While the Cassopolis Rangers are making their first appearance the state semifinals, their opponent, Detroit Loyola, has a habit of reaching the final four.

The Bulldogs are in the semifinals for the fifth straight year. Loyola played in three consecutive Division 7 state championship games, winning the 2014 title with a 29-8 victory over Ishpeming.

The Bulldogs (10-2) were defeated by Pewamo-Westphalia in the semifinals in 2015. The Pirates eliminated Cassopolis 40-3 in last year’s Division 7 regional championship game.

This will be the first meeting between the Rangers and the Bulldogs. Detroit Loyola has only existed since 1995. It has made 12 playoff appearances since its inception.

The Bulldogs have yet to be tested in the postseason.

Detroit Loyola has defeated Madison Heights Madison 45-12, Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett 46-7 and Hudson 36-13.

In their victory over Hudson last week, the Bulldogs had three backs go for more than 100 yards.

Anthony Robinson rushed for 168 yards on 17 carries, Malcolm Mayes rushed for 152 yards on 14 carries and Price Watkins rushed for 105 yards on 10 carries.

Defensively, Loyola did not allow a 100-yard rusher.

“We’ve still got to get better at stopping the run,” said Cassopolis coach Dan Purlee.

The Rangers have been rolling in the post season as well, beating Bridgman, Gobles and Concord by a combined 141-49.

In the regional championship game against the Yellowjackets, Brandon Anderson and Tyrse Hunt-Thompson gave the Rangers a one-two punch in the backfield.

Anderson rushed for 172 yards and scored three touchdowns, while Hunt-Thompson scored four times, including a 75-yard fumble return where he stripped the Concord wide receiver following a catch, racing untouched into the end zone.

Purlee and his staff have not shied away from talking about he historic run the Rangers are making.

“Last year was a step for us,” he said. “We had never won a district championship so we made some history last year. This year we repeated and we talked to them about taking that next step and getting a regional championship.”

The winner advances to Ford Field to play the 10 a.m. game Saturday, Nov. 26.

The game will be broadcast on WGTO (96.3). The game is being underwritten by Community Mills and Midwest Energy.

It can also be heard live at Southwest Michigan Sports at swmsports.ezstream.com.

 

No. 1 vs. No. 2

The top two teams in Division 3 will square off in the semifinals at East Kentwood High School near Grand Rapids Saturday.

Edwardsburg, ranked No. 2, will face top-ranked Muskegon at 1 p.m. with the winner advancing to the Division 3 title game at Ford Field Nov. 26. That game is slated to cap off the two-day championship weekend with a 7:30 p.m. start.

The Eddies (12-0) are in the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season. Muskegon (11-1) for the 17th consecutive season.

The Big Reds appeared in three straight Division 2 championship games, losing all three from 2012 to 2014.

Muskegon won the 2008 state title.

The Big Red defeated Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern 63-14, East Grand Rapids 28-10 and Byron Center 62-7 to reach the semifinal.

Muskegon quarterback Kalil Pimpleton stole the show Friday night for Muskegon as he rushed for 159 yards and scored three touchdowns.

The Big Red led 42-0 before Bryon Center found the end zone.

Muskegon, which finished with 473 yards in total offense, also got a pair of touchdowns from La’darius Jefferson.

The Big Red allowed just 182 yards of total offense against Bryon Center.

Edwardsburg went back to grinding out the yards against defending state runner-up Chelsea last Friday.

After getting a big night from quarterback Cameron Ekanayake throwing the ball in the district championship game, the Eddies rushed for 461 yards led by Nick Bradley, who ran for 201 yards and scored four touchdowns and 107 yards and a pair of touchdowns from Kyle Shrider.

The Edwardsburg defense, which has been stout all year, gave up 372 yards to Chelsea, divided equally between rushing and passing.

The game can be heard live on Southwest Michigan Sports at swmsports.ezstream.com.