Benton Harbor Writing Success Story
By
Wes Morgan
Special for MHSAA.com
November 5, 2015
Books are written about this kind of thing. Actually, one was penned 13 years ago about a Benton Harbor football team from more than 100 years ago.
“The Way We Played The Game: A True Story of One Team and the Dawning of American Football” was author John Armstrong’s ode to a Clayton Teetzel-coached Tigers squad at the turn of the century that galvanized Benton Harbor.
The storyline then was how Teetzel helped get the hapless Tigers back on track in 1903 while also evolving a more violent and dangerous version of the sport back then into one comprised of physicality and cerebration.
Benton Harbor is a different place today. Despite all the wonderful things the city has to offer, it has become known for crime and poverty. And in terms of football, there haven’t been many memorable seasons. Until this year, the Tigers’ last winning campaign was a 6-3 effort in 1989. Benton Harbor managed to win just 49 games over the following 25 years.
A new chapter is being written this fall, however, as the Tigers qualified for the postseason for the first time in school history with a 5-4 regular-season record. They stunned a quality Dowagiac team in a Division 4 Pre-District game, 28-7, and take on a 10-0 Zeeland West squad Friday in the District Final.
The well-documented resurgence headed up by 74-year-old coach Elliot Uzelac, a veteran of the high school, college and professional ranks, who thought rebuilding a woeful program while busting through a cultural wall would be a better use of time than the boredom and restlessness of retirement, has been the buzz of the Michigan prep sports world.
Being part of this season at Benton Harbor (he takes no credit), Uzelac said, is the highlight of his 50-year coaching career.
“When you’re younger, you look at things differently,” said Uzelac, who coached at nearby St. Joseph, where he helped the Bears compile a 6-5 record in 2006 after a winless season in 2005, along with head coaching positions at Western Michigan University (1975-81) and Navy (1987-89) and myriad assistant roles in college and the NFL. “Winning is so important. You want to have a proper salary because you want to feed your family. What’s the next stop? If I’m an assistant coach, is there a head coaching position available?
“None of these things exist now. This is strictly about helping people. Honestly, I’ve had the greatest time of my life doing this with these young men. Yes, it’s been hard. Yes, it’s been … (chuckle) really time consuming and we really had to work hard. But I’ve never been more satisfied and never felt better about accomplishing something with young men than I have this time.”
Uzelac’s hiring might not have happened if not for a persistent Fred Smith, who applied for the athletic director job on five separate occasions, finally landing the position this summer. Smith, nearing retirement, also wanted a challenge, and Benton Harbor had some kind of magnetic force.
When Smith was a student at Western Michigan University, his first student-teaching assignment in 1979 was at Benton Harbor with then-head basketball coach Earl McKee. Smith had a desire to coach basketball and requested an internship at Benton Harbor, because, he said at the time, “they play the best basketball.”
Smith was able to stay there for two more years as a full-time substitute but moved on to many other jobs in education, including stints as AD at Comstock and most recently Buchanan. He made a big impact at Buchanan and left the school on very solid ground. Buchanan is undefeated in football this year and is gearing up for a Division 5 district championship showdown with Berrien Springs. In volleyball, the Bucks picked up their 46th win of the season Wednesday in the Class B District Semifinals — a single-season victories record for the program.
Uzelac, curious as to whether or not Benton Harbor would join the Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph Conference, called Smith on July 4th to chat about the new league.
“In conversation, he told me the AD job was open,” Smith said. “A long story short, he talked me into applying. I had an interview July 14th, was offered the job July 16th, and on July 20th I signed my letter of agreement. I hired Elliot July 21st.
“This was the fifth time I applied for the job back here. A lot of people wonder why I wanted to come back. We all want to make a difference in kids’ lives. I think there’s a chance to do big things here.”
It’s a perspective shared by Uzelac.
The morning after the Tigers beat Dowagiac, he addressed his players.
“You’ve given me far more than I’ve given you,” he told them. “That’s the truth. I’ve never felt this way before.
“I don’t think anybody realizes how bad they’ve had it. It’s a wonderful, wonderful feeling.”
Six days earlier, on Selection Sunday, a Benton Harbor student died in a drive-by shooting. A winning football season can only change so much.
But similar to Teetzel over a century ago, Uzelac is making the young men in his charge to think their way through school, football and life — even when it pertains to new technology and means of communicating he doesn’t understand.
“Never,” he said when asked how often he uses social media. “I don’t even really know what (Twitter) is. Things are said on Twitter than can really create problems, especially in a community like this. You’re talking about a very tough community and the word ‘retaliate’ is used often around here, which we’re trying to change that attitude. You have to be very careful what you do and say in this community.”
