Britton Deerfield Finding Fast Success After Move to 8-Player Football
By
Doug Donnelly
Special for MHSAA.com
September 28, 2021
BRITTON – Britton Deerfield’s football team is learning to win again.
The Patriots have transitioned from 11-player to 8-player football this season in a big way. Playing their first season under Michigan’s 8-player format, the Patriots are 5-0 through five weeks and already clinched the program’s first league championship since 2000.
“I think it’s been great for our program,” said senior quarterback Nicolas Johnson. “We’re having a lot of success. I think the team is really focused. All I care about is us winning.”
After struggling mainly due to low numbers at the varsity, junior varsity and middle school levels the last several years, BD is doing a lot of winning this year. In fact, the Patriots have been dominant. After accepting a forfeit in Week 1, BD has won by scores of 64-8, 38-12, 68-0 and 54-16. They are 3-0 in the new Tri-River 8 Conference with one league game remaining. Every other team has at least one loss, meaning they can do no worse than share the league title.
“The league championship is nice,” he said. “I think some of our guys kind of forgot what it felt like to be a contender.”
The last time BD won a league championship was during a run of three straight Tri-County Conference titles from 1998 to 2000.
Technically, this is the first conference championship in school history.
Britton and Deerfield are two small communities in Lenawee County. The Deerfield school building opened in 1874 and the Britton building in 1893. They were two distinct school districts for more than 100 years.
During the early 1990s, both schools were struggling with low participation in some varsity sports. In 1993-94, the varsity football and track teams formed co-ops and played as Britton-Deerfield. The Britton-Deerfield football program had some outstanding teams, winning multiple conference titles and sending several players into the college ranks. Two of those are head coaches at Division III Michigan colleges today – Dustin Breuer at Albion and Dan Musielewicz at Olivet College – and several others are head coaches at the high school level.
As more and more sports became co-op programs, the schools continued to operate separately until 2011 when the school boards of both communities voted to adopt a shared service plan. On July 1, 2011, just before Independence Day, voters in the two communities approved consolidation of the two schools into one – Britton Deerfield.
Erik Johnson took over the BD football program in 2017. The Patriots went 1-8 in back-to-back years but made the playoffs in 2019. Last year BD went 1-6. Soon after the season ended, school officials announced the team would be moving to 8-player football this year.
“I spent most of the winter watching YouTube videos and talking to 8-man coaches,” Johnson said. “I love information. I was curious about how some schools ran practices and what offenses they run and what the difference was on the 40-yard-wide field. I talked to coaches all over the place, asking questions.”
BD had played a couple of seasons of 8-player junior varsity football because of low numbers, but the varsity level was all new this year.
“We hit the ground running,” Johnson said. “It was great to have the summer workouts where we could build some camaraderie. We had some new guys that we needed to get up to speed. We had some six-on-sixes and seven-on-sevens too. That helped.”
BD committed to two years of 8-player football, and then will evaluate the program and where it is headed. Johnson said it all depends on numbers.
“If we get to a point where we are back to a 20-25 player roster, 11-player is what we’ll play,” he said. “But if we only have 12-13 kids in the entire middle school program, we won’t be playing 11-man. That’s not feasible.”
While trying to build a schedule from scratch, Johnson found other schools in the same boat. Five decided to form the Tri-River 8 Conference – Britton Deerfield, Concord, Vandercook Lake, Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian and Vermontville Maple Valley.
Playing nine new opponents added an extra dimension to preparation for the season.
“I watched a lot of film, but it was from previous years,” Johnson said. “I just tried to learn as much about the opponents as I could.”
The season got off to a slow start when BD’s first opponent – an Ohio school – canceled due to lack of available players. Since then, the Patriots have been unstoppable, rolling to four on-the-field wins. They have had several big moments, but last week’s performance by Nicolas Johnson was eye-popping.
The quarterback ran for 251 yards and four touchdowns and passed for 101 yards and another score. Over four games, he has 623 yards rushing and 375 passing. He’s accounted for 17 touchdowns.
Nicolas, known as “Nico,” is the son of Erik – who also serves as athletic director - and BD superintendent Stacy Johnson. Nico’s brother Carson is a sophomore on the Patriots JV team, and his grandfather John is an assistant coach. John and Erik have coached together for nearly 20 years.
Nico is a three-sport star at BD and a member of the MHSAA’s Student Advisory Council.
“It’s always fun to watch him,” Erik Johnson said. “I thought he would have a really good year. Once he gets in the open, he can make guys miss.”
