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10 to Remember: Spring 2015

June 25, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The close of June officially ends of another school year. And this season’s MHSAA Finals provided another strong finish with a number of memorable moments sure to be recalled for years to come.

Below is one person’s list of the 10 most significant, drawn from the title-earning performances of 129 teams and hundreds of individuals this spring.

10. Rockford Holds On for Third Straight Girls Lacrosse Title

The Rams saw an 8-1 lead dissolve to a one-goal advantage after Bloomfield Hills Marian scored in the 22nd minute of the second half of their Division 1 Final. Rockford goalie Katie Elwell turned away a shot to tie the game with 55 seconds left, and her team won a jumpball deep on its side of the field with 36 seconds to play to hold on to a 10-9 victory – and claim a third straight MHSAA championship. Rockford is one of three programs to win four MHSAA titles during the 11 seasons of tournament sponsorship. Marian is a two-time runner-up.

9. Hartland Baseball Goes 10 Innings to Win First MHSAA Title

Hartland scored in the first inning of the Division 1 Final in pursuit of its first MHSAA championship in the sport – but then didn’t score again until the bottom of the 10th inning. Junior pitcher John Baker threw all 10 innings for the Eagles, allowing only five hits and striking out 11 batters, and he also had two hits and drove in the game’s first run. Portage Northern also was making its first MHSAA Final appearance in baseball.

8. Northville Girls Tennis Joins First-time Champs; Nguyen Joins Elite

The Northville girls tennis team was one of 32 teams over all sports that won their first MHSAA championships during the 2014-15 school year. The Wildcats finished an impressive five points ahead of Midland Dow, winning three doubles and two singles flights. Utica’s Davina Nguyen, meanwhile, finished as one of the most accomplished champions in MHSAA history, becoming only the sixth player to win at least three titles at No. 1 singles. Nguyen also won in Division 1 as a freshman and junior.

7. Cranbrook Kingswood Regains Boys Lacrosse Title on Last-Second Winner

Johnny Wagner scored 177 goals over his three-season varsity career for Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, but his last had to be the most spectacular. Three days after sending the Cranes to the Final with an overtime game-winning goal, Wagner scored in the Division 2 championship decider with 10.5 seconds to play to give his team the final edge in a 10-9 victory over Okemos. The winner was his fifth goal of the game.

6. Gull Lake Girls Soccer Wins Again on Shootout Success

The only shots to find the net in the Division 2 Final came during an overtime shootout won by Gull Lake to give the Blue Devils a 1-0 victory and their third straight MHSAA championship. That’s not to say the game lacked for excitement, with the teams combining for 37 shots. Gull Lake had also won its Regional Semifinal in a shootout and finished the spring 25-1-1. Fenton was making its first MHSAA Finals appearance in the sport, seeking its first title in any sport since 1993.  

5. Warren Regina Softball Stuns After Slow Start

Teams that open 3-11 usually don’t finish as championship contenders – but those teams don’t have the MHSAA’s winningest coach, Diane Laffey, running the show to go with a strong group of upperclassmen who emerged from a competative Detroit Catholic League Central. Regina won its sixth MHSAA title and first since 2007 by downing favored Caledonia 5-0 in the Division 1 Final. Senior Marissa Tiano struck out nine batters in giving up only two hits after giving up only four hits in a 7-1 Semifinal win over Mattawan.

4. DeWitt Boys Golf Sticks Winning Shots; Carlson Goes All-Time Low

DeWitt senior Geoffry Croley birdied off the flagstick on the No. 18 hole at Forest Akers East to help the Panthers edge Cranbrook Kingswood 594-595 and claim the Lower Peninsula Division 2 title, its first since 2011. His younger brother, freshman Joey, made par on his final hole (No. 16) to also help secure the win. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s Nick Carlson finished his high school career with a second individual title and the all-time low 36-hole score in MHSAA Finals history, a 134, to edge Matt Harmon’s 135 for East Kentwood in 2001.

3. Saline Unbeatable in Claiming First Girls Soccer Title

The Hornets compiled one of the most impressive seasons in MHSAA girls soccer history in making their first Final and then winning it. Saline gave up a mere four goals – tied for third-fewest in MHSAA history – in 25 games and finished with a 22-0-3 record capped by a 4-0 win over Grand Blanc in the Division 1 championship game. The team’s 22 shutouts also rank tied for third in MHSAA girls soccer history. Senior Taylor Mulder set a school record with 43 goals this season with her second of this game.

