Drive for Detroit: Week 6 Preview
September 28, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Starting tonight, the playoff field begins to take shape.
Last week, AuGres-Sims – 5-0 but playing only eight games this regular season – clinched the first playoff berth of the 2017 MHSAA Playoffs. This weekend, 63 more teams can qualify for the 11-player tournament.
Below are the games of most intrigue in every region of the state, not counting 21 games played Thursday night. Go to the MHSAA Score Center to find those and for scores as they come in tonight and Saturday (and for links to each team’s schedule, league standings and playoff points average). Check out MHSAA.tv for six live broadcasts – click here for the schedule.
Bay & Thumb
Almont (4-1) at Richmond (5-0), Friday
The Blue Water Area Conference appears to be a two-team race with Richmond and Algonac tied at 4-0 in league play. But Almont can make it a three-team race again by avenging last season’s 34-21 loss to the Blue Devils. Almont already fell to Algonac in Week 2 28-7; Richmond gets its turn against the Muskrats in Week 8.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Corunna (3-2) at Goodrich (4-1), St. Clair Shores Lake Shore (3-2) at Port Huron Northern (4-1), Unionville-Sebewaing (3-2) at Reese (3-2), SATURDAY Bay City Central (3-2) at Flint Carman-Ainsworth (3-2).
Greater Detroit
Belleville (5-0) at Dearborn Fordson (5-0), Friday
Not only are these teams tied for first in the Western Wayne Athletic Conference Red, but Belleville has the second-highest playoff points average among teams projected to be in Division 1, and Fordson’s average is tied for fourth-highest. Fordson won the WWAC Blue last season and has given up no more than 14 points in a game this fall. The Tigers came into the Red from the Blue with Fordson after finishing second to the Tractors in that league last season – the result of a 34-25 loss in their meeting. The Tigers are riding a streak of three straight shutouts and after giving up only six points in Week 2.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Detroit Martin Luther King (4-1) at Detroit Denby (4-0), Canton (4-1) at Livonia Stevenson (4-1), Southfield Arts & Technology (3-2) at Rochester Adams (4-1), Dearborn Divine Child (5-0) at Warren DeLaSalle (4-1)
Mid-Michigan
Freeland (4-1) at Alma (5-0), Friday
The Falcons’ 24-game regular-season win streak came to an end in Week 4, and Alma will now try to end Freeland’s Tri-Valley Conference Central title streak at two in a row after finishing second in the league last year because of a 12-6 loss when these teams last met. The Panthers have the highest playoff point average among teams projected to play in Division 4 and sit tied for first in the Central with Saginaw Swan Valley, which downed Freeland two weeks ago.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian (5-0) at Belding (4-1), Laingsburg (4-1) at Pewamo-Westphalia (4-1), Lansing Sexton (3-2) at Okemos (4-1), Olivet (5-0) at Lake Odessa Lakewood (5-0).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Frankfort (4-1) at Maple City Glen Lake (2-2), Friday
After finishing Division 6 runner-up last season, Glen Lake loaded up the schedule for this fall – and its losses are to undefeated Traverse City St. Francis and Watervliet. The Lakers came back from an open Week 4 to shut out Charlevoix last week, and they remain the biggest obstacle to Frankfort winning a third straight Northern Michigan Football Conference Leaders division title. The Panthers claimed last year’s championship thanks to a 26-21 win over Glen Lake. They also have only eight regular-season games, with an open date in Week 9, and this looks like the toughest test left before a potentially promising playoff run.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Lincoln Alcona (4-1) at Oscoda (4-1), Benton Harbor (2-3) at Traverse City West (5-0), AuGres-Sims (5-0) at Whittemore-Prescott (2-3), SATURDAY Grayling (4-1) at Traverse City St. Francis (5-0).
