Forgotten Series Named 1st Grid Champs
November 29, 2016
By Ron Pesch
Special for Second Half
“In the first decade of this century, there were some very, very unsavory things going on in high school sports," said MHSAA sports historian Dick Kishpaugh back in 1999. "Though teams used school names as if they represented their high schools, schools didn't set policy, players did. … Serious injuries were common, gamblers arranged games, and shady recruiting practices were the norm.”
On March 31, 1899, at the Michigan State Teachers’ Association meeting hosted in Ypsilanti, discussion took place about a proposal that had been put forth by some high schools. The request was to form a statewide “conference with a view to arranging (a) series of base and football games between those schools which adopt the rules.”
Speaking in 1907, Herbert W. “Buck” Read, a coach at Kalamazoo Central High School (and later head basketball coach at modern-day Western Michigan University) recalled the purpose of the plan was “to do away with the chaotic state of affairs then existing in high school football circles” as teams and communities jockeyed for superiority and arranged games that did little more than create an “opportunity to those of betting proclivities.”
The proposal advanced to the Association’s High School Athletic Committee. There, a plan was formed for a playoff system designed to identify a state football champion. The system would be governed by the Committee and run by the Interscholastic Department of the University of Michigan Athletic Association. The playoffs would then culminate with a championship game played at the university on Thanksgiving Day.
By late summer, it was decided to broach the subject with Michigan’s schools.
As Lewis L. Forsythe noted in his book, “Athletics in Michigan High Schools: The First Hundred Years,” the prosperity of the Technological Revolution, combined with the fact athletics were achieving new popularity in colleges and schools, helped propel expansion of athletic activities across the nation.
At the time, there were 165 high schools in incorporated cities and villages with populations of 1,000 or more scattered across Michigan. Only 72 enrolled more than 100 students (including girls).
A League is formed
Letters were sent to state high schools, offering application for membership in this new Michigan Interscholastic Athletic League. While a number of schools opted to remain independent, by deadline, there were 42 teams accepted into the “Interscholastic.”
The state was divided into six geographical “sections” and “sectional” games were arranged by the league, designed to allow for sectional championship contests to be scheduled for Nov. 9. District championship title games, designed to produce a Western division and an Eastern division champion, were scheduled for Nov. 23. The state title game between east and west was then scheduled for Thanksgiving Day at the University of Michigan’s Regents Field.
Complications quickly surfaced. Transportation at the time was primarily by rail or trolley line, and many teams had to travel a fairly great distance to face scheduled league opponents. Almost immediately, some schools dropped out of league play or forfeited games because of travel expense.
Still, 33 games were played by the high school teams belonging to the “Michigan Interscholastic Football League.” Pontiac, which defeated Bay City in the semifinals, emerged as the state’s first playoff champion with a thrilling 6-5 victory over Western representative Plainwell before a reported crowd of 1,000. Plainwell had downed Escanaba in the semis to reach the final game.
U.P. Power
Because of the complications, talk of disbanding the league erupted in the media. But, with some minor modifications, including more local control over scheduling, the playoffs were again planned for the fall of 1900.
Ishpeming and the Michigan Military Academy of Orchard Lake emerged from a field of 34 teams to square off for the title at Regents Field. In a battle of “speed against weight,” the boys from the Upper Peninsula, averaging 135 pounds, completely outplayed their heavier opponent, and grabbed a 12-5 win. According to The Michigan Alumnus, financially, the event lost money, as a crowd of only around 300 attended the title game. Still, the university saw the “Interscholastic” as a success. According to the university’s annual, Michiganian, during the season, the Athletic Association was forced to apply “some severe measures in its governance of the football contests, thus showing members of the league that they must learn to be square and businesslike.”
On the other hand, the championship contest served as a great opportunity to expose athletes to the campus. Without question, recruitment of future university athletes was an underlying desire. Anderson of Ishpeming was identified as the top player of the day. According to the Alumnus, “Michigan needs a few such as he.”
By mid-November, the 1901 interscholastic series saw the race narrowed to Kalamazoo, Lansing, Orchard Lake, Ann Arbor, Alpena and South Haven in the Lower Peninsula, while Ishpeming, which knocked off Escanaba 11-0, had emerged again as the Upper Peninsula champion. Ultimately, Kalamazoo downed Lansing on Thanksgiving Day to set the stage for the title game on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Although cost concerns related to bringing Ishpeming to Ann Arbor threatened to derail plans for the championship game, the contest was played. In a close battle, the faster Ishpeming squad again prevailed, 27-21. The team returned to the U.P. to a great reception. According to the Detroit Free Press, “a procession was formed at the depot with the footballists occupying seats on a chariot. … Mine whistles and bells of the city sounded for thirty minutes, while thousands of school children and others gave school yells.” It was estimated that 8,000 fans came out, making a procession six blocks long.
In 1902, Escanaba nearly ended Ishpeming’s championship reign, as the teams played to a scoreless tie in early November. However, ties in Interscholastic League action meant the game had to be replayed. Ishpeming downed Escanaba, 11-5, in the rematch and again returned to Ann Arbor for the championship game. There they flexed their speed and skills in a 35-12 victory, this time over Lower Peninsula champion Benton Harbor in a game played at Michigan’s Ferry Field. A total of 34 high schools participated in the Interscholastic League that fall.
Financial challenges and eligibility questions
Benton Harbor returned to the championship game in 1903 with a squad averaging 160 pounds, unusually heavy for the time. Up north, Escanaba defeated Ishpeming 34-2 to punch its ticket to Ann Arbor. The state championship contest, played on Thanksgiving Day, was one-sided and decisive as Benton Harbor rolled to a 22-0 victory. According to press reports, at no time was their goal line “in danger.” The championship series, however, was threatened as university officials again declared the title game was simply unprofitable as travel costs outweighed ticket revenue.
