PREP FOOTBALL 2021 ⚫ WEEK 8

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 The Grand Blanc Bobcats are now one victory away from football perfection.

The power has shifted in The Daily Gazette coverage area from Davison to Grand Blanc in football while the Bobcats are also defending state champions in both boys' basketball and baseball.

The Bobcats are destroying all football competition this fall in the Saginaw Valley's South Division, and the worst team in the standings is all that separates them from their first championship season under Coach Clint Alexander. Beating Saginaw United next week in Saginaw will complete a 9-0 regular season and finish the Bobcats at 5-0 in the Valley's South Division.

Davison and Lapeer will now play for second place next week at Davison. They are each 3-1 in Valley play. Lapeer is 6-2 overall while Davison is 5-3 and needs to win to guarantee a spot in the state playoffs after making it to the state finals two years in a row at Ford Field in Detroit.

Grand Blanc whipped Davison 43-7 on Sept. 17 and closed out its history at Frank Thomas Field by beating Lapeer 30-6 on Friday night (Oct. 15, 2021). Grand Blanc's state playoff games will be shifted to Flint's historic Atwood Stadium if any happen after the opener is likely staged there.
That will be officially announced on Oct. 24 by Michigan High School Athletic Association officials. 

  Metro League Action on Friday Night

(Championship Game)

Lake Fenton 42, Fenton 6

(Third Place Game)

Goodrich 19, Swartz Creek 15

(Fifth Place Game)

Flushing 42, Ortonville Brandon 35

(Seventh Place Game)

Flint Kearsley 27, Corunna 25

(Ninth Place Game)

Linden 35, Owosso 15

(11th Place Game)

Holly 17, Clio 6 

Saginaw Valley League Action on Friday Night

(South Division Games)

Grand Blanc 30, Lapeer 6

Davison 42, Flint Powers Catholic 14

Flint Carman-Ainsworth 24, Saginaw United 12

(North Division Games)

Mount Pleasant 31, Bay City Western 16

Midland Dow 14, Bay City Central 0

Saginaw Heritage 56, Midland 28

Mid-Michigan Activities Conference Action on Friday Night

(MMAC Games)

New Lothrop 49, Chesaning 6

Montrose 40, Durand 29

Ovid-Elsie 40, Byron 0

Mt. Morris 32, Otisville Lakeville 12

Genesee Area Conference Action on Friday

(GAC Teams Non-League Games)

Ecorse 18, Flint Hamady 16

Lutheran Westland 29, Burton Bendle 6

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 54, Flint Beecher 0 

Ypsilanti Community 40, New Standard Academy 6

Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest 12, Burton Bentley 0

Tri-Valley Conference Action on Friday Night

(East Division Games) 

Frankenmuth 40, Essexville Garber 6

Freeland 42, Birch Run 12

Saginaw Swan Valley 6, Bay City John Glenn 0 

Alma 42, Bridgeport 0

(TVC West Cross-Over Championship Game)

Millington 15, Ithica 14

(Other TVC West Cross-Over Games)

Bullock Creek 63, Saginaw Valley Lutheran 0

Hemlock 30, Saginaw Lutheran 0

Standish Sterling 27, St. Louis 6

Carrollton 28, Michigan Lutheran Seminary 20

 Greater Thumb Conference West Division Action on Friday Night

(Conference Games)

Elkton Pigeon Bayport Laker 41, Vassar 0

Bad Axe 48, Caro 0

Reese 35, Cass City 20

(Non-Conference game)

USA 48, Brown City 14 

 North Central Thumb League Action on Friday

(Stars Division Games) 

Deckerville 80, Flint International Academy 6

Morrice 48, New Haven Merritt Academy 8

(Non-League Game)

Farwell 24, Burton Atherton 20

Messick 42, Kingston 30 

Mayville 22, Akron Fairgrove 8

Fri. Oct. 22 Metro League Games

(Stripes Division Teams Non-League Games)

Walled Lake Northern at Fenton 7 pm

Flushing at Freeland 7 pm

Redford Thurston at Swartz Creek 7 pm

Flint Kearsley at Armada 7 pm

Ortonville Brandon at Holly 7 pm

(Stars Division Teams Non-League Games)

Bay City John Glenn at Lake Fenton 7 pm

Goodrich at Almont 7 pm

Ovid-Elsie at Corunna 7 pm

Owosso at Adrian 7 pm

Ortonville Brandon at Holly 7pm 

 Fri. Oct. 22 Saginaw Valley Games

(South Division Games)

Grand Blanc at Saginaw United 7 pm

Lapeer at Davison 7 pm

Flint Powers Catholic at Carman-Ainsworth 7 pm 

(Broadcast on WFNT 1470 AM)

(North Division Games)

Saginaw Heritage at Mount Pleasant 7 pm

Midland at Midland Dow 7 pm

Bay City Western at Bay City Central 7 pm 

Fri. Oct. 22 Mid-Michigan Activities Conference (MMAC) Games

(MMAC Teams Non-League Games)

Frankenmuth at New Lothrop 7 pm

Lainsburg at Montrose 7 pm

Ovid-Elsie at Corunna 7 pm

Chesaning at Carrollton 7 pm

Detroit Community at Durand 7 pm

Mt. Morris at Pinconning 7 pm

Byron at Carson City Crystal 7  pm

Burton Bentley at Otisville LakeVille 7 pm

Fri. Oct. 22 Genesee Area Conference Games

(GAC Teams Non-League Game)

Detroit Pershing at Flint Hamady 7 pm

Burton Bentley at Otisville LakeVille 7 pm

Flint Beecher at Millington 7 pm

Caro at Burton Bendle 7 pm

New Standard at Petersburg Summerfield 7 pm

Fri. Oct. 1 Tri-Valley Conference Games

(East Division Games)

Frankenmuth at Bridgeport 7 pm

 Saginaw Swan Valley at Birch Run 7 pm

Essexville Garber at Alma 7 pm

Bay City John Glenn at Freeland 7 pm

(West Division Games)

Carrollton at Standish Sterling 7 pm

Hemlock at Midland Bullock Creek 7 pm 

(Non-Conference Game)

Millington at Saginaw Lutheran Seminary 7 pm 

 
Fri. Oct.1 Greater Thumb Conference West Division Games

(Conference Games)

Vassar at Caro 7 pm

Elkton Pigeon Bayport Laker at USA 7 pm

Reese at Bad Axe 7 pm

(Non-Conference game)

Cass City at Harbor Beach 7 pm

Fri. Oct. 1 North Central Thumb League Stars Division Games

(Stars Division Games) 

Morrice at Burton Atherton 7 pm

Flint International Academy at Genesee 7 pm

Mayville at New Haven Merritt Academy 7 pm

Deckerville at Kingston 7 pm 

  (CCN) —  It's a "must win" situation for the Flint Hamady Hawks on Friday night (Oct. 22, 2021) if they want to continue playing football next week. At 5-3 on the season overall, Hamady must beat visiting Detroit Pershing to advance to the state playoffs in Division 5. Metro Flint News/Talk Radio will be tehre to deliver the play-by-play call with Larry Coleman and TIm Crow.

A victory won't guarantee a spot in the stae playoffs, however, for Coach Gary Lee's Genesee Area Conference champions. They go into Week 9 at the 35th spot in Division 5 where 32 teams qualify. Detroit Pershing is 27th in Division 6 where the top 32 also qualify for state playoff competition. Pershing is also 5-3 after losing last week's Detroit Public School League Division 2 championship game to Detroit Central.

 (CCN) — The Metro League will get top billing this week with Metro Flint News/Talk Radio. Our microphones will be at two big battles while a third key game can be viewed on YouTube via Lake View TV. Video without audio will be provided by Lake Fenton students on YouTube as the Blue Devils host Stars Division leader Goodrich.

Fenton will host Linden while Swartz Creek goes to Flushing in Stripes Division showdowns. Trace Fisher will provide the live radio call on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio for the Fenton-Linden battle. Larry Coleman and Tim Crow will deliver the call for Flushing's homecoming game which will be carried on Facebook LIve and then be presented as the tape delay game on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio after the Fenton-Linden contest.

If Linden and Flushing win, a potential five-way tie for first place can complete the Stripes Division schedule if Kearsley also wins at Holly. Fenton goes to the cross-over championship game next week if the Tigers can beat Linden because they defeated Swartz Creek in head-to-head action.

Goodrich can punch its ticket to the championship game by completing an undefeated season against Stars Division competition. The Martians go into Friday night's contest at 4-0. They gave Ortonville Brandon its only league loss while Brandon handed Lake Fenton its lone loss in a wild 48-40 contest earlier in the season.

If Lake Fenton wins Friday night, Coach Marty Borski's Blue Devils could possibly create a three-way tie for the Stripes Division title if Ortonville Brandon also wins against Corunna.

