Drive Complete: 2015 Finals in Review
December 2, 2015
Those who watched the MHSAA Football Finals in person, online or on TV on Fox Sports Detroit probably didn’t leave their seats much over Thanksgiving weekend.
Five of eight 11-player Finals were decided by seven points or fewer. Two more were still in question into the fourth quarter. And if you missed the ends of the Division 2 or Division 5 games, get to MHSAA.tv the next time you have a few hours to spare.
Second Half covered all nine championship games including the 8-player Final on Nov. 20, with quick recaps and links to those stories below followed by notations of performances entered into the MHSAA record book and a report on some of the biggest and best stories to emerge from the 2015 Finals.
Finals in Review
Division 1: Romeo 41, Detroit Cass Tech 27
Romeo earned its first championship in its first trip to the MHSAA Finals, completing a playoff run that included victories over recent winners Cass Tech, Detroit Catholic Central and Clarkston. Despite a heroic performance by Technicians back-up quarterback Aaron Jackson, the Bulldogs marched for six touchdowns to remain a few steps ahead throughout. Click to read more.
Division 2: Detroit Martin Luther King 40, Lowell 38
For the second time in MHSAA Football Finals history, a game was decided on the final play of regulation – and in this case King’s final-second touchdown earned national buzz. Quarterback Armani Posey put up a record-setting passing performance, capped by a 40-yard touchdown pass to Donnie Corley on the final play that gave the Crusaders their second title. Click to read more.
Division 3: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 29, Chelsea 12
The Eaglets won their second straight Division 3 title, this time over first-time finalist Chelsea. St. Mary’s had two runners each gain more than 100 yards and quarterback Brendan Tabone hooked up with receiver K.J. Hamler for a pair of highlight-reel scoring plays. Click to read more.
Division 4: Zeeland West 40, Flint Powers Catholic 14
The Dux won their fourth MHSAA title over the last decade and second in three seasons with the same rushing attack that has brought them great success throughout the run. West ran for 318 yards and scored four of the game’s first five touchdowns in what would be Powers coach Bob Buckel’s final game (he resigned Monday). Click to read more.
Division 5: Grand Rapids West Catholic 40, River Rouge 34
Once of the most offense-driven Finals in MHSAA football history ended with West Catholic winning its third straight championship – but not without repeated comeback attempts by River Rouge and near record-setting quarterback Antoine Burgess. The Falcons defeated three top-10 and two honorable mention teams on the way to the title, while River Rouge was playing in its first football championship game. Click to read more.
Division 6: Ithaca 27, Clinton 20
The Yellowjackets finished their fifth perfect season over the last six and earned another championship after falling in last season’s Final to break a 69-game winning streak. Ithaca won this time against an undefeated Clinton team that also had fallen to the Yellowjackets in the 2013 championship game. Ithaca featured 17 seniors, many of whom had played prominent roles in 2014 as well. Click to read more.
Division 7: Ishpeming 22, Pewamo-Westphalia 16
Ishpeming played in its fourth straight Final and won its third title in that time, coming back from last season’s loss led by returning quarterback Ozzy Corp. The 6-foot-5 senior scored three touchdowns, and the Hematites held MHSAA single-season rushing record-holder Jared Smith to a still-impressive 149 yards and a score. Click to read more.
Division 8: Muskegon Catholic Central 7, Waterford Our Lady 0
These small-school powers played to a near stalemate to kick off the weekend, with MCC’s touchdown with 10:21 to play the difference in earning the Crusaders their third straight MHSAA championship. MCC’s defense also came up with the first shutout against Our Lady since 2011, slowing down one of the state’s most accomplished passing attacks this fall. Click to read more.
8-Player: Powers North Central 58, Battle Creek St. Philip 33
Undefeated St. Philip played North Central closer than any opponent this season, but the Jets took over during the second quarter on the way to their first MHSAA title in this sport and a 13-0 finish. Junior running back Bobby Kleiman scored six times – five rushing and one receiving – and another junior, quarterback Jason Whitens, capped a season that saw him throw 45 touchdown passes without an interception. Click to read more.
