Finals Preview: Champs' Stories Unfold
November 26, 2013
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
If you're looking for a few good stories to finish off this high school football season, make sure you're glued to this weekend's MHSAA 11-Player Finals at Ford Field.
Ithaca will attempt to win a fourth straight MHSAA title and re-tie the nation's longest winning streak of 56. The Yellowjackets are one of nine teams back from the 2012 Finals, and one of four reigning champions playing to repeat.
The Division 2 and Division 7 Finals are rematches from last fall and carry plenty of intrigue; Brother Rice just edged Muskegon in Division 2 last season and Ishpeming stunned at least a few by beating to-that-point unstoppable Detroit Loyola in Division 7. DeWitt, Clinton and Clarkston are seeking their first titles, with the latter two heading to the Finals for the first time.
The Division 8,4,6 and 2 games are Friday, with the odd-numbered divisions playing Saturday. All four Friday games will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Detroit's Plus channel (check cable/satellite box listings for your specific channel), with Saturday's games live on Fox Sports Detroit's main station. Audio broadcasts will be available on the MHSAA Network website. Tickets cost $10 and are good for all four games on one day. Click for a full schedule.
Here’s a look at all 16 finalists. (Rankings were voted upon by The Associated Press’ media panel.)
Division 1
CLARKSTON
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 4
Coach: Kurt Richardson, 27th season (202-78)
League finish: First in Oakland Activities Association Red
Finals history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 56-28 over Rochester Adams in the Regional Final, 30-27 over Oxford in the District Semifinal, 20-10 over Division 2 No. 6 Southfield.
Players to watch: QB D.J. Zezula, 6-0/185, jr. (2,156 yards/17 TDs passing); RB Ian Eriksen, 5-11/190, sr. (1,410 yards/25 TDs rushing); K/P Shane Hynes, 5-10/150, sr. (56-56 XP, long FG 46); WR/DB Tim Cason, 6-2/190, sr. (747 yards/6 TDs receiving); OL/DL Nick Matich, 6-3/297, sr.; OT/DT David Beedle, 6-5/285, sr.
Outlook: Clarkston’s strong football tradition now will include an appearance at the MHSAA Finals thanks to a playoff run that included avenging its lone loss, on opening night, to Rochester Adams. This is the third time the Wolves have won 12 games under Richardson, who also has led them to three straight league and two straight District titles and has coached in the program since 1977. A number of players are committed to continue at the Division I college level: Eriksen for Eastern Michigan, Beedle at Michigan State, Cason at Purdue, Matich at Western Michigan and Hynes to kick for Kent State. He’s made five field goals of 34 yards or longer this fall.
DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 11-2, No. 6
Coach: Tom Mach, 38th season (340-82)
League finish: Second in Detroit Catholic League Central.
Finals history: 10 championships (most recent 2009), five runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 35-14 over No. 9 Northville in the District Semifinal, 28-0 over No. 1 Detroit Cass Tech in the Semifinal, 20-14 over Division 2 honorable mention Warren DeLaSalle.
Players to watch: QB/DB Sean Birney, 6-1/175, sr. (769 yards/11 TDs passing); RB/DB/K Zach Bock, 6-0/190, sr. (721 yards/5 TDs rushing, 255 yards/4 TDs receiving); RB/LB Connor Holton, 6-0/200, sr. (1,040 yards/11 TDs rushing); FB/DE Dyaln Roney, 6-2/230, sr. (579 yards/11 TDs rushing); DT Christopher Okoye, 6-6/320, sr.
Outlook: The Shamrocks are back in the Division 1 Final for the third straight year after finally dispatching of Detroit Cass Tech – the team that beat DCC in the last two championship games. Most of the team’s playmakers have been in those roles this season for the first time, but they and a solid defense has come through when it counted most in four wins by 10 points or fewer – including a one-point nail-biter over Temperance Bedford in the Regional Final. Roney, and standout defensive end, has committed to play at Navy in 2014. DCC’s only losses this season were to Birmingham Brother Rice, which will play for the Division 2 title.
Division 2
BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Al Fracassa, 45th season (384-98-2)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League Central
Finals history: Eight championships (most recent 2012), four runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 43-20 over No. 10 Martin Luther King in the Semifinal, 26-24 over honorable mention Warren DeLaSalle, 28-21 and 20-7 over Division 1 No. 6 Detroit Catholic Central.
