2016 Week 7 Football Playoff Listing
October 4, 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 sixth 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. A caret (^) beside a school’s name indicates a team is one win away from playoff qualification.
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. Macomb Dakota, 2976, 4-2, 63.000
2. Utica Eisenhower, 2700, 6-0, 106.667
3. Clarkston, 2683, 4-2, 67.500
4. Grand Blanc, 2628, 4-2, 70.500
5. East Kentwood, 2596, 3-3, 52.333
6. Southfield Arts & Technology, 2581, 3-3, 52.667
7. Rockford, 2563, 4-2, 72.333
8. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2518, 3-3, 56.833
9. Howell, 2499, 4-2, 66.333
10. Dearborn Fordson, 2487, 6-0, 104.000
11. Lake Orion, 2418, 4-2, 64.667
12. Detroit Cass Tech, 2368, 6-0, 89.333
13. Northville ^, 2325, 5-1, 87.333
14. Salem, 2172, 3-3, 45.500
15. Brighton ^, 2142, 5-1, 87.333
16. Detroit Catholic Central, 2128, 6-0, 98.667
17. Novi, 2050, 4-2, 62.167
18. Monroe, 2046, 3-3, 45.867
19. Oxford, 2042, 3-3, 49.333
20. Canton, 2035, 4-2, 69.500
21. New Baltimore Anchor Bay, 1987, 4-2, 58.167
22. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North ^, 1986, 5-1, 79.500
23. Dearborn ^, 1978, 5-1, 86.000
24. Lapeer ^, 1932, 5-1, 72.500
25. Saline, 1923, 6-0, 100.800
26. West Bloomfield, 1905, 3-3, 52.167
27. Livonia Stevenson, 1839, 3-3, 56.000
28. Bloomfield Hills, 1831, 6-0, 97.333
29. White Lake Lakeland, 1822, 4-2, 62.167
30. Grandville ^, 1810, 5-1, 85.833
31. Hudsonville ^, 1797, 5-1, 82.000
32. Warren Mott, 1768, 6-0, 97.333
33. Grand Ledge ^, 1694, 5-1, 79.333
34. Belleville, 1668, 4-2, 64.167
35. Davison, 1668, 6-0, 89.333
36. Rochester Adams ^, 1666, 5-1, 79.167
37. Romeo, 1641, 4-2, 70.500
38. Waterford Mott, 1638, 3-3, 55.167
39. Rochester, 1632, 3-3, 51.000
40. Walled Lake Northern ^, 1631, 5-1, 80.333
41. Kalamazoo Central, 1615, 3-3, 48.967
42. Grosse Pointe South, 1600, 4-2, 65.000
43. Temperance Bedford ^, 1597, 5-1, 80.833
44. Detroit Western International, 1584, 4-2, 49.167
45. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1579, 4-2, 61.500
46. Detroit East English, 1579, 4-2, 54.833
47. Livonia Churchill, 1578, 4-2, 67.500
48. Saginaw Heritage, 1558, 3-3, 39.167
49. Traverse City West, 1552, 4-2, 64.333
50. Warren DeLaSalle, 1526, 3-3, 53.933
51. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1522, 4-2, 58.667
52. Livonia Franklin, 1507, 4-2, 64.833
53. Warren Cousino ^, 1496, 5-1, 79.000
54. Detroit Martin Luther King ^, 1487, 5-1, 71.500
55. Detroit U-D Jesuit *^, 1482, 4-1, 63.967
56. Jenison, 1481, 4-2, 61.000
57. Caledonia, 1456, 3-3, 51.833
58. Oak Park, 1409, 4-2, 68.333
59. St. Clair Shores Lakeview, 1409, 4-2, 58.167
60. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1404, 3-3, 46.033
61. Traverse City Central, 1394, 6-0, 98.667
62. Port Huron, 1392, 3-3, 47.500
63. Midland, 1388, 3-3, 44.333
64. Portage Central ^, 1388, 5-1, 82.967
65. Portage Northern, 1378, 4-2, 67.567
66. Walled Lake Western ^, 1370, 5-1, 88.000
67. Grosse Pointe North, 1367, 4-2, 62.500
68. Battle Creek Lakeview *, 1353, 3-2, 58.333
69. Hamtramck, 1352, 3-3, 36.400
70. Dearborn Edsel Ford, 1346, 3-3, 40.833
71. Berkley, 1319, 4-2, 64.833
72. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central ^, 1316, 5-1, 77.833
