Logo

TC Fans Enjoy 50 Years of Familiar Voices

October 21, 2015

By Dennis Chase
Special for Second Half

TRAVERSE CITY – For 50 years, John Sonnemann and Don Wiitala have put their hearts, souls and voices into Traverse City athletics.

The two, who are still going strong, were recognized this fall for their contributions – Sonnemann as the public address announcer for Traverse City Central, Wiitala as the radio broadcaster for Traverse City St. Francis.

"It keeps us young and involved," Sonnemann said. "I think Don feels the same. We feel like we're part of the program - and that's important to us."

Credit two former football coaches/athletic directors for bringing two unmistakable voices to the microphone. Elk Rapids' Don Glowicki and Traverse City Senior High's Irv Menzel started Wiitala and Sonnemann on their journeys back in 1966.

That was the year Glowicki approached radio station WLDR, which had just gone on the air in July, about broadcasting high school sports.

"We weren't thinking about doing sports," Wiitala said. "We were just trying to keep our heads above water."

After some discussion, though, WLDR took the plunge.

"We said we'll give it a try," Wiitala recalled. "I wasn't even a broadcaster. I was the sales manager."

WLDR started covering Elk Rapids and St. Francis football that fall, and Gladiators basketball that winter. Soon after, the station began broadcasting all St. Francis football games. WTCM was covering Traverse City Senior High football and basketball, so now both schools had an outlet on radio.

It remained that way until about eight years ago when WLDR dropped its game coverage. But WLJN stepped in, picked up football, and Wiitala continued on as the Voice of the Gladiators.

"Who would have thought that 50 years later I'm still in the broadcast booth," Wiitala said. "I never realized how close I would grow to the St. Francis community. It's been a wonderful (association)."

Wiitala, 79, was inducted into the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools Hall of Fame this month.

"Don's a class act," St. Francis athletic director Tom Hardy said. "He does things the right way. He's part of our family. When you talk about St. Francis football, one of the first names to come up is Don Wiitila. He's brought St. Francis games into so many homes. We are so fortunate, so lucky for his dedication."

Back in 1966, Sonnemann had just graduated from Michigan State University when he landed a job as a social studies teacher at Traverse City Senior High. He had done his student teaching at the school the previous year and worked the chain gang during the football season – so his indoctrination into Trojans football had already started.

Soon after he was hired, Menzel called him into his office.

"He grabbed me by the knee and said, 'I want you to announce on Friday.'" Sonnemann said. "That was it."

To this day, the 72-year-old is synonymous with Traverse City Central sports.

"It's been a pleasure," the Voice of the Trojans said. "I've enjoyed all 50 years, although it doesn't seem like it's been that many,"

Sonnemann was honored for his work during the Central-West game in September.

"Remarkable," Central athletic director Mark Mattson said in describing Sonnemann's career. "The best part is that John is one of the most gentle, kind human beings that you'll ever meet. To have that legendary voice be part of your program for 50 years is special."

Sonnemann, who retired as the school's athletic director nine years ago, still announces a number of school and community events. On any given day in the fall, he can be seen and heard at Central football, soccer and volleyball games.

He said he has a hard time remembering when he retired because he's still so active doing what he loves.

"Some people would say I flunked retirement," Sonnemann said, laughing.

He, of course, does not see it that way. Neither does Wiitala. Their jobs, they say, energize them.

So when people ask how much longer they'll keep announcing, their answers are similar.

"As long as I feel good – and I do feel good – I want to keep doing it," Wiitala said. "Vin Scully (Los Angeles Dodgers announcer), what is he, 87?"

On fall weekends, Thirlby Field is their home away from home.

"We've seen a lot of great athletes, a lot of great teams, a lot of great games," said Sonnemann, who in 2001 received an Allen W. Bush Award from the MHSAA for his many unsung contributions to high school athletics.

Sonnemann recalled a game in 1970 when the Trojans lost 2-0 to Bay City Central, coached by the legendary Elmer Engel.

"They were the cream of the crop in the state," he said, "and that's where Traverse City wanted to be."

It didn't take long. Traverse City reached the inaugural MHSAA Finals in 1975, and then claimed championships in 1978, 1985 and 1988.

St. Francis was going strong in those days, too, claiming mythical state championships in 1973 and 1974. The Gladiators were able to maintain their success when the MHSAA playoffs began, capturing crowns in 1992, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2009. They were MHSAA runner-ups in 1983, 1998 and 2007.

Wiitala recounted the 28-26 loss to Detroit dePorres in 1983 – the school's first trip to the Pontiac Silverdome – when the Eagles scored late to pull out the victory.