 Genesee Area Conference Action on Friday

(GAC Games)

Flint Hamady 56, Burton Bendle 20

Flint Beecher 52, New Standard Academy 6

(Non-League Game)

Burton Bentley 35, Flint Jaguars 30

Saginaw Valley League Action on Friday Night

(South Division Games)

Grand Blanc 48, Flint Powers Catholic 7

Davison 50, Flint Carman-Ainsworth 13

Lapeer 47, Saginaw United 6

(North Division Games)

Mount Pleasant 26 Midland 19

Midland Dow 45, Bay City Western 44

Saginaw Heritage 28 at Bay City Central 21

Metro League Action on Friday Night

(Stripes Division Games)

Fenton 50, Holly 29 

Flushing 46, Linden 29

Swartz Creek 42, Flint Kearsley 35

(Stars Division Games)

 Goodrich 19, Corunna 14

Ortonville Brandon 28, Owosso 7

Lake Fenton 55, Clio 0

Mid-Michigan Activities Conference Action on Friday Night

(MMAC Games)

Montrose 35, New Lothrop 14

Durand 60, LakeVille 6

Mt. Morris 40, Byron 21

Ovid-Elsie 35, Chesaning 0

Tri-Valley Conference Action on Friday Night

(East Division Games)

Frankenmuth 48, Freeland 21

Essexville Garber 26, Birch Run 20

Bay City John Glenn 34, Bridgeport 0 

Saginaw Swan Valley 29, Alma 28

(West Division Games)

Millington 30, Carrollton 12

Standish Sterling 21, Hemlock 16

(Non-Conference Games)

Ithaca 41, Midland Bullock Creek 19

 Greater Thumb Conference West Division Action on Friday Night 

(Conference Games)

Elkton Pigeon Bayport Laker 41, Vassar 0

Bad Axe 48, Caro 0

Reese 35, Cass City 20

(Non-Conference game)

USA 48, Brown City 14 

 North Central Thumb League Action on Friday

(Stars Division Games) 

Deckerville 80, Flint International Academy 6

Morrice 48, New Haven Merritt Academy 8

(Non-League Game)

Farwell 24, Burton Atherton 20

Messick 42, Kingston 30 

Mayville 22, Akron Fairgrove 8

Fri. Oct. 8 Genesee Area Conference Games

(GAC Games)

Burton Bentley at Flint Beecher 7 pm

Burton Bendle at New Standard Academy 7 pm

(Non-Conference game)

Flint Southwestern at Flint Hamady 7 pm

 Fri. Oct. 8 Saginaw Valley Games

(South Division Games)

Grand Blanc at Flint Carman-Ainsworth 7 pm

Saginaw United at Davison 7 pm

Flint Powers Catholic at Lapeer 7 pm 

(Broadcast on WFNT 1470 AM)

(North Division Games)

Bay City Central at Mount Pleasant 7 pm

Midland at Bay City Western 7 pm

Saginaw Heritage at Midland Dow 7 pm  
 

Fri. Oct. 8 Metro League Games

(Stripes Division Games)

Fenton at Flint Kearsley 7 pm 

Flushing at Holly 7 pm

Swartz Creek at Linden 7 pm

(Stars Division Games)

Ortonville Brandon at Goodrich 7 pm

Lake Fenton at Owosso 7 pm

Clio at Corunna 7 pm

Fri. Oct. 8 Mid-Michigan Activities Conference Games

(MMAC Games)

New Lothrop at Ovid-Elsie 7 pm

Mt. Morris at Montrose 7 pm

Chesaning at Durand 7 pm

Byron at Mt. Morris 7 pm

Fri. Oct. 8 Tri-Valley Conference Games

(East Division Games)

Frankenmuth at Bridgeport 7 pm 

Saginaw Swan Valley at Birch Run 7 pm

Essexville Garber at Alma, 7 pm 

Bay City John Glenn at Freeland 7 pm
(West Division Games)

Carrollton at Standish Sterling 7 pm

Hemlock at Midland Bullock Creek 7 pm
(Non-Conference Game)

Millington at Saginaw Lutheran Seminary 7 pm 

Fri. Oct. 8 Greater Thumb Conference West Division Games

(Conference Games)

Vassar at Caro 7 pm

Elkton Pigeon Bayport Laker at USA 7 pm

Reese at Bad Axe 7 pm

(Non-Conference game)

Cass City at Harbor Beach 7 pm

Fri. Oct. 8 North Central Thumb League Stars Division Games

(Stars Division Games) 

Morrice at Burton Atherton 7 pm

Flint International Academy at Genesee 7 pm

Mayville at New Haven Merritt Academy 7 pm

Deckerville at Kingston 7 pm

BURTON (CCN) —  Hamady's Hawks, 3-2 overall and 3-0 in Genesee Area Conference (GAC) football, invaded Paul Krause Field at Bendle High School with championship thoughts in their mind Friday night (Oct. 1, 20221). The only thing standing between them and controlling their own destiny was  the pre-season favorite Bendle Tigers who stood at 4-1 overall and 2-1 in GAC play. 

 The Beecher Buccaneers are the common opponent with both teams, as the Hawks beat Beecher 26-20 last week and the Tigers lost a tough 16-14 contest to the Bucs three weeks ago.

Beecher was 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the GAC heading into Friday’s games. The Tigers were looking to claim a stake in the title chase with a win over Hamady, which would clog up the leader board by creating a three-way tie.

It would likely settle things that way, too, for the GAC title talk since Burton Bentley and Flint New Standard Academy have not come close against any of the GAC's top three teams in action so far this season. Hamady beat Bentley 56-0 while Flint New Standard Academy was beaten 52-6 by Flint Beecher this week after losing 55-0 to Hamady earlier in the season.

It was Hamady that struck first in their opening possession Friday night at Bendle, driving 66 yards and scoring on 22-yard touchdown pass from Sean Byrd to Quinaries Holden. DeShawn Douglas punched in a two-point conversion to give Hamady an 8-0 lead.  

Bendle's offensive air attack was strong the first couple of possessions as Kaleb Bellaflores was accurate on his roll out passes finding his favorite targets  — Kieteris Hamlet and Emillio Riley consistently. The Tigers were able to find the end zone with 11:49 left in the second quarter when Bellaflores found Hamlet for a TD pass and subsequent two-point conversion pass to tie the score 8-8.

It looked like the battle was on as Hamday and Bendle traded touchdowns on the next two possessions. The Hawks connected through the air again with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Byrd to Deltona Boone, who made a great over-the-shoulder catch on a fade route. It was Holden with the two-point conversion catch to put Hamady up 16-8 with 10:12 left in the quarter. 

Bendle countered that score with a big play in the passing game when Bellaflores found Emillio Riley, who had slipped behind his defender for a 75-yard touchdown. Bendle’s two-point conversion was stopped  —  leaving the Tigers trailing 16-14.

This is where Coach Garry Lee's Hawks' defense started to put pressure on Bellaflores, who had been picking them apart through the air.  The disruption to the passing game throttled the offense as the Tigers were finding no room to run on the ground. 

Hamady's offense continued clicking and obviously found a weakness in the Bendle defense as the Hawk QB duo of Sean Byrd De’queris Mayfield started picking up big yards on QB designed run plays. Byrd had a 55-yard touchdown run called back but a play later was able to pick up big yards  — setting up a 5-yard touchdown run by DeShawn Douglas and Daquayvius Buck picked up the two-point conversion, giving Hamady a 24-14 lead.  

It was all Hamady's offense from there as the Hawks scored the next two touchdowns. It was Mayfield running for a 55-yard touchdown on a QB keeper with 5:44 left in the half and then Buck going 49 yards on the ground. Buck also picked up a two-point conversion run  — giving Hamady a commanding 38-14 lead going into halftime.

Hamady's offense picked up right where it left off in  the second half  — finding paydirt with 6:23 left in the third quarter when Buck Rambled 35 yards for his second touchdown of the night. The conversion was no good but the Hawks had extended their lead to 44-14.

Bendle's offense again started to find some protection for Bellaflores, who was able to get the passing game restarted. With 9:46 left in the fourth quarter, Bellaflores found Riley for a 21-yard scoring strike  — Riley’s second of the game. Bendle could not connect on a two-point conversion and now trailed 44-20. 

Hamady crushed any thoughts of a comeback when Holden ran the ensuing kickoff all the way back for a 70-yard touchdown and De’vion Holloway tacked on the two-point conversion to give Hamady a 52-20 lead and the victory.

The Hawks stand 4-0 in the GAC and clinched what will likely be a conference title with the victory.

The lost dropped Bendle's Tigers to 2-2 in GAC play and eliminated them from any title hopes.

The Hawks host Flint Southwestern next week and in a non-league contest after now completing their GAC slate with a perfect 4-0 record.

After hosting the Flint Jaguars on Hamady's new turf carpet next week, they have remaining games against tough non-league opponents Ecorse and Detroit Pershing. Both have 4-2 records to provide extra playoff points in Hamady's race to nail down a spot in the state playoffs. The Hawks were 10 slots out of the top 32 that qualify after Week 5.  Beating a 4-1 opponent on Friday night boosted the Hawks from last week's 21.8 total to 26.167. Six-victory teams no longer automatically qualify for post-season action after a change to the playoff point system this season by the Michigan High School Athletic Association which awards more points for beating bigger schools and teams with more victories.

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Tim Crow is  a sports columnist for The Daily Gazette. He can be heard regularly as a play-by-play broadcaster on sportscasts for Metro Flint News/Talk Radio and he often appears on both The Michigan Sports Zone Show and The Daily Gazette Sports Weekend Show.

