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.)
Drive for Detroit: Week 7 Preview
October 6, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Tonight could end with at least a few Michigan communities celebrating the best night in their local high school's football history.
Breckenridge is seeking its first league title since its players' grandparents were newborns. Engadine, Corunna and many more could have momentous evenings as well as league titles stand to be decided all over the state.
All nine highlighted games of this week's Drive for Detroit preview powered by MI Student Aid could decide league races, whether tonight or in the near future. Check out the MHSAA Score Center for a schedule of this weekend's games and to see scores as they're reported. All games listed below are today unless noted.
Bay & Thumb
Corunna (6-0) at Lake Fenton (6-0)
This Genesee Area Conference Red finale matches the league’s co-leaders. Corunna’s transformation the last two seasons truly deserves note; the Cavaliers didn’t have a winning season from 2006-12 and then fell back to 2-7 in 2014 after a 6-4 finish the year before. But they’re in position to repeat as Red champs after sharing the title last season with Goodrich. Lake Fenton has been much more of a regular contender but still will be playing for its first league title since sharing the Red with Montrose in 2007.
Others that caught my eye: Alma (5-1) at Carrollton (4-2), Saginaw Swan Valley (4-2) at Freeland (6-0), Davison (6-0) at Lapeer (5-1), Saginaw Heritage (3-3) at Flint Carman-Ainsworth (4-2).
Greater Detroit
Rochester Adams (5-1) at Birmingham Groves (6-0)
It’s a little complicated, but the Oakland Activities Association White winner also can be partially determined tonight. Thanks to a one-point loss to Oak Park in Week 4, Adams trails Groves just slightly in the standings with the opportunity to secure a share of the league title with a win tonight in what will be its final league game of the fall. Groves also can clinch a share tonight with a win but still has one more league game to play next week and must win that as well to clinch the title outright – unless Oak Park, already with a league defeat to Groves, also loses one of its final two OAA White games. An Adams win tonight could lead to a three-way title share.
Others that caught my eye: Romeo (4-2) at Warren Mott (6-0), Detroit Western International (4-2) at Detroit Mumford (5-1), Detroit Catholic Central (6-0) at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (4-2), Detroit East English (4-2) at Detroit Martin Luther King (5-1) on Saturday.
Mid-Michigan
Merrill (5-1) at Breckenridge (6-0)
Already celebrating its first playoff berth since 1993 – and after going 0-9 (!) last season – Breckenridge can secure a share of its first league title tonight in 70 years, according to a Midland Daily News report. But Merrill – which like Breckenridge joined the Mid-State Activities Conference this season after leaving the Tri-Valley Conference West – can set up a possibility to share the championship as it enters with only an MSAC loss to Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart. Merrill downed Breckenridge 48-6 a year ago after the Huskies took their 2014 meeting.
Others that caught my eye: Fowler (4-2) at Dansville (4-2), Lansing Sexton (4-2) at East Lansing (4-2), Stockbridge (3-3) at Olivet (4-2), DeWitt (5-1) at St. Johns (3-3).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Clare (5-1) at Roscommon (6-0)
These two are tied for first in the Jack Pine Conference with three games to play – meaning that a loss tonight won’t entirely derail either’s hopes. But the winner should be set up well to at least share the title, although Roscommon still must play Harrison (4-2) and Claire finishes with playoff hopefuls Beaverton (4-2) and Houghton Lake (3-3). The Pioneers are used to this scenario – before falling twice last season, they had won 34 straight Jack Pine games and have dominated the league most of the last two decades. Roscommon, meanwhile, has its most wins already since 2006, when it finished 10-2 and won the conference.
Others that caught my eye: Gaylord St. Mary (5-1) at Johannesburg-Lewiston (3-3), Muskegon Catholic Central (6-0) at Manistee (4-2), Charlevoix (5-1) at Onekama (5-1), Saginaw Nouvel (4-2) at Tawas (4-1).
