A Game for Every Fan: District Finals
November 7, 2013
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
If last week's first round of the MHSAA football playoffs was one of the most unpredictable we've seen in years, why bother setting expectations for the encore?
But this weekend should be just as entertaining with rematches the theme, including some second versions of the best games from the regular season and the closest from the 2012 playoffs.
Be sure to follow the scores and schedules all weekend on the MHSAA Score Center, and see below for our games to watch in every division.
Division 1
Warren Mott (10-0) at Detroit Cass Tech (10-0)
Mott has played football since 1992, and this certainly has been the Marauders' best run as it has included its first perfect regular season, the Macomb Area Conference White title and 10 wins for the first time. Mott's league was competitive this season, but Saturday it gets to see how it matches up against the elite – two-time reigning MHSAA champion Detroit Cass Tech, which has given up only 46 points this season and has 16 straight wins.
Others that caught my eye: Hudsonville (7-3) at Rockford (9-1), Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (9-1) at Macomb Dakota (10-0), Saline (9-1) at Temperance Bedford (10-0).
Division 2
Muskegon (9-1) at Lowell (10-0)
The best set of games this weekend is in Division 2, and Portage Central/Battle Creek Lakeview also has an argument as the biggest game in the state overall. But the Muskegon/Lowell rivalry has been simply too good of late. They've faced off in the playoffs the last five seasons, with Lowell holding a 3-2 advantage but falling 15-13 to the Big Reds in 2012. Muskegon went on to finish Division 2 runner-up, but then suffered its only loss this fall to the Red Arrows 31-20 in Week 4. This game features two of the state's most dynamic quarterbacks in Muskegon's Deshaun Thrower and Lowell's Kyler Shurlow.
Others that caught my eye: Battle Creek Lakeview (10-0) at Portage Central (10-0), Birmingham Seaholm (9-1) at Birmingham Brother Rice (10-0), Detroit East English (7-3) at Detroit Martin Luther King (8-1).
Division 3
Grand Rapids Christian (8-2) at Zeeland West (9-1)
This is a rematch of one of last season's most high-scoring playoff games; Grand Rapids Christian beat West 68-44 in a District Final on the way to winning the MHSAA title. The Eagles' defense has stuck out a little more throughout this season, but the Dux have scored at least 44 points in eight of their 10 games. And it's a decent prediction that the winner of this game again could be playing for the title in four weeks.
Others that caught my eye: Detroit Mumford (8-2) at St. Clair (9-1), Stevensville Lakeshore (7-3) at St. Joseph (9-1), Melvindale (8-2) at Milan (10-0).
Division 4
Detroit Country Day (7-3) at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (8-2)
This is another rematch of a 2012 game that helped decide an eventual MHSAA championship contender. Country Day defeated Notre Dame Prep in the District Final 14-12 on the way to finishing division runner-up at Ford Field, and quarterback Tyler Wiegers is back and committed to play for Rutgers next season. The Yellowjackets haven't lost since opening 0-3, but the Fighting Irish also are riding high with four straight wins after two straight midseason losses.
Others that caught my eye: Richmond (9-1) at Marine City (9-1), Dowagiac (7-3) at Battle Creek Pennfield (9-1), Belding (7-3) at Comstock Park (10-0).
Division 5
Muskegon Oakridge (9-1) at Reed City (10-0)
Oakridge hasn't allowed an opponent to come within three touchdowns since suffering its lone loss of the season, to Shelby, in Week 6. Oakridge has won at least nine games in each of the last four seasons, but is riding its strongest offense since the 14-0 team in 2008. Reed City is 10-0 for the third straight season thanks in part to its highest-scoring offense ever and shooting for its first District title after falling by a point to Newaygo in last season's Final.
Others that caught my eye: Millington (8-2) at Frankenmuth (9-1), Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (8-2) at Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (9-1), Grayling (9-1) at Menominee (10-0).
Division 6
Saginaw Nouvel (9-1) at Montrose (10-0)
These two along with Madison Heights Madison and Flint Beecher make up arguably the most competitive Region in the playoffs, with the winner likely earning the right to face national winning-streak leader Ithaca in a Semifinal. Nouvel is back in Division 6 after playing in Division 7 the last three seasons and winning the championship in 2011, while Montrose long has been a contender in this division and no doubt would like another shot at the Yellowjackets.
