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Negaunee's Kai Lacar (10) finds a hole and breaks away for another Miners touchdown in the second quarter.

1st & Goal: 2022 Week 9 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 24, 2022

Every league champion has been crowned. All 144 playoff pairings are set.

MI Student AidThis fall seemed to fly by, but the football regular season is complete. See below for several of the final steps we took to get there across the state during Week 9.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Davison 28, Lapeer 6 The Cardinals (8-1) clinched the outright Saginaw Valley League South championship as this was a winner-take-all matchup. The victory also avenged a 2021 loss to the Lightning (7-2), and Davison’s defense arguably was the star of this show by limiting a Lapeer attack averaging 39 points per game in one of its most impressive performances of the fall. These two could meet again in a Division 1 District Final. Click for more from the Flint Journal.

Watch list Gladwin 35, Standish Sterling 7 The Flying G’s (9-0) won one of three matchups of unbeaten teams this weekend, and in doing so finished their second-straight perfect regular season. Standish-Sterling (7-1) has plenty to boast as well as it takes a combined 17-4 record over the last two seasons into these playoffs.

On the move Croswell-Lexington 41, Freeland 34 The Pioneers (7-2) saw their league title chances dissolve with two losses over the last month, but defeating the No. 12 team in Division 4 playoff-point average in Freeland (7-2) was a solid way to enter the postseason. Essexville Garber 34, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 21 The Dukes (6-3) were No. 29 in Division 5 playoff-point average heading into the week but got a four-spot bump in handing Laker (8-1) its only loss. Goodrich 42, Almont 21 The Martians (8-1) will be home throughout the playoffs with this win over Almont (6-3) another solid building block for the postseason.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Belleville 42, Brighton 3 Although both teams entered undefeated, few have slowed Belleville over the last few seasons as the Tigers (9-0) ran their winning streak to 20 with this Kensington Lakes Activities Association championship win. Brighton (8-1) had given up only 81 points this season before Belleville scored 42; the Tigers have put up at least 41 in every game this fall. Click for more from the Detroit News.

Watch list Grosse Pointe South 44, Grosse Pointe North 14 With the Norsemen (8-1) eying their first perfect regular season since 1986, the Blue Devils (6-3) swooped in to win their sixth game over their last seven this fall and fifth in a row over their rivals.

On the move Detroit Cass Tech 33, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 14 The Technicians (6-3) were able to hold on to the No. 29 spot in Division 1 playoff-point average with their fifth-straight win. Southfield Arts & Technology 28, River Rouge 21 The Warriors (7-2) rebounded from a Week 8 loss to West Bloomfield with a win over a River Rouge team that while 5-3 is much better than that record as all three defeats were by seven points or fewer. Gibraltar Carlson 38, Brownstown Woodhaven 18 Carlson (8-1) is a co-champion in the Downriver League for the second-straight season, with Trenton after the Trojans (8-1) defeated Southgate Anderson.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Grand Ledge 45, East Lansing 30 The Comets (7-2) were considered emerging entering this season, but they finished the regular season as co-champions in the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue. The surge seemed to start with a Week 6 win over DeWitt and carried through with this victory over the Trojans (6-3), who were in first place before falling in their final two games to Grand Ledge and the other co-champion, Holt. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Watch list Belding 36, Hopkins 14 The Black Knights (8-1) finished a perfect run through the Ottawa-Kent Conference Silver and also ended a five-game regular-season losing streak against Hopkins (5-4), which would have shared the title with a win. (Belding did win a playoff game over Hopkins in 2020 after losing the regular-season meeting.)

On the move Lansing Catholic 42, Pewamo-Westphalia 7 The Cougars sat 3-5 with their string of 13 straight playoff appearances potentially on the verge of ending before they posted their most impressive win in downing the Pirates (5-4). Durand 48, Marine City 28 During an undefeated run of impressive performances, Durand (9-0) may have saved the best for last in this win over the Macomb Area Conference Silver champion Mariners (7-2). Mount Pleasant 28, Linden 21 The Oilers (8-1) won another matchup of league champions, as the Eagles (5-4) suffered their second one-score defeat over the last three weeks.

A Davison ball carrier follows his blocker during Friday's win over Lapeer.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Traverse City St. Francis 45, Detroit Country Day 20 The Gladiators may be favorites in the Division 7 playoffs and certainly are mathematically so as the closed the regular season 9-0 and with a playoff-points average nearly 4.7 points higher than the field. This defeat over a Country Day team (5-3) in line to host both District rounds in Division 5 was among six wins over teams that finished the regular season with winning records. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Watch list Ogemaw Heights 35, Lake City 7 Ogemaw Heights’ six-game winning streak got a nice boost from this big win over the also-playoff bound Trojans (5-4). The Falcons (7-2) also surpassed the six wins they’d totaled over the last two seasons combined.

