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Drive for Detroit: Week 7 in Review

October 14, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Shared, guaranteed, locked up and clinched outright are frequent and favorite verbs and phrases that begin appearing in "Drive for Detroit" this time of year. Automatic and additional qualifiers are regulars right now as well. 

You'll find all of them used a whole bunch in this week's review as the regular season continued to speed toward its conclusion.

A number of league championships were clinched, and many more teams claimed a first share of a title with the opportunity to win it outright over the next two weeks. And that playoff qualifier list is up to 110 teams in 11-player, with another 86 in with a win this week. 

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

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Beaverton 20, Clare 0 With their first win over Clare since 1990, the Beavers (7-0) are guaranteed a share of their second-straight league title and sit one more victory from claiming the Jack Pine Conference outright for the first time since 1989. Beaverton actually ended its JPC drought a year ago sharing the league title with Clare and Roscommon, but missed out on the outright championship thanks to a 21-2 loss to the Pioneers. Clare (6-1) hadn’t been shut out since a 2014 District Final. Click for more from the Midland Daily News and see highlights below from MI Sports Now.

Watch list Port Huron Northern 29, Port Huron 26 League title shares were earned in five of six divisions on the Macomb Area Conference, including the Blue where the Huskies (6-1) won their third straight Crosstown Showdown to take a one-game lead on Port Huron (5-2) and St. Clair Shores Lakeview with a league game to play.  

Remember this one Almont 28, Richmond 10 The Raiders locked up a share of the Blue Water Area Conference title by handing a first loss to the rival Blue Devils (6-1). Almont (7-0) can close out a second-straight outright championship this week against Yale. Richmond may await again in the playoffs, however.

More shoutouts Marine City 35, St. Clair 10 The Mariners (7-0) locked up the MAC Silver and sent St. Clair (6-1) into a tie for second place with Marysville, Marine City’s opponent this week. Fenton 20, Flushing 7 After a season finishing third, Fenton clinched its eighth league title in nine seasons, winning outright the first-year Flint Metro League “Upper” division made up of the league’s larger schools.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Detroit Catholic Central 20, Orchard Lake St. Mary's 14 A Week 6 loss to Warren De La Salle Collegiate nearly knocked the Shamrocks (4-3) out of Detroit Catholic League Central contention. But they came back to hand Orchard Lake St. Mary’s its lone defeat and earn a share of the title – along with a likely rematch with the Eaglets in two weeks. DCC scored the game’s final 20 points and held St. Mary’s (6-1) scoreless during the second half. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Watch list Detroit Mumford 18, Detroit Renaissance 14 Three of four teams in the Detroit Public School League Division 1 shared the championship, and Mumford made that happen in this game after previously falling to Cass Tech, which had lost to Renaissance. Mumford and Renaissance could see each other again in two weeks in the PSL 1/2 championship game.

Remember this one Dearborn Fordson 33, Livonia Franklin 21 After losing its claim to first place last week against Belleville, Fordson (6-1) kept its hopes alive for a shared Kensington Lakes Activities Association East title by dealing the Patriots (6-1) their first defeat. Franklin faces Belleville this week with a chance to create a three-way shared championship between those two and the Tractors.

More shoutouts Walled Lake Western 40, South Lyon 10 The Warriors (6-1) faces rivals Northern and Central down the stretch, but moved into first place alone in the Lakes Valley Conference with South Lyon (6-1) hoping for help to get back into the title mix. Detroit U-D Jesuit 26, Detroit Loyola 8 The Cubs (5-2) finished an outright Catholic League AA championship run for their first league title since 1989, while sending Loyola to 3-4 and needing to win out for a chance at making the playoffs as an additional qualifier. Warren De La Salle Collegiate 22, Davison 0 For the second straight season the Pilots (4-3) stunned an undefeated Davison team, this time to also keep their playoff hopes alive. 

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Breckenridge 32, Carson City-Crystal 0 Life for Breckenridge football changed drastically when the program moved to the Mid-State Activities Conference in 2016 (after going 0-9 overall in 2015). This win gave the Huskies their fourth straight outright league title and ran their league winning streak to 23. Breckenridge (6-1) outscored its four MSAC opponents this season by a combined 161-8 – and that’s with the Eagles (4-3) and Merrill both still pursuing automatic playoff bids. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.

Watch list Beal City 14, Roscommon 12 The Aggies (7-0) won’t celebrate too much with surging McBain coming up this week, but they earned a share of the Highland Conference championship by edging Roscommon (1-6) in their closest game to date this fall.

Remember this one Mason 20, Williamston 9 The Bulldogs (7-0) have continued to march, now to their first league title since 2011, and with an opportunity to make another large statement this week against also-unbeaten Portland. Wiliamston (4-3) is another team now facing a must-win situation – but has undefeated Olivet and Pewamo-Westphalia left.

