Driven by 2022 Semifinal Loss, GR Catholic Central Reclaims Top Spot in D5
By
Tom Kendra
Special for MHSAA.com
November 26, 2023
DETROIT – Corunna coach Steve Herrick’s final words at the postgame press conference pretty much summed up his team’s struggles in Sunday’s Division 5 title game.
“It’s tough to prepare for a team like Grand Rapids Catholic Central,” explained Herrick, whose school was playing at the Finals for the first time.
“We took care of preparing for their receivers and linemen pretty well, but No. 7 and No. 23 were hard for us to mimic at practice. We don’t have anyone like them.”
With that, Herrick and his players exited the interview area just as GRCC’s No. 7, senior quarterback Connor Wolf, and No. 23, senior running back Kellen Russell-Dixon, squeezed past them, the stars of the Cougars’ 21-7 victory.
Wolf scored all three touchdowns for GRCC, on a pair of 1-yard runs in the second quarter and a 10-yard burst in the fourth quarter, as the Cougars won their eighth Finals title in 10 championship game appearances.
Russell-Dixon didn’t get in the end zone, but was the game’s leading rusher with 20 carries for 133 yards, to go with two receptions for 19 yards.
Both senior leaders said it was a devastating loss to eventual champion Gladwin in last year’s Semifinal, 28-21, which fueled the team’s desire to get back to the mountaintop.
“That loss last year showed us we still had so much work to do to be our best,” said Wolf, who completed 10-of-22 passes for 82 yards and rushed 11 times for 78 yards and the three scores.
Added Russell-Dixon: “I remember watching the Division 5 championship game on TV last year, and just thinking about how we had it in our hands and we weren’t focused and we let it slip away.”
GRCC, which finished 13-1 after a season-opening home loss to powerhouse Chicago Loyola, was focused and prepared Sunday, mixing up the pass and run exquisitely to take a 14-0 halftime lead.
Corunna, also 13-1, averaged more than 41 points per game coming in, but struggled in the first half against the experienced Cougars.
“I felt like they were more physical than us,” said Corunna senior quarterback and defensive back Wyatt Bower. “I felt like all year we didn’t get the respect we deserved, but we battled those guys in the second half.”
The Cavaliers did exactly what they had to do coming out of halftime, taking the third-quarter kickoff and marching 67 yards in 14 plays, capped with a 7-yard burst up the middle by Bower on a 4th-and-goal play, that cut the lead to 14-7.
That score brought a sizable group of black-and-gold clad fans from Corunna, a community of about 4,000 people between Lansing and Flint, to its feet.
However, that turned out to be as close as Corunna would get against a quick and hard-hitting GRCC defense.
The Cougars added an insurance touchdown in the fourth quarter after a short punt gave them the ball at Corunna’s 35-yard line. Eight plays later (six of those runs by Russell-Dixon), Wolf took it the final 10 yards to ice the win.
“It never gets old,” explained 12th-year GRCC coach Todd Kolster, who has guided the Cougars to titles in four of the past five years and six of the last eight. “One of the things I cherish the most from the Finals is the team photo we take down on the field. I never get in those photos. Then when I get a moment, I can look at all those kids who worked so hard and gave so much.”
GRCC, which held a 315-239 edge in total yardage, made Corunna work for every yard Sunday.
Senior linebacker Austin Baxter (6-foot, 185 pounds) set the tone for the Cougars’ defense with eight tackles. Adam Whalen and Derek Weiss made six tackles apiece, and Mill Coleman III added five tackles and the game-clinching interception in the end zone with five minutes remaining.
Wolf said family ties drive the Cougars’ year-in, year-out success – the connections to both his football brothers and his actual biological family.
“My dad, grandparents, uncles, they all went to Catholic Central,” said Wolf, a 6-3 dual threat QB who passed for more than 2,500 yards with 23 TD passes and only two interceptions. “This means a lot to all of us, to continue the Cougar tradition.”