Players to watch: QB Alex Malzone, 6-3/200, jr. (2,525 yards/21 TDs passing); C Sage Baltrusaitis, 6-1/260, sr.; DB/K Jason Alessi (6-1/180) sr. (54-55 XP/15 FG); RB Brian Walker, 5-9/225, sr. (817 yards/14 TDs rushing); WR Corey Lacanaria, 5-9/180, sr. (991 yards/7 TDs receiving).
Outlook: Some stars change, many stay the same for Brother Rice, which is seeking its third straight MHSAA title. Alessi, a safety and special teams standout (three return touchdowns this fall) scored the game-winning TD in last season's Final on a cross-field lateral during a return, while Walker and senior Shon Powell are back as the top runners and Malzone and Lacanaria have continued as one of the state’s top passing combinations. But this will be the last game for the brightest star in Brother Rice history – Fracassa will retire after the game.
MUSKEGON
Record/rank: 12-1, No 32
Coach: Shane Fairfield, fourth season (40-10)
League finish: First in O-K Black
Finals history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2008), one runner-up finish.
Best wins: 28-21 over No. 2 Lowell in the District Final, 24-7 over No. 9 Midland in the Regional Final, 41-35 over No. 8 Portage Central in the Quarterfinal, 35-13 over Division 3 No. 3 Grand Rapids Christian, 45-0 over Division 1 No. 3 Rockford.
Players to watch: RB Javauntae Thomas, 5-11/210, sr. (926 yards/9 TDs rushing); OL Malik King, 6-4/275, sr.; QB/DB Deshaun Thrower, 6-2/200, sr. (1,706 yards/27 TDs rushing, 1,110 yards/12 TDs passing); DL Kenny Finley, 6-3/285, sr.
Outlook: The Big Reds no doubt have been looking forward to this rematch after falling to Brother Rice by a score in last season’s championship game. Muskegon has been successful in its other revenge games this season, beating Lowell in the District Final after falling to the Red Arrows 31-20 in Week 4 and Zeeland East 54-0 after falling to the Chix by a point in 2012. Thrower came on in relief during last season’s championship game second half and nearly led Muskegon to the victory; he’s been nearly impossible to stop this season. Finley has committed to Western Michigan and King to Ball State for 2014.
Division 3
DEWITT
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Rob Zimmerman, 15th season (149-34)
League finish: First in Capital Area Activities Conference Red
Finals history: Four runner-up finishes (most recent 2004)
Best wins: 28-16 over No. 4 Mount Pleasant, 43-7 over honorable mention Ionia, 21-20 over No. 7 St. Clair in the Semifinal, 13-7 over Division 5 No. 2 Portland.
Players to watch: QB Jake Johnson, 6-2/188, jr. (1,736 yards/28 TDs passing, 527 yards/1 TD rushing); RB Ben Heinritz, 5-11/200, jr. (1,353 yards/17 TDs rushing); WR/DB Chris Ruby, 5-10/181 sr. (950 yards/14 TDs receiving); LB Zach Deak, 5-8/182, sr.; WR Josh Borta, 6-3/177, sr. (651 yards/14 TDs receiving).
Outlook: The Panthers are back in the Finals for the first time since finishing a three-year streak from 2002-04 and seeking their first championship. Offense has been the calling card most seasons under crafty quarterback guru Zimmerman and has been strong again this fall – but the defense also has been on task with four shutouts and five more games giving up only on score in each. Johnson is the latest star quarterback, but while he was injured part of this season senior Jacob Heath stepped in and threw for 726 yards and nine touchdowns.
ZEELAND WEST
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 2
Coach: John Shillito, ninth season (84-21)
League finish: First in O-K Green
Finals history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2011).
Best wins: 48-35 over No. 3 Grand Rapids Christian in the District Final, 62-27 over No. 4 Mount Pleasant in the Regional Final, 44-28 over Division 4 honorable mention Detroit Country Day.
Players to watch: QB Casey Brinks, 5-10/165, soph. (636 yards/5 TDs rushing, 587 yards/10 TDs passing); DB Grant Postma, 5-10/165, sr. (9 interceptions); RB/DB Danny Bauder, 5-9/185, sr. (1,652 yards/27 TDs rushing, 383 yards/7 TDs receiving); TE/NG Jordan VanDort, 6-5/300, sr.