2. Legend of Beaubien Grows with Monroe St. Mary Softball Title

Meghan Beaubien already was known by those who follow softball statewide – not many sophomores get a chance to commit to the University of Michigan so early. But what she and the Kestrels did in winning the program’s first MHSAA championship was pretty legendary. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central outscored its postseason opponents by a combined 29-0 over seven games, beating Bronson 2-0 in the Division 3 Final with Beaubien taking a perfect game into the seventh inning and hitting a two-run homer.

1. Fisher, Saline Finish Strong in Boys Track and Field Final

The Lower Peninsula Division 1 Final was filled with notable finishes – including a pair that will be listed in the national record book next month. Saline won its second MHSAA title in the sport and first since 2006, finishing ahead of East Kentwood – champion five of the last six seasons. The Hornets were keyed by a 3,200 relay of Logan Wetzel, Josiah Humphrey, Austin Welch and Kevin Hall that finished in 7:38.97 to rank among the best all-time in U.S. high school history Grand Blanc senior Grant Fisher posted the second-fastest 1,600 time in U.S. high school history, going 4:00.28.; he graduated with five individual MHSAA Finals titles. Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills’ Donavan Brazier also re-set the all-Finals record in the 800, running 1:48.98.

PHOTO: Grant Fisher, far right, set an MHSAA all-Finals record in the 1,600 that also ranks as the second-fastest in U.S. high school history. (Click to see more from RunMichigan.com. Photos by John Brabbs.)

Fenton defenders close in on a tackle during the Tigers’ 26-14 win over Flushing.

1st & Goal: 2026 Week 3 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 14, 2026

The highest-scoring game, potentially, in Michigan high school history will put Week 3 in the record books at the end of this season. 

MI Student AidBut several more results could send the second weekend of September into school record books across the state if the rest of the regular season plays out as past history dictates it might. 

Several matchups that decided 2025 league titles were played at the one-third point this fall. And while we will have to wait another month or more to know for sure, many noted below might end up deciding which teams hoist conference championship trophies later this fall. 

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Montrose 35, New Lothrop 33 Montrose (2-1) ran its Mid-Michigan Athletic Conference winning streak to 11 with its closest league victory in two years. After only two weeks of league play there are only two teams 2-0 in the MMAC – Montrose joined by Birch Run, and they’ll meet in a Week 8 league finale. Click for more from WJRT.

Watch list Imlay City 22, Croswell-Lexington 0 Imlay City (3-0) already has as many wins as a year ago and with one more victory will match its highest total since 2020. This win reversed a 42-7 loss to Croswell-Lexington (0-3) a year ago and was the Spartans’ first over the Pioneers since 2014.

On the move Armada 28, North Branch 6 The Tigers (2-1) bounced back from a Week 2 loss to Almont to hand North Branch (2-1) its first defeat. Davison 54, Traverse City Central 28 The Cardinals also enjoyed an impressive bounce-back coming off a Week 2 defeat to Detroit Catholic Central with a notable win over a Central team that reached the Regional Finals last fall. Millington 43, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 16 Last season’s Cardinals win over Laker (1-2) in the league finale decided the Big Thumb Conference White title. This season they played in the league opener, and the result might end up doing the same although Caro and Cass City are both undefeated as well and up next for Millington (3-0).

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 31, Warren De La Salle Collegiate 28 A Marcus Hayes interception returned for a touchdown was the highlight play from this Catholic High School League Central matchup. The end result of the game was Brother Rice (3-0) taking a step as a candidate to be top contender in the league race against Detroit Catholic Central, although Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in Week 5 will present another major challenge. Click for more from the Detroit News.

Watch list Northville 35, Brighton 34 Northville (3-0) finished second in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West last year thanks in part to a loss to Brighton (2-1), but may be the team to beat in the new KLAA Black after securing this one with a 2-point conversion stop with 24 seconds to play.

On the move Detroit Edison 41, Romulus Summit Academy North 14 After these two shared the championship a year ago Edison (2-1) now joins Ecorse with the early lead in the Charter School Conference Gold, with those two set to meet in Week 8. South Lyon 35, Walled Lake Western 14 This was one of the two big matchups when South Lyon won the Lakes Valley Conference last season, and might prove a decider again although upcoming games with Milford and South Lyon East will influence the race as well. Dearborn Divine Child 14, Detroit Country Day 7 Divine Child (3-0) marched late for the go-ahead score to run its current streak over Country Day to three wins in three seasons, but the close loss also showed how dangerous the Yellowjackets (1-2) could be the rest of the way.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Beal City 42, Springport 13 The Aggies (3-0) stepped away from their Highland Conference repeat pursuit for a week to take on the reigning champion from the Big 8 Conference and busted out in a big way during the second half after leading only 14-7 at the break. It was the first regular-season loss for Springport (2-1) since Week 8 of 2024. Click for more from  WLNS.