73. Wyandotte Roosevelt ^, 1311, 5-1, 80.833
74. Dearborn Heights Crestwood, 1294, 3-3, 39.000
75. Port Huron Northern ^, 1288, 5-1, 69.333
76. Wyoming, 1288, 4-2, 57.167
77. Pinckney, 1276, 4-2, 63.833
78. Midland Dow, 1254, 6-0, 92.000
79. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1250, 3-3, 50.000
80. Birmingham Groves, 1248, 6-0, 100.000
81. Jackson, 1243, 3-3, 52.333
82. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1240, 3-3, 50.667
83. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1198, 3-3, 42.667
84. Lowell, 1165, 6-0, 104.000
85. Holly, 1164, 4-2, 61.000
86. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1161, 3-3, 49.833
87. Bay City Central, 1158, 3-3, 48.333
88. Greenville, 1142, 4-2, 66.500
89. Fenton, 1138, 4-2, 69.000
90. East Lansing, 1117, 4-2, 60.667
91. Ferndale, 1117, 4-2, 52.000
92. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1100, 3-3, 45.833
93. Allen Park, 1094, 6-0, 104.000
94. Redford Thurston, 1090, 3-3, 47.167
95. Byron Center ^, 1070, 5-1, 76.667
96. Muskegon ^, 1052, 5-1, 79.333
97. Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 1040, 4-2, 70.424
98. Ortonville-Brandon ^, 1034, 5-1, 73.833
99. Detroit Cody, 1015, 4-2, 57.167
100. St. Johns, 1015, 3-3, 44.667
101. Mason ^, 1009, 5-1, 75.333
102. Zeeland East ^, 1007, 5-1, 70.000
103. DeWitt ^, 1002, 5-1, 82.000
104. St. Joseph, 989, 4-2, 65.100
105. East Grand Rapids, 979, 4-2, 71.000
106. Trenton ^, 969, 5-1, 83.500
107. Linden, 940, 4-2, 58.667
108. Cedar Springs, 936, 3-3, 48.667
109. Niles, 931, 3-3, 41.143
110. Coldwater, 929, 4-2, 58.167
111. Romulus ^, 929, 5-1, 78.000
112. Sturgis, 929, 3-3, 37.667
113. Grand Rapids Christian ^, 912, 5-1, 84.881
114. Warren Fitzgerald, 891, 6-0, 88.000
115. New Boston Huron, 886, 4-2, 54.833
116. Melvindale, 881, 3-3, 45.500
117. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 880, 6-0, 82.667
118. Chelsea, 867, 6-0, 93.333
119. Redford Union, 865, 4-2, 52.000
120. Stevensville Lakeshore, 865, 4-2, 69.167
121. Vicksburg ^, 861, 5-1, 67.500
122. Dearborn Divine Child, 859, 4-2, 58.333
123. Zeeland West, 857, 4-2, 68.167
124. Edwardsburg, 855, 6-0, 82.667
125. Marshall, 849, 3-3, 48.000
126. Bay City John Glenn, 838, 4-2, 61.333
127. Sparta, 834, 3-3, 36.333
128. Fowlerville, 833, 4-2, 56.167
129. Tecumseh, 832, 3-3, 45.533
130. Cadillac ^, 817, 5-1, 71.167
131. Hamilton ^, 810, 5-1, 72.667
132. Wayland Union, 810, 3-3, 41.167
133. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood ^, 797, 5-1, 64.500
134. Marysville, 794, 6-0, 88.000
135. Adrian, 792, 3-3, 50.533
136. Detroit Osborn, 786, 3-3, 41.833
137. St. Clair, 784, 3-3, 46.667
138. Milan, 775, 6-0, 93.333
139. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 749, 4-2, 58.333
140. River Rouge ^, 741, 5-1, 68.833
141. Allendale, 735, 4-2, 59.000
142. Three Rivers ^, 730, 5-1, 68.167
143. Escanaba ^, 722, 5-1, 72.833
144. Detroit Mumford ^, 714, 5-1, 71.267
145. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy *^, 708, 4-2, 52.833
146. Ludington ^, 695, 5-1, 55.500
147. Detroit Country Day, 692, 6-0, 82.667
148. Monroe Jefferson, 687, 3-3, 42.333
149. Yale, 683, 3-3, 35.000
150. Alma ^, 674, 5-1, 67.500
151. South Haven, 674, 3-3, 42.833
152. Paw Paw, 672, 3-3, 40.500
153. Battle Creek Pennfield, 669, 3-3, 43.000
