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
Drive for Detroit: Playoff R3 Review
November 14, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
We’ve reached the final two weeks of another Michigan high school football season. Our field of 272 teams four weeks ago is down to only 34. And some of these key games are coming down to every last inch and minute.
Six of nine divisions this weekend saw at least one winner emerge by three or fewer points. Edwardsburg and Chelsea went to overtime. Detroit Cass Tech and Saline entered undefeated and ended only a point apart.
See below for a glance at those two games and all 32 11-player Regional Finals and both 8-player Semifinals, with links to media coverage of notable results in each division.
Division 1
Detroit Cass Tech 43, Saline 42
It was hard to expect more from a matchup of undefeated Division 1 powers than what these two delivered Friday. Cass Tech (12-0) won an incredible seventh straight Regional championship in part on the running of Donovan Johnson, who gained 285 yards and scored four touchdowns on the ground – which balanced out nicely 241 yards and five running scores by Saline’s Connor Hibbard. The Hornets finished 11-1 for the second straight season after winning a third straight District title. Click for more from the Detroit News.
Other Regional Finals:
Detroit Catholic Central 28, Grandville 14 – This run has made it hard to remember that the Shamrocks (12-0) had a rare down year only two years ago, finishing 4-5; Ottawa-Kent Conference Red co-champion Grandville (10-2) was the latest playoff opponent to not come within two touchdowns of DCC, but did finish with its most wins since 1996.
Romeo 41, Clarkston 7 – The reigning Division 1 champion Bulldogs (9-3) needed a little time to really get rolling this fall, but like DCC they’ve also beaten all three playoff opponents by double digits; Clarkston (9-3) did finish two wins better than a year ago.
Utica Eisenhower 42, Southfield Arts & Technology 7 – The Eagles (12-0) have guaranteed their best record since 2003 with their first Regional title since 2011 after a second-straight five-touchdown win this postseason; Southfield Arts & Technology finished its inaugural season a strong 8-4.
Division 2
Lowell 22, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 19
Lowell’s climb against the Rangers wasn’t as steep as when the Red Arrows came back from a 17-point deficit to win their first meeting in Week 7. But Lowell still needed to score last – on a touchdown run by quarterback David Kruse six seconds into the fourth quarter – get ahead of Forest Hills Central for good. The second straight Regional title gave Lowell (12-0) that many wins for the second straight season as well; Forest Hills Central (9-3) finished off one of the best rebound runs statewide after going 2-7 in both 2014 and 2015. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Other Regional Finals:
Walled Lake Western 61, Fenton 21 – The Warriors (11-1) scored their season high to win a second straight Regional title and end a nine-game winning streak for Flint Metro League champion Fenton (9-3).
Detroit Martin Luther King 21, Temperance Bedford 7 – The reigning Division 2 champion Crusaders (10-2) have beaten all of their playoff opponents this time by at least 14; Bedford (9-3) gave King one of its closest games and finished five wins better than a year ago.
Birmingham Groves 44, Grosse Pointe South 10 – Groves (11-1) earned its first Regional title and attained 11 wins for the first time as well, running for 428 yards led by Ernest Allen’s 157 and Collin Heard’s 101; South (8-4) improved a win from last year and doubled its total from only two years ago.
Division 3
Edwardsburg 42, Chelsea 40 (OT)
The Eddies’ substantial run of success this decade now includes a second Regional title in three seasons and the first 12-win season in program history – and Edwardsburg (12-0) earned them by holding off a comeback by Chelsea and stopping a two-point conversion try in overtime. The Eddies’ last Semifinal appearance, in 2014, came in Division 4. Chelsea (11-1) was Division 3 runner-up last season and finished this two-year run a combined 23-3. Click for more from the South Bend Tribune.
Other Regional Finals:
Muskegon 62, Byron Center 7 – The O-K Black champ Big Reds (9-3) won their fourth Regional title in five seasons while ending the winningest season for O-K Green champ Byron Center (10-2) since 2000.
