State Finals preview and matchup history

Written by
Zackary R. Boyer
Published
11/20/2018
Photo Credit
WXYZ.com

In a year that features a lot of new teams in the MHSAA State Finals, there is also a lot of blue blood talent returning to Ford Field.

There are a lot of headlines around the 2018 championships that draw the attention of football fans. There are also many headlines within the eight championship games themselves.

Major headlines:

  • There are 13 public schools and three private schools.
  • Three teams are making their first ever state title appearance.
  • Five teams are making their second straight trip to Ford Field.
  • Of those five teams four are looking to repeat as champions.
  • Seven teams are seeking their first state title.

Within these headlines feature great games and matchup. The main one of these being the rematch from week two of the regular season when the Muskegon Big Red defeated the Detroit Martin Luther King Crusaders by a score of 24 to 21. These two teams meet for the second time this season in the division three final.

Matchups:

Division One (Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.)

Chippewa Valley Big Reds (13-0) vs. Clarkston Wolves (11-2)

State Finals History

Chippewa Valley: 1-0

Win- 2001 26 to 13 against Jenison

Clarkston: 3-0

Win- 2017 3 to 2 against West Bloomfield

Win- 2014 33 to 25 against Saline

Win- 2013 32 to 14 against Detroit Catholic Central

Facts of the game

  • First meeting all-time between schools.
  • Clarkston looks to repeat as champions.
  • Chippewa Valley seeking second title in school history.

Division Two (Friday, Nov. 23, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.)

Muskegon Mona Shores Sailors (12-1) vs. De La Salle Pilots (11-2)

State Finals History

Muskegon Mona Shores: 0-1

Loss- 2014 8 to 44 against De La Salle

De La Salle: 2-2

Win- 2017 41 to 6 against Livonia Franklin

Win- 2014 44 to 8 against Muskegon Mona Shores

Loss- 2008 14 to 34 against Muskegon

Loss- 2006 30 to 32 against Muskegon

Facts of the game

  • Rematch of the 2014 division two title game.
  • Both schools lost to division three finalist Muskegon during the regular season.
  • Second all-time meeting between the schools.

Division Three (Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.)

Muskegon Big Reds (13-0) vs. Detroit Martin Luther King Crusaders (11-2)

State Finals History

Muskegon: 6-4

Win- 2017 28 to 10 against Farming Hills Harrison

Loss- 2016 28 to 29 against Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Loss- 2014 0 to 7 against Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Loss- 2013 21 to 38 against Birmingham Brother Rice

Loss- 2012 28 to 35 against Birmingham Brother Rice

Win- 2008 34 to 14 against De La Salle

Win- 2006 32 to 30 against De La Salle

Win- 1989 16 to 13 against Detroit Martin Luther King

Win- 1986 10 to 0 against Sterling Heights Stevenson

Detroit Martin Luther King: 3-2

Win- 2016 18 to 0 against Walled Lake Western

Win- 2015 40 to 38 against Lowell

Win- 2007 47 to 21 against Midland

Loss- 1990 0 to 21 against Detroit Catholic Central

Loss 1989 13 to 16 against Muskegon

Facts of the game

  • Sixth all-time meeting between schools. Muskegon leads series 5 to 0.
  • Rematch of thrilling week two game when Muskegon defeated MLK 24 to 21.
  • Muskegon is looking for back-to-back titles and their seventh overall.

Division Four (Friday, Nov. 23, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.)

Edwardsburg Eddies (13-0) vs. Chelsea Bulldogs (10-3)

State Finals History:

Edwardsburg: 0-1

Loss- 2017 31 to 42 against Grand Rapids Catholic Central

Chelsea: 0-1

Loss- 2015 12 to 29 against Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Facts of the game

  • Second all-time appearance for either school.
  • One school will win their first ever title.
  • Edwardsburg is the only school making their second consecutive trip to Ford Field that did not win the title in 2017.

Division Five (Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 at 4:30 p.m.)

Portland Red Raiders (13-0) vs. Hudsonville Unity Christian Crusaders (11-2)

State Finals History

Portland Red Raiders: 1-0

Win- 2012 12 to 9 against Grand Rapids West Catholic

Hudsonville Unity Christian: 0-0

First appearance

Facts of the Game

  • First ever meeting between the schools.
  • Portland seeking second title in school history.
  • Hudsonville Unity Christian seeking first title in first ever finals appearance.

Division Six (Friday, November 23, 2018 at 4:30 p.m.)

Jackson Lumen Christi Titans (12-0) vs. Montague Wildcats (11-2)

State Finals History

Jackson Lumen Christi: 10-2

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

Montague: 2-1

Win- 2009 24 to 21 against Monroe St. Mary Catholic

Win- 2008 41 to 20 against Leslie

Loss- 1992 7 to 12 against Detroit DePorres

Facts of the Game

  • Jackson Lumen Christi has won 22 consecutive games which is the second longest in the state (Muskegon, 27).
  • Jackson Lumen Christi is the only school this season looking for a third consecutive title.
  • Montague is seeking their third title.

Division Seven (Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.)

Madison Heights Madison Eagles (13-0) vs. New Lothrop Hornets (12-1)

State Finals History

Madison Heights Madison: 0-1

Loss- 2006 6 to 41 against Menominee

New Lothrop: 1-0

Win- 2006 34 to 13 against Crystal Falls Forest Park

Facts of the Game:

  • Both schools are making their first appearance since 2006.
  • Madison Heights Madison is seeking their first title.
  • New Lothrop is seeking their second title.

Division Eight (Friday, Nov. 23, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.)

Reading Rangers (13-0) vs. Breckenridge Huskies (13-0)

State Finals History

Reading: 0-0

First appearance

Breckenridge: 0-0

First appearance

Facts of the Game

  • Both schools are making their first appearance in school history.
  • This is only the fifth time in school history that Breckenridge has qualified for the MHSAA playoffs.
  • First every meeting between the two schools.