154. Wyoming Kelloggsville ^, 660, 5-1, 67.967
155. Croswell-Lexington, 659, 4-2, 56.167
156. Lake Fenton, 654, 6-0, 74.667
157. Grosse Ile ^, 653, 5-1, 74.167
158. Whitehall, 653, 4-2, 53.333
159. Flint Powers Catholic, 647, 3-3, 50.833
160. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 645, 3-3, 43.967
161. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 644, 6-0, 92.000
162. Benton Harbor, 643, 6-0, 82.667
163. Williamston, 643, 3-3, 39.000
164. Big Rapids, 639, 3-3, 37.333
165. Corunna, 639, 6-0, 76.000
166. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 629, 6-0, 88.000
167. Grand Rapids South Christian, 621, 3-3, 42.000
168. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 617, 4-2, 59.833
169. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 614, 6-0, 84.000
170. Dowagiac, 610, 3-3, 40.833
171. Lansing Sexton, 610, 4-2, 65.333
172. Hancock, 608, 4-2, 41.310
173. Saginaw Swan Valley, 607, 4-2, 52.000
174. Clawson, 599, 3-3, 42.000
175. Detroit Denby ^, 593, 5-1, 63.167
176. Muskegon Oakridge ^, 590, 5-1, 60.833
177. Southfield Bradford Academy ^, 587, 5-1, 60.667
178. Belding, 585, 4-2, 50.667
179. Portland, 579, 6-0, 89.333
180. Remus Chippewa Hills ^, 577, 5-1, 67.500
181. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 568, 3-3, 30.300
182. Richmond ^, 562, 5-1, 68.833
183. Freeland, 561, 6-0, 89.333
184. Essexville Garber, 550, 4-2, 50.833
185. Algonac, 547, 6-0, 80.000
186. Ida, 546, 6-0, 76.000
187. Carrollton, 543, 4-2, 46.500
188. Kingsford, 543, 4-2, 59.214
189. Mt. Morris, 543, 3-3, 36.500
190. Olivet, 541, 4-2, 49.667
191. Harper Woods, 540, 4-2, 49.000
192. Frankenmuth, 533, 6-0, 84.000
193. Lansing Catholic ^, 532, 5-1, 76.833
194. Grandville Calvin Christian, 531, 3-3, 38.900
195. Grant, 520, 4-2, 49.500
196. Kalkaska ^, 517, 5-1, 57.833
197. Perry, 504, 3-3, 35.333
198. Almont, 497, 3-3, 35.333
199. Kalamazoo Hackett, 497, 3-3, 40.500
200. Shepherd, 497, 3-3, 40.667
201. Manistee, 496, 4-2, 45.000
202. Reed City, 496, 6-0, 84.000
203. Grayling, 492, 3-3, 39.500
204. Berrien Springs *, 482, 3-2, 48.438
205. Stockbridge, 482, 3-3, 38.000
206. Gladstone, 478, 3-3, 39.500
207. Buchanan *, 476, 3-2, 47.133
208. Grand Rapids West Catholic ^, 475, 5-1, 60.500
209. Durand, 463, 4-2, 41.333
210. Parchment, 448, 4-2, 44.733
211. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 442, 4-2, 48.167
212. Menominee, 439, 6-0, 87.619
213. Hillsdale, 432, 4-2, 47.667
214. Ithaca, 426, 6-0, 77.333
215. Clare ^, 419, 5-1, 60.833
216. Detroit Voyageur, 418, 3-3, 35.967
217. Pinconning, 417, 4-2, 42.333
218. Montague ^, 414, 5-1, 60.167
219. Houghton, 412, 3-3, 27.952
220. Tawas *^, 412, 4-1, 44.333
221. Hemlock, 411, 4-2, 44.000
222. Harrison, 410, 4-2, 45.167
223. Calumet ^, 406, 5-1, 65.976
224. Michigan Center, 406, 3-3, 29.833
225. Morley Stanwood, 404, 4-2, 49.167
226. Lakeview, 402, 3-3, 37.667
227. Delton Kellogg, 401, 4-2, 50.500
228. Negaunee, 400, 6-0, 80.000
229. Warren Michigan Collegiate ^, 398, 5-1, 66.000
230. Adrian Madison, 397, 3-3, 36.833
231. Boyne City, 396, 4-2, 58.167
232. Charlevoix ^, 393, 5-1, 53.833
233. Millington ^, 393, 5-1, 66.167
234. Burton Bendle, 392, 3-3, 30.833
235. Mason County Central, 389, 3-3, 29.333
236. Beaverton, 387, 4-2, 45.167
237. Constantine, 386, 4-2, 51.833
