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Drive for Detroit: Week 2 in Review

September 11, 2013

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The definition for "rivalry game" has grown pretty broad over the history of high school athletics. 

Some are considered rivalry games based purely on the fact they've been played for years. Others have been around for only a few, but the competition has become so fierce that it's the first date circled when schedules are printed each fall. Both include the intensity, anticipation and excitement that generally bring a few more casual fans to the bleachers on Friday night. 

Some of Michigan's best rivalry games are among the most notable results from Week 2.

West Michigan

Zeeland East 50, Zeeland West 44 (OT)

This is shaping up as one of the best football rivalries in the state, with three of the last four games decided by eight points or fewer and East — last season’s regular-season winner — then losing to West 46-0 in their playoff opener. East has the upper hand again between schools separated by mere yards. Click to read more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Also noted: 

Muskegon 35, Grand Rapids Christian 13: This would’ve been the best game on the west side any other week with the reigning MHSAA Division 2 runner-up Big Reds (2-0) continuing to look impressive in knocking off the reigning Division 3 champ Christian (1-1) in their first matchup since 1994. 

Comstock Park 39, Grand Rapids West Catholic 20: West Catholic (0-2) won the first five games of these teams’ recent series before Comstock Park (2-0) got on the board last week. 

Hamilton 21, Coopersville 20: A blocked extra point saved this win for the Hawkeyes (1-1) while dropping the Broncos to 0-2. 

Grand Rapids Catholic Central 16, Muskegon Catholic Central 13: These teams brought this series back last season after a seven-year break, and the Cougars (1-1) have won both while this time dropping the Crusaders to 0-2. 

Greater Detroit

Detroit U-D Jesuit 28, Detroit Country Day 27 (OT)

In part because it plays in a Detroit Catholic League Central with Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, Detroit Catholic Central, Birmingham Brother Rice and Warren DeLaSalle, U-D Jesuit has had some tough seasons over the last decade; its last playoff appearance was in 2000. But this win over the reigning Division 4 runner-up Yellowjackets (0-2) made the Cubs 2-0 — equaling last season’s win total — and could be an indication of more to come. Click to read more from MLive Detroit. 

Also noted: 

Belleville 17, Chelsea 14: The Tigers (1-1) are seeking their first playoff berth since 2004, and beating annual qualifier Chelsea (0-2) is a great start. 

Detroit Martin Luther King 6, Detroit East English 0 (2 OT): King (2-0) and East English (0-2) — formerly Crockett — are always two of the best teams in the city, and this might go down as the best regular-season game before the Public School League playoffs.

Farmington Hills Harrison 20, Rochester Adams 7: Harrison (2-0) made it four straight over Oakland Activities Association White rival Adams (1-1).

Plymouth 28, Milford 27: The Wildcats (2-0) came back from a two-touchdown deficit early in the third quarter to edge Milford (1-1).

Southwest and Border

Schoolcraft 37, Constantine 28

This was only the second week of nine on the Kalamazoo Valley Association schedule, but the league title could again be Schoolcraft’s to lose after this win over reigning Division 6 runner-up Constantine (1-1). A 47-yard touchdown pass after a Constantine turnover sealed the victory for the Eagles (2-0). Click to read more from the Kalamazoo Gazette. 


Also noted: 

Kalamazoo Central 23, Battle Creek Central 7: The 110th meeting in one of the nation’s longest football rivalries saw Kalamazoo Central (2-0) climb within 12 (47 wins to 59) of catching up to the Bearcats (1-1 this season) for the series lead. This game played for the Totem Pole traveling trophy dates to 1893.

St. Joseph 14, Battle Creek Harper Creek 9: After missing the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons in 2012, St. Joseph is 2-0 after handing a first loss to back-to-back MHSAA Semifinalist Harper Creek. 

Mattawan 64, Marshall 34: The Wildcats (1-1) awakened on offense after scoring only once on opening night; Marshall also upped its offensive output by 20 despite falling to 0-2. 

Plainwell 14, Three Rivers 7: They’re not in the same division of the Wolverine Conference anymore, but Plainwell (2-0) made it three straight over the Wildcats (1-1). 

Lower Up North


Maple City Glen Lake 28, Charlevoix 0

A big win by Charlevoix (1-1) over St. Ignace on opening night made this one look like a potential nail-biter. But Glen Lake (2-0) made it three in a row and two straight shutouts over the Rayders, and this week starts its pursuit of a second straight Northwest Conference championship. Click to read more from the Petoskey News.

