1st & Goal: 2021 Playoff Week 2 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 8, 2021
As the first leaves begin to turn colors at the start of fall, hardware starts stacking up high at the MHSAA office in East Lansing.
But now that we're into November, trophies are flying out of here like birds heading south for winter.
In addition to two more sports ending over the weekend and tournaments advancing in one more of the two sports still being played, we saw 72 football trophies find homes over the weekend as 11-player District and 8-player Regional champions were crowned.
Below is a glance at just more than half of those deciding matchups as we move another step closer to awarding the biggest trophies of all.
11-Player Division 1
HEADLINER Sterling Heights Stevenson 38, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 35 This region’s two District Finals were rematches from the Macomb Area Conference Red regular season, and Stevenson (9-2) managed to hold off a mighty challenge again after also defeating Chippewa Valley 36-32 in Week 6. Jordan Kwiatkowski became the program’s all-time leading tackler, and Kyler Castle drilled the game-winning field goal on the final play. Chippewa Valley finished 7-4, its defeats by a combined 12 points. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.
Jordan Ramsey picked up 3 touchdowns in Stevenson's 38-35 win over Chippewa Valley in the District Finals. @SHSTitansfball @TitansStevenson #StateChamps x @MHSAA pic.twitter.com/gLF0J2VS06
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 6, 2021
District Digest Macomb Dakota 35, Romeo 20 On the other side of the bracket from Stevenson, Dakota (8-3) avenged a 14-10 Week 3 loss over the MAC Red co-champion Bulldogs (9-2), claiming its first District title since 2015. Rockford 38, Grandville 7 The Rams (11-0) won decisively this time after needing double overtime to defeat Grandville (7-4) in Week 4. West Bloomfield 35, Detroit Catholic Central 21 The Lakers (10-1) have reached 30 points in six straight games and scored the most – by 18 – that DCC (8-3) had given up since Week 1.
11-Player Division 2
HEADLINER Caledonia 49, Muskegon Mona Shores 12 After five straight sub-.500 seasons, Caledonia has reached double-digit wins for the first time since 2008 with their first District title since 2012. And in the process, the Fighting Scots (10-1) avenged last season’s eight-point District Final loss to Mona Shores (8-3), ending the two-time reigning Division 2 champion’s 18-game winning streak and dealing the Sailors their first playoff exit short of Ford Field since 2017. Click for more from FOX 17.
District Digest South Lyon 34, East Lansing 13 The Lions (11-0) are District champs for the first time since 2004 after holding East Lansing (7-4) to less than half its scoring average of 30 points per game. Livonia Franklin 27, Livonia Churchill 20 Franklin (6-5) may have been one of the teams questioned entering this playoffs at 4-5, but no longer after avenging a 42-14 Week 6 loss to Churchill (8-3) to win a second District title in four seasons. Roseville 41, Port Huron Northern 2 The Panthers (7-4) have outscored their two playoff opponents by a combined 68-2, with top-ranked Warren De La Salle Collegiate up next.
11-Player Division 3
HEADLINER Cedar Springs 21, Muskegon 14 The Red Hawks’ first District title since 2018 coincided with Muskegon’s earliest playoff exit since 2011, as the Big Reds (9-2) had eliminated Cedar Springs (9-2) the last three seasons (including in a Regional Final in 2018). The Red Hawks scored first this time, then first again to break a halftime tie and then one more time early in the fourth quarter to go ahead 14. Ryan West scored both second-half touchdowns. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
District Digest DeWitt 50, Mount Pleasant 26 The Panthers (10-1) ran their District title streak to six while dealing Mount Pleasant (10-1) its only defeat. Detroit Martin Luther King 33, River Rouge 12 The Crusaders (10-1) stopped another high-powered offense, as reigning Division 3 runner-up River Rouge (7-3) entered averaging 42 points per game. District Semifinal opponent Warren Fitzgerald was averaging 50 and also scored only 12 against King two weeks ago. Parma Western 41, Battle Creek Harper Creek 28 The Panthers (8-3) pulled off a major reversal against the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference co-champion Beavers (7-4), avenging a 50-22 Week 3 loss.
Detroit King (@DetKingFootball) Junior QB Dante Moore connects with Senior WR Chansey Willis Jr. (@chansey_jr) for two touchdowns in the 33-12 win over River Rouge.#StateChamps X @LTUAthletics pic.twitter.com/8OC86mEpTd
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 6, 2021
11-Player Division 4
HEADLINER Freeland 37, Lake Fenton 6 The Falcons (10-1) finishes a sweep of Flint Metro League Stars champions over the last two weeks, adding this victory to its District Semifinal win over Goodrich. The District title was Freeland’s third straight and continued a strong defensive showing, as the Falcons have given up only six points per game on average since their lone loss Week 5. Lake Fenton finished its winningest season since 2006 at 9-2. Click for more from the Midland Daily News.