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  (CCN) — Grand Blanc's Bobcats celebrated homecoming Friday night (Sept. 24, 2021) by winning for the second week in a row in a long-time rivalry showdown. After beating Davison for the first time in 10 years last week with a 43-7 blowout, Clint Alexander's Bobcats handed Flint Powers Catholic a 48-7 beating. 

After rolling up its biggest victory margin ever against Davison, Grand Blanc moved to 2-0 in Saginaw Valley League play and 5-0 overall by coming one point shy of last year's 42-point victory at Powers when the Bobcats won 56-14. It was their best since winning 42-7 in 1997 when both schools were in the Big Nine Conference.

Friday night's 41-point romp ranks as Grand Blanc's third most lopsided over Powers since the school opened in 1970.

In other Saginaw Valley action on Friday night, Davison won 50-14 over Flint Carman-Ainsworth and Lapeer blew out Saginaw United 47-6 in other South Division games while North Division contests saw Mount Pleasant beat Midland 26-19, Midland Dow nip Bay City Western 45-44 and Saginaw Heritage clip Bay City Central 28-21.

GRAND BLANC was led by quarterback Hunter Ames who threw TD passes to Julian Freeman, Nas Carson and Elijah Jackson-Anderson during a 16-of-20 passing night for 270 yards. Jackson-Anderson also ran for a Grand Blanc TD along with Cross Dobbs and Gerren Jarbeau who had rushing TD's for the Bobcats. Dylan Hertzberg added 5 extra point kicks to go with nailing field goals from 35 yards and 30 yards. Flint Powers Catholic's only TD strike came when Laszlo Arprin hauled in a 15-yard scoring strike.

DAVISON broke a 7-7 tie when freshman A.J. HIll rambled in for his second TD run of the game. Junior quarterback Braylen Himmelein ran for a 24-yard TD and Raymond Sturgill had a one-yard TD while Himmelein also hooked up on TD strikes of 63 yards to Teon Armstrong and 2 yards to Hendry Carstarphen. Yahaya Dukuly returned an interception for a Davison TD  and Bryce Simmons-Griggs made a tackle for a safety.

Below is a look at next week's upcoming games for Saginaw Valley teams in both divisions:

Fri. Oct. 1 Games

 (South Division Games)

Grand Blanc at Flint Carman-Ainsworth 7 pm

Saginaw United at Davison 7 pm

Flint Powers Catholic at Lapeer 7 pm

 (Broadcast on WFNT 1470 AM)

(North Division Games)

Bay City Central at Mount Pleasant 7 pm

Midland at Bay City Western 7 pm

Saginaw Heritage at Midland Dow 7 pm   

 (CCN) — Goodrich and Ortonville Brandon won Friday night (Sept. 24, 2021) to set up a Stars Division showdown for first place next week at Goodrich. Meanwhile, Fenton moved to 3-0 atop the Metro League's Stripes Division while Linden fell from the unbeaten ranks when losing at home to visiting Flushing.

FLUSHING looked more like the Raiders everyone expected Friday night at Linden. The Eagles were looking to keep pace with Fenton in the Stripes Division but the Raiders walked away with a 46-29 victory to end their three-game losing streak after opening the season with an impressive 33-6 romp over Flint Powers Catholic in a non-league battle at Flint's Atwood Stadium as part of the fourth annual Vehicle City Gridiron Classic. The Raiders tied the game on a 17-yard quarterback keeper by Caleb Mantei and took the lead for good on an 18-yard run by David Hutchinson on the first play of the second quarter. Hutchinson also scored on an 85-yard TD run and Manteij connected with Hutchinson on a TD pass to build a 33-14 lead at halftime.

THE FENTON TIGERS, gunning for their 10th Metro League title in the last 11 years, rolled to a 50-29 romp at neighboring Holly. It was Fenton's third straight victory after dropping its first two games against tough non-league opponents. 

Coach Jeff Seltze's Tigers go to Flint Kearsley next week to take on the upset-minded Hornets after winning over Holly for the 10th straight time in their rivalry. Jake Nichols rushed for 122 yards on 17 carries, including a 45-yard TD sprint and an 11-yard TD bolt. He also caught a 42-yard TD pass from Nolan Alvord. Starting quarterback Seth Logan was 9-of-18 passing for 85 yards and he had TD strikes of 11 yards and 19 yards — both to Sam Calborn.  Vinny Heaphy also scored for Fenton on a 70-yard kickoff return and he hauled in a two-point conversion pass from Adam Barcome.

HOLLY was led by sophomore quarterback Boston Curtis who was making his first varsity start. He threw two TD passes to Jacob Chereson. The first one was on a 17-yarder after pass plays between them of 43 yards and 16 yards led the drive down the field. Chereson also scored on an 80-yard kickoff return and Kendall Murdock ran back a kickoff 82 yards to paydirt for the Bronchos who rebounded strong from a 40-0 whitewashing last week by the Linden Eagles in another tri-county area rivalry game.

SWARTZ CREEEK moved into a tie for second place with Linden behind Fenton in the Stripes Division at 2-1 by winning a 42-35 barnburner over Flint Kearsley. The Hornets went to Swartz Creek flying high after surprising the Raiders last week at Flushing.  Tristan Hinkley rushed 19 times for 191 yards and scored three touchdowns to lead Swartz Creek. Kaleb Hall ran in two more TD's for the Dragons and Dawson Stebbins ran in another one.

GOODRICH did its part to set up next week's showdown with Ortonville Brandon for the top spot in the Stars Division by going to Corunna and nipping the host Cavaliers 19-14. The Martians went to 3-0 in the Metro League while winning its fourth straight since a season-opening loss to state-ranked Frankenmuth  in a non-league battle at Flint's Atwood Stadium as part of the fourth annual Vehicle City Gridiron Classic. The Martians rallied from a 14-0 deficit, including two fourth quarter touchdowns by Jace Simerson. He scored on a 10-yard scamper before the winning plunge on a 2-yarder. Clayton Burnett scored Goodrich's other TD on a 71-yard bolt. He led the Martians in rushing on the night with 116 yards on 10 carries.

ORTONVILLE BRANON had an easier time at Owosso by clipping the host Trojans 28-7. The Blackhawks are now 5-0 overall in addition to being tied with Goodrich in Metro League play at 3-0 atop the Stars Division. They also needed a couple fourth quarter touchdowns to pull away.  Dylan Dickens, who had 220 yards on 24 carries, ran for one Ortonville Brandon TD while Gavin Greil ran for antoher one. Lance Briolat drilled a 23-yard TD pass to Drew Hickmott and Hickmott had a second TD when returning  an interception 45 yards to paydirt.

LAKE FENTON won the other Stripes Division game with a 55-0 romp over Clio. It was the fifth straight loss for the Mustangs while Lake Fenton improved to 4-1 overall. The Blue Devils are 3-1 in Metro League play where their only defeat came at the hands of Ortonville Brandon in a 48-40 loss.  

Lucas Storm ran for two Lake Fenton TD's while other TD's on the ground came from Nash Verhelle, Reid Shumaker, Dalton Decker and Jack Conley. Shumaker also threw TD strikes to Decker and Conely during a 6-of-7 passing night.  Ashton Hunter added 7 conversion kicks for the Blue Devils.

Below is a look at next week's upcoming games for Metro League teams: 

Fri. Oct. 1 Metro League Games 

(Stripes Division Games)

Fenton at Flint Kearsley 7 pm 

Flushing at Holly 7 pm

Swartz Creek at Linden 7 pm

(Stars Division Games)

Ortonville Brandon at Goodrich 7 pm

Lake Fenton at Owosso 7 pm

Clio at Corunna 7 pm 

(CCN) — Montrose pulled the biggest surprise so far of the 2021 prep football season in The Daily Gazette coverage area with a 35-14 upset Friday night (Sept. 24, 2021) at New Lothrop.

The Rams knocked New Lothrop out of a first-place tie with Ovid-Elsie in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference (MMAC) and spoiled next week's expected battle of unbeatens at Ovid-Elsie. Now, New Lothrop will be aiming to possibly create a four-way tie atop the MMAC standings with Montrose and Durand.

OVID-ELSIE stayed unbeaten at 4-0 in the MMAC and 5-0 overall by blanking Chesaning 35-0. Ovid-Elsie handed Montrose its only loss in a 23-22 barnburner two weeks ago.

DURAND kept its MMAC title hopes alive by trouncing winless LakeVille 60-6 in Otisville. The victory improved the Railroaders to 4-1 overall and 3-1 in the MMAC where their only loss was 28-7 to first-place Ovid-Elsie. Durand hosts Chesaning next week and a victory could create a possible four-way tie for the top spot in the MMAC if New Lothrop can beat Ovid-Elsie.

MT. MORRIS won its first MMAC game and improved to 2-3 overall by dumping Byron 40-21. Byron is now 0-4 in the MMAC and 0-5 overall.

MONTROSE ended a five-game losing streak to New Lothrop by going to Championship Drive and whipping the host Hornets 35-14 Friday night. 

New Lothrop went into the game tied for first place with Ovid-Elsie at 3-0 after losing its season opener in a non-league contest at Jackson Lumen Christi. The Hornets are the defending champions of the MMAC and they also won a Division 7 state title last season for the second time in three years.

