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Drive for Detroit: Week 6 in Review

October 2, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

New powers continued to rise all over Michigan during Week 6 of the football regular season. 

A few did so with spectacular upsets, while others broke streaks that had grown to include multiple seasons – or in one case, stretched nearly two decades.

The Drive for Detroit report powered by MI Student Aid details the most intriguing 11-player results from eight regions across our state plus the best from 8-player every week – and this week’s headliners are the most riveting, as a group, so far in 2017. 

Bay & Thumb

Midland 39, Davison 25

Among the state’s elite in the near past, Midland entered this fall with two 4-5 finishes over the last three seasons (surrounding a 7-3 in 2015). But this win made lots of noise as Davison (5-1) hadn’t lost a regular-season game since 2015 and shut out the Chemics 20-0 last fall. Midland (5-1) and Lapeer now sit atop the Saginaw Valley League Blue standings and meet Week 8. Click for more from the Midland Daily News.

Also noted:

Goodrich 41, Corunna 27 – The Martians (5-1) held onto their chance to grab a share of the Genesee Area Conference Red title and will cheer for Corunna (3-3) this week as the Cavaliers take on leader Lake Fenton.

Richmond 17, Almont 7 – The Blue Water Area Conference is down to a two-team race as Richmond (6-0) and Algonac are in first and Almont (4-2) has lost to both; the leaders meet in Week 8.

Flint Carman-Ainsworth 41, Bay City Central 31 – These Cavaliers (4-2) have won three straight to move into first place alone in the SVL Red, with Central (3-3) and Week 8 opponent Midland Dow a win back.

Unionville-Sebewaing 30, Reese 14 – USA (4-2) put itself in position to create a two or even three-way tie for the Greater Thumb Conference West title with leader Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker up next; Reese (3-3) is fighting for a playoff spot. 

Greater Detroit

Belleville 35, Dearborn Fordson 7

Belleville not only clinched a share of the Western Wayne Athletic Conference Red title and earned a playoff berth by downing the co-leading Tractors (5-1), but the Tigers (6-0) make an even louder statement as a contender in Division 1. They are 6-0 for the first time since 2002 after also making the playoffs the last two seasons, and they’ve now given up just 13 points over their last five games. Fordson hadn’t given up more than 14 in a game this season. Click for more from the Detroit News.

Also noted:

Detroit Martin Luther King 27, Detroit Denby 6 – The Crusaders (5-1) earned a share of the Detroit Public School League Black division title while handing Denby (4-1) its first loss in league play and overall.

Rochester Adams 38, Southfield Arts & Technology 14 – The Highlanders (5-1) remain part of a three-team first-place tie in the Oakland Activities Association Red after handing this loss to what has to be one of the best 3-3 teams in the state in the Warriors.

Warren DeLaSalle 52, Dearborn Divine Child 14 – Both could finish first in their respective Detroit Catholic League divisions, and DeLaSalle (5-1) if it wins out would have little argument as the overall best after handing Divine Child (5-1) its only loss so far.

Romulus 31, Redford Thurston 22 – The Eagles (4-2), which finished second in the WWAC Red last year, clinched a share of the WWAC Blue title while sending Thurston (4-2) into a tie for second place

Mid-Michigan

Olivet 34, Lake Odessa Lakewood 6

Lakewood (5-1) had won 15 straight league games and the last two championships after Olivet won the first-ever Greater Lansing Activities Conference title in 2014. The Eagles (6-0) have been on the verge though, with their only league losses the last two seasons to the Vikings. Olivet can clinch the championship outright this week against Stockbridge. Click for more from FOX17.

Also noted:

Alma 21, Freeland 7 – The Panthers (6-0) broke a four-game losing streak to the Falcons (4-2), keeping alive a Tri-Valley Conference Central title showdown possibility against Saginaw Swan Valley in Week 8.