"To this day I still remember this kid from Detroit dePorres, with about a minute and a half left, laying out horizontal to catch a pass in the end zone for a TD," he said. "That play has run through my mind hundreds of times over the years. I don't know why. Had he not caught the pass, St. Francis would probably have won the game."

Sonnemann witnessed two of the most dramatic last-second wins in Trojans history – 21-20 over Muskegon Catholic in 1975 and 22-21 over Muskegon in 1985. The Muskegon game was on the road so Sonnemann was there in another role – as the advisor, he had taken the school's pep club to the game. The Big Reds had surged to a 21-14 lead on an interception return for a score in the final minute. It seemed like that would be the play that would decide this battle between the two 5-0 heavyweights.

But on the last play of regulation Central quarterback Chris Hathaway connected on a pass to Jeff Durocher, who then pitched the ball to Doug Lautner, catching the Muskegon defense by surprise. Lautner raced the final 33 yards to the end zone to pull the Trojans to within a point. Coach Jim Ooley opted to go for the win, and Hathaway hit Durocher on the winning two-point conversion.

Trojans fans who were there reveled in the win, except the bus driver.

"The bus driver had gone out to warm up the bus and missed the end of the game," Sonnemann said. "When we got on the kids were hootin' and hollerin' and just having a good time. They were so excited. The bus driver looked at me and said, 'If they're this excited after a loss I would hate to see what they would do after a win.' I had to tell him, 'We won it.' It (the suddenness of the win) felt a lot like that MSU game the other day."

Wiitala has been a fixture at the MHSAA Finals – football and basketball – covering St. Francis, as well as other area schools.

"When St. Francis got beat (in the tournament) we would pick up the next team that was going well," he said. "People in those communities appreciated that."

Wiitala said when he first started broadcasting games there were a number of radio stations doing likewise. That's not the case now.

"Stop and think about it," he said. "When St. Francis was in the North Central Conference (in the 1980s) five schools had radio stations broadcasting games. Now we hardly ever see another station at a game."

Wiitala became the majority owner of WLDR in 1972. He would remain the owner for nearly 30 years. When he sold, the station continued to broadcast St. Francis football games with Wiitala on play-by-play. He’s continued in that role now that WLJN has taken over the broadcasts.

The Mesick graduate has never strayed from the hometown feel of his broadcasts. He still conducts pre-game interviews with the coaches, profiles other school activities at half, and has several players come up to the booth for postgame interviews.

"I know people who get in their cars after the game and then turn the radio on to hear the kids (comment on the game)," he said.

WLJN also offers an internet broadcast, which allows St. Francis fans across the world an opportunity to listen. Wiitala often asks fans to send him e-mails during a game and he's always stunned when he learns the locale of his listeners.

"We've received emails from alumni in Iraq, Iran, Hawaii," he said. "It's unbelievable."

Wiitala has had numerous analysts on the broadcasts over the years. For the last five years, Sonnemann has served in that capacity when there's not a conflict with a Central home game. When there is?

"Don always says, 'John's on assignment," Sonnemann said with a chuckle.

Well, often times, Sonnemann is on assignment. Once fall sports end and winter sports begin, he'll switch to boys and girls basketball, wrestling, hockey and every so often downhill skiing. In the spring, it's on to track and field, girls soccer and graduation, which takes advance work to make sure it's done right.

"One of the things I pride myself on is pronouncing names correctly," he said. "Mine has been mispronounced enough times that I think it's important to get those names right the one time they get to shine up there on stage."

Sonnemann, who always has the best seat in the house, also takes pride in how he presents himself. He wants to make sure that he's always fair and objective.

"I try not to be partial to one team or another, although certainly I bleed black and gold," he said. "I try to call the games in as fair a manner as possible. Some announcers will try to emulate what you hear in the pros, especially the NBA, and I feel that has no place in high school sports. You should treat the visiting team as equally as you treat the home team."

Wiitala has a belief he stands by, too.

"I've never been controversial," he said. "I'm broadcasting sports about kids 15, 16, 17 years old. I'm not going to say, 'Oh, No. 88 is terrible out there.' I don't do it that way. That's not me. I like to treat people the way I would like to be treated."

Like Wiitala, Sonnemann plans to continue keeping fans abreast of who's doing what on the field, the court, the pitch, the ice, the mat, the track and the slopes.

"As long as I still enjoy it, as long as I'm still healthy, I'd like to keep doing this," he said. "I'm not setting any timetable."

For Sonnemann and Wiitala, it's 50 going on 51.