A consummate professional in the press box, longtime Benton Harbor football announcer Greg Mauchmar‘s animated play-by-play this year wasn’t just a veneer. Gradually, beginning with the team’s first win since 2012 — a 14-9 victory at home over Battle Creek Central in Week 2 — his voice was being received by human eardrums in the stands rather than bouncing around empty bleachers.
Mauchmar, just one of many people who have done their part to embrace the football team even through extremely tough seasons, remembers countless games where there were as few as a 100 supporters in attendance.
“Everyone has rallied around this team and there’s a level of excitement that inspires us,” he said. “I can get excited because the people in the stands are excited and I don’t have to work hard to do that. When the kids looked up there and didn’t see too many people (in past years), you know how motivating that is. Sometimes you felt like you were preaching to the choir. We wanted more membership in the choir.”
This fall’s feel-good football story has grown legs. National news outlets such as ESPN and Sports Illustrated picked up on what was published by scribes around Michigan, spreading the story to the farthest corners of the country.
Messages of support have come in from all over Michigan and from as far away as California, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Ohio and Illinois, Uzelac said.
The Benton Harbor bandwagon, it appears, is nearly full.
Wes Morgan has reported for the Kalamazoo Gazette, ESPN and ESPNChicago.com, 247Sports and Blue & Gold Illustrated over the last 12 years and is the publisher of JoeInsider.com. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) Benton Harbor football coach Elliot Uzelac instructs players before a game this season. (Middle) Benton Harbor quarterback Tim Bell prepares to hand off to Jeremy Burrell during the Tigers' game against St. Joseph this fall. (Photos courtesy of Randy Willis/Harbor Photography.)
1st & Goal: 2025 Week 7 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 13, 2025
Football is the only head-to-head MHSAA sport requiring teams to qualify for the playoffs. And that makes October unlike any other month across any of the school year's three seasons.
Not only are teams competing for and celebrating league championships – see all nine of our "headliners" below and several more games we noted – but several more hopefuls are maneuvering to either break into playoff fields, hold onto spots they've currently earned, or move up on their respective division lists high enough to potentially earn a home game or few when the playoff brackets are selected later this month.
We highlight some of those scenarios below, and will focus on them much more over the final two weeks of the regular season.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Millington 14, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 3 Millington (6-1) battled back from a Week 4 overtime loss to Cass City to clinch a share of the Big Thumb Conference White title – and clinch a share for Cass City as well – by handing Laker (6-1) its only loss this season. All three teams finished tied for first and league champions, Millington after winning the title outright last season. The Cardinals and Lakers have met in the playoffs the last two and could face off again in Division 7. Click for more from the Bay City Times.
Watch list Almont 35, Richmond 14 The Raiders (7-0) over the last two weeks have taken down contenders Armada and Richmond (6-1) by identical 35-14 scores to run their Blue Water Area Conference winning streak to 23 and their league title streak to three by clinching a share of this year’s with this win.
On the move Fenton 46, Linden 41 The Tigers (5-2) ran their Flint Metro League Stars winning streak to 18 games and finished their third-straight perfect run through the league while denying Linden (5-2) a chance at a title share. Harbor Beach 33, Reese 14 The Pirates (7-0) have won all 10 of their BTC Black games over the last two seasons, this time preventing Reese (4-3) and Unionville-Sebewaing from also claiming title shares. Montrose 28, New Lothrop 14 The Rams (7-0) clinched a share of the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference championship after finishing third the last two seasons, and with a second-straight win over rival New Lothrop (5-2).
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Gibraltar Carlson 27, Brownstown Woodhaven 23 The Marauders followed running back Izaiah Wright to this Downriver League title share-clinching win. Wright scored three touchdowns, his last the game-winner during the final minute. Carlson (7-0) ran its league championship streak to five with a chance to finish this run with the outright title this week at Lincoln Park. Woodhaven (6-1) fell a game back. Click for more from the Southgate News-Herald.
IZAIAH WRIGHT DOING IZAIAH WRIGHT THINGS. The Carlson senior — Purdue commit and Mr. Football candidate — scored three touchdowns, including the game-winner in the final minute as Carlson beats rival Woodhaven 27-23 to stay unbeaten at 7-0. Delivered by @hungryhowies… pic.twitter.com/rKQ3dBZOpj
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 11, 2025
WATCH LIST Harper Woods 41, Saline 32 Harper Woods (7-0) has had its share of notable wins over the last three seasons – especially on the way to winning the Division 4 title in 2023. But downing Division 1 contender Saline (6-1) might be considered the best of the regular season during that time, or at least equal to wins over another Division 1 contender Clarkston in Week 2 and two years ago.
