Chippewa Valley Leads Macomb Charge
By
Tom Markowski
Special for Second Half
November 8, 2018
CLINTON TOWNSHIP – Since winning the Division 2 title in 2001, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley has played in the shadow of traditional Macomb County powers Macomb Dakota, Romeo, Sterling Heights Stevenson and Utica Eisenhower.
Before this season, Chippewa Valley’s record against those four schools over the last 17 years was 26-52. The Big Reds did own a 10-8 record against Stevenson, but twice Stevenson reached MHSAA Finals while Chippewa Valley’s best showing since its championship season was a Semifinal appearance in 2003.
That trend started to change in 2017 as Chippewa Valley went 4-1 against these teams (including a second win over Dakota in the playoffs). This season, the Big Reds took another step forward posting a 6-0 mark and capturing their first outright title in the Macomb Area Conference Red.
And for the first time in program history, Chippewa Valley is 11-0. The Big Reds were 9-0 in 1975, the first season the MHSAA sponsored state playoffs, but did not qualify for the postseason (only four teams in each of the four classifications were selected for the playoffs that first year).
Scott Merchant is in his 10th season as head coach at Chippewa Valley, and the Big Reds have made the playoffs eight times during his tenure. These past two seasons have been his best by far. Last season, Chippewa Valley finished 10-2 losing to Detroit Cass Tech, 32-26, in a Division 1 Regional Final.
Most expected a rematch of that game this week. But Dearborn Fordson (10-1) upset Cass Tech last week, 41-14, and Chippewa Valley will host Fordson in the Division 1 Region 4 Final at 7 p.m. Friday. The teams have met just once before – and that game, in 2003, also took place in a Regional Final with Chippewa Valley claiming a 30-12 victory.
Merchant’s team is experienced, confident and loaded with talent. He has four three-year starters and eight seniors starting on defense.
“Dakota set the bar for the whole conference,” Merchant said of Chippewa Valley’s sister school (both are in the Chippewa Valley school system) and biggest rival. “In the mid- to late 2000s they had like five or six Regional titles. Our streak of losing to Dakota started in ’04, and I didn’t get here until ‘09. It was huge for us to win in 2014. It was the first time we beat them in 10 years. That was a big weight being lifted.”
When a team loses so often to another, especially a rival, the losses and the years often run together. For the record, here’s how bad it got for the Big Reds:
Beginning with a 7-0 loss to Dakota in a Division 1 Regional Final in 2004, the Big Reds lost 16 consecutive games to Dakota, and only six of the 16 were by 10 or fewer points. A 28-27 victory in a 2014 District Final ended this streak.
One loss stung most. In 2013, both teams were 7-0 and state-ranked. Dakota won 52-7.
“To this day I can’t explain what happened,” Merchant said. “It was one of the most disappointing losses I’ve had. A lot of it was mental.”
The tables have turned. Chippewa Valley has won five of the last six in the series and is two wins this month from reaching what would be the program’s second MHSAA Final.
The Big Reds’ success last season gave the players confidence and also fed their appetite for more. The 2017 team scored a school-record 463 points, and this season Chippewa Valley has scored 445.
The productivity is similar, but the means by which the offense this season has been successful is different. There’s a difference in personality. Last year Chippewa Valley was more of a finesse team that concentrated on the passing game. This team is more physical and its offense is geared more for the run, which is often more effective in November playoff games.
Quarterback Tommy Schuster is a three-year starter who threw for 3,100 yards over his first two seasons. His numbers (1,400 yards) are down a tad this season, but he’s thrown 20 touchdown passes and just one interception. Schuster also is carrying the ball more as he showed last week by rushing for 60 yards in the 51-10 victory over Dakota.
This added dimension has become a fine complement to the Big Reds’ top two running backs, Andre Chenault and Ja’Von Kimpson. Chenault is the team’s leading rusher with 888 yards and 13 touchdowns on 107 carries while Kimpson, who also starts at cornerback, is more of a featured back in 3rd down situations. He’s scored nine touchdowns rushing and one receiving.
“Our run game has been dominant all season,” Schuster said. “The offensive line has gotten better and better. It took a little time. They’re all (first-year) starters, and they’re confident now.”
Replacing the entire offensive line was the main concern for Merchant and his staff coming into this season. With just one senior, this group grew up fast. In the opener, Chippewa Valley trailed Saline 13-0 before the offense began to click and the Big Reds won 31-26. Senior captain Ryan Cyrowski, the center, is the leader and juniors Charles Wesley, the left tackle, and Donovan McBride, the right guard, have developed nicely. The Big Reds rushed for an-eye-popping 445 yards last week.