More shoutouts Howell 38, Canton 31 The Highlanders (4-3) still control their playoffs hopes, with rival Brighton up next, while Canton (3-4) will try to make the postseason for the 12th straight year but this time as an additional qualifier. Olivet 42, Lake Odessa Lakewood 0 The Eagles (7-0) also not only swept their league but dominated from start to finish, outscoring four Greater Lansing Activities Conference opponents by a combined 171-12.  

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Johannesburg-Lewiston 37, Harbor Springs 18 The Cardinals (7-0) guaranteed extending their reign in the Northern Michigan Football League Legacy, earning a share of the division title with a chance to win outright in two weeks against winless Indian River Inland Lakes. Johannesburg-Lewiston also finished a game ahead of Harbor Springs (5-2) a year ago after winning their meeting 18-15, but left no doubt this time with running back Logan Finnerty leading the way in a big way. Click for more from the Gaylord Herald Times.

Watch list Kingsley 53, Maple City Glen Lake 14 The Stags (7-0) took a week off from their pursuit of the NMFL Legends title to take on Leaders co-leader Glen Lake (6-1) – and should have even more statewide eyes turning their way after a one-sided result.

Remember this one Traverse City Central 43, Alpena 7 The Trojans (6-1) are back on top in the Big North Conference after back-to-back second-place finishes, earning a share of the title while putting Alpena (3-4) in a must-win situation as it looks to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

More shoutouts Charlevoix 22, Mancelona 20 The Rayders (5-2) did their part to set up this week’s Leaders-deciding matchup with Glen Lake, avenging last season’s loss to the Ironmen (4-3). Ogemaw Heights 32, Tawas 8 The Falcons (5-2) pulled another win closer to what would be their first playoff berth since 2013, while no doubt hampering a potential postseason return for Tawas (3-4).

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Addison 20, Grass Lake 16 Reigning Cascades Conference champion Grass Lake (6-1) rolled through most of its first six games but was brought nearly to a stop by Addison, which grabbed a share of the league title by shutting down a Warriors offense that was averaging 47 points per game. The Panthers (6-1) have bounced back well since losing opening night to Britton Deerfield and can finish an outright championship run this week against Napoleon. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen Patriot and see highlights below from JTV.

Watch list Clinton 44, Ottawa Lake Whiteford 20 Five of seven teams in the Tri-County Conference are still up for automatic playoff bids, and sitting on top is Clinton (7-0) with a share of the league title after beating three-time reigning TCC champion Whiteford (4-3).

Remember this one Reading 50, Jonesville 0 This shouldn’t put a damper on a great comeback season by Jonesville (5-2), but the Rangers (6-1) remain the force of the Big 8 Conference having clinched a share of a third-straight title and increased their overall league scoring margin this fall to 314-32.

More shoutouts Milan 22, New Boston Huron 21 The Big Reds (7-0) earned a share of the Huron League title with their closest win this fall, but face another tough opponent in Carleton Airport this week as they look to lock up the championship outright. Britton Deerfield 30, Royal Oak Shrine Catholic 14 The Patriots (4-3) kept their playoff hopes alive with a bit of a stunner, handing Catholic League Intersectional 2 co-leader Shrine (6-1) its lone defeat.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Battle Creek Lakeview 14, St. Joseph 0 Both of these teams could end the regular season as outright champions of their respective Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference divisions. And that would make this win even sweeter for East leader Lakeview, which posted its first shutout of the fall by shutting down an offense that was averaging 38 points per game. The Spartans (7-0) already own a share of their league title and face Kalamazoo Loy Norrix this week in hopes of wrapping things up outright. St. Joseph (6-1) will try to bounce back against DeWitt this week before meeting Portage Northern for the SMAC West title in Week 9. See below for highlights from FOX 17.

Watch list Kalamazoo United 14, Delton Kellogg 6 The scene might’ve been a little bleak after Kalamazoo United (4-3) opened this season with three defeats after last year’s 11-1 run. But the Titans have set themselves up as well as possible for a memorable finish, downing Delton (4-3) and with Constantine and Schoolcraft to finish as league title and playoff hopes hang in the balance.

Remember this one Coldwater 14, Parma Western 13 (OT) Jackson Lumen Christi has all but locked up their Interstate 8 Athletic Conference title, but these former contenders may have provided a preview of a playoff matchup to come.

