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Drive for Detroit: Week 7 in Review

October 8, 2018

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Southfield Arts & Technology over West Bloomfield, Grandville over Holland West Ottawa, Rochester Adams over Farmington Hills Harrison and Webberville over Camden-Frontier.

Those are just a few more upsets in addition to those we delved into in today’s “Drive for Detroit” review after Friday night provided a season’s worth of the unexpected.

Of course, the majority of headlines came from league championships won and playoff berths earned. And we tell of many of those as well in our latest report from around the state.

“Drive for Detroit” is powered by MI Student Aid. 

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER: Frankenmuth 35, Millington 12 The Eagles (6-1) extended their Tri-Valley Conference East winning streak to 29 and their league title streak to seven seasons with their fourth straight win over the rival Cardinals (5-2). Frankenmuth led just 7-6 at halftime before scoring 21 unanswered points over the third quarter and first few minutes of the fourth. Click for more from the Saginaw News and see below for highlights from WEYI.

Also of note: Lapeer 31, Flint Carman-Ainsworth 28 The Lightning (7-0) will face Davison in Week 9 for the Saginaw Valley League Blue title – after just getting past what might be the best 3-4 team in the state. The Cavaliers have lost three of those games by seven points or fewer. 

Remember this one: Flushing 26, Fenton 7 This guarantees an end to Fenton’s Flint Metro League title streak at seven seasons (including shared titles), and puts Flushing (5-2) in line to earn a share this month if leader Swartz Creek trips up over the next two weeks. Fenton (5-2) still can qualify for the playoffs for the 11th straight season with one more win.

More shoutouts: Almont 51, Richmond 12 The Raiders (7-0) earned a share of the Blue Water Area Conference championship by avenging last season’s loss to the Blue Devils (4-3). Hemlock 16, Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 7 With Ithaca dominating the TVC West yearly, others don't get a ton of attention – but Hemlock (6-1) secured a third straight playoff berth by knocking the Cardinals (6-1) out of a tie they shared with the Yellowjackets for first in the league. 

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER: Dearborn Heights Crestwood 32, Dearborn Heights Robichaud 22 The dream season continues for Crestwood, which clinched the Western Wayne Athletic Conference title – its first league championship since 1985. The Chargers (7-0) also reached seven wins for the first time since 2000 – and achieved both against neighbor Robichaud (6-1), which also entered undefeated. Click for more from the Press & Guide and see highlights below from State Champs Sports Network.

Also of note: Oxford 20, Clarkston 17 This rises to the top of the week’s upsets because of all that Clarkston (6-1) has accomplished the last few seasons. The reigning Division 1 champion has won two titles over the last four years and last season beat Oxford 49-0. The Wildcats (5-2) are seeking their first playoff berth since 2014 and hadn’t beaten Clarkston since 2011.

Remember this one: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 31, Detroit Catholic Central 29 This was another sizable upset – and if St. Mary’s (3-4) rebounds from an 0-3 start to make the playoffs with an at-large bid, it will mean more than just knocking the Shamrocks (5-2) out of a first-place tie in the Detroit Catholic League Central.

More shoutouts: Detroit Martin Luther King 27, Detroit Denby 18 The Crusaders (6-1) finished a perfect run through the Detroit Public School League Black, but this says a lot as well about Denby (5-2) for playing it close, as King’s only loss was by three to powerful Muskegon. Warren DeLaSalle 35, Davison 7 These two have MHSAA championship aspirations, and reigning Division 2 title winner DeLaSalle (6-1) looks pretty powerful after handing Davison (6-1) its first defeat.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER: Breckenridge 30, Carson City-Crystal 12 To put the last three seasons in perspective, recall that Breckenridge (7-0) was 0-9 in its final season in the TVC West in 2015. Since, the Huskies are 26-3 overall, 19-0 in Mid-State Activities Conference play, and with this win over the Eagles (6-1) claimed a third straight league title. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun and see highlights below from FOX 17.

Also of note: Olivet 34, Lake Odessa Lakewood 14 The Greater Lansing Activities Conference is owned by these two programs, with Olivet (7-0) clinching its second straight outright title and third in the league’s five years of existence. Lakewood (5-2) won the other two championships, in 2015 and 2016.