On the move Gaylord 28, Clare 7 The Blue Devils (6-3) entered Week 9 as the No. 32 team on the Division 3 playoff-point list, but were able to bump up a few spots thanks to this win over playoff-bound Clare (5-4). Frankfort 36, Elk Rapids 14 The Panthers (8-1) tied their most wins since 2017 with their sixth-straight this fall. Elk Rapids (6-3) is headed back to the playoffs for the first time since 2018, despite the defeat. Traverse City Central 14, Traverse City West 13 Even with West (2-7) finishing below .500 for the first time since 2015, this rivalry game remained must-see as Central (5-4) won for the fourth-straight season but with this matching the one-score deciders the teams waged from 2013-18.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Clinton 32, Hudson 26 The Redwolves (9-0) made one of the loudest statements of the weekend, not only clinching the Lenawee Country Athletic Association championship for the first time since 2000 but ending Hudson’s state-best 22-game winning streak. The perfect regular season was Clinton’s second in four years (and first since 2019), while Hudson heads to the playoffs at 8-1. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.

Watch list Dexter 45, Chelsea 0 The Dreadnaughts (9-0) finished atop the Division 2 playoff-point average list by more than four points after defeating Chelsea (5-4) for the first time since 1995.

On the move Napoleon 15, Union City 0 After missing out on the playoffs last season despite a 6-3 record, Napoleon has left no doubt this fall with this win in a Cascades/Big 8 crossover of champions giving the Pirates (9-0) their first perfect regular season since 2002. Union City (7-2) lost for the first time since Week 1. Ida 17, Dundee 12 The Bluestreaks (4-5) needed a strong finish to make the playoffs, and edging Dundee (6-3) gave them the boost. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 41, Ecorse 22 St. Mary (4-5) similarly needed to close on a high note to make the playoffs, and got it by handing Ecorse (8-1) its only loss.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER St. Joseph 47, Battle Creek Central 29 This winner-take-all Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference matchup went to the Bears (8-1), who earned their first championship since sharing the title in 2015. St. Joseph turned in one of its best offensive performances while scoring the most points the Bearcats (7-2) have given up in a game this season. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.

Watch list Buchanan 36, Centreville 28 The Bucks (8-1) have gotten a lot of attention in this space lately, with good reason, as they added to their league title with a win over the Southwest 10 Conference champion Bulldogs (6-3).

On the move Constantine 37, Benton Harbor 20 The Falcons (8-1) capped a regular season that saw their only loss by two to Hudson in Week 2, and they enter the Division 6 playoffs No. 6 in playoff-point average. Portage Northern 35, Mattawan 21 The Huskies (6-3) closed on a three-game winning streak to return to the playoffs after missing last season. Plainwell 29, Paw Paw 23 The Trojans (4-5) missed the playoffs but ended with something to build on, stopping a four-game losing streak with this win over the playoff-bound Red Wolves (4-5). Three of Plainwell’s losses were by seven points or fewer.

A Cass City ball carrier prepares to take on a Beal City defender.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Bark River-Harris 28, Ishpeming 20 The Broncos helped open the weekend Thursday by clinching the last league title up for grabs in the Upper Peninsula. Downing the Hematites not only gave the Broncos the outright Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Iron championship, but put them at 7-2 to conclude their winningest regular season since 2015. Ishpeming’s loss was its third by eight points or fewer, but it still qualified in Division 8 at 4-5. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.

Watch list Menominee 42, Kingsford 41 Arguably the most exciting game above the Bridge this season saw the Maroons hold off a final charge by the Flivvers. Menominee (5-4) in doing so solidified its spot in the Division 6 field, while Kingsford (6-3) qualified as No. 12 in Division 5.

On the move Calumet 41, L'Anse 22 The Copper Kings (6-3) were out of contention in the West-PAC Copper but closed with three straight wins to make the playoffs for the 18th time in 19 seasons. L’Anse also advanced for the first time (not counting all-in 2020) since 2013. Sault Ste. Marie 20, Benzie Central 14 (OT) The Blue Devils (6-3) just missed the playoffs for the second-straight season but came back from a midseason three-game losing streak to finish above .500 for the fifth-straight year. St. Ignace 54, Harbor Springs 14 The Saints capped their turnaround regular season at 7-2, their best record since 2016, and as outright champions in the Northern Michigan Football Conference Legacy.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Rockford 38, Caledonia 15 Another winner-take-all decided the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red championship, with the Rams clinching their fourth straight with their third-straight undefeated regular season while sending the Fighting Scots to 8-1. Rockford built a sizable first-half lead in part by locking down a Caledonia offense that entered the game averaging nearly 46 points per. These two could see each other again in a Division 1 District Final. Click for more from FOX 17.

