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Drive for Detroit: Week 2 in Review

September 9, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

After two weeks of this high school football season, it’s impossible to know how much of what we’re seeing now will be applicable by playoff time or even later this month.

But there are a number of teams we’ve highlighted in our Week 2 “review” that should be feeling pretty good about what they’ve shown us so far.

Many of the 45 achievers below are regularly mentioned in this report. Others likely are considered surprises at this point – but might not be for much longer.

"Drive for Detroit" is sponsored by MI Student Aid.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Freeland 29, Essexville Garber 20 A 2-0 start isn’t unfamiliar to the Falcons – they’ve begun with two straight wins every season this decade. But coming off last week’s one-point victory over Marshall, this win over the Dukes also is noteworthy for the way Freeland (2-0) held on through the end – especially against a Garber team that opened with a nice win against Boyne City and just missed the playoffs a year ago. This also was an opener in the new-look Tri-Valley Conference Central, which includes most of the best from the East and Central over the past few seasons. Click for more from the Midland Daily News.

Watch list Midland 45, Flint Carman-Ainsworth 0 Although the Cavaliers (0-2) have stumbled so far, Midland’s opening run still needs some mention with this win added to the opening victory over Traverse City West. The Chemics started 0-2 against the same two teams a year ago and still finished 9-4 and made the Division 2 Semifinals.

Remember this one Lapeer 43, Midland Dow 6 The Chargers (0-2) have made the playoffs six years in a row, so Lapeer (1-1) bouncing back from its opening-night loss to Lake Orion in a big way deserves notice.

More shoutouts Saginaw Arthur Hill 40, Flint Southwestern 16 The Lumberjacks (1-1) ended a 25-game losing streak with their highest-scoring performance since 2013. Flint Kearsley 28, Ann Arbor Huron 6 A second win over a larger opponent has the Hornets (2-0) a win away from equaling last season’s total as they play for their first winning record since 2003.  

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Birmingham Groves 24, West Bloomfield 17 The Lakers (1-1) have been considered among early Division 1 championship favorites this fall and had beaten Groves in back-to-back nonleague matchups over the last two seasons. But this shouldn’t be considered entirely stunning by the Falcons (2-0), who finished 10-3 last season and made the Division 2 Semifinals. The ending, on the other hand, was a little wild with a pair of late special teams fumbles turning into scores, including the game-winner. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Watch list Lake Orion 37, Southfield Arts & Technology 7 The Dragons (2-0) have put themselves in the spotlight quickly with two impressive wins after also downing Lapeer in the opener. The run is especially notable after the team’s 0-2 starts the last two seasons.  

Remember this one Romeo 37, Port Huron Northern 6 Romeo is 2-0 for the first time since its Division 1 championship season of 2015, winning big against a Northern team that went 10-2 last season and won big as well in its opener this fall.

More shoutouts Warren Michigan Collegiate 30, Flint Beecher 6 The Cougars (2-0) roll into this week’s matchup with Detroit Country Day with an impressive win over a Bucs team that went 8-4 last season and started this fall with a sizable win. South Lyon 29, Trenton 21 The Lions are picking up where they left off after winning the Lakes Valley Conference in 2018, with Trenton (1-1) providing a strong challenge as it looks to make the playoffs for the sixth straight season.  

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Portland 29, DeWitt 27 This very well could end up the game of the regular season in the Lansing area, with two of the region’s most successful programs facing off and the reigning Division 5 runner-up Raiders holding the Panthers off during a scoreless fourth quarter. DeWitt (1-1) had won 18 straight regular-season games and is 77-8 during the regular season this decade. Portland (2-0) has now won 18 straight regular-season games and 37 of its last 38. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal and see highlights below from State Champs Sports Network.

Watch list Holt 22, Hudsonville 21 Welcome back Rams. A pair of 3-6 finishes the last two seasons were helped along in part by 0-2 starts. But Holt is 2-0 for the first time since 2007 and after deciding to go for a 2-point conversion and the win late against the Eagles (1-1).

Remember this one Ithaca 16, Millington 0 The Yellowjackets (2-0) avenged last season’s playoff opener loss to the Cardinals (0-2), and now they are in the same league.