Dennis Chase worked 32 years as a sportswriter at the Traverse City Record-Eagle, including as sports editor from 2000-14. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Alcona, Oscoda, Crawford, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Charlevoix and Emmet counties.

PHOTOS: (Top) John Sonnemann, left, and Don Wiitala provide the radio broadcast for a Traverse City St. Francis football game. (Middle) Wiitala interviews St. Francis' Luke Popp at Ford Field after the Gladiators' Division 7 championship win in 2009. (Below) Sonnemann announces a variety of Central sports played both indoors and out. (Photos courtesy of Traverse City St. Francis athletic department and Traverse City Central High School.)

Drive for Detroit: 11-Player Finals Preview

November 21, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

This weekend’s MHSAA 11-Player Football Finals are teeming with stories just waiting to be told by all 16 teams as Friday and Saturday’s games play out.

Edwardsburg, Saginaw Swan Valley and West Bloomfield will be making the championship game trip for the first time, and Livonia Franklin will play in its first title game since the first year of the MHSAA playoffs. Ottawa Lake Whiteford is making its second trip ever after finishing runner-up in Division 8 a year ago, while Saugatuck also is seeking its first title and Muskegon is back as well after missing out on winning Division 3 in the closing seconds in 2016.

Speaking of the Big Reds, the state’s winningest program takes on the all-time winningest coach and the program with the most MHSAA football titles in Farmington Hills Harrison. Oakland Activities Association Red rivals West Bloomfield and Clarkston meet in a rematch, but this time with the Division 1 title on the line. Like Clarkston, Warren DeLaSalle and Saginaw Nouvel are seeking to reclaim glory they enjoyed earlier this decade. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Grand Rapids West Catholic and Pewamo-Westphalia are all aiming to repeat, West Catholic for the fifth straight season. Jackson Lumen Christi is hoping to add a second straight championship as well, but faces powerhouse Ithaca in what might be the game of the weekend.

See below for a look at all of the finalists taking the field, powered by MI Student Aid. Tickets cost $10 and are good for all four games on one day; cash only will be accepted at the door. Click for a full schedule. The MHSAA Playoffs are sponsored by the Michigan Army National Guard.

The first two Friday and Saturday games will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Detroit’s primary and PLUS channels (check cable/satellite box listings for your specific channel) with the third game both days and the fourth game Saturday available live on FOX Sports Detroit PLUS only. Friday night’s Division 4 Final will be broadcast tape delayed at 11:30 p.m. on PLUS but can be viewed live on FOXSportsDetroit.com and on the FOX Sports Go! app. The games will also re-air Sunday on the following schedule: Division 8 – 10 a.m., Division 2 – Noon, Division 6 – 2 p.m., Division 4 – 4 p.m., Division 7 – 6 p.m., Division 1 – 8 p.m., Division 5 – 10 p.m. and Division 3 – Midnight. Audio broadcasts will be available on the MHSAA Network website live both days.

Rankings below were voted on by The Associated Press’ media panel – teams that were ranked in different divisions for the regular season are noted. Statistics are current, also unless noted.

Division 1

WEST BLOOMFIELD
Record: 11-2, honorable mention
Coach: Ron Bellamy, eighth season (47-34)
League finish: Tied for first in Oakland Activities Association Red.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.  
Best wins: 9-7 over No. 3 Detroit Cass Tech in the Semifinal, 28-25 over No. 1 Utica Eisenhower in the Regional Final, 41-7 over No. 6 Waterford Mott in the District Final, 17-16 over No. 8 Rochester Adams, 37-15 over honorable mention Clarkston, 49-26 over Division 2 No. 10 Birmingham Groves. 
Players to watch: QB Bryce Veasley, 6-4/225 sr. (3,273 yards/24 TD passing, 467 yards/14 TD rushing); WR Taj Mustapha, 6-0/185, sr. (816 yards/5 TD receiving); RB/DB Collin Heard, 5-10/180 sr. (994 yards/11 TD rushing); WR AJ Abbott, 6-2/190 sr. (1,043 yards/8 TD receiving).
Outlook: West Bloomfield is enjoying its finest season even as it’s had to navigate an OAA Red and playoffs filled with ranked opponents – and now must see a league rival again in the championship game. The Lakers started this season 0-2 and avenged that second defeat, to Bloomfield Hills, in the Pre-District. Veasley is committed to sign with Bowling Green and is surrounded by playmakers, including as well 6-2 junior receiver Tre Mosley (828 yards/10 TDs receiving). But the defense has been arguably the most significant difference maker in the playoffs, holding four opponents to a combined 45 points despite three of them being ranked among the top six teams in Division 1 – including reigning champion Cass Tech. West Bloomfield also can rely on the sharp kicking of senior Nick O’Shea, who has made 55 of 57 extra point tries and 12 of 16 field goal attempts including three for all of the team’s points last week.