238. Montrose, 386, 3-3, 36.833
239. Byron, 385, 4-2, 46.667
240. Quincy ^, 381, 5-1, 47.167
241. Jackson Lumen Christi, 380, 4-2, 58.833
242. Napoleon, 380, 4-2, 41.333
243. Watervliet, 380, 4-2, 50.667
244. Maple City Glen Lake, 379, 4-2, 52.333
245. Manchester, 378, 4-2, 41.333
246. Detroit Edison Public School Academy *, 374, 3-2, 40.500
247. Houghton Lake, 374, 3-3, 38.167
248. Laingsburg ^, 374, 5-1, 56.833
249. Roscommon, 367, 6-0, 73.333
250. Grass Lake, 363, 6-0, 68.000
251. Kent City, 362, 4-2, 47.500
252. New Haven, 362, 3-3, 36.667
253. Schoolcraft, 358, 6-0, 69.333
254. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 355, 3-3, 42.000
255. Oscoda, 352, 3-3, 31.000
256. Ravenna, 350, 4-2, 45.333
257. Leroy Pine River ^, 347, 5-1, 60.667
258. Madison Heights Madison, 343, 3-3, 47.833
259. Traverse City St. Francis, 341, 6-0, 74.667
260. Bath, 336, 3-3, 29.833
261. Lawton ^, 333, 5-1, 52.833
262. Clinton, 331, 4-2, 46.667
263. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 330, 3-3, 30.333
264. Flint Hamady, 329, 4-2, 51.833
265. Reese, 328, 4-2, 46.833
266. Detroit Delta Prep, 327, 4-2, 47.667
267. McBain, 326, 3-3, 42.667
268. Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 322, 3-3, 34.000
269. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 320, 3-3, 36.333
270. Burton Atherton, 316, 4-2, 37.000
271. Homer, 313, 4-2, 50.500
272. Bridgman, 312, 4-2, 36.900
273. Galesburg-Augusta, 312, 3-3, 27.500
274. Iron Mountain ^, 302, 5-1, 56.300
275. New Lothrop, 298, 6-0, 72.000
276. Gobles ^, 289, 5-1, 55.333
277. Saugatuck, 289, 6-0, 66.667
278. Cass City, 288, 3-3, 35.667
279. Pewamo-Westphalia, 288, 6-0, 70.667
280. Gwinn, 287, 4-2, 41.500
281. Cassopolis ^, 278, 5-1, 58.533
282. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 277, 6-0, 65.333
283. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, 275, 3-3, 31.633
284. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 274, 6-0, 62.667
285. Carson City-Crystal, 268, 4-2, 32.833
286. Sand Creek, 268, 6-0, 63.200
287. Hudson ^, 267, 5-1, 60.500
288. Unionville-Sebewaing ^, 267, 5-1, 52.833
289. Detroit Loyola ^, 266, 5-1, 67.167
290. Hesperia, 265, 4-2, 42.167
291. East Jordan, 261, 4-2, 33.333
292. Ubly, 260, 6-0, 65.333
293. Dansville, 259, 4-2, 41.500
294. Springport ^, 259, 5-1, 51.167
295. Concord ^, 258, 5-1, 48.667
296. Onekama ^, 254, 5-1, 43.167
297. Whittemore-Prescott, 251, 3-3, 33.400
298. Auburn Hills Oakland Christian *, 250, 3-2, 33.467
299. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic ^, 249, 5-1, 61.667
300. Saginaw Nouvel, 248, 4-2, 46.500
301. New Buffalo, 247, 3-3, 26.667
302. Petersburg-Summerfield, 247, 4-2, 37.333
303. Lincoln Alcona ^, 245, 5-1, 55.267
304. Decatur, 243, 3-3, 27.000
305. Evart, 242, 4-2, 44.833
306. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 242, 6-0, 64.000
307. Iron River West Iron County, 241, 3-3, 33.905
308. Beal City, 239, 4-2, 46.667
309. Ishpeming *, 239, 3-2, 36.038
310. Breckenridge, 235, 6-0, 57.333
311. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 233, 3-3, 25.667
312. St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic ^, 232, 5-1, 45.833
313. Harbor Beach, 231, 4-2, 35.667
314. Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech, 224, 3-3, 30.500
315. St. Ignace ^, 219, 5-1, 56.833
