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Drive for Detroit: Week 5 in Review

September 24, 2018

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Friday night football this past week gave us improbable scores like 6-4 and 6-2.

But they only foreshadowed some of the unexpected we’re celebrating in this week’s Drive for Detroit review – including big-time performances by Jenison, Houghton and newly-clinched league champion Manistee, to name just a few.

See below for our look at 45 results from the weekend that particularly stood out. Some are as you’d expect – significant tilts like Davison/Grand Blanc, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley/Macomb Dakota and Brighton/Canton. But many more will become more noteworthy as well as these next four weeks determine league champions and 288 teams that continue into the playoffs.

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Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Davison 49, Grand Blanc 7 The Saginaw Valley League Blue race, at least for now, is down to Davison and Lapeer after the Cardinals (5-0) came up big in a matchup of previously undefeated teams. It was Davison’s first regular-season matchup with the Bobcats (4-1) since 2011, but extended a winning streak over the new league foe to two including a 2016 playoff victory. Click for more from the Flint Journal and see below for highlights from WJRT.

Also of note: Flint Hamady 46, Swartz Creek 28 The Hawks (5-0) earned some pride for the Genesee Area Conference Blue with a nice win over the Flint Metro League-leading Dragons (4-1).

Remember this one: Beaverton 21, Harrison 0 The Beavers (4-1) held on to first place in the Jack Pine Conference with second-place Clare coming up in two weeks; Harrison (2-3) must win out to guarantee a fifth straight playoff berth.

More shoutouts: Almont 60, Croswell-Lexington 26 The Raiders (5-0) remain tied for first in the Blue Water Area Conference with Richmond after a nice win over the playoff-hopeful Pioneers (3-2). Harbor Beach 36, Ubly 28 The Pirates (4-1) beat Ubly (3-2) for the third time in two seasons (they also met in a playoff opener a year ago) to stay within striking distance of Greater Thumb Conference East leader Sandusky, which they’ll see in Week 8.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER: Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 24, Macomb Dakota 17 The Big Reds (5-0) are holding down a first-place tie in the Macomb Area Conference Red with Romeo after handing Dakota (4-1) its first defeat. Chippewa Valley broke free in the third quarter and held off the Cougars in the fourth. Click for more from the Macomb Daily and see highlights below from State Champs Sports Network.

Also of note: Detroit Catholic Central 21, Birmingham Brother Rice 0 It looks like the Shamrocks (4-1) and Warren DeLaSalle will determine the Detroit Catholic League Central title with a solid Brother Rice team taking losses from both in back-to-back weeks to fall to 3-2.

Remember this one: Riverview Gabriel Richard 57, Macomb Lutheran North 54 (4OT) The Pioneers (3-2) set themselves up to play for the Catholic League Intersectional 1 title by outlasting the Mustangs (4-1), who already have more wins than all of last year.

More shoutouts: Detroit Mumford 28, Detroit Cody 22 The Mustangs (3-2) stayed atop the Detroit Public School League Green with a Week 7 matchup with Cass Tech likely to decide the champ – but Cody (4-1) gets a chance against the Technicians first next week. Livonia Churchill 41, Livonia Franklin 35 The Chargers (3-2) avenged last season’s playoff loss to Franklin (3-2), which eventually went on to the Division 2 Semifinals after winning that District title meeting by two.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER: Brighton 23, Canton 17 (OT) Brighton quarterback Will Jontz (also a member of the MHSAA Student Advisory Council) is piling up highlights this season, and a few Friday might eventually lead to his team locking down the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West title. Jontz threw a touchdown pass to put the Bulldogs (4-1) ahead in the fourth quarter and another one in overtime as Brighton stayed atop the league and sent Canton (3-2) into a tie for second. Click for more from the Observer & Eccentric.

Also of note: Portland 16, Lansing Catholic 8 The Capital Area Activities Conference White lead belongs to the Raiders (5-0), who followed Jacob Veale’s 200 yards rushing and a defense that is giving up four points per game. Lansing Catholic (4-1) was strong defensively as well – a great sign especially if these teams meet again in the playoffs for the third time in four seasons.

