Flashback: Midland Makes '68 Title Play
August 26, 2018
By Ron Pesch
Special for Second Half
It was a sunny, cool late August morning as high school football practice kicked off around the state. The Detroit Tigers were in the midst of a four-game losing streak, their longest to date that World Series-winning season. With 32 games to go, their lead over the Baltimore Orioles was cut to five in the race for the 1968 American League pennant.
Hal Schram, Michigan’s revered prep sports writer, kicked off the start of the season with a trip north. He was on a mission designed to tie up loose ends.
Schram had been covering high school sports in the Great Lakes State since 1941 and began his days at the Detroit Free Press in January of 1945. He had named the 1967 Bay City Central team Michigan’s top Class A squad the previous November. After posting a 9-0-0 season, the school was scheduled to receive a trophy from the newspaper signifying the achievement. However, in mid-November, Detroit’s newspapers began a 267-day strike – the longest in history at the time – that interrupted a planned presentation.
So on Monday, August 25, 16 days after the end of the strike, Schram headed to Bay City. There, he visited with coach Elmer Engel and his staff, then handed off the impressive award before a group of 220 football hopefuls who reported for practice.
“It should give us added impetus in the weeks ahead,” said the veteran coach, accepting the trophy. This wasn’t a first for Engel and his squads. Entering his 19th year as head coach at Bay City, he had turned the Wolves into a state powerhouse. Back in the days before a postseason tournament, Central had edged unbeaten Battle Creek Central and seven other unbeaten and untied teams in the annual Free Press poll for the 1965 gridiron championship. In 1958, The Associated Press had named his squad the mythical state titlist. His teams had posted 129 wins against only 29 defeats and four ties since his arrival in 1950.
At age 25, Engel had enlisted in the Marines. As a 25-year-old second lieutenant he led his troops “in one of the most desperate, and bloody, battles of World War II – Iwo Jima.” Previously, he had earned three football letters at the University of Illinois and was the team’s MVP in 1942.
In baseball circles, 1968 has been called “The Year of the Pitcher.” On September 14, Detroit’s Denny McLain became the first hurler to win 30 games since Dizzy Dean in 1938. Bob Gibson, star of the St. Louis Cardinals rotation, turned in a 1.12 earned run average, the lowest in the Major Leagues since 1914.
The year 1968 also has been called “The Year that Shattered America.” With the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in April in Memphis, riots broke out in more than 100 cities across the United States. Protests continued to rage across the country over the war in Vietnam. Demonstrations, peaceful and violent, were raised around the world in support of civil rights.
The world was changing; by year’s end, Shirley Chisholm had become the first black woman elected to U.S. Congress. At Yale, moves were made to finally admit female undergraduates. In December, three astronauts aboard Apollo 8 became the first humans to orbit the moon.
High School football season began tragically in Michigan. Only a day before prep season openers, 17-year-old senior Jerry Knight died from a brain injury suffered in a scrimmage. Jerry and his twin brother, Pat, were scheduled to start in the backfield for Grand Rapids Catholic Central. It was reported that this was the first reported football death in the city of Grand Rapids since 1926. In total, 26 football players in middle school or high school across the nation would die that season, a peak that would spur slow changes within the sport.
The reigning Class A champs began the 1968 season at No. 1 in the state’s three prep football polls, published by Schram in the Free Press and the state’s wire services, The Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI) following the second game of the season.
Only days before, the Tigers had clinched the pennant. Three weeks into the high school season, Bay City Central, with victories over a pair of Flint area schools and Saginaw Arthur Hill, remained firmly planted at the top. Battle Creek Central, winner in 32 of its last 33 games, was ranked No. 2, while Detroit Denby, the 1963 Free Press champion, was ranked third.
While the Tigers and St. Louis, the National League pennant winner, were preparing for their World Series opener, Schram was dealing with an overzealous fan as prep teams readied themselves for the fourth week of the season.
“This is the week we make your ratings look sick,” said a long-distance caller from Midland. “I’m telling you we’re going to run down your No. 1 team at Bay City Central. We’ve run three-straight and you’ve never even given us a courtesy call.”
“The man’s right about one thing,” said Schram in his weekly column highlighting the top contests from around the state. “The Midland-Bay City Central game Friday night certainly rates a top berth among Top Ten Games of the Week. … While Friday’s game with the defending state champions is of primary importance, the Midland team can’t be blamed for taking a quick peak on their TV sets at the World Series. One of their former All-State quarterbacks, Larry Jaster, just might be pitching for St. Louis against the Tigers.”
No doubt to the joy of the caller, Midland ruined Bay City’s homecoming with a 12-7 win before a crowd of 7,000. With the loss, the Wolves fell to seventh in Schram’s rankings while Midland’s Chemics made their first appearance, entering the Free Press list at No. 4. With Bay City’s loss, Battle Creek Central, the 1966 Class A champ, moved to the top spot across the state’s three polls.