Still, another attempt was made in 1904 as 46 schools, 29 from the Lower Peninsula and 17 from the U.P., opted to battle for the Interscholastic football crown. League contests opened Oct. 1 with the Lower Peninsula championship game scheduled for Nov. 19. Many schools, especially in the larger cities, continued to avoid participation, due to the inconvenience of arranging contests around Interscholastic dates, as well as the simple fact that more revenue could be generated by playing local or familiar opponents.
In a major upset, Mount Pleasant won the 1904 Lower Peninsula championship honor by downing heavily-favored Benton Harbor 11-0 at Fancher Field in Mount Pleasant before a crowd of 1,800. Five passenger coaches, filled with Benton Harbor fans and a band, made the trip north for the early morning game. Fred Norcross, quarterback and incoming captain of the University of Michigan football team, was also in attendance. Quoted in the Michigan Daily, he lent some insight into the way the game was played at the time.
“It was a good clean game, free from slugging and unnecessary roughness, and the way the Mt. Pleasant boys worked to help the man with the ball along was great,” he said. “They would drag a man five yards after he was down.”
Escanaba, a 12-6 winner over Menominee, earned the U.P. crown. The Interscholastic championship game at Ann Arbor on Thanksgiving Day was surrounded with controversy. Just prior to the game, a protest had been raised by Benton Harbor with claims that Mount Pleasant had used an ineligible player in their contest. Bay City, defeated by Mount Pleasant in Interscholastic play the previous week, joined the protest. The complaints, it appears, were dismissed, as Escanaba defeated Mount Pleasant 16-5 for the state title. Following its school’s defeat in the title contest, the Mt. Pleasant Courier “denounced the Escanaba team as having three ineligibles.”
Following the game, newspapers reported that both Detroit Central and Muskegon finished the season undefeated and were considered outstanding teams, but since they did not compete in the Interscholastic series, both were unable to lay claim to the official state title.
Tightening the rules
Perhaps as a result of questions concerning eligibility that surrounded the previous season, the 1905-06 school year brought changes. The management duties of the Interscholastic Athletic League now fell into the hands of a state “Athletic Director,” the duties of which were assumed by Principal C. G. Wade of Flint. A tightening of regulations and rules tied to management of high school athletics in Michigan also were enacted. Very specific requirements for enrollment, age and allowed number of years of eligibility were defined. Players could not be compensated for their athletic skills. Transfer between schools now required certification of eligibility from a superintendent or principal before a student was allowed to compete at a different school. Football players needed to pass a physical examination and have parental consent to compete. Passing marks, as defined by the school, were now a requirement for play.
Participation decreased as some of the state’s larger schools joined the League.
“What is the matter with the high schools of the third inter-scholastic district?” asked a writer in the Benton Harbor News-Palladium at the beginning of the 1905 season when it was announced that only three teams – Benton Harbor, Plainwell and Allegan – would compete in their section of the Interscholastic League. “Where is Kalamazoo? Is South Haven afraid? Does Hastings know anything about football? Why don’t St. Joseph enter the race? What is the matter with Cassopolis and the other places in the district …”
The tournament fell into disarray in the final weeks of November. Ishpeming was identified as the U.P. champion, but as of Nov. 24, it appeared that the state title would not be decided. Frontrunners for the Lower Peninsula crown were Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids Central, but the schools couldn’t come to an agreement on a location for the game. A ruling by director Wade identified Grand Rapids as the proper venue, but Ann Arbor felt the game should be played locally.
Then Kalamazoo High School announced it felt it should be the team playing Ann Arbor for the Lower Peninsula crown as it had beaten Grand Rapids earlier in the year. With an undefeated and unscored upon record, Kalamazoo should be an obvious choice.
Wade noted that while Kalamazoo had impressive record, the school had chosen not to participate in Interscholastic League play. Since the game with Grand Rapids was not considered an Interscholastic contest, the loss didn’t affect Grand Rapids’ pursuit of the League title.
Finally, since Ann Arbor refused to travel, it were forced by the league to forfeit the semifinal game. So, a championship contest between Grand Rapids and Ishpeming was scheduled.
Plans to play the game at Ann Arbor, announced earlier in the season, were scuttled and the contest was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at Ramona Park in Grand Rapids. The Upper Peninsula again emerged as champion, as Ishpeming exposed a weak Grand Rapids defense and posted a 17-5 victory. The move of the game to the site of one of the participants appeared to be a wise one, as 800 paid admissions were collected.
(In an interesting turn of events, Ann Arbor opted, instead, to play a Thanksgiving Day road game with Kalamazoo High. Kalamazoo downed Ann Arbor 16-0 to finish the year as the state’s first unbeaten, untied and unscored upon team.)
The format unravels
Nationally, the brutality and danger of football was being discussed, and calls were to ban the game. President Teddy Roosevelt heard the cries and convened a panel of football authorities to investigate and suggest changes to save the game he loved. In 1906, sweeping alterations to the rules were unveiled and opened the game to the forward pass.
That fall, Muskegon and Benton Harbor emerged as finalists for the Lower Peninsula title. Muskegon had defeated Benton Harbor earlier in the season; however, in a twist of league rules, since the game had not been scheduled by the League office, the result of the contest had no impact on the championship series. After much debate over location and selection of officials, a record-breaking crowd of 1,500 was expected in Muskegon for the rematch, as the implications from a victory drew interest well beyond the borders of both cities. Extra streetcars were scheduled to move the crowd to the site of the contest, and the newspaper social pages were filled with reports of folks heading to Muskegon for the game.
Outplayed and out punted, the “Red and White of Muskegon” fought to the finish before a crowd of “about 1,600 paid admissions,” but fell 20-0 to the “orange sox” of Benton Harbor. The visitors capitalized twice on Muskegon fumbles, scoring a touchdown early in the game and another off a mishandled punt.