Watch list Muskegon 55, Muskegon Mona Shores 35 The Big Reds (7-2) seemed to fall out of the statewide conversation after a two-point loss to Zeeland West put them at 3-2. But they need to be talked up again after this big win over Mona Shores (7-2) gave them a share of the O-K Green title and vaulted them to No. 6 in Division 3 playoff-point average. Shores sits No. 9 in Division 2 playoff-point average.

On the move Fruitport 52, Holland Christian 21 The Trojans (7-2) clinched a share of the O-K Blue title and continued to build on their best record since 2012. Reed City 16, Cadillac 8 (OT) The Coyotes (8-1) are riding substantial momentum into the playoffs as the No. 3 team in Division 6 playoff-point average. Grand Rapids West Catholic 39, Hudsonville Unity Christian 18 West Catholic is the No. 1 team on that Division 6 list and the other half of the O-K Blue co-championship after downing last season’s Division 4 runner-up Unity (5-4).

8-Player

HEADLINER Au Gres-Sims 42, Posen 24 The Wolverines finished up an outright championship run in the North Star League Little Dipper, sending Posen (7-2) into second place with its lone league loss. Au Gres-Sims (8-1) has won seven straight games (including a forfeit in Week 8), and held a Posen offense averaging 45 points per game to nearly half that. Click for more from WBKB.

Watch list Deckerville 62, Peck 60 (4 OT) The Eagles (6-3) finished third in the North Central Thumb League Stars but vaulted into the postseason with this win over the Stripes champion Pirates (7-2). The teams hadn’t faced each other since 2019, but Deckerville has won their last seven meetings.

On the move Stephenson 50 Norway 40 This was notable for several reasons – the Eagles secured a spot in the playoff field, they did so against a Norway team (6-3) that’s been considered among the best in 8-player Division 1, and at 6-3 as well Stephenson has its most wins since 2017. Powers North Central 42, Crystal Falls Forest Park 0 The Jets (9-0) finished another Great Lakes Eight Conference West title with their 33rd straight win, and could see Forest Park (7-2) again in a Regional Final. Bridgman 35, Martin 34 The Bees finished their second-straight perfect regular season after moving to 8-player four years ago, with this win over Division 1 contender Martin (7-2) among their most impressive victories of the run.

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PHOTOS Negaunee's Kai Lacar (10) finds a hole and sprints for another Miners touchdown in the second quarter of last week's win over Ishpeming Westwood. (Middle) A Davison ball carrier follows his blocker during Friday's win over Lapeer. (Below) A Cass City ball carrier prepares to take on a Beal City defender. (Photos by Cara Kamps, Terry Lyons and High School Sports Scene, respectively.)

This graphic includes helmets of all 16 teams playing at the 2025 11-Player Football Finals.

1st & Goal: 2025 11-Player Finals Preview

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 26, 2025

Matchups of undefeated contenders will kick off and conclude this weekend’s 11-Player Football Finals at Ford Field, with one more unbeaten-vs.-unbeaten matchup in the middle of Sunday among headliners this championship weekend.

MI Student AidWith Michigan State playing Maryland on Saturday at Ford Field, the eight MHSAA championship games will be split between Friday and Sunday:

Friday, Nov. 28
Division 8 – Harbor Beach (13-0) vs. Hudson (13-0) – 9:30 a.m.
Division 4 – Dearborn Divine Child (12-1) vs. Hudsonville Unity Christian (12-1) – 12:30 p.m.
Division 6 – Kingsley (11-2) vs. Jackson Lumen Christi (10-3) – 4 p.m. 
Division 2 – Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (10-2) vs. Dexter (12-1) – 7 p.m. 

Sunday, Nov. 30 
Division 7 – Schoolcraft (11-2) vs. Menominee (13-0) – 9:30 a.m.
Division 3 – Mount Pleasant (13-0) vs. DeWitt (13-0) – 12:30 p.m. 
Division 5 – Grand Rapids West Catholic (12-1) vs. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (11-2) – 4 p.m. 
Division 1 – Detroit Cass Tech (13-0) vs. Detroit Catholic Central (13-0) – 7 p.m. 

All eight championship games will be streamed live on the NFHS Network and available for listening from the MHSAA Network. Links to purchase tickets and more are available on the Football page.

Below is a glance at all eight matchups. Statistics are through Semifinals unless noted.

