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Drive for Detroit: Playoffs R1 in Review

November 2, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Three reigning champions were eliminated this weekend, six undefeated teams fell, and October came to and end with the MHSAA football playoff field halved to 136 teams still alive for nine titles. 

Divisions 1, 2 and 6 will have new winners this month. And a few teams that looked like contenders also are done after the first round and a series of upsets that made headlines across the state. 

See below for some of the most unexpected and heaviest-hitting results from the first week in all eight 11-player divisions and the 8-player bracket. 

Division 1

Novi 31, West Bloomfield 28

After four straight losing seasons and an 0-3 start this fall, Novi (6-4) made the playoffs for the first time since 2008 with an at-large bid – and then dealt undefeated West Bloomfield (9-1) its only loss in arguably the biggest upset in the state this weekend. The teams combined for five touchdowns during the fourth quarter, but West Bloomfield never could completely catch up to the Wildcats. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Also noted:

Rockford 24, Grandville 6 – The Rams (7-3) won the rematch of Ottawa-Kent Conference Red co-champions after also beating Grandville (6-4) in Week 4.

Romeo 28, Clarkston 14 – The Bulldogs (9-1) bounced back from a tough three-point loss to Utica Eisenhower in Week 9 to eliminate the reigning champion Wolves (7-3).

Ann Arbor Pioneer 22, Belleville 7 – Pioneer (7-3) ended a two-game losing streak by handing Belleville (8-2) its first loss since opening night.

Utica Eisenhower 23, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 20 (2 OT) – Eisenhower (7-3) kept surging with its fourth straight win, first in the playoffs since 2012 and second in four weeks over Chippewa Valley (7-3). 

Division 2

Detroit East English 25, Warren DeLaSalle 21

East English (8-2) has made the playoffs all four seasons as a program after emerging from the former Detroit Crockett, which made the playoffs its final 12 seasons and the MHSAA Semifinals twice. So the Bulldogs have had their share of success – but this might be the best win of the new program’s history, as they eliminated the reigning Division 2 champion and after falling to DeLaSalle (6-4) by only seven in last year’s District Final. Click for more from MLive-Detroit.

Also noted:

Muskegon 40, Traverse City Central 14 – The Big Reds (8-2) took the long trip up north and handed Traverse City Central (9-1) its first and only loss, earning a rematch with rival Mona Shores this week.

Byron Center 34, Portage Central 21 – The Bulldogs (8-2) have made three straight playoffs and won two playoff games only two years ago, but it’s still fair to say they were underdogs on the road at Portage Central (8-2).

Birmingham Groves 10, Farmington Hills Harrison 0 – Groves (10-0) reached 10 wins for the first time in program history with its sixth shutout this season, ending Harrison’s at 7-3.  

Jackson 42, Livonia Churchill 35 – After making the playoffs for the first time since 2009, Jackson (8-2) won its first playoff game since 1999 in ending Churchill’s season at 5-5. 

Division 3

East Grand Rapids 27, Grand Rapids Christian 14

After watching a 26-0 lead on Grand Rapids Christian fade in their first matchup this season, in Week 6, the Pioneers (7-3) finished this time against their O-K White rival. East Grand Rapids will play in a District Final for the first time since 2011. Grand Rapids Christian, which beat EGR 39-33 in that first game, ended at 5-5. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Also noted:

Vicksburg 16, Marshall 8 – The Bulldogs (8-2) quietly have built a five-game winning streak, adding to it with a road win at Marshall (7-3).

Trenton 34, New Boston Huron 21 – The Trojans (9-1) equaled their best record since 2003 by avenging last season’s District Final loss to Huron (5-5).

Coldwater 31, Parma Western 7 – Coldwater (10-0), which made the playoffs for the first time three seasons ago, earned its first playoff win by downing Western (6-4), which was playing in its first playoff game.

Redford Thurston 48, Warren Fitzgerald 14 – One of the rare at-large qualifiers with a home game, Thurston (6-4) justified it with a first-round win for the second straight season; Fitzgerald finished its second straight at 6-4. 

Division 4

Benton Harbor 28, Dowagiac 7

We’ve nearly run out of neat ways to crunch the numbers for the Tigers (6-4), who are enjoying their best season and whose six wins this fall are more than they won over the previous eight combined. Benton Harbor’s first playoff game resulted in its first victory – and the chance to next take on annual championship contender Zeeland West. Dowagiac isn’t to be forgotten, however; the Chieftains (6-4) bounced back from finishing 3-6 in 2014. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Also noted:

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood 35, St. Clair Shores South Lake 14 – The Cranes (9-1) equaled their best record since 2004 and ended the best season for South Lake (8-2) since 2011; the Cavaliers improved from 2-7 a year ago.

