Drive for Detroit: District Semis in Review
November 5, 2013
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Upsets seemed to fall with the raindrops that unexpectedly cropped up in spurts during the first weekend of the 2013 MHSAA football playoffs.
From Romeo to Dowagiac, Britton-Deerfield to Wayland with Parchment and Bath in between, teams celebrated wins that probably weren't expected by most when the brackets were revealed during the Sunday Selection Show.
A telling stat: While teams with higher playoff points averages host during the first three rounds, nearly 23 percent (31 of 136) of road teams won last weekend.
Here’s a look at the results from each division that stuck out most from the 11-player District openers and 8-player Regional Semifinals:
Division 1
Detroit Catholic Central 35, Northville 14
Detroit Catholic Central (8-2) opened the playoffs against Northville (8-2) for the second time in three seasons and with hopes of again starting off smoothly on a third straight trip to the MHSAA Finals. This opener certainly was closer than the 2011 56-6 DCC win, but the result was the same as the Shamrocks ended an outstanding run by the Kensington Lakes Activities Association overall champion. Click to read more from the Detroit Free Press.
Also noted:
Macomb Dakota 19, Warren DeLaSalle 14: DeLaSalle (6-4) gave Dakota (10-0) its closest game this season and was the first to come within single digits of the Cougars since opening night.
Walled Lake Western 44, Canton 41: Western (9-1) advanced to the District Final for the third straight season but only after holding off a late comeback by Canton (8-2).
Romeo 24, Lake Orion 21: Likely considered an upset because of Lake Orion’s playoff history, there is some back story. In three playoff games during 2005-08, Lake Orion (7-3) beat Romeo all three times by a combined six points – but this time the Bulldogs (6-4) captured a close one.
Brighton 14, Grand Blanc 7: Grand Blanc (7-3) won the KLAA West thanks to a 44-21 win over Brighton in Week 4, but the Bulldogs remain alive after entering the postseason 5-4.
Division 2
Birmingham Seaholm 17, Southfield 16
Seaholm (9-1), the Oakland Activities Association Blue champion, scored twice during the final seven minutes to eliminate OAA White winner Southfield (7-3). The Maples will play in their first District Final since 2001, the last time the team also won nine or more games. Click to read more from The Oakland Press.
Also noted:
Wyandotte Roosevelt 45, Ypsilanti Lincoln 40: Downriver League champion Roosevelt (10-0) outlasted another league title winner, Southeastern Conference White winner Lincoln (7-3).
Midland Dow 30, Fenton 21: The Chargers (8-2) returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2010 and opened by beating Flint Metro League co-champ Fenton (8-2).
Pinckney 14, South Lyon 10: In its first playoff appearance since 2001, Pinckney (7-3) won its first playoff game ever and finished a season sweep of South Lyon (6-4), also its opening-night opponent.
Detroit U-D Jesuit 37, Warren Woods Tower 14: Jesuit’s first winning season since 2002 will continue; the Cubs (6-4) ended quickly the first playoff appearance for Warren Woods Tower (6-4) since 2007.
Division 3
Grand Rapids Christian 14, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern 13
The reigning Division 3 champion got a scare from Forest Hills Northern (7-3), which led 13-0 in the third quarter of its first playoff game since 2002. The Eagles (8-2) made an impressive comeback to move on to their fourth straight District Final. Click to read more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Also noted:
Zeeland West 44, Zeeland East 13: The Dux (9-1) received their lone loss from East (5-5) in Week 2, but this one wasn't as close as that six-point defeat.
Byron Center 28, Battle Creek Harper Creek 3: Harper Creek (7-3) made the Semifinals the last two seasons, but were stopped quickly this time by the Bulldogs (7-3).
Wayland 38, Plainwell 28: A year after finishing 0-9 (after three straight ending 1-8), Wayland is 6-4 and knocked out a solid contender in Plainwell (8-2).
Eaton Rapids 49, Charlotte 21: Although Eaton Rapids (6-4) beat Charlotte in Week 3, it was expected by at least a few that the Greyhounds’ first playoff appearance would be a short one since Charlotte (7-3) had won five straight.
