Drive for Detroit: Week 3 in Review
September 10, 2012
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Mid-September is not the logical time to announce a league championship has been decided.
But this season, games played during Week 3 eventually may determine at least nine league championships.
A number of results could've been considered the most intriguing – and we've tried to hit all of the possibilities in this week's Drive for Detroit report.
West Michigan
Muskegon 21, Rockford 9
The Big Reds are rivaling Detroit Cass Tech as the most impressive team in the state so far after motoring past Rockford on the legs of a 400-21 rushing yards advantage. Muskegon (3-0) now owns wins over Rockford, Orchard Lake St. Mary and Ohio power Sylvania Southview. The Rams face a 1-2 start for the first time since 1999. But rest assured, Ram Nation: the last time Rockford opened 1-2, it still made the Division 1 Semifinals. Click to read more from the Muskegon Chronicle.
Also noted:
Holland West Ottawa 24, East Grand Rapids 17 – These teams met for the first time since 1983; West Ottawa beat the Pioneers for the first time since 1980.
Muskegon Oakridge 35, Montague 7 – After two straight one-point games between these two, Oakridge won big to take the upper hand in the West Michigan Conference.
Zeeland East 15, Hudsonville 14 – East is off to a 3-0 start again, but the Eagles are 1-2 with those losses by a combined four points.
Grand Rapids South Christian 42, Grand Rapids West Catholic 7 – Beating this 2011 Division 5 Semifinalist, plus losing to Grand Rapids Christian by only 10 in Week 1, makes the Sailors look lined up to challenge Grand Rapids Catholic Central in the O-K Gold.
Mid-Michigan
Pinckney 36, Brighton 14
The Pirates had lost 18 straight to Brighton. In fact, they hadn’t beaten the Bulldogs since 1977 before scoring 29 unanswered points Friday in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West opener. Pinckney is 2-1, just a win off last season’s total and halfway to their best season since 2001. Brighton fell to 1-2. Click to read more from the Livingston Daily.
Also noted:
Alma 14, Freeland 6 – The Panthers opened the Tri-Valley Conference Central season by avenging a loss that kept them from winning a share of the title in 2011.
Grand Ledge 35, Lansing Sexton 8 – The Comets scored more than 30 points for the third straight week and look good to cruise into an Oct. 5 showdown with Lansing Everett that could decide the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue title.
Portland St. Patrick 58, Burr Oak 14 – The Shamrocks appear to have struck gold with the 8-player format, averaging nearly 61 points per game during a 3-0 start.
Owosso 25, Haslett 22 – This was arguably Owosso’s most impressive win since 2006 and will help as the Trojans go for a first playoff berth since 2001.
Greater Detroit
Oxford 34, Farmington Hills Harrison 31 (2 OT)
The Wildcats had lost by an average of 31 points to the Hawks over the last two seasons, their first together in the Oakland Activities Association White. But Oxford (2-1) broke Harrison’s 21-game regular-season winning streak in what has to be considered an upset although both teams made the playoffs in 2011. The Wildcats also beat a 2011 playoff team, North Farmington, in Week 2. Click to read more from NorthOaklandSports.com.
Also noted:
Livonia Churchill 35, Plymouth 31 – Churchill had lost its first four matchups with Plymouth since the start of the KLAA, including 41-0 in 2011.
Warren DeLaSalle 40, Dearborn Fordson 19 – After a loss to one of the best in Ohio, Cleveland St. Ignatius, the Pilots bounced back for a solid win heading into the Catholic League season.
Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 21, Utica Eisenhower 7 – The Big Reds avenged a 45-0 shutout from last season to get to 2-1 and only a win shy of last season’s victory total.
Oak Park 34, Rochester Adams 22 – The Knights are 3-0 and equaled last season’s win total; combine this with an opening-weekend win over Detroit East English, and Oak Park is looking good to make some noise in the OAA White.
Thumb and Bay
Frankenmuth 12, Millington 8
The Eagles (3-0) had lost four straight to their rival, and appeared in trouble of making it five after giving up a safety in the fourth quarter. But Frankenmuth recovered an onside kick and scored, and with the win earned an an early upper hand in the Tri-Valley Conference East. Millington fell to 2-1. Click to read more from the Saginaw News.
