Week 9 Football Playoff Listing
October 16, 2012
Here is a list of Michigan High School Athletic Association football playing schools, displaying their win-loss records and playoff averages through the eighth week of the season. Schools on this list are in enrollment order. An asterisk (*) beside a record indicates that a team has eight or fewer games scheduled. A caret (^) beside a school’s name indicates that a team is one win away from playoff qualification.
Those schools with 11-player teams with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules, or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer, will qualify for the MHSAA Football Playoffs beginning Oct. 26-27. Schools with 5-4, 4-3 or 4-4 records may qualify if the number of potential qualifiers by win total does not reach the 256 mark. Schools with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer may be subtracted from the field based on playoff average if the number of potential qualifiers exceeds the 256 mark.
Once the 256 qualifying schools are determined, they will be divided by enrollment groups into eight equal divisions of 32 schools, and then drawn into regions of eight teams each and districts of four teams each.
Those schools with 8-player teams will be ranked by playoff average at season’s end, and the top 16 programs will be drawn into regions of eight teams each for the playoff in that division, which also begins Oct. 26-27. All 8-player teams, regardless of win total, are listed below.
To review a list of all football playoff schools, individual school playoff point details and to report errors, visit the Football page of the MHSAA Website.
The announcement of the qualifiers and first-round pairings for both the 11 and 8-player playoffs will take place at 6 p.m. on Oct. 21 on the Selection Sunday Show on FOX Sports Detroit. The playoff qualifiers and pairings will be posted to the MHSAA Website following the Selection Sunday Show.
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11-Player Playoff Listing
1. Utica Eisenhower, 2772, 6-2, 85.250
2. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 2766, 6-2, 81.375
3. Clarkston, 2721, 8-0, 109.000
4. Howell ^, 2692, 5-3, 67.750
5. Grand Blanc, 2644, 4-4, 57.000
6. Macomb Dakota, 2608, 7-1, 94.750
7. Lake Orion, 2565, 7-1, 94.875
8. Rockford, 2526, 6-2, 81.625
9. Troy ^, 2502, 5-3, 65.125
10. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley ^, 2462, 5-3, 69.750
11. Dearborn Fordson, 2442, 7-1, 102.375
12. Holland West Ottawa, 2262, 6-2, 77.250
13. Northville ^, 2220, 5-3, 65.875
14. Detroit Cass Tech, 2200, 6-2, 80.125
15. Canton ^, 2166, 5-3, 63.500
16. Monroe, 2154, 6-2, 72.250
17. Detroit Catholic Central ^, 2060, 5-3, 65.792
18. Plymouth, 2050, 7-1, 89.875
19. Salem ^, 2039, 5-3, 67.500
20. Livonia Stevenson, 2005, 6-2, 78.250
21. Holt ^, 1992, 5-3, 61.750
22. Hartland, 1932, 7-1, 92.625
23. Warren Mott, 1879, 7-1, 79.625
24. Livonia Churchill, 1877, 8-0, 111.000
25. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, 1853, 6-2, 76.125
26. Saline, 1849, 7-1, 91.500
27. Grandville, 1846, 4-4, 47.750
28. Romeo, 1802, 4-4, 59.500
29. Dearborn ^, 1790, 5-3, 71.000
30. Rochester Hills Stoney Creek ^, 1777, 5-3, 62.125
31. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1772, 7-1, 80.875
32. Grand Ledge, 1743, 6-2, 76.125
33. Rochester ^, 1725, 5-3, 63.125
34. Traverse City West ^, 1720, 5-3, 64.625
35. White Lake Lakeland ^, 1700, 5-3, 62.750
36. Harrison Township L'Anse Creuse, 1680, 4-4, 48.500
37. Belleville, 1678, 4-4, 54.500
38. Ann Arbor Pioneer ^, 1670, 5-3, 65.625
39. Davison, 1664, 6-2, 69.750
40. Grosse Pointe South, 1648, 7-1, 90.625
41. Walled Lake Northern, 1599, 6-2, 84.375
42. Temperance Bedford ^, 1581, 5-3, 63.125
43. Walled Lake Western, 1553, 6-2, 77.375
44. Warren DeLaSalle, 1550, 4-4, 53.292
45. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1520, 7-1, 88.750
46. Ypsilanti Lincoln ^, 1520, 5-3, 58.500
47. Wyoming, 1515, 4-4, 41.429
48. Dearborn Edsel Ford ^, 1508, 5-3, 60.625
49. Midland, 1485, 8-0, 109.000
50. Oxford ^, 1481, 5-3, 69.875
51. Port Huron, 1473, 6-2, 76.000
52. Pinckney, 1448, 4-4, 50.000
53. Traverse City Central, 1429, 7-1, 88.250
54. Oak Park, 1391, 7-1, 99.500
55. Bay City Central, 1385, 4-4, 46.000
56. Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, 1364, 4-4, 46.250
