Drive for Detroit: Week 3 in Review
September 11, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
There are a handful of significant turning points every Michigan high school football season – and Week 3 always proves to be the first.
There are 106 11-player and 12 8-player teams statewide celebrating 3-0 starts, including a good share enjoying big-time turnarounds from a year ago. There also are 117 11-player teams – including a handful of notable powers – that have opened 0-3 and find themselves starting their personal playoffs six weeks earlier than usual as they now must win out to guarantee a spot in the postseason.
Our look back at Week 3 tells how some of those teams got there, plus hits on a few rivalry streaks now broken and more shaking up among the 8-player elite.
Bay & Thumb
Flushing 26, Detroit Country Day 19 (OT)
Flushing’s season – and decade – got a massive boost with this upset of last season’s Division 4 runner-up. The Raiders are coming off consecutive 4-5 finishes and have only one winning season over the last six (going 9-3 in 2014). But they’re 2-1 this fall after jumping out to a 13-0 lead Friday, seeing it dissolve, but then rising again in overtime. Country Day (2-1) didn’t lose in the regular season last year and had lost only one regular-season game going back to the start of 2015.
Also noted:
Bay City Central 35, Flint Powers Catholic 28 – For the second straight week Central (2-1) pulled off a nail-biter in the Saginaw Valley League Red, handing Powers (2-1) its first loss.
Cass City 54, Brown City 30 – The Red Hawks (3-0) are halfway to a fourth straight playoff berth, and this time they’ve put up more than 50 points twice with 138 their most three games in since 2006.
Richmond 35, Croswell-Lexington 28 – This one definitely could’ve tripped up the Blue Devils (3-0) as they go for a third straight Blue Water Area Conference title; Croswell-Lexington (2-1) can stay in the mix with wins over the next two weeks again also-contenders Almont and Algonac.
Davison 40, Flint Carman-Ainsworth 13 – Davison (3-0) is rolling on offense again with a second 50-point game this season over a 2016 playoff team; Carman-Ainsworth has its work cut out after falling to 1-2.
Greater Detroit
Clarkston 34, Bloomfield Hills 20
The Wolves are 3-0 against teams that went a combined 24-8 last season, with reigning Oakland Activities Association Blue champion Bloomfield Hills the most recent to fall. The teams traded scores most of the game and the Black Hawks (2-1) led early in the fourth quarter before Clarkston scored 21 unanswered points. Bloomfield Hills moved this season into the OAA Red, where Clarkston is the reigning co-champion. Click for more from the Oakland Press.
Also noted:
Detroit Denby 12, Detroit Central 6 – Denby (2-0) got off to a slow start with no Week 1 game, but has caught up quickly handing another 2016 playoff team Central (2-1) its first loss.
Livonia Stevenson 20, Livonia Churchill 9 – These neighbors have now split their last 10, with Stevenson (2-0) claiming the last two while handing Churchill (2-1) its first loss for the second straight season.
Riverview 34, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 7 – The Pirates (2-1) downed SMCC for the first time since 2011, in the process equaling their win total from last year and putting the Falcons (1-2) down two games in Huron League play.
New Boston Huron 31, Carleton Airport 30 – Sticking in the Huron, New Boston Huron is 3-0 for the first time since 1970, according to Michigan-football.com, after Austin Atherton’s late 36-yard field goal got the Chiefs past Airport (2-1).
Mid-Michigan
Haslett 28, St. Johns 24
These teams are regulars in the chase after DeWitt in the Capital Area Activities Conference Red. Although this was a league opener, it would seem to indicate Haslett (2-1) is back as the top competition for the Panthers in the latter’s final season before moving into the CAAC Blue. The teams traded scores throughout the second and third quarters, but the Vikings held St. Johns (1-2) scoreless over the final 18 minutes. Both of the Redwings’ losses this fall are by four points or fewer. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
Also noted:
Belding 21, Hopkins 20 – The Black Knights (2-1) bounced back from a one-point Week 2 loss to Lake Odessa Lakewood to win a close one over Hopkins (1-2).
Holt 29, Jackson 27 – The Rams (1-2) didn’t let losses to Grandville and Hudsonville derail their season, edging Jackson (0-3) thanks to 265 yards and four touchdowns on 51 carries by Troy Jordan.
Portland 21, Williamston 14 – The Raiders (2-1) made it six wins in their last seven against the CAAC White rival Hornets (2-1), bouncing back this time from a Week 2 loss to Lansing Sexton.
