10 MHSAA State Football Finals All-Stars on Day 2 at Ford Field

What a Michigan high school football season!

Eight teams from across the state were crowned 2024 state champions, including four on Saturday in semi-snowy downtown Detroit.

Fortunately for all competitors and observers, Ford Field is domed, providing a luxurious and welcoming experience on another historic day, from morning to evening.

Saturday’s championship game winners: Millington vs. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central in Division 7, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Frankenmuth in Division 5, Zeeland West vs. Detroit King in Division 3 and Detroit Cass Tech vs. Hudsonville in division nightcap 1.

But who led their team to victory (or played valiantly in defeat)?

Here are the top performers from day two of the MHSAA State Finals:

Division 1

Detroit Cass Tech quarterback Donald Tabron II

Tabron led Cass Tech to its first state championship since 2016 in his first year as starting quarterback. The freshman missed time early in the season due to injury, but his return coincided with the offense discovering an explosive character, which was on display Saturday night. Tabron completed 15 of 20 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns, including going 12 of 15 in the first half for 149 yards.

What his coach, Marvin Rushing, said: “It’s not just his (cool attitude), it’s his preparation. He gets up at 6 a.m. three days a week with his quarterback coach Steve Wilson doing Zoom calls, watching film, whether it’s training or anything else, gets coached up.”

Detroit Cass Tech WR/S Alex Graham

Graham returned to Cass Tech for his senior year after playing last season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., and finished his high school career as a champion. He caused two turnovers in the first half, with an interception and a forced fumble, while totaling 111 yards of offense. He had a 54-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and four catches for 57 yards.

What Graham said: “I actually had to move my position from corner to safety to help the team. I feel like we’re the best defense in the country. I meant state, but maybe also the country.”

Detroit Cass Tech DL Gavin Fernandez

Fernandez had five tackles on the defensive line, including a sack and a tackle for loss, to help set the tone for the Technicians early on. Fernandez made a tackle with Logan Howell early to help force a fumble and recorded a sack on Hudsonville’s first possession.

What Fernandez said: “From a D-line standpoint, we try to make life easier for the defensive backs. We try to force the ball out so our guys can make a play. Or if they hold it and we can make a play.”

Division 3

Zeeland West FB/DB Keaton Hendricks

Hendricks, the senior fullback in the middle of Zeeland West’s three-T formation backfield, set a MHSAA championship game record with six touchdowns to lead the Dux to a 42-22 victory over Detroit King in the Division 3 title game. Hendricks had rushing touchdowns of 49, 30 and 14 yards, while his three receiving touchdowns came from 11 yards or more on rollout passes of game action towards the apartment. He finished with 154 total yards and six touchdowns on 19 touches (16 carries, three catches). The two longest touchdown runs came on quick traps up the middle.

What Hendricks said: “It’s phenomenal. When you see this green grass in front of you, your eyes light up enormously. It means a lot.”

Trey Sloothaak, West Zealand QB/DB

Sloothaak perfectly orchestrated Zeeland’s run-heavy fake plan out of the T-formation, and also extended two passing plays to hit Hendricks for touchdowns after eluding a rusher. Sloothaak finished with 124 rushing yards, the second most on the team, on 12 carries, all of which came from keepers. On defense, Sloothaak started at strong safety and led the team with six tackles. He forced a fumble on King’s final drive to allow the Dux to run out the clock.

What Slowhaak said: “Those planned runs, those feints, those misdirections, that’s a big part of our offense and I think that showed on the field today. … Every drill we do in practice, it’s something that is emphasized and that we care about. We know the impact that (misdirection) can have.

Division 5

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep QB Sam Stowe

Stowe, a junior, completed 15 of 21 passes for 293 yards and four touchdowns in Notre Dame’s 42-7 win over Frankenmuth. He rushed for 169 yards and three touchdowns in the first quarter. After that, Stowe had 91 yards and a touchdown in the second quarter and 33 yards in the third quarter, but he did not throw a single pass in the fourth quarter. He spread his 15 completions to seven different pass catchers. His longest throw was an 87-yard touchdown pass to start his four-point performance.

What Stowe said: “I couldn’t ask for a better offense. … I got to sit behind Jacob Tuttle, one of the greats at Notre Dame. He taught me everything I know. Big shout out to him .”

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep RB/DB Billy Collins

Collins, a senior, flashed breakaway speed in Notre Dame’s championship victory, highlighted by an 87-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. On that play, Collins caught a screen pass, made two defenders miss tackles and ran away from everyone else. He finished with four receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns, plus seven carries for 21 yards. His other score was a 25-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

What Collins said: “Honestly, I still have confidence in our offense. We definitely have the ability to make huge plays. We have extremely fast guys and a fantastic quarterback in Sam who can move the ball down the field. We just do confidence in our attack.”

Section 7

Millington RB/LBDallas Walsh

Walsh, a senior, led Millington to its first state championship with his team-high eight tackles and game-high 121 rushing yards on 20 carries plus a touchdown in Win 24 -0 vs. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central. Walsh was limited to 21 yards in the first quarter, but he rushed for 100 yards in the final three quarters, including 31 yards on six carries in the third quarter and 40 yards on five carries in the fourth quarter. He provided stability on both sides of the ball.

What Walsh said: “I was like, ‘Eventually we’re going to wear them out.’ Even though they have guys that don’t play both ways like us, I thought we were still going to wear them down. That’s the physicality we’re preaching here. We finally broke that ice, and it was about time. to leave.”

Millington TE/DL Brevin Hendricks

Hendricks, a senior, deserves credit for his work on defense, but don’t forget the milestone catch he made in the corner of the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown, the final score of the victory 24-0 from Millington. He had two defenders on him, but he jumped higher than both, secured the ball while falling, and held on despite landing on his back. As for the defense, Hendricks recorded six tackles and two sacks. His two sacks were responsible for a loss of 24 yards.

What Hendricks said: “It starts from the start of games. We’re looking to delay and give them the ball. We want to send a message: You’re not going to move the ball to us. Defense wins championships. As soon as an offense thinks that ‘She can’t move the ball, I feel like it’s demoralizing them.’

Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Follow Jared on X @jared_ramsey22 and email him at [email protected]. Contact Evan Petzold at [email protected] or follow him @EvanPetzold.

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