It was the first time New Lothrop has ever lost in the MMAC where the Hornets had won 23 in a row since 2018. The last time New Lothrop lost a league game was in the Genesee Area Conference (GAC) when dropping a 36-28 decision to Montrose on Oct. 9, 2009. That was before Clint Galvas became head coach, and Friday's loss was the first for Galvas to his former head coach as a high school player — Dennis Reinhart.

“Not to take anything away from them, they did a real nice job defensively,” Galvas told the Argus Press about the Montrose team led by his old coach Reinhart who was inducted last year into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Reinhart's teams have won 20 conference championships during a 38-year coaching career that includes a 309-91 record.

. “I thought we actually did some real good things defensively, too," Galvas added to the Argus Press. "But we gave up a couple of big plays in the second half. First half defensively we played really, really well but we had a couple of touchdowns called back... Hats off to Montrose — they came in with a great game plan and executed well.”

Reinhard told The Argus Press:  “This is what football is all about, high school kids going at it. (A) great rivalry and this is what it’s about … We finally beat them. I mean, they had beat us five straight and the last four probably even haven’t been a game.” 

Montrose was led by Monte Missentzis who rushed for 124 yards on 29 quarterback keepers. He ran for one touchdown on a 3-yard scamper and passed for two TD's more on an 8-of-14 night through the air for 153 yards. He hit Aidan Bernard on a 27-yard TD strike. 

Johnny Mahl intercepted two passes to lead Montrose's defense, including a 46-yard TD return on one of them. Owen Emmendorfer scored Montrose's other TD on a 17-yard run while Chase Perrin was 5-for-5 on conversion kicks.

New Lothrop was hurt by three turnovers and 11 penalties, including one that wiped out a 46-yard TD bolt by Rafael Woods and another that called back a 5-yard TD sprint by Jack Kulhanek. 

Kulhanek was 12-of-29 passing for for 101 yards and two TD strikes to lead the Hornets. One was on a 60-yard TD bomb to Cannan Cromwell and the other was a 12-yard TD connection with Crowell.

  Below is a look at next week's upcoming conference games for MMAC teams:

Fri. Oct. 1 Games  

 New Lothrop at Ovid-Elsie 7 pm

Mt. Morris at Montrose 7 pm

Chesaning at Durand 7 pm

Byron at Mt. Morris 7 pm 

 (CCN) — Grand Blanc's Bobcats celebrated homecoming Friday night (Sept. 24, 2021) by winning for the second week in a row in a long-time rivalry showdown. After beating Davison for the first time in 10 years last week with a 43-7 blowout, Clint Alexander's Bobcats handed Flint Powers Catholic a 48-7 beating. 

After rolling up its biggest victory margin ever against Davison, Grand Blanc moved to 2-0 in Saginaw Valley League play and 5-0 overall by coming one point shy of last year's 42-point victory at Powers when the Bobcats won 56-14. It was their best since winning 42-7 in 1997 when both schools were in the Big Nine Conference.

Friday night's 41-point romp ranks as Grand Blanc's third most lopsided over Powers since the school opened in 1970.

In other Saginaw Valley action on Friday night, Davison won 50-14 over Flint Carman-Ainsworth and Lapeer blew out Saginaw United 47-6 in other South Division games while North Division contests saw Mount Pleasant beat Midland 26-19, Midland Dow nip Bay City Western 45-44 and Saginaw Heritage clip Bay City Central 28-21.

GRAND BLANC was led by quarterback Hunter Ames who threw TD passes to Julian Freeman, Nas Carson and Elijah Jackson-Anderson during a 16-of-20 passing night for 270 yards. Jackson-Anderson also ran for a Grand Blanc TD along with Cross Dobbs and Gerren Jarbeau who had rushing TD's for the Bobcats. Dylan Hertzberg added 5 extra point kicks to go with nailing field goals from 35 yards and 30 yards. Flint Powers Catholic's only TD strike came when Laszlo Arprin hauled in a 15-yard scoring strike.

DAVISON broke a 7-7 tie when freshman A.J. HIll rambled in for his second TD run of the game. Junior quarterback Braylen Himmelein ran for a 24-yard TD and Raymond Sturgill had a one-yard TD while Himmelein also hooked up on TD strikes of 63 yards to Teon Armstrong and 2 yards to Hendry Carstarphen. Yahaya Dukuly returned an interception for a Davison TD  and Bryce Simmons-Griggs made a tackle for a safety.

Below is a look at next week's upcoming games for Saginaw Valley teams in both divisions:

Fri. Sept. 24 Games

(South Division Games)

Grand Blanc at Flint Carman-Ainsworth 7 pm

Saginaw United at Davison 7 pm

Flint Powers Catholic at Lapeer 7 pm 

(Radio broadcast on WFNT 1470 AM)

(North Division Games)

Bay City Central at Mount Pleasant 7 pm

Midland at Bay City Western 7 pm

Saginaw Heritage at Midland Dow 7 pm

 (CCN) — Goodrich and Ortonville Brandon won Friday night (Sept. 24, 2021) to set up a Stars Division showdown for first place next week at Goodrich. Meanwhile, Fenton moved to 3-0 atop the Metro League's Stripes Division while Linden fell from the unbeaten ranks when losing at home to visiting Flushing.

FLUSHING looked more like the Raiders everyone expected Friday night at Linden. The Eagles were looking to keep pace with Fenton in the Stripes Division but the Raiders walked away with a 46-29 victory to end their three-game losing streak after opening the season with an impressive 33-6 romp over Flint Powers Catholic in a non-league battle at Flint's Atwood Stadium as part of the fourth annual Vehicle City Gridiron Classic. The Raiders tied the game on a 17-yard quarterback keeper by Caleb Mantei and took the lead for good on an 18-yard run by David Hutchinson on the first play of the second quarter. Hutchinson also scored on an 85-yard TD run and Manteij connected with Hutchinson on a TD pass to build a 33-14 lead at halftime.

THE FENTON TIGERS, gunning for their 10th Metro League title in the last 11 years, rolled to a 50-29 romp at neighboring Holly. It was Fenton's third straight victory after dropping its first two games against tough non-league opponents. Coach Jeff Seltze's Tigers go to Flint Kearsley next week to take on the upset-minded Hornets after winning over Holly for the 10th straight time in their rivalry. Jake Nichols rushed for 122 yards on 17 carries, including a 45-yard TD sprint and an 11-yard TD bolt. He also caught a 42-yard TD pass from Nolan Alvord. Starting quarterback Seth Logan was 9-of-18 passing for 85 yards and he had TD strikes of 11 yards and 19 yards — both to Sam Calborn.  Vinny Heaphy also scored for Fenton on a 70-yard kickoff return and he hauled in a two-point conversion pass from Adam Barcome.

HOLLY was led by sophomore quarterback Boston Curtis who was making his first varsity start. He threw two TD passes to Jacob Chereson. The first one was on a 17-yarder after pass plays between them of 43 yards and 16 yards led the drive down the field. Chereson also scored on an 80-yard kickoff return and Kendall Murdock ran back a kickoff 82 yards to paydirt for the Bronchos who rebounded strong from a 40-0 whitewashing last week by the Linden Eagles in another tri-county area rivalry game.

SWARTZ CREEEK moved into a tie for second place with Linden behind Fenton in the Stripes Division at 2-1 by winning a 42-35 barnburner over Flint Kearsley. The Hornets went to Swartz Creek flying high after surprising the Raiders last week at Flushing.  Tristan Hinkley rushed 19 times for 191 yards and scored three touchdowns to lead Swartz Creek. Kaleb Hall ran in two more TD's for the Dragons and Dawson Stebbins ran in another one.

GOODRICH did its part to set up next week's showdown with Ortonville Brandon for the top spot in the Stars Division by going to Corunna and nipping the host Cavaliers 19-14. The Martians went to 3-0 in the Metro League while winning its fourth straight since a season-opening loss to state-ranked Frankenmuth  in a non-league battle at Flint's Atwood Stadium as part of the fourth annual Vehicle City Gridiron Classic. The Martians rallied from a 14-0 deficit, including two fourth quarter touchdowns by Jace Simerson. He scored on a 10-yard scamper before the winning plunge on a 2-yarder. Clayton Burnett scored Goodrich's other TD on a 71-yard bolt. He led the Martians in rushing on the night with 116 yards on 10 carries.

ORTONVILLE BRANON had an easier time at Owosso by clipping the host Trojans 28-7. The Blackhawks are now 5-0 overall in addition to being tied with Goodrich in Metro League play at 3-0 atop the Stars Division. They also needed a couple fourth quarter touchdowns to pull away.  Dylan Dickens, who had 220 yards on 24 carries, ran for one Ortonville Brandon TD while Gavin Greil ran for antoher one. Lance Briolat drilled a 23-yard TD pass to Drew Hickmott and Hickmott had a second TD when returning  an interception 45 yards to paydirt.

LAKE FENTON won the other Stripes Division game with a 55-0 romp over Clio. It was the fifth straight loss for the Mustangs while Lake Fenton improved to 4-1 overall. The Blue Devils are 3-1 in Metro League play where their only defeat came at the hands of Ortonville Brandon in a 48-40 loss.  

