2018 Week 6 Football Playoff Listing
September 25, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Here is a list of MHSAA football playing schools, displaying their win-loss records and playoff averages through the fifth 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. 26. 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 32 programs will then be divided into two divisions of 16 each based on enrollment. The playoff in that division also begins Oct. 26.
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 Oct. 21 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, 3114, 4-1, 72.800
2. Dearborn Fordson, 2795, 5-0, 92.800
3. East Kentwood, 2651, 4-1, 77.600
4. Grand Blanc, 2637, 4-1, 79.200
5. Clarkston, 2548, 5-0, 99.200
6. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2462, 5-0, 104.000
7. Detroit Cass Tech, 2432, 5-0, 86.400
8. Howell, 2387, 3-2, 57.200
9. Canton, 2260, 3-2, 58.600
10. Brighton, 2202, 4-1, 79.200
11. Holland West Ottawa, 2190, 4-1, 72.600
12. Oxford, 2170, 3-2, 61.800
13. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 2115, 3-2, 64.200
14. Dearborn, 2106, 3-2, 52.400
15. Plymouth, 2060, 3-2, 55.400
16. Detroit Catholic Central, 2020, 4-1, 87.200
17. West Bloomfield, 2005, 4-1, 79.200
18. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, 1994, 4-1, 71.000
19. Monroe, 1949, 4-1, 72.000
20. Hudsonville, 1879, 4-1, 74.600
21. Saline, 1834, 4-1, 80.800
22. Romeo, 1779, 4-1, 80.400
23. Detroit Western International, 1773, 4-1, 59.800
24. Lapeer, 1772, 5-0, 89.600
25. White Lake Lakeland, 1740, 3-2, 55.800
26. Davison, 1687, 5-0, 94.400
27. Kalamazoo Central, 1672, 3-2, 58.200
28. Belleville, 1642, 5-0, 99.200
29. Traverse City West, 1634, 3-2, 62.800
30. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1628, 4-1, 79.000
31. Rochester Adams, 1621, 3-2, 58.600
32. Grosse Pointe South, 1593, 5-0, 94.400
33. Warren Mott, 1585, 4-1, 80.800
34. Waterford Mott, 1558, 4-1, 71.000
35. Warren DeLaSalle, 1474, 4-1, 75.200
36. Jenison, 1464, 4-1, 77.000
37. Detroit U-D Jesuit, 1456, 3-2, 50.600
38. Livonia Franklin, 1443, 3-2, 53.400
39. Livonia Churchill, 1435, 3-2, 62.400
40. Dearborn Heights Crestwood, 1424, 5-0, 86.400
41. St. Clair Shores Lakeview, 1399, 3-2, 52.000
42. Traverse City Central, 1391, 4-1, 78.800
43. Okemos, 1381, 3-2, 57.400
44. Birmingham Seaholm, 1376, 4-1, 77.600
45. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1376, 3-2, 52.400
46. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1358, 3-2, 55.800
47. Oak Park, 1349, 5-0, 92.800
48. Portage Central, 1349, 4-1, 75.600
49. Roseville, 1303, 3-2, 47.800
50. Birmingham Groves, 1298, 3-2, 55.800
51. Port Huron Northern, 1295, 4-1, 77.400
52. Midland, 1289, 3-2, 52.000
53. Portage Northern, 1284, 3-2, 55.600
54. Midland Dow, 1277, 3-2, 52.600
55. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, 1276, 4-1, 69.400
56. Flushing, 1275, 3-2, 63.400
57. North Farmington, 1264, 3-2, 50.800
58. Swartz Creek, 1262, 4-1, 76.000
59. Walled Lake Western, 1258, 4-1, 72.600
60. Jackson, 1229, 5-0, 91.200
61. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1226, 4-1, 64.600
62. South Lyon, 1225, 5-0, 92.800
63. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1215, 5-0, 96.000
64. Dexter, 1172, 3-2, 47.600
65. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1168, 3-2, 64.667
66. Ferndale, 1162, 3-2, 55.800
67. Fenton, 1160, 4-1, 74.200
68. Mattawan, 1153, 3-2, 55.200
69. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1149, 4-1, 66.400
70. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1142, 3-2, 51.800
71. Warren Woods Tower, 1126, 5-0, 73.600
72. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1115, 3-2, 52.400
73. Gibraltar Carlson, 1114, 4-1, 79.000
74. Farmington, 1111, 5-0, 96.000
75. East Lansing, 1111, 4-1, 74.800
76. Allen Park, 1105, 4-1, 80.600
77. Grand Rapids Northview, 1096, 3-2, 50.800
78. Garden City, 1080, 3-2, 52.000
79. South Lyon East, 1063, 3-2, 52.200
80. Mt. Pleasant, 1053, 5-0, 86.400
81. Muskegon, 1022, 5-0, 97.600
82. Battle Creek Central, 1014, 4-1, 69.800
83. St. Joseph, 1010, 3-2, 55.200
84. Gaylord, 1002, 4-1, 66.200
85. DeWitt, 1001, 5-0, 102.400
86. East Grand Rapids, 998, 3-2, 54.200
87. Zeeland West, 997, 4-1, 74.200
88. Cedar Springs, 992, 4-1, 76.000
89. Linden, 977, 3-2, 55.400
90. Zeeland East, 955, 4-1, 67.800
91. St. Johns, 955, 3-2, 52.200
92. Petoskey, 948, 3-2, 52.400
93. Detroit Mumford, 943, 4-1, 67.600
94. Trenton, 914, 4-1, 75.800
95. Riverview, 913, 4-1, 66.200
96. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, 903, 5-0, 81.600
97. River Rouge, 897, 4-1, 61.600
98. Haslett, 895, 4-1, 71.000
99. Ortonville-Brandon, 887, 4-1, 77.200
100. Grand Rapids Christian, 886, 4-1, 71.200
