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Muskegon’s M’Khi Guy (3) pulls away on one of his long runs during Saturday’s Division 2 Final at Ford Field.

Guy Delivers Champion's Trophy This Time After Sparking Muskegon's Comeback Win

By Paul Costanzo
Special for MHSAA.com

November 26, 2023

DETROIT – M’Khi Guy was going to get his hands on the championship trophy no matter what happened in Saturday night’s Division 2 Football Final.

Handing out the championship and runner-up trophies is one of the perks of being part of the MHSAA Student Advisory Council, of which the Muskegon senior is a member. As much of an honor it would have been either way, Guy wanted to do everything he could to make sure he was handing the bigger wooden mitten to his coach, Shane Fairfield.

After rushing for 215 yards, throwing for 159 and accounting for four touchdowns, Guy got to do just that, placing the Division 2 championship trophy into Fairfield’s hands following Muskegon’s 33-21 victory over Warren De La Salle Collegiate at Ford Field.

“It’s awesome,” Guy said. “Last year wasn’t too fun for me, because I had to give it to the opposing team, Detroit (Martin Luther) King. But this time, I got to give it to my coach, my guy right here, and it made me feel great.”

Muskegon prevented De La Salle from winning a third straight Division 2 title while claiming its seventh Finals championship. It was the first since winning it all in 2017, and in between then and now Muskegon had finished runner-up three times, including a year ago to King. 

The Big Reds’ Destin Piggee (5) stretches to snag the ball on his 94-yard touchdown catch. “Everyone was wanting us to give up and quit and not get here,” Fairfield said. “‘You’re going to lose when you get there.’ And, like I said before we left, people want us to fall apart, people want us to break. I said we will not be broken today. We keep telling these guys to follow us and trust us. As much as they get the naysay, for these young men to believe in this coaching staff and their school district, in each other – words do not describe it.”

Muskegon (13-2) had to muster up some extra belief at halftime as it was down 21-7, and outside of an 80-yard touchdown run by Guy had gotten next to nothing going on offense.

That changed almost immediately in the second half, as Guy ran for a 52-yard score on the first possession of the half, and Muskegon wound up out-scoring the Pilots 26-0 over the final 24 minutes.

“They made plays and we didn’t,” De La Salle coach Dan Rohn said. “We went out there on that first drive and went three and out and gave them the opportunity to have the field. Then we did pin them deep, they hit us with a 90-yard touchdown pass, which is what we want them to do is throw the ball. Then we get an opportunity to get a drive going, we drop a pass, we have a fumble – uncharacteristic of us. We didn’t make those plays in the second half; they did.”

The 94-yard touchdown pass was what tied the game up, as Guy hit Destin Piggee down the middle of the field. Piggee had broken open, and Guy lofted the ball for him to run under. Piggee accelerated toward the ball, somehow kept his feet at midfield, and ran the rest of the way for the score, turning the game on its head midway through the third quarter.

“Really, at first I thought it was overthrown, so I was thinking I was going to dive for it,” Piggee said. “But I was able to keep my ground. As I was running, I was looking up at the screen and I saw (De La Salle defensive back James Wallace) gaining ground on me, so I swerved to the left a little bit and just kept on running.”

Guy presents the championship trophy to his coach Shane Fairfield as part of his duties as a member of the MHSAA Student Advisory Council. The Big Reds didn’t take their first lead of the game until the 2:16 mark of the third quarter, when Guy hit Da’Carion Taylor for a 28-yard score, making it 27-21. 

Taylor had set the drive up with a fumble recovery in Muskegon territory and was tended to for an injury afterward. He returned, however, to make the leaping grab in the end zone.

A 12-yard TD run by Jakob Price gave the Big Reds a two-score lead at 33-21 with 10:43 remaining, but it was a later drive that didn’t provide any points that essentially put the game away.

After forcing a turnover on downs at their own 20, Muskegon drove 61 yards on 11 plays, taking 6:36 off the clock. While the score remained 33-21 when the drive ended, De La Salle was left with just 1:26 to score twice.

Even with that, though, Fairfield wasn’t satisfied until the final seconds ticked off the clock.

“When there was 11 seconds on the clock, I still wasn’t ready,” Fairfield said. “I’ve been here before. We were four seconds away from beating (Orchard Lake) St. Mary’s in (2016), and they threw a Hail Mary pass. I was re-living that again.”

