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Milford/Walled Lake Western football

1st & Goal: 2021 Week 5 in Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 27, 2021

The paths to league championships are getting clearer for many teams all over Michigan as we sprint past the midpoint of this regular season.

MI Student AidMultiple teams clinched at least shares of conference titles during the final weekend of September – while many others now have located paths (some straight forward, and others with plenty of twists and turns) to accomplishing the same.

Read on as we highlight 45 games from Week 5 that likely helped shape where we’re headed over the final four weeks before playoff selection.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Frankenmuth 48, Freeland 21 The Eagles (5-0) set themselves up well in the Tri-Valley Conference East race by handing Freeland its first loss this season. Frankenmuth moved into first place alone, with Week 8 opponent Essexville Garber its only league opponent left with a record above .500 at this point in the season. Cole Lindow ran for 318 yards including a 93-yarder as the Eagles scored more points than Freeland (4-1) had given up total over its first four games. Click for more from the Saginaw News.

Watch list Montrose 35, New Lothrop 14 The Rams’ first win over three-time reigning champ New Lothrop since the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference was formed in 2018 also was the Hornets’ first defeat in any league play since 2009. Now both and Durand are one game behind solo league leader Ovid-Elsie.

Remember this one Flint Hamady 26, Flint Beecher 20 This rivalry matchup is always memorable and this season once again decided at least part of a league title, with Hamady (3-2) clinching a share of the Genesee Area Conference championship.

More shoutouts Millington 30, Carrollton 12 The Cardinals (5-0) clinched a share of the TVC-West I after finishing league runner-up a year ago. Mount Pleasant 26, Midland 19 This win combined with Midland Dow’s 45-44 edging of Bay City Western sent the Oilers (5-0) into first place alone in the Saginaw Valley League Blue.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Brownstown Woodhaven 33, Allen Park 28 On a night with its share of last-second go-ahead scores, Woodhaven benefited from one of the loudest as Cornell Perry pulled in an Ashton Mohlman pass with 10 seconds left to pull the Warriors (5-0) past Allen Park and into first place alone in the Downriver League. The Warriors have won the last three meetings with Allen Park (4-1) since a 2018 loss to the Jaguars cost Woodhaven an outright league title. Click for more from the Southgate News-Herald

Watch list Belleville 21 Dearborn Fordson 19 Belleville (4-1) potentially earned its way back into the Kensington Lakes Activities Association East race by pulling Fordson (4-1) out of a first-place tie with Livonia Churchill, and with Fordson and Churchill set to meet Week 7.

Remember this one Warren De La Salle Collegiate 49, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 25 The Pilots (4-0) clinched a share of the Detroit Catholic League Central title and can claim it outright this week against Detroit Catholic Central, while St. Mary’s (4-1) could still earn a Prep Bowl rematch.

More shoutouts Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 37, Romeo 34 This combined with Sterling Heights Stevenson’s 31-16 win over Macomb Dakota has Stevenson first and Chippewa Valley and Romeo tied for second in the Macomb Area Conference Red, with Stevenson seeing Chippewa Valley next and Romeo on Oct. 8. South Lyon 49, White Lake Lakeland 35 The Lakes Valley Conference will still be playing out for a few weeks, but this sent South Lyon (5-0) into first place alone with Waterford Mott in Week 8 the most major obstacle left. Lakeland (4-1) sits a half-game back with Week 9 against Milford potentially becoming a huge matchup.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Beal City 55, Evart 20 The Aggies (4-1) suddenly have what appears a very defendable lead in the Highland Conference after sending Evart into second place. Beal City’s final three league opponents are a combined 4-11 and Evart (4-1) had defeated those same opponents to open league play 3-0. The Wildcats hadn’t scored fewer than 40 points in a game before Beal’s defense cut that in half. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.

Watch list Ovid-Elsie 35, Chesaning 0 As noted above, Ovid-Elsie (4-1) moved into the lead in the MMAC, and reigning champ New Lothrop is up next. But the Marauders also are coming off two straight shutouts after sending Chesaning to 3-2.

