Drive for Detroit: Playoffs R3 in Review
November 16, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
And then, once again, there were 34.
Two undefeated 8-player finalists emerged from last week's Semifinals, while a number of moments were celebrated from another round of trophy-raising performances by 32 teams in 11-player Regional Finals.
8-Player
Powers North Central 70, Cedarville 6 – The first-year 8-player Jets will try to add a first football championship to their boys basketball title from the winter after besting last season’s runner-up, Cedarville (9-3). North Central (12-0) fell just 1.5 points shy of its previous 71.5 points per game average as it continued to dominate on both sides of the field. Click for more from the Sault Ste. Marie Evening News.
Battle Creek St. Philip 52, Deckerville 24 – The Tigers (12-0) also earned their first championship game berth in 8-player, to go with a perfect run to the Class D title in 11-player in 1985. Running back Brayden Darr scored seven touchdowns for the second straight game as St. Philip won its first meeting ever against the 2012 champion Eagles, who finished this fall 10-2. Click for more from the Battle Creek Enquirer.
Division 1
Grand Ledge 36, Rockford 16
Rockford looked like it would be moving on with a 16-3 lead after three quarters. But the Comets unloaded 33 straight points over the final 12 minutes to advance to their first MHSAA Semifinal since the 2000 Division 1 championship run. Grand Ledge never has been 12-0 before now; Rockford completed its 21st straight playoff appearance at 8-4. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
Also noted:
Romeo 40, Detroit Catholic Central 29 – Romeo’s first Regional title since 1992 came as the Bulldogs (11-2) set a program record for wins with yet another impressive playoff victory to go with those over Clarkston and Lapeer; DCC finished 9-3, a nice bounce-back from 4-5 in 2014.
Canton 27, Saline 7 – It sounds odd to say a win by Canton (10-2) would count as an upset, but that’s how highly Saline (11-1) has been regarded since making the Division 1 Final a year ago.
Detroit Cass Tech 16, Macomb Dakota 10 – The Technicians (10-2) scored 16 straight points after getting down 10, and neither team scored during the second half as Dakota (9-3) was eliminated by Cass Tech for the second time in three seasons.
Division 2
Lowell 36, Muskegon 7
This is as impressive a playoff win by Lowell as any since also beating the Big Reds by the same score during the 2011 run to Ford Field. Muskegon (9-3) entered after handing first and only losses, on the road, to both Traverse City Central and Muskegon Mona Shores. But the Red Arrows (11-1) dominated this one from the start and held the Muskegon offense to 151 yards and well below its average of 39 points per game. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Also noted:
Walled Lake Western 35, Midland Dow 14 – Western (12-0) piled up 424 yards of offense in ending the season for Dow (10-2) and moving on to its second Semifinal in five seasons.
Livonia Franklin 38, Berkley 6 – Franklin (9-3) was only 2-7 a year ago, but has advanced past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2007 and will play its first Semifinal since becoming the first MHSAA Class A champion in 1975, when the playoffs started with Semifinals; Berkley’s 9-3 final record was its best since 2010 and tied the program record for wins.
Detroit Martin Luther King 26, Detroit East English 12 – For the second time this fall, King (12-0) held off a challenge from Detroit Public School League rival East English (9-3) after also beating the Bulldogs 20-15 during Week 3.
Division 3
Coldwater 20, St. Joseph 6
Another week into the postseason and Coldwater’s wins keep getting more impressive. The undefeated Cardinals’ unprecedented run now includes a first Regional title to go with a program-record 12 wins. Coldwater scored 20 straight points to upend St. Joseph, which saw its best run since 2008 come to an end with a 10-2 record. Click for more from the Battle Creek Enquirer.
Also noted:
East Grand Rapids 35, Mount Pleasant 0 – The Pioneers (9-3) stormed into their first Semifinal since 2011 with a second straight shutout and fourth in six weeks while ending Mount Pleasant’s season also at 9-3.
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 56, St. Johns 14 – For the fifth time in six seasons, St. Mary’s (10-1) has at least 10 wins, and for the sixth time in seventh seasons will play in a Semifinal; St. Johns (8-4) ended in the Regional Finals for the second time in four seasons.
Chelsea 35, Allen Park 12 – The Bulldogs (11-1) tied their program record for wins with their first Regional title, and against an Allen Park team (10-2) that has earned its most victories since 2006 and had won nine straight.
