2016 Week 5 Football Playoff Listing
September 19, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Here is a list of Michigan High School Athletic Association football playing schools, displaying their win-loss records and playoff averages through the fourth week of the season.
Schools on this list are in enrollment order for 11-player teams, with 8-player teams ordered by playoff average. An asterisk (*) beside a record indicates a team has eight or fewer games scheduled.
Those schools with 11-player teams with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules, or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer, will qualify for the MHSAA Football Playoffs beginning Oct. 28. Schools with 5-4, 4-3 or 4-4 records may qualify if the number of potential qualifiers by win total does not reach the 256 mark. Schools with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer may be subtracted from the field based on playoff average if the number of potential qualifiers exceeds the 256 mark.
Once the 256 qualifying schools are determined, they will be divided by enrollment groups into eight equal divisions of 32 schools, and then drawn into regions of eight teams each and districts of four teams each. Those schools with 8-player teams will be ranked by playoff average at season’s end, and the top 16 programs will be drawn into regions of eight teams each for the playoff in that division, which also begins Oct. 28.
To review a list of all football playoff schools, individual school playoff point details and to report errors, visit the Football page of the MHSAA Website.
The announcement of the qualifiers and first-round pairings for both the 11 and 8-player playoffs will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 23 on the Selection Sunday Show on FOX Sports Detroit. The playoff qualifiers and pairings will be posted to the MHSAA Website following the Selection Sunday Show.
11-Player Playoff Listing
1. Utica Eisenhower, 2700, 4-0, 92.000
2. Clarkston, 2683, 3-1, 70.250
3. Grand Blanc, 2628, 4-0, 94.000
4. Howell, 2499, 3-1, 66.500
5. Dearborn Fordson, 2487, 4-0, 94.000
6. Detroit Cass Tech, 2368, 4-0, 70.000
7. Northville, 2325, 3-1, 76.750
8. Brighton, 2142, 3-1, 72.500
9. Detroit Catholic Central, 2128, 4-0, 94.000
10. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, 1986, 4-0, 90.000
11. Dearborn, 1978, 3-1, 70.500
12. Lapeer, 1932, 3-1, 60.500
13. Saline, 1923, 4-0, 94.667
14. Bloomfield Hills, 1831, 4-0, 92.000
15. White Lake Lakeland, 1822, 4-0, 90.000
16. Grandville, 1810, 4-0, 94.000
17. Hudsonville, 1797, 3-1, 74.750
18. Warren Mott, 1768, 4-0, 90.000
19. Grand Ledge, 1694, 3-1, 68.500
20. Davison, 1668, 4-0, 84.000
21. Rochester Adams, 1666, 3-1, 66.250
22. Romeo, 1641, 3-1, 72.000
23. Walled Lake Northern, 1631, 4-0, 88.000
24. Grosse Pointe South, 1600, 4-0, 92.000
25. Temperance Bedford, 1597, 3-1, 66.750
26. Detroit Western International, 1584, 3-1, 44.750
27. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1579, 3-1, 64.750
28. Detroit East English, 1579, 3-1, 50.500
29. Livonia Churchill, 1578, 3-1, 72.250
30. Traverse City West, 1552, 3-1, 70.750
31. Warren Cousino, 1496, 3-1, 66.250
32. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1487, 4-0, 78.000
33. Detroit U-D Jesuit *, 1482, 3-1, 60.250
34. Jenison, 1481, 3-1, 64.500
35. Traverse City Central, 1394, 4-0, 96.000
36. Midland, 1388, 3-1, 60.500
