River Rouge high school senior wide receiver Aaron Vinson practices at the schools field in River Rouge Michigan Tuesday, September 22, 2015.
Division 6
4:30 p.m. Friday
Ithaca (13-0)
The Ithaca yellow jackets celebrate their fourth consecutive MHSAA Division 6 Championship trophy at Ford Field in Detroit, Friday, November 29, 2013. The Ithaca yellow jackets defeated the Clinton Redskins 41 -22. Diane Weiss/Detroit Free Press
Colors: Blue and Gold
Nickname: Yellowjackets
How they got here: Beat Vassar, 56-14; beat Sanford Meridian, 42-6; beat Laingsburg, 34-10; beat Traverse City St. Francis, 28-19.
Key players: QB Jake Smith, LB Jace Demenov, NG Jonah Loomis, DT/OL Derek Teed, OL/DL Kurtis Ackels, WR/DB Spence DeMull, OL Nathan Goffnett, OL/DL Grant Barnes, WR Grant Gimmey.
Coach Terry Hessbrook: “We’ve played very well up this point. … I believe it’s the seventh year in a row that we’ve advanced to the state semifinals. We’ve played well at times this year, our defense has played well, we limited Laingsburg to six yards rushing.”
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Clinton (13-0)
Clinton’s Mathew Sexton returns a punt for a touchdown during the MHSAA Division 6 football finals at Ford Field in Detroit, Nov. 29, 2013, won by Ithaca.
Colors: Red and Black
Nickname: Redskins
How they got here: Beat Monroe St. Mary Catholic, 14-10; beat Madison Heights Madison, 43-20; beat Jackson Lumen Christi Catholic, 49-20; beat Grand Rapids NorthPointe, 42-20.
Key players: RB/LB Mathew Sexton, RB/S Noah Poore, OG/DE Kenny DeShano, LB/TE Blake Rogers, OT/DE Aaron Fowler, OT/DT Ethan Vaughan, Slot/DB Jason Ahrens, OT/DTJoe Spence
Coach Scott McNitt: “Anytime you’re playing this time of year, you’re having great season. We’re thrilled to be playing a great opponent on the road to the championship. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Division 5
4:30 p.m. Saturday
River Rouge (12-1)
Colors: Maroon and White
Nickname: Panthers
How they got here: Beat Clawson, 74-0; beat Detroit University Prep, 42-0; beat Algonac, 51-25; beat Ida, 28-26.
Key players: QB Antoine Burgess (rushed and passed for more than 1,000 yards each, two consecutive seasons), WR Aaron Vinson, OL Isaac Wyckoff, DB Marquis Robinson, sophomore RB Alexander Carter, WR Ashawnti Howard, LB Devonte Pipkins and DB Reggie Pearson Jr.
Coach Corey Parker: “The school is very energized by this opportunity that we have. We’re very excited to see what could happen. The kids are focused. The kids are also very close as a team. No real ‘I’ guys and if it does come up the team handles it, it doesn’t even get up to the coaches. They are really into taking care of each other. We’ve been working hard to change kids’ lives and football is just a piece of the picture. This is a ministry for us, on and off the field, discipline and hard work. It’s the coaches, the administration and the older players relating to the younger people. All working hard together.”
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Grand Rapids West Catholic (11-2)
Grand Rapids West Catholic head coach Can Rohn directs his team during fourth quarter action at the MHSAA Division 5 State football championship, Nov. 30, 2013 at Ford Field in Detroit. Diane Weiss
Colors: Green and White
Nickname: Falcons
How they got here: Beat Muskegon Oakridge, 28-14; beat Reed City, 21-14; beat Menominee, 24-14; beat Lansing Catholic, 42-13.
Key players: OL/DL Carl Myers (Michigan), WR/DB Connor Nemmers (more than 1,500 yards receiving two years), junior WR/LB Sam Neville, junior RB/S David Fox, OL/DL Mark Nowicki and RB/LB Denny Alt (1,400 yards rushing).
Coach Dan Rohn: “We started out the season a little slow, had injuries and a lot of young players. We just focused on getting better, getting healthy and we are playing our best football right now. Defensively we’ve gotten better; we’re playing at a high level right now. It speaks to the character of our kids and the commitment they’re making.”
Other games
FRIDAY
Division 8: Waterford Our Lady (13-0) vs. Muskegon Catholic Central (10-2), 10 a.m.
Division 2: Detroit King (13-0) vs. Lowell (12-1), 1 p.m.
Division 4: Zeeland West (13-0) vs. Flint Powers (11-2), 7:30.
SATURDAY
Division 7: Ishpeming (12-0) vs. Pewamo-Westphalia (13-0), 10 a.m.
Division 1: Romeo (12-1) vs. Detroit Cass Tech (11-2), 1 p.m.
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!