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Drive for Detroit: Week 6 in Review

October 8, 2013

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A handful of undefeated teams ended perfect seasons for others during Week 6, and a number of league races began to clear up as we finished the second third of the football regular season. 

But we'll assume no team celebrated its win with more relief than the team that hadn't won in quite a while. 

We don't often point to a lack of success, but Lincoln Park deserves a shout for its perseverance over the last eight seasons. The Railsplitters sit 1-5 thanks to their first win last week since the second week of 2006. 

You do the math, but keep in mind the streak included four losses by five points or fewer. Lincoln Park clearly earned some fans statewide as it battled on, and they'll surely be rooting for that next win to come soon as well. 

For the rest of Week 6 results of most significance all over the state, read on. 

West Michigan

Shelby 22, Muskegon Oakridge 19

Thanks in part to a trick play-turned-touchdown with 25 seconds to play, Shelby ended Oakridge’s 18-game regular-season winning streak and a personal four-game losing streak against its West Michigan Conference rival. Shelby (6-0) still has a few tough games left on the league schedule, and Oakridge (5-1) will be hoping for an upset so it can claim a share of the title. Click to read more from the Muskegon Chronicle.

Also noted:

Lowell 42, East Grand Rapids 39 (4 OT): This is one of those games that draws statewide eyes, and was decided in extra periods after East Grand Rapids (3-3) cut a halftime deficit before Lowell (6-0) prevailed.

Muskegon Reeths-Puffer 46, Zeeland East 26: The Reeths-Puffer revival continues, with the Rockets now 5-1 – they won a combined 10 games from 2008-12 – and their win over Zeeland East (5-1) was one of their most impressive of the last decade.

Grand Rapids South Christian 35, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 29 (OT): Losing to GRCC and finished second in the O-K Gold to the Cougars (3-3) was one of South Christian’s few disappointments during its Division 4 championship season of 2012; the Sailors (5-1) look strong to claim the league title this time. 

Grandville Calvin Christian 17, Hopkins 16: This turned the O-K Silver into a three-team race, with these two and NorthPointe Christian all tied for first with two league games to play (but none against each other). Calvin Christian improved to 3-3 overall and Hopkins fell to 4-2. 

Lower Up North

Lincoln Alcona 63, Oscoda 10

Lincoln Alcona moved to the North Star League this fall. So far, so good. The Tigers claimed their first league title ever with this Battle of F41 trophy game win, and at 6-0 qualified for the playoffs for the second straight season – and fourth time ever. Click to read more from the Bay City Times.

Also noted:

Grayling 48, Elk Rapids 28: The Elks (4-2) were major obstacles Grayling (5-1) needed to overcome to continue surging in the Lake Michigan Conference.

Indian River Inland Lakes 56, Central Lake 30: Inland Lakes (4-2) equaled its win totals of each of the last four seasons; Central Lake fell to 2-4.

Petoskey 42, Traverse City Central 37: Neither is likely to still contend in the Big North Conference this season, but this likely will end up a key result as both are 3-3 overall.

Lake City 46, McBain 0: Wow. Lake City (6-0) has given up just six points this season, and also shut out a McBain team that at 4-2 will push for a playoff spot. 

Upper Peninsula

Crystal Falls Forest Park 43, Felch North Dickinson 20

These small-school powers have faced off at least once every season (and multiple times when they've also met in the playoffs) since 1992. Forest Park (6-0) entered in first place in the Great Western Conference, and North Dickinson (5-1) is the same in the Mid-Eastern Conference. Although this helps neither’s league chances, it does give Forest Park a 16-11 edge in their 27 recent meetings. Click to read more from the Iron County Reporter.

Also noted:

Iron River West Iron County 41, Calumet 0: The Copper Kings (0-6) are having a are down season, but West Iron (6-0) appears to be building one of its best.

Marquette 24, Kingsford 0: Marquette (5-1) kept pace just one win back of Great Northern UP Conference leader Menominee with another impressive win, this one over the frequently-contending Flivvers (4-2).

Rapid River 45, Cedarville 28: Few teams have had Cedarville’s number during the three seasons of 8-player football, and only Rapid River (6-0) has beaten the Trojans (5-1) the last two seasons.

Engadine 36, Posen 20: Engadine (1-5) has had a tough couple seasons, but beating solid Posen (4-2) is something the Vikings surely enjoyed. 