Division 4
Dowagiac 21, Edwardsburg 17
Dowagiac has been exceptional over the last three seasons – the Chieftains (7-3) are playing to reach 10 wins for the third straight. But it was hard to see this one coming with Edwardsburg (9-1) undefeated and having beaten Dowagiac 36-0 only two weeks ago to decide the Wolverine B West championship. Click for to read more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Also noted:
Belding 21, Spring Lake 20: This spoke to the strength of the O-K Blue, as third-place Belding (7-3) beat Lakes 8 Conference champion Spring Lake (8-2).
Allendale 24, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 21 (OT): Also from the O-K Blue, league runner-up Allendale (8-1) survived a scare from frequent playoff power GRCC (6-4).
Battle Creek Pennfield 21, Paw Paw 17: The Kalamazoo Valley Association was pretty strong too, with Pennfield (9-1) one of three co-champs and the winner in this one over Wolverine B East champ Paw Paw (8-2).
Saginaw Swan Valley 14, Yale 13: Swan Valley’s hope of returning to the Semifinals – and going to Ford Field – nearly ended until the Vikings (10-0) scored the go-ahead points with two minutes to play to escape Yale (6-4).
Division 5
Parchment 40, Jackson Lumen Christi 35
In a weekend full of upsets, this was the one that rang the statewide bell loudest. Parchment has had a nice run in a tough KVA and is 7-3 overall after finishing 3-6 only a year ago. But Lumen Christi had the highest playoff point average in Division 5 by a substantial chunk and was considered a definite contender as it pursued its first MHSAA championship since 1999. Click to read more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Also noted:
Reed City 49, Clare 7: The Central State Activities Association champion Coyotes (10-0) continued their dominating play in eliminating Jack Pine Conference champ Clare (7-3).
Millington 28, Almont 21: The Cardinals’ two regular season losses were their most since 2006, but Millington (8-2) is looking strong again after opening with a win over Blue Water Area Conference runner-up Almont (8-2).
Grand Rapids West Catholic 27, Portland 14: This rematch of last season’s Division 5 Final ended the opposite way, with West Catholic (6-4) continuing a five-game winning streak while Portland (7-2) closed with two straight defeats.
Detroit University Prep 42, Clinton Township Clintondale 34: University Prep (8-2) equaled its 2012 record in only its eighth season as a program and handed a first loss to Macomb Area Conference Bronze champion Clintondale (9-1) in one of its best wins during that brief history.
Division 6
Grandville Calvin Christian 14, Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian 12
These two and Hopkins played to a three-way tie for the O-K White championship during the regular season, which resulted in part because of NorthPointe’s 13-8 win over Calvin Christian (7-3) in Week 3. This time the Squires came out on top in a matchup of teams both looking for their first playoff wins. NorthPointe finished 8-2. Click to read more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Also noted:
Montrose 42, Reese 13: The Rams (10-0) won their 10th game for the third straight season and made it two this fall over solid Reese (8-2).
Shelby 35, Montague 23: Montague (6-4) played West Michigan Conference champion Shelby (9-1) closer than in Week 4, but the Tigers (9-1) bounced back from its lone loss, in Week 9, against Division 4 Spring Lake.
Schoolcraft 28, Niles Brandywine 21: Co-KVA champ Schoolcraft (9-1) hasn't lost in two months, although Brandywine (8-2) gave the Eagles one of their closest games in a while.
Constantine 41, Michigan Center 26: This win over Michigan Center (8-2) gave Constantine (6-4) at least one postseason victory in each of the last 12 seasons.
Division 7
Britton-Deerfield 42, Hudson 28
Britton-Deerfield has made the playoffs all three seasons since its creation from the merging of the Britton-Macon and Deerfield districts. In fact, the Patriots reached the Regional Final in just their second season last fall. But Lenawee County Activities Association co-champion Hudson has reached the MHSAA Semifinals three of the last five seasons and had to be considered a possibility to get back again this month. Click to read more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.
