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.”
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.
1st & Goal: 2026 Playoffs Week 2 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 10, 2026
We’re entering the third week of these 2026 MHSAA Football Playoffs, and at least a handful of teams have reached this stage of the season for the first time since before their current players were born.
This week's "Review" highlights some of those below, along with other notable accomplishments both for teams advancing to this week’s rounds but also those whose seasons have come to a close.
11-Player Division 1
HEADLINER Northville 17, Saline 14 Division 1 provided the biggest stunner of the week for the second straight as the Mustangs (9-2) handed the first and only loss to Saline (10-1). Both were league champions this fall, but Saline had reached the Regional Finals a year ago and hadn’t had a game closer than 14 points this fall. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.
District Digest East Kentwood 42, Grand Ledge 21 The Falcons (10-1) advanced from this meeting of undefeated teams, ending the Comets’ season for the second straight. Clarkston 27, Grand Blanc 26 Grand Blanc (10-1) led 20-7 at halftime, but Clarkston (10-1) came back to end the previously undefeated Bobcats’ season also for the second consecutive year. Rochester Hills Stoney Creek 21, Rochester Adams 7 The Cougars (9-2) avenged a Week 7 loss to the Highlanders (7-4), ending an eight-game losing streak against their rivals.
11-Player Division 2
HEADLINER Livonia Franklin 17, Gibraltar Carlson 6 Franklin (9-2) clinched its first District title since 2022 by handling Carlson (10-1) its only loss of the season. The Marauders entered the matchup averaging 35 points per game, but the Patriots held their opponent to single digits for the third time over the last four weeks. Click for more from the Detroit News.
District Digest Milford 31, Midland Dow 19 The Mavericks (10-1) claimed their first District championship since 2006, ending a seven-game winning streak by the Chargers (8-3) as they sought to repeat as District winners. Muskegon Mona Shores 49, Caledonia 35 Mona Shores (10-1) has scored 49 points in both of their playoff games to outpace their high-powered opponents including this time the Fighting Scots (8-3). South Lyon 55, South Lyon East 32 The Lions (9-2) finished a season sweep of the rival Cougars (8-3), extending their winning streak in the series to four after winning both matchups last year as well.
11-Player Division 3
HEADLINER Harper Woods 20, Detroit Martin Luther King 6 Harper Woods ran its District title streak to four seasons in a row with this one, its first in Division 3, holding King (7-4) to its lowest-scoring output of the season. The loss also ended the Crusaders’ District championship streak at 11. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.
District Digest Warren De La Salle Collegiate 27, Port Huron 10 The Pilots (7-4) handed Port Huron (10-1) its only loss to advance to what will be another highly anticipated matchup this week with Harper Woods. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 41, St. Joseph 13 After last year reaching the District Finals for the first time since 2020, the Trojans took the next step with their first District championship since 2001 and ended St. Joseph’s run at 8-3. Chelsea 51, Redford Thurston 14 The Bulldogs claimed their first District title since their Division 4 championship season of 2021, ending Thurston’s winningest season in 15 years at 9-2.
11-Player Division 4
HEADLINER Portland 35, Edwardsburg 17 The Raiders ran their District championship streak to six with this win in a matchup of undefeated teams. Portland (11-0) outscored the Eddies 21-0 during the second half and for the game held Edwardsburg (10-1) to its fewest points scored this season. Click for more from the South Bend Tribune.
District Digest Macomb Lutheran North 48, Marysville 20 Lutheran North (10-1) clinched its third District championship over the last four years, downing a league co-champion in Marysville (6-5). Hudsonville Unity Christian 49, Ada Forest Hills Eastern 23 Unity Christian repeated as a District champion and ended Forest Hills Eastern’s winning season since 2015 at 9-2. Detroit Country Day 35, St. Clair 13 The Yellowjackets (8-3) returned to the playoffs this season for the first time since 2022 and now have their first District title since that season as well, as they ended St. Clair’s return to the postseason after the Saints (8-3) missed last year’s playoffs.
11-Player Division 5
HEADLINER Negaunee 20, Kingsford 14 Even with four losses this season, Negaunee (7-4) looked like a dangerous opponent for the undefeated Flivvers (10-1) – and indeed proved to be in avenging a 21-16 loss from Week 4. The District title was the Miners’ first since 2022 and the win also ended a three-game losing streak against Kingsford. Click for more from My UP Now.
District Digest Romulus Summit Academy 30, Detroit Denby 28 Summit (8-3) has strung together 10 straight winning seasons and now has its first District championship as well after hanging on against a Denby team (7-4) that hadn’t given up more than 14 points in a game this fall. Saginaw Swan Valley 29, Imlay City 12 Swan Valley has reached 10-1 for the second-straight year and now will face Frankenmuth, which dealt the Vikings their lone loss in Week 8. Imlay City finished 8-3 and has plenty to celebrate after having won a combined 11 games over the previous five seasons. Grand Rapids West Catholic 45, Hopkins 14 West Catholic clinched its fourth District title over the last five seasons by downing another league champion in Hopkins (9-2).
11-Player Division 6
HEADLINER Detroit Edison 26, Clinton 24 Edison held off a Clinton second-half comeback attempt to repeat as a District champion and claim its third title over the last four seasons. The Redwolves (9-2) had reached the Division 7 Semifinals a year ago. The Pioneers (9-1), who haven’t lost since Week 1, earned a rematch with Ecorse and won the first meeting between those two 30-20 in Week 7. Click for more from the Detroit News.