Also noted:

Boyne City 35, Kent City 14: After a tough opening-night loss to Glen Lake, Boyne City (1-1) bounced back against the Eagles (1-1). 

Standish-Sterling 47, Gladwin 7: The Panthers (2-0) made it 10 straight over Gladwin after also beating the Flying G’s (1-1) in last season’s playoff opener. 

Harbor Springs 40, Frankfort 12: The Rams (2-0) pulled within a win of last season’s total while dropping the Panthers to 1-1 as they try to make up for last year’s first playoff miss since 1994. 

Traverse City West 21, West Branch Ogemaw Heights 8: The Titans (1-1) got a leg up by winning their Big North Conference opener while also avenging last season’s 56-39 loss to Ogemaw Heights (1-1).

Upper Peninsula


Houghton 26, Ishpeming Westwood 20 (2 OT)

Not only did Westwood (0-2) own two straight wins over Houghton before last weekend, but the Patriots won those games by a combined score of 70-0. They led again this time by two touchdowns early before the Gremlins (1-1) came back to claim their first victory this fall and pull within one more of equaling their victory total of all 2012. Click to read more from the Marquette Mining Journal. 


Also noted: 


Iron Mountain 27, Gwinn 8: Iron Mountain (1-1) bounced back from an opening-night loss; Gwinn (1-1), despite this loss, played the Mountaineers much closer than the last two seasons. 


St. Ignace 26, Mancelona 20 (OT): After their first opening-night loss in four seasons, the Saints (1-1) bounced back while dropping Mancelona to 0-2 after the Ironmen lost just once in 2012. 


Ishpeming 38, Manistique 0: The Hematites (2-0) have outscored their first two opponents, both 2012 playoff teams, by a combined 74-0. Have no fear Emeralds: You also started last fall 0-2 but made the postseason. 


Powers North Central 14, Munising 12: Munising (0-2) no doubt is smarting after losing its first two games by a combined nine points, but the Jets surely are celebrating their second straight 2-0 start. 

Mid-Michigan

Lansing Everett 48, Saginaw 14

Five Capital Area Activities Conference Blue teams left Greater Lansing for Week 2 games, but only the Vikings (2-0) returned with a victory. Everett’s offense has scored 83 points so far and looks even better than last season’s best effort in four seasons. Saginaw did struggle to keep up this time, but is 1-1 entering Saginaw Valley Association North play this week. 

Bath 40, Fulton 22: For a Bees (1-1) team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2000, a second straight win over traditionally powerful Fulton has to be encouraging. The Pirates (1-1) also are looking to climb back into the playoffs after missing in 2012. 

Fowler 26, Laingsburg 12: This has been one the best Central Michigan Athletic Conference games for a decade; Fowler (1-1) enjoyed a nice bounce-back after a loss to Mendon on opening night, but the Wolfpack finds itself in a recently-rare 0-2 spot.

Beal City 48, Clare 0: This was expected to be much closer, but Beal City (2-0) might just be this strong. The Aggies have now outscored their first two opponents by a combined 109-0 while Clare is 0-2 again although it ended up 9-3 with the same start in 2012. 

St. Johns 28, Dearborn 13: The Redwings (1-1) followed up a lackluster opening-night loss to Charlotte with an impressive win over a playoff regular in Dearborn (0-2). 

Bay and Thumb

Essexville-Garber 25, Millington 6

The Saginaw News called this a “program-defining” win for Garber, and it might’ve been the team’s biggest in the Tri-Valley Conference East since also beating the Cardinals in 2009. The Dukes (2-0) broke a two-season playoff hiatus last fall, and this season could be league title contenders as well — although the Cardinals (1-1) certainly shouldn’t be expected to fall out of the mix. Click to read more from the Saginaw News. 

Mount Pleasant 21, Flint Powers Catholic 14: The Oilers (1-1) had a rare struggle in 2012 and opened this fall with a loss to DeWitt, but got back on the right foot by beating recently powerful Powers (1-1).


Fenton 43, Adrian 7: The Tigers (2-0) continued to roll after a rivalry win over Linden in Week 1; Adrian fell to 1-1 but 0-2 versus Fenton over the last two seasons.


Flint Carman-Ainsworth 49, Saginaw Heritage 20: Carman-Ainsworth (2-0) enhanced its status as a Saginaw Valley South favorite by knocking off a solid Hawks team (1-1). 


Richmond 28, Croswell-Lexington 21: The Pioneers (1-1) had beaten Richmond (1-1) in six straight including a second time last season during the playoffs. 

Trophy Games

Each week the MHSAA highlights trophy games played across the state. One was mentioned above, and we also knew about this one heading into the weekend. 

