Drive for Detroit: Playoff R1 Preview
October 28, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The 42nd MHSAA Football Playoffs begin tonight with most of this season’s 272 qualifiers taking the field across both peninsulas and nine divisions.
And there certainly is an air of familiarity in these first-round matchups.
This week’s Drive for Detroit preview – powered by MI Student Aid – touches on five games of intrigue in every division, including a number of rematches of meetings from earlier this season – or in the case of our top Division 1 contest, a rematch of a league title-deciding game played only a week ago.
Division 1
Rockford (6-3) at Hudsonville (8-1)
There isn’t much to say that hasn’t been over the last week. These teams met seven days ago, with Hudsonville claiming a 14-7 win to create a three-way championship in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red between the Eagles, former lone leader Rockford and Grandville. These two also met in the playoffs the last three seasons; Rockford avenged a one-point Week 9 loss a year ago by beating Hudsonville 21-13 for a District title.
Others that caught my eye: Lapeer (7-2) at Clarkston (7-2), Canton (7-2) at Northville (7-2), Macomb Dakota (6-3) at Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (6-3), Dearborn Fordson (8-1) at Detroit Cass Tech (9-0) on Saturday.
Division 2
Traverse City West (6-3) vs. Traverse City Central (8-1) at Thirlby Field
These neighbors will meet at their shared stadium for the first time in the playoffs, and in front of a crowd that could approach 10,000. Central’s 10-8 win over West in Week 3 ended up giving the Trojans’ a one-win edge over the Titans for the Big North Conference championship. West has lost three in a row to Central, and went on this season to fall close to Benton Harbor and then to Coldwater last week. Central’s only defeat was two weeks ago in triple overtime at Birmingham Brother Rice – and this could be close again too with these teams knowing each other so well.
Others that caught my eye: Portage Northern (5-4) at Portage Central (8-1), Flint Carman-Ainsworth (6-3) at Fenton (7-2), Oak Park (6-3) vs. Detroit U-D Jesuit (6-2) at Hazel Park, Birmingham Brother Rice (6-3) at Warren Cousino (8-1).
Division 3
Battle Creek Harper Creek (7-2) 73.222 at Coldwater (7-2)
Coldwater handed Harper Creek its only loss this season in the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference – 19-7 in Week 7 – but then watched the Beavers share the league title as the Cardinals finished third. But with a schedule that included five games against teams with winning records and three wins over playoff qualifiers, Coldwater earned the right to host this week as it looks to build on last season’s Division 3 Semifinal run. Harper Creek, meanwhile, is back in the playoffs after going 3-6 a year ago and has secured its best record since 2013.
Others that caught my eye: Zeeland West (7-2) at Grand Rapids Christian (8-1), Zeeland East (6-3) at Byron Center (8-1), St. Joseph (6-3) at Stevensville Lakeshore (6-3), East Lansing (6-3) at DeWitt (8-1).
Division 4
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood (7-2) at Detroit Country Day (9-0), Saturday
Successful in many sports, Cranbrook Kingswood hasn’t had the same kind of long-standing championship tradition in football – but has put together a 22-8 record over the last three seasons under coach Joe D’Angelo, who earned most of his 222 career wins at Detroit Country Day from 1977-97. These two met in the District Final a year ago and Country Day won 42-7. The Yellowjackets dominated most of this fall too but have had to work through close wins the last two weeks against Detroit U-D Jesuit and Temperance Bedford.
Others that caught my eye: Allendale (7-2) at Wyoming Kelloggsville (8-1), Grand Rapids South Christian (5-4) at Benton Harbor (9-0), Flint Powers Catholic (5-4) at Lake Fenton (8-1), St. Clair Shores South Lake (7-2) at Marysville (9-0).
Division 5
Grand Rapids West Catholic (7-2) at Lansing Catholic (8-1)
A rematch of a Division 5 Semifinal from last season kicks off opening night, with more familiar faces on the Falcons’ side but offensive weapons of similar skills leading both. Quarterback Gaetano Vallone and running back/previous quarterback David Fox are the recognizable names from last year’s playoff run, while Lansing Catholic quarterback Michael Lynn has stepped in this season to provide similar run/pass dual threat ability. West Catholic is coming off a tough three-point loss to Allendale last week that cost the Falcons an outright O-K Blue title, and they face the prospect of three road games to get back to the Semifinals. Lansing Catholic’s only loss was by a point in Week 4 to rival Portland, which plays on the other side of this District bracket.