Fowler 14, Bath 7 – A rare loss last week to Saranac could’ve knocked Fowler (2-1) off course, but the Eagles instead avenged last season’s loss to the Bees (2-1).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Traverse City West 29, Traverse City Central 27
After five straight meetings between these neighbors decided by seven points or fewer, the latest didn’t disappoint. West looked to break away multiple times during the second half, but Central (2-1) continued to answer before the Titans finally put away the “Patriot Game” victory by securing an onside kick attempt in the final minute. The Trojans had won the last four matchups between the two – including by two points during the regular season and one in the playoffs in 2016. West is 3-0 for the first time since 2004. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Also noted:
Petoskey 34, Cadillac 19 – Last season’s one-win finish is becoming a distant memory for Petoskey (2-1), which not only doubled its win total from 2016 in Week 3 but tied its highest scoring performance from all of last season in getting past Cadillac (1-2).
Lake City 28, McBain 8 – Lake City (3-0) has rumbled back into the mix after winning only two games last season and losing three straight to Highland Conference foe McBain (2-1).
Evart 15, Leroy Pine River 7 – The Wildcats (2-1) have ridden last season’s upswing into this fall, downing 2016 Division 6 semifinalist Pine River (0-3) for the first time since 2013.
Manistee 42, Ludington 28 – The Chippewas (1-2) got on the board by avenging last season’s loss to Ludington (2-1) and after losing their first two games this season by a combined 14 points.
Southeast & Border
Ypsilanti Lincoln 26, Chelsea 14
A pair of 20-point losses to Chelsea contributed to Lincoln’s back-to-back 4-5 finishes the last two seasons. Getting one back couldn’t have come at a better time. The Railsplitters (1-2) fell to Pinckney by nine on opening night and one to Tecumseh a week ago, but now can enjoy some confidence picked up by handing the Bulldogs (2-1) their first regular-season loss since Week 7 in 2015. Chelsea had beaten Pinckney in Week 2 and still should figure into the Southeastern Conference White title chase after winning outright or sharing the championship the last two seasons. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.
Also noted:
Salem 10, Brighton 7 – The Rocks (2-1) are one point this season from a perfect start as they seek their first winning season in 2012, while Brighton (1-2) now has two losses both by three points as they go for a third straight playoff berth.
Reading 52, Homer 38 – The Rangers (2-1) have gone from 3-6 last year to beating two of three reigning co-champions from the Big 8 Conference over the last two weeks, this time handing Homer (2-1) its first loss after an impressive start.
Hudson 48, Brooklyn Columbia Central 21 – The Tigers (3-0) handed Columbia Central (2-1) its first loss to move to 13-2 since the start of 2016.
Napoleon 17, Michigan Center 14 – The Pirates (2-1) are becoming strong favorites to add another Cascades Conference championship after downing the other reigning co-champ, Grass Lake, in Week 2, and edging another likely contender in the Cardinals (2-1) this time.
Southwest Corridor
Battle Creek Harper Creek 22, Jackson Lumen Christi 21 (OT)
A two-point conversion in overtime gave Harper Creek its second straight win over Lumen Christi – the reigning Division 6 champion – and put the Beavers in nice position in the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference after sharing the league title with the Titans in 2016. Harper Creek came back from 14 points down and trailed by a score heading into the fourth quarter. The Beavers went for two after answering Lumen’s TD and extra point to begin overtime. Click for more from the Battle Creek Enquirer.
Also noted:
Watervliet 52, Maple City Glen Lake 26 – The Panthers (3-0) have yet to score fewer than 50 points, and the reigning Division 6 runner-up Lakers (1-2) hadn’t given up that many since 2014.
Stevensville Lakeshore 24, Portage Central 7 – Give the Lancers (3-0) the early upper hand on the Mustangs (2-1) as one of these two has won or shared the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West title the last five seasons.
Battle Creek Central 32, Battle Creek Lakeview 13 – The Bearcats (1-2) downed their rival for the second time in three seasons, especially impressive because Central is seeking its first playoff season since 2008 and Lakeview (1-2) has made the postseason five straight.
Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 21, Kalamazoo Central 14 – The Knights (1-2) got their first win since opening night 2015 and first over rival Central (0-3) since 2014.
Upper Peninsula
Gladstone 43, Negaunee 0
Gladstone is 3-0 for the first time since 2014, and the Braves also started 3-0 in 2009. But this opening surge has included outscoring their first three opponents by a combined 129-6 – and shutting out a pair of 2016 playoff teams in Gwinn and now the Miners. Gladstone had lost to Negaunee by 23 in 2016 and 24 in 2015. The Miners, meanwhile, face their toughest path forward since 2000 as they try to make the playoffs for a sixth straight season. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.