Remember this one: Clare 21, Beaverton 2 With the Pioneers (6-1) handing the Beavers (5-2) their first league loss, the Jack Pine Conference title is going to come down to the final week of the league season. These two and Roscommon all are 5-1 in league play.

More shoutouts: Williamston 14, Mason 7 Three teams clinched shares this week of the Capital Area Activities Conference Red title – Williamston, Haslett and St. Johns – but the Hornets arguably had the toughest league finale opponent as Mason (3-4) has lost now three games by seven points or fewer. Pewamo-Westphalia 61, Dansville 0 The fact these two both entered this Central Michigan Athletic Conference-deciding game undefeated in league play says a lot about P-W’s absolute dominance. The Pirates (7-0) have won 27 straight in the CMAC, while Dansville (5-2) won their other five this season by an average of 36 points per game.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER: Johannesburg-Lewiston 18, Harbor Springs 15 The Cardinals (6-1) have to play out the string, but defeating former co-leader Harbor Springs (6-1) put them in position to claim their first league title since 2009. Johannesburg-Lewiston can finish the Northern Michigan Football League Legacy run with wins over Newberry and Indian River Inland Lakes, which are a combined 2-12 overall. Click for more from the Gaylord Herald-Times and see highlights below from MI Sports Now.

Also of note: Manistee 35, Muskegon Catholic Central 27 The Chippewas (7-0) finished an outright title run in the Lakes 8 Conference and tied their most wins in a season since 1961 (according to Michigan-football.com). The Crusaders (3-4) must win out to have a chance at an eighth straight postseason bid.  

Remember this one: Elk Rapids 31, Frankfort 21 The playoff hopes for both hang in the balance; Elk Rapids (5-2) must win one of its next two facing two opponents with winning records, while Frankfort (4-3) now must win out for an automatic bid although the Panthers would be a strong at-large contender at 5-4.

More shoutouts: Petoskey 22, Gaylord 21 The Northmen (4-3) have now won as many games as the last two seasons combined, and forced the Blue Devils (5-2) into a tough spot needing to win one of their final two games to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2015. Kingsley 56, Maple City Glen Lake 22 The Stags (6-1) most likely won’t catch Traverse City St. Francis in the NMFL Legends division, but did get a win over the Leaders division champ Lakers (3-4).

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER: Adrian Lenawee Christian 24, Pittsford 7 The Cougars (6-1) claimed a share of the Southern Central Athletic Association title by beating first-place Pittsford for the first time since 2015, holding the Wildcats to their fewest points since Week 2 of last season. It’s Lenawee Christian’s first league title in football – the Cougars split the championship with Pittsford and Climax-Scotts. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.

Also of note: Grass Lake 32, Napoleon 7 The Warriors (7-0) finished a run of three straight wins over 2017 tri-champions Addison, Michigan Center and Napoleon (5-2) to clinch a share of the Cascades Conference title.

Remember this one: Hillsdale 44, Ida 28 The Hornets (7-0) moved within one more win of clinching a share of the Lenawee County Athletic Association title, although they still must play two more league opponents with winning records after dealing Ida (5-2) just its second defeat.

More shoutouts: Dexter 17, Pinckney 14 The next one won’t come easily with two tough opponents ahead, but Dexter (5-2) is a win away from clinching its first playoff appearance. Ypsilanti Community 25, Ypsilanti Lincoln 7 The Grizzlies (3-4)  got off to an 0-3 start but have turned things around and beat rival Lincoln (4-3) for the first time in three seasons.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER: Edwardsburg 38, Three Rivers 15 Although the Eddies (7-0) still must beat at least one of two bottom-half teams in the Wolverine Conference to clinch, this win against co-leader Three Rivers (6-1) paved the way for a sixth straight championship. The reigning Division 4 runner-up is on pace to outscore last season’s team and has given up only 34 points – incredible compared even to the impressive 88 they surrendered during the 2017 regular season. Click for more from the Niles Daily Star.

Also of note: Climax-Scotts 28, Athens 14 There’s a chance all four SCAA teams make the playoffs, and Climax-Scotts (3-3) came back to earn a share of the league title after a 1-3 start. Athens also is 3-3 playing a five-game schedule.

