Drive for Detroit: Week 1 in Review
August 29, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Upsets and comebacks, broken win streaks and broken hearts mending were among the storylines most prevalent from another highlight-filled first weekend of Michigan high school football.
Two reigning MHSAA champions – Romeo and Ishpeming – fell in their first games after ending last season at Ford Field. Another 2015 champ, Detroit Martin Luther King, returned to the field this fall victorious but without coach Dale Harvel, who died unexpectedly in July. He was with his players however, his name across all of their backs.
Each week during the regular season and playoffs, we’ll look back at the games from every region of our state and 8-player and discuss which results could have the biggest impacts as we move ahead. Games are organized regionally by hometown of the winning team.
And now, our season debut.
Bay & Thumb
Algonac 7, Marine City 2
Odd score, but it was a pretty impressive defensive display by an Algonac unit that had five shutouts a year ago. Last season’s 19-18 opening-night win over powerhouse Marine City seemed to spur the Muskrats to their best finish ever, and they’ll be hoping for the same momentum after scoring the game’s lone touchdown midway through the third quarter. Click for more from the Port Huron Times Herald.
Also noted:
Byron 29, Montrose 27 – The Eagles ended last season with a 55-18 Pre-District playoff loss to the Rams, but came back for what’s believed to be the school’s first win over Montrose.
Bay City Central 13, Swartz Creek 12 – The Wolves became the 12th team in Michigan high school football history to win 500 games, running their record since 1922 to 500-321-31.
Midland Dow 41, Mount Pleasant 14 – The Chargers ran off 10 straight wins after opening last season with a 14-point loss to the Oilers, and appear ready to keep that run going.
Almont 35, Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 26 – The Raiders couldn’t have prepped better for next week’s matchup with Algonac than by beating a Seminary team that’s gone a combined 21-4 over the last two seasons.
Greater Detroit
Macomb Dakota 35, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 28
Dakota earned new coach Greg Baur arguably the most impressive win of opening weekend as it downed the two-time reigning Division 3 champion Eaglets. Dakota quarterback Brett Droski connected with receiver Jaylen Hall on two long scores as the Cougars came back from an early deficit. A year ago, Dakota opened by downing then-reigning Division 1 champ Clarkston. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.
Also noted:
Oxford 27, Romeo 26 – Especially after going 3-6 a year ago, knocking off the reigning Division 1 champion was Oxford’s best win in a few seasons (and its second over Romeo in three.)
Dearborn Fordson 40, Canton 35 – The Tractors avenged an opening-night loss to the Chiefs last season by rallying from 21 points down at Wayne State.
Clarkston 28, Lapeer 7 – JT King ran for two of Clarkston’s four rushing touchdowns as it handed Lapeer the first regular-season loss of the Lightning’s now three-season history.
Utica Eisenhower 28, Plymouth 7 – Eisenhower earned some momentum to take into this week's Macomb Area Conference Red tilt against league favorite Dakota by downing a playoff team from last season.
Mid-Michigan
Ithaca 31, Clare 28
Ithaca hasn’t had a scare during the regular season in a long time – and the Yellowjackets kept their regular-season winning streak alive at 56 straight. Ithaca had beaten Clare by four touchdowns just a year ago, but this time the reigning Division 6 champion had to survive a comeback attempt by the Pioneers. Click to read more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.
Also noted:
East Lansing 42, St. Johns 7 – The Trojans broke a two-year opening-night losing streak to the Redwings as reigning Lower Peninsula Division 1 110 hurdles champion Kentre Patterson showed why he might be the Lansing area’s most exciting player this fall.
Brighton 14, Detroit East English 8 – The Bulldogs took a two-score lead into the fourth quarter and held on in a Michigan Stadium matchup of teams that both won nine games a year ago.
DeWitt 42, Linden 14 – The Panthers ran their opening-night winning streak against the Eagles to three after also beating Linden during the 2012 and 2013 playoffs.
Pewamo-Westphalia 30, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 20 – Add another couple of hundred yards to Jared Smith’s pursuit of the all-time career rushing record as he leads the reigning Division 7 runner-up Pirates.