Outlook: Zeeland West has won championships in 2011 and 2006 under Shillito, one of the most revered offensive coaches in the state. The Dux have run for an astounding 5,159 yards this season. VanDort, who has committed to play at Western Michigan next fall, is a two-way starter and a force in the wing-T offense and middle of West’s defense. The Dux did avenge that lone loss, to Zeeland East in Week 2, by beating the Chix 44-13 in their playoff opener.
Division 4
GRAND RAPIDS SOUTH CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 1
Coach: Mark Tamminga, fifth season (35-19)
League finish: First in O-K Gold
Finals history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2012), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 34-14 over No. 8 Allendale in the District Final, 35-19 over No. 9 Battle Creek Pennfield in the Regional Final, 20-6 over No. 5 Comstock Park in the Semifinal, 34-17 over Division 5 finalist Grand Rapids West Catholic.
Players to watch: QB Jon Wassink, 6-2/190, jr. (2,802/22 TDs passing, 1,094 yards/22 TDs rushing); RB/DB Geff Plasman, 5-10/180, jr. (1,152 yards/15 TDs rushing); WR/DB Eric VanVoorst, 6-3/180, jr. (956 yards/9 TDs receiving); LB David Boomsma, 6-2/180, sr.
Outlook: Since opening the season with a 28-point loss to reigning Division 3 champion Grand Rapids Christian, the Sailors have won all but one game by multiple scores. Wassink had led in a big way after missing last season’s championship game victory with an injury. Boomsma was the team’s second-leading tackler in that win over Detroit Country Day and is the leading tackler this fall for a defense that’s given up a combined 44 points in four playoff wins.
MARINE CITY
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 5 in Division 5
Coach: Rob Glodich, second season (20-3)
League finish: Second in Macomb Area Conference Gold
Finals history: Division 4 champion 2007, Division 4 runner-up 2011.
Best wins: 35-22 over Marysville in the District Semifinal, 35-21 over Richmond in the District Final, 33-28 over honorable mention Detroit Country Day in the Regional Final, 12-7 over No. 4 Sexton in the Semifinal.
Players to watch: S/WR Pete Patsalis, 6-0/180 sr. (982 yards receiving); RB/S Jarrett Mathison, 5-10/175, jr.; (1,160 yards rushing, 537 yards receiving); QB Alex Merchant, 6-0/181, jr. (1,338 yards/15 TDs passing); RB Tait Sapienza, 5-9/160, sr. (1,272 yards rushing).
Outlook: Marine City was ranked in Division 5 by The Associated Press for the regular season before moving into Division 4 when the playoff field was determined. This will be the team’s third championship game appearance in seven seasons and comes after it fell to Richmond in a playoff opener in 2012. The team’s only loss this fall was 43-33 to eventual Division 3 Semifinalist St. Clair. Marine City has rumbled to 3,285 yards rushing this season with its top two leading rushers each averaging at least 7.5 yards per carry.
Division 5
GRAND RAPIDS WEST CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 9-4, unranked
Coach: Dan Rohn, seventh season (72-17)
League finish: Tied for first in O-K Bronze
Finals history: Division 5 champion 2010, two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 27-14 over No. 2 Portland in the District Semifinal, 35-17 over No. 7 Olivet in the Regional Final, 35-0 over No. 6 Livonia Clarenceville in the Semifinal.
Players to watch: QB Travis Russell, 6-2/185, jr. (2,274 yards/20 TDs passing, 555 yards/9 TDs rushing); RB/DB Andy Corey, 5-9/180, sr. (894 yards/15 TDs rushing); WR Drake Wooten, 6-1/180, sr. (738 yards/7 TDs receiving); RB Lasavian Majewski, 5-8/185, jr. (941 yards/9 TDs rushing); TE/DE Mitchell Stanitzek, 6-5/235, sr. (278 yards/7 TDs receiving).
Outlook: Just like last season, West Catholic started slowly but has made it all the way to the Finals despite entering the playoffs unranked – and this time just got in at 5-4. Once in the field, a group of veterans took over, led by Russell and Corey, the top offensive players on last season’s team. This fall’s slow start certainly can be viewed as relative: West Catholic opened with three losses, but they all came to teams that ended up making Semifinals last weekend including reigning Division 4 champion Grand Rapids South Christian.