Greater Detroit and Southeast

Milan 21, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 14

Make that 15 straight regular-season wins for Milan (6-0) and a strong edge moving forward as it attempts to claim a second straight Huron League championship. To beat its toughest competition this season, Milan had to hold off St. Mary (5-1) after jumping out to a 14-0 lead. Click to read more from the Monroe Evening News.

Also noted:

Waterford Our Lady 21, Royal Oak Shrine 14: The Lakers (4-2) have now won four straight and have a one-game lead in the Catholic League Intersectional after handing a first loss this season to Shrine (5-1).

Manchester 29, Grass Lake 18: The Warriors (5-1) were one of two teams challenging first-place Manchester (5-1) atop the Cascades Conference; the other, Michigan Center, comes up in Week 8.

Ida 36, Hudson 28 (OT): The Bluestreaks (5-1) took a strong step toward their first Lenawee County Athletic Association championship since sharing the title in 1997 by outlasting the formerly first-place Tigers (5-1).

St. Clair 36, Marysville 13: This left St. Clair (6-0) and Marine City as the lone undefeated teams in the Macomb Area Conference Gold, with Marysville (4-2) now a game back in the league standings. 

Bay and Thumb

Marlette 36, Vassar 35

Marlette (6-0) has had some solid teams over the last decade, but never one that has come out of the gate like this one. Marlette has scored at least 35 points in every game and just edged a Vassar team (3-3) contending for a playoff spot. MHSAA Student Advisory Council member Connor Thomas caught three touchdown passes for the Raiders. Click to read more from the Tuscola Advertiser.

Also noted:

Frankenmuth 21, Millington 6: The Eagles (5-1) have beaten their rivals two straight seasons and can clinch a share of the Tri-Valley Conference East title this week. Millington (4-2) must hope for a loss and then beat second-place North Branch to stay in the hunt.

Davison 35, Flint Powers Catholic 17: Ended is the rough start for Davison (3-3), which has won three straight to potentially set up a Week 9 matchup with Flint Carman-Ainsworth for the Saginaw Valley Association South title. Powers is 3-3 with losses to teams that are combined 12-6 this fall. 

Fenton 30, Lapeer East 7: The Tigers (6-0) are making space atop the Flint Metro League standings, pushing the Eagles (3-3) back to fourth with Lapeer West and Swartz Creek still tied for second.

Saginaw Heritage 21, Saginaw Arthur Hill 8: These teams appear to be moving different directions – Arthur Hill (3-3) has lost three straight, and Heritage (4-2) has won its last three. 

Southwest and Border

Schoolcraft 28, Battle Creek Pennfield 22

It’s possible some considered Schoolcraft (5-1) out of the Kalamazoo Valley Association race after it fell to Olivet in Week 3. Not so fast. The reigning champion is just a game back and now will be rooting for Pennfield (5-1) – which also is tied for second place and faces first-place Olivet this week. The Eagles also must face Constantine in Week 8, another matchup we’ll surely be watching. Click to read more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Also noted:

Climax-Scotts 21, Pittsford 14: Climax-Scotts (6-0) has won six straight over the Wildcats (4-2), but they haven’t come easily; this was the fourth straight decided by eight points or fewer.  

Bridgman 22, Cassopolis 21: This also has turned into a close one of late, with Bridgman (4-2) also beating Cassopolis (3-3) last season by only three points.

Lawton 33, Hartford 22: The Blue Devils (6-0) kept pace with Watervliet in the ultra-competitive Southwestern Athletic Conference South, with Hartford (3-3) now looking to win out to make the playoffs for the fourth straight season.

Lawrence 53, Deckerville 38: The move to 8-player continues to look great for Lawrence (4-1 in 8-player, 5-1 overall), which looks like a title contender after beating last season’s MHSAA champion Deckerville (3-3). 

Mid-Michigan

Homer 40, Jonesville 12

Homer moved to 6-0, and in the process earned its first playoff appearance since 2006 and got within one more win of claiming at least a share of its first Big 8 Conference title since 2005. Jonesville fell to 5-1, but still looks strong to make the postseason for the second straight. Click to read more from the Jackson Citizen-Patriot.

Also noted:

Lansing Sexton 48, Holt 7: No team since Chelsea on opening night has come closer than 21 points to the Big Reds (6-0), who handed Holt (3-3) its first loss since Week 2.

Lansing Everett 25, East Lansing 17: This left Everett (5-1) with Grand Ledge and Holt as one of three teams one game back of Sexton in the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue, but the only one of the three still to face the Big Reds; East Lansing (3-3) has dropped two straight and faces Sexton this week.

