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Playoffs Ramp Up on MHSAA TV, FSD

October 23, 2018

By John Johnson
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties

Highlighted by more than a dozen Football Playoff games, this week’s MHSAA broadcast schedule is loaded with tournament action in three sports.

The slate is highlighted by the first Pre-District Football Playoff game to be shown on cable television statewide, as FOX Sports Detroit launches its Football Week In Michigan activities for 2018 by traveling to Kent City for a Division 7 first-round showdown between the 8-1 Falcons and last year’s Division 8 runner-up, Saugatuck (8-1).

Matt Shepard and Rob Rubick have the call of the game Friday (Oct. 26) at 7 p.m., which also can be seen free on the FoxSportsDetroit.com website and on the FOX Sports app. Authentication may be required to view on the FOX Sports app.

The highly popular Prep Zone series returns for its eighth season as well Friday, with Davison (7-2) at Oxford in a Division 1 Pre-District game and Haslett (8-1) at East Lansing (8-1) in a Division 3 contest. Both games begin at 7 p.m. on the FoxSportsDetroit.com website and on the FOX Sports app.

All games produced on FOX Sports Detroit will be available for on-demand viewing on the MHSAA.tv website.

Another 10 football games Friday evening and another four on Saturday are being produced by School Broadcast Program members and the NFHS Network.

School Broadcast Program members also will be covering a Boys Soccer Regional this week at Cedar Springs and Girls Volleyball Districts beginning Monday (Oct. 29) at four locations.

Here’s this week’s MHSAA.tv schedule of video streams being produced by School Broadcast Program members and the NFHS Network: (Check this list online at MHSAA.com for updates throughout the week as SBP members schedule additional games.)

Tuesday - Oct. 23

Wednesday - Oct. 24

Thursday - Oct. 25

Friday - Oct. 26

Saturday - Oct. 27

Monday - Oct. 29

Tuesday - Oct. 30

All sporting events – live or delayed - are available on a subscription basis only for their first 72 hours online. They become available for free, on-demand viewing approximately 72 hours following their completion.

NFHS Network subscriptions begin at $9.95 a month. Subscribers will have access to all live video and streaming statistics across the country. All content becomes available for free, on-demand viewing 72 hours after being shown live. School Broadcast Program participants also will be selling Season and Annual Passes at a discounted rate. A portion of every subscription sold by a school goes to benefit its program. 

A complete list of participating schools can be found on the School Broadcast Program page of the MHSAA website.

Hoops on Film: 1961 Class D Boys Final

July 27, 2015

By John Johnson
MHSAA communications director

A battle of undefeated teams from schools both no longer in existence is highlighted this week as part of MHSAA.tv’s Hoops On Film Series.

From the late 1940’s to the mid 1970’s the Michigan High School Athletic Association shot portions of the action at its boys and girls basketball finals on 16mm film. The films were loaned out, primarily to the participating schools, to help them relive the moments of playing in a championship game.

While many of the old films have wandered astray over time, about 60 games still exist in the MHSAA archives. Anyone in possession of such a film is encouraged to contact John Johnson at the MHSAA Office ([email protected]) to discuss having the film converted to a digital format.

Some of the films only have portions of the second half and the post-game awards; some have most of the action. None of the films have sound. They range in length from 10 minutes to about an hour. A new film will be posted online each Monday through the week of August 17. DVD’s may be purchased directly from the MHSAA.tv Website – just click the Get DVD button below the player. 

Here’s a look at this week’s game, with recap courtesy of MHSAA historian Ron Pesch:

Marquette Pierce 68, Freesoil 61 – 1961 Class D Boys Final - After 35 years as a coach in the Upper Peninsula, Vic Hurst was rewarded with his first MHSAA title as Marquette Pierce downed a determined Freesoil squad, 68-61, in a Class D battle of the undefeated. Dave Benson led the Warriors with 17 points, while teammates Dennis DeMerse and the Laurich brothers – Conrad and Larry – each added 15. The matchup came after each school's first Regional crown and ended up the only time either school would ever reach the Finals. Pierce would close after the 1961 season, and its only other Regional appearances came back-to-back in 1955 and 1956. Freesoil would win four more Regional titles during its history – three consecutive form 1966-68. The high school closed after the 2006-07 school year and was absorbed into the Mason County Eastern school district.

Previous releases:
1958 Class A Boys Final: Detroit Austin 71, Benton Harbor 68 - Watch
1976 Class D Girls Final: Lake City 58, Perkins 48 - Watch
1971 Class A Boys Final: Flint Northern 79, Detroit Kettering 78 - Watch
1954 Class A Boys Final: Muskegon Heights 43, Flint Northern 41 (OT) - Watch
1973 Class C Boys Final: Detroit East Catholic 50, Saginaw St. Stephen 49 - Watch