Belding 35, Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian 21 – The Ottawa-Kent Conference Silver race got whittled down this weekend and Belding (5-1) remains one of two co-leaders, while NorthPointe (5-1) is poised to claim a share if both falter over the final three games.

Breckenridge 27, Carson City-Crystal 26 – The Huskies (5-1) remain perfect in the Mid-State Activities Conference since joining the league last season; a win by Carson City-Crystal (3-3) would’ve created a three-way tie for first.

Pewamo-Westphalia 32, Laingsburg 11 – The Pirates (5-1) got one win away from clinching a third straight Central Michigan Athletic Conference title by upending the second-place Wolfpack (4-2).

Northern Lower Peninsula

Maple City Glen Lake 48, Frankfort 34

A five-point loss to Frankfort cost Glen Lake (3-2) the Northern Michigan Football Conference Leaders title in 2016, even as the Lakers went on to play at Ford Field and finish runner-up in Division 6. But they clinched a share of the 2017 league title with this victory, and with only winless Mancelona standing in the way of an outright championship. Frankfort (4-2) had won 11 straight league games dating to the start of the 2014 NMFC schedule. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Also noted:

Boyne City 34, Kalkaska 13 – The Ramblers (6-0) held on to a share of first place in the NMFC Legends division by handing Kalkaska (3-3) its third straight defeat.

Traverse City St. Francis 49, Grayling 22 – The Gladiators (6-0) kept pace with Boyne City, handing Grayling (4-2) a second straight loss as the leaders continued to point to a possible league decider in Week 9.

AuGres-Sims 54, Whittemore-Prescott 14 – The Wolverines (6-0) clinched a share of the North Star League title after finishing second a year ago, and may also have dealt the blow to end the Cardinals’ 10-year playoff streak; Whittemore-Prescott is 2-4 and must win out for a chance at an at-large bid.

Traverse City West 30, Benton Harbor 13 – The Titans (6-0) equaled their win total from last season and already their most victories since 2004, while also putting Benton Harbor (2-4) in a position where it must win out to have a hope of a third straight playoff berth. 

Southeast & Border

Reading 36, Union City 12

The Rangers, coming off back-to-back 3-6 seasons, are one win from claiming a share of the Big 8 Conference title after downing second-place Union City. Reading (5-1) hasn’t lost this season since opening night, and its final two league opponents are a combined 2-10. Union City also is 5-1 and enjoying a great rebound after going 2-7 last fall and 4-5 in 2015. Click for more from the Hillsdale Daily News.

Also noted:

Ottawa Lake Whiteford 51, Morenci 8 – Whiteford turned away what looked to be its most formidable challenge so far in the Tri-County Conference, sending Morenci to 3-3 overall and second place in the standings.

Clinton 28, Petersburg-Summerfield 24 – Clinton (4-2) is tied for second in the TCC and stayed in line for a Week 8 title-deciding date with Whiteford by jumping above the Bulldogs (4-2), who fell to fourth place.

Pinckney 35, Tecumseh 10 – The Pirates (5-1) held on to a tie for first in the Southeastern Conference White while putting Tecumseh (3-3) in a spot to win out to guarantee a playoff berth for the first time since 2014.

Saline 42, Monroe 14 – The Hornets (5-1) clinched a share of the SEC Red title and face co-second place Ann Arbor Pioneer this week; Monroe (3-3) is aiming to win out to make it back to the playoffs after missing a year ago.  

Southwest Corridor

Stevensville Lakeshore 30, Portage Northern 27

In its closest Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West game so far this season, Lakeshore clinched a share of the league title and avenged last season’s three-point loss to the Huskies. The Lancers also moved to 6-0 for the first time since 2012 and secured a 20th straight playoff berth. Northern (2-4) continued a heart-breaking string, with three of their losses by a combined nine points. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.

Also noted:

Climax-Scotts 60, Adrian Lenawee Christian 29 – The Panthers (5-1) remained tied for first in the Southern Central Athletic Association by handing Lenawee Christian (4-2) its second loss in three weeks.