More shoutouts Paw Paw 35, Vicksburg 6 Both have one more game to play, but it appears the Wolverine Conference championship is almost sure to be decided between undefeated Paw Paw and Edwardsburg, as both have now gotten past a major obstacle in Vicksburg (5-2). Niles Brandywine 44, Gobles 0 The Bobcats (7-0) are two wins against teams both 2-5 from a first perfect regular season since 1995 and have outscored their first seven opponents by a combined 344-33.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Marquette 28, Menominee 21 The Redmen (3-4) find themselves in a rare situation. They must win out to have a chance to make the playoffs as an additional qualifier. But with this victory over Menominee, they continue to sit alone atop the Great Northern Conference standings having beaten arguably the two other best teams in the league (Kingsford, like Menominee, is 4-3 and faces Marquette in Week 9). Click for more from FOX Sports Marquette and see a highlight below from the Marquette School Broadcast Program.

Watch list Ishpeming 28, West Iron County 0 The Hematites (5-2) moved into first place alone in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Iron with not only their third win over West Iron over the last two seasons, but also their third shutout of the Wykons (5-2) during that time.

Remember this one Ishpeming Westwood 30, L'Anse 6 With Week 9 opponent Negaunee also surging, getting past L’Anse was key as Westwood (5-2) works for a third consecutive playoff appearance. The Purple Hornets (4-3) find themselves in the opposite spot, needing to win out against Iron Mountain and Calumet to guarantee returning to the postseason for the first time since 2013.

More shoutouts Iron Mountain 42, Hancock 6 The Mountaineers (7-0) moved to within a win of clinching a share of the West PAC Copper title, all the more impressive considering six of eight teams in the league are still in the hunt for automatic playoff berths – Hancock (4-3) among them. St. Ignace 22, Indian River Inland Lakes 14 The Saints (4-3) are seeking their first playoff appearance since 2016 and look good to qualify automatically with their final two opponents a combined 2-12.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Rockford 17, Hudsonville 7 Just as there’s something impressive in winning every game by a large margin, there can be something impressive in stringing together close victories – and the Rams (7-0) are shining at the latter. This was Rockford’s fourth win by 10 points or fewer while taking on a schedule that could end up including champions from three other leagues in addition to the other contenders in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red. Rockford can clinch a share of its league’s title this week against Grandville, which is tied with Hudsonville (5-2) for second place. See below for highlights from State Champs Sports Network.

Watch list Byron Center 49, Zeeland East 7 The road doesn’t get easier this week with Hudsonville Unity Christian up next, but Byron Center is a step ahead after taking over the top spot alone in the O-K Green by handing this first league loss to the Chix (5-2).

Remember this one Reed City 34, Central Montcalm 6 The Coyotes got off to a rare start with their first league loss Week 3 since 2014. But they’ve stormed back into a tie for first in the Central State Activities Association Gold, this weekend handing co-leader Central Montcalm (6-1) its only defeat with one league game left for both teams.

More shoutouts Cedar Springs 44, Lowell 20 The Red Hawks (6-1) moved within a win of clinching the O-K White title by sending Lowell (4-3) out of first and into a tie for second place. Grand Rapids Christian 27, Grand Rapids South Christian 20 The Eagles (5-2) will face East Grand Rapids this week with a share of the O-K Gold title on the line after avenging last season’s lone league loss, to South Christian (3-4).

8-Player

HEADLINER Burr Oak 33, Tekonsha 18 The Bobcats (5-2) gave up their first points of this season in Southern Central Athletic Association B play – but also clinched the league title outright and guaranteed their winningest season since at least 2013. Burr Oak had lost six straight to Tekonsha (3-4), including 42-6 a year ago. Click for more from the Coldwater Daily Reporter.

Watch list Mesick 42, Brethren 12 The Bulldogs (6-1) claimed a share of the West Michigan D League championship with this victory over reigning champion Brethren (4-3), and with only winless Bear Lake left on the conference schedule.

Remember this one Hillman 38, Pellston 14 The Tigers (6-1) moved into first place alone in the Midwest Central Michigan Conference East by icing a Pellston offense that averaged 49 points per game during the team’s 6-0 start this fall.

More shoutouts Colon 55, Camden-Frontier 0 The Magi (7-0) made it 2-for-2 on league title runs since moving to 8-player, clinching the SCAA A with their ninth straight league win over two seasons. Pickford 46, Gaylord St. Mary 23 This game came together after both teams had an original opponent forfeit, and reigning Division 1 runner-up Pickford (6-1) appears revved for another long tournament run after slowing down a St. Mary offense that was averaging 59.9 points per game.

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PHOTO: A Port Huron Northern defender, right, pursues the ball carrier during a 29-26 win over rival Port Huron on Friday. (Photo by Delta Imaging.)

'Wakers' Continue Marching Together

November 5, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

First the local media picked it up, which made sense – it was a great story, and easy to appreciate whether you’ve heard of Maple City or could find Fife Lake on the map.