CLARKSTON
Record: 11-2, honorable mention 
Coach: Kurt Richardson, 31st season (244-86)
League finish: Third in OAA Red.
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2014 and 2013.  
Best wins: 29-22 over honorable mention Holland West Ottawa in the Regional Final, 28-0 over No. 7 Davison in the District Final, 27-7 over Detroit Catholic Central in the Semifinal, 23-13 over Farmington Hills Harrison (Division 2 honorable mention for the regular season).
Players to watch: QB Nathan Uballe, 5-10/165 sr. (1,225 yards/10 TD passing); RB/DB Michael Fluegel, 6-1/175 sr. (814/9 TD rushing); RB Joshua Cantu, 5-9/176 sr. (1,478 yards/23 TD rushing); OG Noah Nicklin, 6-4/290 sr. (Uballe's statistics do not include Semifinal totals.)
Outlook: The Wolves are headed back to Ford Field after two years away and can even get a little bit of vengeance after falling to West Bloomfield in league play earlier this season. The Lakers were the only opponent to score more than 22 on Clarkston, and the defense has shined especially during the playoffs in giving up 36 points over four games. Fluegel and Cantu are the latest in a long line of strong Wolves backs – they combined for 200 yards rushing in the Semifinal win over Detroit Catholic Central, last season’s Division 1 runner-up. Aside from West Bloomfield, the only other loss this season came by seven to Rochester Adams, which was ranked No. 8 in Division 1 heading into the postseason. 

Division 2

WARREN DELASALLE
Record: 11-2, No. 6 
Coach: Mike Giannone, second season (15-7)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League Central.
Championship history: Division 2 champion 2014, two runner-up finishes. 
Best wins: 14-13 over No. 1 Detroit Martin Luther King in the Semifinal, 14-7 over No. 8 Oak Park in the Regional Final, 50-0 over honorable mention Port Huron Northern in the District Final, 46-0 over honorable mention Ferndale in the Pre-District, 35-14 and 20-6 over Detroit Catholic Central, 52-14 over Division 3 honorable mention Dearborn Divine Child.  
Players to watch: QB Luke Pfromm, 6-6/225 sr. (1,546 yards/13 TD passing, 11 TD rushing); RB Cordell Tannyhill III, 5-9/205 sr. (873 yards/6 TD rushing); WR/DB Jacob Badalamenti, 5-9/150 sr. (546 yards/6 TD receiving); LB Devin Campbell, 6-1/190 jr. (82 tackles).
Outlook: The Pilots made a big wave by eliminating two-time reigning champion King in the Semifinal, but DeLaSalle likely wasn’t receiving enough credit for winning a Catholic League Central that produced three playoff teams. The only losses this fall were opening weekend against Lowell and by 10 to Pennsylvania power Erie Cathedral – and aside from that pair, no other opponent has scored more than 14 points. Including a pair of wins over eventual Division 1 semifinalist DCC, DeLaSalle has given up only 40 points over its last six games. Junior defensive backs Jacob Dobbs and Josh DeBerry are among additional playmakers on that side of the ball; Dobbs has 80 tackles, five sacks and four fumble recoveries and DeBerry has six interceptions. Giannone is 173-58 over 20 seasons coaching overall and led Macomb Dakota to Division 1 titles in 2006 and 2007.

LIVONIA FRANKLIN
Record: 11-2, unranked
Coach: Chris Kelbert, 17th season (87-83) 
League finish: Second in Kensington Lakes Activities Association Gold.
Championship history: Class A champion 1975. 
Best wins: 20-0 over No. 9 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central in the Semifinal, 35-28 over No. 5 Walled Lake Western in the Pre-District, 35-21 over Livonia Stevenson, 21-19 over Livonia Churchill in the District Final, 31-29 over Flushing in the Regional Final.
Players to watch: QB Jacob Kelbert, 6-4/190 sr. (1,101 yards/9 TD passing); RB Isaac Moore, 6-0/201 sr. (1,598 yards/14 TD rushing); RB Julius Simmons, 6-0/180 jr. (870 yards/12 TD rushing); LB Jacob Mass, 6-4/215 sr. (111 tackles). (Kelbert/Mass statistics do not include Semifinals).
Outlook: Franklin was the first Class A champion in MHSAA football history and broke through for another title opportunity last week in its second trip to the Semifinals over the last three seasons. This fall also has included losses to neighbors Stevenson and Churchill during a 2-2 start, and then the avenging of both defeats – and the Patriots also have had to gut out a series of close playoff wins to make it this far. Forest Hills Central was averaging nearly 38 points per game before Franklin’s shutout last week, and a strong rushing game helps that defense – Jacob Kelbert threw only six passes in the Semifinal with Moore and Simmons carrying the load.

