Drive for Detroit: Week 4 Preview
September 14, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
This is the time of year, every year, when we begin to notice the start of separation among the fast starters and truly elite teams in Michigan high school football.
There are 122 teams (of 617 total) without a loss as the regular season creeps toward the midway point. And that number will go down by at least a few this weekend as a number of league races also take a turn with undefeated contenders facing off.
This week’s Drive for Detroit preview powered by MI Student Aid features three of those matchups and mentions a half-dozen more. Remember to stay with us Friday night and into Saturday for scores as they come in on the MHSAA Score Center, and click on teams off that page for updated standings and playoff points. MHSAA.tv will broadcast nine games across both peninsulas this weekend – click here for the schedule. All games below will be played Friday.
Bay & Thumb
Linden (3-0) at Fenton (3-0)
Fenton has claimed outright Flint Metro League titles by defeating Linden in the regular-season finale the last three seasons – wins by the Eagles in 2014 and 2016 would’ve meant a shared championship – but this fall the meeting comes in the heart of the league schedule. Linden has handed lone losses this season to both Flushing and Holly, and Fenton did the same to Ortonville Brandon – giving this the feeling of a few-weeks-early championship game again.
Others that caught my eye: Lake Fenton (2-1) at Goodrich (3-0), Marysville (2-1) at Marine City (3-0), Freeland (3-0) at Saginaw Swan Valley (2-1), Houghton Lake (2-1) at Beaverton (3-0).
Greater Detroit
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood (3-0) at Dearborn Divine Child (3-0)
Cranbrook Kingswood has experienced an upswing in football since longtime Detroit Country Day coach Joe D’Angelo took over in 2013. Coming off three straight playoff seasons, the Cranes have opened by outscoring their first three opponents by a combined 114-7 – and two of those teams also made the playoffs last fall. Divine Child has been similarly strong against a similar group of teams and has Big Ten-committed prospects on both sides of the ball (QB/S Theo Day – Michigan State, DE/TE Aidan Hutchinson – Michigan) as it continues to build of last season’s Division 3 Semifinal run.
Others that caught my eye: Warren Mott (3-0) at Macomb Dakota (2-1), Detroit Central (2-1) at Detroit Renaissance (3-0), Clarkston (3-0) at West Bloomfield (1-2), Waterford Mott (2-1) at Walled Lake Western (3-0).
Mid-Michigan
Grand Ledge (2-1) at Lansing Sexton (3-0)
Grand Ledge and DeWitt were considered the unquestioned elite in the Lansing area heading into this season. Then the Panthers downed the Comets 14-7 in Week 2 to rise to the top of the list. But Sexton is building a solid argument as well giving up only 21 points so far and after handing Portland its first regular-season loss since 2014. Another victory tonight would put the Big Reds firmly in the discussion; the winner regardless will take a significant step toward the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue title.
Others that caught my eye: Vermontville Maple Valley (3-0) at Lake Odessa Lakewood (3-0), Lansing Catholic (3-0) at Williamston (2-1), Perry (2-1) at Olivet (3-0), Fulton (2-1) at Fowler (2-1).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Lincoln Alcona (3-0) at AuGres-Sims (3-0)
It’s hard to remember that 11-year span at the start of this century when Alcona didn’t make the playoffs once; the Tigers have qualified four of the last five seasons and are well on their way again with two wins this fall over playoff teams from a year ago. AuGres-Sims started what it hopes is a similar bounce-back going 7-3 last year despite falling to Alcona 58-20. If like opponents mean anything – they have two so far in 2017 – tonight’s game should be a lot closer than that last meeting and could end up deciding the North Star League title.
Others that caught my eye: Whittemore-Prescott (2-1) at Gaylord St. Mary (3-0), Evart (2-1) at McBain (2-1), Johannesburg-Lewiston (2-1) at Charlevoix (1-2), Kalkaska (3-0) at Elk Rapids (2-1).