Promise Bowl Trophy: Jackson High and Lumen Christi began playing for this prize a year ago, and the Titans own both matchups so far. Final: Lumen Christi 43, Jackson 14.

PHOTO: Lansing Everett (white jerseys) improved to 2-0 with last week's win on the road against Saginaw High. (Click to see more from High School Sports Scene.) 

A Frankfort ball carrier and Muskegon Catholic Central defender prepare to collide near the line of scrimmage.

1st & Goal: 2024 Week 7 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 14, 2024

A total of 45 varsity teams remain undefeated after seven weeks of this 2024 football regular season.

MI Student AidThat total is at least 12 fewer than five days ago after a seismic Week 7 that saw several more league races decided and plenty of movement on the playoff point lists with just two games left for most before the field of 288 is selected.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Chesaning 23, Ovid-Elsie 7 Chesaning (7-0) won this matchup of undefeated teams to clinch a share of the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference title, the program’s second straight as it continued a 13-game league winning streak. Chesaning can make the championship outright this week against Durand, while Ovid-Elise (6-1) closes its league schedule with New Lothrop. Click for more from WJRT.

Watch list Fenton 41, Flushing 21 Fenton (7-0) continued its Flint Metro League dominance by finishing a seventh-straight divisional title run in claiming the Stripes championship outright. Flushing fell to 5-2 but still has guaranteed its best finish since 2019.

On the move Standish-Sterling 27, Ogemaw Heights 25 Standish-Sterling’s benefit from this was a 10-spot jump to No. 16 on the Division 6 playoff list as the Panthers improved to 4-3, but Clare also ended up with a share of the Jack Pine Conference Division 1 title with Ogemaw Heights (6-1) taking its first loss. Goodrich 42, Ortonville Brandon 14 The Martians (6-1) also capped a Flint Metro League title, in the Stars division, after finishing second a year ago. Brandon fell to 4-3. Marysville 19, St. Clair 13 Marysville (6-1) finished a perfect run through the Macomb Area Conference Silver to claim its first league title since 2016 and send St. Clair to 5-2.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Utica Eisenhower 21, Macomb Dakota 14 Eisenhower (6-1) bounced back from a Week 6 loss to earn a share of the Macomb Area Conference Red championship for  the second-straight season, with quarterback Jack Bullock scoring the go-ahead touchdown late to also give the Eagles their second-straight win over Dakota (6-1). The Cougars shared the title after tying for third a year ago. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.

Watch list Oxford 38, West Bloomfield 14 This victory, combined with Lake Orion’s 20-13 win over Clarkston, made Oxford (5-2) the outright Oakland Activities Association Red champion. The Red remains one of the most competitive leagues in the state, and this was Oxford’s first league title since sharing the Flint Metro League championship in 2010.

On the move Macomb Lutheran North 30, Riverview Gabriel Richard 22 Lutheran North (6-1) clinched a share of a second-straight Catholic High School League Intersectional #1 title by handing Gabriel Richard (6-1) its only defeat this fall. Walled Lake Western 37, Milford 0 Western (7-0) posted its third Lakes Valley Conference shutout to move into first place alone and sent Milford (5-2) into a tie for second. Warren Michigan Collegiate 54, Romulus Summit Academy North 13 Michigan Collegiate (6-1) handed Summit (5-1) its lone loss, clinching a share of the Charter School Conference Gold title as it seeks a ninth-straight outright league championship. Grosse Pointe North 42, Warren Fitzgerald 34 GPN (4-3) forced a three-way MAC Gold championship between these two and Madison Heights Lamphere. Trenton 13, Allen Park 6 It’s unlikely Trenton will end up with a share of the Downriver League title, but for a second-straight week it handed the first loss to a contender, this time sending Allen Park to 6-1.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Ithaca 42, Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central 19 Ithaca ran its league championship streak to 16 with this outright clincher in the Tri-Valley Conference Blue, and added to a 20-game league winning streak by handing Nouvel (6-1) its first defeat this fall. The Yellowjackets (7-0) can complete a second-straight undefeated regular season with wins over Tecumseh and Shepherd. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.

Watch list Howell 35, Novi 21 By winning this matchup of co-leaders, Howell (7-0) clinched a share of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West title and sent Novi (5-2) into a tie for second with this week’s opponent Brighton. The Highlanders also tied their number of wins from the last two seasons combined.