Just a year before, Battle Creek had been in the same position. Like Bay City, the Bearcats had followed their 1966 title by opening the next season ranked No. 1. Riding a 27-game win streak dating back to November of 1964, Battle Creek saw the run end in the eighth week of the 1967 season when 6-A Conference rival Kalamazoo Central nipped the Bearcats, 7-6, on a rainy, windy night at Kalamazoo College’s Angel Field.
“We’re not a holler team,” Battle Creek Central coach Jack Finn said to the Free Press sports editor, Joe Falls, prior to that Kalamazoo game. “We try to keep our kids at an even keel. No, we try to keep the emotion out of it.”
Following the contest, “Finn was pacing the room like a grizzly bear,” wrote Falls.
“‘That’s part of growing up’ he said.
“’Look at these kids – they never lost before. They don’t know how to take it.’”
“Finn consoled one player, then walked back across the room. ‘A test for the kids?’ he said, finally managing a weak smile. ‘This is a test for me. The last time we lost I woke up in the morning and vowed I’d never coach again.’”
Both Finn and Falls knew that defeat was an integral part of kids growing up.
But with Battle Creek’s loss, Bay City moved to the top spot. A week later, the Wolves picked up their ninth win, and with it, the 1967 mythical state crown.
Finn’s 1968 Bearcats had started the season slowly, downing Benton Harbor 14-0 in the season opener and then surviving an early-season scare on the road with Ann Arbor Huron, 6-0, before knocking off conference foe Lansing Eastern in the season’s third week, 27-6. Grinding out 455 yards on the ground, the Bearcats mauled East Lansing, 41-0, in Week 4.
“We were a very balanced team with lots of very good players, but no great ones,” recalled Terry Newton, a first team all-state choice at center in 1968. “We were kind of unheralded with a very tough defense.”
“This is perhaps the best balance squad (Coach) Finn has ever led into a season,” wrote Schram at the time, announcing the change at the top of his Class A poll. “Against East Lansing, Battle Creek used eight running backs almost of equal stature. John Simms, a junior who doesn’t even start, has rushed for 233 yards in 21 carries in his last two games. He’s one of southern Michigan’s foremost breakaway runners.”
On Thursday, October 10, the Detroit Tigers clinched Game 7, 4-1, to win the World Series. The following evening beneath the lights of Memorial Stadium, the Bearcats had their hands full in a game played in Lansing.
“For at least one night, Sexton was the equal of Michigan’s No. 1 prep football team, Battle Creek Central,” wrote Dave Matthews in the Lansing State Journal. “It didn’t work out quite that way on the scoreboard, Battle Creek rallying for a 14-13 decision … but the final tally could not erase a stirring upset attempt by the Big Reds.”
Late in the contest, Battle Creek took advantage of an injury to Lansing Sexton’s all-city tackle, Tom Bush. According to the Journal, the Bearcats pounded the left side on nine out of 10 plays, driving 65 yards, with Simms scoring from two yards out with 2:01 remaining in the contest to knot the score. Ernest English kicked the extra point to give Battle Creek its first lead of the game. Prior to Bush’s departure, the Bearcats had been held to a single first down in the second half.
Midland, with a convincing 48-6 triumph over Saginaw Arthur Hill, was now entrenched at No. 2 and nipping at the heels of the Bearcats in the Associated Press and United Press polls. The AP rankings were based on a “10 points for first, nine for second, eight for third, and so on” voting system by state sportswriters and sportscasters. The UPI rankings were compiled based on the votes of a panel of 17 football coaches from across the state. Schram still ranked Midland at No. 4, trailing Battle Creek, but noted that the Chemics and their coach Bob Stoppert had an outside chance at their second state title in 11 years.
“That would be nice, but we’re not ready to debate such matters,” the 51-year old Stoppert said to Schram as teams headed to Week 6 of the season. “I’m too old to be impressed by the polls. I know the fans and the kids like them, but they’re a nuisance as far as a coach is concerned. If you fellows would wait until the end of the season to rate your teams, I wouldn’t have any objections. But I know you’re not going to listen to that.”
No changes occurred that week, as the Bearcats trounced 6-A conference foe, Jackson, 56-0 and Midland rolled over Saginaw Valley Conference opponent Alpena, 38-0. A loss by Grand Rapids Union boosted the Chemics to third in Schram’s rankings.
Battle Creek squared off against Ann Arbor Pioneer, ranked No.5 in the polls by both AP and UPI in Week 7.
With Battle Creek trailing the Pioneers 7-0 at the half, Jim Roebuck nailed a 34-yard field goal in the third quarter to make it 7-3. A huge goal-line stand late in the fourth quarter by Pioneer appeared to seal an upset, but three successive stops by the Bearcats’ defense prevented Ann Arbor from running out the clock. Following the punt, Battle Creek took over on the Pioneers’ 42 with 2:30 to play. A touchdown by Simms with 1:18 left gave the Bearcats a 9-7 victory.
