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Students Make Championship Calls

By John Johnson
MHSAA Communications Director emeritus

December 16, 2013

It’s a great thrill each Thanksgiving weekend for those schools that make the trip to the Finals of the MHSAA Football Playoffs at Ford Field. 

For the players, they get to occupy the same space as some of their professional favorites did just hours earlier… names like Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford … Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver.

Buck, Aikman and Oliver?!!?!?

Joining the 16 schools playing the games this year were about 70 students from five other schools getting the experience of a lifetime on their own Ford Field trip as they got insights into the world of professional sports broadcasting.

The newly-founded Student Broadcast Foundation and the MHSAA partnered to provide the same kind of access the media covering the Finals get – and then some. Students visited various parts of Ford Field, including touring the Game Creek Video FX remote television facilities – the same production unit used for the Detroit Lions-Green Bay Packers contest on Thanksgiving Day, which will also originate FOX Sports’ Super Bowl XLVIII coverage at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., in February.

Some of the students were able to meet with media in attendance at the Finals to have their pictures taken and ask questions about careers in sports broadcasting and journalism.

Students, faculty advisors and parent-chaperones from the following schools took part in the experience: Cedar Springs, Davison, Detroit U- D Jesuit, Hillman, Warren DeLaSalle, Birmingham Brother Rice, Montrose and Detroit Catholic Central. Cedar Springs had the largest contingent with 28 students, with a parent covering the travel expenses for the group. Its experience is recapped in this embedded video.

"The whole experience at Ford Field was tremendous for our CSTV students,” said Justin Harnden, a teacher from Cedar Springs. “They were welcomed by the Student Broadcast Foundation, MHSAA, and Ford Field with open arms. Every student that attended had nothing but great things to say about everything. Seeing first-hand what it takes to put on such a big event will truly be beneficial to us as we all go forward in making our program better.”

Hillman had the second largest group with 17 students out of a student body of 151 from this school in Montmorency County, about 35 miles west of Alpena. “Absolutely outstanding job by your kids. You all made the best of your opportunity. Way to go! Your program just woke up a lot of people,” Hillman school board president Brad McLaren said in a text after the event to instructor Erin Brege.

Other videos were produced by students from Davison, Hillman and Montrose, and links to their productions are shown below. You can check out photos from the activities by visiting the Student Broadcasting Foundation’s Facebook page. Also, click to see videos shot by Davison and Montrose that now appear at MHSAA.TV.

“In the many years that Tom Skinner, Ken Kolb and I have been involved with broadcasting high school sports on radio and cable TV, this year’s Football Finals weekend was the most inspiring, satisfying, fun weekend working with these talented students and their dedicated instructors,” said Thom Lengyel, one of the founders of the Student Broadcast Foundation, a private non-profit organization.

Students from the participating schools also took part in calling the action of the eight championship games on the MHSAANetwork.com website, where an average of 250 people clicked in per contest. Calling the games were:

  • Cedar Springs - Kyle Maka, Kody Hall, Alex Hughes (Division 1)
  • Davison - Shawn Bednard, Chris Jared, Brandon Snyder (Division 7)
  • Detroit U-D Jesuit - Jack Sznewjas, Chris Houle (Division 8)
  • Hillman – Mike Klein, Kyle McLaren, Noah Allen, Bubba Banks (Division 4)
  • Warren DeLaSalle -  Brendan Johnson, Jake O'Donnell (Division 2)
  • Birmingham Brother Rice – Miles Hampton, Jeremy Otto - Mentor (Division 6)
  • Detroit Catholic Central – Joesph Trojniak, Adam Abraham - Mentor (Division 5) 

Several of the schools involved also are part of the MHSAA’s Student Broadcast Program, which produced nearly 1,000 events during the fall sports season for the MHSAA.TV Website.

Read more about Hillman's experience here in reports from the Alpena News and WBKB-TV. And read on for a report on Cedar Springs' experience by student reporter Kendra Coons. 