Nico said the biggest difference between 11 and 8-player football is having room on the field to run.
“Once you beat the linebacker, there is usually no one else behind them,” he said. “I feel I have the ability to see the cutback lanes better. It’s a lot different.”
Johnson hopes to play college football.
“My passion is definitely football,” he said. “That one thing I have talked to (college) coaches about is whether or not playing 8-player affects my chances of playing in college, and they say no.”
Coach Johnson said when it comes down to it, football is football – no matter how many players are on the field.
“It’s still blocking and tackling,” he said. “It comes down to execution on offense and defense and being prepared in all three phases of the game.”
Doug Donnelly has served as a sports and news reporter and city editor over 25 years, writing for the Daily Chief-Union in Upper Sandusky, Ohio from 1992-1995, the Monroe Evening News from 1995-2012 and the Adrian Daily Telegram since 2013. He's also written a book on high school basketball in Monroe County and compiles record books for various schools in southeast Michigan. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for Jackson, Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Lenawee and Monroe counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) Britton Deerfield quarterback Nico Johnson launches a pass during a Week 4 win over Vandercook Lake. (Middle) Johnson and BD head coach Erik Johnson (also his father) discuss strategy. (Below) Nico Johnson follows his blockers against the Jayhawks. (Photos by Deloris Clark-Osborne.)
1st & Goal: 2026 Week 5 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 28, 2026
We’ve passed the midway point of the 2026 football regular season, and it’s already trophy time for several teams across Michigan.
Week 5 saw a few outright conference champions crowned, several claim shares of league titles, and many more continue to close in as October prepares to greet us this weekend.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Marine City 57, St. Clair 36 Marine City pulled within one more win of clinching a share of the Macomb Area Conference Silver title by claiming this matchup of co-leaders entering the weekend. The Mariners can clinch that repeat title this week against Hazel Park. Click for more from the Port Huron Times Herald.
Watch list Flushing 28, Linden 20 This could go a long way toward the Raiders (3-2) returning to the playoffs after missing last season, but also sets them up to potentially earn a share of the Flint Metro League Stripes title if Linden (4-1) can take down first-place Fenton in two weeks.
On the move Millington 27, Cass City 7 The Cardinals (5-0) clinched a share of the Big Thumb Conference White title by handing Cass City (4-1) its lone defeat – and after falling to Cass City 17-14 last season. Almont 37, Imlay City 20 These Raiders (5-0) whittled the Blue Water Area Conference race potentially down to two, handing Imlay City (4-1) its only loss to stay atop the standings tied now with only Macomb Lutheran North. Gladwin 14, Clare 13 This paired with Shepherd’s win over Ogemaw Heights put the Flying Gs (4-1) into first place alone in the Jack Pine Conference Division 1.
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Detroit Cass Tech 20, Detroit Martin Luther King 7 Cass Tech’s defense continued to excel and Julian Taylor ran for two touchdowns as the Technicians (5-0) extended their winning steak over the Crusaders (4-1) to four. Cass has now given up only 28 points over five games, but King also did the job defensively keeping the Technicians well below their 52-ppg average heading into the weekend. Click for more from the Detroit News.
JULIAN TAYLOR × 2️⃣🏈🔥
Two touchdown runs for Cass Tech standout @TM_Ju7 in last night’s @MHSAA win over Detroit King. pic.twitter.com/mS1qM6NQPe— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) September 26, 2026
Watch list Ecorse 40, Romulus Summit Academy North 33 The Red Raiders are off to a 5-0 start for the second straight season, and by downing annual contender Summit (3-2) remained tied for first in the Charter School Conference Gold with Detroit Edison.
On the move Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 48, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 20 St. Mary’s (4-1) remains one of three teams undefeated in Catholic High School League Central play after handing Rice (4-1) its only loss. Romeo 28, Grosse Pointe South 26 The Bulldogs (5-0) can clinch a share of the Macomb Area Conference Red title this week after handing South (4-1) its only defeat and after losing to South the last three seasons. St. Clair Shores Lakeview 29, Utica 28 Lakeview (4-1) pulled into first alone in the MAC White after also avenging a 2025 loss to the Chieftains (4-1).
