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Drive for Detroit: Week 7 in Review

October 10, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Upsets rang out during Week 7 of the high school football season, as league races and playoff hopes were turned sideways by unexpected finishes that played out all over our state. 

See below for notes on this week's batch of results and the twists and turns they provided with only two weeks left in the regular season.

Bay & Thumb

Lake Fenton 22, Corunna 20

Lake Fenton clinched its first league title since 2007 by winning this matchup of former co-leaders in the Genesee Area Conference Red. The Blue Devils (7-0) were outgained in yardage 293-286 but intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble, and got rushing and receiving touchdowns from Trent Hillger including the game-winner with 3:24 to play. Reigning league champ Corunna (6-1) led 20-14 heading into the fourth quarter but gave up a safety with 4:51 left in regulation; Lake Fenton went ahead on the ensuing possession. Click for more from the Flint Journal.

Also noted:

Davison 28, Lapeer 7 – It took an extra day to get done because of Friday’s storms, but Davison (7-0) held on to clinch a share of the Saginaw Valley League Red title while knocking the Lightning (5-2) into a second-place tie, one win back with a league game to play.

Brown City 24, Harbor Beach 16 – The Green Devils (3-4) are holding out hope for an at-large playoff bid, but did move into second place with Harbor Beach (4-3) in the Greater Thumb Conference East after knocking the Pirates out of first; Harbor Beach plays leader Ubly this week with a chance to create a three-way tie for the title.

Unionville-Sebewaing 28, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 21 – The Patriots (6-1) have rebounded off an opening night loss to Ubly to win six straight and claim a share of the GTC West title, with former co-leader Laker (6-1) now in second and hoping Vassar can beat USA this week.

Freeland 29, Saginaw Swan Valley 14 – The Falcons clinched a share of the Tri-Valley Conference Central title and with only winless Bullock Creek left on the league schedule; Swan Valley (4-3) sat a win back of Freeland (7-0) heading into the night but fell into third place with the loss. 

Greater Detroit

Birmingham Groves 18, Rochester Adams 8

The Oakland Activities Association White has been one of the state’s most competitive conference this fall, which makes Groves’ success that much more impressive. The Falcons (7-0) clinched a share of the league title with this victory and can clinch outright this week against sixth-place Farmington; they were champions of the OAA Blue in 2015. Adams (5-2) fell into third place after having a chance to clinch a share instead; Oak Park still can take a share with a win this week against Seaholm combined with a Farmington upset Friday. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Also noted:

Redford Union 22, Redford Thurston 15 – The Panthers clinched their best finish since at least 2007 with their first win over rival Thurston since 2008; Union is 5-2 and can clinch its first playoff berth since 2006 this week against Dearborn Heights Annapolis (1-6).

Madison Heights Madison 17, Warren Fitzgerald 15 – The Eagles (4-3) bounced back from two straight nonleague losses to hand Fitzgerald (6-1) its first defeat and create a three-way tie for first place in the Macomb Area Conference Silver between these two and South Lake and with one more league game to play.

Romeo 31, Warren Mott 8 – The reigning MHSAA Division 1 champion Bulldogs (5-2) may have two losses, but they are by a combined three points; handing Warren Mott (6-1) its first loss sets Romeo up with a chance to claim a share of the MAC Red title with a win over Dakota and and a Mott win this week over leader Utica Eisenhower.

Detroit Catholic Central 28, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 7 – The Shamrocks (7-0) broke a two-game losing streak to now second-place St. Mary’s (4-3) to hold on to first in the Detroit Catholic League Central with Warren DeLaSalle up next in the final game before Prep Bowl weekend. 

Mid-Michigan

Breckenridge 12, Merrill 0

Sure, Breckenridge (0-9 in 2015) impressed everyone with a 5-0 start this fall. But with the expected favorites in the Mid-State Activities Conference lined up for Weeks 6, 7 and 8, there was no way the Huskies could claim a share of their first league title since 1947, right? Breckenridge (7-0) has answered with two straight shutouts of Carson City-Crystal and now Merrill (5-2) to win the MSAC title outright, regardless of what happens this week against Vestaburg (5-2). Click for more from the Midland Daily News.