C.S.T.V. Production Program “Hits it out of the park” at Ford Field

Change.

It’s a word that many people don’t deal with well. In this case, it was for the better at Cedar Springs High School.

 In 2012, drama teacher, Justin Harnden took over the television program at CSHS. The second he took it over many changes were made to the C.S.T.V. program. The program bought brand new cameras, computers, TVs, and much more. He started working on getting his students to film sporting events, work on Public Service Announcements, capture the latest news in the school; and for the biggest change, start announcing play-by-play.  

“We are here to put out more than just news for our school and community. We are doing sports, award shows, graduation, Red Flannel things, and much more. We are destined for great things,” expressed Harnden.

With one year under his belt, Harnden started to submit C.S.T.V.’s work to the MHSAA. After the fall season of 2013, Thom Lengyel and Ken Kolb, who are a part of the Student Broadcast Foundation, heard C.S.T.V. production students Kyle Maka and Kody Hall perform play-by-play for one of Cedar Springs’ football games. After listening to the both of them, Lengyel contacted Harnden and offered for Maka, Hall, and the rest of the class to come down to Ford Field. Lengyel explained to Harnden that the trip to Ford Field would give the class a chance to receive a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on during a broadcast and give Maka and Hall a chance to call the Division 1 championship high school football game.

On Saturday, Nov. 30 the C.S.T.V. Production program traveled out of their little town of Cedar Springs, Michigan, to face the big town of Detroit, Michigan. The day started out with the students boarding the bus at 8:15 am for a three-hour drive to the east side of the state. Once the students stepped off the bus they received their press passes. This gave them full access to walk out onto the field and sit in press row. Once the class arrived at Ford Field, they traveled up to the seventh floor to meet Lengyel. Lengyel then introduced the class to Kolb, showed them where Fox Sports does all of their announcing, and showed them where press row was located. After all of that was done, it was time for Maka and Hall to announce play-by-play for the Division 1 championship. Another member of C.S.T.V. also received a chance to announce play-by-play for the game, Alex Hughes.

Coming from a town with an estimated 3,500 people, the three boys were not used to a big stage. A lot of the community would annually attend our high school football games, but nothing to the caliber of what the three boys were about to announce.

“Doing the play-by-play was just amazing. I felt on top of the world. It was the best experience of my life,” commented Maka.

“It was honestly a feeling that I've never felt before ... It almost didn't seem real at first, but once I opened up (to) the environment I had an amazing time,” stated Hughes.

While the three boys were announcing play-by-play, the rest of the class received the opportunity to walk onto the field and sit in press row. After the game the students received the chance to walk through the Fox Sports trailers. These trailers are where all of the action happens. Being able to walk through these trailers was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the C.S.T.V program.

“I thought looking around the Fox Sports Detroit mobile studio was eye opening. Seeing two of the three trucks that will handle all the production aspects of the Super Bowl was really great. We were able to see all that goes on in that setting, and we were amazed by it,” explains Harnden.

“Getting to tour Fox Sports was crazy because normally the behind the scenes work isn't seen at all, so that opportunity was perfect for the class,” said Hall.

After the students toured the buses, they all headed back up to the seventh floor to grab their things, say their goodbyes, and thank Lengyel and Kolb for the opportunity. Right before the class got ready to leave Lengyel had a few words to say to the class. He told the class how well they were behaved and how well the three boys did at calling the game.

“Getting those compliments from someone who has been in the business for so long was quite overwhelming, especially for myself not knowing much about football and (it) being the first time doing commentary,” said Hughes.

“(I had) a sense of joy and pride. I was so glad that somebody of his job caliber enjoyed how we did,” added Hall.

“When Thom gave us those compliments, I just could not stop smiling. When Thom said that we were just as good on our fourth game as those who have been calling games for four years, (it) just made me believe that this is something I can really do for the rest of my life. I hope that dream comes true,” commented Maka.