United Press voters were impressed with the comeback and kept Battle Creek at No. 1, rewarding the Bearcats with a widening point gap between first and second place in their poll. Midland had downed league opponent Flint Northern, 28-12, and, in the eyes of AP voters, the Bearcats and Chemics were now tied for No. 1 as the season headed for the finish line.
“In those days, the Saginaw Valley was considered perhaps the toughest conference in the state,” said Peter Aseritis, who captained the Chemics in 1968. “Back then, eight of our nine games were against conference opponents.”
The Bearcats avenged the previous year’s loss to Kalamazoo Central, 31-7, while Midland downed Bay City Handy 27-7 in Week 8. While the Free Press and UPI kept Battle Creek on top, AP voters pushed the Chemics to No. 1 in their list by a single poll point.
Prior to season’s end, Schram set the stage for football fans across the state.
“While close to 7,000 fans are expected at Post Field for this (week’s) intra-city showdown (between Battle Creek Central and Battle Creek Lakeview), Midland goes after its first perfect season since 1957 at Saginaw where another crowd of 6,000-plus is anticipated. At stake will be the Saginaw Valley League title. Midland holds the No. 3 rating in the state and Saginaw is ranked No. 4.”
“This is the greatest gang of seniors we ever have had at Central … they never gave up … yes, I definitely feel that we are No. 1 in the state,” said Coach Finn to Bill Frank of the Battle Creek Enquirer “as he came dripping out of the shower, clothes and all” following Central’s 19-7 win over Lakeview. It was the third perfect season for the Bearcats in four years, and only the fourth perfect campaign in school history.
Midland defeated Saginaw 20-13.
“There was some violence after the game,” noted Aseritis. “Some fans were upset. Rocks were thrown at our bus; some windows were broken.”
Both the Detroit Free Press and the United Press International season-ending polls named Battle Creek at No. 1. The Associated Press saw it differently, awarding Class A’s mythical crown to Midland while placing the Bearcats tied for third with Ferndale. Unbeaten in eight games, Detroit Denby finished second in the AP rankings, compiling 131 poll points to Midland’s 135. Midland received seven first place votes to three for Denby. Battle Creek ended with 129 points and five first-place votes.
Without the structure of a playoff system, there was no chance that the two top-ranked teams would meet on the gridiron.
“There is a certain level of charm to the time of mythical state titles. Winning a conference championship was much more important back before the arrival of the playoffs and today’s focus on six wins,” said Newton, who went on become athletic director at Battle Creek St. Philip, a member of the Battle Creek Parks and Recreation department and the radio voice of prep sports in Battle Creek as host of ‘Coach’s Corner’ on WBCK for more than 25 years.
“It was a great time at Battle Creek Central. We had a lot of winning tradition,” continued Newton. “For five or six years, Bay City and Battle Creek dominated (Class A) football. I think that some voters fell in love with Midland that year, and that split the vote. But we were the champs according to Hal Schram. That was the big one. He really was the state’s top prep sportswriter.”
“On the weekend of October 12th and 13th back in Midland, the team will reunite to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their title. On Friday, the school plans to honor us during the game,” said Aseritis, who also earned first team all-state honors in 1968. “I won’t make it back for that. My son is a senior at Elk Rapids. He has a game and I plan to be there, but I expect to be in Midland on Saturday for our reunion. As players we got a piece of it.
“Back then, it was ground and pound; a real physical game. Today, the game is wide open and space. Of course, back then we only had to play nine games. You got to hand it to those who get to the state title game today. Now, kids have to play 14.
“We had it easy,” he added, laughing.
Fifty years down the road for both men, the camaraderie and chance to learn to work with others toward a common goal still stand out from those days.
“Yes, I recall certain days from my career,” added Aseritis, a former Marine Corps captain who traveled the world as a financial analyst and consultant. “My times playing high school football, college football and my years in the military are the days that mean the most. Those are lifetime memories.”
“Within the football program, the issues of the times never really came up,” said Newton reflecting on his days at Battle Creek Central. “The coaches never talked about it. They were focused on blocking and tackling. The players were focused on school and football. Our team came together from four different junior high schools at Central; it was a mixed community, maybe 50 percent black and 50 white.
“We had to come from behind a few times that season. That’s where you learn to work with other people; how to handle adversity and success, and deal with challenges. We had great camaraderie, and that allowed us to have the success we had.”
After stints at Dansville, Hudson and Coldwater high schools, Finn held the football reigns at Battle Creek Central for 11 years. He stepped aside following the 1968 season to take on the dual role of athletic director and head football coach at Northwood Institute in Midland. At Northwood, he helped found the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. He retired as the school’s football coach following the 1986 season and as AD in 1989. He died in 2013.