Price finished with 86 yards rushing and the one touchdown for Muskegon.

De La Salle was led by Sante Gasperoni’s 249 yards passing and 41 rushing. He had two touchdowns on the ground, and one through the air to Damion King IV. King finished the game with 103 yards on five catches for the Pilots (12-3).

Click for the full box score.

PHOTOS (Top) Muskegon’s M’Khi Guy (3) pulls away on one of his long runs during Saturday’s Division 2 Final at Ford Field. (Middle) The Big Reds’ Destin Piggee (5) stretches to snag the ball on his 94-yard touchdown catch. (Below) Guy presents the championship trophy to his coach Shane Fairfield as part of his duties as a member of the MHSAA Student Advisory Council. (Photos by Hockey Weekly Action Photos.)

Negaunee's David Juchemich is able to get to Iron Mountain's quarterback Brayden Kassin.

1st & Goal: 2025 Week 9 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 27, 2025

Before we could get to Sunday and the announcement of brackets for this season’s MHSAA Football Playoffs, we cheered through Friday and Saturday’s regular-season finales as teams had one more chance to affect their postseason destinies this fall.

MI Student AidSeveral capitalized on those opportunities.

We highlight many of those matchups below, as well as a few final league title deciders and other games of note as 288 teams prepare to continue on this week.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Harbor Beach 41, Millington 7 This impressive win over the reigning Division 7 champion Cardinals (6-3) is another indication Harbor Beach is going to be tough to beat in the Division 8 bracket. The Pirates have held strong in the fourth spot on their division’s playoff list and are set to host through the Regional Final if they advance. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.

Watch list Marysville 19, Marine City 8 These two kept their annual series going despite playing in different divisions of the Macomb Area Conference for the first time since 2011, with the Vikings (7-2) Gold runners-up and Marine City (6-3) the Silver champ. Marysville won the matchup for the second straight, closing the regular season with only a pair of losses coming during the first three weeks and both by three points or fewer.

On the move Grand Blanc 40, Romeo 36 The Bobcats (9-0) finished a second perfect regular season over the last four, but not without facing their toughest challenge as Romeo (6-3) lost for the first time since Week 2. Almont 53, Detroit Edison 46 Almont (9-0) capped its second-straight perfect regular season with its closest win since opening day, as Edison (7-2) lost for the first time since Week 2. Frankenmuth 42, Armada 14  These two could meet again in a Division 5 District Final after this result sent the Eagles to 8-1 and Armada to 6-3.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Detroit Catholic Central 26, Detroit Martin Luther King 14 The final game statewide of the 2025 regular season matched two expected contenders in Divisions 1 and 3, respectively, in a Prep Bowl showdown at Ford Field. King (5-4) pulled within one score multiple times during the fourth quarter, but DCC (9-0) answered both to finish a second-straight perfect regular season. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.

Watch list Birmingham Groves 21, Birmingham Seaholm 14 Groves (6-3) defeated the Maples for the third-straight time to lock up homefield advantage through two potential District games, including a possible rematch with Seaholm (5-4) in two weeks.

On the move Harper Woods 21, Mason 17 The Pioneers (9-0) hung on for their third one-score win this fall to finish their first perfect regular season since  2007, while sending Mason to 5-4 with a third defeat by seven points or fewer. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 34, Hudsonville Unity Christian 25 The reigning Division 5 champion Fighting Irish (7-2) have won six straight with this arguably the most impressive of the run as they handed Division 4 Unity (8-1) its only loss. Salem 34, Livonia Stevenson 6 The Rocks (5-4) won their league crossover to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2017 (not counting 2020, when nearly all teams made the field because of COVID-19).

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Howell 57, Belleville 36 The Highlanders (8-1) claimed their second-straight overall Kensington Lakes Activities Association championship as these two division winners met for a repeat of last year’s title game. Howell’s Christian Farren scored three touchdowns during the first quarter, and Bryce Kish scored three over the final three quarters as Belleville (7-2) lost for the first time since the season opener. Click for more from the Detroit News.

Watch list East Lansing 28, Holt 14 The Trojans reached the Division 2 playoffs at 4-5 in part after winning their third game in a row and also because their losses came against opponents with a combined record of 42-3, including three teams that finished 9-0.

