Drive for Detroit: Week 8 Preview
October 11, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Every fall we say it again: We can’t believe how quickly football season flies by.
But here we are in Week 8, midway through another October, heading into the home stretch for many and the most anticipated weeks for the most fortunate.
With two regular-season games to play, 117 of 256 11-player playoff spots are filled, and 83 more teams can clinch postseason berths this weekend. The Detroit Public School League begins its playoffs tonight and Saturday, while many other leagues across the state will either be finishing up their schedules and/or crowning champions over the next 72 hours.
All games below are tonight unless noted. Check out the MHSAA Score Center for the full schedule and results as games are completed. MHSAA.tv will broadcast 11 games this weekend including five mentioned below. Our “Drive for Detroit” previews are powered by MI Student Aid.
Bay & Thumb
Roseville (5-2) at Port Huron Northern (6-1)
Both are undefeated in Macomb Area Conference Blue play heading into this winner-take-all league finale. The Huskies are attempting to take the next step after finishing second in the MAC Gold both of the last two seasons, while Roseville was one of three teams to share the Blue title a year ago – and is looking to also avenge last season’s 13-7 first-round playoff loss to Northern.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Midland Dow (5-2) at Mount Pleasant (7-0), Sandusky (7-0) at Harbor Beach (6-1), Fenton (5-2) at Swartz Creek (6-1), Haslett (6-1) at Goodrich (5-2).
Greater Detroit
Warren DeLaSalle (6-1) at Detroit Catholic Central (5-2), Sunday
The Detroit area features league championship-deciding games Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with this a clash of MHSAA title contenders as well. Reigning Division 2 champion DeLaSalle has clinched a share of the Catholic League Central title after winning it outright a year ago by defeating the Shamrocks. The Pilots then beat DCC the following week as well in the Prep Bowl, and this weekend’s game could potentially be the first of two straight between these powers again.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Farmington (6-1) at Birmingham Seaholm (6-1), Walled Lake Western (5-2) at South Lyon (7-0), Riverview (6-1) at Grosse Ile (7-0), SATURDAY St. Clair Shores Lake Shore (6-1) at Warren Woods Tower (7-0).
Mid-Michigan
Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (6-1) at Ithaca (6-1)
The Cardinals’ loss last week to Hemlock took some of the juice out of this one, but an MLS win would create a three-team share of the Tri-Valley Conference West championship between these two and the Huskies. Ithaca hasn’t lost a league game since 2009, and counting the share it owns already this fall has won 10 straight TVC West titles. The Cardinals’ defense has been especially impressive, giving up just over nine points per game, and it will need to come up big again as Ithaca’s offense remains on a scorching 45-ppg pace.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Pewamo-Westphalia (7-0) at Fowler (4-3), Lake Fenton (4-3) at Williamston (6-1), Climax-Scotts (3-3) at Breckenridge (7-0), Brighton (6-1) at Howell (4-3).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Gaylord (5-2) at Traverse City West (5-2), Saturday
The Blue Devils can’t move into a first-place tie in the Big North Conference with a win in this one, but they can make the league race pretty messy. West is undefeated in league play, but a Gaylord win would give Traverse City Central and Petoskey opportunities to share or win the championship outright. The reigning league champion Titans have beaten Gaylord in 12 straight – but this is a better Blue Devils team than most during that string. A sixth win would tie Gaylord’s most in a season over the last 15.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Escanaba (5-2) at Traverse City Central (6-1), Kingsley (6-1) at Cheboygan (4-3), Boyne City (3-4) at Benzie Central (4-3), Elk Rapids (5-2) at Harbor Springs (6-1).
Southeast & Border
Springport (7-0) at Reading (7-0)
The Big 8 Conference title comes down to this, one of three matchups this week between 7-0 teams. Reading has won 16 straight league games, including a sweep of all seven in earning last season’s championship, but these two have split their last eight meetings. The Rangers might have the most statistically impressive defense in the state – they’ve given up just 19 points this season – and it will be key against a Springport offense averaging 45 points (although Reading averages 50).