Also noted:
Iron River West Iron County 21, Traverse City St. Francis 7: Given St. Francis’ history of postseason success, this seemed ripe for an upset – but West Iron (10-0) broke away from the Gladiators (5-5) in the second half.
Pewamo-Westphalia 57, Saugatuck 21: The Central Michigan Athletic Conference champion Pirates (9-1) bounced back from their lone loss the week before to finish the season for Southwestern Athletic Conference North winner Saugatuck (8-2).
Bath 27, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port 14: This is not only Bath’s first playoff run since 2000, but first winning season since that fall – and the Bees (6-4) continued with a stunner against Greater Thumb Conference West runner-up Laker (7-3).
Madison Heights Bishop Foley 42, Royal Oak Shrine 10: A Week 3 loss to Shrine (6-4) got Bishop Foley off to a rough start in the Catholic League Intersectional, but the Ventures (7-3) scored their second-most points of the season in this rematch.
Division 8
Detroit Allen 54, Adrian Lenawee Christian 32
Detroit Allen (7-2) built on its first playoff berth with its first playoff win, ending a similarly historic season for Lenawee Christian – the Cougars set a team record for wins in finishing 7-3. Both programs have been in existence for only six seasons, and this fall Allen finished second to much larger River Rouge in the Michigan Metro Athletic Conference. Click to read more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.
Also noted:
Waterford Our Lady, 34, Clarkston Everest Collegiate 7: These two previously were one as a co-op team before splitting this season; Our Lady (8-2) will move on while Everest (7-3) finished an impressive first season on its own.
Powers North Central 35, Munising 21: Although Munising (6-4) made the playoffs for the second time in three seasons, neither of these teams has much recent postseason history – but Powers (8-2) made its own with this first playoff win.
Crystal Falls Forest Park 30, Bessemer 16: The Trojans (10-0) beat the Miners (6-4) for the second time in three weeks and have 10 wins again for the first time since 2010.
L’Anse 52, Lake Linden-Hubbell 34: The Purple Hornets (8-2) bounced back from a Week 9 loss with their most points of the season to outlast one of the best offensive performances as well by Lake Linden-Hubbell (5-5).
8-Player
Engadine 28, Cedarville 26
Perhaps a little under the radar, Engadine has been arguably the hottest team in 8-player football with five straight wins after beginning this season 1-4. The Eagles’ third loss this fall was 42-16 to Cedarville (8-2) – but in six weeks, Engadine (6-4) found a way to reverse the tide just enough. Click for more from WWTV 9&10.
Also noted:
Peck 32, Deckerville 14: The 8-player champion could come from the Thumb area for the third straight season; in 2012 it was Deckerville (5-5), and Peck (10-0) is looking like a favorite this time.
Carsonville-Port Sanilac 54, Portland St. Patrick 18: The Tigers (7-3) made it two straight wins and two straight over the Shamrocks (7-3) after also beating St. Patrick 45-12 in Week 9.
PHOTO: Detroit Catholic Central running back Connor Holton (22) prepares to sprint through a hole in the line while Northville linebacker Jack Ernst works to stop him. (See more at Terry McNamara Photography.)
MHSAA Finals: Prepare for Impact
November 21, 2012
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Recognize more than a few of this season's MHSAA 11-player football finalists? You should.
Only three first-timers will be making the trip to Ford Field this weekend. The other 13 contenders have combined for 68 championship game appearances over the 37-year history of the playoffs.
A couple games will look extremely familiar. Detroit Cass Tech and Detroit Catholic Central meet again in Division 1 after the Technicians claimed last year's title matchup 49-13. Ithaca and Constantine also face a Division 6 rematch, with the Yellowjackets looking to repeat last season's 42-14 result and add to their 41-game winning streak.
The Shamrocks will be appearing in their 15th MHSAA Final, good for second-most all-time. Birmingham Brother Rice and Orchard Lake St. Mary's also are among the top 10 on that list and will add to their totals.
