2016 Week 9 Football Playoff Listing
October 18, 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 eighth 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. In addition to the cable television broadcast, the show will be available via a live video stream on the FoxSportsDetroit.com website, and for mobile users on FOX Sports GO! 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, 5-3, 65.000
2. Utica Eisenhower, 2700, 8-0, 113.000
3. Clarkston, 2683, 6-2, 82.125
4. Grand Blanc, 2628, 4-4, 57.000
5. East Kentwood, 2596, 4-4, 55.500
6. Southfield Arts & Technology ^, 2581, 5-3, 68.125
7. Rockford, 2563, 6-2, 83.750
8. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley ^, 2518, 5-3, 73.000
9. Howell ^, 2499, 5-3, 65.875
10. Dearborn Fordson, 2487, 7-1, 94.750
11. Lake Orion ^, 2418, 5-3, 64.500
12. Detroit Cass Tech, 2368, 8-0, 93.000
13. Northville, 2325, 7-1, 100.750
14. Salem, 2172, 4-4, 51.125
15. Brighton, 2142, 7-1, 94.750
16. Detroit Catholic Central, 2128, 8-0, 110.000
17. Novi, 2050, 4-4, 51.875
18. Oxford, 2042, 4-4, 51.000
19. Canton, 2035, 6-2, 79.500
20. New Baltimore Anchor Bay ^, 1987, 5-3, 57.500
21. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, 1986, 6-2, 76.500
22. Dearborn, 1978, 7-1, 97.750
23. Lapeer, 1932, 6-2, 72.500
24. Saline, 1923, 8-0, 108.714
25. West Bloomfield, 1905, 4-4, 53.375
26. Holt, 1881, 4-4, 48.500
27. Livonia Stevenson, 1839, 4-4, 57.125
28. Bloomfield Hills, 1831, 8-0, 107.000
29. White Lake Lakeland, 1822, 4-4, 48.875
30. Grandville, 1810, 7-1, 93.625
31. Hudsonville, 1797, 7-1, 93.750
32. Warren Mott, 1768, 6-2, 78.375
33. Ann Arbor Skyline, 1732, 4-4, 49.536
34. Grand Ledge, 1694, 7-1, 91.750
35. Belleville, 1668, 6-2, 77.500
36. Davison, 1668, 8-0, 101.000
37. Rochester Adams, 1666, 6-2, 75.500
38. Romeo ^, 1641, 5-3, 75.750
39. Waterford Mott, 1638, 4-4, 56.000
40. Rochester ^, 1632, 5-3, 63.750
41. Walled Lake Northern, 1631, 6-2, 76.125
42. Kalamazoo Central, 1615, 4-4, 52.089
43. Grosse Pointe South, 1600, 6-2, 83.125
44. Temperance Bedford, 1597, 7-1, 85.875
45. Detroit Western International, 1584, 4-4, 42.750
46. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1579, 6-2, 75.375
47. Detroit East English, 1579, 4-4, 49.125
48. Livonia Churchill ^, 1578, 5-3, 64.625
49. Traverse City West, 1552, 6-2, 77.625
50. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1522, 6-2, 78.250
51. Livonia Franklin, 1507, 6-2, 80.000
52. Warren Cousino, 1496, 7-1, 89.500
53. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1487, 7-1, 86.875
54. Detroit U-D Jesuit *, 1482, 5-2, 76.746
55. Jenison ^, 1481, 5-3, 60.125
56. Oak Park, 1409, 6-2, 81.750
57. St. Clair Shores Lakeview ^, 1409, 5-3, 55.875
58. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1404, 4-4, 47.161
59. Traverse City Central, 1394, 7-1, 92.500
60. Port Huron, 1392, 4-4, 47.875
61. Midland, 1388, 4-4, 46.625
62. Portage Central, 1388, 7-1, 95.464
63. Portage Northern ^, 1378, 5-3, 65.946
64. Walled Lake Western, 1370, 7-1, 103.125
65. Grosse Pointe North, 1367, 6-2, 76.250
66. Battle Creek Lakeview *, 1353, 5-2, 70.268
67. Hamtramck ^, 1352, 5-3, 51.804
68. Dearborn Edsel Ford, 1346, 4-4, 47.875
69. Berkley ^, 1319, 5-3, 65.750
70. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 1316, 6-2, 76.375
71. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1311, 7-1, 89.875
72. Dearborn Heights Crestwood, 1294, 4-4, 45.125
73. Port Huron Northern, 1288, 6-2, 67.875
74. Wyoming ^, 1288, 5-3, 59.875
75. Pinckney, 1276, 6-2, 78.375
76. Midland Dow, 1254, 7-1, 86.625
77. Birmingham Brother Rice ^, 1250, 5-3, 69.042
78. Birmingham Groves, 1248, 8-0, 109.000
79. Jackson, 1243, 4-4, 51.250
80. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1240, 4-4, 52.375
81. South Lyon, 1234, 4-4, 53.250
82. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1198, 4-4, 45.625
83. Lowell, 1165, 8-0, 113.000
84. Holly ^, 1164, 5-3, 59.750
85. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1161, 4-4, 50.500
86. Bay City Central ^, 1158, 5-3, 58.875
87. Greenville ^, 1142, 5-3, 64.625
88. Fenton, 1138, 6-2, 79.000
89. Gibraltar Carlson, 1136, 4-4, 51.500
90. East Lansing ^, 1117, 5-3, 62.500
91. Ferndale, 1117, 6-2, 65.375
92. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1100, 4-4, 50.875
93. Allen Park, 1094, 8-0, 111.000
94. Byron Center, 1070, 7-1, 89.750
95. Mount Pleasant, 1065, 4-4, 43.625
96. Muskegon, 1052, 7-1, 91.750
97. Orchard Lake St. Mary's ^, 1040, 5-3, 70.978
98. Ortonville-Brandon, 1034, 7-1, 80.625
99. Detroit Cody ^, 1015, 5-3, 59.125
100. St. Johns, 1015, 4-4, 47.750
101. Mason, 1009, 7-1, 81.750
102. Zeeland East, 1007, 6-2, 73.250
103. DeWitt, 1002, 7-1, 95.750
104. St. Joseph, 989, 6-2, 77.071
105. East Grand Rapids, 979, 6-2, 78.625
106. Trenton ^, 969, 5-3, 68.000
107. Linden, 940, 6-2, 70.500
108. Coldwater, 929, 6-2, 72.000
109. Romulus, 929, 7-1, 84.750
110. Grand Rapids Christian, 912, 7-1, 88.958
111. Warren Fitzgerald, 891, 7-1, 85.500
112. New Boston Huron ^, 886, 5-3, 57.750
113. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 880, 7-1, 78.625
114. Chelsea, 867, 8-0, 101.486
115. Redford Union, 865, 6-2, 62.375
116. Stevensville Lakeshore ^, 865, 5-3, 65.750
117. Vicksburg, 861, 7-1, 77.875
118. Dearborn Divine Child, 859, 6-2, 66.000
119. Zeeland West, 857, 6-2, 78.500
120. Edwardsburg, 855, 8-0, 93.000
121. Marshall, 849, 4-4, 48.375
122. Bay City John Glenn, 838, 6-2, 63.375
123. Sparta, 834, 4-4, 38.375
124. Fowlerville, 833, 6-2, 69.625
125. Cadillac, 817, 6-2, 68.250
126. Hamilton ^, 810, 5-3, 59.125
127. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 797, 6-2, 65.536
128. Marysville, 794, 8-0, 99.000
129. Adrian ^, 792, 5-3, 59.161
130. Detroit Osborn, 786, 4-4, 45.750
131. St. Clair, 784, 4-4, 51.375
132. Milan, 775, 7-1, 87.375
133. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 749, 4-4, 48.000
134. River Rouge, 741, 7-1, 75.875
135. Allendale, 735, 6-2, 67.500
136. Three Rivers, 730, 6-2, 67.125
137. Escanaba, 722, 6-2, 69.306
138. Detroit Mumford, 714, 7-1, 85.571
139. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy *, 708, 5-3, 57.911
140. Detroit Cesar Chavez Academy, 697, 4-4, 26.250
141. Ludington, 695, 6-2, 50.375
142. Detroit Country Day, 692, 8-0, 93.714
143. Monroe Jefferson, 687, 4-4, 44.750
144. Warren Lincoln, 686, 4-4, 39.750
145. Yale, 683, 4-4, 42.125
146. Alma, 674, 7-1, 77.875
147. Paw Paw, 672, 4-4, 41.500
148. Battle Creek Pennfield, 669, 4-4, 45.375
149. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 660, 7-1, 80.071
150. Croswell-Lexington ^, 659, 5-3, 53.875
151. Lake Fenton, 654, 8-0, 88.000
152. Grosse Ile, 653, 7-1, 81.750
153. Whitehall ^, 653, 5-3, 51.000
154. Flint Powers Catholic ^, 647, 5-3, 57.625
155. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 645, 4-4, 45.196
156. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 644, 7-1, 85.750
157. Benton Harbor, 643, 8-0, 93.000
158. Williamston, 643, 4-4, 43.750
159. Corunna, 639, 6-2, 62.500
160. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 629, 7-1, 86.625
161. Grand Rapids South Christian ^, 621, 5-3, 58.250
162. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 617, 6-2, 72.125
163. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 614, 8-0, 86.000
164. Dowagiac ^, 610, 5-3, 54.250
165. Lansing Sexton ^, 610, 5-3, 67.000
166. Hancock, 608, 4-4, 35.514
167. Saginaw Swan Valley ^, 607, 5-3, 55.250
168. Detroit Denby, 593, 7-1, 74.375
169. Muskegon Oakridge, 590, 7-1, 73.875
170. Southfield Bradford, 587, 6-2, 58.536
171. Belding ^, 585, 5-3, 53.125
172. Portland, 579, 8-0, 100.000
173. Remus Chippewa Hills, 577, 7-1, 75.875
174. North Muskegon, 565, 4-4, 38.750
175. Richmond, 562, 7-1, 80.875
176. Freeland, 561, 8-0, 95.000
177. Macomb Lutheran North, 557, 4-4, 41.250
178. Essexville Garber, 550, 6-2, 60.625
179. Algonac, 547, 7-1, 77.750
180. Ida, 546, 7-1, 76.750
181. Carrollton, 543, 4-4, 38.625
182. Kingsford, 543, 6-2, 71.306
183. Olivet ^, 541, 5-3, 54.625
184. Harper Woods, 540, 4-4, 38.425
185. Frankenmuth, 533, 8-0, 88.000
186. Lansing Catholic, 532, 7-1, 83.875
187. Grandville Calvin Christian ^, 531, 5-3, 54.946
188. Marine City, 526, 4-4, 49.000
189. Grant, 520, 6-2, 57.625
190. Kalkaska, 517, 6-2, 56.500
191. Perry, 504, 4-4, 35.250
192. Almont ^, 497, 5-3, 51.000
193. Shepherd ^, 497, 5-3, 51.125
194. Manistee, 496, 4-4, 39.500
195. Reed City, 496, 8-0, 91.000
196. Grayling ^, 492, 5-3, 46.250
197. Berrien Springs *, 482, 5-2, 66.306
198. Stockbridge, 482, 4-4, 41.500
199. Buchanan *^, 476, 4-3, 51.411
200. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 475, 7-1, 75.625
201. Ovid-Elsie, 475, 4-4, 38.750
202. Durand ^, 463, 5-3, 44.125
203. Parchment ^, 448, 5-3, 48.375
204. Clinton Township Clintondale, 447, 4-4, 40.750
205. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 442, 6-2, 58.500
206. Menominee, 439, 7-1, 84.194
207. Hillsdale, 432, 4-4, 39.250
208. Ithaca, 426, 8-0, 83.000
209. Clare, 419, 7-1, 73.875
210. Pinconning ^, 417, 5-3, 44.875
211. Montague, 414, 6-2, 58.125
212. Tawas *, 412, 5-2, 45.714
213. Hemlock, 411, 4-4, 37.875
214. Harrison ^, 410, 5-3, 46.750
215. Calumet, 406, 7-1, 67.764
216. Michigan Center ^, 406, 5-3, 45.000
217. Morley Stanwood ^, 404, 5-3, 48.875
218. Lakeview ^, 402, 5-3, 54.625
219. Delton Kellogg, 401, 4-4, 42.625
220. Negaunee, 400, 8-0, 86.429
221. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 398, 7-1, 76.036
222. Adrian Madison, 397, 4-4, 36.750
223. Boyne City, 396, 6-2, 62.875
224. Charlevoix, 393, 6-2, 56.500
225. Millington, 393, 7-1, 73.875
226. Beaverton ^, 387, 5-3, 48.000
227. Constantine ^, 386, 5-3, 55.000
228. Montrose ^, 386, 5-3, 52.125
229. Byron, 385, 6-2, 57.500
