Mendon 8-Player Championship Game Run Paced by Record-Setting Rushing
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 26, 2023
Mendon’s run to the Division 2 Final last fall included some of the strongest rushing performances over the history of 8-player football.
The Hornets ran for 4,317 yards, second-most all-time, on the second-most attempts (520) and with a record-setting 682 yards Oct. 14 against Marcellus. Mendon also set the record for total offense with 692 total in that game, and made the single-season touchdowns list with 76 including 66 rushing (also second on that list).
Junior Jack McCaw made the single-season scoring list with 212 points, most coming on 29 touchdowns, and Evan Lukeman made the single-game rushing list with 401 yards against Marcellus. Mendon’s defense also earned praise, twice making the fewest-first-downs-allowed list with a low of three.
See below for more recent additions to the 8-player portion of the football record book:
8-Player Football
Athens’ Landon Bennett earned a pair of record book entries after reaching the end zone seven times during his team’s 72-0 win over Burr Oak on Sept. 8. His seven scores are tied for third-most in 8-player history and included three rushing, three on punt returns and one on an interception return. The three punt return touchdowns are a record. Bennett is a junior.
On the night Powers North Central broke its 8-player record for consecutive wins, claiming its 28th straight, senior Luke Gorzinski tied Jets great Jason Whitens for the record for interception touchdowns in a game with two, scoring on returns during the second and fourth quarters. Gorzinski has signed with Michigan Tech, and North Central’s winning streak is 37 games and counting.
A pair of Atlanta offensive playmakers and a top defensive lineman earned a total of seven entries in the record book for achievements last fall. Senior quarterback Tyler Currie threw for 30 touchdowns over eight games, and also made the records for six touchdowns and 419 passing yards against Whittemore-Prescott on Sept. 23; the passing yards are second-most for one 8-player game. Sophomore Landon Galea was added for 263 yards and five of those touchdowns against the Cardinals, and also for 1,418 yards receiving and 23 touchdowns over nine games. Junior teammate Tucker Kendrick made the tackles for loss list with five against Hillman on Oct. 6.
Adrian Lenawee Christian senior Brady McKelvey became the first to make the career extra points list in 8-player football this past fall. He bettered his previous single-season record making 64 of 66 extra-point attempts over 11 games and finishing his two-year varsity career with 123 extra points in 127 tries.
Sam McKissack reached the record book showcasing multiple skills for Crystal Falls Forest Park during the 2021 season – twice for rushing attempts in a game including with a record 59 against Ontonagon that Sept. 10, and then with a record 70-yard punt Oct. 30, 2021, against Lake Linden-Hubbell. Teammate Devon Basirico also made the record book with six fumble recoveries over 11 games that season. As a team, Forest Park was added twice for single-game rushing attempts – including 73 total in that Ontonagon game – and for 424 rushes over 11 games for the season. McKissack and Basirico are seniors this spring.
Nikolaus Lewis tied for eighth-most rushing touchdowns in an 8-player game when he reached the end zone six times for Carsonville-Port Sanilac in its win over Caseville on Oct. 7. He’s a senior this spring.
Bridgman has won 24 straight games over the last three seasons, and an exceptional offense – and exceptional offensive star – have played major roles. The Bees were added for 658 total yards in a win over Lawrence last season, that total ranking third all-time, and also 613 yards in a win over Eau Claire. Those included totals of 575 and 547 rushing yards, respectively, and Bridgman was added for 3,598 rushing yards (sixth on the list), 59 rushing touchdowns (fourth) and 76 total touchdowns (seventh). Senior Reid Haskins capped his four-year, 32-game varsity career with 13 record book entries, including for 254 points last season over nine games (tied for fifth all-time) and a record 620 career points, 41 touchdowns last season (fifth) and a record 95 for his career, 2,344 rushing yards last season (third) and a record 5,206 for his career, and 41 rushing touchdowns last season (third) and a record 94 for his career. Senior teammate Tanner Peters made the records three times including for 50 extra points last season (fourth) and 99 over 26 games and three seasons (second on the career list).
Mio's Austin Fox rewrote the 8-player passing record book this past fall, with his 621 yards in a game against Whittemore-Prescott setting a single-game record as he totaled four of the five-highest passing yardage totals. He also set a record with 3,516 over nine games for the season, another record with 289 passing attempts over those nine games and a third record for nine touchdown passes in that game against the Cardinals. His 41 touchdown passes total rank fourth. Teammates Gage Long and Nathan Hurst also earned several record book entries on the receiving end of those passes. Long’s 297 receiving yards against Whittemore-Prescott were tied for third most, and Hurst’s 266 against Alcona rank eighth. Long set a single-season record with 1,739 receiving yards, with Hurst sixth all-time at 1,321, and Long’s 14 receptions against the Cardinals and 70 for the season also rank second on those respective lists. Hurst set a record for longest 8-player kickoff return with a 99-yarder against St. Helen Charlton Heston. All three are seniors.
