Dow Charged to Make Deep Playoff Run
November 10, 2015
By Bill Khan
Special for Second Half
MIDLAND — When Midland Dow football players looked at the playoff accomplishments of past Chargers teams, it felt like they were getting a lesson in ancient history.
There was the 1976 team that won the MHSAA Class A championship back when there were only two rounds in the playoffs. There was the 1997 squad that reached the Class A title game, winning three times in the postseason before losing to Farmington Hills Harrison at the Pontiac Silverdome.
And that's it.
For a program as consistently solid as Dow, it seems strange that only two teams in school history were able to win more than one playoff game.
"Sometimes it's matchups, sometimes it's getting a couple breaks to go your way," Dow coach Jason Watkins said. "When you get to this round of the playoffs, all the teams are going to be good."
So far, none of the teams in their path have been better than the Chargers.
They have made a task that has been difficult for past Dow teams look easy, winning 42-7 over crosstown rival Midland in the first round before beating Fenton, 41-14, in the District championship game.
"It's a big win for the development of the program," Watkins said after eliminating Fenton for the second time in three years. "Since 2010, this is our fourth trip to this round; we came away empty each time. It's nice to be able to finish that and get that District championship. It's a good landmark for us. Let's try to grow the program."
The 10th-ranked Chargers (10-1) will travel to second-ranked Walled Lake Western (11-0) on Saturday to play for the Regional championship.
"It's awesome," Dow junior quarterback Bruce Mann said. "We're gonna be on the board for a long time. People are going to be able to see us and remember us."
It hasn't been a lack of opportunities that has made this season's achievement so rare for Dow. Beginning with the unbeaten 1976 MHSAA championship team, Dow has 30 winning seasons in the last 40. The Chargers have made the playoffs nine times in the last 19 years.
They won their playoff opener each of the past two years and in three of the previous five years, but had their seasons end in the second round.
"It feels great," Dow senior receiver Justin Cook said. "I've been on two losing teams in the District Finals the past two years. The third time's the charm, I guess. It feels really good to finally get the (second-round) win. We're clicking at the right time. We're getting better each week."
Those currently wearing the green and gold of Dow are mindful of those who went before them, laying the foundation for such a strong program.
"It's huge for everyone that is involved, all of the past classes who didn't make it this far or got beat at this step," senior receiver Mike Robb said. "It's a big deal."
The season didn't begin like one that was shaping up to be special. The Chargers lost their opener to Mount Pleasant, 34-20. Not that there's any shame in that — the Oilers are 9-2 and still alive in Division 3.
In that game, Mann had only 26 yards of offense in the first half, as Dow fell behind 21-0 by halftime. He had 281 yards in the second half — and hasn't slowed up since.
It was Mann's first game in a Dow uniform after playing varsity as a freshman and sophomore for Bay City Western, where his dad, also Bruce Mann, formerly was the coach.
Led by Mann, the Chargers have scored at least 41 points in each of the last five games. Over that span, he is 81 for 109 (74.3 percent) passing for 1,451 yards and 24 touchdowns. For the season, he has 35 touchdown passes and only four interceptions in leading Dow to 10 consecutive victories.
"Coming into Dow, I had a bunch of friends, so it didn't take long to jell," Mann said. "It was just me calming down and realizing I'm not the only player and I have 10 other teammates behind me helping me succeed."
Mann has spread the wealth, throwing 11 touchdown passes to Robb, and nine apiece to Cook and Devontae Stine.
"Bruce has been picking up the offense each week," Cook said. "He's playing out of his mind. Every week, he's getting better. You can tell by the way he plays. He doesn't turn the ball over anymore."
Robb, the team's most dangerous receiving weapon, has become a dual threat in recent weeks.
Watkins moved him to defense for the regular-season finale against Midland. In that game, Robb returned an interception for a touchdown, in addition to catching four touchdown passes. In the playoff rematch a week later, Robb had two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. Robb's hot streak continued against Fenton, as he caught two touchdown passes, blocked a punt and grabbed his fourth interception in three games.
"Right time, right place," Robb said of his newfound knack for picking off passes. "I love playing football. Wherever coach wants to put me, that's where I'll play."
