Drive for Detroit: Playoff R3 Review

November 14, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

We’ve reached the final two weeks of another Michigan high school football season. Our field of 272 teams four weeks ago is down to only 34. And some of these key games are coming down to every last inch and minute.

Six of nine divisions this weekend saw at least one winner emerge by three or fewer points. Edwardsburg and Chelsea went to overtime. Detroit Cass Tech and Saline entered undefeated and ended only a point apart.

See below for a glance at those two games and all 32 11-player Regional Finals and both 8-player Semifinals, with links to media coverage of notable results in each division. 

Division 1

Detroit Cass Tech 43, Saline 42

It was hard to expect more from a matchup of undefeated Division 1 powers than what these two delivered Friday. Cass Tech (12-0) won an incredible seventh straight Regional championship in part on the running of Donovan Johnson, who gained 285 yards and scored four touchdowns on the ground – which balanced out nicely 241 yards and five running scores by Saline’s Connor Hibbard. The Hornets finished 11-1 for the second straight season after winning a third straight District title. Click for more from the Detroit News.

Other Regional Finals:

Detroit Catholic Central 28, Grandville 14 – This run has made it hard to remember that the Shamrocks (12-0) had a rare down year only two years ago, finishing 4-5; Ottawa-Kent Conference Red co-champion Grandville (10-2) was the latest playoff opponent to not come within two touchdowns of DCC, but did finish with its most wins since 1996.

Romeo 41, Clarkston 7 – The reigning Division 1 champion Bulldogs (9-3) needed a little time to really get rolling this fall, but like DCC they’ve also beaten all three playoff opponents by double digits; Clarkston (9-3) did finish two wins better than a year ago.

Utica Eisenhower 42, Southfield Arts & Technology 7 – The Eagles (12-0) have guaranteed their best record since 2003 with their first Regional title since 2011 after a second-straight five-touchdown win this postseason; Southfield Arts & Technology finished its inaugural season a strong 8-4.

Division 2

Lowell 22, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 19

Lowell’s climb against the Rangers wasn’t as steep as when the Red Arrows came back from a 17-point deficit to win their first meeting in Week 7. But Lowell still needed to score last – on a touchdown run by quarterback David Kruse six seconds into the fourth quarter – get ahead of Forest Hills Central for good. The second straight Regional title gave Lowell (12-0) that many wins for the second straight season as well; Forest Hills Central (9-3) finished off one of the best rebound runs statewide after going 2-7 in both 2014 and 2015. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Other Regional Finals:

Walled Lake Western 61, Fenton 21 – The Warriors (11-1) scored their season high to win a second straight Regional title and end a nine-game winning streak for Flint Metro League champion Fenton (9-3).

Detroit Martin Luther King 21, Temperance Bedford 7 – The reigning Division 2 champion Crusaders (10-2) have beaten all of their playoff opponents this time by at least 14; Bedford (9-3) gave King one of its closest games and finished five wins better than a year ago.

Birmingham Groves 44, Grosse Pointe South 10 – Groves (11-1) earned its first Regional title and attained 11 wins for the first time as well, running for 428 yards led by Ernest Allen’s 157 and Collin Heard’s 101; South (8-4) improved a win from last year and doubled its total from only two years ago.

Division 3

Edwardsburg 42, Chelsea 40 (OT)

The Eddies’ substantial run of success this decade now includes a second Regional title in three seasons and the first 12-win season in program history – and Edwardsburg (12-0) earned them by holding off a comeback by Chelsea and stopping a two-point conversion try in overtime. The Eddies’ last Semifinal appearance, in 2014, came in Division 4. Chelsea (11-1) was Division 3 runner-up last season and finished this two-year run a combined 23-3. Click for more from the South Bend Tribune.

Other Regional Finals:

Muskegon 62, Byron Center 7 – The O-K Black champ Big Reds (9-3) won their fourth Regional title in five seasons while ending the winningest season for O-K Green champ Byron Center (10-2) since 2000.

Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 35, DeWitt 28 – The Panthers (10-2) led into the third quarter before St. Mary’s (8-4) outscored them 21-7 in the fourth to win a third straight Regional title.

