Drive for Detroit: Week 3 Preview
September 8, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
If Week 2 of the Michigan high school football season was loaded with matchups anticipated statewide, this week is just about the opposite – these games matter just as much, but it will likely take a few weeks to find out how they will impact the rest of this fall.
A pair of reigning MHSAA champions and a pair of neighbors who share a stadium are among highlighted matchups in this week’s Drive for Detroit preview, powered by MI Student Aid.
But many of the other intriguing games feature teams off to quick starts for the first time in a while and still working to prove they’ll be in the mix at the end after showing that potential during the season's first two weeks.
Bay & Thumb
Lake Fenton (2-0) at Flint Beecher (2-0)
Although neither of these teams was among co-champions of the Genesee Area Conference Red last season, they’re annually among teams to beat in that league – and so far that looks to be the case again this fall. Beecher – which downed Lake Fenton 27-26 a year ago – has outscored its first two opponents by a combined 59-0. The Blue Devils’ early stretch has been tougher, but last week’s 18-14 win over 2015 playoff qualifier Olivet makes their start arguably more impressive as well.
Others that caught my eye: Ortonville Brandon (2-0) at Fenton (0-2), Detroit Loyola (1-1) at Marine City (0-2), Harbor Beach (1-1) at Reese (2-0), Croswell-Lexington (2-0) at Richmond (1-1).
Greater Detroit
Northville (2-0) at Walled Lake Western (2-0)
Last week’s 33-30 win over Canton gave Western 15 straight regular-season victories, and quarterback Cody White is one of the most discussed players across the state – he threw for 122 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 119 and two against the Chiefs. But Northville also was perfect during the regular season in 2015 and is coming off two similarly impressive wins over Dearborn and Brighton to kick off this fall.
Others that caught my eye: Southfield Arts & Technology (1-1) at Birmingham Groves (2-0), Dearborn Fordson (2-0) at Belleville (1-1), Detroit East English (1-1) at Detroit Central Collegiate (1-1), Oxford (1-1) at Clarkston (1-1).
Mid-Michigan
Fowlerville (2-0) at Portland (2-0)
Most seasons, Williamston/Lansing Catholic would be the game to see, or one of them, in the Capital Area Activities Conference White. But Fowlerville’s best start since 2009 is providing a spark of anticipation for a program that won a lot during the 1990s and 2000s – and quarterback Nick Semke (166 yards/4 TDs rushing, 201 yards/2 TDs passing) is another reason to be interested. All of that said, Portland is coming off a 40-0 win over annual playoff team Hillsdale and riding its typical tough running attack, led by one of the Lansing area’s best in Logan Lefke.
Others that caught my eye: Williamston (1-1) at Lansing Catholic (2-0), Lake Odessa Lakewood (2-0) at Perry (1-1), Mason (2-0) at St. Johns (0-2), Laingsburg (2-0) at Dansville (1-1).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Traverse City West (2-0) vs. Traverse City Central (2-0) at Thirlby Field
These rivals will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the split of old Traverse City High with a Patriot Game (see story on Second Half) and one of the most anticipated matchups in this rivalry since it began in 1997. West is off to its first 2-0 start since 2004, having stunned Midland on opening night by 28 points and come back with another 28-point win over Grand Haven. Central, which has beaten West in two straight, didn’t lose a regular-season game last season and outscored Bay City Western and Marquette by a combined 86-20 over the first two weeks.
Others that caught my eye: Cheboygan (1-1) at Boyne City (0-2), Rogers City (1-1) at Lincoln Alcona (1-1), Oscoda (1-1) at Whittemore-Prescott (2-0, East Jordan (2-0) at Central Lake (1-1).
Southeast & Border
Adrian Madison (2-0) at Clinton (2-0)
Reigning Division 6 runner-up Clinton is a powerhouse, with a combined record of 45-4 over the last four seasons and two comfortable wins this fall to extend its regular-season winning streak to 38. But Madison has earned the opportunity to hope; the Trojans gave Clinton arguably the latter’s best regular-season game last season before falling 37-21 and are off to their first 2-0 start since 2013. Madison hasn’t made the playoffs since 2009, and not finished above .500 since that fall, but starts the Tri-County Conference schedule having reversed a one-point 2015 loss to Onsted with a one-point win last week.