Northern Lower Peninsula
Traverse City West 42, Midland 14
The Titans got a start on reversing last season’s sub-.500 finish by nearly reversing the score of last season’s opening-night 42-11 loss to the Chemics. West stacked up 391 total yards including 271 rushing on 45 carries and jumped out to a 21-0 lead and 35-7 advantage by halftime. The Titans were 4-5 in 2015, while Midland finished 7-3. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Also noted:
Cadillac 40, Big Rapids 6 – Cadillac’s first sub-.500 season since 2008 last fall started with a three-point loss to Big Rapids, but the Vikings put up points more like their one-loss teams of 2014 and 2013 in this victory.
Gaylord 41, Boyne City 32 – With Gaylord showing a few more new faces in key places, this result might have been a bit of a surprise – and was an impressive win for the Blue Devils against a Ramblers team that won 10 games a year ago.
Onekama 18, Hillman 0 – The Portagers are coming off two straight playoff appearances, but it’s still strong that they handed Hillman the latter’s first shutout since 2012.
Tawas 35, Lincoln Alcona 30 – Alcona bounced back from an down season in 2014 to return to the playoffs a year ago, and Tawas looks like a possibility to copy with a big win coming off last year’s 2-7 finish.
Southeast & Border
Grass Lake 32, Stockbridge 18
Grass Lake is seeking its 12th straight playoff appearance this fall, so it’s not like the Warriors haven’t won their share of big games over the years. But they still made quite a defensive stand, holding down a Stockbridge offense that has scored more than 400 points each of the last two seasons and is returning its quarterback and a top receiver this fall. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen-Patriot.
Also noted:
Clinton 48, Manchester 12 – The 115th meeting between these two was not nearly as close as the 114th, which also was won by Clinton, but by only a point.
Morenci 34, Pittsford 7 – If one game is an indication, the Bulldogs are coming in on a roll again with a second straight opening-night win over a Pittsford team coming off the playoffs.
Adrian Lenawee Christian 35, Britton Deerfield 34 – Returning after the best finish in 2015 of its eight-year history, Lenawee Christian hung on to get off to another good start.
Tecumseh 15, Harper Woods Chandler Park 14 – The Indians got a much-needed opening win heading into one of the most loaded schedules from this corner of the state.
Southwest Corridor
Benton Harbor 28, Marshall 7
The good times continue to roll for Benton Harbor. Last season was history-making as the Tigers secured their first playoff berth, but this win over Marshall actually made Benton Harbor 1-0 for the first time since 2011 – and came against a playoff team from a year ago. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.
Also noted:
Gobles 14, Delton Kellogg 13 (OT) – The Tigers made it two straight one-point opening-night wins in a row over Delton, this one secured with a two-point conversion in overtime.
Coldwater 33, Jackson 22 – These two both have come back from one-win seasons to make the playoffs over the last few years, but the Cardinals are still a little ahead of the Vikings as both surge forward.
Vicksburg 17, Dowagiac 7 – In a Wolverine Conference where teams play nine league games, this one right out of the gate could be a decider or at least influence the final championship result.
Stevensville Lakeshore 30, Battle Creek Central 13 – This win could prove especially important as Lakeshore goes for its 19th straight playoff appearance but faces what will likely be one of the strongest league schedules in Michigan, again.
Upper Peninsula
Iron Mountain 35, Ishpeming 24
After absorbing two losses – opening night and playoffs – to Ishpeming a year ago, Iron Mountain started the climb back against its longtime Week 1 foe by breaking the Hematites’ 27-game regular-season winning streak that dated back to 2012. The Mountaineers hadn’t beaten Ishpeming since opening night 2011, and Ishpeming – the reigning Division 7 champion – didn't lose at all in 13 tries in 2015. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.
Also noted:
Menominee 31, Marinette, Wis. 14 – The 110th meeting in the longest interstate rivalry involving a Michigan team moved the Maroons’ all-time edge to 53-50-7 in the series.
Sault Ste. Marie 13, Cheboygan 7 (OT) – Sault Ste. Marie is 1-0 after opening night for the first time since 2007 with its third win over the last four tries against Cheboygan.
Gwinn 36, Gladstone 16 – The Modeltowners won on opening night for only the third time over the last decade and with their most points in a game since Week 7 of 2014.
Lake Linden-Hubbell 28, Hancock 26 – The Lakes didn’t come close to having a regular-season scare going 9-0 in 2015, but stopped a two-point conversion late to survive this one.