57. Lansing Everett, 1359, 8-0, 111.000
58. Grosse Pointe North ^, 1353, 5-3, 60.875
59. Midland Dow ^, 1350, 5-3, 58.500
60. Birmingham Seaholm, 1349, 7-1, 90.750
61. Battle Creek Lakeview ^, 1347, 5-3, 61.875
62. Garden City, 1344, 4-4, 48.125
63. Portage Central ^, 1340, 5-3, 62.375
64. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1337, 4-4, 48.750
65. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1336, 6-2, 84.250
66. Portage Northern, 1328, 7-1, 87.875
67. Caledonia, 1308, 6-2, 73.500
68. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1304, 7-1, 90.750
69. Farmington Hills Harrison ^, 1302, 5-3, 67.750
70. Detroit Martin Luther King ^, 1287, 5-3, 66.375
71. Detroit Cody ^, 1282, 5-3, 57.589
72. Farmington, 1278, 6-2, 79.250
73. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 1278, 4-4, 52.000
74. South Lyon, 1262, 4-4, 48.625
75. Taylor Truman, 1253, 7-1, 91.750
76. Berkley, 1225, 4-4, 47.125
77. Flushing, 1225, 4-4, 44.375
78. Swartz Creek, 1223, 7-1, 86.750
79. Southfield ^, 1218, 5-3, 69.625
80. Fenton, 1202, 7-1, 88.750
81. Grand Rapids Northview, 1180, 7-1, 82.500
82. Lowell, 1177, 7-1, 93.875
83. Holly, 1172, 4-4, 48.875
84. Bay City Western, 1171, 7-1, 79.875
85. Gibraltar Carlson, 1160, 4-4, 46.375
86. Muskegon, 1144, 8-0, 114.000
87. East Lansing ^, 1142, 5-3, 59.000
88. Mattawan, 1124, 7-1, 86.875
89. Allen Park ^, 1120, 5-3, 60.250
90. Marquette *, 1112, 5-3, 66.875
91. Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, 1109, 4-4, 57.125
92. Lapeer West, 1101, 6-2, 78.375
93. Detroit Renaissance, 1094, 4-4, 45.125
94. Redford Thurston ^, 1088, 5-3, 60.000
95. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1080, 7-1, 84.750
96. St. Johns ^, 1068, 5-3, 62.375
97. Zeeland East, 1067, 8-0, 102.000
98. Byron Center ^, 1032, 5-3, 63.000
99. Detroit East English, 1030, 7-1, 89.750
100. Mt. Pleasant, 1014, 4-4, 52.125
101. Owosso ^, 1012, 5-3, 57.875
102. Lansing Waverly ^, 1011, 5-3, 57.375
103. St. Joseph, 974, 4-4, 53.875
104. Mason ^, 969, 5-3, 52.000
105. Petoskey ^, 967, 5-3, 64.875
106. Milan, 959, 8-0, 93.000
107. Sault Ste. Marie ^, 959, 5-3, 55.625
108. Grand Rapids Christian, 954, 7-1, 92.625
109. Cedar Springs, 950, 4-4, 37.000
110. DeWitt, 931, 6-2, 78.625
111. Fruitport, 929, 8-0, 86.000
112. Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 926, 6-2, 85.575
113. Bloomfield Hills Lahser ^, 925, 5-3, 60.375
114. Linden, 923, 7-1, 87.625
115. Niles, 920, 4-4, 45.750
116. Hazel Park, 909, 4-4, 46.625
117. Stevensville Lakeshore, 906, 8-0, 117.000
118. St. Clair, 901, 7-1, 83.750
119. Haslett, 894, 4-4, 50.125
120. South Lyon East, 891, 4-4, 51.125
121. Tecumseh, 887, 7-1, 78.500
122. Sturgis, 882, 4-4, 47.375
123. Melvindale, 879, 4-4, 49.500
124. Carleton Airport ^, 868, 5-3, 55.250
125. Detroit Central Collegiate ^, 868, 5-3, 59.750
126. Charlotte, 851, 6-2, 67.375
127. Chelsea ^, 851, 5-3, 63.875
128. Hastings, 850, 6-2, 67.750
129. Plainwell, 832, 6-2, 67.750
130. Cadillac, 820, 6-2, 68.000
131. Edwardsburg, 805, 6-2, 61.500
132. North Branch ^, 803, 5-3, 51.000
133. Hamilton ^, 801, 5-3, 60.071
134. Marysville, 794, 6-2, 71.500
135. Escanaba, 791, 4-4, 48.750
136. Warren Lincoln, 791, 4-4, 42.250
137. Zeeland West ^, 791, 5-3, 62.750
138. Detroit Old Redford, 787, 4-4, 33.107
139. Coopersville ^*, 781, 4-3, 48.607
140. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 780, 6-2, 78.375
141. Spring Lake ^, 778, 5-3, 53.321
142. Holland Christian, 771, 4-4, 46.750
143. Three Rivers ^, 760, 5-3, 48.125
144. Ogemaw Heights ^, 759, 5-3, 63.750
145. Goodrich, 748, 6-2, 61.500
146. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy *, 729, 6-1, 73.036
147. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 727, 4-4, 48.125
148. Marshall ^, 723, 5-3, 55.500
149. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 720, 7-1, 89.750
150. Big Rapids, 706, 7-1, 68.875
151. Croswell-Lexington, 704, 8-0, 91.000
152. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 704, 6-2, 70.000
153. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 701, 8-0, 98.000
154. Otsego, 698, 6-2, 62.500
155. Yale, 689, 4-4, 45.250
156. Detroit Country Day, 685, 7-1, 90.125
157. Comstock Park, 678, 7-1, 83.071
158. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 674, 8-0, 93.000
159. Armada, 667, 4-4, 44.750
160. Whitehall, 663, 4-4, 38.625
