Comments
There are currently no comments.
Add comment2019 MHSAA State Finals Preview
It is that time of year again. The time of year where tens of thousands of people flock to Ford Field for three days of football.
The Detroit Lions will host the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving and then when the pros are done, it will be time for the next generation of football players to take the field.
This year there is a lot of blueblood talent returning to Ford Field for the MHSAA state finals. Thirteen schools are making at least their second appearance to the state finals. This is only one of many major headlines this season.
Major Headlines:
- There are 12 public schools compared to just four private schools.
- Six of the eight matchups will feature schools meeting for the first time ever.
- Three schools are making their first ever appearance to the state finals.
- Five schools are making their second consecutive appearance to Ford Field.
- Two of their those schools are at Ford Field for their fourth consecutive appearance.
- Three schools are looking to repeat as state champions.
- Five schools are looking for their first ever state title.
Within these headlines are many other smaller headlines. This season there is only one matchup that features two undefeated schools. That is the division seven game between Pewamo-Westphalia and Jackson Lumen Christi. Both schools have become small school power houses in Michigan and will meet for the first time ever on the gridiron with a state title on the line.
Match ups:
Division One (Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.)
Brighton Bulldogs (11-2) vs. Davison Cardinals (11-2)
State Finals History
Brighton: 0-0
First appearance
Davison: 0-0
First appearance
Facts of the Game
- First meeting between schools.
- Brighton defeated Belleville, 22-19 in semifinal.
- Davison defeated Sterling Heights Stevenson, 34-27 (OT) in semifinal.
Division Two (Friday, Nov. 29, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.)
Muskegon Mona Shores Sailors (11-2) vs. Detroit Martin Luther King Crusaders (11-2)
State Finals History
Muskegon Mona Shores: 0-2
Loss- 2018, 16-19 against Warren De La Salle
Loss- 2014, 8-44 against Warren De La Salle
Detroit Martin Luther King: 4-2
Win- 2018, 41-25 against Muskegon
Win- 2016, 18-0 against Walled Lake Western
Win- 2015, 40-38 against Lowell
Win- 2007, 47-21 against Midland
Loss- 1990, 0-21 against Detroit Catholic Central
Loss- 1989, 13-16 against Muskegon
Facts of the Game
- First meeting between schools.
- Muskegon Mona Shores is looking for their first title in their third try.
- Detroit Martin Luther King is looking for back-to-back titles for the second time in school history (2015-2016).
Division Three (Saturday Nov. 30, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.)
Muskegon Big Reds (13-0) vs. River Rouge Panthers (12-1)
State Finals History:
Muskegon: 6-5
Loss- 2018, 25-41 against Detroit Martin Luther King
Win- 2017, 28-10 against Farming Hills Harrison
Loss- 2016, 29-28 against Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
Loss- 2014, 0-7 against Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
Loss- 2013, 21-28 against Birmingham Brother Rice
Loss- 2012, 28-35 against Birmingham Brother Rice
Win- 2008, 34-14 against Warren De La Salle
Win- 2006, 32-30 against Warren De La Salle
Win- 2004, 31-7 against Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
Win-1989, 16-13 against Detroit Martin Luther King
Win- 1986, 10-0 against Sterling Heights Stevenson
River Rouge: 0-1
Loss- 2015, Grand Rapids West Catholic, 34-40
Facts of the Game:
- Fourth straight appearance in the state finals for Muskegon.
- Second appearance in school history for River Rouge.
- First meeting between schools.
Division Four (Friday, Nov. 29, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.)
Grand Rapids Catholic Central Cougars (12-1) vs. Detroit Country Day Yellowjackets (13-0)
State Finals History
Grand Rapids Catholic Central: 4-2
Win-2017, 42-31 against Edwardsburg
Win-2016, 10-7 against Detroit Country Day
Win- 2010, 27-23 against Williamston
Loss- 2005, 10-17 against Flint Powers Catholic
Win- 1987, 19-7 against Farming Hills Harrison
Loss- 1978, 12-13 against Warren Woods
Detroit Country Day: 3-5
Loss- 2016, 7-10 against Grand Rapids West Catholic
Loss- 2012, 7-40 against Grand Rapids South Christian
Loss-2008, 20-35 against Holland Christian
Loss- 2007, 7-21 against Marine City
Win- 1999, 39-32 against Muskegon Orchard View
Win- 1995, 28-14 against Muskegon Orchard View
Loss- 1994, 41-50 against Belding
Win- 1986, 18-14 against Muskegon Catholic Central
Facts of the Game
- Grand Rapids Catholic Central leads all-time series between these two schools, 5-2.
