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Search Begins Again for 'Greatest Game'

August 27, 2016

By Ron Pesch
Special for Second Half

There really is no place I’d rather be than in the stands of a high school football stadium on a Friday night. As summer fades to autumn, and leaves begin to fall, the smile on my face grows. It’s football weather. The days shorten and the hue of the evening sky deepens; the air turns crisp; hoodies come out; hot dogs and popcorn bring more joy than a finely catered meal. As the season progresses, hot chocolate becomes a drink to be cherished and appreciated. 

As I’ve aged, my interest in the professional game has faded. My fascination with the college game continues to dwindle in direct relation to the increasing prices for a ticket to a game, the marketing hype generated by the changing of brands for overpriced athletic apparel and the escalating dollars involved in signing a coach.

The prep season presents the chance to step outside to enjoy my favorite part of the calendar. I’ll sit beneath lights, watching high school kids struggle with, then grasp, the components of the game. On some nights, I’ll again witness pure athleticism shred the defense of an unprepared squad. On others, I’ll watch a finely schooled team dismantle superior size and speed.

From those prep stands, I’ll continue to see moments where the underdog defeats the favorite; where the ordinary achieves the extraordinary; where tension and excitement erupts into a roar. I’ll stand and cheer as the high school band, enjoying its share of the spotlight, takes the field to play the national anthem and showcase its skills at halftime.

And again this season, I’ll settle in with hopes of finding the game I can call the greatest in state high school history.

My criteria is stringent, perhaps more stringent than the conditions held by others.

1)    The margin should be close, ideally through most of the 48 minutes that comprise a contest. I’m really no fan of overtime.

2)    The stakes should be high. Hence, this may favor late-season contests, where playoff implications and/or league championships are involved.

3)    There should be history, where past battles between the schools have helped to establish a palatable dislike for the other, when the teams line up for a contest. Cross-town rivalries, where bragging rights and perhaps a trophy, are involved, enhance the value in my eyes. At the same time, playoff rivalries, where defeat is balanced between each, or where dominance by a single school is suddenly shattered, augment the importance of such a contest.

4)    Weather conditions and controversy should not be a factor.

Over the years, I’ve watched or read about amazing comebacks, decisive thrashings, contests played under vicious weather conditions and marathon overtime battles. Each, some might argue, are challengers to the crown. 

But I have yet to find a replacement for the current title-holder – a game played before my birth.

The reigning champ was christened as such by an authority. I’ve seen a small segment of that 1945 season-ending battle between Muskegon High School and Muskegon Heights High School, as captured by a home movie camera. In addition, I’ve viewed a series of amazing still photographs that portray the drama.

I’ll let the legendary Hal Schram set the stage.

“Seldom has one city dominated Michigan high school football as completely as Muskegon does this week,” stated the Detroit Free Press writer later known as “The Swami” for his tongue-in-cheek “all-knowing” ways when it came to predicting high school sports outcomes.

Schram’s Tuesday, November 6 column in the Free Press included his Class A Top Ten rankings. The Top Ten, used to identify the state’s best team based on enrollment classification, win-loss record and strength of schedule, was a relatively new approach to identifying the state’s best. The approach is still in use today.

“One month ago, Muskegon High occupied second place in the Top Ten while Muskegon Heights ranked sixth,” said Schram. “Today, Coach Leo Redmond’s Big Reds with a 16-game winning streak, and the Heights, with the best defensive record in state Class A football, rate first and second respectively.”

A week later, Schram’s ranking in the Free Press reflected the same result in Class A, heading into the season’s final week.

“Twenty-thousand Muskegon fans will watch their high school giants – Muskegon and Muskegon Heights – battle for a mythical Michigan championship Saturday. Only the limited seating capacity of the city’s Hackley Stadium prevents the attendance from reaching 30,000. Reserve seat tickets have been completely sold out for three weeks.

“Muskegon, with its 17-game winning streak, clings to its No. 1 rating among Michigan high schools for the third straight week, but the difference between the Big Reds and the Heights is infinitesimal.