Also noted:
Ishpeming Westwood 38, L’Anse 10 – The Patriots not only are 3-0 after winning two games last season, but they’ve outscored those first three opponents by a combined 98-22; the Purple Hornets (2-1) were the first to reach double digits.
Escanaba 21, Detroit Loyola 20 – The Eskymos (2-1) crossed the bridge and just edged the reigning Division 7 runner-up Bulldogs (0-3).
Fond du Lac, Wis. 49, Menominee 20 – The Maroons (2-1) had only one other regular-season loss (to DeWitt last season) since mid-2012, but Fond du Lac is 3-1 and made the quarterfinals of its Wisconsin division last season.
Iron River West Iron County 35, Iron Mountain 3 – The Wykons (2-1) had lost by 26 and 27 to the rival Mountaineers (0-3) the last two seasons.
West Michigan
East Grand Rapids 16, Lowell 14
East Grand Rapids got ahead by a pair of touchdowns but needed a late field goal by Mark Boeve to finish off what has to be considered its most impressive win this decade. The Pioneers handed the Red Arrows (2-1) their first regular-season defeat since opening night 2015 and first in this series since EGR’s undefeated run in 2010. East Grand Rapids is 3-0 for the second time in three seasons. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Also noted:
Muskegon Mona Shores 30, Rockford 24 (OT) – The Sailors (3-0) evened their recent series with the Rams (1-2) at 2-2 while continuing one of the most impressive starts in the state this fall.
Grand Rapids West Catholic 17, Zeeland West 6 – The Falcons (2-1) avenged last season’s loss to West (1-2) by holding the Dux to their fewest points since a 2014 Division 3 Semifinal defeat.
East Kentwood 24, Hudsonville 17 – The Falcons (3-0) opened the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red schedule with a third win over a 2016 playoff team while dropping Hudsonville to 1-2.
Holland 36, Hudsonville Unity Christian 30 (OT) – The Dutch are 3-0 for the first time since 2011 and after two straight 2-7 finishes; Unity (2-1) had won all five previous meetings since Holland joined the O-K Green.
8-Player
Stephenson 42, Crystal Falls Forest Park 16
Another week, another massive 8-player result from the Upper Peninsula. Forest Park couldn’t celebrate for long breaking Powers North Central’s 27-game winning streak in Week 2, as Stephenson now can stake a claim as the team to chase in a loaded Western Eight Conference. The Eagles (3-0) are joined by Rapid River and Ontonagon among undefeated squads in the league that also includes the Trojans and Jets among others. This win avenged two losses to Forest Park last year, including the second in a playoff opener. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.
Also noted:
Camden-Frontier 46, Battle Creek St. Philip 14 – The Redskins (3-0) look good to continue rising in their second season of 8-player after beating power St. Philip (2-1) for the second straight time.
Brimley 26, Onaway 25 – The Bays are suddenly 3-0 after not having enough players to field a team in 2016 and going 0-9 in 2015; Onaway fell to 1-2.
Pickford 40, Engadine 22 – Engadine (2-1) has made the playoffs six straight seasons, but Pickford (3-0) now has two straight wins on the Eagles after losing to them last regular season but also beating them by two in a Regional Final.
Ontonagon 32, Powers North Central 30 – The Gladiators (3-0) handed reigning MHSAA champion North Central (1-2) its second straight loss.
PHOTO: A Clarkston ball carrier dives for the end zone during Friday's win over Bloomfield Hills. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
Moore Making Case as Best of Martin Luther King's QB Greats
By
Tom Markowski
Special for Second Half
October 7, 2021
It might come as no surprise to many, but we could be watching the best quarterback that's ever been a part of the rich football history at Detroit Martin Luther King.
Let's begin with Darnell Dickerson, an `86 King graduate. Dickerson was the Detroit News' No. 1 Blue Chip prospect and went on to play at Pittsburgh. More recently there's Dequan Finn, who led King to the 2016 Division 2 title. Finn is currently the back-up quarterback at Toledo.
Now there's Dante Moore. Moore (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) is still a junior, so there's still much for him to accomplish, and for us to witness, at King.
As a freshman, Moore led the Crusaders to the Division 2 title game before they lost to Muskegon Mona Shores, 35-26. Last season, King lost to River Rouge, 33-30, in a Division 3 Regional Final. This season, King is 5-1 and one of the favorites to win the Division 3 title. Its only loss was Carmel High, 42-40. Carmel (6-1) is one of the top teams in Indiana.