Division 4
Zeeland West 28, Hudsonville Unity Christian 21
Probably because statewide expectations are always high, Zeeland West hasn’t gotten a ton of attention as it’s rolled along to a fourth Semifinal appearance in five seasons. But this one was interesting throughout. Unity Christian gave the Dux (12-0) their closest game since Week 4 and finished its longest playoff run at 8-4. West had beaten Unity Christian 52-6 in Week 9. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Also noted:
Ada Forest Hills Eastern 34, Remus Chippewa Hills 7 – The Hawks’ history-making run isn’t all about offense; Forest Hills Eastern (11-1) won its first Regional title with perhaps its best defensive game and has given up only 34 points over three during the playoffs; Chippewa Hills finished its longest playoff run at 9-3.
Flint Powers Catholic 28, Richmond 7 – Aside from Richmond’s lone score, it was playoffs as usual for the Chargers (10-2), who have now outscored three opponents by a combined 110-7; Richmond finished 10-2 for the second straight season after also winning a second straight District title.
Detroit Country Day 20, Milan 13 – This had to qualify as a major scare for the Yellowjackets (11-1), whose only close losses were to a pair of larger opponents from the Detroit Catholic League Central; Milan can celebrate a nice turnaround finishing 9-3 after going 4-5 a year ago.
Division 5
Grand Rapids West Catholic 24, Menominee 14
For the sixth straight season, West Catholic (10-2) ended Menominee’s with a loss – this time the Maroons’ only loss of 2015. West Catholic scored only 24 points – but held Menominee (11-1) to its fewest since beating the Maroons in the 2013 Division 5 Final. Menominee was averaging 44 points per game heading into the weekend. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Also noted:
Lansing Catholic 25, Freeland 22 – The Cougars (11-1) also handed Freeland (11-1) its first and only loss with a fourth-quarter comeback that featured a defensive touchdown and earned Lansing Catholic a rematch of last season’s championship game, against West Catholic.
Ida 43, Buchanan 20 – The Bluestreaks (12-0) continued their best season, handing Buchanan (11-1) its first and only loss, and impressing against a Bucks defense that hadn’t given up more than 38 points and had given up more than 20 only twice.
River Rouge 51, Algonac 25 – Did you know River Rouge has won at least 10 games three of the last four seasons? The unheralded Panthers won their first Regional title and have outscored three playoff opponents 167-25, with Algonac (10-2) scoring the only points as it finished its best season ever.
Division 6
Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian 35, Constantine 34 (OT)
NorthPointe Christian (12-0) set a program record for wins and advanced to the Semifinals for the second straight year in ending arguably the most surprising playoff run regardless of division. Constantine had reached the postseason with an at-large bid and then eliminated previously-undefeated Schoolcraft and one-loss Watervliet. But NorthPointe stopped Constantine (7-5) on a 2-point conversion try after both teams scored in overtime. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Also noted:
Ithaca 34, Laingsburg 10 – The reigning runner-up Yellowjackets (12-0) ended the longest run ever for Laingsburg (8-4), with quarterback Jake Smith throwing two touchdown passes and running for two scores.
Traverse City St. Francis 12, Boyne City 0 – The Gladiators (12-0) upended their rival for the second time this season to return to the Semifinals for the first time since 2011; Boyne City ended its second straight season of double-digit wins at 10-2.
Clinton 49, Jackson Lumen Christi 20 – The Redskins (12-0) arguably have been the most impressive team in the playoffs, adding Lumen Christi (8-4) to a list of defeated opponents including Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central and Madison Heights Madison.
Division 7
New Lothrop 34, Sandusky 15
New Lothrop drew even with its 2011 team that also started 12-0 to advance to the Semifinals, earning its third Regional title over the last five seasons. The Hornets scored all of their points during the first half in handing the first and only loss to Sandusky, which finished its best season ever at 11-1 and did hold New Lothrop to its season low in points. Click for more from the Owosso Argus-Press.
Also noted:
Ishpeming 40, McBain 2 – The Hematites (11-0) won a fourth straight Regional title scoring their most points since September and with a defense that stopped McBain’s best season since 2011 at 8-4.
Pewamo-Westphalia 40, Cassopolis 3 – The Pirates (12-0) earned a berth in the Semifinals for the fourth time in five seasons, and junior running back Jared Smith set an MHSAA record with his 50th rushing touchdown and moved into second for yards in a season with 2,901 total; Cassopolis finished its best season since 2007 at 9-2.
