East Grand Rapids, one of Michigan's most successful and legendary high school football programs, looks to have another bonafide state championship-level team in 2017. The No. 4-ranked Pioneers (6-0) defeated host Grand Rapids Christian (5-1) 28-7 last Friday. East Grand Rapids seems to be playing some of its best football of the season at the moment, outscoring its last three opponents 108-7. For the year, the Pioneers have only allowed 49 points, yielding a stingy eight points per game on average. Offensively, EGR has scored 195 points this season.
Pacing the Pioneers this year is senior QB Mike Malewitz (5-11, 170), a gritty, natural leader and three-sport standout (football, hockey and baseball). A punishing run game spearheads the EGR offense, as senior RB Connor Davis (5-10, 165), who had a game-high 160 yards rushing on 30 carries, with three TDs, including a 93-yard opening kickoff return for a score against Christian, and sophomore John Shelton (5-10, 190) lead the squad. As usual, with any strong football team, it's upfront, in the trenches, where it counts most. Leading the Pioneers along the offensive and defensive lines are senior OT Matt Eerdmans (6-4, 260), senior TE-DE Max Lundeen (6-4, 225) and junior OT Stuart Kettler (6-5, 265). Kettler is currently being recruited by multiple D-I schools, including Michigan State.
East Grand Rapids has appeared in 12 state championship games in its illustrious history (tied for sixth best all-time in Michigan, with Detroit Catholic Central on top with 17 finals appearances). The Pioneers have won 11 state titles (tied for third best all-time, with Farmington Hills Harrison first with 13 state championships), while its five straight state titles from 2006 through 2010 is only matched in state finals history by Harrison's five consecutive state crowns from 1997 through 2001. Since 2000, East Grand Rapids has won seven state championships.
A couple famous Pioneer alums include current Detroit Red Wing Luke Glendening and Hollywood screenwriter/producer Adam Herz. Herz is most commonly known for writing the movie "American Pie" and its subsequent sequels. In "American Pie," the high school the main characters attend is called East Great Falls, an apparent homage to Herz's alma mater.
Week 6 top games --
Alma (6-0) 21, Freeland (4-2) 7
Howell (1-5) 16, Brighton (3-3) 15 * rivalry game
No. 6 Belleville (6-0) 35, Dearborn Fordson (5-1) 7
Chelsea (5-1) 34, Dexter (0-6) 14 *rivalry game
Negaunee (3-3) 21 Ishpeming (2-4) 14
Maple City Glen Lake (3-2) 48, Frankfort (4-2) 34
Escanaba (5-1) 42, Menominee (4-2) 21
Midland (5-1) 39, No. 5 Davison (5-1) 25
DeWitt (5-1) 38, St. Johns (3-3) 12 *rivalry game
Stevensville-Lakeshore (6-0) 30, Portage Northern (2-4) 27
No. 7 Traverse City West (6-0) 30, Benton Harbor (2-4) 13
Michigan vs. Everybody --
Hancock (5-1) 56, Hurley (WI) (4-3) 20
Houghton (1-5) 32, Eagle River (WI) Northland Pines (1-6) 0
Winning streaks --
Two of the best small-school football programs, not only in Michigan, but in the nation, continue to show how dominant they really are with impressive winning streaks. Ithaca (6-0) is currently riding a 70-game regular season win streak. The Yellowjackets defeated St. Charles (1-5) 56-8 last Friday. Ithaca hasn't lost a regular season contest since 2009. During that same time span, the Yellowjackets have only suffered three losses, all coming in the state playoffs, while winning five state championships. Equally as impressive is Muskegon Catholic Central's 25-game winning streak, including the state playoffs. The Crusaders (5-0) defeated Muskegon Heights (3-3) 32-0 last Friday. Muskegon Catholic Central has won four consecutive state championships (2013 through 2016).
Updated Top 10 state rankings --
1. Muskegon (6-0) - Big Reds defeated Grand Rapids Union 70-0.
2. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (6-0)
3. Utica Eisenhower (6-0)
4. East Grand Rapids (6-0)
5. Belleville (6-0)
6. Traverse City West (6-0)
7. Detroit East English Village (6-0)
8. Zeeland East (6-0)
9. Fenton (6-0)
10. Muskegon Mona Shores (6-0)
Other top teams -- Muskegon Catholic Central (5-0), Ithaca (6-0), Montague (6-0), Traverse City St. Francis (6-0), Edwardsburg (6-0), Alma (6-0), Frankenmuth (6-0), Gladstone (6-0), Wyoming Kelloggsville (6-0), Battle Creek Harper Creek (6-0), Stevensville-Lakeshore (6-0), Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (6-0).
Week 7 top games --
No. 9 Fenton (6-0) at Flushing (5-1)
Top players- Fenton- Josh Czarnota-6-2, 210-QB-Sr.; Flushing- Cal Endicott-6-5, 195-QB-Sr., Bradley Novess-6-5, 310-DT-Sr., William Racely-6-4, 295-OT-Jr.
DeWitt (5-1) at Haslett (5-1)
Lowell (4-2) at Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (6-0)
Top players- Lowell- Addison Buckius-6-3, 200-WR-Sr., David Kruse-6-2, 200-QB-Sr., Mitchell O'Gorman-6-5, 245-OT-DE-Sr.; GRFHC- Bryce Clay-5-10, 190-WR-DB-Sr., Tate Hallock-6-3, 185-WR-DB-Jr., Elijah Gruley-6-3, 240-DT-Sr., Christian Balanda-6-6, 265-OT-Sr.
Clarkston (5-1) at Rochester Adams (5-1)
Montague (6-0) at Muskegon Oakridge (5-1)
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