Others that caught my eye: Brooklyn Columbia Central (2-0) at Hudson (2-0), Hillsdale (1-1) at Dundee (1-1), East Lansing (1-1) at Jackson (1-1), Grosse Ile (2-0) at New Boston Huron (2-0).
Southwest Corridor
Stevensville Lakeshore (2-0) at Portage Central (2-0)
The narrative here hasn’t changed much over the last few seasons; one of these two has won the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West championship every year over the last four. Portage Central beat Lakeshore 7-6 last season and has won 16 of its last 17 regular-season games since losing to the Lancers by three in 2014. Both have romped to start this fall, Central outscoring its opponents 77-8 and Lakeshore 82-34.
Others that caught my eye: Jackson Lumen Christi (1-1) at Battle Creek Harper Creek (2-0), Portage Northern (1-1) at St. Joseph (2-0), Dowagiac (1-1) at Three Rivers (1-1), Kalamazoo Central (0-2) at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix (0-2).
Upper Peninsula
Bark River-Harris (2-0) at Newberry (2-0)
Bark River-Harris has enjoyed a rejuvenation going a combined 16-6 over the last two seasons and sharing the Mid-Eastern Conference title in 2015. Is Newberry next to make a jump? The Indians have been building with two playoffs appearances after a series of sub.-500 seasons and opened this fall with 30+ point wins over Harbor Springs and Munising. Either way, this should be entertaining – the teams scored 90 points between them as the Broncos won 56-34 last year.
Others that caught my eye: Iron Mountain (2-0) at Iron River West Iron County (1-1), Gaylord (1-1) at Escanaba (2-0), Johannesburg-Lewiston (1-1) at St. Ignace (1-1), Gladstone (1-1) at Negaunee (2-0).
West Michigan
Zeeland West (2-0) at Grand Rapids West Catholic (2-0)
It’s a rare treat when two reigning MHSAA champions match up, and there will be plenty of star power when reigning Division 4 winner Zeeland West faces the returning Division 5 champion Falcons. It’s been new coach, same story for West Catholic, which opened by avenging last year’s loss to Jackson Lumen Christi and has won 13 straight. Zeeland West has won 40 of its last 41 games and started this fall beating a pair that went a combined 16-5 a year ago.
Others that caught my eye: Hudsonville (2-0) at East Kentwood (2-0), Lowell (2-0) at East Grand Rapids (1-1), Grand Rapids Christian (2-0) at Wyoming (2-0), Muskegon Mona Shores (1-1) at Rockford (0-2).
8-Player
Waldron (2-0) at Portland St. Patrick (2-0) on Saturday
The Spartans posted their best finish, 8-2, as an 8-player team last fall after breaking a four-game losing streak to the Shamrocks with a 32-24 victory in Week 3. The offense that put up 46 points per game in 2015 is still rolling and scored 90 over the last two weeks. But St. Patrick has put up a combined 104 points in its first two games and no doubt has been circling this one as it looks to return to MHSAA title contention.
Others that caught my eye: Rapid River (1-1) at Webberville (2-0), Engadine (2-0) at Pickford (2-0).
Second Half’s weekly “Drive for Detroit” previews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Student Financial Services Bureau located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information, including various student financial assistance programs to help make college more affordable for Michigan students. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 savings programs (MET/MESP) and eight additional aid programs within its Student Scholarships and Grants division. Click for more information and connect with MI Student Aid on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
PHOTO: A Hudsonville receiver pulls in a catch and begins to break away from Holt defenders during the Eagles’ Week 2 victory. (Photo by Jeremy Sampson.)
1st & Goal: 2024 Week 9 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 28, 2024
Wow. The 2024 football regular season did not go quietly.
Between multiple matchups of undefeated teams, several league championships being decided, and final maneuvering to get into the field of the 50th MHSAA Football Playoffs, there was a lot to follow – with the final moves still being made late Saturday afternoon.
Below we glance at several of the highlights, and Friday we'll move into playoff mode as we preview the first round of this season's tournament.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Midland 17, Midland Dow 6 Midland High (8-1) locked up one of the final league championships still in question, finishing an outright title run in the Saginaw Valley League Blue when a Dow win would have given the Chargers (5-4) a share. The Chemics also avenged two losses to Dow from 2023, from the regular-season finale and first week of the playoffs, and they could meet again this postseason as well if both win first-round games this week. Click for more from the Midland Daily News.