MENOMINEE
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Joe Noha, second season (24-2)
League finish: First in Great Northern U.P. Conference
Finals history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2007).
Best wins: 59-28 over No. 3 Muskegon Oakridge in the Semifinal, 49-27 over Standish-Sterling in the Regional Final, 42-13 over honorable mention Kingsford, 40-21 over Division 8 No. 3 Harbor Beach.
Players to watch: QB/DE Justin Brilinski, 6-0/180, jr. (1,200 yards/14 TDs rushing, 1,461 yards/16 TDs passing); RB/DB Devon Harris, 5-11/165, sr. (673 yards/11 TDs rushing, 252 yards/5 TDs passing, 771 yards/10 TDs receiving); RB/DE James Brown, 6-2/197, sr. (1,035 yards/29 TDs rushing).
Outlook: Menominee has become a semi-regular at the MHSAA Finals with its three titles over the last 15 seasons, but this is its first trip without longtime coach Ken Hofer, who retired after 2011. But Noha certainly knows how to bring a team to Detroit after serving as an assistant for 19 seasons before taking over the program. Menominee hasn’t scored fewer than 40 points since opening night and won its league games by a combined 193-26 in a conference featuring most of the biggest schools in the Upper Peninsula.
Division 6
CLINTON
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 4
Coach: Scott McNitt, 29th season (174-108-1)
League finish: First in the Tri-County Conference
Finals history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 39-14 over No. 8 Grass Lake in the Regional Final, 47-28 over Constantine in the Regional Final, 49-3 over No. 9 Shelby in the Semifinal, 33-8 over Ottawa Lake Whiteford.
Players to watch: QB/DB T.J. Baker, 6-1/180, sr. (719 yards/17 TDs rushing, 1,874 yards/23 TDs passing); WR/LB Mathew Sexton, 6-0/170, soph. (500 yards/8 TDs rushing, 1,059 yards/15 TDs receiving); RB/DB Collin Poore, 5-9/160, jr. (1,599 yards/18 TDs, 281 yards/4 TDs receiving); RB/LB Brett Tschirhart, 6-0/205, jr. (556 yards/13 TDs rushing).
Outlook: It’s somewhat shocking to look back and see three straight 1-8 seasons for Clinton from 2002-04, given the team’s 14 playoff appearances total under McNitt and 22-1 record over the last two seasons. This will be the team’s first trip to the MHSAA Finals, and he’s bringing a number of offensive weapons who combined have gained 5,700 yards this fall. The defense has stepped up its game giving up a combined 51 points over four postseason games and just 57 points over its last six wins.
ITHACA
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Terry Hessbrook, 10th season (100-17)
League finish: First in Tri-Valley Conference West
Finals history: MHSAA Division 6 champion 2012, 2011 and 2010.
Best wins: 42-7 over Maple City Glen Lake in the District Final, 62-34 over No. 7 Negaunee in the Regional Final, 21-20 over No. 3 Montrose in the Semifinal.
Players to watch: QB Travis Smith, 6-3/200, sr. (3,031 yards/38 TDs passing, 503 yards/9 TDs rushing); WR/DB Logan Hessbrook, 6-3/200, sr. (1,169 yards/18 TDs receiving); RB/LB Bryan Shaw, 5-11/225, sr. (981 yards/21 TDs rushing); WR/DB Josh Hafner, 6-2/175, sr. (725 yards/8 TDs receiving).
Outlook: Ithaca has taken turns with a team in Iowa this season holding the nation’s longest winning streak and can tie for it again with a 56th straight win Friday. Smith, who will sign with Toledo this winter, has set an MHSAA career record with 100 touchdown passes over the last three seasons while completing 68 percent of his throws total. Those generally are the biggest headliners, but don’t forget the defense – it’s notched five shutouts and allowed four more opponents to score only once. Nose guard Jonah Loomis and linebackers Rickey King, Dallas Reeser and Jace Demenov all have at least 100 tackles this fall.
Division 7
DETROIT LOYOLA
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 2
Coach: John Callahan, fifth season (51-9)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League AA
Finals history: MHSAA runner-up 2012.