“The Big Reds have scored 191 points to 38 for eight opponents while Muskegon Heights has rolled up 185 points to 37. Both have played almost exactly the same opponents and under identical conditions …

“The Heights will be gunning for its first triumph since 1943 over Muskegon, when the Tigers won, 7-0. The victor will also lay claim to the Southwestern Conference championship.”

It would take 30 years before the MHSAA created a playoff system to determine football state champions. Until that time, state titles were dispensed by the media, and hence were referred to as mythical, since they weren’t settled in a series of head-to-head contests played between contenders.

A total of 18 Big Reds and 23 Tigers would appear in their interscholastic football uniform for the final time. Eight seniors and three juniors would start the game for each team.

While the overall series dating back to 1922 favored Muskegon, in games played since 1930, the two teams were exactly even with each team having six victories and two ties over those previous 14 games. Coach Redmond had led the Big Reds since 1925. Oscar E. “Okie” Johnson took charge of the Heights in 1927 and would guide the Tigers until retirement following the 1963 season. The two coaches had been football teammates at Western State Normal School (today, Western Michigan University). Each coach had led their team to mythical state crowns in years past.

Statewide coverage of the pending heavy-weight battle enticed many from around the state to attend the game. A crowd of 13,500 – still the largest ever to visit Hackley – packed nearly every square inch of the stadium, bleachers and field. Countless others tuned in to the radio broadcast.

Servicemen, recently returned from World War II, helped hoist the flag during pregame ceremonies. The combined marching bands from each school opened the 2 p.m. program with the national anthem, and each entertained the crowd at halftime.

Muskegon won the toss and kicked off. The Heights unleashed their power early. Behind the running of Ed Petrongelli and backfield mate Paul Hulka, the Tigers rolled across mid-field, before a Petrongelli pass was picked off by Bob Clark on the Muskegon 15. The Big Reds were held on downs, and were forced to kick. Muskegon’s Bob Sikkenga, who averaged 30 yards on five punts during the day, gained a mere nine yards on his first kick of the afternoon, allowing the Heights to take control at the Muskegon 27. Petrongelli pounded ahead for four yards to the 23 before Jim Howell skirted the left side on the end around for the first score of the contest. Dorr Grover's placement was accurate, and Okie Johnson's Tigers led 7-0.

Muskegon bounced back, scoring midway through the second quarter of play. Starting at their own 35-yard line, Coach Redmond's backfield of Percy Moore, Bob McNitt and Howard Peterson alternated carries, pushing the ball to the Heights 31-yard line. Facing a 3rd-and-1 situation, Don Ohs replaced McNitt, and broke through off right guard for a first down on the Tiger 14. A Heights penalty advanced the ball to the 9. A pair of plays eked out only a yard, then McNitt was nailed behind the line on third down for a six-yard loss. Facing a 4th-and-goal, Peterson shot a pass toward McNitt at the goal line. Nearly intercepted by Ray McLean of the Tigers, the ball bounced into the waiting hands of the Muskegon back, and the Big Reds were a point away from a tie. But Tom Carr's kick went wide and low, and the Tigers clung to a one-point lead when the teams broke for the halftime intermission.

Much of the third quarter was played in Muskegon territory, with the Heights dominating. Still, neither team scored. As the teams entered the final quarter, a single point still separated victory from defeat.

Midway through the fourth, opportunity knocked for the Tigers as Jim Dotson recovered a Muskegon fumble on the Big Red 43. The Heights fans roared in approval as the Tiger offense lined up for action. But the momentum changed quickly as the Big Reds' Bob Anderson pounced on a Heights' fumble at the Tiger 48 on the first play from scrimmage.

Redmond's squad went to the air. An incomplete pass was followed by a six-yard gain by Ted Barrett around left end. Another incomplete pass brought fourth down before Peterson found Bob Lintjer at the 30 yard line and he raced to the Heights 9, securing the first down.

The Big Reds were hit for a five-yard penalty on a substitution, so the squad lined up for a 1st-and-goal from the 14. Barrett quickly made up for the penalty, battling to the 4 yard line. On 2nd and goal, Muskegon again went to Barrett, who picked up three yards. Injured on the play, the halfback exited the game with the ball resting on the 1 yard line.

