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March to Marquette: 8-Player Preview
November 17, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The MHSAA 8-Player Finals return to where they got their start Saturday, with two champions to be awarded for the first time.
Saturday’s games will be played at Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome, which hosted the first MHSAA 8-Player Final in 2011. The 8-Player Playoffs also moved from one to two divisions this year, and Central Lake, Crystal Falls Forest Park and Portland St. Patrick all are seeking their first 8-player championships – while Central Lake will play 2012 champ Deckerville looking to win its first MHSAA title ever in the sport.
Both games will be broadcast live on the FOX Sports Detroit Facebook page and replayed on FOX Sports Detroit’s primary channel on Nov. 21 – Division 1 at 8 p.m. and Division 2 at 11 p.m. Audio of both games will be streamed live on MHSAANetwork.com.
Below is a look at all four finalists. Statistics are through Semifinals unless noted. The MHSAA Playoffs are sponsored by the Michigan Army National Guard.
Division 1
CENTRAL LAKE
Record: 12-0, No. 1
Coach: Rob Heeke, seventh season (41-30)
League finish: First in Midwest Central Michigan Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 54-20 over No. 7 Stephenson in the Semifinal, 58-26 (Regional Final) and 44-14 over No. 10 Suttons Bay, 36-14 (Pre-Regional) and 64-38 over No. 15 Mesick, 42-28 over Division 2 No. 2 Onekama.
Players to watch: QB/DB Gavin Mortensen, 5-11/160, sr. (1,062 yards/12 TDs rushing, 680 yards/18 TDs passing); TE/DB Jayce Hoogerhyde, 6-2/145, sr. (223 yards/8 TDs receiving, 49 tackles); RB/DB Skyler Spangler, 6-0/160, jr. (1,652 yards/26 TDs rushing, 272 yards/7 TDs receiving); RB/LB Grant Papineau, 6-3/210, jr. (1,886 yards/25 TDs rushing, 95 tackles).
Outlook: Central Lake has shined in its first season of 8-player football, improving from 2-7 in its final season of 11-player a year ago. Onekama came closest to catching the Trojans, losing by 14 in the game Week 8 that decided the league championship. It’s no secret how Central Lake succeeds; led by three 1,000-yard rushers, the Trojans have run for nearly 4,900 yards at 8.3 per carry. Defensively Papineau is a stopper, but Mortensen and Hoogerhyde are impressive pass defenders with 13 and 15 pass break-ups, respectively. Mortensen also has six interceptions.
DECKERVILLE
Record: 11-1, No. 3
Coach: Bill Brown, 25th season (201-71)
League finish: First in North Central Thumb League Stars
Championship history: 8-Player champion 2012, runner-up 2016.
Best wins: 52-18 over No. 5 Bellevue in the Semifinal, 38-0 over No. 4 Morrice in the Regional Final, 66-28 (Pre-Regional) and 42-8 over No. 12 Mayville, 20-14 over No. 6 Kingston, 52-0 over No. 16 Lawrence.
Players to watch: QB/DB Isaac Keinath, 5-10/155, soph. (660 yards/15 TDs passing); TB/DB Kenton Bowerman, 5-6/150, sr. (971 yards/14 TDs rushing, 8 interceptions); TE/LB/P Wyatt Janowiak, 6-4/255, sr. (288 yards/6 TDs receiving); TB/DB Cruz Ibarra, 5-10/150, jr. (1,430 yards/20 TDs rushing).
Outlook: A new cast of stars has emerged after most of last year’s graduated, and Bowerman stepped up even more last week scoring four touchdowns with leading rusher Ibarra reportedly out with an injury. Deckerville’s only loss this season was by a point to Morrice in Week 6, and was avenged with a 38-point shutout win in the Regional Final. Rival Kingston was the only other opponent to get closer than 20 points to catching the Eagles – despite a regular-season schedule that featured seven playoff teams. Senior Zachary Ostrowski has six catches as the team’s third-leading receiver – and five interceptions as its second-leading pass defender.
Division 2
CRYSTAL FALLS FOREST PARK
Record: 9-2, No. 6
Coach: Dave Graff, fourth season (35-10)
League finish: Second in Western Eight Conference
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2007), 10 runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 36-34 over No. 1 Pickford in the Semifinal, 62-20 over No. 9 Engadine in the Regional Final, 20-6 (Pre-Regional) and 66-58 over No. 7 Powers North Central, 52-38 over Division 1 No. 13 Ontonagon.