More shoutouts St. Johns 46, Ann Arbor Pioneer 33 After being shut out by East Lansing last week, the Redwings (1-1) bounced back by avenging a 2018 one-point loss to Pioneer (1-1). Lansing Catholic 56, Grand Rapids West Catholic 28 After two games this fall the Cougars have scored 112 points – nearly one-third of their total over 11 games a year ago – and this week beat the always playoff-bound Falcons (0-2) for the second straight season.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Maple City Glen Lake 28, Traverse City St. Francis 7 September isn’t two weeks old, but it’s hard to not anticipate some good things ahead for the Lakers (2-0) after they opened with a win over Millington and followed up by breaking an eight-game losing streak against the Gladiators (1-1) this weekend. St. Francis won last year’s meeting 50-12 and hadn’t been held to single digits in a regular-season game since 2013. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle and see highlights below from MI Sports Now.

Watch list Traverse City Central 37, Marquette 28 After falling to DeWitt by just five points at home Week 1, the Trojans (1-1) hit the road and ran their winning streak to six straight over Marquette (0-2).

Remember this one Charlevoix 18, Boyne City 14 The Rayders (2-0) won just once in 2018 and last opened with two straight wins in 2016, when they also last made the playoffs.

More shoutouts Cheboygan 8, Grayling 6 The Chiefs (1-1) are working toward their first playoff berth since 2013 and are a step closer after ending a recent three-game losing streak to Grayling (1-1). McBain 31, Roscommon 0 The Ramblers (1-1) also bounced back from a Week 1 loss by downing a Bucks team that is so far winless but finished 10-2 a year ago.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Erie Mason 80, Britton Deerfield 42 These two tied for the 14th-most points in an 11-player game where the losing team put up at least 40, and Erie Mason improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2003 while guaranteeing to tie its best finish for an entire season since 2005. Through two weeks quarterback Noah Beaudrie has thrown for 473 yards and six touchdowns and run for 509 and eight scores. The Patriots (1-1), meanwhile, upped their season scoring average to 35 ppg despite the defeat.

Watch list Clinton 45, Blissfield 13 Last season’s Tri-County Conference runner-up Clinton (2-0) will enter league play 2-0 for the first time since 2016 after avenging last season’s loss to the Royals (1-1), who opened this fall with a 19-point win over reigning TCC champion Ottawa Lake Whiteford.

Remember this one Sand Creek 31, Adrian Lenawee Christian 28 The Aggies (2-0) also play in the strong TCC, so this last-minute win over postseason regular Lenawee Christian (1-1) could end up a difference-maker when playoff selection time rolls around.

More shoutouts Jackson Lumen Christi 22, Parma Western 7 The Titans (2-0) pushed their winning streak to 25, and if it continues to grow this Interstate 8 Athletic Conference opener could be looked back at as key with Western (1-1) staying close into the fourth quarter. Temperance Bedford 20, Flushing 19 Bedford bounced back from a Week 1 loss to earn what could be a key win for its playoff hopes against a Flushing team that has made the last two postseasons but finds itself 0-2 with those defeats by a combined 12 points.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Portage Northern 14, Stevensville Lakeshore 6 In keeping with recent history, this matchup was decided by eight or fewer points for the eighth time in nine seasons and gives reigning league co-champ Northern (2-0) a valuable early edge in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West race. But 2017 champ Lakeshore is far from being out of it, and a few more contenders also could have a say. Click for more from JoeInsider.com and see below for highlights from FOX 17.

Watch list Kalamazoo Central 40, Portage Central 27 Defeating Portage Central last season was the first sign of Kalamazoo Central’s rise that turned into a league title and its first playoff berth since 2004. So the Maroon Giants (1-1) should be excited about the possibilities after bouncing back from last week’s one-point defeat to Mattawan with another notable victory over the annually-strong Mustangs (1-1).

Remember this one Cassopolis 28, Mendon 0 The Rangers (2-0) ran their scoring margin for the season to an early 78-0 advantage and earned a significant edge in their quest to repeat as Southwest 10 Conference champions, as 2017 winner Mendon (1-1) is always in the hunt as well.

More shoutouts Watervliet 22, Saugatuck 14 This was a major win as the Panthers (1-1) work to rebound from last season’s 2-7 finish; Saugatuck (1-1) was 9-2 a year ago and has won at least that many games four straight seasons. Battle Creek Lakeview 28, Mattawan 12 The Spartans (2-0) have had a few tough seasons but with this win tied their victory total of a year ago and against a Mattawan team that has made the playoffs two straight years. 