On the move East Lansing 39, Lansing Everett 26 The Trojans (4-3) bounced back from two straight losses to hand Everett (5-2) its second and move up to No. 13 on the Division 2 playoff list. Haslett 35, St. Johns 14 Haslett (4-3) was another of the state’s biggest risers this week, moving up 12 spots to No. 21 in Division 4 with this win over Division 3 St. Johns (5-2). Central Montcalm 54, Lakeview 6 Central Montcalm (6-1) clinched a share of the Central State Activities Association Silver title and has won its first three league games by a combined 139-14 score. The six victories are the team's most since 2019.

Goodrich's Chase Burnett (25) puts up a stiff arm as an Ortonville Brandon defender attempts to catch up with him.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Petoskey 28, Marquette 23 Petoskey (7-0) clinched a share of the Big North Conference championship, its first since 2014, by holding off Marquette (5-2) in a matchup of league co-leaders entering the night. The Northmen also surpassed their six wins from a year ago and guaranteed their most since 2015. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.

Watch list McBain 36, Evart 29 McBain (7-0) clinched a share of the Highland Conference title, its first since 2020, and can claim it outright this weekend against LeRoy Pine River. The Ramblers have reached 35 points in all but one game, trending toward their best offensive output in more than a decade.

On the move Frankfort 27, Muskegon Catholic Central 24 Frankfort (6-1) is holding steady at No. 15 on the Division 8 playoff list after this close win over MCC, which although 1-5 has lost three games by five points or fewer. Traverse City West 30, Mount Pleasant 13 The Titans (4-3) kept their playoff hopes alive in breaking a three-game losing streak, moving up to No. 28 on the Division 2 list. Mount Pleasant (4-3) is No. 24 in Division 3. Charlevoix 44, Mancelona 14 The Rayders (5-2) will carry a four-game winning streak into this week’s matchup with Tawas as they look to complete a second-straight outright league title run. Mancelona (3-4), meanwhile, is hanging on at the No. 30 spot on the Division 8 playoff list.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 37, Flat Rock 14 A strongly-contested race in the Huron League will go at least partially to SMCC (7-0), as the Falcons claimed a share with this win after defeating Riverview in Week 6. The league title is their first since 2015 and in part the product of a defense that’s given up just 37 points over six league games; both Riverview and Flat Rock (5-2) are averaging 42 or more this fall, but they scored 15 and 14, respectively, the last two weeks. Click for more from the Monroe News.

Watch list Jackson Lumen Christi 35, Traverse City St. Francis 7 Lumen Christi (6-1) built on its recently-clinched CHSL AA championship with this impressive win over the Gladiators, their Division 7 championship game opponent in 2022 and the leaders in the Northern Michigan Football League Legends this fall.

On the move Grass Lake 54, Manchester 46 Grass Lake (4-3) helped make Leslie’s title share in the Cascades Conference East an outright championship by knocking Manchester (5-2) out of contention. Chelsea 35, Jackson 0 Chelsea (6-1) finished its second-straight perfect run through the Southeastern Conference White with their second shutout in five league games. Pinckney 21, Adrian 10 Pinckney (3-4) entered this season after going 0-9 a year ago and then lost the first four games of this fall. But the Pirates have won their last three and moved into the No. 32 spot on the Division 4 playoff list.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Union City 45, Springport 21 The Big 8 Conference grew back to eight teams this season, but the top of the standings may not change as Union City (7-0) clinched a share of a third-straight championship and can finished it outright this week against winless Quincy. Springport (6-1) scored the most points Union City had given up this season, but the Spartans also allowed their most this fall to a Chargers team averaging 37 per game. Click for more from the Coldwater Daily Reporter.

Watch list Parchment 51, Constantine 30 Parchment (6-1) will play Kalamazoo United this week in a winner-take-all matchup for the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore title, and reigning champion Constantine (5-2) will not be part of a league title mix for the first time since 2018. Parchment had lost six straight to Constantine, including 46-0 a year ago.

On the move Berrien Springs 22, Dowagiac 20 After taking a 22-6 lead into halftime, Berrien Springs (4-3) held off Dowagiac’s comeback push to clinch a share of a second-straight Lakeland Athletic Conference title, with an opportunity to clinch outright again this week against winless Benton Harbor. Portage Central 23, Portage Northern 6 This rivalry win for Portage Central (5-2), combined with Mattawan’s 24-7 upset of St. Joseph, gave the Mustangs a share of the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West title – with an opportunity to make it outright against the Bears (6-1) in Week 9. Schoolcraft 56, Saugatuck 7 These two entered as co-leaders in the SAC Valley, and Schoolcraft (6-1) finished Friday as a champion, earning a share with Saugatuck (5-2) falling into a tie for second place. Battle Creek Harper Creek 32, Hastings 0 Harper Creek (6-1) handed Hastings (6-1) its first loss and also broke the Saxons’ 20-game winning streak in the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference. The Beavers are alone in first with two league games to play.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Menominee 34, Negaunee 19 Menominee (7-0) did its part to set up this week’s matchup with Kingsford as a winner-take-all for the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper title, ending 2023 co-champion Negaunee’s chances to grab a share. The Maroons had lost their two recent matchups with the Miners, 47-20 a year ago and 44-0 in a 2022 Division 6 District Final. Click for more from the Eagle Herald.

