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.)
Drive for Detroit: 11-Player Finals Preview
November 22, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Each day of this weekend's MHSAA 11-Player Football Finals at Ford Field will have its own distinct theme.
Friday features the only first-time football finalist this season, Ottawa Lake Whiteford in Division 8, plus three teams seeking their first championships since the 1990s: Walled Lake Western in Division 2, Detroit Country Day in Division 4 and Maple City Glen Lake in Division 6.
Saturday, meanwhile, will be rematch day. The Division 1, 3 and 5 Finals are rematches of championship games from earlier this decade, and Division 7 finalists Detroit Loyola and Pewamo-Westphalia met in a Semifinal a year ago.
See below for a look at all of the finalists taking the field this weekend, powered by MI Student Aid. Tickets cost $10 and are good for all four games on one day. Click for a full schedule.
The first three Friday games will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Detroit’s primary channel (check cable/satellite box listings for your specific channel) with the Division 4 game available live on FoxSportsDetroit.com and on FOX Sports GO! for tablet and handheld users. Saturday's first two games will air live on Fox Sports Detroit, with the third on Fox Sports Detroit-PLUS. As with the Division 4 game, the Division 3 game will be available live online only, but both will be aired on Fox Sports Detroit on Sunday; the Division 4 game will air at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Division 3 game at 9 p.m. Audio broadcasts will be available on the MHSAA Network website.
Rankings below were voted upon by The Associated Press’ media panel. Statistics are current unless noted; those with a "*" are only through Regional Finals.
Division 1
DETROIT CASS TECH
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Thomas Wilcher, 19th season (197-51)
League finish: First in Detroit Public School League East Division 1.
Finals history: Division 1 champion 2012, 2011; runner-up 2015.
Best wins: 32-28 over No. 3 Utica Eisenhower in the Semifinal, 43-42 over No. 4 Saline in the Regional Final, 24-7 over No. 7 Dearborn in the District Final, 35-7 over No. 8 Dearborn Fordson in the Pre-District, 31-18 and 41-20 over Division 2 No. 3 Detroit Martin Luther King.
Players to watch: RB/DB Donovan Johnson, 5-8/175 sr. (1,007 yards/16 TDs rushing); QB Rodney Hall, 6-2/210 sr. (2,315 yards/23 TDs passing); WR/FS Donovan Peoples-Jones, 6-2/190, sr. (982 yards/16 TDs receiving); OT/DT Jordan Reid, 6-5/295 jr.; DB/RB Jaylen Kelly-Powell, 6-0/200 sr.
Outlook: Not that anyone was doubting it before, but it’s tough to argue with Cass Tech’s ranking after its body of work in the playoffs – with Saturday’s comeback win over Eisenhower just the latest of an impressive run. Hall, Peoples-Jones and Kelly-Powell were stars on last year’s team too and Johnson and senior Tim Cheatem are back as the top runners after the Technicians – without Hall because of an injury – fell to Romeo in last season’s Division 1 Final. Kelly-Powell is committed to sign with Michigan, Hall with Northern Illinois and Reid with Michigan State, and both Peoples-Jones and Johnson are making decisions with a number of offers from elite college programs.
DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 2
Coach: Tom Mach, 41st season (373-96)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League Central.
Finals history: Ten MHSAA titles (most recent 2009), six runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 28-14 over No. 6 Grandville in the Regional Final, 28-21 over Division 2 No. 10 Birmingham Brother Rice, 28-7 and 17-14 over Division 3 No. 10 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s.
Players to watch: RB/DB Nicholas Capatina, 5-9/180, sr. (1,035 yards/13 TDs); QB/DB Austin Brown, 6-0/180, soph. (1,314 yards/14 TDs); FB/LB Cameron Ryan, 6-0/220, jr. (833 yards/15 TDs rushing); FB/LB Isaac Darkangelo, 6-1/230, jr.; RB/LB Matt Young, 6-1/220, jr.
Outlook: The Shamrocks get to renew their postseason rivalry with Cass Tech after going 1-2 against the Technicians during two championship game and one Semifinal meeting from 2011-13. DCC can control the tempo by controlling the ground game – see last week’s 17-0 win over reigning Division 1 champion Romeo – but additionally hasn’t given up more than 21 points in a game this season while also defeating some strong out-of-state competition including Toledo Whitmer (29-7) and Cleveland St. Ignatius (28-21). The Shamrocks run behind a line averaging 6-foot-2 and 260 pounds and can deploy some skilled receiving threats in seniors Chris Jakubik and Jack Morris.
