Drive to Detroit: District Semis in Review
October 29, 2012
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Hopes are high for most of 242 teams heading into the first weekend of the MHSAA football playoffs.
But we see it every October – the unexpected and plain unbelievable take over in the postseason as teams raise their games to meet the urgency of do-or-be-done.
Seven of 34 undefeated teams lost for the first time this weekend and are now eliminated. All eight of last season's 11-player champions are still alive – but 8-player champion Carsonville-Port Sanilac is no longer.
Of course, at this time of year every game takes on critical meaning. So instead of saying the results below were the most signficant, rather, let's say they're the ones that jumped out most from the District Semifinals.
Division 1
Detroit Catholic Central 21, Hartland 15
The playoffs are when we find out just how strong the Detroit Catholic League Central was compared to the rest of the state each fall, and this provided a start on that comparison for 2012. The Shamrocks (6-4) opened with a close win over of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West champion Eagles (8-2).
Click to read more from Novi Patch.
Also noted:
Holland West Ottawa 21, Grand Ledge 14 – The Panthers (8-2) avenged a 31-10 loss to the Comets (7-3) on Aug. 31.
Livonia Churchill 49, Livonia Stevenson 35 – These two met for the second week in a row; both times Churchill (10-0) scored 49 points, although Stevenson (6-4) cut the deficit to 14 this game after losing the first by 39.
Walled Lake Northern 41, Howell 27 – On top of playing in its first playoff game ever, Northern (8-2) also earned another by downing the Highlanders (6-4).
Dearborn 24, Dearborn Fordson 14 – The Pioneers (7-3) won a stunner after falling 35-0 to the Tractors (7-3) just five weeks ago.
Division 2
East Lansing 10, Lansing Everett 6
Life was good for the Vikings (9-1) after they completed their first 9-0 regular season ever – a run that included a 6-0 victory against East Lansing. But the Trojans (7-3), who struggled some and had to win in Week 9 just to make the playoffs, earned perhaps the biggest upset of District opener weekend. Click to read more from the Lansing State Journal.
Also noted:
Traverse City Central 48, Bay City Western 47 (2 OT) – Adding to its league title season, Central (9-1) won a playoff game for the first time since 1991. Western finished 8-2.
Lowell 21, Grand Rapids Northview 0 – The playoff-seasoned Red Arrows (8-2) made the first appearance for Northview (7-3) a quick one.
Fenton 22, Farmington Hills Harrison 19 – The Tigers (9-1) have now won a playoff games each of the last three seasons, and delivered Harrison (6-4) its only first-game postseason departure in its last 14 appearances.
Southfield 22, Detroit Martin Luther King 19 – The Bluejays (7-3) were a bit forgotten needing three straight wins just to make the playoffs, but got everyone's attention again by beating the Detroit Public School League champion Crusaders (6-4).
Division 3
Zeeland West 46, Zeeland East 0
That West won this game isn’t the stunning part – their first meeting this season was a 60-52 win by East, and West (6-4) is the reigning Division 4 champion. But consider the score this time, and also that East (9-1) had beaten Division 2 contender Muskegon by a point just a week ago and hadn’t lost this fall. Click to read more from the Holland Sentinel.
Also noted:
Hamilton 42, Edwardsburg 14 – The Hawkeyes (6-4) were among the last to make the playoffs, but got off to a good start against the Eddies (6-4).
Grand Rapids Christian 45, Fruitport 6 – The Eagles (9-1) continued to roll while handing Fruitport (8-2) its second loss of the season and second in a row.
DeWitt 34, Lapeer West 28 (OT) – The Panthers (8-2) extended their streak of winning at least one playoff game to seven seasons, while West finished 6-4 for the second straight fall.
Tecumseh 27, Chelsea 20 – Only three weeks prior, Chelsea (6-4) had beaten Tecumseh (8-2) in a game that decided the Southeastern Conference White championship.
Division 4
Grand Rapids South Christian 48, Paw Paw 0
South Christian’s losses this season came against three playoff teams, including two in Grand Rapids Christian and Grand Rapids Catholic Central that are expected to contend for MHSAA titles. So to figure this game might be close wasn’t too far off. But the Sailors (7-3) did more than that in handing Paw Paw (9-1) its only loss. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Also noted:
Richmond 24, Marine City 21 – Richmond (7-3) hung on again after also handing the Mariners (8-2) a 25-24 loss on opening night of the regular season.
Williamston 29, Marshall 8 – The Hornets (7-3) had to win three straight just to make the playoffs, and are rolling on four in a row with this defeat of the Redhawks (6-4).
Three Rivers 20, Battle Creek Pennfield 14 – This would qualify as an upset win by Three Rivers (7-3), as Pennfield (8-2) had been considered a contender all season.
Detroit Country Day 35, Clinton Township Clintondale 0 – The Yellow Jackets (8-2) handed Clintondale (9-1) its first and only loss of the season.
