Search Begins Again for 'Greatest Game'
August 27, 2016
By Ron Pesch
Special for Second Half
There really is no place I’d rather be than in the stands of a high school football stadium on a Friday night. As summer fades to autumn, and leaves begin to fall, the smile on my face grows. It’s football weather. The days shorten and the hue of the evening sky deepens; the air turns crisp; hoodies come out; hot dogs and popcorn bring more joy than a finely catered meal. As the season progresses, hot chocolate becomes a drink to be cherished and appreciated.
As I’ve aged, my interest in the professional game has faded. My fascination with the college game continues to dwindle in direct relation to the increasing prices for a ticket to a game, the marketing hype generated by the changing of brands for overpriced athletic apparel and the escalating dollars involved in signing a coach.
The prep season presents the chance to step outside to enjoy my favorite part of the calendar. I’ll sit beneath lights, watching high school kids struggle with, then grasp, the components of the game. On some nights, I’ll again witness pure athleticism shred the defense of an unprepared squad. On others, I’ll watch a finely schooled team dismantle superior size and speed.
From those prep stands, I’ll continue to see moments where the underdog defeats the favorite; where the ordinary achieves the extraordinary; where tension and excitement erupts into a roar. I’ll stand and cheer as the high school band, enjoying its share of the spotlight, takes the field to play the national anthem and showcase its skills at halftime.
And again this season, I’ll settle in with hopes of finding the game I can call the greatest in state high school history.
My criteria is stringent, perhaps more stringent than the conditions held by others.
1) The margin should be close, ideally through most of the 48 minutes that comprise a contest. I’m really no fan of overtime.
2) The stakes should be high. Hence, this may favor late-season contests, where playoff implications and/or league championships are involved.
3) There should be history, where past battles between the schools have helped to establish a palatable dislike for the other, when the teams line up for a contest. Cross-town rivalries, where bragging rights and perhaps a trophy, are involved, enhance the value in my eyes. At the same time, playoff rivalries, where defeat is balanced between each, or where dominance by a single school is suddenly shattered, augment the importance of such a contest.
4) Weather conditions and controversy should not be a factor.
Over the years, I’ve watched or read about amazing comebacks, decisive thrashings, contests played under vicious weather conditions and marathon overtime battles. Each, some might argue, are challengers to the crown.
But I have yet to find a replacement for the current title-holder – a game played before my birth.
The reigning champ was christened as such by an authority. I’ve seen a small segment of that 1945 season-ending battle between Muskegon High School and Muskegon Heights High School, as captured by a home movie camera. In addition, I’ve viewed a series of amazing still photographs that portray the drama.
I’ll let the legendary Hal Schram set the stage.
“Seldom has one city dominated Michigan high school football as completely as Muskegon does this week,” stated the Detroit Free Press writer later known as “The Swami” for his tongue-in-cheek “all-knowing” ways when it came to predicting high school sports outcomes.
Schram’s Tuesday, November 6 column in the Free Press included his Class A Top Ten rankings. The Top Ten, used to identify the state’s best team based on enrollment classification, win-loss record and strength of schedule, was a relatively new approach to identifying the state’s best. The approach is still in use today.
“One month ago, Muskegon High occupied second place in the Top Ten while Muskegon Heights ranked sixth,” said Schram. “Today, Coach Leo Redmond’s Big Reds with a 16-game winning streak, and the Heights, with the best defensive record in state Class A football, rate first and second respectively.”
A week later, Schram’s ranking in the Free Press reflected the same result in Class A, heading into the season’s final week.
“Twenty-thousand Muskegon fans will watch their high school giants – Muskegon and Muskegon Heights – battle for a mythical Michigan championship Saturday. Only the limited seating capacity of the city’s Hackley Stadium prevents the attendance from reaching 30,000. Reserve seat tickets have been completely sold out for three weeks.
“Muskegon, with its 17-game winning streak, clings to its No. 1 rating among Michigan high schools for the third straight week, but the difference between the Big Reds and the Heights is infinitesimal.
“The Big Reds have scored 191 points to 38 for eight opponents while Muskegon Heights has rolled up 185 points to 37. Both have played almost exactly the same opponents and under identical conditions …
“The Heights will be gunning for its first triumph since 1943 over Muskegon, when the Tigers won, 7-0. The victor will also lay claim to the Southwestern Conference championship.”
It would take 30 years before the MHSAA created a playoff system to determine football state champions. Until that time, state titles were dispensed by the media, and hence were referred to as mythical, since they weren’t settled in a series of head-to-head contests played between contenders.
A total of 18 Big Reds and 23 Tigers would appear in their interscholastic football uniform for the final time. Eight seniors and three juniors would start the game for each team.
While the overall series dating back to 1922 favored Muskegon, in games played since 1930, the two teams were exactly even with each team having six victories and two ties over those previous 14 games. Coach Redmond had led the Big Reds since 1925. Oscar E. “Okie” Johnson took charge of the Heights in 1927 and would guide the Tigers until retirement following the 1963 season. The two coaches had been football teammates at Western State Normal School (today, Western Michigan University). Each coach had led their team to mythical state crowns in years past.
