The Almont Raiders secured their sixth district championship since 2008 by shutting out Marine City 27-0 on Friday night. After a disappointing first-round exit last season, Almont, now undefeated at 11-0, proved their dominance against the 10th-ranked Mariners.
Marine City, which made it to the Division 7 Final Four last year, transitioned to Division 6 this season. In contrast, Almont previously faced a first-round defeat against Ovid-Elsie last year and has a rich history of success, finishing as runner-up in the state in both 2019 and 2023.
The Raiders” journey has included several postseason appearances, with 16 consecutive years in the playoffs and 19 in the last 20 seasons. Junior Brody Corneau initiated the scoring with a 67-yard touchdown on the third play of the game, setting the tone for the match.
Corneau concluded his night with 126 yards from 10 carries. Senior Jacob Stewart also had an impressive performance, gaining 168 yards on 12 carries, which included a 10-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, senior Matthew Bacholzky contributed 66 yards, scoring twice with a 14-yard run in the second quarter and a 1-yard run later on.
Junior Blake Lane completed two passes for 39 yards, with Bacholzky and sophomore Logan Schapman each catching one pass. On defense, Corneau added an interception, contributing to the Raiders” impressive season, where they have outscored opponents 419-204, averaging 38.1 points per game while allowing 18.6.
Next weekend, Almont will face Detroit Edison in the Division 6 regional finals, seeking their fourth regional championship.
In another matchup, Detroit Edison avenged an earlier loss to Michigan Collegiate with a decisive 48-14 victory, marking their first district championship at Corner Ballpark in Detroit. The Pioneers, who were previously shut out by Michigan Collegiate in Week 2, have now advanced to the regional finals for the first time this season.
Michigan Collegiate began the season strong with a 3-0 record, but injuries hindered their performance, leaving them with a final record of 6-5 after losing five of their last eight games.
Additionally, Frankenmuth ended Richmond”s season with a 38-6 defeat in the Division 5 district finals. After a season-opening loss, Frankenmuth has been on a roll, earning their 10th consecutive victory. They will next face Pontiac Notre Dame Prep in the regional finals, showcasing another top-10 matchup.
Richmond concludes their season with a respectable 9-2 record, with their only other loss suffered against Almont during the regular season.