Records Report
A number of team and individual entries have been added to the MHSAA Football Finals record book, found by clicking here. A breakdown:
Detroit King’s Armani Posey set the MHSAA Finals record with 383 yards passing, and River Rouge’s Antoine Burgess ended up second after also breaking the previous record with 354 yards. Posey made the completions list with 19 in 27 attempts and tied the passing touchdowns record with five. Burgess missed setting the total offense yards record by only two, tallying 424 with 70 rushing as well, and Posey’s 403 total yards ranks fifth on that list.
Two more quarterbacks also made record lists. Cass Tech’s Aaron Jackson also completed 19 passes in 27 attempts. Ithaca’s Jake Smith made the total yardage list with 126 rushing and 180 passing for 306 total.
River Rouge receiver Aaron Vinson tied for ninth for receiving yardage, gaining 162 on four receptions.
Lowell kicker George Gonzales joined a host of others by making all five of his extra-point attempts.
River Rouge and Grand Rapids West Catholic combined for 929 total yards, the second-most by two teams combined in an MHSAA Final, and Ishpeming and Zeeland West became two of 22 teams that didn’t punt in a championship game.
North Central’s Bobby Kleiman became the first entry in 8-player for rushing yards (205) and touchdowns (five), and his 337 total yards rank fourth. Teammate Jason Whitens’ 294 total yards were the fifth-most in 8-player Finals history. Kleiman also became the first entry for total touchdowns in a game (six) and easily set the record for points scored with 46. North Central and Battle Creek St. Philip combined for a record 952 total yards.
Muskegon Catholic Central moved up to third with 14 MHSAA Finals appearances, only two fewer than record holders Farmington Hills Harrison and Detroit Catholic Central. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s moved up into a tie for fourth on that list with 13 appearances. MCC also moved into a tie for third with 11 titles, behind Harrison’s 13 and Detroit St. Martin dePorres’ 12.
Stories behind the scores
The Play: Corley’s touchdown will be talked about for years to come – and not just by people who saw it live. An MHSAA video shot on Instagram and then posted on Facebook has reached 179,500 fans and been viewed more than 75,000 times, and the Fox Sports Detroit clip can be watched by clicking here. Corley’s grab gave King its only lead of the game.
Filling the trophy case: Six of eight winners this weekend have made quite a home at Ford Field. Grand Rapids West Catholic and Muskegon Catholic Central both won their third straight championships and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s was a repeat winner. Ithaca won its fifth title in six seasons, Ishpeming its third in four years and Zeeland West its second over the last three.
Romeo’s run: Save for a three-point loss to Utica Eisenhower in Week 9, Romeo’s run to its first title was perfect – and regardless, incredibly difficult. First, the Bulldogs downed two-time reigning champion Clarkston (final record 7-3) in the Pre-District, then handed Lapeer (10-1) its only loss. Next was Detroit Catholic Central (9-3), the Division 1 runner-up from 2011-13, followed by undefeated Grand Ledge (12-1). Detroit Cass Tech (11-3) had lost only to King, twice, and was the champion in 2011 and 2012.
Bringing Mitchell to Detroit: Although St. Ignace’s run ended one win shy of reaching Ford Field, teammate Mitchell Snyder’s memory was everywhere during the Division 8 Final. The Saints, who lost to Muskegon Catholic Central in a Semifinal, had worn stickers on their helmets with the name and number of Snyder, who died in a car crash in October. MCC and Waterford Our Lady both wore the helmet sticks during their game at Ford Field, carrying Snyder’s memory to the final game of the season.
The MHSAA Football Finals are sponsored by the Michigan National Guard.
PHOTOS: (Top middle) River Rouge gets revved up in the Ford Field tunnel before entering the field. (Middle) Detroit King poses for a team photo while celebrating its championship. (Below) Powers North Central hoists its first football title trophy. (For more photos and video, click for the MHSAA Instagram feed.)
