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This season’s 11-a-side football finals field has been set. And after this weekend’s semi-finals, it’s fair to expect phenomenal.
Both Division 1 games went to extra time. The Division 5 and Division 8 semifinals brought together undefeated contenders at Ford Field. Three reigning champions advanced, as did two teams making their first semifinal appearance and two more teams winning their first in the lifetimes of the players on their rosters this fall.
And that’s just a taste of what’s to come as we preview all eight matches on Wednesday. Today we take a look back at all 16 games from a snowy, stormy and mostly cold but forever memorable Friday and Saturday.
1st Ward
SEMI-FINALS Belleville 29, Detroit Cass Tech 28 (OT) Arguably the game of the weekend Friday night, Belleville took an early 14-0 lead, trailed 21-14, scored with 1:04 left to force overtime, then answered Cass Tech’s overtime touchdown with a score and the game-winning 2-point conversion. The reigning Division 1 champion Tigers improved to 13-0, while the Technicians improved to 9-4. Click for more information MLive-Detroit.
Belleville sophomore Bryce Underwood had the game-winning 2-point conversion in OT as the Tigers defeated Cass Tech 29-28 in the Division 1 semifinals. As a power source @LTUAthletics @BryceUnderwoo16 | @BellevilleFB | @BHSBelleville pic.twitter.com/nweEl5iffn
— NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) 19 November 2022
SEMI-FINALS Caledonia 21, Clarkston 0 The expected back-and-forth offense turned into one of the most impressive defensive displays in the state this season as Caledonia shut out Clarkston’s offense, averaging nearly 41 points per game. The Fighting Scots (12-1) are making their first final appearance since winning the Division 3 title in 2005. Clarkston went 10-3. Click on the page for more information Grand Rapids Press.
Caledonia celebrates after beating Clarkston 21-0 in the Division 1 semifinals. As a power source @USNRcruiter pic.twitter.com/YM6zg2PTl9
— NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) 19 November 2022
2nd Ward
SEMI-FINALS Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 20, Dexter 17 (2OT) Forest Hills’ central defense, which has been a big part of the story all season, showed well again as the Rangers (13-0) reached their first final since 1994. Defenseman Mason McDonald certainly played his part, especially in crunch time. , with a game-tying pass on the last play and game-winning point. Dexter finished 12-1 in its first semifinal season. Click on the page for more information Grand Rapids Press.
Forest Hills Central vs. Dexter – Division 2 @MHSAA Football semi-final
📹WXMI-TV@fhcsportsreport | @Coachtimrogers | @rheathorntontv pic.twitter.com/kvWJDKNiYV
— NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2022
SEMI-FINALS Warren De La Salle Collegiate 43, Birmingham Groves 15 The reigning champion Pilots (12-1) once again followed quarterback Brady Drogosh with four touchdowns while the defense took care of its side for the ninth straight game allowing 18 or fewer points. Groves went 9-4, a great comeback from last season’s 2-7 finish. Click on the page for more information Macomb Daily.
Here’s our Anvil Award nominee and Illinois commit Mason Muragin (@MMuragin) of De La Salle, beat Groves in the Division 2 semifinals. Delivers @hungryhowies @DLSFootball_MI | @DLSBroZone | @DeLaSalleAD | @illinifootball pic.twitter.com/5SHl6ZW46B
— NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2022
3rd Ward
SEMI-FINALS Muskegon 49, DeWitt 21 After two seasons on the road, Muskegon (11-2) returns to Ford Field for the fifth time in seven years. Quarterback M’Khi Guy led the way, scoring six touchdowns and throwing for a seventh. Last season’s Division 3 runner-up, DeWitt went 9-4. Click on the page for more information Muskegon Chronicle.
Muskegon vs. DeWitt – Division 3 Highlights @MHSAA Football semi-final
📹WXMI-TV@MuskCoFootball | @OnMuskegon | @jhutt5 pic.twitter.com/uEEO12WBWV
— NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2022
SEMI-FINALS Detroit Martin Luther King 52, Mason 17 The defending champion Crusaders (9-3) are also back in the finals for the sixth time in eight seasons after shutting down Mason’s offense, averaging 45 points per game. Dante Moore provided a few more highlights late in his career, throwing four touchdown passes. Mason completed its second straight semifinal run at 12-1. Click on the page for more information Detroit Free Press.
Our Mr. Football candidate and Oregon commit Dante Moore of Detroit King scored 4 TDs in a 52-17 win over Mason in the Division 3 semifinals. Delivers @hungry @dantemoore05 | @oregonfootball | @DetKingFootball | @TheRealSterl | @J2Croft pic.twitter.com/FtdAA3fLdD
— NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2022
4th Ward
SEMI-FINALS Grand Rapids South Christian 26, Edwardsburg 20 The Sailors improved to 13-0 and earned their first trip to the finals since 2014, handing Edwardsburg its first loss since the season opener. The Eddies (11-2) got within a scoreline late, but South Christian held them off the rest of the way. Click for more information FOX 17.
South Christian vs. Edwardsburg – Division 4 Highlights @MHSAA Football semi-final
📹WXMI-TV@RemiMonaghan | @sailorsports | @SCsailorFB pic.twitter.com/sWAUcleWm4
— NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 21, 2022
SEMI-FINALS Goodrich 51, Riverview 26 The Martians (12-1) head into the final weekend of the season for the first time after allowing the second-most points in a game this season and handing Riverview (12-1) its only loss. Jace Simerson ran for five touchdowns to lead the way. Click on the page for more information Flint Journal.