Jackson Lumen Christi 35, Mason 0: This should sew up the CAAC Gold title for the Titans (6-0), with Mason (4-2) still looking great to qualify for the playoffs.

Portland 43, Williamston 22: This gave Portland (6-0) at least a share of the CAAC White title, with Williamston (4-2) and Lansing Catholic a game back and facing each other this week. 

Trophy games

Each week, the MHSAA highlights trophy games around the state. Here are a few in addition to the one mentioned above:

County Line Trophy: Bath vs. Laingsburg. These two renewed this rivalry in 1986 and have played annually since, with the Bees last weekend ending a two-game losing streak to their rival. Final: Bath 20, Laingsburg 19.

Old US 131 Trophy: Big Rapids vs. Morley-Stanwood. Big Rapids has followed up three straight losses to this rival with two straight wins. Final: Big Rapids 30, Morley-Stanwood 9.  

Friendship Trophy: Coopersville vs. Sparta. These two have played every season since 1966, most recently as members of the O-K Blue. Final: Sparta 41, Coopersville 14.

Hinker Bell Game: Escanaba vs. Menominee. These two continue to face off annually in a game that recalls this trophy although it disappeared a number of years ago. Final: Menominee 44, Escanaba 0. 

PHOTO: Lowell (on offense) needed four overtimes to hold off East Grand Rapids on the Pioneers' Homecoming night. 

Muskegon/Mona Shores football

1st & Goal: 2021 Week 7 in Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 11, 2021

One result we're watching closely with the switch to a new playoff selection format for 11-player football – with no six-wins-and-in – is that every game feels like it matters more.

MI Student Aid

It could be a lot, or just a little as teams must push all the way through Week 9 to solidify their spots in the playoff field.

We’ll start understanding that much more over these final few weeks as teams hope their strength of schedule helps boost their playoff hopes. And there were plenty of results from Week 7 that likely will impact how 256 11-player and 32 8-player teams reach the playoffs Oct. 24.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Port Huron 14, Port Huron Northern 7 The Big Reds (6-1) finished a repeat run in the Macomb Area Conference Blue with this winner-take-all victory over the rival Huskies (6-1), extending their streak against Northern to three straight victories. Port Huron took a 14-0 lead into the break and finished with its fewest points given up in a game this season. Click for more from the Port Huron Times-Herald.

Watch list Lake Fenton 14, Goodrich 12 The Blue Devils (6-1) ended a three-game losing streak to the Martians (5-2) to create a shared Flint Metro League Stars championship between the two. Goodrich scored late, but Lake Fenton stopped the two-point conversion try to hold onto the lead.

Remember this one Gladwin 48, Clare 42 The Flying G’s (7-0) have earned a share of their first Jack Pine Conference championship since 2002, sending Clare (4-3) into second place, and can clinch their first outright JPC title this week against Beaverton.

More shoutouts Reese 27, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 18 By way of this win, Bad Axe earned a share of the Greater Thumb Conference West title. Laker (5-2) still can make the league end with a three-way championship, adding Reese (6-1) back into the mix, if it defeats the Hatchets this week. Swartz Creek 35, Flushing 28 This combined with Fenton’s 36-34 win over Linden created a shared Metro League Stripes championship between the Dragons and Tigers, both 4-3 overall.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Romeo 7, Sterling Heights Stevenson 0 A stingy Romeo defense put together its best performance of the season when it counted most, earning its second shutout of the fall to create a shared MAC Red championship with the Titans (5-2). Joey Kostrubiec’s fourth-quarter scoring run provided the Bulldogs (6-1) with their winning margin. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.

Watch list Dearborn Fordson 38, Livonia Churchill 33 Alex Osman’s five first-half touchdown passes helped Fordson reset the Kensington Lakes Activities Association East title race. Fordson, Churchill and Belleville all are 5-1 in league play and 6-1 overall heading into this week’s division finales.

Remember this one Madison Heights Bishop Foley 51, Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard 20 The Ventures (6-1) scored their season high in clinching the Detroit Catholic League Intersectional #1 championship after finishing second in the league a year ago.

More shoutouts Harper Woods Chandler Park 18, Warren Michigan Collegiate 16 The Eagles (5-2) came back from a two-point halftime deficit to clinch the Charter School Conference East title against second-place Michigan Collegiate (4-3). Detroit Pershing 22, Detroit Osborn 0 The Doughboys (5-2) posted their third shutout in Detroit Public School League Division 2 play to earn a spot in this week’s Gold championship game, while sending Osborn to 4-3.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Breckenridge 12, Carson City-Crystal 0 The winner-take-all Mid-State Activities Conference championship matchup went to the Huskies, as they posted their second-straight shutout to lock up their sixth-straight league title. Breckenridge (5-2) is 29-0 in league play since joining the MSAC in 2016, and Carson City-Crystal (6-1) has finished league runner-up three of the last four seasons. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.