Remember this one: Kalamazoo United 29, Delton Kellogg 12 Four of six teams in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley are 5-2 or better, and United (7-0) is tied with Schoolcraft for first place. The Panthers (5-2) will try to become the league’s fourth playoff qualifier over the next two weeks.

More shoutouts: Portage Northern 35, Battle Creek Central 21 The Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West co-leading Huskies (5-2) tuned up with a strong crossover win over the East’s second-place Bearcats (4-3). Niles 18, Kalamazoo Central 13 The Vikings (3-4) have two more tough games left as they seek an at-large bid, but beating SMAC East leader Central (4-3) should remain memorable no matter how things finish up.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER: Ishpeming 14, Iron River West Iron County 0 It’s fair to say the Hematites (7-0) have made it all the way back from back-to-back three-win seasons. They can clinch a share of the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference small-school title this week after handing the Wykons (5-2) their first shutout since 2015. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Also of note: Escanaba 28, Gladstone 15 The Eskymos (5-2) are the only team of five in the Great Northern Conference that can still earn an automatic playoff berth, and they’ll also be rooting for Gladstone (3-4) this week to down league leader Marquette and create a shared GNC title.

Remember this one: Gwinn 26, Norway 21 Gwinn’s final two games are against teams with winning records, but the Modeltowners (5-2) are in position to earn a playoff berth and potentially knocked Norway (3-4) out of the mix.

More shoutouts: Iron Mountain 28, Hancock 21 The Mountaineers (5-2) also moved within a win of clinching a postseason appearance after going 1-8 only a year ago. Calumet 35, Houghton 0 The Copper Kings (7-0) haven’t given up a point since mid-September and only 32 total this season.

West Michigan

HEADLINER: Montague 25, Muskegon Oakridge 24 Perhaps the most wow-inspiring result of the weekend saw Montague score on the final play as time ran out in the fourth quarter – and then add a two-point conversion for a walk-off win. It was Montague’s second straight and third in four seasons over the rival Eagles (6-1) and earned the Wildcats (6-1) a share of the West Michigan Conference championship. Click for more from the Local Sports Journal and see below for highlights from WOOD TV.

Also of note: Grand Rapids South Christian 24, Grand Rapids Christian 10 The Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold took a turn as the Sailors (4-3) knocked the Eagles (5-2) out of a tie for first. Christian faces first-place East Grand Rapids this week to try to regain a shared lead.

Remember this one: Rockford 13, Hudsonville 7 The Rams (4-3) have gone from 1-3 and on the verge of missing the playoffs for the first time since 1994 to tied for second in the 0-K Red with this win over former co-leader Hudsonville (5-2). Rockford is in control of its league title destiny with first-place East Kentwood coming up in Week 9.

More shoutouts: Grand Rapids Catholic Central 35, Spring Lake 12 In successive weeks, the Cougars (6-1) have played a part in dealing Allendale and Spring Lake (5-2) out of the O-K Blue race, and now are tied for the lead with Grand Rapids West Catholic. East Grand Rapids 33, Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 13 The Pioneers (5-2) held onto the top spot in the Gold by downing a Trojans team that at 5-2 is enjoying its best season since 2011.

8-Player 

HEADLINER: Brethren 36, Mesick 22 The Bobcats (5-2) won one game in 2015, their final season of 11-player, and improved to two victories in 2016, three last fall and now own the outright West Michigan D League title. One more win would put Brethren at six for the first time since going 8-3 in 1990. Click for more from the Manistee News Advocate.

Also of note: New Haven Merritt 54, Caseville 7 The Mustangs (4-3) moved into first place alone in the North Central Thumb League White. But despite falling into a second-place tie, Caseville (4-3) with one more win will have its most successful season since bringing back football in 2012.

Remember this one: Litchfield 54, St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran 6 The Terriers (1-6) won their first game since Week 9 of 2012, building on eight and 10-point losses earlier this season that were its closest defeats in six years.

More shoutouts Kinde-North Huron 28, Peck 22 The Warriors (4-3) extended their winning streak versus the Pirates (5-2) to four, this time knocking them out of a first-place tie in the NCTL Blue. Ontonagon 20, Stephenson 8 After a 1-3 start, Ontonagon (4-3) downed Stephenson (4-3) for the first time in five tries in 8-player to keep its hopes of returning to the playoffs alive.

