Going on Offense

March 3, 2015

I was a defensive back on my college football team, but I refuse to be put on the defensive about the game of football.

The game is good for students, their schools and our communities. High school football is character-building for students, spirit-building for schools and community-building for cities and towns. Local school football programs ought to be part of the development plans and place-making strategies of all communities of Michigan.

The school-sponsored game has never been safer to play. The equipment has never been more protective, coaches have never had more safety training, the rules have never been more safety-oriented, and game officials have never had more encouragement to enforce those rules. The result is fewer injuries of all kinds – from nicks and bruises to ankles, knees and necks.

When the game of football has faults, we find and fix them. To continue doing so requires that we be honest with ourselves about where the game has weaknesses and be constantly alert to effective ways to improve the game.

Defensiveness gets in the way of discovering ways to go on offense. It blocks innovation and sacks aspirations before they can be launched.

I want our public to know that school-sponsored football is a great game. I also want the public to know that we aspire to keep improving the game and to exceed legal mandates. We will continue to do more than what is required and, in fact, we intend to do what’s unexpected to assure football remains a positive influence on students, schools and communities.

Unforgettable 5ive: 2022 Football Week 1

By Jon Ross
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties

August 31, 2022

Here's a look at our Week 1 "Unforgettable 5ive" from MHSAA.tv and MHSAA media partner broadcasts:

► Haslett's Nakai Amachree scored both of the Vikings' touchdowns in a 21-14 loss to DeWitt. He returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and a punt 75 yards for another score.

► West Bloomfield's Deonte Pippen Jr. scored two touchdowns including this 87 yarder in the Lakers' 47-7 win over Sterling Heights Stevenson.

► Charlevoix's Henry Herzog scored from 21 yards out in a 24-15 win over East Jordan.

► Flint Beecher's Jaylin Townsend returned a kickoff 79 yards for a touchdown during a 47-26 loss to Saginaw Nouvel. Townsend also had three touchdown catches in the game.

► In 8-player action, Morrice scored a game-winning touchdown with a minute left to defeat Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 14-8. Travis Farrow carried it six yards into the end zone for the winner.