Remember this one: DeWitt 37, East Lansing 0 The potential “game of the year” in the Lansing area didn’t turn into a titanic battle this time. DeWitt (5-0) moved into first place alone in the CAAC Blue, but East Lansing (4-1) could have another opportunity if these teams meet in the playoffs as was the case in 2016.

More shoutouts: New Lothrop 28, Ovid-Elsie 10 The Hornets (5-0) have solid footing in the first-year Mid-Michigan Activities Conference after sending the Marauders (3-2) into a tie for second, and having already defeated the other second-place team, Byron. Williamston 28, Haslett 14 The Hornets (4-1) seemed on the outside of the CAAC Red race after falling to St. Johns in Week 4, but might be back in after handing Haslett (4-1) its first loss and with the Vikings taking on the Redwings this week.

Northern Lower Peninsula 

HEADLINER: Manistee 35, Muskegon Orchard View 20 The Chippewas (5-0) clinched a share of the Lakes 8 Conference title as they continue to reverse from last season’s 2-7 finish. The title is Manistee's first in reportedly decades. Click for more from the Manistee News Advocate and see highlights below from MI Sports Now.

Also of note: McBain 12, Leroy Pine River 7 The Ramblers (3-2) fell to reigning champion Lake City 14-12 in Week 3, but are still affecting the Highland Conference race. With this win, McBain knocked Pine River (4-1) out of a tie with Lake City for first place, but the Bucks can take back a share of the top spot this week against the Trojans.

Remember this one: Oscoda 16, Rogers City 0 Since falling to Houghton Lake 30-22 in Week 1, Oscoda hasn’t given up more than eight points in game – and shutting out Rogers City (4-1) put the Owls (4-1) in first place alone in the North Star League.

More shoutouts: Cheboygan 40, Benzie Central 36 The Chiefs (3-2) have won three straight as they seek their first winning record since 2013, and tripping up improved Benzie Central (3-2) should provide additional boost. Traverse City Central 28, Gaylord 0 The Trojans (4-1) bounced back from a seven-point Week 4 loss to Traverse City West by handing Gaylord (4-1) its first defeat.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER: Adrian Lenawee Christian 14, Athens 12 The Indians (3-1) still have given up only 14 points this season. But the Cougars (5-0) will take posting a season low to earn a key win in a Southern Central Athletic Association that is particularly strong defensively this fall – three teams are giving up fewer than six points per game and the fourth a respectable 22. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.

Also of note: Jackson 29, Chelsea 20 The Vikings (5-0) are off to their best start at least in modern history, with more wins already than all of last season and now one of their best over reigning Southeastern Conference White champion Chelsea (3-2). Jackson plays league co-leader Ypsilanti Lincoln this week.

Remember this one: Clinton 28, Sand Creek 27 The Redskins (4-1) are back in Tri-County Conference contention for the first time since winning the league four straight seasons from 2012-15. Sand Creek (3-2) can still make some noise as well as both have undefeated Ottawa Lake Whiteford coming up.

More shoutouts: Blissfield 14, Dundee 9 The Royals (4-1) have won four straight to move into a first-place tie in the Lenawee County Athletic Association with Hillsdale, this week’s opponent. Dundee (3-2), however, continued to look capable of earning its first playoff berth since 2012 despite tough competition over the next four weeks. Pittsford 17, Climax-Scotts 16 The other SCAA matchup this week saw Pittsford (5-0) also gain a valuable win against a Panthers team that is 1-3 but with two defeats by a touchdown or less.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER: Schoolcraft 45, Delton Kellogg 21 Five of six teams in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley have winning records, but Schoolcraft (4-1) knocked Delton Kellogg (4-1) from among the undefeated in their league opener. The Panthers were averaging 42 points per game before Schoolcraft held them to half that. Click for more from FOX 17.

Also of note: Battle Creek Central, 27, Benton Harbor 26 The Bearcats (4-1) bounced back from a tough Week 4 loss to guarantee their best finish since 2015 and edge closer to their first playoff berth since 2008. Benton Harbor fell to 1-3 but can earn a fourth straight playoff berth by winning their last four regular-season games.

