolcraft’s one-point win last season, but similarly impressive as the Eagles moved to 2-0 by outscoring the offensively-talented Panthers (1-1).

Cassopolis 33, Mendon 14 – The Rangers (2-0) extended their winning streak over the annually-powerful Hornets (1-1) to two straight to open Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph Red play. 

Upper Peninsula

Negaunee 14, Calumet 6

The Miners (2-0) sent back at least some of the disappointment left over from falling to Calumet in last season’s Division 6 playoff opener. Negaunee held the Copper Kings to 18 fewer points than in the playoff loss while riding two running backs who both gained more than 100 yards on the ground, and has now beaten Calumet (1-1) in five straight regular-season meetings. Click for more from the Houghton Daily Mining Gazette.

Also noted:

Bark River-Harris 52, Bessemer Gogebic 24 – This could end up a key win in the wide-open but tough Mid-Eastern Conference race; Bark-River Harris (2-0) is the reigning co-champion, but the Miners (1-1) are among additions from the old Great Western Conference.

Newberry 50, Munising 14 – The Indians (2-0) also beat Munising last season before tying with the Mustangs (0-2) for third in the Mid-Eastern standings; Newberry looks like a favorite this time.  

Norway 41, Felch North Dickinson 14 – The Knights (2-0) have equaled last fall’s win total as they seek a first winning season since 2010; North Dickinson is 1-1 and sees Munising next.

Lake Linden-Hubbell 38, L’Anse 14 – The Lakes (2-0) are another Mid-Eastern transplant from the old Great Western Conference, and they continued to gear up by beating a Hornets team (0-2) with three winning seasons over its last four.  

West Michigan

Lowell 21, Rockford 10

These Grand Rapids-area powers hadn’t faced each other since 2012, but Lowell (2-0) now owns wins in all three of their recent meetings. The Red Arrows came back this time from a three-point halftime deficit, which was especially impressive against a Rockford team chomping for a win after having to forfeit in Week 1 because an illness overtook a number of players. Lowell is a major favorite in the Ottawa-Kent Conference White but first must face rival East Grand Rapids this week, while Rockford (0-2) gets Mona Shores before a challenging O-K Red schedule begins. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Also noted: 

Holland Christian 32, Ada Forest Hills Eastern 28 – The Maroons (1-1) got a nice boost as they seek their first winning season since 2009, handing a first regular-season loss since 2014 to reigning Division 4 semifinalist Forest Hills Eastern (1-1)

Muskegon Catholic Central 21, St. Ignace 6 – The Crusaders (2-0) are in midseason form defensively, giving up a combined 12 points over the last two weeks to opponents that averaged nearly 37 in 2015, including a Saints team (1-1) that put up 44 on opening night.

Zeeland West 32, Muskegon Mona Shores 28 – The first two wins have been close for the Dux (2-0, by a combined nine points, but extended a regular-season winning streak going back to Week 3 in 2013; this one ended a Mona Shores regular-season streak that had started in Week 3 of 2014.

Wyoming 38, Comstock Park 7 – The Wolves are 2-0 after going a combined 4-23 over the last three seasons and beat a Comstock Park team (1-1) coming off its sixth straight playoff berth. 

8-Player

Powers North Central 60, Crystal Falls Forest Park 42

Reigning MHSAA champion North Central (2-0) earned the first of what could be multiple rounds this season with new 8-player force Forest Park, putting up 30 points during the third quarter to move to 15-0 since making the switch from 11-player. The Jets have scored 60 points in both of their games this season, but the Trojans (!-1) became only the second team over the last two seasons to come within 40 points of North Central, and the first to come within 20. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Also noted:

Cedarville 45, Posen 0 – These Trojans (2-0) split a pair of two-point games last season against Posen (1-1), but left no doubts this time.

Engadine 34, Onaway 12 – The Eagles have had a nice run in 8-player with five straight playoff appearances, and now are 2-0 for the first time since 2012 after handing Onaway (1-1) a first loss.

Lawrence 30, Morrice 18 – No team held Morrice (1-1) under 20 points last season, but the Tigers (2-0) have become known for defense while playing in this high-scoring format.

PHOTO: Okemos defenders stop an Ann Arbor Skyline ball carrier during the Chiefs' 30-6 win Thursday. (Photo by John Johnson.)