Watch list Almont 49, Detroit Edison 24 Almont (9-0) enters the playoffs as the No. 1 overall seed in Division 6, holding down the top spot for the third-straight week with this win over Edison (6-3), which entered Week 9 No. 6 on the Division 6 playoff list. The Raiders had last finished a regular season 9-0 in 2019.
On the move Davison 48, Lapeer 28 The Cardinals (7-2) cemented second place in the SVL Blue, but more importantly moved ahead of Oxford to earn a home game in their Division 1 matchup this week. Marine City 37, Detroit Central 15 The Mariners finished second in the Macomb Area Conference Silver this season but defeated a co-league champion in Central (6-3) to hold onto the No. 4 spot on the Division 6 playoff list. Frankenmuth 41, Gladwin 14 The Eagles (9-0) wrapped up a fourth perfect regular season over the last half-decade with a second-straight win over Gladwin (6-3).
Great Detroit
HEADLINER Detroit Catholic Central 23, Detroit Martin Luther King 7 DCC’s Jaden Pydyn starred in this Prep Bowl showcase game at Ford Field, running for two touchdowns and scoring a third on an interception return. The Shamrocks moved to 9-0, completing their first perfect regular season since COVID-shortened 2020 and first at 9-0 since 2016, and they sit second on the Division 1 playoff list. King finished 6-3 and moved down only one spot on the Division 3 list to No. 7. Click for more from Hometown Life.
It was the Jaden Pydyn show for Detroit Catholic Central against Detroit King. Two rushing touchdowns and a pick-6 in their 23-7 win on October 26th, 2024. Delivered by @hungryhowies.@jadenpydyn | @dccfootball | @detroitccad | @jcessante pic.twitter.com/2ANzcTKgNa
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 27, 2024
Watch list Romeo 14, Grand Blanc 13 This one was a stunner as Grand Blanc (7-2) had just clinched the SVL Red title the week before and Romeo (4-5) was six spots from falling out of the Division 1 playoff field. Instead, Romeo moved up to No. 19 and earned a rematch with Week 3 opponent Utica Eisenhower.
On the move Macomb Dakota 28, Oxford 0 Dakota (8-1) won a meeting of league champions, adding to its shared title in the MAC Red by shutting out the Oakland Activities Association Red-winning Wildcats (6-3). Clarkston 32, Utica Eisenhower 3 Clarkston (6-3) finished tied for second in the OAA Red and dominated its matchup with the other co-champion from the MAC Red, sending Eisenhower to 7-2. Macomb Lutheran North 17, Clarkston Everest Collegiate 14 (OT) Lutheran North (8-1) completed its most successful regular season since posting the same record in 2006, adding the Catholic High School League Cardinal championship by handing Everest (8-1) its only loss.
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Howell 30, Belleville 29 Howell finished 9-0, concluding its first perfect regular season since 1963 (according to Michigan-Football.com) and after going only 3-6 a year ago. The Highlanders retained the No. 1 position on the Division 1 playoff list for the third straight week. So to call this a shocker seems at least a little absurd, but Belleville (8-1) hadn’t lost a regular-season game since Week 3 of 2021 and has played in three straight Division 1 Finals and won the last two. Justin Jones’ touchdown grab from Preston Barb with eight seconds to play clinched the overall Kensington Lakes Activities Association championship and was called by the Howell Football’s X feed “the biggest play in the history of Howell football.” Click for more from the Livingston Daily Press & Argus.
ICYMI: Howell junior quarterback Preston Barb with the game-winning TD pass to senior Justin Jones with 8 seconds left as the Highlanders beat Belleville 30-29 in the KLAA Championship Game. @MHSAA | @FootballHowell | @HowellAthletics | @PRESTONBARB3 | @JT_Jones25 pic.twitter.com/G72xT4ZHaR
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 26, 2024
Watch list Leslie 35, Hanover-Horton 14 The Blackhawks (8-1) have gone from not posting a winning season since 2012 to claiming the overall Cascades Conference championship by handing Hanover-Horton (8-1) its only defeat.