Division 2
DETROIT MARTIN LUTHER KING
Record/rank: 11-2, No. 3
Coach: Ty Spencer, first season (11-2)
League finish: Second in Detroit Public School League East Division 1.
Finals history: Division 2 champion 2015 and 2007, two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 14-7 over No. 5 Birmingham Groves in the Semifinal, 21-7 over No. 7 Temperance Bedford in the Regional Final, 39-0 over No. 10 Southfield Arts & Technology.
Players to watch: RB Kevin Willis, 5-8/165 sr. (1,003 yards/13 TDs rushing*); WR/DB Ambry Thomas, 5-11/175, sr.; (885 yards/13 TDs); QB Dequan Finn, 6-0/165, soph. (2,175 yards/34 TDs); DB/FL Jae’Veyon Morton, 5-9/165, jr. (592 yards/13 TDs receiving*).
Outlook: Last season’s champion is back in the Final with a few different players in key positions, but also returning standouts Willis and Thomas. King’s only losses this fall were twice to Division 1 finalist Detroit Cass Tech; Cass Tech and also-PSL rival Detroit East English were the only teams to put up more than 14 points on the Crusaders this season. Thomas is one of the most highly-recruited players in the state and also has scored on interception, kick and punt returns this season. Former defensive coordinator Spencer has led the return effort, taking over after the tragic death of coach Dale Harvel in July.
WALLED LAKE WESTERN
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 2
Coach: Mike Zdebski, 19th season (153-56)
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association North and Lakes.
Finals history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 1999), one runner-up finish.
Best wins: 37-34 over No. 1 Lowell in the Semifinal, 61-21 over Fenton in the Regional Final, 37-7 over Brighton.
Players to watch: WR/DB Cody White, 6-3/205 sr. (547 yards/8 TDs rushing, 694 yards/9 TDs receiving, 638 yards/9 TDs passing); WR/DB Kameron Ford, 5-10/165, sr. (1,097 yards/13 TDs receiving); TB/LB Jalen Marshall, 5-10/225 sr. (881 yards/17 TDs rushing); QB Johnny Tracy, 6-3/205 sr. (2,125 yards/23 TDs passing).
Outlook: Zdebski brings Walled Lake Western back to the Finals after leading the Warriors to a championship back in his second season and also a 12-1 record a year ago. White – a rushing/receiving/passing threat headed to Michigan State – is the player most know, but he’s hardly the only offensive threat. Senior defensive back Jack Dodge paces the defense with 120 tackles and seven interceptions; total, Western has taken advantage of 30 turnovers this fall.
Division 3
ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY’S
Record/rank: 9-4, No. 10
Coach: George Porritt, 28th season (254-71)
League finish: Second in Detroit Catholic League Central.
Finals history: Seven MHSAA titles (most recent 2015), six runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 35-28 over No. 6 DeWitt in the Regional Final, 21-0 over Division 2 No. 10 Birmingham Brother Rice, 35-14 over Division 7 No. 5 Detroit Loyola.
Players to watch: RB/DE Kyren Cunningham, 6-1/220, jr. (1,967 yards/22 TDs rushing); RB/LB RaShawn Allen, 5-9/200, jr. (943 yards/16 TDs); LB/RB Josh Ross, 6-1/225, sr.; DB/WR Richard Bowens, 6-1/190, sr.
Outlook: St. Mary’s is playing for its third straight Division 3 title and the second time against Muskegon during this run after downing the Big Reds 7-0 in the 2014 Final. The Eaglets’ offensive playmakers are mostly juniors; joining Cunningham and Allen in the backfield, junior quarterback Caden Prieskorn (6-6/215) has thrown for more than 1,000 yards. The defense is stacked with talented seniors; Ross will sign with Michigan, Bowens has committed to play at Iowa State, defensive back Shermond Dabney is headed to Bowling Green and nose guard Ralph Holley and linebacker Dwayne Chapman to Western Michigan. The Eaglets have given up more than 17 points only three times.
MUSKEGON
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 1
Coach: Shane Fairfield, 12th season (73-17)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Black.
Finals history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2008), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 49-14 and 62-7 (Regional Final) over No. 5 Byron Center, 19-8 over No. 2 Edwardsburg in the Semifinal, 28-10 over East Grand Rapids in the District Final.
Players to watch: QB Kalil Pimpleton, 5-7/160 sr. (1,456 yards/21 TDs rushing, 714 yards/14 TDs passing, 229 yards/2 TDs receiving); QB La’Darius Jefferson, 6-2/210, jr. (865 yards/17 TDs rushing, 863 yards/9 TDs passing); WR/FS Jacorey Sullivan, 6-3/205, sr. (553 yards/7 TDs receiving); LB/RB Andrew Ward, 6-1/210, sr.