Statewide coverage of the pending heavy-weight battle enticed many from around the state to attend the game. A crowd of 13,500 – still the largest ever to visit Hackley – packed nearly every square inch of the stadium, bleachers and field. Countless others tuned in to the radio broadcast.
Servicemen, recently returned from World War II, helped hoist the flag during pregame ceremonies. The combined marching bands from each school opened the 2 p.m. program with the national anthem, and each entertained the crowd at halftime.
Muskegon won the toss and kicked off. The Heights unleashed their power early. Behind the running of Ed Petrongelli and backfield mate Paul Hulka, the Tigers rolled across mid-field, before a Petrongelli pass was picked off by Bob Clark on the Muskegon 15. The Big Reds were held on downs, and were forced to kick. Muskegon’s Bob Sikkenga, who averaged 30 yards on five punts during the day, gained a mere nine yards on his first kick of the afternoon, allowing the Heights to take control at the Muskegon 27. Petrongelli pounded ahead for four yards to the 23 before Jim Howell skirted the left side on the end around for the first score of the contest. Dorr Grover's placement was accurate, and Okie Johnson's Tigers led 7-0.
Muskegon bounced back, scoring midway through the second quarter of play. Starting at their own 35-yard line, Coach Redmond's backfield of Percy Moore, Bob McNitt and Howard Peterson alternated carries, pushing the ball to the Heights 31-yard line. Facing a 3rd-and-1 situation, Don Ohs replaced McNitt, and broke through off right guard for a first down on the Tiger 14. A Heights penalty advanced the ball to the 9. A pair of plays eked out only a yard, then McNitt was nailed behind the line on third down for a six-yard loss. Facing a 4th-and-goal, Peterson shot a pass toward McNitt at the goal line. Nearly intercepted by Ray McLean of the Tigers, the ball bounced into the waiting hands of the Muskegon back, and the Big Reds were a point away from a tie. But Tom Carr's kick went wide and low, and the Tigers clung to a one-point lead when the teams broke for the halftime intermission.
Much of the third quarter was played in Muskegon territory, with the Heights dominating. Still, neither team scored. As the teams entered the final quarter, a single point still separated victory from defeat.
Midway through the fourth, opportunity knocked for the Tigers as Jim Dotson recovered a Muskegon fumble on the Big Red 43. The Heights fans roared in approval as the Tiger offense lined up for action. But the momentum changed quickly as the Big Reds' Bob Anderson pounced on a Heights' fumble at the Tiger 48 on the first play from scrimmage.
Redmond's squad went to the air. An incomplete pass was followed by a six-yard gain by Ted Barrett around left end. Another incomplete pass brought fourth down before Peterson found Bob Lintjer at the 30 yard line and he raced to the Heights 9, securing the first down.
The Big Reds were hit for a five-yard penalty on a substitution, so the squad lined up for a 1st-and-goal from the 14. Barrett quickly made up for the penalty, battling to the 4 yard line. On 2nd and goal, Muskegon again went to Barrett, who picked up three yards. Injured on the play, the halfback exited the game with the ball resting on the 1 yard line.
"On (the) last two plays rode the hopes of 13,500 fans, for or against the success of the attacking Big Reds," wrote Muskegon Chronicle sports editor, James F. Henderson. "On those two plays rode both State and Southwestern titles."
McNitt charged the center of the line on third down, but was stopped three inches from the end zone. Redmond's squad huddled to discuss its final play.
“We decided to go with a quarterback sneak on fourth," recalled Peterson years later. "I decided to use a long, variable, cadence count, in hopes of drawing them offside, in case we needed another shot. To their credit … neither line moved."
"When Jim Dotson, Everett Grandelius, Dick Ghezzi and Gene Hilliard stopped the forward motion of Howard Peterson, the air went dark with the applause of the Heights fans, and the groans of Muskegon's," wrote Henderson. "The ball, three inches from the goal line when play started, still was an inch from the line when it was set down."
“For the second straight year the mythical state high school football title belongs to greater Muskegon, penned Schram following the game. “No longer does the bunting fly over Muskegon High, but it is on display only a few miles away, at Muskegon Heights High. The Tigers laid claim to the title after conquering Muskegon 7 to 6”
As was tradition, following the game the Heights band marched back to its school, leading a victory parade of students celebrating a great day for football.
Seven players from the teams received all-state honors according to The Associated Press. Petrongelli and Dotson from the Heights, and Clark from Muskegon were all named to the first-team squad. Tigers Ghezzi and Howell and Big Reds Barrett and Anderson each earned mention on AP’s second or third all-state teams.
This July, after a long, distinguished career and blessed retirement, Tom Carr, the kicker for the Big Reds, passed away.
As a college student, I had the privilege to meet Carr. Signed to play baseball by the Chicago White Sox out of high school, Carr later earned his Master’s degree at Western Michigan University. Following graduation, he ascended to associate vice president of operations for the University. On the day of our meeting, he smiled, shook my hand, and greeted me with the words, “Hi, I’m Tom Carr – the guy who missed the extra point.”
Long ago, a friend stated that the main difference between male and female athletes is that the boys will carry the agony of defeat into manhood, and it will stay with them until the day they die. While it might have taken years to accept, the game would ultimately become a point of pride for all involved.