District Digest Chelsea 49, Milan 12 The Bulldogs (11-0) clinched their fourth-straight District championship by locking down a Milan offense that had scored 35 points per game. Grand Rapids South Christian 38, Hastings 14 The Sailors (8-3) repeated as District champions, ending I8AC co-champion Hastings’ winningest season since 1990 at 9-2. Detroit Country Day 49, Livonia Clarenceville 8 The reigning champion Yellowjackets (7-3) are on playoff stride again, tying their most points in a game this season to up their scoring margin over the last two weeks to a combined 84-14.
11-Player Division 5
HEADLINER Grand Rapids Catholic Central 44, Grand Rapids West Catholic 6 The John Passinault to Nolan Ziegler passing connection did some major damage early with three first-half touchdowns as GRCC (11-0) ran its District championship streak to six seasons. West Catholic finished 9-2, both defeats coming to teams that remain unbeaten. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
District Digest Kalamazoo United 21, Berrien Springs 14 The Shamrocks (10-0) hadn’t given up more than 19 points in a game heading into the weekend, and United (8-3) also held Berrien Springs to 26 points below their season scoring average. Kingsley 32, Clare 6 The Stags (10-1) made it six opponents held to single-digit scoring this season as they won their third District title in four years. Corunna 20, Armada 8 The Cavaliers (7-4) clinched their first District title since 2016 by ending Armada’s first winning season since 2012 and best season since 2004 at 7-4.
11-Player Division 6
HEADLINER Lansing Catholic 28, Millington 8 The Cougars (10-1) scored 21 unanswered points over the final three quarters to hand Millington (10-1) its lone loss and clinch a third-straight District championship. The Cardinals entered the game scoring 38 points per, but Lansing Catholic has won its two playoff games by a combined 65-14. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
District Digest Michigan Center 28, Constantine 18 The Cardinals (10-1) eliminated their second undefeated league champion in two weeks, adding Constantine (10-1) to Jonesville on the way to repeating as District champs. Montague 35, Reed City 22 The reigning Division 7 champion Wildcats (8-3) may have closed the regular season with two losses, but will have a big say in this playoff bracket after also knocking off a league champion in the Coyotes (9-2). Calumet 24, Negaunee 19 The Copper Kings (9-2) avenged their 35-21 Week 2 loss that eventually led to a shared Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper championship between these two and Ishpeming Westwood, and after also falling to Negaunee by a point in last year’s District Final.
11-Player Division 7
HEADLINER Pewamo-Westphalia 53, New Lothrop 21 The Pirates won their 10th District title over the last 11 years in one of their most impressive fashions, putting out their best offensive performance since mid-September while holding the reigning Division 7 champion to nearly half of its average of 39 points scored per game. P-W (11-0) improved to 3-1 in their last four meetings with the Hornets (7-4). Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
District Digest Ishpeming Westwood 30, Charlevoix 28 The Patriots (10-1) claimed their first District championship, after putting together a double-digit lead and needing every point to hold off the Rayders (8-2) as they too were pursuing a first District title. Detroit Loyola 18, Detroit Central 14 The Bulldogs (6-4) defeated a second league champion in as many weeks, this time also handing Central (10-1) its only loss. Jackson Lumen Christi 21, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 12 In this repeat of last season’s District Final, Lumen Christi (10-1) was victorious again to advance to Regionals for the eighth-straight season.
11-Player Division 8
HEADLINER Hudson 28, Addison 8 Everyone knew this District featuring these two, Centreville and Reading would be one of the most competitive in any division with all four teams ranked among the top 14. Hudson (11-0) emerged as the champion, outscoring its two opponents by a combined 50-8. A defense giving up only seven points per game was nearly unbeatable again facing an Addison offense scoring 42 points per game entering the day. The Panthers finished 9-2. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.
District Digest Breckenridge 41, Fowler 32 The Huskies (9-2) scored 20 unanswered points over the final 10 minutes to get past the Eagles (7-4). Carson City-Crystal 35, Muskegon Heights Academy 26 This was much closer than the Eagles’ 41-14 Week 8 win over the Tigers (6-5), but Carson City-Crystal (10-1) held on to repeat as a District champion. Ottawa Lake Whiteford 54, Sand Creek 14 This playoffs that has seen its share of rematches go the other way, but Tri-County Conference champ Whiteford (10-1) finished a season sweep of league runner-up Sand Creek (7-4).
