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.

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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

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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

'Difference-Maker' Drogowski Returns to Bolster Lenawee Christian Title March

By Doug Donnelly
Special for MHSAA.com

November 7, 2023

Blake Drogowski was given a deadline. He missed it. 

Southeast & BorderHe also missed football.  

The Adrian Lenawee Christian senior skipped his junior year of football while recovering from a foot injury that occurred during his sophomore season, and he was unsure if he’d come back and play as a senior. He participated in summer weightlifting sessions and workouts but was still hesitant to put the shoulder pads back on. 

“After my foot injury, and I was in the process of healing, I kind of lost my love for football,” Drogowski said.  

What he calls the brotherhood at Lenawee Christian brought him back to the game. 

“Coach (Bill Wilharms) sort of gave me a deadline,” Drogowski said. “Some of my teammates tried talking me into it. I wasn’t sure. I think I missed the deadline by a couple of days. A couple of weeks before the season, I was like, ‘I might as well.’” 

Now, 11 weeks into this season, Drogowski is playing at a high level and is one of the reasons Lenawee Christian is in hot pursuit of a third 8-player championship over the last four years. LCS hosts Deckerville on Saturday in one of the Division 2 Semifinals. 

“We’ve been saving him all season,” Wilharms said. “He’s so fast. We kind of turned him loose in the Pittsford game and then again against Kingston. He’s been just coming along, coming along. He’s come back and worked so hard in the weight room. He is a difference maker.” 

Drogowski turns upfield during a big gain.LCS has several difference-makers, which is what has led the Cougars to be ranked No. 1 in most of the polls this season.  

The success starts with Wilharms, who has built a powerhouse football program. In the first playoff game two weeks ago, Wilharms earned career coaching win No. 100, counting 12 at Adrian Madison and 88 at LCS. To celebrate, several members of the LCS volleyball team dressed as Wilharms for the game. 

“That was fun,” Wilharms said. “It was a total surprise. I didn’t know I was at 100.” 

On the field, LCS is led by its field general, Sam Lutz. A senior, Lutz has accounted for 52 touchdowns – 24 rushing and 28 passing. He’s nearing 1,000 yards on the ground and is well over 1,500 yards through the air. 

“We’re just out here to do our jobs,” Lutz said. “This team is like a family to me. We are really rolling right now.” 

Up front, Tyler Salenbien has had a tremendous season at center, leading an outstanding line. On the outside, several backs and receivers rotate. Brenner Powers has more than 500 yards rushing and 250 yards passing. Easton Boggs, Paul Towler and Jesse Miller have all had big games on offense.  

Wilharms makes most of the offensive calls from the sidelines as the players turn to him and await the call. He’s not afraid to draw up plays on the fly. That happened once during the Regional Final win last weekend over previously-unbeaten Climax-Scotts. 

The play ended up being a touchdown run by Lutz. 

“That one, honestly, we drew it up while we were standing here,” Wilharms said. “They were overplaying him on one side, so we drew it up a different way. I’m not sure we even have practiced that, but it worked.” 

Wilharms utilizes all his weapons throughout a game, rarely relying on one player to do everything. 

“Ever since I’ve got here the kids have just bought into it,” Wilharms said. “We have a lot of weapons.” 

LCS coach Bill Wilharms earned his 100th career win during this playoffs.The 2023 Cougars remind Wilharms of his 2021 championship team. 

“They remind me of the second state championship team because of the fact they are a fun-loving group who can have fun but then turn it on when they need to in games,” Wilharms said.  

Drogowski’s road to becoming one of those weapons was a difficult one. As a freshman he was on the LCS junior varsity team before getting called up to the varsity. He was dressed and on the sidelines when the Cougars won their first Finals title. 

As a sophomore, he was playing before a season-ending injury occurred in Week 4 against Athens. He tore a ligament. 

“It was one of the last plays of the game, too,” he said. “It was an option play, and the quarterback pitched me the ball and it was just kind of the way I came down; it tore.” 

His season was over, but he was still on the roster for the second Cougars title. 

“I can see some of that team in this year’s team, how we all play for each other,” Drogowski said. 

His junior year, he never came out for the team. With backing from his teammates, however, he has returned. It took some time to get used to being on the gridiron again. 

“I missed the brotherhood and being part of everything,” he said. “It’s great being part of the team. I just love all these guys so much.”

Doug DonnellyDoug Donnelly has served as a sports and news reporter and city editor over 25 years, writing for the Daily Chief-Union in Upper Sandusky, Ohio from 1992-1995, the Monroe Evening News from 1995-2012 and the Adrian Daily Telegram since 2013. He's also written a book on high school basketball in Monroe County and compiles record books for various schools in southeast Michigan. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for Jackson, Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Lenawee and Monroe counties.

PHOTOS (Top) Adrian Lenawee Christian’s Blake Drogowski (7) and Sam Lutz enjoy a moment during a game this season. (Middle) Drogowski turns upfield during a big gain. (Below) LCS coach Bill Wilharms earned his 100th career win during this playoffs. (Photos by Deloris Clark-Osborne.)