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Michigan's Football Past: A Must Read

By Ron Pesch
MHSAA historian

September 27, 2016

By Ron Pesch
Special for Second Half

This week, the contents of my mailbox reminded me about one of my favorite items to collect – booklets and programs celebrating the history of Michigan high school football.

Contained within was the 2016 edition of the book, “Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Prep Football History.” Featuring a glorious image on the cover, it’s a delight to flip through. Rob Goddard and crew are to be commended on the fantastic job they’ve done with this 104-page chronicle.

The package recalled the first in my collection – a publication I helped create.

The 25-year celebration of Muskegon Mona Shores football was a modest piece, created before the days of desktop publishing. Because I had assembled the scores of the district’s games, I approached the school and found an individual willing to take a chance. Jerry Fitzpatrick, Sailors athletic director at the time, approved the idea of a booklet celebrating the school’s Silver Football Anniversary.

With gusto, we tapped into a host of resources and dove into digging out photos and details designed to capture everything we could on the years 1962 through 1985, with room for fans to collect details on the coming season. We even included a page on cheerleaders and Homecoming Kings and Queens in hopes of broadening our market.

My second acquisition was a document on Battle Creek Central football, created by MHSAA historian Dick Kishpaugh. It totaled 42 pages in length and included most everything there was to know about the Bearcats, Kishpaugh’s alma mater.

A souvenir football program celebrating Kalamazoo Central’s history followed, also heavily influenced by the work of Kishpaugh. A 60-year history of all sports at Gaylord St. Mary soon landed in my hands, passed on to me by sportswriter and historian Jay Soderberg, editor of the publication. A history of little Grant High School football, published, I believe, in 1979, was the next to arrive.

In 1993, I partnered with baseball historian Marc Okkonen to produce “100 Years of Muskegon Big Red Football 1895-1994,” a 90-page history of our alma mater. That publication was marketed by the school’s Athletic Foundation as a fundraiser and sold well. To my delight, it seemed to spark the publication by a number of other districts of their football histories. Grand Haven and Escanaba followed a similar format and were both quick to market. Each book also celebrated a centennial of gridiron action. Other publications began to surface.

Riding a string of gridiron championships, Farmington Hills Harrison produced a 108-page program, highlighting the accomplishments from their 25-year football history, in 1994. Additional histories from Cadillac, Frankenmuth, Lowell, Negaunee, Boyne City, Niles, Sturgis and Traverse City appeared, some focused on football, others on all sports. So too did one highlighting the Centennial football game between Saginaw and Saginaw Arthur Hill, as did one a few years later celebrating the M & M game, among the nation’s oldest cross-border battles staged between Menominee and Marinette, Wisconsin.

But since then, things seem to have fallen silent. I believe a lengthy history on Grand Rapids Catholic Central made it to press, although I don’t possess a copy. I’ve seen, but have yet to acquire, a football booklet on Sparta High School football.

Do others exist? Enquiring minds want to know.

During the gap, John Hulsebus has created, and continues to maintain and enhance a dream website, Michigan-football.com, containing an exhaustive collection of scores, season win-loss marks and records versus opponents for games played since 1950. The site lists schools, past and present for every high school in the state. Like many, I reference it often. Yet, for many schools in the state, that means as many as 55 years of gridiron action remains unrecorded.

Also missing are the stories that sit behind the scores: the players, the coaches, the drama, the locals and pageantry of a Friday night or a Saturday afternoon at the stadium. In the meantime, scrapbooks containing news clippings, game programs, and photographs, once prepared for our fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers, gather dust or disappear.

Tell me please, we haven’t forgotten to capture those details from our past?

Ron Pesch has taken an active role in researching the history of MHSAA events since 1985 and began writing for MHSAA Finals programs in 1986, adding additional features and "flashbacks" in 1992. He inherited the title of MHSAA historian from the late Dick Kishpaugh following the 1993-94 school year, and resides in Muskegon. Contact him at [email protected] with ideas for historical articles.

PHOTOS: (Top) Orchard Lake St. Mary's annually produces an updated history of the school's football program. (Middle) Niles and Muskegon Mona Shores are among other programs that have documented their histories in book form. (Below) The program for the 100th game between Menominee and Marinette, Wis., was a keeper as well. 

