Week 8 Football Playoff Listing
October 9, 2012
Here is a list of Michigan High School Athletic Association football playing schools, displaying their win-loss records and playoff averages through the seventh week of the season. Schools on this list are in enrollment order. An asterisk (*) beside a record indicates that a team has eight or fewer games scheduled. A carrot (^) beside a school’s name indicates that a team is one win away from playoff qualification.
Those schools with 11-player teams with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules, or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer, will qualify for the MHSAA Football Playoffs beginning Oct. 26-27. Schools with 5-4, 4-3 or 4-4 records may qualify if the number of potential qualifiers by win total does not reach the 256 mark. Schools with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer may be subtracted from the field based on playoff average if the number of potential qualifiers exceeds the 256 mark.
Once the 256 qualifying schools are determined, they will be divided by enrollment groups into eight equal divisions of 32 schools, and then drawn into regions of eight teams each and districts of four teams each.
Those schools with 8-player teams will be ranked by playoff average at season’s end, and the top 16 programs will be drawn into regions of eight teams each for the playoff in that division, which also begins Oct. 26-27. All 8-player teams, regardless of win total, are listed below.
To review a list of all football playoff schools, individual school playoff point details and to report errors, visit the Football page of the MHSAA Website.
The announcement of the qualifiers and first-round pairings for both the 11 and 8-player playoffs will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 21 on the Selection Sunday Show on FOX Sports Detroit. The playoff qualifiers and pairings will be posted to the MHSAA Website following the Selection Sunday Show.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11-Player Playoff Listing
1. Utica Eisenhower ^, 2772, 5-2, 75.571
2. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 2766, 6-1, 88.714
3. Clarkston, 2721, 7-0, 100.571
4. Howell, 2692, 4-3, 56.857
5. Grand Blanc, 2644, 4-3, 59.571
6. Macomb Dakota, 2608, 6-1, 88.714
7. Lake Orion, 2565, 7-0, 102.857
8. Rockford ^, 2526, 5-2, 73.571
9. Troy, 2502, 4-3, 58.286
10. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley ^, 2462, 5-2, 74.143
11. Dearborn Fordson, 2442, 6-1, 95.143
12. Holland West Ottawa ^, 2262, 5-2, 69.714
13. Northville ^, 2220, 5-2, 72.000
14. Detroit Cass Tech, 2200, 6-1, 87.571
15. Canton, 2166, 4-3, 52.714
16. Monroe, 2154, 6-1, 79.571
17. Detroit Catholic Central, 2060, 4-3, 54.952
18. Plymouth, 2050, 6-1, 80.857
19. Salem ^, 2039, 5-2, 74.143
20. Livonia Stevenson, 2005, 6-1, 86.286
21. Holt, 1992, 4-3, 56.571
22. Hartland, 1932, 7-0, 99.429
23. Warren Mott, 1879, 7-0, 88.000
24. Livonia Churchill, 1877, 7-0, 105.143
25. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North ^, 1853, 5-2, 71.857
26. Saline, 1849, 6-1, 88.429
27. Grandville, 1846, 4-3, 52.714
28. Dearborn, 1790, 4-3, 61.571
29. Rochester Hills Stoney Creek, 1777, 4-3, 52.429
30. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1772, 6-1, 78.571
31. Grand Ledge ^, 1743, 5-2, 67.429
32. Rochester ^, 1725, 5-2, 68.000
33. Traverse City West ^, 1720, 5-2, 70.857
34. White Lake Lakeland ^, 1700, 5-2, 70.857
