To Ford Field, and Home Again
August 31, 2012
The last time Lansing Catholic and Pewamo-Westphalia's football teams had suited up, it was under the bright lights of Ford Field for last season's MHSAA Finals.
The reigning Division 5 and 7 runners-up, respectively, returned to the field Aug. 24 in a season opener at Holt Junior High, in what was another first-time experience for leaders on both sidelines.
It was the first time in a coaching career spanning four decades that Cougars coach Jim Ahern started anew after making it to the previous season's final game. Despite numerous near-misses while coaching at Ithaca, last season was his first trip to the title game.
Pewamo-Westphalia's Brad Weber has been leading the Pirates for only five seasons, but his school and community also had never made it to a season finale before last November.
Click to see what each had to say after Lansing Catholic opened with a 45-21 win.
#TBT: Gross Leads Beal City to Class D Title
November 27, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
On Friday, coach Brad Gross will bring Beal City to the Division 8 Football Final at Ford Field to take on Reading as the Aggies play for their first MHSAA title in this sport since 2009.
But while this will be the Aggies' first championship game appearance since 2013 – it won't be the first time Gross has led a Beal City team seeking football glory.
In 1994, Gross quarterbacked the Aggies to a 35-14 Class D championship game win over Litchfield at the Pontiac Silverdome. He threw for 183 yards and two touchdown passes, both to Wes Wilson.
Click to see the box score, and see below for highlights from the MHSAA's broadcast.