8-Player Division 1
HEADLINER Suttons Bay 53, Indian River Inland Lakes 18 Among a season of dominating performances, this one is shining brightest for Suttons Bay as both entered this Regional Final undefeated. The Norseman (11-0) tied the score 12-12 midway through the second quarter and by the end of the first half were up double digits. Inland Lakes (10-1) was averaging 58 points per game entering the day. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Regional Roundup Rudyard 28, Newberry 0 The top four from the Great Lakes Eight Conference East were part of the same Regional, and Rudyard avenged a Week 5 loss to Newberry (8-3) to emerge as champion after both had been among three league runners-up. Martin 41, Mendon 22 The top two finishers in the Southwest Michigan 8-Man Football League Tier 1 met again, with Martin (11-0) adding to its 28-20 Week 7 victory over the Hornets (8-3). Adrian Lenawee Christian 41, Britton Deerfield 0 The Cougars (11-0) have opened the playoffs with two shutouts, their third and fourth over their last five games. Deerfield finished 9-2, its only losses to Lenawee Christian twice over the last three weeks.
8-Player Division 2
HEADLINER Colon 29, Morrice 22 The Magi (10-1) are rumbling through undefeated opponents this playoffs, this time handing Morrice (10-1) its lone loss after doing the same to Portland St. Patrick in the Regional Semifinal. The Orioles led most of the game and 22-8 with a quarter to play before Colon surged to lock up its third Regional title in four seasons. Click for more from JoeInsider.com.
Regional Roundup Powers North Central 65, Crystal Falls Forest Park 8 Reigning Division 2 champion North Central (11-0) downed the rival Trojans (8-3) for the second time in three weeks to return to the Semifinals. Marion 54, Hillman 0 The Eagles (10-1) also will be returning to the Semifinals for a rematch with the Jets after defeating Hillman (7-4) for the second-straight playoffs. Au Gres-Sims 48, Kinde North Huron 42 The Wolverines (11-0) will return to the Semifinals for the second time in four seasons after holding off North Huron (10-1) right to the end of a matchup of undefeated league champions.
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PHOTOS [1] Detroit Country Day’s Parker Yearego (3) reaches for the end zone during his team’s win over Livonia Clarenceville. [2] Ishpeming Westwood's Zach Carlson (2) gains several yards before being tackled by Charlevoix's Landon Swanson (21). [3] Breckenridge’s Luke Saunders (12) breaks into the open against Fowler.(Photos by Doug Bargerstock [1], Cara Kamps [2] and High School Sports Scene [3].)
Undefeated, Unscored-Upon Ironwood Journeys Downstate to Complete 1925 Run
By
Ron Pesch
MHSAA historian
November 20, 2025
Port Huron’s bold challenge of Flint Central and Grand Rapids Union for acclaim as “Michigan’s best high school football team” during the fall of 1925 meant an unexpected opportunity in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
During the first fall season of school sports under Michigan High School Athletic Association leadership – and half-century before the MHSAA Football Playoffs were introduced – small towns with schools possessing smaller enrollments also cried for recognition and aimed to join in the fun.
For schools, fans, and newspapers, MHSAA classifications conveniently offered a means to subdivide claims on the state title. Acknowledging that they could seldom compete successfully against the larger schools in football, that certainly couldn’t stop them from declaring themselves Class B or Class C gridiron champs.
Undefeated in contests since the middle of the 1923 season, Ironwood High – located in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan’s western-most city – ran through final preparations for the upcoming season with a game against the local alumni. A common practice at many schools, the preseason matchup gave head coaches like Ironwood’s veteran Robert O. ‘Bob’ Black a peek at his squad’s potential against a “friendly” opponent. The preps downed the “Old Timers,” 19-6.
Among Black’s weapons was his team captain, John ‘Cutz’ Cavosie, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior with impressive skills in all aspects of the game.
“Capt. Cavosie was true to the form of the last two seasons and gives indications of coming through this season with even greater flying colors than he did a year ago,” noted the Ironwood Daily Globe in coverage of the contest. “He punished the alumni with his driving attack.”
The Red Devils officially opened their 1925 slate with a game at Superior, Wis., on Friday, Sept. 25. Missing from the roster, however, was Cavosie. While the news was, no doubt, gossiped about on the streets of town, there was no explanation in the Globe.
Meanwhile, seven miles away on the front page of the local newspaper, The Bessemer Herald, readers learned some detail:
“John Cavosie, captain and star fullback of the Ironwood high school football team, left the squad this week after an altercation with the coach and has turned in his uniform.”