The Division 8,4,6 and 2 games are Friday, with the odd-numbered divisions playing Saturday. All games but Division 4 will be broadcast on Fox Sports Detroit (Division 4 will be on FSD Plus, but not available to Direct TV subscribers) and can be heard audio-only on the MHSAA Network web site. Tickets cost $10 and are good for all four games on one day. Click for a full schedule.
Here’s a look at all 16 finalists. (Rankings and all-state honors were voted upon by The Associated Press’ media panel. Statistics were provided by schools; all are through Regional Finals except those for Portland, which are through the District Final. Cass Tech did not submit.)
Division 1
DETROIT CASS TECH
Record/rank: 11-2, No. 7
Coach: Thomas Wilcher, 17th season (148-51)
League finish: First in Detroit Public School League West
Finals history: MHSAA Division 1 champion in 2011.
Best wins: 34-27 over No. 3 Lake Orion (Semifinal), 21-14 over No. 10 Saline (Regional Final), 37-3 over honorable mention Grosse Pointe South (District Semifinal), 25-18 over Division 2 No. 3 Birmingham Brother Rice.
Players to watch: WR/DB Jourdan Lewis, 5-11/165, sr.; QB Jayru Campbell, 6-3/185, soph.; OT/NG David Dawson, 6-5/285, sr.; OT/DE Dennis Finley, 6-5/285, sr.; DB Dejuan Rogers, 6-0/170, sr., FS Delano Hill, 6-0/195, sr.; OG/DT Kenton Gibbs, 6-2/260, sr. (Statistics not submitted.)
Outlook: Many from the incredible class that led the school to its first championship moved on to college football, but this group also is loaded with players who will continue at the next level. Lewis has committed to sign with the University of Michigan, Finley with Michigan State, Hill with Iowa, Pace with Eastern Michigan and Rogers with Toledo. And Dawson might be the best prospect of the bunch. Despite a number of new faces, the defense remains solid giving up only 13 points per game. And Campbell threw five touchdown passes, tying a Finals record, in his championship game debut last fall.
DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 9-4, unranked
Coach: Tom Mach, 37th season (330-80)
League finish: Tied for first in Detroit Catholic League Central.
Finals history: 10 championships (most recent 2009), four runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 35-6 over No. 4 Rockford (Semifinal), 28-7 over honorable mention Plymouth (Regional Final), 21-15 over honorable mention Hartland (District Semifinal), 35-13 over Division 3 No. 4 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s.
Players to watch: DT Wyatt Shallman, 6-4/250, sr.; RB/LB Anthony Darkangelo, 6-0/200, sr. (164 carries, 1,036 yards, 14 TDs, 16 receptions, 262 yards receiving); OL/DL Derek Edwards, 6-5/270, sr.; RB/LB David Houle, 5-11/230, sr. (114 carries, 583 yards, 12 TDs).
Outlook: Half the Shamrocks' losses came to Ohio powers and the other half to teams also playing at Ford Field this weekend, so don’t be deceived by the less impressive record. Darkangelo and Houle also were main offensive cogs last season – each scored one of the team’s two touchdowns in the championship game. Leading the way in front of them are some impressive blockers led by Edwards, who has committed to sign with Central Michigan. Shallman will sign with Michigan and plugs the middle for a defense giving up 11 points per game in the playoffs. And keep an eye out for senior Garrett Moores. He’s the quarterback, but also a reliable kicker.
Division 2
BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE
Record/rank: 11-2, No 3
Coach: Al Fracassa, 44th season (371-98-2)
League finish: Tied for first in Detroit Catholic League Central.
Finals history: Seven championships (most recent 2011), four runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 42-12 over honorable mention Walled Lake Western (Regional Final), 20-14 over Detroit Catholic Central, 30-29 over Cincinnati (Ohio) LaSalle.
Players to watch: QB Cheyne Lacanaria, 5-9/165, sr. (93 of 160 passing, 1,221 yards, six TDs); LB Jon Reschke, 6-3/232, sr.; RB Brian Walker, 5-8/225, jr. (226 carries, 1,352 yards, 20 TDs; LB Lucas Cherocci, 6-1/218, sr.
