High School Football: Clinton, Hudson and Lenawee Christian advance
The postseason always brings surprises and excitement around the state, especially in the opening week as teams fight to stay alive.
Lenawee County was no exception to shocking scores as eight teams were in action Friday night.
Here's how it played out:
Hudson 40, Addison 0
ADDISON — Division 8 fifth-ranked Addison entered the game with the No. 1 scoring offense in the entire state, but old rival, ninth-ranked Hudson, didn't care.
The Tigers (8-2) blanked the Panthers (9-1) as Hudson ended Addison's season for the second time in three years.
"I just worry about us," said Hudson coach Dan Rogers. "We had a great week of practice. We had great effort and great attitudes. Everyone is 0-0 in the playoffs. That regular season is all about preparing for the postseason and when we started this week it was 0-0."
Hudson started strong, bruising its way down the field and scoring on a 27-yard run by Beckett McCaskey. After forcing a three-and-out, the Tigers faced fourth-and-long from the Addison 29 when KJ Walker connected with Logan Ryan early in the second quarter to make it 14-0.
After another stop, Austin Marry broke free for a 60-yard touchdown and the rout was on. The Panthers had drive into the Tigers' 30-yard line, but it was stopped and few plays later McCaskey was in the endzone again with a 1-yard touchdown.
It was 26-0 at the half before Cole Marry and McCaskey added touchdown runs of two and 11 yards in the second half.
"These are the ones that are going to stick to your bones," said Addison coach Josh Lindeman. "They outplayed us tonight in every aspect. Someday they are going to look back and the season is going to mean more than just tonight."
Clinton 15, Blissfield 7
CLINTON – No. 5 Clinton took a 9-7 lead before halftime and held on to beat the Royals and advance to round two of the playoffs.
“Survive is probably the best word,” Clinton head coach Casey Randolph said. “I’m happy to be playing next week.”
Cole Breitenwischer scored first to give the Redwolves an early 6-0 lead by Kassidy Lenz scored on a 2-yard run and Dove Eitzen added the kick as Blissfield went up 7-6. A field goal by Wyatt Hicks in the second quarter sent Clinton into the locker room with the lead.
Both teams traded opportunities in the second half, but Clinton broke through with a 23-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter by Nik Shadley.
Shadley finished with 229 yards rushing on 22 carries. He also completed a pass for nine yards. Clinton’s offense had 368 yards rushing on 55 carries and grounded out 21 first downs.
Blissfield (5-5) was led Lenz, who rushed for 148 yards.
“He played a great game,” Blissfield coach Ron Estes said. “He ran hard.”
Estes said he was proud of his team to stay close with Clinton, one of the top Division 7 teams in the state.
“There was no one there, no matter how big of a Clinton fan, that could walk off the field not respecting us,” Estes said. “Our kids just played so well. I’m very proud of them.”
Clinton was held to 15 points, its fewest output of the season. The Redwolves are 9-1.
“They did some things we hadn’t seen them do all year,” Randolph said. “Ron is a great coach. Hat’s off to them. They are banged up, but they played a heck of a game tonight.”
Clinton’s defense had four interceptions – Joey Preston, Andy Fair, Brenden Benschoter and Bryce Rosacrans with one each.
“Those interceptions saved us,” Randolph said. “One of them was in the end zone. We were fortunate.”
Bryce Randolph had 11 tackles for Clinton.
Lenawee Christian 56, Camden Frontier 6
ADRIAN — The top team in Division 2 8-Player football looked every part of it as Lenawee Christian rolled against Camden Frontier.
The Cougars (10-0) raced ahead to 21-0 lead in the first quarter with Sam Lutz hitting Blake Drogowski for a 36-yard touchdown pass and then ran for a 36-yard touchdown. Paul Towler ran for a 52-yard touchdown to bring the first quarter scoring to an end.
Lutz threw three touchdown passes in the second quarter to Jesse Miller (eight yards), Easton Boggs (40 yards) and Drogowski (30 yards) to make it 42-6 at the half.
"We came out real focused," said LCS coach Bill Wilharms. "We were disappointed with the selection for the SCAA this year. None of our receivers got first team so we were slinging today."
Lutz added a 25-yard touchdown run in the third and Brenner Powers scored on a 44-yard run to bring the scoring to an end.
The win was No. 100 for Wilharms, who won 12 at Madison and 88 for the Cougars since 2013.
"I had no clue," he said. "My volleyball girls came with a big sign and they all had skull caps on to be bald and wore khaki shorts and red shirts on. They had me down to a T."
Chelsea 49, Tecumseh 35
CHELSEA — Tecumseh gave No. 2 Chelsea all it could handle in the Division 4 district opener, but it wasn't enough to pull off the upset of the playoffs so far.
The two were tied, 14-14, at the half with Tyler Clement and AJ Bryan scoring on 2-yard touchdown runs in the second quarter.
The teams went back and forth in the second half as every time the Bulldogs (9-1) scored, Tecumseh (5-5) had an answer as Clement scored on runs from nine and six yards while Bryan had a 1-yard touchdown in the second half.
