'Unknown' Suits Whitmore Lake Well
October 11, 2019
By Doug Donnelly
Special for Second Half
WHITMORE LAKE – The move to a new athletic conference has put some renewed energy into the Whitmore Lake football team and has the Trojans thinking playoffs for the first time in years.
Whitmore Lake, a Class C school on the northern edge of Washtenaw County, moved to the Michigan Independent Athletic Conference this season after 46 years in the Tri-County Conference. It was a big move for the school, which hoped to inject some enthusiasm into its student-athletes, including a football program that was lagging in numbers and had made the playoffs just once during the last decade.
“I feel pretty good about the buzz and excitement that is going on,” said fourth-year Whitmore Lake head coach Brian Boron. “There’s definitely a resurgence with a lot of new things.”
Four-year starting offensive tackle Alex Williams noticed the change soon after Whitmore Lake announced the move from the TCC to the MIAC after last football season.
“I feel like interest in football picked up a lot more,” said Williams. “Being a captain, you see it in school. The eighth graders will come up to you and talk about football. We had more people in our weight room all winter. The culture has definitely changed.”
The first year in a new conference has brought all sorts of new experiences to the football team, both for players, coaches and fans.
“Do we miss the TCC? Absolutely. We were one of the founding teams,” Boron said. “We miss being part of that history and tradition.
“From a win-loss standpoint, things are going well. But this year I also have 12 seniors on the team, by far the most of any team I’ve had in my four years here. Are we competitive more because of that, or because of the new league? I don’t know.”
Whitmore Lake beat Auburn Hills Oakland Christian 62-33 last Friday to improve to 4-2 on the season. Its only losses were nonleague games to undefeated and state-ranked Royal Oak Shrine Catholic and Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard. Against Shrine, the Trojans fumbled three times; and against Richard, Whitmore Lake thought it had tied the game late in the contest, but a 2-point conversion was called back and the Trojans didn’t convert on the next attempt.
Several teams on Whitmore Lake’s schedule are first-time opponents, including Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, Auburn Hills Oakland Christian and Friday’s opponent, Southfield Christian.
Senior running back Evan Romeo, a 1,000-yard rusher as a sophomore, is enjoying a big senior season as well.
“Evan is having a great year,” Boron said. “Last year he missed five games with a hamstring pull.”
Logan Kurth, Cole Henning and Evan Vaughn are other backfield mates, and the quarterback is Zach Brady.
“He doesn’t get a lot of credit, but he’s the architect of the whole thing,” Boron said of Brady. “He makes it go. Every game we have a referee or member of the chain gang come tell us that they can’t find the ball because Zach is doing such a great job with his fakes.”
Whitmore Lake’s biggest win this season came against Oakland Christian, which came into the game 4-1. The Trojans appear to be on a league title-deciding collision course with Week 9 opponent Livonia Clarenceville, also undefeated in the MIAC. Whitmore Lake’s last league championship in football came in 2002.
“In this league, we are playing against teams with 18 or 19 kids on the varsity, just like us,” Boron said. “When I took the program over, we had maybe 17 kids in the entire program. They aren’t great numbers, but now we are closer to 30. I’m hoping to add more.”
In making the move last fall, Whitmore Lake Superintendent Tom DeKeyser said it had become apparent that, at least in some sports, the Trojans were not competing at the same level as other TCC schools.
“We have built a lot of great relationships in the TCC,” DeKeyser said. “But our coaches and athletes are excited to try something different.”
Everyone in Trojans camp hopes that “different” translates into more student-athletes.
“We had 10 or 12 freshmen come out this year, some who had never played football before,” Boron said. “That’s been a good thing. We’re not sure about next year, how many kids we’ll get up from our youth program. We’ll have to see. The team having success, I believe, will help that.”
One thing Boron has found is that the move is demanding on the coaching staff, which has a whole new set of opponents for which to prepare. It used to be one or two new teams would join the schedule. This year, nearly all of the Trojans’ opponents are new.
