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Cassopolis senior quarterback Lucas Williams receives a necklace signifying his single-season school record for touchdowns.

Perseverance Turns Into Possibilities During Cassopolis' Turnaround Season

By Scott Hassinger
Special for MHSAA.com

November 3, 2026

CASSOPOLIS – Good times on Friday nights have returned to the Cassopolis football program.

Southwest CorridorA couple of years removed from canceling its final three games of the 2024 season because of injuries and a lack of experienced players to fill in, coach Jeremiah Lee and his Rangers have lots to celebrate heading into this offseason and 2027. 

Cassopolis finished 8-2 this fall with a 54-12 Division 7 District Semifinal loss at Ravenna on Friday. But Lee's Rangers ended the regular season on an eight-game winning streak after suffering a 25-21 defeat in the opener to Southwest 10 Conference foe and Division 8 playoff qualifier Decatur. 

With an experienced roster filled with several two-, three-, and four-year varsity letterwinners, Cassopolis rebounded from a 3-6 season in 2025 by outscoring opponents 451-161 this autumn and earning its first appearance in the postseason since 2021. 

"Everything has come together for our kids and coaching staff. It's just a blessing to be able to end the season in the spot we are,” Lee said. “We don't take any of it for granted and try and take advantage of all these opportunities.

"Our physicality between last year and now has changed greatly. You could see that in our preseason scrimmage at Constantine and when we took Decatur down to the wire to open our schedule. That first game allowed our team to realize how good they could be, and they continued to tap into that every week.” 

Senior quarterback Lucas Williams, a four-year starter, played a major part in Cassopolis' resurgence with his athleticism and leadership in the huddle. The Rangers ran a split-back and spread offensive look. 

During the regular season, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Williams completed 73-of-114 passing attempts with 27 touchdowns while adding 75 carries for 792 rushing yards and 14 TDS. 

"This season has been great after some hard times with the cancelation of our season a couple years ago and the death of one of our teammates a year ago," Williams said, referring to Kollin Grover, who died from injuries sustained during a crash a few weeks before the start of the 2025 season. "We've stuck together through it all as one and have been driven to get stronger every day on the field and off it."

Williams, a standout and four-year all-league performer in basketball and baseball as well, broke Tyrese-Hunt Thompson's school record for total TDs (passing and rushing) in a single season with 41. Hunt-Thompson, one of the greatest all-around athletes in school history, went on to play football at Ferris State and North Texas State. 

Jamiere Pratt (1) returns a kickoff for a touchdown during a Week 9 win over Galesburg-Augusta.

Williams credited his offensive line of junior Mason Boyer (6-6, 300), Conner Turnbow, Colt Bement, Cah'lil Warren, Micah Schuelke and others for his success behind center. 

"I couldn't have done anything without their hard work and dedication up there. I couldn't have broke the TD record without those guys or my receivers Jamiere Pratt, Mason Nelson and Camdyn Gillam,” Williams said. “It was just an amazing feat to be able to do this with all of my teammates.”.

Lee stated athletes like Williams don't come around often.

"Lucas is a real special kid. He's matured a great deal and has become a really great teammate this season,” Lee said. “It's tough to be a quarterback with the beatings you take in there sometimes. He makes the game easier for everyone around him, and he's made leaps and bounds."

Senior tailback Elijah Wagoner (6-0, 185) rounded out a balanced Rangers' backfield with 60 carries for 581 yards rushing. "Elijah has been our guy to get those tough yards for us late in the game. He sticks his head in there and does what he has to do," Lee said. 

Among Williams' top targets through the air were Pratt, his cousin and a junior this fall. Pratt (5-10, 143) had 26 receptions for 665 yards and 15 TDs. Williams’ brother Mason Nelson, a senior, added 28 catches for 535 yards and nine TDs. 

Pratt, also a standout with his speed on special teams, returned three kickoffs for TDs (55, 75, 45 yards) and with an 80-yard punt return for a score. Nelson (6-0, 150) returned a punt 89 yards for another touchdown.

"It's pick your poison. Our receivers have been really good about sharing the load. When one of them has an off night, the others pick up the slack. They block well when we have to run the ball as well. Everyone realizes it’s about we not me," Lee said. "Any time Jamiere hits a seam on kickoff or punt returns, he has a chance to take it to the house. Our offensive line is a selfless unit as well."

Senior Lane Leach, a four-year starter at middle linebacker and on the Rangers' offensive line, has been the catalyst on a stingy defense with 103 tackles, two forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries. 

"I'm really good at reading the field, and I feel like I'm pretty physical on defense. Offensively, I just try to do my best to protect our quarterback," Leach said. 