Among the crowd of spectators that day was Dick Kishpaugh, who served the MHSAA as high school historian for 50 years. Kishpaugh had come up from Southwest Michigan to attend the game. It was, in the opinion of my mentor, the greatest high school football game ever played in Michigan.
While I wasn’t in attendance, I still share his opinion.
Since that time, 70 years ago, I’d estimate more than 200,000 high school football games have been played in Michigan.
As we kick off another season of high school athletics, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject, as well as your candidates for honor of greatest game.
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) Muskegon's Tommy Carr attempts an extra point against Muskegon Heights during their history-making matchup. (Middle) The game program from 1945. (Below) Heights stops Muskegon during its final goal line stand; Big Reds quarterback Howard Peterson is number 19. (Photos provided by Ron Pesch.)
2020 Football Playoff Pairings Released
October 25, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Here are the pairings for the 2020 MHSAA Football Playoffs, which begin Oct. 29-31 with District First Round games in the 11-Player Playoffs and Regional First Round Games in the 8-Player Playoffs.
For the first time this season, all 11-player teams were divided into eight divisions before play began. Because of the shortened 2020 regular season due to COVID-19, all 11-player teams were then divided into Districts of up to eight teams each, then paired into four regions. For 8-player, teams also were divided into two divisions before the start of play this fall, and the top 32 teams in each division based on playoff-point average were selected to a postseason field of 64 teams, which were then divided into four regions of eight teams apiece.
Pairings for the first four weeks of the tournament are based on regular-season playoff point averages, with the highest-ranked team hosting, regardless of the distance between the two schools. For District First Round and Regional First Round play, the top-seeded team in each bracket will host the eighth-seeded team; and the second-seeded team will host the seventh-seeded team, etc.
District Semifinals for 11-player and Regional Semifinals for 8-player will follow during the weekend of Nov. 6-7, and the weekend of Nov. 13-14 will have District Finals in the 11-Player Playoffs and Regional Finals in the 8-Player Playoffs. Both rounds will be played at the site of the highest-ranked team which was victorious in the previous round of play.
Regional Finals in the 11-Player Playoffs will take place Nov. 20-21, at the site of the highest-ranked team that was victorious in District Final play. The 8-Player Playoff Semifinals will take place on Nov. 20-21, pairing the winners of Region 1 vs. Region 2 and the winners of Region 3 vs. Region 4, at the sites of the highest-ranked team.
Semifinal games in the 11-Player Playoffs will take place Nov. 27-28, pairing the winners of Region 1 vs. Region 2 and the winners of Region 3 vs. Region 4. Highest-ranked teams will host unless participating teams are 200 or more miles apart; in those cases the MHSAA will assign the game at a prearranged site if one can be secured in a reasonable location.
All playoff tickets will be sold online only via GoFan to provide for a cashless and contactless purchasing process that also allows for contact tracing. Tickets for single-session Pre-District, District and Regional games are $6. Single-session Semifinal tickets are $8. A per-ticket convenience fee will be applied.
The 8-Player Finals will take place Nov. 27-28, and the 11-Player Finals will be played Dec. 4-5. An announcement on where those Finals will be played, and including additional spectator information, will be forthcoming.
A total of 10 8-player teams did not qualify for the MHSAA Playoffs, and they are allowed to schedule one more game, against another of the non-qualifier group, to be played this upcoming week. Four schools with enrollments too large to qualify for the 8-player postseason – Bridgman, Vandercook Lake, Vermontville Maple Valley and Concord – will play a two-round playoff over the next two weeks to conclude their seasons. That playoff is not sponsored by the MHSAA but allowed because of the shortened schedule.
A total of nine 11-player teams and seven 8-player teams that began this season withdrew from participation in the MHSAA Playoffs. Eight tie-breakers were necessary to determine bracket placement in 11-player; the first tie-breaker of head-to-head winner was used once, the second tie-breaker of opponents’ winning percentage was used five times, and the third tie-breaker – coin flip – was employed for two games. Those tie-breakers are noted below.
Pairings for both the 11 and 8-Player brackets are as follows:
11-Player Pairings
DIVISION 1
REGION 1
DISTRICT 1
Holland West Ottawa (0-5) 16.500 at Rockford (4-0) 69.500
East Kentwood (2-3) 34.667 at Hudsonville (4-2) 51.567
Grand Haven (0-6) 19.700 at Grandville (5-1) 62.067
Grand Rapids Union (1-5) 25.333 at Traverse City West (5-1) 53.167
DISTRICT 2
Ann Arbor Pioneer (0-5) 9.500 at Saline (5-1) 66.533
Ann Arbor Huron (2-2) 31.000 at Kalamazoo Central (2-4) 33.567
Kalamazoo Loy Norrix (0-6) 10.167 at Grand Ledge (4-2) 51.100
Ann Arbor Skyline (1-4) 20.000 at Holt (2-3) 38.167
REGION 2
DISTRICT 3
White Lake Lakeland (6-0) 64.167 - BYE
Howell (3-3) 42.000 at Hartland (3-3) 46.000
Walled Lake Northern (2-4) 33.833 at Detroit Catholic Central (6-0) 61.917
Novi (2-4) 35.000 at Brighton (4-2) 57.000
DISTRICT 4
Oxford (2-4) 31.367 at Clarkston (6-0) 75.333
Lake Orion (3-2) 45.000 at Grand Blanc (5-1) 60.667
Rochester Adams (2-4) 36.167 at Rochester (6-0) 70.000
Lapeer (3-3) 40.000 at Davison (6-0) 64.667
REGION 3
DISTRICT 5
Wayne Memorial (0-6) 15.000 at Canton (6-0) 75.000
Westland John Glenn (2-4) 33.167 at Livonia Stevenson (3-3) 44.000
Plymouth (1-5) 24.000 at Belleville (6-0) 74.333
Salem (1-5) 24.000 at Northville (4-2) 57.000
(Salem won tie-breaker with Plymouth, head-to-head result.)