Division 3

MUSKEGON
Record: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Shane Fairfield, eighth season (86-18)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Black.
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2008), four runner-up finishes. 
Best wins: 42-0 over No. 4 Battle Creek Harper Creek in the Semifinal, 49-0 over No. 5 DeWitt in the Regional Final, 55-20 over honorable mention Zeeland West in the District Final, 35-24 over Division 2 No. 4 Muskegon Mona Shores.
Players to watch: QB La’darius Jefferson, 6-2/215 sr. (1,850 yards/29 TD rushing, 1,205 yards/21 TD passing); SL/DB Clinton Jefferson, Jr., 6-1/180 sr. (463 yards/10 TD receiving, 786 yards/10 TD rushing); RB/LB Lonnie Clark, Jr., 5-7/165 sr. (877 yards/13 TD rushing); OT A.J. Reed, Jr., 6-6/215/sr. (Clinton Jefferson’s rushing yardage does not include Semifinal.)
Outlook: Muskegon’s season has been memorable, to say the least. After seeing last season’s Division 3 title slip away on an Orchard Lake St. Mary’s score with four seconds left in the Final, the Big Reds are back after rolling through most of the first 13 games. This time they’ve got the fifth highest-scoring offense in MHSAA football history and a defense that hasn’t given up a point in two weeks and only 78 all season. Quarterback La’darius Jefferson may be the toughest player to stop in all of Michigan, and he’s running behind a line that averages 6-foot-3 and 297 pounds led by Penn State recruit Reed. Only Mona Shores in Week 8 stayed within striking distance, and another win would give the Big Reds one of the most impressive seasons in this state in some time.

FARMINGTON HILLS HARRISON
Record: 10-3, honorable mention*
Coach: John Herrington, 48th season (435-106-1) 
League finish: Tied for first in OAA White.
Championship history: Thirteen MHSAA titles (most recent 2010), four runner-up finishes.  
Best wins: 21-0 over Riverview in the Semifinal, 34-21 over honorable mention Linden in the Regional Final, 17-14 over Division 2 No. 8 Oak Park.  
Players to watch: LB/TE Ovie Oghoufo, 6-4/215 sr. (479 yards/5 TD receiving); WB/DB Roderick Heard, 6-0/160 jr. (1,477 yards/23 TD rushing); QB/DB Noah Hendricks, 6-3/195 sr. (1,205 yards/13 TD passing); OL/DL Chris Rexroth, 6-6/275 sr. (Oghoufo and Hendricks’ statistics do not include Semifinals.)
Outlook: Just when it looks like Muskegon might be unbeatable, enter Harrison with the best narrative possible going up against such an opponent. This is the second-to-last season of Hawks football before the school closes, and earlier this fall Herrington become the winningest coach in Michigan high school history. This championship game appearance will give Harrison a record 18 – it’s currently tied with Detroit Catholic Central atop the list – and the Hawks also have the most championships in MHSAA history at 13. But this team has a lot more going for it than a potential storybook ending. Oghoufo will continue his career at Notre Dame and Heard is making a lot of noise carrying the offensive load behind a sizable line. (*Harrison was part of The Associated Press’ Division 2 for the regular season.)

Division 4

GRAND RAPIDS CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Todd Kolster, sixth season (64-11) 
League finish: First in O-K Blue.
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2016), two runner-up finishes. 
Best wins: 24-0 over No. 10 Escanaba in the Semifinal, 45-34 over No. 2 Wyoming Kelloggsville in the District Final, 32-26 over Hudsonville Unity Christian in the Pre-District, 35-33 over Division 5 No. 2 Grand Rapids West Catholic, 57-50 over Comstock Park.  
Players to watch: QB Jack Bowen, 6-1/180 sr. (1,629 yards/20 TD passing); WR/OLB Nathan Trudeau, 6-1/170 sr. (532 yards/6 TD receiving); RB Nolan Fugate, 6-1/210 sr. (2,650 yards/32 TD rushing), OL/DL Jalen Mayfield, 6-6/270 sr.
Outlook: The reigning Division 4 champion has lost only one game in two years – to reigning Division 5 champ West Catholic midway through 2016 – and survived some close calls including two to start these playoffs. But the Cougars keep coming up big with Fugate in particular stacking up yardage – his rushing total stands 17th on the single-season list already – as he continues to run behind a line featuring University of Michigan recruit Mayfield. Bowen also started as GRCC won last season’s championship, and he’s capable of bringing some balance to the offense when needed – although again, Fugate has been one of his top targets with five scoring passes. 