Detroit Loyola 50, Dansville 0 – Loyola’s offense gets the attention, and with good reason, but the Bulldogs (10-2) held Dansville (10-2) to 25 total yards in ending the Aggies’ longest playoff run.
Division 8
Ottawa Lake Whiteford 48, Climax-Scotts 14
This was the upset of the Regional round, but not as huge as it might appear on paper. Climax-Scotts (11-1) was a league champion and undefeated, and had beaten playoff regulars Pittsford and Mendon the first two weeks of the postseason. But Whiteford (10-2) is one of two Tri-County Conference teams in the Semifinals joining Division 6 Clinton and set a program record for wins in a season with this one. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Also noted:
St. Ignace 22, Crystal Falls Forest Park 8 – The Saints (11-1) jumped to a two-score lead and hung on for their second Regional title in four seasons while ending Forest Park’s last run as an 11-player team (at least for the time being, as it will move to 8-player next year) at 7-4.
Muskegon Catholic Central 22, Frankfort 12 – MCC (10-2) held on for its closest playoff win since 2012 against a Frankfort team that posted its best finish since 2009, at 9-3, and led by five going into the fourth quarter.
Waterford Our Lady 32, Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 6 – The Lakers (12-0) have added a first Regional title since 2006 to their long history of accomplishments, while the Cardinals (10-2) ended their best two-season run after making the Semifinals a year ago.
PHOTO: Grand Ledge players hoist their Division 1 Regional title trophy Friday after defeating Rockford. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
1st & Goal: 2021 11-Player Finals Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 24, 2021
We have a lot to be thankful for this fall, including the opportunities that have been provided for our high school athletes in every sport with 2020 still a not-so-distant memory.
On the football field, we surely are grateful for the opportunity to play a "normal" season. And we're most certainly thankful to again be celebrating another championship conclusion with our traditional 11-Player Finals weekend at Ford Field.
Here's the schedule for Friday and Saturday's games:
FRIDAY
Division 8 – 10 a.m. – Beal City (12-1) vs. Hudson (13-0)
Division 2 – 1 p.m. – Traverse City Central (12-1) vs. Warren De La Salle Collegiate (12-0)
Division 6 – 4:30 p.m. – Warren Michigan Collegiate (11-2) vs. Lansing Catholic (12-1)
Division 4 – 7:30 p.m. – Hudsonville Unity Christian (13-0) vs. Chelsea (13-0)
SATURDAY
Division 7 – 10 a.m. – Lawton (13-0) vs. Pewamo-Westphalia (13-0)
Division 1 – 1 p.m. – Belleville (12-1) vs. Rochester Adams (13-0)
Division 5 – 4:30 p.m. – Marine City (13-0) vs. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (13-0)
Division 3 – 7:30 p.m. – DeWitt (12-1) vs. Detroit Martin Luther King (12-1)
All games will be broadcast live on either the Bally Sports Detroit primary or PLUS channels – click for the schedule and check local listings to find the channels for your cable service. All eight also will be available on the Bally Sports app and streamed on the Bally Sports Detroit website. Additionally, all eight championship games will be available for listening from the MHSAA Network at MHSAANetwork.com.
Rankings below are derived from where teams finished the regular season in their divisions based on playoff point average. Statistics are through Regional Finals unless noted.
Division 1
ROCHESTER ADAMS
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 5
Coach: Tony Patritto, 19th season (149-58)
League finish: First in Oakland Activities Association White
Championship history: Division 2 champion 2003.
Best wins: 40-20 over No. 4 Grand Blanc in Semifinal, 14-13 (Regional Final) and 35-17 over No. 7 West Bloomfield, 42-20 over Lapeer in District Semifinal.
Players to watch: QB/S Parker Picot, 6-2/185, jr. (1,316 yards/19 TDs rushing, 502 yards/7 TDs passing – includes Semifinal); RB/LB Griffin Henke, 5-10/185, sr. (863 yards, 15 TDs rushing); SL/LB Marco Discresce, 5-11/175, sr.; OL/DE Alex DeGrieck, 6-5/240, sr.
Outlook: Adams quickly made last season’s 3-5 finish a distant memory with a 35-17 win over reigning Division 1 champion West Bloomfield on opening night. The Highlanders have gone on to set a program record for wins while also defeating the Lakers a second time in the Regional Final and last week handing Grand Blanc its lone loss of the season. DeGrieck is a menace up front on defense, and that group allows only 12.1 points per game and hasn’t given up more than 21. Picot earned an all-state honorable mention last season and directs an attack that averaged 32 points per game during the regular season but has gone over 40 in three of four playoff wins.