101. Parma Western, 870, 4-1, 60.000
102. Chelsea, 851, 3-2, 61.133
103. Farmington Hills Harrison, 849, 4-1, 72.800
104. Spring Lake, 845, 5-0, 72.000
105. Fowlerville, 842, 3-2, 42.800
106. Edwardsburg, 838, 5-0, 76.800
107. Wayland Union, 829, 3-2, 54.000
108. Plainwell, 825, 4-1, 60.000
109. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 809, 4-1, 70.000
110. St. Clair, 807, 3-2, 44.400
111. Milan, 761, 4-1, 59.800
112. Goodrich, 758, 4-1, 64.600
113. Detroit Cody, 755, 4-1, 71.000
114. Allendale, 749, 3-2, 47.800
115. North Branch, 726, 4-1, 58.400
116. Croswell-Lexington, 724, 3-2, 47.800
117. Center Line, 720, 3-2, 49.200
118. Battle Creek Pennfield, 709, 4-1, 66.200
119. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 702, 4-1, 58.200
120. Sault Ste. Marie, 700, 3-2, 42.000
121. Escanaba, 691, 3-2, 54.267
122. Detroit Country Day *, 687, 3-2, 58.400
123. Three Rivers, 682, 5-0, 86.400
124. Holland Christian, 672, 3-2, 47.800
125. Paw Paw, 670, 3-2, 48.000
126. Whitehall, 669, 3-2, 44.600
127. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 663, 3-2, 45.200
128. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 662, 4-1, 59.800
129. Ludington, 645, 3-2, 29.800
130. Alma, 643, 5-0, 73.600
131. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 643, 4-1, 63.000
132. Williamston, 619, 4-1, 75.600
133. Grand Rapids South Christian, 615, 3-2, 52.800
134. Big Rapids, 613, 3-2, 40.600
135. Grosse Ile, 609, 5-0, 75.200
136. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 608, 5-0, 75.200
137. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 602, 5-0, 88.000
138. Harper Woods, 594, 4-1, 47.600
139. Freeland, 584, 4-1, 56.800
140. Gladwin, 575, 3-2, 37.600
141. Saginaw Swan Valley, 573, 5-0, 89.600
142. Belding, 572, 4-1, 59.800
143. Muskegon Oakridge, 571, 5-0, 70.400
144. Macomb Lutheran North, 560, 4-1, 58.000
145. Birch Run, 552, 3-2, 47.600
146. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 551, 3-2, 42.800
147. Portland, 550, 5-0, 80.000
148. Clawson, 550, 3-2, 39.000
149. Frankenmuth, 549, 4-1, 66.400
150. Olivet, 542, 5-0, 76.800
151. Detroit Osborn, 537, 4-1, 51.800
152. Lansing Catholic, 531, 4-1, 61.600
153. Cheboygan, 527, 3-2, 47.000
154. Grant, 525, 3-2, 39.400
155. Richmond, 524, 4-1, 62.600
156. Ida, 512, 4-1, 58.200
157. Hopkins, 507, 4-1, 64.800
158. Benzie Central, 505, 3-2, 46.000
159. Reed City, 504, 5-0, 83.200
160. Detroit Denby, 504, 5-0, 69.600
161. Almont, 503, 5-0, 73.600
162. Marine City, 503, 4-1, 64.800
163. Berrien Springs, 500, 4-1, 61.600
164. Dundee, 485, 3-2, 44.400
165. Manistee, 472, 5-0, 67.200
166. Durand, 468, 3-2, 39.000
167. Coloma, 460, 3-2, 46.200
168. Gladstone *, 459, 3-2, 40.800
169. Ovid-Elsie, 453, 3-2, 44.800
170. Kalamazoo Hackett, 450, 5-0, 68.800
171. Clare, 449, 4-1, 53.400
172. Montague, 445, 4-1, 53.600
173. Newaygo, 445, 3-2, 45.800
174. Kingsley, 443, 4-1, 58.400
175. Hillsdale, 441, 5-0, 68.800
176. Tawas *, 418, 3-1, 40.200
177. Michigan Center, 412, 5-0, 54.400
178. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 410, 4-1, 66.200
179. Constantine, 400, 5-0, 72.000
180. Fennville, 400, 4-1, 51.800
181. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 392, 5-0, 75.200
182. Calumet, 392, 5-0, 72.000
183. Ishpeming Westwood, 391, 3-2, 43.200
184. Millington, 390, 4-1, 60.800
185. Ithaca, 388, 4-1, 53.600
186. Ecorse, 387, 4-1, 60.000
187. Blissfield, 383, 4-1, 69.600
188. Byron, 380, 3-2, 46.400
189. Montrose, 379, 3-2, 47.600
190. Delton Kellogg, 378, 4-1, 58.200
191. Hemlock, 374, 4-1, 45.400
192. Morley Stanwood, 369, 3-2, 42.800
193. Quincy, 369, 3-2, 35.200
194. Elk Rapids, 366, 4-1, 46.800
195. Napoleon, 365, 4-1, 47.000
196. Beaverton, 362, 4-1, 52.000
197. Grass Lake, 357, 5-0, 60.800
198. Jackson Lumen Christi *, 356, 5-0, 86.400
199. Traverse City St. Francis, 355, 5-0, 84.800
200. Flint Hamady, 353, 5-0, 73.600
201. Schoolcraft, 353, 4-1, 59.800
202. Niles Brandywine, 352, 3-2, 36.200
203. Kent City, 351, 5-0, 64.000
204. Lake City, 348, 5-0, 65.600
205. Leroy Pine River, 348, 4-1, 45.200
206. L'Anse, 344, 3-2, 41.800
207. Ravenna, 344, 3-2, 36.600
208. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 332, 3-2, 34.600
209. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 331, 4-1, 71.800
210. St. Louis, 331, 3-2, 41.400
211. Oscoda, 329, 4-1, 38.400
212. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 328, 3-2, 43.200
213. McBain, 327, 3-2, 43.000
214. Hartford, 322, 4-1, 42.000
215. Roscommon, 319, 4-1, 59.800
216. Madison Heights Madison, 316, 5-0, 89.600
217. Pewamo-Westphalia, 315, 5-0, 59.200
218. Clinton, 313, 4-1, 50.200
219. Bad Axe, 311, 3-2, 36.400
220. Detroit Community *, 308, 4-0, 48.000
221. Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 306, 4-1, 58.400
222. New Lothrop, 302, 5-0, 73.600
223. Springport, 302, 5-0, 57.600
224. Sandusky, 300, 5-0, 64.000
225. Allen Park Cabrini, 300, 4-1, 43.800
226. Iron Mountain, 298, 4-1, 56.400
227. Cass City, 291, 4-1, 51.600
228. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 282, 4-1, 56.600
229. Harbor Springs, 280, 5-0, 56.000
230. Detroit Loyola, 280, 3-2, 47.200
231. Manton, 280, 4-1, 47.200
232. Centreville, 279, 5-0, 59.200
233. Saugatuck, 273, 4-1, 53.400
234. Sand Creek, 266, 3-2, 32.200
235. Cassopolis, 261, 5-0, 65.600
236. Saranac, 257, 3-2, 25.400
237. Concord, 255, 3-2, 38.400
238. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic, 252, 3-2, 34.400
239. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 250, 5-0, 60.800
240. Carson City-Crystal, 248, 5-0, 49.600
241. Iron River West Iron County, 246, 4-1, 47.200
242. Gwinn, 246, 4-1, 45.000
243. Reading, 244, 5-0, 67.200
244. Dansville, 244, 4-1, 44.800
245. Flint Beecher, 237, 3-2, 43.000
246. Holton, 234, 4-1, 45.200
247. Ishpeming, 233, 5-0, 60.800
248. Ubly, 232, 3-2, 38.200
249. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 226, 4-1, 47.400
250. White Pigeon, 225, 3-2, 32.000
251. Breckenridge, 224, 5-0, 60.800
252. Harbor Beach, 222, 4-1, 53.000
253. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 220, 5-0, 59.200
254. Rogers City, 220, 4-1, 48.600
255. Petersburg-Summerfield, 219, 3-2, 36.800
256. Decatur, 216, 3-2, 36.800
257. Detroit Public Safety Academy, 206, 4-1, 41.000
258. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 193, 5-0, 56.000
259. Mendon, 193, 3-2, 28.200
260. Pittsford, 186, 5-0, 54.800
261. Three Oaks River Valley, 186, 3-2, 34.400
262. Athens *, 185, 3-1, 44.000
263. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 183, 5-0, 54.000
264. Martin, 183, 3-2, 34.200
265. Frankfort, 174, 3-2, 33.000
266. Fowler, 170, 4-1, 39.200
267. Detroit Southeastern, 154, 3-2, 43.800
268. Waterford Our Lady, 128, 3-2, 35.200
269. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 115, 5-0, 56.800
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Colon, 162, 5-0, 54.400
2. Pickford, 156, 5-0, 54.400
3. Morrice, 182, 5-0, 52.800
4. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 173, 5-0, 48.000
5. AuGres-Sims, 160, 5-0, 48.000
6. Posen, 78, 5-0, 43.200
7. Onekama, 131, 4-1, 41.600
8. Suttons Bay, 189, 4-1, 41.200
9. Engadine, 102, 4-1, 40.800
10. Camden-Frontier, 176, 4-1, 39.000
11. Bellevue, 185, 4-1, 37.600
12. Powers North Central, 109, 4-1, 37.400
13. Mayville, 185, 4-1, 36.000
14. Hillman, 140, 4-1, 36.000
15. Stephenson, 159, 4-1, 35.067
16. Genesee, 169, 4-1, 34.800
17. Peck, 136, 4-1, 33.800
18. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 122, 3-2, 33.400
19. Deckerville, 175, 3-2, 33.200
20. Manistee Catholic Central, 181, 4-1, 32.800
21. Kingston, 187, 4-1, 32.400
22. Brethren, 143, 3-2, 31.400
23. Fife Lake Forest Area, 183, 3-2, 30.000
24. Portland St. Patrick, 102, 3-2, 30.000
25. Eben Junction Superior Central, 121, 3-2, 29.600
26. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 125, 3-2, 29.467
27. Battle Creek St. Philip, 178, 3-2, 28.600
28. Rapid River, 127, 3-2, 28.600
29. Cedarville, 151, 3-2, 26.800
30. Kinde-North Huron, 130, 3-2, 26.600
31. Tekonsha, 121, 3-2, 23.600
32. New Haven Merritt Academy, 154, 2-3, 22.400
33. Bellaire, 131, 2-3, 21.450
34. Webberville, 176, 2-3, 20.800
35. Onaway, 187, 2-3, 20.200
36. Central Lake *, 190, 2-2, 20.000
37. Pellston, 167, 2-3, 19.400
38. Caseville *, 95, 2-2, 18.400
39. Mesick, 202, 2-3, 17.800
40. Marion, 139, 2-3, 17.600
41. Burr Oak, 74, 2-3, 17.400
42. North Adams-Jerome, 146, 2-3, 17.000
43. Rudyard, 159, 2-3, 16.400
44. Bay City All Saints, 77, 2-3, 16.000
45. Ontonagon, 173, 2-3, 15.800
46. Waldron, 65, 2-3, 13.800
47. Bear Lake *, 94, 1-3, 11.000
48. Lawrence, 171, 1-4, 10.800
49. Hale, 122, 1-4, 10.800
50. Atlanta, 74, 1-4, 9.600
51. Owendale-Gagetown, 57, 1-4, 9.600
52. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 156, 1-4, 8.800
53. Ashley, 94, 1-4, 8.800
54. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 201, 1-4, 7.800
55. Brimley, 154, 1-4, 7.800
56. Burton Madison Academy, 163, 1-4, 7.250
57. Flint International Academy, 171, 0-5, 2.400
58. Carney-Nadeau, 133, 0-5, 2.200
59. Felch North Dickinson, 83, 0-5, 2.000
60. Litchfield, 81, 0-5, 1.800
61. Baldwin *, 120, 0-4, 1.650
62. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 100, 0-5, 1.600
Drive for Detroit: 11-Player Finals Preview
November 21, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
This weekend’s MHSAA 11-Player Football Finals are teeming with stories just waiting to be told by all 16 teams as Friday and Saturday’s games play out.