DISTRICT 6
Dearborn Edsel Ford (1-5) 20.000 at Detroit Cass Tech (6-0) 62.167
Detroit Western (5-1) 48.500 at Dearborn Fordson (4-2) 54.167
Taylor (1-5) 21.767 at Brownstown Woodhaven (5-1) 59.267
Dearborn (2-4) 32.000 at Monroe (4-2) 54.167
(Monroe won tie-breaker with Dearborn Fordson, opponents’ winning percentage.)
REGION 4
DISTRICT 7
Farmington (0-6) 15.400 at Sterling Heights Stevenson (5-1) 64.367
Troy Athens (2-3) 37.000 at Southfield Arts & Technology (2-3) 39.000
Utica Ford (1-5) 25.500 at West Bloomfield (5-1) 64.167
Troy (3-3) 34.867 at Bloomfield Hills (3-3) 46.067
DISTRICT 8
Rochester Hills Stoney Creek (6-0) 71.900 - BYE
Utica Eisenhower (2-4) 38.400 at Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (2-3) 39.000
Macomb L'Anse Creuse North (0-4) 7.000 at Macomb Dakota (5-1) 67.733
Romeo (2-4) 36.200 at New Baltimore Anchor Bay (4-2) 50.833
DIVISION 2
REGION 5
DISTRICT 9
Wyoming (1-3) 18.000 at Muskegon Mona Shores (6-0) 62.667
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern (4-2) 47.667 at Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (5-1) 59.333
Caledonia (2-4) 37.167 at Jenison (5-1) 62.067
Lowell (3-3) 39.333 at Byron Center (5-1) 59.500
DISTRICT 10
East Lansing (6-0) 69.900 - BYE
Jackson (3-3) 32.833 at Portage Central (2-4) 34.033
Battle Creek Central (1-4) 17.500 at Portage Northern (5-1) 54.733
Okemos (0-6) 18.000 at Battle Creek Lakeview (4-2) 49.733
REGION 6
DISTRICT 11
Alpena (0-6) 12.167 at Midland (6-0) 62.500
Flushing (2-4) 29.667 at Midland Dow (4-2) 45.000
Saginaw Heritage (0-5) 19.667 at Traverse City Central (5-1) 58.167
Flint Carman-Ainsworth (1-5) 21.833 at Swartz Creek (4-2) 47.833
DISTRICT 12
Walled Lake Central (0-6) 14.700 at Fenton (6-0) 67.667
Waterford Kettering (2-4) 35.233 at North Farmington (3-3) 44.000
Milford (1-5) 26.400 at South Lyon (4-2) 49.200
Waterford Mott (2-3) 30.000 at Walled Lake Western (4-2) 46.067
REGION 7
DISTRICT 13
Livonia Churchill (4-2) 55.167 - BYE
Ypsilanti Lincoln (3-3) 40.533 at Dexter (4-2) 47.333
Ypsilanti Community (3-3) 35.167 at Dearborn Heights Crestwood (5-1) 53.167
Temperance Bedford (3-3) 39.033 at Livonia Franklin (3-3) 48.000
DISTRICT 14
Oak Park (0-6) 15.600 at Grosse Pointe South (4-2) 56.567
Detroit U-D Jesuit (2-4) 31.400 at Grosse Pointe North (3-3) 38.667
Lincoln Park (1-5) 21.767 at Wyandotte Roosevelt (4-1) 56.167
Detroit Renaissance (2-4) 28.333 at Ferndale (4-2) 53.400
REGION 8
DISTRICT 15
Sterling Heights (0-5) 12.200 at Birmingham Seaholm (4-2) 56.333
Birmingham Groves (3-3) 40.333 at Auburn Hills Avondale (3-3) 40.700
Warren Cousino (1-5) 21.567 at Warren Mott (5-1) 56.000
Royal Oak (1-5) 22.333 at Berkley (4-2) 50.900
DISTRICT 16
St Clair Shores Lake Shore (1-5) 25.167 at Port Huron (6-0) 70.400
Harrison Township L'Anse Creuse (4-2) 48.700 at Fraser (4-2) 49.067
Port Huron Northern (2-3) 34.000 at St Clair Shores Lakeview (4-2) 51.167
Warren De La Salle Collegiate (2-4) 37.083 at Roseville (4-2) 49.833