Not only did Lengyel and the rest of the class believe they did a great job, Maka, Hughes, and Hall’s teacher also believed they did exceptionally.

“I thought Kyle, Kody, and Alex did a great job. This was only the fourth game that they have called and they went above and beyond our expectations. Everyone involved with the production was impressed with what they did,” stated Harnden.

The students were able to take away many things from traveling to Ford Field. Going behind the scenes of Fox Sports is something not many people get a chance to say that they did. The class and Harden believe it was very beneficial to be able to participate in an experience like this.

“The students were exposed to a lot of aspects within media production. From press row, to the Fox Sports Detroit mobile studio, calling the game on the radio, and being allowed to see every aspect of a big stadium production really was eye opening,” explained Harnden.

The experience of traveling to Ford Field was definitely an experience that none of the class members will ever forget. Not only did they have a blast, but they learned a ton too.

“I definitely think that the trip benefited the class because we (were all able) to see things about professional broadcasting that most people can't. (Also) we (were able) to learn what it takes to make a professional broadcast,” says Maka.

The day after the program traveled to Ford Field, Lengyel emailed Harnden about C.S.T.V. Production and his view on their performance.

“... During the broadcast I knew that they were doing a good job,” expressed Thom. “So I wanted to listen to their broadcast when I got home. I could not put the mp3 player down. I did not pause it until halftime. For their fifth broadcast, listening to their preparation come out in the broadcast, changed my opinion to: THEY HIT IT OUT OF THE PARK.”

Lengyel has been in the business for many years. Having a compliment like that from a man with so much experience really hit home for the C.S.T.V. Production program.

If you would like to see what C.S.T.V. is all about, like us on Facebook, “CSTV”, follow us on Twitter “@CedarSpringsTV”, visit our website, “www.cedarspringstv.com” and make sure to watch our newscasts and listen for our play-by-play on MHSAA.TV.

C.S.T.V. Production truly wants to thank the Student Broadcast Foundation for the opportunity it was given. And a special thanks to Lengyel and Kolb for selecting C.S.T.V. and helping with advancing the program to the next level.

Hughes stated, “I can't thank the Student Broadcast Foundation and the MHSAA enough for letting our class have the opportunity to go to Ford Field and experience everything that we did. I would also like to thank our teacher Justin Harnden for turning around our TV Pro program. … Lastly, I would like to thank our class for always being there for one another and making this year memorable.”

PHOTOS: (Top) Two students call a game during the MHSAA Football Finals. (Below) Some of the students who visited Ford Field pose during a championship game. (Photos courtesy of the School Broadcast Foundation.)

Ada Forest Hills Eastern defenders close in on a Ypsilanti Community ball carrier during the Hawks' 46-22 win on Friday.

1st & Goal: 2026 Week 9 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 26, 2026

Every game counts. Week 9 provided 11 more examples of why. 

MI Student AidAs Michigan’s high school football teams concluded their regular-season schedules – and more than 300 took the field for the last time in 2026 – a total of 11 teams earned opportunities to continue playing this week, with 11 also falling out of the final playoff mix.

We detail several of those deciders below, as well as a few final league championship games and others that helped determine how brackets were drawn for our title drives beginning Friday with 11-Player Districts and 8-Player Regionals.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Port Huron 13, Port Huron Northern 10 The Red Hawks stacked memorable accomplishments with this win. They defeated rival Northern for the first time since 2023. They finished the regular season 9-0 for the first time since 1952, according to Michigan-football.com. (Port Huron also was perfect during the COVID-shortened 2020 regular season, over six games). And the Red Hawks held onto the top spot on the Division 3 playoff-points list, giving them home games for the first three rounds.

Watch list Marine City 21, Marysville 6 The Mariners (9-0) capped a perfect regular season for the first time since 2021, and they did so by defeating another league champion in Marysville (5-4) while holding the Vikings to their season-low scoring total. 