Best wins: 52-7 over No. 10 Homer in the Semifinal, 50-7 over honorable mention Southfield Christian in the Regional Final, 20-14 over Division 4 honorable mention Detroit Country Day, 30-21 over Division 5 honorable mention Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard.
Players to watch: RB Marvin Campbell, 5-10/190, jr. (1,453 yards/18 TDs); RB Mideyin Wilson, 5-10/175, jr. (775 yards/10 TDs); SE/DB Keith Graves, 6-1/175, sr.; OT KaJohn Armstong, 6-4/280, sr.
Outlook: Loyola graduated a 2,000-yard rusher after last season – and has equaled the team that earned the program's first championship game berth. The team moved up among bigger schools in the Catholic League and won that division this fall, and has outscored its playoff opponents by a combined 205-14. Callahan has led Loyola to four straight league and three straight District titles. The offensive line remains sizable, averaging 244 pounds across the front led by Armstrong at left tackle.
ISHPEMING
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Jeff Olson, 22nd season (157-78)
League finish: First in Mid-Peninsula Conference
Finals history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2012), one runner-up finish.
Best wins: 34-0 over No. 4 Iron River West Iron County in the District Final, 28-13 over No. 5 Lake City in the Regional Final, 44-10 over Harbor Beach in the Semifinal, 28-24 over Division 6 No. 7 Negaunee.
Players to watch: QB/P Alex Briones, 6-2/215, sr. (1,451 yards/19 TDs passing); WR/LB Mitch Laurin, 6-0/208, sr.; OL/DE Jake Quayle, 5-11/195, sr.; DE/FB Adam Prisk, 5-11/180, sr.; DB Tyrus Millimaki, 5-7/150, sr.
Outlook: The Hematites are not only defending champions but at Ford Field for the third time in four seasons. Although many of last fall’s stars graduated, Briones is an all-state quarterback and also has run for more than 1,000 yards in guiding his team back to Detroit. Like Loyola, Ishpeming has dominated in the postseason beating its four opponents by a combined 156-23 after cruising through the regular season with only rival Negaunee getting within 35 points.
Division 8
BEAL CITY
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Lou Rau, 13th season (144-29)
League finish: First in Highland Conference
Finals history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2009), four runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 55-0 over No. 10 St. Ignace in the Regional Final, 34-18 over No. 5 Crystal Falls Forest Park in the Semifinal, 48-0 over Division 5 honorable mention Clare, 42-35 (OT) over Division 7 No. 5 Lake City.
Players to watch: RB/LB Ty Rollin, 5-8/180, jr. (1,189 yards/24 TDs rushing, 322 yards/3 TDs receiving); RB/DE Hayden Huber, 6-0/175, sr. (888 yards/19 TDs rushing); QB/DB Kurt Gross, 6-0/165, sr. (1,626 yards/23 TDs passing); TE/DE Ryan Tilmann, 6-3/180, sr. (651/12 TDs receiving).
Outlook: The Aggies have stormed back after falling to Harbor Beach in last season’s Final, with their 725 points second-most in MHSAA history and keyed by a determined senior class. Beal City has scored more than 70 points three times and more than 60 three times as well, with Forest Park and Lake City the only opponents to put up much of a challenge – the Aggies shut out seven teams. Rau, who took over the program in 2000, has led it to eight seasons of at least 10 wins and playoff berths every fall of his tenure.
MUSKEGON CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 11-2, No. 6
Coach: Steve Czerwon, first season (11-2)
League finish: Does not play in a league.
Finals history: Eight MHSAA titles (most recent 2008), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 42-0 over No. 8 Fowler in the District Final, 28-12 over No. 2 Mendon in the Regional Final, 45-14 over No. 4 New Lothrop in the Semifinal.
Players to watch: QB Nick Holt, 6-0/185, jr. (777 yards/10 TDs passing, 1,078 yards/22 TDs rushing); RB Tommy Scott, 5-8/160, jr. (755 yards/9 TDs rushing, 4 TDs receiving); RB Alex Lewandoski, 5-11/185, sr. (1,129 yards/21 TDs).
Outlook: Muskegon Catholic is back in the Finals under first-year coach Czerwon, who played in the program before graduating in 1995 and has been an assistant the last 10 seasons. The Crusaders fell to a rare losing season in 2010 but have been building back since, winning 29 and losing only eight over the last three seasons heading into Friday. Muskegon Catholic opened 0-2 this fall but against much larger opponents Muskegon Mona Shores and Grand Rapids Catholic Central, and the Crusaders have given up only a combined 75 points during the 11-game winning streak.