37. Portage Central, 1388, 3-1, 62.750
38. Walled Lake Western, 1370, 4-0, 92.000
39. Grosse Pointe North, 1367, 3-1, 58.500
40. Battle Creek Lakeview *, 1353, 3-0, 84.000
41. Berkley, 1319, 3-1, 68.500
42. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 1316, 3-1, 68.500
43. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1311, 3-1, 66.750
44. Port Huron Northern, 1288, 3-1, 52.000
45. Wyoming, 1288, 3-1, 62.750
46. Midland Dow, 1254, 4-0, 84.000
47. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1250, 3-1, 68.400
48. Birmingham Groves, 1248, 4-0, 92.000
49. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1198, 3-1, 58.250
50. Lowell, 1165, 4-0, 92.000
51. Holly, 1164, 3-1, 62.500
52. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1161, 3-1, 66.250
53. Greenville, 1142, 3-1, 70.500
54. Allen Park, 1094, 4-0, 94.000
55. Redford Thurston, 1090, 3-1, 62.500
56. Byron Center, 1070, 3-1, 62.500
57. Muskegon, 1052, 3-1, 66.500
58. Ortonville-Brandon, 1034, 3-1, 56.250
59. Detroit Cody, 1015, 3-1, 48.750
60. Mason, 1009, 3-1, 64.500
61. Zeeland East, 1007, 3-1, 58.750
62. DeWitt, 1002, 3-1, 76.500
63. St. Joseph, 989, 3-1, 68.500
64. Trenton, 969, 4-0, 90.000
65. Linden, 940, 3-1, 60.500
66. Cedar Springs, 936, 3-1, 68.500
67. Niles, 931, 3-1, 57.850
68. Coldwater, 929, 3-1, 66.250
69. Romulus, 929, 4-0, 35.333
70. Grand Rapids Christian, 912, 4-0, 88.800
71. Warren Fitzgerald, 891, 4-0, 80.000
72. New Boston Huron, 886, 3-1, 54.750
73. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 880, 4-0, 74.000
74. Chelsea, 867, 4-0, 84.000
75. Redford Union, 865, 3-1, 50.250
76. Stevensville Lakeshore, 865, 3-1, 70.500
77. Vicksburg, 861, 3-1, 54.750
78. Dearborn Divine Child, 859, 4-0, 78.000
79. Zeeland West, 857, 3-1, 70.750
80. Edwardsburg, 855, 4-0, 74.000
81. Sparta, 834, 3-1, 50.500
82. Fowlerville, 833, 3-1, 56.750
83. Cadillac, 817, 3-1, 62.250
84. Hamilton, 810, 4-0, 82.000
85. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 797, 3-1, 50.250
86. Marysville, 794, 4-0, 76.000
87. Detroit Osborn, 786, 3-1, 54.500
88. Milan, 775, 4-0, 78.000
89. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 749, 3-1, 72.250
90. River Rouge, 741, 3-1, 56.750
91. Three Rivers, 730, 3-1, 60.000
92. Escanaba, 722, 4-0, 90.000
93. Detroit Mumford, 714, 3-1, 50.500
94. Ludington, 695, 3-1, 46.750
95. Detroit Country Day, 692, 4-0, 70.000
96. Alma, 674, 3-1, 56.750
97. South Haven, 674, 3-1, 58.250
98. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 660, 3-1, 51.417
99. Croswell-Lexington, 659, 3-1, 58.500
100. Lake Fenton, 654, 4-0, 72.000
101. Grosse Ile, 653, 4-0, 84.000
102. Whitehall, 653, 4-0, 66.000
103. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 645, 3-1, 52.917
104. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 644, 4-0, 84.000
105. Benton Harbor, 643, 4-0, 70.000
106. Corunna, 639, 4-0, 74.000
107. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 629, 4-0, 88.000
108. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 617, 3-1, 64.750
109. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 614, 4-0, 68.000
110. Hancock, 608, 3-1, 38.350
111. Detroit Denby, 593, 3-1, 54.500
112. Muskegon Oakridge, 590, 3-1, 40.750
113. Southfield Bradford, 587, 3-1, 52.500
114. Portland, 579, 4-0, 82.000
115. Remus Chippewa Hills, 577, 4-0, 74.000
116. Richmond, 562, 3-1, 62.750
117. Freeland, 561, 4-0, 84.000
