Logo

Drive for Detroit: Week 6 in Review

October 7, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

There were a handful of newly-crowned league champions celebrating by the end of this football weekend, and 54 more teams were able to start making playoff plans.

And then there were the handful of teams turning things upside-down.

For all of the predictions made at the beginning of each season and even over the course of every week, there are still plenty of surprises to enjoy even at this late date. Read more below about all of the above as we head into the final third of this regular season.

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

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Midland 22, Mount Pleasant 21 Midland controls the Saginaw Valley League Red title race after avenging the 2018 loss that eventually resulted in Mount Pleasant (5-1) becoming last year’s league champion. This time, the teams traded leads throughout the game before the Chemics (6-0) went up for good during the fourth quarter. Click for more from the Midland Daily News and see highlights below from WJRT.

Watch list Hemlock 30, Ithaca 6 While the Yellowjackets (5-1) still finished with a share of the Tri-Valley Conference West I title, the headliner from this league finale was Hemlock (4-2) handing Ithaca its first league loss since 2009. Midland Bullock Creek ended up with a share of the title as well thanks to the Huskies’ feat.

Remember this one Goodrich 49, Lake Fenton 14 The Martians (5-1) secured a share of the Flint Metro League “Lower” division title and can win it outright this week again winless Clio. Lake Fenton (3-3), meanwhile, will hope for an upset to claim a share of the championship but also must win out to guarantee a playoff berth after missing the postseason a year ago.  

More shoutouts Fenton 24, Linden 21 The Tigers (5-1) earned a share of the Flint Metro League “Upper” division title, their eighth league championship in nine seasons after finishing third in the formerly unified Metro last fall. Richmond 14, North Branch 7 The Blue Devils (6-0) will meet Almont this week with a share of the Blue Water Area Conference title on the line after knocking North Branch (4-2) out of contention.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Belleville 20, Dearborn Fordson 19 Belleville made a number of clutch plays during the final six minutes to continue its unbeaten run, first stopping a 2-point conversion attempt after Fordson’s final score and then driving for the game-winning touchdown. Belleville (6-0) remains tied with Livonia Franklin for first in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association East. Those two meet Week 8 – but Franklin also must face Fordson (5-1) this week as the Tractors try to keep their hopes alive for a three-team shared championship. Click for more from M-Live Detroit and see highlights below from State Champs Sports Network.

Watch list Detroit Martin Luther King 32, Detroit Denby 14 The Crusaders (4-2) won this matchup for first place in the Detroit Public School League Division 2, claiming a share of the title while handing Denby (5-1) its only loss.

Remember this one Detroit Renaissance 25, Detroit Cass Tech 20 The Phoenix (4-2) earned a share of the DPSL Division 1 title with something of a historic win; the Technicians (2-4) hadn’t lost a league game since 2015, and to any other league opponent besides King since falling to Detroit Crockett in 2011.

More shoutouts Oak Park 41, Birmingham Seaholm 21 The Knights (5-1) pulled within one more win of locking up a third straight Oakland Activities Association White title by sending Seaholm (4-2) into second place with its first defeat in league play. Clarkston 22, Southfield Arts & Technology 21 (OT) After falling to Southfield 28-14 in Week 1, the Wolves (3-3) got past the Warriors (3-3) in the rematch and held onto control of their playoff prospects as they look to extend a 16-year postseason streak.  

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Mason 21, Fowlerville 14 Continued improvement was expected from Mason this fall after the Bulldogs jumped from two wins in 2017 to five last season. Check that box, and then some. They are 6-0 for the first time since 2009 and barreled to a share of the Capital Area Activities Conference Red title by handing Fowlerville (5-1) its lone loss. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Watch list Holt 21, East Lansing 14 A week after the Trojans (4-2) shook up the CAAC Blue with a win over DeWitt, Holt has brought half the league back into the race. Those three and Grand Ledge all have one league loss, and the Rams (4-2) have their most wins in a season since 2016.

Remember this one Perry 27, Leslie 21 The Ramblers (3-3) surely are being careful to not look ahead. But it’s tough to not consider what’s happened and what’s coming up as the program continues to seek its first playoff berth. Perry has won four or five games three straight seasons, its best stretch since the early 1990s, and could make a run at six wins with its next three opponents a combined 4-14 this fall.

