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At left, Mendon’s CJ Nightingale (2) celebrates during his team’s 2007 championship win over Traverse City St. Francis at Ford Field; at right Nightingale is pictured with his wife Shanel and children Charlotte, Trey and Coco.

Nightingale Embarking on 1st Season as College Football Head Coach

By Scott Hassinger
Special for MHSAA.com

July 10, 2024

CJ Nightingale's family values, small-town upbringing and Christian faith steered the Mendon native into a career coaching college football.

Made In Michigan and Michigan Army National Guard logosNightingale, a 2010 Mendon High School graduate, is busily preparing for his first season as Belhaven University's eighth football coach. He was officially named the Blazers' head coach seven months ago, on Jan. 1.

Belhaven, a Division III school located in Jackson, Mississippi, competes in the USA South Athletic Conference.

Nightingale credits his love of coaching to his father Chris Nightingale and grandfather Charles Nightingale.

"It all started with my dad and grandfather. At one time they were both involved in coaching, and their general love for sports wore off on me," CJ Nightingale said.

Once CJ reached high school, his interest in athletics only intensified thanks to several people who made a big impact on him.

"I had the most wonderful experience attending school and participating in Mendon athletics,” Nightingale said. “We didn't always have the better athletes, but we were successful because of all the time and commitment put in by our coaches, teachers, administration along with parental and community support. Success is the result of many people who focus on the same cause."

Nightingale lettered in football, basketball and baseball at Mendon, earning four varsity letters in all three sports. He was named the St. Joseph Valley League's MVP in all three sports his senior year, and Mendon earned league titles in all three during Nightingale's senior year as well.

As a starting quarterback and defensive back his sophomore year, Nightingale led Mendon to the 2007 Division 7 football championship with the Hornets' 20-0 win over Traverse City St. Francis. Nightingale still holds the state record for career interceptions with 27.

Mendon had finished the 2006 season 3-6. A losing season remains rare in Mendon, and Nightingale stated it fueled the Hornets' title run the following season.

"I think losing is more difficult in football than in any other sport because of how much work goes into preparing for a season,” Nightingale recalled. “We were a very young team in 2006 and got punched in the mouth. It wasn't the best feeling, but it was a real learning experience and served as a big driving force that next season.

"All the hard times we endured the previous year served as a byproduct for our success in 2007. That team was unselfish, and not one player on the team cared who got the stats or accolades."

At Mendon, Nightingale played for legendary coach John Schwartz in football, David Swanwick in basketball and Glen Samson in baseball.

Lessons from Schwartz – a member of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association's Hall of Fame – and Samson have especially stuck with Nightingale into adult life and his own coaching career.

"Coach Schwartz had a way of getting everyone on the same page not just on the field, but he taught you how to be the best version of yourself off the field in every-day life. Coach Samson knew how to get his players in the right positions on the diamond to make us successful," Nightingale said.

"The environment at Mendon solidified my desire to become a coach and teacher. The best leaders are also the best teachers, and when you are surrounded by people like that it makes a big difference."

Nightingale attended Wheaton College in Illinois, where he lettered in football four years as a defensive back and return specialist. During Nightingale's career, the Thunder posted a combined record of 34-8 and qualified for the NCAA Division III playoffs when he was a freshman.

After graduating college, Nightingale taught history and spent two years as the varsity football coach at Richmond High School in Indiana. In 2016 he secured his first collegiate coaching job at Greenville University (Ill.) as a defensive backs coach, where he spent one season. He then served as special teams coordinator and linebackers coach at Indiana Wesleyan University beginning in 2017 before returning to his alma mater Wheaton in 2019 as the Thunder's defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.

Nightingale makes an open-field tackle against the Gladiators in the 2007 Division 7 Final. Nightingale coached 24 all-conference players, 10 all-region performers and seven All-Americans over his four seasons at Wheaton, and the Thunder made the Division III playoffs all four years.

The head football coaching position at Belhaven became available in December 2023 when previous coach Blaine McCorkle moved on to Division 1 Northwestern State (La.). Nightingale applied and went through a three-week interview process before being selected as the program’s next head coach.