Also noted:
Capac 12, Almont 7 – The Chiefs avenged a 28-0 loss from 2011 and gained what could be a significant step toward its playoff hopes.
Peck 44, Carsonville-Port Sanilac 13 – The Pirates downed the reigning MHSAA 8-player champion to move to 3-0.
Midland Dow 27, Saginaw 16 – Dow avenged last season’s 18-13 loss and moved to 2-0 in the tough Saginaw Valley Association North.
Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 28, Merrill 14 – The Cardinals needed this one to keep pace in a league that sent five of eight teams, including both of these squads, to the playoffs last season.
Southwest and Border
Schoolcraft 21, Olivet 20
Schoolcraft knocked out two Kalamazoo Valley Association favorites over the last two weeks and at 3-0 is now the team to beat. Olivet led by 10 points during the fourth quarter, but couldn’t hold on despite some significant statistical advantages and fell to 2-1. Click to read more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Also noted:
Battle Creek Harper Creek 35, Sturgis 3 – This was looking like a must-win for the 1-2 Beavers, and turned into an impressive win as well.
Stevensville Lakeshore 21, Portage Northern 14 (2 OT) – This was the best of the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference openers, and could have title implications later on.
Blissfield 32, Hudson 13 – The Royals got their first win by avenging a 39-point loss from 2011.
Dowagiac 30, Plainwell 13 – Dowagiac extended its winning streak over Plainwell to seven straight and looks set for another run in the Wolverine B South.
Lower Up North
Traverse City St. Francis 12, Elk Rapids 7
The Gladiators have bounced back well since an opening-night loss to Kingsley, moving to 2-1 against an Elk Rapids team that is likely better than its 1-2 record. The Elks also fell on opening night, to Mancelona, which won 10 games in 2011. With St. Francis not playing in the Lake Michigan Conference this season after winning it a year ago, Elk Rapids could be the team that pushes Grayling for the league title. Click to read more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Also noted:
Pellston 7, Rogers City 6 – The Hornets made a first-quarter touchdown stand to move to 3-0 for the first time since 1995 and equal their highest win total of the last decade.
Benzie Central 8, Frankfort 6 – This was looking like a bit of a must-win for Benzie Central after an 0-2 start, and is a big first step toward defending the Northwest Conference title.
McBain 19, Manton 14 – The Ramblers stopped a Manton offense that had scored at least 40 points in each of its first two games this season.
Cadillac 44, Petoskey 14 – One of these two has won the Big North Conference every season dating to 2008; Cadillac is the favorite now.
Upper Peninsula
Negaunee 36, Gladstone 34
The Miners (3-0) pushed their winning streak over Gladstone to three straight with this second consecutive win over the Braves by a field goal or less. Negaunee entered the fourth quarter trailing by 14 points, but scored twice during the final six minutes to stay perfect this fall. Gladstone fell to 2-1, but has plenty to be pleased about after finishing winless in 2011. Click to read more from the Marquette Mining Journal.
Also noted:
Crystal Falls Forest Park 13, Hurley 12 – The Trojans avenged last season’s lone regular-season loss and became favorites in the Great Western Conference.
L’Anse 45, Ontonagon 6 – The Purple Hornets eclipsed last season’s win total and moved to 3-0 by beating a team with three straight playoff appearances.
Norway 14, Stephenson 8 – The Knights equaled last season’s win total by moving to 2-1, also by beating a team that is coming off three straight playoff berths.
Eben Junction Superior Central 61, Posen 40 – The 8-player game has proven high-scoring, but this is the first matchup this season to result in more than 100 combined points with the losing team scoring at least 40.
Trophy Games
Each week, the MHSAA highlights trophy games around the state. Here's one from Week 3.
- The Wooden Oar Trophy: Fruitport and Spring Lake launched this award last week, dubbing their matchup the Bayou Battle. Final: Fruitport 15, Spring Lake 6.
PHOTO: Traverse City St. Francis' Byron Bullough (5) works to break a tackle by Elk Rapids' Ryan Simpson (57) during Friday's 12-7 Gladiators win. (Click to see more at Terry McNamara Photography.)
1st & Goal: 2024 Week 5 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 30, 2024
We have our first league champions of the 2024 Michigan high school football season. And we have several more who could join them soon.
