2018 Week 8 Football Playoff Listing
October 9, 2018
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 seventh 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 at 7 p.m. 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, 6-1, 87.714
2. Dearborn Fordson, 2795, 6-1, 87.714
3. Utica Eisenhower, 2668, 4-3, 58.286
4. East Kentwood, 2651, 6-1, 88.857
5. Grand Blanc, 2637, 5-2, 73.571
6. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 2591, 3-4, 44.857
7. Clarkston, 2548, 6-1, 88.571
8. Rockford, 2481, 4-3, 59.000
9. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2462, 7-0, 115.429
10. Detroit Cass Tech, 2432, 7-0, 101.333
11. Lake Orion, 2393, 4-3, 56.857
12. Howell, 2387, 4-3, 55.571
13. Canton, 2260, 5-2, 73.286
14. Southfield Arts & Technology, 2244, 3-4, 45.857
15. Brighton, 2202, 6-1, 88.857
16. Holland West Ottawa, 2190, 5-2, 73.000
17. Oxford, 2170, 5-2, 81.000
18. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 2115, 3-4, 40.714
19. Dearborn, 2106, 4-3, 54.429
20. Hartland, 2104, 3-4, 41.000
21. Plymouth, 2060, 5-2, 71.000
22. Detroit Catholic Central, 2020, 5-2, 79.048
23. West Bloomfield, 2005, 5-2, 79.857
24. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, 1994, 4-3, 53.286
25. Monroe, 1949, 6-1, 84.857
26. Utica Ford, 1903, 3-4, 37.571
27. Hudsonville, 1879, 5-2, 70.762
28. Saline, 1834, 6-1, 88.857
29. Romeo, 1779, 5-2, 76.714
30. Detroit Western International, 1773, 5-2, 56.143
31. Lapeer, 1772, 7-0, 102.857
32. White Lake Lakeland, 1740, 5-2, 71.000
33. Grandville, 1729, 3-4, 48.429
34. Ann Arbor Skyline, 1701, 3-4, 40.000
35. Holt, 1692, 3-4, 45.714
36. Davison, 1687, 6-1, 86.429
37. Kalamazoo Central, 1672, 4-3, 59.571
38. Walled Lake Northern, 1672, 3-4, 39.286
39. Belleville, 1642, 7-0, 107.429
40. Traverse City West, 1634, 5-2, 73.571
41. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1628, 6-1, 93.143
42. Rochester Adams, 1621, 4-3, 60.000
43. Grosse Pointe South, 1593, 7-0, 102.857
44. Warren Mott, 1585, 5-2, 73.714
45. Waterford Mott, 1558, 4-3, 55.571
46. Saginaw Heritage, 1541, 4-3, 47.286
47. Warren DeLaSalle, 1474, 6-1, 92.857
48. Jenison, 1464, 4-3, 62.571
49. Temperance Bedford, 1462, 3-4, 45.571
50. Detroit U-D Jesuit, 1456, 3-4, 41.143
51. Livonia Franklin, 1443, 4-3, 55.143
52. Livonia Churchill, 1435, 5-2, 75.857
53. Ypsilanti Community, 1433, 3-4, 45.429
54. Dearborn Heights Crestwood, 1424, 7-0, 94.857
55. St. Clair Shores Lakeview, 1399, 4-3, 50.714
56. Traverse City Central, 1391, 6-1, 90.857
57. Okemos, 1381, 5-2, 65.333
58. Birmingham Seaholm, 1376, 6-1, 83.143
59. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1376, 5-2, 71.000
60. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1358, 3-4, 43.857
61. Oak Park, 1349, 7-0, 99.429
62. Portage Central, 1349, 5-2, 71.857
63. Royal Oak, 1335, 3-4, 43.571
64. Roseville, 1303, 5-2, 63.524
65. Birmingham Groves, 1298, 5-2, 65.429
66. Port Huron Northern, 1295, 6-1, 84.000
67. Midland, 1289, 4-3, 54.286
68. Portage Northern, 1284, 5-2, 73.286
69. Midland Dow, 1277, 5-2, 64.286
70. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, 1276, 6-1, 78.429
71. Flushing, 1275, 5-2, 77.857
72. North Farmington, 1264, 3-4, 38.857
73. Swartz Creek, 1262, 6-1, 86.571
74. Walled Lake Western, 1258, 5-2, 72.000
75. Jackson, 1229, 7-0, 101.714
76. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1226, 4-3, 51.000
77. South Lyon, 1225, 7-0, 102.857
78. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1215, 7-0, 104.000
79. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 1212, 3-4, 46.714
80. Southgate Anderson, 1206, 3-4, 40.714
81. Dexter, 1172, 5-2, 62.000
82. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1168, 4-3, 62.762
83. Detroit Renaissance, 1168, 4-3, 45.571
84. Ferndale, 1162, 5-2, 67.714
85. Fenton, 1160, 5-2, 69.857
86. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1154, 4-3, 48.286
87. Mattawan, 1153, 5-2, 66.667
88. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1149, 6-1, 77.429
89. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1142, 4-3, 54.000
90. Warren Woods Tower, 1126, 7-0, 81.143
91. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1115, 5-2, 67.571
92. Gibraltar Carlson, 1114, 6-1, 89.857
93. East Lansing, 1111, 6-1, 86.762
94. Farmington, 1111, 6-1, 91.143
95. Allen Park, 1105, 5-2, 75.429
96. Redford Thurston, 1098, 4-3, 45.571
97. Grand Rapids Northview, 1096, 5-2, 68.571
98. Garden City, 1080, 5-2, 61.571
99. South Lyon East, 1063, 4-3, 57.857
100. Mt. Pleasant, 1053, 7-0, 92.571
101. Eastpointe, 1022, 3-4, 40.429
102. Muskegon, 1022, 7-0, 105.143
103. Battle Creek Central, 1014, 4-3, 54.524
104. St. Joseph, 1010, 5-2, 72.857
105. Gaylord, 1002, 5-2, 59.429
106. DeWitt, 1001, 7-0, 108.762
107. East Grand Rapids, 998, 5-2, 72.429
108. Zeeland West, 997, 6-1, 87.429
109. Cedar Springs, 992, 6-1, 85.429
110. Warren Fitzgerald, 981, 3-4, 38.429
111. Linden, 977, 3-4, 43.714
112. Mason, 968, 3-4, 36.714
113. St. Johns, 955, 4-3, 54.286
114. Zeeland East, 955, 6-1, 80.714
115. Marquette, 952, 3-4, 43.393
116. Petoskey, 948, 4-3, 58.143
117. Detroit Mumford, 943, 5-2, 64.286
118. Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 940, 3-4, 38.321
119. Trenton, 914, 4-3, 59.143
120. Riverview, 913, 6-1, 72.571
121. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, 903, 5-2, 64.000
122. River Rouge, 897, 6-1, 71.714
123. Haslett, 895, 6-1, 78.429
124. Ortonville-Brandon, 887, 6-1, 87.429
125. Grand Rapids Christian, 886, 5-2, 74.429
126. Niles, 884, 3-4, 42.143
127. Parma Western, 870, 6-1, 72.857
128. Stevensville Lakeshore, 864, 4-3, 55.429
129. Hazel Park, 859, 3-4, 32.714
130. Chelsea, 851, 5-2, 69.400
131. Farmington Hills Harrison, 849, 5-2, 67.571
132. Spring Lake, 845, 5-2, 57.143
133. Marysville, 843, 4-3, 47.429
134. Fowlerville, 842, 3-4, 33.000
135. Edwardsburg, 838, 7-0, 91.429
136. Marshall, 830, 3-4, 39.714
137. Wayland Union, 829, 4-3, 51.571
138. Plainwell, 825, 5-2, 58.714
139. Carleton Airport, 811, 3-4, 36.000
140. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 809, 4-3, 54.429