Also noted:

Clare 35, Roscommon 24 – The excitement in the Jack Pine Conference had been the surge of Roscommon (6-1), but old stand-by Clare (6-1) set itself up to reclaim the league title after missing last year by winning this matchup of what were the co-leaders heading into the night.  

DeWitt 27, St. Johns 7 – The Panthers (6-1) added a 43rd-straight league win and claimed the Capital Area Activities Conference Red title outright against the Redwings (3-4), who fell into third with the loss.

East Lansing 21, Lansing Sexton 6 – By winning this matchup of what were the second-place teams in the CAAC Blue, the Trojans (5-2) gave themselves a chance to earn a share of the title with leader Grand Ledge up next; Sexton (4-3) will turn its focus to securing a playoff berth against two opponents who are a combined 2-12.  

Fowler 16, Dansville 14 – The Eagles (5-2) can’t claim a share of the Central Michigan Athletic Conference title even with a win against rival Pewamo-Westphalia this week, but look a lot better for making the playoffs with undefeated P-W and two-loss Merrill left on the schedule; Dansville (4-3) still has a nice shot too needing wins against two opponents who are a combined 5-9.

Northern Lower Peninsula

Charlevoix 16, Onekama 9

The Northern Michigan Football Conference Leaders division has four teams (of five total) with records of at least 5-2; Charlevoix not only earned a playoff berth with this win after missing at 5-4 last fall, but also set itself up to play first-place Frankfort this week to earn a share of the league championship. The Red Rayders (6-1) scored all of their points during the first half and held Onekama (5-2) scoreless over the final 18 minutes. The Portagers might be out of the league race, but can still earn a third-straight playoff berth over the next two weeks and potentially play spoiler with Frankfort coming up in Week 9. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.

Also noted:

Hillman 56, Oscoda 42 – After opening 0-3, the Tigers have won four straight and have a shot to extend a 10-season playoff streak; Oscoda (3-4) has fallen in three straight and must win out and hope for an at-large bid.

Whittemore Prescott 22, Rogers City 12 – The Cardinals (4-3) kept themselves alive to add to a nine-season playoff streak, while putting Rogers City (3-4) also in a position of needing to win out and hope to get in at-large.

Traverse City West 16, Cadillac 14 – After losses to rival Central and Benton Harbor by five points or fewer, West (5-2) showed it could win close too and against another strong opponent; Cadillac also is 5-2 and looking for one more win to make the postseason.

Gaylord St. Mary 42, Johannesburg-Lewiston 14 – The Snowbirds (6-1) are one of the best turnaround stories of this season, going from 3-6 a year ago to earning their first playoff berth since 2009; the Cardinals (3-4) must win out for a chance to keep a five-year playoffs streak going.

Southwest Corridor

Coldwater 19, Battle Creek Harper Creek 7

This looked at first glance like the upset of the weekend, but on closer inspection maybe shouldn’t be because Coldwater (5-2) has remained pretty impressive despite a couple of losses. Those defeats were by a point in overtime to Jackson Lumen Christi and 10 points in Week 2 to Marshall, both teams among the top four in the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference. The reigning champ Cardinals need a few things to happen to claim a share of the league title this time – it would take a win over Hastings this week plus losses by Harper Creek (6-1) and Lumen Christi – but if nothing else, won’t be a desirable opponent come playoff time. Click for more from the Battle Creek Enquirer.

Also noted:

St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic 24, Bridgman 19 – After going 2-7 a year ago, the Lakers (6-1) have bounced back and earned a playoff berth and a share of the Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph Conference Blue title by avenging last season’s 28-0 loss to Bridgman (4-3).

Schoolcraft 42, Gobles 0 – The Eagles (7-0) repeated as Southwestern Athletic Conference Central champions by beating second-place Lawton and this weekend third-place Gobles (5-2) by a combined score of 98-7.

Berrien Springs 47, Parchment 13 – The Shamrocks (4-2) set up a championship game this week in the BCS Red by becoming the first team since opening night to hold Parchment (4-3) to fewer than 31 points.  

Watervliet 64, Delton Kellogg 34 – No opponent has been able to completely shut down Watervliet (5-2), which has scored at least 30 in all seven games and earned a shared SAC Lakeshore title (with Constantine) by knocking Delton Kellogg (4-3) into third place in the final game of the league schedule. 