On the move Belding 40, Hopkins 0 In a winner-take-all for the Ottawa-Kent Conference Silver title, Belding (8-1) did so for the third straight season, running its league winning streak to 17 games and sending the Vikings to 6-3. Fowler 35, McBain 28 The Eagles (9-0) completed their first perfect regular season since 2014 and are No. 3 on the Division 8 playoff list after handing Division 7 McBain (8-1) its only defeat. Mason 43, Fenton 0 Mason (7-2) won a matchup of league champions and moved up to No. 8 on the Division 3 playoff list as it begins a quest to reach Ford Field for the second-straight season.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Boyne City 23, Traverse City St. Francis 20 Ryan Spate’s 35-yard field goal with five seconds to play turned an outright league championship for St. Francis (6-3) into a three-team share that included the Ramblers (7-2) and Kingsley in the Northern Michigan Football League Legends. The win was Boyne’s first over the Gladiators since 2017. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.
Watch list Maple City Glen Lake 35, Mancelona 0 The Lakers (8-1) completed an outright championship in the NMFL Legacy and sit No. 8 on the Division 8 playoff list with their only loss this season to Division 6 Reed City.
On the move Traverse City West 23, Traverse City Central 7 The Titans (6-3) capped their best regular-season finish in three years with their second-straight win over rival Central (4-5). Petoskey 42, Clare 21 Petoskey won this matchup of league champions to finish 9-0 for the first time since 1974. Clare is 7-2 with its only losses to league title winners. Kingsley 47, Charlevoix 28 The Stags received a piece of the NMFL Legends title thanks to Boyne City’s win, and also moved up to No. 13 on the Division 6 playoff list for downing the Rayders (6-3).
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Dexter 35, Chelsea 6 The Southeastern Conference Red-winning Dreadnaughts (9-0) claimed this matchup of league champions after jumping to a 21-0 first-quarter lead against the SEC White-clinching Bulldogs (7-2). In doing so, Dexter also avenged last season’s 31-21 loss to Chelsea. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.
Watch list Pinckney 12, Ann Arbor Pioneer 7 Including the first four games of this season, Pinckney (5-4) had lost 13 straight before winning their last five games this fall with this one clinching a Division 4 playoff berth. The Pirates jumped six spots to No. 30 on that division’s playoff list.
On the move Jackson Lumen Christi 39, Kalamazoo United 21 Lumen (8-1) impressed in another CHSL Prep Bowl showcase game, handing another league champion in United (7-2) just its second defeat. Saline 8, Lake Orion 7 Saline (6-3) scored and added a two-point conversion during the final minutes of the fourth quarter to get past the Dragons (6-3). Ida 23, Clinton 14 Ida (8-1) secured second place in the Lenawee Country Athletic Association and sent Clinton (6-3) into third, and ended a three-game losing streak against the Redwolves.
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER Kalamazoo Central 20, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 10 The most consequential meeting of these rivals in some time went to Central (6-3), which not only clinched the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference East title outright but jumped five spots to No. 32 in Division 1 to secure a first playoff appearance since 2018 (not counting COVID-shortened 2020, when nearly all teams qualified). Loy Norrix missed the playoffs, but at 5-4 posted its best finish since 1998. Click for more from WWMT.
Watch list St. Joseph 15, Portage Central 0 Despite losing a Week 7 contest to Mattawan, St. Joseph (8-1) clawed back to shut out Portage Central and share the SMAC East championship with the Mustangs (6-3). The shutout was St. Joseph’s third over the last seven weeks and avenged last year’s loss to Central.
On the move Niles 21, Paw Paw 0 Niles (8-1) finished a second-straight perfect run through the Wolverine Conference, posting its second-straight shutout this month and fifth of the season in this winner-take-all matchup. Paw Paw also is 8-1 and will travel back to Niles this weekend for a Division 4 playoff opener. Stevensville Lakeshore 28, Portage Northern 13 Despite losing its first six games this season, Lakeshore (3-6) won its final three and will return to the playoffs after facing six opponents that finished with winning records including Northern (5-4). Buchanan 17, Union City 7 The Bucks (6-3) jumped from a precarious No. 31 spot on the Division 6 list all the way up to No. 22 with this win over a league champion in Union City (8-1).
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Kingsford 27, Marquette 17 Kingsford (9-0) defeated a longtime rival to finish a first perfect regular season since 2002, and by downing the Division 2 Sentinels moved all the way up to No. 4 on the Division 5 playoff list. The Flivvers have won three straight over Marquette, which finished 6-3. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.