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Iron Mountain 42, Ishpeming Westwood 22 Two weeks into the season, Iron Mountain (2-0) could have its two main obstacles out of the way as it looks to challenge reigning champion Calumet in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper. This week’s win followed up last week’s over Negaunee, and the Copper Kings await in Week 6. Westwood (1-1) was second and Iron Mountain third in the league last season. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Watch list Ishpeming 36, Lake Linden-Hubbell 34 The Hematites (2-0) are reigning champions in the West-PAC Iron and setting themselves up to be in the mix again, although the Lakes (1-1) could still find themselves in contention as well with a little help.

Remember this one Manistique 28, Gwinn 8 The Emeralds broke a 21-game losing streak on the field (not counting forfeits for games not played last season) with their first win since Week 9 of 2015.

More shoutouts Gladstone 20, Gaylord 7 The Braves (2-0) are halfway to last year’s win total with this one over a Gaylord team that made the playoffs last season and now sits 1-1 this fall. Sault Ste. Marie 20, Alpena 14 The Blue Devils (2-0) also downed a Big North Conference opponent, avenging last season’s loss to the Wildcats (0-2).

West Michigan

HEADLINER Muskegon 41, Detroit Martin Luther King 18 It’s impossible to not lead with Muskegon for the second straight week after the Big Reds defeated their second reigning MHSAA champion already this fall. And this one surely meant a little more as it came in a rematch of last season’s Division 3 championship game, won by King 41-25. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.

Watch list Caledonia 19, Cedar Springs 12 The Fighting Scots’ Week 1 loss to Holt is looking even better after Holt beat Hudsonville, and this victory over Cedar Springs (1-1) says a lot about Caledonia’s potential heading into Ottawa-Kent Conference Red play starting this week.

Remember this one Byron Center 33, Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 14 After two straight sub-.500 seasons, the Bulldogs (2-0) also could be on their way to big things after sending the Trojans to 1-1.

More shoutouts Rockford 24, Lowell 7 The Rams evened these teams’ latest four-game series at 2-2 and moved to 2-0 to start a season for the first time since 2014. Zeeland West 48, Grand Rapids Christian 27 The Dux (2-0) added to their opening-night win over East Grand Rapids with another impressive one, as the Eagles (0-2) likely will be in the mix again in the O-K Gold.

8-Player

HEADLINER Pellston 42, Posen 38 The Hornets finished 4-5 in their first season of 8-player football in 2018, winning four of their final six games. This fall they’re off to a 2-0 start, and a first winning season since 1995 might become part of the conversation soon. Pellston scored the go-ahead touchdown against Posen (0-2) with 5:03 to play after trailing by 18 midway through the third quarter. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.

Watch list Vestaburg 22, North Adams-Jerome 6 The Wolverines (2-0) moved to 8-player football this fall, and so far so good after finishing 0-9 last season and 1-8 in 2017.  

Remember this one Bridgman 46, St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic 8 It also will be interesting to see how this first season of 8-player goes for Bridgman, which has outscored its first two opponents by a combined 102-24.  

More shoutouts Martin 20, Wyoming Tri-unity Christian 0 Martin (2-0) also is a first-year 8-player program and its scores the last two weeks have been much closer, but against two of the traditional best in Bellevue and this week Tri-unity (0-2). Powers North Central 62, Rapid River 6 These Jets (2-0) are scoring like the title-winning Jets of a few seasons ago, with a combined 128 points over their first two games.

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PHOTO: A Marquette defender closes in Friday as Traverse City Central quarterback Peyton Smith decides if he will hand off or keep the ball. (Photo by Cara Kamps.)

Drive for Detroit: Week 9 in Review

October 23, 2012

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Just like that, another MHSAA football regular season is done. But not without hoopla that lasted into the final moments of Week 9.

The best seasons, at least for fans, are those filled with drama from the opening kickoff of Week 1 until the moment playoff brackets are announced on the Sunday Selection Show. This fall, eight teams that had never made the playoffs earned first-time trips to the postseason. A number of league title races came right down to the end.

And many of those closing moments are covered  below in this week's Drive for Detroit.

West Michigan

Zeeland East 40, Muskegon 39

The Big Reds (8-1) appeared relatively invincible this fall and may yet prove to be the rest of the season. But with the O-K Black championship on the line, Zeeland East was one point better and stopped Muskegon's two-point conversion attempt during the closing minutes. Click to read more from the Holland Sentinel.