Southeast & Border

Hudson 35, Ida 34

Ida’s 12-game winning streak in the Lenawee County Athletic Association is over thanks to Hudson, which bounced back from a Week 6 loss to Hillsdale to edge the Bluestreaks and move into a tie with them atop the league standings. But this conference title hardly is determined. Ida (6-1) now must play Hillsdale, and Hudson (6-1) has a Week 9 game left with Blissfield – which beat Hillsdale this week. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.

Also noted:

Blissfield 27, Hillsdale 7 – This first win over Hillsdale (4-3) by the Royals (3-4) in eight tries over the last two decades also helped throw the LCAA standings into a spin, with both of these teams now among five either in first place or a win out with two league games to play.

Concord 41, Quincy 24 – The Yellow Jackets’ title hopes remain alive as they stayed among three first-place teams in the Big 8 Conference (and moved to 6-1 overall) while sending Quincy (5-2) a win back.

Ottawa Lake Whiteford 30, Morenci 26 – The Bobcats (7-0) set up an unofficial Tri-County Conference championship game this week with Sand Creek by surviving Morenci (4-3), which has lost its three games by a combined eight points.

Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 30, Milan 20 – Nemesis SMCC (4-3) struck again with Milan needing a win to clinch a share of the Huron League title; the Big Reds (6-1) are back in a first-place tie with Grosse Ile with the Falcons and New Boston Huron only a win back with one more league game to play.

Upper Peninsula

Negaunee 28, Ishpeming 16

Two losses to Ishpeming in games that decided Mid-Peninsula Athletic Conference titles over the last four seasons no doubt made this victory sweeter for Negaunee (7-0), even if the Hematites aren’t in the hunt this time around. The Miners did clinch a share of the conference championship with the win and put the Hematites (3-3) in a position of needing to win out to guarantee a 15th straight playoff appearance. Click for more from the Marquette Mining Journal.

Also noted:

Escanaba 19, Gladstone 12 – The Eskymos (6-1) clinched a playoff berth and guaranteed their best finish since 2011, but another win also will give Gladstone (3-4) its best record since 2010.

Gwinn 60, Hancock 32 – The Modeltowners (5-2) now have their best season since 2000 after going 3-6 a year ago, but a strong finish by Hancock (4-3) can net the Bulldogs their first playoff berth since 2006.

Lake Linden-Hubbell 28, Houghton 0 – The Lakes (7-0) took advantage of their break in the Mid-Eastern Conference schedule to put up their first shutout of the fall against a Houghton team that at 3-4 now must win out to have hopes of earning an at-large playoff bid.

Kingsford 35, Iron Mountain 0 – The Flivvers (5-2) put up their third shutout this season and fifth win in a row over Iron Mountain (5-2), which hadn’t been held scoreless since 2014. 

West Michigan

Zeeland East 12, Hudsonville Unity Christian 7

Unity Christian (6-1) had looked close to unstoppable coming into Friday, having won key games close and others by big margins. But Zeeland East (6-1)  – which had fallen this season only to Hamilton in Week 3 – won a defensive battle that saw both teams score their fewest points this fall. The Chix – who moved into the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green this season from the O-K Black – next get league leader Byron Center with a chance to further mash up a race that has seen a handful of teams emerge as the favorite at some point or another over the last few weeks. Click for more from the Holland Sentinel.

Also noted:

Zeeland West 42, Hamilton 24 – The Dux (5-2) aren’t too familiar with life in fifth place, but have started to climb as well in the O-K Green, handing former leader Hamilton (5-2) its second straight loss.

Ravenna 29, Whitehall 28 – Ravenna (5-2) handed Whitehall (4-3) a one-point loss for the second week in a row and by doing so got a win closer to locking up a playoff berth after going 3-6 in 2015.

Lowell 41, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 37 – Many eyes were tuned in to updates from this game Friday as Forest Hills Central (5-2) led by 17 with 11:30 to play – but Lowell went ahead less than 10 minutes later to remain atop the O-K White standings and undefeated at 7-0.

Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern 36, Cedar Springs 29 – The Huskies (4-3) broke a three-game losing streak to Cedar Springs (3-4) to set up a title chance this week against the Red Arrows.  