Dearborn Divine Child 28, Allen Park 21 – The Falcons (10-2) continued another of the state’s great comeback seasons, adding a 10th win and Regional title for the first time since 1985 after going 4-5 a year ago; Allen Park (11-1) finished a win better than last season and with its most since 2004 in winning a second straight District title.

Division 4

Detroit Country Day 28, Corunna 13

Country Day won its third straight Regional title and fourth in five seasons by holding the Cavaliers to 133 yards of total offense and getting some key tosses from quarterback Jalen Graham (10 of 15 passing for 123 yards and a touchdown). The Yellowjackets (12-0) jumped out to a 21-7 lead and now have their most wins in a season since 1995. Corunna (9-3) continued its climb from 2-7 two seasons ago to 8-2 last year and this fall its most wins since 2002. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Other Regional Finals:

River Rouge 57, Adrian 20 – The Panthers (11-1) have won their playoff games by 61, 12 and now 37 points on the way to a second straight Regional title; Adrian finished its rebound season 7-5 after three straight 2-7 seasons and four straight with sub-.500 records.

Grand Rapids Catholic Central 34, Escanaba 0 – The Cougars (11-1) are in their first Semifinal since their championship season of 2010 and with their third shutout in four weeks; Escanaba (9-3) can celebrate another jump in its revival after improving from 5-5 a year ago with its most wins since 1989.

Hudsonville Unity Christian 36, Lake Odessa Lakewood 16 – The Crusaders’ first Regional title came in part on the legs of running back Alec Headley, who averaged 16.1 yards per carry gaining 177 of 424 rush yards total for Unity Christian (10-2); Lakewood’s winningest season ended at 10-2 as well.

Division 5

Frankenmuth 28, Ithaca 20

Frankenmuth (11-1) won its first Regional title since 1997 by handing Ithaca (11-1) only its third loss over the team’s last 100 games and first not in an MHSAA championship game since 2009. The Eagles are 48-8 over their last five seasons but had made only one other Regional Final appearance since their last win at that level of the tournament. Three Frankenmuth runners had at least 99 yards on the ground, led by Kris Roche with 161, as the team came back from a 14-0 deficit. Click for more from the Saginaw News.

Other Regional Finals:

Menominee 40, Reed City 14 – The Maroons (11-1) won their fifth Regional title in seven seasons with a fourth straight game scoring 40 or more points; Reed City (11-1) hadn’t given up 40 in a game since its 2014 Regional Final, but did finish with its most wins in a season ever.  

Grand Rapids West Catholic 40, Berrien Springs 7 – The Falcons (10-2) have survived three road games to also win a seventh straight Regional title, continuing their travels by ending a third straight playoff season for the Shamrocks (8-3).

Algonac 38, Ida 22 – Last season Ida won its first Regional title; this time Algonac (11-1) celebrated its first Regional championship by downing the Bluestreaks (10-2).

Division 6

Leroy Pine River 42, Ravenna 14

The mood had to be a little low for Pine River heading into the playoffs coming off two straight losses, but you’d never be able to tell. The Bucks (9-3) – also just 4-5 last season – won their first Regional title in a big way over Ravenna (9-3), a traditional power but also a nice comeback story coming off a 3-6 finish in 2015. Click for more from the Big Rapids News.

Other Regional Finals:

Maple City Glen Lake 14, Calumet 0 – The Lakers (10-2) reached 10 wins for the first time since 2001 with their first Regional title since 1996, ending the first 10-win season ever for Calumet (10-2), which was coming off its first District title since 2006.

Millington 22, Detroit Central Collegiate 20 – The Cardinals (11-1) came back from a 20-0 halftime deficit to win their first Regional title since 2010 and third since 2009; Central Collegiate (7-5) capped a third straight playoff season with its most wins since 2010.

Jackson Lumen Christi 49, Napoleon 6 – The Titans (10-2) won their first Regional title since 2009 by ending Napoleon’s winningest season since 2002 and longest playoff run ever at 9-3.

