Struggle Transforming Into Success as Loy Norrix Builds Best Season since 1990s
By
Pam Shebest
Special for MHSAA.com
October 22, 2024
KALAMAZOO — Over Lorenzo Robertson’s first three years as head coach, the Kalamazoo Loy Norrix football team won a total of three games.
His patience and guidance have paid off this year, leading to the Knights' first five-win season since 1998.
A win against crosstown Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference East foe Kalamazoo Central in Friday’s regular-season finale would clinch an outright league championship for the Knights and potentially provide enough boost to get them back into the MHSAA Playoffs for the second time in school history – and first since 1997, when Loy Norrix featured future pros (Todd) T.J. Duckett and Little John Flowers.
Both Loy Norrix and Kalamazoo Central are 5-3 overall and 3-0 in SMAC East play heading into this weekend. The Knights finished 1-7 a year ago and entering this fall had won a combined 10 games over the last 12 – but they’ve guaranteed their first winning regular season in 26 years.
“We turned it around with a new commitment to the classroom,” Robertson said. “A lot of our kids are (now academically) eligible whereas when I got here, a lot of our kids struggled to keep the lower levels eligible. Those kids are now seniors, and they’re all doing well.”
Robertson said when he was hired, athletic director Andrew Laboe told him one of the key focuses was to get the players stronger.
When the new coach realized there was no weight training program, he started one.
“Where I come from (Bloomfield Hills Lahser, Pontiac and Dearborn Heights Robichaud), weights were very important to the point that we had a class for it during the school day for the football team and those that wanted to take the class that weren’t football,” Robertson said.
Robertson also implemented offseason training, and during the second summer camp this year he realized this could be the turnaround season.
“I knew the boys were getting it quickly, and we were able to move fast through the summer,” he said. “Because they had it down through the summer, when the season started, we hit the ground running.
“During our scrimmages, we were miles ahead of the teams we scrimmaged, though they were good teams. I could tell we were ready to go; we were moving fast. I knew that would carry over, just watching them in the summertime.”
Robertson also makes sure the players know the team’s history.
“Our coaches do a good job of researching,” he said. “Every team we play, we give (players) stats on when was the last time we beat ’em, how many times through the years, what’s our record down through the years. We teach these kids history of the Norrix program before we play.”
Before Robertson, things got so bad that in 2020 the football team, struggling to field players, left the SMAC and played as an independent.
This year, after four seasons away, the Knights are back in the conference.
“After our first SMAC game (we felt more competitive) because people were saying you won’t survive in the SMAC – and we come to the SMAC and it’s our best year,” said senior wide receiver/safety Rashad Waller. “That was really when I knew, oh yeah, I know this is it.”
A four-year varsity player, Waller said he stuck it out through the lean seasons because he knew things were bound to improve.
As a freshman, “watching behind the older guys and realizing they don’t have the time (to improve), I don’t want to be that guy,” he said. “I had to make my team lock in.
“Everybody in my class was tired of losing, so we just locked in and got it done. Coaching got a lot better, and guys really wanted it bad and made it happen.”
Waller already owns two school records. He returned two kickoffs for touchdowns to set a single-game record Sept. 20 against Mattawan. Both TD returns went for 99 yards, another all-time Norrix best and long enough to tie the MHSAA 11-player record for kickoff return distance as well.
Another senior, left guard/defensive tackle Will Dominianni, also weathered the previous three dismal varsity years.
“We were a young program with a new head coach, so all of us kind of grew into our roles when it comes to the coaching staff and players as well,” he said. “That was a big thing.
“We’ve really become a tight-knit group over the past couple years with all of us freshmen getting moved up on varsity our freshman year, so it was a bit like baptism by fire. We’ve all embraced the struggle together.”
Dominianni is one of the team’s rotating captains.
“Will Dominianni has probably been captain most of the year,” Robertson said. “David Jones is also having a great season.”
Jones, a junior running back/safety, is a second-year varsity player.
“The new guys we have are more dedicated (than previous years),” he said. “We’re coming together as a team. I knew it could change, and it did.”
Robertson said the success is a total team effort.
“We have a three-headed monster, sometimes a four-headed monster, at running back with David Jones, Maddox Pirochta, Christian Euceda. They have great per-carry averages.