Outlook: As noted above, this is a rematch of the 2014 Final, and a little bit of a rebound for the Big Reds after they fell to Lowell in a Division 2 Regional Final a year ago. The quarterback tandem of Pimpleton and Jefferson should be one of the most entertaining offensive duos of the weekend; Pimpleton will play next at Virginia Tech. Ward also has major conference Division I offers and leads a defense that has given up 39 points over four playoff games and more than 15 only once, in a three-point Week 2 loss to Lincolnshire Stevenson of Illinois.
Division 4
DETROIT COUNTRY DAY
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Dan MacLean, 19th season (148-68)
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Finals history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 1999), five runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 20-14 over No. 2 River Rouge in the Semifinal, 45-7 over No. 4 Marysville in the District Final, 21-20 over Division 2 No. 7 Temperance Bedford.
Players to watch: RB/DB Chris Bergin, 5-11/200 sr. (626 yards/11 TDs rushing); QB/WR/DB Steve Mann, 6-0/195, sr. (713 yards/6 TDs passing, 281 yards/4 TDs receiving); QB/DB Jalen Graham, 6-2/185, soph. (407 yards/7 TDs passing); LB Kolin Demens, 6-2/200 jr.
Outlook: Country Day has played in three Finals over the last decade, in 2007, 2008 and 2012, and is back after falling in Semifinals the last two seasons. The Yellowjackets set a school record with 470 points with some incredible balance; although no player’s stats jump off the page, both Mann and Graham have had success at quarterback, while Bergin leads five with at least 200 yards rushing and four players have caught 10 or more passes. The defense gets more attention; aside from giving up 21 and 20 to Division 2 Detroit U-D Jesuit and Temperance Bedford, respectively, Country Day has held the rest to 14 or fewer points. Senior linebacker Adam Fakih leads with 98 tackles.
GRAND RAPIDS CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 5
Coach: Todd Kolster, fifth season (49-10)
League finish: Tied for first in O-K Blue
Finals history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2010), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 31-3 over No. 8 Hudsonville Unity Christian in the Semifinal, 34-0 over Escanaba in the Regional Final, 27-6 over East Grand Rapids, 35-20 and 38-7 (District Final) over Allendale.
Players to watch: QB Jack Bowen, 5-10/165 jr. (2,329 yards/24 TDs passing*); TB Nolan Fugate, 6-0/200 jr. (1,637/14 TDs rushing); WR/DB Michael Brown, 6-0/200, sr. (1,090 yards/11 TDs receiving*); WR/DB Antonio Strong, 6-0/180, sr. (1,050 yards/11 TDs receiving*).
Outlook: GRCC advanced past the District round for the first time since 2010 with its highest-scoring offense since that season and a defense that has given up a combined 10 points over the last five weeks. The lone loss was to Division 5 finalist Grand Rapids West Catholic in Week 8, and in that game the Cougars allowed only 20 points. A key has been forcing turnovers; GRCC had 24 interceptions and seven fumble recoveries head into the Semifinal.
Division 5
GRAND RAPIDS WEST CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 11-2, No. 6
Coach: Joe Hyland, first season (11-2)
League finish: Tied for first in O-K Blue.
Finals history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2015), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 10-7 over No. 1 Portland in the District Final, 28-7 over No. 4 Lansing Catholic in the Pre-District, 30-13 over Division 6 No. 5 Jackson Lumen Christi, 20-3 over Division 4 No. 5 Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
Players to watch: RB/QB/DB David Fox, 6-2/215 sr. (689 yards/8 TDs rushing, 1,286 yards/17 TDs passing*); QB Gaetano Vallone, 5-10/170, jr. (889 yards/7 TDs passing*); WR/DB Sam Neville, 6-3/205, sr. (854 yards/13 TDs receiving*); WR/DB Alex Fortier, 5-8/150 jr. (574 yards/9 TDs rushing*)
Outlook: The Falcons have a new coach but the same result as they’ll play in their fifth straight Final while seeking their fourth straight Division 5 championship. Hyland brought a successful past that included leading a playoff program in South Carolina, and he has guided West Catholic through all road games (including a neutral-field Semifinal) on the way to Detroit. Fox and Vallone were the stars of last year’s victory over River Rouge, and Fox at defensive back also helps linebackers Nathaniel Mitchell and Chris Markules pace a defense that has given up 20 points total during the playoffs.
MENOMINEE
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 5
Coach: Joe Noha, fifth season (59-6)
League finish: First in Great Northern U.P. Conference
Finals history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2007), one runner-up finish.