“No other team in our league runs the ‘T’ which means we don’t see how anyone is going to defend it on film,” Boron said. “We kind of rep everything because we don’t know how they are going to line up against us. We’re still getting a feel for these other teams. It’s fun. As coaches, we watch a lot of film. We have to be able to adjust and be ready for just about anything.”
The Trojans already have scored more points than any team it has fielded since 2008, which is the last time Whitmore Lake finished with a winning record. The 2013 team made the playoffs but finished 5-5 after a first-round loss. That 2008 season capped the greatest football era in school history, when Whitmore Lake made the playoffs seven times during an eight-year span.
Boron isn’t making predictions for Whitmore Lake’s future just yet. There are still a lot of unknowns.
“Everybody is still trying to figure things out,” he said. “We will sometimes get to a school a half-hour or 45 minutes early because we are unsure of the traffic patterns still. Teams get to our school way early some weeks for the same reason.
“I think it’s a good thing for the future of football at Whitmore Lake. The unknown is exciting.”
Doug 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.
PHOTO: Whitmore Lake now-senior running back Evan Romeo breaks into the open. (Photo courtesy of the Whitmore Lake football program.)
1st & Goal: 2026 Week 7 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 9, 2026
It’s an enjoyable coincidence that several football games we annually forecast to be the most consequential of the regular season generally are played near the end, even as league schedules rotate when teams face off year to year.
Season-long anticipation is being fulfilled in many parts of the state this week, as numerous league championships are set to be decided, including by most of the matchups we glance at below.
Games highlighted are Friday unless noted. Tune in to the NFHS Network to watch the majority and follow the MHSAA Scores page for results as they’re submitted.
Bay & Thumb
Fenton (5-1) at Linden (5-1)
Fenton has clinched a share of the Flint Metro League Stripes championship, but Linden has a chance to do the same if it can break a 13-year regular-season Tigers winning streak in the series. Of the teams’ last 16 regular-season meetings, 13 have been decided by eight points or fewer, including Fenton’s 46-41 victory a year ago. Intriguing as well: These two also met in the playoffs in 2022 and 2024, and Linden won both rematches. Both are Division 3 this season.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Macomb Lutheran North (6-0) at Almont (6-0), Ovid-Elsie (3-3) at Montrose (5-1), New Lothrop (5-1) at Chesaning (4-2), Cass City (5-1) at Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (4-2).
Greater Detroit
Detroit Catholic Central (6-0) at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (5-1)
This matchup of the reigning Division 1 and 2 champions, respectively, has been one of the state’s most anticipated all season. The Shamrocks have won the last six meetings, including 29-14 a year ago. DCC’s closest challenge this fall came a week ago in a 31-12 win over Toledo Central Catholic, while the Eaglets similarly have marched through the Catholic High School League Central since falling to Detroit Martin Luther King 44-42 in Week 2.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Northville (5-1) at Belleville (4-2), Allen Park Cabrini (4-2) at Royal Oak Shrine Catholic (6-0), Detroit Central (5-1) at Detroit Denby (5-1), Brownstown Woodhaven (5-1) at Gibraltar Carlson (6-0).
Mid-Michigan
Saginaw Valley Lutheran (5-1) at Ithaca (6-0)
Valley Lutheran’s 23-22 win in last year’s matchup gave the Chargers the Tri-Valley Conference Blue title and also was Ithaca’s first league loss since 2019. Ithaca certainly has stormed back this fall and already clinched a share of the league championship, shutting out three opponents this season and allowing only 19 points over six games total while scoring at least 47 in all of them. Valley Lutheran will attempt to rebound quickly from a 35-0 loss to Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary last week, but otherwise has been mostly dominant with three shutouts as well.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Harrison (5-1) at Farwell (4-2), Brighton (4-2) at Howell (6-0), Mason (6-0) at Williamston (4-2), Pewamo-Westphalia (6-0) at Saranac (5-1).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Gladwin (4-2) at Ogemaw Heights (5-1)
Three teams are tied for first in the Jack Pine Conference Division 1 with 3-1 league records, and at least one will end up with a share or more of the championship this weekend. Bullock Creek is the third team in the hunt and defeated Gladwin last week, while Ogemaw’s lone league loss came to Shepherd two weeks ago. A Falcons title would be their fourth straight, including the last three in the JPC1 with last season’s outright thanks to an early 49-14 win over the eventual runner-up Flying Gs.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Johannesburg-Lewiston (3-3) at East Jordan (5-1), Boyne City (3-3) at Kingsley (6-0), Frankfort (5-1) at Maple City Glen Lake (4-2), Mount Pleasant (6-0) at Traverse City West (3-3).
