Drive for Detroit: Week 8 in Review

October 23, 2013

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The last week of the MHSAA football regular season is upon us. But Week 8 featured some significant firsts.

At Ypsilanti, visiting Lincoln beat the home team 27-20 to win the Southeastern Conference White for the first time. The league formed in 2000 and the Railsplitters were 0-9 only three seasons ago – and hadn't won a league title in any conference since 1987.

Further east Detroit Allen clinched its first playoff berth with a win over Ecorse. To the south, Adrian Lenawee Christian beat North Adams-Jerome for its sixth win, its most ever. 

And those are just the program milestones. For the many high school players who enjoy just two seasons on varsity, every championship or playoff-qualifying win could be a first.

Here’s a look at some that surely were as we wrap up league title races and prepare for Sunday’s playoff selection.

West Michigan

Lowell 35, Grand Rapids Christian 34 (2 OT)

This season’s O-K White championship likely came down to a pair of overtimes between two teams that played at Ford Field last season. Reigning Division 2 runner-up Lowell (8-0) stopped a two-point conversion try by reigning Division 3 champ Grand Rapids Christian (6-2) after the game’s final score. The Red Arrows had fallen in two straight to the Eagles. Click to read more by the Grand Rapids Press.

Also noted:

Hudsonville 20, East Kentwood 9:  Not only did the Eagles (5-3) give themselves an outside chance at sharing the O-K Red title, but they took a major step toward securing a first playoff berth since 2008. East Kentwood (5-3) can earn a league share too and also qualify for the playoffs by beating first-place Rockford this week.

Muskegon Reeths-Puffer 32, Muskegon Mona Shores 28: Reeths-Puffer (7-1) kept pace with Muskegon atop the O-K Black heading into their league-deciding matchup this week, while Mona Shore (6-2) fell out of contention but can prepare for its first playoff appearance.

Belding 35, Sparta 14: Belding (5-3) kept its playoff hopes alive as it works to secure its first birth since 2007, while Sparta (5-3) is left to beat O-K Blue frontrunner Comstock Park this weekend to qualify.

Byron Center 16, Holland Christian 9: Byron Center (6-2) earned its first playoff berth since 2010 and set itself up to face Zeeland West this week for the O-K Green title. Holland Christian (4-4) fell to third place and hopes to make the playoffs with an at-large bid.

Lower Up North

Traverse City St. Francis 28, Maple City Glen Lake 21

St. Francis (5-3) kept its playoff hopes alive by edging the Northwest Conference champion and avenged a heavy blow dealt last season by Glen Lake (7-1); the Lakers’ 26-20 win over St. Francis in 2012 was among the most painful reasons the Gladiators didn’t make the playoffs for the first time since 1989. Click to read more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Also noted:

Boyne City 28, Elk Rapids 12: Boyne City (7-1) needed this one to set up this week’s Lake Michigan Conference-deciding game against Grayling; Elk Rapids (5-3) is tied for third, this week’s game in a must-win to automatically make the playoffs.

Grayling 33, East Jordan 26: See above for the Lake Michigan Conference race explanation, with Grayling now also 7-1 and East Jordan (4-4) hoping for a strong finish and at-large postseason bid.

Lake City 41, Evart 21: Lake City (7-1) looks good to finish second in the Highland Conference and Evart has locked down at least third, with a chance they’ll see each other again in the playoffs for the second straight year.

Traverse City Central 28, Ogemaw Heights 20: Four Big North Conference teams are 5-3, and these are two of them. Central faces Cadillac and Ogemaw Heights faces Petoskey this week in hopes of earning automatic playoff berths.

Southwest and Border

Portage Central 49, St. Joseph 28

Portage Central took advantage of a bevy of turnovers and got rolling during the second half to win the biggest game of the regular season in the southwest corner of the state. The Mustangs (8-0) clinched a share of the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West title with the win and can finish their first perfect regular season since 1993 by beating winless Benton Harbor this weekend. St. Joseph (7-1) remains among the top teams by playoff point average of those projected to make the Division 3 playoffs. Click to read more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Also noted:

Cassopolis 35, Niles Brandywine 12: This turned the Lakeland Athletic Conference championship into a shared title between these two, with Cassopolis (5-3) dealing Brandywine (7-1) its first loss of the fall.