118. Essexville Garber, 550, 3-1, 52.750
119. Algonac, 547, 4-0, 66.000
120. Ida, 546, 4-0, 68.000
121. Carrollton, 543, 3-1, 48.750
122. Kingsford, 543, 3-1, 61.200
123. Olivet, 541, 3-1, 50.750
124. Harper Woods, 540, 3-1, 52.250
125. Frankenmuth, 533, 4-0, 70.000
126. Lansing Catholic, 532, 3-1, 66.750
127. Grant, 520, 3-1, 46.750
128. Kalkaska, 517, 4-0, 60.000
129. Reed City, 496, 4-0, 72.000
130. Grayling, 492, 3-1, 52.750
131. Stockbridge, 482, 3-1, 52.750
132. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 475, 3-1, 46.500
133. Durand, 463, 4-0, 56.000
134. Parchment, 448, 3-1, 38.250
135. Menominee, 439, 4-0, 71.600
136. Ithaca, 426, 4-0, 72.000
137. Clare, 419, 3-1, 50.750
138. Montague, 414, 4-0, 62.000
139. Houghton, 412, 3-1, 38.500
140. Tawas *, 412, 3-1, 40.500
141. Calumet, 406, 3-1, 50.750
142. Morley Stanwood, 404, 3-1, 48.500
143. Negaunee, 400, 4-0, 66.000
144. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 398, 3-1, 56.500
145. Adrian Madison, 397, 3-1, 48.750
146. Charlevoix, 393, 4-0, 54.000
147. Millington, 393, 4-0, 72.000
148. Constantine, 386, 3-1, 48.750
149. Montrose, 386, 3-1, 52.500
150. Byron, 385, 3-1, 46.250
151. Quincy, 381, 4-0, 50.000
152. Watervliet, 380, 3-1, 48.750
153. Maple City Glen Lake, 379, 3-1, 46.750
154. Houghton Lake, 374, 3-1, 48.750
155. Laingsburg, 374, 4-0, 58.000
156. Roscommon, 367, 4-0, 70.000
157. Grass Lake, 363, 4-0, 68.000
158. Kent City, 362, 3-1, 46.500
159. Schoolcraft, 358, 4-0, 58.000
160. Oscoda, 352, 3-1, 44.500
161. Ravenna, 350, 3-1, 46.750
162. Leroy Pine River, 347, 3-1, 52.750
163. Madison Heights Madison, 343, 3-1, 64.500
164. Traverse City St. Francis, 341, 4-0, 70.000
165. Lawton, 333, 4-0, 52.000
166. Clinton, 331, 4-0, 62.000
167. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 330, 3-1, 40.250
168. Reese, 328, 3-1, 46.750
169. McBain, 326, 3-1, 54.500
170. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 320, 3-1, 50.500
171. Bridgman, 312, 3-1, 42.250
172. Iron Mountain, 302, 3-1, 52.083
173. New Lothrop, 298, 4-0, 58.000
174. Gobles, 289, 4-0, 60.000
175. Saugatuck, 289, 4-0, 0.000
176. Pewamo-Westphalia, 288, 4-0, 62.000
177. Gwinn, 287, 3-1, 42.500
178. Cassopolis, 278, 4-0, 60.667
179. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 277, 4-0, 62.000
180. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 274, 4-0, 56.000
181. Carson City-Crystal, 268, 3-1, 34.000
182. Sand Creek, 268, 4-0, 48.000
183. Hudson, 267, 4-0, 66.000
184. Unionville-Sebewaing, 267, 3-1, 10.444
185. Detroit Loyola, 266, 3-1, 52.250
186. East Jordan, 261, 3-1, 34.500
187. Ubly, 260, 4-0, 62.000
188. Springport, 259, 4-0, 52.000
189. Concord, 258, 4-0, 52.000
190. Onekama, 254, 3-1, 30.500
191. Whittemore-Prescott, 251, 3-1, 44.500
192. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic, 249, 3-1, 52.500
193. Saginaw Nouvel, 248, 3-1, 54.750
194. Lincoln Alcona, 245, 3-1, 34.500
195. Evart, 242, 3-1, 44.500
196. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 242, 4-0, 58.000
197. Breckenridge, 235, 4-0, 48.000
198. St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic, 232, 4-0, 50.000
199. Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech, 224, 3-1, 44.250
200. St. Ignace, 219, 3-1, 46.750
201. Norway, 214, 4-0, 41.200
202. Newberry, 212, 4-0, 50.000
203. AuGres-Sims, 206, 3-1, 38.500
204. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 200, 3-1, 48.250
