Three Rivers Takes Run at District Together
October 31, 2017
By Wes Morgan
Special for Second Half
J.J. Wagner is economical with his words, stoic on the sideline, and not preoccupied with statistical trends. All he really asks of his Three Rivers football players is to play and sacrifice for one another.
It’s been a pretty good recipe throughout his 13-year tenure as the head varsity coach of the Wildcats, at least in the years when the players truly held up their end of the bargain. With an 82-50 career record since 2005, Wagner has seen what can happen when everyone is pulling in the same direction, like a 13-0 run that ended with a loss in the 2009 Division 4 Final.
He’s also witnessed how complacency can cut a program right back down, as was the case in 2010 when an experienced Three Rivers squad went 4-5 and missed the postseason.
The Wildcats have been noticeably hungrier the last two years, with a 7-3 mark in 2016 and an 8-2 record this year as they prepare for Friday’s Division 4 District championship game against Edwardsburg.
Eleven games into the year, Three Rivers has been unable to break out of a Wolverine Conference bubble. The Wildcats went 7-2 in the league, with losses to Dowagiac (Week 2) and Vicksburg (Week 9). Revenge was sweet last Friday as Three Rivers beat Vicksburg in the Pre-District game (20-10).
Now, the difficult task of beating the league’s most dominant team for the second time in one year is what’s required to move on in the playoffs. If Three Rivers can beat the Eddies (after also doing so 21-18 in Week 7), there’s a chance they’ll face Wolverine Conference member Plainwell in the Regional Round.
“You get through the Wolverine (schedule) and then you’re suddenly in a mini Wolverine tournament,” Wagner joked.
There are no secrets in terms of playoff prep against such familiar foes, so it’s all about the basics.
“Our offense has been moving the sticks, our defense has been playing well, our special teams have played well and we play well when we don’t turn the ball over,” he said.
Having played for perennial power Mendon, where he registered 253 tackles as an outside linebacker during the 1987-89 seasons, Wagners’ emphasis on that side of the ball has been a hallmark of the 2017 campaign. Three Rivers has only allowed 11.7 points and 203 yards per game. The Wildcats have stopped opponents on third down 79.8 percent of the time.
A lot of that has to do with big and athletic senior defensive end Tirrell Hausmanis (6-foot-4, 245 pounds), senior defensive tackle Tyler Moore (5-11, 235) and the linebacker duo of senior Chris Morrill (5-10, 160) and Traven Van Oss (6-1, 165). That group alone has accounted for 34.5 tackles for loss this season. Morrill and Van Oss are tied for a team-best 61 tackles.
“Anytime you’re playing good defense, you can take a few more chances on offense,” Wagner said. “I don’t know how many times we’ve gone for it on fourth down this year, but it’s probably more than most (years). You can take a chance at midfield or the 40 that maybe you wouldn’t normally.”
Perhaps no player has embraced Wagner’s rule of doing what’s best for the team more than Hausmanis, who likely would have garnered a lot more attention from college coaches had he stayed at tight end. Instead, he’s anchored both lines the past two seasons.
“We all just do our jobs,” he said. “This happened and we weren’t big enough (on the offensive line) for me to play tight end. They needed me at tackle. At first I didn’t really like it, but I had to get used to it because it was what was best for the team. It helped us succeed and win, so I had to do it.”
His defensive stats might not seem that impressive — 30 tackles with two sacks — but it’s what he’s capable of that impacts the game so severely.
“It helps when you know people are going to run away from (Hausmanis), so you can stunt and play games on the other side that can mess with their protections and blocking schemes,” Wagner said.
Wagner admitted he’s not big on stats, but for those who were wondering about how many times the offense has felt comfortable gambling on fourth down because of a belief in the defense, it’s 27. The Wildcats have converted 15 times (55.6 percent).
Other than knowing the defense could likely bail it out if needed, there’s been plenty of confidence in the offense under the leadership of junior quarterback Jalen Heivilin.
With a 22-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio, an average of 214.6 passing yards per game and a completion rate of 61 percent, the first-year starter has settled in nicely. Classmate Gavin Charvat has been Heivilin’s favorite target as the two have connected 42 times for 562 yards and six touchdowns. Bryce Morlan was next in line with 32 receptions for 549 yards and a team-high 11 TDs, but the senior went down in Week 9 with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Fortunately for the Wildcats they also have reliable receivers in Jett Haifley and Zac Meyer; each has hauled in 23 passes for around 400 yards.
“When we play mistake-free, which is what we harp on, and eliminate pre- and post-snap penalties, you can win a lot of games,” Wagner said. “That’s what we focus on every week. If you can do that, you’re going to keep yourself in a lot of games.”
That was exactly the difference in Three Rivers’ home win against Edwardsburg on Oct. 6, which snapped a 34-game Wolverine Conference winning streak by the Eddies.
“We have to play with that same energy and effort (against Edwardsburg),” Wagner added. “In both of our losses, we came out kind of flat. If I knew why, we wouldn’t do it. We think we can go in there (at Edwardsburg) and play them tough again. It boiled down to mistakes in that (first meeting). We made our extra points, and we held them on all theirs. If we go in there with the same discipline, there’s no reason we can’t beat them again.”
Wes Morgan has reported for the Kalamazoo Gazette, ESPN and ESPNChicago.com, 247Sports and Blue & Gold Illustrated over the last 12 years and is the publisher of JoeInsider.com. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) Three Rivers’ defense lines up for a play; it’s been stifling this season giving up only 11.7 points per game. (Middle) Receiver Nolan Mark and quarterback Jalen Heivilin (4) talk things over against Edwardsburg. (Photos courtesy of JoeInsider.com.)
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)