"I'm proud," said Tecumseh coach Greg Dolson. "We took on the No. 2 team in the state and gave them Hell. We were there at the end and the last drive we didn't execute like we did."
Clement finished 12-of-20 passing for 85 yards and a pick while rushing for 127 and three touchdowns.
"He's got an edge to him," Dolson said. "People saw that tonight. He plays tough, he was sick tonight and missed school (Thursday) with strep throat. He battled, for kid like that to show up in this game sick as a dog. That says everything about him."
Clement will be the leader of the team next season as Bryan graduates and is sure to play at the next level.
Bryan had 94 yards rushing and two touchdowns while catching seven passes for 40 yards.
"When it's all said and done, people are going to look at those numbers and say those can't be real," Dolson said. "He had another great game tonight, running tough. We won't see another kid like AJ come through here for a long time."
Haslett 31, Adrian 12
HASLETT — Adrian trailed 7-6 before Haslett scored late in the second quarter to go into the locker room up 14-6. Haslett then kicked a field goal on its first drive of the second half.
“Our guys didn’t back down,” said Adrian coach Joel Przygodski. “Unfortunately, we made a couple of mistakes that they were able to capitalize on, which is what good football teams do.”
Sean Parker threw a touchdown pass to Thomas Dayharsh in the first half and to Chase Henline in the second half to account for the Adrian points.
“I am proud of the way our guys battled until the end,” Przygodski said.
The Maples finished the season 6-4.
Whiteford 59, Sand Creek 0
OTTAWA LAKE — The Aggies turned the ball over on each of its first two possessions to set up early scores and the Bobcats opened its defense of its Division 8 state title with the shutout.
The top-ranked Bobcats led 24-0 after the first quarter and 53-0 at halftime, forcing a super running clock the entire second half.
Sand Creek finishes the season 5-5 after an 1-4 start.
“It’s a credit to the seniors,” Sand Creek coach Marc Spicer said. “They didn’t give up. They could have when we were 1-4. We started work back in March on our attitude and it paid off. We were 1-4 and down 12 points to Summerfield at halftime but never gave up.”
Sand Creek was held to 93 yards of total offense.
Gavin Marks rushed for 29 yards on four carries to lead the Sand Creek offense. Harley Sharrock had a big game on defense, with nine tackles.
The 10-0 Bobcats host Hudson next week.
BOX SCORES
SAND CREEK 0 0 0 0 = 0
WHITEFORD 24 29 0 6 = 59
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
W – Hunter DeBarr 5 run (Mason DeBarr pass from Tre Eitnear)
W – Hunter DeBarr 20 pass from Ryin Ruddy (Ryin Ruddy run)
W – Drew Knaggs 46 run (Jake Iott run)
Second Quarter
W – Brandon Knaggs 5 run (Hunter DeBarr kick)
W – Hunter DeBarr 12 run (Keegan Thomas kick)
W – Hunter DeBarr 76 run (Tre Eitniear run)
W – Kolby Masserant 46 pass from Tre Eitniear (Hunter DeBarr kick)
Fourth Quarter
W – Andrews Trejo 1 run (kick blocked)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING – Sand Creek: Ivan Wilkinson 7-16, Fox 1-1, Jordan Illenden 3-9, Gavin Marks 3-37, Caleb Luck 4-6, Walsh 6-28, Pickens 2-4. Totals 26-101. Whiteford: Hunter DeBarr 4-104, Drew Knaggs 3-55, Andres Trejo 6-23, Brandon Knaggs 2-13, Jake Iott 4-11, Tre Eitniear 1-9, Brody Hillard 2-9, Brek Ruddy 3-5, Ryin Ruddy 2-0. Totals 27-229.
PASSING – Sand Creek: Cole Scharer 9-24-3 18 yards, Trey Mepham 0-1-0. Whiteford: Ryin Ruddy 3-7-0 67 yards, Tre Eitniear 2-2-0 59 yards, Cooper Diesing 1-1-0 9 yards.
RECEIVING – Sand Creek: Jordan Illenden 3-3, Rory Eack 2-7, Ivan Wilkinson 3-11, Pickens 1-(minus)-3. Whiteford: Kolby Masserant 2-59, Hunter DeBarr 2-56, Keegan Thomas 2-20.
BLISSFIELD 7 0 0 0 = 7
CLINTON 6 3 6 0 = 15
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
C – Cole Breitenwischer 1 run
B – Kassidy Lenz 2 run (Dove Eitzen kick)
Second Quarter
C – Wyatt Hicks 29 field goal
Fourth Quarter
C – Nik Shadley 23 run
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING – Blissfield: Kassidy Lenz 23-148, Jack Deatrick 2-5, Mason Case 2-(minus)-1. Clinton: Nik Shadley 22-229, Jacob Feltz 12-60, Cole Breitenwischer 11-40, Bryce Randolph 2-17, Andy Fair 4-14, Joey Preston 3-8.
PASSING – Blissfield: Jack Deatrick 2-11-4 18 yards. Clinton: Andy Fair 3-8-0 92 yards, Nik Shadley 1-1-0 9 yards.