Outlook: The Warriors bear similarities to the team that won last season’s championship – Lacanaria is back at quarterback, Reschke keys a strong defense, and a running back carries the load. That back this time is Walker, but like Devin Church last season he’s put up some big numbers. Reschke will sign with Michigan State and with Cherocci mans the middle for a defense giving up only 14 points per game despite a loaded schedule. Brother Rice’s losses were to Cass Tech and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s – and it has given up only a combined 21 points over the last three games.
MUSKEGON
Record/rank: 12-1, No 2
Coach: Shane Fairfield, third season (28-8)
League finish: Second in O-K Black.
Finals history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2008).
Best wins: 36-21 and 15-13 (District Semifinal) over No. 5 Lowell, 49-21 over No. 1 Midland (Regional Final), 21-14 over Division 3 No. 4 Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 21-9 over Division 1 No. 4 Rockford.
Players to watch: RB/LB John King, Jr., 5-11/210, sr. (139 carries, 1,565 yards, 20 TDs); LB Demetrius Brown, 5-8/185, sr.; QB Jalen Smith, 6-0/160, sr. (30 of 64 passing, 593 yards, seven TDs, 137 carries, 854 yards, 12 TDs rushing); RB Marcus Smith, 5-8/185, sr. (45 carries, 599 yards, seven TDs, 15 receptions, 391 yards, five TDs receiving).
Outlook: The Big Reds are back at Ford Field for the first time under Fairfield, who previously served as defensive coordinator during the last title run and before that led Holton to two league titles. This defense has been good too, giving up 18 points per game against arguably the toughest schedule in the state. But the offense is what scares opponents most – heading into last weekend, the Big Reds had gained 5,175 yards and all but 1,008 on the ground. A one-point loss to Zeeland East in Week 9 is all that has kept Muskegon from perfection so far.
Division 3
GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 2
Coach: Don Fellows, third season (29-6)
League finish: First in O-K White
Finals history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 31-7 over No. 3 Stevensville Lakeshore (Regional Final), 45-6 over No. 9 Fruitport (District Semifinal), 52-28 over No. 10 DeWitt (Semifinal), 38-28 over Grand Rapids South Christian, 21-7 over Division 2 No. 5 Lowell.
Players to watch: QB Alex VanDeVusse, 6-1/180, sr. (173 of 311, 3,226 yards, 35 TDs passing, 167 carries, 652 yards, 12 TDs rushing); WR Drake Harris, 6-4/180, jr. (76 receptions, 1,552 yards, 20 TDs); DL Zach Crouch, 6-5/255, sr., RB Seth McIntosh, 5-10/205, sr. (108 carries, 854 yards, seven TDs).
Outlook: The Eagles have improved steadily over the past four seasons beginning with a 4-5 finish in 2009. They've scored fewer than 31 points only once this season, and have put up 196 points during the playoffs alone. VanDeVusse is a dangerous dual threat and Harris – already committed to Michigan State – might be the best receiver in Michigan. Teams can’t pay him all the attention though; senior Davaris Collier also has caught 36 passes including eight for scores. And they’re helped as well by one of the best kickers in MHSAA history; unofficially, senior Joel Schipper has made a career record 168 extra points in 169 tries, and also has 12 field goals in 14 tries this fall. Crouch, signing with Central Michigan, is among standouts on the unheralded but solid defense.
ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY’S
Record/rank: 11-2, No. 4
Coach: George Porritt, 24th season (214-59)
League finish: Tied for first in Detroit Catholic League Central.
Finals history: Five championships (most recent 2011), five runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 49-14 over No. 7 Auburn Hills Avondale (District Final), 13-6 over Division 1 No. 7 Detroit Cass Tech, 24-14 over Division 2 No. 3 Birmingham Brother Rice, 27-10 over Detroit Catholic Central.
Players to watch: RB/LB Grant Niemiec, 6-1/220, sr. (232 carries, 1,587 yards, 23 TDs); RB Parker McInnis, 6-0/185, sr. (199 carries, 1,236 yards, 18 TDs); QB Matt Linehan, 6-3/180, sr. (86 of 127 passing, 1,299 yards, 13 TDs).
