A Game for Every Fan: Week 6
October 1, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Week 6 annually is one of celebration and sadness for Michigan high school football teams.
A total of 66 can clinch automatic playoff berths with a victory this weekend, joining Ishpeming, which qualified by winning the fifth game of its eight-game schedule a week ago. Meanwhile, 122 teams are 2-3 and can't afford another loss as they attempt to win out and clinch an automatic berth.
See below for some of the most intriguing games from each region of the state, and as always, follow results as they come in on the MHSAA Score Center.
Bay & Thumb
Ithaca (5-0) at Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (5-0)
Ithaca’s regular-season challenges are generally few; the Yellowjackets haven’t lost a regular-season game since Week 8 of 2009. But Michigan Lutheran Seminary gave Ithaca an early challenge last fall on the way to playing in a Division 7 Semifinal and is especially strong on defense again – Ithaca is one of only three teams over the last two seasons to score more than 15 points on the Cardinals.
Others that caught my eye: Flint Beecher (4-1) at Lake Fenton (4-1), Sterling Heights (4-1) at Marine City (3-2), Flint Carman-Ainsworth (3-2) at Midland (5-0), Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (3-2) at Unionville-Sebewaing (4-1).
Greater Detroit
Detroit Cass Tech (4-1) at Detroit East English (5-0)
The Technicians are looking to bounce back from their first regular-season loss since 2012, by three last week to Detroit Martin Luther King. East English is no doubt ready to extend Cass Tech's new streak to two. The Bulldogs, who fell to King in Week 3 by five points, lost to Cass Tech twice last season by a combined 12 points – and like Cass Tech have had little trouble this season aside from the Crusaders.
Others that caught my eye: Walled Lake Northern (4-1) at Walled Lake Western (5-0), Allen Park (4-1) at Trenton (5-0), Northville (5-0) at Livonia Stevenson (5-0), Romeo (5-0) at Macomb Dakota (4-1).
Mid-Michigan
DeWitt (5-0) at Haslett (3-2)
This grand rivalry hasn’t been as much with DeWitt winning the last 12 meetings including multiple during the playoffs. But despite the Panthers’ 39-0 victory a year ago, the 2015 version should be much closer. Rebuilt DeWitt has done well against a solid schedule, but Haslett hasn’t been far behind with losses the last two weeks by a combined seven points. The Vikings should slow the tempo enough to stay within striking distance.
Others that caught my eye: Brighton (5-0) at Hartland (3-2), Lansing Sexton (1-4) at Holt (3-2), Olivet (3-2) at Stockbridge (4-1), Eaton Rapids (2-3) at Portland (5-0).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Beal City (4-1) at McBain (4-1)
Beal City has owned the Highland Conference for most of the last four seasons with 21 straight wins dating to a 2011 loss – to McBain. The Ramblers are hoping to break that streak as they continue toward what should be their best finish since at least 2011 – they’ve already equaled last season’s win total and avenged two of its five losses.
Others that caught my eye: Traverse City St. Francis (5-0) at Grayling (4-1), Boyne City (4-1) at Maple City Glen Lake (4-1), Lincoln Alcona (4-1) at Oscoda (4-1), Traverse City Central (5-0) at Petoskey (4-1).
Southeast & Border
Ann Arbor Pioneer (5-0) at Saline (5-0)
The last two meetings between these two haven’t been competitive, with Saline winning both by a combined score of 68-10. The Hornets haven’t given up a point in two weeks and can clinch a share of the Southeastern Conference Red title with a victory tonight. But this is Pioneer’s best team since 2012, when it split two games with Saline. The Pioneers have equaled last season’s five wins and come through in a pair of close games – good experience if this one goes to the wire as well.
Others that caught my eye: Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (4-1) at Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (4-1), Ida (5-0) at Dundee (3-2), Homer (4-1) at Springport (3-2), Ypsilanti Lincoln (2-3) at Ypsilanti Community (2-3).