35. Harrison Township L'Anse Creuse, 1680, 4-3, 52.000
36. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 1670, 4-3, 61.000
37. Davison ^, 1664, 5-2, 64.571
38. Grosse Pointe South, 1648, 6-1, 85.143
39. Walled Lake Northern ^, 1599, 5-2, 75.714
40. Temperance Bedford, 1581, 4-3, 52.286
41. Walled Lake Western ^, 1553, 5-2, 71.000
42. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1520, 6-1, 85.286
43. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1520, 4-3, 52.857
44. Wyoming, 1515, 4-3, 44.905
45. Dearborn Edsel Ford, 1508, 4-3, 55.143
46. Midland, 1485, 7-0, 99.429
47. Oxford, 1481, 4-3, 58.000
48. Port Huron ^, 1473, 5-2, 64.857
49. Traverse City Central, 1429, 6-1, 86.000
50. Oak Park, 1391, 7-0, 108.571
51. Lansing Everett, 1359, 7-0, 109.714
52. Grosse Pointe North, 1353, 4-3, 55.571
53. Midland Dow, 1350, 4-3, 52.857
54. Birmingham Seaholm, 1349, 6-1, 87.571
55. Battle Creek Lakeview, 1347, 4-3, 56.571
56. Garden City, 1344, 4-3, 53.286
57. Portage Central ^, 1340, 5-2, 66.857
58. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1337, 4-3, 53.429
59. Birmingham Brother Rice ^, 1336, 5-2, 75.714
60. Portage Northern, 1328, 6-1, 79.714
61. Caledonia, 1308, 6-1, 81.857
62. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1304, 6-1, 84.143
63. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1302, 4-3, 57.714
64. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1287, 4-3, 53.857
65. Detroit Cody ^, 1282, 5-2, 65.600
66. Farmington, 1278, 6-1, 85.429
67. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 1278, 4-3, 57.143
68. Taylor Truman, 1253, 6-1, 85.286
69. Swartz Creek, 1223, 7-0, 96.000
70. Southfield, 1218, 4-3, 63.429
71. Fenton, 1202, 6-1, 80.714
72. Grand Rapids Northview, 1180, 6-1, 82.714
73. Lowell, 1177, 6-1, 86.571
74. Bay City Western, 1171, 7-0, 86.857
75. Gibraltar Carlson, 1160, 4-3, 50.714
76. Muskegon, 1144, 7-0, 109.714
77. East Lansing ^, 1142, 5-2, 65.286
78. Mattawan, 1124, 7-0, 96.000
79. Allen Park ^, 1120, 5-2, 66.571
80. Marquette *^, 1112, 4-3, 58.857
81. Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, 1109, 4-3, 62.714
82. Lapeer West ^, 1101, 5-2, 72.286
83. Detroit Renaissance, 1094, 4-3, 49.714
84. Redford Thurston ^, 1088, 5-2, 65.571
85. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1080, 6-1, 78.429
86. St. Johns ^, 1068, 5-2, 67.429
87. Zeeland East, 1067, 7-0, 97.143
88. Byron Center, 1032, 4-3, 54.714
89. Detroit East English, 1030, 6-1, 80.857
90. Owosso, 1012, 4-3, 51.143
91. Lansing Waverly, 1011, 4-3, 45.714
92. Mason ^, 969, 5-2, 56.286
93. Petoskey, 967, 4-3, 57.857
94. Milan, 959, 7-0, 88.000
95. Sault Ste. Marie, 959, 4-3, 46.914
96. Grand Rapids Christian, 954, 6-1, 86.286
97. Cedar Springs, 950, 4-3, 40.429
98. DeWitt, 931, 6-1, 86.571
99. Fruitport, 929, 7-0, 83.429
100. Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 926, 6-1, 95.143
101. Bloomfield Hills Lahser ^, 925, 5-2, 66.714
102. Linden, 923, 6-1, 82.857
103. Niles, 920, 4-3, 50.429
104. Hazel Park, 909, 4-3, 52.000
105. Stevensville Lakeshore, 906, 7-0, 109.714
106. St. Clair, 901, 7-0, 90.286
107. Haslett, 894, 4-3, 55.429
108. Tecumseh, 887, 6-1, 74.714
109. Sturgis, 882, 4-3, 51.000
110. Carleton Airport ^, 868, 5-2, 60.714
111. Detroit Central Collegiate, 868, 4-3, 50.714
112. Charlotte ^, 851, 5-2, 64.286
113. Chelsea, 851, 4-3, 59.000
114. Hastings, 850, 6-1, 72.857
115. Plainwell ^, 832, 5-2, 65.714
116. Cadillac ^, 820, 5-2, 65.000