230. Quincy ^, 381, 5-3, 39.125
231. Jackson Lumen Christi, 380, 6-2, 71.500
232. Napoleon, 380, 6-2, 53.375
233. Watervliet, 380, 6-2, 61.375
234. Maple City Glen Lake, 379, 6-2, 56.750
235. Manchester ^, 378, 5-3, 43.000
236. Detroit Edison Public School Academy *^, 374, 4-3, 41.304
237. Houghton Lake ^, 374, 5-3, 49.125
238. Laingsburg, 374, 7-1, 63.875
239. Blissfield, 367, 4-4, 41.875
240. Roscommon, 367, 7-1, 68.750
241. Grass Lake, 363, 7-1, 65.500
242. Kent City, 362, 6-2, 56.125
243. New Haven, 362, 4-4, 41.250
244. Schoolcraft, 358, 8-0, 83.000
245. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 355, 4-4, 49.500
246. Oscoda, 352, 4-4, 30.125
247. Ravenna, 350, 6-2, 60.375
248. Leroy Pine River, 347, 6-2, 61.125
249. Detroit Central Collegiate, 346, 4-4, 40.250
250. Ecorse, 345, 4-4, 40.375
251. Madison Heights Madison ^, 343, 5-3, 67.625
252. Traverse City St. Francis, 341, 8-0, 85.000
253. Bath, 336, 4-4, 32.625
254. Lawton, 333, 7-1, 62.875
255. Clinton, 331, 6-2, 56.250
256. Flint Hamady, 329, 6-2, 58.375
257. Reese ^, 328, 5-3, 43.000
258. Detroit Delta Prep ^, 327, 5-3, 46.375
259. Flint Beecher, 327, 4-4, 38.250
260. McBain, 326, 4-4, 42.625
261. Burton Atherton, 316, 4-4, 30.625
262. Homer, 313, 6-2, 55.250
263. Bridgman ^, 312, 5-3, 39.946
264. Galesburg-Augusta ^, 312, 5-3, 38.250
265. Iron Mountain, 302, 6-2, 53.929
266. Brown City, 298, 4-4, 32.875
267. New Lothrop, 298, 8-0, 80.000
268. Gobles, 289, 6-2, 57.625
269. Saugatuck, 289, 8-0, 71.000
270. Cass City ^, 288, 5-3, 50.375
271. Pewamo-Westphalia, 288, 8-0, 74.000
272. Gwinn ^, 287, 5-3, 46.250
273. Harbor Springs, 284, 4-4, 34.571
274. Cassopolis, 278, 7-1, 65.143
275. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 277, 8-0, 74.429
276. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest ^, 275, 5-3, 42.607
277. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 274, 7-1, 60.750
278. Carson City-Crystal, 268, 4-4, 30.125
279. Sand Creek, 268, 7-1, 60.161
280. Hudson, 267, 7-1, 74.375
281. Unionville-Sebewaing, 267, 7-1, 65.875
282. Detroit Loyola, 266, 7-1, 80.500
283. Hesperia, 265, 4-4, 37.375
284. East Jordan, 261, 4-4, 27.125
285. Ubly, 260, 8-0, 73.000
286. Dansville ^, 259, 5-3, 41.125
287. Springport, 259, 7-1, 61.625
288. Concord, 258, 7-1, 60.750
289. Onekama, 254, 6-2, 42.250
290. Whittemore-Prescott ^, 251, 5-3, 41.589
291. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic, 249, 6-2, 59.000
292. Saginaw Nouvel ^, 248, 5-3, 57.798
293. Petersburg-Summerfield ^, 247, 5-3, 40.000
294. Lincoln Alcona, 245, 7-1, 59.571
295. Decatur, 243, 4-4, 31.250
296. Evart ^, 242, 5-3, 44.625
297. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 242, 8-0, 74.000
298. Iron River West Iron County ^, 241, 5-3, 47.708
299. Beal City, 239, 6-2, 58.375
300. Breckenridge, 235, 8-0, 68.000
301. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 233, 4-4, 32.375
302. St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic, 232, 7-1, 57.500
303. Harbor Beach, 231, 4-4, 30.250
304. Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech, 224, 4-4, 35.571
305. St. Ignace, 219, 7-1, 62.304
306. Norway, 214, 7-1, 62.637
307. Newberry, 212, 7-1, 54.875
308. Pittsford ^, 206, 5-3, 38.286
309. Mendon, 203, 6-2, 54.179