Comstock Park 38, Saginaw Swan Valley 35 – Quarterback Pat Naughton threw four touchdown passes and Monterio Smith caught two and ran for a third score as Comstock Park (8-2) came back early and then held off the Vikings (6-4).

Detroit Denby 36, Detroit Collegiate Prep 6 – Denby (6-4) claimed its first playoff win since 2007 by handing the first loss this season to Collegiate Prep (9-1), the Detroit Public School League Division II champion.

Lake Fenton 29, Corunna 27 – Lake Fenton’s most recent loss was by seven to Corunna in Week 8, but the Blue Devils (6-4) went on the road to take the rematch from the Cavaliers (8-2). 

Division 5

Ida 35, Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard 23

The Bluestreaks built on their first undefeated regular season since 1971 with a second straight playoff win over Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (5-5). Ida (10-0) also set a program record for wins despite giving up the most points in a game this season; the Bluestreaks gave up only 64 total during the first nine weeks. They scored three times during the third quarter to pull away. Click for more from the Monroe Evening News.

Also noted:

Buchanan 34, Hillsdale 31 – The Bucks' first perfect regular season since 1988 has turned into its first 10-0 start ever after its third win in a month decided by three points or fewer, this time against a Hillsdale team (6-4) in its 15th straight playoffs.

Almont 10, Marine City 3 – The Raiders (8-2) have bounced back nicely from back-to-back losses in Weeks 7 and 8, this time downing Marine City (6-4) in the playoffs for the second straight season.

Dearborn Heights Robichaud 50, Brooklyn Columbia Central 37 – Robichaud (8-2) reached 50 points for the second time this season to get its first playoff win since 2012, while Columbia Central ended at 8-2 after three straight losing seasons.

Kingsford 25, Harrison 0 – The Flivvers bounced back from a sub-.500 record last season and then a loss in Week 9 to claim a playoff win for the first time since 2012 and with their first shutout of this fall – which also was the first time Harrison (7-3) was shut out since Week 1 of 2013. 

Division 6

Clinton 14, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 10

Clinton (10-0) was one of two undefeated teams that had road games this weekend, and the Redskins responded by eliminating the reigning champion. Monroe St. Mary (8-2) had dominated most of its competition this fall, aside from a Week 9 loss to Division 5 contender Lansing Catholic. But Clinton drove 93 yards for the go-ahead score on the legs of Matt Sexton, who gained 100 yards total on the winning possession. Click for more from the Monroe Evening News.

Also noted:

Calumet 24, Negaunee 14 – The Copper Kings (8-2) earned their first win over Negaunee since 1955 and after five losses over the last four seasons to the Miners (7-3).

Sanford Meridian 44, Millington 38 – The Mustangs (10-0) also set a program record for wins and earned the opportunity to face another undefeated team, Ithaca, this week while ending Millington’s 12th straight playoff season at 8-2.

Laingsburg 23, Burton Bendle 15 – The Wolfpack (7-3) moved past six wins for the first time since 2009 by edging a Bendle team that went from 3-6 a year ago to 8-2 this fall.

Constantine 31, Schoolcraft 28 (OT) – In arguably the other biggest stunner of the first week of the playoffs, at-large qualifier Constantine (6-4) went on the road and downed rival Schoolcraft (9-1), handing the Eagles their first loss after falling to them 42-24 only two weeks ago. 

Division 7

Saugatuck 42, Hesperia 7

These two played the only playoff game between undefeated teams during the first week, with the Indians (10-0) earning their first postseason victory since the 2010 run to the Division 8 Final. Hesperia made one of the most impressive turnarounds in MHSAA football history this fall, going from 1-8 last season to 9-1 before falling Friday. Click for more from the Holland Sentinel.

Also noted:

McBain 34, Whittemore-Prescott 22 – Highland Conference co-champ McBain (7-3) won this battle of league winners, edging the first-place Cardinals (5-5) from the North Star League Big Dipper.

Cass City 34, Ubly 6 – The Red Hawks (8-2) have their most wins in a decade after ending the best season for Ubly (7-3) since 2011.

Flint Beecher 30, Flint Hamady 28 – The Buccaneers (7-2) took the lead for good in the fourth quarter in their first matchup with Hamady (7-3) since a District Final in 2012.

Riverview Gabriel Richard 30, Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett 27 – A 42-yard field goal by Zach Loewengruber on the game’s final play gave Gabriel Richard (7-3) its first playoff win and ended Liggett’s season at 6-4. 