1st & Goal: 2024 Week 8 Preview

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 18, 2024

It all comes down to this weekend for several of this football season's league title races across Michigan.

MI Student AidAs one might expect at this late date, Week 8’s schedule is filled with clashes that will be remembered for decades by those who are part of them over the next two days.

All but one of our featured matchups have league championship implications, as do several more that will be played this week across both peninsulas.

Games listed below are tonight unless noted, with results posting as they are reported all weekend on the MHSAA Scores page. Updated standings also are available by clicking the schools on the score list, and every division’s playoff points summary updates as well as scores are received.

Bay & Thumb

Frankenmuth (7-0) at Freeland (7-0) WATCH

Another year, another opportunity for these two to play for a Tri-Valley Conference title. The Red championship is again on the line, as is Frankenmuth’s 65-game league winning streak going back to 2014. The Eagles have defeated Freeland in five straight, including 38-13 last season when both entered undefeated as well. The Falcons’ defense has been exceptional this season, with four shutouts and no more than six points given up in a game before allowing 27 last week to Bay City John Glenn. The Eagles will counter with an offense that hasn’t scored fewer than 41 points since a season-opening 22-0 shutout of Goodrich. 

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY North Branch (5-2) at Almont (7-0) WATCH, Goodrich (6-1) at Fenton (7-0) WATCH, Grand Blanc (6-1) at Davison (6-1), Clare (6-1) at Pinconning (5-2) WATCH.

Grater Detroit

Detroit Cass Tech (5-2) vs. Detroit Martin Luther King (6-1) at Ford Field WATCH

This is another annual rematch, for the Detroit Public School League City title, with these two playing each other for the second time in the same season for the fifth-straight year. King won the first meeting this season 18-12 in overtime in Week 4, and over the last four years the winner of the first game has won the rematch as well three times – including Cass Tech claiming both a year ago. The Technicians’ defense has remained stellar, giving up just six points with two shutouts in its three games since the first loss to the Crusaders, while King has two shutouts as well over its last three games.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Clarkston Everest Collegiate (7-0) at Royal Oak Shrine Catholic (6-1), Dearborn Fordson (5-2) at Belleville (7-0) WATCH, Gibraltar Carlson (6-1) at Allen Park (6-1), Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (5-2) at Macomb Lutheran North (6-1) WATCH, Detroit Central (5-2) vs. Detroit Denby (5-2) at Ford Field WATCH.

Mid-Michigan

Brighton (6-1) at Howell (7-0) WATCH

Howell has already clinched a share of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West championship thanks to last week’s 35-21 win over Novi. But Brighton can mash things up  tonight, as a Bulldogs win would create a three-team title share between Howell, Brighton and Novi. The Highlanders and Bulldogs have split their last four meetings, with Howell winning last year’s 43-7. Brighton’s only loss this fall was 37-34 to Novi in Week 4 – but the Bulldogs also have shown the ability to pull out a close win with one-point victories over Northville and Plymouth.  

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Ogemaw Heights (6-1) at Harrison (7-0), Lansing Sexton (4-3) at Portland (7-0), Lansing Catholic (5-2) at Olivet (5-2) WATCH, Walled Lake Western (7-0) at Mason (6-1).

Northern Lower Peninsula

East Jordan (5-2) at Frankfort (6-1) WATCH

These two will hold out hope for a Mancelona win over Maple City Glen Lake in Week 9 – a victory by the Ironmen next week would give tonight’s winner a share of the Northern Michigan Football League Legacy title. But in the meantime, Frankfort and East Jordan also are setting up playoff position, with Frankfort entering this week No. 15 on the Division 8 playoff points list and East Jordan just one spot behind at No. 16. A home playoff game very well could be on the line, and every little advantage counts as these two have played four straight games decided by six or fewer points – including the Red Devils’ 38-36 victory in East Jordan a year ago.  

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Oscoda (5-2) at Boyne City (5-2) WATCH, Montague (3-4) at Manistee (4-3) WATCH, Bay City Western (2-5) at Traverse City West (4-3) WATCH, Kalkaska (2-5) at Kingsley (5-2) WATCH.

