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A Game for Every Fan: Regional & Semifinals

November 13, 2014

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Last week's MHSAA District Finals saw the thinning out of a number of favorites among the state's biggest football schools. 

But many eyes will be turned this weekend to some of our smallest as they face their biggest moments this season.

The 8-player tournament is down to its Semifinals – and we kick off with previewing those this week before getting into the 11-player Regionals. But from a Regional national news could emerge – Madison Heights Madison might be the most capable team so far of potentially breaking Ithaca’s 67-game winning streak, longest currently in the country among 11-player teams.

All games below are Friday unless noted. Be sure to tune in to MHSAA.com throughout the weekend for results and updated pairings with Semifinal sites expected by Sunday evening.

8-PLAYER

Deckerville (9-2) at Cedarville (10-1), Saturday at DeTour

Only the two teams playing in the other Semifinal have beaten Deckerville, the 2012 MHSAA champion. Running backs Danny Wolfe (1,497) and Ryan Stone (1,123) have run for more than 2,600 of the team’s 3,639 yards on the ground and combined for 52 rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Dylan Pattullo has thrown only 33 times – but for 11 scores. Cedarville dominated Bridge Football Alliance rivals Bellaire and Rapid River the last two weeks to a combined score of 67-0 to make its first 8-player Semifinal. Quarterback Joey Duncan played a big part in helping the boys basketball team to last season’s Class D Semifinals and has thrown for 18 touchdowns and run for 12 this fall. Another basketball standout, Brad Causley, has caught 10 of those TD passes, scored twice off interceptions, once on a kickoff return and four times on punt returns.

Lawrence (11-0) at Peck (11-0), Saturday

Two stars of last season’s MHSAA championship run, twins Cody and Kyle Abrego, have Peck lined up for a repeat with Cody running this season for 1,879 yards and 32 touchdowns and Kyle also starting both ways and scoring four times on receptions, one on an interception and another time on a kickoff return. Teammate Caleb Dudley has run for 11 scores and found the end zone after three of his eight interceptions. Lawrence will be easily fired up to see familiar company; the Tigers were cruising in last season’s playoffs before falling 73-34 to Peck in their Semifinal. The Pirates no doubt remember Lawrence’s Derek Gribler, a quarterback/running back who again has been the team’s most dangerous offensive player.

DIVISION 1

Canton (9-2) at Saline (10-1)

Tonight will be familiar at least to fans of Canton, which reached the Regional Final four of five seasons from 2005-09. Putting the Chiefs' record in perspective makes it look even better – they faced six playoff teams during the regular season alone. Saline has tied its team record for wins in making the Regional Final for the second time in three seasons and is seeking its first Semifinal berth. The Hornets haven’t lost since August, when they fell to emerging Division 2 power Muskegon Mona Shores by a mere 31-28.

Other Regional Finals: Hudsonville (7-4) at East Kentwood (10-1), Walled Lake Central (9-2) at Clarkston (11-0), Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (8-3) at Detroit Cass Tech (11-0) on Saturday.

DIVISION 2

Southfield (8-3) at Wyandotte Roosevelt (9-2)

The Bluejays are seeking their first Semifinal appearance since 2008 after what most would argue were upsets of Detroit Martin Luther King and Oak Park to win the District title. That said, Southfield’s three losses this fall were by a combined 12 points, all to playoff teams including two more also playing this weekend. Roosevelt finished third in a competitive Downriver League, with two losses to eventual playoff teams. But the Bears are going for their 10th win for the sixth time in seven seasons and last week avenged one of those losses by handing Brownstown Woodhaven its first and lone defeat.

Other Regional Finals: Battle Creek Lakeview (9-1) at Muskegon Mona Shores (10-1), Flushing (9-2) at Farmington Hills Harrison (9-2) on Saturday, Warren DeLaSalle (8-3) vs. Birmingham Brother Rice (11-0) on Saturday at Berkley.

DIVISION 3

Lowell (10-1) at Zeeland West (11-0)

Arguably the top game in Michigan this weekend matches Ottawa-Kent Conference White co-champ Lowell with O-K Green and reigning Division 3 champion Zeeland West. The less-than-lovely weather hasn’t slowed down either team; the Red Arrows scored a season-high 49 points last week in beating Grand Rapids Christian for the second time this fall, and West has scored more than 500 points for the fourth straight season – although the Dux must bounce back from a scare after needing to outlast Stevensville Lakeshore 30-28 in the District Final.