Revenue of over $500 (equaling around $13,000 in 2016) was generated from ticket sales. With expenses of around $175, including the $125 paid to Benton Harbor management, organizers were pleased. The following week Benton Harbor agreed to bear the expense if Escanaba would “defend the championship of the Upper Peninsula” in a Saturday, Nov. 24 game to be played in Benton Harbor, with University of Michigan officials in charge.
The Escanaba team left Wednesday for the event and arrived on Friday. The visitors ran through signals at Benton Harbor’s Fourth Division Armory before retiring for the night.
“Before a madly enthusiastic throng of three thousand spectators, Benton Harbor ran wild, overwhelming their guests from Escanaba, 50-0.
More complications
Still, dissention surfaced. Officials at Muskegon High School announced plans to resume playing an independent schedule in 1907, due to concerns about play of ineligibles appearing in its game with Benton Harbor the previous year, and ringers appearing in a spring baseball championship sponsored by the Interscholastic. A newspaper article in October noted the league was down to three teams: Ann Arbor, Saginaw and Benton Harbor. According to a report in the Muskegon Chronicle, the “arbitrary manner in which the executive committee arranged games” was stated as the primary reason the League was disfavored. Because of this, it was generally expected that the Interscholastic League would wither and die within a year.
Yet by season’s end, Muskegon was involved in the mix for a state title.
After three contests, it appears “the Red and White” had a change of heart and applied for membership in the Interscholastic League. As of Nov. 7, six teams were still in the state title race: Alpena, Saginaw, Muskegon, Big Rapids, Ann Arbor and Lansing.
In a bizarre twist, Muskegon’s later application and delays in paying a $12 membership fee to the League became the pivot point in the Interscholastic’s next move. According to a Nov. 14 Detroit Free Press article, “the question of Muskegon’s eligibility to compete for the state high school championship had been deferred (until a state board meeting) and that Saginaw would therefore play Ann Arbor. …The winner of this game will play Muskegon, if the latter is admitted, in the final of (the) state series.”
Ann Arbor High School, which had beaten Muskegon earlier in the year and stood unbeaten and unscored upon, was extremely upset by the decision. Ann Arbor now had to face Saginaw, also unbeaten, with the winner still facing the possibility of meeting once-beaten Muskegon.
A bizarre safety assessed against Ann Arbor in the final minutes of its battle with Saginaw made matters worse. Leading 6-5 near the close of the contest, an Ann Arbor player fielded a bounding punt, “lost his head” and “deliberately ran back (of) his own goal line,” where he touched it down “instead of trying to make a gain or calling ‘down’ when he picked up the ball.” The two points awarded to Saginaw were all that were necessary to win.
With that victory, many felt Saginaw had gained rightful ownership of the Lower Peninsula title. The state athletic board of control, at its meeting in Ann Arbor, formalized Muskegon’s acceptance into the Interscholastic, and voted to give Muskegon, as a member, the right to demand a game with Saginaw. Noting the earlier Ann Arbor loss, the board also suggested that, in the interest of true sportsmanship, Muskegon should concede the state crown.
Muskegon High School officials contacted Saginaw and did concede the Lower Peninsula title, but still requested a game.
Casting aside the format of past Interscholastic championships, Saginaw did not play the Upper Peninsula champion, Escanaba, but rather accepted the Muskegon challenge.
Some 400 Muskegon enthusiasts brought to Saginaw by train helped form the largest crowd ever at Recreation Park, estimated at 5,000. In the end, disappointment reigned on both sides as the contest ended in a scoreless tie.
Following the showdown, the Upper Peninsula media weighed in.
“The recent dispute between the high school football teams of Escanaba and Saginaw over conflicting claims to the state championship has caused much discussion, but as there exists no court for the decision on a controversy between an upper and lower peninsula athletic team, the matter will very likely die as it is at present and the state will have two champion football elevens,” stated the Hancock Journal.
According to the Sault Ste. Marie Evening News, Michigan needed a state interscholastic athletic association, and “it is evident that until some such organization is formed, there will be no deciding of a championship in case of contention from any of the teams in the race.”
At the conclusion of the season, “Buck” Read spoke about the failure of the Interscholastic as time went on.
“The interscholastic divided the state into sections, played the winners of the sections against each other, and finally by a process of elimination managed to arrive pretty closely at the real championship,” he said.
“The plan looked good on paper, and as long as the university exercised a direct regulation particularly in that game which was for several seasons played at Ann Arbor, the interscholastic awakened a general, definite interest. But a season prosecuted under such an uncertainly arranged schedule, as was necessarily the case, proved unusually ruinous financially to the schools participating. Often a match had to be played between towns several hundred miles apart, entailing great expense, and often providing a poor drawing card when one of the contestants was a team ordinarily of little reputation. So a number of the bigger schools drew out and arranged schedules on a financial basis. The university authorities too, finally refused to guarantee the concluding game.”
One last gasp, and a new beginning
Somehow, the Michigan Interscholastic League survived for another season, although with few participants.
Ann Arbor, led by three touchdowns from future U-M great John Maulbetsch, earned the League title, upsetting Benton Harbor, 16-5, at University of Michigan’s Ferry Field. Pontiac and the Detroit University School, teams with outstanding undefeated marks, then clamored for a chance to play Ann Arbor.
Both had competed outside the M.I.A.L. during the 1908 season. Ann Arbor ignored Detroit University School, likely the stronger of the two teams based on season results, and scheduled a contest with Pontiac for Thanksgiving Day. The game was won by Ann Arbor 24-0.
At the Schoolmasters’ Club meeting on April 2, 1909, the High School Athletic Committee addressed the broadest issue that the Michigan State Teachers’ Association faced. It was recommended “there be formed a State organization to be composed of all high schools of the State that will sign an agreement to abide by the laws passed at the meetings of the Schoolmasters’ Club.”