Edwardsburg, Saginaw Swan Valley and West Bloomfield will be making the championship game trip for the first time, and Livonia Franklin will play in its first title game since the first year of the MHSAA playoffs. Ottawa Lake Whiteford is making its second trip ever after finishing runner-up in Division 8 a year ago, while Saugatuck also is seeking its first title and Muskegon is back as well after missing out on winning Division 3 in the closing seconds in 2016.
Speaking of the Big Reds, the state’s winningest program takes on the all-time winningest coach and the program with the most MHSAA football titles in Farmington Hills Harrison. Oakland Activities Association Red rivals West Bloomfield and Clarkston meet in a rematch, but this time with the Division 1 title on the line. Like Clarkston, Warren DeLaSalle and Saginaw Nouvel are seeking to reclaim glory they enjoyed earlier this decade. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Grand Rapids West Catholic and Pewamo-Westphalia are all aiming to repeat, West Catholic for the fifth straight season. Jackson Lumen Christi is hoping to add a second straight championship as well, but faces powerhouse Ithaca in what might be the game of the weekend.
See below for a look at all of the finalists taking the field, powered by MI Student Aid. Tickets cost $10 and are good for all four games on one day; cash only will be accepted at the door. Click for a full schedule. The MHSAA Playoffs are sponsored by the Michigan Army National Guard.
The first two Friday and Saturday games will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Detroit’s primary and PLUS channels (check cable/satellite box listings for your specific channel) with the third game both days and the fourth game Saturday available live on FOX Sports Detroit PLUS only. Friday night’s Division 4 Final will be broadcast tape delayed at 11:30 p.m. on PLUS but can be viewed live on FOXSportsDetroit.com and on the FOX Sports Go! app. The games will also re-air Sunday on the following schedule: Division 8 – 10 a.m., Division 2 – Noon, Division 6 – 2 p.m., Division 4 – 4 p.m., Division 7 – 6 p.m., Division 1 – 8 p.m., Division 5 – 10 p.m. and Division 3 – Midnight. Audio broadcasts will be available on the MHSAA Network website live both days.
Rankings below were voted on by The Associated Press’ media panel – teams that were ranked in different divisions for the regular season are noted. Statistics are current, also unless noted.
Division 1
WEST BLOOMFIELD
Record: 11-2, honorable mention
Coach: Ron Bellamy, eighth season (47-34)
League finish: Tied for first in Oakland Activities Association Red.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 9-7 over No. 3 Detroit Cass Tech in the Semifinal, 28-25 over No. 1 Utica Eisenhower in the Regional Final, 41-7 over No. 6 Waterford Mott in the District Final, 17-16 over No. 8 Rochester Adams, 37-15 over honorable mention Clarkston, 49-26 over Division 2 No. 10 Birmingham Groves.
Players to watch: QB Bryce Veasley, 6-4/225 sr. (3,273 yards/24 TD passing, 467 yards/14 TD rushing); WR Taj Mustapha, 6-0/185, sr. (816 yards/5 TD receiving); RB/DB Collin Heard, 5-10/180 sr. (994 yards/11 TD rushing); WR AJ Abbott, 6-2/190 sr. (1,043 yards/8 TD receiving).
Outlook: West Bloomfield is enjoying its finest season even as it’s had to navigate an OAA Red and playoffs filled with ranked opponents – and now must see a league rival again in the championship game. The Lakers started this season 0-2 and avenged that second defeat, to Bloomfield Hills, in the Pre-District. Veasley is committed to sign with Bowling Green and is surrounded by playmakers, including as well 6-2 junior receiver Tre Mosley (828 yards/10 TDs receiving). But the defense has been arguably the most significant difference maker in the playoffs, holding four opponents to a combined 45 points despite three of them being ranked among the top six teams in Division 1 – including reigning champion Cass Tech. West Bloomfield also can rely on the sharp kicking of senior Nick O’Shea, who has made 55 of 57 extra point tries and 12 of 16 field goal attempts including three for all of the team’s points last week.
