1st & Goal: Playoff Week 2 in Review
November 9, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
We’ll blame this season’s delayed start for taking a few more weeks to uncover some under-the-radar gems this football season.
But this weekend’s second-round 11-player District and 8-player Regional games allowed us to unearth a few more teams that have taken special advantage of the opportunity to get back on the field this fall.
You’ll spot them in our weekly review below (Eastpointe! Evart!), and they all don’t begin with the letter E (even if Essexville Garber does as well).
Historical context is based in part on data at Michigan-football.com.
11-Player
Division 1
HEADLINER Grand Blanc 42, Clarkston 35 The indications that Grand Blanc (7-1) might be on the verge of a special run have come to fruition as the Bobcats (7-1) outpaced previously-undefeated Clarkston. Their 42 points were double what the Wolves (7-1) had given up in a game this season. The win earned Grand Blanc a rematch this week with Davison, which dealt the Bobcats their lone loss. Click for more from the Flint Journal and see highlights below from State Champs Sports Network.
Last night, @GB_Bobcat_FB upset @ClarkstonWolves to advance to the District Finals.#StateChamps | @LawrenceTechU pic.twitter.com/3G1OvIDKZL
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 7, 2020
District Digest Holt 43, Grand Ledge 36 As the Rams (4-3) mourned the death of former longtime coach Mike Smith, they avenged a one-point loss two weeks earlier to the rival Comets (5-3). Rochester Hills Stoney Creek 28, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 21 The Cougars (7-0) earned their first District Final berth, going ahead of the Big Reds (3-4) for good with a fourth-quarter score. Rockford 42, Hudsonville 7 These Ottawa-Kent Conference Red rivals missed out on playing each other during the regular season, but after the wait the Rams (6-0) ran their winning streak over the Eagles (5-3) to six. Romeo 15, Macomb Dakota 14 The Bulldogs (4-4) turned a six-point loss in Week 8 into a one-point win to reach the District Finals for the first time since 2016 and end Dakota’s season at 6-2.
Division 2
HEADLINER Muskegon Mona Shores 28, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 25 The reigning Division 2 champion Sailors (8-0) received their biggest scare of the season, holding on as these teams met in the playoffs for the third time in four seasons. Forest Hills Central (6-2) led by as many as 10 points. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle and see highlights below from FOX 17.
Mona Shores holds off a late push by Forest Hills Central, set to host Caledonia in next week's district final. https://t.co/cy7R3syTqL
— FOX 17 Blitz (@FOX17Blitz) November 7, 2020
District Digest Midland 31, Midland Dow 15 The Chemics (8-0) made it two wins in three weeks over their rival, although Dow (5-3) cut the margin from 26 to 16 in the rematch. Oak Park 27, Detroit U-D Jesuit 21 Few have made a new season of the playoffs more than Oak Park (2-6), which upped its postseason scoring to a combined 62 points after scoring 45 during the regular season. Caledonia 55, Lowell 38 The Fighting Scots (4-4) have found their stride as well over the last three weeks, as they’ve won their last three games since finishing up the O-K Red schedule. North Farmington 44, Fenton 28 The Raiders (5-3) earned their first District title berth and scored their season-high points for the second-straight week while handing Fenton (7-1) its only loss.
Division 3
HEADLINER Eastpointe 57, Warren Fitzgerald 0 From 2011-18, Eastpointe (formerly East Detroit) won at most four games in a season. With this win, the Shamrocks moved to 8-0 this fall and earned their first District Final berth, and the shutout was their sixth this fall. Fitzgerald (5-3) had averaged 41 points per game. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.
District Digest Marquette 21, Mount Pleasant 14 The Redmen (7-1) have tied their winningest season since 2010 and will play in a District Final for the first time since that fall as well after holding the Oilers (6-2) to their fewest points this season. Chelsea 49, South Lyon East 44 The Bulldogs (8-0) are 9-2 in the playoffs over the last three seasons, with now six wins by seven points or fewer after this challenge by the Cougars (5-3). River Rouge 38, Riverview 20 The Panthers (6-1) will play for their sixth District title in seven seasons thanks in part to locking down an offense that had scored 44.5 points per game during a 7-0 start. Detroit Martin Luther King 42, Marysville 17 After a pair of losses to title contenders to close the regular season, King (5-3) is back in stride especially defensively; Marysville (6-2) was averaging nearly 35 points per game entering this contest.