It is also recommended to the committee, “that (athletically) a full schedule of all the schools in this organization shall not be made but that the different schools make out their own schedule and from such schools in the organization as they most prefer.”
The upcoming 1909 season saw a further tightening of the athletic rules, as the Michigan Schoolmasters’ Association issued strict code that barred paid coaches, requiring instead that a school’s coach must be part of the faculty of the school. In addition, “sweaters and such awards cannot be made to the athletes, only ribbons and banners being given.”
In mid-August, the Detroit Free Press stated that the new rules would be unacceptable to most: “Most of (the state schools) are not prepared, and it looks like a safe bet that the Michigan Interscholastic contenders are not going to chase out some professor that knows football of a few years back and risk their reputations on his game.
“Then there is the matter of awards. The schoolmasters have tabooed the sweaters and that stuff, and will in the future award a ribbon or something similar,” continued the paper. “Where will the big old numeral of days gone by come in? How many football men will play for the honor of the school, and not have the pleasure of sporting the big letter on their manly breasts?”
The new rules, along with complaints concerning the handling of previous tournaments and various other issues, resulted in the final unraveling of the Interscholastic League.
“… Interest in high school football will not decline because of the death of the interscholastic league,” stated a September 1909 syndicated article that appeared in the Benton Harbor News-Palladium and the Grand Rapids Press. “The leading high school teams of the state have banded together in much the same old way and will play for the championship of the state just as though the league or even something better existed.”
With a number of athletes back, Ann Arbor again ended the year with Lower Peninsula laurels. Its schedule included wins over Muskegon, Detroit Central, Saginaw and Grand Rapids. On Thanksgiving Day, the “Purples” defeated Menominee, a power from the Upper Peninsula, 42-0.
“This victory gives the local high school a clear title to the state championship,” stated the Ann Arbor Daily Times News.
The following year saw a major change that eventually would set wheels in motion to create the system of determining football champions we have today.
On Oct. 28, 1910, at the M.S.T.A. convention held in Bay City, a new organization, the Michigan Interscholastic Association, was formed. It served the state’s schools until December 1924, when it was replaced by today’s Michigan High School Athletic Association.
The first MHSAA Football Playoffs were conducted in 1975. The 42nd version of the tournament concluded this Thanksgiving weekend.
Ron Pesch has taken an active role in researching the history of MHSAA events since 1985 and began writing for MHSAA Finals programs in 1986, adding additional features and "flashbacks" in 1992. He inherited the title of MHSAA historian from the late Dick Kishpaugh following the 1993-94 school year, and resides in Muskegon. Contact him at [email protected] with ideas for historical articles.
PHOTOS: (Top) Ishpeming's 1900 football team, the second Interscholastic League champion. (Middle top) Pontiac's 1899 team, which won the first League title. (Middle) Benton Harbor's 1903 championship team. (Middle below) An advertisement tells of the 1907 Saginaw/Benton Harbor final. (Below) Ann Arbor's 1909 championship team. (Photos collected by Ron Pesch.)
1st & Goal: 2022 11-Player Finals Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 23, 2022
We like to say every score has a story, and this weekend's 11-Player Football Finals at Ford Field have foundations laid for many to be told.
The Division 1 and 2 matchups feature reigning champions against opponents returning to the Finals for the first time in a decade or more. The Division 5 and 8 games pit undefeated teams, with three of the four seeking their first championship at this level. The Division 3 and 7 games are rematches of powerhouse-packed playoff rivalries. The Division 4 and 6 games feature former Finals mainstays making their returns, but against teams looking to start their own traditions of traveling to Detroit for the holiday weekend. And the list goes on and on.
Here's the schedule for Friday and Saturday's games:
Friday, Nov. 25
Division 8 – Ottawa Lake Whiteford (13-0) vs. Ubly (13-0) – 10 a.m.
Division 2 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (13-0) vs. Warren De La Salle Collegiate (12-1) – 1 p.m.
Division 6 – Grand Rapids West Catholic (12-1) vs. Negaunee (13-0) – 4:30 p.m.
Division 4 – Grand Rapids South Christian (13-0) vs. Goodrich (12-1) – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 26
Division 7 – Traverse City St. Francis (13-0) vs. Jackson Lumen Christi (10-3) – 10 a.m.
Division 1 – Belleville (13-0) vs. Caledonia (12-1) – 1 p.m.
Division 5 – Frankenmuth (13-0) vs. Gladwin (13-0) – 4:30 p.m.
Division 3 – Muskegon (11-2) vs. Detroit Martin Luther King (9-3) – 7:30 p.m.
All games will be broadcast live on Bally Sports Detroit’s primary channel except the Division 4 Final, which will be broadcast on the Bally Sports Detroit website and Bally Sports app, and Stadium College Sports. Additionally, all eight championship games will be available for listening from the MHSAA Network at MHSAANetwork.com.
Below is a glance at all eight matchups. Statistics are through Semifinals unless noted.
Division 1
BELLEVILLE
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Dejuan Rogers, interim coach (4-0)
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association East and overall
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2021.
Best wins: 29-28 (OT) over Detroit Cass Tech in Semifinal, 33-10 over No. 10 (tie) Detroit Catholic Central in Regional Final, 62-44 over Saline in District Final, 42-3 over No. 10 (tie) Brighton, 42-14 over Division 2 No. 3 Livonia Franklin.
Players to watch: QB Bryce Underwood, 6-2/180 soph. (2,599 yards/35 TDs passing, 478 yards/7 TDs rushing); RB/LB Jeremiah Beasley, 6-1/215 jr. (1,177 yards/23 TDs rushing); RB Colbey Reed, 5-9/210, jr. (462 yards/9 TDs rushing); DL Jeremiah Warren, 6-3/285, sr.