Southeast & Border
Ida (6-0) at Hudson (5-1)
Ida has won all but one of its Lenawee County Athletic Association games over the last two seasons by at least 24 points. The team to come closer, Hillsdale (falling 20-17), is next week’s opponent – but Ida won’t look past rejuvenated Hudson. The Tigers have bounced back from finishing 4-5 last year and still have LCAA title hopes despite falling to Hillsdale 14-6 last week. Hillsdale already has a league loss as well, so an Ida win tonight puts the Bluestreaks in strong position to at least share the championship after winning it outright in 2015.
Others that caught my eye: Petersburg-Summerfield (4-2) at Clinton (4-2), Quincy (5-1) at Concord (5-1), Milan (6-0) at Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (3-3), Morenci (4-2) at Ottawa Lake Whiteford (6-0).
Southwest Corridor
Battle Creek Harper Creek (6-0) at Coldwater (4-2)
Harper Creek is having an all-around great fall; the volleyball team is ranked No. 6 in Class B, the boys cross country team was tied for No. 9 in Lower Peninsula Division 2 entering this week, and the football team has doubled its wins from a season ago with an opportunity tonight to clinch a share of the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference championship against last year’s champion. Coldwater has won two straight over the Beavers and won’t go quietly, but Harper Creek has yet to allow a team to get closer than 10 points.
Others that caught my eye: St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic (5-1) at Bridgman (4-2), Schoolcraft (6-0) at Gobles (5-1), Portage Central (5-1) at Portage Northern (4-2), Delton Kellogg (4-2) at Watervliet (4-2).
Upper Peninsula
Ishpeming (3-2) at Negaunee (6-0)
A couple of pretty strong Negaunee teams have had their Mid-Peninsula Athletic Conference hopes dashed by MHSAA title-contending Ishpeming teams over the last few years. The Hematites have beaten the Miners in three straight, and the 2013 and 2015 victories decided league titles. But Negaunee enters as the favorite this time with wins over five teams still up for playoff berths, and Ishpeming has a little additional pressure; it must win two of its last three games against Negaunee, St. Ignace and Gwinn to guarantee adding to a 14-season playoff streak.
Others that caught my eye: Kingsford (4-2) at Iron Mountain (5-1), Escanaba (5-1) at Gladstone (3-3), Lake Linden-Hubbell (6-0) at Houghton (3-3), Hancock (4-2) at Gwinn (4-2).
West Michigan
Zeeland East (5-1) at Hudsonville Unity Christian (6-0)
Four teams in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green are at least 5-1 and a fifth is 4-2, making this arguably the strongest league in the state top to bottom this fall. Two of this week’s matchups are highlighted in this space this week, and Unity Christian enters tied with Byron Center for first place but with Hamilton and Zeeland East holding only one league loss. East is a newcomer after playing previously in the O-K Black, but could have the greatest influence on the final finish with Unity on the schedule this week, Byron Center next week and rival Zeeland West in Week 9
Others that caught my eye: Whitehall (4-2) at Ravenna (4-2), Big Rapids (3-3) at Reed City (6-0), Grand Rapids South Christian (3-3) at Wyoming (4-2), Hamilton (5-1) at Zeeland West (4-2).
8-Player
Cedarville (6-0) at Engadine (6-0)
Engadine is in the midst of a string of successful seasons it hasn’t enjoyed since the mid-1980s, but winning tonight could make this fall the best of the bunch. The Eagles can clinch a share of the Bridge-Alliance League title after returning this fall after a year playing in the Western Eight Conference. Cedarville, of course, is a regular favorite and has only four league losses in five seasons of 8-player football. The Trojans’ closest games this fall have been a pair of 20-point wins, and Engadine hasn’t let anyone get closer than 10.
Others that caught my eye: Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (6-0) at Lawrence (6-0), Webberville (5-1) at Portland St. Patrick (6-0), Rapid River (5-1) at Stephenson (5-1).
Second Half’s weekly “Drive for Detroit” previews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Student Financial Services Bureau located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information, including various student financial assistance programs to help make college more affordable for Michigan students. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 savings programs (MET/MESP) and eight additional aid programs within its Student Scholarships and Grants division. Click for more information and connect with MI Student Aid on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
PHOTO: Saginaw Swan Valley (left) and Zeeland East faced off earlier this season; both will attempt to beat league leaders this weekend. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)