Edwardsburg 36, Dowagiac 0: This deciding game in the Wolverine B West turned into a big win for undefeated Edwardsburg (8-0) over Dowagiac (6-2), last season’s champion.

Battle Creek Lakeview 33, Battle Creek Harper Creek 14: Lakeview (8-0), which began the season with five straight shutouts, has given up just a few points over the last three games on the way to earning a share of the SMAC East title; Harper Creek (6-2), with 14 points, tied for the most success against the Spartans’ defense.

Battle Creek St. Philip 68, Portland St. Patrick 14: St. Philip (8-0) handed St. Patrick (7-1) its first regular-season 8-player loss in winning the Southern Michigan League title outright.

Upper Peninsula

Lake Linden-Hubbell 16, Felch North Dickinson 8

Lake Linden-Hubbell’s quest to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2010 looked in doubt with the Lakes (5-3) needing two wins and North Dickinson and Crystal Falls Forest Park left on the schedule (they were a combined  13-1 entering last week). But the Lakes put the defensive clamps on North Dickinson (6-2), holding the Nordics to its fewest points since the 2010 playoffs. Click to read more from the Houghton Mining Gazette.

Also noted:

Crystal Falls Forest Park 38, Bessemer 20: The Eagles (8-0) avenged last season’s loss to the Miners (5-3) and in the process clinched a share of the Great Western Conference title.

Negaunee 38, Marquette 14: Negaunee (7-1) bounced back nicely after falling to Ishepming in Week 7, claiming the Diamond Jubilee Trophy, while Marquette (5-2) finishes with another tough one this week against Menominee.

Sault Ste. Marie 27, Kingsley 13: Sault Ste. Marie (5-3) has kept its playoff hopes alive over the last two weeks by beating teams with a combined record of 11-5. Kingsley (5-3) also needs a win this week to qualify.

Cedarville 21, Bellaire 16: Bellaire (5-3) looked like one of few that could beat Cedarville (7-1) this season, and the Eagles got close in a defensive battle.

Greater Detroit and Southeast

St. Clair 43, Marine City 33

St. Clair’s first win over Marine City since 2005 – and second in 22 seasons – earned a number of riches. The Saints (8-0) claimed the traveling Bell Trophy and also an outright Macomb Area Conference Gold championship, and guaranteed their best record since at least 1982. Marine City (7-1) still remains only a win away from its 16th straight season with at least eight. Click to read more from the Port Huron Times Herald.

Also noted:

Macomb Dakota 52, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 7: The battle for the MAC Red title – and traveling Superintendent’s Trophy – ended up more of the same for Dakota (8--0), which has given up only 42 points this fall. With one more win, Chippewa Valley (7-1) still can equal its most since 2006.

Birmingham Seaholm 28, Birmingham Groves 22: Seaholm (8-0) earned its second straight Oakland Activities Association Blue title by defeating second-place Groves (7-1) in the final league game of the season.

Northville 42, Canton 30: This was significant for a few reasons for Northville (7-1), which moved on to the Kensington Lakes Activities Association championship game be beating Canton (7-1) for the first time in its last eight tries.

Waterford Mott 26, Port Huron 20: The Marauders (8-0) flipped last season's finish, when Mott lost to Port Huron by three and finished second in the MAC White; this time Mott is first and the Big Reds (5-3) are runners-up.

Mid-Michigan

Lansing Sexton 27, Lansing Everett 14

Sexton (8-0) won the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue outright and the traveling Oak Chest trophy, and needs to beat its other city rival, Eastern High, to finish the regular season 9-0 for the first time since 1999. The Big Reds, a Class B schools with wins over seven Class A opponents, also has the highest playoff point average of teams projected to fall into Division 4 for the playoffs. Everett (5-3), last season’s CAAC Blue champion, must beat two-win Jackson this week to ensure a playoff spot. Click to read more from the Lansing State Journal.

