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Clinton’s Mathew Sexton scored more touchdowns in Tri-County Conference games than any player in league history.

Tradition-Filled Tri-County Conference Kicking Off Final Season of 11-Player Football

By Doug Donnelly
Special for MHSAA.com

August 20, 2024

The bus driver went too fast.

Southeast & BorderIt was fall of 1979, and Ottawa Lake Whiteford football coach John Hoover had come up with a plan for his Bobcats to dress in their own locker room, warm up on their own field and arrive at the Petersburg Summerfield football field for a Tri-County Conference battle just moments before kickoff.

The plan was working, except the bus driver went a little too fast.

“I don’t remember when I decided we would do it,” Hoover said. “But the night before our game, I got in my car, and I drove about the speed that I thought the bus driver would take from Whiteford to Summerfield. I had a stopwatch to time it just right. I didn’t tell anybody.”

The ploy was meant to rattle the opponent, perhaps make the other team lose focus on the game at hand.

“It’s only like 20 minutes between schools, so warming up at Whiteford and driving was no different than warming up at Summerfield and walking out to the field and waiting through the national anthem and the coin toss,” Hoover thought.

The scheme was working to perfection, but when Hoover determined the arrival would be too soon, he had the bus driver pull over just outside of Petersburg. Finally, the bus made its final trek and arrived.

On the first play from scrimmage, Summerfield fumbled, Whiteford recovered and scored a few plays later – the only touchdown of the game in a 7-0 Bobcats win.

Thomas Eitniear was the quarterback and Jason Mensing head coach at Whiteford when the Bobcats became the first school in Tri-County Conference history to win an MHSAA Finals football championship.“I don’t know if it worked,” Hoover said. “But, when the bus got near, when we were driving up the road where the Summerfield stadium was, the head coach (LeRoy Wood) was out in the middle of the street, looking down the road, looking for us. I knew right then that it probably worked. It wouldn’t have worked if we had cell phones like they do today.”

Summerfield and Whiteford have played some spirited games over the years as rivals in the Tri-County Conference. Unfortunately, the season that starts next week will be the last one for 11-player football in the TCC.

With the makeup of the league changing over the last decade or so and the move to 8-player football for three league schools, this is the final season for TCC football after 51 years of small-town competition.

The league has just three remaining schools playing 11-player football – Whiteford, Summerfield and Erie Mason. There is no TCC football schedule for 2025 and beyond, although the league itself will stay together for other sports.

“The 2024 season will be the last season that a TCC football champion is recognized in the current league format for football,” Britton Deerfield athletic director Erik Johnson said.

It will be the end of an era in southeast Michigan.

The league was formed in 1973 with schools from Washtenaw, Lenawee and Monroe Counties.

Several schools have taken turns at the top of the conference. Sand Creek has the most league championships, winning 15 between 1977 and 2011 – 14 of them under head coach Ernie Ayers. Morenci (9), Whiteford (7), Summerfield (7) and Clinton (7) have hoisted their fair share of league football trophies. Ayers is the winningest coach in league history, going 174-71 in league games over 38 seasons. Sand Creek left the TCC in football only after last season and will compete in the Big 8 Conference this season.

Whiteford is the only league school to win an MHSAA Finals football championship, but Sand Creek, Morenci and Clinton all have appeared in state championship games.

Both times Clinton played in Finals, Mathew Sexton was the star. Sexton would go on to play four years at Eastern Michigan University and has been in multiple NFL training camps and played in the XFL. He’s the league record holder for touchdowns and points scored.

Ernie Ayers coached at Sand Creek for 38 years and won 14 Tri-County Conference championships.“I loved being in the TCC,” Sexton said. “It was great competition and was always a blast. Played with some great players, coaches and love the atmosphere each game would bring. Clinton and the TCC made me who I am today. I’m thankful for the experience it gave me.”

Summerfield graduate Jamie LaRocca was an all-state running back in the league, coached in the league and later watched his sons play football in the league as student-athletes at Whiteford.

“There were some great games, great battles,” LaRocca said. “Most of all, it was competitive. Sand Creek was good, Summerfield had good teams and Morenci had some great teams. Different teams always seemed to make their run.”

Britton and Deerfield were two charter members of the TCC, along with Ann Arbor St. Thomas (now known as Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard), Summerfield and Adrian Madison. During the 1990s, however, Britton and Deerfield formed a co-op and became Britton-Deerfield. They later officially combined high schools to become Britton Deerfield

BD had a dominating run on the football field in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Among the players who played for BD teams were Dan Musielewicz and Dustin Beurer. Beurer is now the head coach at Division II Northwood University while Musielewicz is head coach at Division III University of Olivet.

Beurer said he remembers as a high school student going to class with others from rivals Sand Creek or Madison at the Lenawee County Vocational Tech school all week, then playing against them on Friday nights.