Southeast & Border
Ypsilanti Community (2-1) at Adrian (2-1)
Once an annual power, we didn’t talk about Adrian for a few seasons until the Maples ended a string of four sub-.500 finishes by winning a District title last fall. They fell in an odd one, 11-7, last weekend after the power went out Friday and they had to resume Sunday morning. Ypsilanti Community also fell last week, to Pinckney, but has equaled last season’s win total and shut out Tecumseh on opening night.
Others that caught my eye: Dundee (2-1) at Hudson (3-0), Brooklyn Columbia Central (2-1) at Ida (3-0), Chelsea (2-1) at Tecumseh (2-1), Addison (3-0) at Napoleon (2-1)
Southwest Corridor
Stevensville Lakeshore (3-0) at St. Joseph (3-0)
Last week Lakeshore/Portage Central was the big game in the southwest part of the state, and following a 24-7 win the Lancers are headlining again as they face their other annual main competition in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West. Lakeshore has beaten St. Joseph in four straight. But the Bears have been tough defensively and can rely on running back Ryan Haynes, who has piled up more than 400 yards on the ground.
Others that caught my eye: Union City (3-0) at Quincy (3-0), Dowagiac (2-1) at Edwardsburg (3-0), Traverse City Central (2-1) at Portage Central (2-1), St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic (3-0) at Parchment (2-1).
Upper Peninsula
Ishpeming Westwood (3-0) at Gladstone (3-0)
Like Lakeshore above, Westwood finds itself in the top spot for as second straight week after downing previously undefeated L’Anse 38-10 to eclipse its win total from a year ago. The Patriots also handed Munising its lone loss this season, but the toughest competition so far should come from Gladstone – which switched to the Mid-Peninsula Conference this season after battling the biggest in the U.P. in the Great Northern Conference for more than two decades. Last week’s 43-0 win over Negaunee gave the Braves as many wins as they had all of last season and as many as they’ve had in any season since 2010.
Others that caught my eye: Marquette (1-2) at Escanaba (2-1), Munising (2-1) at Newberry (2-1), Gwinn (2-1) at Norway (3-0), Hancock (3-0) at L'Anse (2-1).
West Michigan
Muskegon (3-0) at Byron Center (3-0)
The Grand Rapids and Muskegon areas are loaded with outstanding matchups this weekend – see the others mentioned below – but this gets top billing because of Byron Center’s opportunity. Muskegon is a state power and came within minutes of winning the Division 3 title last year. But the Bulldogs finished 10-2 – earning their most wins since 2000 – with both losses to the Big Reds, in Week 4 and again in a Division 3 Regional Final.
Others that caught my eye: Grand Rapids Christian (3-0) at Grand Rapids South Christian (3-0), Zeeland East (3-0) at Holland (3-0), Whitehall (2-1) at Muskegon Oakridge (3-0), Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (3-0) at Muskegon Mona Shores (3-0).
8-Player
Bellevue (3-0) at Portland St. Patrick (3-0)
The Broncos moved into 8-player this season coming off two straight 3-5 finishes and one win in 2014. So far, it’s a perfect fit. Bellevue’s start has been nearly perfect defensively – it’s outscored its first three opponents by a combined 146-6. St. Patrick has a lot more experience in the 8-player format – the Shamrocks twice have come within a win or two of the MHSAA championship game since making the move in 2012. They’re coming off a 38-22 win over rival Webberville, which Bellevue beat 40-6 on opening night.
Others that caught my eye: Ontonagon (2-0) at Rapid River (3-0), Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (2-1) at Onekama (3-0), Deckerville (3-0) at Kingston (2-1), New Haven Merritt (2-1) at Bay City All Saints (2-1).