His absence from the team was apparent.
According to the hometown Globe, “Neither team showed anything but early season football,” but the Superior Evening Telegram’s coverage told another story:
“A field goal missed by inches cost Superior Central High school victory in the opening game of the season here yesterday and the two teams struggled to a scoreless tie.”
“Superior’s attempt to score … came in the final quarter after the two teams had battled on even terms through 45 minutes of play.”
With the ball on Ironwood’s 20-yard line, the Superior quarterback stepped back for a dropkick, but the ball sailed just left of the left upright.
According to Evening Telegram coverage, late in the second quarter, Ironwood had overlooked a prime chance to dropkick a field goal inside Superior’s 25, opting instead for an end run that failed: “That was Ironwood’s one and only chance to score. … Never again did (they) get within striking distance of the Superior goal.” An earlier attempt at a placement kick had gone wide. Cavosie’s absence was likely the reason for the dismal showing by the Red Devils. His importance to the team would soon be vividly illustrated.
A Legend is Born
While no details of mended fences appeared in print, according to the Globe, “the ‘Red’ Grange of the Upper Peninsula” was back for the team’s second game of the season against Menominee, two weeks later. Cavosie put on a show, notching four touchdowns on the afternoon including on runs of 42, 51, and 67 yards. Late in the game, facing a third-and-25 from just beyond the 50, Cavosie took a pass from center, “stepped back, apparently to punt,” but instead booted a stunning 55-yard dropkick for the game’s final three points in a 41-0 win. The news of the kick, which tied a national record for distance, would travel far beyond the Peninsula.
Next up were shutouts of Hurley, Wis., 47-0, and Hancock, 19-0.
Proud of the local team’s accomplishment, in early November, George Haggerson – president of the University of Michigan Alumni Club of the Gogebic Range – contacted state director of athletics Alden W. “Tommy” Thompson. Seeking broader recognition for Ironwood, he inquired about the possibility of the Red Devils playing a worthy opponent in a season-ending contest. Thompson suggested contact with Detroit, Jackson, Flint, or Grand Rapids high schools.
Ashland, Wis., was defeated 24-0 on Saturday, Nov. 7. Ironwood then squared off with Norway on Armistice Day. Expecting a tight matchup, an outstanding crowd turned out at Oliver Field in Ironwood for the game. Instead, Ironwood trounced the visitors, 34-0.
Ironwood was unbeaten and unscored upon, and three days later the Globe announced a firm date for a game downstate. Coach Black’s team would play Redford High School at Northwestern Field in Detroit on Thanksgiving Day.
The choice to travel to the Lower Peninsula to seek out statewide recognition would be an expensive one. Donations to cover the trip – approximately $1,200 – came from local businesses and professional men. They included a donation from a Menominee resident. In a long-distance phone call from the head of a large wholesaling house, Frank St. Peter wanted to relay a specific message to Haggerson, some 200 miles away:
“The Ironwood team will be representing more than Ironwood when it goes to Lower Michigan on Thanksgiving. I consider she will be representing the entire Peninsula. Put me down for $50 to help cover the expenses.”
The trip to Detroit
This was a historic trip – the first for an Ironwood gridiron team to the Lower Peninsula. For locals, train travel would be from Ironwood to Chicago, then after a brief wait, to Ann Arbor, where they stayed Wednesday night. On Thursday morning, the team would head to Detroit by bus.
Among those traveling to Detroit for the game was Haggerson. Many other current residents, as well as former Gogebic Range citizens “living in Detroit, Lansing and Ann Arbor” were expected to make the trip. A crowd of 1,500 was at Ironwood’s Chicago and Northwestern railway station Tuesday night for a rousing sendoff for the 18 members of the team, Coach Black, assistant Max Newcomb, and various school personnel.
According to the Detroit News, Redford had “lost its first game of the season to Detroit Northeastern, 12-6, but since then has been unbeaten in nine games,” with a scoreless tie against Birmingham. Redford had scored 203 points against 24 for its opponents, with Northeastern and Detroit Southwestern “the only schools to score on the suburban eleven.”
“The only record that surpasses that boasted by Redford is the achievement of Ironwood,” stated Thursday morning’s Detroit Free Press, “and the meeting of these two teams should be one of the outstanding high school games in the state.”
The contest was to determine the Class B championship of Michigan.
Back in the U.P.
Those staying in Ironwood could get game detail at the Ironwood Memorial building. A crowd of 1,800 to 2,000 were on hand as returns were relayed by telephone from the Globe office, where Associated Press play-by-play bulletins would arrive quarterly by telegraph, instead of as the game progressed.