Outlook: Niemiec and McInnis were among standouts from last season’s championship game win, and might be the best one-two running back tandem in the state this fall. Niemiec has committed to Miami (Ohio) and also keys a defense giving up just under 12 points per game. McInnis also had three punt return touchdowns this fall heading into Semifinal weekend. The Eaglets’ lone losses were on opening night to Muskegon and in Week 8 to Detroit Catholic Central; St. Mary’s avenged that latter loss the next week in the Catholic League Prep Bowl.
Division 4
DETROIT COUNTRY DAY
Record/rank: 11-2, No. 9
Coach: Dan MacLean, 15th season (108-58)
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Finals history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 1999), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 47-14 over No. 4 Grosse Ile (Regional Final), 14-12 over No. 10 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (District Final).
Players to watch: QB Tyler Wiegers, 6-3/190, jr. (129 of 209 passing, 1,822 yards, 18 TDs); RB Richard Wilson, 6-0/185, jr. (154 attempts, 1,074 yards, 24 TDs); NG Poet Thomas, 6-6/295, sr.
Outlook: Country Day will try to cap its seventh-straight playoff season with its first championship since 1999; the Yellowjackets also made Finals in 2007 and 2008. Wilson might be the name fans know most – he ran for four more touchdowns last week against Saginaw Swan Valley to give him 28 on the ground total this fall. But few defenses have been better during the postseason; Country Day has given up just 26 points in those four games and shut out two opponents. Thomas, literally and figuratively, has been one of the biggest college prospects in the state this season.
GRAND RAPIDS SOUTH CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 10-3, unranked
Coach: Mark Tamminga, fourth season (23-18)
League finish: Second in O-K Gold
Finals history: Division 4 champion 2002, three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 21-7 over No. 6 Comstock Park (Semifinal), 48-0 over No. 3 Paw Paw (District Semifinal), 42-23 over Division 5 No. 5 Dowagiac (in D4 for playoffs, District Final), 33-7 over Grand Rapids West Catholic.
Players to watch: RB/DB Chad Sterk, 5-10/150, sr. (77 carries, 413 yards, 10 TDs, 42 receptions, 480 yards, two TDs receiving); QB Jon Wassink, 6-2/175, soph. (182 of 276 passing, 2,564 yards, 23 TDs, 116 carries, 713 yards, nine TDs rushing); WR/DB Jason Miller, 6-1/170, sr. (59 receptions, 683 yards, six TDs, five interceptions).
Outlook: Former longtime assistant Tamminga was on the sideline for the 2002 championship team and 1999 runner-up, and has the Sailors back after three seasons of either four or five wins. South Christian started 4-3 this fall before romping through its final two regular-season opponents and a tough playoff slate. This season’s team has set a school record for points – and that’s saying something considering the program has four other championship game appearances and seven other seasons with at least 10 wins.
Division 5
GRAND RAPIDS WEST CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 10-3, unranked
Coach: Dan Rohn, sixth season (62-11)
League finish: First in O-K Bronze
Finals history: Division 5 champion 2010, one runner-up finish.
Best wins: 13-6 over No. 2 Muskegon Oakridge (District Final), 20-17 over No. 9 Menominee (Semifinal), 28-0 over Division 4 No. 6 Comstock Park.
Players to watch: QB Travis Russell, 5-11/160, soph. (182 of 368 passing, 2,143 yards, 20 TDs); WR David Kuzma, 6-2/165, sr. (65 receptions, 1,084 yards, 11 TDs); RB Andy Corey, 5-8/160, jr. (282 carries, 1,435 yards, 11 TDs, 37 receptions, 264 yards receiving); DL Daniel Green, 6-0/260, sr.
Outlook: West Catholic is going for its second championship in three seasons and has at least 10 wins for the fourth straight and fifth season in six. This fall’s success came after a 1-3 start, and the Falcons are especially tough in close games – six of those wins were by eight points or fewer. Corey is dangerous whenever he touches the ball, and averages 29 yards per kickoff return. Green earned an all-state special mention at nose guard.