CLARKSTON
Record: 11-2, honorable mention
Coach: Kurt Richardson, 31st season (244-86)
League finish: Third in OAA Red.
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2014 and 2013.
Best wins: 29-22 over honorable mention Holland West Ottawa in the Regional Final, 28-0 over No. 7 Davison in the District Final, 27-7 over Detroit Catholic Central in the Semifinal, 23-13 over Farmington Hills Harrison (Division 2 honorable mention for the regular season).
Players to watch: QB Nathan Uballe, 5-10/165 sr. (1,225 yards/10 TD passing); RB/DB Michael Fluegel, 6-1/175 sr. (814/9 TD rushing); RB Joshua Cantu, 5-9/176 sr. (1,478 yards/23 TD rushing); OG Noah Nicklin, 6-4/290 sr. (Uballe's statistics do not include Semifinal totals.)
Outlook: The Wolves are headed back to Ford Field after two years away and can even get a little bit of vengeance after falling to West Bloomfield in league play earlier this season. The Lakers were the only opponent to score more than 22 on Clarkston, and the defense has shined especially during the playoffs in giving up 36 points over four games. Fluegel and Cantu are the latest in a long line of strong Wolves backs – they combined for 200 yards rushing in the Semifinal win over Detroit Catholic Central, last season’s Division 1 runner-up. Aside from West Bloomfield, the only other loss this season came by seven to Rochester Adams, which was ranked No. 8 in Division 1 heading into the postseason.
Division 2
WARREN DELASALLE
Record: 11-2, No. 6
Coach: Mike Giannone, second season (15-7)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League Central.
Championship history: Division 2 champion 2014, two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 14-13 over No. 1 Detroit Martin Luther King in the Semifinal, 14-7 over No. 8 Oak Park in the Regional Final, 50-0 over honorable mention Port Huron Northern in the District Final, 46-0 over honorable mention Ferndale in the Pre-District, 35-14 and 20-6 over Detroit Catholic Central, 52-14 over Division 3 honorable mention Dearborn Divine Child.
Players to watch: QB Luke Pfromm, 6-6/225 sr. (1,546 yards/13 TD passing, 11 TD rushing); RB Cordell Tannyhill III, 5-9/205 sr. (873 yards/6 TD rushing); WR/DB Jacob Badalamenti, 5-9/150 sr. (546 yards/6 TD receiving); LB Devin Campbell, 6-1/190 jr. (82 tackles).
Outlook: The Pilots made a big wave by eliminating two-time reigning champion King in the Semifinal, but DeLaSalle likely wasn’t receiving enough credit for winning a Catholic League Central that produced three playoff teams. The only losses this fall were opening weekend against Lowell and by 10 to Pennsylvania power Erie Cathedral – and aside from that pair, no other opponent has scored more than 14 points. Including a pair of wins over eventual Division 1 semifinalist DCC, DeLaSalle has given up only 40 points over its last six games. Junior defensive backs Jacob Dobbs and Josh DeBerry are among additional playmakers on that side of the ball; Dobbs has 80 tackles, five sacks and four fumble recoveries and DeBerry has six interceptions. Giannone is 173-58 over 20 seasons coaching overall and led Macomb Dakota to Division 1 titles in 2006 and 2007.
LIVONIA FRANKLIN
Record: 11-2, unranked
Coach: Chris Kelbert, 17th season (87-83)
League finish: Second in Kensington Lakes Activities Association Gold.
Championship history: Class A champion 1975.
Best wins: 20-0 over No. 9 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central in the Semifinal, 35-28 over No. 5 Walled Lake Western in the Pre-District, 35-21 over Livonia Stevenson, 21-19 over Livonia Churchill in the District Final, 31-29 over Flushing in the Regional Final.
Players to watch: QB Jacob Kelbert, 6-4/190 sr. (1,101 yards/9 TD passing); RB Isaac Moore, 6-0/201 sr. (1,598 yards/14 TD rushing); RB Julius Simmons, 6-0/180 jr. (870 yards/12 TD rushing); LB Jacob Mass, 6-4/215 sr. (111 tackles). (Kelbert/Mass statistics do not include Semifinals).
Outlook: Franklin was the first Class A champion in MHSAA football history and broke through for another title opportunity last week in its second trip to the Semifinals over the last three seasons. This fall also has included losses to neighbors Stevenson and Churchill during a 2-2 start, and then the avenging of both defeats – and the Patriots also have had to gut out a series of close playoff wins to make it this far. Forest Hills Central was averaging nearly 38 points per game before Franklin’s shutout last week, and a strong rushing game helps that defense – Jacob Kelbert threw only six passes in the Semifinal with Moore and Simmons carrying the load.
Division 3
MUSKEGON
Record: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Shane Fairfield, eighth season (86-18)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Black.
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2008), four runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 42-0 over No. 4 Battle Creek Harper Creek in the Semifinal, 49-0 over No. 5 DeWitt in the Regional Final, 55-20 over honorable mention Zeeland West in the District Final, 35-24 over Division 2 No. 4 Muskegon Mona Shores.
Players to watch: QB La’darius Jefferson, 6-2/215 sr. (1,850 yards/29 TD rushing, 1,205 yards/21 TD passing); SL/DB Clinton Jefferson, Jr., 6-1/180 sr. (463 yards/10 TD receiving, 786 yards/10 TD rushing); RB/LB Lonnie Clark, Jr., 5-7/165 sr. (877 yards/13 TD rushing); OT A.J. Reed, Jr., 6-6/215/sr. (Clinton Jefferson’s rushing yardage does not include Semifinal.)