Peck was one of the first MHSAA 8-player champions, claiming the title in 2013, and Cody Abrego one of the state’s first 8-player stars. The Pirates were added to the MHSAA record book 52 times, and Abrego 14 times individually. Among the most notable entries for the 2015 graduate were for 462 points scored over his two-season career (ranking sixth all-time), 74 career touchdowns (sixth), 2,202 rushing yards in 2013 (fifth) and 35 rushing touchdowns in 2013 (sixth). Current senior Caleb Lentner was one of the stars statewide this past season, and he was added eight times including for 50 points scored in a game (ranking second), 272 points for a season last fall (fifth), eight touchdowns in a game (tied for second), 42 touchdowns in a season (fifth), an 8-player record of 2,694 rushing yards from last season, and 38 rushing touchdowns also last fall (fourth). Others to make the individual lists were Nathan Robar, Caleb Dudley, Steven VanConant, Kyle Abrego and Nathan Neihaus, Dudley for a record 20 career interceptions over two seasons and VanConant for a record 12 tackles for loss in a 2022 game and 36 tackles for loss for the season last fall. The Pirates also are all over the 8-player team record book, including for a record 97 touchdowns in 2013, a record 5,895 yards of total offense that season, 528 carries, 4,346 rushing yards and 73 rushing touchdowns in 2013 (all ranking second); and 24 interceptions in 2014, which ranks second on that list.
Senior quarterback JR Hildebrand was one of the most dynamic players in 8-player football in the fall in leading Martin to the Division 1 title. He had one of his most exciting nights in a playoff opener against Tekonsha, making the single-game touchdown pass list with six in a 68-6 victory.
PHOTO Mendon’s Jack McCaw (21) eludes a tackle during the 8-Player Division 2 Final in November at Northern Michigan University. (Photo by Cara Kamps.)
1st & Goal: 2024 Week 1 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
August 29, 2024
The captivating West Michigan sunset seen through the camera lens above is characteristic of the first few weeks of Michigan high school football season, when games begin in daylight before “Friday Night Lights” bring a later-night glow to communities all over both peninsulas.
That enchantment returns this weekend with 249 season openers tonight, 58 more Friday and one Saturday for the 603 varsity football teams set to play in our state this season.
More than 225 of those varsity games are scheduled to be broadcast this weekend on MHSAA.tv, including all four being played at Wayne State as part of the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic and all four of the Vehicle City Gridiron Classic being played at Grand Blanc High School today or Kettering University on Friday. Click the names of the events for specific broadcast landing pages for those showcases.
As you’ll find at the start of every football weekend, below are glances at several matchups across the state that are most intriguing. All games are tonight unless noted, and follow the MHSAA Scores page all weekend for scores as they’re submitted.
Bay & Thumb
Goodrich (11-2) at Frankenmuth (11-2) WATCH
This is a rematch of last season’s 14-8 Goodrich win, clinched on a score with 18 seconds to play. It was Frankenmuth’s only loss until the Division 5 Semifinals, and the Martians went on to make the Semifinals in Division 4. Big things are expected of both again, as both are ranked No. 3 in their respective divisions in preseason polls by the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Harbor Beach (9-2) at Cass City (8-3) WATCH, Ogemaw Heights (9-2) at Ubly (14-0) WATCH, Muskegon Mona Shores (7-4) vs. Grand Blanc (6-5) WATCH, Almont (12-2) at Marysville (8-3).
Greater Detroit
Warren De La Salle Collegiate (11-3) vs. Davison (12-1) at Wayne State WATCH
This is another rematch from a year ago and the premier clash at the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic. Last time, Davison trailed 14-0 at halftime before winning 31-26 – and the Cardinals weren’t stopped until the Division 1 Semifinals. De La Salle bounced back to take its season even farther, finishing at Ford Field for the fourth straight and this time as Division 2 runner-up. The Pilots are the favorites in the MHSFCA Division 2 poll, and Davison is ranked No. 5 in Division 1.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (9-3) at West Bloomfield (10-3) WATCH. FRIDAY Belleville (13-1) vs. Clarkston (6-6) at Wayne State WATCH, Redford Union (7-3) at Harper Woods (11-3), Dexter (7-4) at Livonia Franklin (6-4) WATCH.