Also noted:

Grand Rapids Christian 21, Lowell 7 – Last season, Christian (8-1) beat Lowell (7-2) in the O-K White opener and made it stand up the rest of the way. This time, the Eagles had to wait until the end to claim a second-straight league title.

Grand Rapids West Catholic 17, Grand Rapids Northview 14 – Although Northview (7-2) did earn its first playoff berth this fall, West Catholic (6-3) held on to the O-K Bronze title – its sixth-straight league championship.

Hudsonville Unity Christian 28, Hamilton 27 – Hamilton needed a win to get into the playoffs automatically, and Unity Christian needed a win to have a remote shot; after a weekend of close calls, both got in at 5-4.

Muskegon Catholic Central 21, Traverse City St. Francis 13 – Few small schools have had as much football success as these two; the Crusaders (6-3) won this time to earn a playoff berth, and in the process ended any hopes of extending the MHSAA-best 22-season postseason streak held by the Gladiators (4-5).

Greater Detroit

Detroit Martin Luther King 51, Detroit East English 48

A loss to Detroit Crockett (now part of East English) in last season's Detroit Public School League championship game started a string of four straight in the regular season including three to start this fall (one was a forfeit). But King (6-3) closed the regular season strong by avenging a Week 2 loss to East English (7-2), in the process gaining a playoff berth as well. Click to read more from the Detroit Free Press.

Also noted:

Orchard Lake St. Mary 27, Detroit Catholic Central 10 – A week after falling to the Shamrocks (5-4), which resulted in a three-way shared Detroit Catholic League Central title, the Eaglets (7-2) avenged the defeat by winning this Prep Bowl game.

Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard 17, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 12 – Notre Dame (8-1) earned a 12-point win over Gabriel Richard in the first Catholic League AA game this season, but ended with a split after this Prep Bowl stunner.

Farmington Hills Harrison 48, West Bloomfield 20 – It’s true, the Hawks have missed the playoffs twice in the last decade. But it does feel like they get in every year, and Harrison (6-3) got in again by downing the Lakers (2-7).

Carleton Airport 11, Tecumseh 10 – After losing three of its last five, Airport (6-3) got into the playoffs by edging the Indians (7-2)

Lower Up North

Grayling 21, Boyne City 0

Only one of these teams could finish unbeaten. And thanks mostly to a stout defense, it was Grayling. The Vikings finished 9-0 for the first time and also won the Lake Michigan Conference championship for the first time. Boyne City dropped to 8-1 and finished second in the league. Click to read more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Also noted: 

Bellaire 28, Rapid River 16 – The Eagles (6-3) opened this season with two losses and suffered another in Week 8, but regained some momentum by downing the reigning MHSAA 8-player runner-up Rockets (7-2).

Mancelona 40, Indian River Indian Lakes 8 – The Ironmen iced their second-straight 9-0 regular season finish, while dropping Inland Lakes to 4-5.

Traverse City Central 42, Cadillac 21 – After opening this fall with a loss, the Trojans (8-1) have won eight straight and put the finishing touch on the Big North Conference title by beating the Vikings (6-3).

West Branch Ogemaw Heights 42, Alpena 13 – The Falcons (6-3) finished the bounce-back from its 4-5 finish in 2011 by making the playoffs thanks to this win over Alpena (1-8).

Southwest and Border

Lawton 33, Watervliet 26

The Southwestern Athletic Conference South has been one of the state's most competitive leagues all season, with four of six teams contending for the title and a fifth just missing joining them in the playoffs. Watervliet (8-0) looked good to finish off the championship run for the second straight season. But Lawton (8-1) forced a share by avenging its 33-0 loss to the Panthers that cost it a share of the title last season. Click to read more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.

Also noted:

Paw Paw 46, Edwardsburg 36 – The Redskins finished 9-0 for the first time since 2005, but gave up a season-high number of points to the Eddies (6-3).

Mattawan 20, Portage Northern 14 – This only meant second place in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West, but Mattawan (8-1) and Portage Northern (7-2) both will continue this week.

Mendon 15, Pewamo-Westphalia 12 (OT) – The Hornets won their 23rd straight game, but P-W (6-3) gave them the closest of the streak (not counting a 1-0 forfeit win earlier this fall).