Outlook: The Tigers bring a 24-game winning streak into this Final, with Cass Tech last week the only team to come within single digits of matching them. Underwood is considered one of the top sophomores nationally, and he showed why in leading Belleville’s comeback win over the Technicians with two touchdowns rushing and another passing. He was The Associated Press’ Division 1-2 all-state Player of the Year as a freshman, while junior defensive back James Robinson also made the first team and Warren, junior receiver/safety Jalen Johnson, senior defensive lineman Camden Weaver, Beasley and senior receiver/defensive back Mychal Yharbrough earned honorable mentions. Junior offensive lineman Nathaniel Johnson (6-5/330) is another highly-regarded talent.
CALEDONIA
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 8
Coach: Derek Pennington, second season (22-3)
League finish: Second in Ottawa-Kent Conference Red
Championship history: Division 3 champion 2005.
Best wins: 14-13 (2OT) over No. 3 Rockford in District Final, 21-0 over No. 7 Clarkston in Semifinal, 48-26 (District Semifinal) and 50-40 over Grandville, 42-14 over Grand Ledge in Regional Final.
Players to watch: RB/DB Brock Townsend, 6-0/200 RB/DB jr. (1,179 yards/17 TDs rushing, 5 interceptions); QB Mason McKenzie, 6-0/180 sr. (1,375 yards/20 TDs passing, 1,537 yards/19 TDs rushing); HB/LB Derek Pennington Jr., 6-2/225 jr. (308 yards/5 TDs receiving); OL/DL Carlo Aybar, 6-1/275 sr.
Outlook: The Fighting Scots have shown remarkable resilience over the last month, bouncing back from a 38-15 loss to Rockford in Week 9 to rumble back to the Finals – with their best win arguably a 14-13 victory over the Rams only two weeks after the defeat, although the shutout of Clarkston clearly was noteworthy as well. A strong running attack long has been the name of Caledonia’s game, and the Fighting Scots went over 3,400 yards and 45 touchdowns rushing in the Semifinal win. Last week’s also was their fifth shutout of the season, but really the last three weeks have seen some of the team’s most impressive performances on that side of the ball as Rockford was averaging 37 points per game, Grand Ledge was averaging 30 and Clarkston was averaging 41.
Division 2
GRAND RAPIDS FOREST HILLS CENTRAL
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 4
Coach: Tim Rogers, 11th season (76-39)
League finish: First in O-K White
Championship history: Class A runner-up 1994.
Best wins: 20-17 (2OT) over No. 1 Dexter in Semifinal, 31-21 over No. 7 Muskegon Mona Shores in District Final, 21-17 over East Lansing in Regional Final, 21-13 over Byron Center.
Players to watch: WR/DB Ty Hudkins, 6-0/182 jr. (843 yards/10 TDs receiving); DB/QB Mason McDonald jr. (355 yards/6 TDs passing, 374 yards/2 TDs rushing); LB/RB JT Hartman jr. (941 yards/8 TDs rushing); DL/OL Crandall Quinn, 6-2/235 sr. (Statistics through Regional Finals.)
Outlook: The Rangers have pulled through one-score games the last two weeks with a defense that’s given up 8.6 points per game on the season and hasn’t backed down against the tougher competition of the playoffs – seeing that average rise to only 15 ppg over four postseason games. Quinn and senior linebacker Raymond Cargill are among the pacesetters of that group. McDonald has stepped in admirably at quarterback the last two weeks – he threw and ran for another touchdown in the Dexter win – after senior Justin Osterhouse (654 yards/15 TDs rushing, 1,070 yards/13 TDs passing) was reportedly on crutches following the District Final.
WARREN DE LA SALLE COLLEGIATE
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 2
Coach: Dan Rohn, third season (32-6)
League finish: Tied for first in Detroit Catholic League Central
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2021), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 37-7 over No. 9 Roseville in District Final, 28-0 over Division 1 No. 10 (tie) Detroit Catholic Central, 19-18 over Division 3 No. 4 River Rouge, 49-16 over Division 3 No. 7 Muskegon.
Players to watch: QB/DB Brady Drogosh, 6-4/215 sr. (1,839 yards/33 TDs passing, 1,088 yards/13 TDs rushing); RB/LB Rhett Roeser, 6-0/225 jr. (727 yards/13 TDs rushing); DL/TE Mason Muragin, 6-3/240 sr. (71 tackles/14.5 sacks); LB/TE James McDonald, 6-1/220 sr. (115 tackles/17 tackles for loss).
Outlook: The Pilots navigated another strong regular-season schedule with their only loss by a point to Bloomfield Brother Rice, and that’s no doubt paid off as they’ve been unchallenged during the playoffs outscoring their four opponents by a combined 175-29. Drogosh, who will continue at Cincinnati, made the all-state first team as a junior, while Muragin – playing next at Illinois – earned an honorable mention last season. Defensive back Jamari Allen is committed to continue at Central Michigan. Senior receivers Jack Yanachik (523 yards/8 TDs receiving) and Triston Nichols (449/8) are among top Drogosh targets.
Division 3
MUSKEGON
Record/rank: 11-2, No. 7
Coach: Shane Fairfield, 13th season (142-26)
League finish: Tied for first in O-K Green
Championship history: Six championships (most recent 2017), six runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 27-20 over No. 6 Zeeland West in Regional Final, 49-21 over No. 9 DeWitt in Semifinal, 55-35 over Division 2 No. 7 Muskegon Mona Shores, 28-20 over Muskegon Reeths-Puffer.
Players to watch: QB/DB M’Khi Guy, 5-9/155 jr. (1,638 yards/24 TDs rushing, 647 yards/11 TDs passing); SL/DB Destin Piggee, 5-7/160, sr. (718 yards/5 TDs rushing, 351 yards/5 TDs receiving); RB/LB Jakob Price, 5-7/175 jr. (971 yards/14 TDs rushing); OL/DL D’Andre Hudgins, 6-3/285 sr.