Elmer Engel and his Bay City squad again would grab the Class A title in 1969 and in 1972. He retired after the 1972 season with a 165-34-8 record and five mythical state titles. In 1973, the school chose to rechristen its football stadium in his honor in recognition of his incredible success. The classic concrete structure was built in 1925. Engel died in 2006 at age 86.
Stoppert stepped aside following the 1974 season. A Flint Northern graduate, he had coached briefly at Flint Bendle and Rockford before being named head football coach at Midland in 1953. The Chemics posted 128 victories, 58 losses, six ties and two mythical gridiron championships during that span. He died in 2003.
Ron Pesch has taken an active role in researching the history of MHSAA events since 1985 and began writing for MHSAA Finals programs in 1986, adding additional features and "flashbacks" in 1992. He inherited the title of MHSAA historian from the late Dick Kishpaugh following the 1993-94 school year, and resides in Muskegon. Contact him at [email protected] with ideas for historical articles.
PHOTOS:
(Top) Battle Creek Central’s Terry Newton (53) and Jim Roebuck tackle Battle Creek Lakeview’s Dave Roberts during their 1968 game. (2) Hal Schram presents Bay City Central with the 1967 Detroit Free Press Class A championship trophy. (3) Bay City Central coach Elmer Engel and a player during the 1967 season. (4) Battle Creek Central coach Jack Finn. (5) Battle Creek Central’s Terry Newton. (6) Midland coach Bob Stoppert. (7) Midland’s Pete Aseritis. (8) Battle Creek Central’s 1968 championship team. (9) Midland’s 1968 championship team. (Photos gathered by Ron Pesch.)
Longtime Official, Assigner, Association Leader Czech Named 36th Norris Honoree
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
April 10, 2026
While a game official’s most recognizable work is done on the field of play, much must be accomplished behind the scenes as well to produce that finished product – and Oak Park’s Robert Czech long has been revered while serving as a game official in four sports, an assigner of officials to work high school and middle school events, and a supporter of his colleagues as co-creator and continuing mentor for one of the state’s largest officials associations.
To celebrate his vast contributions to officiating in Metro Detroit and statewide, Czech will be honored with the 36th Vern L. Norris Leadership in Officiating Award during the MHSAA’s Officials Awards & Alumni Banquet on April 25 in East Lansing.
The Norris Award is presented annually to a veteran official who has been active in a local officials association, has mentored other officials, and has been involved in officials’ education. It is named for Vern L. Norris, who served as executive director of the MHSAA from 1978-86 and was well-respected by officials on the state and national levels. Czech will be honored at Michigan State University’s Kellogg Center along with high school game officials with 20, 30, 40, 45, 50 and 55 years of service.
Czech is in his 44th year as an MHSAA-registered official for football, basketball, softball and baseball, and he previously was registered for two years to officiate volleyball as well. He also has assigned officials for more than 35 years, currently doing so for selected sports in the Oakland Activities Association, Lakes Valley Conference, Kensington Lakes Activities Association and Michigan Independent Athletic Conference, and he is a longtime leader with Metro Detroit Athletic Officials (MDAO), an association which counts 650 officials among its membership.
His first games as an official came on the football field in the Detroit Police Athletic League, and from there he followed mentors including past Norris winners Robert Williams and Hugh Jewell into an avocation that has become a life’s work.
“When you’re younger, you can catch a little heat from coaches and players and parents, (and) it’s easy to get down on yourself a little bit – but you just have to stick with it,” said Czech, a retired Detroit police officer. “All the older guys will tell you, hey, it will go away, you’ll be fine and you’ll learn from it, you’ll grow and you’ll feel a lot better. And one good thing about this type of business, or this avocation, you’re running into people from all different walks of life – cops, teachers, insurance people, lawyers, doctors, dentists – there’s all kinds of people who work in this kind of avocation. So you get to see a whole side of life, and that’s good, (with) great relationships and many, many friendships.”
Several of those relationships and friendships also were cultivated with local athletic directors, who approached Czech decades ago requesting help with the time-consuming task of finding officials for their contests. Before assigners, schools contacted individual officials, and individual officials made their own schedules. Czech was among assigning pioneers, and currently places officials on thousands of games every season in the four sports he also officiates.
He also has continued to work on the field at an elite level. He has received 297 MHSAA Tournament assignments over the years, including football, girls and boys basketball playoff games this school year. He’s officiated a combined eight Finals in football and baseball, most recently wearing the white hat for the 2022 11-Player Division 1 Football Final between Belleville and Caledonia.
“Bob Czech personifies leadership in officiating, not only on the field but in the ever-important areas of support, education and recruiting of the next generation of officials,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said. “Integrity, fairness, professionalism and commitment are among Bob's qualities referenced by his colleagues, and they also will tell you he is always available to them and always doing his utmost to make sure students receive the best experience.”