Corunna, which was led all season by Wyatt Bower and his identical twin brother, Tarick (one of his favorite receiving targets), got a strong final game from senior fullback/linebacker Jaden Edington, who made a game-high 10 tackles and rushed 14 times for 70 yards.
The Bower twins, sprinters who helped Corunna win the Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track & Field championship last spring, finished their football careers in style. Wyatt completed 6-of-16 passes for 123 yards, no touchdowns and one interception, while making eight tackles on defense. Tarick made two catches for 69 yards.
Kaden Cowdrey and Dayne Zeeman each made eight tackles for the Cavaliers.
PHOTOS (Top) Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s Kellen Russell-Dixon (23) prepares for contact with Corunna’s Kaden Cowdrey (8) during Sunday’s Division 5 Final. (Middle) The Cavaliers’ Wyatt Bower (4) and Dayne Zeeman work to bring down GRCC’s Lucas Thelen short of the goal line. (Below) Brayden Sweeney (6) and Derek Weiss (30) wrap up Corunna’s Parker Isham. (Photos by Hockey Weekly Action Photos.)
1st & Goal: 2023 11-Player Semifinals Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 20, 2023
Of 16 teams that earned trips Saturday to this weekend’s MHSAA 11-Player Football Finals, eight will be returning to Ford Field for at least the second season in a row – with a repeat Division 8 championship game leading off the upcoming lineup.
Notable as well, four schools earned an opportunity to play on the season’s final day for the first time – and those are just some of the storylines to catch up on during a quick week that will conclude the MHSAA’s 2023 Fall season.
We’ll be back with a preview of all eight championship games Wednesday evening. For now, see all 16 Semifinals at a glance:
(Note: Highlights from Saturday's 8-Player Finals will be included in a final football championship "Review" next week.)
Division 1
HEADLINER Belleville 63, Davison 21 At 38 straight games, Belleville’s winning streak is up to the seventh-longest in MHSAA history and fourth-longest among streaks taking place entirely during the playoff era. The Tigers (13-0) earned the opportunity to play for a third-straight Division 1 title by scoring more than 60 points for the second time in three weeks, and despite giving up a season-high 21 points to the Cardinals (12-1). Click for more from MLIVE-Detroit.
Congratulations to Belleville on their win over Davison in the Division 1 Semifinal! Mr. Football candidate Bryce Underwood showed off his skills with 3 touchdowns, while Anvil Award candidate Jeremiah Beasley and Colbey Reed also made contributions to secure the victory.… pic.twitter.com/1HE58D3alV
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 19, 2023
HEADLINER Southfield Arts & Technology 40, West Bloomfield 35 Quarterback Isaiah Marshall scored the game-winning touchdown on the final play to send A&T (12-1) to its first Final in this sport. The win also avenged the Warriors’ 31-20 loss to West Bloomfield (10-3) in Week 8. Click for more from the Oakland Press.
Intense game, incredible victory! Watch as our Mr. Football candidate and Kansas commit, Isaiah "Zeke" Marshall, leads Southfield A & T to a thrilling win with a walk-off QB sneak. The Warriors advance to the Division 1 Final against Belleville.
Delivered by @hungryhowies pic.twitter.com/9YXgITttW5
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 18, 2023
Division 2
HEADLINER Muskegon 42, East Lansing 7 Running back Jakob Price was the biggest star this time as Muskegon (11-2) broke away to earn a return trip to the Finals after finishing Division 3 runner-up a year ago. East Lansing (10-3) capped its winningest season since 2001. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.
Muskegon is moving on thanks in large part to the legs of Jakob Price and the defense of Da'Carion Taylor.
The Big Reds defeat East Lansing 42-7 and are Ford Field bound.
S/o to @ian_kress for the highlights.@OnMuskegon @TDJake04 @dtsquad123 @13OYSL pic.twitter.com/J8p9ky8MPz
— Mark Skol, Jr. (@markskoljrTV) November 19, 2023
HEADLINER Warren De La Salle Collegiate 45, Waterford Mott 19 The two-time reigning Division 2 champion is heading to the Finals for the fourth-straight season after extending its winning streak to nine this fall. The Pilots (11-2) opened up a 21-7 halftime lead on the way to advancing, and ended Mott’s longest playoff run and winningest season at 10-3. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.