Players to watch: RB/LB Connor Bortolini, 5-8/150, sr. (1,749 yards/20 TDs rushing); QB Tommy Peltoma, 6-1/180, soph. (666 yards/10 TDs passing); RB/DE Peter Ropiak, 6-0/185, sr. (863 yards/12 TDs rushing); RB/DB Calvin Post, 5-8/170, soph. (765 yards/9 TDs rushing, 4 interceptions).
Outlook: Forest Park is one of the most successful programs in MHSAA history, especially among smaller schools – it played in the Division 8 Final six straight seasons from 2004-09. The Trojans moved to 8-player last season and might have been the second or third-best team in Michigan, but shared a league and playoff path with eventual repeat champion Powers North Central and lost to the Jets in the Regional Final. Forest Park opened this season 1-2, but hasn’t been defeated since falling to Division 1 semifinalist Stephenson in Week 3. Bortolini took over this fall as the main ball carrier after the Trojans graduated a 2,400-yard rusher, and he’s carried on the program’s tradition of productive backs.
PORTLAND ST. PATRICK
Record: 11-1, No. 3
Coach: Patrick Russman, 11th season (69-42)
League finish: First in Central Michigan 8-Man Conference
Championship history: 11-Player Class D champion 1992, runner-up 1997 and 1991.
Best wins: 33-14 over No. 5 Kinde-North Huron in the Semifinal, 50-0 over No. 8 Flint International Academy in the Regional Final, 44-6 over No. 13 North Adams-Jerome in the Pre-Regional, 24-8 over No. 10 Marion, 38-22 over Division 1 No. 14 Webberville.
Players to watch: QB/DB Tanner Lawson, 6-3/165, jr. (1,093 yards/20 TDs passing); RB/LB Isaiah Smith, 5-10/190, sr. (359 yards/7 TDs rushing); RB/DL Ned Smith, 5-10/160, soph (779 yards/8 TDs rushing); WR/DB Will Simon, 6-2/170, sr. (395 yards/8TDs receiving). (Statistics through nine games plus one forfeit win.).
Outlook: St. Patrick also was one of the state’s top 11-player small-school programs through the 1990s and has been on the verge of playing for an 8-player championship since switching formats in 2012 – and making the Semifinals that first season. The only blemish on this season’s record was a Week 4 loss to eventual Division 1 semifinalist Bellevue, and no other opponent has gotten closer than 16 points. Junior linebacker Paul Cook is among those pacing a defense that has given up only 12.7 points per game.
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Drive for Detroit: 11-Player Semis Review
November 25, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Special for Second Half
Buckle up. We’re headed for the home stretch.
The final 16 contenders for this season’s MHSAA 11-player football championships were set over the weekend, and Detroit on Friday and Saturday will be the final stop to conclude another memorable season.
Below we discuss all 16 Semifinals just a bit, with more detailed previews of the championship games coming out Wednesday. We’ll also include this past weekend’s 8-Player Finals – congratulations to first-time champions Colon and Pickford! – when we wrap up our review of the MHSAA Football Finals as a whole next week.