“Whenever we get in trouble, we can give the ball to any of those three. Our running backs coach (Kierre Stinnette) does a great job rotating them in games.”
Robertson also credited his new defensive coordinator, Damion West, brought up from the junior varsity. “We promote from within,” Robertson said. “He’s pitched a couple shutouts with our defense. That will always keep you in games.”
Robertson added that the offensive line also has been a big improvement.
“This could be the best line I’ve had since being here, and we’re young with only two seniors in that group,” he said.
The quarterback position is shared by senior Jalen Evans and junior Jonavan Hare.
Besides working with players, Robertson also is building a rapport with parents, another key to the program’s success.
“When I came here, there was no parent booster program,” he said. “I’ve always known a parent booster group anywhere I’ve coached.
“We started that from scratch, and since that’s got rolling with our first group of parents, all the way to now has grown. Volunteerism has grown, and I always think that’s key to growing programs.”
He said he’s also thankful the administration stuck with him during the lean years.
“I think they saw the change in the boys through the years; that kept me here,” he said. “The boys are doing better in school, better citizens and that’s also important.
“Sometimes wins and losses are put on the back burner to what kind of young man you are bringing into the world. Football is such a life-teaching sport.”
Robertson is steeped in life-teaching skills.
A retired minister, he currently commutes to Detroit for his job as captain in the Detroit Fire Department.
“(The fire department job) helps me not take anything for granted with all the tragedy I see and everything else that goes on,” he said. “It helps me care on a personal level, on a human level, for the boys.
"They see a working man, they see somebody who’s a family man that’s dedicated to them. I’ve got common sense, no-nonsense and I think that’s what attracts them.”
Once those players are attracted to the program, Waller has some advice for them.
“A lot of the younger guys complain about playing time, but coach is watching, so just keep your head on and keep grinding,” he said. “You’re gonna get your chance. Other than that, don’t worry about all the offers and all that stuff. It will come eventually.
“The first two years just work on getting your body right, getting fast and keep your grades up – and it will be the best two years of your life.”
Pam Shebest served as a sportswriter at the Kalamazoo Gazette from 1985-2009 after 11 years part-time with the Gazette while teaching French and English at White Pigeon High School. She can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Calhoun, Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Kalamazoo Loy Norrix’s David Jones (6) sprints down the sideline during a Week 6 win over Battle Creek Lakeview. (2) Clockwise from top left: Knights coach Lorenzo Robertson, Will Dominianni, Rashad Waller and Jones. (3) Dominianni (64) helps protect his backfield against Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills. (4) Waller gets to the edge against St. Joseph. (Action photos by Steve Andrie; headshots by Pam Shebest.)
1st & Goal: 2025 Playoffs Week 3 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 12, 2025
The MHSAA Football Playoffs turn into a second season for teams still alive at this late date – and it’s impossible to not begin sensing the opportunities opening up for those teams as we move into mid-November.
With two weeks remaining in the 8-player season, we’re running a counter and starting this week with a little deeper dive into our four Semifinals in those divisions. One reigning champion is still in pursuit of a Superior Dome return, and two teams are seeking Saturday to reach Finals for the first time.
After that, we check out Regional Finals in every 11-player division, with four games matching undefeated opponents. All of those games are Friday unless noted below, and Semifinals sites will be announced Sunday.
Tickets this weekend are $9 for 11-Player Regional Finals and $10 for 8-Player Semifinals and can be purchased at GoFan.co. All four 8-Player Semifinals and all 32 11-Player Regional Finals will be broadcast and available to watch with subscription on the NFHS Network.
8-Player Division 1
Blanchard Montabella (10-1) vs. Norway (11-0) at Traverse City’s Thirlby Field WATCH
Montabella has pulled within one more win of reaching the Finals for the first time, its only loss this season to Division 2 semifinalist Portland St. Patrick. As a team, the Mustangs are averaging 8.5 yards per carry, paced by senior Brady Kieff (1,475 yards, 8.5 per carry, 16 touchdowns rushing). Norway last reached the Semifinals in 2006 (in 11-player) but has seemed on the verge of a run since moving to 8-player in 2021. Senior quarterback Owen Baij has run for a team-high 1,443 yards and 30 touchdowns and thrown for 817 yards and 13 more scores.