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 35, DeWitt 28 – The Panthers (10-2) led into the third quarter before St. Mary’s (8-4) outscored them 21-7 in the fourth to win a third straight Regional title.
Dearborn Divine Child 28, Allen Park 21 – The Falcons (10-2) continued another of the state’s great comeback seasons, adding a 10th win and Regional title for the first time since 1985 after going 4-5 a year ago; Allen Park (11-1) finished a win better than last season and with its most since 2004 in winning a second straight District title.
Division 4
Detroit Country Day 28, Corunna 13
Country Day won its third straight Regional title and fourth in five seasons by holding the Cavaliers to 133 yards of total offense and getting some key tosses from quarterback Jalen Graham (10 of 15 passing for 123 yards and a touchdown). The Yellowjackets (12-0) jumped out to a 21-7 lead and now have their most wins in a season since 1995. Corunna (9-3) continued its climb from 2-7 two seasons ago to 8-2 last year and this fall its most wins since 2002. Click for more from the Oakland Press.
Other Regional Finals:
River Rouge 57, Adrian 20 – The Panthers (11-1) have won their playoff games by 61, 12 and now 37 points on the way to a second straight Regional title; Adrian finished its rebound season 7-5 after three straight 2-7 seasons and four straight with sub-.500 records.
Grand Rapids Catholic Central 34, Escanaba 0 – The Cougars (11-1) are in their first Semifinal since their championship season of 2010 and with their third shutout in four weeks; Escanaba (9-3) can celebrate another jump in its revival after improving from 5-5 a year ago with its most wins since 1989.
Hudsonville Unity Christian 36, Lake Odessa Lakewood 16 – The Crusaders’ first Regional title came in part on the legs of running back Alec Headley, who averaged 16.1 yards per carry gaining 177 of 424 rush yards total for Unity Christian (10-2); Lakewood’s winningest season ended at 10-2 as well.
Division 5
Frankenmuth 28, Ithaca 20
Frankenmuth (11-1) won its first Regional title since 1997 by handing Ithaca (11-1) only its third loss over the team’s last 100 games and first not in an MHSAA championship game since 2009. The Eagles are 48-8 over their last five seasons but had made only one other Regional Final appearance since their last win at that level of the tournament. Three Frankenmuth runners had at least 99 yards on the ground, led by Kris Roche with 161, as the team came back from a 14-0 deficit. Click for more from the Saginaw News.
Other Regional Finals:
Menominee 40, Reed City 14 – The Maroons (11-1) won their fifth Regional title in seven seasons with a fourth straight game scoring 40 or more points; Reed City (11-1) hadn’t given up 40 in a game since its 2014 Regional Final, but did finish with its most wins in a season ever.
Grand Rapids West Catholic 40, Berrien Springs 7 – The Falcons (10-2) have survived three road games to also win a seventh straight Regional title, continuing their travels by ending a third straight playoff season for the Shamrocks (8-3).
Algonac 38, Ida 22 – Last season Ida won its first Regional title; this time Algonac (11-1) celebrated its first Regional championship by downing the Bluestreaks (10-2).
Division 6
Leroy Pine River 42, Ravenna 14
The mood had to be a little low for Pine River heading into the playoffs coming off two straight losses, but you’d never be able to tell. The Bucks (9-3) – also just 4-5 last season – won their first Regional title in a big way over Ravenna (9-3), a traditional power but also a nice comeback story coming off a 3-6 finish in 2015. Click for more from the Big Rapids News.
Other Regional Finals:
Maple City Glen Lake 14, Calumet 0 – The Lakers (10-2) reached 10 wins for the first time since 2001 with their first Regional title since 1996, ending the first 10-win season ever for Calumet (10-2), which was coming off its first District title since 2006.