The Rangers were known as one of the quicker teams defensively in the SW10 and among schools in Southwestern Michigan. Lee also noted that unit’s versatility and ability to show multiple fronts, and the advantages of having so much speed on that side of the ball.

Conner Turnbow (55) recovers a fumble during that 49-18 victory.

"We are pretty strong up front, especially on our defensive line. Our safeties and defensive backs have helped us contain opponents to just running the football. We all strive to do our jobs and just go out and execute," Leach added. "It really stunk having to cancel our season early two years ago. But we realized we had to be dedicated and put a lot of hard work in the offseason and had a strong year this fall."

Cassopolis ended the fall allowing just 16.1 points per contest. Wagoner added 59 tackles, one forced fumble and seven pancake blocks to the efforts on both sides of the ball. 

"Having that previous varsity experience helped me a great deal this season knowing the plays and having a good connection with a phenomenal quarterback. Our greatest mentality this season has been our will to win and a strong belief in ourselves. It's been a pleasure to be on the field with these guys," Wagoner said. "We like to fly to the ball and hit you hard on defense and let you know we are there." 

Mason Pike had 83 tackles, one interception and three fumble recoveries. Trevor Williamson added 78 tackles. Tyson West 44 tackles and 11.5 sacks, Easton Mitchell 56 tackles and one interception, and junior Conner Turnbow totaled 52 stops, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one recovery for the Rangers. 

One of several two-way starters for the Rangers, Turnbow (6-0, 185) handled the center's duties as well as playing outside linebacker.

He’s among several players expected to return next fall; Cassopolis will graduate just four seniors off a 34-player roster. 

"We've had some past struggles, but we stuck with it and this year we really put it together as a team. It was about loving one another and sticking with it,” Turnbow said. “We are more disciplined and locking down in the weight and film room. There's a lot of brotherhood, we are having fun and we come out expecting to win now.” 

Scott HassingerScott Hassinger is a contributing sportswriter for Leader Publications and previously served as the sports editor for the Three Rivers Commercial-News from 1994-2022. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties.

PHOTOS (Top) Cassopolis senior quarterback Lucas Williams receives a necklace signifying his single-season school record for touchdowns. (Middle) Jamiere Pratt (1) returns a kickoff for a touchdown during a Week 9 win over Galesburg-Augusta. (Below) Conner Turnbow (55) recovers a fumble during that 49-18 victory. (Photos by Scott Hassinger.)

Traverse City Central football

1st & Goal: 2021 11-Player Semifinals Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 22, 2021

The 11-Player Football Finals field is set. Ford Field, here we come.

MI Student AidAfter crisscrossing the Lower Peninsula on Saturday for Semifinals, all vehicles will be pointed toward downtown Detroit this weekend – including parades from a few communities we’ll be seeing for the first time.

Belleville, Warren Michigan Collegiate and Lawton, welcome to a Thanksgiving week like no other. The other 13 teams that will be making the trip Friday and Saturday have been to this point before – including three just 10 months ago – and surely they’d agree this trip to Detroit will be unforgettable.

Below is a glance at how all 16 took the final step to earn the opportunity.

(We’ll review Saturday’s 8-Player Finals – won by Adrian Lenawee Christian and Powers North Central – during a look back at all 10 football championship games next week.)

Division 1

Belleville 40, Sterling Heights Stevenson 26

In their fourth-straight Semifinal, the Tigers (12-1) earned their first Finals trip. Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood threw three touchdown passes and ran for one more as Belleville scored the most points Stevenson (10-3) had allowed in a game since a Week 1 loss to Rockford. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.

Rochester Adams 40, Grand Blanc 20

Adams (13-0) won a matchup of undefeated teams to reach the Finals for the first time since 2003, showing its defensive might again in shutting down a Bobcats offense that averaged 42 points per game entering the day. Grand Blanc finished its longest tournament run and winningest season at 12-1. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Division 2

Traverse City Central 56, South Lyon 20

The Trojans (12-1) earned their first Finals trip since 1988. Central took a 42-7 lead into halftime as Josh Burnham scored three touchdowns, and blocked a field goal attempt too. South Lyon (12-1) was making its first Semifinal appearance since 2004. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Warren De La Salle Collegiate 49, Livonia Franklin 14

The Pilots (12-0) will play in their fourth Division 2 Final in five seasons, with an opportunity to finish undefeated for the first time during the playoff era. Junior quarterback Brady Drogosh threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more, including a 73-yarder. Franklin finished 7-6 after entering the playoffs 4-5. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.