EDWARDSBURG
Record: 12-1, No. 6 in Division 3*
Coach: Kevin Bartz, 23rd season (159-73)
League finish: First in Wolverine Conference.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final. 
Best wins: 32-21 over River Rouge (No. 7 in Division 3 for the regular season) in the Semifinal, 52-30 over Lansing Sexton in the Regional Final, 30-12 over No. 8 Three Rivers in the District Final, 44-20 over honorable mention Plainwell.
Players to watch: RB/DB Nick Bradley, 5-9/160 sr. (1,313 yards/12 TD rushing, 3 TD receiving); RB/LB Chase Sager, 6-0/190 jr. (780 yards/16 TD rushing); RB/DE Kyle Shrider, 6-2/215 sr. (806 yards/11 TD rushing); RB/DB Caden Goggins, 5-8/160 jr. (670 yards/11 TD rushing).
Outlook: In its fourth straight season of double-digit wins and fifth over the last eight years, Edwardsburg finally broke through to make its first MHSAA championship game. The Eddies long have been dominant in the southwestern corner of the Lower Peninsula; in fact, they lost their first league game this season since 2012 but avenged that defeat to Three Rivers a month later. Their charged-up running attack broke 600 points for the first time, regardless that it’s no secret what’s coming – Edwardsburg had attempted only 31 passes heading into last weekend. (*Edwardsburg was part of Division 3 for The Associated Press’ rankings during the regular season.)

Division 5

SAGINAW SWAN VALLEY
Record: 12-1, No. 4 
Coach: Kevin Gavenda, second season (18-6) 
League finish: First in Tri-Valley Conference Central.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 29-14 over T-No. 8 Reed City in the Semifinal, 48-14 over T-No. 8 Muskegon Oakridge in the Regional Final, 36-19 over Division 4 No. 10 Alma.
Players to watch: QB/S Alex Fries, 6-2/180 jr. (1,532 yards/21 TD passing, 486 yards/8 TD rushing); RB/DB Emmett Boehler, 5-8/195 sr. (1,553 yards/16 TD rushing); DL/OL Cameron Toth, 6-1/235 sr. (88 tackles/14 sacks); RB/LB Chase Mendoza, 5-8/195 jr. (521 yards/9 TD rushing).
Outlook: Swan Valley is making its first appearance at the Finals after tying the program’s single-season wins record. The Vikings are finally healthy just in time as well after playing without Boehler and leading receiver/defensive back Terryon Liddell at times during the playoffs. They haven’t lost since opening weekend to Zeeland East, and they haven’t let an opponent within seven points since Week 4. Junior linebacker Matt Pike (135 tackles) anchors the middle of a defense that has given up more than 14 points in a game only once since Week 2. 

GRAND RAPIDS WEST CATHOLIC
Record: 11-2, No. 2
Coach: Joe Hyland, second season (23-4)
League finish: Second in O-K Blue.
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2016), two runner-up finishes. 
Best wins: 25-21 over No. 1 Frankenmuth in the Semifinal, 28-26 over No. 3 Portland in the Regional Final, 17-6 over Division 3 honorable mention Zeeland West.
Players to watch: QB Gaetano Vallone, 5-10/170 sr. (2,480 yards/29 TD passing, 867 yards/14 TD rushing); WR/DB Nick Dorato, 5-11/165 jr. (816 yards/13 TD receiving); RB/DB Alex Fortier, 5-10/165 sr. (741 yards/3 TD rushing); LB/RB Zack Lee, 6-0/210 sr. (728 yards/13 TD rushing). (Fortier’s stats do not include Semifinal totals.)
Outlook: West Catholic has tested itself against the best as it goes for a fifth straight Division 5 championship. In addition to eliminating two of the other major favorites the last two weeks, West Catholic took a two-point loss from reigning Division 4 champ Grand Rapids Catholic Central and a three-pointer from 2016 Division 6 winner Jackson Lumen Christi. Vallone will be capping his career with a third championship game appearance, while a number of others including senior defensive back Connor Bolthouse have contributed last season or before that as well. Senior Liam Putz also will be kicking in his third Final and has been one of the state’s best. 