Outlook: The Big Reds are making a familiar trip back to Ford Field for the first time since 2019, featuring familiar strengths – multiple playmakers including a tough-to-tackle running quarterback, and a giant line leading the way. Hudgins is joined by three more linemen 6-4 or 6-5, with two of those at 300 or more pounds. Guy ran for more than 300 yards and six touchdowns against DeWitt, and Price and Piggee stretch defenses as well – all three were averaging at least seven yards per carry entering last weekend. The losses came Week 2 to Division 2 finalist Warren De La Salle and Week 5 to Zeeland West, the latter avenged in the Regional Final. Price earned an all-state honorable mention last season.
DETROIT MARTIN LUTHER KING
Record/rank: 9-3, No. 1
Coach: Tyrone Spencer, seventh season (74-17)
League finish: Second in Detroit Public School League Blue
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2021), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 52-17 over No. 3 Mason in Semifinal, 22-12 over Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice in Regional Final, 41-28 over No. 4 River Rouge in District Semifinal, 28-23 over Detroit Cass Tech.
Players to watch: QB Dante Moore, 6-2/210, sr. (2,239 yards/28 TDs passing, 5 TDs rushing – includes Semifinal); WR/DB Jameel Croft Jr., 6-1/185 sr. (671 yards/8 TDs receiving, 6 interceptions); DE Kenny Merrieweather, 6-3/235, sr. (45 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 12 sacks); RB Sterling Anderson Jr., 5-8/165, sr. (918 yards/12 TDs rushing). (Statistics through Regional Finals except Moore’s.)
Outlook: The reigning Division 3 champion will return with a star-studded cast, headlined by Moore as he finishes his four-year varsity career before continuing at Oregon. Anderson went over 1,000 yards rushing during the Semifinal win and scored six total touchdowns against Mason, while Croft snagged two more interceptions. Croft is committed to Kansas, Merrieweather is committed to Iowa and both joined Moore on the all-state first team last season, when Moore also was named Associated Press Division 3-4 Player of the Year. The Crusaders lost their final two games of the regular season, to Cass Tech and Cincinnati Moeller, but had only one single-digit game before (against Cass Tech) and none since.
Division 4
GRAND RAPIDS SOUTH CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 2
Coach: Danny Brown, fourth season (35-11)
League finish: First in O-K Gold
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2014), four runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 26-20 over No. 5 Edwardsburg in Semifinal, 28-21 over No. 1 Whitehall in Regional Final, 35-20 over Hudsonville Unity Christian in District Final, 36-34 over Division 1 No. 5 Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
Players to watch: QB/LB Jacob DeHaan, 6-2/190 sr. (2,574 yards/33 TDs passing, 1,128 yards/17 TDs rushing); WR/DB Seth Ritsema, 6-2/200 sr. (776 yards/10 TDs receiving); WR/RB Carson Vis, 6-3/180, soph. (659 yards/15 TDs receiving); OL/LB Cameron Post, 6-4/250 sr. (54.5 tackles/14.5 tackles for loss).
Outlook: South Christian is making its first Finals trip since that championship season in 2014, and after not only defeating two top-five teams in the playoffs but also downing last season’s Division 4 runner-up in Unity Christian. The regular-season win over GRCC ended the Cougars’ 41-game winning streak. DeHaan earned an all-state honorable mention last season as a junior, as did running back/kicker Nate Brinks (689 yards/8 TDs rushing, 60-64 XP/1 FG kicking). Senior linebacker Cayden Dykema (6-5/205) leads the defense with 77.5 tackles, plus has totaled 12.5 tackles for loss.
GOODRICH
Record/rank: 12-1, unranked
Coach: Tom Alward, 30th season (186-113)
League finish: First in Flint Metro League Stars
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 51-26 over No. 3 Riverview in Semifinal, 40-20 over Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in Regional Final, 10-9 over No. 6 Freeland in District Final, 42-21 over Almont.
Players to watch: QB/DB Gavin Hart, 6-3/180 sr. (1,732 yards/20 TDs passing); RB/LB Jace Simerson, 5-10/200 sr. (1,380 yards/20 TDs); WR/DB Caden Kolanowski, 6-1/180, sr. (622 yards/6 TDs receiving); TE/DE Jace Williams, 6-4/200, sr.
Outlook: Goodrich has won 12 straight games on the way to Ford Field after suffering its only loss Week 1 to Division 5 finalist Frankenmuth, and also set a program record for victories along the way. Only three of those wins were decided by a score or less, and Goodrich improved on a 6-0 win over Linden in Week 2 with a 21-0 shutout in a Week 8 rematch. Simerson ran for five touchdowns last weekend in the victory over previously-undefeated Riverview. Kolanowski earned an all-state honorable mention last season as a specialist; he’s kicked and connected on 50 of 51 extra-point attempts and four field goals this season. Junior linebacker Easton Phipps joins Williams in anchoring the defense.
Division 5
FRANKENMUTH
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 5
Coach: Phil Martin, 10th season (104-16)
League finish: First in Tri-Valley Conference 8
Championship history: Division 5 runner-up 2020.
Best wins: 38-0 over No. 7 Detroit Country Day in Semifinal, 49-7 over Flint Hamady in Regional Final, 21-0 over Division 4 No. 6 Freeland, 27-2 over Goodrich.
Players to watch: QB Aidan Hoard, 6-4/205 sr. (1,406 yards/18 TDs passing, 682 yards/11 TDs rushing); RB/LB Griffin Barker, 5-9/170 jr. (861 yards/14 TDs rushing); TE/DE Brenden Marker, 6-3/220 sr. (40 tackles/16 tackles for loss/8 sacks); RB/LB Dalton DeBeau, 6-0/220 sr. (79 tackles/23 tackles for loss).