Division 7

Pewamo-Westphalia 17, Traverse City St. Francis 14

Arguably the most anticipated game statewide this side of Division 1 saw the reigning Division 7 runner-up Pirates (12-0) overcome a second straight undefeated opponent. The Gladiators (11-1) became the first team to hold P-W running back Jared Smith to fewer than 100 yards since his sophomore season two years ago, but the Pirates’ defense held St. Francis to its fewest points since last year’s Regional Final win over Boyne City. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Other Regional Finals:

Ubly 22, New Lothrop 13 – Make this now the Bearcats’ best season since 2009 as they won their first Regional title and 12 games for the first time since that year; Ubly (12-0) got rushing and receiving touchdowns from Jonathan Brandel as it ended New Lothrop’s seventh straight 10-win season at 10-2.

Cassopolis 51, Concord 14 – The Rangers (11-1) set a program record for wins with their first Regional title by scoring the most points Concord (9-3) had given up since Week 8 of 2014; the Yellowjackets did finish this season with their most wins since 2001.

Detroit Loyola 36, Hudson 13 – The Bulldogs (10-2) attained a sixth straight 10-win season by beating a third league champion in three playoff games; Hudson (10-2) had won a share of the Lenawee County Activities Association title and was making its first Regional Final appearance since 2011.

Division 8

St. Ignace 14, Norway 12

The Saints (11-1) have had only two other close games this season, but secured their second straight Regional title relying on a defense that has given up only 131 points this season and only 38 over three playoff games. Norway, playing for its first Regional title since 2006, also shined defensively holding down a St. Ignace offense averaging 42 points per game heading into the day. The Knights finished 9-3, making a significant jump from 2-7 a year ago. Click for more from the Sault Ste. Marie Evening News.

Other Regional Finals:

Muskegon Catholic Central 35, Frankfort 0 – The reigning Division 8 champion Crusaders (12-2) earned their second straight shutout of the playoffs by holding Frankfort (11-1) scoreless for the first time since 2013.

Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 28, Royal Oak Shrine 7 – The Cardinals (10-2) clinched a third-straight 10-win season and second Regional title in three seasons; Shrine (9-3) did accomplish a nice bounce-back from 4-5 last season to win its first District title since 2008.

Ottawa Lake Whiteford 38, Climax-Scotts 18 – These two have met two straight postseasons as undefeated teams, and Whiteford (12-0) has won both meetings; the Bobcats made up for three turnovers by getting 100-plus yards rushing from both Logan Murphy and Jesse Kiefer and holding Climax-Scotts (11-1) to its fewest points since the teams met in the same round a year ago.  

8-Player

Powers North Central 62, Pickford 22

The reigning champion Jets (12-0) earned their return to the MHSAA Final with 40 first-half points and 506 total yards while possessing the ball only 14 minutes. Running back Bobby Kleiman gained 123 yards on only eight carries, scoring three time on the ground, and also caught three passes for 98 yards and a score. The Panthers did finish their winningest season since 1991 at 10-2. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Deckerville 36, Wyoming Tri-unity Christian 6

The Eagles won a matchup of undefeated teams to set up another this weekend, handing Tri-unity Christian (11-1) its first and only loss of the fall. Deckerville (11-0) was held to its fewest points since Week 1, but still hasn’t allowed an opponent to score more than 12 this season. The Eagles had fallen in Semifinals the last two seasons. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.

PHOTO: Pewamo-Westphalia running back Jared Smith breaks into an opening as Traverse City St. Francis defenders converge. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)

1st & Goal: 2021 Week 8 in Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 18, 2021

Week 8 showed the potential to end up arguably the most jaw-dropping this football regular season – and it’s fair to say the action met expectations.

MI Student Aid

As teams continued playing for league titles and positioning for one of 288 playoff spots, we saw the usual share of dominating performances – but also a couple of headline-making comebacks, an important overtime win, and more unexpectedly a handful of games determined by two-point conversion stops.

The playoff field will be selected in six days, and we’ll talk more about that soon. For now, here are many of the most intriguing results and notes from the weekend that was:

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Grand Blanc 30, Lapeer 6 The Bobcats (8-0) are Saginaw Valley League Red champions for the first time, clinching a share of the title with their first win over Lapeer (6-2) since joining the SVL in 2018. While Grand Blanc’s offensive standouts often get much of the attention, the defense stopped a Lightning offense averaging 46 points per game – and the Bobcats now have held their last five opponents to seven points or fewer. Click for more from the Flint Journal.