Remember this one DeWitt 57, Grand Ledge 15 With heavies East Lansing, Holt and now Grand Ledge behind them, the Panthers (4-1) have paved a nice path toward continuing a league title streak that began in 2006.

More shoutouts Pewamo-Westphalia 42, Fowler 6 This rivalry win put P-W (5-0) in position to clinch a share of the Central Michigan Athletic Conference title in two weeks, although first the Pirates take on another league leader this Friday in Olivet. Portland 49, Charlotte 7 Portland (5-0) and Lansing Catholic will decide the Capital Area Activities Conference White title again this week after the Raiders got past a Charlotte contender that at 3-2 is off to its best start in eight years.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Kingsley 24, Grayling 20 Gage Hessem’s touchdown pass to True Beeman with 5:38 to play helped the Stags (5-0) pull away from their biggest scare so far this fall as they play for a third-straight league title. Circle Week 9 against Traverse City St. Francis as a likely decider in the Northern Michigan Football League Legends division. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Watch list East Jordan 38, Oscoda 0 This is the second time East Jordan has been listed here this season, and we’ll keep watching. The Red Devils (4-1) are lining up potentially their best season in two decades, with this second-straight shutout putting them in position to play for the NMFL Legacy title over the final two weeks of the regular season.

Remember this one Traverse City St. Francis 48, Boyne City 14 This was arguably the most impressive offensive performance of plenty this fall for the Gladiators (5-0), and no doubt will be recalled as we move closer to playoff time as Boyne City (4-1) was unbeaten and otherwise hasn’t budged much defensively.

More shoutouts Mancelona 14, Kalkaska 8 The Ironmen’s score on the game’s final play put them at 5-0 for the first time since 2012. Traverse City Central 56, Petoskey 0 After downing Traverse City West last week, Central (4-1) kept charging ahead as it awaits this week’s potential Big North Conference title-decider against Cadillac.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Jackson Lumen Christi 33, Hastings 22 The Titans (5-0) moved into first place alone in the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference while also avenging last season’s one-point loss to the Saxons. Hastings (4-1) fell into a second-place tie with Battle Creek Harper Creek and Coldwater; Lumen sees Harper Creek this week and defeated Coldwater in Week 2. Click for more from FOX 17.

Watch list Ann Arbor Huron 38, Monroe 14 The River Rats (4-1) continued to build on a fall full of highlights, with this win giving them their most victories for a season since 2009 and pulling them up to No. 17 in Division 1 playoff points.

Remember this one Hudson 22, Ida 14 The Tigers (5-0) moved into first alone in the Lenawee County Athletic Association, and Week 9 opponent Dundee is the only one of three second-place teams Hudson has yet to face.

More shoutouts Ottawa Lake Whiteford 58, Sand Creek 30 The Bobcats (4-1) remain with Erie Mason the only teams undefeated in Tri-County Conference play after handing Sand Creek (3-2) its first league loss. Homer 28, Union City 22 A week after Union City (2-3) downed another contender in Reading, Big 8 Conference second-place Homer (3-2) edged the Chargers to remain in the title hunt. Homer will be hoping for help this week as Reading takes on league leader Jonesville.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Centreville 32, White Pigeon 16 The reigning Division 8 champ Bulldogs have bounced back well after an opening-night loss to Niles Brandywine, and with this win kept themselves in position to earn a share of the Southwest 10 Conference championship this week against co-leader Cassopolis. White Pigeon (4-1) also entered this game tied for first before Centreville’s defense slowed a Chiefs offense that was averaging 46 points per game. The Bulldogs (4-1) have given up a total of 23 points over their last four. Click for more from the Sturgis Journal.

Watch list Berrien Springs 34, Watervliet 6 The Shamrocks (5-0) begin league play this week in the Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph Conference, and will do so after shutting down formerly-undefeated Watervliet (4-1).

Remember this one Portage Central 23, Battle Creek Lakeview 22 A late touchdown and two-point conversion pushed Portage Central (3-2) past the Spartans (3-2) and kept them in the hunt in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference with league leader St. Joseph coming to Portage this week.