More shoutouts Stockbridge 16, Lake Odessa Lakewood 14 The Panthers (1-5) earned their first win and in the process locked up part of the Greater Lansing Activities Conference title for Olivet, which meets Lakewood (2-4) this week to either win it outright or share with the Vikings. Central Montcalm 27, Remus Chippewa Hills 14 The Hornets’ incredible turnaround continued as they moved within a win of clinching a share of the Central State Activities Association Gold title. The Hornets were 0-9 a year ago and a combined 3-24 over the last three seasons.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Johannesburg-Lewiston 22, Charlevoix 6 The Cardinals moved to 6-0 for the first time since 2000, and four of those victories have come against teams 3-3 or better including the Rayders (4-2). After two straight non-league games, Johannesburg-Lewiston meets Harbor Springs this week to decide at least partially the Northern Michigan Football League Legacy title. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle and see highlights below from MI Sports Now.

Watch list Traverse City St. Francis 17, Boyne City 14 The Gladiators (4-2) kept themselves in the NMFL Legends title mix, one game behind leader Kingsley but with the Stags closing the regular season against two more teams (including Boyne City) with only one league loss.

Remember this one Mancelona 36, Frankfort 18 The Ironmen (4-2) had lost all three games against Frankfort (2-4) since the two became part of the NMFL Leaders division. This win also strengthened Mancelona’s pursuit of a first playoff berth since 2014 with Charlevoix up next but its final two opponents a combined 1-11.

More shoutouts Houghton Lake 20, Evart 6 While still hoping for some help catching Beal City in the Highland Conference, second-place Houghton Lake (4-2) has now doubled up last season’s win total by getting past another improved foe in the Wildcats (3-3). Kingsley 67, Benzie Central 40 The Stags (6-0) are scoring 44 points per game, with this week’s output their highest since 2013 – although Benzie (2-4) also scored its season high.  

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Hillsdale 35, Blissfield 28 After sharing the Lenawee County Athletic Association title last season, Hillsdale (6-0) finds itself a major step closer to another championship after getting past the first of four tough opponents down the stretch. The Hornets moved into first place alone, with Blissfield (4-2) the only team one game back and four more tied for third place – although three of those teams make up Hillsdale’s final three opponents. Click for more from the Hillsdale Daily News.

Watch list Ottawa Lake Whiteford 28, Sand Creek 6 The Bobcats (4-2) did their part to set up this week’s Tri-County Conference-deciding matchup with Clinton, downing a Sand Creek team that stands 4-2 and fell by only six to Clinton three weeks ago.

Remember this one Saline 24, Temperance Bedford 21 Three of the four closest wins during Saline’s 31-game Southeastern Conference winning streak came over Bedford (4-2) – which also handed the Hornets (5-1) their last league loss, in 2013.

More shoutouts Jonesville 46, Springport 0 The Comets (5-1) have guaranteed their best finish since at least 2013 and will square off this week with Reading for a first share of the Big 8 Conference championship. Adrian Madison 38, Petersburg Summerfield 14 After breaking an 11-game losing streak against Summerfield (2-4) this past week, Madison (3-3) has more wins than the last two seasons combined and playoff possibilities as it seeks its first postseason appearance since 2009.   

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Schoolcraft 27, Constantine 24 While the Falcons became the first team this season to hold Schoolcraft (6-0) under 50 points, the Eagles’ defense also came through by locking down a Constantine offense averaging 40.5 points per game. Schoolcraft extended its winning streak over the Falcons (4-2) to five and remains tied for first in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Watch list Cassopolis 41, White Pigeon 0 After giving up its first points this fall (11) to Decatur in Week 5, Cassopolis (6-0) rolled out its fifth shutout of this season to take over first place alone in the Southwest 10 Conference. White Pigeon (5-1) entered tied for first and averaging 34 points per game.

Remember this one Coldwater 21, Marshall 20 All three of Coldwater’s final opponents also have playoff hopes, making this win over Marshall (3-3) of particular importance as the Cardinals (5-1) look to get back to the postseason after a year away. Marshall’s three defeats were by a combined nine points.