Lucas Storm ran for two Lake Fenton TD's while other TD's on the ground came from Nash Verhelle, Reid Shumaker, Dalton Decker and Jack Conley. Shumaker also threw TD strikes to Decker and Conely during a 6-of-7 passing night.  Ashton Hunter added 7 conversion kicks for the Blue Devils.

Below is a look at next week's upcoming games for Metro League teams: 

Fri. Sept. 24 Metro League Games 

(Stripes Division Games)

Fenton at Flint Kearsley 7 pm 

Flushing at Holly 7 pm

Swartz Creek at Linden 7 pm

(Stars Division Games)

Ortonville Brandon at Goodrich 7 pm

Lake Fenton at Owosso 7 pm

Clio at Corunna 7 pm 

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

(CCN) — Montrose pulled the biggest surprise so far of the 2021 prep football season in The Daily Gazette coverage area with a 35-14 upset Friday night (Sept. 24, 2021) at New Lothrop.

The Rams knocked New Lothrop out of a first-place tie with Ovid-Elsie in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference (MMAC) and spoiled next week's expected battle of unbeatens at Ovid-Elsie. 

Now, New Lothrop will be aiming to possibly create a four-way tie atop the MMAC standings with Montrose and Durand.

OVID-ELSIE stayed unbeaten at 4-0 in the MMAC and 5-0 overall by blanking Chesaning 35-0. Ovid-Elsie handed Montrose its only loss in a 23-22 barnburner two weeks ago.

DURAND kept its MMAC title hopes alive by trouncing winless LakeVille 60-6 in Otisville. The victory improved the Railroaders to 4-1 overall and 3-1 in the MMAC where their only loss was 28-7 to first-place Ovid-Elsie. Durand hosts Chesaning next week and a victory could create a possible four-way tie for the top spot in the MMAC if New Lothrop can beat Ovid-Elsie.

MT. MORRIS won its first MMAC game and improved to 2-3 overall by dumping Byron 40-21. Byron is now 0-4 in the MMAC and 0-5 overall.

MONTROSE ended a five-game losing streak to New Lothrop by going to Championship Drive and whipping the host Hornets 35-14 Friday night. 

New Lothrop went into the game tied for first place with Ovid-Elsie at 3-0 after losing its season opener in a non-league contest at Jackson Lumen Christi. The Hornets are the defending champions of the MMAC and they also won a Division 7 state title last season for the second time in three years.

It was the first time New Lothrop has ever lost in the MMAC where the Hornets had won 23 in a row since 2018. The last time New Lothrop lost a league game was in the Genesee Area Conference (GAC) when dropping a 36-28 decision to Montrose on Oct. 9, 2009. That was before Clint Galvas became head coach, and Friday's loss was the first for Galvas to his former head coach as a high school player — Dennis Reinhart.

“Not to take anything away from them, they did a real nice job defensively,” Galvas told the Argus Press about the Montrose team led by his old coach Reinhart who was inducted last year into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Reinhart's teams have won 20 conference championships during a 38-year coaching career that includes a 309-91 record.

. “I thought we actually did some real good things defensively, too," Galvas added to the Argus Press. 

"But we gave up a couple of big plays in the second half. First half defensively we played really, really well but we had a couple of touchdowns called back... Hats off to Montrose — they came in with a great game plan and executed well.”

Reinhard told The Argus Press:  “This is what football is all about, high school kids going at it. (A) great rivalry and this is what it’s about … We finally beat them. I mean, they had beat us five straight and the last four probably even haven’t been a game.” 

Montrose was led by Monte Missentzis who rushed for 124 yards on 29 quarterback keepers. He ran for one touchdown on a 3-yard scamper and passed for two TD's more on an 8-of-14 night through the air for 153 yards. He hit Aidan Bernard on a 27-yard TD strike. 

Johnny Mahl intercepted two passes to lead Montrose's defense, including a 46-yard TD return on one of them. Owen Emmendorfer scored Montrose's other TD on a 17-yard run while Chase Perrin was 5-for-5 on conversion kicks.

New Lothrop was hurt by three turnovers and 11 penalties, including one that wiped out a 46-yard TD bolt by Rafael Woods and another that called back a 5-yard TD sprint by Jack Kulhanek. 

Kulhanek was 12-of-29 passing for for 101 yards and two TD strikes to lead the Hornets. One was on a 60-yard TD bomb to Cannan Cromwell and the other was a 12-yard TD connection with Crowell.

  Below is a look at next week's upcoming conference games for MMAC teams:

Fri. Sept. 24 Games  

 New Lothrop at Ovid-Elsie 7 pm

Mt. Morris at Montrose 7 pm

Chesaning at Durand 7 pm

Byron at Mt. Morris 7 pm 

  (CCN) — COVID ruined what was supposed to be the big battle of Genesee Road with potential league championship implications at stake Friday night (Sept. 24, 2021) in Burton at Atherton High School. The Wolverines instead lined up Farwell as a non-league prep football opponent when finding out Genesee could not play because of too many players in quarantine due to exposure to someone with COVID. Farwell won 28-24.

The loss came after Atherton's first 3-1 start since the 2014 football season. The Wolverines are now 3-2 overall in a quest for only their eighth winning season since back-to-back 7-2 campaigns in 1974 and 1975. They play for first place next week in the Stars Division of the Central Thumb League when Morrice comes to Burton for a 7 pm kickoff.

Morrice and Deckerville share the top spot in the division with Atherton at 3-0. Deckerville thumped International Academy of Flint 80-6 on Firdya night while Morrice rolled 48-8 over New Haven Merritt Academy. While Atherton was losing its non-league replacement game for Genesee on Friday night, Kingston also lost in non-league play while Mayville beat Akron Fairgrove 22-8. Kingston dropped a 42-30 decision to Messick.

  Below is a look at next week's upcoming games for the North Central Thumb League's Stars Division teams:

Fri. Oct. 1 Action
(Stars Division Games) 

Morrice at Burton Atherton 7 pm

Flint International Academy at Genesee 7 pm

Mayville at New Haven Merritt Academy 7 pm

Deckerville at Kingston 7 pm
 

 BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

GENESEE (CCN) — Friday's (Sept. 24, 2021) big football game in Burton is cancelled for the Genesee Wolves. Atherton Athletic Director Timothy Hanilan told The Daily Gazette today (Sept. 22, 2021) that the game with potential league championship implications won't happen because of Genesee's football team being in COVID-19 protocol due to exposure to an individual who came down with the virus that twice wiped out high school football games last year by order of Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

The 2020 season started four weeks late and was derailed during the state playoffs that were delayed until mid-January after Governor Whitmer's shutdown orders during the opening round of the 2020 tournament in November.

"We found an opponent in Farwell after learning that Genesee can't play," Hanilan said Wednesday morning. "Unfortunately, the big battle of Genesee Road is off. It's disappointing."

The big battle of tiny schools in 8-man football was slated as Metro Flint News/Talk Radio's live "Game of the Week" broadcast by Trace Fisher. He has done seven of the top games in The Daily Gazette's coverage area during the first three weeks, and was zeroing in on Burton's action this week. "It was something we were really looking forward to with everyone really excited around here, but we figured (Metro Flint News/Talk Radio) needed to know right away to make arrangements for another game," Hanilan said. 

Both teams have 3-1 records overall and Genesee has a 2-1 record in the North Central Thumb League's Stars Division where Atherton and Deckerville have not yet lost a league game. Atherton is 3-0 in league play, Deckerville and Morrice are each off to 2-0 starts.

Atherton is scheduled to host Morrice next week on Oct. 1 and has an Oct. 15 trip scheduled for Deckerville. Hanilan said the Atherton-Genesee game will be permanently canceled and not made up, no matter what happens in other action.

Deckerville handed Genesee its only loss of the season in a wild 82-48 shootout.

Atherton is led by new Coach Randy Young who has the Wolverines off to their first 3-1 start since 2014. The Wolverines have had only seven winning seasons of football since back-to-back 7-2 campaigns in 1974 and 1975.

Officials from the Genesee school district have not yet responded to a request for a comment about the COVID situation.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Genesee Coach Ben Almassy who has too many players in COVID-19 protocol to play this week.

 (CCN) — All three teams from The Daily Gazette coverage area were winners in Tri-Valley Conference action Friday night (Sept. 17, 2021). Frankenmuth and Birch Run were big winners in East Division play while Millington won 21-8 over Standish Sterling in a West Division battle.

FRANKENMUTH went to 3-0 atop the Tri-Valley's East Division and 4-0 overall by trouncing Bay City John Glenn 54-0.

BIRCH RUN powered to its first Tri-Valley victory by leveling its overall record at 2-2 with a 41-0 romp over Alma in a battle of 1-1 teams in the Tri-Valley's East Division.

MILLINGTON won its second straight game in Tri-Valley action and moved to 4-0 overall by clipping Standish Sterling 21-8. The Cardinals set the stage for next week's battle at Carrollton. They are the only remaining unbeaten teams in Tri-Valley West Division play. Carrollton is 3-1 overall and 1-0 in Tri-Valley action.

OTHER ACTION around the Tri-Valley Conference on Friday night, Freeland stayed tied with Frankenmuth atop the East Division standings with a 43-14 romp over Essesville Garber; Saginaw Swan Valley won its first East Division game with a 56-20 triumph over Bridgeport; Carrollton took a 44-21 decision over Midland Bullock Creek in a West Division opener; and Hemlock won a non-conference tilt with St. Louis 48-12.

