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Lumen Christi Legacy Grows with D6 Triumph

November 23, 2018

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor 

DETROIT – Herb Brogan’s teams over 39 years coaching Jackson Lumen Christi have succeeded in part by regularly capitalizing on opportunities.

Give the Titans an inch … and in Friday’s case, they’ll take 28 straight points.

Halftime came just in time for Lumen Christi as all momentum had been lost during the Division 6 Final at Ford Field. But when Montague couldn’t keep the swing going into the second half, the Titans took the opportunity and made school history.

Lumen Christi rode a defensive stop and four straight touchdowns to a 42-28 win over the Wildcats – clinching the program’s 11th MHSAA football championship and third straight, a program first.

“The whole year, and really since freshman year, we’ve been talking about it,” Titans senior Nick Thomas said of the three-peat opportunity. “We had two good grades above us. We said we’re going to do it with those two grades, and we’re going to become the first team to make history.

“That just became a major motivator, during those early morning grinds, getting there an hour early instead of a half-hour early. You’re already sweating before anybody else gets there. We were working before anybody else gets up, and that was a big emphasis the whole season – and it paid off 10 times over.”

Lumen Christi last season became the program’s third repeat champion, and Friday’s win was the Titans’ 23rd straight – they finished 13-0 this season, with an open date Week 9.

Brogan improved his career record to 356-83 since taking over the program in 1980. He sits fifth all-time for state football coaching wins, and this season pulled within five of fourth place and longtime Waterford Our Lady coach Mike Boyd’s 361.

Although senior Bryce Stark gave Montague the game’s first lead with a 57-yard scoring run midway through the first quarter Friday, Lumen Christi tied it up with a 57-yarder by Thomas two minutes into the second. Senior Cy’Aire Johnson scored on a 40-yard pass from senior Joe Barrett a little more than two minutes later, and after senior Bobby Willis’ interception on Montague’s next possession, it seemed like the Titans might break away.  

But not yet. Three plays after throwing the interception, Montague sophomore Drew Collins recovered a fumble, and Stark ran for his second touchdown to tie the score with 1:17 to go in the first half.

Lumen hustled to get to Montague’s 28-yard-line during the next minute – but Wildcats senior Sebastian Archer snagged an interception.

The score stood tied at halftime. And Montague (11-3) was set to get the ball first in the third quarter.

“It was a question mark: who was going to wear who down? They wore St. Francis down last weekend (in the Semifinal), and if you talked to those guys, they were tired,” Brogan said. “One of the things we talked about at halftime, it just comes down to playing with pain. You’re going to be uncomfortable for the next 24 minutes, but what are the results going to be if you can put up with that level of discomfort, push yourself and make plays and make some memories.”

The first possession of the third quarter didn’t include a score, but it should be memorable as the start of Lumen’s final surge.

Montague took the opening kickoff, and over three plays went backward one yard. Lumen scored on its next four possessions, twice getting the ball back on turnovers and a third time after a turnover on downs when the Wildcats had driven to the Titans’ 24.

“We ran out of gas today. They’re folding guys in all the time, and we just don’t have those guys,” said Montague coach Pat Collins. “Our guys worked hard. I’m proud of our guys. That’s who we are. We have nine guys going both ways … they’ve got a whole bunch of guys playing football, and that’s tough.

“If it was a video game, and your guys don’t get tired, that would be a closer game and maybe the ‘Cats would be on top. But it wasn’t; this is real life. … I love my guys. They’re great players. They just got tired.”

The Titans used 22 players to Montague’s 18, and Collins said the difference was most noticeable up front as the game wore on.

Lumen Christi ran for 216 of its 348 rushing yards during the second half.

“Our running backs always push us to try to be better and better every day,” Lumen junior lineman Keegan Smith said. “After every play, they’re saying ‘one more, one more.’ And ‘we’ve got 24 minutes (left)’ at halftime. They pushed us and we told each other, let’s do it for the brotherhood of the line and just try to make history.”

Thomas finished with 249 yards on 28 carries and scored twice. Barrett threw two touchdown passes – senior Dayton Keller caught the second, and Johnson and senior Brock Fitzpatrick also ran for scores. Thomas had a team-high 10 tackles.

The Wildcats cut the deficit to 14 late with two touchdown passes from Collins to junior Brennan Schwarz. Stark ran for 156 yards and three scores on 19 carries. Junior Mark Vanderleest had 12 tackles and Schwarz nine for Montague, which was playing in its first MHSAA Final since winning back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009.