On the move Goodrich 28, Gladwin 20 The Martians (9-0) ran their regular-season winning streak to 26 going back to Week 1 of 2024, and also did so by defeating another league champion in Gladwin (5-4). Grand Blanc 31, Macomb Dakota 24 The Bobcats’ 9-0 regular-season finish also was their second straight and moved them up to No. 7 on the Division 1 playoff-points list. Ubly 30, Cass City 8 The Bearcats (6-3) bounced back from a Week 8 loss to avenge last season’s 42-6 defeat to Cass City (6-3) and secure the possibility of playing home games this week and next. 

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 31, Detroit Catholic Central 25 (OT) The regular season ended with this Catholic High School League Prep Bowl stunner, as Deondre Hills scored the game-winner in overtime to give the Division 1 Shamrocks (8-1) their only loss. DCC still ended up sharing the CHSL Central championship with Toledo Central Catholic, and the Warriors (7-2) tied for third but jumped six spots to No. 9 on the Division 2 playoff-points list – giving them the possibility of three home playoff games. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.

Watch list Dearborn Divine Child 28, Jackson Lumen Christi 21 The Falcons (8-1) won a matchup of 2025 Finals champions in another Prep Bowl battle, clinching the CHSL AA title with a second league win by seven points this fall. Divine Child is lined up to host two playoff games, while Lumen Christi (7-2) would be home through its Division 6 Regional Final. 

On the move Gibraltar Carlson 17, Allen Park 10 Carlson (9-0) navigated a third win this fall by seven points or fewer to finish a fourth-straight outright championship in the Downriver League and sixth-straight including shared titles. Milford 31, Walled Lake Western 28 Milford (8-1) battled back from a Week 4 loss to South Lyon to share the Lakes Valley Conference title with the Lions, while ending that opportunity for Western (7-2). Romeo 56, Oxford 24 Romeo (9-0) finished its first perfect regular season since 1977, moving up to a tie for No. 2 on the Division 1 playoff-point list, and against an Oxford team that ranks No. 6 at 7-2. 

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Beal City 29, Ithaca 26 Only one team could finish the regular season undefeated, but both will be championship contenders next month. Beal City clinched the perfect regular season and will be home for the first three rounds at No. 5 on the Division 8 playoff-points list, while Ithaca (8-1) did take the slim loss but fell only one spot to No. 11 on the Division 7 list. Click for more from WJRT.

Watch list Howell 35, Northville 22 The Highlanders avenged last season’s loss to Northville to claim a third-straight Kensington Lakes Activities Association overall championship – and more. Howell held onto the top spot on the Division 1 playoff-points list, guaranteeing three home playoff games in a bracket that also includes undefeated East Kentwood and Grand Ledge.

On the move Portland 28, Hudsonville Unity Christian 24 The Raiders (9-0) have won 43 straight regular-season games after finishing perfect for the fourth-straight year – and with this their second-closest win this season but third-closest during the 43-game run. Grand Ledge 35, Temperance Bedford 7 The Comets finished 9-0 for the first time since 2015, winning their toughest two games the last two weeks by downing Bedford (7-2) and DeWitt in Week 8. Mason 24, Harper Woods 18 The Bulldogs (8-1) bounced back from a Week 8 loss and avenged last season’s defeat to Harper Woods (7-2), although they could see each other again in a Division 2 Semifinal. 

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Harbor Springs 34, East Jordan 29 Harbor Springs (8-1) broke a five-game losing streak against the Red Devils (7-2) to clinch a share of the Northern Michigan Football Conference title along with East Jordan, and Maple City Glen Lake as well. The championship was Harbor Springs’ first since 1987, according to the Petoskey News-Review.

Watch list Traverse City West 38, Traverse City Central 27 The annual Patriot Game didn’t disappoint, as West (6-3) was able to clinch a share of the Saginaw Valley League North title and both teams qualified for the Division 2 playoffs on opposite sides of their Regional bracket.