Also noted:

DeWitt 13, Portland 7: DeWitt (8-0) no doubt was up for this one after losing two straight to the Raiders (7-1). Both are champions of their divisions of the CAAC, DeWitt in the Red and Portland in the White.

East Lansing 3, Grand Ledge 0: The Comets (4-4) needed to win out to make the playoffs automatically after an 0-3 start, but instead East Lansing (4-4) kept its slim hope alive after three straight losses.

Olivet 28, Constantine 14: The Eagles (7-1) kept themselves in the three-team mix atop the Kalamazoo Valley Association, with reigning Division 6 runner-up Constantine (5-3) now needing a win this week to qualify automatically for the postseason.

Ovid-Elsie 21, Freeland 15: The Marauders (6-2) quietly have bounced back from a 3-6 finish in 2012 to finish second in the Tri-Valley Conference Central. Third-place Freeland (6-2) also has made the playoffs, and they could meet again.

Bay and Thumb

Harbor Beach 56, Marlette 7

The deciding game for the Greater Thumb Conference East title belonged to Harbor Beach (7-1) early, as it scored the first two touchdowns and after Marlette’s score ran off 44 unanswered points. The Pirates pushed their league winning streak to 16 straight, while Marlette (7-1) still can equal its best finish of at least the last half century, 8-1 in 1975. Click to read more from the Port Huron Times Herald.

Also noted:

Millington 15, North Branch 7: The Cardinals (6-2) were at risk of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2003 before edging already-qualified North Branch (6-2).

Richmond 42, Yale 28: The Blue Devils (7-1) finished a perfect run through the Blue Water Area Conference and forced Yale (5-3) into a must-win situation to qualify for the playoffs automatically.

Flint Powers Catholic 48, Climax-Scotts 13: The Chargers (4-4) are hanging on to a hope of making the playoffs with an at-large bid, and handing Climax-Scotts (7-1) its first loss should help.

Vassar 35, Cass City 8: The Vulcans (5-3) moved one win closer to a fifth straight playoff berth, while dropping Cass City (4-4) into a much less favorable position.

Trophy Games

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

Little Brown Jug: Warren Lincoln vs. Center Line. Lincoln made it two in a row and five of six over its MAC Bronze rival. Final: Lincoln 26, Center Line 19.

Sugar Bowl: Unionville-Sebewaing vs. Reese. The Rockets have owned this series of late, winning every season dating to 2006. Final: Reese 47, USA 0.

Spirit Bell: St. Louis vs. Ithaca. This one changes hands every time these schools meet in any varsity sport – which means the Sharks’ highly-ranked volleyball team could win it back tonight. Final: Ithaca 76, St. Louis 0.

Battle of the Panthers: Detroit University Prep vs. Detroit Plymouth Educational Center. This one is relatively new, with Detroit PEC playing football only since 2010 and University Prep since 2006. Final: University Prep 37, PEC 6.

The Curb: Berkley vs. Royal Oak. A piece of pavement was first awarded to the winner of this matchup in 2012. Final: Berkley 20, Royal Oak 18.

Ted Heusel Bowl: Ann Arbor Huron vs. Ann Arbor Pioneer. This trophy is named for the late longtime area broadcaster who also served as the district's school board president. Final: Pioneer 9, Huron 6.

Kiwanis Trophy: Madison Heights Madison vs. Madison Heights Lamphere. A quick 2-mile drive down John R Road is nearly all that separates these MAC Silver rivals. Final: Madison 30, Lamphere 0.

Colvin Cup: Grosse Ile vs. Riverview. Not since 1998 and 1999 has either team won this game two seasons in a row. Final: Riverview 45, Grosse Ile 42.

PHOTO: Lowell (in gray) needed two overtimes to edge Grand Rapids Christian 35-34 in Week 8. (Click to see more from High School Sports Scene.)

1st & Goal: 2024 Week 3 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 16, 2024

What a difference a year can make.

MI Student AidWe are only one-third through the 2024 football regular season, and already several teams are outperforming how they finished a year ago – or are on the verge of doing so.