Best wins: 23-20 over No. 7 Frankenmuth in the Semifinal, 40-14 over No. 8 Reed City in the Regional Final, 28-14 over Escanaba.
Players to watch: WB/DB Ethan Mileski, 6-2/180, jr. (658 yards/5 TDs rushing, 1,250 yards/15 TDs passing); FB/LB Sam Larson, 5-11/185, sr. (766 yards/17 TDs rushing); WB/DB Marcus McKenney, 6-0/170 sr. (385 yards/4 TDs rushing, 499 yards/4 TDs receiving); TB/DB Keifer Rasner, 5-10/190, sr. (1,372 yards/20 TDs rushing, 410 yards/3 TDs passing).
Outlook: Menominee is back at Ford Field for the first time since 2013, earning a rematch of that Division 5 Final loss to West Catholic. The run has been impressive, including a late comeback win last week over Frankenmuth, and especially because all-state running back Rasner has missed the last few games with an injury. Larson and Mileski have picked up the slack, Larson with more than 300 yards rushing over the last two games and Mileski with more than 500 yards of total offense as the team downed the Eagles and Reed City.
Division 6
JACKSON LUMEN CHRISTI
Record/rank: 11-2, No. 5
Coach: Herb Brogan, 37th season (336-83)
League finish: Tied for first in Interstate 8 Athletic Conference.
Finals history: Eight MHSAA titles (most recent 2009), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 27-7 over No. 3 Millington in the Semifinal, 37-34 OT over No. 2 Schoolcraft in the District Final, 21-20 OT over Coldwater.
Players to watch: RB Bo Bell, 5-9/170 sr. (2,428 yards/32 TDs rushing); WR/FS Jake Lathers, 5-11/175, sr. (593 yards/4 TDs receiving*); QB Troy Kutcha, 6-1/170 jr. (1,374 yards/10 TDs passing); FB/LB Kyle Minder, 5-11/200 jr. (457 yards/8 TDs rushing*).
Outlook: Lumen Christi will make its first trip to the Finals since that last championship run after eliminating two of the favorites along the way. Bell has carried a heavy load especially during the playoffs, and carried it well, while Kutcha adds a threat in the air to keep defenses honest. Minder is joined on defense by talented linebackers Alex Lasky and Luke Stanton, while end Karim Harris and tackle Grant Smith provide further power up front.
MAPLE CITY GLEN LAKE
Record/rank: 11-2, No. 6
Coach: Jerry Angers, eighth season (50-32)
League finish: Second in Northern Michigan Football Conference Leaders.
Finals history: Class DD champion 1994, Class DD runner-up 1996.
Best wins: 14-0 over No. 4 Calumet in the Regional Final, 36-12 over No. 8 Roscommon in the District Final, 34-20 over Leroy Pine River in the Semifinal.
Players to watch: RB/LB Nick Apsey, 6-1/200 jr. (791 yards/13 TDs rushing, 610 yards/10 TDs receiving); QB Cade Peterson, 6-4/190, jr. (1,953 yards/20 TDs passing, 664 yards/7 TDs rushing); WR/DB Jared Jackson, 5-11/160, sr. (455 yards/3 TDs receiving); RB/LB Duke Angers, 6-1/230, sr. (255 yards/3 TDs rushing).
Outlook: Glen Lake has broken the 10-win plateau for the first time since 2001 and won their most games since that last Finals run. Fewer teams at this stage have better losses; Glen Lake fell to Frankfort and Traverse City St. Francis, which both finished with only one loss this fall. Only those two and Pine River last week have scored more than 14 points against a defense keyed by Angers in the middle.
Division 7
DETROIT LOYOLA
Record/rank: 11-2, No. 5
Coach: John Callahan, seventh season (77-14)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League AA
Finals history: Division 7 champion 2014, runner-up 2013 and 2012.
Best wins: 36-13 over No. 6 Hudson in the Regional Final, 46-7 over No. 8 Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett in the District Final, 34-24 over Dearborn Divine Child.
Players to watch: QB/DB Price Watkins, 6-0/175, sr. (1,060 yards/9 TDs rushing, 817 yards/9 TDs passing); RB/LB Malcolm Mayes, 6-1/207, sr. (1,240 yards/14 TDs rushing); RB/LB D’Anthony Robinson, 5-10/210 soph. (1,298 yards/19 TDs rushing); LB/OL Kailen Abrams, 6-2/220 sr.