310. Morenci ^, 201, 5-3, 47.375
311. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 200, 6-2, 59.375
312. Vestaburg ^, 195, 5-3, 41.000
313. Merrill, 191, 6-2, 46.375
314. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 186, 4-4, 34.018
315. Fowler ^, 185, 5-3, 42.000
316. Martin, 178, 4-4, 29.000
317. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 173, 4-4, 39.304
318. Frankfort, 171, 8-0, 69.000
319. Gaylord St. Mary, 170, 6-2, 40.125
320. Climax-Scotts, 169, 8-0, 61.286
321. Muskegon Catholic Central, 163, 8-0, 87.000
322. Lake Linden-Hubbell, 157, 8-0, 75.444
323. Colon ^, 156, 5-3, 33.786
324. AuGres-Sims, 149, 7-1, 55.750
325. Hillman, 146, 4-4, 30.625
326. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart ^, 146, 5-3, 39.875
327. Waterford Our Lady, 134, 6-2, 59.786
328. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 115, 6-2, 52.250
329. Felch North Dickinson ^, 95, 5-3, 37.153
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Deckerville *, 177, 8-0, 64.429
2. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 168, 8-0, 60.000
3. Portland St. Patrick, 92, 8-0, 59.143
4. Engadine, 91, 8-0, 59.000
5. Powers North Central, 115, 8-0, 58.476
6. New Haven Merritt Academy, 165, 8-0, 57.000
7. Lawrence, 186, 7-1, 50.685
8. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 159, 7-1, 50.018
9. Owendale-Gagetown, 48, 7-1, 47.875
10. Pickford, 149, 7-1, 47.875
11. Stephenson, 177, 7-1, 47.337
12. Webberville, 178, 6-2, 44.375
13. Cedarville, 156, 6-2, 42.625
14. Flint International Academy, 185, 6-2, 39.625
15. Fife Lake Forest Area, 162, 6-2, 38.893
16. Camden-Frontier *, 159, 5-1, 37.845
17. Battle Creek St. Philip, 143, 5-3, 37.595
18. Peck, 143, 5-3, 37.107
19. Rapid River, 116, 5-3, 36.518
20. Tekonsha, 135, 5-3, 35.000
21. Morrice, 168, 4-4, 32.536
22. Marion, 132, 4-4, 26.500
23. Posen, 94, 4-4, 25.679
24. Hale, 129, 4-4, 25.250
25. Waldron, 83, 4-4, 24.500
26. Onaway, 190, 4-4, 23.750
27. Mayville, 196, 3-5, 22.000
28. Eben Junction Superior Central, 125, 3-5, 20.696
29. Ontonagon, 126, 3-5, 20.431
30. Burton Madison Academy, 198, 3-5, 19.250
31. Burr Oak, 72, 3-5, 18.893
32. Flint Michigan School for the Deaf *, 47, 3-4, 18.506
33. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 97, 3-5, 17.161
34. Manistee Catholic Central, 189, 3-5, 16.875
35. Bellaire, 133, 3-5, 16.125
36. Brethren, 152, 2-6, 13.875
37. Caseville, 98, 2-6, 13.625
38. Kinde-North Huron, 157, 1-7, 12.411
39. Akron-Fairgrove, 105, 1-7, 11.000
40. Baraga, 150, 1-7, 9.143
41. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 118, 1-7, 8.875
42. Carney-Nadeau *, 140, 1-6, 8.696
43. Ewen-Trout Creek, 115, 1-7, 8.625
44. Covert *, 95, 1-6, 8.571
45. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 137, 1-7, 7.750
46. Pellston, 169, 0-8, 4.417
47. Litchfield, 85, 0-8, 3.750
48. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 193, 0-8, 3.036
1st & Goal: 2022 11-Player Semifinals Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 17, 2022
Snow has blanketed the majority of the state over the last few days. But it’s nearly a guarantee that the players on the field for this weekend’s 11-player Semifinals will be the last to notice it’s gotten wetter and colder outside.
