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Drive for Detroit: Week 8 Review

October 15, 2018

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The first snow has fallen in northern Michigan, leaves are dropping there and everywhere else, and 171 teams have secured spots in this season’s MHSAA Football Playoffs.

All of those things go hand in hand this time of year, and Week 8 played its part in deciding league champions all over the state and setting up other teams to continue into the postseason when this coming weekend is done.

In the Detroit area alone we could’ve highlighted a second five games, with Clinton Township Chippewa Valley and Grosse Ile’s outright league titles, West Bloomfield and Royal Oak Shrine’s upsets and Garden City’s continued bounce-back success. But take a look below at 45 other results that were of special significance as we roll into the final days of the regular season.  

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Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER: Mount Pleasant 14, Midland Dow 10 The Oilers (8-0) locked up a share of the Saginaw Valley Red championship, coming back from a 10-point deficit and holding Dow (5-3) scoreless during the second half. Mount Pleasant can make it an outright title this week against Saginaw Heritage, while the Chargers take on Midland with both teams needing a win to make the playoffs automatically. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun and see below for highlights from WJRT.

Also of note: Port Huron Northern 26, Roseville 14 After finishing Macomb Area Conference Gold runner-up the last two seasons, Northern (7-1) claimed this season’s MAC Blue title in this winner-take-all championship game. Roseville (5-3) takes on Eastpointe this week hoping to qualify for the playoffs.  

Remember this one: Harbor Beach 20, Sandusky 0 The Pirates (7-1) trailed first-place Sandusky (7-1) by a win heading into the Greater Thumb Conference East finale, but emerged with a shared championship to follow up last season’s outright title.

More shoutouts: Fenton 41, Swartz Creek 10 The reigning Flint Metro League champ can’t win an eighth straight title, but the Tigers (6-2) made this race interesting still by dropping former lone leader Swartz Creek (6-2) into a three-way tie for first with a game to play. Cass City 42, Reese 7 The Red Hawks (7-1) completed an outright GTC West title run, their first outright league championship since 1972 (as reported by the Huron Daily Tribune).

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER: Detroit Catholic Central 10, Warren DeLaSalle 7 The Shamrocks (6-2) finished a topsy-turvy two weeks with a share of the Detroit Catholic League Central title. DCC was upset by Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in Week 7 but came back to edge the Pilots (6-2) – who settled for a share of the title as well but can avenge this defeat in this week’s Prep Bowl A/B championship game. Click for more from the Observer & Eccentric.

Also of note: Birmingham Seaholm 21, Farmington 0 The Maples (7-1) clinched the Oakland Activities Association Blue title outright by shutting out the second-place Falcons (6-2), a massive turnaround from last season’s 1-8 finish and four straight sub-.500 seasons.

Remember this one: South Lyon 29, Walled Lake Western 19 The Lions (8-0) are another huge success story after going 1-8 a year ago. They claimed the outright Lakes Valley Conference title with this win over last season’s co-champion Western (5-3).  

More shoutouts: Warren Woods-Tower 26, St. Clair Shores Lake Shore 12 The Titans (8-0) completed a perfect run to an outright MAC Gold title in this winner-take-all matchup with Lake Shore (6-2). Warren Michigan Collegiate 34, Harper Woods Chandler Park 32 (OT) The Cougars (8-0) needed every last point to secure the Charter School Conference title against former co-leader Chandler Park (3-4).

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER: Ithaca 20, Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 9 Over the last six seasons, only MLS also in 2016 has given Ithaca this good of a game in Tri-Valley Conference West play. But the Yellowjackets (7-1) hung on for their 63rd straight league win and the outright title, while the Cardinals (6-2) look even more like a dangerous playoff team likely in Division 8. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.

Also of note: Haslett 35, Goodrich 0 The Vikings (7-1) added an impressive win to their league title share in the Capital Area Activities Conference Red, downing the Genesee Area Conference Red champion Martians (5-3).

