Football Follies

October 7, 2014

Notice reached the MHSAA office of a so-called “2014 Michigan Youth Football Classic” that invites youth league teams to “a great weekend of youth tackle football.” For $450 per team, youth football teams will bang bodies for two days – Nov. 8 and 9 – with each team guaranteed at least three games. Three!

No level of football but this – for the youngest players who have the most vulnerable skulls – allows the idiocy of three games in a weekend. Most limit competition to a maximum of one game in a week!

In my opinion, this isn’t a football classic. It’s child abuse.

I wish the foolishness would stop there, but even an organization called USA Football seems to have lost its head. Initially and mostly with funding from the NFL, USA Football was focused on teaching youth football coaches and players safe blocking and tackling techniques. Good.

But now this pseudo-national governing body for amateur football is planning events for various age groups that will extend tackle football practices and games throughout what used to be an off-season. Multiple competitions in tackle football are scheduled for high school age players in January, February and July of 2015.

At a time when professional, college, school and Pop Warner football are all reducing contact during practices in-season, USA Football wants to expand the contact experience out of season. It makes about as much sense as three games in a weekend.

Unforgettable 5ive: 2021 Football Playoff Week 4

By Jon Ross
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties

November 26, 2021

Here's a look at our Playoff Week 4 "Unforgettable 5ive" from MHSAA.tv and MHSAA media partner broadcasts:

► Brent LaBonte throws the 48-yard touchdown pass to Luke Gorzinski as Powers North Central wins a second-straight 8-Player Division 2 championship, beating Colon 63-0.

► Adrian Lenawee Christian's Ashur Bryja scores on an 11-yard run to give his team the lead in its 8-Player Division 1 championship win. The Cougars defeated Suttons Bay 31-20.

► Hudson came back from 22 down to defeat Ottawa Lake Whiteford 28-22. Bronson Marry scored the game winner.

► Lawton's Landon Motter converted the two-point conversion with 46 seconds left to give his team a 21-20 win over Jackson Lumen Christi.

► Teshawn Thomas scores on a 46-yard run for Warren Michigan Collegiate in its 36-29 win over Michigan Center.

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