BELLEVILLE
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 6
Coach: Jermain Crowell, seventh season (71-10)
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association West
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 40-26 over No. T-10. Sterling Heights Stevenson in Semifinal, 12-7 (Regional Final) and 21-19 over No. 12 Dearborn Fordson, 14-10 over No. T-10. Ann Arbor Huron in District Semifinal, 46-9 over Hartland, 53-29 over Livonia Franklin.
Players to watch: DB/WR Jeremiah Caldwell, 6-3/175, sr.; QB Bryce Underwood, 6-2/180, fr.; RB/LB Aaron Alexander, 6-1/205, sr.; DB/WR Deshaun Lee, 5-11/175, sr. (Statistics not provided.)
Outlook: Belleville has broken through to reach championship weekend for the first time after playing in four straight Semifinals – and losing its previous two by a combined four points. The offense gets a lot of attention – and for good reason – but Belleville’s defense has given up only 11.5 points per game and is led in part by Alexander, who has committed to sign with Michigan. That offense does average nearly 42 points per game, with Underwood becoming an immediate star. Caldwell is a top target, and Underwood has found Lee for three touchdowns over the last two weeks. Junior Jeremiah Wilson (6-3/265) starts up front on both sides of the ball. Caldwell, Lee and senior offensive lineman Ja'Kobie Watkins (6-2/190) earned all-state honorable mentions last season.
Division 2
WARREN DE LA SALLE COLLEGIATE
Record/rank: 12-0, No. 1
Coach: Dan Rohn, second season (20-5)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League Central
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2018), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 45-14 over Roseville in Regional Final, 47-26 over Division 3 No. 9 Harper Woods, 17-7 over Division 1 No. 9 Detroit Catholic Central, 21-16 over Division 3 No. 8 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice, 38-29 over Division 3 No. 14 River Rouge.
Players to watch: QB Brady Drogosh, 6-4/205, jr. (1,285 yards/10 TDs passing, 1,440 yards/21 TDs rushing); WR Jack Yanachik, 6-2/180, jr. (426 yards/4 TDs receiving); RB Rhett Roeser, 5-11/210, soph. (774 yards/8 TDs rushing); LB Will Beesley, 6-1/215, sr.
Outlook: The Pilots are returning to the Finals for the second-straight season and fourth in five years, having most recently won back-to-back Division 2 titles in 2017 and 2018. Drogosh also directed the offense during last season’s run, and he has continued his rise as a playmaker – he threw for two more touchdowns and ran for two during the Semifinal win. Roeser also ran for a pair of scores in the Semifinal, and as a team the Pilots are averaging 43 points per game during the playoffs – up nearly a touchdown from the regular season. De La Salle’s defensive points-allowed average also has fallen five points during the playoffs to 12 points per game over the last month. Rohn led Grand Rapids West Catholic to Division 5 championships in 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
TRAVERSE CITY CENTRAL
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 4
Coach: Eric Schugars, seventh season (62-15)
League finish: First in Big North Conference
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 1988), one runner-up finish.
Best wins: 56-20 over No. 2 South Lyon in Semifinal, 42-14 over No. 3 Caledonia in Regional Final, 56-13 over Division 3 No. 8 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice, 42-14 over Traverse City West, 24-0 over Division 4 No. 11 Cadillac.
Players to watch: QB/LB Josh Burnham, 6-4/230, sr. (1,487 yards/28 TDs rushing, 956 yards/14 TDs passing – includes Semifinal); HB/LB Reed Seabase, 5-11/190, jr. (1,175 yards/12 TDs rushing); SB/DB Carson Bourdo, 6-0/180, sr. (381 yards/5 TDs rushing, 468 yards/8 TDs receiving); OL/DE Kadyn Warner, 6-4/245, sr.
Outlook: The last time Central played in an MHSAA Final, it was known as Traverse City High with the creation of Traverse City West (and resulting split in enrollment) still nearly a decade away. But the Trojans have bulled their way back into the final weekend, led by a battering ram in Burnham – who is committed to sign with Notre Dame. While he does most of the damage on offense, Seabase and Bourdo are among a host of others who have complemented him well as the team has put up nearly 49 points per game. Central allows only 13.5, even more impressive considering the playoff run that’s included wins over the Nos. 2 and 3-ranked teams hasn’t seen the Trojans allow more than 20 points in a game. The only defeat came opening weekend to Division 3 finalist DeWitt.