“I get goosebumps thinking about those days,” he said. “It was small-town football at its finest back in the day.”

Brad Maska, now the head boys basketball coach at Onsted, was the BD quarterback when that team won multiple TCC titles.

“It is sad,” Maska said of the end of the TCC football era. “It truly was a great conference that produced a lot of great teams, coaches, and players throughout the years.

“The best part of the conference was the small-school pride from the communities. Friday night playing at Sand Creek or Whiteford when I was in school was always the only thing going on in town and the communities always got around us, and the atmosphere for small-school football was amazing.”

Doug DonnellyDoug Donnelly has served as a sports and news reporter and city editor over 25 years, writing for the Daily Chief-Union in Upper Sandusky, Ohio from 1992-1995, the Monroe Evening News from 1995-2012 and the Adrian Daily Telegram since 2013. He's also written a book on high school basketball in Monroe County and compiles record books for various schools in southeast Michigan. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for Jackson, Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Lenawee and Monroe counties.

PHOTOS (Top) Clinton’s Mathew Sexton scored more touchdowns in Tri-County Conference games than any player in league history. (Middle) Thomas Eitniear was the quarterback and Jason Mensing head coach at Whiteford when the Bobcats became the first school in Tri-County Conference history to win an MHSAA Finals football championship. (Below) Ernie Ayers coached at Sand Creek for 38 years and won 14 Tri-County Conference championships. (Photos courtesy of the Adrian Daily Telegram and Monroe News.)

Drive for Detroit: Week 4 in Review

September 23, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Week 4 of Michigan’s high school football season was filled with great stories, and we tried to make mention of as many as we could in this week’s “Drive for Detroit” review.

A legendary coach returns with a big win. A neighbor beats its rival for the first time in a number of years – or decades. A league title contender gives up a sure win and takes a chance to help another celebrate those who have served our country.

And as often written in these opening paragraphs each week, those were just the start.

"Drive for Detroit" is sponsored by MI Student Aid.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Frankenmuth 21, Freeland 7 The Eagles (4-0) now share the lead in the Tri-Valley Conference East with only Saginaw Swan Valley after sending Freeland (3-1) a game back. Frankenmuth avenged last season’s 15-8 loss to the Falcons with 21 unanswered second-half points, but can’t celebrate for long with Swan Valley up this week. Click for more from the Saginaw News and see highlights below from WJRT.

Watch list Richmond 35, Croswell-Lexington 18 The Blue Water Area Conference also has just two teams at the top now – Richmond and Almont – after the Blue Devils (4-0) sent Croswell-Lexington (2-2) into a tie for third.

Remember this one Millington 15, Hemlock 6 The Cardinals (1-3) took the first step needed to win out and guarantee extending their 15-year playoff streak by handing Hemlock (2-2) its second straight defeat.

More shoutouts Davison 48, Flint Powers Catholic 0 The Cardinals (4-0) posted their second straight shutout to hand Powers (3-1) its first defeat and stay atop the Saginaw Valley League Blue. Harbor Beach 47, Brown City 0 The Pirates (4-0) have given up just 17 points over four games but next will take on Ubly (40.5 ppg) for first place in the Greater Thumb Conference East.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Plymouth 14, Brighton 7 The Wildcats are 4-0 for the first time since 2011 and alone atop the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West after edging the reigning champion Bulldogs. Brighton (3-1) is one of four teams in the league sharing second with one defeat – and Plymouth handed that loss to three of them. Click for more from the Livingston Daily Press & Argus.

Watch list Oak Park 26, Birmingham Groves 14 Oak Park (3-1) has been one of Groves’ few regular-season stoppers the last few seasons and made it three in a row over the Falcons (3-1) to remain with Birmingham Seaholm the only teams undefeated in Oakland Activities Association White play.

Remember this one Detroit Martin Luther King 47, Detroit Cass Tech 7 Much credit goes to both Detroit Public School League powers for opening against some of the Midwest’s best – even though both started 0-2. King (2-2) gave itself a little bit of breathing room with a second straight win after opening with defeats to Detroit Catholic Central and Muskegon. Cass Tech (1-3) finds itself in a rare position; the Technicians fell to out-of-state powers Chicago Phillips and Lakewood St. Edward (Ohio), the first two weeks and likely will have to win out – including against King during the Detroit Public School League playoffs – to extend an 11-year playoff streak.