On the move Beal City 39, Ithaca 8 The Aggies (9-0) completed their second perfect regular season in four years, and this one while giving up only 31 points total against a schedule with five playoff teams including Ithaca (6-3). DeWitt 63, Lansing Everett 7 The Panthers (9-0) closed an outright Capital Area Activities Conference Blue title, running their league winning streak to 17 games while scoring at least 51 points in all six Blue games this fall. St. Johns 28, Ypsilanti Lincoln 23 The Redwings (5-4) ended a four-game losing streak to secure a second-straight playoff berth and send also playoff-bound Lincoln to 6-3, which is still the Railsplitters’ best record since 2017 when they last qualified for the postseason (not counting COVID-shortened 2020).

Durand hands off the ball as blockers hold back Bath's defenders during the Railroaders' 50-0 victory.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Maple City Glen Lake 23, Mancelona 22 Glen Lake (7-1) went to Mancelona to claim this winner-take-all matchup for the Northern Michigan Football Conference Legacy championship, the Lakers’ second-straight outright league title. Glen Lake now will host Mancelona (5-4) in a Division 8 District Semifinal. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Watch list Traverse City West 21, Traverse City Central 20 (OT) You’ll literally have a chance to watch again as these two will face off this week as well in a first-round Division 2 game. The Titans (5-4) have won three straight in the series and will see Central (5-4) in the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

On the move Kingsley 44, Charlevoix 18 The Stags (7-2) will jump into the postseason as the No. 7 team on the Division 6 playoff list – their highest rank since Week 4 – and coming off handing Charlevoix (8-1) its only defeat. Boyne City 27, Kalkaska 20 The Ramblers (6-3) have reached the playoffs every season this decade but kept the Blazers (5-4) from advancing as they fell to the No. 37 spot on the Division 6 list. McBain 21, Fowler 14 These two have put together a nice regular season-ending showdown the last three seasons, with this the second straight decided by seven points and this time for McBain (7-2) after Fowler (6-3) won last season’s meeting.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Hanover-Horton 20, Michigan Center 14 The Comets (7-2) showed again how much can change over the course of a season, winning this championship matchup of Cascades Conference division winners after falling to Michigan Center (8-1) in nonleague play 53-14 in Week 3. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

Watch list Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard 42, Allen Park Cabrini 7 FGR (9-0) impressively won this Prep Bowl matchup of undefeated opponents to complete its first perfect regular season since 1976 (according to Michigan-Football.com).

On the move Jonesville 22, Manchester 0 The Comets (6-3) were close to the line for making the playoffs heading into the weekend but secured their spot in Division 7, as did Manchester (5-4) in Division 8 despite the defeat. Napoleon 40, Brooklyn Columbia Central 36 The Pirates (6-3) bounced back from falling to Michigan Center in a title decider the week before to get past the Golden Eagles (5-4) in a matchup of Cascades runners-up. Onsted 36, Detroit Henry Ford 16 The Wildcats (4-5) – winners of three of their last four games – sat anywhere from No. 37-44 on the Division 6 playoff list between Weeks 3-8 before jumping seven spots to No. 32 with this victory and earning first postseason appearance this decade.

Otsego's Lane Blanchard (8) is chased by Plainwell defenders during the Bulldogs' 39-0 win. 

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Portage Central 40, St. Joseph 8 Central avenged last season’s loss that led to shared league title, this time clinching the outright championship in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West and completing its first perfect regular season since 2013. The Mustangs (9-0) gave up their first points since Week 6 – making the total just 18 this season. The Bears (5-4) were averaging more than 37 points per game entering the weekend. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.

Watch list Niles 21, Edwardsburg 12 Niles (9-0) completed an outright championship run in the Wolverine Conference despite facing their stiffest challenge in league play in the third-place Eddies (6-3). After back-to-back one-loss regular seasons, Niles also capped its first perfect one since 1979.

On the move Buchanan 46, Muskegon Catholic Central 6 The Bucks (6-3) were treading near the playoff qualification line in Division 6, but will return to the field for a fourth-straight season. Kalamazoo United 25, Schoolcraft 20 The Titans (7-2) have won six straight this fall and most recently against Schoolcraft (7-2) had lost back-to-back games in 2022 and 2023. Kalamazoo Central 52, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 10 The Maroon Giants (6-3) clinched a second-straight outright championship in the SMAC East and will next face Howell in a District opener for the second-straight season as well.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Marquette 21, Kingsford 13 In breaking a three-year losing streak against the Flivvers, Marquette (6-3) bumped up four spots to No. 23 on the Division 3 playoff list to secure a spot in the postseason after just missing a year ago. Kingsford (6-3) fell only one spot in the Division 5 field, to No. 18, and will host its first-round District game this weekend. Click for more from MyUPNow.