Outlook: The Eagles are headed back to the Finals for the second time in three years in part driven by a defense that has given up 64 points this season – with two of their five shutouts coming over the last three playoff games. The most points Frankenmuth has given up is 16, to Saginaw Swan Valley in Week 2, and the Eagles shut out Swan Valley 31-0 in the District Final. Frankenmuth also has allowed 135 total yards per game this fall – and 317 rushing yards total over 13 games. Junior Colin Main is another impressive defender, with 69 tackles, 22 for loss and nine sacks. The Eagles spread the wealth offensively; Hoard has thrown a touchdown pass to 10 receivers, and senior Sam Barger is another reliable rusher with 717 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.
GLADWIN
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 2
Coach: Marc Jarstfer, fourth season (27-13)
League finish: First in Jack Pine Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 28-21 over No. 1 Grand Rapids Catholic Central in Semifinal, 26-8 over No. 4 Muskegon Oakridge in Regional Final, 33-27 over No. 8 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 38-0 over Clare.
Players to watch: QB/S Nick Wheeler, 6-1/190 sr. (956 yards/11 TDs passing, 881 yards/19 TDs rushing, 57 tackles/5 interceptions); RB/LB Logan Kokotovich, 5-11/195 sr. (932 yards/13 TDs rushing, 84 tackles); SL/LB Earl Esiline, 5-10/170 sr. (1,073 yards/14 TDs rushing, 45 tackles); OL/DL Lincoln McKinnon, 6-2/240 sr.
Outlook: A long-anticipated senior class has made good in taking Gladwin on its first trip to the Finals, after the Flying Gs also claimed their first Jack Pine Conference title since sharing it in 2002. The win over GRCC last weekend ended the Cougars’ three-year Finals streak and earned Gladwin a major dose of attention to help shine a light on those other accomplishments. The defense opened this fall with four straight shutouts and five over six games, giving up only seven points through the end of September. Senior safety Kaden McDonald (56 tackles) made the all-state second team last season, while McKinnon, Kokotovich and Wheeler earned honorable mentions. Four players have caught multiple touchdowns passes, led by junior Jhace Massey (5) and senior Lucas Mead (4).
Division 6
GRAND RAPIDS WEST CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 1
Coach: Landon Grove, first season (12-1)
League finish: Tied for first in O-K Blue
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2017), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 33-14 over No. 2 Clinton in Semifinal, 50-24 over No. 8 Constantine in District Final, 36-18 over Hudsonville Unity Christian, 28-20 over Division 4 No. 5 Edwardsburg.
Players to watch: QB Bernie Varnesdeel, 6-1/192 sr. (1,424 yards/20 TDs passing); RB/OLB Timmy Kloska, 6-0/220 sr. (2,158 yards/35 TDs rushing, 52 tackles/12 sacks); WR/DB Ryer Snow, 6-4/180 jr. (510 yards/7 TDs receiving, 75 tackles/12 sacks/4 interceptions); RB/SL/LB Charlie DeBruyn, 6-0/170 jr. (102 tackles/15 sacks).
Outlook: West Catholic last left Ford Field with a fifth-straight championship in 2017, and the Falcons are making their return with their statistically-strongest offensive and defensive units since that season. DeBruyn helps key a defense with 79 sacks total – junior Ethan Stoner adds another 10 to those leaders listed above – and junior Josh Mitchell (39 tackles) starts on both lines. Kloska is the name most know – he made the all-state first team last season, and his 35 rushing touchdowns qualify for the MHSAA record book. The team’s only loss came 28-20 to Fruitport in Week 7, and the Falcons came back with two shutouts over their next three games and last week limited a Clinton offense averaging 41 points per game to just 14.
NEGAUNEE
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 3
Coach: Paul Jacobson, 23rd season (177-69)
League finish: First in Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper
Championship history: Division 6 champion 2002, Class CC runner-up 1991.
Best wins: 13-12 over No. 5 Reed City in Semifinal, 18-12 (Regional Final) and 24-6 over Gladstone, 19-14 over Division 8 No. 4 Iron Mountain.
Players to watch: WR/DB/K/P Phil Nelson, 6-1/185 sr. (326 yards/2 TDs receiving, 39-47 XP/2 FG kicking); RB/DB Kai Lacar, 5-11/185, jr. (1,233 yards/17 TDs rushing, 4 interceptions); WR/LB Niko Lukkarinen, 6-0/215 sr. (1,174 yards/19 TDs rushing); OL/DL Drake Spickerman, 5-11/225 sr.
Outlook: The Miners opened with a close win over Iron Mountain and advanced with one-score victories the last two weeks, but absolutely dominated in between. They didn’t allow a point from Week 8 through the District Final, and total have given up only 148 yards and 6.7 points per game this fall. Senior Easton Palomaki has added another 509 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground as total Negaunee has rushed for 3,400 and 58, respectively. Sophomore quarterback Ty Jacobson has kept defenses honest with 580 yards and seven touchdowns through the air. Nelson made the all-state second team as a specialist last season, and in addition to kicking and punting he’s also returned three punts for touchdowns this fall.
Division 7
TRAVERSE CITY ST. FRANCIS
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 2
Coach: Josh Sellers, 13th season (145-19)
League finish: First in Northern Michigan Football Conference Legends
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2009), four runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 53-8 over No. 5 New Lothrop in Semifinal, 63-0 over No. 8 Ithaca in Regional Final, 42-7 over No. 10 Lawton, 42-35 over No. 4 Jackson Lumen Christi, 45-20 over Division 5 No. 7 Detroit Country Day
Players to watch: QB/DB Wyatt Nausadis, 6-4/210 sr. (1,145 yards/19 TDs passing, 1,007 yards/11 TDs rushing); RB/DB Burke Flowers, 5-11/175 jr. (699 yards/7 TDs rushing, 347 yards/7 TDs receiving); RB/LB Joey Donahue, 6-2/215 sr. (563 yards/14 TDs rushing, 105 tackles/13 tackles for loss); RB/LB Garrett Hathaway, 6-2/220 sr. (851 yards/17 TDs rushing, 4 TDs receiving, 64 tackles).