Others that caught my eye: Grass Lake (9-1) at Clinton (10-0), Schoolcraft (9-1) at Watervliet (10-0), Maple City Glen Lake (9-1) at Ithaca (10-0).
Division 7
Ishpeming (10-0) at Iron River West Iron Country (10-0)
This is the biggest game in the Upper Peninsula this week. Reigning MHSAA champion Ishpeming is riding two straight shutouts with five total this season, and West Iron is looking for its first District title since 2008. The Wykons earned a little more notice statewide by opening the playoffs with a 14-point win over perennial power Traverse City St. Francis last week. This should be one of Ishpeming's first challenges this season as only rival Negaunee has come within 36 points of the Hematites.
Others that caught my eye: Lake City (9-1) at Lincoln Alcona (10-0), Pewamo-Westphalia (9-1) at Carson City-Crystal (10-0), Lawton (9-1) at Homer (9-1).
Division 8
Climax-Scotts (9-1) at Mendon (10-0)
How did annual championship contender Mendon bounce back from ending last season in the Regional Final? The Hornets have outscored opponents 513-19 in arguably the most impressive run of any team statewide. Mendon has beaten Climax-Scotts in the playoffs the last two seasons, so the Panthers have plenty of additional motivation. Their only loss this fall was to much larger Flint Powers Catholic.
Others that caught my eye: Waterford Our Lady (8-2) at New Lothrop (10-0), Fowler (8-2) at Muskegon Catholic Central (8-2), Powers North Central (8-2) at Felch North Dickinson (7-2).
8-Player
Lawrence (7-2) at Battle Creek St. Philip (10-0)
The 8-player playoffs are in their Regional Finals, and these two are plenty familiar with each other after a titanic 54-50 battle won by St. Philip only two weeks ago. In that game, the two traded touchdowns until the end, and this Saturday afternoon rematch could be one of the highest-scoring of the weekend.
Other Regional Finals: Engadine (6-4) at Rapid River (10-0), Owendale-Gagetown (9-1) at Kinde-North Huron (7-3), Carsonville-Port Sanilac (7-3) at Peck (10-0).
PHOTO: DeWitt, carrying the ball, survived with a 14-6 win over rival Haslett last week to advance to tonight's District Final against Linden. (Photo courtesy of Matt Stehouwer.)
A Game for Every Fan: Week 9
October 18, 2012
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Most of this weekend is about numbers for hopeful MHSAA football teams.
There are still a few league titles to award. Some are listed below. But much of the focus is on the 256-team playoff field that will be determined Sunday. As of this morning, 178 teams have achieved automatic berths.
Some other numbers of note:
- Only five games this weekend feature 5-3 teams facing each other. That means at least five more teams will be added to the automatic qualifier list.
- Six 5-3 teams face undefeated opponents, and 16 5-3 teams face opponents that have only one loss.
- A total of 31 teams face opponents with six or more losses, including eight that face teams that haven't won this fall.
See below for some of the most significant games being played in every corner of the state. Visit the MHSAA Score Center all weekend for updated scores and standings, and tune in to Fox Sports Detroit at 6 p.m. Sunday for the Selection Sunday Show.
(All games below are tonight unless noted. Go to Score Center for additional dates and kickoff times.)
Greater Detroit
Detroit Catholic Central (5-3) vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary (6-2), Saturday at Ford Field
The Detroit Catholic League Central title had seemed all but sown up by the Eaglets before DCC’s stunning 35-13 win last week that pushed Brother Rice out of this Prep Bowl game and set up this rematch instead. But two of DCC’s losses were to Ohio powers and it’s fast becoming the expectation for three Catholic League Central teams to make runs at MHSAA Finals.
Others that caught my eye: Detroit Martin Luther King (5-3) vs. Detroit East English (7-1) at Ford Field, Clarkston (8-0) at Oak Park (7-1), Allen Park Cabrini (6-2) vs. Detroit Loyola (8-0), Saturday at Ford Field; Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (7-1) vs. Pontiac Notre Dame (8-0), Saturday at Ford Field.