Goodrich Sr @JaceSimerson had five hits over Riverview in the Division 4 semifinals. As a power source @LTUAthletics pic.twitter.com/RZtyS9m6cp
— NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2022
5th Ward
SEMI-FINALS Gladwin 28, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 21 Arguably the most surprising of the playoffs is the Flying G’s, which is saying a lot because they are undefeated at 13-0, but also ended Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s three-season finals winning streak at four. The Cougars (11-2) pulled into the final zone late and got the ball, but Gladwin’s interception sealed the program’s first trip to the finals. Click on the page for more information Bay City Times.
Here are highlights from Gladwin’s win over Grand Rapids Catholic Central in Division 5 @MHSAA Football semi-final
📹https://t.co/duQnD6Kq0j@GladwinFootball pic.twitter.com/9MxZdN3gEF
— NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2022
SEMI-FINALS Frankenmuth 38, Detroit Earth Day 0 The Eagles (13-0) earned their second trip to Ford Field in three seasons with arguably their best defensive effort of the season as they did not allow a first down in their fifth shutout. Aidan Hoard threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third score. Earth Day ended on 8-4. Click on the page for more information Saginaw News.
Frankenmuth is celebrating after defeating Country Day 38-0 in the Division 5 semifinals on Saturday. As a power source @MIArmyGuard @FrankenmuthF | @FMuthAthletics pic.twitter.com/wdZyCSRggU
— NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) 19 November 2022
Ward 6
SEMI-FINALS Negaunee 13, Reed City 12 The Miners bounced back from one of the snowier semifinals twice, the second time with a Kai Lacar-led game win. Negaunee (13-0) also reached its first final since 2002, allowing no more than 15 points a game this season, and while Reed City (11-2) averaged 44 points a game. Click on the page for more information Marquette Mines Journal.
Negaunee vs. Reed City – Division 6 Highlights @MHSAA Football semi-final
📹 WJMN-TV pic.twitter.com/P6H47zX9lT
— NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2022
SEMI-FINALS Grand Rapids West Catholic 33, Clinton 14 The Falcons return to the finals for the first time since 2017, handing Clinton its only loss and holding the Redwolves (12-1) to the fewest points this fall. Tim Kloska ran for 349 yards and five touchdowns for West Catholic (12-1). Click for more information FOX 17.
Western Catholic vs. Clinton Highlights – Episode 6 @MHSAA Football semi-final
📹WXMI-TV@wcathleticspage | @CoachLGrove | @GRWCFootball | @jhutt5 pic.twitter.com/v1vBXkbjlv
— NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2022
7th Ward
SEMI-FINALS Traverse City St. Francis 53, New Lothrop 8 The Gladiators’ dominance seems to get more extraordinary each week as they are 13-0 for the first time since 2009 and have now won their last two games a combined 116-8. St. Francis led 20-0 after the first quarter. New Lothrop went 10-3. Click on the page for more information Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Division 7 Highlights @MHSAA Semifinal Traverse City St. between Francis and New Lothrop
📹 WPBN-TV@TCSFFootball | @HarrisonBeeby pic.twitter.com/nBx0oMtUIN
— NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2022
SEMI-FINALS Jackson Lumen Christi 20, Napoleon 7 The Titans (10-3) earned a rematch against an opponent that contributed to their 0-3 start this season. Lumen Christi relied on a steady defense that held Napoleon to the fewest points scored in a game this fall. Napoleon also finished its first semifinal season at 12-1. Click on the page for more information Jackson Citizen Patriot.
Congratulations to Jackson Lumen Christ. In Division 7, they beat Napoleon 20-7 on Saturday @MHSAA Semi-final. First trip back to the state finals since 2019. pic.twitter.com/ygnHI7SoeJ
— NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2022
8th Ward
SEMI-FINALS Ubly 41, Iron Mountain 14 The Bearcats have thus far tied St. With Francis’ mastery, this will be their closest game of the season. Ubly (13-0) returns to Ford Field for the second time in three seasons after holding Iron Mountain to the fewest points since a Week 1 loss to Negaunee and the most points the Mountaineers (11-2) have given up this season. Click on the page for more information Huron Daily Tribune. (Video below will be added later on Monday.)
SEMI-FINALS Ottawa Lake Whiteford 44, Clarkston Everest Collegiate 6 The Bobcats are also returning to the finals for the first time since 2017 after defeating Everest (9-4) for the second straight season in the playoffs. Quarterback Shea Ruddy ran for four scores for Whiteford (13-0). Click on the page for more information Monroe News.
Ottawa Lake Whiteford senior quarterback Shea Ruddy (@shea_ruddy) had a four-touchdown win over Clarkston Everest in the Division 8 semifinals. As a power source @LTUAthletics pic.twitter.com/DxBJniKJur
— NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) 19 November 2022
MHSAA.com Weekly “1St & Purpose” previews and reviews are sponsored by MI Student Aid, part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning in the Michigan Department of Finance. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 College Savings Program (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college accessible, affordable and achievable for you. Contact MI Student Assistance at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and search for more information Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
PHOTO Muskegon’s Jakob Price (20) finds room to run in his team’s win over DeWitt. (Photo by Tim Reilly.)
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