Watch list Mount Pleasant 28, Midland Dow 7 The Oilers (3-0) began their Saginaw Valley League North repeat pursuit with their best defensive game of the young season as they faced last year’s league runner-up in Dow (1-2).

On the move Grand Ledge 45, Okemos 7 The Comets (3-0) won this matchup of previously undefeated opponents to open Capital Area Activities Conference Blue play. Mason 20, Haslett 7 The Bulldogs (3-0) didn’t let down after a big Week 2 win over DeWitt, opening CAAC Red play by avenging one of last season’s two league losses. Howell 54, Dearborn 14 The Highlanders have reached 40 points all three games this season and 35 points in 11 straight dating back to Week 4 of last fall.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER East Jordan 20, Maple City Glen Lake 19 The last three regular-season meetings between these Northern Michigan Football Conference rivals have been decided by a combined four points – and Glen Lake (2-1) also won last year’s District Final matchup by 14 – but this went East Jordan’s way for the first time since 2023. The Red Devils (2-1) quickly have become the only team in the one-division NMFC still without a league loss. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Watch list Harbor Springs 14, Frankfort 10 Frankfort (2-1) has made the playoffs every season this decade and Harbor Springs (2-1) hasn’t once, but that could be changing as the Rams defeated the Panthers for the first time since 2020.

On the move Kingsley 39, Charlevoix 13 The Stags (3-0) have looked especially impressive in the early going and may have won the eventual decider in the Northern Shores Conference with Charlevoix (2-1) another contender. Cadillac 28, Gaylord 0 The Vikings (2-1) made a big splash against the reigning Big North Conference champion Blue Devils (1-2), and in doing so equaled their win total of a year ago. Oscoda 20, Johannesburg-Lewiston 8 After falling to East Jordan and Harbor Springs to start the fall, the Owls (1-2) are on the board thanks to avenging last season’s 12-point loss to the Cardinals (2-1).

Ithaca’s Greyson Merchant (6) follows senior Harper Merchant for a first down during the Yellowjackets’ 63-7 win over Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Chelsea 49, Adrian 21 These two decided last season’s Southeastern Conference White title, and the early edge this fall goes to reigning champion Chelsea which is now tied for first with Tecumseh. Those co-leaders will meet this week in one of the biggest matchups regionally and beyond. Click for more from the Chelsea Sun Times News.

Watch list Jackson Lumen Christi 45, Traverse City St. Francis 0 The Titans (3-0) have won five straight over the Gladiators (1-2) but handed St. Francis its first shutout since these two met in 2023.

On the move Napoleon 32, Jonesville 12 Napoleon (3-0) moved from the Cascades Conference East to West this season and opened by slowing down a Jonesville offense that had scored 98 points during a 2-0 start. Michigan Center 22, Manchester 16 The reigning Cascades West champion Cardinals (2-1) got an important league win out of the way as Manchester also had impressed during a 2-0 start. Quincy 67, Stockbridge 21 After a rough first half of the decade, Quincy finished it up last season with a solid 5-4 run – and at 3-0 this fall may be in the mix to take another step although the schedule has a number of challenges the rest of the way.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Marshall 52, Hastings 45 The Interstate 8 Athletic Conference race is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in the southwest with three of seven teams 3-0 overall and others capable of making noise on a given night. Marshall is 3-0 for the first time since 2009 with this win over annual league contender Hastings, which is 1-2 against opponents a combined 8-1 this fall. Click for more from WWMT.

Watch list Union City 22, Bronson 14 Union City is setting up well as a Big 8 Conference contender, moving to 3-0 with this win over Bronson (1-2), which finished second in the Southwest 10 Conference a year ago.