316. Norway ^, 214, 5-1, 46.205
317. Newberry ^, 212, 5-1, 48.833
318. Pittsford, 206, 3-3, 28.667
319. Rogers City, 205, 3-3, 28.333
320. Marcellus, 204, 3-3, 25.500
321. Mendon, 203, 4-2, 46.400
322. Morenci, 201, 4-2, 45.500
323. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 200, 4-2, 46.500
324. Vestaburg, 195, 4-2, 37.000
325. Fulton, 191, 3-3, 26.000
326. Merrill ^, 191, 5-1, 41.667
327. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 186, 3-3, 34.867
328. Fowler, 185, 4-2, 37.000
329. Martin, 178, 4-2, 34.333
330. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 173, 3-3, 36.133
331. Frankfort, 171, 6-0, 60.000
332. Gaylord St. Mary ^, 170, 5-1, 36.667
333. Climax-Scotts, 169, 6-0, 56.000
334. Muskegon Catholic Central, 163, 6-0, 76.000
335. Lake Linden-Hubbell, 157, 6-0, 67.238
336. Colon, 156, 4-2, 35.033
337. AuGres-Sims ^, 149, 5-1, 48.667
338. Hillman, 146, 3-3, 26.000
339. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 146, 3-3, 29.833
340. Waterford Our Lady, 134, 4-2, 45.500
341. Clarkston Everest Collegiate ^, 115, 5-1, 53.833
342. Felch North Dickinson, 95, 4-2, 35.025
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Deckerville *, 177, 6-0, 62.667
2. New Haven Merritt Academy, 165, 6-0, 56.000
3. Engadine, 91, 6-0, 54.667
4. Powers North Central, 115, 6-0, 51.048
5. Cedarville, 156, 6-0, 50.667
6. Lawrence, 186, 6-0, 50.400
7. Peck, 143, 5-1, 48.033
8. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 168, 6-0, 48.000
9. Portland St. Patrick, 92, 6-0, 45.333
10. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 159, 5-1, 45.100
11. Rapid River, 116, 5-1, 40.933
12. Webberville, 178, 5-1, 40.667
13. Owendale-Gagetown, 48, 5-1, 39.500
14. Stephenson, 177, 5-1, 38.571
15. Fife Lake Forest Area, 162, 5-1, 36.833
16. Battle Creek St. Philip, 143, 4-2, 35.933
17. Pickford, 149, 5-1, 35.500
18. Camden-Frontier *, 159, 4-1, 34.967
19. Flint International Academy, 185, 4-2, 33.500
20. Hale, 129, 4-2, 29.333
21. Morrice, 168, 3-3, 28.667
22. Marion, 132, 3-3, 27.167
23. Onaway, 190, 4-2, 27.000
24. Tekonsha, 135, 3-3, 24.667
25. Mayville, 196, 3-3, 24.500
26. Waldron, 83, 3-3, 23.167
27. Posen, 94, 2-4, 17.533
28. Brethren, 152, 2-4, 17.167
29. Ontonagon, 126, 2-4, 16.214
30. Burr Oak, 72, 2-4, 15.333
31. Burton Madison Academy, 198, 2-4, 14.500
32. Caseville, 98, 2-4, 14.500
33. Flint Michigan School for the Deaf *, 47, 2-3, 14.233
34. Bellaire, 133, 2-4, 13.333
35. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 97, 2-4, 12.833
36. Manistee Catholic Central, 189, 2-4, 12.500
37. Eben Junction Superior Central, 125, 1-5, 9.933
38. Ewen-Trout Creek, 115, 1-5, 9.500
39. Baraga, 150, 1-5, 9.267
40. Carney-Nadeau *, 140, 1-4, 9.067
41. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 137, 1-5, 8.333
42. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 118, 1-5, 7.667
43. Pellston, 169, 0-6, 3.333
44. Kinde-North Huron, 157, 0-6, 2.833
45. Litchfield, 85, 0-6, 2.833
46. Covert *, 95, 0-5, 2.333
47. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 193, 0-6, 2.000
48. Akron-Fairgrove, 105, 0-6, 2.000
Drive for Detroit: Semifinals in Review
November 21, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
After nearly four months, this drive for Detroit is nearly complete.