“The students gave their cheers the same as they did on the field at games here this season,” stated the Globe, “and the audience was keyed up to high pitch throughout the game.”
The exploits of Cavosie were on the lips of everyone.
Newspaper reports claimed Ironwood supporters said he was as great as the immortal George Gipp – an All-American on Knute Rockne’s famous undefeated 1920 Notre Dame team – when “The Gipper” played in the Peninsula at Calumet High School.
Quoting Detroit Times reports on the game, the Globe reported the crowd was so large, “that the supply of tickets gave out, and many fans were admitted without the necessary pasteboards, fully 6,000 witnessing the contest.”
Weather conditions were ideal. According to A.P. reports, “overcast sky and southerly wind combined” with “solid underfooting to assure a snappy contest” – with “no alibis for the loser.”
Cavosie lived up to the hype. Pregame, the A.P. stated he wowed the crowd during warm-ups “toeing numerous punts against the wind. Many of them drove 55 yards against the breeze.”
Ironwood scored on its opening drive but was held at bay for the remainder of the first half. The second half was a different story.
A long touchdown pass from Cavosie started the scoring. The Red Devils scored four times during the fourth quarter, twice the results of intercepted passes. In the end, Ironwood destroyed Detroit Redford, 47-0.
“The story of the game is largely a story of John Cavosie,” stated the Free Press. “He hurled passes from any angle and almost any kind of a formation for long gains and was instrumental in every score credited to his team.”
“Cavosie can run and plunge. He can kick and pass. He can tackle and block,” stated the A.P. reporter, “… his kicking was a revelation to the fans. One time standing on the six-yard line he kicked over the safety man’s head at the 40-yard line and the ball rolled dead on the one-yard strip. His passes were accurate and well timed.
“The team it showed Redford at Northwestern field, Detroit yesterday deserves consideration as one of the best in Michigan in any class.”
At the end, Ironwood claimed the Class B state championship of Michigan with a 6-0-1 mark, outscoring opponents 212-0. A new standard for the school’s athletic teams was set.
Ironwood’s share of receipts for the game totaled $681.90. “The small quota,” according to the Globe, “was due to the fact that the game was played on municipal property and a charge could not be made on the property itself. A shortage of tickets further accounted for the small gate receipts.”
Upon its return home, the team was honored across multiple receptions. Details not captured in game reports were shared with classmates, former Red Devils athletes, and local fans, as the town celebrated its football heroes. A special focus was shone upon the linemen by A.D. Chishom, a member of the board of education, in his speech honoring the team. Praise for Coach Black and Assistant Newcomb flowed freely.
Come December, George M. Lawton named Cavosie to the Detroit Times first-team all-state squad. The A.P. placed him on its all-state second team, naming Cecil Turner of Port Huron on its first team.
Cavosie’s dropkick, notched against Menominee, was listed among American football historian Parke H. Davis’s “National List of Record Scoring Plays of 1925” - the lone high school entry on the list. “There is not a college team in the country that he could not make as fullback,” raved Davis - the nation’s ‘godfather of sports statistics.’
Ironwood students had started the school year on Sept. 6, wandering the halls of a freshly-built school building. Yearbook staff kindly chronicled the happenings of the school year with a fantastic sense of humor.
“September 7: Students learn more about the building. It takes them only fifteen minutes to find right classrooms.”
“September 26: The teachers, like children with new toys, use their new telephones all the time.”
“October 10: Gym students make appearance in the corridor in middies and bloomers. They are kindly presented with a piece of Miss Dougan’s mind.”
“November 30: Students hold assembly to rejoice over victory over Redford.”
Come the end of the school year, the senior members of the team, and their classmates, became the first to graduate from the new Luther L. Wright High School.
“June 14-18: Senior week. Class Play, Class picnic ‘n everything. Commencement. We say goodbye to the school, the students, the faculty.”
The district’s first superintendent, Wright had recently completed a term as Michigan’s State Superintendent of Schools. Ground had broken for the new building on May 1, 1924. Designed by Croft & Boerner of Minneapolis, Minn., it replaced the first building named in Wright’s honor.
Over 100 years later, it is proudly still in use today.
PHOTOS (Top) The Ironwood Daily Globe announces the local team’s win over Detroit Redford as the paper’s lead headline. (2) Ironwood’s John Cavosie. (3) Ironwood football coach R.O. Black, from the school’s 1925 yearbook. (4) Ironwood fans celebrate after the win over Redford. (5) A drawing of two students playing football, from Ironwood’s 1926 yearbook. (Photos gathered by Ron Pesch.)