Watch list Croswell-Lexington 30, Armada 14 The Pioneers (7-1) finished their first perfect run through the Blue Water Area Conference since 2012, and this win over Armada (6-2) was the closest of six league victories on the field (the seventh was a forfeit win).

Remember this one Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 21, Bad Axe 20 The Greater Thumb Conference West finished with a three-way shared championship between these two and Reese after Laker (6-2) stopped the Hatchets (7-1) on a late two-point conversion attempt.

More shoutouts Mount Pleasant 31, Bay City Western 16 The Oilers (8-0) clinched a share of the SVL Blue title, avoiding what would have been a three-way tie for first had Western (6-2) won. Lake Fenton 42, Fenton 6 The Blue Devils (7-1) won this Flint Metro League crossover, also its first matchup with the Tigers (4-4) since 2005.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Detroit Martin Luther King 21, Detroit Cass Tech 15 The Crusaders (7-1) made it a season sweep over Cass Tech with this comeback win in the Detroit Public School League Blue championship game. The Technicians (5-3) led 15-0 at halftime, but King scored 21 unanswered points during the second half including the eventual game winners on Lynn Wyche-El’s interception return for a touchdown with 6:50 to play. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.

Watch list Dearborn 13, Dearborn Fordson 10 The Pioneers (6-2) guaranteed their best record since 2016 and helped give the Kensington Lakes Activities Association East standings a final reshuffling that saw Belleville emerge as the outright champ. Fordson (6-2) and Livonia Churchill also had been tied for first entering the weekend; Churchill (6-2) lost to Livonia Stevenson 13-6.

Remember this one Redford Union 34, Melvindale 14 After three straight seasons of missing on a league title by a win, the Panthers closed the Western Wayne Athletic Conference schedule undefeated (7-1) when a win by Melvindale (5-3) would’ve created a three-way tie for first.

More shoutouts Detroit Central 30, Detroit Pershing 0 The Trail Blazers (8-0) picked up their third shutout in six games on the field this season to win the PSL Gold championship against Pershing (5-3), which hadn’t given up a point in three straight games. Clarkston Everest Collegiate 27, Royal Oak Shrine 13 This winner-take-all matchup for the Detroit Catholic League Intersectional #2 championship went to the Mountaineers (7-1), who ran their league title streak to five. Runner-up Shrine fell to 4-4 overall.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Hartland 21, Canton 0 The Eagles (7-1) locked up a shared KLAA West title in impressive fashion, with their fourth shutout this fall also the first time Canton (5-3) hadn’t scored a point since a 2006 Division 1 Semifinal. Hartland and Howell are co-champs, and Hartland also moved to seven wins for the first time since 2014. Click for more from the Livingston Daily Press & Argus.

Watch list Howell 21, Brighton 14 The Highlanders (7-1) went ahead for good during the game’s final minutes to clinch their KLAA West share, moving to seven wins for the first time since 2010 with their first victory over Brighton (4-4) since 2017.

Remember this one East Lansing 27, Grand Ledge 12 Even with one of the state’s most impressive schedules, East Lansing (5-3) had fallen back in the Division 2 playoff field. But this win over the Division 1 Comets (6-2) sent the Trojans back into a comfortable spot, from No. 19 to tied for No. 10 in D2 with a game to play.

More shoutouts Olivet 20, Williamston 19 The Eagles (6-2) won a matchup of league champs, as the best from the Greater Lansing Activities Conference held off a comeback attempt by the Hornets (5-3), one of three teams that shared the title in the Capital Area Activities Conference Red. Beal City 14, Sand Creek 12 A late replacement game for both became a memorable one as Beal City (7-1) held on while on the road at Sand Creek (5-3).

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER East Jordan 22, Harbor Springs 14 (2OT) The Red Devils (6-2) held on to set up this week’s winner-take-all with Frankfort for the championship in the Northern Michigan Football Conference Legacy division. Additionally, East Jordan (5-2) has tied its most wins for a season since 2003 and put itself in position to move into the Division 7 playoff field sitting No. 36 with a game to play. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.