Outlook: Muskegon’s season has been memorable, to say the least. After seeing last season’s Division 3 title slip away on an Orchard Lake St. Mary’s score with four seconds left in the Final, the Big Reds are back after rolling through most of the first 13 games. This time they’ve got the fifth highest-scoring offense in MHSAA football history and a defense that hasn’t given up a point in two weeks and only 78 all season. Quarterback La’darius Jefferson may be the toughest player to stop in all of Michigan, and he’s running behind a line that averages 6-foot-3 and 297 pounds led by Penn State recruit Reed. Only Mona Shores in Week 8 stayed within striking distance, and another win would give the Big Reds one of the most impressive seasons in this state in some time.
FARMINGTON HILLS HARRISON
Record: 10-3, honorable mention*
Coach: John Herrington, 48th season (435-106-1)
League finish: Tied for first in OAA White.
Championship history: Thirteen MHSAA titles (most recent 2010), four runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 21-0 over Riverview in the Semifinal, 34-21 over honorable mention Linden in the Regional Final, 17-14 over Division 2 No. 8 Oak Park.
Players to watch: LB/TE Ovie Oghoufo, 6-4/215 sr. (479 yards/5 TD receiving); WB/DB Roderick Heard, 6-0/160 jr. (1,477 yards/23 TD rushing); QB/DB Noah Hendricks, 6-3/195 sr. (1,205 yards/13 TD passing); OL/DL Chris Rexroth, 6-6/275 sr. (Oghoufo and Hendricks’ statistics do not include Semifinals.)
Outlook: Just when it looks like Muskegon might be unbeatable, enter Harrison with the best narrative possible going up against such an opponent. This is the second-to-last season of Hawks football before the school closes, and earlier this fall Herrington become the winningest coach in Michigan high school history. This championship game appearance will give Harrison a record 18 – it’s currently tied with Detroit Catholic Central atop the list – and the Hawks also have the most championships in MHSAA history at 13. But this team has a lot more going for it than a potential storybook ending. Oghoufo will continue his career at Notre Dame and Heard is making a lot of noise carrying the offensive load behind a sizable line. (*Harrison was part of The Associated Press’ Division 2 for the regular season.)
Division 4
GRAND RAPIDS CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Todd Kolster, sixth season (64-11)
League finish: First in O-K Blue.
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2016), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 24-0 over No. 10 Escanaba in the Semifinal, 45-34 over No. 2 Wyoming Kelloggsville in the District Final, 32-26 over Hudsonville Unity Christian in the Pre-District, 35-33 over Division 5 No. 2 Grand Rapids West Catholic, 57-50 over Comstock Park.
Players to watch: QB Jack Bowen, 6-1/180 sr. (1,629 yards/20 TD passing); WR/OLB Nathan Trudeau, 6-1/170 sr. (532 yards/6 TD receiving); RB Nolan Fugate, 6-1/210 sr. (2,650 yards/32 TD rushing), OL/DL Jalen Mayfield, 6-6/270 sr.
Outlook: The reigning Division 4 champion has lost only one game in two years – to reigning Division 5 champ West Catholic midway through 2016 – and survived some close calls including two to start these playoffs. But the Cougars keep coming up big with Fugate in particular stacking up yardage – his rushing total stands 17th on the single-season list already – as he continues to run behind a line featuring University of Michigan recruit Mayfield. Bowen also started as GRCC won last season’s championship, and he’s capable of bringing some balance to the offense when needed – although again, Fugate has been one of his top targets with five scoring passes.
EDWARDSBURG
Record: 12-1, No. 6 in Division 3*
Coach: Kevin Bartz, 23rd season (159-73)
League finish: First in Wolverine Conference.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 32-21 over River Rouge (No. 7 in Division 3 for the regular season) in the Semifinal, 52-30 over Lansing Sexton in the Regional Final, 30-12 over No. 8 Three Rivers in the District Final, 44-20 over honorable mention Plainwell.
Players to watch: RB/DB Nick Bradley, 5-9/160 sr. (1,313 yards/12 TD rushing, 3 TD receiving); RB/LB Chase Sager, 6-0/190 jr. (780 yards/16 TD rushing); RB/DE Kyle Shrider, 6-2/215 sr. (806 yards/11 TD rushing); RB/DB Caden Goggins, 5-8/160 jr. (670 yards/11 TD rushing).
Outlook: In its fourth straight season of double-digit wins and fifth over the last eight years, Edwardsburg finally broke through to make its first MHSAA championship game. The Eddies long have been dominant in the southwestern corner of the Lower Peninsula; in fact, they lost their first league game this season since 2012 but avenged that defeat to Three Rivers a month later. Their charged-up running attack broke 600 points for the first time, regardless that it’s no secret what’s coming – Edwardsburg had attempted only 31 passes heading into last weekend. (*Edwardsburg was part of Division 3 for The Associated Press’ rankings during the regular season.)
Division 5
SAGINAW SWAN VALLEY
Record: 12-1, No. 4
Coach: Kevin Gavenda, second season (18-6)
League finish: First in Tri-Valley Conference Central.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 29-14 over T-No. 8 Reed City in the Semifinal, 48-14 over T-No. 8 Muskegon Oakridge in the Regional Final, 36-19 over Division 4 No. 10 Alma.
Players to watch: QB/S Alex Fries, 6-2/180 jr. (1,532 yards/21 TD passing, 486 yards/8 TD rushing); RB/DB Emmett Boehler, 5-8/195 sr. (1,553 yards/16 TD rushing); DL/OL Cameron Toth, 6-1/235 sr. (88 tackles/14 sacks); RB/LB Chase Mendoza, 5-8/195 jr. (521 yards/9 TD rushing).