Berrien Springs 59, Parchment 6 – The Shamrocks (5-1) clinched a share of the Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph White title with their third game of 50 or more points; Parchment (4-2) remains two wins from guaranteeing its first playoff berth since 2013.

Schoolcraft 35, Constantine 8 – This rivalry win by the Eagles (5-1), combined with the result below, helped put Schoolcraft into a first-place tie with only Watervliet in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley; Constantine (3-3) must win out to guarantee adding to its 18-year playoff streak.

Kalamazoo United 28, Coloma 27 – After falling to Watervliet in Week 5, United (5-1) dealt a disappointing blow to the much-improved Comets (4-2). 

Upper Peninsula

Escanaba 42, Menominee 21

The streak is over; the Eskymos (5-1) downed Menominee for the first time since 1998 in the 122nd meeting between the Great Northern Conference rivals. And the win was impressive – the reigning champion Maroons hadn’t given up 42 points in a league game since 2008. Although it was the GNC opener for Menominee, Escanaba had already played two league games and with this win set up a potential league title matchup with Kingsford in Week 9 – although the Flivvers, 2-0 in GNC play, must first face the Maroons in Week 8. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.

Also noted:

Iron River West Iron County 53, Calumet 20 – The Wykons (5-1) remain the only team undefeated in West Peninsula Athletic Conference play, while reigning champ Calumet (3-3) has lost three of four and needs to win out to extend a three-year playoff streak.

Bessemer Gogebic 26, L'Anse 7 – The first half of this season was tough for the Miners (2-4), but they’ve doubled last season’s win total and still have a playoff shot after stunning the Purple Hornets (4-2).

Negaunee 21, Ishpeming 14 – What a turnaround for these Miners; after opening 0-3, Negaunee is 3-3 and put Ishpeming (2-4) in a position of needing to win out for a chance at an at-large playoff bid.

Lake Linden-Hubbell 24, Bark River-Harris 12 – The Lakes also are riding a comeback wave; they opened 0-3, but after having no game Week 4 have won two straight and this time put Bark River-Harris (3-3) into a must-win playoff situation.  

West Michigan

East Grand Rapids 28, Grand Rapids Christian 7

Reigning champion East Grand Rapids (6-0) took command of the Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold again by beating the Eagles by an identical score as in last year’s game, which also ended up deciding the league title. EGR lowered its points allowed average to 8.2 per game this fall. Still, this may not be over. Christian (5-1) is one of three teams one win behind in the league standings, and the Pioneers still must play the other two. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Also noted:

Rockford 27, Grandville 0 – The Rams lined up an O-K Red battle for first place this week against Holland West Ottawa by handing Grandville (4-2) its first league loss; depending on how this week goes, all three could end up sharing the title after Rockford and Grandville did so with Hudsonville in 2016.

Cedar Springs 28, Lowell 14 – It’s odd to call this an upset when Cedar Springs is 4-2, but Lowell (also 4-2) hadn’t lost an O-K White game since 2014 and this season has wins over leaders of two other leagues.  

Kent City 28, Morley Stanwood 0 – The Eagles (6-0) not only won a matchup of undefeated teams, but in doing so clinched a share of the Central State Activities Association Silver title against the now second-place Mohawks (5-1); the teams shared the title in 2016.

Wyoming Kelloggsville 21, Wyoming Godwin Heights 20 – This was the other half of the paring down in the O-K Silver; both entered undefeated, but Kelloggsville (6-0) is now tied with Belding atop the standings while Godwin Heights (5-1) fell a game back in a league with four of seven teams at 5-1 or better. 