On the move Clarkston 38, West Bloomfield 10 A Wolves loss would have meant a shared Oakland Activities Association Red title between these two, but a win gave Clarkston (6-1) the outright title and its first of any degree since sharing in 2022. Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech 18, Hamtramck 8 The Gators (7-0) won a combined seven games over the last two seasons, and this victory over second-place Hamtramck (4-3) gave ABT the outright championship in the Charter School Conference Silver. Riverview 14, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 13 The Huron League title race jumped the tracks a bit as Riverview (5-2) moved into position to potentially earn a share if SMCC (6-1) can defeat leader Monroe Jefferson this week.
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Pewamo-Westphalia 37, Fowler 6 The Pirates pulled away over the final three quarters to clinch a share of the Central Michigan Athletic Conference title and also avenge last season’s loss to Fowler (5-2) – P-W’s only league defeat over the last three. The Pirates (6-0) also continued a run of not allowing more than six points in any game this fall, and have surrendered a grand total over 18 over six games. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
Watch list Portland 54, Eaton Rapids 6 The Raiders (7-0) ran their Capital Area Activities Conference White winning streak to 25 in clinching a share of a fourth-straight league title. They’ve given up just 31 points over six games played (with the seventh a forfeit win).
On the move DeWitt 59, Grand Ledge 7 The Panthers (7-0) moved within a win of clinching the CAAC Red championship by handing the Comets (6-1) their only defeat. Mount Pleasant 29, Traverse City West 8 The Oilers (7-0) secured a share of the Saginaw Valley League North title and can make it outright this weekend against reigning champion Midland. Belding 28, Muskegon Oakridge 7 The Black Knights (6-1) are in the running for what would be a fourth-straight Ottawa-Kent Conference Silver title, and fit in this win over West Michigan Conference Lakes contender Oakridge (5-2) to hold onto the No. 3 spot in the Division 6 playoff-point rankings.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Gaylord 34, Escanaba 30 The Blue Devils (7-0) played a fourth-quarter comeback into a share of the Big North Conference championship in what was a matchup of first-place teams. Gaylord can make the title outright against Sault Ste. Marie in Week 9. It’s been a great comeback run for both contenders, as Gaylord was 3-6 a year ago and Escanaba (6-1) was 2-7 two years ago before improving to 5-4 last season. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.
Watch list LeRoy Pine River 34, Manton 30 The Bucks (5-2) haven’t had a winning season since 2018 and opened this one with two losses. But they’ve strung together five straight victories to guarantee their best finish since 2018 while also moving up to the No. 20 slot on the Division 7 playoff-point list. Manton (4-3) as well has guaranteed its best record since 2022 and with one more win would tie its best since 2014.
On the move Charlevoix 15, Mancelona 12 This was a matchup of league leaders and Charlevoix (7-0) ran its winning streak over Mancelona (4-3) to nine, but not without surviving its closest game this season. Grayling 38, Kalkaska 15 The Vikings (2-5) came out of a tough league run with an impressive win over the Blazers (5-2), who finish with two more strong opponents in Kingsley and Boyne City. Traverse City Central 47, Bay City Western 21 Central (4-3) has fallen out of the Division 2 playoff hunt only once over the last five weeks but is back up to No. 21 on that playoff-points list with a second-straight win coming off an earlier three-game losing streak.
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Hudson 32, Clinton 16 The Tigers (7-0) clinched a share of the Lenawee County Athletic Association title and avoided a possible three-team share if they’d fallen to Clinton (5-2), which with Ida will hope for help this week from Hillsdale as Hudson plays for the outright title. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.
Watch list Springport 36, Quincy 20 Springport (7-0) clinched a share of the Big 8 Conference title, against a Quincy team (4-3) enjoying its best season since 2019. The Spartans can make it outright this week against second-place Union City and have given up only 38 points this season over six games (with a forfeit win as well).
On the move Ypsilanti Lincoln 36, Jackson 32 The Railsplitters (6-1) earned their fourth win by one score or less to set up the possibility this week of taking a share of the Southeastern Conference White title from Chelsea, which has clinched a share already. Temperance Bedford 31, Ann Arbor Huron 28 Bedford (4-3) also held on in a close game to gain an opportunity in the SEC Red, as it trails leader Saline by a game and travels to play the Hornets this week. Napoleon 30, Leslie 26 Likewise, Napoleon’s close win sets it up to play Michigan Center this week in a winner-take-all matchup for the Cascades Conference East title.
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER Portage Central 30, Portage Northern 0 Central added a share of the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West title to a dominating fall, holding Northern scoreless in what was a matchup of first-place teams. The shutout also was Central’s fifth this season, and the Mustangs have given up just 10 points total. They’ll play for an outright championship Week 9 at St. Joseph. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Watch list Dowagiac 40, Buchanan 26 Dowagiac (5-2) made the playoffs last season for the first time this decade, and now has added its first championship in the Lakeland Conference – rebounding from a Week 6 loss to Berrien Springs to take a share from Buchanan (4-3), which previously had clinched a share. Berrien Springs also can claim a share with a win over Niles Brandywine this week.