DIVISION 3
REGION 9
DISTRICT 17
Greenville (0-5) 10.667 at Muskegon (5-1) 58.333
Petoskey (2-4) 32.833 at Cedar Springs (4-2) 44.167
Gaylord (1-5) 23.000 at Mount Pleasant (5-1) 57.333
Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (2-4) 31.367 at Marquette (5-1) 45.167
DISTRICT 18
Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills (0-6) 10.000 at Zeeland West (4-1) 52.167
Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (2-4) 27.500 at Middleville Thornapple Kellogg (3-3) 35.833
Holland (0-6) 14.667 at Zeeland East (4-2) 46.333
Grand Rapids Northview (1-5) 20.667 at East Grand Rapids (3-3) 39.333
REGION 10
DISTRICT 19
Richland Gull Lake (0-6) 10.000 at St Joseph (5-1) 56.333
Parma Western (4-2) 37.833 at Battle Creek Harper Creek (4-2) 41.833
Niles (1-5) 18.667 at Stevensville Lakeshore (4-2) 56.200
Sturgis (3-3) 31.833 at Coldwater (4-2) 43.333
DISTRICT 20
Jackson Northwest (0-5) 10.333 at DeWitt (6-0) 66.833
St Johns (2-4) 31.333 at Lansing Waverly (3-3) 37.867
Ionia (1-5) 17.500 at Mason (6-0) 60.167
Haslett (2-4) 28.333 at Fowlerville (3-3) 42.400
REGION 11
DISTRICT 21
Linden (4-2) 47.833 - BYE
Holly (1-5) 21.500 at Bay City Western (2-4) 28.833
Clio (0-6) 8.833 at Flint Kearsley (3-3) 44.333
Pontiac (0-6) 15.000 at Bay City Central (3-3) 38.167
DISTRICT 22
Redford Thurston (1-4) 22.000 at Chelsea (6-0) 67.000
Garden City (3-3) 35.833 at South Lyon East (4-2) 50.500
Dearborn Divine Child (2-4) 25.500 at Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (5-1) 62.250
Orchard Lake St Mary's (1-3) 27.083 at Pinckney (4-2) 50.833
REGION 12
DISTRICT 23
Melvindale (2-4) 28.500 at Riverview (6-0) 54.000
Gibraltar Carlson (4-2) 47.433 at River Rouge (4-1) 48.667
Southgate Anderson (2-4) 33.967 at New Boston Huron (5-1) 49.833
Trenton (3-3) 40.167 at Allen Park (4-2) 49.667
DISTRICT 24
Detroit East English (2-4) 22.667 at Eastpointe (6-0) 63.000
Warren Fitzgerald (4-2) 34.000 at Detroit Mumford (3-3) 39.167
Warren Woods Tower (2-4) 28.667 at Detroit Martin Luther King (3-3) 48.667
Harper Woods (2-4) 33.167 at Marysville (5-1) 42.000
DIVISION 4
REGION 13
DISTRICT 25
Cadillac (4-2) 45.500 - BYE
Escanaba (1-2) 18.600 at Alma (2-4) 24.333
Bay City John Glenn (1-5) 14.833 at Ludington (4-2) 37.667
Saginaw Arthur Hill (1-5) 18.500 at Sault Ste Marie (4-2) 37.467
DISTRICT 26
Fremont (2-4) 23.833 at Spring Lake (4-2) 42.667
Ada Forest Hills Eastern (3-3) 35.000 at Allendale (3-3) 35.167
Fruitport (2-4) 25.833 at Whitehall (5-1) 38.667
Coopersville (2-4) 26.833 at Sparta (4-2) 36.833
REGION 14
DISTRICT 27
Holland Christian (0-6) 9.333 at Hudsonville Unity Christian (6-0) 58.333
Hamilton (2-4) 26.000 at Wyoming Godwin Heights (2-4) 26.000
Wyoming Kelloggsville (1-5) 16.500 at Grand Rapids South Christian (5-1) 54.167
Wayland (1-5) 18.333 at Grand Rapids Christian (3-3) 41.833
(Godwin Heights won tie-breaker with Hamilton, opponents’ winning percentage.)