Warren De La Salle is returning to Ford Field once again for the Division 2 Finals, making it their 4th consecutive year. Their victory against Waterford Mott with a score of 45-19 was fueled by Anthony Bitonti's two rushing touchdowns. Sante Gasperoni also contributed with three… pic.twitter.com/EJ27Z85tcl
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 19, 2023
Division 3
HEADLINER Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 18, Zeeland West 14 The Rangers (12-1) also will be making a return trip to Ford Field after finishing Division 2 runner-up last season and thanks to a go-ahead touchdown during the final minutes after the teams traded scores during the fourth quarter. West finished 9-4, those losses by a combined 20 points. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Forest Hills Central falls behind early but comes back with a few 2nd half touchdowns to take down Zeeland West in the semis.
The Rangers are now going back to Ford Field in D3! https://t.co/4CgdP9NZK8 pic.twitter.com/Nz7IQFr1kc
— FOX 17 Blitz (@FOX17Blitz) November 19, 2023
HEADLINER Mason 26, Detroit Martin Luther King 20 Mason (13-0) is off to its first Final, and after falling to the Crusaders in Semifinals the last two seasons. King (7-6) led 13-10 at halftime, but after the teams traded scores to start the second half Mason eventually went ahead for the final time in the fourth quarter to get past the two-time reigning champ. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
After an intense showdown with Detroit King, Mason emerges victorious 26-20 to secure their spot in the Football State Finals! 👏 Now, they're gearing up to face off against Forest Hills Central in the D-3 @MHSAA Final on November 26th at 12:30 p.m. at Ford Field
🎥 WILX-TV pic.twitter.com/CzExEPE7ld
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2023
Division 4
HEADLINER Grand Rapids South Christian 21, Portland 6 South Christian (10-3) earned an opportunity to repeat as Division 4 champion after limiting a Portland offense that averaged nearly 41 points per game entering the day. The Raiders (12-1) also shined on that side of the ball, holding South Christian to its second-lowest output of the season. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
South Christian is going back to the state championship game after an impressive 21-6 dub over Portland.@SCsailorFB @carsonvis1 @jake_vermaas @Cbattley23 @13OYSL pic.twitter.com/pJ2nnGUp1Z
— Mark Skol, Jr. (@markskoljrTV) November 19, 2023
HEADLINER Harper Woods 35, Goodrich 24 Harper Woods (10-3) will play in its first championship game in this sport after ending another long run for the reigning Division 4 runner-up Martians. Harper Woods tied the score at 21 all just before halftime, then pulled away during the second half while holding Goodrich (11-2) to just a field goal over the final two quarters. Click for more from MLIVE-Detroit.
In State Semi-Finals, @AdGoodrich and @DavCardFootball looked to punch their ticket to Ford Field as Davison faced Belleville and Goodrich faced Harper Woods
🏈 Davison fell to the 2-time defending champs 63-21
🏈 Goodrich came up short against Harper Woods 35-24@WNEMTV5news… pic.twitter.com/ISvPTH6AbA
— Austin Szumowicz (@AustinSzumowicz) November 19, 2023
Division 5
HEADLINER Grand Rapids Catholic Central 35, Frankenmuth 0 After a year away from Ford Field, GRCC (12-1) is heading back for its fourth Final over the last five seasons after shutting down an offense that averaged 46 points per game entering the weekend. Connor Wolf threw three touchdown passes and Kellen Russell-Dixon scored three times including twice rushing for the Cougars. Frankenmuth (11-2) was playing in its fourth-straight Semifinal and is a combined 47-5 over those seasons. Click for more from MLIVE.