Below is a look at this week's upcoming conference games for Tri-Valley teams: 

Fri. Sept. 24 Games 

(East Division Games)

Freeland at Frankenmuth 7 pm

Birch Run at Essexville Garber 7 pm

Bridgeport at Bay City John Glenn 7 pm

Alma at Saginaw Swan Valley 7 pm

(West Division Games)

Millington at Carrollton 7 pm

Standish Sterling at Hemlock 7 pm

(Non-Conference Game)

Ithaca at Midland Bullock Creek 7 pm
 

 (CCN) — Four football teams from The Daily Gazette coverage area survived Friday night (Sept. 17, 2021) action in the Metro League still in the unbeaten ranks. Moving to 2-0 in Metro League play were Stripes Division co-leaders Fenton and Linden with Stars Division co-leaders Goodrich and Ortonville Brandon.

Swartz Creek was knocked from the unbeaten ranks in Metro League play by losing at Fenton.

THE FENTON TIGERS, gunning for their 10th Metro League title in the last 11 years, opened Stripes Division play with a 39-20 victory over Flushing and fought off an upset-minded Swartz Creeek club this week 43-27. (See story above) The back-to-back victories to open Metro League action followed an 0-2 start against tough non-league rivals Midland Dow and East Lansing.

"That's why we play such a tough non-league schedule: To get ready for the league and for state playoffs," said Fenton Coach Jeff Setzke on the pre-game show before last week's broadcast of his club's impressive showing against Flushing.

FLUSHING'S RAIDERS lost their third in a row Friday night after an impressive season-opening non-league triumph over Flint Powers Catholic. The Raiders were beaten at home by visiting Flint Kearsley, dropping a 21-14 decision.

THE LINDEN EAGLES blanked tri-county area rival Holly 40-0 after whipping Stripes Division rival Flint Kearlsey 47-21 for its first victory a week earlier after losing non-league games to Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (34-8) and Goodrich (9-6). Veteran Coach Denny Hopkins will try to keep his Eagles rolling next week at home against the visiting Flushing Raiders.

GOODRICH ROLLED for the third week in a row after its 28-14 loss to Frankenmuth in the opener at Flint's historic Atwood Stadium in the fourth annual Vehicle City Gridiron Classic. The Martians followed last week's 9-6 triumph over LInden in their home opener by thumping Clio 48-0 before bombing host Owosso 49-13 this week.

ORTONVILLE BRANDON won big this week, too. The Blackhawks moved to 4-0 as the Metro League's only remaining unbeaten team overall by handing visiting Clio a 55-0 beating.

LAKE FENTON rebounded from last week's heartbreaking 48-40 loss to Ortonville Brandon by toppling Corunna 32-13.

 Below is a look at this week's upcoming games for Metro League teams:

Fri. Sept. 24 Metro League Games

(Stripes Division Games)

Fenton at Holly 7 pm

Flushing at Linden 7 pm

Flint Kearsley at Swartz Creek 7 pm

(Stars Division Games)

Goodrich at Corunna 7 pm

Owosso at Ortonville Brandon 7 pm

Clio at Lake Fenton 7 pm 

  (CCN) — Flint Hamady won Friday night (Sept. 17, 2021) in Genesee Area Conference football action to set up a big battle of unbeatens next week. The Hawks will play next Friday against Flint Beecher on the new carpet at Flint Hamady. Kickoff is 7 pm and the game will be carried on Facebook Live by Metro Flint News/Talk Radio's play-by-play team of Larry Coleman and Tim Crow. 

A tape delay broadcast of the Hamady-Beecher battle will be presented immediately after Friday night's live game on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio.

FLINT HAMADY won its second straight Friday night after dropping back-to-back non-conference games to open the season. The Hawks rolled to a 55-0 romp over  Flint New Standard Academy.

FLINT BEECHER had the night off from GAC play with a non-league date against the Flint Jaguars. They rolled to a 64-22 romp over their Flint rivals. Beecher is also 2-2 overall. The Bucs are 1-0 in GAC action where Hamady is now 2-0.

THE BENDLE TIGERS won Friday night's battle of bragging rights in the city of Burton. They beat cross-town rival Bentley in a 30-28 thriller after losing last week's 16-14 heartbreaker to Beecher.

  Below is a look at this week's upcoming games for Genesee Area Conference teams: 

Fri. Sept. 24 Games 

(GAC Games)

Flint Beecher at Flint Hamady 7 pm

(Facebook Live Broadcast & Tape Delay Broadcast on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio)

Bentley at Flint New Standard Academy 7 pm

(Non-League Game)

Flint Jaguars at Burton Bendle 7 pm

   (CCN) — New Coach Randy Young has the Atherton Wolverines off to their best start in high school football since 2014 after winning a 40-38 barnburner over visiting Mayville Friday night (Sept. 17, 2021). A 7-3 record in 2014 was the best at Atherton in more than 40 years since back-to-back 7-2 records in 1974 and 1975. There have been only seven winning seasons in the 40-year span since then, so the new coach understandably had a tough assignment when taking over the helm this year.

Young's task was even more challenging when adding in the fact that last year's Wolverines lost their first two games, forfeited the next two because they didn't have enough players available and then threw in the towel on the season.

All that is now forgotten as Coach Young guided Atherton to its third straight victory on Friday night after losing 30-20 to Kinde North Huron in a non-league opener. All three victories since then have been in league play in the North Central Thumb League's Stars Division. Two other teams from The Daily Gazette coverage area are also in the North Central's Stars Division for 8-man football action — Genesee and International Academy of Flint.

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY lost its fourth straight game Friday night and fell to 0-3 in league play by dropping a 36-8 decision to Kingston.

GENESEE tuned up for a showdown this week at Atherton by blasting Caseville 64-14 in a non-league contest. Like Atherton, Genesee is off to a 3-1 start overall.

OTHER ACTION among teams outside our area in the North Central Thumb's Stars Division, Deckerville moved to 4-0 overall and 3-0 with Atherton atop the standings with a 52-8 romp over New Haven Merritt Academy. Morrice had a non-league game against Lawrence and won it 59-6.

  Below is a look at this week's upcoming games for Stars Division football teams in the North Central League:

Fri. Sept. 24 Game

(Stars Division Games)

Genesee at Burton Atherton 7 pm

Flint International Academy at Deckerville 7 pm

Morrice at New Haven Merritt Academy 7 pm

(Non-League Games)

Kingston at Messick 7 pm

Mayville at Akron Fairgrove 7 pm

BURTON (CCN) — Metro Flint News/Talk Radio will broadcast a high school football game this season for the first time from Burton. The microphone of play-by-play man Trace Fisher will be at Atherton High School where the Wolverines put their undefeated record on the line in the Stars Division of the North Central Thumb League on Friday night (Sept. 24, 2021). Game time will be 7 pm after the pre-game show at 6:45 pm.

Atherton will host the Genesee Wolves in a battle of teams with identical 3-1 records overall.

 LINT (CCN) — A battle for first place in Genesee Area Conference (GAC) football will be presented on Facebook Live in an audio signal that will be featured as the tape delay broadcast this week from Flint Hamady High School. The Hawks will host Flint Beecher Friday night (Sept. 24, 2021) at 7 o'clock. The pre-game show will be featured on Facebook Live at 6:45 pm to be followed by the live audio signal of the broadcast by Metro Flint News Talk Radio's play-by-play team Larry Coleman and Tim Crow.

The tape delay broadcast on the radio signal of Metro Flint News Talk Radio will begin immediately after the live broadcast of the Atherton-Genesee game from Burton.

BY TIM CROW

CCN Sports Writer

FENTON (CCN) — It was an early season showdown in the Stripes Division of the Metro League on Friday night with potential title implications at stake. The Fenton Tigers, defending Metro League champions and winners of 10 out of the last 11 titles, opened the Metro League schedule with a 39-20 victory over the Flushing Raiders.

The Raiders had beaten Flint Powers Catholic 33-6 on opening night in the fourth annual Vehicle City Gridiron Classic at Flint's historic Atwood Stadium and they lost a heart-breaker against another highly-regarded Saginaw Valley club last week when dropping their home opener 34-20 to Saginaw Heritage which won it with two fourth quarter touchdowns.

Fenton had an uncharacteristic 0-2 start but both losses came against tough non-league rivals. The Tigers were beaten 43-14 by Midland Dow in the Battle at the Big House in Ann Arbor at Michigan Stadium in their opener, then dropped a 33-7 decision last week at East Lansing.

"To get better and get ready for the state playoffs is exactly why we play tough teams like that," said Fenton Coach Jeff Setzke in the pre-game show of Metro Flint News/Talk Radio's broadcast of Friday night's game in Fenton. The broadcast replays on Saturday (Sept. 11, 2021) at 3 pm and 7 pm. You can listen live by going to our Home Page and scrolling down to click on the "Listen Live" link for Metro Flint News/Talk Radio.

Fenton received the opening kickoff Friday night and put together a strong scoring drive to open the contest that culminated with a 11 yard TD pass from Seth Logan to Jake Nichols with 7:39 on the clock to give the Tigers an early 7-0 lead and to set the tone for the game.

