Drive for Detroit: Semifinals in Review

November 25, 2013

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

We finally have answers to some of the questions that have been asked all season. 

Four 2012 MHSAA champions earned the opportunity Saturday to play for titles again this weekend. Five teams that finished runners-up at Ford Field last season will get another chance to finish the job. 

We'll have two Finals rematches, in Divisions 2 and 7. And Clarkston and Clinton will play in the season's final games for the first time. 

Read on for a few details from all 16 Semifinals, plus coverage of each from our statewide media. 

Division 1

Clarkston 61, Flint Carman-Ainsworth 26

Clarkston (12-1) has earned its first MHSAA championship game berth in its fourth Semifinal try, thanks in part to 355 yards and six touchdowns rushing from senior running back Ian Eriksen. Flint Carman-Ainsworth finished its best season ever in its first Semifinal and with a final record of 11-2. Click to read more from MLive Detroit.

Detroit Catholic Central 28, Detroit Cass Tech 0

The rematch of the last two Division 1 Finals went the opposite way this time as DCC (11-2) cruised against the two-time reigning champion Technicians. The loss ended an 18-game winning streak for Cass Tech (12-1), which hadn’t been shut out since 2009. Click to read more from the Oakland Press.

Division 2

Muskegon 41, Portage Central 35

Big Reds quarterback Deshaun Thrower was the hero again, scoring with just under a minute remaining to put his team back in the Division 2 Final after Muskegon (12-1) finished runner-up a year ago. Portage Central (12-1) capped its best season since making the Semifinals in 1977 with its best record ever. Click to read more from the Muskegon Chronicle.

Birmingham Brother Rice 43, Detroit Martin Luther King 20

Brother Rice has set a school record for points with 450 this season. But its defense was equally key in getting the Warriors (13-0) back to Ford Field as it seeks to win a third straight MHSAA title. King (10-2) had averaged 33 points per game this season and scored fewer than 20 only three times. Click to read more from the Detroit News.

Division 3

Zeeland West 42, Stevensville Lakeshore 7

The Dux’ offense continued to rumble in carrying West back to Ford Field for the second time in three seasons – the Dux will be attempting to add to their Division 4 title won in 2011. But the defense has to be applauded as well after holding Lakeshore (9-4) to its season low points; in fact, it was only the second time West (12-1) held an opponent to fewer than 13 this fall. Click to read more from the Holland Sentinel.

DeWitt 21, St. Clair 20

The Panthers (13-0) are headed back to the MHSAA Finals for the first time since 2004 after ending St. Clair’s longest run in program history. St. Clair (11-2) drove to DeWitt’s 5-yard line during the final minutes but could get no closer to a go-ahead score. Click to read more from the Lansing State Journal.

Division 4

Grand Rapids South Christian 20, Comstock Park 6

The reigning champion Sailors (12-1) booked a return trip to Detroit by dispatching of Comstock Park (12-1) in a Semifinal for the second straight season. South Christian scored twice in the fourth quarter to earn the final advantage. Click to read more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Marine City 12, Lansing Sexton 7

Marine City (12-1) is headed to the Finals for the third time in seven years after ending Sexton’s best season. Defense reigned as both held the other to their respective season low points totals. The Big Reds finished 12-1. Click to read more from the Port Huron Times Herald.

Division 5

Menominee 59, Muskegon Oakridge 28

The Maroons (13-0) are one win from their fourth MHSAA title and first since the retirement of legendary coach Ken Hofer two seasons ago. Menominee gave up its most points this season to Oakridge (11-2), but jumped to a 49-0 halftime lead and never looked too far back. Click to read more from the Eagle Herald Extra.

Grand Rapids West Catholic 35, Livonia Clarenceville 0

It’s been brought up plenty over the last month, but West Catholic’s season has come nearly full circle – the Falcons (9-4) are back in the Division 5 Final for the second straight season after losing to Portland by three in last year’s championship game and then barely squeaking into the playoffs this fall. Clarenceville (12-1) did complete its best season since 2001. Click to read more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Division 6

Ithaca 21, Montrose 20

Never during Ithaca’s 55-game winning streak has an opponent come so close to ending it – in fact, the Rams (12-1) were the first to come within 10 points of the Yellowjackets since the 2011 Regional Final. Ithaca (13-0) also stopped a last-minute drive into its territory to earn a chance to play for a fourth straight MHSAA title. Click to read more from the Lansing State Journal.