Outlook: The Gladiators have mostly dominated on their way back to Ford Field for the first time since finishing Division 7 runner-up in 2020; their only close game other than the Week 2 win over Lumen Christi was a 16-pointer over Benzie Central in the District Final after previously defeating Benzie 49-12 in Week 3. Nausadis was an all-state receiver last season and has taken over for a graduated all-state quarterback with the best possible results. Donahue also made the all-state first team last season and leads a defense that’s raised its game even more during the playoffs giving up only 34 points total over four wins.
JACKSON LUMEN CHRISTI
Record/rank: 10-3, No. 4
Coach: Herb Brogan, 43rd season (394-94)
League finish: Second in Interstate 8 Athletic Conference
Championship history: 11 MHSAA titles (most recent 2018), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 20-7 over No. 7 Napoleon in Semifinal, 7-6 over No. 10 Lawton in Regional Final, 35-0 over No. 3 Hudson in District Final, 19-14 over Parma Western.
Players to watch: FB/LB Devian Franklin, 6-1/210, sr. (438 yards/11 TDs rushing); RB/DB Derrick Walker, 6-0/195 sr. (1,159 yards/15 TDs rushing); QB/LB Joe Lathers, 6-1/190 sr. (844 yards/7 TDs passing, 743 yards/17 TDs rushing); TE/LB Conor Smith, 6-1/210 sr. (Lathers’ passing does not include Semifinal.)
Outlook: Lumen Christi returns to Ford Field for the first time since finishing Division 7 runner-up in 2019. Freshmen who made that trip are now seniors, and the backfield features three veterans in Lathers, Franklin and Walker. They helped the Titans pulled off the rare feat of starting 0-3 but making the final weekend of the season, but those three losses also require context – they came 12-7 to No. 5 New Lothrop, 42-35 to St. Francis and 24-21 to Division 4 No. 8 Hastings. The defense, keyed in part by Smith, Franklin and Lathers at linebacker, has given up a combined 20 points over four playoff games and only 11.5 points per game all season. Brogan sits third on the all-time state football coaching wins list.
Division 8
OTTAWA LAKE WHITEFORD
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 2
Coach: Todd Thieken, first season (13-0)
League finish: First in Tri-County Conference
Championship history: Division 8 champion 2017, runner-up 2016.
Best wins: 44-6 over Clarkston Everest Collegiate in Semifinal, 38-26 over White Pigeon in Regional Final, 56-19 over Riverview Gabriel Richard in District Final, 50-14 over Erie Mason.
Players to watch: QB/DB Shea Ruddy, 5-11/170 sr. (1,129 yards/19 TDs passing, 725 yards/17 TDs rushing, 64 tackles); RB/DB Hunter DeBarr, 5-11/150 jr. (1,116 yards/10 TDs rushing, 361 yards/7 TDs receiving, 59 tackles); RB/LB Jake Iott, 6-1/180 jr. (1,121 yards/21 TDs rushing, 190 tackles/14 tackles for loss); TE/DB Ryin Ruddy, 6-1/170 jr. (279 yards/8 TDs receiving, 115 tackles/4 interceptions).
Outlook: Whiteford built back to the Semifinals last season and took the next step this fall winning every game by double digits and 49-12 on average. Shea Ruddy made the all-state second team at quarterback last year and has helped the Bobcats top 50 points seven times including during the first two rounds of the playoffs. His 19 touchdown passes are a school record, as are Iott’s 190 tackles. Thieken previously served as head coach from 2005-10 at Evergreen, Ohio, and more than 25 seasons as an assistant before taking over the Whiteford varsity this fall. Junior fullback Drew Knaggs is another reliable option on offense; he’s run for 524 yards and seven touchdowns.
UBLY
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Eric Sweeney, third season (35-0)
League finish: First in Greater Thumb Conference East
Championship history: Division 8 runner-up 2020, Division 7 runner-up 2008.
Best wins: 41-14 over No. 4 Iron Mountain in Semifinal, 49-7 over No. 8 Fowler in Regional Final, 49-14 over No. 5 Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary in District Final, 42-0 over Harbor Beach.
Players to watch: QB/DB Evan Peruski, 5-11/170 jr. (312 yards/6 TDs passing, 1,165 yards/20 TDs rushing, 46 tackles); RB/LB Aiden Mackowiak, 5-10/175 sr. (943 yards/13 TDs rushing, 121 tackles); RB/DB Mark Heilig, 5-10/175 sr. (1,354 yards/29 TDs rushing, 77 tackles); RB/DE Seth Maurer, 5-11/190 jr. (714 yards/12 TDs rushing, 59 tackles).
Outlook: Ubly can argue it’s been the most dominant team in Michigan, relative to division, this fall. The Bearcats’ closest game was last week’s 27-point win over Iron Mountain, and their average score this fall is 49-7. On defense, no opponent has scored more than 16 points and three have put up more than seven. The offense has scored at least 41 points in every game. Peruski started at quarterback as a freshman at Ford Field in 2020, and he earned an all-state honorable mention last season. Heilig and Mackowiak are among others who saw action in that last championship game appearance, and Mackowiak also earned all-state honorable mention last season, at linebacker. Junior Brett Mueller is another important option on offense; he made the all-state first team last season and this fall has connected on 84 of 87 extra-point attempts and a field goal.
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