Sixteen teams remain for this weekend's eight MHSAA 11-Player Finals at Ford Field in Detroit. Below is a glance at how all 16 earned their end-of-season trips, with a number of them frequent visitors to the season's final days.
Division 1
Detroit Catholic Central 17, Romeo 0
The Shamrocks eliminated the reigning Division 1 champion in a matchup of last season’s Regional Final, a 40-29 Romeo win. Detroit Catholic Central (13-0) is on course for its best defensive season since 2011 and a win away from its first undefeated season since 2009. For Romeo (9-4), the loss ends a two-season run that saw the Bulldogs play in their second and third Semifinals ever (and first since 1992) while earning their first MHSAA team title and finishing a combined 22-5. Click for more from the Observer & Eccentric.
Detroit Cass Tech 32, Utica Eisenhower 28
Cass Tech standout receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Rodney Hall with only 24 seconds to play to push the Technicians (13-0) ahead of Eisenhower and soon after back into the Division 1 Final for the second straight season and fourth time this decade. The reigning runner-up in this division won its second straight nail-biter after downing Saline by one in the Regional Final, handing Eisenhower (12-1) its first loss after doing the same to the Hornets the week before. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.
Division 2
Walled Lake Western 37, Lowell 34
The Red Arrows (12-1), last season’s Division 2 runners-up, found themselves in a comeback quest for the second week in a row but couldn’t come all the way back in this rematch of a 2015 Semifinal. Walled Lake Western (12-1) led 31-14 at halftime and held Lowell off for the final 7:46 to advance to its first championship game since 1999. The Warriors had lost to Lowell 49-34 in the meeting a year ago. Click for more from the Oakland Press.
Detroit Martin Luther King 14, Birmingham Groves 7
King earned a chance to repeat as Division 2 champion with a defensive stand after heading into halftime up 14-0. The Crusaders (11-2) hadn’t scored fewer than 18 points since Week 1 of 2015, but were able to ride out the final two quarters relying on a defense that has given up only 35 points over four playoff games. Groves finished its first Semifinal run 11-2, setting a program record for wins for the second straight season after finishing 10-1 in 2015. Click for more from the Detroit News.
Division 3
Muskegon 19, Edwardsburg 8
This defensive standoff saw both teams easily score their fewest points this season – but Muskegon advance to its fourth championship game in five years while keeping Edwardsburg from advancing to the MHSAA Finals for the first time. The Big Reds (12-1) increased their school record points total to 653 and locked down an Eddies team that hadn’t scored fewer than 30. Edwardsburg finished 12-1, setting a program record for victories in one season. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 49, Dearborn Divine Child 7
St. Mary’s will play for its third straight Division 3 championship and in its seventh MHSAA Final over the last eight seasons. Divine Child (10-3) was one of the surprises of the playoffs and finished with its most wins since 1985, but couldn’t come back after the Eaglets scored three times during the first quarter and three more times during the second. Click for more from the Oakland Press.
Division 4
Grand Rapids Catholic Central 31, Hudsonville Unity Christian 3
The Cougars (12-1) will play for a championship for the first time since 2010 after ending Unity Christian’s longest playoff run with another impressive defensive performance. GRCC has given up 10 points total over four playoff games and with Grand Rapids West Catholic in Division 5 gives the Ottawa-Kent Conference Blue two finalists this weekend. Unity Christian finished 10-3, two wins better than any season since the program began in 2003. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Detroit Country Day 20, River Rouge 14
After two straight Semifinal misses, Country Day will play in its second championship game in five seasons after eliminating last year’s Division 5 runner-up. River Rouge (11-2) held the Yellowjackets to their fewest points since opening night, but also scored its fewest since a 2014 Regional Final loss. Country Day (13-0) didn’t score during the second half, but Rouge didn't find the end zone again after scoring on its first possession of the third quarter. Click for more from State Champs! Sports Network.