"I truly feel like God has called my wife Shanel and I and our family here for a reason. We are going to pour into Belhaven as deeply as we can and see what life brings us,” CJ Nightingale said. “As a college football coach, you have the unique chance to pour into your players spiritually, academically, athletically and socially. That's what is really special about this profession."

Belhaven's program has enjoyed a lot of success, especially the past three seasons with a combined 24-7 record, including a 9-2 finish last fall.

"I am very fortunate to be taking over a strong program here at Belhaven. You don't sustain success, but rather you must be able to build on it," Nightingale said. "We are excited about this season after a great spring. This group of coaches and players got a lot done these past six months. We have had a lot of guys here on campus all summer working to get better. There are lot of goals in front of us that haven't been achieved yet. Two of those goals are to go undefeated in conference play and host a playoff game.”

CJ and Shanel have three children, including 5-year old daughter Charlotte, 3-year old son Trey and 14-month old daughter Coco. They are expecting a fourth child in mid-September.

2024 Made In Michigan

June 28: E-TC's Witt Bulldozing Path from Small Town to Football's Biggest Stage - Read

PHOTOS (Top) At left, Mendon’s CJ Nightingale (2) celebrates during his team’s 2007 championship win over Traverse City St. Francis at Ford Field; at right Nightingale is pictured with his wife Shanel and children Charlotte, Trey and Coco. (Middle) Nightingale makes an open-field tackle against the Gladiators in the 2007 Division 7 Final. (Family photo courtesy of CJ Nightingale.)

Muskegon's Lamar Bradford celebrates his touchdown run during the Big Reds' 39-34 win over Mona Shores on Friday.

1st & Goal: 2025 Playoffs Week 1 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 4, 2025

The phrase is “survive and advance” for a reason.

MI Student AidFor high school football teams this time of year, the next game always is earned. And that was especially evident as the 51st MHSAA Playoffs began over the weekend.

A total of 32 games – out of 143 total – were decided by seven points of fewer. Nine of those matchups were decided by a single point.

We glance at several of those below as we move on this week to District Finals in 11-player and 8-player Regional championship games.

11-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Brownstown Woodhaven 30, Belleville 29 Marquez McAdoo ran for two touchdowns and Woodhaven (8-2) blocked a late extra-point try to secure the program’s first playoff win since 2021 – and after missing the postseason the last two years. The Tigers’ run ended at 7-3.

District Digest East Kentwood 49, Grand Ledge 15 The Falcons (8-2) earned their first playoff win since 2019, slowing down a Comets attack that had scored 30 or more points seven times in finishing 7-3. Clarkston 52, Davison 14 The Wolves (9-1) opened the playoffs with arguably their most impressive win of a season with several, as Davison (8-2) was averaging nearly 44 points per game the night. Macomb Dakota 6, Utica 3 The Cougars (7-3) bounced back from a 26-17 loss to Utica (7-3) from Week 8.

11-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Traverse City Central 15, Traverse City West 13 Just a week after West won their Patriot Game rivalry game 21-20, these two returned to the same field but with Central (6-4) advancing with its first win over the Titans (5-5) since 2022 – and first playoff victory over any opponent since 2021. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

District Digest Grosse Pointe South 28, Roseville 27 These Macomb Area Conference White rivals met for a second time after South (9-1) won the first 47-25 in Week 5 – and after the Blue Devils also defeated Roseville (4-6) by just a point to open the 2024 playoffs. East Lansing 26, White Lake Lakeland 20 The Trojans (5-5) made the playoffs in part because of an incredible strength of schedule, and they showed they belong in extending their winning streak to four while ending the Eagles’ season at 7-3. Warren Cousino 28, Birmingham Seaholm 7 The Patriots (7-3) – after missing the postseason a year ago – claimed their first playoff win since 2007, ending the Maples’ run at 5-5.

11-Player Division 3

HEADLINER Zeeland West 30, Niles 21 The reigning champion Dux (7-3) sent a wave through the Division 3 bracket, handing Niles (9-1) its only loss of the season as the Vikings also aspired to get back to Ford Field after finishing Division 4 runners-up a year ago. West’s 30 points were the most Niles gave up in a game all fall. Click for more from the South Bend Tribune.