117. Edwardsburg, 805, 6-1, 65.857
118. North Branch, 803, 4-3, 46.429
119. Hamilton, 801, 4-3, 50.000
120. Marysville ^, 794, 5-2, 64.429
121. Zeeland West ^, 791, 5-2, 68.714
122. Battle Creek Harper Creek ^, 780, 5-2, 73.429
123. Spring Lake, 778, 4-3, 49.143
124. Three Rivers, 760, 4-3, 44.429
125. Ogemaw Heights, 759, 4-3, 54.143
126. Goodrich ^, 748, 5-2, 59.714
127. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy *, 729, 5-1, 67.524
128. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 727, 4-3, 50.714
129. Marshall, 723, 4-3, 48.143
130. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 720, 7-0, 99.429
131. Big Rapids, 706, 6-1, 60.286
132. Croswell-Lexington, 704, 7-0, 86.857
133. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 704, 6-1, 76.143
134. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 701, 7-0, 93.714
135. Otsego, 698, 6-1, 68.000
136. Detroit Country Day, 685, 6-1, 84.714
137. Comstock Park, 678, 6-1, 75.286
138. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 674, 7-0, 85.714
139. Armada, 667, 4-3, 47.571
140. Whitehall, 663, 4-3, 41.714
141. Grand Rapids South Christian, 660, 4-3, 47.714
142. Battle Creek Pennfield, 656, 6-1, 61.429
143. Richmond ^, 656, 5-2, 64.143
144. Grosse Ile, 649, 6-1, 70.571
145. Saginaw Swan Valley ^, 642, 5-2, 61.857
146. Paw Paw, 639, 7-0, 77.714
147. Allendale, 636, 6-1, 77.286
148. Williamston, 636, 4-3, 46.857
149. Cheboygan ^, 631, 5-2, 67.143
150. Marine City, 629, 6-1, 81.714
151. Alma ^, 614, 5-2, 60.714
152. Saginaw Valley Lutheran ^, 608, 5-2, 41.571
153. Dowagiac, 605, 7-0, 80.000
154. Livonia Clarenceville ^, 597, 5-2, 57.286
155. Clawson, 582, 4-3, 45.714
156. Remus Chippewa Hills, 581, 4-3, 43.429
157. Essexville Garber, 572, 4-3, 45.429
158. Clinton Township Clintondale, 570, 7-0, 81.143
159. Lake Fenton, 564, 6-1, 72.714
160. Grant, 562, 4-3, 47.714
161. Freeland ^, 561, 5-2, 65.286
162. Kingsford, 559, 6-1, 79.571
163. Portland, 555, 6-1, 73.857
164. Gladwin ^, 547, 5-2, 60.571
165. Almont, 543, 4-3, 53.429
166. Flint Powers Catholic, 542, 7-0, 97.143
167. Menominee, 539, 6-1, 85.286
168. Macomb Lutheran North ^, 537, 5-2, 58.714
169. North Muskegon, 532, 4-3, 44.286
170. Standish-Sterling Central ^, 532, 5-2, 59.286
171. Hopkins, 531, 7-0, 80.000
172. Detroit University Prep, 528, 6-1, 65.81
173. Grayling, 516, 7-0, 76.571
174. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 515, 6-1, 74.000
175. Allen Park Cabrini, 512, 6-1, 61.429
176. Olivet ^, 509, 5-2, 50.714
177. Frankenmuth, 507, 7-0, 85.714
178. Newaygo, 507, 6-1, 64.857
179. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 503, 4-3, 56.339
180. Ida, 503, 4-3, 41.857
181. River Rouge, 495, 7-0, 75.810
182. Manistee, 493, 4-3, 42.029
183. Carrollton, 492, 6-1, 61.429
184. Lansing Catholic, 487, 6-1, 74.857
185. Reed City, 480, 7-0, 86.857
186. Dundee ^, 476, 5-2, 52.571
187. Muskegon Oakridge, 474, 7-0, 78.857
188. Kingsley ^, 473, 5-2, 48.143
189. Jackson Lumen Christi, 472, 7-0, 92.571
190. Buchanan, 467, 6-1, 65.857
191. Leslie, 467, 7-0, 74.286
192. Clare ^, 465, 5-2, 58.762
193. Roscommon, 461, 4-3, 39.905
194. Kalkaska ^, 459, 5-2, 41.714
195. Millington, 459, 6-1, 71.714
196. Lakeview, 457, 4-3, 40.857
197. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 446, 6-1, 68.143
198. Harper Woods, 440, 4-3, 36.457
199. Boyne City, 437, 7-0, 66.286
200. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central ^, 437, 5-2, 61.000