PHOTO: Muskegon quarterback Deshaun Thrower prepares to launch a pass during his team's playoff win over Midland. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
1st & Goal: 2022 Week 9 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 24, 2022
Every league champion has been crowned. All 144 playoff pairings are set.
This fall seemed to fly by, but the football regular season is complete. See below for several of the final steps we took to get there across the state during Week 9.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Davison 28, Lapeer 6 The Cardinals (8-1) clinched the outright Saginaw Valley League South championship as this was a winner-take-all matchup. The victory also avenged a 2021 loss to the Lightning (7-2), and Davison’s defense arguably was the star of this show by limiting a Lapeer attack averaging 39 points per game in one of its most impressive performances of the fall. These two could meet again in a Division 1 District Final. Click for more from the Flint Journal.
Here are the highlights of the Davison at Lapeer football game that aired on Football Fridays Overtime powered by STATE CHAMPS! on @BallySportsDET.@BraylenHimm23 | @DavCardFootball pic.twitter.com/ClNCN2hMZM
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 23, 2022
Watch list Gladwin 35, Standish Sterling 7 The Flying G’s (9-0) won one of three matchups of unbeaten teams this weekend, and in doing so finished their second-straight perfect regular season. Standish-Sterling (7-1) has plenty to boast as well as it takes a combined 17-4 record over the last two seasons into these playoffs.
On the move Croswell-Lexington 41, Freeland 34 The Pioneers (7-2) saw their league title chances dissolve with two losses over the last month, but defeating the No. 12 team in Division 4 playoff-point average in Freeland (7-2) was a solid way to enter the postseason. Essexville Garber 34, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 21 The Dukes (6-3) were No. 29 in Division 5 playoff-point average heading into the week but got a four-spot bump in handing Laker (8-1) its only loss. Goodrich 42, Almont 21 The Martians (8-1) will be home throughout the playoffs with this win over Almont (6-3) another solid building block for the postseason.
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Belleville 42, Brighton 3 Although both teams entered undefeated, few have slowed Belleville over the last few seasons as the Tigers (9-0) ran their winning streak to 20 with this Kensington Lakes Activities Association championship win. Brighton (8-1) had given up only 81 points this season before Belleville scored 42; the Tigers have put up at least 41 in every game this fall. Click for more from the Detroit News.
Watch list Grosse Pointe South 44, Grosse Pointe North 14 With the Norsemen (8-1) eying their first perfect regular season since 1986, the Blue Devils (6-3) swooped in to win their sixth game over their last seven this fall and fifth in a row over their rivals.
On the move Detroit Cass Tech 33, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 14 The Technicians (6-3) were able to hold on to the No. 29 spot in Division 1 playoff-point average with their fifth-straight win. Southfield Arts & Technology 28, River Rouge 21 The Warriors (7-2) rebounded from a Week 8 loss to West Bloomfield with a win over a River Rouge team that while 5-3 is much better than that record as all three defeats were by seven points or fewer. Gibraltar Carlson 38, Brownstown Woodhaven 18 Carlson (8-1) is a co-champion in the Downriver League for the second-straight season, with Trenton after the Trojans (8-1) defeated Southgate Anderson.
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Grand Ledge 45, East Lansing 30 The Comets (7-2) were considered emerging entering this season, but they finished the regular season as co-champions in the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue. The surge seemed to start with a Week 6 win over DeWitt and carried through with this victory over the Trojans (6-3), who were in first place before falling in their final two games to Grand Ledge and the other co-champion, Holt. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
Watch list Belding 36, Hopkins 14 The Black Knights (8-1) finished a perfect run through the Ottawa-Kent Conference Silver and also ended a five-game regular-season losing streak against Hopkins (5-4), which would have shared the title with a win. (Belding did win a playoff game over Hopkins in 2020 after losing the regular-season meeting.)