Check out the highlights from the Division 5 Semi-Final! Grand Rapids Catholic Central took home the victory 35-0 over Frankenmuth! 🔥 GRCC will play Corunna on November 26th at 4:00 PM! @CorunnaCavsFB
📹 WXMI-TV@Mhsaa pic.twitter.com/9W3CWEFtgs— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2023
HEADLINER Corunna 49, Flat Rock 0 Corunna (13-0) is headed to its first championship game in this sport after posting its fourth shutout this season and against an offense that averaged nearly 39 points per game during the regular season but 47 over three playoff wins. Flat Rock finished its first Semifinal run since 1976 at 9-4. Click for more from the Owosso Argus-Press.
Division 6
HEADLINER Kingsley 37, Reed City 7 Kingsley (11-2) added to its season-opening win over the Coyotes, this time to reach the Finals for the first time since 2005. Skylar Workman scored four times for the Stags, who held Reed City (9-4) to its two lowest scoring outputs of the season. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Highlights of Kingsley beating Reed City in the Division 6 Semifinal on November 18th, 2023. Kingsley will play Almont in the Division 6 @MHSAA Football Final on November 24th.
🎥 WPBN-TV pic.twitter.com/v58gfdBUYA
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 19, 2023
HEADLINER Almont 45, Ovid-Elsie 21 Almont is headed to Ford Field for second time in five seasons after building a big first-half lead and carrying it through the second. The Raiders (12-1) scored on the first play with Chase Battani breaking away for a long run, one of his three rushing touchdowns. Ovid-Elsie finished its first Semifinal season since 2008 at 8-5. Click for more from the Port Huron Times Herald.
Division 7
HEADLINER Menominee 32, North Muskegon 21 The Maroons (11-2) earned a return to the Finals for the first time since 2016 by handing North Muskegon (12-1) its only loss – scoring the most points the Norsemen gave up this fall. Menominee jumped out to a 20-0 lead and held off the comeback attempt. Click for more from the Eagle Herald.
The Division 7 Football Semifinal was a real nail-biter! Check out the highlights from the Menominee 32-21 win over North Muskegon! Menominee will play Jackson Lumen Christian on November 26th! 🤯
📹 WXMI-TV@MHSAA pic.twitter.com/jsO3SooOAs
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2023
HEADLINER Jackson Lumen Christi 35, Millington 7 The Titans (12-1) earned an opportunity to play for a repeat championship this weekend by handing Millington (12-1) its lone loss this season. It was the ninth time Lumen Christi had held an opponent to single-digit scoring. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen Patriot.
Division 8
HEADLINER Ubly 24, Beal City 6 For the fifth-straight season, these two met with a trip to Ford Field on the line – and for the second straight Ubly (13-0) will be making it. Record-setting kicker Brett Mueller caught two touchdown passes and also booted a 54-yard field goal for the Bearcats. Beal City finished 11-2 and is a combined 33-5 over the last three seasons. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.
"Last year, he said in the locker room ... 'Hey guys, I want to go back one more time.'"
Ubly defeats Beal City, 24-6, in the D8 state semis, setting up a rematch between the Bearcats and Ottawa Lake Whiteford next Saturday.
Eric Sweeney will coach his final game at Ford Field. pic.twitter.com/JPMhsNRfzx
— Yousef Nasser (@YousefNasserTV) November 19, 2023
HEADLINER Ottawa Lake Whiteford 35, Riverview Gabriel Richard 6 Reigning Division 8 champion Whiteford ran its winning streak to 27 games in earning its Ford Field return, also holding an opponent to single digits for the ninth time this season. Gabriel Richard finished its longest tournament run at 8-5. Click for more from the Monroe News.
Ottawa Lake Whiteford is heading back to Ford Field after they beat Riverview Gabriel Richard 35-6 in the Division 8 Semifinal on November 18th, 2023. Whiteford will play Ubly in the D-8 State Final on November 25th.
Powered by @LawrenceTechU. Visit https://t.co/Uq6Fmk66eG pic.twitter.com/PTckAZCl2q
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 19, 2023
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PHOTO Belleville blockers including Damon Denny (57) create running room during Saturday's 63-21 Division 1 Semifinal win over Davison. (Photo by Terry Lyons.)