8-Player

Engadine 52, Cedarville 42

Engadine trailed into the second half, but one of the best wins in Eagles history only got better because of the dramatic finish. They moved to 7-0 for the first time since 1998 and earned a share of the Bridge-Alliance Football League title against a Cedarville program that has lost only five league games total in five seasons of 8-player football. The Trojans (6-1) hadn’t let an opponent get closer than 20 points this fall. Click for more from 9&10 News.

Also noted:  

Wyoming Tri-unity Christian 53, Lawrence 14 – Make the Defenders (7-0) another contender for the MHSAA title next month, as this 39-point win over previously-undefeated Lawrence (6-1) was their closest game yet.

Portland St. Patrick 16, Webberville 12 – The Shamrocks (7-0) earned the first win of the Central Michigan 8-Man Conference schedule with Webberville (5-2) producing the toughest competition St. Patrick has seen so far.

Stephenson 52, Rapid River 8 – The Eagles (6-1) could be lurking in the Western Eight Conference, with this win over Rapid River (5-2) their most impressive and leader Powers North Central coming up in Week 9.

PHOTO: A Northville receiver hauls in a pass during his team's 30-24 win over Livonia Stevenson on Friday. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)

Drive for Detroit: Playoff Week 3 Review

November 13, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A longtime observer of Michigan high school football had a hard time remembering a playoff weekend with as many close finishes as fans enjoyed Friday and Saturday.

Start with the games in 11-player Division 1, where all four were decided by fourth-quarter scores or stops, and nail-biters dominated a weekend that saw 32 teams move on to 11-Player Regional Finals and the four finalists for 8-player championships book trips to Marquette’s Superior Dome.

We start with a brief glance below at all four 8-Player Semifinals and then move into all 32 11-player games. The MHSAA Playoffs are sponsored by the Michigan Army National Guard, and “Drive for Detroit” is sponsored by MI Student Aid.   

8-Player Division 1

Central Lake 54, Stephenson 20

The Trojans (12-0) rode a ravenous rushing attack in a snowstorm to earn its first MHSAA championship game berth while also tying its program record for wins in a season. Central Lake plodded to more than 400 yards against a Stephenson defense that had given up only 16.7 points per game entering the day. The Eagles finished 9-3. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Deckerville 52, Bellevue 18

Deckerville rattled off 44 straight points to earn a second straight trip to the MHSAA Finals. Bellevue led 12-8 early before the Eagles (11-1) went on their run against another otherwise-stellar defense – the Broncos (10-2) were giving up only 9.5 points per game entering the day and this season set a program record for wins. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.

8-Player Division 2

Crystal Falls Forest Park 36, Pickford 34

Forest Park will add to its 13 championship game appearances as an 11-player program with its first in 8-player after handing Pickford its lone loss this season. The Trojans (10-2) last made a championship game in 2009 and moved to 8-player a year ago. They put up the most points Pickford (11-1) gave up in a game this season by 12. The Panthers fell in their second straight Semifinal but moved to 27-7 in three years of 8-player. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Portland St. Patrick 33, Kinde-North Huron 14

The Shamrocks are 53-12 since moving to 8-player in 2012, and in their first Semifinal since that first season finally broke through to earn a first championship game berth since 1997. St. Patrick (11-1) scored 21 points during the fourth quarter to pull away against a North Huron program that also was playing in its second 8-Player Semifinal and finished 10-2. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

11-Player Division 1

West Bloomfield 28, Utica Eisenhower 25

Quarterback Bryce Veasley scored the winning touchdown with under a minute to play to send West Bloomfield (10-2) to its first MHSAA Semifinal in football. The Lakers edged an Eisenhower program much more familiar with this stage of the playoffs; the Eagles were playing for a third Regional title this decade and made the Semifinals a year ago. Eisenhower (11-1) had given up more than 20 points in a game to only one other opponent this fall. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Other Regional Finals:

Clarkston 29, Holland West Ottawa 22 – The Wolves (10-2) scored 23 unanswered fourth-quarter points to win their second Regional title in four seasons and end West Ottawa’s winningest football season at 10-2.

Detroit Catholic Central 27, Canton 26 – The Shamrocks (8-4) stopped a Canton two-point conversion attempt with 34 seconds to play to win their fifth Regional title this decade while handing the Chiefs (10-2) their first loss since opening night.