On the move Oscoda 22, Frankfort 21 The Owls (6-3) were 0-6 against Frankfort (5-4) this decade, but they picked a great time for a first win as this one helped secure their spot in the Division 7 playoff field. McBain 29, Fowler 28 McBain (7-2) survived a major challenge from a Fowler team that finished 6-3 with its losses to Division 7 opponents with a combined 23-3 record. Manistee 34, Ludington 28 Manistee (4-5) jumped 11 spots to No. 17 on the Division 7 playoff-point list and earned a home game this week with this impressive win over Division 4 Ludington (7-2), one of seven teams on the Mariners’ schedule to finish with a winning regular-season record.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Clinton 52, Monroe Jefferson 28 Over the last three weeks, Clinton has turned away Ida to remain in contention in the Lenawee County Athletic Association, then defeated Adrian Madison to clinch a share of the title, and Friday handed Jefferson (8-1) its only loss in a big way – which also sent the Redwolves (8-1) up to No. 9 on the Division 6 playoff-points list. Huron League champ Jefferson is still set to host three games in Division 5. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.

Watch list Hudson 39, Berrien Springs 0 The Tigers (8-1) haven’t given up a point in three weeks, and after also clinching a share of the LCAA title in Week 8 handed Berrien Springs (8-1) its only defeat. The Shamrocks entered the game averaging 44 points per contest. 

On the move Chelsea 56, Linden 48 Chelsea (9-0) finished its first perfect regular season since 2021, defeating five playoff teams along the way including Linden (6-3). Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 42, Hanover-Horton 6 SMCC (8-1) missed out on the Huron League title but bounced back from a Week 8 defeat to down Cascades Conference overall champion Hanover-Horton (7-2) – with these two potentially meeting again in a Division 7 Regional Final. Adrian 35, New Boston Huron 22 The Maples (8-1) bumped up to No. 12 on the Division 4 playoff-points list with this win over Division 3 Huron (6-3) and will host league foe Tecumseh to open the postseason.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Portage Central 28, St. Joseph 14 This matchup of Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference division champions ended with Portage Central (8-1) becoming the first of the pair to win this rivalry game for a second-straight year since St. Joseph claimed four in a row from 2017-20. St. Joseph (7-2) is set to be home for three playoff rounds in Division 3, while Central will be home this week but may travel after as the fourth seed in its Division 1 Regional. Click for more from WSJM.

Watch list Paw Paw 14, Vicksburg 7 They ended up finishing second and third, respectively, in the Wolverine Conference, as Edwardsburg finished an outright championship with a win over Niles. But this did affect who the Eddies see next – they’ll face Vicksburg (7-2) after Paw Paw (8-1) moved past the Bulldogs on the Division 4 playoff-points list. 

On the move Decatur 32, Parchment 24 The Raiders (9-0) capped their first perfect regular season since 2002 with their closest win since Week 1. Parchment ended 5-4, a two-win improvement from a year ago. Schoolcraft 35, Lawton 7 Schoolcraft (7-2) finished third in the Southwestern Athletic Conference but fourth on the Division 7 playoff-points list, earning the opportunity to be home for both District rounds including a possible rematch with Lawton (5-4) in two weeks. Stevensville Lakeshore 21, Portage Northern 14 Lakeshore (8-1) has enjoyed a phenomenal comeback season after winning a combined six games over the last two. This avenged last year’s 25-point loss to Northern (5-4).

A Lansing Catholic ball carrier works to break away as Pewamo-Westphalia defenders swarm during a 35-13 victory.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Kingsford 42, Marquette 26 The Flivvers (9-0) won this matchup of league champions, in doing so finishing off their second perfect regular season over the last three and jumping five spots to No. 3 on the Division 5 playoff-points list. Amazingly, these former Great Northern Conference rivals have split their last 16 games, with Marquette (7-2) last season’s winner. Click for more from Upper Michigan’s Source.

