Drive for Detroit: Week 8 in Review
October 20, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Just when we think we’ve got this season figured out … Week 8 happens.
How are these for scores that command a double-take?
- Mattawan, fighting for a playoff berth, beats a league champion in Stevensville Lakeshore 12-10.
- Caledonia hands Lowell its first shutout in 16 years, 33-0.
- Dearborn, also fighting for a playoff berth, delivers local rival Robichaud its first loss, 28-12.
The second-to-last week of the regular season did have more happy than sad as another batch of automatic qualifiers was added and the group of possible at-large teams grew:
- Felch North Dickinson saw the longest playoff streak in MHSAA history officially end as it fell to 3-5; the team no longer can qualify for the postseason for the 24th straight season.
- But in New Boston, there was celebration as the team set a school record for wins in moving to 7-1.
- And Burton Atherton backers surely enjoyed clinching their first playoff berth ever after missing by a win two of the last four years.
Read on for details behind more of the most intriguing results to emerge from Week 8 from all over the state:
Bay and Thumb
Flint Beecher 19, Montrose 14
The long-anticipated Genesee Area Conference Red finale played to its billing, with Beecher scoring with 17 seconds left on the clock to earn its first league title since 2009. Montrose (6-2), league champs the last three seasons, could’ve forced a three-way share of this season’s title with a win – Goodrich would’ve been the third team, but finished second. Beecher can finish the regular season undefeated also for the first time since 2009 with a win over Byron on Friday. Click for more from the Flint Journal.
Also noted:
Marine City 39, Warren Woods Tower 14 – Marine City (8-0) got back the Macomb Area Conference Gold championship, keeping second-place Warren Woods-Tower (6-2) from gaining a share.
Bay City Central 26, Mount Pleasant 22 – The Wolves (4-4) can still earn a first playoff berth since 2007 after beating the Oilers (5-3) for the first time in their recent eight-game series.
Lapeer 34, Flint Carman-Ainsworth 31 (OT) – The Lightning (8-0) finished a perfect run through the Saginaw Valley Association Red, but not without some necessary extra work against Carman-Ainsworth (6-2).
Birch Run 27, Millington 21 – The Panthers (7-1) edged the Cardinals (7-1) in the final game on the Tri-Valley East Conference schedule to make those two and Frankenmuth tri-champions after Millington led by a win coming in.
Lower Up North
Whittemore-Prescott 31, Hillman 14
While not a league game, this one unofficially recognized the top team on the northeast side of the Lower Peninsula – and once again it’s Whittemore-Prescott (8-0), which is one more winnable game from its first perfect regular season since 2002. Hillman (7-1) also entered undefeated and a league champion. Click for more from the Bay City Times.
Also noted:
Traverse City West 22, Gaylord 7 – Gaylord (5-3) has been working toward its first playoff berth since 2007, but had to put its celebration off while West (4-4) kept itself in the mix for an at-large bid.
Boyne City 28, Elk Rapids 23 – The Ramblers (8-0) won their eighth game for the third straight season and need one more for a first perfect regular season since 2001; Elk Rapids (4-4) will need help to return to the playoffs.
Mancelona 30, Central Lake 22 – Mancelona (5-3) is still alive for an automatic playoff berth, while Central Lake (4-4) is not and must win this week for a chance at an at-large bid.
Charlevoix 27, Frankfort 6 – The Rayders (5-3) quietly have won three straight to set up for their first playoff appearance since 2009, while forcing Frankfort (5-2) into a must-win situation to return to the postseason after missing the last two years.
Southwest and Border
Watervliet 28, Decatur 19
Make that six straight wins for Watervliet over Decatur, this one for the Southwestern Athletic Conference South championship. The Panthers (7-1) earned a share, giving them at least part of the league title for four straight seasons and seven straight wins this fall after opening with a one-point loss at Gobles. Decatur (7-1) will have more to play for next month, having already qualified for the playoffs as well. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.
Also noted:
Union City 42, Homer 19 – The Chargers (8-0) finished their second Big 8 Conference title in four years, winning big to keep second-place Homer (6-2) from earning a share.
Fennville 22, Gobles 12 – This, combined with Bangor’s upset of Saugatuck, created a three-team tie atop the SAC North standings between Saugatuck (5-3), Fennville (5-3) and Gobles (6-2).
Constantine 35, Olivet 14 – The Kalamazoo Valley Association champ Falcons (7-1) bounced back from its first loss by doubling up former league rival Olivet (6-2), the champ in the first-year Greater Lansing Activities Conference.