Merchant’s top two players could well be linebacker Marcel Lewis, who also sees time at tight end, and David Ellis. Ellis rarely comes off the field as he starts at receiver and defensive back and is a dangerous kick returner. He has 33 tackles on defense, five rushing touchdowns, six receiving scores, three more on kickoff returns and he’s returned a punt for a touchdown.
“We don’t have any weaknesses,” Schuster said. “This team, all year, hasn’t panicked. We’re ready for whatever happens. Last year’s team was like that, too. The reason we’ve been so successful (the past two seasons) is we have great players and great coaches.
“Playing quarterback on this team is a lot of fun. There’s so many options. If the run game isn’t working, we have no problem throwing the ball.
“I’ve grown up a lot over these three years. I’ve gotten to work on my speed, and I’m able to help the younger guys out too. It’s easier for me now. There’s nothing that’s new to me.”
The experience Schuster and many of his teammates have is a big reason Chippewa Valley has come out on top in a number of close games. In addition to the victory over Saline, the Big Reds held on to defeat Romeo (41-34) and Dakota (24-17) during the regular season. All three of those games were on the road.
“We’ve had way more close games this year than last,” Merchant said. “It’s been great to see the program grow.”
Tom Markowski is a columnist and directs website coverage for the State Champs! Sports Network. He previously covered primarily high school sports for the The Detroit News from 1984-2014, focusing on the Detroit area and contributing to statewide coverage of football and basketball. Contact him at [email protected] with story ideas for Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) Chippewa Valley’s defensive front lines up against Utica during a 49-0 Week 9 win. (Middle) David Ellis (8) follows his blockers into an opening against Utica Eisenhower in a 34-7 first-round playoff victory. (Photos courtesy of the Chippewa Valley athletic department.)
1st & Goal: 2026 Week 2 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 3, 2026
If you’re traveling for the long weekend and see stadium lights shining in the distance, you might want to make a quick stop and check out one of these matchups.
Nearly 80 percent of this weekend’s games will be played Thursday, although those waiting for Friday won’t miss out as there are plenty of opportunities that night as well to see high-profile nonleague clashes or conference openers that could eventually determine championships.
Staying close to home? Tune in to the NFHS Network for the majority of games across the state, and follow the MHSAA Scores page for results as they’re submitted.
Bay & Thumb
Almont (1-0) at Armada (1-0) – Thursday
Almont has continued to set the standard in the Blue Water Area Conference with three straight league championships. The Raiders’ most recent league loss came in 2022 – to Armada, which has finished second once and third in the league twice over that stretch. Both opened this season with wins over 2025 playoff teams, Armada over St. Clair Shores Lakeview and Almont over Marysville.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Saginaw Swan Valley (1-0) at Freeland (0-1), Lapeer (0-1) at Goodrich (1-0), Saginaw Heritage (0-1) at Midland Dow (1-0), Marysville (0-1) at Port Huron (1-0).
Greater Detroit
Detroit Martin Luther King (1-0) at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (1-0) – Friday
This power pair is facing off for the first time since 2006, and theirs will certainly be one of the most discussed games statewide this weekend. St. Mary’s is coming off winning last season’s Division 2 championship and opened with a 35-27 win over Muskegon Mona Shores, while King reached the Division 3 Regional Finals last fall and began this one by downing annual Ohio contender Toledo Whitmer.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Howell (1-0) at Belleville (0-1), Rochester Adams (0-1) at Rochester (1-0), Clarkston (1-0) at Rochester Hills Stoney Creek (1-0). FRIDAY Davison (1-0) at Detroit Catholic Central (1-0).
Mid-Michigan
DeWitt (1-0) at Mason (1-0) – Thursday
This has developed into one of the most intriguing rivalries in the Lansing area, with both teams playing at Ford Field over the last three seasons – with 2023 also when these two started their current series. DeWitt has a 2-1 edge and won last year’s matchup 44-37 – the Panthers’ closest game during a run to the Division 3 championship – but Mason has brought back nearly its entire starting lineup this fall.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Fenton (0-1) at Haslett (0-1), Durand (1-0) at New Lothrop (1-0), Lansing Sexton (1-0) at Portland (1-0), Hastings (0-1) at Williamston (1-0).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Ogemaw Heights (1-0) at Traverse City St. Francis (1-0) – Friday
Ogemaw Heights made its first run to the Semifinals last season since 2009, and its only loss of the regular season came 42-32 to St. Francis in Week 2. The Falcons opened last week with an impressive win over Freeland, and the Gladiators downed Elk Rapids. This matchup is joined on St. Francis’ schedule by three games against teams that finished last season at Ford Field.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Escanaba (0-1) at Gaylord (1-0), East Jordan (0-1) at Oscoda (0-1). FRIDAY Boyne City (0-1) at Charlevoix (1-0), Grand Rapids Christian (0-1) at Traverse City West (0-1).