Czech graduated from Detroit Benedictine High School in 1974. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from University of Detroit Mercy in 1978 and a master’s in political science from Wayne State University in 1983. He has served as a director of the annual Prep Kickoff Classic football series and been active with the Fraternal Order of Police, Friendship Circle of West Bloomfield, Macomb-Oakland Regional Center and March of Dimes. He also has contributed to the Miracle League of Southfield, Forgotten Harvest and City of Oak Park.
Czech received a lifetime achievement award from the Oakland County Athletic Directors Association (OCADA) in 2016 and was inducted into the Catholic High School League (CHSL) Hall of Fame in 2008.
He and his wife Patricia have three adult daughters.
Previous recipients of the Norris Award
1992 – Ted Wilson, East Detroit
1993 – Fred Briggs, Burton
1994 – Joe Brodie, Flat Rock
1995 – Jim Massar, Flint
1996 – Jim Lamoreaux, St. Ignace
1997 – Ken Myllyla, Escanaba
1998 – Blake Hagman, Kalamazoo
1999 – Richard Kalahar, Jackson
2000 – Barb Beckett, Traverse City; Karl Newingham, Bay City
2001 – Herb Lipschultz, Kalamazoo
2002 – Robert Scholie, Hancock
2003 – Ron Nagy, Hazel Park
2004 – Carl Van Heck, Grand Rapids
2005 – Bruce Moss, Alma
2006 – Jeanne Skinner, Grand Rapids
2007 – Terry Wakeley, Grayling
2008 – Will Lynch, Honor
2009 – James Danhoff, Richland
2010 – John Juday Sr., Petoskey
2011 – Robert Williams, Redford
2012 – Lyle Berry, Rockford
2013 – Tom Minter, Okemos
2014 – Hugh R. Jewell, West Bloomfield
2015 – Sam Davis, Lansing
2016 – Linda Hoover, Marshall
2017 – Michael Gentry, Shelby Township
2018 – Jill Baker-Cooley, Big Rapids
2019 – David Buck, St. Joseph
2020 – Hugh Matson, Saginaw
2021 – Lewis Clingman, Grand Rapids
2022 – Pat Hayes, Birmingham
2023 – Chuck D. Walters, Jackson
2024 – Candace Cox, Quincy
2025 – Debby Karabees-Betts, Livonia
High school game officials with 20, 30, 40, 45, 50 and 55 years of service also will be honored at the Officials Awards & Alumni Banquet on April 24. A total of 17 officials with 55 years of service will be honored, as will 32 with 50 years of service, 28 officials with 45 years and 56 officials with 40 years of service. A 30-year award will be presented to 99 officials, and 153 officials with 20 years of experience will be honored.
Also being honored during the Awards & Alumni Banquet is Legacy Program official Owen Rottier, a senior at Grand Ledge High School. He intends to continue his studies toward becoming an emergency medical technician at Lansing Community College after completing multiple courses during his junior and senior years of high school. He already has earned his certified nurse aide (CNA) and patient care technician (PCT) licenses. Rottier has competed in cross country and track & field throughout his high school career and served as team captain of both, and officiated both sports as part of the Legacy Program.
MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
20, 30, 40, 45, 50 & 55-YEAR OFFICIALS
The officials on this list are receiving their 20, 30, 40, 45, 50 and 55-year service awards.
20-YEAR OFFICIALS
Adrian - Cary F. Carrico
Adrian - Casey R. Opsal
Alanson - Dennis C. Hewitt
Albion - Raymond D. Courter
Allegan - Scott T. Jones
Ann Arbor - Richard J. Gilbert
Argyle - Jamie Davison
Auburn Hills - Deborah S. Archer
Augusta - Haig D. Black
Battle Creek - Shikoko H. Cantrell
Bay City - Robert J. Spyhalski
Bay City - Ryan M. Schalk
Bellevue - Paul I. Temple
Belmont - Brian Patterson
Beulah - Roark V. Pargeon
Bloomfield Hills - Kenneth J. Paszkiewicz
Brighton - Shawn P. Waterman
Brownstown - Stephen M. McInchak
Burr Oak - Randy Walls
Burton - Ken W. Carver
Cadillac - James A. Dawson
Caledonia - Amber J. Traves-Sterkenburg
Canton - Michael J. Burke
Canton - Mark A. Collins
Capac - Brent J. Boers
Caro - Brian V. Newcomb
Cassopolis - Brian A. Kuemin
Cedar Springs - Randy J. Thiel
Cement City - Thomas E. Cameron
Channing - Cory M. Roell
Chesterfield - Thomas V. Michno
Clarkston - Yalda P. Peera
Clinton Township - Christopher E. Dalida
Clinton Township - Elizabeth A. Gulick
Coldwater - Scott Heckman
Coloma - Anthony Bertuca
Commerce Township - David R. Eberline
Detroit - Ozzie S. Ashley