201. Negaunee, 433, 7-0, 78.857
202. Elk Rapids, 432, 4-3, 39.857
203. Manistique, 430, 4-3, 38.571
204. Beaverton, 422, 4-3, 36.571
205. Hemlock, 421, 6-1, 79.714
206. Shelby ^, 417, 5-2, 61.000
207. Detroit Consortium ^, 416, 5-2, 49.381
208. Vassar, 416, 6-1, 55.714
209. Clinton, 413, 7-0, 75.429
210. Maple City Glen Lake, 409, 7-0, 64.000
211. Michigan Center, 406, 7-0, 69.714
212. Manchester ^, 404, 5-2, 48.429
213. Calumet, 402, 4-3, 45.857
214. Ithaca, 402, 7-0, 84.571
215. Montrose Hill-McCloy, 400, 6-1, 70.571
216. Niles Brandywine ^, 396, 5-2, 45.714
217. Grass Lake, 395, 6-1, 64.857
218. Hillsdale, 391, 7-0, 80.000
219. Madison Heights Madison, 391, 6-1, 75.571
220. Ecorse, 390, 4-3, 38.952
221. Montague, 390, 6-1, 67.143
222. Laingsburg, 388, 4-3, 37.286
223. Sanford Meridian ^, 388, 5-2, 50.190
224. Jonesville ^, 383, 5-2, 54.857
225. Cass City, 379, 4-3, 38.000
226. Constantine, 371, 6-1, 56.857
227. Grandville Calvin Christian ^, 371, 5-2, 50.714
228. Watervliet, 369, 7-0, 62.857
229. Schoolcraft, 366, 7-0, 83.429
230. Blissfield, 364, 4-3, 48.143
231. Byron Area, 364, 6-1, 54.571
232. Iron Mountain, 354, 4-3, 44.571
233. Reese, 350, 7-0, 73.143
234. Union City ^, 350, 5-2, 44.429
235. Burton Bendle, 348, 6-1, 50.000
236. Pellston, 347, 4-3, 22.000
237. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 346, 4-3, 34.857
238. Saginaw Nouvel ^, 344, 5-2, 75.629
239. Carson City-Crystal ^, 337, 5-2, 45.571
240. Hartford ^, 337, 5-2, 59.857
241. Marlette, 336, 4-3, 37.000
242. Flint Hamady, 334, 4-3, 38.857
243. Whittemore-Prescott ^, 328, 5-2, 49.286
244. Sandusky, 327, 4-3, 41.571
245. Dansville ^, 323, 5-2, 50.429
246. Springport, 319, 4-3, 38.143
247. Bridgman, 318, 4-3, 39.857
248. Lawton, 317, 6-1, 68.000
249. Lake City, 316, 6-1, 52.476
250. Pewamo-Westphalia ^, 316, 5-2, 51.714
251. Manton, 315, 4-3, 29.000
252. Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 309, 4-3, 42.143
253. Ishpeming, 307, 6-1, 62.571
254. Detroit Douglass, 306, 4-3, 50.857
255. Unionville-Sebewaing, 303, 4-3, 36.143
256. Evart ^, 302, 5-2, 41.762
257. Traverse City St. Francis, 299, 4-3, 44.571
258. Detroit Loyola, 298, 7-0, 83.429
259. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest *, 298, 5-2, 48.143
260. Lincoln Alcona ^, 292, 5-2, 44.429
261. Genesee ^, 288, 5-2, 38.857
262. Mancelona, 288, 7-0, 62.857
263. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic, 284, 4-3, 47.429
264. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 283, 6-1, 54.286
265. Reading, 283, 6-1, 58.714
266. Decatur, 277, 6-1, 52.143
267. Britton Deerfield, 276, 4-3, 44.429
268. Ubly, 275, 4-3, 37.000
269. Brown City, 272, 4-3, 44.286
270. Gobles, 271, 6-1, 49.857
271. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 268, 6-1, 60.286
272. Hudson, 264, 4-3, 40.429
273. Waterford Our Lady ^, 263, 5-2, 51.857
274. Mayville ^, 258, 5-2, 48.571
275. Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech ^, 254, 5-2, 52.714
276. New Buffalo, 250, 4-3, 31.000
277. Marcellus ^, 249, 5-2, 35.857
278. Harbor Beach, 245, 6-1, 60.143
279. Johannesburg-Lewiston ^, 243, 5-2, 39.048
280. Vestaburg ^, 242, 5-2, 45.857
281. Coleman, 239, 4-3, 36.714
282. New Lothrop, 237, 7-0, 67.429
283. Bessemer *^, 233, 4-2, 36.095
284. L'Anse, 233, 6-1, 48.429
285. Petersburg-Summerfield, 232, 4-3, 37.000
286. Stephenson ^, 229, 5-2, 43.286
287. Merrill, 228, 4-3, 37.286
288. Manistee Catholic Central, 219, 4-3, 30.143