“Drive for Detroit” is powered by MI Student Aid
Division 1
Brighton 22, Belleville 19
The Bulldogs (11-2) will play in their first MHSAA Final in football, while Belleville ended its season in the Semifinals for the second-straight year. Brighton scored with under a minute left to earn the first championship game trip, and also held Belleville (12-1) to its fewest points scored this season. Click for more from the Livingston Daily Press & Argus.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Brighton (@godogs_football) vs. Belleville - Division 1 @MHSAA Football Semifinal from this afternoon. Brought to you by @hungryhowies pic.twitter.com/EBR6WSMk9Q
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 23, 2019
Davison 34, Sterling Heights Stevenson 27 (OT)
The Cardinals (11-2) also will play in their first MHSAA football championship game after outlasting Stevenson. Davison, playing its first Semifinal since 2008, trailed throughout but caught up before the end of regulation and then made a stop in overtime to finish the comeback. The Titans (8-5) had made the playoffs as an additional qualifier before reaching their first Semifinal since 2009. Click for more from the Flint Journal.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Davison (@DavCardFootball) vs. Sterling Heights Stevenson - Division 1 @MHSAA Football Semifinal from this afternoon. @DavisonMade @davisonwc
Brought to you by @MHSAA pic.twitter.com/SHWMaXepTR
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 24, 2019
Division 2
Muskegon Mona Shores 57, Walled Lake Western 56
The reigning Division 2 runner-up Sailors (11-2) booked their return to Ford Field with a touchdown with 17 seconds to play followed by a go-ahead 2-point conversion instead of kicking an extra point – making back-up quarterback Brady Rose one of the biggest stars of the weekend. Walled Lake Western (11-2) was playing in its fourth Semifinal this decade and tied its most points scored in a game this fall. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Mona Shores (@sailorathletics) vs. Walled Lake Western - Division 2 @MHSAA Semifinal from this afternoon. Brought to you by @MHSAA pic.twitter.com/mjhgCori9i
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 24, 2019
Detroit Martin Luther King 60, Birmingham Seaholm 17
The Crusaders (11-2) will play for a second-straight MHSAA Finals championship to follow up last season’s won in Division 3. The reached 60 points for the first time since Week 5 of 2017 and held Seaholm (9-4) to nearly 20 points before its average. The Maples were playing in their first Semifinal since 1997. Click for more from MLive-Detroit.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Detroit King (@DetKingFootball) vs. Seaholm - Division 2 @MHSAA Football Semifinal from this afternoon. Brought to you by @hungryhowies pic.twitter.com/6uH4H9Cp4P
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 24, 2019
Division 3
Muskegon 28, DeWitt 21
The Big Reds (13-0) outlasted DeWitt in their only playoff games decided by fewer than 38 points, and one of only two games they played decided by single digits this fall. Last season’s Division 3 runner-up, Muskegon went ahead to stay with just more than two minutes remaining and held off a final rally by the Panthers (10-3), who were playing in their fifth Semifinal this decade. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Muskegon (@OnMuskegon) vs. DeWitt - Division 3 @MHSAA Semifinal from this afternoon. @MuskCoFootball @CM240
Brought to you by @hungryhowies pic.twitter.com/hkf0kqHpQY
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 24, 2019
River Rouge 14, Chelsea 7
The Panthers (12-1) likewise received their toughest challenge of the playoffs, as Chelsea gave them one of only three games decided by single digits this season. River Rouge scored both of its touchdowns during the fourth quarter after Chelsea (12-1) led for a quarter and a half. The Bulldogs were trying for their second-straight trip to the Finals after finishing Division 4 runner-up a year ago. Click for more from the Detroit News.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the River Rouge (@RougeFootball) vs. Chelsea - Division 3 @MHSAA Football Semifinal from this afternoon. Brought to you by @MHSAA pic.twitter.com/vn8myIIMIO
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 23, 2019
Division 4
Grand Rapids Catholic Central 56, Hudsonville Unity Christian 17
The Cougars (12-1) will play for their third Division 4 championship in four years after eliminating last season’s Division 5 title winner, Unity (9-4). It was the seventh time these teams met in the playoffs this decade, and fifth time the result went GRCC’s way. The Cougars scored their most points this season in earning the trip to Detroit. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Grand Rapids Catholic Central (@GRCatholicCentr) vs. Unity Christian - Division 4 @MHSAA Semifinal from this afternoon.
Brought to you by @hungryhowies pic.twitter.com/ifsI5zUaSf
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 24, 2019
Detroit Country Day 21, Flint Powers Catholic 0
Country Day (13-0) will return to Ford Field for the first time since 2016 (when it also faced GRCC) after posting its fourth shutout this season. It’s easy to marvel at the Yellowjackets’ defense, which is now giving up just 5.2 points per game. Powers (10-3) was playing in its third Semifinal this decade and capped its best run since 2015. Click for more from the Oakland Press.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Detroit Country Day (@DCDSAthletics) vs. Flint Powers - Division 4 @MHSAA Football Semifinal from this afternoon. Courtesy: @MHSAA.tv
Brought to you by @MHSAA pic.twitter.com/3HrO0G1mfB
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 24, 2019
Division 5
Lansing Catholic 28, Kingsley 14
The Cougars (12-1) are known for offense, but headed to Ford Field for the first time since 2014 as much thanks to a defensive effort that held Kingsley (12-1) nearly 32 points below its season average. Lansing Catholic is giving up only 13 points per game. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
See the video highlights from Lansing Catholic's state semifinal win: https://t.co/avSHBQ8r7e via @LSJnews
— Brian Calloway (@brian_calloway) November 24, 2019
Almont 36, Detroit Denby 8
In its third Semifinal this decade, Almont (13-0) advanced to its first football championship game also with another outstanding defensive performance. The Raiders lowered their points-given-up average to 10 with their best showing of the playoffs, halting Denby’s longest playoff run and most successful season at 10-3.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the @AlmontRaidersFB vs. Denby - Division 5 @MHSAA Football Semifinal from this afternoon. @AlmontAthletics
Brought to you by @hungryhowies pic.twitter.com/PLTPP73lGC
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 23, 2019
Division 6
Maple City Glen Lake 31, Montague 30 (OT)
The Lakers (12-1) are headed to their second MHSAA Final in four seasons thanks to a mighty comeback against last season’s Division 6 runner-up. Glen Lake trailed by 14 with under five minutes left in regulation, but pushed the game to overtime with a touchdown pass on the last play of the fourth quarter. Montague (10-3) finished with three losses this fall by a combined 13 points. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Glen Lake (@GlenLakeSchools) vs. Montague - Division 6 @MHSAA Semifinal from this afternoon.