161. Grand Rapids South Christian ^, 660, 5-3, 58.000
162. Battle Creek Pennfield, 656, 7-1, 64.875
163. Richmond ^, 656, 5-3, 58.750
164. Grosse Ile, 649, 7-1, 76.875
165. Saginaw Swan Valley, 642, 6-2, 64.375
166. Paw Paw, 639, 8-0, 85.000
167. Allendale, 636, 7-1, 81.750
168. Williamston ^, 636, 5-3, 54.375
169. Cheboygan, 631, 6-2, 72.000
170. Marine City, 629, 7-1, 89.500
171. Alma ^, 614, 5-3, 54.750
172. Saginaw Valley Lutheran ^, 608, 5-3, 38.125
173. Dowagiac, 605, 8-0, 88.000
174. Livonia Clarenceville ^, 597, 5-3, 53.125
175. Midland Bullock Creek, 586, 4-4, 45.125
176. Clawson ^, 582, 5-3, 50.250
177. Remus Chippewa Hills ^, 581, 5-3, 49.250
178. Essexville Garber ^, 572, 5-3, 49.125
179. Clinton Township Clintondale, 570, 8-0, 83.000
180. Lake Fenton, 564, 7-1, 76.750
181. Grant ^, 562, 5-3, 54.000
182. Freeland, 561, 6-2, 70.250
183. Kingsford, 559, 7-1, 83.750
184. Portland, 555, 7-1, 83.750
185. Gladwin, 547, 6-2, 62.125
186. Almont ^, 543, 5-3, 57.125
187. Detroit Community, 543, 4-4, 25.696
188. Flint Powers Catholic, 542, 8-0, 98.000
189. Menominee, 539, 7-1, 90.750
190. Macomb Lutheran North ^, 537, 5-3, 53.875
191. North Muskegon, 532, 4-4, 40.875
192. Standish-Sterling Central ^, 532, 5-3, 54.750
193. Hopkins, 531, 8-0, 81.000
194. Detroit University Prep, 528, 7-1, 65.714
195. Grayling, 516, 8-0, 77.000
196. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 515, 7-1, 81.875
197. Allen Park Cabrini, 512, 6-2, 56.625
198. Olivet ^, 509, 5-3, 47.375
199. Frankenmuth, 507, 8-0, 90.000
200. Newaygo, 507, 6-2, 59.625
201. Grand Rapids West Catholic ^, 503, 5-3, 65.542
202. Ida ^, 503, 5-3, 48.875
203. Capac, 495, 4-4, 42.125
204. River Rouge, 495, 8-0, 74.286
205. Manistee ^, 493, 5-3, 44.958
206. Carrollton, 492, 7-1, 65.875
207. Lansing Catholic, 487, 7-1, 85.625
208. Reed City, 480, 8-0, 90.000
209. Dundee, 476, 6-2, 58.125
210. Muskegon Oakridge, 474, 8-0, 84.000
211. Kingsley ^, 473, 5-3, 42.750
212. Jackson Lumen Christi, 472, 8-0, 94.000
213. Buchanan, 467, 6-2, 61.625
214. Leslie, 467, 8-0, 77.000
215. Clare, 465, 6-2, 66.500
216. Roscommon ^, 461, 5-3, 48.125
217. Kalkaska, 459, 6-2, 44.750
218. Millington, 459, 7-1, 72.875
219. Lakeview ^, 457, 5-3, 43.000
220. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 446, 6-2, 62.464
221. Harper Woods ^, 440, 5-3, 41.083
222. Boyne City, 437, 8-0, 72.000
223. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 437, 6-2, 63.625
224. Negaunee, 433, 7-1, 73.500
225. Elk Rapids, 432, 4-4, 37.000
226. Manistique ^, 430, 5-3, 43.875
227. Beaverton, 422, 4-4, 33.750
228. Hemlock, 421, 7-1, 82.875
229. Shelby, 417, 6-2, 64.625
230. Detroit Consortium, 416, 6-2, 53.411
231. Vassar, 416, 7-1, 59.875
232. Clinton, 413, 8-0, 80.000
233. Maple City Glen Lake, 409, 8-0, 66.000
234. Michigan Center, 406, 7-1, 65.625
235. Manchester, 404, 6-2, 57.625
236. Calumet ^, 402, 5-3, 50.375
237. Ithaca, 402, 8-0, 84.000
238. Montrose Hill-McCloy, 400, 7-1, 74.875
239. Niles Brandywine, 396, 6-2, 50.982
240. Grass Lake, 395, 7-1, 69.750
241. Hillsdale, 391, 8-0, 80.000
242. Madison Heights Madison, 391, 7-1, 78.250
243. Ecorse ^, 390, 5-3, 43.411
244. Montague, 390, 7-1, 72.875
245. Laingsburg, 388, 4-4, 33.375
246. Sanford Meridian ^, 388, 5-3, 46.625
247. Jonesville, 383, 6-2, 54.250
248. Saranac, 383, 4-4, 39.250
249. Cass City, 379, 4-4, 34.375
250. Constantine, 371, 7-1, 64.875
251. Grandville Calvin Christian, 371, 6-2, 56.625
252. Vandercook Lake, 371, 4-4, 37.375
253. Watervliet, 369, 8-0, 69.000
254. Schoolcraft, 366, 8-0, 83.000
255. Blissfield, 364, 4-4, 43.500
256. Byron Area, 364, 7-1, 56.875
257. Indian River Inland Lakes, 364, 4-4, 33.500
258. Bronson ^*, 361, 4-3, 34.679
259. Iron Mountain, 354, 4-4, 41.625
260. Reese, 350, 8-0, 78.000
261. Union City ^, 350, 5-3, 40.875
262. Burton Bendle, 348, 7-1, 56.875
263. Flint Beecher, 347, 4-4, 39.375
264. Pellston, 347, 4-4, 20.375
265. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian ^, 346, 5-3, 38.750
266. Saginaw Nouvel, 344, 6-2, 77.250
267. Carson City-Crystal, 337, 6-2, 48.125
268. Hartford, 337, 6-2, 65.929
269. Marlette, 336, 4-4, 35.375
270. Flint Hamady ^, 334, 5-3, 39.375
271. Whittemore-Prescott, 328, 6-2, 59.375
272. Sandusky, 327, 4-4, 37.554
273. Bloomingdale, 326, 4-4, 31.375
274. Dansville, 323, 6-2, 52.375