More shoutouts Orchard Lake St. Mary's 38, Walled Lake Western 35 The Eaglets, after going a combined 5-12 over the last two seasons, are 4-0 after handing Western its first loss. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 16, Warren De La Salle Collegiate 14 The Warriors (4-0) downed the reigning Division 2 champion Pilots (2-2) for the first time since 2016.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER East Lansing 35, Portage Northern 28 (OT) The Trojans (3-1) earned a major win for Lansing-area football as a whole, taking down arguably the top team from the southwest so far this fall in Northern (3-1). The Huskies are undefeated in Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West play along with St. Joseph, but gave up a season high in points to East Lansing. The Trojans couldn’t have wished for better heading into their next matchup with league rival DeWitt, a big winner over Holt this weekend. Click for more from East Lansing Info and see below for highlights from State Champs Sports Network.

Watch list New Lothrop 42, Montrose 21 The reigning Division 7 champion Hornets (4-0) haven’t slowed down a step from last season, with Montrose (3-1) the second of three second-place teams in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference to fall to New Lothrop over the last two weeks.

Remember this one St. Johns 33, Williamston 21 The Redwings (3-1) got off to a deflating start with a Week 1 shutout against East Lansing, but that loss looks better with the Trojans’ success and also forgettable after wins like this one over the Hornets (2-2).

More shoutouts Beal City 35, Evart 7 The Aggies (4-0) stand alone in the Highland Conference after handing Evart (3-1) its first defeat, which continued a three-week string of dealing contenders their first league loss. Fowler 46, Laingsburg 24 By handing Laingsburg (3-1) its only loss, the Eagles (4-0) got past the main obstacle on the way to what could be a battle of unbeatens against rival Pewamo-Westphalia in Week 8.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Kingsley 26, Traverse City St. Francis 7 The Stags (4-0) broke a six-game losing streak against the Gladiators that had seen them struggle to even score against their rivals. But this time, St. Francis (2-2) was held to just seven points for the second time this season – and also just the second time in a regular-season game since the start of 2014. Kingsley sits atop the Northern Michigan Football League Legends standings with Week 9 opponent Boyne City. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle and see highlights below from MI Sports Now.

Watch list Alpena 41, Cadillac 38 Are the Wildcats (2-2) contenders in the Big North Conference? They join Travers City Central as the only teams without a league loss as they play for their first overall winning season since 2004, and this was a nice win with Cadillac (2-2) also on the rise.

Remember this one Traverse City Central 32, Traverse City West 0 The “Patriot Game” always is memorable, but will be this time especially for Central (3-1) as it avenged last season’s 21-14 defeat with a margin unrivaled in the series since West’s 31-point win in 2002.

More shoutouts Maple City Glen Lake 53, Frankfort 7 The Lakers (4-0) continued to shine with a season high in points against the Panthers (2-2). Johannesburg-Lewiston 40, St. Ignace 0 The Cardinals put up a third straight big win to start a string of five games against teams that are .500 or better so far.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Chelsea 28, Ypsilanti Lincoln 18 The Bulldogs (4-0) made the Division 4 championship game last season, even more impressive considering they didn’t win their league. But they took a major step toward earning that local crown this fall by ending a two-year losing streak to the rival Railsplitters (2-2) – and next up is reigning Southeastern Conference White champion Jackson. Click for more from the Chelsea Sun Times News.

Watch list Blissfield 28, Brooklyn Columbia Central 14 Seven of eight teams in the Lenawee County Athletic Association are 2-2 or better, and Blissfield (3-1) finds itself tied for first place after handing reigning co-champ Columbia Central (3-1) a loss for the second straight season.

Remember this one Clinton 34, Sand Creek 28 A late rally kept Clinton (4-0) tied for first in the Tri-County Conference and could be the difference down the road as Sand Creek (3-1) hopes for help to get back in the title mix.  

More shoutouts Dexter 57, Jackson 21 The Dreadnaughts (3-1) are halfway to earning a second playoff berth in two seasons – and ever – after avenging last season’s 10-point loss to the Vikings (3-1). Jonesville 52, Union City 0 This win over 2018 playoff qualifier Union City moved Jonesville to 3-1, giving the Comets their most wins in a season since 2016 – and tying their most wins since 2014.  

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER St. Joseph 22, Stevensville Lakeshore 14 The coach Andrew Pratley era is only four games old, but the Bears (4-0) are only one win shy of tying last year’s success and in position to decide their fate in the SMAC West after this victory over Lakeshore (2-2). St. Joseph had lost eight straight to the Lancers, going back to 2013. The final month could be even more telling with league foes Portage Central and Northern sandwiching undefeated Battle Creek Lakeview and perennial power DeWitt. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.

Watch list White Pigeon 14, Centreville 8 The Chiefs (4-0) won this matchup of 2018 playoff qualifiers to hold on to a share of first in the Southwest 10 Conference, with Centreville (2-2) now having lost to both co-leaders over the last two weeks.

Remember this one Lawton 29, Delton Kellogg 12 These two could end up champions in the Southwestern Athletic Conference divisions. Delton (3-1) should be pursuing the Valley title with Schoolcraft and Constantine. Lawton (4-0) and Gobles look to be early favorites in the SAC Lakeshore.