"On (the) last two plays rode the hopes of 13,500 fans, for or against the success of the attacking Big Reds," wrote Muskegon Chronicle sports editor, James F. Henderson. "On those two plays rode both State and Southwestern titles."

McNitt charged the center of the line on third down, but was stopped three inches from the end zone. Redmond's squad huddled to discuss its final play.

“We decided to go with a quarterback sneak on fourth," recalled Peterson years later. "I decided to use a long, variable, cadence count, in hopes of drawing them offside, in case we needed another shot. To their credit … neither line moved."

"When Jim Dotson, Everett Grandelius, Dick Ghezzi and Gene Hilliard stopped the forward motion of Howard Peterson, the air went dark with the applause of the Heights fans, and the groans of Muskegon's," wrote Henderson. "The ball, three inches from the goal line when play started, still was an inch from the line when it was set down."

“For the second straight year the mythical state high school football title belongs to greater Muskegon, penned Schram following the game. “No longer does the bunting fly over Muskegon High, but it is on display only a few miles away, at Muskegon Heights High. The Tigers laid claim to the title after conquering Muskegon 7 to 6”

As was tradition, following the game the Heights band marched back to its school, leading a victory parade of students celebrating a great day for football.

Seven players from the teams received all-state honors according to The Associated Press. Petrongelli and Dotson from the Heights, and Clark from Muskegon were all named to the first-team squad. Tigers Ghezzi and Howell and Big Reds Barrett and Anderson each earned mention on AP’s second or third all-state teams.

This July, after a long, distinguished career and blessed retirement, Tom Carr, the kicker for the Big Reds, passed away.

As a college student, I had the privilege to meet Carr. Signed to play baseball by the Chicago White Sox out of high school, Carr later earned his Master’s degree at Western Michigan University. Following graduation, he ascended to associate vice president of operations for the University. On the day of our meeting, he smiled, shook my hand, and greeted me with the words, “Hi, I’m Tom Carr – the guy who missed the extra point.”

Long ago, a friend stated that the main difference between male and female athletes is that the boys will carry the agony of defeat into manhood, and it will stay with them until the day they die. While it might have taken years to accept, the game would ultimately become a point of pride for all involved.

Among the crowd of spectators that day was Dick Kishpaugh, who served the MHSAA as high school historian for 50 years. Kishpaugh had come up from Southwest Michigan to attend the game. It was, in the opinion of my mentor, the greatest high school football game ever played in Michigan.

While I wasn’t in attendance, I still share his opinion.

Since that time, 70 years ago, I’d estimate more than 200,000 high school football games have been played in Michigan.

As we kick off another season of high school athletics, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject, as well as your candidates for honor of greatest game.

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) Muskegon's Tommy Carr attempts an extra point against Muskegon Heights during their history-making matchup. (Middle) The game program from 1945. (Below) Heights stops Muskegon during its final goal line stand; Big Reds quarterback Howard Peterson is number 19. (Photos provided by Ron Pesch.)

Ithaca defenders converge on a Shepherd ball carried during the Yellowjackets' 43-0 win to finish 9-0.

1st & Goal: 2024 Week 9 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 28, 2024

Wow. The 2024 football regular season did not go quietly. 

MI Student AidBetween multiple matchups of undefeated teams, several league championships being decided, and final maneuvering to get into the field of the 50th MHSAA Football Playoffs, there was a lot to follow – with the final moves still being made late Saturday afternoon.

Below we glance at several of the highlights, and Friday we'll move into playoff mode as we preview the first round of this season's tournament. 

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Midland 17, Midland Dow 6 Midland High (8-1) locked up one of the final league championships still in question, finishing an outright title run in the Saginaw Valley League Blue when a Dow win would have given the Chargers (5-4) a share. The Chemics also avenged two losses to Dow from 2023, from the regular-season finale and first week of the playoffs, and they could meet again this postseason as well if both win first-round games this week. Click for more from the Midland Daily News.