Upper Peninsula
Kingsford (7-1) at Escanaba (4-4)
The Flivvers have secured a share of the Great Northern Upper Peninsula Conference title, but can win it outright with one more victory tonight. That would appear likely as Kingsford has beaten Escanaba in 12 straight. But the Eskymos are holding onto a faint hope of making the playoffs at 5-4, and winning this one would go a long way beyond the obvious toward making that happen.
Others that caught my eye: Lake Linden-Hubbell (4-4) at Crystal Falls Forest Park (6-2), Bellaire (5-3) at Rapid River (7-1), Cheboygan (6-2) at St. Ignace La Salle (8-0), Powers North Central (5-3) at Stephenson (6-2).
Mid-Michigan
Holt (5-3) at Grand Ledge (6-2)
This may be the best rivalry in the Lansing area. These are the only regular Division 1 teams, and they’ve split their last 10 meetings. With it unlikely that Lansing Everett will lose to winless Jackson tonight, Grand Ledge probably won’t gain a share of the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue title. But the Comets can continue to improve their playoff point average – and possibly keep Holt from qualifying at all.
Others that caught my eye: Portland (7-1) at Charlotte (6-2), Fruitport (8-0) at DeWitt (6-2), Grass Lake (7-1) at Leslie (8-0), Mendon (8-0) at Pewamo-Westphalia (6-2).
Thumb and Bay
Midland Dow (5-3) at Midland (8-0)
The Chemics secured a share of the Saginaw Valley Association North title by defeating Bay City Western last week, but easily could end up sharing the championship. Western plays Bay City Central, a tough foe, but perhaps not as tough as the Chemics run against in Dow – which must win to secure a playoff berth. Midland has won nine of the last 10 against the Chargers.
Others that caught my eye: Vassar (7-1) at Frankenmuth (8-0), Montrose (7-1) at Lake Fenton (7-1), Linden (7-1) at Swartz Creek (7-1), Lapeer West (6-2) at Fenton (7-1).
West Michigan
Muskegon (8-0) at Zeeland East (8-0)
Muskegon might’ve left a more competitive conference top to bottom when it moved from the O-K Red to Black after last season. But it still has to face a similarly tough foe for the title in the Chix. Zeeland East is seeking its second league title in three seasons; Muskegon its first since 2008, plus the possibility of home playoff games through Regionals.
Others that caught my eye: Lowell (7-1) at Grand Rapids Christian (7-1), Hastings (6-2) at Grand Rapids South Christian (5-3), Grand Rapids Northview (7-1) at Grand Rapids West Catholic (5-3), Hamilton (5-3) at Hudsonville Unity Christian (4-4).
Lower Up North
Boyne City (8-0) at Grayling (8-0)
These teams have succeeded in avoiding all obstacles on the way to this deciding game in the Lake Michigan Conference, which was dominated lately by Traverse City St. Francis before the Gladiators left the league after this spring. Grayling has won their last three meetings by at least 27 points and is going for its first perfect season since at least 1950 (the 1970 team didn’t lose, but had a tie). Boyne City is hoping for its first perfect regular season since 2001.
Others that caught my eye: Elk Rapids (4-4) at Kalkaska (6-2), Menominee (7-1) at Petoskey (5-3), Muskegon Catholic Central (5-3) at Traverse City St. Francis (4-4), Mayville (5-3) at Big Rapids Crossroads (0-8).
Southwest and Border
Lawton (7-1) at Watervliet (8-0)
Watervliet can claim the Southwestern Athletic Conference South championship for the second straight season and is averaging 50 points per game in league play. Lawton would love to get the title back after winning in 2010 but falling to Watervliet in the deciding game last season.
Others that caught my eye: Otsego (6-2) at Dowagiac (8-0), Paw Paw (8-0) at Edwardsburg (6-2), Portage Northern (7-1) at Mattawan (7-1), Portland St. Patrick (8-0) at Waldron (6-2).
PHOTO: Pontiac Notre Dame, here against Dearborn Divine Child, will face Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard in a Prep Bowl game Saturday at Ford Field. (Click to see more at Terry McNamara Photography.)