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Portland 23, Lake Odessa Lakewood 20 The Raiders’ 30-game winning streak in the Capital Area Activities Conference White rested on the leg of Chase Fullet with a second left on the clock, and his 25-yard field goal made it 31 straight wins and put Portland at 5-0 with Lakewood falling to 4-1. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
Watch list Shepherd 14, Ogemaw Heights 12 The Bluejays (3-2) were coming off two losses to start the JPC1 schedule, but surely made those disappointments fade a bit with this stunner after falling to Ogemaw Heights (4-1) by 42 and 35 points the last two years. Shepherd is seeking its first playoff berth since 2022.
On the move Pewamo-Westphalia 59, Bark River-Harris 14 The Pirates (5-0) won this matchup between returning Division 7 and 8 semifinalists, respectively, handing Bark River-Harris (4-1) its only loss this fall. Ovid-Elsie 30, Durand 27 After opening with a pair of losses, Ovid-Elsie (3-2) still controls its destiny in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference with the two other top contenders coming up over the next two weeks. Mason 21, St. Johns 9 The Bulldogs (5-0) pulled within a win of clinching a share of the CCAAC Red title by holding back a St. Johns offense that had reached 28 points during every game of a 3-1 start.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Cadillac 22, Petoskey 20 Four of seven teams in the Big North Conference are 3-0, 3-1 or 2-1 in league play, including both of these contenders. Cadillac (3-2) has a loss to Marquette and will now hope for help from Petoskey (3-2), which faces the Sentinels in Week 8. The Vikings’ last two league games are against opponents that are a combined 2-8. Click for more from the Cadillac News.
Watch list Kingsley 42, Elk Rapids 22 The Stags (5-0) have a week off with a forfeit win coming from Cheboygan but will be in position to clinch the Northern Shores Conference title – at least a share – when they host second-place Boyne City in Week 7. Elk Rapids (3-2) remains in the Division 6 playoff hunt tied for No. 31 in Division 6 playoff-point average.
On the move McBain 28, Charlevoix 27 The Ramblers (4-2) came back from two touchdowns down to win this District Semifinal rematch from a year ago by the same score. Traverse City West 36, Midland 7 The Titans (3-2) bounced back from a Week 4 loss to keep pace near the top of the Saginaw Valley League North and send Midland (3-2) a game back of the lead. Traverse City St. Francis 42, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 14 After a couple of losses to title contenders early, the Gladiators made the midseason turn with a second-straight win to move up to No. 28 in Division 6 playoff-point average.
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Hanover-Horton 49, Brooklyn Columbia Central 48 Hanover-Horton (4-1) clinched a share of the Cascades Conference South championship by handing the lone league loss to an opponent for the second-straight week, this time Columbia Central (4-1) after doing the same to Napoleon in Week 4. The league title is the Comets’ third consecutive and the win extended their conference winning streak to 13. Click for more from WLNS.
Watch list Ida 41, Adrian Madison 20 Four teams in the Lenawee County Athletic Association are 4-0 or 3-1 in league play, with Ida (5-0) now sharing the top spot with Clinton but Madison (4-1) and Hudson certainly still in the mix with three weeks of LCAA games remaining.
On the move Vandercook Lake 21, Michigan Center 12 Vandercook Lake (2-3) is seeking its first 11-player postseason appearance since 2015, and if the Jayhawks make it this win over the Cardinals (2-3) surely will have played a part. Manchester 52, Jonesville 22 A Week 3 loss to Michigan Center threw a wrench into Manchester’s Cascades Conference North title pursuit, but the Flying Dutchmen (4-1) still have a shot and will be coming off scoring their season high when they host leader Leslie on Friday. Monroe Jefferson 28, Flat Rock 26 Jefferson (5-0) kept pace with Monroe St. Mary atop the Huron League standings by surviving a close one with Flat Rock (2-3).
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER Vicksburg 26, Three Rivers 21 Vicksburg held off Three Rivers to maintain its co-lead with Edwardsburg in the Wolverine Conference. The Bulldogs and Wildcats have developed a nice matchup over the last three seasons, with all four meetings – including in last year’s District Final – decided by 3-5 points. Ja’Kobi Reed scored the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter of this one. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Watch list Galesburg-Augusta 12, Centreville 8 Galesburg-Augusta (5-0) already has matched its winningest season since 2016, and one more victory (assured at this point by a forfeit coming from White Pigeon in Week 7) will give them their most since 1997.