289. Mendon, 216, 7-0, 67.810
290. Beal City, 213, 7-0, 82.286
291. Pittsford ^, 213, 5-2, 38.857
292. St. Ignace La Salle, 207, 7-0, 50.286
293. Lutheran Westland, 204, 4-3, 45.857
294. Mio, 203, 4-3, 30.905
295. AuGres-Sims, 199, 4-3, 31.762
296. Pickford ^, 197, 5-2, 47.429
297. Onaway ^, 194, 5-2, 39.143
298. Powers North Central, 194, 4-3, 29.429
299. Central Lake, 193, 4-3, 30.762
300. Fowler, 186, 6-1, 66.000
301. Climax-Scotts, 183, 7-0, 51.429
302. Muskegon Catholic Central ^, 181, 5-2, 53.171
303. Morrice, 171, 4-3, 30.571
304. St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic, 171, 5-1, 45.524
305. Colon, 164, 4-3, 30.524
306. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 164, 6-1, 46.571
307. Baldwin *, 160, 5-2, 41.571
308. Lake Linden-Hubbell, 159, 4-3, 26.500
309. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 121, 6-1, 64.857
310. Iron Mountain North Dickinson *, 112, 7-0, 64.000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Deckerville, 194, 6-1, 51.143
2. Marine City Cardinal Mooney, 185, 3-4, 22.029
3. Battle Creek St. Philip, 182, 4-3, 32.000
4. Kinde-North Huron, 180, 3-4, 21.029
5. Kingston, 175, 4-3, 28.600
6. Cedarville, 169, 7-0, 59.810
7. Tekonsha, 163, 1-6, 11.000
8. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 162, 4-3, 33.714
9. Bellaire, 161, 5-2, 37.976
10. Peck, 156, 6-1, 45.743
11. Ewen-Trout Creek *, 146, 1-6, 9.476
12. Brimley *, 145, 1-5, 9.262
13. Eben Junction Superior Central *, 132, 4-2, 34.524
14. New Haven Merritt *, 130, 1-4, 10.000
15. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran *, 118, 1-4, 8.543
16. Litchfield, 115, 1-6, 8.714
17. Rapid River, 115, 6-1, 45.048
18. Portland St. Patrick, 104, 7-0, 53.714
19. Akron-Fairgrove, 95, 5-2, 34.514
20. Caseville, 90, 0-7, 2.857
21. Engadine *, 89, 3-3, 23.857
22. Rock Mid Peninsula, 87, 2-5, 17.417
23. Waldron, 87, 5-2, 35.571
24. Posen, 84, 2-5, 15.548
25. Burr Oak, 79, 3-4, 19.000
26. Owendale-Gagetown, 60, 5-2, 34.371
27. Flint Michigan School For The Deaf *, 45, 1-4, 8.114
Garza Shows Range, New Lothrop Reigns
By
Paul Costanzo
Special for MHSAA.com
January 23, 2021
DETROIT – It had been a while Saturday since the New Lothrop offense had made a big play.
The Hornets had seen a 28-point lead shrink to seven and were staring down another big third down. In need of a spark, they turned to the player who had given them so many earlier in the game, and once again, Julius Garza delivered.
Garza converted the third down, and eventually scored his fourth touchdown to help seal New Lothrop’s 42-35 victory over Traverse City St. Francis in the Division 7 Football Final at Ford Field.
“Their backers were keying on (Will) Muron all night, so I knew when they flew up, Julius would come open,” New Lothrop senior quarterback Cam Orr said. “I knew if I threw him the ball, he’d catch it no matter where it was.”
Garza scored four touchdowns in the game – two rushing, one receiving and one on a kick return – to tie him for fourth in MHSAA Finals history for touchdowns in a game. He had 139 yards receiving on four catches and 26 yards rushing on four carries.
It was his 3rd-and-6 conversion with his team in its own territory and clinging to a seven-point lead, however, that was likely his biggest play of the game. His 26-yard reception on the next play was also in the running, as was the nine-yard touchdown run that put New Lothrop up 42-28 with 2 minutes, 26 seconds to play.