Watch list Almont 49, Detroit Edison 24 Almont (9-0) enters the playoffs as the No. 1 overall seed in Division 6, holding down the top spot for the third-straight week with this win over Edison (6-3), which entered Week 9 No. 6 on the Division 6 playoff list. The Raiders had last finished a regular season 9-0 in 2019.

On the move Davison 48, Lapeer 28 The Cardinals (7-2) cemented second place in the SVL Blue, but more importantly moved ahead of Oxford to earn a home game in their Division 1 matchup this week. Marine City 37, Detroit Central 15 The Mariners finished second in the Macomb Area Conference Silver this season but defeated a co-league champion in Central (6-3) to hold onto the No. 4 spot on the Division 6 playoff list. Frankenmuth 41, Gladwin 14 The Eagles (9-0) wrapped up a fourth perfect regular season over the last half-decade with a second-straight win over Gladwin (6-3).

Great Detroit

HEADLINER Detroit Catholic Central 23, Detroit Martin Luther King 7 DCC’s Jaden Pydyn starred in this Prep Bowl showcase game at Ford Field, running for two touchdowns and scoring a third on an interception return. The Shamrocks moved to 9-0, completing their first perfect regular season since COVID-shortened 2020 and first at 9-0 since 2016, and they sit second on the Division 1 playoff list. King finished 6-3 and moved down only one spot on the Division 3 list to No. 7. Click for more from Hometown Life.

Watch list Romeo 14, Grand Blanc 13 This one was a stunner as Grand Blanc (7-2) had just clinched the SVL Red title the week before and Romeo (4-5) was six spots from falling out of the Division 1 playoff field. Instead, Romeo moved up to No. 19 and earned a rematch with Week 3 opponent Utica Eisenhower.

On the move Macomb Dakota 28, Oxford 0 Dakota (8-1) won a meeting of league champions, adding to its shared title in the MAC Red by shutting out the Oakland Activities Association Red-winning Wildcats (6-3). Clarkston 32, Utica Eisenhower 3 Clarkston (6-3) finished tied for second in the OAA Red and dominated its matchup with the other co-champion from the MAC Red, sending Eisenhower to 7-2. Macomb Lutheran North 17, Clarkston Everest Collegiate 14 (OT) Lutheran North (8-1) completed its most successful regular season since posting the same record in 2006, adding the Catholic High School League Cardinal championship by handing Everest (8-1) its only loss.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Howell 30, Belleville 29 Howell finished 9-0, concluding its first perfect regular season since 1963 (according to Michigan-Football.com) and after going only 3-6 a year ago. The Highlanders retained the No. 1 position on the Division 1 playoff list for the third straight week. So to call this a shocker seems at least a little absurd, but Belleville (8-1) hadn’t lost a regular-season game since Week 3 of 2021 and has played in three straight Division 1 Finals and won the last two. Justin Jones’ touchdown grab from Preston Barb with eight seconds to play clinched the overall Kensington Lakes Activities Association championship and was called by the Howell Football’s X feed “the biggest play in the history of Howell football.” Click for more from the Livingston Daily Press & Argus.

Watch list Leslie 35, Hanover-Horton 14 The Blackhawks (8-1) have gone from not posting a winning season since 2012 to claiming the overall Cascades Conference championship by handing Hanover-Horton (8-1) its only defeat.

On the move Belding 40, Hopkins 0 In a winner-take-all for the Ottawa-Kent Conference Silver title, Belding (8-1) did so for the third straight season, running its league winning streak to 17 games and sending the Vikings to 6-3. Fowler 35, McBain 28 The Eagles (9-0) completed their first perfect regular season since 2014 and are No. 3 on the Division 8 playoff list after handing Division 7 McBain (8-1) its only defeat. Mason 43, Fenton 0 Mason (7-2) won a matchup of league champions and moved up to No. 8 on the Division 3 playoff list as it begins a quest to reach Ford Field for the second-straight season.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Boyne City 23, Traverse City St. Francis 20 Ryan Spate’s 35-yard field goal with five seconds to play turned an outright league championship for St. Francis (6-3) into a three-team share that included the Ramblers (7-2) and Kingsley in the Northern Michigan Football League Legends. The win was Boyne’s first over the Gladiators since 2017. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.