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: A Frankenmuth ball carrier follows his blockers during Friday's league title-clinching win over Millington. (Photo by Terry Lyons.)

Drive for Detroit: Week 3 in Review

September 16, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

"We're here," and "We're better than last year." 

If Michigan high school football teams collectively had a few messages to pass on during Week 3, those came through the loudest. 

Whether it was Portage Northern, Oak Park, Holland Christian or others, a number of contenders announced with their play that they will be factors deep into the fall. 

And more teams than should be listed in one sentence continued to equal or better their successes of a year ago – and we continue to make mention of many of those in this week's review below.  

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

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Flint Hamady 25, Flint Beecher 6 The Genesee Area Conference is down to just four teams, and this matchup may have decided the eventual champion. Hamady (3-0) ran its regular-season winning streak to 16 with a third-straight win over the Bucs (1-2), and its remaining two league opponents have started a combined 0-6. Click for more from the Flint Journal and see highlights below from WJRT.

Watch list Flint Powers Catholic 28, Kalamazoo Central 22 The Chargers are 3-0 for the first time since 2012, and this one likely will be quite memorable as Kalamazoo Central (1-2) is a league title contender that was coming off a big win over Portage Central after suffering its other loss by just a point.

Remember this one Flint Kearsley 29, Flushing 21 With their first win over Flushing (0-3) since 2006, the Hornets (3-0) tied their win total from last season and their most in a season since going 4-5 in 2012. The Raiders are better than their record, with close losses also to Detroit Country Day and Temperance Bedford.

More shoutouts Carrollton 29, Millington 27 The Cavaliers (1-2) also equaled their win total from all of last season, dealing a third loss to a Cardinals team that suddenly must win out to guarantee extending their 15-season playoff streak. Midland Bullock Creek 33, Hemlock 31 The Lancers (2-1) went 2-7 the last two seasons and haven’t won more than two since going 3-6 in 2014, but they are on pace to equal or surpass that success after handing Hemlock (2-1) its first defeat.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Oak Park 64, Clarkston 41 The Knights (2-1) needed just about all of their 64 points to extend their winning streak against Clarkston to three, as the Wolves (1-2) led 41-40 with just under six minutes to play. A six-point Week 1 loss to West Bloomfield gave an indication Oak Park would be strong again this fall, but this comeback backs that up as the Knights now prepare for a massive Oakland Activities Association White matchup this week against Birmingham Groves. Click for more from the Oakland Press and see highlights below from State Champs Sports Network.

Watch list Plymouth 15, Canton 13 The Wildcats are 3-0 for the first time since 2014, and after defeating the Chiefs (1-2) should carry some serious momentum into this week’s league matchup with reigning Kensington Lakes Activities Association West champion Brighton.

Remember this one Dearborn Heights Robichaud 32, Redford Thurston 31 After four straight losses to end last season, Robichaud (3-0) has bounced back with this win over the annually-strong Eagles (2-1) its best so far.

More shoutouts West Bloomfield 17, Southfield Arts & Technology 8 The Lakers (2-1) rebounded quickly from a Week 2 loss to Groves with a win over another program in Southfield (1-2) that’s rumbled through one of the state’s toughest early schedules. Lake Orion 36, Rochester Adams 31 The Dragons (3-0) added to one of the most impressive starts, edging Adams (2-1) to stay a step ahead in an OAA Red that could be the state’s strongest league this fall.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Clare 42, Harrison 40 The Pioneers scored to go-ahead points with 40 seconds left to keep in step in a league that again has multiple contenders after three shared the title a year ago. Clare is one of three teams in the Jack Pine Conference off to a 3-0 start, and this was a good win to get out of the way especially with co-leaders Beaverton and Sanford Meridian still needing to face the Hornets (2-1) later on. Click to see more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.   

Watch list Beal City 13, Lake City 0 The Aggies (3-0) averaged nearly 10 wins per season from 2010-16, but won a combined six games over the last two seasons. They’ve opened this fall with a combined scoring margin of 90-8 after earning their second shutout by downing 2018 Division 7 semifinalist Lake City (1-2).

Remember this one Fowlerville 20, Williamston 14 The Hornets (2-1) shared last season’s Capital Area Activities Conference Red title, but the Gladiators (3-0) are looking like a team to chase in the league as they chase a first winning season since 2016.