- Detroit Country Day is looking to avenge 2016 state finals loss at the hands of Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
- Last matchup between two schools was in 2016 state finals.
Division Five (Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019 at 4:30 p.m.)
Lansing Catholic Central Cougars (12-1) vs. Almont Raiders (13-0)
State Finals History
Loss- 2014, 20-24 against Grand Rapids West Catholic
Loss- 2011, 56-26 against Flint Powers Catholic
Win- 1985, 33-6 against Saint Ignace
Almont: 0-0
First appearance
Facts of the Game
- First appearance for Almont.
- Lansing Catholic Central fourth appearance, third since 2011.
- Lansing Catholic Central defeated Almont in only meeting between the schools in the 2014 state semifinals by a score of 21-14.
Division Six (Friday, Nov. 29, 2019 at 4:30 p.m.)
Maple City Glen Lake Lakers (12-1) vs. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central Falcons (11-1)
State Finals History
Maple City Glen Lake: 1-2
Loss-2016, 14-26 against Jackson Lumen Christi
Loss- 1996, 7-47 against Pittsford
Win- 1994, 20-10 against Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes
Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central: 2-4
Win-2014, 22-12 against Ithaca
Loss- 2010, 35-45 against Ithaca
Loss- 2009, 21-24 against Montague
Loss- 2005, 21-31 against Kingsley
Win- 1991, 16-7 against Coopersville
Loss- 1984, 21-33 against Wyoming Park
Facts of the Game
- First trip to the state finals for Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central since ending Ithaca’s history 69 game win streak in 2014.
- First meeting between schools.
- Maple City Glen Lake is looking for their first title since 1994.
Division Seven (Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.)
Pewamo-Westphalia Pirates (13-0) vs. Jackson Lumen Christi Titans (12-0)
State Finals History
Pewamo-Westphalia: 2-2
Win- 2017, 21-0 against Saugatuck
Win- 2016, 28-14 against Detroit Loyola
Loss- 2015, 16-22 against Ishpeming
Loss- 2011, 26-56 against Saginaw Nouvel Catholic
Jackson Lumen Christi: 11-2
Win- 2018, 42-28 against Montague
Win- 2017, 40 to 34 against Ithaca
Win- 2016, 26 to 14 against Maple City Glen Lake
Win- 2009, 42 to 7 against Clare
Loss- 2007, 7 to 21 against Menominee
Loss- 2005, 28 to 42 against Muskegon Oakridge
Win- 2004, 13 to 0 against Midland Bullock Creek
Win- 2003, 23 to 0 against Muskegon Oakridge
Win- 2001, 49 to 0 against Livonia Clarenceville
Win- 2000, 42 to 15 against Spring Lake
Win- 1996, 17 to 11 against Belding
Win- 1979, 21 to 0 against Grand Rapids West Catholic
Win- 1977, 17 to 16 against Saginaw MacArthur
Facts of the Game
- Jackson Lumen Christi holds the longest active win streak in Michigan at 35 games.
- First ever meeting between schools.
- Pewamo-Westphalia has pitched 8 shutouts this season on defense.
Division Eight (Friday, Nov. 29, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.)
Beal City Aggies (12-1) vs. Reading Rangers (12-1)
State Finals History
Beal City: 2-5
Loss- 2013, 12-35 against Muskegon Catholic Central
Loss- 2012, 10-35 against Harbor Beach
Win- 2009, 41-23 against Crystal Falls Forest Park
Loss- 2003, 9-20 against Detroit De Porres
Loss- 2001, 0-20 against Mendon
Win- 1994, 35-14 against Litchfield
Loss- 1987, 0-21 against Martin
Reading: 1-0
Win-2018, 39-20 against Breckenridge
Facts of the Game
- Reading is looking win back-to-back titles.
- Beal City was 2-7 last season.
- First meeting between schools.