Division 4
HEADLINER Detroit Country Day 21, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 14 The Irish (6-2) already had pushed Country Day to its closest win, a 10-0 Yellowjackets victory in Week 6. But Country Day (5-2) – the reigning Division 4 runner-up – prevailed this time with a fourth-quarter comeback to return to the District Finals. Click for more from the Oakland Press.
District Digest Paw Paw 24, Hastings 22 The Saxons (6-2) were one of the best stories of the regular season with their first winning record since 2012. But Paw Paw (6-2) has bounced back from two losses to contenders at the end of the regular season by earning a third-straight District Finals trip. Battle Creek Pennfield 63, Marshall 42 One of the highest-scoring games of the season saw Pennfield (5-3) match its winningest season since 2013. The Panthers had missed out on their annual regular-season meeting with the Redhawks (3-5) but avenged last year’s 35-point loss. Ortonville Brandon 33, Goodrich 6 The Blackhawks (7-1) claimed their second win over Goodrich (6-2) after the first eventually decided the Flint Metro League Stars title. North Branch 35, Croswell-Lexington 6 Similar story with this rematch, as the Broncos (8-0) had previously defeated the Pioneers (6-2) in the game that went on to decide the Blue Water Area Conference championship.
Division 5
HEADLINER Olivet 28, Kalamazoo United 14 The Eagles (7-1) have played in the postseason 13 years in row. After five straight first-round losses – including three by seven points or fewer – Olivet will return to the District Finals. Kalamazoo United (6-2) was averaging 44 points per game, but the Eagles still haven’t allowed an opponent to score more than 17. Click for more from JoeInsider.com.
District Digest Grand Rapids Catholic Central 41, Belding 6 The reigning Division 4 champion Cougars (7-0) are well on their way again; they held the Black Knights (6-2) 37 points below their average. Howard City Tri Country 40, Grant 21 The Vikings (4-4) opened this season with a one-point loss to Grant (3-4), but by winning the rematch will play in a District Final for the first time since 2004. Frankenmuth 28, Almont 0 The Eagles (9-0) will play in a District Final for the ninth-straight season after shutting out the reigning Division 5 runner-up Raiders (3-3). Essexville Garber 21, Saginaw Swan Valley 14 The Dukes (7-1) are headed to their first District Final since 2013, adding a second win this season over Swan Valley (4-4) after two defeats to the Vikings in 2019.
Division 6
HEADLINER Montague 50, Clare 7 The Wildcats continued their playoff dominance of the last four years, claiming this matchup of undefeated league champions to advance to the District Finals for the fifth time in six seasons. Montague (8-0) of course was impressive on offense, but perhaps more so on the other side of the ball as Clare (7-1) entered the game scoring 50 points per game. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle and see highlights below from MI Sports Now.
The D6 district semi-final was the battle of perfect records between Clare and Montague. https://t.co/2xf8Vnlcux
— MISportsNow (@MISportsNow) November 8, 2020
District Digest Clinton 42, Erie Mason 24 These two switched leagues before this fall, Erie Mason (7-1) going on to win the Tri-County Conference title and Clinton (7-1) finishing second in the Lenawee County Athletic Association after they played in the opposite leagues for years prior. Boyne City 29, Maple City Glen Lake (OT) After losing to the reigning Division 6 runner-up 22-6 in their season opener, Boyne City (6-2) held on to avenge as the Lakers (5-3) went for the win after their overtime touchdown. Calumet 29, Menominee 14 The Copper Kings (4-3) made it two playoff wins in a row over Menominee (4-3) after they also met in a District Final in 2019. Negaunee 42, Ishpeming Westwood 14 These two were supposed to meet in a regular-season finale that was canceled, but two weeks later Negaunee (5-3) broke a three-game losing streak against the league rival Patriots (5-2).
Division 7
HEADLINER Evart 34, McBain 31 We see these every year, and they make high school football like no other level. Six weeks ago, McBain defeated Evart 52-16. The Wildcats (6-2) haven’t lost again and will play this weekend in their first District Final since 2012. The Ramblers had given up a total of 55 points this season before Evart’s latest 34. Click for more from the Cadillac News.