Watch list Iron Mountain 21, Negaunee 20 After opening this season 1-2, Iron Mountain has strung together six straight wins (including a forfeit victory), with this over the Division 5 Miners (5-4) the big one. It helped push the Mountaineers (7-2) past East Jordan on the Division 8 playoff-points list, giving Iron Mountain the home game in their matchup this week.

On the move Menominee 38, Bark River-Harris 30 The Maroons (8-1) bounced back from a league-deciding loss in Week 8 to defeat another league’s champion and will be home in the Division 7 playoffs until Semifinals. Hancock 16, Houghton 10 The Bulldogs (4-5) ended a six-game losing streak against Houghton with this Copper Bowl win, capping a season of improvement after Hancock won a combined three games over the last three years. Calumet 50, L’Anse 8 The Copper Kings (6-3) closed the regular season with three wins over their last four games, this one over another playoff qualifier in L’Anse (4-5).

West Michigan

HEADLINER East Kentwood 42, Hudsonville 14 East Kentwood (9-0) clinched the outright Ottawa-Kent Conference Red championship, ending Hudsonville’s two-year reign and climbing into a tie for the No. 2 spot on the Division 1 playoff-points list, earning the Falcons home games this week and next. East Kentwood broke away during a massive fourth-quarter run to cap its first perfect regular season since 2002 and send the Eagles to 6-3. Click for more from WOOD TV.

Watch list Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills 44, Coopersville 0 Kenowa Hills (8-1) finished a repeat run in the River Cities Alliance in a big way, downing Coopersville (8-1) in a winner-take-all for the championship. Kenowa Hills has given up a combined 67 points over the last eight games after allowing 59 in a season-opening loss to DeWitt. 

On the move Spring Lake 35, Zeeland West 26 In upsetting the Dux (7-2), Spring Lake vaulted from No. 35 on the Division 4 playoff-points list into the field tied for the No. 27 spot. Grand Rapids Christian 24, Holland Christian 22 This win gave the Eagles (4-5) a similar jump, from No. 36 on the Division 4 list into the field in the No. 32 slot. Grand Rapids South Christian 42, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 26 These two enter as contenders in their respective playoff divisions, South Christian (8-1) at No. 5 on the Division 4 playoff-points list and Catholic Central (7-2) still holding down the top line in Division 5 by a substantial margin.

8-Player

HEADLINER Mio 26, Rogers City 14 Mio clinched the North Star League Big Dipper championship outright in claiming this winner-take-all, and also jumped from a tie for the No. 16 spot into the field for sure at No. 13. The league title was Mio’s second straight after it shared the Little Dipper championship in 2025. Click for more from the Bay City Times. 

Watch list Powers North Central 55, Crystal Falls Forest Park 36 This rivalry added a chapter that won’t soon be forgotten, as North Central’s second-straight win in the annual series improved the Jets to 7-2 and sent Forest Park out of the Division 1 playoff field with a final record of 6-3.

On the move Gaylord St. Mary 54, Indian River Inland Lakes 6 The Snowbirds (9-0) capped their first perfect regular season since 2017 having given up a combined 14 points over eight games played (one win was a forfeit) – and having pushed Inland Lakes (5-4) out of the Division 1 bracket. St. Ignace 62, Central Lake 40 St. Ignace finished off a second 8-1 season over the last four years, moving up to No. 5 on the Division 2 playoff-points list while keeping Central Lake (6-3) from moving into the Division 1 field. Portland St. Patrick 35, Dansville 7 The Aggies (7-2) moved to 8-player football this season and have found great success, but St. Patrick (9-0) earned the win in this first matchup with Dansville since 2011 in 11-player. 

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PHOTOS (Top) Ada Forest Hills Eastern defenders close in on a Ypsilanti Community ball carrier during the Hawks' 46-22 win on Friday. (Middle) A Lansing Catholic ball carrier works to break away as Pewamo-Westphalia defenders swarm during a 35-13 victory. (FHE/Ypsilanti photo by Michigan Sports Media. Lansing Catholic/P-W photo by TCP Photography.)