Other Regional Finals: Petoskey (9-2) vs. Muskegon (10-1) on Saturday at Holton, Mason (8-3) at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (9-2) on Saturday, Redford Thurston (8-3) at New Boston Huron (10-1).

DIVISION 4

Eaton Rapids (8-3) at Edwardsburg (10-1)

These two are similar to the point that this game could be done in 90 minutes – both have gotten here with tough running that runs down the clock and leaves little opportunity for opponents. Edwardsburg has a pair of 1,000-plus yard runners and is three points from being undefeated. But Eaton Rapids – under former Holt coach Mike Smith, a playoff veteran – has become something of an unpredictable playoff force. The Greyhounds are 4-1 in two seasons of playoff games after having never made them before Smith took over last fall.

Other Regional Finals: Whitehall (9-2) at Grand Rapids South Christian (9-2), Richmond (10-1) at Lansing Sexton (11-0) on Saturday, Detroit Country Day (7-4) at Chelsea (9-2).

DIVISION 5

River Rouge (10-1) at Almont (11-0)

Almont’s dominating 35-7 win over Marine City in the District Final has made the Raiders a trendy pick to reach Ford Field from this side of the bracket. Eliminating the reigning Division 4 champion will do that, as will outscoring two playoff opponents by a combined 100-7 and putting up 569 points total through 11 games. Almont will face River Rouge for the second time in three seasons after falling 44-22 to the Panthers in a 2012 District Final. Last week’s opponent, Ida, was the first to score on River Rouge in more than a month.

Other Regional Finals: Freeland (10-1) at Menominee (11-0) on Saturday, Reed City (9-2) at Grand Rapids West Catholic (11-0), Flint Powers Catholic (8-3) at Lansing Catholic (11-0).

DIVISION 6

Madison Heights Madison (9-2) at Ithaca (11-0) on Saturday

Most opponents face Ithaca not expected to win and with nothing to lose – the Yellowjackets haven’t lost since 2009. But Madison definitely faces some pressure this weekend as the team expected to come closest, at least this season so far, to ending that run. Madison runs a lot – the team has 310 rushes to 104 passes – and with good reason averaging 9.4 yards per carry. But this might be the best defense, at least on paper, in Ithaca history. It hasn’t given up a point in the playoffs and allowed only 66 during the regular season.

Other Regional Finals: Leroy Pine River (8-3) at Boyne City (11-0), Watervliet (10-1) at Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian (10-1) on Saturday, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (10-1) at Jackson Lumen Christi (11-0) on Saturday

DIVISION 7

New Lothrop (11-0) vs. Detroit Loyola (11-0) at Detroit U-D Jesuit

It’s been quite a calendar year for New Lothrop’s boys teams, with MHSAA championships in wrestling and baseball. Beating a Loyola football team that has finished runner-up in Division 7 the last two seasons probably shouldn’t count the same – but would still be a giant deal for a Hornets team that has five straight perfect regular seasons but hasn’t made it to Ford Field during that run. Loyola hasn’t lost a regular-season game since 2010 or given up more than seven points in a game since September – the Bulldogs’ 69 points against for the season rank them among the best defensively in the state.

Other Regional Finals: Traverse City St. Francis (9-2) vs. Ishpeming (10-0) at the Superior Dome, Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (10-1) at Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (11-0), Bridgman (8-2) at Pewamo-Westphalia (9-2).

DIVISION 8

Mendon (10-1) vs. Muskegon Catholic Central (11-0), Saturday at Grand Haven

Muskegon Catholic Central has certainly played up to expectations this fall, extending its winning streak to 23 games despite taking on a number of larger schools as a first-year member of the Lakes 8 Conference. The Crusaders are supposed to cruise to their second straight Division 8 title. But if they are to be stopped, it could be by Mendon. Only Columbus Hartley from Ohio has come closer to catching MCC than Mendon did in last season's 28-12 Regional Final defeat. With eight straight seasons of at least 10 wins, the Hornets surely aren’t intimidated.

Other Regional Finals: Munising (10-1) vs. Crystal Falls Forest Park (9-1) at the Superior Dome, Baldwin (10-1) at Beal City (9-2), Morenci (10-1) at Harbor Beach (11-0) on Saturday.