On the move Kalamazoo Central 31, Battle Creek Central 12 This is the oldest rivalry in Michigan high school football history, starting in 1893, and game 122 between these two ended in Kalamazoo Central (4-3) owning a share of the SMAC East title as Battle Creek Central (4-3) also entered the night undefeated in league play. Battle Creek Harper Creek 29, Hastings 15 This win didn’t clinch the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference title for Harper Creek (6-1), but it was a giant step toward potentially doing so. Hastings (5-2) also hadn’t lost in league play heading into the night. Bronson 32, White Pigeon 6 With this win by Bronson (6-1), Decatur claimed a share of the Southwest 10 Conference championship – although White Pigeon (6-1) can make it a three-team shared title by defeating Decatur this week.
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Bark River-Harris 38, Iron Mountain 14 After defeating Iron Mountain in Week 2 for the first time in program history, Bark River-Harris made it a sweep – this time clinching a share of the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Iron championship as well. The Broncos (5-1) can make the title outright this week against West Iron County, which like Iron Mountain (4-2) has just one loss in league play (as the first Bark River-Harris meeting did not count toward the league standings).
Watch list West Iron County 49, L’Anse 40 In avenging a 20-14 loss to L’Anse from Week 2, West Iron County (3-3) jumped four spots to No. 37 on the Division 8 playoff-points list with two weeks to play. The Wykons had won just three games total over the last two seasons and are seeking their first playoff berth this decade.
On the move Menominee 40, Negaunee 12 This along with Kingsford’s win over Ishpeming Westwood sets up those two to meet for a winner-take-all title matchup this week in the West-PAC Copper. Menominee moved to 7-0, while Negaunee is 4-3. Gladstone 34, Houghton 22 Gladstone (3-4) also bumped up to No. 37 on a playoff-points list, in Division 6, with two games to play and chances to move up significantly. Marquette 27, Petoskey 17 While Marquette (4-3) can’t catch Gaylord in the BNC, the Sentinels did move back into playoff contention at No. 29 on the Division 3 list, sending Petoskey (3-4) to No. 34.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Kent City 46, Central Montcalm 14 In a winner-take-all for the Central State Activities Association Silver title, Kent City (7-0) seized it in a big way. In doing so, the Eagles also avenged losses to Central Montcalm (5-2) that decided last year’s league title and then ended Kent City’s season in the District opener. Click for more from WZZM.
Watch list Ludington 32, Whitehall 7 The Orioles (7-0) clinched a share of the West Michigan Conference Lakes title by avenging the loss that cost them the championship last season. Whitehall (4-3) won’t repeat but remains firmly in the Division 5 playoff hunt at No. 14 on that playoff points list.
On the move Hudsonville 43, East Kentwood 42 The Eagles (7-0) won by the slimmest of margins to pull within one more victory of clinching the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red title, moving past the Falcons (5-2) with a late rally. Grand Rapids Catholic Central 35, Holland Christian 7 The Cougars (7-0) clinched a share of the O-K Black title, improving on last season’s tie for second place. Grand Rapids West Catholic 48, Wayland 19 The Falcons (6-1) locked up a share of the O-K White title, their fourth-straight league championship.
8-Player
HEADLINER Deckerville 22, Kingston 14 Defense reigned as Deckerville clinched a share of the Big Thumb Conference Blue title for the second-straight season. Both teams were held well below their season scoring averages as the Eagles (7-0) added to last year’s regular-season/playoff sweep of the rival Cardinals (6-1). Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.
Watch list St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy 47, Hillman 26 Heston’s record for wins in a season over its first 11 was four a year ago, but the Patriots (5-2) bested it in this matchup of North Star League champions – both Heston and Hillman (5-2) have clinched shares of their division titles.
On the move Norway 34, Newberry 14 Norway (7-0) pulled within one more win of claiming a share of the Great Lakes Eight Conference East championship after finishing second a year ago. Gogebic 42, Lake Linden-Hubbell 12 The Miners (7-0) also can clinch a share of a league title this week, in the GLEC West, after handing LL-H (5-2) its only conference loss. Mio 36, Rogers City 22 There are 13 teams in Division 2 with zero or one loss, and Mio (6-1) remains right in the middle of that group on the playoff-points average list with two games against sub-.500 opponents left before the playoffs.
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PHOTOS (Top) DeWitt’s backs make a read on a handoff during their team’s 59-7 win over Grand Ledge on Friday. (Middle) Laingsburg’s Julian Smith (7) launches a pass during his team’s 34-14 loss to Bath. (DeWitt/Grand Ledge photo by Terry Lyons. Laingsburg/Bath photo by John Johnson.)