275. Springport ^, 319, 5-3, 43.750
276. Bridgman ^, 318, 5-3, 47.089
277. Lawton, 317, 7-1, 65.625
278. Lake City, 316, 7-1, 58.875
279. Pewamo-Westphalia, 316, 6-2, 56.500
280. Manton, 315, 4-4, 26.500
281. Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 309, 4-4, 38.625
282. Ishpeming, 307, 7-1, 66.750
283. Detroit Douglass *, 306, 5-3, 58.750
284. Unionville-Sebewaing, 303, 4-4, 34.750
285. Evart, 302, 6-2, 44.625
286. Homer, 302, 4-4, 29.375
287. Traverse City St. Francis, 299, 4-4, 41.125
288. Detroit Loyola, 298, 8-0, 87.000
289. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest *, 298, 5-3, 45.875
290. Lincoln Alcona *, 292, 6-2, 47.125
291. Genesee ^, 288, 5-3, 36.000
292. Mancelona, 288, 8-0, 63.000
293. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic, 284, 4-4, 45.500
294. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 283, 7-1, 63.625
295. Reading, 283, 7-1, 65.375
296. Decatur, 277, 6-2, 48.625
297. Britton Deerfield ^, 276, 5-3, 49.250
298. Ubly ^, 275, 5-3, 36.625
299. Brown City ^, 272, 5-3, 51.000
300. Gobles, 271, 7-1, 53.750
301. Iron River West Iron County, 270, 4-4, 38.375
302. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 268, 7-1, 61.875
303. Hudson, 264, 4-4, 39.125
304. Waterford Our Lady, 263, 6-2, 57.500
305. Mayville ^, 258, 5-3, 44.554
306. Saugatuck, 257, 4-4, 30.125
307. Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech, 254, 6-2, 54.137
308. New Buffalo, 250, 4-4, 29.875
309. Marcellus ^, 249, 5-3, 34.250
310. Harbor Beach, 245, 7-1, 65.750
311. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 243, 6-2, 40.536
312. Vestaburg, 242, 6-2, 50.375
313. Coleman, 239, 4-4, 34.125
314. New Lothrop, 237, 8-0, 71.000
315. Bessemer *, 233, 5-2, 41.929
316. L'Anse, 233, 6-2, 45.375
317. Petersburg-Summerfield, 232, 4-4, 33.625
318. Stephenson, 229, 6-2, 44.125
319. Merrill ^, 228, 5-3, 46.000
320. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 220, 4-4, 38.375
321. Manistee Catholic Central ^, 219, 5-3, 34.625
322. Mendon, 216, 8-0, 76.571
323. Beal City, 213, 8-0, 82.000
324. Pittsford, 213, 6-2, 43.250
325. St. Ignace La Salle, 207, 8-0, 56.000
326. Lutheran Westland ^, 204, 5-3, 50.679
327. Mio ^, 203, 5-3, 36.696
328. AuGres-Sims ^, 199, 5-3, 36.071
329. Pickford, 197, 6-2, 47.750
330. Onaway ^, 194, 5-3, 36.000
331. Powers North Central ^, 194, 5-3, 30.875
332. Central Lake ^, 193, 5-3, 38.411
333. Fowler, 186, 7-1, 67.875
334. Climax-Scotts, 183, 8-0, 56.000
335. Muskegon Catholic Central ^, 181, 5-3, 49.458
336. Morrice, 171, 4-4, 28.875
337. St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic *, 171, 6-1, 50.196
338. Colon ^, 164, 5-3, 31.750
339. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 164, 6-2, 44.446
340. Baldwin *, 160, 6-2, 42.286
341. Lake Linden-Hubbell, 159, 4-4, 26.321
342. Hillman, 145, 4-4, 28.768
343. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 121, 7-1, 70.875
344. Iron Mountain North Dickinson *, 112, 8-0, 66.429
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8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Deckerville, 194, 7-1, 55.875
2. Marine City Cardinal Mooney, 185, 4-4, 24.917
3. Battle Creek St. Philip, 182, 5-3, 34.375
4. Kinde-North Huron, 180, 4-4, 27.583
5. Kingston, 175, 4-4, 27.583
6. Cedarville, 169, 8-0, 65.571
7. Tekonsha, 163, 1-7, 10.750
8. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 162, 4-4, 32.625
9. Bellaire, 161, 5-3, 36.429
10. Peck, 156, 7-1, 46.083
11. Ewen-Trout Creek *, 146, 1-6, 9.250
12. Brimley *, 145, 2-5, 15.107
13. Eben Junction Superior Central *, 132, 5-2, 39.196
14. New Haven Merritt *, 130, 1-5, 9.542
15. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran *, 118, 1-5, 7.208
16. Litchfield, 115, 1-7, 8.625
17. Rapid River, 115, 7-1, 48.875
18. Portland St. Patrick, 104, 8-0, 57.000
19. Akron-Fairgrove, 95, 6-2, 36.458
20. Caseville, 90, 0-8, 3.750
21. Engadine *, 89, 3-4, 21.554
22. Rock Mid Peninsula, 87, 2-6, 17.418
23. Waldron, 87, 6-2, 37.375
24. Posen, 84, 2-6, 14.268
25. Burr Oak, 79, 3-5, 17.875
26. Owendale-Gagetown, 60, 6-2, 36.333
27. Flint Michigan School For The Deaf *, 45, 1-5, 7.833
A Game for Every Fan: 11-Player Finals
November 25, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
This weekend, the MHSAA 11-player Football Finals will celebrate a decade of calling Detroit's Ford Field home.