Kingston (10-1) vs. Martin (11-0) at Chelsea WATCH
Martin moved to a combined 13-2 in playoff games this decade with last week’s 36-20 win over Climax-Scotts, and the Clippers are once again led by a two-way threat in senior quarterback Haylen Buell, who has run for a team-high 1,528 yards and 32 touchdowns and thrown for 866 and 13 scores. Kingston has run into eventual champions the last two seasons, falling to Martin in a Semifinal in 2023 and then Deckerville in a Regional Final last year. The Cardinals are attempting to reach their first championship game powered as well by a dangerous two-way quarterback in senior Tanner James (524 yards/11 TDs rushing, 902/20 passing).
8-Player Division 2
Felch North Dickinson (11-0) vs. Onekama (11-0) at Marquette WATCH
North Dickinson has stormed into its first Semifinal since 2001 (in 11-player) with senior quarterback Brady Jungwirth directing an offense that has outpaced every opponent by at least three touchdowns, including adding to a 38-34 win over Lake Linden-Hubbell in Week 1 with a 32-12 win in their rematch last weekend. Jungwirth has thrown for 1,888 yards and 28 touchdowns, with just three interceptions. Onekama is playing in a second-straight Semifinal seeking to get to the Superior Dome for the first time since 2018, paced by a pair of running backs both averaging more than nine yards per carry – senior Tyler Hart (859 yards, 15 TDs rushing) and freshman Bennett Zeller (821/13).
Deckerville (10-1) vs. Portland St. Patrick (11-0) at Mount Pleasant WATCH
Deckerville won Division 1 last season and is seeking to return to Superior Dome with junior Brandon Salowitz moving up from supporting cast in 2024 to the starring role. He’s the leading rusher with 1,311 yards and 24 touchdowns, starts at linebacker and punts. The Shamrocks are working to get back to the Finals for the first time since 2020 and showed off a dynamic playmaker as well last week in senior running back/linebacker/punter Brady Leonard, who has run for 1,091 yards and 14 touchdowns and intercepted 10 passes. He scored five touchdowns in last week’s 51-22 win over previously-undefeated Mendon.
11-Player Division 1
Detroit Catholic Central (11-0) at Clarkston (10-1) WATCH
These two have met twice previously in playoff games, with Clarkston winning both including their Division 1 championship matchup in 2013. These days, Detroit Catholic Central has won 22 of its last 23 games – the only loss to eventual champion Detroit Cass Tech during last year’s Semifinals – and perhaps most impressively this fall hasn’t given up more than 14 points in a game despite playing Grand Ledge and Detroit Martin Luther King on top of a loaded Catholic High School League Central slate. Clarkston is a 27-21 Week 2 loss to undefeated Harper Woods from a perfect run through this season as well, and handed previously-unbeaten Grand Blanc its only loss last week – doubling up the Bobcats 44-22. The Wolves also won all of their games in the power-packed Oakland Activities Association Red by at least two touchdowns.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Detroit Cass Tech (11-0) at Saline (10-1) WATCH, Romeo (8-3) at Rochester Adams (9-2) WATCH. SATURDAY East Kentwood (9-2) at Hudsonville (11-0) WATCH.
11-Player Division 2
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (8-2) at Midland Dow (10-1) WATCH
Reigning Division 2 champion St. Mary’s cleared a major hurdle last week, avenging a Week 8 loss with a 35-14 win over rival Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice. But the Eaglets obviously can’t rest this weekend. Dow played three teams during the regular season playing this weekend for Regional championships (and went 2-1 against them), and a win would send the Chargers to the Semifinals for the first time since 1997. That only loss this fall came to still-undefeated Mount Pleasant in Week 3, and Dow hasn’t given up more than 15 points since.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Traverse City Central (7-4) at Portage Central (11-0) WATCH, Dexter (10-1) at Gibraltar Carlson (11-0) WATCH, Birmingham Groves (8-3) at St. Clair Shores Lakeview (9-2) WATCH.
11-Player Division 3
Warren De La Salle Collegiate (5-6) at Detroit Martin Luther King (7-4) WATCH
As likely anticipated, both of these teams have surged in the postseason after navigating two of the toughest schedules in the state. The Pilots actually have won four of their last six games and opened the playoffs with a 56-34 victory over Macomb Area Conference Gold champion Warren Fitzgerald before downing Port Huron last week. King provides another level of challenge, and it opened the playoffs defeating Huron League co-champ Riverview before downing Trenton to clinch a District title.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY East Grand Rapids (9-2) at Mount Pleasant (11-0) WATCH, Zeeland West (8-3) at Lowell (9-2) WATCH, Fenton (8-3) at DeWitt (11-0) WATCH.