8-Player

Morrice 33, Deckerville 32

Deckerville, last season’s 8-player MHSAA runner-up, has been considered a championship favorite all fall and still may be. But the Orioles (6-0) are in position to claim the North Central Thumb 8-Man League Stars division title after scoring a last-minute touchdown and converting a two-point conversion to hand the Eagles (5-1) their first league loss since 2014. Morrice must beat either Kingston this week or Lawrence in Week 8 to clinch a share NCTL Stars championship. Click for more from the Owosso Argus-Press.

Also noted:

Camden-Frontier 30, Bellevue 26 – The Redskins (6-0) have turned away both second-place teams in the Southern Central 8-Man Football League and can clinch a share of the title this week against Burr Oak; Bellevue (5-1) and Battle Creek St. Philip will be back in the mix with an upset.

Flint International Academy 78, Lawrence 74 – This set the MHSAA record for most points in an 8-player game when both teams score at least 40; Flint International (5-1) is tied for second in the NCTL Stars, but Lawrence (3-3) has scored the most points of any league team this season.

Kinde-North Huron 36, New Haven Merritt Academy 18 – The Warriors (5-1) held on to a first-place tie in the NCTL Stripes with Bay City All Saints; the Mustangs (3-3) have lost to both over the last three weeks.

Rudyard 30, Engadine 20 – The Bulldogs (5-1) still trail leaders Cedarville and Pickford in the Bridge Alliance Conference, but put themselves in position to earn a share of the league title if both falter over the next three weeks; Engadine (4-2) fell to fourth place but gets Cedarville next.

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: Davison defenders chase a Midland ball carrier during Friday's Chemics win. (Photo by Terry Lyons.) 

Drive for Detroit: Week 8 in Review

October 21, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A season’s worth of highlights are smashing into these final weeks of the regular season.

So this Week 8 “Review” starts with some table-setters before we try to catch up with many more headliners from the weekend.

• River Rouge downed Detroit Catholic Central 16-3 in a meeting of league champions.

• Belleville got past Livonia Franklin and Clinton Township Chippewa Valley defeated Romeo to lock up outright league titles instead of ending up with shared championships.

• Newaygo downed Reed City, giving Central Montcalm an outright league title a year after going 0-9.

• Cedar Springs and Grand Rapids Catholic Central also earned championship shares.

• Posen’s 70-68 win over Au Gres-Sims tied for the fourth highest-scoring 8-player game in state history where the losing team scored at least 40 points.

And don’t forget: In six days, we’ll start this thing over with a fortunate 288 teams setting their sights on the ultimate high school football prize.

"Drive for Detroit" is sponsored by MI Student Aid.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Midland Dow 13, Mount Pleasant 12 THE GAME in this area for Week 6 was Mount Pleasant vs. Midland, and the Chemics’ one-point win put them in first alone in the Saginaw Valley League Red. Now rival Dow (5-3) has put itself in position to claim a share of the league title, after chasing the leaders since losing big to Saginaw Heritage in Week 5. Dow faces Midland this week. The Oilers (6-2), meanwhile, have lost their two games by yes, a combined two points. Click for more from the Midland Daily News.

Watch list Lapeer 34, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 10 The Lightning (7-1) will play Davison this week for the outright SVL Blue title. They’ll be riding a boatload of momentum not only with seven straight wins but this one over annual playoff qualifier Brother Rice (5-3) – which must win this week to guarantee a 20th postseason berth over the last 21 seasons.

Remember this one Fenton 42, Goodrich 21 The Flint Metro League split into divisions this season, and the “Upper” champion Tigers (7-1) doubled up the “Lower” champion Martians (6-2) in this first crossover matchup.