Watch list Cadillac 10, Portland 7 Not that anyone questioned if Cadillac (6-2) would be a player again in the Division 4 playoffs next month – but this win on the road at Division 5 No. 6 Portland reinforced that the Vikings and their dynamic defense will be in the mix.

Remember this one Traverse City Central 56, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 13 Not only did the Trojans (7-1) reach 56 points for the fifth time in eight games this fall, but they did so against a Brother Rice team that moved to 5-3 and hadn’t given up more than 30 points in a game in nearly two calendar years.

More shoutouts Charlevoix 28, Mancelona 20 The Rayders (7-1) reached seven wins for the third season in a row and moved up to No. 11 in Division 7, while Mancelona (5-2) remains in position to join the field as well at No. 26. McBain 44, Manton 20 The Ramblers (5-3) can breathe a bit easier also in Division 7 after moving up four spots to No. 24 with this win over the Rangers (3-5).

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Saline 42, Dexter 40 This was Saline’s closest Southeastern Conference Red game since 2016, but the Hornets managed to extend their league winning streak to 45 in clinching the championship outright. The teams traded touchdowns during the final minute, but the decider came a few minutes earlier when Saline was able to stop a Dexter two-point conversion try that would’ve tied the score at 35-35. The Dreadnaughts fell to 5-3. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.

Watch list Chelsea 24, St. Joseph 14 The Bulldogs (8-0) have been among the top three teams in Division 4 all fall and moved back into the No. 1 spot with this win over the Division 3 Bears (5-3).

Remember this one Addison 52, Napoleon 34 The Panthers cemented the outright Cascades Conference championship and in moving to 8-0 have their most wins in a season since 2006. Napoleon (5-3) had given up only 98 points total coming into the weekend.

More shoutouts Jackson Lumen Christi 33, Parma Western 0 The Titans (7-2) sent Western (5-3) into fourth place and earned one of three shares of the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference championship, with Hastings and Battle Creek Harper Creek also winning this weekend to tie for first. Reading 20, Homer 6 This wasn’t for a league title, but Big 8 Conference runner-up Reading (6-2) bumped up five spots in Division 8 to No. 13 with the win over the Division 7 Trojans (5-3).

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Constantine 32, Kalamazoo United 14 The Falcons (8-0) clinched a share of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore championship, continuing their season-long streak of double-digit wins while handing Kalamazoo United (5-3) its lone league loss. The championship is Constantine’s third straight, and it can claim the title outright this week against winless Coloma. Click for more from FOX 17.

Watch list Battle Creek Lakeview 44, Stevensville Lakeshore 29 After a Week 7 loss to Mattawan severely hampered Lakeview’s chances in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference, the Spartans (5-3) bounced back quickly to keep Lakeshore (6-2) – tied for first heading into the game – from claiming a share of the title.  

Remember this one Portage Central 41, Battle Creek Central 16 Despite losing its season opener to Lakeshore, Portage Central didn’t lose again in SMAC play and clinched the title with this win over the Bearcats (3-5) – who remain in contention for a Division 3 playoff spot.

More shoutouts Three Rivers 28, Plainwell 20 Two weeks ago, Three Rivers (5-3) was one spot outside the potential Division 4 playoff field. But wins over Sturgis and now Plainwell have the Wildcats back up to No. 22 – and tied there with the Trojans (5-3). Vicksburg 35, Paw Paw 13 The Bulldogs (7-1) have moved up in Division 4 four straight weeks and now sit No. 4 with Paw Paw (5-3) at No. 25 in the same potential field.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Ishpeming Westwood 50, Bark River-Harris 8 Co-leaders in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference divisions met for an intriguing tune-up before both play for league championships this week. The Copper’s Westwood (7-1) came away with its seventh game this season holding its opponent to eight points for fewer as it prepares for Negaunee this week. Bark River-Harris (5-3) will see Ishpeming for the outright Iron title and might be rooting for Westwood this week too as the Broncos need as many playoff points as possible to move up in the Division 8 field. Click for more from the Marquette Mining Journal.