We highlight many of both below in our discussion of Week 5 and as we moved past the midway point of the regular season. That being the case, you’ll also notice several references to playoff-point average and positioning, a growing theme of note as we continue into the final four weeks before this year’s brackets are selected Oct. 27.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Port Huron Northern 30, Port Huron 23 After an 0-2 start this season, Northern has won all three of its league games and can clinch a share of the Macomb Area Conference Blue title against Fraser this week. Lincoln Watkins scored the go-ahead points with 3:26 to play, and Mailk Thompson had two interceptions over the final 2:54 as Northern avenged last season’s 34-0 loss to the Red Hawks (3-2). Click for from the Port Huron Times Herald.
Watch list Saginaw Heritage 10, Lapeer 7 Despite an 0-2 start in Saginaw Valley League Red play, Heritage (3-2) isn’t going away. The Hawks will need major some help to climb back into the league title race, but handing Lapeer (4-1) its first loss was the right start.
On the move Almont 28, Croswell-Lexington 14 This along with Armada’s big win over Yale set up an Almont/Armada matchup this week for first place in the Blue Water Area Conference. Almont (5-0) is the reigning champ and Cros-Lex (3-2) was the runner-up last year. Chesaning 17, Birch Run 9 Chesaning is 5-0 for the first time since its Division 4 championship season of 2001 and will see the other top three teams in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference over the next three weeks after sending Birch Run to 2-3. Grand Blanc 35, Lansing Everett 21 The Bobcats (4-1) continued an impressive surge by handing Everett (4-1) its first loss. Grand Blanc has jumped from No. 21 to No. 10 in Division 1 playoff-point average over the last two weeks.
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Detroit Catholic Central 31, Warren De La Salle Collegiate 14 Sunday’s Boys Bowl victory put Detroit Catholic Central (5-0) within one more win of clinching a share of the Catholic High School League Central title. DCC jumped out to a 21-0 first-half lead, and Samson Gash scored three times as the Shamrocks ended a three-game losing streak against the Pilots (3-2). Click for more from the Oakland Press.
Watch list Lake Orion 28, Rochester Adams 25 Lake Orion (4-1) impressed with a season-opening win over Northville, lost a tough one to much-improved Oxford in Week 4, but bounced back to stop a charging Adams team (4-1). The Oakland Activities Association Red race remains wide open as the Dragons seek to repeat.
On the move Riverview 52, Flat Rock 45 Riverview (5-0) will face Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central this week for first in the Huron League after downing another former co-leader Flat Rock (4-1) with a go-ahead touchdown during the final seconds. Warren Fitzgerald 18, Madison Heights Lamphere 7 Fitzgerald started this season 0-2 but can clinch a share of the MAC Gold title this week after handing a first loss to Lamphere (4-1), which entered the game atop the statewide Division 4 playoff-point average list. Birmingham Groves 28, Harper Woods 12 Groves (5-0) clinched a share of the Oakland Activities Association White title after finishing second a year ago, when league opponents Harper Woods and Southfield Arts & Technology both went on to win MHSAA Finals championships.
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER DeWitt 42, East Lansing 35 Although this was only their second league game, the high-scoring Panthers (5-0) put themselves in position to take back the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue title for the first time since 2021 and also moved into the top spot for statewide Division 3 playoff-point average. Trav Moore scored three times, and the Panthers made a last-minute defensive stand as DeWitt defeated reigning league champ East Lansing (3-2) in the teams’ third-straight meeting decided by seven points or fewer. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
Watch list Leslie 45, Manchester 28 It’s still early in the Cascades Conference East schedule as well, but Leslie stands alone on top after handing Manchester (4-1) its first defeat. The Blackhawks finished 4-5 and fifth in the league a year ago.
On the move Portland 35, Lansing Catholic 14 The two-time reigning champ Raiders (5-0) extended their CAAC White winning streak to 17 as they moved into first place alone thanks to a third-straight victory over the Cougars (3-2). Howell 27, Northville 12 The Highlanders (5-0) already have outdone their finishes from the last two seasons and are tied for first in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West after this win over reigning champion Northville (2-3). Ovid-Elsie 42, Montrose 7 The Marauders (5-0) kept pace with Chesaning in the MMAC and put Montrose a game back in avenging last year’s 29-22 loss to the Rams (3-2).