Remember this one: Okemos 30, Holt 20 The Chiefs (6-2) have upped their win total three straight seasons and with five straight victories this fall clinched their first playoff berth since 2014.  

More shoutouts: DeWitt 39, St. Joseph 10 The Panthers (8-0) have dominated again this regular season, with this win over Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West co-leader St. Joseph (5-3) certainly worth noting. Williamston 34, Lake Fenton 28 Also a CAAC Red co-champ, Williamston (7-1) has shown plenty of grit winning four games by seven points or fewer, including this one over the Blue Devils (4-4) after splitting a pair of meetings with them a year ago.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER: Traverse City West 17, Gaylord 16 (OT) How much of a difference can one play make? In this case, it kept reigning Big North Conference champion West in first place with a week to play when a loss in this game would’ve created a three-team jam atop the standings. The Titans (6-2) stopped on a two-point conversion to hand the Blue Devils (5-3) their second straight one-point defeat. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Also of note: Lake City 14, Kent City 7 The Highland Conference champ Trojans (8-0) aren’t resting on that success, and took on Kent City (7-1) in one of three matchups of undefeated teams across the state last week. Lake City set itself up to play this week for a second straight undefeated regular season.  

Remember this one: Benzie Central 36, Boyne City 34 The Huskies (5-3) have gone from shutting their season down in September two years ago, to winning one game last season to now being on the cusp of making the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

More shoutouts: Elk Rapids 30, Harbor Springs 14 The Elks (6-2) locked up a playoff berth for the second straight season against another of the area’s best in the playoff-bound Rams (6-2). Johannesburg-Lewiston 66, Newberry 18 The Cardinals (7-1) claimed a share of the Northern Michigan Football League Legacy title, their first league championship since 2009. 

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER: Reading 50, Springport 14 Springport put up the most points given up by Reading this season. That the Rangers have given up only 33 total this fall is just one of many indications of how thoroughly they’ve dominated. This win gave Reading (8-0) a second straight Big 8 Conference title, with Springport (7-1) also entering the night tied for first but finishing second. Click for more from the Hillsdale Daily News.

Also of note: Saline 28, Monroe 6 This was another of a series of winner-take-all league title deciders this week, and the Hornets (7-1) did so in the Southeastern Conference Red for the fifth straight season. The second-place Trojans (6-2) will join them in the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

Remember this one: Dexter 48, Ypsilanti Lincoln 42 The Dreadnaughts (6-2) surely will never forget it. They clinched their first playoff berth in program history, the latest highlight from a season that got rolling when they broke a 33-game losing streak in Week 2. Lincoln (4-4) must beat Milan this week to hope for an at-large postseason bid.  

More shoutouts: Brooklyn Columbia Central 30, Hillsdale 27 Much can be decided with both teams facing tough Week 9 matchups, but for now the Golden Eagles and Hornets both stand 7-1 overall and tied for first in the Lenawee County Athletic Association. Ottawa Lake Whiteford 48, Clinton 6 The Bobcats (8-0) clinched a share of the Tri-County Conference championship with their 22nd straight win and 35th in 36 games – this one even more impressive with Clinton (6-2) running second in the league this fall.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER: Kalamazoo Central 28, Stevensville Lakeshore 6 The Maroon Giants (5-3) have set themselves up with an opportunity this week to both win the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference East title and clinch a playoff berth, the latter for the first time since 2004. Central also put Lakeshore (4-4) in a position where it must win this week to hope for an at-large bid and continue a 21-season playoff streak. Click for more from JoeInsider.com.

Also of note: Berrien Springs 40, Olivet 21 The Shamrocks (7-1) earned arguably their most impressive win of the season, or at least the last month, doubling up the Greater Lansing Activities Conference champion Eagles (7-1).