DISTRICT 28
Edwardsburg (6-0) 59.667 - BYE
Plainwell (3-2) 38.500 at Vicksburg (4-2) 41.167
Three Rivers (1-5) 21.667 at Hastings (5-1) 47.667
Otsego (2-4) 27.500 at Paw Paw (4-2) 45.667
REGION 15
DISTRICT 29
Owosso (1-5) 18.167 at Williamston (5-1) 54.167
Lake Fenton (2-4) 27.667 at Charlotte (2-4) 28.167
Eaton Rapids (1-5) 21.500 at Battle Creek Pennfield (3-3) 34.500
Marshall (2-4) 26.333 at Flint Powers Catholic (2-4) 32.833
DISTRICT 30
Dearborn Heights Annapolis (1-5) 8.833 at Redford Union (5-1) 49.667
Tecumseh (1-4) 25.200 at Livonia Clarenceville (4-2) 31.333
Adrian (0-5) 11.000 at Milan (5-1) 49.167
Romulus (2-3) 23.667 at Carleton Airport (3-3) 34.833
REGION 16
DISTRICT 31
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood (0-4) 8.167 at Madison Heights Lamphere (6-0) 48.500
Center Line (2-4) 24.667 at Harper Woods Chandler Park (3-3) 26.500
Hazel Park (1-5) 18.167 at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (5-1) 48.000
Detroit Henry Ford (3-3) 24.500 at Detroit Country Day (3-2) 43.500
DISTRICT 32
Yale (0-6) 12.333 at North Branch (6-0) 56.667
Imlay City (4-2) 40.167 at Croswell-Lexington (5-1) 47.000
St Clair (1-5) 23.500 at Ortonville Brandon (5-1) 51.167
Armada (3-3) 36.000 at Goodrich (5-1) 48.667
DIVISION 5
REGION 17
DISTRICT 33
Cheboygan (0-6) 10.667 at Reed City (6-0) 51.433
Ogemaw Heights (3-3) 25.833 at Kingsford (3-2) 28.133
Standish-Sterling (1-5) 17.133 at Kingsley (6-0) 48.167
Hancock (2-3) 20.967 at Gladwin (3-3) 31.333
DISTRICT 34
Saginaw Valley Lutheran (1-4) 8.100 at Freeland (5-1) 44.167
Carrollton (2-4) 22.667 at Midland Bullock Creek (3-3) 32.167
Saginaw (0-6) 12.500 at Essexville Garber (5-1) 43.000
Shepherd (2-3) 20.333 at Saginaw Swan Valley (3-3) 33.500
REGION 18
DISTRICT 35
Howard City Tri County (2-4) 21.967 at Central Montcalm (4-2) 36.800
Grant (2-3) 25.333 at Muskegon Orchard View (2-4) 27.000
Remus Chippewa Hills (2-4) 23.500 at Muskegon Oakridge (4-2) 33.333
Newaygo (2-4) 24.100 at Big Rapids (3-3) 30.433
DISTRICT 36
Grand Rapids Catholic Central (6-0) 62.500 - BYE
Belding (5-1) 41.833 at Hopkins (5-1) 44.000
Comstock Park (1-5) 17.333 at Grand Rapids West Catholic (5-1) 50.833
Lake Odessa Lakewood (3-3) 22.833 at Portland (5-1) 50.167
REGION 19
DISTRICT 37
Berrien Springs (3-3) 28.833 at Lansing Catholic (4-2) 41.000
South Haven (4-2) 35.333 at Dowagiac (3-3) 36.167
Benton Harbor (2-4) 30.667 at Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep (5-1) 39.333
Hillsdale (4-2) 34.000 at Olivet (5-1) 39.333
(Hackett won tie-breaker with Olivet, opponents’ winning percentage.)
DISTRICT 38
Flat Rock (0-6) 12.667 at Romulus Summit Academy North (5-1) 38.833
Whitmore Lake (3-3) 20.333 at Dearborn Heights Robichaud (2-4) 28.000
Dundee (1-5) 15.500 at Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (2-1) 29.000
Monroe Jefferson (1-5) 19.833 at Grosse Ile (3-3) 29.000
(Father Gabriel Richard won tie-breaker with Grosse Ile, opponents’ winning percentage.)
REGION 20
DISTRICT 39
Bridgeport (1-5) 16.833 at Frankenmuth (6-0) 52.500
Ovid-Elsie (3-3) 25.000 at Almont (2-2) 27.417
Birch Run (1-5) 18.333 at Corunna (3-3) 35.000
Richmond (2-4) 24.167 at Macomb Lutheran North (4-2) 33.000
DISTRICT 40
Detroit Osborn (0-6) 7.833 at Marine City (5-1) 46.833
Detroit Communication Media Arts (3-3) 24.667 at Warren Lincoln (3-3) 30.833
Detroit Cody (1-5) 16.667 at Detroit Denby (3-3) 39.500
Clawson (2-4) 24.167 at St Clair Shores South Lake (4-2) 36.333
DIVISION 6
REGION 21
DISTRICT 41
Menominee (4-2) 39.000 - BYE
Houghton (2-2) 22.100 at Calumet (2-3) 23.033
Ishpeming Westwood (5-1) 33.967 - BYE
Negaunee (3-3) 22.000 at Gladstone (2-3) 24.933
DISTRICT 42
Kalkaska (0-5) 6.333 at Manistee (4-2) 36.167
Benzie Central (2-4) 23.667 at Grayling (3-3) 26.667
Elk Rapids (1-5) 13.833 at Maple City Glen Lake (4-2) 33.167
Mason County Central (2-4) 19.667 at Boyne City (4-2) 29.333
REGION 22
DISTRICT 43
Shelby (0-6) 9.333 at Muskegon Catholic Central (6-0) 51.333
Harrison (4-2) 31.933 at Sanford Meridian (4-2) 33.333
Hart (1-5) 13.833 at Montague (6-0) 46.333
Kent City (5-1) 30.000 at Clare (6-0) 44.767
DISTRICT 44
Tawas (0-6) 10.333 at Montrose (5-1) 40.500
Chesaning (2-4) 20.500 at Caro (3-3) 22.167
Otisville LakeVille Memorial (1-5) 10.833 at Millington (5-1) 39.500
Pinconning (0-6) 11.467 at Mt Morris (2-4) 23.833
REGION 23
DISTRICT 45
Fennville (0-6) 10.667 at Buchanan (6-0) 52.833
Comstock (3-3) 26.767 at Niles Brandywine (3-3) 31.667
Watervliet (2-4) 18.833 at Constantine (5-1) 40.667
Parchment (2-4) 21.333 at Coloma (4-2) 32.000
DISTRICT 46