Remember this one: Decatur 6, Hartford 0 The Raiders (3-2) avenged a one-point loss from last year and made this one particularly painful as Hartford (4-1) was looking like one of the new contenders in the Southwest 10 Conference.

More shoutouts: Kalamazoo United 77, Watervliet 20 Kalamazoo (5-0) upped its scoring average to nearly 64 points per game in this big win over reigning Valley champ Watervliet (2-3). White Pigeon 18, Mendon 8 White Pigeon (3-2) defeated the Hornets (3-2) for the first time since 1998.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER: Houghton 38, Gwinn 0 This might have caught some off-guard; Gwinn (4-1) was undefeated and Houghton opened this fall 0-3. But with two straight wins, the Gremlins have one more than all of last season – and a chance to keep building heading into the second half of their league schedule. Click for more from the Houghton Daily Mining Gazette.

Also of note: Gladstone 28, Maple City Glen Lake 8 The Braves (3-2) broke through last season for their first playoff berth since 2008, and to earn a return needs wins like this one over Glen Lake (2-3). With only eight games on the regular-season schedule this fall, Gladstone must win two of the next three to secure a repeat bid.

Remember this one: Munising 24, Hancock 21 The Mustangs (2-3) looked headed toward a third straight season without playoffs, but started a potential bounce back by handing Hancock (2-3) another tough defeat. The Bulldogs’ three losses came over the last three weeks and by a combined six points.

More shoutouts: Lake Linden-Hubbell 34, L’Anse 8 It’s been a tough start for the Lakes (1-4), but breaking L’Anse’s three-game winning streak was a nice way to begin a rebound. Ishpeming 36, Negaunee 26 The Hematites (5-0) broke a two-game losing streak against the longtime rival Miners (2-3).

West Michigan

HEADLINER: Jenison 20, Hudsonville 12 This wasn’t a league game – but it was a massive win for the Wildcats (4-1). After two straight 5-4 finishes, Jenison is two wins from earning its first playoff berth since 2003 – and after handing a first loss this season to Ottawa-Kent Conference Red contender Hudsonville, the first time Jenison has defeated the Eagles since 2003 as well. Click for more from WOOD TV and see additional highlights below from WZZM.

Also of note: East Kentwood 37, Grandville 30 Back in the O-K Red, the Falcons (4-1) continued to look like the other team to beat in edging Grandville (2-3). East Kentwood faces Hudsonville in Week 8.

Remember this one: Grand Rapids Northview 33, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 0 This was among the weekend’s surprises as Forest Hills Central (2-3) had won the last two meetings between these teams by 28 and 35 points. Northview (3-2) has more wins this fall than in its last two seasons combined.

More shoutouts: Hopkins 58, Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian 21 The Vikings (4-1) sit atop the O-K Silver after avenging last season’s 14-point loss to NorthPointe (3-2). Hudsonville Unity Christian 38, Grand Rapids South Christian 14 Also a nonleague game, but downing the Sailors (3-2) was a great way for the Crusaders (5-0) to get ready for the toughest of their O-K Green matchups.

8-Player

HEADLINER: Wyoming Tri-unity Christian 28, Onekama 26 If Tri-unity Christian wins the Midwest Central Michigan Conference West, this one will be looked back upon frequently. The Defenders (5-0) have handed first losses of the season in back-to-back weeks to Suttons Bay and now Onekama (4-1), respectively, and next up get reigning 8-player Division 1 champion Central Lake. Click for more from the Manistee News Advocate.

Also of note: Deckerville 38, Kingston 20 The North Central Thumb League Blue has five teams with winning records out of six total, and Deckerville (3-2) is tied for first after handing Kingston (4-1) its lone defeat.

Remember this one: Engadine 39, Cedarville 26 The Eagles (4-1) already have lost to Great Lakes Conference East leader Pickford, but will be waiting if the undefeated Panthers trip up – especially against the Trojans (3-2) in Week 9.

More shoutouts: Bellevue 48, Portland St. Patrick 35 The Broncos (4-1) made it two straight over the Shamrocks (3-2), last season’s 8-player Division 2 runners-up. Camden-Frontier 42, Battle Creek St. Phillip 20 The Redskins (4-1) had little time to be disappointed after a Week 4 loss to Bellevue, and came back quickly to hand the Tigers (3-2) their second straight defeat.