Southwest Corridor
Pittsford (4-1) at Climax-Scotts (5-0)
Climax-Scotts has won an incredible 42 straight games in the Southern Central Athletic Association, dating to a 2008 loss to Pittsford. The Wildcats are the team that most recently has come close to snapping that streak, in 2013, and fell to Climax-Scotts twice a year ago – but might be the only league team capable of slowing a Panthers attack averaging nearly 53 points per game.
Others that caught my eye: Jackson Lumen Christi (4-1) at Coldwater (5-0), Watervliet (4-1) at Constantine (3-2), Dowagiac (3-2) at Plainwell (3-2), Benton Harbor (3-2) at St. Joseph (4-1).
Upper Peninsula
Kingsford (3-2) at Marquette (2-3)
The Flivvers last week become one of the few of the past few seasons to come close to beating Menominee. But despite that three-point loss, Kingsford is driving toward a return to the playoffs after a season away and needs only one more win to equal last season’s total. Marquette has won two straight over the Flivvers, but this meeting is the most urgent of late because of an 0-3 start and tough games to finish against Negaunee and the Maroons.
Others that caught my eye: Escanaba (2-3) at Menominee (5-0), Hurley, Wis. (5-1) at Bark River-Harris (5-0), Iron River West Iron County (1-4) at Calumet (3-2), Sault Ste. Marie (3-2) at Gladstone (2-3).
West Michigan
Reed City (5-0) at Big Rapids (4-1)
Reed City gets overlooked a bit at the intersection between the Grand Rapids powers and the Big North Conference. But the Coyotes have won 36 of their last 37 games in the Central State Activities Association and can keep step with a sixth straight win over Big Rapids. That won't be as easy a task this fall, however; the Cardinals won four games total over 2013 and 2014, but are only a seven-point loss to Bay City John Glenn last week from perfection in 2015.
Others that caught my eye: East Grand Rapids (4-1) at Grand Rapids Christian (3-2), East Kentwood (4-1) at Hudsonville (4-1), Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (3-2) at Muskegon Mona Shores (5-0), Zeeland East (3-2) at Muskegon (5-0).
8-Player
Cedarville (4-1) at Posen (5-0)
Cedarville has lost only four games in five seasons of 8-player football, and to no one but rival Rapid River since 2011. But Posen could change things up in the Bridge Alliance Conference if it can continue a defensive performance rare for the 8-player game – the Vikings give up only 15 points per – and come back from the 52-0 loss to Cedarville on opening night a year ago.
Others that caught my eye: Deckerville (5-0) at Morrice (4-1), New Haven Merritt (4-1) at Owendale-Gagetown (5-0), Webberville (4-1) at Battle Creek St. Philip (5-0).
PHOTO: Ithaca’s Jake Smith tries to break the grasp of a Breckenridge tackler during a Week 4 win over the Huskies. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
1st & Goal: 2024 Week 4 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 23, 2024
“We’ve seen it all” surely belongs among the most overused phrases in sports. But Week 4 provided a few entertaining extremes from an otherwise typical high school football weekend across Michigan.
In what had to be a first for a Michigan school, DeWitt welcomed an opponent from West Virginia – and in a 70-63 victory combined to tie for the sixth-most points scored between two teams in state history when the losing team scored at least 40.
Conversely, Midland Dow defeated Bay City Western 3-2 – the lowest-possible winning score when both teams put points on the board.
We’ve noted several more results below, of course, including the end of some notable winning – or losing – streaks, depending on who you were cheering on, and a handful of games that very well could decide league championships next month.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Croswell-Lexington 21, North Branch 17 The Broncos (3-1) led into the fourth quarter before Croswell-Lexington (3-1) moved ahead in what could prove a key result in the Blue Water Area Conference race. These two are now tied for third in the league, with Cros-Lex facing co-leader Almont this week (after losing to co-leader Armada in Week 2) and North Branch playing Almont and Armada back-to-back in October. The Pioneers’ 21 points were the first North Branch had given up this season. Click for more from the Port Huron Times Herald.