Southeast & Border

Clinton (6-1) at Hudson (6-1) WATCH

The Lenawee County Athletic Association title comes down almost completely to this matchup, as these two are tied atop the standings with two league games to play and the winner tonight clinching a share of the championship. Clinton won it outright last year, with Hudson finishing runner-up thanks to a 29-0 Redwolves victory in the regular-season finale. The Tigers’ lone loss this season came to still-undefeated Fowler, and they haven’t been challenged much since. Clinton also opened with a defeat, to also still-undefeated Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, and since has advanced through four wins by 10 or fewer points.  

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Bronson (5-2) at Springport (6-1) WATCH, Brooklyn Columbia Central (3-4) at Hanover-Horton (7-0) WATCH, Grass Lake (4-3) at Leslie (7-0) WATCH, Manchester (5-2) at Michigan Center (3-4) WATCH.

Southwest Corridor

Kalamazoo United (6-1) at Parchment (6-1)

This is a winner-take-all for the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore championship, and both are bringing significant momentum into this matchup. Parchment downed last season’s champion Constantine last week 51-30 and has given up 46 points total this season not counting its 48-16 loss to Dowagiac in Week 3. United’s loss also came in Week 3, 27-18 to Lawton, and the Titans otherwise have allowed just 41 points this fall with the majority also coming during a 33-21 win over Constantine. United has defeated Parchment in six straight, including the last five as league opponents, but only 30-28 a year ago.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Kalamazoo Central (5-2) at Mattawan (4-3), Buchanan (4-3) at Dowagiac (5-2), Portage Northern (4-3) at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix (5-2) WATCH, Saugatuck (5-2) at Lawton (5-2) WATCH.

Upper Peninsula

Kingsford (7-0) at Menominee (7-0)

Kingsford and Menominee also met last season with league title implications, and the Flivvers’ 41-32 victory resulted in a shared Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper title between Kingsford and Negaunee, while the Maroons finished tied for third. This time, it’s winner take all. Menominee is coming off a 34-19 win over Negaunee, while Kingsford got its 29-27 Negaunee win in Week 4 and hasn’t been challenged much the last few weeks. The Flivvers have three shutouts and are giving up only seven points per game, a notable detail as Menominee is averaging 50 points per game.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Iron Mountain (7-0) at Manistique (4-3) WATCH, Houghton (3-4) at Negaunee (5-2), Bark River-Harris (4-3) at West Iron County (3-4) WATCH. SATURDAY Cadillac (4-3) at Marquette (5-2).

West Michigan

Holland Christian (6-1) at Grand Rapids Northview (7-0)

A week after what has to be considered one of the most memorable wins in program history, Northview must finish the job in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Black against another contender enjoying one of its best seasons in some time. The Wildcats are coming off a 12-3 win over always-powerful Grand Rapids Catholic Central, and Holland Christian’s only defeat came to the Cougars 42-18 the week before. The Maroons rebounded off of that loss with a one-point win last week over one-win Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, but now have a chance at a shared league title if they can prevail tonight – although there haven’t been many down moments for Northview during a run that’s also included wins over Southeastern Conference White champion Chelsea and East Grand Rapids to start the league schedule.   

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Coopersville (5-2) at Big Rapids (6-1) WATCH, Muskegon (3-3) at Byron Center (6-1), Hamilton (5-2) at Grand Rapids West Catholic (5-2), Decatur (6-1) at Hopkins (6-1) WATCH.

8-Player

Pickford (7-0) at Norway (6-1) WATCH

This may end up just the first of multiple meetings between these two this season – they played each other during the regular season and playoffs a year ago – but this matchup carries much more significance than their first last fall as the winner tonight will earn a share of the Great Lakes Eight Conference East title. Pickford is the reigning champ, but Norway played in the GLEC West last season and won that division in similarly dominant fashion. The Panthers did claim both of their 2023 meetings, 40-18 and then 34-16 in a Division 1 Regional Final, and they are averaging 54 points per game and allowing just under seven. But Norway might provide the greatest challenge yet, having kicked things up a notch offensively with an already high-caliber offense averaging 45 points a game.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Mendon (7-0) vs. Climax-Scotts (6-1), Pittsford (6-1) at Waldron (5-2), Bellaire (6-1) at Indian River Inland Lakes (7-0) WATCH, Bay City All Saints (6-1) at Kinde North Huron (6-1) WATCH.

MHSAA.com's weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). 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 scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Click to connect with MI Student Aid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTO Grand Rapids Northview's Jalen Gant (1) works to break a tackle against East Grand Rapids during a Week 4 win. (Photo by Michigan Sports Photo.)