141. St. Clair, 807, 5-2, 64.143
142. Sparta, 793, 4-3, 47.429
143. Charlotte, 766, 3-4, 33.000
144. Vicksburg, 762, 3-4, 33.857
145. Milan, 761, 5-2, 59.857
146. Goodrich, 758, 5-2, 62.143
147. Detroit Cody, 755, 5-2, 68.857
148. Allendale, 749, 3-4, 36.857
149. North Branch, 726, 6-1, 68.286
150. Croswell-Lexington, 724, 4-3, 49.429
151. Center Line, 720, 4-3, 45.286
152. Battle Creek Pennfield, 709, 4-3, 51.857
153. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 702, 4-3, 46.786
154. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy *, 701, 3-3, 37.143
155. Sault Ste. Marie, 700, 4-3, 45.714
156. Escanaba, 691, 5-2, 65.286
157. Detroit Country Day *, 687, 5-2, 72.286
158. Flint Powers Catholic, 687, 4-3, 53.571
159. Romulus Summit Academy North, 684, 3-4, 31.238
160. Three Rivers, 682, 6-1, 78.571
161. Holland Christian, 672, 4-3, 47.857
162. Paw Paw, 670, 5-2, 59.857
163. Whitehall, 669, 5-2, 51.714
164. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 663, 4-3, 44.429
165. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 662, 6-1, 75.000
166. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 659, 4-3, 50.714
167. Otsego, 651, 4-3, 46.714
168. Lake Fenton, 648, 4-3, 38.143
169. Yale, 647, 4-3, 42.714
170. Ludington, 645, 5-2, 44.571
171. Alma, 643, 6-1, 71.714
172. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 643, 5-2, 61.429
173. Williamston, 619, 6-1, 80.429
174. Bridgeport, 618, 3-4, 39.143
175. Grand Rapids South Christian, 615, 4-3, 58.095
176. Big Rapids, 613, 4-3, 44.000
177. Grosse Ile, 609, 7-0, 84.571
178. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 608, 6-1, 70.571
179. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 602, 6-1, 79.571
180. Harper Woods, 594, 5-2, 48.429
181. Howard City Tri-County, 585, 3-4, 38.714
182. Freeland, 584, 5-2, 57.571
183. Dowagiac, 580, 3-4, 38.000
184. Essexville Garber, 576, 3-4, 36.286
185. Gladwin, 575, 3-4, 29.429
186. Saginaw Swan Valley, 573, 7-0, 98.286
187. Belding, 572, 5-2, 57.143
188. Muskegon Oakridge, 571, 6-1, 67.000
189. Macomb Lutheran North, 560, 6-1, 65.571
190. Birch Run, 552, 4-3, 48.429
191. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 551, 3-4, 35.429
192. Clawson, 550, 4-3, 40.143
193. Portland, 550, 7-0, 84.571
194. Frankenmuth, 549, 6-1, 75.143
195. Kingsford, 547, 3-4, 38.643
196. Olivet, 542, 7-0, 85.714
197. Detroit Osborn, 537, 6-1, 65.714
198. Lansing Catholic, 531, 6-1, 70.571
199. Remus Chippewa Hills *, 531, 3-4, 40.000
200. Cheboygan, 527, 4-3, 47.286
201. Grant, 525, 4-3, 40.571
202. Richmond, 524, 4-3, 51.143
203. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 513, 4-3, 53.571
204. Ida, 512, 5-2, 56.429
205. Hopkins, 507, 6-1, 71.714
206. Benzie Central, 505, 4-3, 47.714
207. Detroit Denby, 504, 5-2, 56.571
208. Reed City, 504, 7-0, 88.000
209. Almont, 503, 7-0, 81.143
210. Marine City, 503, 5-2, 63.143
211. Berrien Springs, 500, 6-1, 68.667
212. Dundee, 485, 4-3, 45.286
213. Caro, 473, 3-4, 27.143
214. Grayling, 473, 3-4, 38.143
215. Detroit Henry Ford, 472, 3-4, 34.429