1st & Goal: 2026 Week 6 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 5, 2026
The races are on for 90 leagues featuring Michigan high school football teams this fall.
A few championships have been decided, and several more are in the process. Those races and how they stack up heading into these final weeks are easily the theme as we look back on Week 6 below.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Sanford Meridian 42, Harrison 14 The Mustangs (6-0) clinched a share of the Jack Pine Conference Division 2 title and can make the championship outright this week against Beaverton. While the offense was mighty, the defense arguably was more impressive – Harrison (5-1) entered the game averaging 44.8 points per. Click for more from the Midland Daily News.
Watch list Port Huron 29, Macomb L’Anse Creuse North 14 Port Huron (6-0) clinched its first league title since 2023, claiming a share of the Macomb Area Conference Blue championship with a chance to finish the league schedule perfect this week against Warren Cousino. The Red Hawks have doubled up every league opponent so far, with LCN (4-2) providing the toughest challenge.
On the move Unionville-Sebewaing 30, Ubly 16 The Patriots (4-2) made the playoff last season for the first time this decade, and a year later have clinched a share of the Big Thumb Conference Black title with their two losses by a combined eight points. Holly 30, Flushing 29 Holly (4-2) can’t win the Flint Metro League Stripes title but with this result took Flushing (3-3) out of the race as well. Midland Dow 52, Traverse City West 24 The Chargers (4-2) kept pace one game behind Saginaw Valley League North leader Mount Pleasant and put West (3-3) in the same spot by dealing the Titans their first league defeat.
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Detroit Catholic Central 31, Toledo Central Catholic (OH) 12 The Catholic High School League Central race still includes four teams with three league games (or two for two teams) to play, but it may realistically be down to just two contenders after the Shamrocks (6-0) handed TCC (5-2) its first league defeat. Next up for DCC is Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, the only other Central team without a league loss. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.
Watch list Dearborn Fordson 14, Northville 10 Fordson (5-1) will be Northville’s biggest fan this week as the Tractors’ Kensington Lakes Activities Association Black title hopes now rest with the Mustangs (5-1), who play leader Belleville next. A five-point Week 3 loss to the Tigers has been Fordson’s only setback, with this win over Northville interestingly its fourth by seven points or fewer.
On the move Grosse Pointe South 28, Macomb Dakota 21 GPS (5-1) will need some help to finish next weekend with a share of the MAC Red title, but the Blue Devils are up to No. 7 in Division 2 playoff-point average with this win over Division 1 Dakota (3-3). Oxford 15, Rochester Adams 14 The Wildcats (5-1) avenged last season’s 27-point loss to Adams (3-3) to move up to a tie for No. 6 in Division 1 playoff-point average. Monroe Jefferson 36, New Boston Huron 21 Jefferson (5-0) paced a step closer to facing Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central in a winner-take-all Huron League decider in Week 8, while sending New Boston Huron (4-2) into a tie for third.
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Pewamo-Westphalia 34, Fowler 28 (2OT) It probably didn’t seem possible to exceed expectations in this rivalry matchup, and yet this game arguably did so as P-W prevailed for its first back-to-back wins over Fowler since 2020 and 2021. The Pirates (6-0) clinched at least a share of the league championship with the Eagles (5-1) now rooting for Saranac this week to give them a chance of still claiming a share. Click for more from WLNS.
Watch list Howell 28, Hartland 27 (OT) The Highlanders (6-0) held on to send Hartland (4-2) a game back in the KLAA Gold and set up a potential title decider this week against Brighton.