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: Grand Ledge quarterback Nolan Bird targets a receiver during his team’s 14-7 loss to DeWitt in Week 2. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
Stevenson's Travels Following Lake Orion Success Include Space Force, Penn, NYC
By
Keith Dunlap
Special for MHSAA.com
July 17, 2025
It certainly isn’t hard for Marques Stevenson to pause and turn back the clock, even if sometimes it’s in the middle of the night.
Once a star running back at Lake Orion High School, Stevenson was arguably the MVP of what still stands as the only Dragons team to win an MHSAA Finals football championship.
Even though it will be 15 years this fall since that magical run in 2010, the memories remain as fresh as if they happened yesterday.
“I get the nostalgia, and I’ll cut on some highlights of that year,” he said. “I’ll tell my girlfriend at 3 in the morning, ‘Hey watch this, we were so good in high school.’ At least twice a year I’ll find myself cutting on the old game film or watching ‘MHSAA Rewind’ and watch the championship game over again.”
Nobody could blame Stevenson, given he capped off a sensational senior year by rushing for 186 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries in Lake Orion’s 21-13 win over Plymouth in the Division 1 championship game.
Stevenson also rushed for 288 yards and four touchdowns in a District Final that year against Grand Blanc, and for 190 yards in a Semifinal win over Detroit Cass Tech.
Even more impressive is that late in that playoff run, opponents knew Lake Orion was going to ride its offensive line and Stevenson – and still couldn’t stop them.
Starting quarterback Sean Charette suffered a season-ending injury in their Regional Final, and while backup Cole Schaenzer definitely wasn’t a liability and did a good job filling in, it was no secret Lake Orion’s best route to scoring points was handing the ball to Stevenson.
“When (Charette) went down, it was a tough loss,” Stevenson said. “But we all felt like it was next man up and that we truly trusted each other.”
Stevenson finished the season with 1,966 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns, the former still a Lake Orion record.
"The season was special because going into that year, I don’t think any of us thought that was going to be the outcome,” said Stevenson, adding he vividly remembers the strong support given to the team by the Lake Orion community. “We all, day after day and week after week, started to believe in ourselves more. By the end, it came into fruition. It was a special run.”
After graduating from Lake Orion, Stevenson went on to the Air Force Academy, studying and also playing football there until deciding not to play his senior year.
Following graduation, he served six years in the Air Force, conducting satellite command and control for the U.S. Space Force while stationed in Denver and Los Angeles.
Once he finished his service, Stevenson obtained a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and he now works as a strategy consultant in New York City.
“I don’t think any of that would have been possible without Lake Orion and that football experience,” Stevenson said. “That got the ball rolling for the journey I’ve been on now. I’ve been able to see the world, moved around a lot and had different experiences. Most of those experiences are attributed to the opportunity I got at Lake Orion.”
Stevenson is listed a few more times in the Lake Orion football record book, ranking third all-time in career yards (3,122) and touchdowns in a season (25).
“His senior year, with his work, his speed, his vision and his knowledge of our offense, it almost looked easy for him,” said current Lake Orion head coach and athletic director Chris Bell, who also was the head coach of the 2010 championship team. “His work and preparation made him one of the best we ever had. He was a 4.0 student, a high-character young man and just a lot of fun to coach and be around.”
Stevenson said he’ll come back into town a couple times every year, but there might be a special reason to do so this fall – a 15-year celebration of the championship season.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there wasn’t a 10-year reunion in 2020.
“I would love to do a proper reunion of that team,” Stevenson said. “I should probably reach out to Coach Bell and Coach (John) Blackstock and those guys.”
If a reunion does happen, no doubt it will be more reason to get out the clips from that 2010 season again.
“That whole run and experience resonates with me,” Stevenson said. “And I don’t think that’s ever going to change.”
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PHOTOS (Top) At left, Marques Stevenson carries the ball for Lake Orion during his senior season in 2010. At right, Stevenson today. (Middle) Stevenson takes on a Troy defender in 2008. (Action photos courtesy of the Oakland Press; headshot provided by Marques Stevenson.)