Watch list Iron Mountain 35, Negaunee 21 The Mountaineers (9-0) completed their second-straight perfect regular season with a second-straight win over Negaunee (6-3), and in doing so moved up to No. 8 on the Division 8 playoff list and secured home games through the Regional Final should they continue to advance.
On the move Escanaba 50, Gladstone 7 Escanaba (5-4) won its final two games to finish this season with as many victories as the last three combined. Calumet 51, L’Anse 6 The Copper Kings (6-3) have fallen between Nos. 26-32 on the Division 6 playoff list the last four weeks but secured the No. 30 spot and a place in the bracket with this fourth-straight victory this season. Menominee 41, Bark River-Harris 0 The Maroons bounced back from a two-point loss to Kingsford in Week 8 to close out its best regular season since 2016 and move into the No. 2 spot on the Division 7 playoff list as they too work to get back to Ford Field for the second consecutive November.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Coopersville 35, Cedar Springs 21 The first-year River Cities Alliance put four of seven teams into the playoffs, making Coopersville’s shared league championship with Lowell even more impressive. The title was the Broncos’ first since 2007 and came as the program also has celebrated its 100th season. Coopersville is 6-3, and Cedar Springs (7-2) would have shared the title instead with a win. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Coopersville Claims Their First RCA Title With Their 35-21 Victory Over Cedar Springs!
🎥 : WXMI@MHSAA pic.twitter.com/MQAn6wCc50— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 27, 2024
Watch list Hudsonville Unity Christian 43, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 28 Unity Christian (9-0) has owned the No. 1 spot on the Division 4 playoff list the last five weeks and impressed yet again sending Notre Dame Prep (7-1) from No. 1 to No. 2 on the Division 5 list.
On the move Grandville 49, Caledonia 20 Grandville (5-4) plowed into the Division 1 playoffs with two straight wins to cap the regular season and kept Caledonia (4-5) from making a final move up the Division 2 list. Grand Rapids South Christian 26, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 20 The Sailors (5-4) were able to secure a place in the Division 4 field by avenging last year’s loss to the Cougars (5-4) to break a four-game losing streak. Zeeland West 34, Grand Rapids West Catholic 20 The Dux (8-1) will bound into the Division 3 playoffs coming off this win over the O-K White champion Falcons (6-3).
8-Player
HEADLINER Powers North Central 45, Crystal Falls Forest Park 34 The latest chapter in this rivalry saw the Jets claim the Great Lakes Eight Conference West championship outright via this winner-take-all matchup. North Central has won seven straight over the Trojans, this time scoring the most points Forest Park (8-1) has given up this season and holding the Trojans to their second-fewest. Click for more form the Iron Mountain Daily News.
Watch list Deckerville 50, Alcona 42 Deckerville (9-0) faced one of its few challenges this fall – and prevailed impressively once again to finish a regular season undefeated for the first time since 2019. The Eagles remained on top of the Division 1 playoff list as Alcona (8-1) fell one spot to No. 3 with its first defeat.
On the move Indian River Inland Lakes 50, Gaylord St. Mary 8 Inland Lakes (9-0) has never lost a league game in 8-player and wrapped up its fourth-straight Ski Valley Conference title in this winner-take-all with the Snowbirds (7-2). Climax-Scotts 63, Pittsford 14 Climax-Scotts also impressed again in this matchup of league champions, moving to a combined 18-1 over the last two seasons after losing only its opener this fall. Kingston 26, Marion 22 The Cardinals (7-2) showed more of the power of the Big Thumb Conference Blue. They finished third as Deckerville won the league and Brown City was runner-up this fall, but closed the regular season by handing Marion (8-1) its lone loss.
MHSAA.com's weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Click to connect with MI Student Aid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
PHOTOS (Top) Ithaca defenders converge on a Shepherd ball carried during the Yellowjackets' 43-0 win Friday to finish 9-0. (2) Grand Ledge's Anthony Baker (28) finds a crease as Okemos' Sean Cho (7) pursues during the Comets' 46-10 win. (3) An Otsego player pulls in a pass during the Bulldogs' 17-7 win over Three Rivers. (4) Ishpeming's Ethan Corp works to get past an Auburn Hills Oakland Christian defender Saturday during the Hematites' 58-6 victory. (Top photo by High School Sports Scene. Grand Ledge/Okemos photo by John Johnson. Otsego/Three Rivers photo by Gary Shook. Ishpeming/Oakland Christian photo by Cara Kamps.)