Onsted (0-6) 9.000 at Jonesville (5-1) 38.967
Stockbridge (2-4) 20.000 at Brooklyn Columbia Central (2-4) 20.167
Napoleon (1-5) 12.167 at Michigan Center (3-1) 28.917
Quincy (2-4) 18.033 at Adrian Madison (5-1) 28.167
REGION 24
DISTRICT 47
Lutheran Westland (2-2) 18.083 at Blissfield (6-0) 45.167
Dearborn Advanced Tech Academy (3-3) 26.167 at Ida (3-3) 26.667
Detroit Voyageur Prep (2-4) 19.333 at Clinton (5-1) 40.833
Ecorse (2-4) 25.500 at Erie Mason (6-0) 34.500
DISTRICT 48
Southfield Bradford Academy (0-6) 8.000 at Warren Michigan Collegiate (6-0) 46.833
Flint Hamady (3-3) 23.500 at Detroit Pershing (3-3) 26.000
Algonac (1-5) 16.000 at Detroit Edison (4-2) 34.667
Detroit Collegiate Prep (2-4) 16.667 at Durand (4-2) 31.500
DIVISION 7
REGION 25
DISTRICT 49
Roscommon (1-4) 11.000 at Charlevoix (6-0) 41.000
Manistique (2-3) 19.700 at Mancelona (2-4) 21.333
L'Anse (1-5) 15.533 at Traverse City St Francis (4-2) 35.000
Lake City (2-4) 19.100 at Harbor Springs (3-3) 22.500
DISTRICT 50
Farwell (0-6) 11.467 at McBain (6-0) 38.333
Houghton Lake (4-2) 25.767 at Evart (4-2) 28.600
LeRoy Pine River (1-5) 12.667 at Beaverton (5-1) 38.267
St Louis (2-4) 21.133 at Oscoda (6-0) 31.100
REGION 26
DISTRICT 51
Lakeview (0-6) 6.667 at Ithaca (6-0) 41.667
Morley Stanwood (4-2) 27.000 at Ravenna (3-3) 28.167
Hesperia (4-2) 24.500 at Pewamo-Westphalia (5-1) 31.167
Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian (2-4) 24.500 at North Muskegon (3-3) 28.167
(North Muskegon won tie-breaker over Ravenna, coin flip. NorthPointe Christian won tie-breaker over Hesperia, opponents’ winning percentage.)
DISTRICT 52
Vassar (0-6) 8.833 at Hemlock (6-0) 45.667
Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (4-2) 26.833 at Bad Axe (4-2) 29.833
Reese (2-4) 20.000 at Cass City (6-0) 36.333
St Charles (4-2) 21.567 at Sandusky (6-0) 35.000
REGION 27
DISTRICT 53
New Lothrop (6-0) 46.167 - BYE
Byron (1-5) 13.667 at Burton Bendle (2-4) 15.533
Laingsburg (3-3) 21.333 - BYE
Perry (0-6) 7.667 at Bath (3-3) 18.833
DISTRICT 54
New Haven (0-6) 9.500 at Detroit Loyola (5-1) 53.333
Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett (2-4) 17.417 at Clinton Township Clintondale (2-4) 23.167
Madison Heights Madison (0-6) 11.000 at Madison Heights Bishop Foley (5-1) 36.167
Detroit Community (1-5) 15.167 at Detroit Central (4-2) 32.000
REGION 28
DISTRICT 55
Galesburg-Augusta (0-5) 6.667 at Schoolcraft (5-1) 39.667
Delton Kellogg (3-3) 22.667 at Bronson (3-2) 26.250
Hartford (0-6) 8.200 at Lawton (5-1) 32.833
Union City (2-4) 15.283 at Homer (4-2) 28.800
DISTRICT 56
Springport (1-3) 9.950 at Riverview Gabriel Richard (5-1) 37.833
Jackson Lumen Christi (2-4) 29.833 at Hanover-Horton (4-2) 30.000
Leslie (2-4) 18.867 at Monroe St Mary Catholic Central (4-2) 36.833
Manchester (2-4) 19.167 at Grass Lake (4-2) 33.500
DIVISION 8
REGION 29
DISTRICT 57
Rogers City (2-4) 11.833 at Iron Mountain (5-1) 36.933
Gwinn (3-3) 18.867 at East Jordan (3-3) 19.833
Norway (1-4) 11.900 at West Iron County (6-0) 32.600
St Ignace (1-5) 13.167 at Bark River-Harris (3-2) 22.300
DISTRICT 58
Alcona (0-5) 5.500 at Johannesburg-Lewiston (6-0) 34.333
Frankfort (3-3) 22.167 at Saginaw Nouvel (4-2) 27.967
Coleman (1-4) 10.100 at Beal City (5-1) 32.267
Manton (1-5) 11.167 at Breckenridge (5-1) 32.183
REGION 30
DISTRICT 59
Fulton (0-6) 6.000 at Fowler (4-2) 26.500
White Cloud (2-4) 16.083 at Holton (2-4) 19.167
Blanchard Montabella (1-4) 10.500 at Carson City-Crystal (3-1) 25.500
Saranac (1-5) 11.167 at Potterville (3-3) 20.667
DISTRICT 60
Flint New Standard Academy (0-6) 6.433 at Flint Beecher (5-1) 37.533
Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (2-4) 21.633 at Harbor Beach (3-3) 23.500
Brown City (2-4) 16.267 at Ubly (4-2) 28.500
Marlette (3-3) 20.667 at Unionville-Sebewaing (4-2) 25.833
REGION 31
DISTRICT 61
Centreville (6-0) 34-733 - BYE
Saugatuck (3-3) 21.933 at White Pigeon (3-2) 23.500
Decatur (1-4) 12.333 at Reading (5-1) 32.250
Cassopolis (2-4) 16.800 at Mendon (5-1) 28.400
DISTRICT 62
Addison (6-0) 36.500 - BYE
Morenci (2-4) 18.833 at Dansville (4-2) 25.333
Pittsford (0-6) 9.500 at Sand Creek (5-1) 28.167
East Jackson (1-5) 11.167 at Hudson (3-3) 27.000
REGION 32
DISTRICT 63
Detroit Douglass (0-5) 5.833 at Detroit Southeastern (5-1) 35.833
Petersburg Summerfield (1-5) 14.167 at Allen Park Cabrini (2-4) 15.533
Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech (1-5) 11.417 at Detroit Leadership Academy (3-3) 26.500
Britton Deerfield (1-5) 14.167 at Ottawa Lake Whiteford (4-2) 23.333
(Summerfield won tie-breaker over Britton Deerfield, coin flip.)