216. Manistee, 472, 7-0, 76.571
217. Durand, 468, 3-4, 31.714
218. Coloma, 460, 3-4, 37.286
219. Gladstone, 459, 3-4, 33.857
220. Perry, 459, 3-4, 32.143
221. Ovid-Elsie, 453, 5-2, 57.714
222. Kalamazoo Hackett, 450, 7-0, 78.857
223. Clare, 449, 6-1, 63.571
224. Montague, 445, 6-1, 68.286
225. Newaygo, 445, 5-2, 60.571
226. Kingsley, 443, 6-1, 69.429
227. Hillsdale, 441, 7-0, 77.714
228. Houghton, 421, 3-4, 29.714
229. Boyne City, 418, 3-4, 28.143
230. Tawas *, 418, 4-2, 42.190
231. Michigan Center, 412, 6-1, 54.571
232. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 410, 6-1, 72.571
233. Negaunee, 404, 4-3, 40.000
234. Muskegon Catholic Central, 402, 3-4, 33.143
235. Constantine, 400, 6-1, 63.571
236. Fennville, 400, 6-1, 56.571
237. Maple City Glen Lake, 395, 3-4, 33.571
238. Detroit Edison Public School Academy, 394, 3-4, 26.810
239. Calumet, 392, 7-0, 83.429
240. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 392, 7-0, 80.000
241. Ishpeming Westwood, 391, 5-2, 55.429
242. Millington, 390, 5-2, 60.286
243. Ithaca, 388, 6-1, 62.571
244. Ecorse, 387, 6-1, 65.143
245. Sanford Meridian Early College, 387, 3-4, 31.857
246. Blissfield, 383, 5-2, 64.571
247. Byron, 380, 4-3, 46.857
248. Montrose, 379, 5-2, 59.714
249. Delton Kellogg, 378, 5-2, 57.571
250. Hemlock, 374, 6-1, 57.857
251. Harrison, 372, 3-4, 32.571
252. Morley Stanwood, 369, 5-2, 48.286
253. Quincy, 369, 4-3, 40.143
254. Elk Rapids, 366, 5-2, 44.143
255. Napoleon, 365, 5-2, 46.143
256. Beaverton, 362, 5-2, 53.000
257. Grass Lake, 357, 7-0, 76.571
258. Jackson Lumen Christi *, 356, 7-0, 91.429
259. Traverse City St. Francis, 355, 7-0, 93.714
260. Flint Hamady, 353, 7-0, 82.286
261. Schoolcraft, 353, 6-1, 76.143
262. Niles Brandywine, 352, 5-2, 46.429
263. Kent City, 351, 7-0, 73.143
264. Lutheran Westland, 349, 3-4, 24.810
265. Detroit Central, 348, 3-4, 31.143
266. Lake City, 348, 7-0, 73.143
267. Leroy Pine River, 348, 5-2, 46.000
268. Vermontville Maple Valley, 347, 3-4, 30.857
269. L'Anse, 344, 3-4, 34.286
270. Ravenna, 344, 4-3, 38.571
271. Lakeview, 340, 3-4, 30.286
272. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 332, 3-4, 27.143
273. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 331, 5-2, 69.429
274. St. Louis, 331, 3-4, 33.429
275. Oscoda, 329, 6-1, 55.000
276. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 328, 4-3, 49.429
277. McBain, 327, 5-2, 54.143
278. North Muskegon, 327, 4-3, 35.000
279. Hartford, 322, 4-3, 33.857
280. Roscommon, 319, 6-1, 70.286
281. Madison Heights Madison, 316, 7-0, 102.857
282. Pewamo-Westphalia, 315, 7-0, 69.714
283. Clinton, 313, 6-1, 58.857
284. Bad Axe, 311, 4-3, 36.429
285. Detroit Community, 308, 7-0, 63.048
286. Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 306, 6-1, 60.476
287. New Lothrop, 302, 7-0, 84.571
288. Springport, 302, 7-0, 67.429
289. Allen Park Cabrini, 300, 5-2, 44.429
290. Sandusky, 300, 7-0, 65.143
291. Lawton, 299, 3-4, 26.286
292. Iron Mountain, 298, 5-2, 58.571
293. Union City, 297, 4-3, 39.857
294. Cass City, 291, 6-1, 64.571
295. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 287, 3-4, 29.857
296. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 282, 6-1, 60.143
297. Detroit Loyola, 280, 5-2, 66.286
298. Harbor Springs, 280, 6-1, 54.810
299. Manton, 280, 4-3, 38.571
300. Centreville, 279, 7-0, 65.143
301. Whitmore Lake, 278, 3-4, 28.429
302. Saugatuck, 273, 6-1, 59.000
303. Blanchard Montabella, 269, 3-4, 26.286
304. Sand Creek, 266, 4-3, 36.143
305. Detroit Leadership Academy, 264, 3-4, 27.524
306. Cassopolis, 261, 7-0, 70.857
307. Saranac, 257, 5-2, 39.143
308. Concord, 255, 3-4, 28.857
309. Marlette, 255, 3-4, 32.714
310. Hudson, 252, 3-4, 30.000
311. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic, 252, 3-4, 28.429
312. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 250, 7-0, 67.429
313. Carson City-Crystal, 248, 6-1, 48.857
314. Gwinn, 246, 5-2, 44.571
315. Iron River West Iron County, 246, 5-2, 44.000
316. Dansville, 244, 5-2, 46.714
317. Reading, 244, 7-0, 70.857
318. Addison, 243, 4-3, 35.286
319. Flint Beecher, 237, 5-2, 48.429
320. Holton, 234, 5-2, 43.714
321. Ishpeming, 233, 7-0, 74.286
322. Ubly, 232, 5-2, 46.143
323. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 226, 6-1, 60.238
324. White Pigeon, 225, 5-2, 49.143
325. Breckenridge, 224, 7-0, 67.429
326. Harbor Beach, 222, 6-1, 59.714
327. Norway, 220, 3-4, 29.143
328. Rogers City, 220, 6-1, 60.143
329. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 220, 7-0, 60.952
330. Petersburg-Summerfield, 219, 4-3, 37.714
331. Decatur, 216, 4-3, 36.429
332. St. Ignace, 209, 4-3, 33.714
333. Detroit Public Safety Academy, 206, 6-1, 52.524
334. Munising, 201, 4-3, 34.286
335. Mendon, 193, 4-3, 32.714
336. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 193, 6-1, 53.286
337. Merrill, 186, 4-3, 32.952
338. Pittsford, 186, 6-1, 54.286
339. Three Oaks River Valley, 186, 4-3, 33.714
340. Athens *, 185, 3-3, 31.857
341. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 183, 6-1, 53.333
342. Martin, 183, 4-3, 34.905
343. Saginaw Nouvel, 180, 4-3, 36.429
344. Frankfort, 174, 4-3, 34.714
345. Fowler, 170, 4-3, 32.857
346. Detroit Southeastern, 154, 4-3, 46.000
347. Climax-Scotts *, 148, 3-3, 33.429
348. Waterford Our Lady, 128, 4-3, 39.000
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Colon, 162, 7-0, 64.000
2. Pickford, 156, 7-0, 64.000
3. Morrice, 182, 7-0, 59.429
4. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 173, 7-0, 58.667
5. Powers North Central, 109, 6-1, 53.286
6. AuGres-Sims, 160, 7-0, 52.571
7. Onekama, 131, 6-1, 50.381
8. Suttons Bay, 189, 6-1, 48.286
9. Bellevue, 185, 6-1, 48.095
10. Engadine, 102, 6-1, 47.714
11. Hillman, 140, 6-1, 47.714
12. Deckerville, 175, 5-2, 42.571
13. Posen, 78, 6-1, 41.857
14. Kingston, 187, 6-1, 41.714
15. Rapid River, 127, 5-2, 40.429
16. Brethren, 143, 5-2, 40.190
17. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 122, 5-2, 38.143
18. Peck, 136, 5-2, 37.810
19. Tekonsha, 121, 5-2, 35.571
20. Fife Lake Forest Area, 183, 4-3, 35.429
21. Battle Creek St. Philip, 178, 4-3, 34.000