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Traverse City St. Francis 49, Kingsley 20 As stated in Friday’s preview, the winner of this showdown would emerge as the likely favorite in the Northern Michigan Football League Legends, and St. Francis (4-1) can now clinch a share of the title this week at Cheboygan. The Gladiators broke away after taking a 22-14 lead into halftime to avenge a 44-21 loss to the Stags (3-2) from last season. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Watch list Ogemaw Heights 41, Clare 34 In its first season in the Jack Pine Conference, Ogemaw Heights (5-0) edged an annual favorite to pull within a win of clinching a share of the JPC Division 1 title. Ogemaw moved past Clare (4-1) with the go-ahead score with 1:08 to play.
On the move Maple City Glen Lake 7, East Jordan 6 Glen Lake (4-1) can clinch a share of the NMFL Legacy title this week after handing East Jordan (3-2) its second one-score loss in as many weeks. Traverse City Central 21, Midland Dow 7 Central (2-3) pulled Dow (2-3) out of the shared lead in the SVL Blue and also moved up substantially in Division 2 playoff-point average after three straight losses to start this month. Charlevoix 34, Benzie Central 14 Charlevoix (3-2) is one win from clinching the NMFL Leaders championship for the second-straight season after defeating last year’s league runner-up Benzie (2-3).
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Petersburg Summerfield 20, Ottawa Lake Whiteford 14 The final Tri-County Conference championship in football may be headed to Summerfield (4-1), which can clinch a share of its eighth championship in this league either this week (if Whiteford defeats Erie Mason) or next (with a win over Erie Mason) after its first win over Whiteford (2-3) since their 2020 District Final. The Bulldogs scored the only touchdown of the second half and made an impressive defensive stand, especially considering Whiteford had scored at least 42 points every meeting during a four-game winning streak in the rivalry. Click for more from the Monroe News.
Summerfield 🏈 spoiled Whiteford's Homecoming festivities by posting a 20-14 triumph. pic.twitter.com/BQWtQrwLsD
— BCSN (@BCSNsports) September 29, 2024
Watch list Ypsilanti Community 27, Jackson 20 Ypsilanti Community (2-3) tied its win total from last season and moved into the No. 32 spot on the Division 3 playoff-point average list with its first win over Jackson since the Vikings (4-1) joined the Southeastern Conference in 2018. The Grizzlies also have losses by only five and one point as they seek their first winning season since 2014.
On the move Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 32, Milan 0 As noted above, SMCC (5-0) will face Riverview this week for first in the Huron League, and coming off its third-straight shutout. Hudson 44, Blissfield 6 After opening this season with a loss, Hudson (4-1) continues to roll and sits tied for Clinton atop the Lenawee County Athletic Association. Napoleon 30, Grass Lake 26 The reigning champion in the Cascades Conference East, Napoleon (3-2) bounced back from a Week 4 loss and could make the standings messy this week against leader Leslie and with Grass Lake (3-2) also in the mix still as well.
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER Parchment 32, South Haven 0 With its third shutout of the season, Parchment (4-1) advanced its best start since 2017 and avenged last year’s 52-20 loss to South Haven (2-3). The Panthers amassed nearly 500 yards of offense and are one of three teams tied for first early in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Watch list Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 6, Battle Creek Central 0 The Knights (3-2) already have guaranteed their best finish since 2012 and after winning a combined three games over the last four seasons. They returned to the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference this fall after four seasons as an independent.
On the move Portage Central 7, Mattawan 0 Portage Central (3-2) remains one of three teams without a league loss early in the SMAC East, despite a significant push from the Wildcats (2-3). Union City 35, Sand Creek 14 Union City (5-0) joins Bronson and Springport atop the Big 8 Conference standings and plays them back-to-back, respectively, over the next two weeks. Dowagiac 63, Benton Harbor 6 After a few rough seasons to start this decade, Dowagiac is 4-1 for the second season in a row – and seeking to improve on last fall’s 5-4 finish.
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Escanaba 62, Grayling 21 With its highest-scoring game since 2009, Escanaba (3-2) guaranteed its best finish since 2019 after winning two games apiece the last two seasons. All three Escanaba victories this fall have avenged losses from a year ago; Grayling won last season’s meeting 37-30. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.