RECEIVING – Blissfield: Mason Case 2-18. Clinton: Nik Shadley 2-65, Jacob Feltz 1-27, Joey Preston 1-9.
HUDSON 6 20 6 8 = 40
ADDISON 0 0 0 0 = 0
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
H – Beckett McCaskey 27 run (conversion failed)
Second Quarter
H – Logan Ryan 30 pass from KJ Walker (conversion)
H – Austin Marry 60 run (conversion failed)
H – McCaskey 1 run (conversion failed)
Third Quarter
H – Cole Marry 2 run (conversion failed)
H – McCaskey 11 run (conversion good)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING – Hudson: Austin Marry 13-143, Brennan Marshall 19-111, Beckett McCaskey 12-70, Cole Marry 5-27, Devon Brigman 2-7, Quinten Clark 2-2. Addison: 31-64.
PASSING – Hudson: KJ Walker 2-2-0 39 yards.
RECEIVING – Hudson: Logan Ryan 1-30.
CAMDEN-FRONTIER 0 6 0 0 = 6
LCS 21 21 14 0 = 56
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
L – Blake Drogowski 36 pass from Sam Lutz (Eli Brainard kick), 9:18
L – Sam Lutz 37 run (Max Stamats kick), 5:34
L – Paul Towler 50 pass from Sam Lutz (Brainard kick), 4:55
Second Quarter
L – Jesse Miller 9 pass from Sam Lutz (Stamats kick), 11:21
C – Logan Leggett 1 run (Kaden Conroy run), 8:06
L – Easton Boggs 41 pass from Sam Lutz (Brainard kick), 7:57
L – Blake Drogowski 29 pass from Sam Lutz (Stamats kick), :47
Third Quarter
L – Sam Lutz 25 run (Brainard kick), 8:26
L – Brenner Powers 45 run (Stamats kick), 1:26
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING – Camden-Frontier: Kaden Conroy 24-155, Logan Leggett 9-11, Ethan Wickham 2-5, Brayden Miller 5-10. Totals 41-181. LCS: Blake Drogowski 4-45, Sam Lutz 6-93, Jesse Miller 1-16, Brenner Powers 3-76, Elijah Lutz 3-0, JT Reatherford 1-5, Judah Penny 1-0. Totals 19-235.
PASSING – Camden-Frontier: Kaden Conroy 0-1-0, Logan Leggett 4-12-2 27 yards, Ethan Wickham 0-1-0. LCS: Sam Lutz 12-16-0 247 yards, Brenner Powers 1-2-0 -1 yard.
RECEIVING – Camden-Frontier: Kaden Conroy 1-4, Brayden Miller 1-0, Luis Castrow Thiol 1-8, Devin Wolf 1-15. LCS: Paul Towler 2-63, Easton Boggs 2-55, Blake Drogowski 3-84, Jesse Miller 5-45, JT Reatherford 1-(minus)-1.
ADRIAN 0 6 0 6 = 12
HASLETT 0 7 10 14 = 31
Scoring summary
A – Dayharsh pass from Parker
A – Henline pass from Parker
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING – Adrian: Chase Henline 10-50, Sean Parker 8-9. Totals 19-59.
PASSING – Adrian: Sean Parker 18-25-1 227 yards.
RECEIVING – Adrian: Thomas Dayharsh 4-72, Hayes 5-69, Fox 3-50, Chase Henline 4-18, DeKeyser 2-18.
TECUMSEH 0 14 7 14 = 35
CHELSEA 7 7 14 21 = 49
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
C – Tyson Hill 13 run (Myles Bieber kick)
Second Quarter
T – Tyler Clement 2 run (Declan Cornish kick)
C – Tyson Hill 1 run (Bieber kick)
T – AJ Bryan 2 run (Cornish kick)
Third Quarter
C – Luke Ansread 12 run (Bieber kick)
T – AJ Bryan 1 run (Cornish kick)
C – Luke Ansread 19 run (Bieber kick)
T – Tyler Clement 6 run (Cornish kick)
Fourth Quarter
C – Luke Ansread 3 run (Bieber kick)
T – Tyler Clement 9 run (Cornish kick)
C – Tyson Hill 3 run (Bieber kick)
C – Tyson Hill 42 run (Bieber kick)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING – Tecumseh: Tyler Clement 25-127, AJ Bryan 22-94, Maxwell Danley 1-(minus)-4. Team 49-216. Chelsea: Thomas Shemwell 3-16, Luke Ansread 13-131, Tyson Hill 40-346. Totals 58-491.
PASSING – Tecumseh: Tyler Clement 12-20-1 85 yards. Chelsea: Luke Ansread 5-6-1 96 yards.
RECEIVING – Tecumseh: AJ Bryan 7-40, Diego Juarez 3-37, Ryan Mossburg 2-8. Chelsea: Jonathan Turnbull 1-30, Thomas Shemwell 1-2, Max Herter 2-53, Tyson Hill 1-11.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Clinton, Hudson, Lenawee Christian advance in MHSAA football playoffs