Drive for Detroit: Week 4 in Review

September 23, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Week 4 of Michigan’s high school football season was filled with great stories, and we tried to make mention of as many as we could in this week’s “Drive for Detroit” review.

A legendary coach returns with a big win. A neighbor beats its rival for the first time in a number of years – or decades. A league title contender gives up a sure win and takes a chance to help another celebrate those who have served our country.

And as often written in these opening paragraphs each week, those were just the start.

"Drive for Detroit" is sponsored by MI Student Aid.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Frankenmuth 21, Freeland 7 The Eagles (4-0) now share the lead in the Tri-Valley Conference East with only Saginaw Swan Valley after sending Freeland (3-1) a game back. Frankenmuth avenged last season’s 15-8 loss to the Falcons with 21 unanswered second-half points, but can’t celebrate for long with Swan Valley up this week. Click for more from the Saginaw News and see highlights below from WJRT.

Watch list Richmond 35, Croswell-Lexington 18 The Blue Water Area Conference also has just two teams at the top now – Richmond and Almont – after the Blue Devils (4-0) sent Croswell-Lexington (2-2) into a tie for third.

Remember this one Millington 15, Hemlock 6 The Cardinals (1-3) took the first step needed to win out and guarantee extending their 15-year playoff streak by handing Hemlock (2-2) its second straight defeat.

More shoutouts Davison 48, Flint Powers Catholic 0 The Cardinals (4-0) posted their second straight shutout to hand Powers (3-1) its first defeat and stay atop the Saginaw Valley League Blue. Harbor Beach 47, Brown City 0 The Pirates (4-0) have given up just 17 points over four games but next will take on Ubly (40.5 ppg) for first place in the Greater Thumb Conference East.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Plymouth 14, Brighton 7 The Wildcats are 4-0 for the first time since 2011 and alone atop the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West after edging the reigning champion Bulldogs. Brighton (3-1) is one of four teams in the league sharing second with one defeat – and Plymouth handed that loss to three of them. Click for more from the Livingston Daily Press & Argus.

Watch list Oak Park 26, Birmingham Groves 14 Oak Park (3-1) has been one of Groves’ few regular-season stoppers the last few seasons and made it three in a row over the Falcons (3-1) to remain with Birmingham Seaholm the only teams undefeated in Oakland Activities Association White play.

Remember this one Detroit Martin Luther King 47, Detroit Cass Tech 7 Much credit goes to both Detroit Public School League powers for opening against some of the Midwest’s best – even though both started 0-2. King (2-2) gave itself a little bit of breathing room with a second straight win after opening with defeats to Detroit Catholic Central and Muskegon. Cass Tech (1-3) finds itself in a rare position; the Technicians fell to out-of-state powers Chicago Phillips and Lakewood St. Edward (Ohio), the first two weeks and likely will have to win out – including against King during the Detroit Public School League playoffs – to extend an 11-year playoff streak.

More shoutouts Orchard Lake St. Mary's 38, Walled Lake Western 35 The Eaglets, after going a combined 5-12 over the last two seasons, are 4-0 after handing Western its first loss. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 16, Warren De La Salle Collegiate 14 The Warriors (4-0) downed the reigning Division 2 champion Pilots (2-2) for the first time since 2016.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER East Lansing 35, Portage Northern 28 (OT) The Trojans (3-1) earned a major win for Lansing-area football as a whole, taking down arguably the top team from the southwest so far this fall in Northern (3-1). The Huskies are undefeated in Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West play along with St. Joseph, but gave up a season high in points to East Lansing. The Trojans couldn’t have wished for better heading into their next matchup with league rival DeWitt, a big winner over Holt this weekend. Click for more from East Lansing Info and see below for highlights from State Champs Sports Network.

Watch list New Lothrop 42, Montrose 21 The reigning Division 7 champion Hornets (4-0) haven’t slowed down a step from last season, with Montrose (3-1) the second of three second-place teams in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference to fall to New Lothrop over the last two weeks.

Remember this one St. Johns 33, Williamston 21 The Redwings (3-1) got off to a deflating start with a Week 1 shutout against East Lansing, but that loss looks better with the Trojans’ success and also forgettable after wins like this one over the Hornets (2-2).