Watch list West Iron County 42, Hancock 38 After ranking between No. 36-48 on the Division 8 playoff list over the last six weeks, West Iron (4-4) played this win into a four-spot jump and its first postseason berth this decade.

On the move Escanaba 38, Gladstone 12 Escanaba not only capped its most successful regular season since 1998 at 8-1, but guaranteed itself at least two home playoff games if it advances this week against Freeland. Negaunee 44, Iron Mountain 7 The Miners (6-3) broke a two-game losing streak to the rival Mountaineers (6-3), and in doing so held on to a spot in the Division 5 playoff field. Calumet 42, L’Anse 8 The Copper Kings (7-2) capped their best regular season since 2019 with a fourth-straight win, and L’Anse (5-4) as well was able to hang on to a first playoff berth in three seasons.

Marquette's Ford Richardson (11) eludes a Kingsford defender.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Belding 52, Wyoming Godwin Heights 20 The Black Knights took this winner-take-all title matchup in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Silver, running its league championship streak to four and its league game winning streak to 23. Belding (8-1) also clinched homefield advantage through Regional Finals if it advances, and Godwin Heights (7-2) also will host this week. Click for more from the Greenville Daily News.

Watch list Holland Christian 35, Grand Rapids Christian 22 Despite going 1-4 in O-K Black play, Holland Christian (5-4) hung on with this win over O-K White runner-up Grand Rapids Christian (5-4) as both landed in the playoffs.

On the move Grand Rapids West Catholic 28, Zeeland West 16 West Catholic (8-1) avenged last season’s loss to the eventual Division 3 champion Dux (6-3). Grand Rapids Catholic Central 24, Grand Rapids South Christian 17 The Cougars (9-0) survived one of their closest games this fall to clinch their first perfect regular season since 2021. Muskegon Oakridge 41, North Muskegon 27 Oakridge (6-3) bounced back from two straight losses by avenging last season’s defeat to North Muskegon (6-3).

8-Player

HEADLINER Indian River Inland Lakes 47, Gaylord St. Mary 20 This one receives top billing because it determined one of the final league titles still outstanding, and Inland Lakes (9-0) indeed clinched its fifth-straight Ski Valley Conference championship and ran its regular-season winning streak to 23 games. St. Mary (7-2) finished Ski Valley runner-up for the fourth-straight season but did hold on to one of the final spots in the Division 2 playoff field. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.

Watch list Portland St. Patrick 42, Blanchard Montabella 16 Montabella’s pursuit of a perfect regular season has been rightfully noted these last few weeks. But the Shamrocks (9-0) completed theirs by handing the Mustangs (8-1) their only loss, and in the process St. Patrick moved up to become the overall No. 1 in Division 2 playoff points – especially key if it ends up facing No. 2 Mendon in a Regional Final.

On the move St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy 43, AuGres-Sims 6 The Patriots (7-2) went from a three-year losing streak ending in 2023 to this fall the North Star League Big Dipper championship and their first season ending with a winning record. AuGres-Sims (5-4) shared the Little Dipper title. Climax-Scotts 72, Pittsford 64 These two finished the regular season with a bang, with their combined 136 points tying for ninth-most in an 8-player game when the losing team scored at least 40. Hillman 28, Rogers City 24 With this first win over Rogers City (4-5) in four recent attempts, Hillman (6-3) hung on to the final playoff qualifying spot in Division 2.

MHSAA.com's weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Click to connect with MI Student Aid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTOS (Top) Negaunee's David Juchemich is able to get to Iron Mountain's quarterback Brayden Kassin on Thursday. (2) Durand hands off the ball as blockers hold back Bath's defenders during the Railroaders' 50-0 victory. (3) Otsego's Lane Blanchard (8) is chased by Plainwell defenders during the Bulldogs' 39-0 win. (4) Marquette's Ford Richardson (11) eludes a Kingsford defender. (Negaunee/Iron Mountain photo by Cara Kamps. Durand/Bath photo by John Johnson. Otsego/Plainwell photo by Gary Shook. Marquette/Kingsford photo by Randy Ritari.)