Division 8

Climax-Scotts 8, Mendon 6

Climax Scotts (10-0) held on for its first win over Mendon (5-5) since 1977, after 30 straight losses. Climax-Scotts scored on the first possession of the game and made a two-point conversion, and stopped Mendon’s conversion attempt after its lone score. The Panthers have made the playoffs 13 straight seasons, and now will try for a second Regional Final in eight tries; Mendon had eliminated them from the playoffs the past four seasons. Click for more from the Battle Creek Enquirer.

Also noted:

Crystal Falls Forest Park 24, Lake Linden-Hubbell 0 – The Trojans (6-3) must have figured out a few things between falling to Lake Linden-Hubbell 34-28 only a week earlier and then handing the Lakes (9-1) their first and only loss.

Bark River-Harris 22, Munising 6 – Three weeks after falling to Munising by seven, Bark River-Harris (8-2) advanced to a District Final for the second straight season by downing the reigning Division 8 runner-up Mustangs (7-3).

Johannesburg-Lewiston 35, Hillman 8 – The Cardinals (9-1) won their ninth game for the third time in four seasons by downing North Star League Little Dipper champion Tigers (6-4), and now get another shot at Ski Valley Conference winner St. Ignace after finishing a win behind the Saints in the league standings.

Ottawa Lake Whiteford 20, Petersburg-Summerfield 14 – Revenge surely was sweet for Whiteford (8-2), which fell to Petersburg-Summerfield (7-3) by 20 in their Week 4 Tri-County Conference matchup.

8-Player

Rapid River 36, Engadine 29

A Week 5 loss to Engadine started a string of three losses in four games for Rapid River (7-3), but the Rockets have avenged the first defeat and earned the opportunity to avenge a second against Powers North Central. Engadine (7-3) was held to fewer than 40 points for the first time since Week 3. Click for more from RRN Sports.

Also noted:

Cedarville 48, Owendale-Gagetown 28 – The reigning 8-player runner-up Trojans (8-2) have won four straight and delivered O-G (9-1) its first and only loss.

Lawrence 54, Waldron 52 – The Spartans (8-2) played the reigning champion impressively close, but Lawrence (8-2) emerged with another opportunity against rival Battle Creek St. Philip this week after falling to St. Philip two weeks ago.

PHOTO: Midland Dow, in green, faced rival Midland for the second straight week and won for the second straight as well, 42-7. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.) 

Drive for Detroit: Week 1 in Review

August 28, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Does anyone remember a more eventful opening weekend than the one Michigan fans enjoyed these last few days?

The 2017 kickoff had comebacks, like Marshall’s from 28 down to win. It had record-book performances, like Austin Brown’s eight first-half touchdown passes for Madison Heights Madison and Jake Moody’s 57-yard field goal for Northville (see below).

There were winning streaks broken, a rematch of a 2016 MHSAA Final, and two reigning champions facing off as well. Scoring? Two games saw a combined 110 points, one of them finishing in triple overtime. How about a massive upset by a team that didn’t win a game last year? Yep, yes, and got it.

Check out Jake Moody’s school-record kick, and then read on for the most significant games from every region of the state and 8-player as we get our “Drive for Detroit” rolling again and with our first Week 2 preview only three days away.  

Bay & Thumb

Davison 56, Southfield Arts & Technology 54 (3 OT)

Davison eventually emerged from what tied for the 10th most high-scoring overtime game in MHSAA history. The Cardinals trailed by 14 heading into the fourth quarter but followed star running back Tariq Reid to the comeback win and most exciting finish of the Xenith Prep Football Classic at Wayne State University (which can be watched on replay on MHSAA.tv). Click for more from MLive-Detroit.

Also noted:

Grand Blanc 51, Flint Carman-Ainsworth 46 – Grand Blanc also pulled off a memorable comeback, scoring twice over the final 1:07 for a Vehicle City Classic win at Atwood Stadium also available for replay on MHSAA.tv.

Flint Southwestern 26, Flint Beecher 12 – Southwestern, with an opening win, equaled its total number of victories for both 2016 and 2015.

Marine City 42, Algonac 6 – After missing the playoffs last year for the first time since 1997, Marine City won big against an Algonac team that was a combined 21-5 over the last two seasons.

Richmond 19, Marysville 10 – The Blue Devils avenged last year’s only regular-season loss against a Marysville team that lost only in the District Finals last fall. 