Others that caught my eye: Clare (8-1) at Remus Chippewa Hills (8-1), Saginaw Swan Valley (6-3) at Freeland (9-0), Buchanan (5-3) 56.069 at Dowagiac (6-3), Algonac (8-1) 81.667 at Detroit Denby (8-1).
Division 6
Watervliet (7-2) at Jackson Lumen Christi (7-2)
Watervliet has scored at a school record-setting pace the last two seasons, averaging 52 points per game in 2015 and 55 this fall – with 30 and 58 in its losses. The Panthers will get the chance to see how that prowess transfers against an opponent that’s seen and contained its share of strong offenses. The Titans have given up just fewer than 17 points per game against a schedule that’s included four playoff teams and a couple more that contended for bids.
Others that caught my eye: Montague (7-2) at Kent City (7-2), Montrose (6-3) at Laingsburg (8-1), Constantine (6-3) at Schoolcraft (9-0), Boyne City (6-3) at Calumet (8-1) on Saturday.
Division 7
Madison Heights Madison (6-3) vs. Detroit Loyola (7-2), Saturday at Hazel Park
Neither of these teams would be a surprise finalist at Ford Field next month; Loyola is a regular on championship weekend and claimed a Detroit Catholic League AA title this fall, while Madison shared the Macomb Area Conference Silver title with teams playing in the Division 3 and Division 4 brackets. The Bulldogs have reached the Semifinals each of the last four seasons, while Madison is seeking its first run that deep since 2007 – but has played in Division 5 and 6 over the last decade.
Others that caught my eye: Gwinn (6-3) at Iron Mountain (7-2), Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (7-2) at Ubly (9-0), Springport (7-2) at Concord (7-2), Clinton (6-3) at Sand Creek (8-1).
Division 8
Saginaw Nouvel (6-3) at Breckenridge (9-0)
Breckenridge already has achieved the most incredible turnaround in MHSAA playoff-era history, becoming the first team to from 0-9 (in 2015) to 9-0. The Huskies have accomplished this following a sophomore quarterback who should keep the program rolling forward. Nouvel, meanwhile, has played itself into a sixth playoff berth over the last seven seasons, with a big win over Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart in Week 9 getting the Panthers back in the hunt. The Irish are the only common opponent between the two; Nouvel won 35-7, while Breckenridge won 40-32 but way back in Week 3 as it was just starting to catch stride.
Others that caught my eye: Mendon (7-2) vs. St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic (8-1) at Bridgman, Pittsford (6-3) at Morenci (6-3), Iron River West Iron County (6-3) at Norway (7-2), Clarkston Everest Collegiate (7-2) at Waterford Our Lady (6-3) on Saturday.
8-Player
Lawrence (8-1) at Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (9-0) at Wyoming Lee
Tri-unity Christian is welcomed to its first playoffs tonight by having to face 2014 champion Lawrence – but should feel pretty good about that match-up after downing the Tigers 53-14 in Week 7. That was Lawrence’s only loss, and it’s beaten two other playoff teams over the last four weeks. But the Tigers must score; their 14 points against the Defenders were the most given up this season by Tri-unity, which is allowing only 4.7 points per game.
Others that caught my eye: Cedarville (6-3) at Engadine (9-0). Owendale-Gagetown (8-1) at New Haven Merritt (9-0).
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: St. Joseph will kick off its ninth playoff appearance over the last 11 seasons tonight against Stevensville Lakeshore, which beat the Bears 31-12 in Week 4. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
Bollman Cousins Making Plenty of Noise as 'Wrecking Balls' for Surging Big Rapids
By
Tom Kendra
Special for MHSAA.com
October 9, 2025
BIG RAPIDS – On Friday nights, the Bollman boys are always in the middle of the action, bringing the muscle and the fight and the power to the Big Rapids football team.
But for the rest of the weekend, senior Jack Bollman and his first cousin, junior Max Bollman, are happiest when they are able to get away from it all at their family’s deer hunting ranch in nearby Canadian Lakes – appropriately named “The Sanctuary.”
“I just love being out there,” said Jack, a four-year starting running back for the Cardinals. “Our whole family works out there, and it’s just a great environment. It’s our second home, out in nature.”
The Bollmans haven’t spent much time at The Sanctuary lately, as they are laser-focused on what is becoming a special season for Big Rapids (6-0), which earned honorable mention in the latest Division 4 state rankings and heading into Friday’s game at Grant.