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Monroe (6-1) at Saline (6-1), Clinton (6-1) at Ottawa Lake Whiteford (7-0), Hillsdale (7-0) at Brooklyn Columbia Central (6-1), Michigan Center (6-1) at Napoleon (5-2).
Southwest Corridor
Constantine (6-1) at Kalamazoo United (7-0)
Constantine’s loss two weeks ago to Schoolcraft has it sitting third in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley behind the Eagles and United. Those co-leaders meet in Week 9 – but Kalamazoo of course won’t look past tonight. The last two games between the Falcons and Titans have been decided by a combined seven points – although both in Kalamazoo’s favor. Constantine’s running attack may need to be the key to slowing down a United offense averaging 60 points per game.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Olivet (7-0) at Berrien Springs (6-1), Cassopolis (7-0) at Mendon (4-3), Mattawan (5-2) at Portage Central (5-2), Athens (3-3) at Three Oaks River Valley (4-3).
Upper Peninsula
Gladstone (3-4) at Marquette (3-4)
When it a matchup between two sub-.500 teams the best in a region? When both are fighting for playoff possibilities – and a league title. Thanks to one-point wins over Escanaba and Kingsford, the Redmen have all but wrapped up the Great Northern Conference championship. Gladstone has only the slimmest chance of ending up with a piece of the league title, but the Braves can still shake things up – and like Marquette must finish 5-4 to earn an opportunity for an at-large playoff bid.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Iron River West Iron County (5-2) at Gwinn (5-2), Rogers City (6-1) at St. Ignace (4-3), Munising (4-3) at Ishpeming (7-0), Negaunee (4-3) at Houghton (3-4).
West Michigan
Muskegon Mona Shores (7-0) at Muskegon (7-0)
With the reigning Division 3 champion Big Reds down the road, Mona Shores probably isn’t getting as much attention as it might elsewhere. But the Sailors can earn it tonight in this battle for a share of the Ottawa-Kent Conference Black title. Mona Shores gave Muskegon the latter’s closest game a year ago, losing by just 11. The Big Reds have proven themselves again this fall against some of the state’s elite – but the Sailors belong in that conversation too and have the enviable opportunity to show it.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Zeeland East (6-1) at Zeeland West (6-1), East Grand Rapids (5-2) at Grand Rapids Christian (5-2), Lake City (7-0) at Kent City (7-0), Grand Rapids West Catholic (4-3) at Grand Rapids Catholic Central (6-1).
8-Player
Posen (6-1) at AuGres-Sims (7-0)
AuGres-Sims’ first season of 8-player football couldn’t be going much better, as it clinched a share of the Midwest Central Football Conference East last week and can finish the outright title tonight against second-place Posen (which is tied for that position with Hillman). The Wolverines have four shutouts and have given up a combined 30 points over their other three games. But Posen deserves it’s due too – its six wins are as many as the last two seasons combined, and the only defeat was by four to Hillman two weeks ago. An upset tonight would be one of the most memorable wins of the last decade for one of the state’s first 8-player adopters.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Rapid River (5-2) at Engadine (6-1), Peck (5-2) at Kingston (6-1), Suttons Bay (6-1) at Onekama (6-1), Ontonagon (4-3) at Crystal Falls Forest Park (4-3).
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: Breckenridge charges ahead against Carson City-Crystal last week on the way to clinching the Mid-State Activities Conference title. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
Resilient Shelby Turning Struggles Into Strength During 1st Playoff Run in 12 years
By
Tom Kendra
Special for MHSAA.com
November 6, 2025
SHELBY – Not many football teams could sustain back-to-back heartbreaking losses to end the regular season – compounded with losing their senior starting quarterback to a broken hand during the first of those defeats – and still go on a playoff run.
But not many football programs have endured half the adversity Shelby has over the past 10 years.
“Show me a place of struggle, and I’ll show you a place of strength,” said fifth-year Shelby coach Phil Fortier, who started as an assistant in 2009 at the Oceana County school, located near the towering Silver Lake Sand Dunes.
“We struggle with a lot of things here at Shelby, but there is a resilience. These kids don’t quit, and they are used to bouncing back.”
