#TBT: Gross Leads Beal City to Class D Title
November 27, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
On Friday, coach Brad Gross will bring Beal City to the Division 8 Football Final at Ford Field to take on Reading as the Aggies play for their first MHSAA title in this sport since 2009.
But while this will be the Aggies' first championship game appearance since 2013 – it won't be the first time Gross has led a Beal City team seeking football glory.
In 1994, Gross quarterbacked the Aggies to a 35-14 Class D championship game win over Litchfield at the Pontiac Silverdome. He threw for 183 yards and two touchdown passes, both to Wes Wilson.
Click to see the box score, and see below for highlights from the MHSAA's broadcast.
Be the Referee: Illegal Substitution/Participation
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
November 11, 2025
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Illegal Substitution/Participation - Listen
We’re on the football field this week with 23 players.
Twenty-three is one too many; there should only be 22 on the field at once – 11 on offense, 11 on defense.
But on this play, the offense had a 12th player lined up on the field.
What’s the call?
It depends on when the penalty is spotted.
If the officials catch it before the play is run, that’s an illegal substitution and a 5-yard penalty.
But if the ball is snapped and a play is run with 12 on the field – and the 12th player is not attempting to get off the field – then it’s illegal participation and a 15-yard penalty. It’s also a 15-yard penalty if the offense uses a substitution to create a deception.
Previous 2025-26 editions
Nov. 4: Losing a Shoe - Listen
Oct. 28: Unusual Soccer Goals - Listen
Oct. 21: Field Hockey Penalty Stroke - Listen
Oct. 14: Tennis Double Hit - Listen
Oct. 7: Safety in Football - Listen
Sept. 30: Field Hockey Substitution - Listen
Sept 23: Multiple Contacts in Volleyball - Listen
Sept. 16: Soccer Penalty Kick - Listen
Sept. 9: Forward Fumble - Listen
Sept. 2: Field Hockey Basics - Listen
Aug. 26: Golf Ball Bounces Out - Listen