Southeast & Border
Ottawa Lake Whiteford (5-0) at Morenci (3-2), Friday
Whiteford hasn’t lost a regular-season game since 2015 and has yet to be challenged since finishing runner-up in Division 8 last season. The Bobcats have outscored their opponents 281-52 and handed Petersburg-Summerfield its only loss in their Tri-County Conference opener. Morenci joins Whiteford as undefeated in the league and with a deceptive overall record – those losses came the first two weeks by a combined three points against Pittsford and Hudson teams that together are 9-1. The Bulldogs have lost twice to Whiteford the last two seasons and beat Whiteford twice in 2014, meaning this could be only chapter one of two again for these rivals.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Climax-Scotts (4-1) at Adrian Lenawee Christian (4-1), Tecumseh (3-2) at Pinckney (4-1), Clinton (3-2) at Petersburg-Summerfield (4-1), Adrian (3-2) at Ypsilanti Lincoln (3-2).
Southwest Corridor
Plainwell (4-1) at Edwardsburg (5-0), Friday
As noted earlier this season, Edwardsburg hasn’t lost a Wolverine B Conference game since 2012 (and now has 29 straight regular-season wins overall). But three teams have only one loss in the league this fall and are ready to pounce – and the Eddies face those three teams over the next three weeks. First up is Plainwell, followed by Three Rivers and then Vicksburg in Week 8. The Trojans have beaten Vicksburg and lost to Three Rivers so far, but given up only 33 points since falling to the Wildcats on opening night. Edwardsburg has given up only 34 points this season – and scored 290.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Parchment (4-1) at Berrien Springs (4-1), Jackson Lumen Christi (4-1) at Coldwater (4-1), Schoolcraft (4-1) at Constantine (3-2), Paw Paw (3-2) at Vicksburg (4-1).
Upper Peninsula
Escanaba (4-1) at Menominee (4-1), Friday
This will be the 121st meeting between the Great Northern Conference rivals, and Menominee holds a 66-51-3 edge in the longtime rivalry. The Maroons swung the advantage their way with 18 straight wins over the Eskymos, including by 28-14 last year in the game that ended up deciding the league title. This will be Menominee’s first game against an in-state opponent after five versus Wisconsin teams to start the fall. It may be the Maroons’ toughest remaining before the playoffs; Escanaba’s lone loss was to much-improved Petoskey in Week 2.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Hurley, Wis. (4-2) at Hancock (4-1), Calumet (3-2) at Iron River West Iron County (4-1), Negaunee (2-3) at Ishpeming (2-3), Norway (5-0) at Munising (3-2).
West Michigan
East Grand Rapids (5-0) at Grand Rapids Christian (5-0), Friday
The west side of the Lower Peninsula is loaded with outstanding matchups this weekend. But this one rises to the top as a rematch of last season’s decider in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold in addition to featuring one of the best rivalries in the Grand Rapids area. Christian and EGR rank third and fourth, respectively, in playoff point average among teams projected to play in Division 3. Christian also started 5-0 last year before falling to the Pioneers 28-7 in Week 6, and this time East Grand Rapids has been more dominating with two straight shutouts while giving up only 42 points total so far.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Wyoming Kelloggsville (5-0) at Wyoming Godwin Heights (5-0), Remus Chippewa Hills (4-1) at Reed City (4-1), Rockford (3-2) at Grandville (4-1), Morley Stanwood (5-0) at Kent City (5-0).
8-Player
Deckerville (5-0) at Morrice (5-0), Friday
From a numbers standpoint, these North Central Thumb League Stars contenders are nearly even; both are 4-0 in league play, Deckerville outscoring its opponents 214-40 this season and Morrice by a 223-46 margin. But the Eagles are the team to beat in at least the Lower Peninsula until proven otherwise, with 16 straight regular-season wins and after finishing 8-player runner-up a year ago – when they also beat Morrice 46-6. That said, the Orioles handed Flint International Academy its first loss last week and should make this game much more even as well.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Camden-Frontier (5-0) at Bellevue (5-0), Flint International Academy (4-1) at Lawrence (3-2), Ontonagon (3-1) at Stephenson (5-0), SATURDAY Suttons Bay (3-2) at Central Lake (5-0).
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: Alma defenders wrap up a Birch Run ball carrier during a 21-10 win on opening night. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
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.)