And these eight games over two days should provide a draw for every fan as we wave good-bye to another memorable season.
Like a favorite? Clarkston (Division 1), Grand Rapids West Catholic (5), Ithaca (6), Ishpeming (7) and Muskegon Catholic Central (8) are all reigning champions playing to repeat.
Intrigued by history? Ithaca is going for its 70th straight win and an opportunity to challenge the MHSAA record of 72 next fall.
Hungry for a rematch? Ishpeming and Detroit Loyola will meet in the Division 7 Final for the third straight season. The Hematites won the first two meetings.
Ready to root on a rookie? Saline, Muskegon Mona Shores and Lansing Sexton will all make their championship game debuts.
The Division 8, 2, 6 and 4 games are Friday, with the odd-numbered divisions playing Saturday. Tickets cost $10 and are good for all four games on one day. Click for a full schedule.
The first two Friday games will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Detroit’s primary channel (check cable/satellite box listings for your specific channel) with the Division 6 game on FSD’s Plus channel and the Division 4 game tape delayed at 10:30 p.m. on FSD primary. Both will be available live on FoxSportsDetroit.com. Saturday's games are all live on Fox Sports Detroit's main station. Audio broadcasts will be available on the MHSAA Network website.
Here’s a look at all 16 finalists. (Rankings were voted upon by The Associated Press’ media panel. Statistics are current unless noted.)
Division 1
CLARKSTON
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Kurt Richardson, 28th season (217-77)
League finish: First in Oakland Activities Association Red
Finals history: Division 1 champion 2013.
Best wins: 24-21 over No. 8 Macomb Dakota, 55-41 over No. 5 West Bloomfield, 23-20 over No. 4 Lapeer in District Final, 35-13 over No. 6 East Kentwood in Semifinal.
Players to watch: QB D.J. Zezula, 6-0/190, sr. (2,022 yards/20 TDs passing, 804 yards/13 TDs rushing); WR/DB Austin Egler, 6-3/200, sr. (420 yards/6 TDs receiving, 3 interceptions); RB Nolan Eriksen, 5-8/188, jr. (1,448 yards/20 TDs rushing); LB/TE Jack McKillop, 6-1/220, sr. (96 tackles), OT/OLB Cole Chewins, 6-7/235, sr.
Outlook: The Wolves have turned last season’s run to a first MHSAA championship into a 26-game winning streak that included this fall four wins over other top-10 ranked teams. Zezula also quarterbacked last season’s championship run, and Chewins – who moved to tackle this fall after an injury to the starter on the left side – is a Division I college recruit at linebacker and tight end. He and McKillop help key a defense that’s tightened to give up 15.8 points per game during the playoffs and only 17.3 per game for the season.
SALINE
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 7
Coach: Joe Palka, third season (31-5)
League finish: First in Southeastern Conference Red
Finals history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 42-35 over honorable mention Canton in Regional Final, 30-15 over No. 2 Detroit Cass Tech in Semifinal.
Players to watch: RB Kevin Gross, 5-11/200, sr. (604 yards/13 TDs rushing); QB Josh Jackson, 6-2/195 jr. (701 yards/9 TDs rushing, 1,626 yards/16 TDs passing); QB Trent Theisen, 5-11/180, sr. (1,038 yards/13 TDs passing, 234 yards/5 TDs rushing); FL Jeb Palka, 5-10/140, jr. (865 yards/9 TDs receiving), DB Tyrone Miller, 6-1/180, sr.
Outlook: Saline is two games deeper than during any playoff run in its history after making its first Semifinal appearance last week. While the league schedule didn’t provide too many obstacles this fall, the Hornets took on (and fell 31-28) to Division 2 finalist Muskegon Mona Shores on opening night and have continued to raise their performance to that level during the postseason – including locking down a Detroit Cass Tech offense that was averaging 34 points per game. Saline has two quarterbacks who could start for most – Jackson and Theisen have combined for 2,664 yards passing, 935 rushing and 29 touchdown passes.
Division 2
MUSKEGON MONA SHORES
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 3
Coach: Matt Koziak, fourth season (24-17)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Black
Finals history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 40-7 and 42-14 (District Semifinal) over No. 4 Caledonia, 41-14 over No. 2 Midland Dow in District Final, 48-27 over No. 6 Muskegon, 25-24 over honorable mention Farmington Hills Harrison in semifinal, 31-28 over Division 1 No. 7 Saline.
Players to watch: QB Tyree Jackson, 6-5/210, sr. (2,235 yards/23 TDs passing, 825 yards/14 TDs rushing); RB/LB DeOntay Moffet, 5-9/205, sr. (1,439 yards/19 TDs rushing); WR/DB Matt Schuiteman, 6-2/180, sr. (879 yards/7 TDs receiving).
Outlook: Mona Shores also is making its longest playoff run after reaching the postseason for the first time only a year ago. Jackson, who has committed to the University of Buffalo, has been a main cog in the Sailors' rise – but left the Semifinal with an injury. With him and Moffet in the backfield, Mona Shores has run for more than 3,000 yards as a team – while the defense has given up only 52 points total in four playoff games against top competition.
WARREN DELASALLE
Record/rank: 10-3, honorable mention
Coach: Paul Verska, 13th season (99-49-0)
League finish: Third in Detroit Catholic League Central
Finals history: Division 2 runner-up 2006 and 2008.
