Pewamo-Westphalia junior Jared Smith has set the state record for rushing TDs in a season and is near the record for rushing yards.
Division 8
10 a.m. Friday
Muskegon Catholic Central (10-2)
Colors: Green and Gold.
Nickname: Crusaders.
How they got here: Beat Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart Academy, 49-7; beat Beal City, 48-13; beat Frankfort, 22-12; beat St. Ignace, 33-20.
Key players: LB/TE Nate Jones, OL/DL Jacob Holt, QB/DB Christian Martinez, LB/TE Savion Thompson, junior DB/RB Walker Christoffersen, OL/DL Jacob Schulte.
Coach Steve Czerwon: “We lost in week one, but we made very good improvements since then. We replaced a lot from last year’s state title team, but people that have stepped have in filled roles well. St Ignace is going to be a tough opponent. They’re riding an emotional high right now.”
Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (13-0)
Colors: Blue and White.
Nickname: Lakers.
How they got here: Beat Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 42-0; beat Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 54-29; beat Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 32-6; beat Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 36-20.
Key players: QB Clay Senerius, WR Devin Senerius, junior LB/OL Gabe Nickels, LB/WR Ryan Kostich, OG/DT Liam Sutton, junior RB/S Issac Oliver, RB/S Chris Cartier, OT/DE Brendan Heiss.
Coach Josh Sawicki: “We’ve definitely had a good season. We’ve met every challenge up to this point. … , trying to go out there and play our best game and come away with a win and have a chance to play for it all.”
Division 7
10 a.m. Saturday
Ishpeming (12-0)
Colors: Blue and White.
Nickname: Hematites.
How they got here: Beat Ishpeming Westwood, 26-6; beat Iron Mountain, 24-14; beat McBain, 42-2; beat New Lothrop, 22-14.
Key players: QB/FB Ozzy Corp, OLB/TE Thomas Finegan, OT/DT Ashok Ravindran, DE/RB Isaac Olson, TE/LB Luke Kuliu , LB/FB Halen Carello, WR/DB Nick Comment (5-8, 145).
Coach Jeff Olsen: “One thing about us is this year, we’ve had a lot of closer games throughout the area, even though we’re undefeated. I feel that we’ve played some good competition and there was times that we were behind or tied at halftime, but played some good football in the second half. Our team is very competitive and led by Ozzy Corp at quarterback, who can run and throw. However, we have a lot of kids that are just good football players, not college prospects, but good football players.”
Pewamo-Westphalia (13-0)
Colors: Blue and Gold.
Nickname: Pirates.
How they got here: Beat Carson City-Crystal, 42-21; beat Saugatuck, 38-28; beat Cassopolis, 40-3; beat Detroit Loyola, 30-0.
Key players: RB Jared Smith, FB/LB Nathan Jandernoa, OT/DT Matthew Fox , OG/DT Dane Van Ells, WR/DB Colin Smith, OT/DT Dominick Spitzley, TE/LB Bryce Thelen.
Coach Jeremy Miller: “We’ve had a great year so far, won our league. … So we’ve met the challenges brought before us.”
Other games
FRIDAY
Division 2: Detroit King (13-0) vs. Lowell (12-1), 1 p.m.
Division 6: Ithaca (13-0) vs. Clinton (13-0), 4:30.
Division 4: Zeeland West (13-0) vs. Flint Powers (11-2), 7:30.
SATURDAY
Division 1: Romeo (12-1) vs. Detroit Cass Tech (11-2), 1 p.m.
Division 5: River Rouge (12-1) vs. G.R. West Catholic (11-2), 4:30.
Division 3: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (11-1) vs. Chelsea (12-1), 7:30.
Son of Swami
Come back Friday for the All-Knowing One’s picks!