More shoutouts Flint Powers Catholic 28, Grand Blanc 24 In the crossover of runners-up in the Flint Metro League, Powers (6-2) clinched a playoff berth for the sixth straight season and put Grand Blanc (5-3) in a position where it must win this week to guarantee advancing for the fourth straight year. Marine City 34, Marysville 3 The Mariners (8-0) finished a perfect run through the Macomb Area Conference Silver and sent the Vikings (5-3) into a must-win-to-get-in playoff scenario as well.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER North Farmington 13, Farmington 9 The closing of Farmington Hills Harrison this spring certainly changed up football in this community – and heightened this rivalry in the process. The neighbors wasted no time giving this year’s matchup plenty of significance, as North’s first win over Farmington since 2015 gave the Raiders (8-0) their most wins for a season since 1984 and more importantly, the outright Oakland Activities Association Blue championship. Click for more from the Oakland Press and see highlights below from State Champs Sports Network.  

Watch list Dearborn Heights Robichaud 28, Garden City 26 The Bulldogs (7-1) and Redford Thurston ended up co-champions of the Western Wayne Athletic Conference thanks to Robichaud’s close win over Garden City (5-3) and Thurston’s one-pointer over Redford Union. Robichaud also earned a one-point win over Thurston in Week 3 but fell to Union in Week 6.

Remember this one Clarkston Everest Collegiate 27, Royal Oak Shrine 14 The Mountaineers (7-0) locked up their third straight Detroit Catholic League Intersectional II title and this one outright by sending Shrine (6-2) into second place after Shrine (6-2) last season won this matchup to force Everest to share with Madison Heights Bishop Foley.

More shoutouts Clawson 24, Clinton Township Clintondale 6 This matchup was for the outright MAC Bronze title, and Clawson (5-3) won it after finishing runner-up in the league a year ago. Clintondale (5-3) must defeat Hazel Park this week to guarantee a playoff berth. Harrison Township L'Anse Creuse 23, Sterling Heights 20 The Lancers (5-3) guaranteed their best finish since 2012 and shook up the MAC Gold, creating a final three-way shared championship between themselves, Sterling Heights (5-3) and Eastpointe (5-3).

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Mason 21, Portland 17 As the regular season worked its way to the end, these two stood alone as undefeated in all of the Capital Area Activities Conference. And Mason (8-0), enjoying perhaps its best season ever and first time at 8-0, owns the claim to the top spot in any of the divisions after handing the Raiders (7-1) their first regular-season loss since Week 2 of 2017. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Watch list Pewamo-Westphalia 41, Fowler 7 The Pirates (8-0) look geared up to make a run at a third MHSAA championship in four seasons as they ran their Central Michigan Athletic Conference title streak to five by handing Fowler (7-1) its lone defeat.

Remember this one DeWitt 30, St. Joseph 14 The Panthers (6-2) can lock up a share of the CAAC Blue title this week, and could also end up owning wins against two more league champs if St. Joseph (6-2) gets past Portage Northern on Friday.

More shoutouts Lansing Catholic 56, Fowlerville 7 Since falling to Portland by a point in Week 5, Lansing Catholic (7-1) has won its next three by a combined 136-21 including this week scoring the most Fowlerville (6-2) had given up since 2015. Williamston 35, Olivet 28 The Hornets (5-3) entered Week 7 at 4-2 and with three undefeated teams left on their schedule. They fell to Mason, but this weekend handed Olivet (7-1) its lone loss. Next up: P-W with the playoffs on the line.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Maple City Glen Lake 42, Charlevoix 18 The Lakers (7-1) quickly bounced back from a Week 7 loss to Kingsley to lock up the Northern Michigan Football League Leaders championship, their fourth straight. Glen Lake with a win this week also can finish its best regular season since 2013. Charlevoix (5-3) ended second in the Leaders and must defeat NMFL Legacy contender Harbor Springs this week to guarantee getting back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle and see highlights below from MI Sports Now.

Watch list McBain 27, Beal City 0 From a 1-3 start, McBain (5-3) has jumped all the way to the verge of a playoff berth. And the Ramblers should be Houghton Lake’s second-favorite team, as this win created a shared Highland Conference championship between the Bobcats and the Aggies (7-1).