Detroit Catholic Central & Detroit Cass Tech helmetsDivision 1

DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/Rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Justin Cessante, third season (32-4)
League finish: First in Catholic High School League Central
Championship history: 10 MHSAA Finals titles (most recent 2009), seven runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 46-6 over No. 8 East Kentwood in Semifinal, 42-13 over No. 5 Clarkston in Regional Final, 29-14 over Division 2 No. 1 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, 26-14 over Division 3 No. 5 Detroit Martin Luther King, 27-14 over Toledo Central Catholic.
Players to watch: WR/DB Samson Gash, 6-1/185, sr. (971 yards/14 TDs receiving); QB Duke Banta, 6-4/210, jr. (2,222 yards/27 TDs passing); TE/DL Jack Janda, 6-6/250, sr. (42 tackles/15 tackles for loss/10 sacks); OL/DL Benny Eziuka, 6-3/300, sr.
Outlook: The Shamrocks will return to the Finals for the first time since 2016 and after reaching the Semifinals last season. They’ve won 25 of their last 26 games – that Semifinal loss to Cass Tech the only defeat during that time – and this season have not allowed an opponent to get closer than 12 points. Gash is committed to Michigan State and made the Division 1-2 all-state first team last season, and senior Cedric Williams (1,146 yards/12 TDs rushing) helps provide balance on offense. Janda and Eziuka are part of a dominating defensive front for a group allowing only nine points per game. Eziuka is committed to Penn State and Janda has several high-major Division I scholarship offers.

DETROIT CASS TECH
Record/Rank: 13-0, No. 2
Coach: Marvin Rushing, fourth season (37-9)
League finish: First in Detroit Public School League Blue
Championship history: Four MHSAA Finals titles (most recent 2024), one runner-up finish.
Best wins: 42-28 over No. 6 Saline in Regional Final, 35-19 and 27-22 over Division 3 No. 5 Detroit Martin Luther King, 28-27 over Toledo Central Catholic.
Players to watch: SE/DB Corey Sadler Jr., 5-11/186 sr. (1,406 yards/19 TDs receiving); LB Marcus Jennings, 6-3/209, sr.; QB Donald Tabron II, 6-4/192, soph. (2,394 yards/30 TDs passing); OL Khalief Canty Jr., 6-5/298, sr. (Statistics through Regional Finals.)
Outlook: Cass Tech is seeking its first repeat Finals championship since winning back-to-back Division 1 titles in 2011 and 2012. The Technicians also have won 23 straight games – including 17-14 over DCC in their Semifinal a year ago. Sadler, committed to North Carolina, and Tabron are the best-known playmakers, but sophomore Julian Taylor showed what he could do in the 48-22 Semifinal win over Rochester Adams, running for 178 yards and five touchdowns to bring his season rushing totals to 845 and 19, respectively. Sadler also has five punt return, two kick return and an interception return for touchdowns this fall. He and Canty both made the Division 1-2 all-state first team last season. Canty has committed to Missouri, and Jennings has committed to Pittsburgh.

Dexter & Orchard Lake St. Mary's helmetsDivision 2

DEXTER
Record/Rank: 12-1, No. 5
Coach: Phil Jacobs, ninth season (65-30)
League finish: Second in Southeastern Conference Red
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 56-42 over No. 6 Gibraltar Carlson in Regional Final, 41-27 over No. 4 South Lyon in District Final, 42-28 over Division 4 No. 6 Chelsea, 50-27 over Brighton.
Players to watch: QB Cooper Arnedt, 5-11/170, sr. (4,308 yards/52 TDs passing); WR Cole Novara, 5-8/155, sr. (2,098 yards/28 TDs receiving); LB Nathan Gersh, 6-2/225, sr.; OL/DL Mateo Kipke, 6-6/240, sr.
Outlook: Arnedt to Novara has become the most successful passing duo in MHSAA history, with Arnedt needing 125 yards and four touchdowns to tie single-season records in those categories and Novara setting state records for yardage, receptions (118) and touchdowns catches. That’s come against a schedule that also included Division 1 No. 6 Saline, the only team to defeat the Dreadnaughts. Jacobs took over a program in 2016 that had lost 32 straight games, and after going 0-9 his first season turned it into a state power that made the playoffs for the first time in 2018. Junior running back Brady Arbaugh has run for 949 yards and 13 touchdowns to give the offense another dimension, and Iowa State commit Owen Winder (6-7/290) at left tackle is among those leading the way. Gersh made the all-state first team last season, and Novara made the second.

ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY’S
Record/Rank: 10-2, No. 1
Coach: Jermaine Gonzales, fourth season (29-17)
League finish: Tied for second in CHSL Central
Championship history: Nine MHSAA Finals titles (most recent 2024), six runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 42-7 over No. 3 Portage Central in Semifinal, 42-7 over No. 10 Midland Dow in Regional Final, 35-14 over Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice in District Final, 49-10 over Division 3 No. 7 Warren De La Salle Collegiate, 36-21 over Toledo Central Catholic.
Players to watch: QB Jabin Gonzales, 6-2/202, jr. (1,881  yards/24 TDs passing, 7 TDs rushing); WR/DB Lorenzo Barber, 5-9/176, jr. (643 yards/11 TDs receiving, 6 TDs rushing); DL Ryan Harrington, 6-5/215, sr.; RB/DB Camari Patterson, 5-10/186, sr.
Outlook: St. Mary’s also is seeking to repeat, after most recently doing so with three straight Division 3 titles from 2014-16. The Eaglets’ first loss this season was to DCC, and in the District Final they avenged their second defeat, to Brother Rice. Harrington made the Division 1-2 all-state first team last season and has committed to Wake Forest, and he and Patterson (Western Michigan) are among standouts on a defense that has allowed just 35 points over four playoff wins. Sophomore running back Jamari Givhan (866 yards/6 TDs rushing) adds additional balance to the offense, and 6-foot-3 junior Chad Willis (649 yards/6 TDs receiving) is another valuable target in the passing game.

DeWitt & Mount Pleasant helmetsDivision 3

DEWITT
Record/Rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Rob Zimmerman, 27th season (275-55)
League finish: First in Capital Area Activities Conference Blue
Championship history: Division 3 champion 2020, six runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 41-20 over No. 7 Warren De La Salle Collegiate in Semifinal, 59-7 over Grand Ledge, 21-3 over Haslett.
Players to watch: QB/DB Traverse Moore, 6-0/195, sr. (2,115 yards/29 TDs rushing, 870 yards/12 TDs passing); WR/DB Jadon Bender, 6-0/182, sr. (307 yards/5 TDs receiving, 24 tackles/7 interceptions); RB Channing Ridley, 6-0/192, soph. (1,098 yards/15 TDs rushing); OL/DL Drew Rumsey, 6-2/285, sr.
Outlook: The Panthers are making their third trip to Ford Field over the last six seasons, having also finished Division 3 runner-up in 2021. With Central Michigan commit Moore leading the way, they’ve piled up points all season at least 50 eight times. DeWitt is defeating its opponents by an average of 40 points per game with only one single-digit margin, and averaging 9.7 yards per play. The defense doesn’t get as much attention but also has held opponents to single digits eight times. Rumsey made the all-state second team last season, and Moore and Bender earned honorable mentions. Sophomore Vincent Rose is another important offensive threat; he’s made 86 of 88 extra-point attempts and five field goals with a long of 40 yards.

MOUNT PLEASANT
Record/Rank: 13-0, No. 2
Coach: Jason McIntyre, 20th season (168-52)
League finish: First in Saginaw Valley League North
Championship history: Division 3 runner-up 2011.
Best wins: 28-14 over No. 8 East Grand Rapids in Regional Final, 42-0 over No. 9 Gaylord in District Final, 63-39 over Division 2 No. 10 Midland Dow, 28-13 over Traverse City Central.
Players to watch: QB/DB Xavier Creguer, 6-0 jr. (1,548 yards/20 TDs passing, 927 yards/8 TDs rushing); FB/LB Grahm Phillips, 5-10 sr. (452 yards/9 TDs rushing); WR/LB Jack Mozurkewich, 6-2 sr. (272 yards/7 TDs receiving); OL/DL Kaed Wheeler, 6-3 jr. (Statistics through Regional Finals.)
Outlook: Mount Pleasant has cleared all of its opponents by at least 10 points this fall and made a nice jump after falling in District Finals the last four seasons. The Oilers handed Dow its only loss of the regular season and Gaylord its lone defeat all fall. Mozurkewich caught two more touchdown passes in the Semifinal win, and senior receivers Riley Olson (445 yards/4 TDs receiving) and Isaiah Rodriguez (395/5) have been two more reliable targets for top playmaker Creguer. Lowell in the Oilers’ 41-21 Semifinal win was the first opponent since Dow in Week 3 to score more than 17 points on the Mount Pleasant defense. Total, the team has 23 seniors, with seven starting on offense and five on defense.