Clinton 49, Shelby 3

Clinton will play for an MHSAA championship for the first time after winning in its first Semifinal appearance since 1990. The Redskins (13-0) scored 35 points during the first half to set the tone and keep the best season in program history going one more week. Shelby (11-2) also was seeking its first championship game berth. Click to read more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.

Division 7

Ishpeming 44, Harbor Beach 10

Ishpeming (13-0) earned the opportunity to repeat as Division 7 champion by eliminating the reigning winner in Division 8. The Hematites' defense continued to shine – it’s now given up a combined 23 points in four playoff games this fall – while Harbor Beach (11-2) scored its fewest points since the 2011 Regional Final. Click to read more from the Marquette Mining Journal.

Detroit Loyola 52, Homer 7

Loyola (13-0) earned a Finals rematch against Ishpeming with another incredible offensive performance – the Bulldogs have outscored their playoff opponents by a combined 205-14. The Semifinal appearance was a first for Homer (11-1). Click to read more from MLive Detroit.

Division 8

Beal City 34, Crystal Falls Forest Park 18

Forest Park (12-1) did hold Beal City to a season low in points and scored the second most of any opponent. That’s how good the Aggies (13-0) have been this fall, and they’ll get a chance to finish the run after falling to Harbor Beach in last year’s Division 8 Final. Click to read more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.

Muskegon Catholic Central 45, New Lothrop 14

The Crusaders (11-2) are headed to the Finals for the first time since 2008 and in search of their ninth MHSAA championship. New Lothrop (12-1) was the second straight previously-undefeated team to have its season ended by Muskegon Catholic Central. Click to read more from the Muskegon Chronicle.

PHOTO: DeWitt defenders swarm a St. Clair ball carrier during the Panthers’ 21-20 Division 3 Semifinal win Saturday at Goodrich High School. (Photo courtesy of Matt Stehouwer.)

1st & Goal: 2025 Week 4 Preview

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 19, 2025

Could Week 4 be the one we look back on as the most important this regular season?

MI Student AidIt’s certainly possible.

The two biggest games this weekend might take place about 35 miles apart, as likely league title favorites in both the Detroit Public School League Blue and Catholic High School League Central face off. And several more conferences also eventually may recall tonight as the one that decided which schools add a trophy in October.

Scores for every game across the state this weekend will be posted on the MHSAA Scores page as they conclude. Tune into several on the NFHS Network, including those with “WATCH” linked below.

Bay & Thumb

Richmond (3-0) at Armada (3-0) WATCH

This decade has seen Armada join the contenders in the Blue Water Area Conference; the Tigers finished second last season with only a one-point loss to champion Almont. Richmond could be on its way to becoming a factor again. The Blue Devils last week defeated Croswell-Lexington, avenging last year’s 41-10 loss in defeating the Pioneers for the first time since 2019. Richmond also opened this season by avenging a 2024 loss to St. Clair – and hasn’t defeated Armada since 2019 as well.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Saginaw Swan Valley (2-1) at Bay City John Glenn (3-0) WATCH, Owosso (3-0) at Clio (3-0) WATCH, Holly (2-1) at Linden (3-0) WATCH, Bay City Western (2-1) at Midland Dow (2-1) WATCH.

Greater Detroit

Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (3-0) at Detroit Catholic Central (3-0)

Cass Tech/King this week should be another classic, but this is a rare instance when another Metro Detroit game carries similar clout. St. Mary’s is the reigning Division 2 champion but lost three Catholic High School League Central games last season including 27-22 to eventual champion DCC. The Shamrocks already have a win this fall over 2024 CHSL Central runner-up Toledo Central Catholic, but OLSM already has avenged last year’s loss to Warren De La Salle Collegiate – rebounding from a 10-point loss for a 39-point victory.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Detroit Cass Tech (3-0) at Detroit Martin Luther King (2-1), Sterling Heights Stevenson (3-0) at Macomb Dakota (3-0) WATCH, Gibraltar Carlson (3-0) at Trenton (2-1) WATCH, Dearborn Heights Robichaud (3-0) at Redford Union (2-1) WATCH.

Mid-Michigan

Grand Ledge (3-0) at Holt (2-1) WATCH

Grand Ledge has won three straight in this rivalry, starting with its Division 1 District Final matchup in 2022. But the Rams can make a nice statement to kick off the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue schedule, especially as they are seeking their first playoff berth since that fall. The Comets opened league play last week by downing East Lansing 45-27 after having fallen to the Trojans the last two seasons. Holt’s loss came in its season opener to reigning CAAC Red champion Mason.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Ovid-Elsie (2-1) at Durand (2-1) WATCH, Haslett (2-1) at Mason (1-2), Kalkaska (3-0) at Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (2-1), Fowlerville (2-1) at Williamston (3-0) WATCH.