Flushing fought right back and tied the score when David Hutchinson broke free from the line of scrimmage and was able to out run the Fenton defense for an 80 yard touchdown scamper to tie the score at 7-7.

The rest of the first half was dominated by the Fenton offense — led by quarterback Logan who had a big night by throwing for two touchdowns and running for two more touchdowns. Logan was able to keep several plays alive with his mobility and accuracy, throwing on the run.

A TD run by Logan and his TD pass to Daniel Mott built a 19-7 advantage over the Raiders.

The Raiders punched in another touchdown on a 6-yard run by Nathan Sanders to cut the Tigers' lead to 19-13 but the Tigers marched down the field led by the passing attack and a great toe dance catch by Sam Claborn at the 4-yard line. Logan busted through the line with a quarterback keeper with: 49 seconds left on the clock to extend the Fenton's lead to 25-13.

Flushing's defense held strong on extra point attempts in the first half — blocking a kick and then stopping two-point conversion attempts twice.

The third quarter was scoreless as offensive drives were stalled on both sides of the ball with penalties and stingy defenses.

Fenton's defense were able to keep pressure on Raider quarterback Austin Williams, causing him to rush throws while Raider receivers were not able to haul in some passing that hit the mark.

In the fourth quarter, it was Jake Nichols busting through the line of scrimmage with 9:46 left in the game and rambling to the end zone untouched for his second touchdown of the night giving the Tigers a 31-13 lead. 

With a comfortable lead, the host Tigers started to substitute in players, and young back-up quarterback Nolan Alvord engineered a scoring drive — finding Daniel Mott in the end zone with 4:16 left on the clock to put the game out of reach. It was Mott’s second touchdown catch of the game. 

Flushing was able to capitalize on a Fenton fumble on its own 15 yard line, again it was Hutchinson who broke the line and with a couple of good moves making Tigers miss tackles as he found the end zone with a 15 yard scoring run bring the final score to a 39-20 Fenton victory and putting the Tigers in the driver’s seat for another Stripes Division Title. 

But there is a lot of season left and the Tigers will have to face division and neighborhood rival Linden later in the season. Linden won big at Flint Kearsley in its Metro League opener Friday night.

A defensive leader for Flushing Friday night was Nichols who had a great game playing two ways for the Tigers also grabbing an interception on defense and making several big tackles to go with his TD run on offense. 

Londyn Claxton played a huge game, going two ways for the Raiders and making several tackles to a big presence on the defensive end and also running in the slot back position making key blocks and catches.

Saginaw Valley League Action on Friday Night

(Non-League Games)

Grand Blanc 27, Midland Dow 23

Davison 42, Bay City Central 20

Midland 42, Flint Carman-Ainsworth 32

Bay City Western 45, Flint Powers Catholic 7

Lapeer 56, Saginaw Heritage 37

Mount Pleasant 54, Saginaw United 14

Metro League Action on Friday Night

(Stripes Division Games)

Fenton 39, Flushing 20

Linden 47, Flint Kearsley 21

Swartz Creek 28, Holly 6

(Stars Division Games)

 Corunna 49 Owosso 6
Brandon 48 Lake Fenton 40
Goodrich 48, Clio 0

Genesee Area Conference Action on Friday

(GAC Games)

Flint Beecher 16, Burton Bendle 14

Flint Hamady 56, Burton Bentley 0

(Non-League Game)

Flint Jaguars 46, Flint New Standard Academy 6

Mid-Michigan Activities Conference Action on Friday Night

(MMAC Games)

New Lothrop 47, Mt. Morris 0

Ovid-Elsie 23, Montrose 22

Chesaning 28, Otisville LakeVille 0

Durand 53, Byron 0

Tri-Valley Conference's East Division Action on Friday Night

(Tri-Valley East Game)

Frankenmuth 56, Birch Run 7

Tri-Valley Conference's West Division Action on Friday Night

(Tri-Valley West Game)

Millington 38, Hemlock 7

 Greater Thumb Conference West Division Action on Friday Night 

(Non-League Game)

Vassar 36, Memphis 0

 North Central Thumb League Action on Friday

(Stars Division Games) 

Deckerville 82, Genesee 48

Atherton 49,  New Haven Merritt Academy 14

Kingston 28, Mayville 8

(Non-League Game)

Morrice 58, Ashley 0

 North Central Thumb League Action on Saturday

((Stars Division Game)

 Flint International Academy 54, Blanchard Montabella 0

Fri. Sept. 17 Saginaw Valley Games

(South Division Games)

Davison at Grand Blanc  7 pm

(Radio Broadcast on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio)

Saginaw United at Flint Powers Catholic 7 pm

(WFNT 1470 AM Radio Broadcast)

Flint Carman-Ainsworth at Lapeer 7 pm

(South Division Games)

Midland Dow at Mount Pleasant 7 pm

Midland at Bay City Central 7 pm

Bay City Western at Saginaw Heritage 7 pm

Fri. Sept. 17 Metro League Games

(Stripes Division Games)

Swartz Creek at Fenton 7 pm 

Flint Kearsley at Flushing 7 pm

(Facebook Live Broadcast & Tape Delay Broadcast on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio)

Holly at Linden 7 pm

(Stars Division Games)

 Corunna  at Lake Fenton 7 pm

Goodrich at Owosso 7 pm

Ortonville Brandon at Clio 7 pm

Fri. Sept. 17 Genesee Area Conference Games

(GAC Games)

Burton Bendle at Burton Bentley 7 pm

Flint New Standard at Flint Hamady 7 pm

(Non-League Game)

Flint Jaguars at Flint Beecher 7 pm

Fri. Sept. 17 Mid-Michigan Activities Conference Games

(MMAC Games)

Byron at New Lothrop 7 pm

Mt. Morris at Durand 7 pm

Chesaning at Montrose 7 pm

Ovid-Elsie at Otisville LakeVille 7 pm

Fri. Sept. 17 Tri-Valley Conference's East Division Games

Bay City John Glenn at Frankenmuth 7 pm

Birch Run at Alma 7 pm

Fri. Sept. 17 Tri-Valley Conference's West Division Games

Standish Sterling at Millington 7 pm

Fri. Sept. 17 Greater Thumb Conference West Division Games

Vassar at Cass City 7 pm

Fri. Sept. 17 North Central Thumb League Stars Division Games

(Stars Division Games) 

Mayville at Burton Atherton 7 pm

Kingston at Flint International Academy 7 pm

Kingston at New Haven Merritt Academy 7 pm

(Non-League Game)

Caseville at Genesee 7 pm

Lawrence at Morrice 7 pm

FENTON (CCN) —  It was a big Metro League matchup tonight between Fenton and Flushing in what is considered to lead toward a division title was decided early as Fenton took a 25-13 lead into halftime. The Fenton offense in the first half was led by QB Seth Logan who threw for a TD to Jake Nichols on the opening drive to give Fenton a 7-0 lead. Logan added another TD pass and also ran for two first half TD to extend the lead. Flushing's David Hutchison scored on an 80 yard run to tie the score at 7-7 but Fenton controlled the game from that point on taking a 25-13 lead into halftime. 

It was a scoreless third quarter but Fenton tacked on two more TD's in the fourth quarter — one on a 60 yard run by Jake Nichols and another when backup QB Nolan Alvord tossed a TD to Daniel Mott for his second TD of the game. 

David Hutchison added late 15 yard TD run after Flushing forced a fumble. But it was a little to late as Fenton was victorious in it showdown with Flushing 39-20.

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Tim Crow is  a sports columnist for The Daily Gazette. He can be heard regularly as a play-by-play broadcaster on sportscasts for Metro Flint News/Talk Radio and he often appears on both The Michigan Sports Zone Show and The Daily Gazette Sports Weekend Show.

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BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

GRAND RAPIDS (CCN) — The Grand Blanc Bobcats pulled out a dramatic 38-34 victory in Grand Rapids Friday night (Sept. 4, 2021) over host

Forest Hills Central.

The victory moved Grand Blanc to 2-0 heading into next week's trip to Midland Dow to face a third straight tough non-league opponent before its Sept. 17 Saginaw Valley League opener against the defending champion Davison Cardinals. Davison has also gone to the state finals in Division I two years in a row.

Grand Blanc looked like a team capable of going to the finals at Ford Field this year by pulling out the dramatic TD bomb to win it in a back-and-forth battle between two of the state's top programs. Forest Hills Central is the five-time defending champions of the OK Conference's White Division in the Grand Rapids area.

In other non-league games around The Daily Gazette coverage area on Friday night, defending Metro League champion Fenton was beaten 33-7 by East Lansing while Saginaw Valley North Division members Davison and Lapeer lost non-league games. Davison lost 35-14 at Detroit Catholic Central while Lapeer lost 49-27 to Midland.

BY TIM CROW

CCN Sports Writer

GOODRICH (CCN) — Goodrich won 9-6 Friday night (Sept. 4, 2021) over visiting Linden in what many Metro League football observers believe could be a preview of the cross-over championship game in Week 8. Linden is in the Metro League's Stripes Division while Goodrich is in the Stars Division.