Detroit Cass Tech 32, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 26 – In maybe the most dramatic finish of all this weekend, Chippewa Valley (10-2) took the lead with 1:25 to play and Cass Tech (9-2) took it back as the clock ticked under 10 seconds to win an eighth straight Regional title. 

11-Player Division 2

Livonia Franklin 31, Flushing 29

Franklin (10-2) clinched its second Regional title in three seasons on kicker Brad Gibson’s 27-yard field goal with 13 seconds to play. Flushing had taken the lead just more than a minute before with a two-point conversion after a late score. Flushing was playing for its first Regional title and finished 9-3, tying its most successful season (2014) since 1997. Click for more from the Observer & Eccentric.

Other Regional Finals:

Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 28, Traverse City Central 10 – Forest Hills Central (12-0) won its first football Regional title since 1995 with 28 unanswered points over the second and third quarters; Traverse City Central (8-4) was playing for its first Regional title since 1991.

Detroit Martin Luther King 55, Ypsilanti Lincoln 14 – The Crusaders (11-1) won their third straight Regional title and fifth in seven years while finishing the most successful playoff run ever for Lincoln (9-3), which hadn’t lost since an 0-2 start.

Warren DeLaSalle 14, Oak Park 7 – A last-minute touchdown gave DeLaSalle (10-2) its first Regional title since 2014 as both teams scored their fewest points since opening night; Oak Park (9-3) tied its most successful season after also going 9-3 in 2012. 

11-Player Division 3

Riverview 36, Dearborn Divine Child 31

The Riverview dream season continues, this time after a close win over one of last season’s Division 3 semifinalists. The Pirates (11-1) won their first Regional title since 2002, with the reminder again that they went only 2-7 a year ago. Riverview led by 12 heading into the fourth quarter and held off Divine Child (10-2) during a late comeback attempt. Click for more from the Southgate News-Herald.

Other Regional Finals:

Muskegon 49, DeWitt 0 – The Big Reds (12-0) were great on offense as usual, but defensively this was the most impressive of their six shutouts this fall; DeWitt (10-2) was averaging 39 points per game entering the day.

Battle Creek Harper Creek 16, East Lansing 13 – The Beavers (12-0) scored all 16 of their points during the fourth quarter to clinch their first Regional title since 2012 and hand East Lansing (9-3) its first defeat this season since Week 3; the Trojans finished their best season since 2011.

Farmington Hills Harrison 34, Linden 21 – The Hawks (9-3) added to their inspired run with a first Regional title since 2014; Linden (9-3) was playing for its first Regional title but did finish its winningest season since 2012. 

11-Player Division 4

River Rouge 21, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood 14

The Panthers (10-2) reached 10 victories for the fourth straight season and fifth in six seasons by clinching this third straight Regional title. River Rouge never broke away but did go ahead to stay midway through the fourth quarter to seal its closest win of the season (the two losses were by nine and seven). Cranbrook Kingswood (10-2) did cap its winningest season in program history. Click for more from the Southgate News-Herald.

Other Regional Finals:

Escanaba 39, Williamston 21 – The Eskymos (10-2) began pulling away during the first half on the way to their first Regional title since 1981; for Williamston (7-5), it was the only loss this season by more than seven points.

Grand Rapids Catholic Central 42, Belding 3 – GRCC (12-0) rode another giant dose of running back Nolan Fugate to its 18th straight win; Belding (9-3) ended its most successful season since 1998.

Edwardsburg 52, Lansing Sexton 30 –The Eddies (11-1) won their second straight Regional title with their fifth game over 50 points this season; Sexton (8-4) did become the first team to top 30 against Edwardsburg this fall.

11-Player Division 5

Grand Rapids West Catholic 28, Portland 26

The latest of frequent playoff meetings between these annual contenders turned out to be another classic as West Catholic (10-2) stopped a late two-point conversion attempt to secure the win – after also beating Portland by three last season on the way to winning the Division 5 title. The Raiders (10-2) fought back from two touchdowns down in the fourth quarter. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Other Regional Finals:

Reed City 46, Menominee 34 – The Coyotes (11-1) closed this weekend’s action in Saturday’s final game by claiming their first Regional title against a Menominee team playing in its ninth straight Regional Final; the Maroons, last season’s Division 5 runners-up, finished 8-4.