More shoutouts Edwardsburg 49, Plainwell 0 The Eddies’ wild numbers grew again in handing Plainwell its first loss; Edwardsburg is 5-0 with four shutouts and only seven points allowed this season, against an average of 50 points scored per game. Constantine 64, Parchment 14 Four of five teams in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore are 3-2 or better, including both of these – and Constantine (5-0) is tied for the early league lead.

Negaunee/Ishpeming football

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Hancock 20, Houghton 17 Rain soaked this season’s Copper Bowl and surely made it all the more memorable as Hancock (3-2) scored the final points to secure its fourth win in the last five games played against the rival Gremlins (3-2). This victory also muddied up the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper standings a bit more – all seven teams in the league are either 3-2 or 4-1 overall, and all seven could still win the league title. Click for more from the Houghton Daily Mining Gazette.

Watch list Iron Mountain 28, Bark River-Harris 22 Don’t count the Mountaineers out of anything yet, including that West-PAC Copper race. Despite a pair of losses in Weeks 2 and 3, Iron Mountain (3-2) has bounced back with two wins including this one over the West-PAC Iron-leading Broncos (3-2).  

Remember this one Kingsford 44, Escanaba 7 The last time Kingsford (4-1) defeated Escanaba, the Flivvers won the Great Northern Conference championship. They have only Menominee left on the league schedule, in Week 9, but also will need the Maroons’ help with Marquette after losing to the latter in Week 4.

More shoutouts Sault Ste. Marie 14, Ogemaw Heights 6 The Blue Devils moved to 4-1 and still have a chance to play spoiler – or more – in the NMFL Legends with St Francis coming up in Week 7. Marquette 43, Gladstone 12 Marquette (4-1) is in position to win the GNC outright with an offense that has gone over 40 points in four of five games this fall. Marquette faces Menominee in Week 7.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Rockford 21, Hudsonville 16 The Rams (5-0) navigated their second-straight one-score win to keep pace with Caledonia atop the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red. Hudsonville went ahead 16-14 early in the second half, but Zak Ahern’s five-yard run put Rockford back on top to stay with 2:58 to go in the third quarter. Ahern averaged nearly 10 yards per carry, tallying 153 on 16 rushes. For Hudsonville (2-3), it was another heartbreaker; all three of the Eagles’ defeats have come by five points or fewer. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Watch list Coopersville 24, Allendale 6 The Broncos (5-0) have guaranteed their first winning regular season since 2017 and are off to their best start since 2003. They also are one of four teams at 3-0 in O-K Blue play.

Remember this one Sparta 21, Belding 14 (OT) The Spartans (3-2) may have worked their way back into the O-K Silver title conversation. A seven-point loss to leader Comstock Park in Week 3 put them a game back, but Belding (4-1) takes on Comstock Park this week with an opportunity to open the league race up to at least four teams.

More shoutouts Muskegon Mona Shore 49, Zeeland East 30 As a Week 7 matchup with rival Muskegon High draws nearer, the Sailors (4-1) and Big Reds have done their parts to push East (3-2) and others farther out of the O-K Green title picture. Reed City 22, Big Rapids 7 The Coyotes (4-1) might be pulling away from the Central State Activities Association Gold pack, with this win over Big Rapids (3-2) their second against a team currently tied for second in the league – and the third team, Central Montcalm, is up this week.

8-Player

HEADLINER Adrian Lenawee Christian 47, Colon 21 One of the most anticipated matchups this regular season turned into another solid win for the Cougars, even as Colon (4-1) became the first opponent to score in double digits against Lenawee Christian since last season’s Division 1 Semifinals. The Cougars (5-0) scored 47 points on a defense that had given up only 28 total through the first four weeks, including with a 31-6 run over the final three quarters. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.

Watch list Crystal Falls Forest Park 30, Norway 28 The Trojans (5-0) have won two-point games over Great Lakes Eight Conference West contenders two of the last three weeks, keeping them tied for first atop the league standings with Week 9 opponent Powers North Central.

