A Game for Every Fan: Playoffs Week 3
November 12, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Through the rain, and fog, and in some places up north a few flakes of snow, we see the MHSAA Football Finals finally approaching – even if predicting which teams will be playing is still no easy task.
Plenty of opponents facing off this weekend have seen each other at this late date before. For a handful of others, this has been a wild first-time ride.
Here’s a look at what might be the most intriguing of this weekend’s 11-player Regional Finals, plus a longer glance at both 8-player Semifinals. All games are tonight unless noted.
Division 1
Detroit Cass Tech (9-2) at Macomb Dakota (9-2)
It’s hard to believe Macomb Dakota hasn’t played in an MHSAA championship game since 2007, but the 2010 and previously-undefeated 2013 teams both saw their seasons end in Regional Finals against Cass Tech. The Technicians, led by standout quarterback Rodney Hall, have lost only to Detroit Martin Luther King this season, twice. They are playing to make a third straight Semifinal – and get a shot at getting back to the championship game for the first time since 2012.
Other Regional Finals: Rockford (8-3) at Grand Ledge (11-0), Detroit Catholic Central (9-2) at Romeo (10-1), Canton (9-2) at Saline (10-0).
Division 2
Muskegon (9-2) at Lowell (10-1)
Muskegon’s path has been such that every week’s game has been one of the state’s most anticipated. After eliminating previously undefeated Traverse City Central and Muskegon Mona Shores in the District, the Big Reds must hit the road again to take on a Lowell team that is only two three-point losses from perfection. Not that this is an unfamiliar position for either program – although they didn’t meet last year, Lowell and Muskegon ran across each other in the playoffs six straight seasons from 2008-13.
Other Regional Finals: Midland Dow (10-1) at Walled Lake Western (11-0), Livonia Franklin (8-3) at Berkley (9-2), Detroit East English (9-2) at Detroit Martin Luther King (11-0), Saturday.
Division 3
Coldwater (11-0) at St. Joseph (10-1)
This trip into uncharted waters keeps getting longer for the Cardinals, who won their first playoff game ever two weeks ago. Although this level of the tournament is new, St. Joseph isn’t a completely unfamiliar opponent – the Bears beat Coldwater on opening night 2013. St. Joseph has downed league champions three of its last four games and is seeking its first Regional title since 2007.
Other Regional Finals: Chelsea (10-1) at Allen Park (10-1), East Grand Rapids (8-3) at Mount Pleasant (9-2), Saturday; St. Johns (8-3) at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (9-1), Saturday.
Division 4
Flint Powers Catholic (9-2) at Richmond (10-1)
The first game between these schools features two programs looking to get over the Regional hump. Powers has fallen in two Regional Finals in three seasons since winning Division 5 in 2011. Richmond lost in the Regional Final last year after falling in District Finals both of the two seasons prior; the Blue Devils are trying to make their first Semifinal since 2003. After winning its playoff games by a combined eight points, Richmond will have to contend with a Chargers defense that hasn’t given up a point in these playoffs and has six shutouts total in 11 games.
Other Regional Finals: Remus Chippewa Hills (9-2) at Ada Forest Hills Eastern (10-1), Hudsonville Unity Christian (8-3) at Zeeland West (11-0), Milan (9-2) at Detroit Country Day (10-1), Saturday.
Division 5
Grand Rapids West Catholic (9-2) at Menominee (11-0), Saturday
This has become an annual game at some stage of the playoffs. Saturday will mark the sixth straight postseason meeting between these two, including Semifinals last season, 2010 and 2012 and the 2013 Division 5 Final. The Maroons usually can take advantage of opponents not familiar with their single-wing offense, but West Catholic should be plenty familiar; what Menominee can boast this time is its most impressive defense since the back-to-back undefeated seasons of 2006 and 2007.
Other Regional Finals: Lansing Catholic (10-1) at Freeland (11-0), Buchanan (11-0) at Ida (11-0), Algonac (10-1) at River Rouge (10-1).