Outlook: Loyola no doubt has been looking forward to this rematch after falling to P-W 30-0 in a Semifinal last season. And the Bulldogs have beaten four league champions during this playoff run. But they are in a bit of a tough spot; Loyola's success this decade mostly has come as a result of a highly-productive running game, and three players have gone over 1,000 yards rushing this season. But the Detroit News has reported that Mayes and Robinson will be out with injuries Saturday. The good news is this team also can throw; Watkins has an all-state receiver in 6-foot-4 senior Hunter Harris (618 yards/7 TDs receiving).
PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 2
Coach: Jeremy Miller, fourth season (46-6)
League finish: First in Central Michigan Athletic Conference.
Finals history: Division 7 runner-up 2015 and 2011.
Best wins: 17-14 over No. 1 Traverse City St. Francis in the Regional Final, 25-19 over No. 3 Saugatuck in the District Final, 34-16 over No. 4 Ubly in the Semifinal, 40-7 over Division 6 No. 10 Laingsburg.
Players to watch: RB/LB Jared Smith, 6-0/205, sr. (2,528 yards/38 TDs rushing); WR/DB Mason Schneider, 5-11/160, sr.; OT/DT Dominic Spitzley, 6-3/260, sr.; OL/LB Devon Pung, 5-11/200, sr.
Outlook: P-W was 3 minutes and 53 seconds from its first MHSAA title last season before falling to Ishpeming 22-16, and many of 2015's top contributors are back for another shot – including the second-leading rusher in MHSAA history. Smith has run for 8,140 yards over a four-season varsity career and is only 291 shy of the career record set by East Grand Rapids’ Kevin Grady from 2001-04. Defenses will focus on Smith – but he has a veteran line in front of him and a pair of quarterbacks in senior Ryan Smith and junior Jimmy Lehman who bring different looks on that side of the ball. Senior Nathan Smith joins Pung and Schneider as all-state honorees leading a defense that hasn’t given up more than 20 points in a game and 103 overall.
Division 8
OTTAWA LAKE WHITEFORD
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 5
Coach: Jason Mensing, fifth season (47-12)
League finish: First in Tri-County Conference.
Finals history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 40-21 over Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary in the Semifinal, 38-18 over No. 2 Climax-Scotts in the Regional Final, 30-26 and 44-21 (District Final) over Morenci.
Players to watch: QB/FS Thomas Eitniear, 5-10/160, jr. (920 yards/9 TDs passing, 796 yards/7 TDs rushing); RB/LB Jesse Kiefer, 5-9/165, sr. (1,240 yards/30 TDs rushing rushing, 287 yards/5 TDs receiving); WB/LB Conner Hoogendoorn, 5-11/175 sr. (953 yards/16 TDs rushing); OT/DT Lucas Tesznar, 6-5/250, jr.
Outlook: This is Whiteford’s first trip to the Finals after its second straight – and second-ever – Semifinal appearance. Kiefer, an all-state honorable mention, is the school’s career record-holder for rushing yards, points and total offense, while Eitniear has started every game of the two Semifinal runs at quarterback. He also was an all-state honorable mention and Tesznar made the first team as Whiteford has scored nearly 100 points more than last season’s record total. The Bobcats have had only two single-digit games this fall, winning their four playoff games by an average of 21 points.
MUSKEGON CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Steve Czerwon, fourth season (50-4)
League finish: First in Lakes 8 Conference.
Finals history: Eleven MHSAA titles (most recent 2015), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 21-6 and 35-0 (Semifinal) over No. 3 St. Ignace, 35-0 over No. 6 Frankfort in the Regional Final, 30-6 over Division 5 No. 9 Muskegon Oakridge.
Players to watch: RB/LB LaTommy Scott, 5-10/175, sr. (873 yards/8 TDs rushing); LB Andrew Schulte, 5-10/185, sr.; RB/DB Logan Helton, 5-9/175 sr. (817 yards/13 TDs rushing); RB/DB Walker Christoffersen, 5-9/180 sr. (656 yards/11 TDs rushing).
Outlook: MCC has won the last three Division 8 titles and brings back a number of veterans including all three top running backs from last season, when the Crusaders beat Waterford Our Lady 7-0. They did suffer a setback when all-state lineman Adam Benoit was ruled out for the rest of the season with an injury a few weeks ago – but it’s been tough to tell by MCC’s combined 70-0 score over the last two games. Senior quarterback Trenton Bordeaux adds another dimension offensively (589 yards/7 TDs passing) and also is an all-state punter, while all-stater Schulte leads a defense that hasn’t given up a point in three weeks and only 71 overall this fall.
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PHOTO: Ford Field is again the home of the MHSAA 11-Player Football Finals.