Division 3
DETROIT MARTIN LUTHER KING
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 1
Coach: Tyrone Spencer, sixth season (65-14)
League finish: First in Detroit Public School League Division 1
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2018), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 46-7 over No. 15 Mason in Semifinal, 28-7 over No. 6 Allen Park in Regional Final, 33-12 over No. 14 River Rouge in District Final, 39-29 over Cincinnati Moeller, 21-15 and 41-34 over Detroit Cass Tech, 40-19 over Division 2 No. 16 Muskegon Mona Shores.
Players to watch: QB Dante Moore, 6-2/195, jr. (2,820 yards/40 TDs passing – includes Semifinal); WR Lynn Wyche-El Jr, 5-9/160, sr. (823 yards/11 TDs receiving); DB Jameel Croft Jr., 6-1/170, jr.; LB Blake Bailiff, 5-11/210, sr.
Outlook: After falling by three to eventual Division 3 runner-up River Rouge in a Regional Final last season, King is back at Ford Field for its third championship game in four years. The team’s lone loss was by two points Week 1 to Indiana power Carmel, which finished 9-2. Moore is a returning all-stater and has continued to pick apart defenses with rarely-seen precision, with Wyche-El the leading receiver after earning an all-state honorable mention as a junior and seniors Chansey Willis Jr. (444 yards/6 TDs) and Joseph Williams (369/7) among other top targets. The Crusaders’ defense doesn’t get the same attention, but deserves its share of praise – King is giving up 16.7 points per game for the season, but only 9.5 per game during the playoffs. Bailiff and Croft both earned all-state honorable mentions last season.
DEWITT
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 2
Coach: Rob Zimmerman, 23rd season (234-46)
League finish: First in Capital Area Activities Conference Blue
Championship history: Division 3 champion 2020, five runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 42-12 over No. 10 Cedar Springs in Regional Final, 50-26 over No. 4 Mount Pleasant in District Final, 50-14 over No. 11 Stevensville Lakeshore, 49-14 over Division 2 No. 10 East Lansing, 47-27 over Division 2 No. 4 Traverse City Central.
Players to watch: QB/DB Tyler Holtz, 5-10/190, sr. (2,732 yards/39 TDs passing, 839 yards/11 TDs rushing); WR/DB Nicholas Flegler, 6-0/190, sr. (708 yards/14 TDs rushing, 433 yards/4 TDs receiving); RB/DE/LB Bryce Debri, 5-11/190, sr. (981 yards/12 TDs); WR/DB Thomas McIntosh, 6-5/205, sr. (1,238 yards/21 TDs receiving). (All statistics include Semifinal.)
Outlook: The Panthers won their first championship to close last season’s Finals, and have not slowed down with this fall’s only loss to Division 5 semifinalist Portland in Week 2. DeWitt has scored at least 42 points in every other game and averages 47 points per, with Holtz throwing for 5,128 yards and 74 touchdowns over the last two seasons. In addition to those listed above, junior Bryce Kurncz is another prominent target – he’s caught 10 touchdown passes. Holtz, Flegler, Debri, McIntosh and Kurncz – and senior lineman Jaden Hall – also start for a defense giving up 15.4 points per game. Holtz will play next at Brown, McIntosh at Wisconsin and Flegler at Air Force. McIntosh and Holtz both made the all-state first team last season, and Holtz was named Division 3-4 Player of the Year.
Division 4
CHELSEA
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Josh Lucas, fourth season (46-6)
League finish: First in Southeastern Conference White
Championship history: Division 4 runner-up 2018, Division 3 runner-up 2015.
Best wins: 30-27 over No. 9 Freeland in Semifinal, 27-20 over Detroit Country Day in Regional Final, 49-12 over Milan in District Final, 24-14 over St. Joseph.
Players to watch: RB/FS Trenton Hill, 5-10/185, sr. (1,490 yards/30 TDs rushing); QB Lucas Dunn, 6-0/170, sr. (1,641 yards/20 TDs passing); WR Lucas Hanifan, 6-0/164, sr. (718 yards/7 TDs receiving); SS Carson Gray, 6-0/160, sr. (All statistics include Semifinal.)