After a maximum of only three games played, 25 teams statewide have guaranteed they’ll finish with better records this fall than in 2023. Another 54 teams already have as many wins this fall as they had all of last season – and we note several of both groups below in this week’s review.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Grand Blanc 22, Saginaw Heritage 21 Heritage’s emergence the last few seasons has made a powerful Saginaw Valley League Red even more competitive, and the title this season could be up for grabs until the end. Grand Blanc (2-1) sits atop the standings at 2-0 in league play thanks in part to Nate Szczembara blocking what would have been a winning Heritage field goal on this game’s last play. Click for more from WJRT.

Watch list Midland Dow 28, Mount Pleasant 7 After tough opening losses to two strong opponents, Dow (1-2) got its first win over another annual playoff qualifier, the reigning SVL Blue champion Oilers (1-2), who had defeated the Chargers 42-7 a year ago.

On the move Chesaning 47, New Lothrop 22 The reigning Mid-Michigan Activities Conference champion improved to 3-0 by doubling up last season’s league runner-up Hornets (1-2). Montrose 20, Durand 14 Staying the MMAC, Montrose (2-1) now might be Chesaning’s top challenger after defeating a Durand team (2-1) that was coming off a win over New Lothrop in Week 2. Frankenmuth 48, Alma 7 Frankenmuth (3-0) became the 14th program on record to reach 500 wins, this one making the Eagles 500-165-4 since the school opened in 1956.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 42, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 0 Notre Dame Prep already was considered among the elite in Division 5 this season, entering the weekend ranked No. 3 in the coaches poll. But the Fighting Irish (3-0) may now be the favorites after this stunning win over the top-ranked and reigning champion Cougars (2-1) – which followed NDP’s Week 2 victory over 2023 Division 7 champion Jackson Lumen Christi. Click for more from the Detroit News.

Watch list Rochester Adams 21, West Bloomfield 14 Ryland Watters scored twice during the second half and Adams (3-0) stopped West Bloomfield’s final rally six yards from a potential tying score to avenge a pair of losses to the Lakers (1-2) from a year ago, including in their District opener.

On the move Warren De La Salle Collegiate 38, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 28 De La Salle (3-0) withstood a challenge from an improved St. Mary’s team (2-1) to set up this week’s meeting with reigning Catholic High School League Central champion Toledo Central Catholic. Detroit Catholic Central 45, Harper Woods 12 The Shamrocks (3-1) also continued to impress, scoring the most points that reigning Division 4 champion Harper Woods (1-2) had given up since 2021. Sterling Heights Stevenson 24, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 7 After two straight sub-.500 seasons (although Stevenson did make the playoffs last year at 4-5), the Titans are 3-0 for the first time since 2009 after avenging a pair of losses to Chippewa Valley (1-2) from a year ago.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Brighton 29, Northville 28 (2OT) Brighton (2-1) was another team to avenge a pair of 2023 losses during Week 3, after falling to Northville during both the regular season and Division 1 playoffs last fall. Northville (1-2) is the reigning Kensington Lakes Activities Association West champion, but the Bulldogs are one of three teams atop the standings early this fall thanks to winning this one on a double-overtime 2-point conversion. Click for more from the Livingston Daily Press & Argus.

Watch list Olivet 7, Lansing Sexton 0 The Eagles (2-1) bounced back from a Week 2 loss to Portland to avenge a 48-12 loss to Sexton (1-2) from a year ago – and pull within one more win of equaling last season’s victory total.

On the move Corunna 49, Ortonville Brandon 21 The Cavaliers (3-0) graduated some serious star power in the spring but just keep grinding, with this league-opening double-up of Brandon (2-1) extending their regular-season win streak to 12. East Lansing 38, Grand Ledge 21 East Lansing’s speed is immediately obvious and stunning, and the Trojans (2-1) bounced back from a Week 2 loss to Hudsonville by pulling away from the physical Comets (2-1) during the second half in front of an overflowing Homecoming crowd. Ithaca 35, Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 14 Ithaca (3-0) also gained an important early advantage with a league-opening win, as these two decided last year’s Tri-Valley Conference White title, won by the Yellowjackets.

