MHSAA Football - PreDistrict Results
There were 256 teams. Now, half of them have traded in cleats for sneakers and jerseys for singlets. From now on, every win will get you more hardware for the trophy case. Before we move into the trophy round though, we should take a look at the first round of the playoffs we just finished.
Division 2
Portage Northern 35 Portage Central 14
It was a good game for Portage Northern. They were able to do many things and it helped them win the game. Linebacker Jay Koski intercepted two passes on defense to end drives including one that he returned to the six yard line to help seal the victory. Quarterback Thomas Scheffert completed three of his nine passes for 37 yards and a score. Seth Learman completed his only pass attempt for a 49 yard scoring strike to Daryn Snow.  Josh Leiter led the ground game with 17 attempts for 43 yards and a score. Eric Coley ran 10 times for 53 yards and a score. On the Portage Central side, quarterback Sam Vermeulen completed eight of his 20 passes for 104 yards, a score, and three picks. Paul Lewis was his favorite target with five catches for 59 yards. Austin McCullough caught two for 34 yards and a score. The leading rusher was Vermuelen with 16 runs for 38 yards.
Division 5
Flint Powers Catholic 26 Birch Run 0
It’s been a while since Birch Run made the playoffs. It’s been even longer since they won a playoff game. Flint Powers was able to play a tough game and get the shutout victory. Powers quarterback Noah Sargent completed three of his five passes for 94 yards and a score. Nick Thompson only caught one pass, but it went 81 yards for a score. Reese Morgan hauled in two passes for 23 yards. The run game was paced by John Andrysiak with 10 runs for 91 yards and three scores. Jacques Pougnet ran 10 times for 25 yards. No stats could be found for Birch Run.
Division 8
Harbor Beach 61 Sterling Heights Parkway Christian 0
Quarterback Josh Schelke was a monster. In the first quarter, he scored three times. For the game, he had 194 yards rushing. Austin Seltz scored twice and gained 67 yards. Devin Lemanski scored twice as well. As a team, they gained 430 yards of total offense and held SHPC to 68 total yards. For Parkway Christian, quarterback Ricardo Marble completed one of his five passes for seven yards. Montana Essian rushed 16 times for 56 yards and caught that lone pass.
Division 6
Watervliet 22 Niles Brandywine 21
This game featured six lead changes and some poor weather. The wind kept both teams from passing too much and they both stacked the box to stop the run. It ended up being a two point conversion that Watervliet converted in the closing minutes that made the difference on the scoreboard. Quarterback Blake Kiekenapp completed 12 of his 25 passes for 170 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. He also ran 20 times for 75 yards. Tyler Loomis caught five passes for 38 yards and a score. Kyler Kiekenapp grabbed two passes for 90 yards. Garrison Muth also grabbed two passes for 39 yards and a score. Muth ran 16 times for 69 yards. Niles Brandywine stats were wrong. The only stats I could find say that quarterback Marty Ward completed 27 of his 132 passes for one yard. Obviously, that’s not right. Andrew Duckett, Marty Ward, and Austin Knapp each scored touchdowns for Niles.
