Drive for Detroit: Week 5 Preview
September 22, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
There are 100 undefeated Michigan high school football teams at the midpoint of this season. Another 136 teams have only one loss heading into Week 5, which will be played out in most places tonight.
Eventually every fall, the elite emerge from all of those with great starts. And this looks like it's going to be that week for the 2015 season.
A number of our undefeated teams take on those from the group with one loss. Many of those matchups are mentioned below in this week’s Drive for Detroit preview, powered by MI Student Aid. Many more may be discussed in Monday's review of the weekend; be sure to tune back in then.
To see the weekend's full schedule, check out the MHSAA Score Center. All games below are Friday unless noted.
Bay & Thumb
Millington (4-0) at Frankenmuth (4-0)
A year doesn’t go by when this isn’t one of the must-see games from the Saginaw Bay area. There’s just too much history between the two; Millington has handed Frankenmuth its only two Tri-Valley Conference East losses over the last five seasons, and three of the Cardinals’ five league losses over the last five seasons came to the Eagles. Frankenmuth owns the most recent victory, 28-7 last year, and has outscored four opponents by a combined 150-20 this fall. Millington’s margin so far is 182-28 – and this one could see more offense than defense with standout quarterbacks Jared Davis and Bryce Bearss leading the Eagles and Cardinals, respectively.
Others that caught my eye: Brighton (3-1) at Grand Blanc (4-0), Croswell-Lexington (3-1) at Algonac (4-0), Montrose (3-1) at Lake Fenton (4-0), Midland Dow (4-0) at Flint Powers Catholic (2-2).
Greater Detroit
Detroit Catholic Central (4-0) at Birmingham Brother Rice (3-1)
What gives this an edge over the many other 4-0 vs. 3-1 matchups in the Detroit area this week is a few-fold. The winner certainly has an upper hand in the Detroit Catholic League Central, annually one of the state’s most competitive leagues. But it’s also intriguing because of Brother Rice’s bounce-back from 2-7 a year ago – its first sub-.500 finish since 1985. The Warriors’ lone loss this fall was to Indiana power Mishawaka Penn; DCC handed previously-undefeated Cleveland St. Ignatius a first loss last week and also owns an always-impressive win over Toledo Whitmer. The Shamrocks’ 35-7 win over Brother Rice in 2015 was their first against the rival after three straight losses; Rice surely will be looking to start a new streak.
Others that caught my eye: Romulus (4-0) at Dearborn (3-1), Detroit East English (3-1) at Detroit Cass Tech (4-0), Romeo (3-1) at Utica Eisenhower (4-0), Dearborn Fordson (4-0) at Redford Thurston (3-1).
Mid-Michigan
Stockbridge (3-1) at Lake Odessa Lakewood (4-0)
These two have combined to score 73 and then 103 points in their most recent meetings, respectively, and Stockbridge quarterback Mason Gee-Montgomery is coming off throwing eight touchdown passes to pass 100 for his career last week. Lakewood hasn’t scored fewer than 37 points this fall, and both teams are giving up their share as well. In addition to the obvious entertainment factor, this is a big one because it could decide the eventual Greater Lansing Athletic Conference champion. The Vikings are reigning champs, and with Stockbridge and Olivet are 2-0 in league play with two more league games left after this weekend.
Others that caught my eye: Laingsburg (4-0) at Fowler (3-1), East Lansing (2-2) at Holt (2-2), Flint Hamady (2-2) at Durand (4-0), New Lothrop (4-0) at Byron (3-1).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Charlevoix (4-0) at Maple City Glen Lake (3-1)
The Northern Michigan Football Conference Leaders division standings could clear up a little bit this week with this result; the winner will join Frankfort (which plays a crossover) as the only undefeated teams left in league play. This isn’t unfamiliar territory for the Rayders; they finished second in the Leaders in 2014. Glen Lake hasn’t been in contention since the formation of the NMFC that fall – but looks early more like the 2012 and 2013 teams that won Northwest Conference titles. The Lakers’ loss this season was by a mere eight points to powerhouse Traverse City St. Francis, and they beat 3-1 Onekama 42-7 a week ago. Charlevoix has an impressive win though too, by eight over NMFC Legends co-leader Boyne City in Week 2.