Remember this one: Portage Central 21, Mattawan 14 (OT) This result sets up a lot of narrative for Week 9. The Mustangs (6-2) are in a three-way tie for first in the SMAC West and put themselves in position to share the title with one other team – the other leaders Portage Northern and St. Joseph play each other this week – while Mattawan (5-3) takes on Lakeshore with playoffs on the line for both.

More shoutouts: Kalamazoo United 58, Constantine 44 United (8-0) withstood its second test in two weeks to set up a Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley championship game this week against Schoolcraft. Constantine (6-2) is on pace for its best offensive output since 2013 and could be a threat in the playoffs. White Pigeon 16, Decatur 14 The Chiefs (6-2) locked up their first playoff berth since 2009 and after three straight 4-5 finishes.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER: Marquette 21, Gladstone 14 The Redmen (4-4) locked up a share of the Great Northern Conference championship, their first since 2011, and earned a chance to play for more. Marquette must beat Menominee this week to hope for an at-large playoff bid; Gladstone (3-5) is going to fall outside of the postseason with three losses by eight or fewer points. Click for more from the Marquette Mining Journal.

Also of note: Escanaba 38, Traverse City Central 21 The Eskymos (6-2) will only claim a share of the GNC title this week with a win over Kingsford and a Marquette loss, but Escanaba has the Upper Peninsula’s most impressive resume against downstate competition. Add this win over the Trojans (6-2) to notable victories over Petoskey and Detroit Loyola.

Remember this one: Iron River West Iron County 12, Gwinn 6 The Wykons (6-2), who just missed a trip to Ford Field last season, locked up another opportunity to make a run while putting Gwinn (5-3) in a must-win spot this week.

More shoutouts: Negaunee 36, Houghton 16 The Miners  (5-3) have rebounded for an 0-2 start to put themselves in position to clinch a playoff spot this week after missing the postseason a year ago. Iron Mountain 31, L’Anse 7 The Mountaineers (6-2) are headed back to the playoffs after finishing 1-8 last season.

West Michigan

HEADLINER: Muskegon 55, Muskegon Mona Shores 35 The Big Reds (9-0) led by only six heading into the fourth quarter, but scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth to clinch a share of the Ottawa-Kent Conference Black title. Senior quarterback Cameron Martinez ran for 352 yards and six touchdowns, including a 44-yarder for the final score of the night as the Big Reds ran their winning streak over Shores (7-1) to three. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle and see highlights below from State Champs Sports Network.

Also of note: Grand Rapids Christian 24, East Grand Rapids 21 The Eagles (6-2) broke a two-game losing streak against the Pioneers (5-3) and in the process forced a tie between the two for first in the O-K Gold with a game to play.

Remember this one: Grand Rapids Catholic Central 24, Grand Rapids West Catholic 14 This matchup of reigning MHSAA champions (GRCC in Division 4, West Catholic Division 5) again determined at least a share of the O-K Blue title, with the Cougars (7-1) repeating and putting West Catholic (4-4) in a must-win scenario to add to a 15-year playoff streak.

More shoutouts: Reed City 50, Newaygo 7 The Coyotes (8-0) locked up the outright Central State Activities Association Gold title, their eighth straight league championship, after Newaygo (5-3) entered the game with an opportunity to force a share. Zeeland East 48, Zeeland West 34 The Chix (7-1) secured a share of the O-K Green title for the second straight season, and after West (6-2) entered the night with a chance to create a three-team tie atop the league standings.

8-Player

HEADLINER: AuGres-Sims 68, Posen 12 The Wolverines (8-0) locked up the Midwest Central Michigan Conference East title outright by sending Posen (6-2) to third place, and with a win this week will own a second straight unbeaten regular season – last season’s in 11-player and this one in 8. See highlights below from WBKB.

Also of note: Engadine 30, Rapid River 12 Four of seven teams in the Great Lakes Conference East are at least 5-3, and Engadine (7-1) held onto a chance of sharing the league title while Rapid River (5-3) remains in the playoff hunt.