More shoutouts Battle Creek Central 32, Kalamazoo Central 29 The Bearcats broke a three-game losing streak to the rival Maroon Giants and kept their playoff hopes alive as both teams sit at 2-4. St. Joseph 34, Portage Central 7 The Bears have two massive nonleague opponents up next – Battle Creek Lakeview and then DeWitt – but with this win over the Mustangs (3-3) guaranteed the Week 9 matchup with Portage Northern will be for the outright Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West title.  

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Iron Mountain 15, Calumet 14 What may end up the game of the year in the Upper Peninsula couldn’t have been more evenly matched. Iron Mountain scored first and Calumet (5-1) scored last, and the teams piled up nearly the same amount of yardage and first downs. But the Mountaineers (6-0) emerged alone atop the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper and having now avenged both of its league defeats from a year ago. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Watch list Escanaba 26, Menominee 20 The Great Northern Conference could finish up any number of ways, as these two are among three teams with one league loss behind leader Marquette – which is only 2-4 overall and has yet to play Menominee (4-2). Escanaba (5-1) has just one league game left and will have to wait and watch through Week 9 to see if it ends up as the league’s overall or co-champion or having fallen just short.

Remember this one Gladstone 20, Sault Ste. Marie 8 The Braves’ schedule is becoming more impressive by the week and could end up featuring three league champions. After three straight losses Gladstone (3-3) got back on track with a needed win over the Blue Devils (4-2).

More shoutouts Ishpeming Westwood 36, Hancock 23 The Patriots (4-2) have won three straight and put themselves in position to earn a third-straight playoff berth with this key win over the improved Bulldogs (4-2). West Iron County 24, Lake Linden-Hubbell 16 The Wykons (5-1) earned an opportunity to play Ishpeming this week for first place in the West PAC Iron, getting past another possible playoff team in the Lakes (3-3).

West Michigan

HEADLINER Muskegon Orchard View 30, Ludington 14 The Cardinals clinched a share of their first Lakes 8 Conference title since 2008 and can finish the run outright this week against Muskegon Heights Academy. The Cardinals were just 2-7 a year ago, but avenged last season’s loss to Ludington (4-2) to get to 6-0 for the first time since 2005. Click for more from the Local Sports Journal and see highlights below from FOX 17.

Watch list Hudsonville 44, Grandville 21 The Eagles (5-1) were never forgotten in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red, of course, with that lone loss by a point to nonleague Holt. But the Week 8 Grandville/Rockford matchup was starting to look like the likely decider in the league title race. Instead, that unofficial championship game could come this week when the Eagles meet the Rams. Hudsonville came back from a halftime deficit, scored its most points since Week 1 and held the Bulldogs (5-1) to their season low.

Remember this one Cedar Springs 30, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 6 Four of seven teams in the O-K White are 4-2 or better, and with this win reigning champ Cedar Springs (5-1) set itself up to play Lowell this week for first place. The Red Hawks have wins already over the other contenders including now the Rangers (4-2).

More shoutouts East Grand Rapids 59, Grand Rapids South Christian 35 The O-K Gold race appears down to EGR (4-2) and Grand Rapids Christian, although South Christian (3-3) still could make an impact as it takes on the Eagles this week. Ravenna 17, Montague 7 North Muskegon or Hart could play spoiler this week, but if not the West Michigan Conference title will be decided in Week 8 when Ravenna (5-1) takes on Muskegon Oakridge as they’ve handed back-to-back defeats to reigning champion Montague (4-2).

8-Player

HEADLINER Martin 60, Bridgman 16 The Clippers have begun their 8-player history as league champions, downing another first-year 8-player program Bridgman (5-1) to lock up a share of the inaugural Southwest Michigan 8-Man Football League title. Martin (6-0) did so scoring its second-most points of the season, and can clinch the championship outright Week 8 against St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran. Click for more from TownBroadcast.com.

Watch list Gaylord St. Mary 48, Suttons Bay 47 This didn’t affect any league race but did provide a glance at what could become one of the key playoff matchups in two months. Had the playoffs started this past week, St. Mary (6-0) and Suttons Bay (5-1) would’ve entered tied for the third-highest playoff point average in 8-player Division 1.