Division 3

Detroit Martin Luther King 46, Mason 7

The Crusaders (12-1) advanced to their fourth Final in six seasons and first since 2019. While topping 40 points for the seventh time in 11 games played on the field, King also lowered its playoff points-allowed average to 9.5 with a second-straight game giving up a single score. Mason completed its winningest season, and longest playoff run, at 10-3. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.

DeWitt 43, St. Joseph 7

The Panthers (12-1) will return to Ford Field with an opportunity to repeat as Division 3 champions. DeWitt built a 29-0 halftime lead, as quarterback Ty Holtz threw three first-half touchdown passes, including 69 and 40-yarders to Tommy McIntosh. St. Joseph (8-5) was playing in its first Semifinal since 2007 after entering the postseason 5-4. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Division 4

Chelsea 30, Freeland 27

For the second straight week, Chelsea came up with a big play at the end to advance. This time it was a near-goal line stand to stop a Freeland offense that had gotten two rushing and two passing touchdowns from quarterback Bryson Huckaby. The Falcons finished a second-straight Semifinal run 11-2. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.

Hudsonville Unity Christian 58, Edwardsburg 8

The Crusaders (13-0) moved into second all-time for scoring in one season at 751 points with their 11th game putting up more than 50, and with a defensive showing to match – Edwardsburg (12-1) entered the game averaging 53 points per. Unity’s Abraham Rappuhn scored three first-half touchdowns, including an 81-yarder. Click for more from FOX 17.

Division 5

Grand Rapids Catholic Central 35, Frankenmuth 0

The rematch of last season’s Division 5 championship game saw Grand Rapids Catholic Central (13-0) go up 21-0 midway through the first quarter. Cougars quarterback John Passinault ran for three touchdowns and threw for the other two. Frankenmuth finished 12-1, its only losses the last two seasons to GRCC. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Marine City 27, Portland 7

The Mariners (13-0) are headed back to Ford Field for the first time since 2013 after another dominating defensive performance – they haven’t given up more than 14 points in a game, and lowered their per game defensive average to 9.1 allowed per contest. The Raiders finished 10-3. Click for more from the Port Huron Times-Herald.

Division 6

Lansing Catholic 18, Standish-Sterling 7

The Cougars will be returning to Ford Field seeking a second championship in three seasons to go with a 2019 title in Division 5. The Cougars (12-1) matched defense with defense, scoring their second-fewest points this fall but holding Standish-Sterling to a tie for the latter’s lowest output. The Panthers finished 10-3, making an incredible jump from last season’s 1-6 record. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Warren Michigan Collegiate 36, Michigan Center 29

Michigan Collegiate (11-2) earned its first trip to the Finals, thanks in part to a series of big plays by Deion Black on both sides of the ball. The teams were tied after three quarters, and traded scores in the fourth with the Cougars reaching the end zone last. Michigan Center finished 11-2, setting a program record for wins. Click for more from MLive-Detroit.

Division 7

Lawton 21, Jackson Lumen Christi 20

The Blue Devils are headed to the Finals for the first time after following up a memorable Regional Final win with perhaps an even more unforgettable Semifinal finish. Landon Motter’s two-point conversion with 46 seconds to play put Lawton (13-0) up for good. The Blue Devils had jumped out to a 13-0 first-half lead but found themselves trailing Lumen Christi (11-2) by a point heading into the fourth quarter. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Pewamo-Westphalia 28, Traverse City St. Francis 21

The Pirates (13-0) will have a chance to win a second Division 7 title in three years after holding off last season’s runner-up St. Francis (12-1). The teams were tied 14-14 heading into the final quarter, and P-W’s defense was able to slow St. Francis’ offense for most of it, for the game holding the Gladiators to their fewest points this season and well below their average of 50 per game. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Division 8

Beal City 12, Ubly 7

The Aggies (12-1) will return to the Finals for the second time in three seasons thanks to the latest of a string of strong defensive showings. Beal City lowered its points-allowed average to 8.3 per game by stopping an Ubly offense that had averaged 45 per game entering Saturday. The Bearcats (12-1) were last season’s Division 8 runners-up up. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.

Hudson 28, Ottawa Lake Whiteford 22

The Tigers (13-0) advanced to their first championship game since 2010 relying again on an excellent defense to slow down a Whiteford offense averaging 51 points per game, but also on the legs of Bronson Marry – who ran for four second-half touchdowns as Hudson came all the way back from a 22-0 halftime deficit. It was the only loss to an in-state opponent this fall for the Bobcats (11-2). Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.

Second Half’s weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews 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 Traverse City Central's Carson Bourdo (11) tries to break away from a South Lyon defender during Saturday's Division 2 Semifinal win. (Photo by Jamie McNinch.)