More shoutouts Lansing Everett 21, Lansing Waverly 14 The Vikings (2-1) haven’t won more than two games since 2015 but have another chance to take a big step after also opening 2-1 last season and ending 2-7. Perry 36, Carson City-Crystal 30 There’s always an eye on the Ramblers (2-1) as they play to make the playoffs for the first time, and this fall they are a three-point Week 1 loss from a 3-0 start.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Ludington 45, Manistee 14 The Orioles (3-0) have made the playoffs two of the last three seasons, but this has been their most impressive start in more than a decade. Ludington has outscored its first three opponents by a combined 135-38 and opened Lakes 8 Conference play by handing reigning champion Manistee (2-1) its first regular-season defeat since 2017. See highlights below from MI Sports Now.

Watch list Evart 7, Manton 6 The Wildcats are 3-0 for the first time since 2013 and after winning two games all of 2018, claiming these first three victories by a combined 22 points.

Remember this one Houghton Lake 8, McBain 6 Moving from the Jack Pine Conference to Highland Conference this fall, Houghton Lake (1-2) is another strong bounce-back candidate after going 2-7 in 2018. The first two losses this fall were to still-unbeaten Oscoda and Beal City, and McBain (1-2) won eight games last season.  

More shoutouts Traverse City West 26, Holt 21 The Titans (2-1) opened with a tough nonleague slate but picked up their second straight win with a last-minute score against the Rams (2-1). Kingsley 43, Grayling 16 The Stags (3-0) will bring a 38-ppg average into this week’s matchup with nemesis Traverse City St. Francis.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Milan 28, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 21 The Big Reds (3-0) couldn’t have put themselves in better position to start the Huron League season as they aim for their first league title since sharing in 2016. Two weeks ago they nearly tripled up reigning champion Grosse Ile, and Friday put up a late score to get past rival St. Mary (2-1) and stay in the league lead with Riverview. Click for more from the Monroe Evening News.

Watch list Hillsdale 46, Erie Mason 36 The Hornets (3-0) needed to score big to stay ahead of an Erie Mason team that fell to 2-1 but has been among the highest-scoring in the state early this fall, and this could end up as one of the key victories as Hillsdale looks to repeat after sharing the Lenawee County Athletic Association title in 2018.

Remember this one Brooklyn Columbia Central 26, Ida 8 The Golden Eagles (3-0) also were LCAA co-champs last season, and Ida (1-2) has been a contender the last six seasons and champion three of those years.

More shoutouts Jackson Lumen Christi 38, Coldwater 21 The Titans (3-0) were able slow a Coldwater offense that had been on a tear during a 2-0 start. Britton Deerfield 34, Petersburg Summerfield 28 The Patriots (2-1) beat Summerfield (1-2) for the first time since 2013 and now have as many wins this season as the last three combined.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Portage Northern 56, Portage Central 26 This meant a lot Friday night and could the rest of this season. The Huskies (3-0) had lost five straight to Central (1-2) and six straight during the regular season, including by just a point a year ago. With a win over Stevensville Lakeshore as well in Week 2, Northern finds itself in nice position in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West, tied for first with St. Joseph and with wins over two of the other annual contenders. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Watch list Battle Creek Lakeview 27, Battle Creek Central 13 The Spartans started 0-3 a year ago, losing to rival Central by 15. This time they’re 3-0 with a 14-point win over the Bearcats (1-2) that gave Lakeview more wins this fall than all of 2018.

Remember this one Cassopolis 15, Centreville 0 The reigning Southwest 10 Conference champion Rangers (3-0) have yet to give up a point this season, even more impressive considering Centreville (2-1) had scored more than 50 in each of its first two games.

More shoutouts Niles Brandywine 45, Saugatuck 10 The Bobcats are independent this season, but the going has been good so far with their first 3-0 start since 2014, a 151-18 combined scoring margin and this avenging of last year’s 48-12 loss to Saugatuck (1-2). Schoolcraft 54, Ottawa Lake Whiteford 24 The Bobcats (1-2) may be off to their toughest start since 2011, but Schoolcraft (3-0) also has put up a combined 170 points over three games in picking up where they left off last fall.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Calumet 14, Ishpeming Westwood 8 This was the key matchup as Calumet won the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper title a year ago, and it surely will have an impact on this season’s race as well. The Copper Kings (3-0) kept Westwood (1-2) off the board until the final minute to keep pace with Iron Mountain atop the league and heading into two weeks of nonleague play before Calumet meets the Mountaineers in Week 6. Click for more from the Houghton Daily Mining Gazette.