11-Player Division 4
Goodrich (11-0) at Williamston (11-0) WATCH
This could be a clash of styles as Williamston rode big plays to a comeback win last week over Haslett, while Goodrich has won 24 straight games (including last season’s championship decider) with a powerful running attack and physical defense that earned its first shutout of this season last week against Chelsea. The Hornets trailed Haslett 21-7 at halftime last week before scoring 28 third-quarter points mixing speed to get to the perimeter and a potent downfield passing attack.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Big Rapids (10-1) vs. Hudsonville Unity Christian (10-1) at Hudsonville Baldwin WATCH. SATURDAY Vicksburg (7-4) at Portland (11-0) WATCH, Dearborn Divine Child (10-1) vs. Harper Woods (11-0) at Westland John Glenn WATCH.
11-Player Division 5
Frankenmuth (10-1) at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (9-2) WATCH
It was easy at the start of these playoffs to circle this rematch of last year’s Division 5 championship game as one of the most notable matchups in the entire bracket. Notre Dame Prep won last season’s 42-7 and has continued to follow the lead of quarterback San Stowe, putting up 50 or more points against five playoff teams over the course of this fall. The Eagles will counter with a defense that has shown itself plenty capable allowing only 10 points a game and giving up only 17 in its lone loss to reigning Division 4 champ Goodrich.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Kalamazoo United (9-2) at Grand Rapids West Catholic (10-1) WATCH, Michigan Center (10-1) at Monroe Jefferson (10-1) WATCH. SATURDAY Ogemaw Heights (10-1) at Saginaw Swan Valley (10-1) WATCH.
11-Player Division 6
Montrose (11-0) at Kent City (11-0), Saturday WATCH
Montrose has built on its first perfect regular season since 2013 with a pair of big home playoff wins the last two weeks, but will travel for this one to take on a Kent City team that finished the regular season undefeated for the first time since 2017 and has added the first District championship in program history. The Eagles no doubt are enjoying a little bit of an additional bump this week with this game at home after playing their first two playoff games – and five of their last seven total – on the road.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Reed City (9-2) at Kingsley (9-2) WATCH, Ida (9-2) at Jackson Lumen Christi (8-3) WATCH, Detroit Edison (9-2) at Almont (11-0) WATCH.
11-Player Division 7
Clinton (9-2) at Millington (9-2), Saturday WATCH
This will be the first playoff meeting between these two annual contenders, and neither will shy away from taking on an unfamiliar but powerful opponent. Clinton’s losses this season were to undefeated Hudson and last year’s Division 7 runner-p Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, and the Redwolves avenged the latter last week by a 22-14 score. The Cardinals won the Division 7 title a year ago downing SMCC 24-0. They lost early this fall to Cass City and then to undefeated Harbor Beach in the regular-season finale – but stormed back to win both of their first two playoff games 49-0.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Ithaca (8-3) at Pewamo-Westphalia (10-0) WATCH. SATURDAY Shelby (7-4) at Menominee (11-0) WATCH, Schoolcraft (9-2) at Hanover-Horton (9-2) WATCH.
11-Player Division 8
Beal City (11-0) at Harbor Beach (11-0), Saturday WATCH
The reigning Division 8 champion Aggies have rumbled through their competition this season, winning all of their games by at least two touchdowns and by 40 points on average. Harbor Beach is pursuing a first Regional title since 2018 and has been similarly dominant, winning its games by an average score of 41-8. Both closed the regular-season with a notable nonleague win as well – Harbor Beach over reigning Division 7 champion Millington, and Beal City over Ithaca, which like the Cardinals is also playing for a Division 7 Regional title this weekend.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Springport (11-0) at Hudson (11-0) WATCH, Bark River Harris (9-1) at Maple City Glen Lake (9-1) WATCH, Allen Park Cabrini (10-1) at Madison Heights Madison (10-1) WATCH.
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PHOTO Clarkston's Griffin Boman (0) follows his blockers as a Grand Blanc defender pursues during the Wolves' District Final win last Friday. (Photo by Terry Lyons)