Hudsonville Unity Christian & Dearborn Divine Child helmetsDivision 4

HUDSONVILLE UNITY CHRISTIAN
Record/Rank: 12-1, No. 4
Coach: Craig Tibbe, 23rd season (144-95)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold
Championship history: Division 5 champion 2018, Division 4 runner-up 2021.
Best wins: 52-14 over No. 10 Big Rapids in Regional Final, 14-6 over Zeeland West, 40-19 over Division 7 No. 7 Schoolcraft.
Players to watch: QB/DB Justin Febus, 5-9/155, sr. (979 yards/16 TDs rushing, 1,014 yards/18 TDs passing); RB/LB Lucas Elliott, 6-3/190, sr. (698 yards/6 TDs); RB/LB Jared DeVries, 5-11/200, sr. (622 yards/7 TDs); OL/DL Levi Offringa, 6-0/246, sr. (Statistics through Regional Finals.)
Outlook: Unity Christian is a combined 22-2 over the last two seasons, its only loss a year ago in a District Final and the only defeat this fall in Week 9 to Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, which will play this weekend seeking to repeat as the Division 5 champ. The Crusaders have won all of their playoff games by double digits relying again on a crushing T-offense rushing attack that is averaging 331 yards on the ground per game. Unity Christian also has capitalized on nearly two turnovers per game and has more interceptions this season than passing touchdowns allowed (12 to 11).

DEARBORN DIVINE CHILD
Record/Rank: 12-1, No. 7
Coach: Chris Laney, fourth season (34-13)
League finish: Tied for first in CHSL AA
Championship history: Two MHSAA Finals titles (most recent 1985), one runner-up finish.
Best wins: 10-7 over No. 2 Goodrich in Semifinal, 10-6 over No. 1 Harper Woods in Regional Final, 17-13 over Division 6 No. 2 Jackson Lumen Christi.
Players to watch: RB/S Marcello Vitti, 6-0/190 sr.; WR/S Giancarlo Vitti, 5-10/165, jr.; QB Drew Sheridan, 6-1/170, soph.; WR/CB Antonio Solares-Vitti, 6-3/185, sr. (No statistics submitted.)
Outlook: Divine Child will play for a Finals championship for the first time since 1985 after defeating a pair of undefeated contenders (Harper Woods and Goodrich) the last two weeks and losing only to Toledo St. Francis de Sales, by seven points in Week 7. The defense has been tough to beat all season – giving up 6.9 points per game – but really moved to the forefront with those most recent playoff wins. Offensively, Divine Child is dangerous on the ground and through the air, with nearly identical yardage and touchdowns attacking both ways. Marcello Vitti will play next for Iowa, and Solares-Vitti is committed to Eastern Michigan.

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep & Grand Rapids West Catholic helmetsDivision 5

PONTIAC NOTRE DAME PREP
Record/Rank: 11-2, No. 4
Coach: Pat Fox, 12th season (89-36)
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Championship history: Division 5 champion 2024.
Best wins: 51-21 over No. 9 Monroe Jefferson in Semifinal, 42-28 over No. 3 Frankenmuth in Regional Final, 34-25 over Division 4 No. 4 Hudsonville Unity Christian, 21-12 over Division 6 No. 6 Marine City, 63-38 over Division 6 No. 8 Traverse City St. Francis.
Players to watch: RB/CB Ben Liparato, 5-9/160, sr. (924 yards/12 TDs rushing); WR/CB Drake Roa, 6-3/190, sr. (950 yards/17 TDs receiving); QB/LB Sam Stowe, 6-5/205, sr. (2,498 yards/38 TDs passing); WR/LB Brody Sink, 6-4/200, sr. (784 yards/13 TDs receiving). (Statistics through Regional Finals.)
Outlook: After winning its first championship a year ago, Notre Dame Prep will attempt to repeat with a pair of the same standouts leading the way. Stowe at quarterback and Sink at linebacker both made the all-state first team last season and are pacing units that have been outstanding again, with the offense topping 500 points for the second-straight season and the defense posting two shutouts to start the playoffs and slowing Frankenmuth and Jefferson the last two weeks. Among additional two-way standouts, senior running back Anthony Tartaglia had 710 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing through the Regional Final and also starts at linebacker. Sink will play next at Miami (Ohio).

GRAND RAPIDS WEST CATHOLIC
Record/Rank: 12-1, No. 2
Coach: Landon Grove, fourth season (43-7)
League finish: First in O-K White
Championship history: Seven MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 34-24 over No. 7 Ogemaw Heights in Semifinal, 21-20 (OT) over No. 1 Grand Rapids Catholic Central in District Final, 28-16 over Zeeland West.
Players to watch: QB Grady Augustyn, 6-1/190, sr. (2,154 yards/20 TDs passing); RB/DB Connor Olszewski, 5-11/195, sr. (1,129 yards/12 TDs rushing); TE/LB Jael Djouguem, 5-10/170, jr.; OL/DL Jacob Timmer, 6-7/275, sr.
Outlook: West Catholic is back in a Division 5 Final for the first time since claiming five straight from 2013-17 and after winning in Division 6 in 2022. A key was getting past rival Grand Rapids Catholic Central, which had ended West Catholic’s last two seasons with playoff losses. Timmer, who will play next at Central Michigan, made the Division 5-6 all-state first team last season and leads a blocking unit that’s also cleared the way for junior Collin Abram (1,182 yards/16 TDs rushing). Senior kicker Landon Smith also is a returning all-state first-teamer and has connected on 49 of 53 extra-point attempts and eight field goals.

