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Michigan’s Football Numbers Game – Corrected

September 1, 2017

Today’s blog was written by MHSAA Second Half Editor Geoff Kimmerly

The demise of Michigan high school football has been greatly exaggerated – or, at least, recently misreported by one of the U.S.’s most recognizable newspapers that noted as part of a larger story on football decline that Michigan has seen a “net loss of 57 teams in the past five years.”

It’s easy to understand how this error took place – especially when a reporter is not familiar with the football landscape in our state – but that doesn’t make this statement any less misleading, or harmful considering the story since has been picked up by multiple large news organizations. So let’s quickly clear up the misinterpreted information:

  • The data that led to this error came from an annual participation report released by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). Every spring, state associations (like the MHSAA) from every state and Washington, D.C., tally up how many of their member schools have a sport and how many athletes play it. 

  • For 2016-17, the MHSAA submitted to the NFHS a total of 580 schools with 11-player football – that number actually includes all schools that reported having at least one football player, including primary and secondary schools in co-ops. And yes, that 580 is 57 fewer than the 637 11-player schools the MHSAA submitted for 2012-13. 

  • But saying Michigan has lost 57 football programs misses out on something incredibly significant – the MHSAA also submitted 60 schools with 8-player football last year, up from 16 in 2012-13, making that net decrease in football schools over five years 13 – far fewer than 57.

And with a few more brush strokes, the picture of football in our state actually shows a healthy landscape:

  • The 640 schools in Michigan with at least one football player for 2016-17, 11 and 8-player combined, is actually eight more than we reported to the NFHS four years ago and 10 more than three years ago. 

  • A better picture of Michigan’s football consistency is shown by how many varsity programs are taking the field. This fall, that number is 616 – 555 11-player varsities and 61 8-player – and we also had 616 for most of the 2016 season, 616 in 2015 and 615 in 2014. 

  • We’ve had programs bring back varsity teams this year, and in one case a school has a team on its own for the first time. Benzonia Benzie Central and Suttons Bay were unable to field varsities in 2016, but Benzie Central is back playing 11-player and Suttons Bay is back with an 8-player team. Brimley, an 8-player school going back to 2010, also is fielding a team again after being unable to do so last year. Mount Clemens played only two varsity games in 2016 and forfeited a third, but has seven scheduled for this fall and lost close in its opener last week. And Bear Lake, previously a secondary school in a co-op program, now has a team all its own for the first time and is playing at the 8-player level. 

  • Yes, there has been a decrease in Michigan high school football participation when it comes to the number of players – for reasons we discuss frequently, including more extracurricular/entertainment options than ever for students, more who are specializing in other sports and safety fears that often are misplaced. But we’ve also seen a three percent drop in enrollment at MHSAA member schools over the last five years. And despite that trend, Michigan again had the sixth-highest 11-player football participation in the nation in 2016-17 (and seventh-highest in 8-player) while ranking 10th nationally in number of residents of high school age. 

  • So yes, while a nine percent drop in the number of football players over the last five years in Michigan clearly is troubling, and something we’re working with the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association to reverse, let’s also put those numbers in perspective. At medium-sized to bigger schools, it could mean a roster of 40 might have only 36 players. A roster of 20 at an 8-player school might go down to 18. Neither would signal the need to eliminate a football program. 

  • And that move by so many schools to 8-player? It definitely started as a way for low-participation programs to keep football (and has worked for most of them). While that still may be the driving force as schools move from 11 to 8, others have made the switch because most of their former opponents did and joining them makes scheduling easier and travel shorter. Michigan has a multitude of small towns, and you’ll find most of these 8-player programs in pockets in the thumb, southwest or northern Lower Peninsula, or Upper Peninsula. And keep in mind, only Class D teams remain eligible for the 8-player playoffs – and only two of 61 teams playing 8-player this fall are larger than Class D and its enrollment limit of 203 students for 2017-18.

The story behind “a decrease of 57 schools” clearly is a little complex to explain and explain away, but it’s necessary to do so. 

Yes, Michigan’s total number of football players is down a few percent. But the sport’s prominence and importance in our schools and communities remains high.

Marquette's Grant Simon (2) finds a hole to pick up several yards against Gaylord.