On the move St. Joseph 49, Battle Creek Central 19 The Bears (4-1) finished an outright league championship in the four-team Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference small-schools division, winning their three league games by a combined score of 137-29. Portage Central 43, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 0 The Mustangs (4-1) clinched a share of the SMAC big-schools division title and can finish it outright this week against Battle Creek Lakeview. Decatur 38, Galesburg-Augusta 12 Decatur (5-0), like Galesburg-Augusta, is undefeated in Southwest 10 Conference play heading into this week’s potential title decider.
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Kingsford 37, Calumet 19 The Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper race is all but down to two teams, thanks to undefeated Kingsford (5-0) handing Calumet (3-2) a second league loss and Menominee also remaining unbeaten in league play. The Flivvers and Maroons face off in Week 8. Click for more from the Houghton Daily Mining Gazette.
Watch list Ishpeming Westwood 20, Gladstone 0 The Patriots (2-3) haven’t reached four wins in a season since their most recent playoff run in 2021, but despite a loaded schedule this fall have picked up some momentum with two straight wins including this one avenging a 59-22 loss from a year ago.
On the move Iron Mountain 25, Manistique 8 Winning the West-PAC Iron will take some help after a Week 3 loss to Bark River-Harris, but the Mountaineers (3-2) have bounced back from two early defeats. Negaunee 40, Hancock 0 The Miners (3-2) bounced back from two straight losses to stifle a Hancock team (3-2) enjoying its best season over the last five. Marquette 48, Escanaba 10 The Sentinels (3-2) have won three straight to move into first place alone in the Big North Conference, this victory avenging a 2025 defeat as well.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Grand Rapids South Christian 19, Zeeland West 16 Four of six teams in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold are 4-1 or 3-2 and a fifth team is tied for first early while 2-3 overall. But while there are four weeks to go, this early matchup between the Sailors (4-1) and Dux (4-1) might end up the eventual title decider. This one also came down to a field goal during the final seconds, nailed by South Christian’s Hudson Kerstetter from 19 yards out. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Watch list Sparta 20, Marshall 14 The Spartans (3-2) are pursuing a first playoff appearance since 2022 and already have tied last year’s win total thanks to this one over the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference-leading Redhawks (4-1).
On the move Coopersville 14, Lowell 13 Coopersville (5-0) and Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills are the only two teams left without a loss in River Cities Alliance play; they face off Week 9. Caledonia 13, Hudsonville 7 Caledonia (4-1) and East Kentwood top the list in the O-K Red after the Fighting Scots ended Hudsonville’s league winning streak at 16 covering the last three seasons. Grand Rapids West Catholic 22, Hamilton 14 The Falcons (4-1) quickly are the only team left without a league loss in the O-K White, thanks to wins the last two weeks over contenders Forest Hills Eastern and Hamilton (3-2).
8-Player
HEADLINER Mendon 38, Colon 16 The Hornets (5-0) took a 14-8 lead into halftime and broke away with the first two scores of the third quarter against the previously undefeated Magi (4-1). Logan Stuart ran for 217 yards and all three of Mendon’s second-half scores. Click for more from the Sturgis Journal.
Watch list Dryden 44, Deckerville 38 After going four seasons without football, Dryden (5-0) came back in 2023 and quickly has climbed, with this fast start now including a defining win as the Cardinals had fallen to Deckerville (4-1) by 56 last season and 48 and 76 the two years before that.
On the move Grand Rapids Sacred Heart 56, Bridgman 28 These two and Marcellus are the top contenders in the Southwest Michigan 8-Man Football League Red, and this result made it so with Sacred Heart (3-1) bouncing back from a Week 4 loss to Marcellus by handing the Bees (4-1) their only defeat. Crystal Falls Forest Park 59, Felch North Dickinson 52 The Trojans (4-1) also bounced back from a Week 4 loss and on the whole are rebounding from a 1-8 season in 2025 that included a 51-point defeat against the Nordics (3-2). Rogers City 37, St. Helen Charlton Heston 19 Rogers City (4-1) broke a two-game losing streak against Heston (2-1), after falling 36-0 a year ago, and also pulled within one more win of clinching a share of the North Star League Big Dipper championship.
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PHOTOS (Top) Detroit Cass Tech’s Marquell Evans Jr. (5) wraps up Detroit King’s De’Andre Williams. (Middle) Perry quarterback Tyger Whitbeck (15) fires a pass during his team’s 54-10 win over Bath. (Below) Marquette’s Brody Clements (5) hauls in a touchdown catch during his team’s win over Escanaba. (Cass Tech/King photo by Olivia B. Photography. Perry/Bath photo by John Johnson. Marquette/Escanaba photo by Randy Ritari.)