Remember this one: Kingston 37, Peck 8 These longtime rivals didn’t play last season, but this win did break Kingston’s five-game losing streak to the Pirates that began when both moved to 8-player in 2011.

More shoutouts: Portland St. Patrick 28, Tekonsha 26 The reigning 8-Player Division 2 runner-up Shamrocks (4-4) needed a boost after three straight losses, and got it with this win over Southern Central Athletic Association B champion Tekonsha (5-3). Suttons Bay 13, Onekama 8 The Norsemen (7-1) reached seven wins for the second straight season, while Onekama (6-2) has taken two painful defeats this fall by a combined seven points.

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PHOTO: Ithaca clinched an outright Tri-Valley Conference West championship with a 20-9 win over Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)

At left, Whiteford's Derek Marckel takes the field as a senior in 2010. At right, Marckel poses for a photo this year in front of the Times Square display he designed to promote Colorado's Travis Hunter.

Marckel Supplies Marketing Magic to Hunter's Heisman-Winning Campaign

By Doug Donnelly
Special for MHSAA.com

July 29, 2025

When he was hired at the University of Toledo in 2016 as assistant director of creative services, Derek Marckel thought he had found his dream job only a few months after graduating from college.

These are logos for the Made In Michigan series and the Michigan Army National GuardThen he became Colorado University’s graphic designer for football in 2019 and thought he had finally landed the job he’s always wanted.

After stops at the Michigan State University to work with former football coach Mel Tucker, and University of Southern California to work with Lincoln Riley, Marckel, 32, is back in Colorado and certain he’s living the dream.

“This was the stuff I thought about doing when I was a kid,” said Marckel, who graduated from Ottawa Lake Whiteford High School in 2011. “I used to sit and draw pictures of all of my favorite University of Toledo football players, and then I’d take them and give them to the players or have them sign them. This is definitely what I’ve dreamed of doing someday.”

Last winter, Marckel was in New York City when his favorite subject – Colorado football player Travis Hunter – won the Heisman Trophy. It was a surreal moment for Marckel, who led a team of creative content makers who spent months last fall promoting Hunter for the biggest prize in all of college football.

“Going into the season, we knew he was going to have a pretty good chance,” Marckel said. “Once the games started playing out, we knew he had a legitimate shot.”

As senior art director at Colorado, Marckel led the Hunter-for-Heisman campaign. He was on the sidelines of every game, home and away, documenting Hunter and the rest of the Buffaloes. He designed billboards that were strategically placed around Denver and one in Times Square in New York City. Marckel’s team met weekly to plan a regular dose of social media posts and content promoting Hunter’s candidacy.

Heisman Trophy candidates emerge based on their on-field performances. But, behind the scenes, winning the trophy has long taken some pushing by colleges and universities.

“There’s a lot that goes into a campaign,” Marckel said. “You have to work with sponsors and donors who helped fund all of that. It’s a lengthy operation.”

As the season drew to a close, Colorado published a packet of information that Marckel designed and sent it to Heisman Trophy voters and the media. ESPN showcased his work.

“Almost everything we were doing was going viral,” Marckel said.

When it became clear Hunter was going to be a finalist for the award, Marckel was called upon to document the entire process. He and a member of his team went to New York City two days ahead of Hunter to be prepared when he landed in the city. Next were Heisman Trophy promotional appearances, photoshoots and the Heisman ceremony itself, and Marckel was there for all of it.

“It was Travis from sun-up to sun-down,” Marckel said. “We’d have little breaks during the day. I designed the billboard for him in Times Square. We had a photo shoot there.”

Helpfully, Hunter was a wonderful participant.

“We put a lot of work into it,” Marckel said. “Obviously it was his award, and he earned it, but it was very rewarding to us, too, to see our hard work pay off. I’ve been around thousands of athletes, and he’s probably my favorite one. He doesn’t necessarily love doing all of the media stuff, but he was comfortable around us.”