Evart handed previously unbeaten McBain a 34-31 loss in a Division 7 district semifinal on Friday.https://t.co/6ChjxaXQbh pic.twitter.com/CticffwwFG
— MISportsNow (@MISportsNow) November 7, 2020
District Digest Oscoda 33, Beaverton 27 The Owls (8-0) have won eight games for the third straight season and now earned the opportunity to play in a District Final for the first time since 2000. Beaverton finished 6-2, its defeats by a combined 11 points. Cass City 14, Sandusky 12 (OT) This was as good as expected from two undefeated teams, with Cass City (8-0) moving on with an overtime conversion stop as Sandusky (7-1) attempted to tie. Madison Heights Bishop Foley 34, Detroit Central 30 The Ventures (7-1) have won two playoff games by a total of seven points to put themselves in a District Final for the first time since 2013. Lawton 21, Homer 19 Lawton (7-1) moved to 17-2 over the last two seasons and earned a rematch this week with Schoolcraft, which defeated the Blue Devils in Week 8.
Division 8
HEADLINER Bark River-Harris 22, West Iron County 6 The Broncos (5-2) quietly have won five straight with a defense that’s held all but one opponent to 20 or fewer points. (That other opponent is Iron Mountain, up next.) They didn’t get to face West Iron County (7-1) in scheduled league play this fall because of the late season start, but took this opportunity to break a two-game losing streak against the Wyakins (7-1). Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.
District Digest Beal City 31, Breckenridge 19 The Aggies (7-1) gradually broke away from the Huskies (6-2) to return to the District Finals for the second-straight season. Ubly 20, Unionville-Besewing 14 (OT) The Bearcats (6-2) ran their winning streak over USA (5-3) to seven after the teams previously missed out on their league game that was to open this fall. Petersburg Summerfield 29, Detroit Southeastern 20 The Bulldogs (3-5) have enjoyed the majority of their success this season over the last weeks, and this was a stunner as Southeastern (6-2) was scoring nearly 42 points per game. Royal Oak Shrine 28, Auburn Hills Oakland Christian 19 The Knights (6-2) will be playing for a third District title in five seasons after ending the Lancers’ run at 6-2.
8-Player
Division 1
HEADLINER Adrian Lenawee Christian 78, Mayville 14 How strong might the Cougars be? Both of these teams entered unbeaten, but Lenawee Christian (8-0) actually upped its scoring average three more points to 56 ppg with the win. Regardless, take nothing away from the Wildcats (7-1), who put together their winningest season since 1987. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.
Regional Roundup Morrice 38, Merrill 20 Awaiting Lenawee Christian this week will be the Orioles (8-0), who held Merrill (6-2) to its season low and scored the most the Vandals gave up this fall. Marcellus 26, Lawrence 22 The Wildcats (5-2) tied their most wins in a season since 2012 by completing a two-game sweep of the Tigers (6-2), with those victories by a combined 10 points. Indian River Inland Lakes 46, Pellston 18 This win gave the Bulldogs (7-1) as many this season as the last five years combined and came against a Pellston team that was undefeated and had allowed only one opponent to come within 20 points. Suttons Bay 44 Whittemore-Prescott 0 After winning their first meeting 39-20, the Norsemen (8-0) were even better this time posting their fourth shutout to end the season for the Cardinals (5-3).
Division 2
HEADLINER Cedarville 28, Rapid River 20 Only one Division 2 game was decided by fewer than 20 points this week, but this met expectations as Cedarville (7-1) added to a 32-20 win over the Rockets (6-2) from Week 6. The Trojans have reached the Regional Finals six of the last seven seasons. Click for more from MI Sports Now.
Regional Roundup Marion 51, Hillman 16 The Eagles (7-1) are undefeated since opening weekend and returning to the Regional Finals for the first time since 1996 after avenging last year’s playoff loss to the Tigers (3-5). Kinde North Huron 34, Peck 14 The Warriors (7-1) have won eight straight over Peck (4-4) and with this victory reached the Regional Finals for the third time in four years. Hale 44, Brethren 8 At 7-1, Hale is enjoying its best season since 1999, with this win over the Bobcats (5-3) its most impressive yet. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 51, Bay City All Saints 12 Only two weeks ago the Irish (7-1) edged All Saints (4-3) by eight points, but apparently picked up a few things to help them advance to the Regional Finals for the first time in three seasons of 8-player.
PHOTO: Beal City (on offense) moved on in Division 8 with a 31-19 win over Breckenridge. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
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.
With 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.
Division 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.
Division 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.
Division 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.
Division 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.
Division 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.
Division 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.
Division 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.
Division 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).
MHSAA.com's weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Click to connect with MI Student Aid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.