Remember this one Powers North Central 34, Crystal Falls Forest Park 8 Not only did this win over the rival Trojans (4-2) pull North Central within one more victory of clinching a share of the Great Lakes Conference West title, but the Jets (6-0) were tied for first and the Trojans fifth in last week’s projected 8-player Division 2 playoff listings. 

More shoutouts Deckerville 44, Mayville 12 Five of six teams in the North Central Thumb League Blue are 4-2 or better, and Deckerville (6-0) remains tied with Kingston atop the league after handing Mayville (4-2) its first Blue defeat. Kinde North Huron 22, Peck 14 The Warriors (5-1) should be eager for their chance at Deckerville this week coming off a solid win over the Pirates (4-2).

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: Frankenmuth's quarterback surveys the Essexville Garber defense before the snap during Friday's Eagles win. (Photo by Dan Brovont.)

Clarkston's Desman Stephans II dives for the end zone during his team's 33-10 Division 1 playoff win over Romeo.

1st & Goal: 2023 Playoff Week 1 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 30, 2023

The first weekend of MHSAA Football Playoffs sees the initial field of 288 teams cut in half, with 144 moving on either to District Finals in 11-player or Regional Finals in the 8-player divisions.

MI Student AidBut it’s a milestone weekend for many as well.

Football is the one MHSAA Tournament team sport requiring contenders to qualify for the postseason. That’s an accomplishment in itself, of course.

But making it then also opens the door for more – and so while we listed plenty of highlights below for championship hopefuls moving on, we also included plenty of context on what those that advanced and some that did not also achieved by making it this far.

11-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Grandville 22, Hudsonville 21 Only two Division 1 playoff games were decided by fewer than 21 points, and Grandville (8-2) came back from two touchdowns down to finish a season sweep of the Eagles (5-5) after previously defeating them 44-37 in Week 5. The win earned the Bulldogs a rematch with Rockford. Click for more from Michigan Sports Radio.

District Digest Macomb Dakota 10, St. Clair Shores Lakeview 7 This was Division 1’s only other close game, and Dakota (8-2) earned the opportunity to play for a third-straight District title while Lakeview closed 7-3. West Bloomfield 42, Rochester Adams 14 The Lakers (8-2) finished a season sweep of their Oakland Activities Association Red rival after Adams (6-4) swept them in 2021 and won last year’s lone meeting. Detroit Cass Tech 35, Westland John Glenn 14 The Technicians (7-3) went on the road and ended John Glenn’s most successful season since 2009 at 7-3.

11-Player Division 2

HEADLINER White Lake Lakeland 28, Milford 21 Lakeland (7-3) edged Lakes Valley Conference rival Milford (6-4) by seven points for the second week in a row, this time with the last-second heroics of Trevor Tschudin creating one of the first round’s most memorable highlights. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

District Digest Birmingham Seaholm 56, Birmingham Groves 49 Seaholm quarterback Colton Kinnie was among the stars as the Maples also held off Groves for the second week in a row after also winning by seven, 21-14, in Week 9. Midland Dow 14, Midland 7 This Week 9 rematch also saw the same winner but by a much closer score as Dow (6-4) had defeated the Chemics (5-5) 29-9 the first time around. Gibraltar Carlson 42, Livonia Churchill 35 Carlson (9-1) withstood a significant challenge from Churchill, which finished 4-6 and doubled its win total from 2022.

Petoskey's Seth Marek (0) catches a pass from quarterback Joseph McCarthy that he takes into the end zone.

11-Player Division 3

HEADLINER Coopersville 14, East Grand Rapids 13 Coopersville (8-2) hasn’t received enough statewide buzz for its success this season, but this one should gain the Broncos some notice. The win gave them eight for the first time since 2007 as they’ve added to their total now for the third straight season, and Coopersville’s only losses this fall were by a point to Spring Lake and three to undefeated Grand Rapids West Catholic, both during the first half of September. This one over the Pioneers (7-3) was clinched with a two-point conversion try stop. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

District Digest Stevensville Lakeshore 20, St. Joseph 15 After falling to St. Joseph (6-4) in Week 7, 35-0, Lakeshore (6-4) bounced way back and also ended a three-game losing streak in advancing. DeWitt 56, Fenton 28 DeWitt (7-2) defeated Flint Metro League Stripes champion Fenton (6-4) and earned a rematch with Week 2 opponent Mason. Auburn Hills Avondale 34, Holly 24 Avondale (9-1) is enjoining its winningest season since 2012 and earned its first playoff victory since that year. The Bronchos (6-4) completed their winningest season since 2011.