Best wins: 26-21 over No. 1 Birmingham Brother Rice in Regional Final, 31-7 over Southfield in Semifinal, 21-14 over Detroit East English in District Final.
Players to watch: QB/DB Joey Garbarino, 6-2/210, sr. (1,098 yards/10 TDs passing, 441 yards/8 TDs rushing); RB/DB Allen Stritzinger, 6-0/178, soph. (1,183 yards/19 TDs rushing); OL/DL Khary Harris, 6-3/234, sr.; OL/DE Mike Danna, 6-3/233, sr.
Outlook: After opening 3-0 against out-of-state opponents, DeLaSalle lost its first three games in-state – but none by more than seven points, and the Pilots avenged that first loss to Brother Rice. DeLaSalle is giving up only 10 points per game during this seven-game winning streak, with Harris and Danna dominating up front. In addition to taking DeLaSalle to the Finals twice, Verska also coached Ann Arbor Huron to the 1997 Class AA championship game.
Division 3
MUSKEGON
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 6 in Division 2
Coach: Shane Fairfield, fifth season (52-12)
League finish: Second in O-K Black
Finals history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2008), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 20-0 over No. 1 Zeeland West in Semifinal, 37-7 over No. 7 East Grand Rapids, 29-21 over honorable mention Grand Rapids Christian, 27-14 over No. 8 Cedar Springs in District Final, 42-7 over honorable mention Petoskey in Regional Final.
Players to watch: RB Caleb Washington, 5-8/180, sr. (1,556 yards/15 TDs rushing); DB/WR Alezay Coleman, 5-10/175, sr. (194 yards/1 TD receiving); WR Joeviair Kennedy, 6-3/205, sr. (381 yards/5 TDs receiving); QB Shawn Pfenning, 5-11/185, sr. (1,381 yards/14 TDs passing, 466 yards/14 TDs rushing); LB Taran Smith, 6-1/205, sr.
Outlook: Muskegon’s two runner-up finishes came the last two seasons in Division 2, but the Big Reds moved into Division 3 for this fall’s playoffs – and after falling to Brother Rice in those Finals has drawn another Catholic League power in St. Mary’s. Kennedy and Coleman were among standouts last season as well – Kennedy the team’s leading receiver in the 38-21 loss to Rice and Coleman the leading tackler that game – but they are just two from an athletic group that runs and stops the run especially well.
ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY’S
Record/rank: 11-2, No. 5
Coach: George Porritt, 26th season (232-66)
League finish: Second in Detroit Catholic League Central
Finals history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2011), six runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 14-10 over Division 2 honorable mention Warren DeLaSalle, 51-3 over New Boston Huron in Semifinal, 21-19 over Southfield.
Players to watch: RB/P/K Brandon Adams, 5-11/185, jr. (1,339 yards/16 TDs rushing), RB/LB Justin Myrick, 5-10/180, jr. (1,044 yards/12 TDs rushing), DB/WR Tyson Smith, 5-11/180, sr. (308 yards/4 TDs receiving, 8 interceptions/1 TD return), DE/OT Jared Mosley, 6-2/240, sr.; DB/RB Ross Moore, 5-9/175, sr.
Outlook: The Eaglets are back in the Finals for the fifth time in six seasons and after missing the playoffs in 2013. This St. Mary’s team has a similar look to its 2012 Division 3 runner-up in that it features a group of standout running backs – joining Adams and Myrick is another junior, Pierce Bauer (646 yards/11 TDs rushing. The all-junior backfield is completed by quarterback Brandon Tabone, who has thrown 14 touchdown passes and makes plays to break up the run-heavy attack. Both losses were to Brother Rice – the latter coming down to the end in the Catholic League Prep Bowl.
Division 4
GRAND RAPIDS SOUTH CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 11-2, No. 4
Coach: Mark Tamminga, sixth season (47-22)
League finish: First in O-K Gold
Finals history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2012), four runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 49-14 over honorable mention Whitehall in Regional Final, 50-48 over Division 3 (Division 4 for playoffs) No. 9 Edwardsburg in Semifinal, 33-30 (OT) and 58-34 (District Final) over Hudsonville Unity Christian.
Players to watch: QB Jon Wassink, 6-2/190, sr. (1,210 yards/17 TDs rushing, 2,315/25 TDs passing); RB/DB Geff Plasman, 5-10/180, sr. (1,220 yards/22 TDs rushing); LB/WR Sam Heyboer, 6-4/210, sr. (103 tackles); DB/RB Dylan Brink, 5-11/195 jr. (112 tackles).
Outlook: South Christian is back in the Final for the third straight season, having won in 2012 and fallen to Marine City a year ago. Wassink, who has committed to Western Michigan University, was injured for the 2012 championship game and surely would like to cap his accomplished career by leading the Sailors to a title. They’ve scored 523 points this season – but a combined 192 in the four playoff wins. The losses came during the first weeks of the season to Division 2 Caledonia and Division 3 Grand Rapids Christian.
LANSING SEXTON
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 2
Coach: Daniel Boggan III, 13th season (95-45)
League finish: First in Capital Area Activities Conference Blue
Finals history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 41-20 over No. 1 Saginaw Swan Valley in District Final, 35-7 over No. 5 Richmond in Regional Final, 35-26 over Detroit East English, 21-12 over Lansing Everett.