Millington 22, Detroit Central Collegiate 20 – The Cardinals (11-1) came back from a 20-0 halftime deficit to win their first Regional title since 2010 and third since 2009; Central Collegiate (7-5) capped a third straight playoff season with its most wins since 2010.
Jackson Lumen Christi 49, Napoleon 6 – The Titans (10-2) won their first Regional title since 2009 by ending Napoleon’s winningest season since 2002 and longest playoff run ever at 9-3.
Division 7
Pewamo-Westphalia 17, Traverse City St. Francis 14
Arguably the most anticipated game statewide this side of Division 1 saw the reigning Division 7 runner-up Pirates (12-0) overcome a second straight undefeated opponent. The Gladiators (11-1) became the first team to hold P-W running back Jared Smith to fewer than 100 yards since his sophomore season two years ago, but the Pirates’ defense held St. Francis to its fewest points since last year’s Regional Final win over Boyne City. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Other Regional Finals:
Ubly 22, New Lothrop 13 – Make this now the Bearcats’ best season since 2009 as they won their first Regional title and 12 games for the first time since that year; Ubly (12-0) got rushing and receiving touchdowns from Jonathan Brandel as it ended New Lothrop’s seventh straight 10-win season at 10-2.
Cassopolis 51, Concord 14 – The Rangers (11-1) set a program record for wins with their first Regional title by scoring the most points Concord (9-3) had given up since Week 8 of 2014; the Yellowjackets did finish this season with their most wins since 2001.
Detroit Loyola 36, Hudson 13 – The Bulldogs (10-2) attained a sixth straight 10-win season by beating a third league champion in three playoff games; Hudson (10-2) had won a share of the Lenawee County Activities Association title and was making its first Regional Final appearance since 2011.
Division 8
St. Ignace 14, Norway 12
The Saints (11-1) have had only two other close games this season, but secured their second straight Regional title relying on a defense that has given up only 131 points this season and only 38 over three playoff games. Norway, playing for its first Regional title since 2006, also shined defensively holding down a St. Ignace offense averaging 42 points per game heading into the day. The Knights finished 9-3, making a significant jump from 2-7 a year ago. Click for more from the Sault Ste. Marie Evening News.
Other Regional Finals:
Muskegon Catholic Central 35, Frankfort 0 – The reigning Division 8 champion Crusaders (12-2) earned their second straight shutout of the playoffs by holding Frankfort (11-1) scoreless for the first time since 2013.
Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 28, Royal Oak Shrine 7 – The Cardinals (10-2) clinched a third-straight 10-win season and second Regional title in three seasons; Shrine (9-3) did accomplish a nice bounce-back from 4-5 last season to win its first District title since 2008.
Ottawa Lake Whiteford 38, Climax-Scotts 18 – These two have met two straight postseasons as undefeated teams, and Whiteford (12-0) has won both meetings; the Bobcats made up for three turnovers by getting 100-plus yards rushing from both Logan Murphy and Jesse Kiefer and holding Climax-Scotts (11-1) to its fewest points since the teams met in the same round a year ago.
8-Player
Powers North Central 62, Pickford 22
The reigning champion Jets (12-0) earned their return to the MHSAA Final with 40 first-half points and 506 total yards while possessing the ball only 14 minutes. Running back Bobby Kleiman gained 123 yards on only eight carries, scoring three time on the ground, and also caught three passes for 98 yards and a score. The Panthers did finish their winningest season since 1991 at 10-2. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.
Deckerville 36, Wyoming Tri-unity Christian 6
The Eagles won a matchup of undefeated teams to set up another this weekend, handing Tri-unity Christian (11-1) its first and only loss of the fall. Deckerville (11-0) was held to its fewest points since Week 1, but still hasn’t allowed an opponent to score more than 12 this season. The Eagles had fallen in Semifinals the last two seasons. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.
PHOTO: Pewamo-Westphalia running back Jared Smith breaks into an opening as Traverse City St. Francis defenders converge. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)