MHSAA Football Playoffs - Pre District Round

The playoffs are here! Selection Sunday went very well for some teams and other squads feel like they got a bad draw. Either way, it’s over and now everyone

The playoffs are here! Selection Sunday went very well for some teams and other squads feel like they got a bad draw. Either way, it’s over and now everyone has to play the games. In less than one month, we will be crowing the state champions. This is where the truly good teams separate themselves from everyone else. 256 teams come in, only eight will be champions. These games will be remembered. I can still remember the only trip to the playoffs I took as a player. Unfortunately, we lost the first game and it was all over. Thanks guys…thanks for making me relive those memories. KIDDING! Let’s get into the slate of games for this week.

Flint Hamady (6-3) at Burton Bendle (8-1) (Friday October 26, 7pm) (Division 7)

I was pretty impressed with the job that Coach Gary Lee and his crew did this year. They were severely behind when he took the job two weeks before the season began. Coach Lee, the other coaches, and the players did a great job and put Hamady back in the playoffs for the first time in five years. Last week, they beat a vastly improved Morrice team. Quarterback Eric Layton completed nine of his 18 passes for 182 yards and a score while also running for 100 yards and a score on nine runs. Saul Williams ripped off 203 yards and three touchdowns on 14 rushing attempts. Tim Moore ran six times for 71 yards. Jomontae Wheeler caught three balls for 82 yards and a score. Tyree Williams made 13 tackles.

These two teams have already played once this season. Bendle came away with a 28-12 victory in week three of the season. Last week was not kind to the team though. They lost 29-0 to Byron. Five turnovers really did them in. It culminated with a 75 yard fumble recovery touchdown by Byron. Quarterback Jared Garner completed nine if his 19 passes for 101 yards. He also ran 13 times for 47 yards to lead his team in rushing. David Younger-Dean ran 11 times for 37 yards. D’Monte Johnson caught one pass for 43 yards. This will be a good game. It’s unfortunate that so many teams play squads from their leagues in the first round. With the MHSAA trying to keep traveling to a minimum, I understand why they do it. I’m sure many teams would rather play someone they haven’t already went toe to toe with, but that’s how it works.

Grant (6-3) at Newaygo (7-2) (Friday October 26, 7pm) (Division 5)

It wasn’t going to be easy for Grant to make the playoffs for the second time in three years. They needed a win over Whitehall to secure the berth. Last week was pretty emotional due to the loss of Gus Trygstad, a close friend of the football program. Quarterback Garrett Bomay completed four of his six passes for 53 yards and a touchdown while also running six times for another 35 yards. Jimmy Fillmore rushed 11 times for 47 yards and Cody Atwood ran for 31 yards and a score on 10 attempts. Drew Rau caught three balls for 33 yards. They won this game, despite not playing with their top rusher, Brandon Bouwkamp, who injured his shoulder during Week 8. It will be a tough test this week against Newaygo.

The Lions of Newaygo had an emotional game, but for different reasons. The seniors thought it was the last home game for them. They won though, and got a home game in the playoffs. Newaygo rushed out to 18-0 halftime lead, but Morley-Stanwood clawed back into the game. The Lions held on to win 18-12. Weston Butler completed four of his eight passes for 79 yards and ran for a two yard score. Max Harrington ran 16 times for 102 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Foster ran eight times for 32 yards and caught one pass for five. Conor Bradley was the main receiving target with three catches for 74 yards.

Michigan Center (8-1) at Grass Lake (8-1) (Friday October 26, 7pm) (Division 6)

These two teams met early in the season. Their September 7th game was a close one with Michigan Center winning 26-21. It was in the fourth quarter when Grass Lake fumbled the ball and Nate Poole returned it for a score. They tied for the Cascades Conference championship with Manchester. The winner of this game might get a shot at Manchester, if they beat Clinton. When these two teams squared off earlier, they were without running back Frank Vuocolo. Now they have him back and it gives them another dimension. Michigan Center beat up Quincy last week 49-8.

Grass Lake had a bit closer of a game to finish up with. They gave Leslie their first loss of the season 28-14. Quarterback Logan Konopka completed two of his 13 passes for 29 yards. Frank Vuocolo ran 18 times for 43 yards and two scores. Caleb Sabo ran seven times for 71 yards and a score. Corey Robinette had a great game. He nailed field goals of 20, 26, and 27 yards. This game should be very good. Both teams remember what happened. Grass Lake is hoping to get some revenge from the loss. Michigan Center wants to ruin their home playoff game.

Detroit Country Day (7-2) at Clinton Township Clintondale (9-0) (Friday October 26, 7pm) (Division 4)

Last week did not end the way the Yellowjackets had envisioned. Country Day started out good, and proceeded to fall flat until the fourth quarter. Then, they needed a fast and furious comeback to pull close and get a chance to win it.  A final 31 yard field goal was missed late and the Yellowjackets lost to Brighton. Quarterback Tyler Wiegers completed 18 of his 30 passes for 257 yards and three scores. Khalil Rivers and Gianmacro Rea both ran 12 times, for 41 and 55 yards respectively. Jacob Hill led his Detroit Country Day squad with six catches for 91 yards. Moe Ways also caught six balls for 80 yards and scored all three of his team’s touchdowns. Rea also made 10 tackles on defense. The Yellowjacket team will need to step it up if they want to play more than one playoff game.

Clintondale beat St. Clair Shores South Lake last week to complete their undefeated season. They had finished the Macomb Area Conference Bronze Division the previous week and secured their first league title since 2003. It was a crazy finish though, with both teams combining for 25 points in the final 1:37 of the game. Omar Jones ran for 94 yards and the final touchdown. Quarterback Jacob Smith hit Malik Hazzard for a six yard scoring strike to tie it all up before Jones scored the final touchdown. It should be a great game between these two schools tonight.