More shoutouts Beal City 35, Evart 7 The Aggies (4-0) stand alone in the Highland Conference after handing Evart (3-1) its first defeat, which continued a three-week string of dealing contenders their first league loss. Fowler 46, Laingsburg 24 By handing Laingsburg (3-1) its only loss, the Eagles (4-0) got past the main obstacle on the way to what could be a battle of unbeatens against rival Pewamo-Westphalia in Week 8.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Kingsley 26, Traverse City St. Francis 7 The Stags (4-0) broke a six-game losing streak against the Gladiators that had seen them struggle to even score against their rivals. But this time, St. Francis (2-2) was held to just seven points for the second time this season – and also just the second time in a regular-season game since the start of 2014. Kingsley sits atop the Northern Michigan Football League Legends standings with Week 9 opponent Boyne City. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle and see highlights below from MI Sports Now.

Watch list Alpena 41, Cadillac 38 Are the Wildcats (2-2) contenders in the Big North Conference? They join Travers City Central as the only teams without a league loss as they play for their first overall winning season since 2004, and this was a nice win with Cadillac (2-2) also on the rise.

Remember this one Traverse City Central 32, Traverse City West 0 The “Patriot Game” always is memorable, but will be this time especially for Central (3-1) as it avenged last season’s 21-14 defeat with a margin unrivaled in the series since West’s 31-point win in 2002.

More shoutouts Maple City Glen Lake 53, Frankfort 7 The Lakers (4-0) continued to shine with a season high in points against the Panthers (2-2). Johannesburg-Lewiston 40, St. Ignace 0 The Cardinals put up a third straight big win to start a string of five games against teams that are .500 or better so far.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Chelsea 28, Ypsilanti Lincoln 18 The Bulldogs (4-0) made the Division 4 championship game last season, even more impressive considering they didn’t win their league. But they took a major step toward earning that local crown this fall by ending a two-year losing streak to the rival Railsplitters (2-2) – and next up is reigning Southeastern Conference White champion Jackson. Click for more from the Chelsea Sun Times News.

Watch list Blissfield 28, Brooklyn Columbia Central 14 Seven of eight teams in the Lenawee County Athletic Association are 2-2 or better, and Blissfield (3-1) finds itself tied for first place after handing reigning co-champ Columbia Central (3-1) a loss for the second straight season.

Remember this one Clinton 34, Sand Creek 28 A late rally kept Clinton (4-0) tied for first in the Tri-County Conference and could be the difference down the road as Sand Creek (3-1) hopes for help to get back in the title mix.  

More shoutouts Dexter 57, Jackson 21 The Dreadnaughts (3-1) are halfway to earning a second playoff berth in two seasons – and ever – after avenging last season’s 10-point loss to the Vikings (3-1). Jonesville 52, Union City 0 This win over 2018 playoff qualifier Union City moved Jonesville to 3-1, giving the Comets their most wins in a season since 2016 – and tying their most wins since 2014.  

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER St. Joseph 22, Stevensville Lakeshore 14 The coach Andrew Pratley era is only four games old, but the Bears (4-0) are only one win shy of tying last year’s success and in position to decide their fate in the SMAC West after this victory over Lakeshore (2-2). St. Joseph had lost eight straight to the Lancers, going back to 2013. The final month could be even more telling with league foes Portage Central and Northern sandwiching undefeated Battle Creek Lakeview and perennial power DeWitt. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.

Watch list White Pigeon 14, Centreville 8 The Chiefs (4-0) won this matchup of 2018 playoff qualifiers to hold on to a share of first in the Southwest 10 Conference, with Centreville (2-2) now having lost to both co-leaders over the last two weeks.

Remember this one Lawton 29, Delton Kellogg 12 These two could end up champions in the Southwestern Athletic Conference divisions. Delton (3-1) should be pursuing the Valley title with Schoolcraft and Constantine. Lawton (4-0) and Gobles look to be early favorites in the SAC Lakeshore.

More shoutouts Edwardsburg 54, Vicksburg 7 The Eddies (4-0) are back on top in the Wolverine Conference sharing first with only Paw Paw after handing Vicksburg (3-1) its first loss. Portage Central 21, Battle Creek Central 19 Both made the playoffs a year ago, and the Mustangs (2-2) are just a bit more comfortable as they try to advance again while the Bearcats (1-3) now are forced to win out to guarantee a return.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Ishpeming Westwood 38, Ishpeming 0 The Patriots (2-2) find themselves needing a number of things to fall their way to get back into their league’s title mix, but a great consolation prize at the end of the season will be this win over the rival Hematites (3-1). It broke a losing streak (on the field, not counting a forfeit victory in 2017) against Ishpeming that began in 1999 and included four playoff defeats. Click for more from the Marquette Mining Journal.