Remember this one Traverse City Central 62, Escanaba 7 Since falling to DeWitt on opening night, Central (7-1) has been on a tear winning all but one of its games by at least 32 points. Including a Week 2 nine-point win over Marquette, this gave the Trojans victories against the top two teams in the Great Northern Conference and after Central fell to the Eskymos (6-2) a year ago.

More shoutouts Ogemaw Heights 24, Grayling 14 The Falcons (6-2) clinched their first playoff berth since 2013 and at six wins have as many as the last five seasons combined. East Jordan 21, Mancelona 6 While there will be no playoffs this season for the Red Devils, they’ve improved substantially after two straight one-win seasons – and may have stifled the playoff hopes for Mancelona (4-4), which must win this week and hope to make the field for the first time since 2014 as an additional qualifier.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Milan 20, Carleton Airport 6 The Big Reds (8-0) finished a perfect run through a Huron League that could send half its teams to the playoffs if Carleton Airport (5-3) can finish the regular season with a win this week. Milan had finished second both seasons since its last championship in 2016, and this year’s was the Big Reds’ first outright league title since 2013. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.

Watch list Addison 48, Napoleon 10 The Panthers (7-1) locked up their second Cascades Conference championship in three seasons, and this one outright. A win this week would guarantee Addison its best regular-season record since 2006.

Remember this one Hillsdale 21, Brooklyn Columbia Central 6 The Hornets shared the Lenawee County Athletic Association title last season with Columbia Central (4-4), and this time downed the Golden Eagles to clinch a share. Hillsdale (8-0) can win it outright this week against Dundee.

More shoutouts Grass Lake 25, Manchester 8 The Warriors (7-1) ended up second in the Cascades Conference after winning a year ago, and pushed third-place Manchester (5-3) into a must-win situation this week as the Flying Dutchmen look to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Jackson Lumen Christi 49, Battle Creek Pennfield 14 The Titans (8-0) have won three Interstate 8 Athletic Conference titles in four seasons and the last two outright. This win extended their overall winning streak to 31.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Lawton 20, Saugatuck 14 The Blue Devils (8-0) avoided a potential three-team championship in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore with wins the last two weeks over Fennville and then Saugatuck (3-5), which finished tied for second. The league title is Lawton’s first since 2012 and first outright since 2010, and the Blue Devils also can equal that team’s perfect regular season with a win over Comstock this week. Click below for highlights from FOX17.

Watch list Battle Creek Lakeview 54, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 14 The Spartans (8-0) locked up their first Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference East title since 2015 and outright league championship since 2014. They also moved to 8-0 for the first time since 2013, with a chance to avenge last year’s loss to Battle Creek Harper Creek up next.  

Remember this one White Pigeon 8, Mendon 6 The Chiefs (7-1) made headlines a year ago when they beat Mendon (6-2) for the first time in two decades, but they then fell to the Hornets five weeks later in a first-round playoff game – and by this same score, 8-6. Both are headed to the postseason again, with another rematch possible.

More shoutouts Constantine 40, Kalamazoo United 15 The Falcons (6-2) knocked United out of a tie for first place in the SAC Valley but now will be the Titans’ biggest fans – United (4-4) plays first-place Schoolcraft this week, and with a win would create a three-team shared title. Mattawan 35, Portage Central 7 The Wildcats (4-4) kept their hopes for a third-straight playoff berth alive while putting Portage Central (4-4) also in additional qualifier territory as it seeks to extend a seven-year postseason streak.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Marquette 37, Gladstone 14 The Redmen (4-4) edged closer to earning an additional qualifier spot in the playoff field, but that obviously was secondary this weekend as they also clinched a share of the Great Northern Conference title for the second-straight year. Marquette will play Kingsford this week for the outright league title, with the hope as well that another win will get them into the postseason for the first time since 2014. Click for more from the Marquette Mining Journal.

Watch list Iron Mountain 51, L’Anse 6 The Mountaineers (8-0) locked up a share of the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper championship, and can both clinch it outright and finish their first perfect regular season since 2011 with a win Friday against winless Gogebic.

