MHSAA Football Playoffs - District Championship Edition

We have moved past the district round now. The games this week will determine who plays in the state semifinals! The games last week were action packed. Some

We have moved past the district round now. The games this week will determine who plays in the state semifinals! The games last week were action packed. Some of the games were very close while others just pulled away in the second half. There were even a few games that shocked me! Now, coaches will gather more game film, put on the coats and stocking hats, and go out in hopes to be back on the practice field Monday afternoon. Let’s examine last week’s games.

Detroit

Birmingham Brother Rice 30 Farmington Hills Harrison 7

WOW! This shocked me. I figured that Brother Rice would put up a valiant effort, but lose in the end, even though I read the rumors that FHH quarterback Jake Vento would not be playing due to an ankle sprain. It was not the Hawks night though. Farmington Hills Harrison quarterback replacement Lamarr Marshall completed 10 of his 21 passes for 157 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. That lone touchdown was scored by Aaron Burbridge who finished with four receptions for 73 yards and that score. Lorenzo Collins was their leading rusher with 12 attempts for 40 yards. FHH coach John Herrington said his team was beaten up front and offered no excuses as to why they lost. For Brother Rice, quarterback Cheyne Lacanaria completed two of his four passes for 81 yards and ran twice for six more. Devin Church was the work horse, running 31 times for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Brian Walker chipped in 14 runs for 68 yards and two more scores. Brother Rice will play at Southfield Saturday afternoon.

Capital Area

Lansing Catholic 50 Portland 33

The game started pretty badly for Lansing Catholic. At the end of the first quarter, it was 21-0. They narrowed the gap and went into the half down 27-21. The second half belonged to Lansing as they put up 29 points to Portland’s six and lived to play another day. Portland’s quarterback Alex Haik completed eight of his 15 passes for 110 yards but tossed three interceptions. He also ran 16 times for 64 yards and two scores. Andrew Barr was their top running back with 15 attempts for 165 yards and a score. Zachary Pung only ran seven times for 56 yards, but scored twice. Auston Brandt caught two footballs for 48 yards. Lansing Catholic quarterback Cooper Rush had another fantastic game, completing 24 of his 35 passes for 370 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception. When he tucked the ball and ran, which he did 10 times, he gained 76 additional yards and a score.  All in all, Rush had his hand in on every single touchdown Lansing Catholic scored. No one else could get much going in the running game, but that didn’t matter as the passing game was going so well. Matt Macksood collected nine catches for 179 yards and three touchdowns. He ran the ball four times, but lost nine yards. Jack Swain caught seven footballs for 105 yards and three more scores. Swain also ran the ball and fared little better than Macksood, with two attempts for three yards. Dan Liesman made 14 tackles in the defensive effort. Swain and Macksood each intercepted a pass. It was a very good game if you are a Cougar fan, not so much if you like the Red Raiders. Lansing Catholic will host Dowagiac on Friday night.

West Coast

Mendon 38 Muskegon Catholic Central 21

In yet another exciting game between two of the state’s small school powerhouses, the Hornet of Mendon did what they had to do in the fourth quarter to win the game. Fumbles didn’t help MCC and a last second pass to the end zone was knocked away, preserving the win for Mendon. MCC’s quarterback Zach Campbell completed 11 of his 25 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown. He also ran 17 times for 43 yards. Jessie Anderson ran the ball 13 times for 71 yards and scored twice. He also caught three passes for 36 yards. Jason Ribecky caught four passes for 42 yards. For Mendon, quarterback Chance Nightingale only completed two of his seven passes for 26 yards, but both completions went for scores. He also had a pass intercepted. His big contribution was running the ball. He carried 10 times for 142 yards and two long touchdowns. Tyler Harris ran the ball 23 times for 138 yards. Robbie Gonser caught one of the td passes for 25 yards out while Cody Bingaman caught a one yard score. Mendon will play host to Climax-Scotts Saturday afternoon.

Mid-Michigan

Ithaca 28 Montrose 13

Things were looking great for Montrose early in the game. At the end of the first quarter, they led 10-0. Unfortunately, the Rams would only score one more time on a Tyler Blackburn 26 yard field goal. This game had two contrasting styles; Ithaca with the spread offense and Montrose who likes to pound it with the running game. Montrose quarterback Nick Huckabay completed six of his 19 passes for 44 yards. Unfortunately, the box score showed when he ran the ball; he gained a negative 34 yards on ten attempts. On defense, he led the way with 11 tackles and an interception. Caleb Reinhart carried for 45 yards on 16 attempts. Austin Prevo carried eight times for 81 yards and the team’s only touchdown. Aaron Adams caught all six of Huckabay’s passes for 44 yards. Travis Smith, the Yellowjackets quarterback completed 13 of his 17 passes for 114 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. Charles Schnetzler caught seven passes for 88 yards and two scores. Jared Evers contributed five receptions for 49 yards and a score. Garrett Miniard ran the ball 14 times for 119 yards. Smith in addition to his passes ran the ball 12 times for 58 yards and a score. Ithaca will host Montague, the last team they lost to, on Saturday afternoon.