Division 5
Menominee 23, Frankenmuth 20
Sam Larsen’s 1-yard touchdown blast up the middle with 9:27 to play stood as the winning points in a back-and-forth contest at the Superior Dome. Playing in its seventh Semifinal over the last 11 seasons, Menominee (12-1) earned its fourth championship game of this run and first since 2013. Frankenmuth (11-2) gave the Maroons their second-closest game of this season – the other was a loss to DeWitt in Week 8 – and tied its school record for wins with the most since the program’s last Semifinal run in 1997. Click for more from the Marinette (Wis.) Eagle Herald.
Grand Rapids West Catholic 17, Algonac 0
Reigning Division 5 champion West Catholic (11-2) completed an impressive even if not altogether unexpected run through three road games and a neutral-site semi to return to Ford Field. Defense has been the story for the Falcons this season, and they added a shutout after holding their first three playoff opponents to a combined 20 points. Algonac, in its first Semifinal appearance, held West Catholic to the latter’s second fewest points this season. But the Muskrats (11-2) failed to get on the board for the first time since Week 3 of 2014. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Division 6
Maple City Glen Lake 34, Leroy Pine River 20
Glen Lake’s earned it first trip to the Finals in football since 1996 on the success of a run game that was able to navigate the snowy conditions at Thirlby Field in Traverse City. Pine River (9-4), playing in its first Semifinal, had given up only 33 points total over the first three playoff games. Glen Lake (11-2), with the win, tied for its most in a season also since that 1996 run. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Jackson Lumen Christi 27, Millington 7
Lumen Christi (11-2) is headed back to Ford Field for its first championship game since 2009 thanks in part to a second-straight single-digit performance by its defense. After holding Napoleon to only six points in the Regional Final, the Titans kept Millington to its fewest this fall (Millington also had scored only seven against Frankenmuth in Week 5). The Semifinal was the first for the Cardinals (11-1) since back-to-back trips in 2009 and 2010. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen-Patriot.
Division 7
Pewamo-Westphalia 34, Ubly 16
The Pirates (13-0) will return to the Division 7 Final after finishing runner-up a year ago. And they booked the trip by downing an undefeated team for the third straight week, handing Ubly (12-1) a first loss after doing the same to Traverse City St. Francis in the Regional Final and Saugatuck in the District championship game. After missing 100 yards rushing last week for the first time in three seasons, Pirates running back Jared Smith came back with 119 yards and two scores on 17 carries. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
Detroit Loyola 54, Cassopolis 22
Loyola will play in its fourth championship game in five seasons seeking to add to its 2014 title after continuing a playoff run that has seen the Bulldogs beat four league title winners and all by at least 23 points. Cassopolis (11-2), champion of the Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph Conference Red, was playing in its first Semifinal and set a program record this fall for victories. But the usually defense-strong Rangers couldn’t stop a Loyola attack that scored its second-most points this season. Click for more from State Champs! Sports Network.
Division 8
Muskegon Catholic Central 35, St. Ignace 0
The Crusaders (13-0) will play for a fourth straight Division 8 championship after improving on a Week 2 win over the Saints. MCC had beaten St. Ignace 21-6 in that first meeting, and led this one 21-0 by the end of its first possession of the second half. The shutout was the Crusaders’ third straight, and they’ve given up only seven points total over four playoff games. MCC also defeated the Saints (11-2) in a Semifinal last season. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.
Ottawa Lake Whiteford 40, Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 21
Whiteford (13-0) has been building for years toward what will be its first championship game , and broke through after also playing but falling in a Semifinal a year ago. Jesse Kiefer ran for 183 yards and three touchdowns as the team piled up 526 yards of total offense, and the defense held mostly tight despite 152 yards rushing and two scores by MLS’s Casey Williams on only eight carries. The Cardinals finished 10-3 after reaching their second Semifinal in three seasons. Click for more from the Saginaw News.
PHOTO: Walled Lake Western's Cody White breaks through the line against Lowell in their Division 2 Semifinal on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of State Champs! Sports Network.)