Outlook: Swan Valley is making its first appearance at the Finals after tying the program’s single-season wins record. The Vikings are finally healthy just in time as well after playing without Boehler and leading receiver/defensive back Terryon Liddell at times during the playoffs. They haven’t lost since opening weekend to Zeeland East, and they haven’t let an opponent within seven points since Week 4. Junior linebacker Matt Pike (135 tackles) anchors the middle of a defense that has given up more than 14 points in a game only once since Week 2.
GRAND RAPIDS WEST CATHOLIC
Record: 11-2, No. 2
Coach: Joe Hyland, second season (23-4)
League finish: Second in O-K Blue.
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2016), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 25-21 over No. 1 Frankenmuth in the Semifinal, 28-26 over No. 3 Portland in the Regional Final, 17-6 over Division 3 honorable mention Zeeland West.
Players to watch: QB Gaetano Vallone, 5-10/170 sr. (2,480 yards/29 TD passing, 867 yards/14 TD rushing); WR/DB Nick Dorato, 5-11/165 jr. (816 yards/13 TD receiving); RB/DB Alex Fortier, 5-10/165 sr. (741 yards/3 TD rushing); LB/RB Zack Lee, 6-0/210 sr. (728 yards/13 TD rushing). (Fortier’s stats do not include Semifinal totals.)
Outlook: West Catholic has tested itself against the best as it goes for a fifth straight Division 5 championship. In addition to eliminating two of the other major favorites the last two weeks, West Catholic took a two-point loss from reigning Division 4 champ Grand Rapids Catholic Central and a three-pointer from 2016 Division 6 winner Jackson Lumen Christi. Vallone will be capping his career with a third championship game appearance, while a number of others including senior defensive back Connor Bolthouse have contributed last season or before that as well. Senior Liam Putz also will be kicking in his third Final and has been one of the state’s best.
Division 6
ITHACA
Record: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Terry Hessbrook, 14th season (152-19)
League finish: First in Tri-Valley Conference West
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2015), one runner-up finish.
Best wins: 27-0 over Traverse City St. Francis (No. 2 in Division 7 for regular season) in the Semifinal, 33-23 over No. 2 Montague in the Regional Final, 38-14 over Division 5 No. 8 Clare.
Players to watch: QB/FS Joey Bentley, 6-2/185 sr. (1,904 yards/27 TD passing, 1,567 yards/26 TD rushing); WR/DB/K Adam Culp, 6-3/175 sr. (497 yards/10 TD receiving, 96 XP/8 FG); WR/OLB Seth Davis, 5-10/170 sr. (576 yards/5 TD receiving, 79 tackles/6 interceptions). LB/RB Zach Hessbrook, 6-2/215 sr. (154 tackles).
Outlook: What Ithaca has accomplished over the last nine years is astounding. The Yellowjackets haven’t lost a regular season game since 2009, and they are a combined 118-4 over that span. They made six straight Finals before falling in the Regional championship game a year ago, but they’re back trying to win a sixth MHSAA title in eight seasons. They’re doing it with another star quarterback in Bentley, who will play at least Division II college football as he follows a long line of Ithaca signal-callers who have gone on to the next level. The Yellowjackets have outscored four playoff opponents by a combined 159-30, and Montague with 23 points was the only opponent this year to score more than 16.
JACKSON LUMEN CHRISTI
Record: 11-1, No. 3
Coach: Herb Brogan, 38th season (340-79)
League finish: Second in Interstate 8 Athletic Conference.
Championship history: Nine MHSAA titles (most recent 2016), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 44-12 over No. 8 Warren Michigan Collegiate in the Semifinal, 44-22 over No. 4 Watervliet in the Regional Final, 27-24 over Division 5 No. 2 Grand Rapids West Catholic.
Players to watch: RB Sebastion Toland, 5-10/170 sr. (1,944 yards/22 TD rushing); QB Troy Kutcha 6-2/200 sr. (1,287 yards/16 TD passing); FB/LB Kyle Minder, 6-1/210 sr. (809 yards/17 TD rushing), DB Bobby Willis, 6-0/175 jr.
Outlook: Lumen Christi is seeking to repeat as champion led by the fifth-winningest coach in MHSAA history and a rushing attack that has gained more than 3,300 yards a year after graduating a 2,600-yard rusher. That Toland and Minder-led ground game will be especially key in keeping Ithaca’s high-powered offense off the field, and as the Titans’ defense plays perhaps the most important role in the repeat attempt. Lumen Christi hasn’t allowed more than 24 points in a game despite facing a few of the state’s most explosive offenses this fall; Watervliet, for example, was averaging 52 per game before scoring only 22 two weeks ago. The only loss was by a point in league play to Battle Creek Harper Creek, which finished 12-1 after falling in Division 3 last week.
Division 7
PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA
Record: 12-1, No. 3
Coach: Jeremy Miller, fifth season (59-7)
League finish: First in Central Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Division 7 champion 2016, two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 51-8 over Lake City (No. 9 in Division 6 regular season) in the Semifinal, 34-0 over No. 4 Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker in the Regional Final, 35-14 over No. 1 New Lothrop in the District Final, 32-11 over Laingsburg.
Players to watch: QB/DE Jimmy Lehman, 6-4/215 sr. (1,569 yards/19 TD passing, 637 yards/15 TD rushing); RB/LB Bryce Thelen, 6-0/180 sr. (517 yards/10 TD rushing, 520 yards/6 TD receiving); RB/LB Hunter Wirth, 5-9/175 soph. (641 yards/8 TD rushing); OL/DL Isaiah Schafer, 6-2/265 sr. (Wirth’s rushing and Thelen’s receiving yards do not including Semifinal totals.)