Watch list Marquette 28, Traverse City West 15 Receiving one of the biggest rankings boosts this week was Marquette (6-2), which moved up 14 spots to No. 12 in Division 3 with this win over the Division 1 Titans (6-2).

Remember this one Calumet 30, Hancock 0 While most eyes will be on the Westwood/Negaunee matchup, Calumet (6-2) moved into position to claim a share of the Copper title as well and will face L’Anse to finish the league schedule.

More shoutouts Negaunee 26, Houghton 6 The Miners (7-1) moved up the Division 6 rankings for the third-straight week, up to No. 11 while also setting up this week’s matchup with Westwood. Kingsford 35, Petoskey 21 The Flivvers (5-3) received a nice bump to No. 15 in Division 5 with a solid win over the Division 3 Northmen (3-5).

West Michigan

HEADLINER Grand Rapids Catholic Central 41, Cedar Springs 40 After the Red Hawks (6-2) led for the majority of the first three quarters, GRCC went ahead to stay with 2:32 to play in the third – but not without a dramatic finish. Cedar Springs scored with 38 seconds left to pull within a point of the lead, but the Cougars (8-0) stopped the two-point conversion try and clinched a share of the Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold title. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Watch list Muskegon Catholic Central 24, Centreville 16 The Crusaders (7-1) moved up to a season-best No. 6 in Division 7 by getting past Division 8 then-No. 7 Centreville and scoring more points than defensively-dominant Centreville had given up over the last five games combined.

Remember this one Whitehall 34, Montague 14 This result created a three-team shared West Michigan Conference championship with these two and Muskegon Oakridge, and for Whitehall much more with context. It was the Vikings’ first win over Montague since 2014, and the league title is the program’s first since 1999.  

More shoutouts Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 31, Byron Center 0 The Rangers (7-1) clinched a share of the O-K White championship while avenging last season’s 35-14 loss to the Bulldogs, who shared the 2020 title with FHC. Hudsonville Unity Christian 69, Coopersville 7 The Crusaders (8-0) clinched a share of the O-K Blue championship and sent Coopersville (5-3) into a tie for fourth place.

Marion/Vestaburg football

8-Player

HEADLINER Lake Linden-Hubbell 36, Crystal Falls Forest Park 6 The Lakes (6-2) threw a bit of a curveball into this week’s anticipated Great Lakes Eight Conference West title decider, knocking Forest Park (7-1) out of a tie for first place and in doing so helping leader Powers North Central to a share of the championship. Although it’s out of the league race, Lake Linden-Hubbell also may end up making the playoffs in large part because of this win – the Lakes moved up three spots to No. 12 in Division 2.  Forest Park faces North Central this week and still has a chance to earn a GLEC West share. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Watch list Rogers City 36, Mio 28 The 8-player format is suiting the Hurons (8-0) well in their first season. Rogers City is up to No. 5 in Division 1 with this win over the Thunderbolts (6-2) arguably its best.

Remember this one Rudyard 27, Gaylord St. Mary 0 This could have playoff qualification impacts for both teams. The Snowbirds (5-3) fell from No. 13 to No. 17 in Division 2, and Rudyard (6-2) moved up from No. 18 to No. 13 in Division 1.  

More shoutouts Kinde North Huron 50, Peck 18 The Warriors (8-0) clinched the outright North Central Thumb League Stripes championship, their second straight, while sending Peck to 5-3. Marion 36, Vestaburg 16 While the Eagles (7-1) moved into the No. 2 spot in Division 2, Vestaburg (5-3) fell to two spots out of the Division 1 field with similarly situated Bear Lake on the schedule this week.

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PHOTOS (Top) Grand Blanc's Elijah Jackson-Anderson (2) charges into the Lapeer defense behind his blockers Friday. (Middle) A Pewamo-Westphalia ball carrier is wrapped up by a Bath defender during the Pirates' 41-0 win. (Below) A Vestaburg defender wraps up a Marion ball carrier. (Photos by Terry Lyons, Christine McCallister, and High School Sports Scene, respectively.)