Catch Corley's Catch Again on NFHS
August 17, 2016
By John Johnson
MHSAA Communications Director
Donnie Corley’s game-winning catch for Detroit Martin Luther King against Lowell in the MHSAA Division 2 Football Finals last year will cap off a string of 30 Plays in 30 Days on the NFHS Network this week.
The 40-yard reception from Armani Posey in the corner of the end zone as time expired gave the Crusaders a 40-38 win over the Red Arrows, capping a 6-play, 95-yard drive over the final 37 seconds of the game. The clip will be available on the NFHS Network website on Thursday.
Seven more MHSAA schools made NFHS Network news this week, as their School Broadcast Programs were honored by the network. Calumet, Haslett and Montrose were among 41 schools to be ranked as Elite Schools in the program for 2015-16, and Comstock Park, Davison, Lake Orion and Mancelona were among 89 honored as Select Schools.
Select Schools were chosen for demonstrating excellent broadcasting skills, and Elite Schools not only displayed excellent broadcasting skills but also excelled in promoting their events and generating funds for their schools. Calumet was honored as an Elite School for the second straight year, while Haslett and Montrose were Select Schools in 2015-16.
Highlight Reel: Saturday Football Finals
November 28, 2016
By John Johnson
MHSAA Communications Director
The final day of the MHSAA 11-Player Football Finals at Ford Field in Detroit – powered by the Michigan Army National Guard – produced a first-time gridiron champion and a game-winning play that will be talked about for a long time.
Division 7
Pewamo-Westphalia 28, Detroit Loyola 14
Logan & Lehman Go Long - The Pewamo-Westphalia combo of quarterback Jimmy Lehman and receiver Logan Hengesbach connected for two touchdowns in the Division 7 title game against Detroit Loyola. Here's the second TD in the third quarter, with Hengesbach winning the jump ball to complete a 37-yard scoring play.
Johnson Powers Into the End Zone - Detroit Loyola gets on the board midway through the fourth quarter, when TE Keith Johnson makes a great play to catch a pass from Price Watkins and then power into the end zone to complete the 18-yard score.
Division 1
Detroit Cass Tech 49, Detroit Catholic Central 20
CC Takes the Early Lead - Detroit Catholic Central led 14-7 at the end of the first quarter, taking the lead on this 35-yard pass interception return by Jack Morris.
The Peoples' Choice for Cass Tech - Detroit Cass Tech QB Rodney Hall tied a Finals record with five touchdown passes against Detroit Catholic Central - two going to Donovan Peoples-Jones, including this 49-yarder in the third quarter.
Division 5
Grand Rapids West Catholic 43, Menominee 7
Meyers Off to the Races - Grand Rapids West Catholic scored its first TD against Menominee on a pitch and catch from Gaetano Vallone to Brett Meyers covering 91 yards.
Hass Records a Finals First - Menominee uses special teams to get on the board in the third quarter. Sam Larson blocks the West Catholic field goal attempt, and Hunter Hass returns it 76 yards for a TD – the first time in Finals history a blocked field goal has been returned for a score.
Division 3
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 29, Muskegon 28
Pimpleton's Second Score - Lined up in the slot, Muskegon's Kalil Pimpleton gets his second 18-yard rushing touchdown of the Division 3 Final against Orchard Lake St. Mary's on the end-around to give his team a 21-20 lead early in the fourth quarter.
A Catch for the Ages - In the closing seconds of the Division 3 Final, Orchard Lake St. Mary's QB Caden Prieskorn hits Ky’ren Cunningham in the end zone with an 18-yard touchdown strike to give the Eaglets the win.
The MHSAA Football Finals are sponsored by the Michigan National Guard.
PHOTO: Orchard Lake St. Mary's Chris Bean celebrates during Saturday's Division 3 Final.