Remember this one Menominee 47, Kingsford 8 After missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 1995, Menominee (5-3) kept its hopes alive of returning – while sending Kingsford (4-4) into an additional qualifier situation after the Flivvers also missed last season for the first time since 2014. Next up for the Maroons: undefeated Hopkins.

More shoutouts Ishpeming 54, Munising 6 The Hematites (6-2) clinched a share of the West-PAC Iron title and moved to 12-0 in the league in their two seasons as a member. Lake Linden-Hubbell 42, Bark River-Harris 0 The Lakes (5-3) moved one win closer to returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and earned some key bonus points as Bark River-Harris (5-3) also is working for a postseason berth.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Muskegon 53, Muskegon Mona Shores 0 The score says it all as the Big Reds (8-0) dominated the reigning Division 2 runner-up – and be sure potential playoff opponents are listening. Muskegon clinched a share of the Ottawa-Kent Conference Black for the fourth straight season and has outscored its first five league opponents by a combined 278-10 with four shutouts. Mona Shores (6-2) averaged 37 points per game entering the night. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.

Watch list Muskegon Oakridge 27, Ravenna 20 (OT) The Eagles (8-0) locked up their first West Michigan Conference title since 2016 by scoring the game’s final 20 points. Ravenna (6-2) also entered the night unbeaten in league play and has guaranteed its first playoff berth since 2016.

Remember this one Grandville 30, Rockford 3 The Bulldogs (7-1) were rewarded for persevering after falling to Hudsonville by 23 in Week 6, as Rockford (7-1) went on to defeat Hudsonville the next week and now Grandville and Rockford sit tied for first in the O-K Red with a league game to play for both.

More shoutouts Grand Rapids Christian 38, East Grand Rapids 31 This matchup has determined at least a share of the O-K Gold championship now four straight seasons, as the Eagles (6-2) clinched a share and sent EGR (5-3) into a must-win playoff scenario. Byron Center 33, Hudsonville Unity Christian 20 The Bulldogs (8-0) clinched a share of the O-K Green title for the first time since 2016 and made things tougher for the reigning Division 5 champion Crusaders (5-3), who must face Zeeland East this week with a return to the postseason on the line.

8-Player

HEADLINER Crystal Falls Forest Park 22, Morrice 14 This matchup came together as a result of Forest Park and Morrice’s original opponents being unable to play – and ended up becoming one of the most notable 8-player games this fall. The Orioles (7-1) had won 20 straight (including 13 during last season’s perfect run to the Division 1 title) and given up only 18 points over their first seven games. The Trojans (6-2) got up 16-0 and scored the final go-ahead points with 3:13 to play. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Watch list Suttons Bay 29, Onekama 18 The first meeting between these two, a 20-14 Suttons Bay win in Week 4, was a late add and nonleague. This one was for the Midwest Central Michigan Conference West title, and Suttons Bay (8-0) held on again to win the championship outright by handing Onekama (5-3) its only league defeat. 

Remember this one Deckerville 42, Kingston 34 The Eagles (8-0) locked up a share of a fourth straight North Central Thumb League Blue championship, but got their first single-digit game of the season from the rival Cardinals (6-2) 

More shoutouts Newberry 20, Brimley 18 The Indians (5-3) would have fallen just outside the playoff field if the regular season had ended a week ago, but defeating Brimley (5-3) could end up the eventual difference. Gaylord St. Mary 65, Mio 28 The Snowbirds (3-5) had to forfeit four wins last week, but a slim chance of making the playoffs remained – and they took a big step toward making it a reality getting past Mio (7-1).

Second Half’s weekly “Drive for Detroit” previews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning 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. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTO: Clinton Township Chippewa Valley's Myles Harris (4) outraces a Romeo defender for a kickoff return touchdown Friday. (Photo by Chris Mudd Photography.)