The Wildcats’ only defeats this fall were to Lumen Christi, Division 5 finalist Portland and Division 5 District champ Reed City. Montague is 39-8 over the last four seasons and 22-4 over the last two.

“Since my freshman year, the seniors set the bar pretty high,” Archer said. “Sophomore year, the seniors did their part. Junior year, I love each and every one of those seniors and they’re great guys.

“This year I felt like we raised the bar.”

Click for the full box score.

PHOTOS: (Top) Jackson Lumen Christi’s Nick Thomas (10) breaks past a defender during Friday’s Division 6 Final at Ford Field. (Middle) Thomas, Delton Langley (35) and Bobby Willis celebrate the Titans’ championship.

Grand Rapids West Catholic takes the field prior to last week's win over Forest Hills Eastern.

1st & Goal: 2026 Week 4 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 21, 2026

There's always a week during high school football season when league championship races begin to become clearer. 

MI Student Aid

Week 4 seems a little early for that most years. But several conference title scenarios may have begun to unfold with the results of this weekend's games. 

Of course we have several more weeks to go; we haven't reached midseason yet. But read on for more on how many matchups from Week 4 may end up being the deciding ones when this regular season is complete. 

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Imlay City 17, North Branch 14 Imlay City sits atop the Blue Water Area Conference with Almont and Macomb Lutheran North, which are all 3-0 in league play. The Spartans (4-0) won only three games total last season and a combined 11 since their last four-win season in 2020. Click for more from the Flint Journal. 

Watch list Saginaw Valley Lutheran 31, Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central 28 The Chargers (4-0) have gone from a winless 2021 and a one-victory 2022 to a perfect regular season a year ago and an equally impressive start this fall.

On the move Linden 49, Holly 35 The Week 7 matchup between Linden and Fenton is lining up as the potential Flint Metro League Stripes decider as the Eagles (4-0) sent Holly (3-1) a game back of the leaders. Croswell-Lexington 20, Richmond 14 The Pioneers (1-3) opened against teams that are a combined 11-1 but started making their move by avenging last season’s 18-point loss to Richmond (0-4), which has three defeats by seven points or fewer. Saginaw Swan Valley 15, Whitehall 14 A late safety kept Swan Valley (4-0) undefeated and among the highest-ranking teams in Division 5 playoff points as we approach midseason. 

A Davison pass rusher pursues the Saginaw Heritage quarterback Friday.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Romeo 36, Macomb Dakota 26 This matchup – and a similar result – ended up deciding the Macomb Area Conference Red title in Romeo’s favor last season, and the Bulldogs (4-0) are hoping for a similar bump as they’ll carry the momentum into this week’s matchup with league co-leader Grosse Pointe South. Dakota (2-2) took an early 14-0 lead before Romeo rallied the lockdown defense that has otherwise given up only 17 points this season. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.

Watch list Detroit Denby 12, Detroit Cody 6 Two games into the league schedule, Denby (3-1) is the only team undefeated in Detroit Public School League Gold play as it pursues a fourth-straight title. Circle the Week 7 home game against Detroit Central as the big one.

On the move Dearborn Fordson 24, Dearborn 17 The Tractors (3-1) bounced back from a Week 3 loss to Belleville to down the rival Pioneers and have now seen all four of their games this season decided by seven points or fewer. Redford Thurston 47, Redford Union 6 These two had shared the Western Wayne Athletic Conference championship a year ago, and Thurston took a big step toward making it a one-team title this fall, with the Week 6 matchup against Garden City a potential showdown. Clarkston 45, Rochester Adams 0 The Wolves (4-0) are riding a two-game shutout streak and opened the Oakland Activities Association Red schedule in a big way, but Adams (2-2) also lost to Clarkston last season and still went on to reach the Division 1 Semifinals.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Leslie 34, Michigan Center 32 Leslie (3-1) sits atop the Cascades Conference North thanks to the game-winning touchdown pass with nine seconds to play. A 36-32 loss to Michigan Center (2-2) in Week 5 last season stopped the Blackhawks’ season-opening winning streak, and they went 1-5 the rest of the way, but this time Leslie will look to extend their early-season success against winless Grass Lake this week before a big Week 6 matchup against Manchester. Click for more from WLNS.