Watch list New Lothrop 33, Durand 20 The Mid-Michigan Activities Conference title race has worked itself down to three teams as the Hornets handed Durand (5-2) its second league loss. The Hornets (5-2) and Ovid-Elsie are tied for first at 5-1 in league play with a game to go, and Montrose figures in too at 4-1 since one of its league games was canceled.

Remember this one Olivet 37, Lake Odessa Lakewood 0 The Eagles (5-2) ran their Great Lakes Activities Conference winning streak to 23 games and championship streak to five seasons since last losing a league game and title, to Lakewood (4-3), in 2016.

More shoutouts Holt 26, East Lansing 21 The Rams (5-2) got some serious playoff-point bounce from defeating East Lansing (4-3) as they look to stick in the Division 1 field. Mason 24, Fowlerville 6 The Bulldogs (5-2) finished with a share of a third-straight Capital Area Activities Conference Red title, with Haslett and Williamston also earning pieces of the championship with wins this weekend.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Boyne City 50, Mancelona 18 The Ramblers clinched a share of the Northern Michigan Football Conference Leaders championship in what was a showdown for the top spot in the league. Boyne City (6-1) can claim the title outright this week against Elk Rapids, while Mancelona (5-1) still can guarantee its winningest season since 2014 with a victory this week against Charlevoix or Week 9 against Maple City Glen Lake. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Watch list Traverse City Central 56, Alpena 7 After opening this season with a loss to DeWitt at Michigan Stadium, Central (6-1) has won all of its games by at least 24 points and finished a third-straight perfect run through the Big North Conference.

Remember this one Cadillac 35, Petoskey 0 The Vikings (5-2) are up to a comfortable 10th in Division 4, while Petoskey (3-4) is sitting just outside the Division 3 playoff field at No. 34 after this defeat.

More shoutouts Traverse City St. Francis 42, Sault Ste. Marie 28 The Gladiators (7-0) are up to No. 3 in Division 7 and remain set up for a winner-take-all NMFC Legends meeting with Kingsley in two weeks. Charlevoix 32, Kalkaska 30 The Rayders (6-1) narrowly eluded an upset, but Kalkaska (1-6) has made strides – the Blazers have faced the top three teams in the Leaders over the last three weeks and lost to two of them by only a score.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Saline 35, Temperance Bedford 21 The Hornets secured a share of an eighth-straight Southeastern Conference Red championship with an opportunity to finish the outright title run this week against Dexter. Saline quarterback CJ Carr was a standout with three passing touchdowns and one more rushing. Bedford (5-2) still has a strong chance to reach seven wins for the first time since 2016 with its final two opponents a combined 1-13. Click for more from the Toledo Blade.

Watch list Sand Creek 48, Erie Mason 6 The Aggies (5-2) will need some help from Mason in Week 9 to catch leader Ottawa Lake Whiteford for a share of the Tri-County Conference title, but Sand Creek moved into a tie for second place by avenging last season’s 56-38 loss to the Eagles (4-3).

Remember this one Michigan Center 12, Napoleon 7 The Cardinals (6-1) turned this week’s Napoleon/Addison game from a winner-take-all in the Cascades Conference title race to an opportunity to share the championship three ways if the Pirates can rebound with a win.

More shoutouts Addison 59, Grass Lake 0 Addison (7-0) sealed a share of the Cascades title, its third straight. Dexter 56, Monroe 27 This was an important win for Dexter (5-2), which sits No. 16 in Division 2 with two losses by a combined eight points and two undefeated opponents finishing off the regular-season schedule.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Stevensville Lakeshore 35, St. Joseph 28 The Lancers (6-1) scored 21 fourth-quarter points and the game winners during the final minute to hold on to a share of first place in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference and send St. Joseph (5-2) into third with its second straight one-score defeat. The fourth quarter also featured back-to-back kickoff return touchdowns that made the score 28-28 before Ryan Korfmacher found Trevor Griffiths on a scoring pass as the final 30 seconds ticked off the clock. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.

Watch list White Pigeon 32, Cassopolis 8 While this game was only for second place in the Southwest 10 Conference, White Pigeon (6-1) held on to a top-10 spot in Division 8.