District Digest Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 28, Hastings 20 The Trojans (7-3) earned their first playoff win since 2020 and continued to impress after winning a combined eight games over the last four seasons – and opening this one with a 31-29 loss to Hastings (7-3). Warren De La Salle Collegiate 56, Warren Fitzgerald 34 De La Salle (4-6) was another qualifier that played a powerful schedule this fall, and the Pilots added to it with this win over the MAC Gold champion Spartans (8-2). Gaylord 38, Marquette 34 The Blue Devils’ 10-0 season has included now seven wins by seven points or fewer, and they kept it alive with the go-ahead score during the final minute to get past the Sentinels (6-4).

East Grand Rapids' Tyler Blake (1) reaches the end zone as a Cedar Springs defender pursues during the Pioneers' 23-21 victory.

11-Player Division 4

HEADLINER Big Rapids 32, Ludington 31 Big Rapids opened the playoffs with a win over Ludington for the second-straight postseason, but this time handed the Orioles (9-1) their lone defeat as well – also with a go-ahead touchdown coming during the final minute. The Cardinals (9-1) additionally reached nine wins for the third straight season. Click for more from the Big Rapids Pioneer.

District Digest Portland 42, Grand Rapids South Christian 41 (OT) The Raiders (10-0) hadn’t had a game closer than 24 points all season, but emerged from this first matchup with South Christian since falling to the Sailors (4-6) in a 2023 Semifinal. Madison Heights Lamphere 7, Redford Union 6 Another one-pointer saw Lamphere (7-3) earn its first playoff win since 2022 and set up a rematch with Dearborn Divine Child, which eliminated the Rams a year ago. Impressive sidenote: After allowing 40 in its opener this fall, Union (7-3) gave up only 41 total over its final nine games. Three Rivers 21, Paw Paw 14 Just two weeks prior, Paw Paw (6-4) had defeated Three Rivers (6-4) in league play 43-0. The Wildcats are in the playoffs for the first time since 2022.

11-Player Division 5

HEADLINER Ogemaw Heights 29, Negaunee 28 (OT) The Falcons (9-1) advanced to a District Final for the third-straight season, advancing from their toughest challenge since a Week 2 loss to Traverse City St. Francis. The Miners ended their run at 6-4. Click for more from the Bay City Times.

District Digest Berrien Springs 34, Dowagiac 20 These Lakeland Conference rivals met for a second time for the second season in a row, and this time after sharing the league title. Berrien Springs (7-2) had won the first matchup as well. Dowagiac finished 5-4. Detroit Denby 18, Detroit Southeastern 16 Denby (8-2) ran its winning streak to eight with its first playoff victory since 2020, ending Southeastern’s season at 6-4. Richmond 14, Armada 10 These Blue Water Area Conference rivals met for the second time this season and it was nearly as close as the first, as Richmond (9-1) held on after also claiming the Week 4 matchup 24-17 – and after Armada (6-4) won regular-season and playoff games over the Blue Devils a year ago.

11-Player Division 6

HEADINER Kent City 28, Olivet 22 Kent City added its first playoff victory since 2019 to its first 10-0 start since 2017 as it went on the road to defeat the Eagles (8-2). Olivet’s only losses this season came to teams still undefeated. Click for more from Local Sports Journal.

District Digest Traverse City St. Francis 55, Boyne City 35 The Gladiators (7-2) added a second win this season over Boyne City (6-4) after winning the first 20-13, and with this one earned another rematch this week, against rival Kingsley. Durand 32, Flint Hamady 22 The Railroaders (8-2) will play in a District Final for the first time since 2009, and after missing the playoffs the last two years. Hamady finished 6-4. Napoleon 26, Buchanan 20 The Pirates (7-3) advanced with this win over Lakeland Conference co-champion Buchanan (6-4).

An Owosso defender wraps up DeWitt's Trav Moore (2) during the Panthers' 70-13 win.

11-Player Division 7

HEADLINER Ithaca 24, Saginaw Valley Lutheran 12 A signature win during Saginaw Valley Lutheran’s historic fall was a 23-22 Week 6 victory over the Yellowjackets as the Chargers (9-1) went on to complete a perfect regular season. But Ithaca (7-3) got its revenge to open its 17th-straight playoff run. Click for more from the Saginaw News.