Outlook: After reaching Semifinals the last two seasons as well, Chelsea will return to Ford Field coming off two straight wins decided in dramatic fashion – the Bulldogs defeated Country Day on a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown during the final minute, then stopped Freeland less than two yards short of the end zone late in the Semifinal victory. Those last two games were the only single-digit wins of the season – the Bulldogs are winning by an average score of 41-14. Hill made the all-state second team and Gray earned honorable mention a year ago, and they part of a group of 35 seniors total. Lucas previously served as head coach at Allegan for three seasons before taking over at Chelsea in 2018 and guiding that team to Ford Field as well.
HUDSONVILLE UNITY CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 2
Coach: Craig Tibbe, 19th season (114-84)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Blue
Championship history: Division 5 champion 2018.
Best wins: 58-8 over No. 3 Edwardsburg in Semifinal, 53-22 over No. 11 Cadillac in Regional Final, 79-21 (District Final) and 58-21 over No. 7 Grand Rapids Christian, 40-14 over Division 5 No. 3 Grand Rapids West Catholic.
Players to watch: QB/DB Cameron Chandler, 6-3/185, sr. (879 yards/25 TDs rushing, 13 TDs passing – includes Semifinal); RB/DE Abraham Rappuhn, 6-3/195, sr. (1,116 yards/12 TDs rushing – includes Semifinal); RB/LB Micah Bush, 5-9/195, sr. (708 yards/10 TDs rushing); RB/DB Drew Chandler, 6-3/185, sr. (1,333 yards/20 TDs rushing, 9 TDs receiving – includes Semifinal).
Outlook: Unity Christian has scored 751 points, and needs only 24 more – or just more than 40 percent of its average scoring output – to break the record of 774 set by Muskegon Orchard View in 1999. The Crusaders have put up more than 40 every game and more than 50 in 11 wins, piling up more than 4,900 yards on the ground with Cameron Chandler then adding well-timed passes as more than half his completions heading into the Semifinal had gone for scores. An offense like that gives the defense a lot of room to breathe, but it’s not necessarily been needed – the Crusaders give up only 12.7 points per game.
Division 5
GRAND RAPIDS CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Todd Kolster, 10th season (113-12)
League finish: First in O-K Gold
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2020), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 35-0 over No. 4 Frankenmuth in Semifinal, 25-6 over No. 12 Muskegon Oakridge in Regional Final, 44-6 over No. 3 Grand Rapids West Catholic in District Final, 41-40 over Division 3 No. 10 Cedar Springs, 43-21 over Lapeer.
Players to watch: QB/DB John Passinault, 6-0/180, sr. (2,086 yards/35 TDs passing, 9 TDs rushing); WR/DB Nolan Ziegler, 6-4/210, sr. (1,212 yards/23 TDs receiving, 86 tackles/7 sacks); WR/LB Ronin Russell-Dixon, 5-7/180, sr. (767 yards/7 TDs receiving); TE/DE Brady Redmer, 6-0/185, sr. (61 tackles).
Outlook: The Cougars are playing for a second-straight Division 5 championship, and fifth Finals win in six seasons after previously competing in Division 4. Last season’s quarterback star Joey Silveri was injured early this fall, but Passinault stepped in and has been outstanding as well, with Notre Dame-bound Ziegler again a major target. Ziegler made the all-state first team last season, and Redmer earned an honorable mention. After the Cedar Springs win in Week 8, GRCC hasn’t given up more than seven points in a game – and the Cougars have allowed only 12 over four playoff games, taking their season average down to 9.3 allowed per game.
MARINE CITY
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 2
Coach: Daryn Letson, second season (21-2)
League finish: First in Macomb Area Conference Silver
Championship history: Division 4 champions 2013 and 2007, runner-up 2011.
Best wins: 27-7 over No. 6 Portland in Semifinal, 43-12 over Division 4 No. 10 St. Clair, 21-10 over Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 41-12 over Warren Fitzgerald.
Players to watch: QB Jeffery Heaslip, 5-11/190, jr. (1,435 yards/16 TDs passing, 519 yards/10 TDs rushing); RB/DB Zachary Tetler, 5-9/165, jr. (1,359 yards, 27 TDs rushing); FB/QB/SS Charles Tigert, 5-8/185, sr. (994 yards/9 TDs rushing, 58 tackles/12 sacks on defense); LB Wyatt Walker, 5-10/170, sr. (94 tackles)
Outlook: Marine City’s first trip to the Finals since winning Division 4 in 2013 has showcased a defense giving up only 9.1 points per game. In addition to Walker and Tigert, senior linebacker Jacob Hincherick (90 tackles) and senior safety Ty Nelson (58 tackles/7 interceptions) are among standouts. The Mariners have had to navigate only one single-digit win – over Corunna in the Regional Final – and Heaslip leads a steady offense averaging nearly 44 points per game with only three scoring less than 40.