Watch list Calumet 14, West Iron County 0 The Copper Kings (4-0) have given up only 21 points over four games, handing West Iron (3-1) a shutout for its first defeat.

Remember this one Marquette 17, Escanaba 14 The Redmen (2-2) started this season with losses to Traverse City powers St. Francis and Central. But those games no doubt prepared them well to open Great Northern Conference play with a big win against their rival and the other reigning league co-champ Eskymos (3-1).

More shoutouts Kingsford 20, Gladstone 7 The Flivvers (2-2) enjoyed a jumpstart in their first game this fall against a Michigan opponent, handing Gladstone (2-2) a second straight defeat. Sault Ste. Marie 8, Petoskey 7 (OT) The Blue Devils (3-1) scored their only points in overtime to improve on their best start on the field since 2007 (not including 2015 when a Week 4 win came by forfeit).

West Michigan

HEADLINER Rockford 34, Muskegon Mona Shores 21 The Rams (4-0) welcomed back the state’s sixth winningest coach Ralph Munger after preseason heart surgery kept him off the sideline to start the fall, and they no doubt rode some added inspiration in avenging losses to Mona Shores (3-1) from the last two seasons.  Jaiden Friesen scored five touchdowns, and Rockford’s defense held the reigning Division 2 runner-up Sailors to their second-fewest points over the last three seasons. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Watch list Byron Center 33, Holland Christian 6 The much-improved Bulldogs (4-0) have handed losses to three .500 teams including Holland Christian (2-2) to get to the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green powers, starting with Zeeland West this week.

Remember this one Muskegon Catholic Central 34, Ludington 21 This one jumped off the page, mostly because Ludington (3-1) had beaten reigning Lakes 8 Conference champ Manistee the week before. With Orchard View also surging, this league could be wide open.

More shoutouts Zeeland West 40, Lowell 26 The Dux (4-0) actually saw their scoring average fall to 45 ppg, and with wins as well over East Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Christian and Holland appear ready for league competition. Muskegon Orchard View 42, Belding 35 Every week the story gets better for the Cardinals (4-0), who have guaranteed their best finish since 2014 and with another win will tie their best since 2008.

8-Player

HEADLINER Suttons Bay 20, Onekama 14 This was one of the week’s best stories, and it had nothing to do with how the teams played. Although these two are the likely Midwest Central Michigan Conference West favorites and will meet again possibly to decide the champion Week 8, they agreed to play a nonleague game this past week as well. Although both were eligible to receive forfeit wins against other opponents no longer playing this fall, Onekama (3-1) had made big plans for its “Warrior Game” military appreciation night and needed an on-field opponent to make it go. In stepped Suttons Bay, which moved to 4-0 with its best win this season. Click for more from the Manistee News-Advocate.

Watch list Climax-Scotts 16, Camden-Frontier 12 It’s been impossible to not make mention of Climax-Scotts (4-0) almost every week so far with how it’s marched through some of the traditional best from its corner of the Lower Peninsula. Camden-Frontier (3-1) entered undefeated, and unbeaten Colon is up next.

Remember this one Litchfield 36, Waldron 22 The Terriers (3-1) now have as many wins as the last seven seasons combined, and could be set up to make a run at the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

More shoutouts Rapid River 66, Cedarville 58 (OT) The Rockets (1-3) haven’t scored like usual this season, but this overtime back-and-forth was a quick reminder of their past firepower – and a good time for it with Cedarville (2-2) always a force and league play starting. Hillman 52, Au Gres-Sims 20 The Tigers (4-0) stormed back after taking a forfeit win in Week 3, breaking a streak of three regular-season losses to the Wolverines (1-3).

Second Half’s weekly “Drive for Detroit” previews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning 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. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTO: Ishpeming Westwood quarterback Taylor Dellangelo celebrates a touchdown against Ishpeming. (Photo by Cara Kamps.)