DeWitt - Chris B. McNeilly
Dowagiac - Anthony J. Saviano
Durand - Christopher P. Goodrich
Eastpointe - Matthew W. Cowan
Erie - Joshua Sweigert
Farmington Hills - Tia M. Stanley
Fennville - Bruce R. Klosner
Flushing - Linda M. Bishop
Fowlerville - Cynthia L. Champagne
Frankenmuth - Brent A. Shoemate
Frankfort - William C. Henning
Fraser - Shemek P. Pryszczewski
Freeland - Michael R. Williams
Fremont - Brian Peets
Gladwin - Patrick A. Peters
Grand Blanc - Richard E. Brochu
Grand Haven - James R. Corgan
Grand Ledge - DeLee M. Dankenbring
Grand Rapids - Otto N. Brannum
Grand Rapids - Diana G. Dildine
Grand Rapids - Luke C. Griemsman
Grand Rapids - Daniel R. Heitzman
Grand Rapids - Steven D. Lee
Grand Rapids - Terry C. Seely
Grand Rapids - Kevin R. Weber
Grand Rapids - David W. Running
Grandville - George M. Dillard
Grass Lake - Terry J. Sullivan
Grass Lake - Bill T. Walker
Grosse Ile - Denise Smith
Grosse Pointe Woods - Russell Hapanowicz
Hancock - Steve Aho
Harbor Beach - Brian M. Fuller
Hart - Kayla J. Dennert
Hawks - Glenn Budnick
Hermansville - Kevin J. Bellefeuil
Hesperia - Douglas W. Baird
Holland - Anne M. Huizinga
Holland - Jame Phonechanthasone
Hopkins - Chad O. Burch
Hudsonville - Joseph J. Amante
Hudsonville - Kurt L. Berens
Hudsonville - David A. Bott
Imlay City - Allen L. Hibbler
Ionia - Robert S. Sykes
Iron Mountain - Dean A. Lefebvre
Jackson - Craig Dreyer
Jackson - Jeffery D. Oliver
Jackson - Matthew L. Tuttle
Jenison - Steven J. Meyer
Jerome - Chris Zombor
Kalamazoo - Terry L. Fields
Kalamazoo - Robert H. Flach
Kalamazoo - Dennis Keith
Kalamazoo - Alex D. Vigh
Kalamazoo - Jerome C. Jones
Kentwood - Rodney S. Suggs
Kingsford - Lisa J. Harry
Lakeview - Tim G. Rasmussen
Livonia - Aaron J. Rumberger
Livonia - Sean R. Williams
Macomb - Steven A. Livingston
Madison Heights - Tom A. Turczyn
Maple City - Amede A. DeCruydt
Mason - Johanna Andersen
Menominee - Robert J. Villas
Midland - Greg S. Pattinson
Monroe - Christopher T. Westover
Muskegon - Ben Hylland
Muskegon - Scott A. Sikkenga
Muskegon - Donald Snider
Muskegon - Cameron Carr
Onaway - Kymberli A. Wregglesworth
Otisville - Mark D. McDowell
Otsego - Kevin L. Ordway
Parma - Steven T. Walker
Petoskey - Shaun Lamp
Portage - Jeremy Lassiter
Prescott - Anton W. Gersten
Quincy - Michael A. Siegel
Redford - Omar I. Sanders
Rochester Hills - Matt Lewis
Rochester Hills - Derrick A. Roman
Saginaw - Mark A. Kinnett
Sandusky - Nathan E. Rose
South Lyon - John P. Evans
Spring Lake - Paul Richards
St Clair Shores - Michael Billiu
St Joseph - Bruce L. Bittenbender
St Joseph - Kevin P. Boyle
St. Clair Shores - Anthony P. Djurasaj
Sterling Heights - Nicole L. Toth
Sturgis - Brady L. Driver
Swartz Creek - Michael A. McLaughlin
Tecumseh - Brece M. Clark
Tecumseh - John D. Craig
Traverse City - Matthew J. Ameel
Trenton - Steve T. Seward
Troy - Joseph H. Amann
Troy - Paul W. Boehms
Utica - Tom Szynski
Walled Lake - John R. Lyons
Warren - James N. Leshan
Waterford - Richard D. Crouse
Waterford - Deno G. Pappas
Waterford - Robert Trumble
Westland - Jack D. Profitt
Westland - Roger A. Schmittling
White Lake - Michael B. Andrews
Whitehall - Ace J. Covey
Williamston - Giles J. Brereton
Ypsilanti - William M. Nuttall
Ypsilanti - Demetrius L. Owens
Ypsilanti - Steven A. Vinson
Ypsilanti - Ron C. Blevins
30-YEAR OFFICIALS
Acme - Randall S. Smith
Allendale - Brian G. Haraburda
Alpena - Shawn T. Ballor
Ann Arbor - Thomas W. Richards
Bark River - Joseph L. Richer
Bay City - Frank W. Sniecinski
Big Rapids - Timothy J. Leyder
Big Rapids - Gregg S. Sanders
Big Rapids - David A. Scott
Birch Run - Stanley M. Krajkowski
Bowling Green, Ohio - Jim Evans
Boyne Falls - David M. Kruskie
Brimley - Steven C. Wilson
Bronson - Jayne A. Sabaitis
Brown City - Christine J. Lee
Byron Center - Curt A. Stuck
Canton - Andrew B. Calvetti
Chesterfield - Gregory Blick
Clarkston - Craig H. Zinser
Davison - Bryan K. Illig
Dearborn Heights - William J. Stewart
Detroit - Thomas B. Harris
East Tawas - David C. Thunberg
Essexville - James W. Niswander
Fishers, Ind. - Martin K. Spees
Flint - Ronald S. Thomas
Fowlerville - James K. Jonas
Fremont - David C. Steele
Galesburg - Steve C. Pearce
Garden City - Robert E. Phillips
Gaylord - James F. Vanderveer
Grand Blanc - James J. Blakley Jr.