205. Vestaburg, 195, 4-0, 50.000
206. Merrill, 191, 3-1, 32.000
207. Fowler, 185, 3-1, 38.250
208. Frankfort, 171, 4-0, 48.000
209. Gaylord St. Mary, 170, 4-0, 42.000
210. Climax-Scotts, 169, 4-0, 52.000
211. Muskegon Catholic Central, 163, 4-0, 78.000
212. Lake Linden-Hubbell, 157, 4-0, 60.800
213. Colon, 156, 3-1, 34.750
214. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 115, 4-0, 54.000
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Powers North Central, 115, 4-0, 48.800
2. Deckerville *, 177, 4-0, 48.000
3. Cedarville, 156, 4-0, 48.000
4. New Haven Merritt Academy, 165, 4-0, 46.000
5. Engadine, 91, 4-0, 44.000
6. Portland St. Patrick, 92, 4-0, 42.667
7. Lawrence, 186, 4-0, 42.000
8. Owendale-Gagetown, 48, 4-0, 42.000
9. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 159, 3-1, 38.750
10. Peck, 143, 3-1, 36.750
11. Rapid River, 116, 3-1, 36.500
12. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 168, 4-0, 36.000
13. Camden-Frontier *, 159, 3-0, 34.667
14. Battle Creek St. Philip, 143, 4-0, 34.000
15. Stephenson, 177, 3-1, 31.700
16. Marion, 132, 3-1, 31.167
17. Waldron, 83, 3-1, 29.417
18. Pickford, 149, 3-1, 28.750
19. Hale, 129, 3-1, 28.750
20. Fife Lake Forest Area, 162, 3-1, 27.417
21. Webberville, 178, 3-1, 27.167
22. Posen, 94, 2-2, 21.917
23. Morrice, 168, 2-2, 21.500
24. Mayville, 196, 2-2, 21.250
25. Ontonagon, 126, 2-2, 21.250
26. Flint International Academy, 185, 2-2, 19.500
27. Onaway, 190, 2-2, 17.500
28. Tekonsha, 135, 1-3, 14.583
29. Brethren, 152, 1-3, 13.667
30. Carney-Nadeau *, 140, 1-2, 12.667
31. Caseville, 98, 1-3, 12.000
32. Eben Junction Superior Central, 125, 1-3, 11.917
33. Flint Michigan School for the Deaf *, 47, 1-2, 11.583
34. Baraga, 150, 1-3, 11.417
35. Ewen-Trout Creek, 115, 1-3, 11.250
36. Burr Oak, 72, 1-3, 11.167
37. Bellaire, 133, 1-3, 9.750
38. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 97, 1-3, 9.750
39. Burton Madison Academy, 198, 1-3, 9.500
40. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 137, 1-3, 9.500
41. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 118, 1-3, 9.500
42. Manistee Catholic Central, 189, 1-3, 9.000
43. Pellston, 169, 0-4, 2.000
44. Covert *, 95, 0-4, 2.000
45. Kinde-North Huron, 157, 0-4, 1.750
46. Litchfield, 85, 0-4, 1.500
47. Akron-Fairgrove, 105, 0-4, 0.750
48. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 193, 0-4, 0.500
Davison Earns 1st-Time Football Glory
November 30, 2019
By Tom Kendra
Special for Second Half
DETROIT – Davison senior wide receiver Latrell Fordham strolled into the postgame press conference with his left arm in a sling, and an enormous smile on his face.
Fordham played a huge role in Davison’s 35-25 victory over Brighton in the MHSAA Division 1 Final on Saturday at Ford Field – before landing awkwardly and fracturing his left elbow late in the second quarter.
“It hurts a lot, and I need surgery, but winning a state championship overrides all of that,” said Fordham, a 6-foot-3 Ball State commit who had four catches for 88 yards before his injury, including an electrifying 74-yard sprint along the Davison sideline that helped his team assume control in the second quarter.
Davison (12-2) won the first football Finals championship in school history and the first title for a Saginaw Valley League school since 1999 Saginaw High, which was led by Charles Rogers and also featured LaMarr Woodley.