Marckel stands for a photo with Hunter during the Heisman Trophy ceremony.Marckel was born in Toledo but grew up in southeast Michigan. He was football team captain for the Bobcats as a senior and began his interest in design, art and photography during his time at Whiteford.

“I knew from a young age that I wanted to work professionally in sports,” Marckel said. “During my time at Whiteford, I spent a lot of my high school career around the football program. I was lucky to have my first two years of varsity with Coach (Jack) Luettke and my senior year with Coach (Matt) Garno, who had a background in graphic design. This ended up being a great foundation for me to combine my passion for football and graphic design as I was heading into the real world.”

Marckel graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2016 with a bachelor's degree in technology & visual communication technology. He landed an internship with the University of Toledo where he started designing team schedule posters, pocket schedules and souvenir tickets. That’s when social media started revolutionizing the industry, especially college football.

“Social media was kind of secondary to everything else when I started there,” he said. “It started to shift. I got in at the perfect time. Things were really starting to pick up. That’s when I knew sports was going to be what I wanted to do.”

After getting a full-time job at Toledo, his work caught the eye of someone at Colorado, and Marckel went west to become a graphic designer with the Buffaloes. When Tucker left Colorado for Michigan State, Marckel followed him to East Lansing.

At first, he missed Colorado.

“Even on the drive to East Lansing, I was thinking, ‘Why am I leaving Colorado?’” Marckel said.

He stayed two years, then landed the role as director of creative media at USC, working sun-up to sun-down in Los Angeles. When the opportunity came to return to Boulder, he jumped at it, becoming senior art director.

The Buffaloes went 1-11 his first season back at Colorado. The entire football coaching staff was let go.

That’s when Marckel’s world took another big turn.

“The rumors started flying about Coach Prime,” Marckel said, referring to Deion Sanders. “There are always these theoretical situations about who the coach is going to be. We found out about 8 p.m. that it was Coach Prime. We had to be on the tarmac at 1:30 a.m. I don’t get starstruck anymore just because of what I’ve been able to do and who I’ve been able to be around, but as soon as he stepped off the plane, I realized I was getting myself into something huge.”

Pro football hall of famers regularly makes stops at Colorado practices. Warren Sapp joined the Colorado staff. Terrell Owens stops by regularly. A steady wave of Sanders’ former teammates from the Dallas Cowboys attended practices as well.

Marckel documents it all, through his camera – a skill he’s honed along the way.

“When I started at Toledo, I would shoot all of those games, but I wasn’t a great photographer,” he said. “As time has gone on, it’s become such an emphasis. I’ve really had to refine everything I do to become the best at it.”

Initially he had to win the trust of Sanders, who brought some of his own content creators with him to Colorado.

“It took a little while to get us into a groove,” Marckel said. “Now we work side by side every day. It’s a smooth operation now. We bounce ideas off of each other.”

Day to day, Marckel works on social media, marketing, photoshoots of recruits and documents workouts and practices for Colorado social media channels.

He works with the football team exclusively, sometimes long hours during the season.

“You get kind of get burned out by end-of-season, but it's worth it,” Marckel said. “You are on the field every day with Heisman Trophy winners, hall of famers and first-round picks. It’s a cool job when you step back and look at it. This is most fun I’ve had working in college football in 10 years.”

2025 Made In Michigan

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July 15: 'Who Will Cheer for the Nimrods?' Peterson IV, Watersmeet Found Fans Worldwide - Report
July 10: Feeding 'Drive to Win,' Loy Norrix Grad Morgan Impresses with Strong USBC Showing - Report 
July 9: After Blazing Multiple Volleyball Trails, Bastianelli Charting Next Career Path - Report

PHOTOS (Top) At left, Whiteford's Derek Marckel takes the field as a senior in 2010. At right, Marckel poses for a photo this year in front of the Times Square display he designed to promote Colorado's Travis Hunter. (Middle) Marckel stands for a photo with Hunter during the Heisman Trophy ceremony. (Photos courtesy of Derek Marckel.)