Others that caught my eye: Johannesburg-Lewiston (2-2) at Frankfort (4-0), Traverse City Central (4-0) at Gaylord (2-2), Houghton Lake (3-1) at Roscommon (4-0), Lincoln Alcona (3-1) at Whittemore-Prescott (3-1).
Southeast & Border
Adrian Madison (3-1) at Sand Creek (4-0)
Six of eight teams in the Tri-County Conference are .500 or better so far, and the league has a couple of significant matchups this week. Sand Creek gets a chance to prove it will stick in contention with also-undefeated Clinton and Ottawa Lake Whiteford. The Aggies have more wins than they’ve totaled in an entire season since 2011, but Madison – which lost to Clinton by only eight in Week 3 – is halfway to earning its first playoff berth since 2009.
Others that caught my eye: Tecumseh (2-2) at Chelsea (4-0), Springport (4-0) at Homer (2-2), Dundee (2-2) at Ida (4-0), Grand Ledge (3-1) at Jackson (2-2).
Southwest Corridor
Lawton (4-0) at Gobles (4-0)
This rivalry has been on, and then off, and now on again a few times over the last 15 years, but this edition might be the most meaningful in a while – and not just because Lawton won a nail-biter 30-27 a year ago. Both are staring down reigning champion Schoolcraft in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Central, with Lawton getting the Eagles next week and Gobles getting them in Week 7. Both are contenders to take the title away; Gobles has scored at least 50 points three weeks in a row, and Lawton has given up 12 – total – in four games.
Others that caught my eye: Battle Creek Lakeview (3-0) at Portage Central (3-1), Edwardsburg (4-0) at Dowagiac (2-2), Parchment (3-1) at St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic (4-0), Bark River-Harris (2-2) at Climax-Scotts (4-0) on Saturday.
Upper Peninsula
Lake Linden-Hubbell (4-0) at Newberry (4-0)
The Mid-Eastern Conference has seen the share of top games in the Upper Peninsula so far, and this one could finish the sorting for this season. Newberry, in fact, can clinch a share of the league title, which would its first since 2005 in the Straits Area Conference. The Lakes won the final Great Western Conference title last fall but have played only one Mid-Eastern game so far. They need to win this one to not only take the lead, but keep alive a 13-game regular-season winning streak that this fall included handing Hancock its only loss so far.
Others that caught my eye: Calumet (3-1) at Hancock (3-1), Norway (4-0) at Ishpeming (2-1), Menominee (4-0) at Kingsford (3-1), Gwinn (3-1) at Negaunee (4-0).
West Michigan
Whitehall (4-0) at Montague (4-0)
This is a rematch of one of the classics from the Muskegon area a year ago; Montague won 29-28 in Week 5, which ended up contributing significantly to the Wildcats winning the West Michigan Conference championship. Comparing results against the same first four opponents from a year ago, Montague has been far more dominant this fall, outscoring those teams by a combined 173-24. Whitehall earned an impressive 50-47 win over much-improved Wyoming Kelloggsville in Week 1 and hasn’t slowed, running for 402 yards against Hart last week.
Others that caught my eye: Zeeland West (3-1) at Byron Center (3-1), Grand Rapids Christian (4-0) at Cedar Springs (3-1), Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (3-1) at Muskegon (3-1), Lowell (4-0) at Greenville (3-1).