Division 6
Boyne City (10-1) at Traverse City St. Francis (11-0)
The first battle between these rivals this season wasn’t much of one by the end, with St. from running back Malik Smith, and fumbled three times – which makes it feel like this rematch will be much closer if the Ramblers keep mistakes to a minimum. It’s fair to say St. Francis creates its own opportunities, though; the Gladiators have five shutouts in 11 games.
Other Regional Finals: Laingsburg (8-3) at Ithaca (11-0), Jackson Lumen Christi (8-3) at Clinton (11-0), Constantine (7-4) at Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian (11-0), Saturday.
Division 7
Sandusky (11-0) at New Lothrop (11-0)
Sandusky is stacking accomplishments like no football team at the school before. The Redskins have more than nine wins for the first time and won a District title for the first time, and now will take on the powerhouse Hornets for the first time. Few teams in Michigan have put together a run over the last six seasons like New Lothrop, which is 65-5 during that span. But the Hornets have been stopped short of the MHSAA championship game all of those seasons, and surely would like a first Finals appearance since 2006 to add to its recent local dominance.
Other Regional Finals: Cassopolis (9-2) at Pewamo-Westphalia (11-0), Dansville (10-1) at Detroit Loyola (9-2), McBain (8-3) at Ishpeming (10-0).
Division 8
Crystal Falls Forest Park (7-3) at St. Ignace (10-1)
In pursuit of its third Regional title in five seasons – and really, in pursuit of its first MHSAA Final appearance since 1985 – St. Ignace has shown well against the toughest competition of its season. Three of the last four games, all four against playoff teams, have been decided by eight points or fewer, and the Saints came back from a second trip to rival Johannesburg-Lewiston last week with a second win over the Cardinals. Forest Park has no losses left to avenge after winning rematches the last two weeks against the two in-state teams it fell to during the regular season. But the Trojans did fall to St. Ignace in their last meeting, a 2011 Regional Final.
Other Regional Finals: Ottawa Lake Whiteford (9-2) at Climax-Scotts (11-0), Saturday; Muskegon Catholic Central (8-2) at Frankfort (9-2), Saturday; Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (10-1) at Waterford Our Lady (11-0), Saturday.
8-Player
Cedarville (9-2) at Powers North Central (11-0)
North Central is led by a talented quarterback making the entire state take notice – junior Jason Whitens is up to 41 touchdown passes without an interception to go with his 10 scores on the ground, and junior running back Bobby Kleiman has run for 17 touchdowns and caught 14 of Whitens’ scoring tosses. But Cedarville doesn’t give up too many scores. The Trojans handed Owendale-Gagetown and Posen their only losses of the season the last two weeks, giving up only 48 points total over those two games – a respectable total in the wide-open 8-player format.
Deckerville (10-1) vs. Battle Creek St. Philip (11-0), Saturday at Battle Creek Central
St. Philip got past rival Lawrence one final time last week, but the path to Legacy Field remains blocked by another past champion. Deckerville avenged its lone loss of the season by doubling up Morrice last week and has run over opponents for nearly 3,400 yards, with senior Jared Philpot and juniors Austin Fritch and Brandon Pattullo combining for 2,300 yards and 37 touchdowns on the ground. The Eagles have thrown only 48 times, but St. Philip is much more balanced. The Tigers have nearly the same rushing and passing yardage totals this season – within 77 yards – with senior Brendan Gausselin throwing 35 touchdown passes and senior Brayden Darr running for 23 scores and catching 14 touchdown passes.
PHOTO: Traverse City St. Francis, here against Elk Rapids, is 11-0 for the first time since its undefeated season of 2009. (Photo courtesy of St. Francis athletic department.)
Drive for Detroit: Week 3 in Review
September 11, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
There are a handful of significant turning points every Michigan high school football season – and Week 3 always proves to be the first.
There are 106 11-player and 12 8-player teams statewide celebrating 3-0 starts, including a good share enjoying big-time turnarounds from a year ago. There also are 117 11-player teams – including a handful of notable powers – that have opened 0-3 and find themselves starting their personal playoffs six weeks earlier than usual as they now must win out to guarantee a spot in the postseason.