Bridgman 34, Wyoming Tri-unity Christian 18 – Not only did the Bees (6-3) complete their best regular season since 1997, but they made the playoffs for the first time since 1977.

Thumb and Bay

Montrose 22, Lake Fenton 21

The Genesee Area Red Conference title came down to the final play of double overtime in the final game of the regular season. Montrose (8-1) stopped Lake Fenton's attempt and claimed the championship for the second straight season, while the Blue Devils (7-2) finished runners-up for the second straight. Click to read more from the Flint Journal.

Also noted:

Midland 21, Midland Dow 6 – The Chemics (9-0) made it 10 wins in 11 games against the rival Chargers (5-4), and also won the Saginaw Valley Association North title outright.

Linden 43, Swartz Creek 0 – The Eagles (8-1) claimed half of the Flint Metro League championship while denying the Dragons (7-2) of the same.

Fenton 30, Lapeer West 21 – Same for Fenton (8-1), which won the other half of the Metro League title while knocking Lapeer West (6-3) out of the running.

Deckerville 24, Peck 18 (3 OT) – The Eagles (8-1) needed a third overtime to win the North Central Thumb 8-Man League title against runner-up Peck (7-2).

Upper Peninsula

Manistique 12, Harbor Springs 6 (2 OT)

The Emeralds, winners of one game each the last two seasons, won six of their last seven this fall to finish 6-3 and earn a first playoff berth since 2008; Harbor Springs finished 3-6. Click to read more from the Marquette Mining Journal.

Also noted: 

Iron Mountain 34, Norway 13 – The Mountaineers needed this one to squeak into the playoffs at 5-4; Norway finished 3-6.

St. Ignace 14, Cheboygan 10 – The Saints capped their second straight 9-0 regular season against a Cheboygan team that also made the playoffs at 6-3.

Stephenson 35, Powers North Central 6 – The Eagles (7-2) were already in the playoffs, and Powers North Central (5-4) still got in despite the loss.

Calumet 36, Gladstone 12 – The Copper Kings (6-3) got the necessary win to keep an eight-season playoff streak alive, while dropping Gladstone to 2-7.

Crystal Falls Forest Park 33, Lake Linden-Hubbell 14 – Forest Park (7-2) won its third straight over the rival Lakes (4-5), which may have lost out on an opportunity to reach the playoffs at 5-4.

Mid-Michigan

Howell 24, Jackson Lumen Christi 21

The Highlanders (6-3) drilled a late field goal to earn a playoff berth and keep the Titans (8-1) from a perfect regular season. Lumen Christi still made the playoffs for the 15th straight season. Howell didn't make it in 2011, but this will be its sixth appearance in seven years. Click for more from the Livingston Daily Press & Argus.

Also noted:

DeWitt 21, Fruitport 20 – The Panthers (7-2) bounced back from a Week 8 loss to Portland by handing Lakes 8 Conference champion Fruitport (8-1) its only loss of the regular season.

Lansing Waverly 41, Fowlerville 14 – The Warriors (6-3) earned their first playoff berth since 2002, but more impressively finished their finest regular season since 1982; Fowlerville ended 1-8.

Grass Lake 28, Leslie 14 – The Warriors (8-1) made it three straight over two seasons against the Blackhawks (8-1) while handing them their only regular-season loss.

Portland St. Patrick 34, Waldron 26 – The Shamrocks (9-0) won the Southern Michigan 8-Man Football League title by beating the second-place Spartans (6-3).

Trophy Games

Every week, the MHSAA highlights trophy games played around the state. Here are three from Week 9:

Little Brown Jug – This trophy, contested by Sault Ste. Marie and Newberry, was established in 1923 and is the oldest jug game we know of in Michigan. It might possibly be the oldest trophy game in high school football in our state. Final: Sault Ste. Marie 38, Newberry 6.

Copper Bowl – Hancock and Houghton have waged this game since 1953. Houghton ended a two-game losing streak. Final: Houghton 29, Hancock 14.

The Curb – This was the first-year of this trophy game between Royal Oak and Berkley, with the prize a 30-pound piece of Woodward Avenue curb. Final: Berkley 42, Royal Oak 29.

PHOTO: Livonia Churchill's Romello Brown (13) sprints down the sideline away from the grasp of a Livonia Stevenson defender as Churchill won Friday 49-10. (Click to see more at Terry McNamara Photography.)