Division 6
LANSING CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 1
Coach: Jim Baker, first season (12-1)
League finish: First in CAAC White
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2019), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 18-7 over No. 8 Standish-Sterling in Semifinal, 31-13 over No. 10 Montague in Regional final, 28-8 over No. 5 Millington in District Final, 31-29 over Division 5 No. 6 Portland
Players to watch: WR/S Alex Watters, 6-0/160, sr. (1,063 yards/14 TDs receiving, 8 TDs rushing); QB Joey Baker, 6-1/165, sr. (2,628 yards/27 TDs passing – includes Semifinal); WR/CB Brandon Lewis, 5-11/170, jr. (814 yards/11 TDs receiving, 411 yards/13 TDs rushing); DL/OL Bo Poljan, 6-3/235, sr.
Outlook: The Cougars are seeking to win a second championship in three years after claiming the Division 5 title in 2019 and reaching the Semifinals last season. Their only loss was to a team still playing – 12-7 to Division 7 finalist Pewamo-Westphalia in Week 9. Despite the defeat, that game started a run of five during which Lansing Catholic has given up only 9.2 points per game – cutting down their season points allowed average to 14 per. Watters starred on the 2019 team as well, and Poljan and offensive guard Jonah Richards also were key contributors during that run as sophomores. Watters and Poljan both made the all-state first team last season. Jim Baker took over the program this season after 27 years serving as a varsity assistant and later junior varsity head coach.
WARREN MICHIGAN COLLEGIATE
Record/rank: 11-2, No. 4
Coach: John Guth, eighth season (72-18)
League finish: First in Charter School Conference East
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 36-29 over Michigan Center in Semifinal, 38-16 over Ecorse in Regional Final, 46-13 over Port Huron, 22-0 over Romulus Summit Academy North.
Players to watch: QB/DB Deion Black, 6-4/186, sr. (944 yards/14 TDs passing, 1,222 yards/16 TDs rushing, 9 interceptions); RB/LB Deshaun Parkman, 5-11/210, sr. (727 yads/10 TDs rushing); RB/LB Teshawn Thomas, 5-10/205, jr. (685 yards/8 TDs rushing); WR/DB Tre’von Redding, 5-11/155, sr. (681 yards/10 TDs receiving, 4 TDs rushing, 11 interceptions.) (All statistics include Semifinal.)
Outlook: Michigan Collegiate has earned its first trip to the Finals, building on a 13th-straight playoff berth and third Semifinal appearance. Black earned an all-state honorable mention at quarterback last season and is a frequent playmaker on both sides of the ball. Redding is another player who can make something good happen any time he touches the ball; in addition to his receiving and rushing touchdowns, he’s returned two of his 11 interceptions for touchdowns and also scored on kickoff and punt returns. The defense total has 29 interceptions while giving up just 14.7 points per game. The Cougars’ only losses were to Division 4 Milan and Detroit Country Day.
Division 7
PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 5
Coach: Jeremy Miller, ninth season (104-9)
League finish: First in Central Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2019), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 28-21 over No. 3 Traverse City St. Francis in Semifinal, 53-21 over No. T-10. New Lothrop in District Final, 42-7 over No. T-15. Ithaca in District Semifinal, 12-7 over Division 6 No. 1 Lansing Catholic, 26-14 over Division 5 No. 15 Olivet, 33-6 over Division 4 No. 6 Redford Union.
Players to watch: QB/LB Troy Wertman, 6-2/210, jr. (945 yards/15 TDs rushing, 580 yards/9 TDs passing); RB/DB Dak Ewalt, 5-9/180, sr. (833 yards/9 TDs rushing); FB/LB Gavin Nurenberg, 5-9/200, soph.; OL/DL Corey Schafer, 6-5/215, sr.
Outlook: The Pirates will be playing in their fifth Final in seven seasons, but arguably have never encountered and overcome so many obstacles to get here. In addition to a playoff road that included wins over both last season’s champion and runner-up, P-W has succeeded having lost its starting quarterback, leading receiver and all-state running back. But players like Wertman have kept things rolling – he threw for three touchdowns and ran for the fourth in the win over St. Francis last week – and Schafer made the all-state second team last season and continues to anchor both lines. All seven nonleague wins, including four in the playoffs, have come over teams that went on to or had won their conference championships.