8-Player
Battle Creek St. Philip (4-0) at Camden-Frontier (3-0), Saturday
Camden-Frontier made its 8-player debut Week 1 by breaking a 19-game losing streak and has absolutely dominated, outscoring its first three opponents by a combined 194-8 – although two of those wins came against the same team. Regardless, the Redskins will find out Saturday where they might sit when it comes to the state’s elite. St. Philip has had a couple of closer-than-usual wins, two by 10 or fewer points. But the reigning MHSAA runner-up has won 16 of its last 17 games.
Others that caught my eye: Deckerville (4-0) at Rudyard (3-1), Pickford (3-1) at Posen (2-2).
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: Flint Hamady (blue helmets) downed Byron in Week 2 and takes on Durand this week; Byron takes on New Lothrop, which with Durand is tied for first in the Genesee Area Conference Blue. (Click to see more from Varsity Monthly.)
Gorham Rewriting Record Book as Mendon Pursues Superior Dome Return
By
Scott Hassinger
Special for MHSAA.com
November 4, 2025
MENDON – Mendon football star Owen Gorham finds enjoyment in being a mentor for younger kids in his community – so much so that he one day aspires to have his own classroom and pursue a career as an elementary teacher.
If his success on the football field the last four years is any indication, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior tailback should be a smashing hit in the education field as well.
Gorham has made a significant impact in 8-Player Division 2 football as top-ranked Mendon (10-0) prepares to travel and face No. 3 Portland St. Patrick this weekend in a Regional championship matchup.
The three-sport athlete already owns MHSAA 8-player career records for scoring with 696 points and touchdowns with 97. Both records were previously held by Bridgman's Reid Haskins (2019-22).
Gorham broke Haskins' career scoring mark in Mendon's 62-0 win over Battle Creek St. Philip in Week 7 before adding the TD record to his resume in a 76-43 victory over Adrian Lenawee Christian to end the regular season.
"I was able to put up pretty good numbers last year as a junior thanks to a good offensive line and a really good team,” said Gorham, who also has lettered in basketball and track & field. “I feel my speed is one of my biggest strengths. Reaching some of these records was among my goals when this season started. I couldn't have done it though without the support of my family, my twin brother Ryder at quarterback, JT Lux my fullback and the guys on my offensive line.”
Owen Gorham has run 471 times for 4,905 career yards and needs just 122 more yards to surpass Haskins as the state's all-time leading rusher. As a senior, Gorham has churned out 1,569 yards – 13.53 per carry – with 27 rushing TDs and two more on receptions.
"Owen works his tail off. We never question his work ethic. I always tell him he's his own worst critic. The time that he puts into the game, like watching film and lifting weights, makes him the player he is," said Mendon head coach Bobby Kretschman, an all-state linebacker during his playing days at Mendon and currently the high school’s principal as well.
"What you see out of Owen on Friday nights is just a small part of what he does. He's got good speed, power, makes good cuts and choices on the field. He's carried the ball close to 500 times for us in his career. That's a testament to his durability to be able to run for that much yardage. Defensively, he has a good nose for the football and his speed allows him to post up on tight ends and cover well out in space. That's huge in 8-man football because of the multiple offenses you see out of opposing teams.”
Mendon has scored 502 points this fall, an average of 55.8 per game. A great deal of that production has come on the ground, where the Hornets have rolled up 3,439 yards – 11.2 yards per carry and 382.1 per contest.
Directing Mendon's offense is Owen's twin brother Ryder, the Hornets' three-year starting quarterback, with Owen at halfback and Lux at fullback. Halfback Xavior Zinsmaster has 32 carries for 512 yards and seven TDs.
"Ryder is my biggest influence. We're twins so we do everything together, and he pushes me in everything I do and I try to do the same for him," Owen Gorham said.
Lux has run for 444 yards on 60 carries, with eight TDs.
"I think Owen and I bring two different types of running styles to the game and complement each other well. You have Owen's speed and my strength. I love blocking for him, and our offense has been very explosive this year," Lux said.
Senior tight end Brayden Crites (6-3, 200) is Mendon's top receiver with 10 catches for 249 yards and seven TDs.