On the move Brighton 28, Dearborn 27 The Bulldogs (4-2) similarly had to survive a close one to make this week’s matchup with Howell mean even more. Dearborn fell to 3-3 with a second single-digit loss over the last three weeks. New Lothrop 49, Ovid-Elsie 14 The Hornets (5-1) kept pace in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference, a game behind leader Montrose, while making a title pursuit much tougher for the Marauders (3-3) as they prepare to face Montrose this week. Okemos 37, Holt 20 At 4-2, Okemos has as many wins this fall as the last six years combined and sits No. 30 in Division 1 playoff-point average.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Petoskey 42, Gaylord 21 The Northmen (4-2) control their destiny in the Big North Conference, with this win over the Blue Devils (3-3) leaving open an opportunity to face Marquette in Week 8 for a share of the league title – or more, if Marquette slips up this week against Gaylord. Cadillac also remains in the mix, tied with Petoskey for second place. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.
Watch list Maple City Glen Lake 34, Oscoda 14 With three league games to go, three teams are chasing leader East Jordan in the Northern Michigan Football Conference – and Glen Lake (4-2) is one of those three teams 4-1 in league play thanks to this key victory over Oscoda (3-3).
On the move Traverse City St. Francis 49, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 28 The Gladiators (4-2) quietly have strung together three straight wins after a tough season start. After facing similarly tough competition, Notre Dame Prep (2-4) is hanging on to the No. 31 spot in the Division 5 playoff-point rankings. Elk Rapids 26, Boyne City 6 The Elks (4-2) avenged a 36-0 loss last season to the Ramblers (3-3) with their first win over them since 2011. Harbor Springs 18, Lakeview 13 The Rams (5-1) are now a win away from their most since 2019, and Lakeview (3-3) is enjoying the same scenario despite this defeat.
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Hudson 38, Clinton 30 Four teams are back in the hunt in the Lenawee County Athletic Association after Hudson handed Clinton its first defeat in both league play and overall. Ida stands alone atop the standings at 5-0, but Hudson, Clinton and Adrian Madison are all 4-1 – with Hudson playing Ida in Week 8 and Clinton getting Ida this week followed by Madison on Oct. 16. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.
Watch list Temperance Bedford 38, Dexter 35 Bedford made the District Finals last season while finishing 5-6 overall, and the Kicking Mules (6-0) already have surpassed that win total as they prepare for a potential Week 8 winner-take-all against Saline in the Southeastern Conference Red.
On the move Manchester 80, Leslie 35 This battle for first in the Cascades Conference North turned high scoring and then some, with the end result Manchester (5-1) gaining an opportunity to earn a share of the league title this week as Leslie (4-2) already had done so. Adrian 15, Tecumseh 14 Adrian (5-1) needs help to have a chance at a share of the SEC White championship, but the Maples continued to improve their playoff position jumping up to No. 14 in Division 4 while sending Tecumseh to No. 22. Springport 61, Reading 8 Springport (5-1) took the last step to set up this week’s matchup of Big 8 Conference leaders with Union City.
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER Decatur 34, Galesburg-Augusta 7 The Raiders (6-0) clinched a share of a second-straight Southwest 10 Conference championship with another dominating victory and have given up only 28 points total over their last five. Galesburg-Augusta (5-1) will be hoping for some help from Hartford in Decatur’s league finale in Week 8. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Watch list Berrien Springs 29, Dowagiac 28 Berrien Springs (6-0) clinched a share of a fourth-straight Lakeland Conference title but needed its closest league win in decades to do so. Dowagiac (3-3) lost by 21 and 14 in its two meetings with the Shamrocks last season, but made this one much closer.
On the move Kalamazoo United 7, Schoolcraft 0 The Titans (6-0) strengthened their hold significantly on first place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and lead two others by a game with three to play – all against teams 2-4 or 1-5. Battle Creek Harper Creek 38, Coldwater 19 The Beavers (5-1) kept pace just behind Marshall in the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference and surely will root for Coldwater (4-2) against the Redhawks in Week 8. Battle Creek Central 36, Kalamazoo Central 23 The Bearcats (3-3) broke a three-game losing streak as they pursue a first playoff appearance since 2022, and this win jumped them 15 spots in the Division 3 playoff-point average rankings to No. 32.