Second Half’s weekly “Drive for Detroit” previews and reviews 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: Petoskey's Mason Doe-Nimphie (5) is surrounded by Marquette’s Brady Wright (34), Ethan Hayes (44), and Beau Zorza (56) during the Northmen’s win Saturday. (Photo by Cara Kamps.)

Okemos football

Building Beginning as Okemos Follows 1st-Year Coach Scott-Emuakpor

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

August 9, 2022

OKEMOS – The football lay on the turf, landing there before the play had really begun, and the most booming voice from the tallest man on the field yelled a reassuring, “It’s OK. Let’s go,” followed the next play by “Go again,” and then “Figure it out.”

Mid-MichiganAn hour earlier, first-year Okemos varsity football coach Efe Scott-Emuakpor had been on the phone asking a parent to bring the helmet and practice jersey one of his players had left at home. Nearby, another small group also stood helmetless as they hadn’t yet gotten the pre-participation physical required to join their friends on the field.

Those are typical first-day glitches no matter the school, and fall practices for all sports began Monday at 750 high schools across the state.

But those relatively minor symptoms are what Scott-Emuakpor is focused on treating in the immediate term as he takes on one of the most serious rebuilding efforts in Michigan high school football.

“This is progress,” Scott-Emuakpor said halfway through his team’s first practice, looking out at 39 players on Okemos’ game field – 33 more than showed up for his first offseason workout.

“We’d like to have everything right now. But it’s growing. It’s slowly growing.”

And after Monday, Okemos is one step closer to what would be an incredible turnaround story.

The Wolves have not won since Week 2 of the 2019 season, a stretch of 23 games. After scoring on an 84-yard run during the first quarter of last fall’s opener against Mason, Okemos didn’t score again the rest of the season.

Standing 6-foot-3, and still only a few years from his last college game as a receiver at Ball State University, Scott-Emuakpor looks capable of stepping back into a huddle at a moment’s notice. A little more than a decade ago, in 2011, he was beginning a senior season at East Lansing that would see him cap his varsity career in the MHSAA record book with 134 catches, gaining 1,624 yards, over three seasons. He also was an all-leaguer in basketball and Finals placer in high jump before joining the Cardinals.

Okemos footballAfter graduating from Ball State with a computer science bachelor’s degree, and on the way to earning his master’s in business from Saginaw Valley State University, Scott-Emuakpor came home and has worked nearly six years as a business systems analyst with Red Cedar Solutions Group on efforts including the MI School Data website.

But that’s just his fulltime job. Scott-Emuakpor also co-founded a clothing line, Live For Today, and over the last five seasons served as a volunteer assistant coach with his hometown Trojans – who have made the MHSAA Playoffs six seasons running.

He'd never applied for a head coaching job. He’d never really considered coaching at that level. In fact, he was pretty happy with how assisting at East Lansing for longtime coach Bill Feraco fit into his schedule and other pursuits.

But Scott-Emuakpor also is a studier. And as a past rival and co-member of the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue, he and East Lansing saw Okemos plenty.

The Wolves had made the playoffs as recently as 2018, and won their first playoff game that season since 2011. Scott-Emuakpor had played against Okemos’ Taylor Moton, now considered one of the NFL’s top offensive tackles. And the school has had loads of success in other sports, annually ranking among the Lansing area’s best in just about all of them and coming off a statewide Division 1 championship in boys soccer from last fall.

“I paid attention to how things have been around here. And I know what they could be capable of,” Scott-Emuakpor said. “This program was once a good program that was very well-respected; I respected them playing against them in high school. They had great athletes. I think my senior year we beat them by one point (20-19 in 2011). So we had good battles.

“I just saw where they’re at. … We have some good kids around here, and I know there’s more in the school not playing. Maybe when they’re sophomores, juniors, they’ll come out. I think I’m capable of getting that interest up, getting them out on the field and just building something.”

Okemos footballRaj Singh is a senior this fall, one of only five or so Scott-Emuakpor is expecting to come out this week. He’s also a near all-A student, will play some quarterback and safety along with his receiver spot, and was the guy bringing carloads of classmates to workouts over the summer as he joined his coach in recruiting prospective players.