PHOTO: Ithaca, here against Millington in their Division 6 District Final, will look to extend its winning streak to 68 games. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com).

Drive for Detroit: Playoff Week 1 Review

October 30, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor 

A couple massive upsets and an MHSAA record. Not a bad way to kick off the 2017 Football Playoffs.

Those are just a few of the many highlights from this weekend’s first rounds – Pre-District in 11-player and Pre-Regional in 8-player – and we’ve mentioned many more in our “Drive for Detroit” report below powered by MI Student Aid.

Read on for some from each division that especially stuck out from the first of our five-week run. 

11-Player Division 1

Holland West Ottawa 33, Grandville 29

On a night that saw three teams lose Week 9 rematches they won the first time, West Ottawa (9-1) held on to down the Bulldogs (6-4) for the second straight week by scoring the winning points with less than a minute to play. West Ottawa had beaten Grandville 34-18 two weeks ago to claim the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red title outright; now the Panthers take on another league foe in Rockford. Click for more from the Holland Sentinel.

Also noted:

Rockford 36, Grand Ledge 0 – The Rams (7-3) hit the road and won their playoff opener for the 15th straight season, this time over the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue champion Comets (8-2).

Detroit Catholic Central 24, Livonia Stevenson 7 – The Shamrocks (6-4) made the playoffs as an at-large qualifier, but get a chance to win a third straight District title after downing another at-large team in Stevenson (5-5).

Canton 42, Saline 14 – The Chiefs (9-1) avenged last year’s District Final loss to the Hornets (7-2) as these two met in the postseason for the fourth straight.

West Bloomfield 31, Bloomfield Hills 6 – The Lakers’ most recent loss was by four points Week 2 to Bloomfield Hills (6-4), now avenged as West Bloomfield moved to 8-2 on the season.

11-Player Division 2

Flushing 20, Lowell 14

This season got even sweeter for the Raiders as they moved on to the District Final by handing Lowell (6-4) its earliest playoff exit since 1999. Flushing (8-2) now has as many wins as the last two seasons combined; the Raiders finished 4-5 in both 2015 and 2016. They scored with just more than three minutes to play Friday to break a 14-14 tie. Click for more from the Flint Journal.

Also noted:

Traverse City Central 21, Midland 13 – The Trojans (7-3) drove south and came back with a win over the Saginaw Valley League Blue champ Chemics (8-2), earning the opportunity to see rival Traverse City West again this week.

Ypsilanti Lincoln 14, Brownstown Woodhaven 7 – In its fourth playoff game ever, Lincoln (8-2) earned its first playoff victory by ending a seven-game winning streak for the Warriors (7-3).

Birmingham Brother Rice 24, Birmingham Groves 21 (3OT) – This thriller included a blocked field goal attempt to stay alive and made field goal to win, both by the Warriors (7-3), to avenge last year’s playoff loss to Groves (7-3).

Livonia Franklin 35, Walled Lake Western 28 (OT) – The Patriots (8-2) ran their winning streak to six straight by outlasting the reigning Division 2 runner-up Warriors (8-2).

11-Player Division 3

Cedar Springs 41, East Grand Rapids 40

On a night of upsets, this one sent the loudest boom across the state. The Pioneers (9-1), coming off their first perfect regular season since their Division 3 championship year of 2010, trailed throughout the first half before taking a lead early in the second. Cedar Springs (7-3) went ahead again and stopped a two-point conversion attempt after East Grand Rapids’ last score to secure the win. Click for more from WOODTV8.

Also noted:

Zeeland West 42, Zeeland East 27 – For the second time in six years, West (7-3) took a loss from East (9-0) during the regular season (in this case Week 9) but came back to end the previously-undefeated Chix’ playoff run in the first round.

DeWitt 42, Grand Rapids Christian 10 – The Panthers (9-1) also got a revenge win after suffering their only loss this season on opening night to the Eagles (7-3).

Haslett 31, Parma Western 29 – The Vikings (8-2) continued their best season since 2006 thanks to a last-minute field goal by Nate Magnusson; at 6-4, Parma Western did tie its best record since 1986.

Redford Thurston 26, Romulus 0 – A loss in Week 6 to eventual champion Romulus (6-4) cost Thurston the Western Wayne Athletic Conference Blue title, but the Eagles (7-3) will get to play for a District championship instead.

