MHSAA Football Week Nine - One Last Chance

It’s hard for me to believe, but we are at the final week of the regular season. Basketball coaches are laying low because they only have three weeks until

It’s hard for me to believe, but we are at the final week of the regular season. Basketball coaches are laying low because they only have three weeks until practices start. We aren’t ready for hoops yet everyone! For some teams, this is a final chance to get that sixth win so they are playoff eligible. Others will have one last chance to make memories on the football field before turning in their equipment…forever. Regardless of what they will be doing, I’m here to disseminate information about high school football in our Great Lakes State. And away we go!

Genesee County

Lake Fenton (7-1) at Montrose (8-0) (Friday October 25, 7pm)

The Blue Devils of Lake Fenton are rolling. They lost the season opener to Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard but have been playing very well since. Two weeks ago, they beat Perry 59-6. Last week, they beat Durand 53-7. Now, it’s the biggest game of the season with a chance to win the Genesee Area Conference Red Division. It was a similar situation last year when they clashed with Montrose for the league title. Leading the team are Neil Allor, Pete Plasters, Alex Schwartz, and Mitch Bollinger. Coach Eric Doyle said, “We’re going to have to play a perfect football game. They’ve been one of the toughest schools I’ve ever had to prepare for.” Last year, it was Montrose who stopped a two point conversion late in the game to seal the deal. This year, Lake Fenton looks to return the favor.

Montrose is having a great season so far. The closest game was a 34-18 win over Flint Beecher two weeks ago. The defense has shut out three teams and only allowed double digits twice. Last week, they blasted Perry 56-6. Quarterback Riley Warren completed seven of his 12 passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns. Malik Taylor reeled in four of those for 92 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Doyle grabbed two receptions for 58 yards and a score to go with his 12 runs for 149 yards and two more scores. Cortaveus Hall carried the ball five times for 51 yards and a score. Chad Shelton also found the end zone while only carrying the rock twice. The defense almost had another shutout, but Perry scored with six seconds left in the game. This game should be an epic battle.

Yooperball

Menominee (8-0) at Marquette (5-2) (Friday October 25, 6pm)

While I was looking for a game in the Upper Peninsula, I couldn’t figure out a reason to skip this game. It’s true that both teams are in the playoffs (Marquette played an eight game schedule, so they are in with five wins) but this should be an interesting game. Last week, the Maroons crushed Milwaukee Madison 62-12, despite the Wisconsin school having twice as many students. Justin Brilinski completed six of his 10 passes for 116 yards and two scores while also rushing for 120 on 10 carries. James Brown racked up 82 yards on eight carries and found the end zone three times. This is a very good team. They have a tendency to beat schools much larger. They will need to do it again this week against Marquette.

Last week, the Redmen of Marquette had a tough night. Marquette lost 38-14 to Negaunee. They were only able to rush for 89 yards and gave up five rushing touchdowns. That is something that they will need to clean up before the Maroons come to town. Paul Smith found the end zone on a five yard rushing score. Quarterback Conner Brazeau, replacing injured Brett Place, hit Kurt Burmeister for a 59 yard scoring strike. Those were the only two that scored. A win over Menominee will give Marquette a share of the Great Northern UP Conference.

Detroit Catholic School League Prep Bowl

Brother Rice (8-0) vs. Detroit Catholic Central (7-1) (Saturday October 26, 7pm, at Ford Field)

The Warriors of Brother Rice have been on quite a roll lately. They haven’t lost a game since September of 2012 and won two straight football state championships. Coached by the legendary Al Fracassa, the prep bowl this year might be important. This is Coach Fracassa’s last season as the head coach and his last Prep Bowl for the Catholic League. Last week, Brother Rice beat up fellow Catholic League school University of Detroit Jesuit 38-0. Quarterback Alex Malzone completed 12 of his 17 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown. He also found the end zone on one of his carries (four runs, five yards.) Brian Walker was the leading rusher with 14 carries for 75 yards and a score. Grant Perry was the leading receiver with seven catches for 105 yards. Damaris Woods grabbed two passes for 16 yards and a score.

Detroit Catholic Central gets another shot at a rival this week. Earlier this season, Brother Rice beat DCC 28-21. Last week, they played DeLaSalle for a spot in the Prep Bowl. It ended in a wild fashion. With the score knotted up at 14, DeLaSalle attempted a 57 yard field goal on the final play of the game. It fell short and Zach Bock returned the miss 97 yards for a touchdown and the win. Sean Birney ran in a score from 20 yards out earlier in the game. The series between these two teams is all tied up. 28-28-1. Legendary DCC coach Tom Mach has a final chance to face Al Fracassa…or is it the other way around?

West Side

Byron Center (6-2) at Zeeland West (7-1) (Friday October 25, 7pm)

The Bulldogs of Byron Center have found a way back to the playoffs. After two seasons hovering around .500, they have earned another week and another game. It’s important that they don’t look at the playoffs. At least not until the Selection Sunday show on Fox Sports Detroit (7pm.)  This game is for that gym banner and trophy which goes to the winner of the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green Division. Both Byron Center and Zeeland West roll into the game with an unblemished league record. Last week in their 16-9 win over Holland Christian, Jake Bylsma didn’t pass much. He completed only one of his four passes for 13 yards. Quinn Humphrey grabbed that lone pass. Bylsma did run the ball a ton though. He ran 24 times for 76 yards and a touchdown. Jarod Rodgers rushed 15 times for 88 yards. This should be a great game!

Zeeland West killed Holland last week. The final score was 60-21. After the first quarter, the Dux led 36-0. Quarterback Casey Brinks completed one of his two passes to Jordan VanDort for a 42 yard gain. Danny Bauder was the leading rusher for Zeeland West. He racked up an amazing 176 yards and three touchdowns on five carries. Dakota Geurink also carried five times, gained 38 yards, and scored three as well. Cole Hession rushed four times for 30 yards and two scores. After sharing the title with Holland Christian last year, they set a goal of winning it outright this season. Both teams will be fired up for a chance at their conference title. I’m sure both coaches have a great game plan going into tonight’s contest.

High School Spartans

Jayru Campbell – Detroit Cass Tech – Campbell scored on a three yard run. Cass Tech defeated Detroit East English Village Prep 19-0.

Deon Drake – Detroit Cass Tech – Drake scored on a 35 yard run in their victory over Detroit East English Village Prep.

Jalen Watts-Jackson – Orchard Lake St. Mary’s – Watts-Jackson scored on a 40 yard punt return.

David Beedle – Clarkston – Clarkston won the Oakland Activities Association football title with a 49-28 victory over Lake Orion.

Nick Padla – Berrien Springs – The Shamrocks got their third win of the season with a 24-14 victory over Coloma.

Matt Sokol – Rochester Adams – His leg is still broken, but I’m sure it’s healing. The Highlanders won 38-28 over Bloomfield Hills.