Saginaw Swan Valley 48, Muskegon Oakridge 14 – The Vikings (11-1) will play in their third Semifinal in nine years as Alex Fries threw three touchdown passes and ran for a fourth score; Oakridge (9-3) was playing for its first Regional title since 2013.

Frankenmuth 17, Algonac 7 – The Eagles (12-0) won their second straight Regional title and set a program record for wins by outlasting the Blue Water Area Conference champion Muskrats (10-2) in a defensive struggle; Frankenmuth held Algonac to 161 yards. 

11-Player Division 6

Ithaca 33, Montague 23

Ithaca made a statement in a game pitting teams that have combined to win seven of the last nine Division 6 titles. Following quarterback Joey Bentley – 218 yards and four touchdowns rushing, one more touchdown passing – the Yellowjackets (12-0) led by 18 late before Montague added a final score. The Wildcats (11-1) did put up the most points Ithaca has given up this season – the Yellowjackets have now allowed only 101 over 12 games. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.

Other Regional Finals:

Traverse City St. Francis 33, Millington 26 – The Gladiators (11-1) hung on to win their second Regional title in three seasons as Millington (10-2) put up the most points St. Francis has given up this season – although the Gladiators also became just the second to score more than 30 on the Cardinals.

Jackson Lumen Christi 44, Watervliet 22 – The reigning Division 6 champion Titans (10-1) locked down a Watervliet offense that had scored at least 36 points every game and averaged 52 per game during the Panthers’ 11-0 start.

Warren Michigan Collegiate 32, Blissfield 6 – The Cougars (12-0) won their second Regional title in 10 seasons as a program, ending Blissfield’s first winning season since 2012 and winningest since 2009 at 7-5. 

11-Player Division 7

Lake City 20, Breckenridge 18

Someone was going to celebrate a major accomplishment after this game. Lake City improved to 12-0, extending its program record for wins in claiming its first Regional title and with last year’s 2-7 finish becoming tougher to believe by the week. Breckenridge was 0-9 only three years ago and won its first playoff game just two weeks ago on the way to finishing 10-2 this fall. Click for more from the Cadillac News.

Other Regional Finals:

Pewamo-Westphalia 34, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 0 – The Pirates’ fifth shutout this season moved them to 11-1 and landed them their sixth Regional title in seven seasons; Laker (10-2) did contain P-W to its third-fewest points this fall.

Saugatuck 7, Cassopolis 6 – A go-ahead score with under three minutes to play pushed Saugatuck (9-3) just past the Rangers (10-2) for its first Regional title since 2010; Cassopolis had guarded that lead since the first quarter.

Madison Heights Madison 22, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 20 – Madison (12-0) will play in its first Semifinal since 2007 after coming back from two touchdowns down during the second half; the Falcons finished 7-5 after a 1-3 start this fall. 

11-Player Division 8

Iron River West Iron County 35, Frankfort 20

West Iron’s first Regional title since 1977 came with a program record-setting 11th win as the Wykons haven’t lost since falling by two points on opening night. West Iron scored the first 22 points and locked down a Frankfort offense that had scored 45 per game entering the game. The Panthers finished 8-3 after making the Regional Finals for the third straight season. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Other Regional Finals:

Saginaw Nouvel 54, Lincoln Alcona 34 – Nouvel (12-0) picked the best time to score its most points in a game this season, coming off a District Final scare against Harbor Beach; the Panthers opened a 28-0 lead on the Tigers (9-3), who were playing in their first Regional Final.  

Mendon 14, Climax-Scotts 6 – A week after stunning reigning champion Muskegon Catholic Central, Mendon (12-0) had to hold off the Panthers (9-3) for 2½ quarters to earn its first Regional title since 2011.

Ottawa Lake Whiteford 60, Clarkston Everest Collegiate 20 – Last season’s Division 8 runner-up Bobcats (12-0) clearly are intent on getting back to Ford Field; they finished this one on a 44-6 run to end the longest tournament run in the five-year history of Everest Collegiate (9-3).

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: Ithaca’s Devon Smith (51) closes in on a Montague ball carrier during Saturday’s Division 6 Regional Final. (Photo by Tim Reilly.)