11-Player Division 4

Three Rivers 20, Vicksburg 10

In another case of sudden revenge, Three Rivers bounced back from a Week 9 loss to the Bulldogs (7-3) that cost the Wildcats a share of the Wolverine B Conference title. The 20-point swing Friday kept Three Rivers (8-2) alive with its most wins since 2012 and earned it a rematch with Wolverine champ Edwardsburg; the Wildcats beat the Eddies in Week 7. Click for more from JoeInsider.com.

Also noted:

Williamston 34, Lake Fenton 14 – The Hornets (6-4) came back from a seven-point Week 9 loss to the Blue Devils (8-2) with their first playoff wins since 2012.

Wyoming Kelloggsville 49, Wyoming Godwin Heights 7 – After downing their rivals by only one in Week 6, the Rockets (10-0) broke away; Godwin (7-3) should still celebrate its best finish since 1989.

Grand Rapids Catholic Central 32, Hudsonville Unity Christian 26 – The reigning champion Cougars (10-0) survived one of their few scares of the season to eliminate Unity Christian (6-4) in a rematch of last year’s Semifinal.  

Plainwell 24, Grand Rapids South Christian 13 – The Trojans (8-2) reached eight wins for the third time in five years but after going only 4-5 a year ago, ending the season for a South Christian team that improved two wins to 7-3 this fall. 

11-Player Division 5

Frankenmuth 31, Almont 28

A seemingly high number of games enjoyed dramatic finishes to start the playoffs – but this one might have taken the prize. After trailing by 18 heading into the fourth quarter, Almont (7-3) took a 28-24 lead with 16 seconds to play. But Hunter Schluckebier brought back his second kickoff return for a touchdown on the night, this one 84 yards to give the Eagles (10-0) the lead again with two seconds left. Click for more from the Saginaw News.

Also noted:

Grant 28, Newaygo 14 – The Tigers (7-3) equaled their most wins since 2010 by avenging a Week 8 loss to the Lions (7-3), who won the first meeting by 14.

Carrollton 25, Freeland 6 – The best season for Carrollton (7-3) since 2012 got even better with this avenging of a Week 8 loss to the Falcons (6-4), who won the first meeting by 17.

Ida 22, Detroit Denby 20 – The Bluestreaks (8-2) have bounced back from seeing their league title hopes dashed and downed one of the best from the Detroit Public School League in Denby (6-3).

Algonac 20, Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard 3 – The Blue Water Area Conference champ Muskrats (9-1) moved to 6-2 in the playoffs over the last three years by ending the best season for the Fighting Irish (7-3) since 2014. 

11-Player Division 6

Maple City Glen Lake 28, Boyne City 7

It was easy to glance at this Division 6 District and anticipate a rematch between Boyne City (9-1) and Traverse City St. Francis, who decided the Northern Michigan Football League Legends championship in Week 9. But reigning Division 6 runner-up Glen Lake (7-2) won the Leaders division this fall after a rough nonleague start and now gets a chance to avenge a Week 2 loss to the Gladiators. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Also noted:

Houghton Lake 20, Harrison 16 – After falling to Harrison (6-4) by two in Week 7, the Bobcats (7-3) came back to ensure their best record since 2005.

Laingsburg 7, Montrose 0 – The Wolfpack (8-2) got to eight wins for the third straight season with the game’s lone points against the Rams (7-3).

Blissfield 13, Napoleon 7 – The Royals (6-4) emerged from third place in the Lenawee County Athletic Association to hand a season-ending loss to Cascades Conference co-champion Napoleon (7-3).

Detroit Central 41, Clinton Township Clintondale 12 – The Trail Blazers (8-2) have their most wins since 2010 and will play for a second straight District title after ending a nice bounce-back season for the Dragons, who went from 4-5 in 2016 to 7-3. 

11-Player Division 7 

St. Louis 13, Beaverton 12

First St. Louis made the playoffs this month for the first time, and now this: The Sharks (6-4) also have their first playoff win and their most victories total in one season since 1995, thanks to a late touchdown that secured this opener. Beaverton (8-2) also enjoyed a historic season, its winningest since 1970. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun. 