1st & Goal: 2024 Week 3 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 16, 2024

What a difference a year can make.

MI Student AidWe are only one-third through the 2024 football regular season, and already several teams are outperforming how they finished a year ago – or are on the verge of doing so.

After a maximum of only three games played, 25 teams statewide have guaranteed they’ll finish with better records this fall than in 2023. Another 54 teams already have as many wins this fall as they had all of last season – and we note several of both groups below in this week’s review.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Grand Blanc 22, Saginaw Heritage 21 Heritage’s emergence the last few seasons has made a powerful Saginaw Valley League Red even more competitive, and the title this season could be up for grabs until the end. Grand Blanc (2-1) sits atop the standings at 2-0 in league play thanks in part to Nate Szczembara blocking what would have been a winning Heritage field goal on this game’s last play. Click for more from WJRT.

Watch list Midland Dow 28, Mount Pleasant 7 After tough opening losses to two strong opponents, Dow (1-2) got its first win over another annual playoff qualifier, the reigning SVL Blue champion Oilers (1-2), who had defeated the Chargers 42-7 a year ago.

On the move Chesaning 47, New Lothrop 22 The reigning Mid-Michigan Activities Conference champion improved to 3-0 by doubling up last season’s league runner-up Hornets (1-2). Montrose 20, Durand 14 Staying the MMAC, Montrose (2-1) now might be Chesaning’s top challenger after defeating a Durand team (2-1) that was coming off a win over New Lothrop in Week 2. Frankenmuth 48, Alma 7 Frankenmuth (3-0) became the 14th program on record to reach 500 wins, this one making the Eagles 500-165-4 since the school opened in 1956.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 42, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 0 Notre Dame Prep already was considered among the elite in Division 5 this season, entering the weekend ranked No. 3 in the coaches poll. But the Fighting Irish (3-0) may now be the favorites after this stunning win over the top-ranked and reigning champion Cougars (2-1) – which followed NDP’s Week 2 victory over 2023 Division 7 champion Jackson Lumen Christi. Click for more from the Detroit News.

Watch list Rochester Adams 21, West Bloomfield 14 Ryland Watters scored twice during the second half and Adams (3-0) stopped West Bloomfield’s final rally six yards from a potential tying score to avenge a pair of losses to the Lakers (1-2) from a year ago, including in their District opener.

On the move Warren De La Salle Collegiate 38, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 28 De La Salle (3-0) withstood a challenge from an improved St. Mary’s team (2-1) to set up this week’s meeting with reigning Catholic High School League Central champion Toledo Central Catholic. Detroit Catholic Central 45, Harper Woods 12 The Shamrocks (3-1) also continued to impress, scoring the most points that reigning Division 4 champion Harper Woods (1-2) had given up since 2021. Sterling Heights Stevenson 24, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 7 After two straight sub-.500 seasons (although Stevenson did make the playoffs last year at 4-5), the Titans are 3-0 for the first time since 2009 after avenging a pair of losses to Chippewa Valley (1-2) from a year ago.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Brighton 29, Northville 28 (2OT) Brighton (2-1) was another team to avenge a pair of 2023 losses during Week 3, after falling to Northville during both the regular season and Division 1 playoffs last fall. Northville (1-2) is the reigning Kensington Lakes Activities Association West champion, but the Bulldogs are one of three teams atop the standings early this fall thanks to winning this one on a double-overtime 2-point conversion. Click for more from the Livingston Daily Press & Argus.

Watch list Olivet 7, Lansing Sexton 0 The Eagles (2-1) bounced back from a Week 2 loss to Portland to avenge a 48-12 loss to Sexton (1-2) from a year ago – and pull within one more win of equaling last season’s victory total.

On the move Corunna 49, Ortonville Brandon 21 The Cavaliers (3-0) graduated some serious star power in the spring but just keep grinding, with this league-opening double-up of Brandon (2-1) extending their regular-season win streak to 12. East Lansing 38, Grand Ledge 21 East Lansing’s speed is immediately obvious and stunning, and the Trojans (2-1) bounced back from a Week 2 loss to Hudsonville by pulling away from the physical Comets (2-1) during the second half in front of an overflowing Homecoming crowd. Ithaca 35, Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 14 Ithaca (3-0) also gained an important early advantage with a league-opening win, as these two decided last year’s Tri-Valley Conference White title, won by the Yellowjackets.