On the move Mattawan 77, Battle Creek Central 76 (5OT) This was definitely the highest-scoring overtime game in MHSAA football history, the highest-scoring for two teams combined when the loser scores at least 40, and very likely the highest-scoring high school football game in Michigan overall since 1912 (before the MHSAA was formed 12 years later). Kalamazoo United 28, Lawton 7 This was another major step for United (3-0) in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, with the Week 6 date against Schoolcraft now shaping up as a potential league title decider. Lawton (2-1) still gets a shot against Schoolcraft as well, in Week 9. Portage Central 25, Portage Northern 14 Central (2-1) has taken a notable edge in this rivalry with a fifth-straight win, and these two will not meet again this season as they’re in different playoff divisions.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Bark River-Harris 38, Iron Mountain 33 Bark River-Harris’ repeat hopes in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Iron got a major boost as this matchup has been the title decider the last two seasons. The Broncos (3-0) defeated Iron Mountain three times a year ago and certainly could see the Mountaineers (1-2) again in the playoffs in two months. Click for more from My UP Now.

Watch list Houghton 54, L’Anse 8 This could be a turning point for the Gremlins (1-2), who topped 50 points for the first time since 2022 and held a L’Anse team that had scored 90 over a 2-0 start.

On the move Calumet 21, Negaunee 18 The Copper Kings (3-0) opened a stretch of Negaunee/Menominee/Kingsford the best way, and for the second-straight season, with the next two games to tell their fortunes in the West-PAC Copper. Escanaba 29, Alpena 12 Escanaba (1-2) ran its winning streak against Alpena (1-2) to five and evened its record in the BNC after opening against the reigning champ. Kingsford 35, Gladstone 0 The Flivvers (3-0) have outscored their first three opponents by a combined 104-22 margin with Negaunee and Calumet up next.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Caledonia 35, Rockford 23 The Fighting Scots (2-1) impressively bounced back from the disappointment of taking a forfeit loss Week 1 by defeating the Rams (1-2) for the first time since their 2022 Division 1 District Final. Caledonia capitalized on three turnovers and a blocked punt, and also returned a kickoff for a score. Click for more from WOOD TV.

Watch list Muskegon Orchard View 22, Whitehall 8 The Cardinals (2-1) didn’t even have a team five seasons ago, but they won five of their last six games last fall and continued this early surge by defeating Whitehall for the first time in their five years together in the West Michigan Conference Lakes.

On the move Grand Rapids West Catholic 45, Grand Rapids South Christian 34 The Falcons (2-1) bounced back from a Week 2 loss to hand the Sailors (2-1) their first this season. Coopersville 20, Petoskey 17 (OT) The Broncos are now 3-0 against teams that went a combined 27-4 a year ago. Hudsonville 42, Grand Haven 14 Six of eight Ottawa-Kent Conference Red teams are 2-1 or better, including both of these after Hudsonville handed Grand Haven its first loss.

Ishpeming’s Donovan Snyder (1) pulls in a pass against Stephenson.

8-Player

HEADLINER Rudyard 42, Indian River Inland Lakes 36 (3OT) It took three overtimes, but Rudyard (2-1) ended Inland Lakes’ 25-game regular-season winning streak dating back to 2023. This was their first meeting since 2013, and an important one as they are both in the first-year Bridge Alliance Straits this fall. Click for more from the Cheboygan Daily Tribune.

Watch list Litchfield 28, Battle Creek St. Philip 6 The Terriers are 3-0 for the first time since 2022 as they seek their first playoff berth since 2011. They’ve actually won six of their last seven games going back to last season.

On the move Bay City All Saints 33, Kinde North Huron 14 The Cougars (3-0) took a major step as they pursue a fourth-straight league title, even as North Huron (2-1) gave them their closest game in the series since 2022. Ishpeming 80, Stephenson 42 The Hematites (2-1) equaled their win total from a year ago and are just 18 points shy of equaling their scoring for all of 2025. Bridgman 48, Marcellus 18 The Bees (3-0) picked up what might end up a key win in the Southern Michigan 8-Man Football League Red, as Marcellus (2-1) was coming off a victory over reigning Division 1 champ Martin.

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PHOTOS (Top) Fenton defenders close in on a tackle during the Tigers’ 26-14 win over Flushing. (Middle) Ithaca’s Greyson Merchant (6) follows senior Harper Merchant for a first down during the Yellowjackets’ 63-7 win over Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central. (Below) Ishpeming’s Donovan Snyder (1) pulls in a pass against Stephenson. (Fenton/Flushing photo by Terry Lyons. Ithaca/Nouvel photo by Kolleth Photography. Ishpeming/Stephenson photo by Randy Ritari.)