Players to watch: RB/LB Avonte’ Bell, 6-1/228, sr. (1,306 yards/16 TDs rushing); QB/DB Malik Mack, 5-9/175, sr. (1,503 yards/19 TDs passing, 471 yards/8 TDs rushing); RB JaVon Wray, 5-6/175, sr. (1,488 yards/19 TDs rushing); WR/LB Rayshawn Wilborn, 6-4/195, sr. (757 yards/12 TDs receiving, 3 interceptions).
Outlook: A roster with 20 seniors has brought the Big Reds to the MHSAA Finals for the first time, with a number of those seniors on varsity for three seasons and four in the cases of Bell and lineman Shain Shannon. Stopping Sexton is difficult because of the number of offensive options with Bell and Wray running the ball and Mack able to take off as well if he doesn't find Wilborn, who has committed to Central Michigan University, or senior Randye Parker. That athleticism plays well on both sides of the ball – the Big Reds have given up only 144 points despite playing a schedule loaded with large Class A schools.
Division 5
GRAND RAPIDS WEST CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Dan Rohn, eighth season (86-17)
League finish: First in O-K Blue
Finals history: Division 5 champion 2013 and 2010, two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 42-24 over No. 3 Menominee in Semifinal, 48-12 over No. 9 Hopkins in District Final, 56-28 over honorable mention Reed City in Regional final, 31-0 over No. 7 Muskegon Oakridge.
Players to watch: QB Travis Russell, 6-2/180, sr. (2,365 yards/35 TDs passing, 1,334 yards/20 TDs rushing); TE/DE Bryce Witham, 6-4/240, sr. (764 yards/16 TDs receiving); WR Conner Nemmers, 6-1/175, jr. (702 yards/9 TDs receiving); OL/DL Drew Doyle, 6-1/235, sr.
Outlook: West Catholic has built quite a run with this its third straight Finals appearance and fourth in five years, and with a chance to win its third title in that time. But a win Saturday would complete the Falcons’ first 14-0 season. Russell has thrown for more than 4,500 yards and 37 touchdowns and run for more than 2,000 yards over the last two seasons, and he has a dominating target in sizable tight end Witham.
LANSING CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 4
Coach: Jim Ahern, sixth season (55-13)
League finish: First in CAAC White
Finals history: Class C champion 1985, Division 5 runner-up 2011.
Best wins: 21-14 over No. 5 Almont in Semifinal, 27-22 over Division 6 No. 6 Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 28-0 over Eaton Rapids.
Players to watch: QB Tony Poljan, 6-7/230, jr. (2,537 yards/32 TDs passing, 953 yards/22 TDs rushing, 89 tackles); RB Tony Palmer, 5-11/175, jr. (836 yards/14 TDs rushing, 866 yards/8 TDs receiving); LB/RB Moses Kone, 5-11/195, sr. (96 tackles/9.5 sacks); WR/DB Zac Baker, 6-0/170, sr. (758 yards/7 TDs receiving, 49 tackles/13 interceptions); LB/RB Ben Rashid, 5-10/175, jr. (101 tackles).
Outlook: Poljan stands tall – literally – among offensive standouts statewide; combined he’s been part of 54 rushing and passing touchdowns. And Palmer has scored 22 times with more than 1,700 total yards – both filling in well the tradition under Ahern, who built Ithaca’s program on a high-scoring offense and took the Cougars to Ford Field with the same three years ago. But don’t sleep on a opportunistic defense giving up 12 points per game – Lansing Catholic has 30 interceptions and has recovered 15 fumbles.
Division 6
MONROE ST. MARY CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 6
Coach: Jack Giarmo, 17th season (143-54)
League finish: First in Huron League
Finals history: Class B champion 1991, three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 50-15 over No. 3 Clinton in District Final, 27-26 over No. 2 Jackson Lumen Christi in Semifinal, 40-7 over New Boston Huron.
Players to watch: RB/DB Justin Carrabino, 5-8/160, jr. (1,380 yards/15 TDs rushing, 243 yards/5 TDs receiving); QB/DB Bryce Windham, 6-1/160, sr. (865 yards/15 TDs passing, 171 yards/4 TDs rushing); TE/DB Travis Vuich, 6-4/180, sr. (499 yards/9 TDs receiving); RB/LB John Lako, 6-2/200, sr. (1,048 yards/16 TDs rushing).
Outlook: St. Mary is back in the Finals for the first time since finishing a run of three runner-up finishes between 2005-10 – the last coming against Ithaca in the first of four straight title wins for the Yellowjackets. Defenses know what’s coming but still haven’t had much success stopping it; senior Mitchell Lamour has added another 841 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing to the two 1,000-yard seasons of his backfield mates. The Falcons only loss was by five in Week 9 to Division 5 finalist Lansing Catholic.
ITHACA
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Terry Hessbrook, 11th season (114-17)
League finish: First in Tri-Valley Conference West
Finals history: Division 6 champions 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013.
Best wins: 20-16 over No. 5 Boyne City in Semifinal, 41-27 over No. 10 Madison Heights Madison in Regional Final, 35-0 over No. 8 Millington in District Final, 33-14 over Division 8 No. 9 (Division 7 for playoffs) Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary.
Players to watch: QB/DB Jacob Smith, 6-1/170, jr. (1,979 yards/26 TDs passing, 1,298 yards/19 TDs rushing); WR/DB Spence DeMull, 6-3/165, jr. (1,080 yards/15 TD receiving); WR/DL Jonah Loomis, 5-9/170, jr. (100 yards/5 TDs rushing, 134 tackles); OL/OLB Jace Demenov, 6-0/205, jr. (154 tackles).