Division 6

ITHACA
Record: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Terry Hessbrook, 14th season (152-19)
League finish: First in Tri-Valley Conference West
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2015), one runner-up finish. 
Best wins: 27-0 over Traverse City St. Francis (No. 2 in Division 7 for regular season) in the Semifinal, 33-23 over No. 2 Montague in the Regional Final, 38-14 over Division 5 No. 8 Clare.
Players to watch: QB/FS Joey Bentley, 6-2/185 sr. (1,904 yards/27 TD passing, 1,567 yards/26 TD rushing); WR/DB/K Adam Culp, 6-3/175 sr. (497 yards/10 TD receiving, 96 XP/8 FG); WR/OLB Seth Davis, 5-10/170 sr. (576 yards/5 TD receiving, 79 tackles/6 interceptions). LB/RB Zach Hessbrook, 6-2/215 sr. (154 tackles).
Outlook: What Ithaca has accomplished over the last nine years is astounding. The Yellowjackets haven’t lost a regular season game since 2009, and they are a combined 118-4 over that span. They made six straight Finals before falling in the Regional championship game a year ago, but they’re back trying to win a sixth MHSAA title in eight seasons. They’re doing it with another star quarterback in Bentley, who will play at least Division II college football as he follows a long line of Ithaca signal-callers who have gone on to the next level. The Yellowjackets have outscored four playoff opponents by a combined 159-30, and Montague with 23 points was the only opponent this year to score more than 16.

JACKSON LUMEN CHRISTI
Record: 11-1, No. 3
Coach: Herb Brogan, 38th season (340-79) 
League finish: Second in Interstate 8 Athletic Conference.
Championship history: Nine MHSAA titles (most recent 2016), two runner-up finishes. 
Best wins: 44-12 over No. 8 Warren Michigan Collegiate in the Semifinal, 44-22 over No. 4 Watervliet in the Regional Final, 27-24 over Division 5 No. 2 Grand Rapids West Catholic.  
Players to watch: RB Sebastion Toland, 5-10/170 sr. (1,944 yards/22 TD rushing); QB Troy Kutcha 6-2/200 sr. (1,287 yards/16 TD passing); FB/LB Kyle Minder, 6-1/210 sr. (809 yards/17 TD rushing), DB Bobby Willis, 6-0/175 jr.
Outlook: Lumen Christi is seeking to repeat as champion led by the fifth-winningest coach in MHSAA history and a rushing attack that has gained more than 3,300 yards a year after graduating a 2,600-yard rusher. That Toland and Minder-led ground game will be especially key in keeping Ithaca’s high-powered offense off the field, and as the Titans’ defense plays perhaps the most important role in the repeat attempt. Lumen Christi hasn’t allowed more than 24 points in a game despite facing a few of the state’s most explosive offenses this fall; Watervliet, for example, was averaging 52 per game before scoring only 22 two weeks ago. The only loss was by a point in league play to Battle Creek Harper Creek, which finished 12-1 after falling in Division 3 last week.

Division 7

PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA
Record: 12-1, No. 3 
Coach: Jeremy Miller, fifth season (59-7)
League finish: First in Central Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Division 7 champion 2016, two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 51-8 over Lake City (No. 9 in Division 6 regular season) in the Semifinal, 34-0 over No. 4 Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker in the Regional Final, 35-14 over No. 1 New Lothrop in the District Final, 32-11 over Laingsburg.  
Players to watch: QB/DE Jimmy Lehman, 6-4/215 sr. (1,569 yards/19 TD passing, 637 yards/15 TD rushing); RB/LB Bryce Thelen, 6-0/180 sr. (517 yards/10 TD rushing, 520 yards/6 TD receiving); RB/LB Hunter Wirth, 5-9/175 soph. (641 yards/8 TD rushing); OL/DL Isaiah Schafer, 6-2/265 sr. (Wirth’s rushing and Thelen’s receiving yards do not including Semifinal totals.)
Outlook: In some ways, P-W looks a lot like last year’s champion – and in some ways it’s a little different and tougher to stop. Any surprise that the Pirates are back at the Finals after graduating Michigan high school’s second all-time leading rusher Jared Smith has worn off. The Pirates are still running hard, led by the dynamic Thelen and Wirth. But they also are relying on one of their finest dual threat quarterbacks in some time in Lehman, who threw for 127 yards and two scores in last year’s championship game on eight attempts. The lone loss this fall – and over the last two seasons – was by seven on opening night to Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, and P-W eliminated three of the most serious contenders by big scores the last three weeks. No opponent since opening night has scored more than 14 points, with Lehman actually earning all-state on that side of the ball as an end. Junior Alec Thelen (along with Lehman and honorable mentions Bryce Thelen and Schafer) also earned all-state recognition as the second-team kicker.