On the move Lansing Catholic 42, Pewamo-Westphalia 7 The Cougars sat 3-5 with their string of 13 straight playoff appearances potentially on the verge of ending before they posted their most impressive win in downing the Pirates (5-4). Durand 48, Marine City 28 During an undefeated run of impressive performances, Durand (9-0) may have saved the best for last in this win over the Macomb Area Conference Silver champion Mariners (7-2). Mount Pleasant 28, Linden 21 The Oilers (8-1) won another matchup of league champions, as the Eagles (5-4) suffered their second one-score defeat over the last three weeks.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Traverse City St. Francis 45, Detroit Country Day 20 The Gladiators may be favorites in the Division 7 playoffs and certainly are mathematically so as the closed the regular season 9-0 and with a playoff-points average nearly 4.7 points higher than the field. This defeat over a Country Day team (5-3) in line to host both District rounds in Division 5 was among six wins over teams that finished the regular season with winning records. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Watch list Ogemaw Heights 35, Lake City 7 Ogemaw Heights’ six-game winning streak got a nice boost from this big win over the also-playoff bound Trojans (5-4). The Falcons (7-2) also surpassed the six wins they’d totaled over the last two seasons combined.
On the move Gaylord 28, Clare 7 The Blue Devils (6-3) entered Week 9 as the No. 32 team on the Division 3 playoff-point list, but were able to bump up a few spots thanks to this win over playoff-bound Clare (5-4). Frankfort 36, Elk Rapids 14 The Panthers (8-1) tied their most wins since 2017 with their sixth-straight this fall. Elk Rapids (6-3) is headed back to the playoffs for the first time since 2018, despite the defeat. Traverse City Central 14, Traverse City West 13 Even with West (2-7) finishing below .500 for the first time since 2015, this rivalry game remained must-see as Central (5-4) won for the fourth-straight season but with this matching the one-score deciders the teams waged from 2013-18.
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Clinton 32, Hudson 26 The Redwolves (9-0) made one of the loudest statements of the weekend, not only clinching the Lenawee Country Athletic Association championship for the first time since 2000 but ending Hudson’s state-best 22-game winning streak. The perfect regular season was Clinton’s second in four years (and first since 2019), while Hudson heads to the playoffs at 8-1. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.
Watch list Dexter 45, Chelsea 0 The Dreadnaughts (9-0) finished atop the Division 2 playoff-point average list by more than four points after defeating Chelsea (5-4) for the first time since 1995.
On the move Napoleon 15, Union City 0 After missing out on the playoffs last season despite a 6-3 record, Napoleon has left no doubt this fall with this win in a Cascades/Big 8 crossover of champions giving the Pirates (9-0) their first perfect regular season since 2002. Union City (7-2) lost for the first time since Week 1. Ida 17, Dundee 12 The Bluestreaks (4-5) needed a strong finish to make the playoffs, and edging Dundee (6-3) gave them the boost. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 41, Ecorse 22 St. Mary (4-5) similarly needed to close on a high note to make the playoffs, and got it by handing Ecorse (8-1) its only loss.
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER St. Joseph 47, Battle Creek Central 29 This winner-take-all Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference matchup went to the Bears (8-1), who earned their first championship since sharing the title in 2015. St. Joseph turned in one of its best offensive performances while scoring the most points the Bearcats (7-2) have given up in a game this season. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.
Watch list Buchanan 36, Centreville 28 The Bucks (8-1) have gotten a lot of attention in this space lately, with good reason, as they added to their league title with a win over the Southwest 10 Conference champion Bulldogs (6-3).
On the move Constantine 37, Benton Harbor 20 The Falcons (8-1) capped a regular season that saw their only loss by two to Hudson in Week 2, and they enter the Division 6 playoffs No. 6 in playoff-point average. Portage Northern 35, Mattawan 21 The Huskies (6-3) closed on a three-game winning streak to return to the playoffs after missing last season. Plainwell 29, Paw Paw 23 The Trojans (4-5) missed the playoffs but ended with something to build on, stopping a four-game losing streak with this win over the playoff-bound Red Wolves (4-5). Three of Plainwell’s losses were by seven points or fewer.
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Bark River-Harris 28, Ishpeming 20 The Broncos helped open the weekend Thursday by clinching the last league title up for grabs in the Upper Peninsula. Downing the Hematites not only gave the Broncos the outright Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Iron championship, but put them at 7-2 to conclude their winningest regular season since 2015. Ishpeming’s loss was its third by eight points or fewer, but it still qualified in Division 8 at 4-5. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.