Remember this one Newberry 34, Rudyard 28 With three games left in the GLEC East schedule, these two are joined by Pickford and Munising tied for first in the league after Rudyard (4-1) entered the weekend alone at the top. Newberry also is 4-1 overall.

More shoutouts Climax-Scotts 52, Athens 14 The Panthers (4-1) will be the next to try to dethrone Lenawee Christian in league play with this big win keeping them tied atop the Southern Central Athletic Association A standings. Suttons Bay 46, Munising 0 The undefeated Norsemen (5-0) continued to shine on both sides of the ball, with this shutout taking their defensive points allowed average down to 9.2.

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PHOTOS: A Milford ball carrier celebrates reaching the end zone during Friday's 18-15 win over Walled Lake Western. (2) An Ithaca defender wraps up a Midland Bullock Creek ball carrier during the Yellowjackets' 41-19 victory. (3) Negaunee's Nico Lukkarinen (24) runs the ball in for the first touchdown of Friday's win over Ishpeming. (4) Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern earned its first win over East Grand Rapids of a recent five-game series, 17-14. (Photos by Terry Lyons, High School Sports Scene, Cara Kamps and Michigan Sports Photo, respectively.)

Buckley’s Brooklyn Frazee, middle, competes in a race during her sophomore season in 2024.

Frazee Set to Finish Long Race to Return to Track After 2-Year Health Fight

By Tom Spencer
Special for MHSAA.com

April 17, 2026

When Brooklynn Frazee next competes for Buckley girls track & field team, tears are going to flow.

Northern Lower PeninsulaAnd that very well may be today.

“To be honest, I'm not looking for anything — I just want to see the joy on her face again,” said sixth-year Buckley coach Jolie King. “It gives me goosebumps. If you saw this kid run, and then to know what she's been through … the minute she gets on the track and completes the race, I'm going to cry. Yeah, I'm going to bawl on the track.”

Frazee, now a senior, is expected to run the sprints and long jump today when the Bears travel to Benzie Central for the 8-team Garland Invite. She hasn’t competed for the Bears since her sophomore year. As a freshman, she won the 100-meter dash with a personal-best 12.47 seconds and took second in the 200 as Buckley won the Lower Peninsula Division 4 championship, its first team Finals title in the sport.  

There had been lots of preseason excitement the following spring, and thoughts of repeating for the Bears, who had Frazee and Aiden Harrand back – Harrand who won the 1,600 for the third time and the 800 and 3,200 as well during the 2023 team championship run.

But long before Harrand eventually became the LPD4 champion again in the 400 and 1,600 to close 2024, Frazee began to face constant illness and a major injury.

“I was competing well and felt ready for another strong season,” Frazee said of her early sophomore competitions. “But deep down, I knew something was wrong. I was battling non-stop illnesses like strep throat, pneumonia, low iron, aches and pains and fatigue. Even with all of that, I kept competing. I loved my sport, and I did not want to let my team down.”

Frazee, right, celebrates with a teammate.Frazee wound up missing weeks of her sophomore season but kept her eye on qualifying for the Finals in hopes of repeating in the 100.

“The constant illnesses and stress on my body finally caught up with me,” she said.  “I suffered level 3 out of 4 tears from my hips to my knees. Suddenly, I went from competing to being sidelined.”

Following brief breaks for recovery purposes, Frazee did manage to qualify for the 2024 Finals in the long jump, 100, 200 and 400-meter runs.

“After another week of rest, I made it to the state finals meet,” she recalled. “I fought through the pain and made the finals in the 100-meter dash and long jump. I missed qualifying for the 200-meter finals by just one spot. By then, my body was fading fast. I was unable to sprint in the 100 finals and just crossed the finish line. I was not able to run the 400 meter.”

That was the last time Frazee competed for Buckley. 

She’s coming back after nearly two years of treatments that kept her out of track and basketball. She endured the two years while staying involved in Buckley sports as a team manager for cross country, track and basketball and while strengthening her already-strong faith.