LAWTON
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 8
Coach: Wade Waldrup, third season (30-3)
League finish: First in Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 21-20 over No. 1 Jackson Lumen Christi in Semifinal, 41-22 over No. 6 Muskegon Catholic Central in Regional Final, 69-40 over No. T-10. Montrose.
Players to watch: RB/S Jake Rueff, 6-0/176, sr. (2,317 yards/46 TDs rushing); RB/S Carter Cosby, 5-9/165, jr. (847 yards/11 TDs rushing); QB/S Landon Motter, 6-0/154, sr. (622 yards/10 TDs passing, 8 TDs rushing); OL/DL Evan Stephayn, 6-2/250, sr. (All statistics through Semifinal.)
Outlook: Lawton will be playing in its first championship game, coming off arguably the biggest win in program history, and riding the legs of a senior standout putting up numbers hardly seen in 100+ years of Michigan high school football. Rueff’s 49 total touchdowns (including three receiving) currently rank fourth for one season; his 46 rushing touchdowns are third on that list. And when Lumen Christi kept him mostly contained last week, Motter ran for two scores and senior Cooper Geib (690 yards/8 TDs rushing) led the team in run yardage. Senior tight end/defensive end Chase Mitchell is another standout – he starts both ways and was an all-state honorable mention punter last season. Rueff also earned honorable mention, and Stephayn made the second team in 2020.
Division 8
HUDSON
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Dan Rogers, second season (18-4)
League finish: First in Lenawee County Athletic Association
Championship history: Division 7 champion 2010, three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 28-22 over No. 2 Ottawa Lake Whiteford in Semifinal, 8-0 over No. 9 White Pigeon in Regional Final, 28-8 over No. 3 Addison in District Final, 22-0 over No. 14 Reading in District Semifinal, 22-14 over Division 6 No. 6 Ida, 59-14 over Division 7 No. T-15. Ithaca.
Players to watch: RB/LB Nick Kopin, 5-11/175, sr. (1,483 yards/16 TDs rushing – includes Semifinal); RB/S Bronson Marry, 5-10/155, sr. (640 yards/11 TDs rushing – includes Semifinal); RBLB Brendan Akers, 5-10/195, jr. (856 yards/12 TDs rushing); RB/LB Payton Rogers, 5-8/160 sr.
Outlook: A high-powered rushing game and a nearly-unbreakable defense have Hudson back at the Finals for the first time since that 2010. The Tigers are approaching 4,000 yards rushing for the season, and the defense has given up a mere 7.1 points and 136 yards per game this fall. Hudson has seven shutouts, and only Whiteford last week and Division 6 Clinton scored more than 14 points. Dan Rogers played at Hudson and served as an assistant since 1997 – including 19 seasons as defensive coordinator – before taking over the program a year ago. Senior Ethan Harris (6-foot-3/235 pounds) and junior Aden Barrett (5-9/170) start on both lines.
BEAL CITY
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 4
Coach: Brad Gross, seventh season (54-23)
League finish: First in Highland Conference
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2009), six runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 12-7 over No. 5 Ubly in Semifinal, 34-14 over No. 6 Carson City-Crystal in Regional Final, 41-6 over No. 7 Iron Mountain in District Final, 14-12 over Sand Creek.
Players to watch: RB/LB Cade Block, 5-9/165, sr. (1,351 yards/27 TDs – includes Semifinal); QB/DE Hunter Miles, 5-10/175, sr. (695 yards/6 TDs passing); RB/DB Jamisen Latham, 5-9/170, soph. (680 yards/6 TDs rushing – includes Semifinal); TE/DE Matt Oswald, 6-1/225, sr. (3 TDs receiving, 60 tackles).
Outlook: Beal City is headed back to Ford Field for the second time in three seasons, a one-point Week 1 loss to Division 7 Ravenna from a perfect record and riding one of the most impressive playoff runs into Detroit. In addition to the wins over three top-seven teams, the Aggies began the playoffs with a 36-0 win over another league champion, Bark River-Harris. The 6.8 points they are allowing per game during the playoffs falls right in line with their season average of 8.5. Oswald earned an all-state honorable mention last season, and he’s joined on both lines by senior Peyton Sellers (5-foot-10/230 pounds), with linebackers Wade Wilson and Josh Wilson two more key two-way starters and top tacklers.
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