22. New Haven Merritt Academy, 154, 4-3, 33.857
23. Mayville, 185, 4-3, 32.857
24. Kinde-North Huron, 130, 4-3, 32.571
25. Genesee, 169, 4-3, 30.857
26. Camden-Frontier, 176, 4-3, 30.429
27. Stephenson, 159, 4-3, 28.714
28. Marion, 139, 4-3, 28.048
29. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 125, 4-3, 27.714
30. Portland St. Patrick, 102, 3-4, 27.571
31. Webberville, 176, 3-4, 27.429
32. Cedarville, 151, 4-3, 26.857
33. Eben Junction Superior Central, 121, 3-4, 26.571
34. North Adams-Jerome, 146, 4-3, 26.286
35. Onaway, 187, 4-3, 26.238
36. Manistee Catholic Central, 181, 4-3, 25.905
37. Ontonagon, 173, 4-3, 25.571
38. Bellaire, 131, 3-4, 24.500
39. Pellston, 167, 3-4, 23.143
40. Mesick, 202, 3-4, 22.857
41. Lawrence, 171, 3-4, 22.286
42. Caseville *, 95, 3-3, 20.952
43. Burr Oak, 74, 3-4, 19.286
44. Rudyard, 159, 3-4, 17.714
45. Central Lake *, 190, 2-4, 16.810
46. Bay City All Saints, 77, 2-5, 16.381
47. Ashley, 94, 2-5, 14.714
48. Owendale-Gagetown, 57, 2-5, 12.571
49. Waldron, 65, 2-5, 12.286
50. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 201, 2-5, 11.143
51. Bear Lake *, 94, 1-5, 10.048
52. Hale, 122, 1-6, 9.143
53. Atlanta, 74, 1-6, 8.714
54. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 156, 1-6, 8.429
55. Burton Madison Academy, 163, 1-6, 7.476
56. Brimley, 154, 1-6, 7.143
57. Litchfield, 81, 1-6, 7.143
58. Felch North Dickinson, 83, 0-7, 3.714
59. Flint International Academy, 171, 0-7, 3.143
60. Carney-Nadeau, 133, 0-7, 2.857
61. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 100, 0-7, 2.429
62. Baldwin *, 120, 0-6, 1.881
Ishpeming 'Makes Way' to MHSAA Title
November 24, 2012
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
DETROIT – When Ishpeming coach Jeff Olson watched film this week of Saturday opponent Detroit Loyola, he saw a team that continuously “demoralized” its opponents.
By midway through the second quarter of the MHSAA Division 7 Final, his players understood what he meant.
Senior Brad Wootke, easily the Hematites’ biggest player, joked after about getting knocked around by the multiple more sizable Bulldogs across the line. Junior quarterback Alex Briones rolled his eyes into his head describing a blast he withstood.
But it would’ve taken more than that to knock Ishpeming off its path to an MHSAA football title. As Olson also explained, “They guys made their own way, and they made it all year.”
The Hematites doled out plenty of physicality and turned away a few late rushes to hang on to a 20-14 Division 7 championship win at Ford Field.
“First of all, we’re a hard-nosed football team. We don’t take anyone prisoners. We’re going to fight all we can,” Briones said. “They’re big, but we just didn’t let them dominate us.”
The championship was Ishpeming’s first since 1979, and came two seasons after the team fell 28-26 to Hudson in a 2010 Final. The Hematites finished this fall 13-1.
Loyola, 13-0 entering the day, was playing in its first MHSAA championship game and could be back again soon – the Bulldogs had only five seniors this fall.
