Football Fridays Return to Bally Sports Detroit

August 19, 2022

Bally Sports Detroit continues its commitment to Michigan High School Athletic Association sports with Football Fridays presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers.

Bally Sports Detroit will broadcast MHSAA football games each Friday night during the regular season and into the playoffs. Football Fridays Overtime powered by State Champs, a one-hour scores-and-highlights show, will follow each game.

Football Fridays presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers will run the entire MSHAA season, beginning Thursday with the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State University, through the MHSAA playoffs and state championship games at Ford Field on Nov. 25 and 26.

"Everyone at Bally Sports Detroit is thrilled to kick off this year's coverage of MHSAA football," said Greg Hammaren, senior vice president/general manager of Bally Sports Detroit. "Our crew is excited to feature another season of great rivalries, sportsmanship and great plays that make MHSAA football so fun and compelling. We know that fans are anxious to get this season started, so we'll see you at the Kickoff Classic."

The initial schedule (below) highlights the games, locations and broadcast schedule. Dates and matchups beyond Sept. 23 will be released at a later date. Information will be updated on BallySports.com as it becomes available.

AUGUST

25, 4 p.m., Kickoff Classic: Macomb Dakota vs. Brother Rice, BSD, Bally Sports app, Bally Sports+

25, 7 p.m., Kickoff Classic: Sterling Heights Stevenson vs. West Bloomfield, BSD, Bally Sports app, Bally Sports+

SEPTEMBER

2, 7 p.m.: Birmingham Groves at Oxford, BSD EXTRA, Bally Sports app, Bally Sports+

9, 7:30 p.m.: Clarkson at Rochester Adams, BSD EXTRA, Bally Sports app, Bally Sports+

16, 7:30 p.m.: Detroit MLK at Detroit Cass Tech, BSD EXTRA, Bally Sports app, Bally Sports+

23, 7:30 p.m.: Detroit Catholic Central at Brother Rice, BSD EXTRA, Bally Sports app, Bally Sports+

Hoops on Film: 1954 Class A Boys Final

July 2, 2015

By John Johnson
MHSAA communications director

This week's installment of MHSAA.tv's Hoops on Film series features the first championship victory for one of Michigan's most accomplished boys basketball programs. 

This is the second of 10 games being brought back to MHSAA.tv this summer. From the late 1940’s to the mid 1970’s the Michigan High School Athletic Association shot portions of the action at its basketball finals on 16mm film. The films were loaned out, primarily to the participating schools, to help them relive the moments of playing in a championship game.

While many of the old films have wandered astray over time, about 60 games still exist in the MHSAA archives. Anyone in possession of such a film is encouraged to contact John Johnson at the MHSAA Office ([email protected]) to discuss having the film converted to a digital format.

Some of the films only have portions of the second half and the postgame awards; some have most of the action. None of the films have sound. They range in length from 10 minutes to about an hour. A new film will be posted online each Monday through the week of August 17.

The game recap below is courtesy of MHSAA Historian Ron Pesch of Muskegon.

Muskegon Heights 43, Flint Northern 41 (OT) – 1954 Class A Boys Final - After three visits to the MHSAA Semifinals, Muskegon Heights grabbed its first-ever title with a 43-41 overtime win over Flint Northern at Jenison Field House in East Lansing. Tied at 41-41 at the end of regulation, the Vikings opted to hold the ball for nearly three minutes of the extra period, after the Tigers missed two shots following the opening tip-off. But as Vikings guard Bob Failing drove in for the final shot, he was called for a charging foul. Under the rules of the time, Murt Johnson of the Heights stepped to the line, and calmly sank two free throws for the only points of OT. Future University of Michigan star M.C. Burton scored 22 points to pace the Heights.

Previous releases:
1973 Class C Boys Final: Detroit East Catholic 50, Saginaw St. Stephen 49 - Watch