The Cardinals are known for their triple-option veer offense, operating out of the shotgun and often with four wideouts. But if the defense gets spread out too thin, the Bollmans will make it pay.
“Jack and I, we look at it as our job to bring the physicality on every play,” said Max, a 6-foot-1, 235-pound defensive end who also plays tight end, primarily in short-yardage and goal-line situations. “We want to be a problem for the other team. Other teams know that we can pass, but we can run over you, too.”
The Bollmans are part of a golden era of Big Rapids football under 11th-year coach Mike Selzer. The Cardinals – who were 7-3 in 2022, 10-2 and Regional finalists in 2023 and 9-2 last season – are hoping to take a couple more steps this fall with a senior-laden roster.
“We have so much experience this year that our practices are not learning things, but just fine-tuning and adjusting,” said Selzer, who starts 10 seniors on offense and nine on defense. “That experience makes it much easier to make adjustments on the fly during games.”
Big Rapids has overwhelmed its first six opponents, with the closest game a 19-7 win at Paw Paw in the opener. The big Central States Athletic Association Red showdown against Reed City on Sept. 26 turned into a one-sided 40-13 win.
Senior quarterback Cole Haist has completed 59-of-90 passes for 947 yards and 11 touchdowns, and rushed for 249 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns. He throws the ball to a plethora of receivers on the edge, notably seniors Trenton Mossel, Owen Craven, Kurt Wilber and Wyatt Skiera.
But when it comes to short-yardage situations, Max Bollman will check in as a tight end and often lead the way for his cousin, Jack, who is the team’s leading rusher with 56 carries for 429 yards, an average of 7.7 per carry, and six touchdowns.
Big Rapids is looking forward to a big game Week 8 at perennial Division 3 playoff team Coopersville, before pursuing its ultimate goal of a Division 4 championship.
The Cardinals appear to be on a collision course with familiar rival Ludington, which is also unbeaten and features a senior-heavy team led by senior quarterback Cam Gunsell. Big Rapids nipped Ludington, 28-21, in last year’s playoff opener.
In preparation for this postseason, Selzer is working on team-building every Tuesday to try and give his a little edge. This past Tuesday, he brought in Saginaw Valley State assistant coach Jeremy Prudhomme for some trust and team bonding exercises.
“We’ve been climbing every year, and now we want to take those final steps,” said Haist, a three-sport athlete who is in his second year as the team’s starting quarterback. “We have the talent and the ability to go farther. Now we are working on that belief to know we can do it.”
One bond that is already unbreakable is between the Bollman boys, who have grown up together and played football together since they were little kids.
The duo is especially lethal on defense, as the leaders of a group that has allowed only 33 points all season – fewer than six per game.
Max Bollman, a third-year starter as a junior who already has a Division I college offer from Central Michigan, is the leader of that unit from his edge position, with 24 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks. Jack Bollman (5-11, 215) has 14 tackles from his linebacker spot, including four for loss and one sack.
“Max is an off-the-charts kid in terms of strength, and he demands a lot of attention – but he has a motor unlike any kid I have ever coached,” said Selzer, a Wayland native who coached for 11 years at Potterville before taking the Big Rapids job in 2015.
Jonathan Losinski, a senior middle linebacker, is the team’s leading tackler with 26 stops, while Bryce Selzer and Austin Brandt both have 18 tackles.
But the emotional leaders of the Cardinals’ defense are the Bollmans, who are double trouble for every opponent.
“We have a bond, that’s for sure,” said Jack, who is hoping to play college football next year. “We want to be dangerous and blow up plays. Other teams have told us after the game that it’s unbearable to try and block us both on the same play.
“I would say we are like two giant wrecking balls out there, plowing things over.”
Tom Kendra worked 23 years at The Muskegon Chronicle, including five as assistant sports editor and the final six as sports editor through 2011. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for Muskegon, Oceana, Mason, Lake, Oceola, Mecosta and Newaygo counties.
PHOTOS (Top) At left, Max Bollman lines up from at defensive end, while at right, Jack Bollman finds his way into the end zone against Howard City Tri County. (Middle) Junior Max Bollman (10) and his cousin, senior Jack Bollman (7). (Below) Mike Selzer is in his 11th year as head coach at Big Rapids. (Photos provided by the Big Rapids football program.)