DISTRICT 64
Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest (0-6) 7.667 at Clarkston Everest Collegiate (6-0) 38.833
Marine City Cardinal Mooney (2-3) 14.000 at Sterling Heights Parkway Christian (3-3) 21.700
Mount Clemens (1-3) 7.750 at Auburn Hills Oakland Christian (5-1) 36.667
Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (0-6) 9.600 at Royal Oak Shrine Catholic (4-2) 24.533
Opted out of tournament: Allegan, Bessemer, Burton Bentley, Concord, Mattawan, Memphis, Three Oaks River Valley, Utica, Wyoming Lee.
8-Player Pairings
DIVISION 1
REGION 1
Brimley (2-4) 15.333 at Pellston (6-0) 31.500
Munising (4-2) 24.167 at Indian River Inland Lakes (5-1) 25.933
Newberry (3-3) 19.300 at Onaway (6-0) 30.200
Stephenson (3-3) 20.800 at Pickford (5-1) 27.833
REGION 2
Manistee Catholic Central (1-5) 12.667 at Suttons Bay (6-0) 33.500
Fife Lake Forest Area (2-4) 17.833 at Whittemore-Prescott (4-2) 23.767
Central Lake (2-4) 15.333 at Gaylord St Mary (5-1) 28.833
Vestaburg (2-3) 16.100 at Mesick (4-2) 27.167
REGION 3
Kingston (1-5) 14.167 at Morrice (6-0) 33.600
Deckerville (4-2) 26.167 at Merrill (5-1) 30.333
International Academy of Flint (3-3) 18.500 at Adrian Lenawee Christian (6-0) 32.700
Genesee (4-2) 23.167 at Mayville (6-0) 32.000
REGION 4
Athens (1-5) 12.367 at Martin (5-1) 28.833
Camden-Frontier (2-4) 16.833 at New Buffalo (3-3) 20.300
Gobles (2-3) 15.800 at Lawrence (5-1) 26.633
Bellevue (2-4) 16.333 at Marcellus (3-2) 21.800
DIVISION 2
REGION 1
Engadine (0-6) 8.500 at Powers North Central (6-0) 31.250
Lake Linden-Hubbell (3-3) 21.500 at Crystal Falls Forest Park (4-1) 25.000
Carney-Nadeau (3-3) 18.900 at Cedarville (5-1) 29.833
Rudyard (3-3) 19.000 at Rapid River (5-1) 27.833
REGION 2
Bellaire (1-5) 14.167 at Marion (5-1) 26.233
Hillman (2-4) 19.033 at Atlanta (3-3) 22.500
Posen (2-3) 15.500 at Hale (5-1) 24.533
Bear Lake (2-4) 15.933 at Brethren (4-2) 22.767
REGION 3
Au Gres-Sims (1-5) 10.267 at Kinde North Huron (5-1) 27.633
Ashley (3-3) 18.700 at Peck (3-3) 20.500
Akron-Fairgrove (1-5) 10.367 at Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (5-1) 26.133
Carsonville-Port Sanilac (1-5) 11.667 at Bay City All Saints (3-2) 21.000
REGION 4
North Adams-Jerome (2-4) 15.633 at Portland St Patrick (6-0) 33.200
Waldron (4-2) 21.667 at Tekonsha (4-2) 22.667
Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (2-4) 16.933 at Burr Oak (5-1) 28.833
Climax-Scotts (3-3) 19.500 at Colon (5-1) 27.833
Did not qualify: (Division 1) Battle Creek St Philip, Eau Claire, Eben Junction Superior Central, Litchfield, New Haven Merritt Academy, St Helen Charlton Heston, Webberville. (Division 2) Baldwin, Caseville, Mio.
Opted out of tournament: Felch North Dickinson, Onekama, Ontonagon, St Joseph Michigan Lutheran.
PHOTO by Robert Batzloff.