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Bark River-Harris 46, L’Anse 18 The Broncos (5-1) bounced back from their lone loss to move within one more win of clinching a share of a repeat Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Iron title. Bark River-Harris can make that happen this week against Hancock, which has only one defeat in league play. L’Anse (3-3) is just outside the top 32 on the Division 8 playoff-points average list but has opportunities to gain big points the rest of the way facing Iron Mountain, Hancock and Calumet.
Watch list Marquette 34, Alpena 21 Marquette (4-2) entered this season a combined 14-4 in Big North Conference play over its three seasons in the league. But its increased that to 18-4 this fall as it attempts to close in on a first league title in the BNC after two second places and a third.
On the move Kingsford 35, Hancock 6 The Flivvers (6-0) edged another win closer to setting up a winner-take-all again in the West PAC Copper against Menominee. Calumet 34, Houghton 13 The Copper Kings (4-2) bounced back from consecutive losses to those Copper contenders and sit No. 14 in Division 6 playoff-point average. Negaunee 36, Ishpeming Westwood 14 The Miners (4-2) rank No. 18 in Division 5 playoff-point average as they prepare to host undefeated Menominee with a chance to shake up those league standings.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Muskegon Mona Shores 29, Byron Center 28 The margin was slim but the result massive in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green as Mona Shores (5-1) sits alone atop the standings after breaking a two-game losing streak against the Bulldogs (4-2). The Sailors can clinch a share of the league title this week against Muskegon High. Click for more from the Local Sports Journal.
Watch list Hopkins 42, Belding 22 The Vikings (6-0) also sit alone atop the O-K Silver standings after handing Belding (5-1) its lone defeat and breaking a four-game losing streak against the Black Knights. The victory also gave Hopkins one more than all of last season.
On the move Grand Rapids Catholic Central 27, Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 7 The Cougars (5-1) took over first place alone in the O-K Black, handing MTK (5-1) its lone loss with an impressive defensive showing. East Kentwood 31, Rockford 10 The Falcons (6-0) did their part to set up this week’s O-K Red showdown with also-undefeated co-leader Caledonia, also sending Rockford to 3-3. Zeeland West 48, Zeeland East 14 The Dux (5-1) ran their winning streak in this neighborly rivalry to 11, bouncing back nicely from a Week 5 defeat.
8-Player
HEADLINER Portland St. Patrick 28, Pickford 18 These two remain on track to potentially finish their seasons at the Superior Dome, as St. Patrick (6-0) moved up two spots to sit tied for No. 3 in Division 2 playoff-point average and Pickford (5-1) fell just one position after entering the weekend No. 1 in Division 1. The Shamrocks led 7-6 at halftime before pulling away. Click for more from the Cheboygan Daily Tribune.
Watch list Crystal Falls Forest Park 34, Norway 26 The Trojans (5-1) dwell alone in second place in the Great Lakes Eight Conference West with a Week 9 date with leader Lake Linden-Hubbell gaining more and more steam.
On the move Climax-Scotts 56, Marcellus 52 This was another high-profile cross-division battle as Climax-Scotts moved up to No. 6 in Division 1 playoff-points average and Marcellus fell to No. 10 in Division 2. Bridgman 58, St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lake Catholic 20 The Bees (5-1) bounced back from a Week 5 defeat to hand Our Lady (4-2) this one before Our Lady attempts to finish off a league title run this week. Merrill 30, Breckenridge 14 Despite a notable defensive effort by the Huskies (3-3), high-scoring Merrill powered through to set up this week’s winner-take-all matchup with Blanchard Montabella in the Mid-State Activities Conference Blue.
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PHOTOS (Top) Portland’s Carson Spenski (7) turns a corner with several Lansing Catholic players in pursuit during a 49-14 Raiders win. (Middle) Laingsburg players celebrate a touchdown during a 44-0 shut out of Bath. (Below) Negaunee's Kyle Waterman keeps the ball and carries it to within a few yards of the end zone. (Portland/Lansing Catholic photo by TCP Photography. Laingsburg photo by John Johnson. Negaunee photo by Cara Kamps.)