They’re focused on getting to Ford Field, and a snowy mid-November game is just part of the unique path traveled by championship contenders in Michigan.
All 16 Semifinals will be viewable on MHSAA.tv with subscription, with Friday’s Belleville/Detroit Cass Tech game in Division 1 to be broadcast live on Bally Sports Detroit’s primary channel. The other 15 Semifinals will be played Saturday; click for the full schedule.
Below is a look at all 16 games that will determine this season’s Finals matchups.
Division 1
Detroit Cass Tech (9-3) vs. Belleville (12-0) at Novi – FRIDAY
Cass Tech has won eight straight games, with its last five victories as impressive a string as anyone has conquered statewide. Senior quarterback Leeshaun Mumphfield (1,712 yards/25 TDs passing) is a proven leader and has standouts like senior running back Sean Hodges (846 yards/12 TDs rushing) and freshman Corey Sadler Jr. (665 yards/8 TDs receiving) to take away some of the playmaking pressure. Belleville’s 23-game winning streak is on the line, and the reigning champion has plenty of big-game experience too with sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood (2,479 yards/34 TDs passing) and junior running back Jeremiah Beasley (1,088 yards/23 TDs rushing) showing the way.
Clarkston (10-2) vs. Caledonia (11-1) at DeWitt
These teams have combined to run for 7,458 yards this season, perhaps the best fit for what weather conditions might provide this weekend. Caledonia has a pair of 1,000-yard rushers – junior running back Brock Townsend (1,130/16 TDs) and senior quarterback Mason McKenzie (1,441/19), who also has thrown for 1,356 yards and 19 touchdowns. Clarkston’s top five runners all average at least seven yards per carry, but senior running back Ethan Clark is shouldering the load with 2,542 yards – at 10.1 per carry – and 30 touchdowns on the ground. Both teams have avenged a regular-season loss during the playoffs, Caledonia to Rockford and Clarkston to Davison.
Division 2
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (12-0) vs. Dexter (12-0) at Portage Northern
Dexter is playing for its first championship game berth, and Forest Hills Central for its first since 1994. A Rangers defense giving up only 7.9 points per game will face its strongest challenge as senior running back Cole Cabana (1,433 yards/26 TDs rushing) and senior quarterback Reeves Taylor (2,248 yards/30 TDs passing) give the Dreadnaughts a variety of options on the offensive side of the ball. Not that FHC doesn’t have the same, especially with senior quarterback Justin Osterhouse’s ability to make plays rushing (654 yards/15 TDs) and throwing (1,070 yards/13 TDs passing). Dexter’s defense has been similarly special too, giving up only 9.3 ppg.
Birmingham Groves (9-3) vs. Warren De La Salle Collegiate (11-1) at Troy Athens
Groves had rebounded off 3-6 and 2-7 seasons and accelerated after a 4-3 start to return to the Semifinals, impressing especially with last week’s 32-25 win over Livonia Franklin. Senior running back Josh Woods went over 1,000 yards rushing for the season in that victory, and Franklin was the first team in six weeks to score more than 12 points on the Falcons. Reigning champion De La Salle has put up more than 4,600 yards in total offense and will challenge Groves beginning with senior quarterback Brady Drogosh, who has thrown for 1,839 yards and 33 touchdowns and run for 1,088 yards and 13 scores. The Pilots have allowed more than 16 points just once, in their lone loss two months ago.
Division 3
DeWitt (9-3) vs. Muskegon (10-2) at Greenville
This will be the fourth time these two have matched up over the last six seasons and third time in Semifinals over the last four years. The Big Reds’ losses this fall were to De La Salle and Zeeland West, the latter avenged last week. Their top playmakers are all juniors – quarterback M’Khi Guy leads in rushing (1,297 yards/18 TDs) and passing (614 yards/10 TDs), while Destin Piggee (318 yards/4 TDs receiving, 713/5 rushing) and Jakob Price (863 yards/14 TDs rushing) provide plenty of options. All three of DeWitt’s losses were by seven or fewer points, and the Panthers have grown up quickly this fall after several leaders graduated from the teams that reached Finals the last two seasons. Senior Bryce Kurncz does a lot of everything, leading the team in rushing (1,395 yards/17 TDs) and receiving (727 yards/11 TDs) while also throwing for four scores, returning punts and starting on defense. A variety of others contribute too, including sophomore Abram Larner who is second on the team in rushing and receiving yardage.