Watch list Pinconning 21, Sanford Meridian 14 With this first win over Meridian since 2008 – breaking an eight-game losing streak against the Mustangs – Pinconning (3-1) guaranteed itself a better record than a year ago and its most wins since 2018, and after winning a combined four games over the last five seasons.
On the move Davison 45, Saginaw Heritage 22 This was an important opening win for Davison in Saginaw Valley Red play as it kept the Cardinals (3-1) on pace with co-leaders Lapeer and Grand Blanc and likely left Heritage (2-2) hoping for title share at best. Birch Run 21, New Lothrop 20 The Panthers (2-2) moved to the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference this fall and lost their first two league games, but getting past last season’s runner-up New Lothrop (1-3) was a great sign heading into this week’s matchup with reigning champ Chesaning. Millington 34, Cass City 6 Millington (4-0) also switched leagues this season and is the leader of the Big Thumb Conference White after this win over last season’s Greater Thumb Conference West champ Cass City (2-2).
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Detroit Martin Luther King 18, Detroit Cass Tech 12 (OT) A fourth-down Darryl Flemister touchdown pass to Tayshaun Henry, followed by a defensive stop, gave King the latest chapter in this rivalry and broke Cass Tech’s three-game winning streak in the series. King (3-1) is atop the Detroit Public School League Blue tied with Henry Ford and East English, with Cass Tech (2-2) and Renaissance one game back and Cass Tech not facing Ford on the league schedule. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.
TOUCHDOWN KING!!
King gets the scoring going in OT on their first drive, Tayshaun Henry with the TD catch!
18-12 King in OT, MISSED PAT👀
Delivered by @hungryhowies
Check out all the action on the STATE CHAMPS! YouTube Page! pic.twitter.com/CYwJH7jQoH
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) September 21, 2024
Watch list Detroit Catholic Central 27, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 22 DCC (4-0) is alone atop the Catholic High School League Central heading into this week’s massive matchup with Warren De La Salle Collegiate, thanks to this victory over St. Mary’s (2-2) and the Pilots’ 41-6 defeat against Toledo Catholic Central.
On the move Rochester Adams 28, Clarkston 10 The Highlanders’ Oakland Activities Association Red schedule opened with West Bloomfield and Clarkston, and they’ve defeated both to move to 4-0 overall after falling to both last season. Macomb Dakota 24, Sterling Heights Stevenson 9 The Cougars (4-0) and Utica Eisenhower have surged to the front of the Macomb Area Conference Red, Dakota this week handing Stevenson (3-1) its first defeat with a third-straight game giving up fewer than 10 points. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 14, River Rouge 7 Brother Rice ended a 13-game losing streak in a big way avenging last year’s 28-16 defeat to playoff regular River Rouge (2-2).
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Clare 26, Gladwin 21 Clare (4-0) took a major step in the Jack Pine Conference Division 1 race thanks to an unforgettable drive at the end of this rivalry matchup. The Pioneers marched 99 yards over three minutes with Aiden Van Bonn scoring the game-winner with 53 seconds left. Gladwin had won three straight regular-season meetings with Clare (with a Clare 2021 playoff win mixed in). Click for more from the Bay City Times.
Watch list Leslie 33, Michigan Center 31 In avenging a 28-point loss from a year ago, Leslie (4-0) tied its win total from 2023 and moved closer to guaranteeing a first winning season since 2012. Michigan Center (1-3), meanwhile, has two losses by a combined three points.