Watch list Maple City Glen Lake 35, Mancelona 0 The Lakers (8-1) completed an outright championship in the NMFL Legacy and sit No. 8 on the Division 8 playoff list with their only loss this season to Division 6 Reed City.

On the move Traverse City West 23, Traverse City Central 7 The Titans (6-3) capped their best regular-season finish in three years with their second-straight win over rival Central (4-5). Petoskey 42, Clare 21 Petoskey won this matchup of league champions to finish 9-0 for the first time since 1974. Clare is 7-2 with its only losses to league title winners. Kingsley 47, Charlevoix 28 The Stags received a piece of the NMFL Legends title thanks to Boyne City’s win, and also moved up to No. 13 on the Division 6 playoff list for downing the Rayders (6-3).

Grand Ledge's Anthony Baker (28) eludes Okemos defenders as Sean Cho (7) pursues during the Comets' 46-10 win.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Dexter 35, Chelsea 6 The Southeastern Conference Red-winning Dreadnaughts (9-0) claimed this matchup of league champions after jumping to a 21-0 first-quarter lead against the SEC White-clinching Bulldogs (7-2). In doing so, Dexter also avenged last season’s 31-21 loss to Chelsea. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.

Watch list Pinckney 12, Ann Arbor Pioneer 7 Including the first four games of this season, Pinckney (5-4) had lost 13 straight before winning their last five games this fall with this one clinching a Division 4 playoff berth. The Pirates jumped six spots to No. 30 on that division’s playoff list.

On the move Jackson Lumen Christi 39, Kalamazoo United 21 Lumen (8-1) impressed in another CHSL Prep Bowl showcase game, handing another league champion in United (7-2) just its second defeat. Saline 8, Lake Orion 7 Saline (6-3) scored and added a two-point conversion during the final minutes of the fourth quarter to get past the Dragons (6-3). Ida 23, Clinton 14 Ida (8-1) secured second place in the Lenawee Country Athletic Association and sent Clinton (6-3) into third, and ended a three-game losing streak against the Redwolves.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Kalamazoo Central 20, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 10 The most consequential meeting of these rivals in some time went to Central (6-3), which not only clinched the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference East title outright but jumped five spots to No. 32 in Division 1 to secure a first playoff appearance since 2018 (not counting COVID-shortened 2020, when nearly all teams qualified). Loy Norrix missed the playoffs, but at 5-4 posted its best finish since 1998. Click for more from WWMT.

Watch list St. Joseph 15, Portage Central 0 Despite losing a Week 7 contest to Mattawan, St. Joseph (8-1) clawed back to shut out Portage Central and share the SMAC East championship with the Mustangs (6-3). The shutout was St. Joseph’s third over the last seven weeks and avenged last year’s loss to Central.

On the move Niles 21, Paw Paw 0 Niles (8-1) finished a second-straight perfect run through the Wolverine Conference, posting its second-straight shutout this month and fifth of the season in this winner-take-all matchup. Paw Paw also is 8-1 and will travel back to Niles this weekend for a Division 4 playoff opener. Stevensville Lakeshore 28, Portage Northern 13 Despite losing its first six games this season, Lakeshore (3-6) won its final three and will return to the playoffs after facing six opponents that finished with winning records including Northern (5-4). Buchanan 17, Union City 7 The Bucks (6-3) jumped from a precarious No. 31 spot on the Division 6 list all the way up to No. 22 with this win over a league champion in Union City (8-1).

An Otsego player pulls in a pass during the Bulldogs' 17-7 win over Three Rivers. 

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Kingsford 27, Marquette 17 Kingsford (9-0) defeated a longtime rival to finish a first perfect regular season since 2002, and by downing the Division 2 Sentinels moved all the way up to No. 4 on the Division 5 playoff list. The Flivvers have won three straight over Marquette, which finished 6-3. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Watch list Iron Mountain 35, Negaunee 21 The Mountaineers (9-0) completed their second-straight perfect regular season with a second-straight win over Negaunee (6-3), and in doing so moved up to No. 8 on the Division 8 playoff list and secured home games through the Regional Final should they continue to advance.