Watch list Menominee 42, Kingsford 41 Arguably the most exciting game above the Bridge this season saw the Maroons hold off a final charge by the Flivvers. Menominee (5-4) in doing so solidified its spot in the Division 6 field, while Kingsford (6-3) qualified as No. 12 in Division 5.
On the move Calumet 41, L'Anse 22 The Copper Kings (6-3) were out of contention in the West-PAC Copper but closed with three straight wins to make the playoffs for the 18th time in 19 seasons. L’Anse also advanced for the first time (not counting all-in 2020) since 2013. Sault Ste. Marie 20, Benzie Central 14 (OT) The Blue Devils (6-3) just missed the playoffs for the second-straight season but came back from a midseason three-game losing streak to finish above .500 for the fifth-straight year. St. Ignace 54, Harbor Springs 14 The Saints capped their turnaround regular season at 7-2, their best record since 2016, and as outright champions in the Northern Michigan Football Conference Legacy.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Rockford 38, Caledonia 15 Another winner-take-all decided the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red championship, with the Rams clinching their fourth straight with their third-straight undefeated regular season while sending the Fighting Scots to 8-1. Rockford built a sizable first-half lead in part by locking down a Caledonia offense that entered the game averaging nearly 46 points per. These two could see each other again in a Division 1 District Final. Click for more from FOX 17.
Here are the highlights of the Rockford at Caledonia football game that aired on Football Fridays Overtime powered by STATE CHAMPS! on @BallySportsDET.@RockfordRamsFB | @RockfordAD pic.twitter.com/hDRzyrj5O8
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 23, 2022
Watch list Muskegon 55, Muskegon Mona Shores 35 The Big Reds (7-2) seemed to fall out of the statewide conversation after a two-point loss to Zeeland West put them at 3-2. But they need to be talked up again after this big win over Mona Shores (7-2) gave them a share of the O-K Green title and vaulted them to No. 6 in Division 3 playoff-point average. Shores sits No. 9 in Division 2 playoff-point average.
On the move Fruitport 52, Holland Christian 21 The Trojans (7-2) clinched a share of the O-K Blue title and continued to build on their best record since 2012. Reed City 16, Cadillac 8 (OT) The Coyotes (8-1) are riding substantial momentum into the playoffs as the No. 3 team in Division 6 playoff-point average. Grand Rapids West Catholic 39, Hudsonville Unity Christian 18 West Catholic is the No. 1 team on that Division 6 list and the other half of the O-K Blue co-championship after downing last season’s Division 4 runner-up Unity (5-4).
8-Player
HEADLINER Au Gres-Sims 42, Posen 24 The Wolverines finished up an outright championship run in the North Star League Little Dipper, sending Posen (7-2) into second place with its lone league loss. Au Gres-Sims (8-1) has won seven straight games (including a forfeit in Week 8), and held a Posen offense averaging 45 points per game to nearly half that. Click for more from WBKB.
Watch list Deckerville 62, Peck 60 (4 OT) The Eagles (6-3) finished third in the North Central Thumb League Stars but vaulted into the postseason with this win over the Stripes champion Pirates (7-2). The teams hadn’t faced each other since 2019, but Deckerville has won their last seven meetings.
On the move Stephenson 50 Norway 40 This was notable for several reasons – the Eagles secured a spot in the playoff field, they did so against a Norway team (6-3) that’s been considered among the best in 8-player Division 1, and at 6-3 as well Stephenson has its most wins since 2017. Powers North Central 42, Crystal Falls Forest Park 0 The Jets (9-0) finished another Great Lakes Eight Conference West title with their 33rd straight win, and could see Forest Park (7-2) again in a Regional Final. Bridgman 35, Martin 34 The Bees finished their second-straight perfect regular season after moving to 8-player four years ago, with this win over Division 1 contender Martin (7-2) among their most impressive victories of the run.
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PHOTOS Negaunee's Kai Lacar (10) finds a hole and sprints for another Miners touchdown in the second quarter of last week's win over Ishpeming Westwood. (Middle) A Davison ball carrier follows his blocker during Friday's win over Lapeer. (Below) A Cass City ball carrier prepares to take on a Beal City defender. (Photos by Cara Kamps, Terry Lyons and High School Sports Scene, respectively.)