Outlook: Ithaca’s winning streak stands at 69 games, the longest active streak nationally among 11-player football teams. A win this weekend also would make the Yellowjackets the 12th in MHSAA history to win five football titles. They trailed Madison heading into the fourth quarter and held off Boyne City in the final seconds last week – and if they finish with another victory, they should make a run next fall at the MHSAA consecutive wins record of 72. Ithaca has only six seniors.
Division 7
DETROIT LOYOLA
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 2
Coach: John Callahan, sixth season (64-10)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League AA
Finals history: Division 7 runners-up 2012 and 2013.
Best wins: 60-26 over No. 3 New Lothrop in Regional Final, 41-21 over Pewamo-Westphalia in Semifinal, 46-18 over Detroit Country Day.
Players to watch: RB/LB Marvin Campbell, 5-10/196, sr. (1,817 yards/30 TDs rushing); LB/TE Darryl Clemons, 6-2/228, sr. (68 tackles); LB/FB Paul Engram, 5-11/236, sr. (68 tackles); OL/DL Devon Hayes, 6-2/315, sr.; RB/CB Mideyin Wilson, 5-10/185, sr. (1,013 yards/15 TDs rushing).
Outlook: Loyola’s recently-annual Finals matchup with Ishpeming has become arguably the best long-distance rivalry in Michigan; the Bulldogs are seeking their first championship after falling to the Hematites by six in 2012 and 10 a year ago. Campbell is finishing a career that’s included 3,936 yards and 53 touchdowns on the ground, and he’s averaging an amazing 10 yards per carry this fall. He and Wilson again run behind a massive offensive line going 305-238-275-240-315 pounds from left tackle to right.
ISHPEMING
Record/rank: 12-0, No. 1
Coach: Jeff Olson, 23rd season (169-78)
League finish: First in Mid-Peninsula Conference
Finals history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2013), one runner-up finish.
Best wins: 22-13 over No. 7 Traverse City St. Francis in Regional Final, 20-7 over No. 9 Iron River West Iron County in District Final, 22-18 over Division 8 No. 9 (Division 7 for playoffs) Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Semifinal, 20-0 over Division 8 No. 7 Beal City.
Players to watch: QB/DB Ozzy Corp, 6-5/190, jr. (606 yards/6 TDs passing, 731 yards/15 TDs rushing, 4 interceptions defensively); RB/DB Ozzy Hakkarinen, 6-0/205, sr. (611 yards/7 TDs rushing, 5 interceptions); LB/FL Dominic Suardini, 5-8/175, sr. (474 yards/7 TDs rushing); OL/DE Dan Thornton, 5-10/175, sr. (Statistics through regular season.)
Outlook: Most fans outside Ishpeming and its league may not recognize the names leading the charge back to Ford Field this weekend – the Hematites graduated the majority of players who carried them to back-to-back championships. But this group quickly has begun its own legacy continuing a winning streak that now stretches 33 games. Hakkarinen left the Semifinal with an injury and Corp picked up the slack finishing with 198 yards rushing; he may need to answer similarly but has proven more than capable, as has a defense giving up only 8.7 points per game.
Division 8
MUNISING
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 8
Coach: Jeff Seaberg, 10th season (43-53)
League finish: First in Mid-Eastern Conference
Finals history: Class C champion 1980.
Best wins: 10-7 over No. 7 Beal City in Semifinal, 43-14 over No. 4 Crystal Falls Forest Park in Regional Final, 24-6 over No. 3 St. Ignace in District Final.
Players to watch: RB/LB Garrett Blank, 6-1/205, sr. (2,071 yards/29 TDs rushing); WR/DB Andy Cooper, 6-4/175, sr. (410 yards/7 TDs receiving, 6 interceptions); OL/DL Jason Lindbeck, 6-8/250, sr.; OL/DL Ian McInnis, 6-2/270, jr.; QB/DB Austin Kelto, 5-10/175, sr. (977 yards/18 TDs passing, 303 yards/8 TDs rushing).
Outlook: Munising has done just about everything possible so far during its best season in more than three decades. The lone loss came on opening night to Division 7 No. 9 Iron River West Iron County, and the Mustangs have given up only 57 points since and 85 total this fall. The program has five winning seasons over the last 20, but three over the last four years. A strong group of 10 seniors has played a major role in bringing the program back to its first championship game since its coach, Seaberg, was a junior on the team.
MUSKEGON CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Steve Czerwon, second season (25-2)
League finish: First in Lakes 8 Conference
Finals history: Nine MHSAA titles (most recent 2013), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 42-6 over No. 2 Harbor Beach in Semifinal, 48-7 over No. 6 Mendon in Regional Final, 42-0 over No. 5 Fowler in District Final, 30-0 over Detroit Country Day.
Players to watch: RB/DB Tommy Scott, 5-8/180, sr. (1,944 yards/31 TDs rushing); QB/DB Nicholas Holt, 6-0/185, sr. (859 yards/15 TDs rushing, 438 yards/9 TDs passing); TE/LB Lamar Jordan III, 6-0/200, sr.; OL/DL Jaeden MacPherson, 6-3/245, sr.; K Griffin Seymour, 5-8/140, sr. (80 extra points in 83 attempts, 3-5 field goals).
Outlook: The Crusaders have more than met expectations that they’d dominate again this season after returning Scott, Holt and Seymour among a number of contributors to last year’s run. Holt’s numbers might look low, but he’s missed most of the last seven games with an injury. Junior Christian Martinez has filled in well in his absence, and the defense is combining with Holt to pick up any remaining slack – MCC is giving up a mere 121 yards per game.
PHOTO: Ford Field has been home to the MHSAA 11-player Football Finals since 2005.