PORTLAND
Record/rank: 12-1, unranked
Coach: John Novara, 14th season (89-53)
League finish: Second in Capital Area Activities Conference White
Finals history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 45-28 over No. 1 Flint Powers Catholic (Regional Final), 37-7 over Division 3 No. 10 DeWitt.
Players to watch: RB/DB Jacob Kimmell, 5-11/185, jr. (116 carries, 1,278 yards, 17 TDs); OL/LB Adam Goodman, 6-0/200, sr.; QB Tanner Allison, 6-1/180, jr. (52 of 94 passing, 794 yards, 14 TDs); RB/DB Justin Goodman, 5-9/165, sr.
Outlook: Portland’s is one of the neatest stories of this season’s Finals; Novara resigned as coach amid a 1-8 season and some player commitment issues in 2002, but rescinded that resignation at the request of his players and since has led them to 10 straight playoff appearances and their first championship game. The Raiders’ lone loss this fall was the reigning MHSAA runner-up Lansing Catholic. Kimmell earned an all-state honorable mention, but Portland has more weapons. Senior Caleb Hickling had run for more than 800 yards through 11 games and junior Auston Brandt had caught nearly half of Allison’s completions for more than two-thirds of the team’s passing yards.
Division 6
CONSTANTINE
Record/rank: 11-2, No. 9
Coach: Shawn Griffith, eighth season (82-17)
League finish: Third in Kalamazoo Valley Association
Finals history: One championship (2004), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 49-35 over T-No. 3 Hillsdale (Regional Final), 40-27 over No. 2 Schoolcraft (District Final).
Players to watch: FB/LB Ben Mallo, 5-7/170, sr. (175 carries, 1,627 yards, 16 TDs); LB/RB Justin Hull, 5-8/165, soph. (33 carries, 296 yards, three TDs).
Outlook: Constantine is back for its second straight Final and with at least 10 wins for the fourth straight season thanks in large part to a wing-T offense that needs only seven more points to break 600 for the second time in nine years. The Falcons had run for 5,096 yards coming into last week’s Semifinal, and Hull broke out with 245 yards and a touchdown in that win over Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central. Mallo was the team's leading rusher in last season’s championship game.
ITHACA
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Terry Hessbrook, ninth season (85-17)
League finish: First in Tri-Valley Conference West
Finals history: MHSAA Division 6 champion 2011 and 2010.
Best wins: 31-0 over No. 10 Montrose (Regional Final), 49-14 over No. 5 Hemlock (District Final), 33-21 over Division 5 honorable mention Carrollton.
Players to watch: QB Travis Smith, 6-2/200, jr. (140 of 226 passing, 2,264 yards, 36 TDs, 109 carries, 732 yards, 13 TDs rushing); TE/DB Jared Evers, 5-11/225, sr. (36 receptions, 469 yards, nine TDs); DB Jordan Hessbrook, 5-8/160, sr.; (four interceptions); OL/DL Bradley Martyn, 5-8/190, sr.
Outlook: Smith, named all-state earlier this week, had one of the most impressive passing performances in MHSAA history in 2011 – 18 of 25 for 299 yards and a score, plus he ran for two more – and must be tracked at all times. But he’s got plenty of help. Four receivers have at least 24 catches and at least seven for touchdowns: Evers plus Caden Kipp, Markes Gadlen and Zach Allen. Jordan Hessbrook also made all-state and is among leaders of a defense no one talks about but should – the Yellowjackets have given up only 83 points this fall and have seven shutouts.
Division 7
DETROIT LOYOLA
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: John Callahan, fourth season (38-8)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League Intersectional
Finals history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 50-7 over honorable mention Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett (District Final), 51-20 and 36-7 (District Semifinal) over honorable mention Royal Oak Shrine, 28-18 over honorable mention Waterford Our Lady.
Players to watch: RB Keymonn’e Gabriel, 5-11/208, sr. (103 carries, 2,195 yards, 32 TDs); DE/OL Malik McDowell, 6-7/290, jr.; DL/OL Kajohn Armstrong, 6-5/275, jr.