11-Player Division 4

HEADLINER Harper Woods 20, Croswell-Lexington 13 Harper Woods (7-3) ended the regular season with the highest playoff-points average in Division 4, but Croswell-Lexington (7-3) entered this game’s fourth quarter with the lead before the Pioneers scored to move ahead for good. The playoff victory was Harper Woods’ first since 2019 as it continues an impressive rebound from finishing 3-6 a year ago. See below for more from the D Zone.

District Digest Hastings 30, Charlotte 28 The Saxons (8-2) held on to defeat the Orioles (6-4) for the third-straight playoffs and sixth consecutive season overall. Big Rapids 27, Spring Lake 20 (OT) Big Rapids moved to 9-1, reaching nine wins for the first time since 2009 by getting past Spring Lake (7-3) in overtime. Chelsea 49, Tecumseh 35 Chelsea moved to 9-1 as its offense responded repeatedly before pulling away just a bit at the end of finish a season sweep of Tecumseh (5-5).

11-Player Division 5

HEADLINER Muskegon Oakridge 13, Belding 7 Oakridge (7-3) ran its winning streak this fall to four with a playoff win over Belding for the second-straight season. The Eagles handed Belding (8-2) its first loss since Week 2 by stopping an offense that averaged 44 points per game entering the weekend and hadn’t scored fewer than 38 since that previous defeat. Click for more from CatchMark SportsNet.

District Digest Detroit Southeastern 38, Detroit Denby 20 Southeastern (7-3) had tied for second in the Detroit Public School League Blue and over the last two weeks handed Ecorse its only regular-season loss and then downed PSL Gold champion Denby (8-2). Birch Run 37, Saginaw Swan Valley 15 Birch Run (6-4) earned its first playoff win since 2010 and guaranteed its winningest season since 2014 in avenging a 14-10 Week 8 loss to the Vikings (5-5). Corunna 45, Flint Hamady 7 Corunna (10-0) won the only first-round matchup of undefeated teams as a defense that’s given up only 5.9 points per game this fall continued to dominate against the Hawks (8-1) – who hadn’t given up a point since Week 6.

11-Player Division 6

HEADLINER Hart 44, Kent City 22 After reaching the playoffs for the first time (not counting COVID-shortened 2020), Hart now has its first playoff win as well as the Pirates (9-1) put up 44 or more points for the fourth straight game. Connor Edwards ran for 204 yards and three touchdowns in helping to end Kent City’s eighth-straight winning season at 7-3. Click for more from CatchMark SportsNet.

District Digest Midland Bullock Creek 22, Clare 19 Bullock Creek (7-3) has followed up two straight sub-.500 seasons with its winningest since 2007, throwing for the game-clinching touchdown during the final minute to get past Clare (7-3). Lansing Catholic 35, Michigan Center 34 Lansing Catholic (4-6) was one of only three three-win teams to reach the playoffs, and the Cougars made it count in upsetting Michigan Center (7-3) to make it seven consecutive seasons with at least one postseason win. Detroit Edison 22, Detroit Old Redford 0 Edison (7-3) secured the winningest season in program history by ending Old Redford’s winningest season all-time at 8-2.

11-Player Division 7

HEADLINER North Muskegon 27, Union City 14 The West Michigan Conference Rivers champion Norsemen (10-0) claimed this matchup of league title winners, ending the season for Big 8 Conference champ Union City (6-4). North Muskegon also reached double-digit victories for the first time since 1986. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.