Edwardsburg 42, Berrien Springs 21 – The Eddies earned a share of the Wolverine B Conference West championship against second-place Berrien Springs (5-3), which will need a major upset of Edwardsburg by Coloma this week to also gain a share.
Upper Peninsula
Marquette 9, Negaunee 8
The wind and rain couldn’t distract Marquette kicker Max Bednarek, who drilled a game-winning 22-yard field goal as time ran out to push the Redmen to 7-1. Marquette trailed 8-0 and went for two unsuccessfully after scoring its lone touchdown. Negaunee has now lost three games this season by five points or fewer, and at 4-4 will need some help to earn an at-large playoff bid. Click for more from the Marquette Mining Journal.
Also noted:
Lake Linden-Hubbell 36, Felch North Dickinson 30 – The Lakes (7-1) have built their best record since 2010 with three wins by eight or fewer points, while North Dickinson (3-5) officially won’t make the playoffs for the first time since 1990 after its third loss of six points or fewer.
Bark River-Harris 44, Powers North Central 22 – The Broncos (6-2) bounced back from a disappointing loss to Mid-Eastern Football Conference champ Munising to earn its first playoff appearance since 2009.
Iron Mountain 23, Hurley, Wis. 22 – The Moutaineers (5-3) put themselves in a win-and-in playoff scenario this week in part by going for two after a late score against Hurley (7-2) to create a two-possession game, and then holding the ball until nearly the end so Hurley didn’t get another chance.
Crystal Falls Forest Park 53, Bessemer 14 – The Trojans (6-1) can’t win the Great Western Conference this time, but are undefeated in Michigan with their lone loss to Hurley; Bessemer, at 4-3 but playing only eight 11-player games, can still qualify with a win this week against Ironwood.
Mid-Michigan
Clare 30, Harrison 29
Clare (6-2) has come up with the right recipe for winning the Jack Pine Conference. For the third straight season, the Pioneers have opened 0-2 against top nonleague competition and gone on to win the league, and can clinch it outright this week against Roscommon. But Harrison gave Clare its toughest challenge of any team during this eight-season title run – Clare trailed by as many as 16, and a potential game-winning field goal for the Hornets (7-1) fell just short. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.
Also noted:
Fowler 20, Pewamo-Westphalia 13 – One of the best rivalries in this region decided a league championship again; Fowler (8-0) claimed the Central Michigan Athletic Conference title, while Pewamo-Westphalia (6-2) fell to second place.
Lansing Sexton 21, Lansing Everett 12 – This was all a neighborly rivalry game should be, with Everett holding Sexton to its second-fewest points this season and the Big Reds (8-0) keeping the Vikings (5-3) to their fewest.
Haslett 43, Williamston 23 – The Vikings (4-4) looked likely to miss the playoffs for the second time in three seasons, but upsetting Williamston (6-2) helps their at-large chances significantly.
Hanover-Horton 34, Grass Lake 28 – Not only had Hanover-Horton not beaten Grass Lake (5-3) since 2005, the Comets (7-1) had scored only a combined 15 points in their last five losses to the Warriors.
West Michigan
Caledonia 33, Lowell 0
The Fighting Scots just keep piling up impressive wins. After Caledonia (6-2) lost to Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central by 12 in Week 3, there probably weren't many who would've believed the Scots would go on to beat Rockford and now Lowell by a combined 75-0. Because of that Forest Hills Central loss, Caledonia only shares first place in the Ottawa-Kent Conference White with the Red Arrows (7-1), but both can clinch a share of the title this week. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Also noted:
Reed City 60, Remus Chippewa Hills 32 – The Coyotes (7-1) earned a share of the Central State Activities Association Gold title while keeping Chippewa Hills (6-2) from the same.
Cedar Springs 48, Greenville 16 – The Red Hawks (7-1) earned a share of the O-K Bronze title, its first league championship since 1978, while forcing Greenville (4-4) into an at-large playoff scenario.
East Kentwood 35, Rockford 3 – The Falcons (7-1) looked capable of beating Rockford (6-2) to push both into a tie atop the O-K Red standings, but the final margin was much more unexpected.
East Grand Rapids 31, Grand Rapids Christian 7 – The Pioneers (5-3) look good for the playoffs with 1-7 Jenison up this week, and left Christian (5-3) in a tougher position with the Eagles now facing Caledonia.