“After the 2024 season, doctors thought it might be multiple sclerosis. I was also diagnosed with mono but when that didn't go away eventually, I received the diagnosis that changed my life,” Frazee said. “I don't really want to go into much detail about the diagnosis specifically, but it definitely changed my life. As treatments became harder, I was no longer able to help during the basketball and track seasons. I made it to a few track meets to cheer on my team, but many times I had to leave early because of the pain and fatigue.”

Buckley hoped to have Frazee back for its season-opening invitational last week. She ran indoor track races over the winter but returned from spring break sick. She’s missed the Bears’ first two outdoor meets but returned to school Wednesday.

“Friday is a go,” said Todd Frazee, Buckley’s athletic director and Brooklynn’s father. “The poor girl was so excited for her season to start, and then this virus hit. I can really feel for her.”

But now that Frazee is nearly back, King believes the Bears will be seeing an even faster senior on the track.

“Part of me is, like, holy cow this kid's faster now, stronger, and smarter and when we can get her on the track, she's going to blow people's minds,” King predicted. “But then the other part of me is, I don't want to do this to her. I'm not putting any of my hopes and dreams on this kid at all. I'm celebrating.”

The Bears’ Brooklyn Griffin, right, hands off the baton to Mirthe Breuker during a relay this spring.The senior speedster, who is also a member of the Buckley school record-holding 3,200 relay team, offers another perspective.

“I've gone from helping lead my school to its first state final championship as a freshman, to nearly losing sports completely,” Frazee acknowledged. “I'm fighting back to come back just as strong. My faith grew stronger and through everything I've faced, I believe that God was leading me toward a bigger purpose.”

Without Frazee, the Bears finished fourth in the team scoring at the 2024 Finals. Last year, after Harrand’s graduation the previous spring as well, Buckley qualified for just three events.

As sophomores last spring, Mikayla Kulawiak qualified in the high jump and finished fifth, and Maddie Snider qualified for the 100 hurdles. Kulawiak set the school high jump record at 5-foot-2 as this spring season opened up. The Bears also have seniors Addison Harrand and Kinsey Peer and sophomore Ariana Paris back from last year’s Finals-qualifying 3,200 relay.

Also, the top two finishers from Buckley’s third-place team effort at last fall’s LPD4 Cross Country Final – Brooklyn Griffin and Mirthe Breuker, an exchange student from the Netherlands – are running track and have the Bears excited for what lies ahead.  

Griffin, just a freshman, is already bolstering the Bears in the 100, 200 and 400-meter races, along with the long jump and pole vault. She won the 400 at Wednesday’s Northwest Conference meet.

With Frazee likely returning, the Bears now have their eyes on the Regional hosted by conference rival Frankfort and ultimately the May 30 Finals at Hudsonville Baldwin.

“We're just taking one day at a time,” said King, who noted it’s been devastating to watch Frazee’s struggle. “Brooklyn’s is a tremendous athlete and a tremendous person, and my heart just breaks for her. She’s very focused and telling herself May 30th. We have to take it day by day. Actually, we take it minute by minute.”

Frazee echoed her coach.

“We have a small but mighty team this year, and our goal is not to win the small meets, but focus in on what really matters, as well as each of us have individual goals that we are excited to cheer each other on in achieving.” she said. “I'm excited for this season and this team as I know it'll be one to remember. My goal is May 30th, the state finals, and just to enjoy being back and able to compete.”

Tom SpencerTom Spencer is a longtime MHSAA-registered basketball and soccer official, and former softball and baseball official, and he also has coached in the northern Lower Peninsula area. He previously has written for the Saginaw News, Bay County Sports Page and Midland Daily News. 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) Buckley’s Brooklyn Frazee, middle, competes in a race during her sophomore season in 2024. (Middle) Frazee, right, celebrates with a teammate. (Below) The Bears’ Brooklyn Griffin, right, hands off the baton to Mirthe Breuker during a relay this spring. (Frazee photos courtesy of Todd Frazee. Relay photo courtesy of Jolie King.)