Watch list West Iron County 24, Gwinn 16 (2 OT) West Iron had a rough go over the last three seasons, winning just one game total. But in avenging two losses to Gwinn (2-3) from a year ago, the Wykons (2-3) have guaranteed their best finish since 2020.
On the move Iron Mountain 63, L’Anse 8 The Mountaineers (5-0) clinched a share of the Western Peninsula Activities Conference Iron championship and ran their regular-season winning streak to 22. Ishpeming Westwood 42, Gladstone 15 The Patriots (2-3) have doubled their win total from a year ago in avenging last year’s 49-8 loss to Gladstone. Kingsford 14, Calumet 0 The Flivvers (5-0) posted their third shutout in five games but also ran into a strong defensive effort from the Copper Kings (2-3), who held Kingsford to a season low.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Hudsonville Unity Christian 20, Zeeland West 8 These two entered the weekend among 28 undefeated teams statewide, and Unity (5-0) finished the weekend leading an Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold that also includes among six teams three at 4-1 and a fourth at 3-2. Unity scored a season low, but also joined Mona Shores as the only teams to keep the Dux (4-1) to single digits over the last five seasons. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Watch list Jenison 15, Rockford 14 If the season ended today, Jenison (2-3) would be in the playoffs for the first time since 2018 (not counting 2020, when nearly every team qualified because of COVID-19). This will be an unforgettable win from coach Josh Lucas’ first season as it broke a 12-game losing streak to the Rams (3-2) that began in 2006.
On the move Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 34, Grand Rapids South Christian 13 South Christian (4-1) also entered the weekend among the undefeated, but reigning Division 3 champion FHC (4-1) did its part to also shake up the O-K Gold standings. Muskegon Mona Shores 42, Muskegon 27 The Sailors (5-0) ended a five-game losing streak against the Big Reds (1-3) that included regular-season and playoff defeats in 2023. Lowell 28, Cedar Springs 14 The Red Arrows (3-2) were another team to hand out a first loss this week, to the Red Hawks (4-1), and did so for the second consecutive week after delivering Marquette its first defeat as well in Week 4.
8-Player
HEADLINER Burr Oak 60, Waldron 34 After last scoring 60 pints in 2020, Burr Oak (4-1) did so for the third time this fall in handing Waldron (4-1) its first loss. The last time Burr Oak had defeated the Spartans also was in 2020. And keep an eye on this storyline: The Bobcats’ next two opponents are both 1-4, and two more wins would guarantee Burr Oak its best finish since 1974, according to Michigan-Football.com. Click for more from the Sturgis Journal.
Watch list Morrice 22, Fulton 0 The Orioles (4-1) bounced back from their first loss with their second shutout of the season, handing a first defeat to the Pirates (4-1) – who were averaging nearly 58 points per game.
On the move Brown City 26, Kingston 16 Brown City supporters may have just become Kingston’s biggest fans outside the Cardinals’ hometown as this Green Devils (4-1) win kept them in the Big Thumb Conference Blue race – as long as Kingston (4-1) can defeat league leader Deckerville in two weeks. Gobles 38, Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian 8 Gobles (5-0) handed NorthPointe its first in-state loss this season in avenging last year’s defeat by the Mustangs (3-2). Indian River Inland Lakes 30, Ishpeming 22 Inland Lakes (5-0) held on for its closest regular-season victory this fall. Ishpeming (3-2), meanwhile, faced an undefeated opponent for the third-straight week. Britton Deerfield 48, Adrian Lenawee Christian 26 Britton Deerfield (4-1) clinched a share of the Southern Central Athletic Association White championship with its first win over Lenawee Christian since 2014.
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PHOTOS (Top) Detroit Catholic Central’s Samson Gash reaches the end zone during his team’s win over Warren De La Salle Collegiate. (2) DeWitt’s Jadon Bender (11) cuts back between East Lansing defenders. (3) Negaunee's Brady Mager (4) takes on Hancock's Ethan Anderson (45) during the Miners’ 48-20 win. (4) Perry defenders pursue a Bath ball carrier during the Bees’ 40-0 victory. (Top photo by Adam Sheehan. DeWitt/East Lansing photo by Terry Lyons. Negaunee/Hancock photo by Cara Kamps. Perry/Bath photo by John Johnson.)