More shoutouts Edwardsburg 54, Vicksburg 7 The Eddies (4-0) are back on top in the Wolverine Conference sharing first with only Paw Paw after handing Vicksburg (3-1) its first loss. Portage Central 21, Battle Creek Central 19 Both made the playoffs a year ago, and the Mustangs (2-2) are just a bit more comfortable as they try to advance again while the Bearcats (1-3) now are forced to win out to guarantee a return.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Ishpeming Westwood 38, Ishpeming 0 The Patriots (2-2) find themselves needing a number of things to fall their way to get back into their league’s title mix, but a great consolation prize at the end of the season will be this win over the rival Hematites (3-1). It broke a losing streak (on the field, not counting a forfeit victory in 2017) against Ishpeming that began in 1999 and included four playoff defeats. Click for more from the Marquette Mining Journal.

Watch list Calumet 14, West Iron County 0 The Copper Kings (4-0) have given up only 21 points over four games, handing West Iron (3-1) a shutout for its first defeat.

Remember this one Marquette 17, Escanaba 14 The Redmen (2-2) started this season with losses to Traverse City powers St. Francis and Central. But those games no doubt prepared them well to open Great Northern Conference play with a big win against their rival and the other reigning league co-champ Eskymos (3-1).

More shoutouts Kingsford 20, Gladstone 7 The Flivvers (2-2) enjoyed a jumpstart in their first game this fall against a Michigan opponent, handing Gladstone (2-2) a second straight defeat. Sault Ste. Marie 8, Petoskey 7 (OT) The Blue Devils (3-1) scored their only points in overtime to improve on their best start on the field since 2007 (not including 2015 when a Week 4 win came by forfeit).

West Michigan

HEADLINER Rockford 34, Muskegon Mona Shores 21 The Rams (4-0) welcomed back the state’s sixth winningest coach Ralph Munger after preseason heart surgery kept him off the sideline to start the fall, and they no doubt rode some added inspiration in avenging losses to Mona Shores (3-1) from the last two seasons.  Jaiden Friesen scored five touchdowns, and Rockford’s defense held the reigning Division 2 runner-up Sailors to their second-fewest points over the last three seasons. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Watch list Byron Center 33, Holland Christian 6 The much-improved Bulldogs (4-0) have handed losses to three .500 teams including Holland Christian (2-2) to get to the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green powers, starting with Zeeland West this week.

Remember this one Muskegon Catholic Central 34, Ludington 21 This one jumped off the page, mostly because Ludington (3-1) had beaten reigning Lakes 8 Conference champ Manistee the week before. With Orchard View also surging, this league could be wide open.

More shoutouts Zeeland West 40, Lowell 26 The Dux (4-0) actually saw their scoring average fall to 45 ppg, and with wins as well over East Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Christian and Holland appear ready for league competition. Muskegon Orchard View 42, Belding 35 Every week the story gets better for the Cardinals (4-0), who have guaranteed their best finish since 2014 and with another win will tie their best since 2008.

8-Player

HEADLINER Suttons Bay 20, Onekama 14 This was one of the week’s best stories, and it had nothing to do with how the teams played. Although these two are the likely Midwest Central Michigan Conference West favorites and will meet again possibly to decide the champion Week 8, they agreed to play a nonleague game this past week as well. Although both were eligible to receive forfeit wins against other opponents no longer playing this fall, Onekama (3-1) had made big plans for its “Warrior Game” military appreciation night and needed an on-field opponent to make it go. In stepped Suttons Bay, which moved to 4-0 with its best win this season. Click for more from the Manistee News-Advocate.

Watch list Climax-Scotts 16, Camden-Frontier 12 It’s been impossible to not make mention of Climax-Scotts (4-0) almost every week so far with how it’s marched through some of the traditional best from its corner of the Lower Peninsula. Camden-Frontier (3-1) entered undefeated, and unbeaten Colon is up next.

Remember this one Litchfield 36, Waldron 22 The Terriers (3-1) now have as many wins as the last seven seasons combined, and could be set up to make a run at the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

More shoutouts Rapid River 66, Cedarville 58 (OT) The Rockets (1-3) haven’t scored like usual this season, but this overtime back-and-forth was a quick reminder of their past firepower – and a good time for it with Cedarville (2-2) always a force and league play starting. Hillman 52, Au Gres-Sims 20 The Tigers (4-0) stormed back after taking a forfeit win in Week 3, breaking a streak of three regular-season losses to the Wolverines (1-3).

Second Half’s weekly “Drive for Detroit” previews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTO: Ishpeming Westwood quarterback Taylor Dellangelo celebrates a touchdown against Ishpeming. (Photo by Cara Kamps.)