Southeast & Border
Pewamo-Westphalia (1-0) at Ottawa Lake Whiteford (0-1) – Friday
These two small-school powers are playing for the first time, but it might not be the last time this season as both stand to be in the Division 7 playoff chase in two months. Whiteford also played a first-time opponent last week, falling to Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 37-28, while the Pirates are also coming off a tough opener after having outlasted North Muskegon 17-9.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Monroe Jefferson (1-0) at Carleton Airport (0-1), Brooklyn Columbia Central (1-0) at Michigan Center (1-0), Union City (1-0) at Reading (1-0). FRIDAY Flat Rock (0-1) at Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (1-0).
Southwest Corridor
Cedar Springs (0-1) at Battle Creek Harper Creek (1-0) – Friday
Harper Creek hasn’t received enough attention for its run over the last three seasons, which has included two straight Interstate 8 Athletic Conference titles and a combined 22-6 record. The Beavers opened this campaign with a fourth-straight win (and third-straight shutout) of rival Battle Creek Lakeview and now will have a chance to avenge last fall’s lone regular-season loss. Cedar Springs won that Week 2 matchup 30-20 and is seeking to bounce back after falling to Zeeland West last week.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (0-1) at Portage Central (0-1), Lansing Everett (0-1) at Battle Creek Central (1-0). FRIDAY Stevensville Lakeshore (1-0) at Niles (0-1), Lowell (0-1) at St. Joseph (1-0).
Upper Peninsula
Menominee (1-0) at Marquette (1-0) – Thursday
These former Great Northern Conference rivals are meeting for the first time since 2022, the last season of football for that league. The Sentinels have won four of their last five matchups, but both have found success since their last time facing off. Over the last three seasons, Menominee has played at Ford Field twice – winning last year’s Division 7 title – and Marquette has reached the Division 3 playoffs twice and opened with a close but impressive loss last week to Negaunee.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Ishpeming Westwood (0-1) at Calumet (1-0), Houghton (0-1) at Kingsford (1-0). FRIDAY Gladstone (1-0) at Negaunee (1-0), North Muskegon (0-1) vs. Iron Mountain (1-0) at Petoskey.
West Michigan
East Kentwood (1-0) at Byron Center (1-0) – Thursday
Rare are the days when Muskegon/Rockford isn’t be the default “game of the week” in West Michigan. But don’t look past this matchup this time. East Kentwood is coming off a run to the Division 1 Semifinals last season, which included a 43-14 win over 2024 Division 2 runner-up Byron Center in Week 2. The Bulldogs emerged from an 0-2 start last season, including that defeat by the Falcons, to go 7-2 the rest of the way, and they’ve already avenged the first of last year’s losses by downing Hudsonville 41-20 last week.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Grand Rapids South Christian (1-0) at East Grand Rapids (1-0), Detroit Cass Tech (1-0) at Grandville (1-0). FRIDAY Muskegon (0-1) at Rockford (0-1), Midland (1-0) at Zeeland West (1-0).
8-Player
Portland St. Patrick at Blanchard Montabella – Friday
There may not be a team in MHSAA 8-player football history that scheduled a tougher slate to start the season than Montabella, which avenged last fall’s Division 1 championship game loss with a 62-12 win over Martin last week and now gets the reigning Division 2 champion Shamrocks. St. Patrick handed the Mustangs their only regular-season defeat a year ago, 42-16, in Week 9 on the way to a perfect run, and even had a few more days to prepare this time with its Week 1 opponent Wyoming Tri-unity Christian canceling its season.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Merrill (1-0) at Morrice (1-0), Central Lake (1-0) at Gaylord St. Mary (1-0), Britton Deerfield (1-0) at Climax-Scotts (1-0). FRIDAY Pickford (1-0) at Rudyard (1-0).
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PHOTO Ithaca defenders wrap up a Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart ball carrier during their 48-6 Week 1 win. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)