Division 5
Kingsford 36, Grayling 14
In the first season after the retirement of his legendary coach father Ken Hofer from Menominee, Kingsford coach Chris Hofer led his Kingsford team to one of the best opening wins of the playoffs. The Flivvers (9-1) intercepted four passes in handing Grayling (9-1) its first and only loss. Click to read more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.
Also noted:
Olivet 28, Lansing Catholic 14 – This one was equally stunning, as the Eagles (7-3) knocked out the reigning MHSAA runner-up Cougars (8-2).
Lake Fenton 41, Jackson Lumen Christi 20 – Maybe less of a shocker but still an intriguing result: Lake Fenton (8-2) handed the Titans (8-2) one of their earliest exits of the last two decades.
Grand Rapids West Catholic 19, Hopkins 13 (OT) – The Falcons improved to 7-3 while handing Hopkins (9-1) its lone loss of the season.
Muskegon Oakridge 16, Buchanan 8 – Oakridge moved to 10-0 by winning this clash of league champions; Buchanan finished 7-3.
Division 6
Manchester 37, Clinton 36
The Flying Dutchmen (7-3) fell to Clinton by 18 all the way back on Aug. 24. But they handed Clinton (9-1) its first – and now only – loss this season by scoring with less than a minute remaining in this District opener. Click to read more from The Oakland Press.
Also noted:
Maple City Glen Lake 28, Boyne City 16 – Glen Lake (8-2) rebounded from a Week 9 loss, while Boyne City (8-2) finished with a second straight defeat.
Hemlock 45, Montague 20 – The Huskies (9-1) made it two straight seasons with at least nine wins, while dropping Montague just shy at 8-2.
Montrose 7, Vassar 6 – The Rams (9-1) won by a point for the second straight week while dropping the Vulcans to 7-3.
Detroit Consortium 8, Madison Heights Madison 3 – Consortium (7-3) also won its first-ever playoff game; Madison finished 8-2.
Division 7
Flint Hamady 39, Burton Bendle 33
Hamady (7-3) is better known for its basketball prowess. But after four seasons of one, zero, three and four wins, respectively, Hamady made the playoffs this fall – and earned its first postseason victory ever by avenging a Week 3 loss to Bendle (7-3). Click to read more from the Flint Journal.
Also noted:
Decatur 27, Hartford 15 – It was closer this time, but Decatur (8-2) beat league foe Hartford (7-3) for the second time in a month.
Britton Deerfield 14, Reading 7 – From the maybe-didn’t-see-that-coming file, the Patriots (7-3) knocked out the Big Eight Conference champ Rangers (8-2).
Dansville 21, Ottawa Lake Whiteford 18 – Another testament to the strength of the Central Michigan Athletic Conference, the Aggies (8-2) went on the road and came back with a win over the Bobcats (8-2) – Dansville’s first in the postseason since 1992.
Flint Beecher 35, Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest 21 – Beecher (6-4) got into the playoffs with two straight wins at the end of the regular season, but pushed the streak to three by downing Lutheran Northwest (5-4).
Division 8
L’Anse 34, Crystal Falls Forest Park 28
The Purple Hornets (8-2) might have fallen just short of a league title, but they did earn their first playoff win since 2007 by downing the perennially-powerful Trojans (7-3). L’Anse scored the go-ahead touchdown with 41 seconds to play. Click to read more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.
Also noted:
Stephenson 14, Pickford 12 – Only three Division 8 games this weekend were decided by eight points or fewer, and this win by Stephenson (8-2) over Pickford (7-3) was the closest.
Climax-Scotts 34, St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic 7 – Climax-Scotts (10-0) earned a shot against reigning champion and also 10-0 Mendon by defeating Lake Michigan Catholic (7-2).
Waterford Our Lady 15, Pittsford 7 – This was the third of only three close games in Division 8, with Our Lady (8-2) moving on. Pittsford (7-3) lost in the first round last season by the same score.
Felch North Dickinson 50, Bessemer 20 – North Dickinson (9-0), the smallest school in the 11-player playoffs, needs one more win for its second season in three with at least 10 victories. Bessemer ended its first playoff season since 2006 at 6-3.
8-Player
Owendale-Gagetown 52, Akron-Fairgrove 48
This was a sweet victory for Owendale-Gagetown (8-2) and not just because the Bulldogs live on. These two split during the regular season, but Akron-Fairgrove’s win in the second game of the series counted toward the league standings and earned the Vikings that championship. Click to read more from the Saginaw News.
Also noted:
Deckerville 42, Carsonville-Port Sanilac 39 – The Eagles (9-1) eliminated the reigning MHSAA champion Tigers (4-6) in their third game against them this fall; Deckerville won all three.
Kinde-North Huron 14, Peck 8 (OT) – After falling to Peck (7-3) by 16 three weeks prior, the Warriors (6-4) won the rematch.
PHOTO: Detroit Catholic Central senior quarterback Garrett Moores (11) tries to break the grasp of Hartland senior lineman Markus Inman (52) during Friday's Division 1 District victory. (Click to see more at Terry McNamara Photography.)