Brought to you by @hungryhowies pic.twitter.com/Anlw0EURkU
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 24, 2019
Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 17, Onsted 14
St. Mary will play in its third Final this decade and first since winning Division 6 in 2014 thanks to Wyatt Bergmoser’s 20-yard field goal on the game’s final play. The Falcons (11-1) held off an Onsted team that finished 10-3 and rallied after a 2-2 start to reach the Semifinals for the first time since 1993. The close win for SMCC came after its last two playoff runs ended in Regional Final losses by two and one point. Click for more from the Monroe News.
Onsted vs. Monroe St. Mary MHSAA Division 6 semifinal 11-23-19 | Photo Gallery https://t.co/bRwyZi3sGQ
— JTV Sports (@JTV_Sports) November 25, 2019
Division 7
Pewamo-Westphalia 43, Iron Mountain 7
Friday night at the Superior Dome at Northern Michigan University saw two undefeated teams meet and P-W (13-0) earn its fourth trip to Ford Field over the last five seasons. After giving up 35 points to reigning champ New Lothrop in a one-point win the week before, the Pirates’ defense bounced back to hold the Mountaineers (12-1) to their season low. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Pewamo-Westphalia (@PWGRIDIRON) vs. Iron Mountain - Division 7 @MHSAA Football Semifinal from tonight. Brought to you by @hungryhowies pic.twitter.com/5frtnZNIod
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 23, 2019
Jackson Lumen Christi 27, Cass City 0
Lumen Christi scored one point less than Cass City had given up over the last 10 weeks combined, finding enough openings against one of the state’s most accomplished defenses to reach a fourth-straight Final. The Titans (12-0) also posted their second shutout of the fall, like P-W bouncing back on that side of the ball after giving up 30 in a Regional Final. Cass City finished 11-2 in reaching the Semifinals for the first time. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen-Patriot.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Lumen Christi (@Titan78378009) vs. Cass City - Division 6 @MHSAA Football Semifinal from this afternoon. Brought to you by @MHSAA pic.twitter.com/3mIv7mz4b6
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 23, 2019
Division 8
Beal City 21, Ubly 20
The Aggies (12-1) came back from an early 14-0 deficit to edge Ubly and reach the MHSAA Finals for the first time since back-to-back trips in 2012 and 2013. The Bearcats went for the win after a last-minute score, but Beal City made a stop on the conversion and again after Ubly (10-3) recovered the ensuing onside kick. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Beal City vs. Ubly - Division 8 @MHSAA Football Semifinal from this afternoon. Courtesy: @MHSAA.tv
Brought to you by @MHSAA pic.twitter.com/eotIVO5Ut6
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 24, 2019
Reading 62, Fowler 18
The reigning champ has earned an opportunity to repeat, as Reading (12-1) put up 60 points for the third time this season and held the Eagles scoreless during the second half. Fowler, playing in its first Semifinal since 2011, finished with its best record since that fall at 11-2. Click for more from the Hillsdale Daily News.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Reading vs. Fowler - Division 8 @MHSAA Football Semifinal from this afternoon. Courtesy: Hometown Media Network. Brought to you by @MHSAA pic.twitter.com/fImEPdoqSg
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 24, 2019
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PHOTO: Detroit King's Terence Maize (99) wraps up Birmingham Seaholm's Chaz Strecker during the Crusaders' Division 2 Semifinal win Saturday. (Photo by Terry Lyons.)