“It means everything,” Garza said. “It’s kind of taken a little bit to settle in. I feel like I’m on top of the world right now. It’s really exciting. All the work we put in, and everything we do, for it to pay off, it means the world.”
The title was the Hornets’ third, and first since 2018. If not for a one-point Regional Final loss a year ago against eventual champion Pewamo-Westphalia, the program could be celebrating a three-peat.
“We’ve always had tremendous community backing. We’ve always had tremendous kids that have put in the same amount of work these guys have,” New Lothrop coach Clint Galvas said. “We were just unfortunately not able to get over that hump. Obviously in (2018) we were able to get over that hump and win a state title. Maybe that gave us the confidence we need moving forward as a program, like, ‘Hey, we can do this now.’ Winning a couple is special, but I’m not taking anything away from the previous teams we had, because we had some pretty darn good teams walk through these halls and wear the New Lothrop helmet, and they put in the work, too.”
At halftime, it looked as though New Lothrop (11-0) would be cruising to title No. 3, as it built a 35-7 lead, using explosive plays. Muron scored on the Hornets’ second offensive play with a 27-yard run, and after St. Francis answered with a three-yard Gabe Olivier touchdown run, Garza returned the ensuing kickoff 83 yards for a score.
Garza added a 65-yard touchdown reception from Orr and a three-yard touchdown run, before Orr closed out the half with an 11-yard rushing score.
“Is Julius Garza having a heck of a day surprising? Not at all,” Galvas said. “Those of you who have been around and watched this kid, he was a two-way starter two years ago on the 2018 title team. The kid’s always been a player. … I think they came into the game like a lot of teams, they want to stop Cam and they want to stop Will on the edge. And I think if you do that, sometimes you forget about Julius Garza. We were able to get him a lot of one-on-one matchups with some backers and things, and he’s going to win those pretty much 10 out of 10 times. He’s a heck of an athlete.”
St. Francis (9-3) clawed back into the game in the second half, however, shutting the New Lothrop offense down and getting its own offense going – albeit in a different manner than the Hornets. The Gladiators power run game started to lean on New Lothrop and scored on its next three possessions prior to Garza’s late-game heroics, to nearly erase the deficit.
Aidan Schmuckal closed out a nine-play drive with a two-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter, and Charlie Peterson scored on a one-yard sneak early in the fourth to close out a 14-play drive. Schmuckal’s second score, also a two-yard run, came with 6:46 to play and immediately followed a blocked punt by St. Francis’ Jimmy Muzljakovich.
“I felt like we played a doubleheader today,” St. Francis coach Josh Sellers said. “The score of the first game was 35-7, and the score of the second game was 28-7. Unfortunately, the math didn’t work out in our favor. We let too many big plays go in the first half, obviously. At 35-7 in the locker room, I told them, ‘You’ve got two choices: you can just pack up the tent stakes and go home now, or go out and try to win the second half,’ and they did. They won the second half with great effort, great belief in one another, and we just fell a little bit short today.”
St. Francis didn’t go away after Garza’s final touchdown, either, scoring with a seven-yard pass from Peterson to Josh Grove with 1:07 to play. New Lothrop recovered the onside kick, however, and after running three plays, Orr ran off the final seven seconds of the game by rolling to his left and throwing the ball high into the air down the field.
“We like to pride ourselves in our never-giving-up mentality,” Schmuckal said. “We’ve been a team that has been known to battle back and never give up. Going into that second half, I knew that we were never going to give up and we were going to fight to the bitter end, and that’s what we did.”
Schmuckal led St. Francis with 101 yards rushing, while Owen Mueller had 71 and Olivier had 69. Joey Donahue led the St. Francis defense with eight tackles, while Schmuckal had seven, including three for loss.
Orr led the Hornets in passing and rushing, throwing for 222 yards on 11-of-15 passing, and running for 122 yards on 17 carries. Alec Mangino led the New Lothrop defense with 12 tackles, while Garza had nine. Muron and Bryce Cheney each had an interception.
PHOTOS: (Top) New Lothrop’s Julius Garza looks to make one of his many big plays Saturday at Ford Field. (Middle) Hornets quarterback Cam Orr reaches the end zone as Traverse City St. Francis’ Gavin Nickodemus (15) and Gabe Olivier (20) bring him to the turf. (Click for more from Hockey Weekly Action Photos.)