Suna Chami (13) breaks down the sideline during Dearborn's 28-13 win over Livonia Franklin.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER McBain 29, Beal City 25 McBain (3-0) ended Beal City’s 21-game Highland Conference winning streak, which dated to the start of 2021 and included three wins over the Ramblers. The Aggies (2-1) had defeated McBain 48-7 last season on the way to winning league, District and Regional titles. Click for more from the Cadillac News.

Watch list Ogemaw Heights 12, Gladwin 7 It wouldn’t be stunning if this eventually ends up deciding the Jack Pine Conference Division 1 championship – and it also wouldn’t be stunning if these two end up meeting again in the playoffs, as Ogemaw Heights (3-0) entered the weekend ranked No. 5 in Division 5 and Gladwin (2-1) was No. 8.

On the move LeRoy Pine River 21, Lake City 6 Pine River (1-2) has won only five games combined over the last five seasons, but this one could provide a spark as it was the Bucks’ first over Lake City (1-2) since 2016. Cheboygan 30, Elk Rapids 23 Cheboygan (2-1) is one of the season’s early success stories, as the Chiefs already have bested last year’s 1-8 finish – and with another win can guarantee their most since 2019. Boyne City 45, Charlevoix 21 This was a major victory for Boyne City (2-1) heading into a loaded Northern Michigan Football League Legends schedule, as Charlevoix (1-2) is the reigning champion in the NMFL Leaders and Boyne finished third in the Leaders last season.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Hanover-Horton 49, Grass Lake 21 Hanover-Horton (3-0) continues to look like a team with promising possibilities this fall, and this win was notable for several reasons – it guaranteed the Comets will finish better than last year’s 2-7 record, avenged 32-22 and 28-6 losses to Grass Lake from last season, and came against a Warriors team (2-1) that has finished below .500 only once over the last 22 seasons, according to Michigan-Football.com. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

Watch list Jackson 28, Tecumseh 20 We’ll know more once the Southeastern Conference White schedule gets rolling – Jackson also started 4-1 last season and finished 4-5. But the Vikings are 3-0 after this league opener, and that’s included avenging last year’s loss to Monroe.

On the move Ottawa Lake Whiteford 44, Buchanan 16 This was a solid bounce-back for the Bobcats (2-1) after a Week 2 loss to Ida. Buchanan is 1-2 against an opening schedule of teams that are a combined 7-2. Hudson 16, Ida 8 After a reasonably close opening loss to still-undefeated Fowler, Hudson (2-1) has handed first defeats this season to Dowagiac and now the Bluestreaks (2-1). Michigan Center 14, Jonesville 6 Michigan Center (1-2) was another team with a difficult opening slate, but the Cardinals got on the board with this win over a Jonesville team (1-2) that finished Cascades Conference West runner-up a year ago.

A Traverse City Central ball carrier works to secure possession during a 49-14 loss to Davison.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Constantine 31, Schoolcraft 29 (OT) Constantine (3-0) extended its winning streak in this rivalry to three with a second-straight by one score, stopping Schoolcraft’s 2-point conversion attempt in overtime to finish the victory. Schoolcraft (2-1) had pulled even with 1:09 to play in regulation after the teams traded leads five times. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Watch list Berrien Springs 28, Traverse City St. Francis 14 The Shamrocks (1-2) may have started 0-2 for the second season in a row, but they made a splash by handing the Gladiators (2-1) their first defeat of the season. This one could mean a lot later as well as Berrien Springs works to extend a decade-long playoff streak.

On the move Galesburg-Augusta 17, Allegan 14 With back-to-back wins over Cassopolis and now Allegan (2-1), Galesburg-August (2-1) has equaled its win total of a year ago. Lawton 27, Kalamazoo United 18 Lawton (2-1) was coming off a loss to St. Francis but found its footing in handing United (2-1) its first defeat. Niles 56, Three Rivers 6 Niles (2-1) opened its Wolverine Conference schedule with a 10th-straight league win and has scored at least 49 points in all 10.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Marquette 30, Gaylord 0 Marquette’s opening statement on this season keeps getting louder, as the Sentinels are up to two losses avenged from a year ago – they fell to Gaylord 37-16 in 2023 – and they have yet to give up a point, outscoring their first three opponents by a combined 136-0. The most major test yet is coming up, as Marquette travels to Lowell this week. Click for more from the Marquette Mining Journal.