Mendon's standouts on the offensive line, along with Crites, include seniors Adain McCall and Jayden Haigh, big sophomore center Jorden Palmer (5-10, 260) and junior guard Tristan Wood.
"Adain and Brayden do a lot of the dirty work for us. Our offensive line was a big question mark coming in this season. But the kids up there understand their roles well and do a good job staying on blocks for the most part.” Kretschman said. “Ryder runs the offense smoothly and is a good coverage kid, along with Xavior on defense."
Ryder Gorham is Mendon's third-leading rusher with 38 carries for 372 yards and seven TDs, while completing 21-of-43 passes worth 445 yards and eight TDs with just two interceptions. He's also a starter in the Hornets' secondary, where he has 23 tackles and one interception.
Defensively, Mendon is led in tackles by junior linebacker Zak Iobe (5-10, 165) with 77, followed by Zinsmaster and Wood with 57 stops apiece. Lux (5-10, 195) has 16 tackles, a sack and one fumble recovery at defensive tackle.
Mendon's seven seniors and their teammates are primed for the biggest game of their careers after receiving a 1-0 forfeit win over No. 7-ranked Grand Rapids Sacred Heart last week.
Mendon won 12 state championships during its era in 11-Player football, including 10 titles under legendary coach John Schwartz.
Mendon lost 66-26 to Powers North Central in the 2022 8-Player Division 1 championship game, which concluded the Hornets’ second season playing the new format. They look to return to the Finals this month at the Superior Dome in Marquette after losing 49-32 to eventual champion Deckerville in a Division 1 Semifinal last season.
Deckerville also is in Division 2 this season and a possible opponent if Mendon wins this week.
"That game didn't go as well as we wanted. Our goal is to get another shot at them and hopefully we do," Owen Gorham said.
He said he and his Mendon teammates spent the offseason working to achieve bigger things this fall.
"We were out here three days a week in the summer lifting weights, running and doing agility drills. During the season we lift on Wednesday and Saturdays and watch film,” Gorham said. “We never stop working hard to keep our season going. We all want it really bad. Losing to Deckerville last year just gave us more fire coming into this season.”
He also feels a great sense of pride whenever he steps onto the field.
Dan Kennedy, Owen's grandfather, was an all-state player at Mendon during the mid-1970s, and cousins Greg Bingaman and Clint Wagner both played on Hornets teams that claimed state titles.
"It's a tremendous honor to put on the Green and White jersey. I've had many family members who have played at Mendon on state title teams. I just feel honored to have a chance to repeat history with what they've done here in the past," Gorham said.
A starter at outside linebacker as well, he also plays a critical role on a Hornets' defensive unit that has allowed just 14.7 points per contest. He has 32 tackles, including four for loss of yardage, to go with 3.5 sacks, one interception and one caused fumble. Rarely does Gorham leave the field as he is also Mendon's punter, averaging 42 yards per attempt.
While Gorham's success has generated interest from college coaches, he has already made a decision to end his football career after Mendon's final game this season.
"I thought about playing college football but decided not to. I want to go to Western Michigan and study elementary education,” Gorham said. “Every Friday I go to our elementary school and help mentor kids. I love volunteering to help little kids get a good future just like where I'm at right now. That has really sparked my interest in having my own classroom some day and helping kids.”
Scott Hassinger is a contributing sportswriter for Leader Publications and previously served as the sports editor for the Three Rivers Commercial-News from 1994-2022. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Mendon senior tailback Owen Gorham (20) nears the end zone during a 46-20 win over Climax-Scotts this fall. (Middle) Pictured at practice last week, from left: Gorham, Mendon head coach Bobby Kretschman and JT Lux. (Below) Lux (23) pursues a ballcarrier during a practice drill. (Top photo by Brandon Watson/Sturgis Journal. Practice photos by Scott Hassinger.)