In what was still perhaps surprising but a logical next step, The Associated Press and then Detroit Free Press and MLive took the story statewide. But then CNN and NPR told the rest of the U.S. – which was followed by interest from The Kelly Clarkson Show and a Skype interview with one of Ellen DeGeneres’ representatives.

There is no way Maple City Glen Lake athletic director Mark Mattson could’ve foreseen any of that publicity as he prepped for his football team’s home game Sept. 27. All he knew was that his high school didn’t have a marching band, and Fife Lake Forest Area – at least this season – didn’t have a varsity football team.

If you pay attention to high school sports in general or statewide news casually, you’ve probably heard some of the rest of this story. Mattson invited Forest Area director Brandon Deike and his band to play at Glen Lake’s game that night against Gladstone. A week later, after their story had been told all over the country, the schools combined for a “Marching for Ellen” spirit video hoping to land on the show.

Things have quieted back down substantially for the two small northern Lower Peninsula communities. But their march together continues.

“We don’t want it to end,” Mattson said. “Sometimes you see these initiatives begin, and it’s really cool, and they fizzle out. We want to work with our kids and their kids and Brandon over there to make cool things happen as we support each other – and at the end of the day to make his program grow and make our program grow over here.”

A little background: Forest Area’s high school and Glen Lake’s are 45 miles away, or about an hour’s drive whether traveling through or around Traverse City. Glen Lake has nearly 250 students in its high school, and Forest Area has about 175.

Glen Lake’s football team is 9-1 and hosts Harrison on Friday in a Division 6 District Final. Forest Area started this fall playing 8-player football, and won its first game against Brethren 64-44. But the Warriors had started with a small roster that got smaller as the season got going – and by Week 3 didn’t have enough players to finish the season, so they canceled the rest of their games.

Meanwhile, Forest Area’s band has rebuilt mightily since the school’s music program was cut in 2011 – while Glen Lake’s band began this school year with one high schooler playing with a 10-member middle school group. In fact, Mattson asked his school’s football players and cheerleaders the last time they were at a home game where there was a band – and they couldn’t remember one.

So the Sept. 27 game happens, and all of the feel-good fanfare that came with it. With a few weeks, the statewide and national attention slowed way down – but the relationship between the schools was just beginning to grow.

A week later after the Gladstone game, Glen Lake hosted Elk Rapids on the night that was supposed to be Forest Area Homecoming – so during that school day, a group of Glen Lake football players and cheerleaders went over for Forest Area’s pep assembly, at first to be part of the “Marching for Ellen” video but then sticking around to take part in the Warriors’ festivities.

Then on a Monday night, Oct. 14, Mattson took a group of students to Traverse City to support Forest Area during the area’s band expo at Thirlby Field. There was some hope the schools might unite their forces again for Glen Lake’s final regular-season home game Oct. 25. But although that didn’t completely pan out, Forest Area did sent over 20 members of its band, who sat in bleachers on the track with Glen Lake’s student section, band and choir – and cheered on the now growing Glen Lake band, which included Mattson on the saxophone he’d stopped playing in sixth grade.

“One of the Forest Area kids called over from the bleachers, ‘Mr. Mattson, come here. I think we need to call our schools ‘Wakers,’” Mattson said (with the student referring to a combination of the mascot names Warriors and Lakers). “It really had gone from literally about zero to what we’ve got, and it’s a really collaborative partnership here."

“This isn’t their band director or myself making it happen. This is by and large kid driven. Our kids keep asking, ‘Are they coming for the game Friday night?’ Or their kids talk to Mr. Deike and say, ‘Can they come to our pep assembly?’ They know they’re welcome back to play with us any time.”

Mattson has recently taken over as administrator as well of Glen Lake’s fine arts department, and rebuilding the school’s band is a high priority. Glen Lake has brought in retired Traverse City West band directors Pat Brumbaugh and Flournoy Humphreys as “artists in residence” to revive the program. They’re teaching a two-day-a-week Intro to Band class, and Mattson said there are about 35 fifth and sixth-graders signed up.

Mattson also noted how the Forest Area band has opened up the perspective of his school’s football players, who have gained a real appreciation for all of the groups – cheerleaders and band especially – who join the players on the field in making for a great football night.

“What started from one simple gesture to help a school out and vice versa turned into, and I think Brandon would echo it, turned into valuable lessons for our society about teamwork and collaboration, and that kindness matters,” Mattson said. “When it’s driven by young people and really executed by our young people, how does it get better than that? They’re the next generation of leaders. To take it from simply, ‘Yeah, that sounds cool,’ to go and play at Glen Lake, to what it’s become, it’s a great lesson for all of us. That when these kids take the initiative and make it their own, special things happen – and that has happened.”