Northern Lower Peninsula

Kingsley (2-1) at Boyne City (3-0)

These two and Traverse City St. Francis shared the Northern Michigan Football League Legends championship last season, and all of that started with Kingsley’s 26-20 win over Boyne City. The Stags have won four straight against the Ramblers, including the last two with both back in the same NMFL division, but Boyne City last year didn’t lose again until the Division 6 Semifinals and has given up only 27 points total over its first three games this fall. Kingsley took a Week 2 loss to much-improved Gaylord but bounced back big last week against Grayling.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Mount  Pleasant (3-0) at Traverse City Central (2-1), East Jordan (2-1) at Maple City Glen Lake (2-1) WATCH, Beal City (3-0) at McBain (2-1) WATCH, Shepherd (3-0) at Ogemaw Heights (2-1) WATCH.

Southeast & Border

Dexter (3-0) at Saline (3-0) WATCH

This matchup has played a major role in deciding the Southeastern Conference Red title the last three seasons. Dexter has scored at least 48 points in all three of its games so far this fall, including during a 50-27 opening win over Brighton. Saline started this season with a 37-28 win over Rockford and then has reached 50 points the last two weeks – while not allowing any.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Michigan Center (3-0) at Manchester (2-1) WATCH, Riverview (2-1) at Monroe Jefferson (3-0), Hastings (2-1) at Parma Western (1-2), Chelsea (3-0) at Tecumseh (2-1) WATCH.

Southwest Corridor

Battle Creek Pennfield (2-1) at Battle Creek Harper Creek (2-1)

Pennfield is 2-1 for the first time since 2021 and after winning one game all of last season, and last week’s 23-20 victory came over a Buchanan team that made the playoffs a year ago. A win over Harper Creek would be the Panthers’ first since 2020. The Beavers are reigning Interstate 8 Athletic Conference champions and bounced back from a Week 2 loss to Cedar Springs by downing Coldwater in a league opener.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Portage Central (3-0) at Battle Creek Central (2-1), Marshall (2-1) at Dowagiac (2-1), Plainwell (2-1) at Three Rivers (3-0) WATCH, Centreville (2-1) at White Pigeon (3-0) WATCH.

Upper Peninsula

Menominee (3-0) at Calumet (3-0) WATCH

The Maroons are marching again and looking to extend a winning streak over Calumet to four, with the last two wins coming in Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper play. Those two victories both came by at least 40 points, but the Copper Kings should make this a much closer game, off to their best start since 2019 and riding the momentum of a 33-18 win last week over Negaunee.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Kingsford (2-1) at Negaunee (2-1) WATCH, L’Anse (3-0) at Manistique (1-2) WATCH, Escanaba (3-0) at Sault Ste. Marie (0-3) WATCH, Houghton (1-2) at Ishpeming Westwood (0-3) WATCH.

West Michigan

Grand Rapids Northview (3-0) at Holland Christian (3-0) WATCH

It would be easy to argue East Kentwood/Rockford is a bigger game area-wide. But the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red looks full of those this season, and this O-K Black matchup may end up having larger league title implications. These two and Grand Rapids Catholic Central all have started 3-0, with two more teams 2-1. Northview defeated the Maroons last season 35-20 on the way to winning the league and finishing the regular season undefeated.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY East Kentwood (3-0) at Rockford (2-1) WATCH, Muskegon Oakridge (3-0) at Ludington (3-0), Zeeland East (3-0) at Hudsonville Unity Christian (3-0), Cedar Springs (3-0) at Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (3-0) WATCH.

8-Player

Martin (3-0) at Gobles (3-0) WATCH

This has become one of the most intriguing rivalries in all of 8-player over the last two seasons, with Gobles winning regular-season matchups both times but Martin then winning playoff rematches. The Tigers have continued their offensive surge of the last two seasons, putting up nearly 52 per game over their first three including 54 in a 22-point win over Climax-Scotts. Martin has averaged 55 points per over its first three games, but perhaps more notably hasn’t given up more than 20 in any contest.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Brown City (3-0) at Deckerville (3-0) WATCH, Fulton (3-0) at Portland St. Patrick (3-0), Colon (2-1) at Climax-Scotts (2-1), Britton Deerfield (2-1) at Concord (2-1) WATCH.

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PHOTO East Kentwood's Ahman Edmonds bursts into the open during his team's Week 3 win over Jenison. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)