On the move Hastings 31, Parma Western 17 These two decided the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference title last season, and Hastings (4-0) will continue its repeat pursuit after defeating Western (3-1) for the fourth-straight season. Corunna 48, Owosso 13 Corunna (4-0) ran its winning streak in this rivalry to six by handing Owosso (3-1) its first defeat. Mason 30, Haslett 24 (OT) Mason (3-1) sent this one to overtime with a field goal on the last play of regulation and emerged from a potential league-deciding matchup that saw neither team commit a turnover.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Charlevoix 26, East Jordan 20 After a couple of tough losses over the first month, Charlevoix (2-2) is moving in the right direction and will jump back into league play after handing East Jordan its first defeat. East Jordan (3-1) may very well end up the Northern Michigan Football League Legacy champion again with a key matchup this week against Maple City Glen Lake. But the Rayders can carry some momentum especially defensively back into NMFL Leaders play after containing a Red Devils offense that had scored 44 or more points in all of its first three games. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.
Watch list Petoskey 20, Gaylord 0 Petoskey (4-0) is off to its best start since 2011 and giving up just under eight points per game after this shutout of the reigning Big North Conference champion Blue Devils.
On the move Manton 24, Lake City 22 Manton (1-3) had lost eight straight to Lake City (1-3) and took a nice first step for this season specifically after winning once all of last fall and missing out on a Week 3 victory by eight points. Kingsley 26, Boyne City 20 Kingsley (3-1) navigated a tough obstacle in Boyne City (2-2) on the way to this week’s potential NMFL Legends-deciding matchup with Traverse City St. Francis. Oscoda 20, Elk Rapids 0 After an 0-2 start, Oscoda (2-2) is even again after avenging last year’s 30-0 defeat to the Elks.
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Manchester 36, Napoleon 14 Manchester (4-0) took a major step opening in a strong Cascades Conference East by ending a five-game losing streak to Napoleon (2-2), which had won 11 straight league games and two straight league championships. The Flying Dutchmen see undefeated Leslie (noted above) this week. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen Patriot.
Watch list Clinton 8, Blissfied 0 Clinton (3-1) posted its second-straight shutout to start Lenawee County Athletic Association play and made a second-quarter touchdown stand against the Royals (2-2).
On the move Adrian Madison 38, Dundee 13 The Trojans (3-1) just keep building, bouncing back from a Week 3 loss to Clinton as they continue to leave behind last year’s 1-8 finish. Dexter 56, Ann Arbor Huron 19 The Dreadnaughts (3-1) have rebounded from a Week 2 loss to Saline with a pair of 50-point performances, and they’ll be rooting for Huron (2-2) against Saline this week. Tecumseh 20, Adrian 10 Tecumseh (2-2) had lost its last two games by one point and then eight, but got even by avenging last year’s 29-7 defeat to the Maples (2-2).
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER White Pigeon 14, Decatur 6 This was as good as forecast, as White Pigeon (4-0) scored the only points of the second half to get past Decatur (3-1) and extend its regular-season winning streak to 17. Touchdowns were scored on defense, special teams and via a trick play. Click for more from the Sturgis Journal.
Watch list Kalamazoo Central 41, Stevensville Lakeshore 37 Kalamazoo Central’s first win over Lakeshore since 2018 moved the Maroon Giants to 3-1, giving them one more win than all of last season and guaranteeing their best finish since at least 2019.
On the move Bronson 34, Reading 12 Bronson (3-1) was 0-6 against Reading (1-3) since joining the Big 8 Conference in 2017, and a third win this season means the Vikings will at least tie their winningest since 2012. Constantine 28, South Haven 22 These two decided the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore title last year, and the Falcons (4-0) showed some grit again with their second-straight one-score win this fall. Paw Paw 34, Vicksburg 7 Paw Paw has outscored its first two Wolverine Conference opponents by a combined 97-7 and has not given up more than 15 points to any opponent this fall.
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Kingsford 29, Negaunee 27 Last season’s Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper co-champions met for what could eventually decide the league title this fall, and this time Kingsford won close after falling to Negaunee 13-12 a year ago. The Miners (3-1) trailed big in the third quarter before launching a comeback, but the Flivvers held on to move to 4-0. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.
Watch list Escanaba 45, Sault Ste. Marie 0 For the second time this season, Escanaba avenged a 2023 loss. Escanaba had lost their last two recent meetings with Sault Ste. Marie, and at 2-2 already has as many wins as both of the last two seasons.