VanderVelde Officiating Tree Branches Into 2nd Generation, Top-Tier College Football
By
Steve Vedder
Special for MHSAA.com
February 28, 2025
Mike VanderVelde always knew the apple wasn't going to fall far from the tree.
The longtime West Michigan football and basketball official correctly guessed that his son, Michael, who had accompanied his father to countless Friday night football games before he was even out of elementary school, would eventually pick up the family mantle of officiating. VanderVelde said he saw in his young son many of the key attributes an official must possess: a keen eye for details, an overwhelming desire to improve, patience and a love of sports.
Put it all together, and VanderVelde has seen his son evolve into one of the nation's top NCAA football officials.
"I think it was just like with any kid, he liked the competition," said Mike VanderVelde, who retired three years ago at the age of 78 after officiating in the Grand Rapids area for 61. "I guess it would be crazy to say now, but even then there was something about Michael that was going to make him a good official. It wasn't (following) me."
Michael, a Grandville High School and Hope College graduate, has gone from working middle school football games to make extra money in college to officiating eight college bowl games, including this year's Sugar Bowl national quarterfinal Jan. 2 in New Orleans and the semifinal Jan. 9 at the Orange Bowl in Miami. VanderVelde's first bowl game was the 2017 Bahamas Bowl, and he also officiated the 2024 Rose Bowl, the national semifinal between eventual champion Michigan and Alabama.
Before reaching those heights, Michael said some of his earliest sporting moments came when he was a ball boy jogging along the sideline while his father was working on the field. VanderVelde figures he was barely 8 years old, but he remembers being taught by his father to pay attention to detail. He also considers his father a major influence in his decision to pursue football officiating at the highest level.
"I'd buy that, absolutely. I loved spending time with my dad on Friday nights. That was definitely a common bonding time,” Michael VanderVelde said. “I'd see the smile on his face and see his passion for football. I'd see subtle little hints, and I'd pick up on that. The seed was definitely planted.”
Even as a youngster who was yet to see middle school, Michael said he understood the necessity of being where he was supposed to be as a ball boy. It was one of his first lessons in accepting responsibility and that actions had consequences.
"I would hand the ball to the umpire and pay attention to the game, and do what they needed me to do," he said. "And then I'd hang out with the crew after the games. Just being around the game and watching and being close to it, I loved it."
Both VanderVeldes entered officiating on the ground floor. Mike began doing YMCA fifth and sixth grade and church league basketball games at Grand Rapids' Franklin Park during the 1950s. He eventually graduated to working about 75 high school football and basketball games a year along with officiating Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football games. VanderVelde also coached football, tennis and junior high basketball at Wyoming Kelloggsville High School for 30 years.
"I've always been involved with athletics; I've really enjoyed it," Mike said. "I always thought of (officiating) as a challenge. I wanted to see what I could do. It intrigued me, trying something new. It just clicked with me, and I kept going and I never really stopped."
The younger VanderVelde also started at the youngest levels, officiating fourth through sixth-grade football games before he graduated from high school in 2003. Then to make extra money while in college, VanderVelde took on freshman, junior varsity and his first varsity football game at Saranac. He eventually worked high school basketball games before moving to Colorado and doing Southland Conference games for three years beginning in 2013. VanderVelde went on to work for three years in the Mountain West Conference and now officiates Big 12 games while living in Louisiana.
While many fans often fail to grasp the pressures an official faces while working major college football bowl games, VanderVelde said he's thrilled to reach that elite level of officiating.
"It's a blast," he said. "To be there with other officials and doing things like working with the replays, getting the calls correct, 11 on 11 football and being on the biggest stage, I love it."
As for the recently completed college season, VanderVelde was honored that the NCAA – in a rare break from tradition – chose his crew to work back-to-back Notre Dame games in the Sugar and Rose Bowls. The NCAA typically will not assign the same crew to the same team two weeks in a row. It was an extraordinary gesture signaling the high esteem in which the crew is held, not only by the NCAA but with the blessing of all teams involved.
"It's tough to work back-to-back games like that, but I think the crew did an excellent job," he said. "There was no controversy, and I think we felt comfortable being assigned those games."
Considering his officiating success, VanderVelde said there is one step yet to take, one more hurdle to leap: the NFL. VanderVelde. who works United Football League games in the spring, has been part of the league's Mackie Development Program for the last two years. He's already worked Hula Bowl games and would gladly consider moving along to working on Sundays.
"I'd love to have that opportunity if it was ever presented to me," he said. "It'd be cool, but there are no guarantees. You know that snap by snap, you're only as good as your last game. But it's something I'd like to do some day.
"In football all you can do is look at your next assignment and try to do it well. It's exciting, but you're always trying to go on to the next game without a hitch."
PHOTOS (Top) Longtime MHSAA official Mike VanderVelde, left, and son Michael share a moment during Michael’s officiating assignment at the 2021 Outback Bowl in Tampa Bay, Fla. (Middle) Mike VanderVelde officiates a Grandville High school game. (Below) From left: Mike VanderVelde, Michael VanderVelde, and Michael’s son Hayden. (Photos provided by the VanderVelde family.)