Our look back at Week 3 tells how some of those teams got there, plus hits on a few rivalry streaks now broken and more shaking up among the 8-player elite.
Bay & Thumb
Flushing 26, Detroit Country Day 19 (OT)
Flushing’s season – and decade – got a massive boost with this upset of last season’s Division 4 runner-up. The Raiders are coming off consecutive 4-5 finishes and have only one winning season over the last six (going 9-3 in 2014). But they’re 2-1 this fall after jumping out to a 13-0 lead Friday, seeing it dissolve, but then rising again in overtime. Country Day (2-1) didn’t lose in the regular season last year and had lost only one regular-season game going back to the start of 2015.
Also noted:
Bay City Central 35, Flint Powers Catholic 28 – For the second straight week Central (2-1) pulled off a nail-biter in the Saginaw Valley League Red, handing Powers (2-1) its first loss.
Cass City 54, Brown City 30 – The Red Hawks (3-0) are halfway to a fourth straight playoff berth, and this time they’ve put up more than 50 points twice with 138 their most three games in since 2006.
Richmond 35, Croswell-Lexington 28 – This one definitely could’ve tripped up the Blue Devils (3-0) as they go for a third straight Blue Water Area Conference title; Croswell-Lexington (2-1) can stay in the mix with wins over the next two weeks again also-contenders Almont and Algonac.
Davison 40, Flint Carman-Ainsworth 13 – Davison (3-0) is rolling on offense again with a second 50-point game this season over a 2016 playoff team; Carman-Ainsworth has its work cut out after falling to 1-2.
Greater Detroit
Clarkston 34, Bloomfield Hills 20
The Wolves are 3-0 against teams that went a combined 24-8 last season, with reigning Oakland Activities Association Blue champion Bloomfield Hills the most recent to fall. The teams traded scores most of the game and the Black Hawks (2-1) led early in the fourth quarter before Clarkston scored 21 unanswered points. Bloomfield Hills moved this season into the OAA Red, where Clarkston is the reigning co-champion. Click for more from the Oakland Press.
Also noted:
Detroit Denby 12, Detroit Central 6 – Denby (2-0) got off to a slow start with no Week 1 game, but has caught up quickly handing another 2016 playoff team Central (2-1) its first loss.
Livonia Stevenson 20, Livonia Churchill 9 – These neighbors have now split their last 10, with Stevenson (2-0) claiming the last two while handing Churchill (2-1) its first loss for the second straight season.
Riverview 34, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 7 – The Pirates (2-1) downed SMCC for the first time since 2011, in the process equaling their win total from last year and putting the Falcons (1-2) down two games in Huron League play.
New Boston Huron 31, Carleton Airport 30 – Sticking in the Huron, New Boston Huron is 3-0 for the first time since 1970, according to Michigan-football.com, after Austin Atherton’s late 36-yard field goal got the Chiefs past Airport (2-1).
Mid-Michigan
Haslett 28, St. Johns 24
These teams are regulars in the chase after DeWitt in the Capital Area Activities Conference Red. Although this was a league opener, it would seem to indicate Haslett (2-1) is back as the top competition for the Panthers in the latter’s final season before moving into the CAAC Blue. The teams traded scores throughout the second and third quarters, but the Vikings held St. Johns (1-2) scoreless over the final 18 minutes. Both of the Redwings’ losses this fall are by four points or fewer. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
Also noted:
Belding 21, Hopkins 20 – The Black Knights (2-1) bounced back from a one-point Week 2 loss to Lake Odessa Lakewood to win a close one over Hopkins (1-2).
Holt 29, Jackson 27 – The Rams (1-2) didn’t let losses to Grandville and Hudsonville derail their season, edging Jackson (0-3) thanks to 265 yards and four touchdowns on 51 carries by Troy Jordan.
Portland 21, Williamston 14 – The Raiders (2-1) made it six wins in their last seven against the CAAC White rival Hornets (2-1), bouncing back this time from a Week 2 loss to Lansing Sexton.