Watch list Menominee 42, Gladstone 6 The Maroons (2-1) fell back last season to 2-7, their first sub-.500 finish since 1995, and in addition to equaling last season’s success this win also was a good sign because the Braves (2-1) had opened with two wins.

Remember this one St. Ignace 26, Charlevoix 21 Although this was the Saints’ second win in two years over the Rayders (2-1), Charlevoix also was off to its best start this fall since its last playoff run in 2016 – and St. Ignace also is looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since that season.

More shoutouts Negaunee 28, Hancock 19 After opening with a pair of losses to Iron Mountain and Calumet, the Miners (1-2) got on the board by handing Hancock (2-1) its first loss. Marquette 31, Sault Ste. Marie 0 The Redmen (1-2) did the same, coming off two losses to strong opponents by handing the Blue Devils (2-1) their first defeat.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Holland Christian 27, Hudsonville Unity Christian 13 For the first time in three years, these teams didn’t combine to score 80 points. And for the first time since 2012, Holland Christian came out on top. The Maroons (2-1) bounced back from a Week 2 loss by holding on against the reigning Division 5 champion Crusaders (2-1), earning an early edge in what’s stacking up as an even more loaded than usual Ottawa-Kent Conference Green. Click for more from the Holland Sentinel and see highlights below from FOX 17.

Watch list Muskegon 28, East Grand Rapids 23 We already knew Muskegon (3-0) was arguably the state’s best team after its wins over Warren De La Salle Collegiate and Detroit Martin Luther King. But this close loss spoke volumes for East Grand Rapids (1-2) despite its deceptive W-L record.

Remember this one Grandville 32, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 29 The Bulldogs (3-0) head into the O-K Red schedule looking good to best last season’s 4-5 finish and with this win coming over one of the likely contenders in the O-K White.

More shoutouts Byron Center 42, Hamilton 27 These are two more reasons the O-K Green looks so tough; Byron Center (3-0) has equaled last season’s win total, and Hamilton (2-1) needs only one more victory to do the same. Grant 8, Reed City 6 The Tigers (2-1) scored just one more point this season than in big losses to Reed City in 2016, 2017 and 2018. But eight points with tough defense is all they needed for their first win over the Coyotes (1-2) in the six seasons they’ve been together as part of the Central State Activities Association Gold.

8-Player

HEADLINER Powers North Central 20, Pickford 14 As noted in last week’s preview, these two could both find themselves playing for 8-player championships at the Superior Dome, in separate divisions. So this was everything expected of a meeting between arguably the two best 8-player teams in the Upper Peninsula, with the Jets (3-0) handing Pickford its first regular-season loss since Week 3 of 2016 and Pickford holding North Central to its fewest points since a 2017 playoff defeat. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.

Watch list Pellston 32, Au Gres-Sims 30 Coming back from an 18-point halftime deficit, Pellston moved to 3-0 and reversed last season’s 0-3 start against the same opponents. After last season’s big jump to 4-5, the Hornets find themselves two wins from a first winning record since 1995, while Au Gres-Sims (1-2) will try to bounce back quickly after suffering its first two regular-season defeats since 2016.

Remember this one Climax-Scotts 34, Bellevue 22 The Southern Central Athletic Association A is loaded – three of five teams are 3-0 including Climax-Scotts – and the Panthers face the next two (Camden-Frontier, then Colon) over the next two weeks after downing last season’s league runner-up, Bellevue (1-2).

More shoutouts Bay City All Saints 20, International Academy of Flint 12 The Cougars were outscored 98-0 over their first two games but turned things upside-down defeating a Flames team that opened by beating its first two opponents by a combined 120-0. Deckerville 40, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 6 The Eagles (3-0) avenged last season’s 10-point loss in a big way, locking down an Irish offense that had put up 78 points the week before.

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: West Bloomfield's JaQuan Wiggins follows his blocks during Friday's win over Southfield Arts & Technology. (Photo courtesy of C&G Newspapers.)