Detroit Martin Luther King (8-3) vs. Mason (12-0) at Westland John Glenn
The reigning Division 3 champion King is seeking to reach the Finals for the fourth time in five seasons, which included 2019 in Division 2. Senior quarterback Dante Moore is the name everyone knows, and rightly so as he’s thrown for 1,787 yards and 24 touchdowns in his fourth season directing the offense. But senior running back Sterling Anderson Jr. is another of many to note, as he’s run for 918 yards and 12 scores and caught 36 passes including four for touchdowns. Mason is certainly less familiar statewide at this point; this will be the Bulldogs’ second Semifinal in two seasons as they seek their first Finals appearance. But they’re starting to gain plenty of attention, especially sophomore quarterback Cason Carswell (2,141 yards/33 TDs passing) and junior running back AJ Martell (1,221 yards/20 TDs rushing).
Division 4
Edwardsburg (11-1) vs. Grand Rapids South Christian (12-0) at Battle Creek Harper Creek
A season that started differently than usual for Edwardsburg with a loss is shaping up the same as the rest lately as the Eddies will play in their third straight and sixth Semifinal over the last seven seasons – and with that opening-night opponent, Grand Rapids West Catholic, still playing as well. Edwardsburg again relies on the run game – it’s thrown 21 passes, but rushed for 4,343 yards led by senior backs Brett Allen and Andrew Colvin, who have combined for 1,957 yards and 27 scores on the ground. South Christian has followed the lead of senior quarterback Jacob DeHaan to its first Semifinal since 2014. He’s run for 949 yards and 14 touchdowns and thrown for 2,308 yards and 28 scores.
Goodrich (11-1) vs. Riverview (12-0) at Rochester
Goodrich is another team that didn’t get down after a season-opening loss, as the Martians won their next 11 games to reach the Semifinals for the first time. They have been balanced almost to the yard with just north of 1,600 rushing and 1,600 passing. Senior running back Jace Simerson has shouldered much of the load running for 1,130 yads and 15 touchdowns, with senior quarterback Gavin Hart balancing that out with 1,612 yards and 19 scores through the air. They’ll go against a Riverview team that’s won two straight games where the Pirates and their opponents have combined for 80 or more points. Jacob Shank (1,603 yards/28 TDs rushing), Anthony Bowman (1,026/11) and Max Lockhart (892/10) lead a ground game averaging 8.8 yards per carry.
Division 5
Gladwin (12-0) vs. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (11-1) at Ithaca
Grand Rapids Catholic Central has won the last two Division 5 championships and the 2019 Division 4 title before that – and while most of the star power has turned over since last year, the new playmakers have provided similar results. Junior running back Kellen Russell-Dixon is averaging nine yards per carry for 1,406 total and 17 touchdowns on the ground, while junior quarterback Connor Wolf has thrown for 2,622 yards and 30 scores. No opponent has gotten closer than 19 points since the Cougars’ 36-34 loss to South Christian in Week 6. Gladwin can turn to a defense that’s given up only 8.4 points per game and 4.1 yards per play. The Flying G’s will also employ several options offensively, with senior Earl Esiline at 1,048 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing, senior running back Logan Kokotovich at 833 and 11, respectively, and senior quarterback Nick Wheeler having thrown 11 touchdown passes and run for 19 scores.
Detroit Country Day (8-3) vs. Frankenmuth (12-0) at Lapeer
After falling in the Regional Final to eventual Division 4 champion Chelsea last season, Country Day will play in its third Semifinal in four seasons and coming off both its highest-scoring game of this fall and lowest-scoring defensive effort last week in a 44-7 win over Flat Rock. Junior fullback Gabe Winowich (833 yards/11 TDs) has run for nearly half the team’s rush yards, and senior Gabe Zeldes is another intriguing playmaker – he’s caught nine touchdowns passes, returning three of his five interceptions for scores and also found the end zone on a kickoff return. They’ll try to get past a Frankenmuth defense giving up just 5.3 points per game – and not more than seven since Week 3. The Eagles have allowed only eight offensive touchdowns this season. They also spread things around on offense, as junior Griffin Barker, senior Sam Barger and senior quarterback Aidan Hoard all have run for at least 10 touchdowns. Hoard also has thrown for 16 scores.