Greater Detroit

Detroit Central 32, Detroit Loyola 8

Central is riding a nice run with three straight playoff appearances, and its seven wins last year were the most since going 9-3 in 2010. But still, this was big: Loyola has played in Division 7 championship games four of the last five seasons including 2016, and hasn’t been held to single-digit scoring in a game since a 2015 Semifinal loss. The Trail Blazers rebounded from a 1-4 start last year to win a Division 6 District title, and it looks like the momentum has carried over to this fall. Click for more from the Detroit News.

Also noted:

Detroit East English 38, River Rouge 29 – East English is another playoff regular, with four berths in five seasons, but the Bulldogs missed last fall and River Rouge was 33-6 over the last three years and has major expectations for this one. Watch it on MHSAA.tv.

Macomb Dakota 31, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 24 – The Cougars made it two seven-point opening-night wins in a row over the Eaglets, who still went on to win Division 3 championships the last two seasons.

Trenton 20, Allen Park 14 – This could end up being the Downriver League decider already, as Allen Park was perfect in the league last season (and 11-1 overall); this also was Trenton’s first win over the Jaguars since 1998 (a string of 10 straight losses) and first since the two became league mates in 2009.

Dearborn Divine Child 42, Benton Harbor 12 – Divine Child picked right back up after last year’s Division 3 Semifinal run, handing Benton Harbor its first regular-season loss since Week 8 in 2015. 

Mid-Michigan

Grand Ledge 41, Hudsonville 14

This was quite a turnaround for a senior-loaded Comets team that fell to Hudsonville 21-14 in the 2016 opener. The Eagles scored first and the teams were tied 7-7 at halftime before the Comets broke free. Grand Ledge quarterback Nolan Bird threw for 229 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Cal Johnston. Click for more from WLNS (at 4:17).

Also noted:

New Lothrop 28, Lake Fenton 22 (OT) – After watching a 61-game regular-season winning streak end in Week 9 last October, New Lothrop started a new one against a Blue Devils team coming off a league title as well.

Haslett 43, Fowlerville 20 – The Vikings scored all of 154 points last season and finished 4-5, but posted their most points in nearly two years against a Gladiators team coming off a playoff berth.

Okemos 46, Mason 0 – This definitely bears watching; Okemos had a combined three wins over the last two seasons and scored only 158 points total last season while Mason has made the playoffs eight of the last nine years.

Ithaca 38, Clare 14 – For more than a half, the Yellowjackets’ now 65-game regular-season winning streak was under threat by annual playoff qualifier Clare. 

Northern Lower Peninsula

Indian River Inland Lakes 27, St. Ignace 20

This was one of the biggest shockers statewide and especially for those following our smaller schools. Inland Lakes has had some recent success, with playoff berths in 2013 and 2014 – but went 0-9 last fall. St. Ignace, meanwhile, is coming off a second straight trip to the Division 8 Semifinals. The Saints started last season by shutting Inland Lakes out 44-0. Click for more from 9&10 News.

Also noted:

Frankfort 70, Manton 40 – These two tied for the highest-scoring 11-player game in the state in Week 1, Frankfort coming out on top after also winning the matchup 44-34 last year.

Traverse City St. Francis 21, Marquette 7 – St. Francis reportedly became the 12th program in state history with at least 500 victories with this one.

Boyne City 51, Negaunee 13 – The Ramblers went on a 25-0 second-half run to win big over one of the annual best from the Upper Peninsula (Negaunee was 10-1 last season).

Traverse City West 42, Midland 20 – The Titans made it three wins in five seasons and two in a row over one of the Saginaw Valley League’s strongest programs. 

Southeast & Border

Jackson Lumen Christi 27, Grand Rapids West Catholic 24

Life after graduating single-season rushing record holder Bo Bell actually started out even better than a year ago for the Titans, who fell to West Catholic 30-13 last season on the way to winning the Division 6 championship. West Catholic, which went on to win Division 5 last fall, drove to the Titans’ 3-yard line but couldn’t get a go-ahead score before time expired. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Also noted:

Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 28, Pewamo-Westphalia 21 – St. Mary appears to be a contender again after a 4-5 season, starting this one by handing the reigning Division 7 champ its first loss since the 2015 title game.

Michigan Center 35, Climax-Scotts 6 – The Cardinals handed Climax-Scotts its first regular-season loss since Week 8 of 2014 after falling to the Panthers 48-14 a year ago.

Hanover-Horton 31, Concord 28 – Staying in the Cascades Conference, Hanover-Horton started its rebound from 2-7 a year ago by downing the reigning Big 8 Conference co-champion Yellow Jackets.

Pittsford 13, Morenci 12 – Pittsford’s last two seasons ended in the playoffs, but began with 44-6 and 34-7 losses to Morenci.