Jackson Lumen Christi & Kingsley helmetsDivision 6

JACKSON LUMEN CHRISTI
Record/Rank: 10-3, No. 2
Coach: Herb Brogan, 46th season (431-96)
League finish: Tied for first in CHSL AA
Championship history: 14 MHSAA Finals titles (most recent 2024), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 25-19 (3OT) over No. 1 Almont in Semifinal, 27-12 over No. 8 Traverse City St. Francis, 41-6 over Division 4 No. 7 Dearborn Divine Child, 54-34 over Division 5 No. 4 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep.
Players to watch: QB Benny Gaston, 6-0/185, jr. (1,594 yards/12 TDs passing); RB/LB Paul Sattler, 6-1/190, sr. (1,250 yards/14 TDs rushing); FB/LB Sean Walicki, 6-0/205, sr. (629 yards/9 TDs rushing); TE/DE Isaac Maki, 6-3/185, sr.
Outlook: Lumen Christi is playing for a fourth-straight Finals championship and second-straight in Division 6 after winning in 2021 and 2022 in Division 7. Brogan is the second-winningest coach in MHSAA football history, tying and then moving past Brother Rice legend Al Fracassa (430 wins) over the last two weeks. Two of Lumen’s losses this season came to teams playing for championships this weekend – Notre Dame Prep and Lombard Montini Catholic from Illinois – and the third defeat came to Grand Rapids Catholic Central during a 2-3 start to the season. Lumen hasn’t given up more than 19 points in a game since that Week 3 loss to the Cougars.

KINGSLEY
Record/Rank: 11-2, No. 5
Co-Coaches: Tim Wooer, 17th season (145-44); Jason Morrow, second season (18-5)
League finish: Second in Northern Michigan Football Conference Legends
Championship history: Two MHSAA Finals titles (most recent 2023)
Best wins: 14-0 over No. 4 Kent City in Semifinal, 18-14 (Regional Final) and 24-6 over No. 9 Reed City, 57-6 over No. 8 Traverse City St. Francis in District Final, 44-18 over Division 7 No. 4 Charlevoix.
Players to watch: TE/LB Colton Goethals, 6-1/195, sr. (420 yards/8 TDs receiving); QB/LB Tucker Dreves, 6-1/175, sr. (1,046 yards/13 TDs passing); FB/OL/DL Isaiah Cosgrove, 5-9/190, sr. (739 yards/6 TDs rushing); FB/DB Gavin Lewis, 5-9/160, sr. (1,023 yards/14 TDs). (Statistics through Regional Final.)
Outlook: Kingsley has navigated one of the toughest playoff roads in any division, and the Charlevoix win closed the regular season. The St. Francis victory in the District Final avenged a one-point loss to the Gladiators in Week 5, and the Stags’ only other loss came to Division 3 Gaylord, which finished 10-1 this fall. Goethals made the Division 5-6 all-state second team last season and keys a defense that hasn’t given up more than 21 points in a game and has allowed 34 total over four playoff wins. Cosgrove has been the team’s second-leading rusher, but is starting at right guard along with his spot at defensive end.

Menominee & Schoolcraft helmetsDivision 7

MENOMINEE
Record/Rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Chad Brandt, fourth season (40-10)
League finish: First in Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper
Championship history: Three MHSAA Finals titles (most recent 2007), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 32-28 over No. 3 Pewamo-Westphalia in Semifinal, 49-6 over No. 9 McBain in District Final, 49-14 over Kingsford.
Players to watch: QB/DB Tanner Theuerkauf, 6-3/185, sr. (1,379 yards/22 TDs passing); RB/DB Dawson Bardowski, 5-9/165, sr. (516 yards/6 TDs receiving); RB/DL Clayton Miller, 5-11/190, sr. (1,132 yards/22 TDs rushing); OL/DL Ryan Marzian, 6-0/240, sr. (Statistics through Regional Final.)
Outlook: Menominee is making its second trip to Ford Field over three seasons, most recently finishing Division 7 runner-up in 2023, and after an impressive comeback win over  P-W in the Semifinal. The Pirates were the only team this season to score more than 17 points on the Maroons, and Menominee’s 32 points were the most P-W gave up this fall. Once known for its run-heavy single-wing offense, Menominee attacks with plenty of balance and spreads it around on the passing side with three receivers catching at least four touchdowns this fall. Senior nose guard Blake Paasch and Theuerkauf were among the team’s leading tacklers in its 34-30 loss to Lumen Christi in the 2023 Final.