Outlook: In some ways, P-W looks a lot like last year’s champion – and in some ways it’s a little different and tougher to stop. Any surprise that the Pirates are back at the Finals after graduating Michigan high school’s second all-time leading rusher Jared Smith has worn off. The Pirates are still running hard, led by the dynamic Thelen and Wirth. But they also are relying on one of their finest dual threat quarterbacks in some time in Lehman, who threw for 127 yards and two scores in last year’s championship game on eight attempts. The lone loss this fall – and over the last two seasons – was by seven on opening night to Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, and P-W eliminated three of the most serious contenders by big scores the last three weeks. No opponent since opening night has scored more than 14 points, with Lehman actually earning all-state on that side of the ball as an end. Junior Alec Thelen (along with Lehman and honorable mentions Bryce Thelen and Schafer) also earned all-state recognition as the second-team kicker.
SAUGATUCK
Record: 10-3, unranked
Coach: Bill Dunn, 15th season (102-51)
League finish: Second in Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore
Championship history: Division 8 runner-up 2010.
Best wins: 14-7 over Madison Heights Madison (No. 6 in Division 6 for regular season) in the Semifinal, 7-6 over No. 7 Cassopolis in the Regional Final, 14-8 over Vermontville Maple Valley in the District Final.
Players to watch: RB/DB Bradley Dunn, 6-0/165 jr. (956 yards/10 TD rushing, 594 yards/9 TD receiving); QB/DB Jackson Shriver, 6-4/180 sr. (1,147 yards/15 TD passing, 251 yards/6 TD rushing); RB/LB Jacob Stewart, 5-7/155 jr. (684 yards/5 TD rushing); LB/OL Reece Schreckengust, 6-1/205 sr. (132 tackles)
Outlook: Similar to P-W, Saugatuck also graduated one of the leading rushers in state history in the spring, Blake Dunn, and has taken the next steps with some new contributors helping carry the load. Bradley Dunn – Blake’s brother – and Schreckengust both made the all-state first team as Saugatuck tied its program record for wins in a season. Character and perseverance have shown through; three victories during the playoffs have been by seven points or fewer, and the Indians bounced back to make this run after seeing their league title hopes fade with a Week 9 loss. The defense has been especially impressive during this Ford Field run, giving up only 42 points over four games. Bradley Dunn is dangerous on special teams as well, with two punt return touchdowns.
Division 8
SAGINAW NOUVEL
Record: 13-0, No. 4
Coach: Mike Boyd, 18th season (168-42)
League finish: Independent
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2011), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 17-14 over No. 9 Iron River West Iron County in the Semifinal, 27-26 over No. 6 Harbor Beach in the District Final, 35-0 over honorable mention Clarkston Everest Collegiate.
Players to watch: QB/CB Tate Hausbeck, 6-3/204 sr. (2,446 yards/26 TD passing, 643 yards/14 TD rushing); WR/OLB Kenneth Kujawa, 5-8/156 sr. (601 yards/7 TD receiving); WR/OLB Peter Snyder, 6-4/198 sr. (692 yards/7 TD receiving); ILB/RB Alex Wrobel, 5-11/211, sr.
Outlook: Nouvel has survived two nail-biters during the playoffs to get back to its first championship game since winning Division 7 under Boyd in 2011. Hausbeck is the leading passer and rusher for an offense that has more than doubled its scoring from a year ago when it reached the District Finals – six players have scored at least six touchdowns. Nouvel outlasted a physical West Iron front last week and 6-2, 274-pound senior Kyle Allen could be especially key again as a starting tackle on both sides of the ball. The Panthers have been strong defensively, giving up more than 14 points only three times. Hausbeck and Wrobel (at linebacker) both made the all-state first team.
OTTAWA LAKE WHITEFORD
Record: 13-0, No. 2
Coach: Jason Mensing, sixth season (60-13)
League finish: First in Tri-County Conference
Championship history: Division 8 runner-up 2016.
Best wins: 50-21 over No. 3 Mendon in the Semifinal, 60-20 over honorable mention Clarkston Everest Collegiate in the Regional Final, 52-21 over Clinton, 51-8 over Morenci.
Players to watch: QB Thomas Eitniear, 5-7/160 sr. (1,260 yards/17 TD passing, 790 yards/13 TD rushing); LB/WB Logan Murphy, 6-0/190 jr. (1,747 yards/24 TD rushing, 4 sacks); LB/WB Zach Bertz, 5-8/170 sr. (706 yards/21 TD rushing, 58 tackles); OT/DT Lucas Tesznar, 6-5/285, sr.
Outlook: Despite graduating its two leading rushers from last season’s first-time MHSAA finalist, Whiteford has stormed back behind an offense that’s put up 695 points – which already ranks fourth all-time in MHSAA history. Eitniear also was the quarterback last fall and has led the two highest-scoring teams in program history. The 50 put up last week tied the most defensively well-reputed Mendon had given up since 1977. And don’t forget Whiteford’s defense; the Bobcats haven’t given up more than 22 points in a game all season, with junior defensive back Ty Eitniear (seven interceptions) among playmakers on that side of the ball. Another to watch is leading receiver Bradyn Clark-Gilmore: the junior has 677 yards and 10 touchdowns through the air and averages 29.4 yards per catch. Tesznar made the all-state first team, while Murphy made the second and Thomas Eitniear earned honorable mention.