Singh is following his older brother Joe Singh, an admittedly “smaller than everyone” offensive lineman who earned all-league honors as a senior in 2017. When Joe Singh told his younger brother that playing under the lights on a Friday night is a feeling unlike any other, the idea stuck – which is why it made sense when Raj Singh fractured his wrist in Week 2 last season but was back by Week 7 despite a cast covering one hand.

Watching Singh catch passes one-handed last season during East Lansing’s 49-0 win over Okemos stuck with Scott-Emuakpor. Joe Singh had told his little bother that all that matters is having more heart than his opponent and a fighting spirit – in other words, being the type of player Scott-Emuakpor will rely on to get Okemos up and succeeding again.

“I’ve been playing football since I was 6 years old. It’s just been a dream of mine to be at this moment,” Raj Singh said.

“Coach Efe is bringing in a lot of new aspects, and that’s been very helpful to make it different than last year – make us feel a little more at home this year. Compared to last year, he’s brought a lot of structure. We’ve been really coming together as a family … and it just shows Coach Efe wants to build a community around here.”

The process is about more than building stronger, faster bodies and learning football skills and technique. The Wolves aren’t talking a lot about last year, but there’s something there to overcome – and Scott-Emuakpor started working on that soon after he was hired at the end of March.  

Okemos football“In the springtime, we were fortunate enough to get in the weight room and I was able to see kids put up good weight and do some things. I’d tell them, ‘You’re actually strong. You’re actually a fast kid,’” Scott-Emuakpor said. “But when you’re not successful for so long, and the way they were losing last year, it was easy for them to not feel confident, not feel they were able to ultimately get the job done. And so I was just there working on minds.”

Last season was going to be uphill for Okemos no matter what. A mid-summer coaching change brought on by a major fulltime job promotion for the former coach led to an interim staff, players leaving the program, and an applaudable effort to just keep teams on the field.

Scott-Emuakpor has surrounded himself with a staff that includes a pair of his past coaches growing up in East Lansing, past players from when he was coaching there and others with winning experience playing at DeWitt and Williamston.

In addition to what he learned playing and coaching under Feraco, Scott-Emuakpor brings a ton of insight from his experiences at Ball State; he had only one catch during his college career while battling injuries, but he spent that time on the sideline observing his coaches and taking mental notes. Just Sunday, he was pulling from the 2012-13 Ball State football handbook a few details to incorporate into his work in progress with the Wolves.

Okemos will have varsity and freshman teams this fall, and the majority of players at Monday’s combined practice were juniors and sophomores – so recruiting remains ongoing. But Singh said the number of classmates who did come out Monday exceeded his expectations – and that just added to the excitement of starting again.

“If you walk through the school, you’ll see some guys, you’ll (say), ‘OK, what does that guy do?’ You find out he plays (only) lacrosse, or only wrestles, where in other areas, other schools, they might do everything because that’s what they do, what they’ve grown up doing” Scott-Emuakpor said. “I’ve been trying to rebuild that connection, that love for football. A lot of them are very intrigued; I feel like some of them are kinda peeking and saying, ‘What’s going on? This new coach seems to be young and interesting.’ And I’ve just been trying to stay focused on the process and not get too far ahead of myself.”

Geoff Kimmerly joined the MHSAA as its Media & Content Coordinator in Sept. 2011 after 12 years as Prep Sports Editor of the Lansing State Journal. He has served as Editor of Second Half since its creation in January 2012, and MHSAA Communications Director since January 2021. Contact him at [email protected] with story ideas for the Barry, Eaton, Ingham, Livingston, Ionia, Clinton, Shiawassee, Gratiot, Isabella, Clare and Montcalm counties.

PHOTOS (Top) First-year Okemos varsity football coach Efe Scott-Emuakpor, middle, huddles up his players during Monday's first day of practice. (2) Scott-Emuakpor confers with senior Raj Singh on blocking from his receiver position. (3) The Wolves work on offense during the first part of their Monday session. (4) Scott-Emuakpor speaks with his team at the start of the workout. (Photos by Geoff Kimmerly.)