SCHOOLCRAFT
Record/Rank: 11-2, No. 7
Coach: Dan DeVries, first season (11-2)
League finish: First in Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley
Championship history: Three MHSAA Finals titles (most recent 2001), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 43-14 over No. 5 Clinton in Semifinal, 22-14 over Hanover-Horton in Regional Final, 26-0 (District Final) and 18-14 over Lawton.
Players to watch: RB/DB T.J. Luteyn, 5-11/180, sr. (681 yards/8 TDs rushing); WR/DB Drew Enright, 6-1/185, sr. (858 yards/13 TDs receiving); QB/P Jack DeVries, 6-2/180, jr. (2,290 yards/30 TDs passing); OL/DL Brody Epple, 6-3/200, sr.
Outlook: Schoolcraft is making its first Finals trip since that most recent championship season, and doing so under first-year coach Dan DeVries, who was promoted after four seasons coaching the junior varsity and played on the 1994 team that finished Class C runner-up. The Eagles’ only losses were early to Hudsonville Unity Christian – playing in the Division 4 Final – and in the regular-season finale to Division 5 Kalamazoo United. Schoolcraft has nearly identical yardage and touchdown totals rushing and passing, with several contributors to both parts of the attack.

Hudson & Harbor Beach helmetsDivision 8

HUDSON
Record/Rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Dan Rogers, sixth season (58-11)
League finish: First in Lenawee County Athletic Association
Championship history: Two MHSAA Finals titles (most recent 2021), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 67-14 over No. 5 Allen Park Cabrini in Semifinal, 68-22 over No. 6 Springport in Regional Final, 44-8 over No. 8 Fowler, 38-0 over Berrien Springs, 32-16 over Division 7 No. 5 Clinton.
Players to watch: RB/DB Beckett Campbell, 5-7/160, soph. (2,345 yards/37 TDs rushing); RB/DB Grayson Bills, 5-9/165, sr. (1,790 yards/25 TDs rushing, 4 TDs receiving); QB/DB Colt Perry, 5-7/155, sr. (637 yards/9 TDs passing, 4 TDs rushing); OT/DE Koen Hinzman, 6-7/285, jr.
Outlook: Save for an 8-3 win over Division 6 Ida in Week 2, Hudson has dominated this season from start to near-finish, defeating its opponents by an average of 41 points. Bills made the all-state first team as a running back last season and is joined by Campbell; they combined for most of the team’s 450-plus rushing yards in the Semifinal win. As a team, the Tigers have run for nearly 5,300 yards this fall, which would rank third all-time heading into this weekend. Seniors Malachi Marshall (6-4/245) and Colton Natale (6-0/255) also start on both the offensive and defensive lines, and senior flanker Devon Brigman has nearly 500 yards and eight touchdowns rushing to augment Campbell and Bills’ efforts.   

HARBOR BEACH
Record/Rank: 13-0, No. 3
Coach: Troy Schelke, 29th season (220-90)
League finish: First in Big Thumb Conference Black
Championship history: Division 8 champion 2012, Class C runner-up 1991.
Best wins: 40-0 over Bark River-Harris in Semifinal, 26-15 over No. 2 Beal City in Regional Final, 41-7 over Division 7 No. 10 Millington, 43-14 over Division 7 No. 8 Ottawa Lake Whiteford.
Players to watch: QB/LB Caden Bucholtz, 6-1/225, sr. (960 yards/21 TDs rushing, 753 yards/10 TDs passing); RB/S Benson Harper, 6-0/180, sr. (308 yards/3 TDs rushing, 178 yards/3 TDs receiving); C/DE Peyton Roggenbuck, 6-3/220, sr.; OT/DT Noah Mellendorf, 6-3/245, sr.
Outlook: Harbor Beach has seemed on the verge of this moment with two straight perfect regular seasons and with its only 2023 losses during the regular season and playoffs to eventual Division 8 champion Ubly. The closest an opponent has gotten to the Pirates this season was 11 points, and they’ve won their playoff games by an average of nearly 38. Harper made the Division 7-8 all-state first team last season, and Bucholtz earned an honorable mention. While Bucholtz directs the offense, Harbor Beach has several contributors including as well senior fullback Rogan Messing (697 yads/10 TDs rushing), senior running back Keagun Potestivo (495 yards/11 TDs rushing) and 6-5 senior tight end Skiler Kruse (293 yards/5 TDs receiving).

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