"He's always been a special teams and offensive player for us," Watkins said. "We only moved him up to defense two weeks ago. It's something we saw in the scheme of things and the teams we were playing against. There was an opportunity to use his athleticism and some of his natural instincts. He's been on a pretty good little run the last couple weeks."
The same could be said for the Chargers as a whole, as they attempt to further enhance their legacy.
Years from now, perhaps 2015 will be spoken of with the same sense of awe as 1976 and 1997.
Bill Khan served as a sportswriter at The Flint Journal from 1981-2011 and currently contributes to the State Champs! Sports Network. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Sanilac, Huron, Tuscola, Saginaw, Bay, Arenac, Midland and Gladwin counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) A collection of Dow defenders makes a tackle during a win this season against Flint Powers Catholic. (Middle) Chargers quarterback Bruce Mann has thrown 35 touchdown passes this fall. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
1st & Goal: 2024 Week 4 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 19, 2024
We’re steadily moving toward the midpoint of this football regular season, but league races already could begin sorting themselves out with at least a few of our premier matchups this week.
Two of our highlighted games – in Detroit and the Upper Peninsula – decided league championships a year ago. We’re still figuring things out this fall, of course, but several more games to watch this week appear to have similar potential.
All games listed below are tonight unless noted, with results as they are reported posting all weekend on the MHSAA Scores page – and updated standings also available by clicking the schools on the score list.
Bay & Thumb
Croswell-Lexington (2-1) at North Branch (3-0) WATCH
North Branch went from co-champion of the Blue Water Area Conference in 2022 to 4-5 overall a year ago, but the Broncos appear primed for another run. They’ve yet to give up a point while scoring a combined 179 over their three victories, although Croswell-Lexington should provide their toughest challenge so far. The Pioneers did lose a tough 14-0 matchup with Armada to start their BWAC schedule two weeks ago, but won last season’s meeting with North Branch 34-14 and rebounded last week with a 41-20 win over Richmond.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Millington (3-0) at Cass City (2-1) WATCH, Saginaw Heritage (2-1) at Davison (2-1), Clare (3-0) at Gladwin (2-1), Freeland (3-0) at Flint Powers Catholic (2-1) WATCH.
Greater Detroit
Detroit Martin Luther King (2-1) at Detroit Cass Tech (2-1) WATCH
The Public School League’s most competitive rivalry is set for its latest installment with Cass Tech ranked No. 4 in Division 1 and King No. 3 in Division 3. Cass won both meetings last year, 14-7 and 24-23, and actually has won three straight in the series with an anticipated rematch likely in the PSL championship game at the end of this regular season. Both are already tested with wins over top Ohio teams and losses against Michigan title contenders, Cass to Rockford and King to Warren De La Salle Collegiate.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Detroit Catholic Central (3-0) at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (2-1) WATCH, Clarkston (2-1) at Rochester Adams (3-0) WATCH, Macomb Dakota (3-0) at Sterling Heights Stevenson (3-0) WATCH, Toledo Central Catholic, Ohio (3-1) at Warren De La Salle Collegiate (3-0).
Mid-Michigan
Owosso (3-0) at Corunna (3-0) WATCH
Aside from a 12-year stretch when these neighbors met on opening night, and even with those games included, it’s been a while since this matchup has had this kind of punch. Corunna has won the last five between them, all by at least 21 points, and the Cavaliers are on the move again after last season’s Division 5 runner-up finish. But Owosso already has as many wins as a year ago, and one more this fall will guarantee the Trojans their best finish since 2012.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Parma Western (3-0) at Hastings (3-0), Newaygo (3-0) at Howard City Tri County (3-0), Holt (2-1) at Grand Ledge (2-1) WATCH, Durand (2-1) at Ovid-Elsie (3-0) WATCH.
Northern Lower Peninsula
Boyne City (2-1) at Kingsley (2-1) WATCH
Kingsley has bounced back from a two-point loss to Reed City in its opener to look very Kingsley-like, last week rushing for a school-record 668 yards in a win over Grayling, according to the Traverse City Record-Eagle. Boyne City also opened with a loss but quickly has bounced back, avenging a 2023 defeat to Charlevoix last week 45-21. Kingsley won last year’s matchup 64-13, but this time these two are back in the same league, the Northern Michigan Football League’s Legends division.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Charlevoix (1-2) at East Jordan (3-0) WATCH, Grand Blanc (2-1) at Traverse City West (3-0) WATCH, Frankfort (2-1) at Johannesburg-Lewiston (2-1) WATCH, Cheboygan (2-1) at Kalkaska (1-2) WATCH.