The Cardinals, who had won their first four playoff games in come-from-behind fashion powered by their running game, shifted gears completely Saturday.
Davison never trailed and pulled away behind an impressive passing attack, as 6-3 junior quarterback Brendan Sullivan completed 14-of-19 passes for 290 yards. He connected with six receivers.
Brighton coach Brian Lemons said after the game that his team was committed to shutting down the run, which made it susceptible through the air.
“We had to pick our poison,” said Lemons, whose team stunned top-ranked Belleville 22-19 in the Semifinals to earn its first Finals appearance. “We had some single coverage, and they did a great job of connecting in those situations.”
Sullivan opened the scoring on a one-yard plunge in the first quarter set up by a crucial two-yard, fourth-down completion to Fordham and a 14-yard pass to Harrison Terry on the next play. Terry led all receivers with six catches for 94 yards.
After a Brighton field goal narrowed the lead to 7-3 in the second quarter, second-year Davison coach Jake Weingartz seized on an opportunity to go for a home run.
“We had trips (three receivers) to one side and Latrell by himself on the other side,” explained Weingartz. “He had single coverage and the safety shaded to the trips side. We had to take a shot. We’re not going to beat our head against the wall and try to run against a loaded front.”
Fordham took off on a straight go route along the Davison sideline and Sullivan delivered a strike, which Fordham caught in stride as he sprinted the rest of the way for a 74-yard score and 14-3 lead.
“We were waiting for the right moment, and on that play we had the matchup we wanted,” explained Fordham, who expects to miss a good portion of basketball season, but hopes to be back by March. “Brendan made a perfect throw. I just had to grab it and take it to the house.”
That play brought the huge crowd from Davison to its feet and seemingly opened the floodgates. The Cardinals scored on a one-yard run by Carter Cryderman before halftime and a 10-yard scramble run by Sullivan early in the third quarter to take a seemingly comfortable 28-3 lead.
Brighton (11-3) showed no quit, however, led by dual-threat senior quarterback Colby Newburg and junior running back Nicholas Nemecek.
The Bulldogs scored 16 points in a row – on a one-yard run by Nemecek and a 27-yard pass from Newburg to Nemecek (along with a pair of 2-point conversions) – to close to within 28-19 with four minutes remaining, bringing the orange-clad Brighton fans to life.
Newburg, a 6-0, 190-pound senior, completed 16-of-28 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns, and also ran 22 times for 83 yards.
“All I can say is that I’m super proud of everybody,” said Newburg. “We fought to the end.”
With Brighton back within striking distance, Sullivan took his turn in the quarterback shootout.
He connected with senior Caleb Smith on a 63-yard pass down to the 1-yard line, which Cryderman took in on the next play to push the lead back to 35-19.
Even then, Brighton was still not done, as Newburg completed six passes on the next drive, including a three-yard TD connection with Austin Lin with 43 seconds remaining. It wasn’t until the ensuing 2-point conversion pass fell incomplete that the game was decided.
Davison finished with a slight 441-425 edge in total yardage, but it was the efficiency of Sullivan through the air which proved to be the difference.
“I told my coach to trust me in this game,” said Sullivan, who stepped up as a junior on the biggest stage. “I want the ball in my hands in those pressure situations.”
The game featured two schools making their first appearances in the Finals, which is becoming more and more rare after 45 years of MHSAA Playoffs, which began in 1975.
That first-time excitement was apparent as both communities turned out in droves at Ford Field, Brighton in orange and Davison in gold.
Adding to the excitement was the fact neither team was expected to make a long playoff run after finishing second in their respective conferences – Davison in the Saginaw Valley League Red (behind Lapeer) and Brighton in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West (behind Plymouth).
Davison senior linebacker Logan Pasco was all over the field with a game-high 16 tackles, while Smith had nine tackles and defensive end Harry Unger made seven stops. Ian Hummel led Brighton with eight tackles, and Cole Riddle and Carson Billig each made six.
PHOTOS: (Top) Davison celebrates its first MHSAA Football Finals championship Saturday at Ford Field. (Middle) Brighton’s Ruben Salinas (1) keeps his eyes on a pass as Davison’s JayLen Murray Flowers works to deflect it.