Greater Detroit
Southfield 20, Oak Park 16
The Bluejays (6-2) swooped in for a share of their second straight Oakland Activities Association White championship after falling a game behind with a Week 5 loss to Farmington Hills Harrison. Oak Park (6-2) had beaten Harrison and entered Week 8 atop the league, but couldn’t break Southfield’s defense – which held the Knights 22 points below their average. Harrison ended up with a share of the league title as well with Oak Park’s loss. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.
Also noted:
Harper Woods Chandler Park 22, Warren Michigan Collegiate 13 – Chandler Park (6-2) won this deciding game in the Charter School Conference, sending Michigan Collegiate (7-1) into second place; Chandler Park is 34-1 in league play since its start in 2009.
Farmington 24, Birmingham Groves 20 – The Falcons (7-1) finished their bounce-back from 2-7 last season to OAA Blue champs this fall by edging second-place Groves (6-2).
Ypsilanti Lincoln 28, Ypsilanti Community 27 – Lincoln (6-2) won the Southeastern Conference White outright for the second straight year despite trailing Community (5-3) at one point by three scores.
Detroit Cass Tech 19, Detroit East English 12 – The Technicians (8-0) advanced to meet Martin Luther King in the Detroit Public School League Final thanks to three fourth-quarter touchdowns by standout running back Mike Weber; East English (5-3) must win this week to guarantee an MHSAA playoff berth.
8-Player
Peck 30, Deckerville 28 (OT)
This has become arguably the best rivalry in 8-player football (the argument being against Rapid River/Cedarville). Peck (8-0) made it 21 straight wins including three straight over Deckerville, although the Eagles made it plenty tough by scoring first in overtime and also leading into the fourth quarter. The win gives Peck the North Central Thumb League title outright while dropping Deckerville (6-2) into second place.
Also noted:
Battle Creek St. Philip 48, Portland St. Patrick 0 – This battle of undefeateds didn't match up to that expectation, but these two have history of meeting again during the playoffs.
Cedarville 57, Bellaire 14 – This one too didn't necessarily match up to a matchup of teams with a combined one loss, with Cedarville dominating to match Bellaire at 7-1 overall and second place in the Bridge Football Alliance.
PHOTO: Beal City, carrying the ball, defeated McBain on Friday to claim a share of the championship in the Highland Conference. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com).
Perseverance Turns Into Possibilities During Cassopolis' Turnaround Season
By
Scott Hassinger
Special for MHSAA.com
November 3, 2026
CASSOPOLIS – Good times on Friday nights have returned to the Cassopolis football program.
A couple of years removed from canceling its final three games of the 2024 season because of injuries and a lack of experienced players to fill in, coach Jeremiah Lee and his Rangers have lots to celebrate heading into this offseason and 2027.
Cassopolis finished 8-2 this fall with a 54-12 Division 7 District Semifinal loss at Ravenna on Friday. But Lee's Rangers ended the regular season on an eight-game winning streak after suffering a 25-21 defeat in the opener to Southwest 10 Conference foe and Division 8 playoff qualifier Decatur.
With an experienced roster filled with several two-, three-, and four-year varsity letterwinners, Cassopolis rebounded from a 3-6 season in 2025 by outscoring opponents 451-161 this autumn and earning its first appearance in the postseason since 2021.
"Everything has come together for our kids and coaching staff. It's just a blessing to be able to end the season in the spot we are,” Lee said. “We don't take any of it for granted and try and take advantage of all these opportunities.
"Our physicality between last year and now has changed greatly. You could see that in our preseason scrimmage at Constantine and when we took Decatur down to the wire to open our schedule. That first game allowed our team to realize how good they could be, and they continued to tap into that every week.”
Senior quarterback Lucas Williams, a four-year starter, played a major part in Cassopolis' resurgence with his athleticism and leadership in the huddle. The Rangers ran a split-back and spread offensive look.
During the regular season, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Williams completed 73-of-114 passing attempts with 27 touchdowns while adding 75 carries for 792 rushing yards and 14 TDS.
"This season has been great after some hard times with the cancelation of our season a couple years ago and the death of one of our teammates a year ago," Williams said, referring to Kollin Grover, who died from injuries sustained during a crash a few weeks before the start of the 2025 season. "We've stuck together through it all as one and have been driven to get stronger every day on the field and off it."
Williams, a standout and four-year all-league performer in basketball and baseball as well, broke Tyrese-Hunt Thompson's school record for total TDs (passing and rushing) in a single season with 41. Hunt-Thompson, one of the greatest all-around athletes in school history, went on to play football at Ferris State and North Texas State.