Watch list Gwinn 33, L’Anse 6 Gwinn (2-1) had only four wins over the last three seasons combined, and both last year against the same opponent. But the Modeltowners opened this fall by avenging a 2023 loss to Bridgeport and have now equaled last season’s total of two victories – with plenty of opportunities to add to that coming up.

On the move Negaunee 29, Calumet 0 The Miners (3-0) will head into this week’s major clash with Kingsford coming off their first shutout of the season having stopped a Copper Kings offense that had put up 80 points over two victories to start the fall. Houghton 38, Hancock 16 The Gremlins (1-2) have won three straight over their neighbors and will see Hancock (1-2) again in the regular-season finale. Menominee 58, Ishpeming Westwood 19 This early surge has played out almost identically to the start of last year’s run to the Division 7 championship game, as Menominee has scored a combined 170 points and given up just 25 over the first three weeks.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Grand Rapids South Christian 41, Grand Rapids West Catholic 38 The Sailors (3-0) will come barreling into the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green schedule this week after a second comeback win and this one against the No. 2-ranked team in Division 5. The Sailors trailed 24-14 at halftime before rallying and sending the Falcons to 1-2. Click for more from FOX 17.

Watch list East Kentwood 41, Caledonia 35 East Kentwood’s anticipated rise may be starting. The Falcons ended a three-game losing streak against Caledonia – and hadn’t scored in their previous two meetings with the Fighting Scots (2-1). East Kentwood (2-1) needs one more win to equal last season’s total.

On the move Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 17, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern 14 This was the closest game these rivals have played since restarting their series, but FHC (3-0) prevailed again to make it 10 wins in 10 meetings since 2016. Hudsonville Unity Christian 44, Ada Forest Hills Eastern 20 Unity Christian (3-0) is on its way back up after winning just three games a year ago. FHE (2-1) had entered the weekend No. 4 in Division 4, one slot ahead of the Crusaders. Big Rapids 33, Reed City 14 This matchup played a big part in deciding the Central State Activities Association Gold title a year ago, and could again with reigning co-champion Big Rapids (2-1) in a good spot after handing Reed City (2-1) a first loss.

8-Player

HEADLINER Climax-Scotts 56, Adrian Lenawee Christian 35 Lenawee Christian (1-2) jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but Climax-Scotts (2-1) took over from there to avenge last season’s 56-16 Regional Final loss to the eventual Division 2 champion. Click for more from the Battle Creek Enquirer.

Watch list Ishpeming 50, Gaylord St. Mary 28 It’s been common to see traditionally strong 11-player programs move to 8-player and find immediate success, and Ishpeming looks like it could be the next. The Hematites were 7-4 in 11-player last season and are off to a 2-0 start with this win over playoff regular St. Mary (2-1).

On the move Crystal Falls Forest Park 42, Norway 20 The Trojans (3-0) ended a string of two straight losses to the Knights (2-1), and after falling to them 40-6 last season. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian 46, Bridgman 38 A week after Bridgman’s 35-game winning streak ended, NorthPointe (2-1) handed the Bees (1-2) a second-straight defeat, avenging last year’s 28-8 loss. Portland St. Patrick 56, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 49 The Shamrocks (3-0) had lost to Sacred Heart the last two seasons, including by just a point a year ago. Vestaburg 38, Carson City-Crystal 30 Vestaburg ended its 21-game losing streak, and against a league champion from 2023.

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PHOTOS (Top) Marquette's Grant Simon (2) finds a hole to pick up several yards against Gaylord. (Middle) Suna Chami (13) breaks down the sideline during Dearborn's 28-13 win over Livonia Franklin. (Below) A Traverse City Central ball carrier works to secure possession during a 49-14 loss to Davison. (Top photo by Cara Kamps, middle photo by Douglas Bargerstock, below photo by Terry Lyons.)