Southwest Corridor

Marshall 35, Jackson 34 (OT)

The most impressive comeback of many this weekend arguably took place at Marshall, where the Redhawks found themselves down 28-0 in the second quarter and came all the way back to begin a turnaround from last season’s 4-5 finish. Jackson, 5-4 last fall, must bounce back quickly with tough Zeeland East up next. Click for more from the Battle Creek Enquirer.

Also noted:

Coloma 61, Gobles 8 – Coloma is playing this season for its first winning record since 2009 and first playoff berth since 2008, and beating a Gobles team that was 8-3 last year is an incredible start.

Vicksburg 38, Dowagiac 27 – Vicksburg came back from 10 points down in the third quarter in a matchup of 2016 playoff teams to run its winning streak over Dowagiac to three straight.

Kalamazoo Hackett 34, Saugatuck 21 – The Fighting Irish, a combined 7-11 over the last two seasons, handed Saugatuck its first regular-season loss since 2014 and after falling by 44 in this matchup a year ago.

Homer 36, Constantine 34 – These teams’ first meeting since 1956 (according to Michigan-Football.com) was decided by a Homer touchdown pass with four seconds to play. 

Upper Peninsula

Ishpeming 34, Iron Mountain 7

Iron Mountain may have scored first in the latest of this annual series, but Ishpeming certainly left a strong impression beginning its bounce-back from last season’s uncharacteristic 3-5 run. Last year’s opener saw the Mountaineers end the Hematites’ 27-game regular-season winning streak, so Ishpeming no doubt was inspired even more than usual against its traditional Week 1 rival. Click for more from the Marquette Mining Journal.

Also noted:

Bark River-Harris 14, Iron River West Iron County 12 – The Broncos started making last year’s 3-6 finish a memory with one of its best defensive performances in three seasons and against a 2016 playoff team.

Gladstone 42, Gwinn 0 – Gwinn also was a playoff team last year and Gladstone also was 3-6, but the Braves flipped this one big-time after losing 36-16 in their 2016 meeting.

Hancock 21, Lake Linden-Hubbell 14 – In winning a season opener for the first time since 2010, Hancock also ended Lake Linden-Hubbell’s 18-game regular-season winning streak that began opening night 2016.

Menominee 26, Marinette (Wis.) 6 – The 111th meeting of this record interstate rivalry saw Menominee move its all-time advantage to 54-50-7.

West Michigan

Grand Rapids Catholic Central 20, Detroit Country Day 7

The rematch of last season’s Division 4 championship game was only a tad more high-scoring than last year’s defensive struggle, as GRCC put up 20 points this time to follow up that 10-7 victory when they last met at Ford Field. The Cougars scored the first 20 points of the game, in fact, leading off with a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter as quarterback Jack Bowen threw for one and ran in another. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Also noted:

Montague 48, Reed City 14 – The Wildcats not only took a first step toward a third straight playoff season, but handed Reed City its first regular-season loss since Week 9 of 2014.

Grand Rapids Christian 38, DeWitt 30 – The Eagles held off a late DeWitt comeback attempt in a matchup of what could be two of the top Division 3 teams in the state again.

Rockford 14, Saline 0 – The Rams made up for missing last year’s opener with a team-wide sickness by handing usually high-scoring Saline its first shutout since 2006.

Hudsonville Unity Christian 52, Allendale 44 – These two returning playoff teams were even a few points better after combining for 72 a year ago; Unity Christian downed the Falcons for the fourth straight time. 

8-Player

Battle Creek St. Philip 14, Wyoming Tri-unity Christian 8 (OT)

After just missing the playoffs last season at 5-4, St. Philip took a major step toward guaranteeing a return by edging a Tri-unity team that went 11-1 and made the Semifinals in 2016. Both teams shined defensively in an uncharacteristically low-scoring 8-player game, even a matchup of elite teams. Click for more from WZZM13.

Also noted:

Brimley 26, Posen 18 – Brimley couldn’t field a team last season, but back on the field the Bays got their first win since 2014.

Rapid River 38, Crystal Falls Forest Park 36 – Forest Park’s only two losses in last year’s 8-player debut were to eventual champion Powers North Central, and Rapid River avenged a 64-22 defeat in this one.

North Adams-Jerome 48, Burr Oak 46 – The Rams equaled last season’s win total in their 8-player debut after making the switch this past offseason.

Bellevue 40, Webberville 6 – The Broncos also switched from 11-player after last season and two straight 3-5 finishes, and they got off to a great start downing a 2016 playoff team. 

PHOTO: Walled Lake Western defenders wrap up a West Bloomfield ball carrier during Western's 19-14 win Thursday at Wayne State University. (Photo by John Johnson).