Also noted:

Ishpeming Westwood 30, Elk Rapids 0 – Westwood (9-1) extended its record for wins in a season with this one over Elk Rapids (7-3) its first in the playoffs since 2009; the Elks can celebrate a great run after going a combined 2-15 over 2015-16. 

Reading 21, Union City 20 – Reading (8-2) hung on in a rematch after first defeating Union City (7-3) by 24 in Week 6.

Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 45, Addison 28 – St. Mary’s first playoff win since 2014 pushed the Falcons to 6-4 after a 1-3 start; Cascade Conference co-champ Addison (7-3) finished its most successful season since 2007. 

Riverview Gabriel Richard 22, Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest 21 – The Pioneers (9-1) also set a program record for wins while ending a perfect run for Lutheran Northwest (9-1).

11-Player Division 8 

Climax-Scotts 84, Fulton 62

Part of the fun of this record-setting result was watching the score climb. The Pirates (7-3) led 35-34 at halftime, but Climax-Scotts (8-2) took a 62-49 advantage into the fourth quarter. Total, the 146 points set an MHSAA record for a game in which the losing team scored at least 40. Click for more from the Battle Creek Enquirer.

Also noted:

Hillman 15, AuGres-Sims 6 – The Tigers (6-4) opened 0-3 but now have avenged one of those defeats, in the process handing AuGres-Sims (8-1) its only loss.

Harbor Beach 30, Ubly 22 – The Pirates defeated the rival Bearcats (7-3) for the second time in three weeks, moving to 9-1 with an eighth straight victory.

Petersburg-Summerfield 14, Morenci 6 – The Bulldogs (7-3) swung the score 20 points after falling 40-28 to Morenci (6-4) in Week 9.

Clarkston Everest Collegiate 26, Waterford Our Lady 21 – The Mountaineers (8-2) ran their streak against rival Our Lady to four straight after also downing the Lakers (6-3) in Week 7 to clinch the first share of the Detroit Catholic League Intersectional 2 title. 

8-Player Division 1 

Lawrence 24, Camden-Frontier 20

The Cedar Springs win is tough to beat, but this was a massive upset as well. Camden-Frontier (9-1) entered with the second-highest playoff point average in Division 1, and only one opponent had come closer than 26 of catching the Redskins this fall. Lawrence (5-5) was the only team to make the playoffs with a sub-.500 record – but the 2014 champion is moving on. Click for more from the Hillsdale Daily News.

Also noted: 

Cedarville 20, Rudyard 0 – Ten weeks later the result was more or less the same, as Cedarville (8-2) handed Rudyard (7-3) a second loss after they first met opening night.

Suttons Bay 38, Wyoming Tri-unity Christian 24 – After not being able to finish last season’s schedule in 11-player, Suttons Bay (7-3) has found a home and downed Tri-unity (6-4) after it made the Semifinals in 2016.

Morrice 58, Kingston 28 – A month ago, Kingston (7-3) stunned the Orioles (9-1) the week after they handed Deckerville its lone loss; now Morrice gets to see Deckerville again after the two ended up splitting the North Central Thumb League Stars title.

8-Player Division 2

Engadine 38, Rapid River 28

Chalk up a major win for the eastern Upper Peninsula. Engadine (8-2) was surrounded in this Regional by three strong teams from the powerful Western Eight Conference, but now has a chance to come out as the winner after eliminating the WEC champion Rockets (7-3). Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press. 

Also noted:

Crystal Falls Forest Park 20, Powers North Central 6 – The Trojans (8-2) handed North Central a loss for the second time this season, eliminating the two-time reigning champion after the Jets (6-3) had won five straight.

Bay City All Saints 44, Marion 42 – The Cougars (7-3) bounced back from two straight losses to end the regular season to take down the West Michigan D League champ Eagles (7-2).

Flint International Academy 36, Battle Creek St. Philip 24 – The Phoenix (8-2) earned its first playoff win and sit 14-5 in two seasons as a program; St. Philip finished 5-5, returning to the playoffs after missing a year ago.

Second Half’s weekly “Drive for Detroit” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Student Financial Services Bureau located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information, including various student financial assistance programs to help make college more affordable for Michigan students. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 savings programs (MET/MESP) and eight additional aid programs within its Student Scholarships and Grants division. Click for more information and connect with MI Student Aid on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTO: Alma and Flint Powers Catholic played into overtime Friday before the Panthers emerged with a 20-14 win in Division 4. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)