District Digest Charlevoix 31, Traverse City St. Francis 7 Charlevoix (9-1) avenged its lone loss, 41-40 to St. Francis (4-5) in the season opener, and the nine wins are the program’s most since going undefeated in 1977, according to Michigan-Football.com. Bath 16, Laingsburg 14 Bath (7-3) guaranteed its winningest season since 2000 by avenging a 17-6 Week 6 loss to the Wolfpack (4-6). Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 10, Detroit Loyola 7 (OT) Drew Harris drilled a game-winning field goal to add to SMCC’s combined 17-6 record in the playoffs over the last seven seasons. Loyola finished 4-6, an improvement of three wins from a year ago.

11-Player Division 8

HEADLINER Ithaca 28, Fowler 27 These two traded scores to the end before Ithaca (10-0) stopped a two-point conversion try during the final minutes to remain undefeated and also reach double-digit wins for the second-straight season. Both offenses scored the most the opposing defenses had given up this fall, as Ithaca still has allowed only 7.3 ppg and Fowler finished having given up just 8.1. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.

District Digest Hudson 40, Addison 0 This was another of the weekend’s stunners as Hudson (8-2) bounced back from two straight losses to hand Addison (9-1) its only defeat. Ishpeming 20, East Jordan 6 After starting this season 1-3, Ishpeming (7-3) long ago guaranteed its first winning season since 2019, and with this victory ended East Jordan’s winningest season since 1999 at 8-2. Allen Park Cabrini 35, Sterling Heights Parkway Christian 27 Cabrini (5-5) was 2-7 just a year ago but has won three straight games this month and in this one avenged a 50-21 Week 2 loss to Parkway (7-3).

A collection of Martin defenders wrap up a Marcellus ball carrier.

8-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Gobles 50, Mendon 14 Gobles’ first 8-player playoff win in its fourth season since switching formats was one to remember, as the Tigers (8-2) avenged last year’s 36-6 regular-season loss to Mendon and also ended the season for the 2022 Division 2 runner-up Hornets (7-3). Gobles earned a rematch with last season’s Division 1 champion, Martin, after defeating the Clippers 53-16 in Week 4. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Regional Roundup Indian River Inland Lakes 22, Alcona 6 This matchup of league champions went to the Ski Valley Conference’s Inland Lakes (9-1), which held the North Star League Big Dipper’s Alcona (8-2) to well below its average of 51.4 ppg heading into the weekend. Martin 44, Marcellus 18 The Clippers (8-2) are undefeated since that Gobles loss and earned the rematch by winning this rematch with Marcellus after also downing the Wildcats (7-3) in Week 8. Marcellus capped its winningest season since 1998. Kingston 46, Merrill 6 Kingston (8-2) ended the season for the 2022 Division 1 runner-up Vandals (8-2), coming back off a Week 9 loss to earn its first playoff victory since 2019.

8-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Powers North Central 54, Posen 20 The three-time reigning Division 2 champion isn’t done yet. Despite suffering its first defeats this fall since 2019, North Central (8-2) is off to another big playoff start after hitting the road and dealing Posen (8-1) its only loss to reach the Regional Finals for the fifth-straight season. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.

Regional Roundup Marion 64, Bay City All Saints 14 Another matchup of league champions saw West Michigan D League title winner Marion (9-0) remain undefeated by downing the North Central Thumb League Stripes’ All Saints (7-3). Lake Linden-Hubbell 27, Crystal Falls Forest Park 6 In a repeat of 2022, Lake Linden-Hubbell (7-3) won the playoff rematch with Forest Park (7-3) after falling during the regular season, this time avenging a 36-28 defeat. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 34, Au Gres-Sims 0 Au Gres-Sims (7-3) averaged 50 points per game this season, but Sacred Heart’s defense lowered its average allowed to 16.4 with its second shutout of the fall as the Irish moved to 9-1.

Second Half’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.

PHOTOS (Top) Clarkston's Desman Stephans II dives for the end zone during his team's 33-10 Division 1 playoff win over Romeo. (Middle) Petoskey's Seth Marek (0) catches a pass from quarterback Joseph McCarthy that he takes into the end zone. (Below) A collection of Martin defenders wrap up a Marcellus ball carrier. (Top photo by Chris Mudd/National Photo Scout. Middle photo by Cara Kamps. Below photo by Gary Shook.)