Remember this one Mattawan 19, Battle Creek Lakeview 14 The Wildcats’ only other win this fall came by forfeit, but they have a chance to finish strong after almost taking Lakeview (4-3) completely out of the SMAC title race.

More shoutouts Kalamazoo United 37, Watervliet 0 United (5-2) made a move into the top half of the Division 5 playoff list and remains one of two teams undefeated in Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore play after shutting down a Watervliet offense that averaged 32 points per game during its 4-2 start. Vicksburg 35, Plainwell 6 The Bulldogs (6-1) moved up to No. 5 in Division 4 after winning this matchup for second place in the Wolverine Conference.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Menominee 34, Marquette 13 The Maroons broke a three-game losing streak against Marquette and in doing so earned a share of the Great Northern Conference championship, their first since 2016. Menominee (5-2) went up 20-6 by halftime and locked down an offense that was averaging 44 points per game. Marquette (5-2) still will receive a share of the league title if Kingsford defeats Menominee in Week 9.

Watch list Negaunee 31, Gladstone 30 The Miners (6-1) have been on a run since losing to Iron Mountain by two in the season opener, but just got past Gladstone (3-4) to keep the streak intact.

Remember this one Iron Mountain 28, Hancock 18 The Mountaineers (4-3) earned a boost up to No. 8 in Division 8 while putting Hancock (3-4) in a tough position trying to reach the Division 5 playoff field.

More shoutouts Ishpeming Westwood 38, L'Anse 6 The Patriots (6-1) secured a spot in a possible Week 9 winner-takes-at-least-a-share title game against Negaunee in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper. Calumet 31, Houghton 7 The above-mentioned Week 9 Copper game isn’t necessarily winner-take-all as Calumet (5-2) now finishes with the bottom two teams in the league and is guaranteed a share as well with wins in both.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Muskegon 49, Muskegon Mona Shores 28 The Big Reds (6-1) are back on top in this rivalry and back on top in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green after riding a big defensive touchdown just before halftime into a dominant second half. Mona Shores (5-2) led 21-14 during the first half before the big-time Big Reds finish. Click for more from CatchMark SportsNet.

Watch list Rockford 17, Caledonia 14 The Rams (7-0) took a major step toward an O-K Red title and perfect regular season by handing Caledonia (6-1) its lone loss. Rockford finishes with opponents that are a combined 3-11.

Remember this one Hudsonville Unity Christian 40, Grand Rapids West Catholic 14 Over two weeks we’ve watched the O-K Blue sort out from four first-place teams to Unity (7-0) on top alone with two league games to play and this the Crusaders’ closest so far.

More shoutouts Grand Rapids Christian 24, Byron Center 10 The O-K White race just got reshuffled a bit with the Eagles (4-3) back in the mix and Byron Center (6-1) now taking on leader Forest Hills Central this week just to keep a shared title possible. Spring Lake 27, Coopersville 20 The Lakers (6-1) and West Catholic (6-1) will be rooting this week for Coopersville (5-2), which moves on to take on Unity this week and can turn the Blue back into a three-team league race.

8-Player

HEADLINER Martin 28, Mendon 20 The Clippers (7-0) won a first-place showdown in the Southwest Michigan 8-Man Football League Tier 1 to clinch a share of the conference championship. Martin significantly slowed a Mendon offense averaging 48 points per game and can clinch the title outright next week against Marcellus, while Mendon (5-2) will face Gobles and hope for some help from the Wildcats. Click for more from the Sturgis Journal.

Watch list Indian River Inland Lakes 49, Pellston 6 The Bulldogs (7-0) still need one more win to clinch a share of the Ski Valley Conference title and still have second-place Gaylord St. Mary coming up in Week 9. But sending Pellston (6-1) also into second place in impressive fashion should turn a lot of eyes toward the No. 6 team in Division 1.

Remember this one Tekonsha 36, Waldron 14 Tekonsha (5-2) finished second in its league the last two seasons but clinched a share of the Southern Central Athletic Association B title with this win while sending Waldron (5-2) into a tie for second place.

More shoutouts Suttons Bay 45, Marion 0 By handing Marion (6-1) its lone loss and in a big way, the Norsemen (7-0) made a statement with the playoffs coming up. Pickford 34, Newberry 28 (OT) The Panthers (6-1) maintained control of their title hopes, while sending Newberry (5-2) nearly out of contention in the Great Lakes Eight Conference East.

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PHOTO Muskegon pulled away from rival Mona Shores during the second half of Friday's 49-28 win. (Photo courtesy of Local Sports Journal.)