SAUGATUCK
Record: 10-3, unranked 
Coach: Bill Dunn, 15th season (102-51)
League finish: Second in Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore
Championship history: Division 8 runner-up 2010.  
Best wins: 14-7 over Madison Heights Madison (No. 6 in Division 6 for regular season) in the Semifinal, 7-6 over No. 7 Cassopolis in the Regional Final, 14-8 over Vermontville Maple Valley in the District Final.  
Players to watch: RB/DB Bradley Dunn, 6-0/165 jr. (956 yards/10 TD rushing, 594 yards/9 TD receiving); QB/DB Jackson Shriver, 6-4/180 sr. (1,147 yards/15 TD passing, 251 yards/6 TD rushing); RB/LB Jacob Stewart, 5-7/155 jr. (684 yards/5 TD rushing); LB/OL Reece Schreckengust, 6-1/205 sr. (132 tackles)
Outlook: Similar to P-W, Saugatuck also graduated one of the leading rushers in state history in the spring, Blake Dunn, and has taken the next steps with some new contributors helping carry the load. Bradley Dunn – Blake’s brother – and Schreckengust both made the all-state first team as Saugatuck tied its program record for wins in a season. Character and perseverance have shown through; three victories during the playoffs have been by seven points or fewer, and the Indians bounced back to make this run after seeing their league title hopes fade with a Week 9 loss. The defense has been especially impressive during this Ford Field run, giving up only 42 points over four games. Bradley Dunn is dangerous on special teams as well, with two punt return touchdowns. 

Division 8

SAGINAW NOUVEL
Record: 13-0, No. 4
Coach: Mike Boyd, 18th season (168-42)
League finish: Independent
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2011), two runner-up finishes. 
Best wins: 17-14 over No. 9 Iron River West Iron County in the Semifinal, 27-26 over No. 6 Harbor Beach in the District Final, 35-0 over honorable mention Clarkston Everest Collegiate. 
Players to watch: QB/CB Tate Hausbeck, 6-3/204 sr. (2,446 yards/26 TD passing, 643 yards/14 TD rushing); WR/OLB Kenneth Kujawa, 5-8/156 sr. (601 yards/7 TD receiving); WR/OLB Peter Snyder, 6-4/198 sr. (692 yards/7 TD receiving); ILB/RB Alex Wrobel, 5-11/211, sr. 
Outlook: Nouvel has survived two nail-biters during the playoffs to get back to its first championship game since winning Division 7 under Boyd in 2011. Hausbeck is the leading passer and rusher for an offense that has more than doubled its scoring from a year ago when it reached the District Finals – six players have scored at least six touchdowns. Nouvel outlasted a physical West Iron front last week and 6-2, 274-pound senior Kyle Allen could be especially key again as a starting tackle on both sides of the ball. The Panthers have been strong defensively, giving up more than 14 points only three times. Hausbeck and Wrobel (at linebacker) both made the all-state first team.

OTTAWA LAKE WHITEFORD
Record: 13-0, No. 2
Coach: Jason Mensing, sixth season (60-13)
League finish: First in Tri-County Conference
Championship history: Division 8 runner-up 2016.  
Best wins: 50-21 over No. 3 Mendon in the Semifinal, 60-20 over honorable mention Clarkston Everest Collegiate in the Regional Final, 52-21 over Clinton, 51-8 over Morenci.  
Players to watch: QB Thomas Eitniear, 5-7/160 sr. (1,260 yards/17 TD passing, 790 yards/13 TD rushing); LB/WB Logan Murphy, 6-0/190 jr. (1,747 yards/24 TD rushing, 4 sacks); LB/WB Zach Bertz, 5-8/170 sr. (706 yards/21 TD rushing, 58 tackles); OT/DT Lucas Tesznar, 6-5/285, sr.
Outlook: Despite graduating its two leading rushers from last season’s first-time MHSAA finalist, Whiteford has stormed back behind an offense that’s put up 695 points – which already ranks fourth all-time in MHSAA history. Eitniear also was the quarterback last fall and has led the two highest-scoring teams in program history. The 50 put up last week tied the most defensively well-reputed Mendon had given up since 1977. And don’t forget Whiteford’s defense; the Bobcats haven’t given up more than 22 points in a game all season, with junior defensive back Ty Eitniear (seven interceptions) among playmakers on that side of the ball. Another to watch is leading receiver Bradyn Clark-Gilmore: the junior has 677 yards and 10 touchdowns through the air and averages 29.4 yards per catch. Tesznar made the all-state first team, while Murphy made the second and Thomas Eitniear earned honorable mention.