Suna Chami (13) breaks down the sideline during Dearborn's 28-13 win over Livonia Franklin.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER McBain 29, Beal City 25 McBain (3-0) ended Beal City’s 21-game Highland Conference winning streak, which dated to the start of 2021 and included three wins over the Ramblers. The Aggies (2-1) had defeated McBain 48-7 last season on the way to winning league, District and Regional titles. Click for more from the Cadillac News.

Watch list Ogemaw Heights 12, Gladwin 7 It wouldn’t be stunning if this eventually ends up deciding the Jack Pine Conference Division 1 championship – and it also wouldn’t be stunning if these two end up meeting again in the playoffs, as Ogemaw Heights (3-0) entered the weekend ranked No. 5 in Division 5 and Gladwin (2-1) was No. 8.

On the move LeRoy Pine River 21, Lake City 6 Pine River (1-2) has won only five games combined over the last five seasons, but this one could provide a spark as it was the Bucks’ first over Lake City (1-2) since 2016. Cheboygan 30, Elk Rapids 23 Cheboygan (2-1) is one of the season’s early success stories, as the Chiefs already have bested last year’s 1-8 finish – and with another win can guarantee their most since 2019. Boyne City 45, Charlevoix 21 This was a major victory for Boyne City (2-1) heading into a loaded Northern Michigan Football League Legends schedule, as Charlevoix (1-2) is the reigning champion in the NMFL Leaders and Boyne finished third in the Leaders last season.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Hanover-Horton 49, Grass Lake 21 Hanover-Horton (3-0) continues to look like a team with promising possibilities this fall, and this win was notable for several reasons – it guaranteed the Comets will finish better than last year’s 2-7 record, avenged 32-22 and 28-6 losses to Grass Lake from last season, and came against a Warriors team (2-1) that has finished below .500 only once over the last 22 seasons, according to Michigan-Football.com. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

Watch list Jackson 28, Tecumseh 20 We’ll know more once the Southeastern Conference White schedule gets rolling – Jackson also started 4-1 last season and finished 4-5. But the Vikings are 3-0 after this league opener, and that’s included avenging last year’s loss to Monroe.

On the move Ottawa Lake Whiteford 44, Buchanan 16 This was a solid bounce-back for the Bobcats (2-1) after a Week 2 loss to Ida. Buchanan is 1-2 against an opening schedule of teams that are a combined 7-2. Hudson 16, Ida 8 After a reasonably close opening loss to still-undefeated Fowler, Hudson (2-1) has handed first defeats this season to Dowagiac and now the Bluestreaks (2-1). Michigan Center 14, Jonesville 6 Michigan Center (1-2) was another team with a difficult opening slate, but the Cardinals got on the board with this win over a Jonesville team (1-2) that finished Cascades Conference West runner-up a year ago.

A Traverse City Central ball carrier works to secure possession during a 49-14 loss to Davison.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Constantine 31, Schoolcraft 29 (OT) Constantine (3-0) extended its winning streak in this rivalry to three with a second-straight by one score, stopping Schoolcraft’s 2-point conversion attempt in overtime to finish the victory. Schoolcraft (2-1) had pulled even with 1:09 to play in regulation after the teams traded leads five times. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Watch list Berrien Springs 28, Traverse City St. Francis 14 The Shamrocks (1-2) may have started 0-2 for the second season in a row, but they made a splash by handing the Gladiators (2-1) their first defeat of the season. This one could mean a lot later as well as Berrien Springs works to extend a decade-long playoff streak.

On the move Galesburg-Augusta 17, Allegan 14 With back-to-back wins over Cassopolis and now Allegan (2-1), Galesburg-August (2-1) has equaled its win total of a year ago. Lawton 27, Kalamazoo United 18 Lawton (2-1) was coming off a loss to St. Francis but found its footing in handing United (2-1) its first defeat. Niles 56, Three Rivers 6 Niles (2-1) opened its Wolverine Conference schedule with a 10th-straight league win and has scored at least 49 points in all 10.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Marquette 30, Gaylord 0 Marquette’s opening statement on this season keeps getting louder, as the Sentinels are up to two losses avenged from a year ago – they fell to Gaylord 37-16 in 2023 – and they have yet to give up a point, outscoring their first three opponents by a combined 136-0. The most major test yet is coming up, as Marquette travels to Lowell this week. Click for more from the Marquette Mining Journal.