Williams credited his offensive line of junior Mason Boyer (6-6, 300), Conner Turnbow, Colt Bement, Cah'lil Warren, Micah Schuelke and others for his success behind center.
"I couldn't have done anything without their hard work and dedication up there. I couldn't have broke the TD record without those guys or my receivers Jamiere Pratt, Mason Nelson and Camdyn Gillam,” Williams said. “It was just an amazing feat to be able to do this with all of my teammates.”.
Lee stated athletes like Williams don't come around often.
"Lucas is a real special kid. He's matured a great deal and has become a really great teammate this season,” Lee said. “It's tough to be a quarterback with the beatings you take in there sometimes. He makes the game easier for everyone around him, and he's made leaps and bounds."
Senior tailback Elijah Wagoner (6-0, 185) rounded out a balanced Rangers' backfield with 60 carries for 581 yards rushing. "Elijah has been our guy to get those tough yards for us late in the game. He sticks his head in there and does what he has to do," Lee said.
Among Williams' top targets through the air were Pratt, his cousin and a junior this fall. Pratt (5-10, 143) had 26 receptions for 665 yards and 15 TDs. Williams’ brother Mason Nelson, a senior, added 28 catches for 535 yards and nine TDs.
Pratt, also a standout with his speed on special teams, returned three kickoffs for TDs (55, 75, 45 yards) and with an 80-yard punt return for a score. Nelson (6-0, 150) returned a punt 89 yards for another touchdown.
"It's pick your poison. Our receivers have been really good about sharing the load. When one of them has an off night, the others pick up the slack. They block well when we have to run the ball as well. Everyone realizes it’s about we not me," Lee said. "Any time Jamiere hits a seam on kickoff or punt returns, he has a chance to take it to the house. Our offensive line is a selfless unit as well."
Senior Lane Leach, a four-year starter at middle linebacker and on the Rangers' offensive line, has been the catalyst on a stingy defense with 103 tackles, two forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries.
"I'm really good at reading the field, and I feel like I'm pretty physical on defense. Offensively, I just try to do my best to protect our quarterback," Leach said.
The Rangers were known as one of the quicker teams defensively in the SW10 and among schools in Southwestern Michigan. Lee also noted that unit’s versatility and ability to show multiple fronts, and the advantages of having so much speed on that side of the ball.
"We are pretty strong up front, especially on our defensive line. Our safeties and defensive backs have helped us contain opponents to just running the football. We all strive to do our jobs and just go out and execute," Leach added. "It really stunk having to cancel our season early two years ago. But we realized we had to be dedicated and put a lot of hard work in the offseason and had a strong year this fall."
Cassopolis ended the fall allowing just 16.1 points per contest. Wagoner added 59 tackles, one forced fumble and seven pancake blocks to the efforts on both sides of the ball.
"Having that previous varsity experience helped me a great deal this season knowing the plays and having a good connection with a phenomenal quarterback. Our greatest mentality this season has been our will to win and a strong belief in ourselves. It's been a pleasure to be on the field with these guys," Wagoner said. "We like to fly to the ball and hit you hard on defense and let you know we are there."
Mason Pike had 83 tackles, one interception and three fumble recoveries. Trevor Williamson added 78 tackles. Tyson West 44 tackles and 11.5 sacks, Easton Mitchell 56 tackles and one interception, and junior Conner Turnbow totaled 52 stops, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one recovery for the Rangers.
One of several two-way starters for the Rangers, Turnbow (6-0, 185) handled the center's duties as well as playing outside linebacker.
He’s among several players expected to return next fall; Cassopolis will graduate just four seniors off a 34-player roster.
"We've had some past struggles, but we stuck with it and this year we really put it together as a team. It was about loving one another and sticking with it,” Turnbow said. “We are more disciplined and locking down in the weight and film room. There's a lot of brotherhood, we are having fun and we come out expecting to win now.”
Scott Hassinger is a contributing sportswriter for Leader Publications and previously served as the sports editor for the Three Rivers Commercial-News from 1994-2022. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Cassopolis senior quarterback Lucas Williams receives a necklace signifying his single-season school record for touchdowns. (Middle) Jamiere Pratt (1) returns a kickoff for a touchdown during a Week 9 win over Galesburg-Augusta. (Below) Conner Turnbow (55) recovers a fumble during that 49-18 victory. (Photos by Scott Hassinger.)