Tyrone Spencer is in his sixth season as King's head coach and he realizes, with Moore, he has a special player.
“He's very poised, mature for his age,” Spencer said. “He's a class act on and off the field. He's got a great arm and great accuracy.”
Moore, 16, attended a number of camps throughout the country this past summer including many in the South including at Auburn, Clemson, Florida State and Georgia. At the Elite 11 camp in California, Moore was able to gauge how he measures up to a number of the top quarterbacks in the country, many of whom are a year older, and he more than held his own.
In only four games on the field (two wins came by forfeit), Moore has completed 67 of 95 pass attempts, for 1,280 yards and 17 touchdowns. He's received 27 scholarship offers including from Michigan and Michigan State.
Despite all of the hype Moore has received, he remains grounded. He's a quiet leader, but a leader nonetheless. As a sophomore he was elected captain, a rarity for any program but especially one as successful as King.
“I remember my first snap (as a freshman) against Detroit Catholic Central at Wayne State,” he said. “It was crazy. Now I'm a junior, and I'm just thankful being with my teammates at a school like King.”
Moore was King's starter from day one, and he remembers well that first game against DCC – a 24-22 defeat against the Shamrocks, who went on to share the Detroit Catholic League Central title.
“It was crazy, taking my first snap,” Moore said. “Now I'm a junior. It goes so fast.”
Life has its twists and turns, and Moore has had his share. Born in East Cleveland, Ohio, Moore and his family moved to Detroit when he was 5. His father grew up in the Detroit area and went to Southfield High, where he competed in basketball, football and track, and job opportunities brought Otha Moore and his family back to Detroit.
But before all that took place, Moore and his family had moved to Lorain, located just west of Cleveland, then they went to live with his grandmother on a farm in Lancaster, located just southeast of Columbus. Too young to be responsible for chores such as milking cows and such, Moore did get a taste of farm life and the early-to-bed, early-to-rise lifestyle.
In addition to football, Moore began playing soccer at an early age. From second grade through eighth Moore was on the pitch either as a goalkeeper or a striker. He credits that sport for improving his footwork. When asked if he'd play soccer if King sponsored the sport, Moore quickly replied yes and admits he misses the game. He does get a few opportunities to show those foot skills; Moore is King's punter and has handled the place-kicking duties at times.
There was a transitionary period, country life to the big city, but Moore said because he's the out-going type, it didn't take him long to make new friends. It was this type of personality that years later would lead to a relationship that would not only grow into a strong friendship, but one that would have a lasting effect on his development as a quarterback.
While working out at a Southfield health club, Moore recognized Devin Gardner – the former Inkster star and Michigan quarterback/receiver – going through his workout. Moore wasn't going miss out on this chance meeting. He introduced himself, and they almost instantly became friends. For the past three years or so, Gardner has worked with Moore, mostly during the offseason. But rarely does a week go by when the two don’t talk about football, school, you name it.
“We talk about anything,” Moore said. “We tell each other jokes. We go to fairs together. He gives me advice on how to be a better man in my life. He's making an impact. He gets me mentally prepared.”
Moore first acknowledges his father as the one who's had the greatest impact in his life – athletically, emotionally and socially. After that, it's his other family – the King coaching staff – who has played such an important part in his development.
First there's Spencer, then there's quarterback coach Jerrell Noland – a former King quarterback (2007 graduate) who played at Kentucky State – and Terel Patrick, King's offensive coordinator. Both Spencer and Patrick coached under one of the icons in Detroit's coaching history, James Reynolds, and Patrick like Noland also played for Reynolds.
“I lean on (Patrick's) shoulder,” Moore said. “He helps me break down film and be prepared. It's not all about football at King. It's family.”
As for college, Moore has placed those decisions on hold until after the season.
“I'm just thankful I have the opportunity to play at a school like King,” he said. “I'm concentrating on the season and winning a state title. At the end of the season, I'll narrow down my choices.”
Tom Markowski primarily covered high school sports for the The Detroit News from 1984-2014, focusing on the Detroit area and contributing to statewide coverage of football and basketball. He also is a former correspondent and web content director for State Champs! Sports Network. Contact him at [email protected] with story ideas for Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties.
PHOTOS (Top) King quarterback Dante Moore (5) avoids the pressure during a 41-34 Week 3 win over Detroit Cass Tech. (Middle) Moore interviews after the game with Bally Sports Detroit. (Photos by Quintin Love Jr.)