West Michigan
Grand Rapids Catholic Central 27, East Grand Rapids 6
GRCC debuted Cougar stadium by breaking a three-year losing streak to opening-night rival East Grand Rapids. The Cougars scored twice on defense and a third time after an interception to put away the Pioneers, who like GRCC also won nine games last season. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Also noted:
Muskegon 51, Ann Arbor Pioneer 14 – Muskegon quarterback Kalil Pimpleton might be the player most people statewide want to see; he ran for two scores, threw two touchdown passes and caught one at Michigan Stadium.
Caledonia 55, Fenton 52 – The Scots gained the lead for good midway through the fourth quarter after the teams were tied at halftime at Grand Valley State University.
Hudsonville 21, Grand Ledge 14 – Holding off a Comets team that went 12-1 a year ago was a great way for the Eagles to start off a new season.
East Kentwood 31, Farmington Hills Harrison 24 – The Falcons added a second-straight seven-point opening-night win over Harrison, this time at Michigan Stadium.
8-player
Crystal Falls Forest Park 64, Rapid River 22
No team that’s made the switch from 11 to 8-player has brought as much championship success as three-time MHSAA title winner Forest Park did in making the move this fall. Its debut against annual power Rapid River could be a scary sign for opponents of what’s to come. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.
Also noted:
Pickford 56, Bellaire 6 – The Panthers did make the playoffs last season in their first of 8-player, but with a 37-26 loss to Bellaire, a regular contender in the Bridge Alliance race.
Camden-Frontier 86, Elyria Open Door Christian, Ohio 8 – The Redskins won for the first time since Week 8 of 2013, giving them immediate satisfaction in their first game of 8-player football.
PHOTO: Detroit Martin Luther King players wear jerseys showing the last name of late coach Dale Harvel during their Week 1 win over Southfield Arts & Technology. (Photo courtesy of Detroit Public School League.)
Bronson Football Raising Bar with Growth in Numbers, Growing String of Successes
By
Scott Hassinger
Special for MHSAA.com
October 6, 2026
BRONSON – Tony Myers remembers the excitement he felt 17 years ago when, as a player, his Bronson football team won a Division 6 District championship.
Years later, Myers, now in his third year as the Vikings' head coach, has fans in this small community located in Branch County buzzing with enthusiasm as Bronson seeks a third-straight playoff berth and upper-tier finish in the Big 8 Conference.
Bronson, 4-2, has big games left on its schedule over the final three weeks of the regular season against league foes Quincy, Reading and East Jackson.
But its lone blemishes came to Division 8 ninth-ranked Springport 35-14 in the season opener and a 22-14 loss a couple weeks later to Union City. The Vikings own an impressive 14-0 win over Division 5 Buchanan in a nonleague battle.
Bronson hasn't won a District since Myers' playing days. The Vikings lost 20-12 to Hanover Horton in a Division 7 District Final last season and fell in a District Semifinal to Schoolcraft 28-14 in 2024.
For several years the program struggled before finally seeing an increase in numbers and players putting in the work during the offseason to make significant changes.
"Our coaching staff has instilled that belief that Bronson can be successful in football. I always talk to the kids about integrity, discipline, honor and those things that aren't mentioned too much outside of football. Men of integrity expect to be believed, and if they aren't then they prove people wrong over time," said Myers, whose wife Kate is a 2012 Bronson graduate; together they have a 7-year-old son Korbin and 5-year-old daughter Charlie June Myers.
He and his coaching staff brought a system and have been successful implementing it across the program. There are solid numbers at the junior varsity and middle school levels.
"It's really exciting to see the growth of this program. We have a new weight room and growth in numbers. Everything has just been really positive, and the community has been very supportive,” said Myers, who is serving as a substitute teacher in Bronson's school district while pursuing an education degree. “There is a huge crowd that follows us, which is great with the situation we're facing this season with no home games."
Due to stadium and field renovations, Bronson has been playing its home games this season at Sturgis, Coldwater and Union City high schools. Thanks to a successful millage vote, renovations to Bronson's stadium are now underway. A new track is being installed, and the field will be re-sodded, along with the addition of new lighting, new goal posts and future plans for upgrades of the press box and seating.