Division 6
Negaunee (12-0) vs. Reed City (11-1) at Gaylord
Negaunee enters its first Semifinal since 2003 following just its second single-digit game this season, and Gladstone last week also was the first opponent in five weeks to score on a Miners defense giving up only 6.3 points per game. A pair of 1,000-yard rushers set the pace offensively – senior Nico Lukkarinen (1,124 yards/18 TDs) and junior Kai Lacar (1,082/16 TDs). Reed City most recently played a Semifinal in 2017 and is seeking its first championship game berth. A high-producing offense churns with three rushers with at least 900 yards led by senior running back Bryson Hughes (1,215 yards/15 TDs rushing.)
Clinton (12-0) vs. Grand Rapids West Catholic (11-1) at Coldwater
Clinton is playing in its second Semifinal in three seasons after last week’s 31-30 win over 2021 runner-up Warren Michigan Collegiate. The Redwolves have capitalized on 29 turnovers by opponents this fall, and also feature a strong running attack with senior back Bradyn Lehman leading with 1,005 yards and 16 TDs rushing plus five receiving scores. West Catholic is headed back to the Semifinals for the first time since 2017 after winning the first three games of these playoffs by an average of 33 points per. Senior running back Timmy Kloska has piled up 1,852 yards and 30 touchdowns on the ground.
Division 7
New Lothrop (10-2) vs. Traverse City St. Francis (12-0) at Clare
This is a rematch of the 2020 Final, won by New Lothrop 42-35. The Gladiators have won their games this fall by an average of 33 points per after suffering their lone 2021 loss in the Semifinals by seven points to eventual champion Pewamo-Westphalia. Senior quarterback Wyatt Nausadis is just one of several talented playmakers; he’s run for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns and thrown for 1,192 and 17. New Lothrop’s losses were by a combined three points to a pair of Division 6 league opponents. Junior quarterback Jack Kulhanek provides similar run-pass options, having thrown for 1,682 yards and 25 touchdowns and run for 1,342 yards and 17 scores.
Napoleon (12-0) vs. Jackson Lumen Christi (9-3) at Chelsea
Both have great stories. Napoleon was 1-8 two years ago, missed the playoffs last season after improving to 6-3, and followed up with this perfect run that has included four wins by eight points or fewer including last week’s over Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central. Lumen Christi is a frequent visitor to the Semifinals but started this fall 0-3 and hasn’t lost since, edging Lawton 7-6 last week to advance. Senior running back Bart Laretz is the key cog for the Pirates’ offense with 1,973 yards and 15 touchdowns rushing. Senior quarterback Joe Lathers (678 yards/15 TDs rushing) and senior running back Derrick Walker (968/15) key another powerful Titans running attack.
Division 8
Ubly (12-0) vs. Iron Mountain (11-1) at Petoskey
This will be Ubly’s fourth Semifinal in four years as the Bearcats seek their first championship, and last year’s five-point Semifinal loss was their only defeat over the last two seasons. They’ve defeated their opponents this season 49-6 on average, stacking up 4,400 rushing yards led by senior Mark Heilig (1,151 yards/26 TDs rushing) and junior Evan Peruski (1,158/20). Iron Mountain last played in a Semifinal in 2018, and got past Evart 34-33 last week in its first close game since a Week 1 five-point loss to Negaunee. Senior quarterback Joe Colavecchi directs a balanced attack and has thrown for 1,590 yards and 20 scores, and junior Luke Wolfe is the leading rusher and also has five interceptions.
Clarkston Everest Collegiate (9-3) vs. Ottawa Lake Whiteford (12-0) at Brownstown Woodhaven
Everest Collegiate is back at a Semifinal for the second time in three seasons after winning eight of its last nine games – and avenging the lone defeat of that string. An offense that’s run for more than 2,100 yards and thrown for more than 1,500 has posted three of its four highest-scoring games over the last month. Whiteford got through its closest matchup of the season last week, 38-26 against White Pigeon, and has won its games by an average score of 50-13. Whiteford boasts two 1,000-yard rushers plus has enjoyed school record-setting performances from senior quarterback Shea Ruddy (19 TD passes) and junior linebacker Jake Iott.
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PHOTO Ottawa Lake Whiteford's Hunter DeBarr gets up the sideline against Petersburg Summerfield. (Photo by Natalie McCormack.)