Watch list Saranac 21, Laingsburg 0 The Red Hawks are 4-0 for the first time since 2011 and haven’t allowed a point since Week 2 – and only 20 total this fall. Against Fowler this week, Saranac will have its first chance to avenge a 2025 defeat. 

On the move Beal City 35, McBain 16 If recent history holds, this could end up deciding the Highland Conference title for the Aggies (4-0), although Evart has re-entered the conversation and hosts Beal City in Week 7. Hartland 36, Brighton 21 The Eagles (3-1) defeated Brighton for the first time since 2015 to become Howell’s primary challenger in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association Gold; they face off in two weeks. Okemos 35, Lansing Everett 20 The Wolves bounced back from a Week 3 loss to Grand Ledge to get to 3-1, that third victory marking the team’s most since 2018 and after winning a combined five games over the last seven seasons. Okemos’ next three opponents are a combined 3-9.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Traverse City St. Francis 39, Maple City Glen Lake 20 The Gladiators’ first-half schedule has been one of the state’s toughest, and the second half may not get much easier – which made this victory especially important, even as the team is stacking up playoff bonus points for taking on such tough competition. Glen Lake (2-2) should continue to contend in the Northern Michigan Football Conference, while St. Francis (2-2) has Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and Grand Rapids West Catholic among others over the next five weeks. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Watch list Petoskey 34, Escanaba 0 The Big North Conference is looking more unpredictable by the week, and the Northmen (3-1) find themselves tied with Marquette atop the early standings after finishing fourth a year ago. 

On the move Frankfort 44, Johannesburg-Lewiston 16 Six of nine teams in the NMFC are 2-2 are better, including both of these, and matchups like this likely will help determine who qualifies for the playoffs. Harbor Springs 34, Tawas 6 The Rams (3-1) are another of those NMFC teams in the early playoff hunt as they pursue a first postseason appearance this decade. Ogemaw Heights 35, Midland Bullock Creek 0 The Falcons (4-0) built on a steady start defensively this season with their first shutout and did the work on offense as well after Bullock Creek (2-2) entered coming off two shutout wins. 

Marquette's Winston Leonard keeps the ball as Cadillac's Westin Hamp pursues and eventually tackles him.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Adrian Madison 21, Hudson 12 Madison trailed 12-7 at halftime but came back to defeat last season’s Division 8 runner-up Tigers for the first time. The pair has been in the Lenawee County Athletic Association together the last three seasons and Hudson (3-1) had scored at least 50 points in all three of those LCAA meetings including during a 56-7 win over the Trojans (4-0) a year ago. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram. 

Watch list Monroe Jefferson 36, Riverview 24 These two are among five teams at 2-1 in the Huron League race with the midpoint coming up this week, and Jefferson (4-0 overall) leads with Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central at 3-0 in Huron play. Riverview (3-1) shared last year’s league title with both and will be hoping for a few slip-ups.  

On the move Chelsea 63, Tecumseh 6 The Bulldogs (4-0) stand alone atop the Southeastern Conference White standings after their highest-scoring performance yet while also holding down a Tecumseh offense that reached 40 points every game of a 3-0 start. Jackson Lumen Christi 40, Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard 10 Every win is important in the Catholic High School League AA this season and especially as Lumen Christi (4-0) works to keep pace with Dearborn Divine Child. Brooklyn Columba Central 31, Jonesville 14 Jonesville had won all three meetings since these two joined the same Cascades Conference division in 2023, and the timing couldn’t have been better this time for Columbia Central which will take some added energy into this week’s key matchup at Hanover-Horton. 

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Marshall 28, Battle Creek Harper Creek 26 A dramatic fourth quarter that included a long Marshall scoring drive and 2-point conversion stop put the Redhawks (4-0) at the top of the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference standings and ended a run of three straight losses to the Beavers (3-1) – who have won the last two league titles. Click for more from the Battle Creek Enquirer.  

Watch list Constantine 41, Schoolcraft 21 Just as we were anticipating a Week 6 Schoolcraft/Kalamazoo United matchup for first in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, the Falcons swooped in and changed things up, with United now alone in first place and Constantine and Schoolcraft both just a game behind at 3-1. 