Grand Blanc - Greg D. Hamilton
Grand Haven - Frank E. Roder
Grand Rapids - Wallace L. Campbell
Grandville - John P. Kievit
Greenville - Paul R. Richardson
Hillman - David M. Wcisel Sr.
Holland - Douglas J. Smith
Houghton Lake - Louise C. Hofer
Hudsonville - Daniel N. Hendrickson
Hudsonville - David L. Weick
Inkster - Ed J. Mingo
Jackson - Chris R. Dauterman
Jackson - Willie N. Godfrey Jr.
Jackson - Troy D. Miller
Kawkawlin - James J. Metz
Kentwood - Rebecca L. Cajka
Lathrup Village - Crathman G. Stephens
Lexington - William E. Cayce
Livonia - Paul J. Mardeusz
Marquette - George D. Pond Jr.
Marshall - Rodney S. Dawson
Midland - Richard E. Campbell Jr.
Mount Pleasant - Douglas A. Downhour
Muskegon - Ollie L. Sandifer Jr.
Muskegon - Johnnie F. Tanner Sr.
New Baltimore - Rodriquez A. Lackey
Novi - Charles H. Edwards
Novi - Lonnie C. Erickson
Otsego - Brian W. Bonnell
Owosso - Robert J. Pumford
Peck - Jeff Kosal
Perry - Jake T. Baumgartner
Pinckney - James E. Chapman
Plymouth - Brent D. Albrecht
Quinnesec - Jerry W. Sanders
Redford - Arnold R. Rambus
Romulus - James D. Hinojosa
Romulus - Michael J. Jackson
Roseville - Steven M. Garbarino
Saginaw - Joe F. Schimpf
Saginaw - Monte A. Steward
Saginaw - Roger L. Swanson
Saginaw - Henry Velasquez
Shelby Township - Shana L. Poll
South Lyon - Patrick G. Bracco
Southgate - Byron J. Beattie
St. Joseph - Robert C. Banasik
Stanton - Douglas W. Mascho
Stanton - Edmund F. Phillipson Jr.
Sterling Heights - Robert L. Fort Jr.
Sterling Heights - Bret Turner
Sylvania, Ohio - John F. Blessing
Tecumseh - Jamie D. Mossburg
Trenton - David H. Mossoian
Walker - Wayne R. Bentley
Walker - Jess W. Hollenbeck II
Warren - Stanley L. Wright
Waterford - Michael D. Morgan
Wayland - Thomas J. Hudson
White Lake - Becky L. Lioi
Woodhaven - Frank L. Vilardi
Wyandotte - Allen C. Hall
Wyandotte - Larry J. Martin
Wyandotte - Robert J. Szczechowski
Wyoming - Robert D. Dabakey
Ypsilanti - Daniel L. Cobello
Ypsilanti - Mary F. Gray
40-YEAR OFFICIALS
Ada - Brian J. Todey
Alma - Chris A. Taylor
Alvordton, Ohio - Max A. Smeltzer
Arden - Christopher B. Haack
Auburn - Philip G. Ouillette
Bad Axe - Dale J. Grifka
Bannister - Bryon P. Taylor
Battle Creek - Carl P. Olson
Brighton - Carolyn I. Richards
Byron Center - Curt Johnson
Cheboygan - Matt C. Redmond
Chesterfield - Marty McCabe
Coldwater - Randolph E. Spangler
Fenton - Lisa M. McKenney
Gobles - Steven L. Grybus
Grand Ledge - Todd H. Compton
Grand Rapids - Jeffrey P. Kirchhoff
Grand Rapids - Stephen J. VanHammen
Grawn - Thomas M. Hallead
Grayling - Scott T. Gabriel
Hessel - Joseph E. Baker
Holt - Mark D. Coscarella
Honor - Richard L. Zych
Houghton - William J. O'Connor
Iron Mountain - John E. Hogberg
Iron Mountain - Lawrence J. Ross
Kalamazoo - Charles E. Parker
Kentwood - Susan J. Barthold
Lapeer - Stephen R. Fox
Lathrup Village - Dale K. Harris
Manistique - Charles A. Richey
Marshall - Brad Hall
Menominee - Michael F. Andre
Midland - Donald A. Rose Jr.