Outlook: Loyola is in its first Final after reaching its second-straight Semifinal a week ago, and is led by one of the top scorers in MHSAA history. Gabriel, an all-stater, added three more touchdowns last week and now has 314 points this season – good for second-most in the MHSAA record book. He runs behind a massive line keyed by Associated Press Division 7-8 Player of the Year McDowell at right tackle and Armstrong at the left plus three more blockers weighing in between 250-270. The defense has given up only 77 points and more than seven only twice.
ISHPEMING
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 4
Coach: Jeff Olson, 21st season (143-75)
League finish: Second in Mid-Peninsula Conference
Finals history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 1979), one runner-up finish.
Best wins: 32-0 over No. 3 Mancelona (District Final), 8-7 over Pewamo-Westphalia (Semifinal).
Players to watch: RB Eric Kostreva, 5-7/185, sr. (157 carries, 1,153 yards, 17 TDs); LB/TE R.J. Poirier, 5-11/205, sr. (six catches, 119 yards, TD); OTL/DT Brad Wootke, 6-2/255, sr.
Outlook: The Hematites are back at Ford Field for the second time in three seasons and just missed last time, falling 28-26 to Hudson. Their only loss this fall was to league rival Negaunee, a Regional finalist in Division 6, and that also was the only game in which Ishpeming gave up more than 14 points; the Hematites have allowed just 31 total in four playoff games. Poirier earned honorable mention all-state as a linebacker and Wootke special mention as a lineman.
Division 8
BEAL CITY
Record/rank: 13-0, tied for No. 2
Coach: Lou Rau, 13th season (132-29)
League finish: First in Highland Conference
Finals history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2009), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 38-19 and 28-21 (District Final) over No. 9 Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, 25-7 over No. 4 St. Ignace (Semifinal).
Players to watch: QB/LB Sam Schafer, 6-1/180, sr. (74 of 107 passing, 1,546 yards, 19 TDs); RB/LB Ty Rollin, 5-8/180, jr. (124 carries, 869 yards, 18 TDs; OL/DL Nate Schafer, 6-0/200, sr.
Outlook: Only one opponent – rival Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, the second time they played – has gotten within 12 points of stopping the Aggies this fall. Sam Schafer and Rollin were all-state honorable mentions at their offensive positions, and the team has broken 40 points in eight games. Nate Schafer made the all-state first team and along with those two and four more also starts on both sides of the ball. They make double duty work well: The defense has given up more than 19 points only twice.
HARBOR BEACH
Record/rank: 12-1, No 6
Coach: Troy Schelke, 16th season (108-59)
League finish: First in Greater Thumb Conference East
Finals history: Class C runner-up 1991.
Best wins: 56-20 over T-No. 2 New Lothrop (District Final), 17-10 over Division 7 honorable mention Waterford Our Lady (D8 for playoffs, Regional Final), 32-27 over No. 8 Muskegon Catholic Central (Semifinal).
Players to watch: QB/DB Eli Kraft, 5-11/180, jr. (71 of 95 passing, 1,129 yards, 11 TDs, 102 carries, 740 yards, 14 TDs rushing, five interceptions on defense); FB Derek Pfaff, 5-10/165, sr. (109 carries, 828 yards, 15 TDs); LB/RB Aaron Ginther, 6-0/180, sr. (39 carries, 452 yards, six TDs, 30 receptions, 501 yards, seven TDs receiving).
Outlook: It’s tough to believe Harbor Beach was 1-8 just three seasons ago – the Pirates are 23-2 over the last two and have tied the school wins record set in 2007. Kraft is the main playmaker among some dangerous ones on offense and earned an all-state honorable mention at quarterback. But Harbor Beach is tough on passers too – he had five interceptions and three teammates had three apiece going into last week. The team’s lone loss came in Week 3 to eventual Division 5 Semifinalist Menominee.
PHOTO: Orchard Lake St. Mary's senior Parker McInnis (33) is tackled by Detroit Cass Tech seniors Dejuan Rogers (3) and DaQuan Pace (22) during their Week 5 game. (Click for more from Terry McNamara Photography.)