Watch list Houghton 42, Gladstone 17 The Gremlins (3-4) stormed back after two straight losses to avenge last season’s to Gladstone and pull within two spots of getting into the Division 5 playoff field after falling to No. 38 the previous week. Houghton finishes with Negaunee and Hancock and has defeated the latter this season.

On the move Iron Mountain 40, Bark River-Harris 7 The Mountaineers (7-1) defeated their toughest West-PAC Iron opponent in Bark River-Harris (4-3) to clinch a share of the league title, their second in two years in that division. West Iron County 20, L’Anse 14 The Wykons (3-4) finished a season sweep of L’Anse to pull within five spots of making the Division 8 playoff field. Manistique 36, Gwinn 0 Manistique (4-3) posted a second-straight shutout to climb to No. 28 on the Division 8 playoff list.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Grand Rapids Northview 12, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 3 This matchup was for a share of the championship in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Black, and as such carried lofty expectations. But the result still created a degree of stunning as Northview (7-0) handed the Cougars (5-2) just their second league loss over the last eight seasons. Both defenses were impressive to say the least; Northview entered the game averaging 47 points per game, and Catholic Central was averaging 28 ppg after three straight games scoring 35 or more. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Watch list Grand Rapids West Catholic 24, Ada Forest Hills Eastern 23 The Falcons (5-2) clinched a share of the O-K White title as Landon Smith booted a 38-yard field goal for the winning points. FHE (5-2) moved into a tie for second place but will be rooting this week for Hamilton, also tied for second and West Catholic’s opponent this week.

On the move Big Rapids 41, Newaygo 20 The Cardinals (6-1) finished a perfect run through the CSAA Red, avoiding a three-way championship that would have resulted from a win by Newaygo (5-2). Hudsonville Unity Christian 50, Grand Rapids South Christian 21 Unity (7-0) earned a share of the O-K Gold title in its first matchup with South Christian (4-3) since losing to the Sailors in a 2022 District Final. North Muskegon 40, Ravenna 0 North Muskegon (6-1) is undefeated in the West Michigan Conference Rivers since the league split into two divisions three seasons ago, and this clinched a third-straight league title for the Norsemen as a win by Ravenna (4-3) would have created a three-way tie for first.

8-Player

HEADLINER Gobles 20, Martin 14 This one met every expectation, as Gobles won a matchup of undefeated rivals to claim the Southwest Michigan 8-Man Football League Red championship outright and avenge a Regional Finals loss to the Clippers (5-1) from a year ago. Gobles (7-0) had entered ranked No. 5 in the Division 1 coaches poll, while Martin was No. 3. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Watch list Fulton 24, Portland St. Patrick 20 The Pirates (6-1) will finish as at least co-champions of the Mid-State Activities Conference Red after handing this first loss to the Division 2 top-ranked Shamrocks (6-1). This may be turning into quite a series, as St. Patrick won their two meetings in 2023 by a combined 11 points.

On the move Deckerville 44, Kingston 0 Despite all the scenarios that could have created co-champions in the Big Thumb Conference Blue over the last few weeks, Deckerville (7-0) answered with authority and its second-straight shutout when a Kingston win would have meant a three-way title share. Climax-Scotts 36, Bellevue 6 Climax-Scotts (6-1) will face Mendon this week for the Southern Central Athletic Association Red outright championship after sending Bellevue (4-3) out of title share contention. Alcona 74, Whittemore-Prescott 16 Alcona (7-0) moved into the No. 1 spot in the Division 1 coaches ranking last week and rolled through clinching a share of the North Star League Big Dipper title with this victory.

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PHOTOS (Top) A Frankfort ball carrier, right, and Muskegon Catholic Central defender prepare to collide near the line of scrimmage Friday. (Middle) Goodrich's Chase Burnett (25) puts up a stiff arm as an Ortonville Brandon defender attempts to catch him. (Top photo by Tim Reilly. Goodrich/Brandon photo by Terry Lyons.)