On the move Bark River-Harris 48, Gwinn 0 Bark River-Harris (2-2) is back to even after opening with two losses, and as the Broncos pursue a fifth-straight winning season. Menominee 48, Calumet 6 The Maroons (4-0) also are positioning themselves for another run at the West-PAC Copper title, in this one sending Calumet to 2-2. Houghton 39, Ishpeming Westwood 8 The Gremlins (2-2) pulled within a win of tying last season’s total.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Hudsonville 28, Rockford 21 Hudsonville (3-1) broke a nine-game losing streak against its rival that stretched back to the 2016 playoffs, and ended previously-undefeated Rockford’s Ottawa-Kent Conference Red 27-game winning streak that began in 2019. The Eagles fell to the Rams 48-0 just last season, but now sit with East Kentwood atop the early league standings. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Hudsonville stuns Rockford on home turf thanks to two big scores from Owen Haarsma. Eagles win it 28-21. @Hudsyfootball @HudsyAthletics https://t.co/SGBSdnqOWL pic.twitter.com/ku3yLWgJNy
— FOX 17 Blitz (@FOX17Blitz) September 21, 2024
Watch list Newaygo 42, Howard City Tri County 38 Newaygo (4-0) is in its second season under legendary past Rockford coach Ralph Munger, and its four wins this fall are more than the team has won in a season since 2019. Tri County (3-1) was last season’s runner-up in the Central State Activities Association Gold and had defeated Newaygo in four straight.
On the move Muskegon Mona Shores 14, Byron Center 12 Only Hudsonville’s stunner could dislodge this from West Michigan’s top billing above, as Mona Shores won this matchup of undefeated teams in a defensive showdown. Hudsonville Unity Christian 43, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 20 We already figured Unity (4-0) was back to being Unity past, but doubling up the reigning Division 3 champion FHC (3-1) speaks plenty more. Grand Rapids Northview 31, East Grand Rapids 27 Northview made the playoffs at 4-5 last season in part because of its tough schedule, and the Wildcats are looking great to build on that with this win making them 4-0. Northview had lost all five of their recent meetings with EGR (2-2).
8-Player
HEADLINER Deckerville 30, Brown City 28 Half the eight-team Big Thumb Conference Blue is 3-1 or better this fall, and Deckerville (4-0) is tied with Kingston at the top of the standings after pulling ahead of the Green Devils (3-1) to claim this meeting. Deckerville had lost both of its previous 8-player matchups with Brown City, including 46-28 last season as the Green Devils went on to a league title. Click for more from the Sanilac County News.
Watch list Burr Oak 66, Tekonsha 8 The Bobcats were a combined 2-25 the last three seasons heading into this one, but they’re 3-1 this fall and already have scored more points than during any full season since 2020.
On the move Pickford 65, Ishpeming 14 The Hematites (3-1) no doubt will become an 8-player force, but Pickford (4-0) remains one of if not the top team to chase in the Upper Peninsula. Gaylord St. Mary 56, Bellaire 8 St. Mary (3-1) bounced back from a Week 3 loss to Ishpeming to hand Bellaire (3-1) its first defeat. Portland St. Patrick 29, Morrice 12 The Shamrocks (4-0) made it two in a row over the rival Orioles (3-1), impressing especially on defense as Morrice had scored at least 44 points in all of its first three games.
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PHOTOS (Top) Linden quarterback Dylan Dreasky (7) hands off during his team’s 14-13 win over previously-undefeated Flushing on Friday. (Middle) Fowler’s Ford Phillips (15) breaks into an opening but with Bath’s Isiah Delacruz (1) closing in. The Eagles won 41-0. (Below) DeWitt’s Tyler Dusseau (65) and Max Holtz (5) bring down a ball carrier from Hurricane, WV. (Top photo by Terry Lyons, middle photo by John Johnson, and below photo by Max McCallister.)