Shelby (6-4) shook off season-ending road losses at Mason County Central and Muskegon Orchard View with an impressive, 20-2 road victory at LeRoy Pine River in last weekend’s Division 7 District Semifinal – the school’s first playoff win in 12 years.
The Tigers will travel a little farther north this Friday to Harrison (8-2), seeking their first District championship since advancing to the Semifinals in 2012 and 2013.
What has transpired with Shelby football since that high-water mark is a case study in what can happen at a small, rural school when things start snowballing in the wrong direction. The Tigers have not won more than three games over the past 11 years, with five winless seasons.
When Fortier stepped up to the head coaching job in 2021, he had his eyes on a dynamic group of middle schoolers who could turn things around.
Among that special group are senior Isaac Garcia and junior Jaylin Henderson, who have led the Tigers’ turnaround season by sharing the crucial quarterback spot in the veer-option offense.
While a two-quarterback system is not unique, one that is split exactly 50-50 certainly is rare. Garcia and Henderson both have attempted 67 passes and completed 35 of them, with Henderson having a slight edge in passing yardage (624 to 620) and Garcia the edge in touchdown passes (6 to 4).
Garcia has leadership skills galore – he is the one his teammates look to in times of trouble, and he is also extremely accurate in the short-passing game.
Henderson, an MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals qualifier last winter at 157 pounds, has athletic ability coming out of his ears, according to Fortier. He can throw a deadly deep ball on one play, then run over a linebacker on the next.
“I have been watching Tony Annese up at Ferris using all types of different quarterbacks in this offense,” said Fortier, who works closely with offensive coordinator Forrest Courtright. “Here we are with these two super-talented kids who bring different skills to the position, so why not use them both?”
In addition, Garcia was serving as a mentor for his talented, but younger, teammate.
“Isaac has really helped me a lot with my reads,” explained Henderson, who is second on the team with 95 carries for 617 yards and 10 touchdowns. “He gives me feedback and helps me to get better every week.”
The system was working beautifully, as Shelby raced to a 5-2 start, highlighted by a 28-18 win over rival Hart and a 44-8 manhandling of Muskegon Catholic Central.
Then came the first half of the Week 8 game at Mason County Central, when Garcia’s right (throwing) hand got crunched against a helmet on a kickoff, resulting in a broken metacarpal bone.
Just like that, the training wheels were off for Henderson, who is now Shelby’s all-the-time QB and has responded with his legs against Orchard View (19 carries for 144 yards and two TDs) and his arm against Pine River (8-of-14 passing for 155 yards and one TD).
It helps that the Tigers have a pair of 6-3 wide receivers in Trevor Weiss and Evan Waller, dangerous slot receiver DayDay Garcia and the constant threat of junior fullback and leading rusher Brody Fessenden (140 carries for 786 yards and 11 TDs).
“At this point in the season, our chemistry is really good,” said Henderson. “I trust all of our receivers. If I give them a chance, they will make the catch.”
Meanwhile, Garcia has been fitted with a club to protect his right hand and is back starting at safety, where he came up with a huge sack on third down and a pass deflection on fourth down to stop a late Pine River drive during last week’s playoff opener.
His return to the field has energized and motivated his teammates, who are watching their leader refuse to let even a broken throwing hand stop him in his senior year.
“At first, when the injury happened, I was very sad and depressed and didn’t want to leave my room,” said Garcia, a three-sport athlete who also competes in basketball and track.
“Then when they told me that I could play with a club, that brought my mood way up. It’s kind of like our team, we’re not gonna let anything stop us.”
Tom Kendra worked 23 years at The Muskegon Chronicle, including five as assistant sports editor and the final six as sports editor through 2011. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for Muskegon, Oceana, Mason, Lake, Oceola, Mecosta and Newaygo counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Jaylin Henderson celebrates a Shelby touchdown during the Tigers' 28-18 win over rival Hart in Week 3. (Middle) Isaac Garcia waits for the snap as running back Brody Fessenden stands ready. (Below) Garcia and coach Phil Fortier celebrate with the "Blood, Sweat & Tears" trophy after Shelby's win over Hart. (Photos courtesy of the Shelby football program.)