Fowler 14, Bath 7 – A rare loss last week to Saranac could’ve knocked Fowler (2-1) off course, but the Eagles instead avenged last season’s loss to the Bees (2-1).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Traverse City West 29, Traverse City Central 27
After five straight meetings between these neighbors decided by seven points or fewer, the latest didn’t disappoint. West looked to break away multiple times during the second half, but Central (2-1) continued to answer before the Titans finally put away the “Patriot Game” victory by securing an onside kick attempt in the final minute. The Trojans had won the last four matchups between the two – including by two points during the regular season and one in the playoffs in 2016. West is 3-0 for the first time since 2004. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Also noted:
Petoskey 34, Cadillac 19 – Last season’s one-win finish is becoming a distant memory for Petoskey (2-1), which not only doubled its win total from 2016 in Week 3 but tied its highest scoring performance from all of last season in getting past Cadillac (1-2).
Lake City 28, McBain 8 – Lake City (3-0) has rumbled back into the mix after winning only two games last season and losing three straight to Highland Conference foe McBain (2-1).
Evart 15, Leroy Pine River 7 – The Wildcats (2-1) have ridden last season’s upswing into this fall, downing 2016 Division 6 semifinalist Pine River (0-3) for the first time since 2013.
Manistee 42, Ludington 28 – The Chippewas (1-2) got on the board by avenging last season’s loss to Ludington (2-1) and after losing their first two games this season by a combined 14 points.
Southeast & Border
Ypsilanti Lincoln 26, Chelsea 14
A pair of 20-point losses to Chelsea contributed to Lincoln’s back-to-back 4-5 finishes the last two seasons. Getting one back couldn’t have come at a better time. The Railsplitters (1-2) fell to Pinckney by nine on opening night and one to Tecumseh a week ago, but now can enjoy some confidence picked up by handing the Bulldogs (2-1) their first regular-season loss since Week 7 in 2015. Chelsea had beaten Pinckney in Week 2 and still should figure into the Southeastern Conference White title chase after winning outright or sharing the championship the last two seasons. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.
Also noted:
Salem 10, Brighton 7 – The Rocks (2-1) are one point this season from a perfect start as they seek their first winning season in 2012, while Brighton (1-2) now has two losses both by three points as they go for a third straight playoff berth.
Reading 52, Homer 38 – The Rangers (2-1) have gone from 3-6 last year to beating two of three reigning co-champions from the Big 8 Conference over the last two weeks, this time handing Homer (2-1) its first loss after an impressive start.
Hudson 48, Brooklyn Columbia Central 21 – The Tigers (3-0) handed Columbia Central (2-1) its first loss to move to 13-2 since the start of 2016.
Napoleon 17, Michigan Center 14 – The Pirates (2-1) are becoming strong favorites to add another Cascades Conference championship after downing the other reigning co-champ, Grass Lake, in Week 2, and edging another likely contender in the Cardinals (2-1) this time.
Southwest Corridor
Battle Creek Harper Creek 22, Jackson Lumen Christi 21 (OT)
A two-point conversion in overtime gave Harper Creek its second straight win over Lumen Christi – the reigning Division 6 champion – and put the Beavers in nice position in the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference after sharing the league title with the Titans in 2016. Harper Creek came back from 14 points down and trailed by a score heading into the fourth quarter. The Beavers went for two after answering Lumen’s TD and extra point to begin overtime. Click for more from the Battle Creek Enquirer.
Also noted:
Watervliet 52, Maple City Glen Lake 26 – The Panthers (3-0) have yet to score fewer than 50 points, and the reigning Division 6 runner-up Lakers (1-2) hadn’t given up that many since 2014.
Stevensville Lakeshore 24, Portage Central 7 – Give the Lancers (3-0) the early upper hand on the Mustangs (2-1) as one of these two has won or shared the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West title the last five seasons.
Battle Creek Central 32, Battle Creek Lakeview 13 – The Bearcats (1-2) downed their rival for the second time in three seasons, especially impressive because Central is seeking its first playoff season since 2008 and Lakeview (1-2) has made the postseason five straight.
Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 21, Kalamazoo Central 14 – The Knights (1-2) got their first win since opening night 2015 and first over rival Central (0-3) since 2014.
Upper Peninsula
Gladstone 43, Negaunee 0
Gladstone is 3-0 for the first time since 2014, and the Braves also started 3-0 in 2009. But this opening surge has included outscoring their first three opponents by a combined 129-6 – and shutting out a pair of 2016 playoff teams in Gwinn and now the Miners. Gladstone had lost to Negaunee by 23 in 2016 and 24 in 2015. The Miners, meanwhile, face their toughest path forward since 2000 as they try to make the playoffs for a sixth straight season. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.
Also noted:
Ishpeming Westwood 38, L’Anse 10 – The Patriots not only are 3-0 after winning two games last season, but they’ve outscored those first three opponents by a combined 98-22; the Purple Hornets (2-1) were the first to reach double digits.
Escanaba 21, Detroit Loyola 20 – The Eskymos (2-1) crossed the bridge and just edged the reigning Division 7 runner-up Bulldogs (0-3).
Fond du Lac, Wis. 49, Menominee 20 – The Maroons (2-1) had only one other regular-season loss (to DeWitt last season) since mid-2012, but Fond du Lac is 3-1 and made the quarterfinals of its Wisconsin division last season.
Iron River West Iron County 35, Iron Mountain 3 – The Wykons (2-1) had lost by 26 and 27 to the rival Mountaineers (0-3) the last two seasons.
West Michigan
East Grand Rapids 16, Lowell 14
East Grand Rapids got ahead by a pair of touchdowns but needed a late field goal by Mark Boeve to finish off what has to be considered its most impressive win this decade. The Pioneers handed the Red Arrows (2-1) their first regular-season defeat since opening night 2015 and first in this series since EGR’s undefeated run in 2010. East Grand Rapids is 3-0 for the second time in three seasons. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Also noted:
Muskegon Mona Shores 30, Rockford 24 (OT) – The Sailors (3-0) evened their recent series with the Rams (1-2) at 2-2 while continuing one of the most impressive starts in the state this fall.
Grand Rapids West Catholic 17, Zeeland West 6 – The Falcons (2-1) avenged last season’s loss to West (1-2) by holding the Dux to their fewest points since a 2014 Division 3 Semifinal defeat.
East Kentwood 24, Hudsonville 17 – The Falcons (3-0) opened the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red schedule with a third win over a 2016 playoff team while dropping Hudsonville to 1-2.
Holland 36, Hudsonville Unity Christian 30 (OT) – The Dutch are 3-0 for the first time since 2011 and after two straight 2-7 finishes; Unity (2-1) had won all five previous meetings since Holland joined the O-K Green.
8-Player
Stephenson 42, Crystal Falls Forest Park 16
Another week, another massive 8-player result from the Upper Peninsula. Forest Park couldn’t celebrate for long breaking Powers North Central’s 27-game winning streak in Week 2, as Stephenson now can stake a claim as the team to chase in a loaded Western Eight Conference. The Eagles (3-0) are joined by Rapid River and Ontonagon among undefeated squads in the league that also includes the Trojans and Jets among others. This win avenged two losses to Forest Park last year, including the second in a playoff opener. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.
Also noted:
Camden-Frontier 46, Battle Creek St. Philip 14 – The Redskins (3-0) look good to continue rising in their second season of 8-player after beating power St. Philip (2-1) for the second straight time.
Brimley 26, Onaway 25 – The Bays are suddenly 3-0 after not having enough players to field a team in 2016 and going 0-9 in 2015; Onaway fell to 1-2.
Pickford 40, Engadine 22 – Engadine (2-1) has made the playoffs six straight seasons, but Pickford (3-0) now has two straight wins on the Eagles after losing to them last regular season but also beating them by two in a Regional Final.
Ontonagon 32, Powers North Central 30 – The Gladiators (3-0) handed reigning MHSAA champion North Central (1-2) its second straight loss.
PHOTO: A Clarkston ball carrier dives for the end zone during Friday's win over Bloomfield Hills. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)