Mid-Michigan
North Muskegon (12-1) at Pewamo-Westphalia (10-2) WATCH
North Muskegon set the tone for its winningest season all-time last fall with a 17-14 win over the Pirates in the opener, and the Norsemen set the record with a 28-27 victory over P-W in a Division 7 Regional Final rematch before ending their run the next week. Those, of course, were the Pirates’ only losses of 2023, and they enter this fall No. 3 in Division 7 while North Muskegon is unranked.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Portage Central (8-2) at East Lansing (10-3) WATCH, Hudson (8-3) at Fowler (8-2), Lansing Sexton (8-2) at Lansing Everett (5-5) WATCH, DeWitt (7-3) at Haslett (8-4).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Reed City (9-4) at Kingsley (12-2)
Kingsley started its 2023 season with a 46-12 win over Reed City and ended the fall as Division 6 champion – a week after defeating Reed City again in a Semifinal 37-7. That alone should have the Coyotes revved for a big start this time, and after also closing last year with eight wins over their last nine games. Kingsley is ranked No. 2 and Reed City No. 8 heading into this meeting.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Gaylord (11-1) at Traverse City West (4-5) WATCH, Manistee (8-3) at Kalkaska (4-5). FRIDAY Elk Rapids (4-5) at Benzie Central (5-5), Charlevoix (9-2) at Traverse City St. Francis (4-5) WATCH.
Southeast & Border
Gibraltar Carlson (10-2) at Carleton Airport (10-2)
After losing to Airport 31-10 in their season opener a year ago, Carlson went on to win its next 10 games and set a program record for victories to go with league and District titles. Airport’s finish, meanwhile, was its best since 2003 and included a District title as well. The winner tonight could attract some attention quickly; both enter this fall unranked by the MHSFCA.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Adrian (6-4) at Ann Arbor Pioneer (6-4) WATCH, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (6-5) at Clinton (10-2), Michigan Center (7-3) at Jackson Lumen Christi (13-1), Brighton (5-5) at Saline (9-2) WATCH.
Southwest Corridor
Niles (10-2) at St. Joseph (6-4), Friday WATCH
The Vikings’ 55-0 win over St. Joseph to begin last season set the pace for a record-setting run as well as they reached double-digit wins for the first time – and with their lone losses of 2023 by a combined eight points. Niles enters this season No. 6 in Division 4, but the unranked Bears no doubt would love to spoil things after rebounding from last year’s defeat to extend their playoff streak to nine straight seasons.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Battle Creek Harper Creek (6-4) at Battle Creek Lakeview (3-6) WATCH, Saugatuck (8-3) at Buchanan (7-4) WATCH, Union City (6-4) at Centreville (5-5) WATCH, Berrien Springs (6-4) at Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep (5-5).
Upper Peninsula
Gladstone (9-3) at Marquette (5-4)
These longtime past Great Northern Conference foes went their separate ways again a year ago, but met for a nonconference opener won by Gladstone 36-7 – and that gave Gladstone back-to-back wins in the near-annual series for the first time since 2008 and 2009. Although neither is ranked at the start of this season, both always are expected to be near the top in the Upper Peninsula.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Ishpeming Westwood (1-8) at Bark River-Harris (5-4) WATCH, Escanaba (2-7) at Kingsford (10-2) WATCH, Iron Mountain (11-1) at Houghton (3-6). FRIDAY Marinette, Wis. (3-6) at Menominee (11-3).
West Michigan
Detroit Cass Tech (7-4) at Rockford (11-1) WATCH
This is another of the most anticipated matchups statewide this week, and this is the first time these teams will meet despite both being Division I championship contenders most of the last two decades. Rockford is ranked No. 2 in Division 1 after suffering its only loss last season against Davison in a Regional Final. Cass Tech is ranked No. 4 after ending last year’s run with a District Final loss to eventual champion Southfield Arts & Technology.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Paw Paw (9-2) at Big Rapids (10-2) WATCH, East Grand Rapids (7-3) at Lowell (6-4) WATCH, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (7-3) at Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (13-1). FRIDAY Zeeland West (9-4) at Muskegon (12-2).
8-Player
Au Gres-Sims (7-3) at Alcona (8-2) WATCH
Alcona ended a two-game losing streak against the Wolverines last season while in the midst of a perfect run to the North Star League Big Dipper title. On the other sideline, that 42-12 loss was Au Gres-Sims’ first of the fall and started a 1-3 run to close the Wolverines’ season as they finished second in the NSL Little Dipper. They remain in different divisions and could both emerge as league champions over the next two months.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Gobles (8-3) at Colon (4-5), Gaylord St. Mary (6-3) at Rudyard (6-4), Climax-Scotts (10-1) at Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian (6-3). FRIDAY Crystal Falls Forest Park (7-3) at Newberry (7-3).
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(PHOTO by Tim Reilly.)