Southeast & Border
Union City (6-0) at Springport (5-1)
A Union City win would clinch the Chargers a share of the Big 8 Conference title, while Springport would still need one more victory after this weekend to accomplish the same. The Spartans clinched last year’s with a 35-34 victory over Union City in the league finale. A 42-13 Week 3 loss to undefeated Beal City remains Springport’s only regular-season loss over the last two years, while Union City has thrived this fall with a defense giving up only 7.7 points per game.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Ypsilanti Community (3-3) at Adrian (5-1), Ida (6-0) at Clinton (5-1), Leslie (4-2) at Hanover-Horton (5-1), Brooklyn Columbia Central (5-1) at Napoleon (5-1).
Southwest Corridor
Lawton (5-1) at Constantine (5-1)
Both are chasing Kalamazoo United with three league games left on the Southwestern Athletic Conference schedule, and the winner of this matchup will have a chance to claim a share of the league title if the Titans slip up. Lawton has taken the last three meetings with Constantine, including in back-to-back weeks last fall with the regular-season finale followed by a Division 7 District Semifinal.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Portage Central (5-1) at Battle Creek Central (3-3), Vicksburg (6-0) at Niles (3-3), Kalamazoo Loy Norrix (4-2) at Stevensville Lakeshore (5-1), Redford Union (4-2) at St. Joseph (5-1).
Upper Peninsula
Menominee (6-0) at Negaunee (4-2)
Arguably the most anticipated matchup in the Upper Peninsula this season will pit Menominee against also potentially undefeated Kingsford next week. But Negaunee can make a mess of that scenario if it can end the Maroons’ 20-game winning streak. Menominee has claimed the last two meetings between this pair, including 40-12 a year ago, but the Miners are just a combined eight points from being undefeated as well this fall.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Calumet (4-2) at Escanaba (2-4), Bark River-Harris (5-1) at Hancock (3-3), L’Anse (3-3) at Iron Mountain (4-2), Gaylord (3-3) at Marquette (4-2).
West Michigan
East Kentwood (6-0) at Caledonia (5-1)
This is another one we’ve been waiting for, as these two have separated themselves in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red. East Kentwood is seeking its first league title since 2018 and also must still face reigning champion Hudsonville in Week 9. Caledonia earned a 13-7 win over the Eagles two weeks ago, the middle result of three straight victories decided by seven points or fewer. The Falcons have won the last two in this series, including 42-6 in 2025.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Battle Creek Harper Creek (5-1) at Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (5-1), Berrien Springs (6-0) at Hopkins (6-0), Zeeland West (5-1) at Hudsonville Unity Christian (4-2), Muskegon Mona Shores (5-1) at Muskegon (3-3).
8-Player
Blanchard Montabella (5-1) at Merrill (6-0)
Montabella has several strong reasons to be dreaming of another run to the Superior Dome next month, and last year’s on the way to finishing Division 1 runner-up included 36-26 and 26-0 victories over Merrill, the first that decided the Mid-State Activities Blue championship. This weekend’s matchup will do the same as both enter 4-0 in league play and full of playmakers who have allowed them to break 50 points regularly.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Rudyard (5-1) at St. Ignace (5-1), Pickford (5-1) at Indian River Inland Lakes (4-2), Pittsford (4-2) at Litchfield (6-0). SATURDAY Crystal Falls Forest Park (5-1) at Lake Linden-Hubbell (6-0).
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PHOTO Ithaca senior quarterback Gibson Rondy (2) releases a pass under pressure during the first half of his team’s Week 3 win over Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central. (Photo by Kolleth Photography.)