MAKING PLAYS WHEN NEEDED 🔥 Detroit Edison defeated Clinton 26-24 to earn the MHSAA District Title. They move on to play Ecorse this week! Delivered by @hungryhowies https://t.co/uRsV0MhdbB
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 9, 2026
District Digest Marine City 37, Montrose 29 The Mariners (11-0) won another matchup of league champions, ending Montrose’s season at 8-3. Belding 28, Olivet 20 Belding (9-2) clinched its first District title since 2017 with its fifth win (and second in a row) by nine points or fewer. Olivet ended its 18th-straight playoff season at 7-4. Ecorse 26, Warren Michigan Collegiate 6 As noted above, Ecorse (9-1) earned a rematch with Edison after getting past another rival in Michigan Collegiate (5-5) for the second time this season and third in a row going back to last fall.
11-Player Division 7
HEADLINER Ithaca 39, Millington 16 Ithaca’s high-powered offense scored the most points the Cardinals (10-1) gave up this season. Yellowjackets quarterback Gibson Rondy ran for 144 yards and a score and threw for 183 and another touchdown as Ithaca (10-1) won its fourth District title over the last five seasons. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.
Ithaca (10-1) hands Millington (10-1) their only loss of the season in the Div. 7 District Finals 39-16 @ABC12WJRT https://t.co/udOVQKUaVh
— Justin Dierkes (@DierkesTV) November 7, 2026
District Digest Ottawa Lake Whiteford 38, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 34 Whiteford (9-2) avenged a 37-28 Week 1 loss to the Falcons (9-2) to clinch its first District title since 2023. Jonesville 52, Union City 30 The Comets (7-4) continued their hot streak with a fifth-straight win and first District title since 2002 after starting this season 2-4. Union City finished 8-3. Ravenna 42, Constantine 12 Ravenna has found its scoring stride; its first District title since 2016 came with its third straight game of scoring at least 42 points after the Bulldogs did so only once during the regular season. Constantine (9-2) had given up only 19 points combined over its previous six games.
11-Player Division 8
HEADLINER Springport 34, Decatur 22 Springport (10-1) handed Decatur its first and only loss of the season, in doing so repeating as a District champion and setting up a Regional rematch with Hudson, which ended the Spartans’ playoff run a year ago. The Raiders’ 10-1 finish pushed its record over the last three seasons to a combined 28-6. Click for more from WOOD TV.
District Digest Bark River-Harris 38, Maple City Glen Lake 13 The Broncos (9-2) clinched a second-straight District title with a second playoff win over Glen Lake (8-3) in two years after also edging the Lakers in a Regional Final last fall. Clarkston Everest Collegiate 24, Royal Oak Shrine 14 Everest (10-1) finished a season sweep of Shrine after also defeating the Knights (9-2) in a Week 9 Prep Bowl matchup 34-7. Ubly 32, Unionville-Sebewaing 8 Ubly (8-3) made five weeks make a big difference, avenging a 30-16 loss to USA (8-3) from Week 6 that decided the Big Thumb Conference Black championship.
8-Player Division 1
HEADLINER Deckerville 62, Dryden 22 Deckerville reversed its 44-38 Week 5 loss to the Cardinals to clinch a fourth-straight Regional title. The Eagles (10-1) topped 60 points for the first time since Week 2 of last year in ending Dryden’s most successful season since 2008 at 10-1. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.
Regional Roundup Pickford 28, Ishpeming 22 Pickford left for a new league this fall and didn’t see Ishpeming (8-3) during the regular season, but the Panthers (9-2) capitalized on this opportunity and extended their 8-player record over the Hematites to 4-0. Colon 30, Climax-Scotts 20 After returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2022, the Magi (10-1) clinched their first Regional title since 2021 by adding to a 32-8 Week 4 win over Climax-Scotts (8-3). Blanchard Montabella 54, Merrill 36 Montabella (10-1) also won a league rematch, adding this win over Merrill (9-2) to a 60-20 victory in Week 7.
8-Player Division 2
HEADLINER Gaylord St. Mary 32, Lake Linden-Hubbell 14 St. Mary (11-0) returned from the northern Upper Peninsula with arguably its best win of an impressive last four weeks, handing the Lakes (10-1) their only defeat. The Snowbirds most notably slowed down an LL-H attack that hadn’t scored fewer than 42 points in a game, and in doing so claimed their first Regional title since 2002. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.
Regional Roundup Portland St. Patrick 47, Grand Rapids Sacred Heart 14 The Shamrocks (11-0) repeated as Regional champions in part by slowing down a Sacred Heart offense that had scored at least 49 points in six straight games. The Falcons finished 9-2. Mendon 60, Marcellus 14 The Hornets (11-0) ground out 427 rushing yards and took advantage of four turnovers to win a third Regional title in five years and end Marcellus’ run at 7-4. Britton Deerfield 36, Bay City All Saints 8 The Patriots clinched their second Regional title in three seasons, winning a matchup of league champions and ending All Saints’ run at 9-2.
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PHOTOS (Top) A Hudsonville Unity Christian defender wraps a Forest Hills Eastern ball carrier Friday. (Middle) DeWitt’s Krew Koutsoubos (30) brings down Coopersville’s Champ Kelly during a 54-21 Division 3 District Final win. (Unity Christian/Forest Hills Eastern photo by Michigan Sports Media. DeWitt/Coopersville photo by TCP Photography.)