On the move Berrien Springs 30, Buchanan 20 The Shamrocks (4-0) no doubt were waiting for this Lakeland Athletic Conference rematch after losing last season to the Bucks and ending up as part of a three-team title share. Edwardsburg 21, Paw Paw 14 The Eddies (4-0) broke a three-game losing skid against Paw Paw (3-1) and in doing so whittled the leaders in the Wolverine Conference down to only themselves and Vicksburg, their Week 8 opponent. Union City 22, Quincy 18 The Chargers (4-0) are undefeated through the first half of their Big 8 Conference schedule after claiming their closest league win since 2022 and handing Quincy (3-1) its first defeat.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Menominee 22, Calumet 8 The Maroons (4-0) have run their winning streak to 18, but with this victory their second-closest during the last two regular seasons – ranking just behind the 10-point victory over the Copper Kings from a year ago. The victory kept Menominee atop the Division 7 playoff-point rankings and sent Calumet (3-1) from No. 4 to No. 14 in Division 6. Click for more from the Marinette/Menominee Eagle Herald.

Watch list Marquette 33, Cadillac 27 After opening this season with a pair of losses to Upper Peninsula rivals, Marquette has added a pair of victories to begin Big North Conference play after finishing third in the league a year ago.

On the move Kingsford 21, Negaunee 16 This one always seems to have league title implications, and the Flivvers (4-0) kept themselves among the undefeated in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper. Iron Mountain 42, L’Anse 22 After a pair of one-score losses heading into this matchup, Iron Mountain (2-2) ran its winning streak over L’Anse (2-2) to six, although they meet again Week 7. Ishpeming Westwood 38, Houghton 26 The Patriots (1-3) got on the board after opening this fall with losses to three teams that are currently a combined 11-1. 

West Michigan

HEADLINER Grand Rapids South Christian 34, Hudsonville Unity Christian 33 Unity led 14-0 early and by as many as 20 before Austin Burgess scored the go-ahead touchdown on fourth down with 1:34 to play and Brody Shilts iced the win for South Christian (3-1) with an interception in the end zone. Unity (2-2) had won their last two meetings by 28 and 29 points. Click for more from WOOD TV. 

Watch list Hamilton 28, Spring Lake 7 The schedule won’t get easier for the Hawkeyes (3-1), but they’ve already improved substantially on last year’s 2-7 finish, especially considering their first three opponents are a combined 11-5.

On the move Big Rapids 27, Reed City 7 This matchup decided the last two Central State Activities Association Red championships, and the Cardinals (2-2) have an important edge again as they prepare to play current co-leader Remus Chippewa Hills this week. Grand Rapids West Catholic 42, Ada Forest Hills Eastern 34 West Catholic (3-1) delivered Forest Hills Eastern’s first defeat in the matchup that might end up deciding the Ottawa-Kent Conference White title. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 26, Holland Christian 7 TK also has some major opponents ahead, but sits 4-0 for the first time since 2018 and delivered Hamilton’s lone loss and Hastings’ first this season.

8-Player

HEADLINER Colon 32, Climax-Scotts 8 Colon coach Robbie Hattan previously led the Magi to the Division 1 championship in 2019 and has the team rumbling again in his return as it downed a Climax-Scotts team that had averaged 31 points per game during its 3-0 start and won last year’s meeting 77-33. Colon has another big one this week against undefeated Mendon. Click for more from WTHD.

Watch list Dansville 38, Morrice 25 The Aggies (4-0) are playing their first season of 8-player after winning one game total over their last three 11-player seasons. The switch suits them, as they’ve claimed all of their games this fall by at least 12 points. 

On the move Ishpeming 38, Crystal Falls Forest Park 22 It’s a good time to say Ishpeming is all the way back from last season’s uncharacteristic down year as the Hematites (3-1) are now the only contender to defeat traditional powers Forest Park (3-1) and Powers North Central this season. Mendon 50, Mio 34 The Hornets (4-0) won this matchup of unbeatens by giving up their season high but also topping 45 points for the fourth straight week. Lake Linden-Hubbell 60, Norway 32 The Lakes already had a win over Ishpeming and this was another massive achievement as Norway’s only defeat over the last two years was during last season’s Division 1 Semifinals.

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PHOTOS (Top) Grand Rapids West Catholic takes the field prior to last week's win over Forest Hills Eastern. (Middle) A Davison pass rusher pursues the Saginaw Heritage quarterback Friday. (Below) Marquette's Winston Leonard keeps the ball as Cadillac's Westin Hamp pursues and eventually tackles him. (West Catholic photo by Michigan Sports Photo. Davison/Heritage photo by Terry Lyons. Marquette/Cadillac photo by Cara Kamps.)