On the move Escanaba 50, Gladstone 7 Escanaba (5-4) won its final two games to finish this season with as many victories as the last three combined. Calumet 51, L’Anse 6 The Copper Kings (6-3) have fallen between Nos. 26-32 on the Division 6 playoff list the last four weeks but secured the No. 30 spot and a place in the bracket with this fourth-straight victory this season. Menominee 41, Bark River-Harris 0 The Maroons bounced back from a two-point loss to Kingsford in Week 8 to close out its best regular season since 2016 and move into the No. 2 spot on the Division 7 playoff list as they too work to get back to Ford Field for the second consecutive November.  

West Michigan

HEADLINER Coopersville 35, Cedar Springs 21 The first-year River Cities Alliance put four of seven teams into the playoffs, making Coopersville’s shared league championship with Lowell even more impressive. The title was the Broncos’ first since 2007 and came as the program also has celebrated its 100th season. Coopersville is 6-3, and Cedar Springs (7-2) would have shared the title instead with a win. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Watch list Hudsonville Unity Christian 43, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 28 Unity Christian (9-0) has owned the No. 1 spot on the Division 4 playoff list the last five weeks and impressed yet again sending Notre Dame Prep (7-1) from No. 1 to No. 2 on the Division 5 list.

On the move Grandville 49, Caledonia 20 Grandville (5-4) plowed into the Division 1 playoffs with two straight wins to cap the regular season and kept Caledonia (4-5) from making a final move up the Division 2 list. Grand Rapids South Christian 26, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 20 The Sailors (5-4) were able to secure a place in the Division 4 field by avenging last year’s loss to the Cougars (5-4) to break a four-game losing streak. Zeeland West 34, Grand Rapids West Catholic 20 The Dux (8-1) will bound into the Division 3 playoffs coming off this win over the O-K White champion Falcons (6-3).

Ishpeming's Ethan Corp works to get past an Auburn Hills Oakland Christian defender Saturday during the Hematites' 58-6 victory.

8-Player

HEADLINER Powers North Central 45, Crystal Falls Forest Park 34 The latest chapter in this rivalry saw the Jets claim the Great Lakes Eight Conference West championship outright via this winner-take-all matchup. North Central has won seven straight over the Trojans, this time scoring the most points Forest Park (8-1) has given up this season and holding the Trojans to their second-fewest. Click for more form the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Watch list Deckerville 50, Alcona 42 Deckerville (9-0) faced one of its few challenges this fall – and prevailed impressively once again to finish a regular season undefeated for the first time since 2019. The Eagles remained on top of the Division 1 playoff list as Alcona (8-1) fell one spot to No. 3 with its first defeat.

On the move Indian River Inland Lakes 50, Gaylord St. Mary 8 Inland Lakes (9-0) has never lost a league game in 8-player and wrapped up its fourth-straight Ski Valley Conference title in this winner-take-all with the Snowbirds (7-2). Climax-Scotts 63, Pittsford 14 Climax-Scotts also impressed again in this matchup of league champions, moving to a combined 18-1 over the last two seasons after losing only its opener this fall. Kingston 26, Marion 22 The Cardinals (7-2) showed more of the power of the Big Thumb Conference Blue. They finished third as Deckerville won the league and Brown City was runner-up this fall, but closed the regular season by handing Marion (8-1) its lone loss.

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PHOTOS (Top) Ithaca defenders converge on a Shepherd ball carried during the Yellowjackets' 43-0 win Friday to finish 9-0. (2) Grand Ledge's Anthony Baker (28) finds a crease as Okemos' Sean Cho (7) pursues during the Comets' 46-10 win. (3) An Otsego player pulls in a pass during the Bulldogs' 17-7 win over Three Rivers. (4) Ishpeming's Ethan Corp works to get past an Auburn Hills Oakland Christian defender Saturday during the Hematites' 58-6 victory. (Top photo by High School Sports Scene. Grand Ledge/Okemos photo by John Johnson. Otsego/Three Rivers photo by Gary Shook. Ishpeming/Oakland Christian photo by Cara Kamps.)