MHSAA Football - Regional Championship Results

The regional championship round is complete. Now, there are only 18 teams left (16 in Divisions 1-8 and two 8-Player teams.) As for the games last week, the majority of them were very close. Not all of them were though. Let’s get to the game recaps from last week so we can move into the semifinal round!

Division 2 – Detroit

Warren De La Salle 26 Birmingham Brother Rice 21

This was pretty close to the end. It looked like the Pilots of De La Salle would cruise, but that is when Brother Rice made it interesting. Leading midway through the fourth quarter, they saw their lead cut when quarterback Alex Malzone found Grant Perry for an 11 yard score. The ensuing onside kick attempt was recovered by the Warriors so they got another chance with two minutes remaining. On fourth and 20, Malzone’s pass was knocked away and De La Salle had finally beat Brother Rice for the first time in three years. Pilot quarterback Joey Garbarino completed 11 of his 16 passes for 177 yards and two scores. He also ran 13 times for 65 yards and a score. Myles Charley led the receiving corps with five catches for 65 yards and a score. Allen Stritzinger caught three for 84 yards and a score while rushing 23 times for 77 yards. On the Brother Rice side, quarterback Alex Malzone completed 23 of his 40 passes for 251 yards, three scores, and a pick. Grant Perry was his go-to target, catching 16 passes for 199 yards and three scores. Bobby Dixon III rushed 10 times for 49 yards. Warren De La Salle will play Southfield on Saturday at Novi High School.

Division 5 – U.P. Football

Menominee 43 Freeland 35

This one was close until the end. Freeland was marching down the field and was at the Menominee nine yard line with 21 seconds left. That’s when Menominee’s Justin Brilinski intercepted a pass in the end zone to end the game. Freeland outgained the Maroons but a lot, 538 to 297, but didn’t come away with the win. For Menominee, quarterback Justin Brilinski completed three of his eight passes for 52 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. All three were caught by Aeron Forsberg. Brilinski also rushed 22 times for 114 yards. Zak Geise rushed 27 times for 109. The Falcons came out passing a lot more than they usually do with their Wing T rushing attack. Quarterback Jarrett Riffel completed 13 of his 28 passes for 231 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Taylor Thompson led the team in receiving with four catches for 83 yards. Jake Jankoska grabbed four passes for 45 yards. Ryan Schauman rushed 17 times for 136 yards and Blake DeSander rushed 17 times for 88 yards. Menominee takes on recent rival Grand Rapids West Catholic on Saturday morning at the Yooper Dome on Northern Michigan University’s campus.

Division 8 – Western Michigan

Muskegon Catholic Central 48 Mendon 7

This game can be summed up by a quote from Mendon’s head coach John Schwartz, who has been around football for a long time. “It’s the best football team we’ve ever played, and close to the best I’ve ever seen. That offensive and defensive line are not Division 8 kids.” They are big, fast, and hungry and it has shown all season long. MCC quarterback Nick Holt completed exactly zero of his four passes. That didn’t matter though as he chipped in 150 rushing yards and a score on 11 runs. Tommy Scott had a fantastic game as he rushed nine times for 173 yards and four scores. Logan Helton toted the rock four times for 103 yards and a score. Blake Sanford rushed three times for 56 yards and a score. On the Mendon side, quarterback Trey Cook completed nine of his 19 passes for 94 yards and a score. Parker cup caught six passes for 80 yards and the team’s lone score. Cook rushed 16 times for 32 yards. Elijah Klepper ran 13 times for 36 yards. Muskegon Catholic Central will take on Harbor Beach Saturday at Alma College.

Division 6 Capital Area

Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 27 Jackson Lumen Christi 26

This was a crazy game. Lumen Christi was winning late in the game. SMCC quarterback Bryce Windham turned the wrong way on the play and ran into his running back very late in the game. After he staggered a little, he had to run for his life to evade the rushers. When he looked down field, he saw Travis Vuich, a 6’4” receiver, down the field. He launched it and completed the pass. On the next play, they scored and took the lead. Lumen Christi running back and MSU commit Khari Willis had rushed for over 400 yards, but on the final possession, he fumbled for the first time in his career and Windham recovered. SMCC was able to run out most of the clock with the ensuing possession. Quarterback Windham completed four of his seven passes for 80 yards and ran four times for 16 yards and a touchdown. Justin Carrabino caught one pass for 35 yards and rushed 15 times for 78 yards. John Lako rushed 13 times for 75 yards and three scores. For Jackson Lumen Christi, quarterback Javon Greca completed two of his 10 passes for 16 yards and an interception. He also rushed four times for 25 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Khari Willis was the big player of the game, rushing 50 times for 412 yards and two scores. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central will take on Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian at Battle Creek Harper Creek High School.