Southeast & Border
Napoleon (2-1) at Manchester (3-0) WATCH
After posting its best finish last season since 2015, Manchester is continuing to make nice strides under first-year leader and previously-successful Addison coach Joshua Lindeman. The Flying Dutchmen’s start includes a 20-8 win over Lindeman’s former team in Week 2, and this weekend provides an opportunity to break a five-game losing streak against Napoleon, which defeated Manchester in the regular season and playoffs both of the last two seasons. Napoleon fell to much-improved Onsted to start this fall but has two wins to roll into this Cascades Conference East opener.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Ann Arbor Huron (2-1) at Dexter (2-1), Riverview Gabriel Richard (3-0) at Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (3-0). FRIDAY Hudson (2-1) at Onsted (2-1) WATCH, Clinton (2-1) at Blissfield (2-1) WATCH.
Southwest Corridor
Decatur (3-0) at White Pigeon (3-0) WATCH
Decatur is 3-0 for the first time since 2014 and handed Petersburg Summerfield its only defeat with a 30-27 Week 2 win. The Raiders also have been among few to have success against White Pigeon since the formation of the Southwest 10 Conference in 2017, most recently winning their 2022 matchup before White Pigeon took last year’s 36-12. The Chiefs’ regular-season winning streak is up to 16 games as they look to repeat as league champion.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY South Haven (2-1) at Constantine (3-0), Vermontville Maple Valley (2-1) at Union City (3-0) WATCH, Paw Paw (3-0) at Vicksburg (2-1) WATCH, Allegan (2-1) at Kalamazoo United (2-1).
Upper Peninsula
Negaunee (3-0) at Kingsford (3-0) WATCH
Last season’s 13-12 win was Negaunee’s first over Kingsford, according to a Marquette Mining Journal report, and ended up eventually gaining the Miners a shared Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper title with the Flivvers as the teams went on to finish a combined 18-5. Negaunee was one of few opponents to slow Kingsford’s attack last year, and that defensive flex has continued as the Miners have given up only 14 points over their first three games this fall. Kingsford has been even better, allowing just eight points so far.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Calumet (2-1) at Menominee (3-0) WATCH, Bark River-Harris (1-2) at Gwinn (2-1), Ishpeming Westwood (1-2) at Houghton (1-2), Iron Mountain (3-0) at West Iron County (1-2) WATCH.
West Michigan
Byron Center (3-0) at Muskegon Mona Shores (3-0) WATCH
Byron Center’s recent surge and move into the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green this season has added serious intrigue to this matchup. The Bulldogs won 10 games last season for the third time over the last eight seasons and have continued to pick up steam, with a 43-20 win over East Kentwood in Week 2 especially notable. Mona Shores, meanwhile, has navigated one of the toughest opening slates with wins over Grand Blanc, River Rouge and Flint Hamady – all on the road.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Zeeland East (2-1) at Zeeland West (3-0) WATCH, Grand Rapids Northview (3-0) at East Grand Rapids (2-1) WATCH, Rockford (3-0) at Hudsonville (2-1) WATCH, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (3-0) at Hudsonville Unity Christian (3-0).
8-Player
Ishpeming (3-0) at Pickford (3-0)
Ishpeming’s move to 8-player football this season got its biggest boost yet with last week’s 50-28 win over Gaylord St. Mary, but the Hematites can establish themselves among championship contenders over their next two games. First up is Pickford, a Division 1 semifinalist a year ago, before a Week 5 meeting with last season’s Division 1 runner-up Indian River Inland Lakes. Pickford hasn’t been challenged much yet, although a 40-12 win over Powers North Central always will be impressive.
Keep an eye on these: FRIDAY Alcona (3-0) at Atlanta (3-0) WATCH, Deckerville (3-0) at Brown City (3-0),
Kingston (3-0) at Mayville (2-1). SATURDAY Morrice (3-0) at Portland St. Patrick (3-0).
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PHOTO Harrison Township L'Anse Creuse's Donovan Rey (3) breaks through an opening during his team's 54-20 win over Macomb L'Anse Creuse North last week. (Photo by Adam Sheehan.)