But Loyola also was ranked No. 1 heading into these playoffs, featured the second-leading scorer in MHSAA single-season history in senior running back Keymonn’e Gabriel, and had eight players – to Ishepming’s one – weighing in between 250 and 290 pounds.
The No. 4-ranked Hematites were underdogs. And they knew it. But they obviously didn't believe it.
“Our coach he said it best before the game when we were at our school. He said the game’s going to be won or lost on the first smack, the first hit,” Gabriel said. “I guess we were just on the receiving end. We didn't come out strong like we were supposed to, and we just came up a little bit short.”
Although Loyola led at halftime, that advantage was slim – only 8-6. The Bulldogs had outgained the Hematites, but only 153-80. Seven minutes into the second half, Ishpeming appeared to change the tide with senior Eric Kostreva’s second touchdown run. But Loyola turned it back when Gabriel scored on a 20-yard run on the final play of the third quarter to make the score 14-12.
In the end, it would come down to a few close plays, all coming on fourth down. Ishpeming made good on both of its fourth-down attempts. Loyola was successful on four of five – but that one miss might have eventually been the decider.
Loyola faced fourth-and-seven with 7:47 to play and trailing 20-14, when Gabriel ran on a punt fake for 38 yards to Ishpeming’s 17-yard line. But four plays later, on fourth-and-one, Gabriel was hung up for no gain by the waiting Briones, who had senior R.J. Poirier right behind providing support.
Then it was Ishpeming’s turn to convert instead. Its first fourth-down make set up a third-quarter touchdown. That wasn't the case this time. But making good on a fourth-and-one try from its own 18 – after twice trying to draw Loyola off-side and calling two timeouts – allowed the Hematites to drain two more minutes off the clock before junior Tyler Windahl’s 44-yard punt pinned the Bulldogs on their 28 with 1:14 to play.
Loyola made one more first down, but ended the game on its 41-yard line.
“I’m surprised I didn't want to go for it right off the bat. When we called timeout, I said we’re going to punt it, and I think half of you guys (his players) said, ‘Nope, we’re going for it,’” Olson said. “And when I thought about it, we always go for it on fourth and one. But if somebody offers me fourth and three inches for a state championship, I’m going for it.
“We weren't going to punt it away and hope it happened. We wanted to make it happen.”
Gabriel finished with 21 carries for 129 yards and a touchdown rushing, and also caught four passes for 52 yards and a score. That gave him 326 points this season – second-most in MHSAA history, and final unofficial rushing numbers of 145 carries, 2,516 yards and 36 scores. The yards rank 20th in MHSAA history for one season, and the rushing touchdowns are 11th.
He did so running in part behind junior tackles Malik McDowell (6-foot-7, 290 pounds) and Kajohn Armstrong (6-5, 275), and Loyola certainly felt the impact Saturday when Armstrong had to leave the game early with an injury.
“Our seniors are the reason we’re here; they were our leaders although there were only five of them. But now it’s time for the other group to step up,” Loyola coach John Callahan said. “We had a lot of sophomores playing, a lot of freshman playing. I’m pretty sure I know what we did and what we didn't do, and we've got all offseason to work on and correct, and next season, to start over again.”
Kostreva ran 20 times for 182 yards and all three Ishpeming touchdowns, and also had 16 tackles. He’s one of 12 seniors who helped guide the program through a tough start to the fall after Olson’s son, Daniel, was found after committing suicide in July.
Jeff Olson said after this game wasn't about him, but Briones was quick to point out that the players certainly wanted to win in part for their coach and the memory of their former teammate.
“I didn't know how this year would go. But I know once I got on the football field, it was a relief for me,” Olson said. “It was where I really felt comfortable. It’s because of these guys right here. They made it comfortable for me.”
Click for full statistics and to watch a replay of the game. See below for the full press conference.
PHOTOS: (Top) Ishpeming running back Eric Kostreva (11) races down the sideline as Detroit Loyola's Anthony Frierson gives chase Saturday. (Middle) The Hematites celebrate their first MHSAA championship since 1979. (Click for more from Terry McNamara Photography.)