District Digest McBain 28, Charlevoix 27 The Ramblers (8-2) stopped a 2-point conversion attempt for the win after Charlevoix (8-2) scored with less than a minute to play. Clinton 36, Ottawa Lake Whiteford 20 Clinton (8-2) has lost only once more since falling opening night to Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, and earned a rematch this week with the Falcons by defeating Whiteford (8-2) in a playoff opener for the second-straight season. Shelby 20, LeRoy Pine River 2 Shelby qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2013 (not counting COVID-shortened 2020, when nearly all teams made the field), and followed that by winning a playoff game for the first time since reaching the Division 6 Semifinals 12 years ago.

11-Player Division 8

HEADLINER White Pigeon 22, Decatur 20 (OT) White Pigeon’s Week 8 loss to Decatur was its first to the Raiders since 2022, but the Chiefs (8-2) held on in overtime to avenge and earn a District title opportunity against undefeated Hudson this week. Decatur finished 7-3. Click for more from the Sturgis Journal.

District Digest Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central 34, Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 28 These rivals met a second time in the playoffs for the second-straight season, but this time Nouvel (8-2) finished the sweep after MLS (6-4) won by a point in their 2024 playoff matchup. Riverview Gabriel Richard 34, Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech 6 Gabriel Richard started this season 1-3 after finishing Division 8 runner-up a year ago, but that early tough competition may have paid off again as the Pioneers (5-5) handed ABT (9-1) the lone defeat of its winningest season all-time. New Lothrop 19, Fowler 14 After a rare playoff miss a year ago, the Hornets (7-3) got off to the right start by getting past an Eagles team (6-4) that made last season’s Semifinals.

8-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Pickford 30, Indian River Inland Lakes 26 Reigning Division 1 runner-up Pickford (8-1) opened these playoffs on the road, but came home with one of the weekend’s most notable wins after handing Inland Lakes (9-1) its only loss this fall. The pair had split Semifinals matchups the last two seasons. Click for more from the Cheboygan Daily Tribune.

Regional Roundup Climax-Scotts 72, Gobles 62 These two produced not only for one of the highest-scoring games this season, but their combined 134 points will rank high on the all-time MHSAA 8-player list. Gobles (7-3) had won their opening-night meeting 54-32, but Climax-Scotts (8-2) has lost only once more. Capac 40, Brown City 38 Capac (8-2) kicked off its first playoffs since 2011 by avenging a 61-22 Week 3 loss to the Green Devils (7-3). Kingston 22, Bay City All Saints 14 Kingston (9-1) navigated its closest win this season to earn a rematch with Capac. All Saints finished 7-3, its defeats by a combined 15 points to teams that are a combined 28-2.

8-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Deckerville 27, Morrice 26 This looked incredible on paper, but might have been even better than advertised as Deckerville emerged from a matchup of teams that both reached championship games a year ago. The reigning Division 1 champion Eagles (9-1) opened a 20-point lead by halftime but had to hold off the Orioles (8-2), last year’s Division 2 runner-up. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.

Regional Roundup Gaylord St. Mary 84, Mio 48 This will also make the all-time single-game scoring list, St. Mary’s 84 points its most since the 2020 playoffs as the Snowbirds moved to 8-2. Mio finished 8-2 as well, its best record since 2019. Lake Linden-Hubbell 50, Powers North Central 28 The Lakes (8-2) made this nearly a repeat of their 52-34 win over the Jets (7-3) in Week 6. North Central’s only other loss this fall came to undefeated Norway. Felch North Dickinson 40, St. Ignace 22 The Nordics (10-0) opened their first playoffs since 2016 by adding to their perfect run, downing the Saints (6-4) to earn a rematch with opening-night opponent Lake Linden-Hubbell – which gave North Dickinson its only single-digit game this fall.

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PHOTOS (Top) Muskegon's Lamar Bradford celebrates his touchdown run during the Big Reds' 39-34 win over Mona Shores on Friday. (Middle) East Grand Rapids' Tyler Blake (1) reaches the end zone as a Cedar Springs defender pursues during the Pioneers' 23-21 victory. (Below) An Owosso defender wraps up DeWitt's Trav Moore (2) during the Panthers' 70-13 win. (Muskegon/Mona Shores photo by Tim Reilly. EGR/Cedar Springs photo by Michigan Sports Photo. DeWitt/Owosso photo by Terry Lyons.)