Both teams were coming off of losses in their season openers last week to tough non-league opponents. Linden fell behind 20-0 to Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and couldn't recover, eventually losing 34-8. Goodrich was in a 7-7 deadlock at halftime with perennial state powerhouse Frankenmuth but the 90-degree heat on the Atwood turf helped Frankenmuth wear down the Martians who depended on several two-way players compared to a roster limited to one-way performers for the Eagles who used their depth to eventually win 28-14.

Friday's Goodrich-Linden battle started out with Goodrich dominating the opening possession. The Martians controlled the ball (and the clock) with the run game. Caden Kowlanowski returned the opening kickoff to the Goodrich 22-yard line where the offense would take over and pound the ball on the ground for seven straight plays. 

Goodrich running backs Jace Simerson and Clayton Burnett carried the load with Simerson breaking free for a 32 yard TD run to put the Martians on the board with 6:15 left in the first quarter. 

Lindens Kyle Galbreath and Bryce Eliuk were able to bust through the Martian line and block the extra point, leaving the score at 6-0. 

The Eagles offense seemed a little out of sync on their first possession and went four and out. After a short punt from Linden, Goodrich took over on the Eagles' 48 yard line. Again, Goodrich took to the ground game running eight straight running plays, mostly behind big offensive lineman #69 Grant O’Brien who is listed at 6-foot-6 and 335 pounds. With help from his friends on the O-line, O’Brien was able to open up some holes and help drive the Martians down to the one yard line. 

On the last play of the first quarter, Linden's Red Zone defense tightened up. On third and one, the Eagles stopped Goodrich running back Burnett for a two yard loss. 

Facing a fourth down and one yard to go to open the second quarter, Goodrich elected to go for the touchdown. Burnett tried to bust into the end zone but only gained two yards before being met by Eliuk and a host of Linden defenders.

The huge goal stand gave Linden's Eagles the ball back on their own one yard line.

The Linden offense started to find a little rhythm in the second quarter —putting together a nice drive by moving the ball deep into Goodrich territory before penalties stalled out the momentum. Goodrich received the ball back with 2:57 left on the clock to start their last scoring drive before the end of the half.

After exclusively running the ball in the first quarter on the last drive of the half, Goodrich's 29th year Head Coach Tom Alward then opted for his Martians to change it up and throw the ball seven times — completing three passes for 80 yards. The big pass came on fourth down and eight yards to go from their own 46 yard line and with back-up quarterback Colton Leedom at wide receiver and used a double pass play as Gavin Hart tossed to Leedom on the far left of the field and Leedom hit Burnett on a wheel route for 44 yards moving the ball down to the Eagles' 10-yard line. Again, the Eagles defense rose to the challenge and kept the Martians out of the end zone — but not off the scoreboard this time. 

With nine seconds left in the half Colin Kowlanowski was able to connect for a 27 yard field goal to put Goodrich up 9-0 heading into halftime break.

In the third quarter, Linden's offense started to move the ball on their first drive but again the drive was killed by a personal foul penalty against the Eagles. They were also hurt by some bad exchanges between the center and quarterback with low snaps. QB Brandon Green did a good job of handling the bad snaps but that pass oriented offense depends on the quick pitch and catch style passing and the poor exchanges killed the rhythm needed to get the receivers the ball.

Coach Denny Hopkins, who is in his 50th year of coaching football at Linden, watched his defense continue to play well in the third quarter and after a pass interference penalty of first down — the Eagles held for the next four plays and Goodrich turned the ball over on downs. 

This defensive stand seemed to pump up the Linden sideline as the offense came out firing on all cylinders as they put together a 12 play drive that ended with wide receiver Ethan Gomez scampering 25 yards on a reverse play to get the Eagles on the board. 

Goodrich’s special teams returned the favor by blocking the extra point to keep the score at 9-6.

With 3:29 left in the third quarter, Goodrich mounted another drive, aided by a roughing the passer penalty, but the Linden defense held again, stopping the drive at the 12 yard line and forcing another field goal attempt.

This time, Linden special teams came up big, blocking a 29 yard field goal attempt by Goodrich’s Kowlanowski.

 The Eagles mounted one last scoring threat in the fourth quarter as they drove the ball down to Goodrich's 37-yard line with 50 seconds left before the drive ended with an incomplete pass on fourth down. Goodrich then took over on downs and went into victory formation — running out the clock and picking up a 9-6 victory to improve its record to 1-1 while Linden fell to 0-2.

Brandon Green led Linden's offense Thursday night at Goodrich, completing 11-of-18 passes for 75 yards and rushing 8 times for 29 yards. The Eagles picked up five penalties for 65 yards that really stalled out some offensive drives with a couple of those penalties on the defense that kept Goodrich drives alive. 

Goodrich was led by Colton Leedom who was 3-5 passing for 78 yards and Jace Simerson 15 carries for 86 yards and a touchdown. Goodrich had 287 total yards in offense, compared to Linden’s 175. Simerson led Goodrich with 86 rushing yards on 15 carries. 

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Goodrich's Tom Alward who is in his 29th season of coaching high school football.

Action on Friday by Metro League Teams

(Non-League Game)

East Lansing 33, Fenton 7

Action on Friday by Saginaw Valley Teams

(Non-League Games)

Grand Blanc 38, Forest Hills Central 34

Detroit Catholic Central 35, Davison 14

Midland 49, Lapeer 27 

 Action on Thursday by Metro League Teams

(Non-League Games)

Goodrich 9, Linden 6

Saginaw Heritage 34, Flushing 20

Lake Fenton 13, Swartz Creek 0

Ortonville Brandon 53, Flint Jaguars 8

Bay City Western 62, Clio 16

Flint Kearsley 21, Bay City Central 18

Auburn Hills Avondale 23, Holly 0

 Corunna 20, Hemlock 13

Charlotte 42, Owosso 6

Action on Thursday by Saginaw Valley Teams

(Non-League Games)

Flint Powers Catholic 35, Flint Hamady 7

Bay City Western 62, Clio 16

Midland Dow 29, Flint Carman-Ainsworth 0

Saginaw Heritage 34, Flushing 20

Flint Kearsley 21, Bay City Central 18

Action on Thursday by Genesee Area Conference Teams

(Non-League Games)

Flint Powers Catholic 35, Flint Hamady 7

Clarkston Everest Collegiate 30, Flint Beecher 0

Burton Bendle 26, Perry 18

Burton Bentley 1, Dearborn Heights Star 

 International 0 (Forfeit)

Action on Thursday by Mid-Michigan Activities Conference Teams

(Conference Games)

New Lothrop 58, LakeVille 0

Montrose 67, Byron 0

Ovid-Elsie 28, Durand 8

Mt. Morris 24, Chesaning 14

Action on Thursday by North Central Thumb League Teams

(League Games)

Atherton44, International Academy of Flint 18

Genesee 46, Kingston 40

Action on Thursday by Tri-Valley Conference East Division Teams

(East Division Games)

Frankenmuth 47, Saginaw Swan Valley 20 

Bay City John Glenn 40, Birch Run 33

Action on Thursday by Tri-Valley Conference West Division Teams

(West Division Game)

MIllington 44, Saginaw Nouvel 6 

  Action on Thursday by Greater Thumb Conference-West Division Teams

(West Division Games)

Reese 44 Vassar 0

 Thursday, Sept. 9  North Central Thumb League 

(League Games)

New Haven Merrit Academy at Atherton 7 pm

Friday, Sept. 10 Metro League Games

(Stripes Division Games)

Flushing at Fenton 7 pm

(Radio broadcast on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio)

Swartz Creek at Holly 7 pm

Linden at Flint Kearsley 7 pm

(Stars Division Games)

Clio at Goodrich 7 pm

Corunna at Owosso 7 pm

Ortonville at Lake Fenton 7 pm

Friday, Sept. 10 Saginaw Valley Games

(Non-League Games)

Grand Blanc at Midland Dow 7 pm

(Radio broadcast on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio)

Flint Powers Catholic at Bay City Western 7 pm

(Radio broadcast on WFNT 1470 AM)

Midland at Flint Carman-Ainsworth 7 pm

Saginaw Heritage at Lapeer 7 pm

Bay City Central at Davison 7 pm

Saginaw Arthur Hill at Mount Pleasant 7 pm

Friday, Sept 10 Genesee Area Conference Games

(GAC Games)

Flint Beecher at Burton Bendle 7 pm 

Flint Hamady at Burton Bentley 7 pm

(Non-Conference Game)

Flint New Standard Academy at Flint Jaguars 7 pm

Friday, Sept 10 Mid-Michigan Activities Conference Games

(MMAC Games)

New Lothrop at Mt. Morris 7 pm

Montrose at Ovid-Elsie 7 pm

Durand at Byron 7 pm

Otisville LakeVille at Chesaning 7 pm

  Friday, Sept. 10  North Central Thumb League 

(League Game)

Genesee at Deckerville 7 pm

  Friday, Sept. 10 Tri-Valley Conference Games

(East Division Game)

Frankenmuth at Birch Run 7 pm

(West Division Game)

MIllington at Hemlock 7 pm

  Friday, Sept. 10 Greater Thumb Conference's West Division Games

(Non-Conference Game)

Memphis at Vassar 7 pm

Sat. Sept. 11 North Central Thumb League 

(Non-League Game)

International Academy of Flint at Blancahrd Montabella 4 pm