Mio - Luke D. Houlton
Munising - Dee Jay Paquette
Myrtle Beach, S.C. - Scott D. Dobie
Owosso - Eugene S. Davis
Pentwater - William C. Bainton
Pentwater - Brett A. Spalding
Pewamo - Bruce G. Nurenberg
Redford - Mark A. Sleboda
Reed City - Sharon R. Lucey
Romulus - Fred M. Waybrant
Saginaw - Luis H. Paredes
Sandusky - Brian P. Jones
Sheridan - Michael T. Myers
Southgate - David J. Weidenbach
Sterling Heights - Armando Melchiorre
Sumner - Rollie L. Carman
Sylvania, Ohio - Daniel J. Miller
Union Pier - Joseph J. Gonzales
Warren - Charles "Tony" Pankowski
Westland - Stephen L. Patterson
Westland - Roger R. Provey Jr.
Whitehall - Dominic E. Pulaski
45-YEAR OFFICIALS
Allen Park - James C. Bales
Battle Creek - David L. Eubank
Blissfield - Christopher L. Bates
Byron Center - Rick S. Hazel
Canton - Jeanne L. Martin
Constantine - Marge Caid
Deerfield - William P. Gomoluch
Evart - Tom W. Adams
Grand Blanc - Curtis L. Williams
Grand Rapids - Thomas D. Shearer
Grand Rapids - Jeffrey A. Wierzbicki
Grosse Pointe Park - Kelvin W. Wise
Ionia - Mike A. Fuller
Iron Mountain - John N. Meyer
Lansing - Michael R. Conlin
Livonia - Brian R. Dinsmore
Madison Heights - Wilford J. Laveirge
Mayville - Clare L. Kreger
Muskegon - Onesiphorus B. Burrel Sr.
New Hudson - Dennis E. Evans
Norton Shores - Randall S. Martinus
Okemos - Michael J. Maisner
Okemos - Lee Rodgers
Plymouth - William R. Baumgart
Rogers City - Roger M. Wenzel
Sterling Heights - Philip J. Lieblang
Wixom - Patrick L. Beagle
Zeeland - Linda S. Schmidt
50-YEAR OFFICIALS
Baraga - James L. Holm
Bowling Green, Ohio - Thomas L. Ford
Cadillac - William J. Allen
Caledonia - George B. Watterson
Fairgrove - Jerry L. Lasceski
Flat Rock - Robert J. Brodie
Freeland - Kim D. Heisler
Gaylord - Tom T. Johnson
Gaylord - Kevin M. Leary
Gladwin - Michael E. Steinkraus
Grand Rapids - Patricia A. Treman
Hancock - John D. Vaara
Hermansville - Robert J. Maule
Highland - Evan H. Lehto
Holland - David W. Smits
Jackson - Ardis Jill Conat
Lansing - Karen L. Yanna
Livonia - Laura J. Alves
Mattawan - William L. Post
McMillan - Cliff J. Fossitt
Michigan Center - Daniel C. Bentschneider
Northville - Edward K. Gabrys
Norton Shores - Duane A. VandenHeuvel
Oconto, Wis. - Peter C. Pericolosi
Portage - Frank S. Gawkowski
Posen - Kenneth Wozniak
Saginaw - John C. Flukes
Saginaw - John E. Oczepek
Swartz Creek - David J. Sutton
Three Rivers - Kim D. Losik
Traverse City - Michael J. Muldowney
Wyoming - Sandra K. Noto
55-YEAR OFFICIALS
Battle Creek - Richard L. Randle
Caro - John H. Amend
Clio - Anthony J. Leonardo
Comstock Park - Riley S. Swinehart
Delton - Gregory W. Nikitas
Grand Rapids - James J. Aalderink
Holt - John S. Malatinsky
Jackson - Ozzie L. Hashley
Macomb - Chet W. Boss
Marcellus - Deborah L. Schug
Mesick - Paul G. Williams
Prudenville - Robert J. Studer
Rochester Hills - William Upina
Royal Oak - Mike Luttenberger
Spring Lake - Joseph G. Popiel
Tecumseh - Nancy A. Hebert
Traverse City - Collette C. Hallberg
PHOTO Official Bob Czech, top left, monitors the action during the 2022 11-Player Division 1 Football Final at Ford Field.