Watch list Gwinn 33, L’Anse 6 Gwinn (2-1) had only four wins over the last three seasons combined, and both last year against the same opponent. But the Modeltowners opened this fall by avenging a 2023 loss to Bridgeport and have now equaled last season’s total of two victories – with plenty of opportunities to add to that coming up.

On the move Negaunee 29, Calumet 0 The Miners (3-0) will head into this week’s major clash with Kingsford coming off their first shutout of the season having stopped a Copper Kings offense that had put up 80 points over two victories to start the fall. Houghton 38, Hancock 16 The Gremlins (1-2) have won three straight over their neighbors and will see Hancock (1-2) again in the regular-season finale. Menominee 58, Ishpeming Westwood 19 This early surge has played out almost identically to the start of last year’s run to the Division 7 championship game, as Menominee has scored a combined 170 points and given up just 25 over the first three weeks.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Grand Rapids South Christian 41, Grand Rapids West Catholic 38 The Sailors (3-0) will come barreling into the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green schedule this week after a second comeback win and this one against the No. 2-ranked team in Division 5. The Sailors trailed 24-14 at halftime before rallying and sending the Falcons to 1-2. Click for more from FOX 17.

Watch list East Kentwood 41, Caledonia 35 East Kentwood’s anticipated rise may be starting. The Falcons ended a three-game losing streak against Caledonia – and hadn’t scored in their previous two meetings with the Fighting Scots (2-1). East Kentwood (2-1) needs one more win to equal last season’s total.

On the move Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 17, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern 14 This was the closest game these rivals have played since restarting their series, but FHC (3-0) prevailed again to make it 10 wins in 10 meetings since 2016. Hudsonville Unity Christian 44, Ada Forest Hills Eastern 20 Unity Christian (3-0) is on its way back up after winning just three games a year ago. FHE (2-1) had entered the weekend No. 4 in Division 4, one slot ahead of the Crusaders. Big Rapids 33, Reed City 14 This matchup played a big part in deciding the Central State Activities Association Gold title a year ago, and could again with reigning co-champion Big Rapids (2-1) in a good spot after handing Reed City (2-1) a first loss.

8-Player

HEADLINER Climax-Scotts 56, Adrian Lenawee Christian 35 Lenawee Christian (1-2) jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but Climax-Scotts (2-1) took over from there to avenge last season’s 56-16 Regional Final loss to the eventual Division 2 champion. Click for more from the Battle Creek Enquirer.

Watch list Ishpeming 50, Gaylord St. Mary 28 It’s been common to see traditionally strong 11-player programs move to 8-player and find immediate success, and Ishpeming looks like it could be the next. The Hematites were 7-4 in 11-player last season and are off to a 2-0 start with this win over playoff regular St. Mary (2-1).

On the move Crystal Falls Forest Park 42, Norway 20 The Trojans (3-0) ended a string of two straight losses to the Knights (2-1), and after falling to them 40-6 last season. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian 46, Bridgman 38 A week after Bridgman’s 35-game winning streak ended, NorthPointe (2-1) handed the Bees (1-2) a second-straight defeat, avenging last year’s 28-8 loss. Portland St. Patrick 56, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 49 The Shamrocks (3-0) had lost to Sacred Heart the last two seasons, including by just a point a year ago. Vestaburg 38, Carson City-Crystal 30 Vestaburg ended its 21-game losing streak, and against a league champion from 2023.

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PHOTOS (Top) Marquette's Grant Simon (2) finds a hole to pick up several yards against Gaylord. (Middle) Suna Chami (13) breaks down the sideline during Dearborn's 28-13 win over Livonia Franklin. (Below) A Traverse City Central ball carrier works to secure possession during a 49-14 loss to Davison. (Top photo by Cara Kamps, middle photo by Douglas Bargerstock, below photo by Terry Lyons.)