DETROIT – Ford Field witnessed history and dominance this weekend as two Michigan high school football powerhouses secured state championships. Jackson Lumen Christi captured its first-ever fourth-consecutive state title with a hard-fought 28-14 victory over Kingsley in the Division 6 Final. In the Division 2 Final, Orchard Lake St. Mary's showcased a commanding defensive performance to defeat a record-setting Dexter offense 51-14, earning their second-straight championship.
Key Takeaways
- Jackson Lumen Christi won its fourth-straight MHSAA football title, a first in the program's storied history.
- Orchard Lake St. Mary's secured its second-consecutive Division 2 championship and 10th overall.
- Lumen Christi overcame a 14-14 halftime tie against Kingsley with a decisive fourth-quarter performance.
- St. Mary's defense effectively shut down Dexter's high-powered passing attack, holding them to just 69 yards in the second half.
- Dexter's quarterback Cooper Arnedt set a new MHSAA single-season passing record with 4,523 yards.
Lumen Christi Secures Historic Fourth-Straight Title
Jackson Lumen Christi entered the Division 6 Final with a clear goal: achieve what no other team in their program's history had done before. Their 28-14 victory over Kingsley on Friday night at Ford Field cemented that legacy, marking their fourth consecutive state championship.
The win is the 15th overall for the Titans and the 14th for legendary coach Herb Brogan. Despite the extensive history of success, Brogan emphasized the unique achievement of this particular team.
"(Winning a fourth straight) is important, but what’s most important is the accomplishments of this team, this year. Our slogan was ‘Leave Your Mark,’ and their mark is they were able to do something no other team has been able to do before."
The Titans' journey to this historic win included two titles in Division 7 in 2022 and 2023, followed by back-to-back championships in Division 6.
A Game of Momentum Swings
Lumen Christi started the game with explosive energy, quickly building a 14-0 lead. Touchdown runs by Ayden Gatewood from 25 yards out and a 60-yard sprint by Sean Walicki put the Titans in command early in the first quarter.
However, Kingsley demonstrated resilience. They responded to the early deficit with a methodical 10-play, 62-yard drive, capped by a one-yard touchdown run from Andrew George. The game's most dramatic turn came just before halftime. Kingsley pinned Lumen Christi at their own one-yard line with 21 seconds remaining. On the next play, Kingsley forced and recovered a fumble, which was confirmed by video review. With one play left, quarterback Tucker Dreves connected with Gavin Lewis for a touchdown, sending the teams into the locker room tied at 14-14.
Kingsley's Resilient Defense
After Lumen Christi's initial scoring burst, the Kingsley defense tightened significantly. For two full quarters, they held the powerful Titans offense to just 40 total yards, setting the stage for a tense second half. Kingsley co-coach Jason Morrow praised his team's spirit, stating, "We go into the fourth quarter and it’s 14-14 and we had an opportunity because we have fighters."
Fourth-Quarter Dominance Seals the Win
The game remained deadlocked until the final quarter, where Lumen Christi's experience and physical play took over. The turning point began with a blocked 34-yard field goal attempt by Jake Contat. Seizing the momentum, the Titans' offense mounted an eight-play, 72-yard drive that ended with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Benny Gaston to Johnny Walters.
Walters wasn't done. On Kingsley's subsequent possession, he secured a crucial interception. The offense then put the game out of reach with a 34-yard touchdown run by Walicki with just 2:20 left on the clock. A final fumble recovery by the Titans' defense sealed the historic victory.
Sean Walicki's Two-Way Performance
Sean Walicki was a dominant force on both sides of the ball. He led the Lumen Christi defense with a game-high 17 tackles. On offense, he rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries.
St. Mary's Defense Halts Record-Breaking Dexter Offense
In the Division 2 Final, Orchard Lake St. Mary's faced one of the most prolific passing offenses in state history. Their response was a masterclass in defensive football, leading to a decisive 51-14 victory over Dexter and their second-straight state title.
The Eaglets' defense was confident heading into the matchup, a sentiment echoed by senior Camari Patterson.
"I feel like we’ve got the best defense in the state, and all the points that you put on everybody else really doesn’t matter to us; you gotta show us. Last year we had the best defense in the state, and we’re standing on that."
The defense backed up that confidence, holding Dexter to just 266 total yards, with a mere 69 of those yards coming in a dominant second half.
An Unconventional First Half
The first half was a flurry of action where the scoreboard didn't always reflect the flow of the game. St. Mary's jumped to a 10-0 lead despite their offense gaining only four yards. A long punt return set up a field goal, and a 59-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Daniel Taylor Jr. provided the early cushion.
Dexter, despite trailing, was moving the ball effectively, holding a 144-33 yardage advantage when they scored their first touchdown early in the second quarter. St. Mary's offense found its rhythm later in the quarter, extending the lead to 24-7. However, Dexter's Cole Novara returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 24-14 at halftime.
Dexter's Record-Setting Season
Despite the championship loss, Dexter's offense had a historic season. Quarterback Cooper Arnedt set a new MHSAA record for passing yards in a season with 4,523. His top target, Cole Novara, also set state records for receiving yards (2,162), receiving touchdowns (28), and receptions (128) in a season.
Second-Half Surge Powers Eaglets to Victory
Any hope of a Dexter comeback was quickly extinguished in the third quarter. On the second play from scrimmage, St. Mary's quarterback Jabin Gonzalez connected with Brandon Adams Jr. for a 65-yard touchdown. Gonzalez and receiver Lorenzo Barber connected for another long touchdown on their next possession, a 40-yard score that pushed the lead to 38-14.
The Eaglets continued to pour it on, with two more touchdowns in the second half to complete the rout. Dexter coach Phil Jacobs acknowledged St. Mary's superiority after the game.
"They’re just a better team. They were better athletes, and I can’t complain," Jacobs said. "Our kids played their hearts out, the ball just didn’t bounce our way tonight."
Gonzalez had a remarkable individual performance, accounting for over 400 total yards. He threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for 102 yards.