Bronson's defensive unit has forced 14 turnovers in six games. Going into last week's against Maple Valley, the Vikings' hadn't given up a single point during a second half.
Offensively, the Vikings have rolled up 2,428 yards of total offense, with 1,565 rushing yards and 863 passing. Bronson is averaging 30.8 points per game.
"We have a goal for our offense to achieve 5,000 total yards by the end of the season. We've been pretty balanced both passing and running the football," Myers said.
Bronson's backfield is led by the senior duo of Reid Stukey and Ben Stevens.
Stukey, a 5-foot-9, 165-pounder, leads his team in rushing with 97 carries for 809 yards and four touchdowns.
"Our mantra is exactly with Coach Myers preaches in practice, hard work and discipline. These guys all show up every day and ready to work. That's what makes you successful,” Stukey said. “The culture we've built calms my nerves. I'm not nervous about any roles I perform on the field. We want to win titles and play for one another.”
Stevens is the team's second-leading ground gainer with 55 carries for 562 yards and eight TDs. He's also caught 12 passes for 183 yards and two TDs.
"Ben is electric and knows how to read blocks. He's patient and waits until that pulling guard comes around, and after he leads into that linebacker he shoots out of the gap and is off to the races," Myers said.
Stevens, a slot back and tailback, also plays cornerback and safety.
"My leadership and explosiveness, I feel, are two of my biggest strengths. I try to get everyone pumped up after we make a big play and celebrate," Stevens said.
Starting quarterback Owen Losinski separated his shoulder two weeks ago, forcing Myers to move Stukey behind center. Stukey is 9-of-16 passing for 126 yards and two TDs since taking over as signal caller. Losinski is expected back on the field later this week.
"Reid has done a nice job stepping in at quarterback. He provides great leadership and picked things right up and has been able to run our offense effectively," Myers said.
Bronson's most imposing figure on the field is junior offensive tackle and defensive end Kyle Hyska (6-2, 290).
"We have a great deal of size up front with good chemistry within the entire team. Our guys are playing well as a unit and getting better each week,” Hyska said. “We just have to have trust that the guy next to us is doing his job at a high level. I like that with my positions that I get to run through people with controlled aggression.”
Hyska has received a Division I scholarship offer from Harvard.
"Kyle couldn't even squat 185 pounds as a freshman, but he's since grown into his body and increased his strength. He has dreams of playing at the college level and has the right body size, work ethic and mindset to do so," Myers said.
Leading Bronson defensively is senior middle linebacker Caleb Harvey (6-1, 185) with 45 tackles, including nine for loss of yardage and two QB sacks.
"Caleb is one of our toughest kids. He doesn't brag on himself, but he's an absolute animal at linebacker,” Myers said. “He is a great leader, makes quick reads and is always in the backfield making lots of tackles and just gets everyone focused.”
Harvey takes a lot of pride in the Vikings' defense.
"Most of the guys on the team have been playing together since our days in rocket football. At my position I really get to see the field and make big plays. I enjoy leading our defense. We just all need to be in unison to reach our goals," Harvey said.
Thirteen members of Bronson's team went to a summer football camp at Trine University.
"These kids are hungry, but they understand that nothing is given to you in life. We've really tried to ingrain to this group that if there's something you want, that you have to work hard and go after it,” Myers said. “People are going to have their opinions and be critical of you. No one builds statues of critics, so we tell the kids not to let the naysayers hold them down. I'm so thankful our senior group bought into what we're doing at such a young age because now all our underclassmen are seeing they can be successful as well.”
Ultimately, the Vikings want to add some hardware to the school trophy case once the postseason rolls around.
"These kids have talked about getting some trophies to put in their memory bank," Myers said.
Scott Hassinger is a contributing sportswriter for Leader Publications and previously served as the sports editor for the Three Rivers Commercial-News from 1994-2022. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Bronson senior tailback Ben Stevens (2) works to break a tackle against Buchanan on Sept. 25. (Middle) Bronson players (from left) Kyle Hyska, Reid Stukey, Caleb Harvey and Ben Stevens pose for a photo with head coach Tony Myers after a practice. (Below) Reid Stukey (20) tackles a Buchanan receiver following a reception. (Photos by Scott Hassinger.)