Football: Chemics capture revenge and District Championship in 24-14 win

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In an emotionally charged district championship between two league rivals, Saginaw Valley Champion Bay City Western struck first.

But Midland struck when it mattered.

The Chemics dominated the second half; scoring 14 unanswered points to pick up a 24-14 win over the Warriors capturing their second-straight district championship.

“We have some good players on our team, but we have a lot of kids who had to step up their roles and really contribute,” said Midland coach Eric Methner. “It’s been a long process, but I think some of these kids are stepping up and responding.”

The one Chemic who stood out the most was senior flanker Michael Albrecht. Albrecht took over as the feature back for Charlie Leffingwell, who was sidelined with an injury, and scored all three Midland touchdowns.

“I love this offense,” Albrecht said. “I can get the ball and get in open spaces. Our line is good. They give me holes and I just find them. It’s really not much me.”

It may not have been much Albrecht early, but there was plenty of the Warriors’ Matt Grew.

On the second play from scrimmage, Grew took the handoff and raced around the corner. He raced around the Chemics defense, and he raced along the sideline 82 yards for a score to give Western a 7-0 lead following Caleb Boileau’s PAT.

Midland responded on its next possession when Albrecht plunged in from a yard out to knot it up at seven following Connor Gagnon’s extra point.

On the Warriors ensuing possession, Grew dropped back to pass and fired a rocket right into the waiting arms of the Chemics’ Drew Moulton giving Midland possession on the Warrior 27 yard line.

Penalties forced Midland back, but not far enough for Western as Gagnon drilled a canon blast through the uprights for a 41-yard field goal to give the Chemics a 10-7 lead.

But with 1:21 remaining in the first, Grew redeemed himself of the turnover when he broke several Midland tackles and sprinted 43 yards to pay-dirt to make it 14-10.

“We made some mistakes… and you can’t do that with that type of player,” Methner said. “He’s too good of a player.”

In the second quarter, the Chemics moved down the field and into scoring position, but a couple missed field goals kept them off the scoreboard and saw Western take the lead into the intermission.

But it wouldn’t last for long as a seemingly different Midland team answered the bell to the second half.

Evan Kriz recovered a Grew fumble just three minutes into the half, and on the first play from scrimmage Albrecht raced in from ten yards out to make it 17-14 Chemics.

The Chemics defense then proceeded to shut down Western’s offense and Andrew Maxwell moved Midland down the field behind long pass plays to Moulton and Gagnon. And with 1:30 remaining in the quarter, Albrecht ran over a couple Western defenders for a two-yard score. Gagnon’s extra point completed the scoring.

The Warriors fought furiously in the fourth to narrow the gap, but to no avail.

Overall, Methner was pleased with the way his team responded after having their backs against the wall early.

“These guys are battling,” he said. “I’m proud of how they battled tonight because that’s a very good Western football team.”

Midland (10-1) moves on to the regional finals where it will play host to the Davison Cardinals. The Cardinals beat Fenton 35-14 to secure a rematch with the Chemics who forced Davison from the playoffs last year in a 7-3 slugfest. Game time is scheduled 7 p.m. Saturday, November 15 at Midland Community Stadium.

“It’s great,” Methner said when asked about hosting the regional final. “We have a terrific following at Midland High. Our fan base is incredible and they’ll come out and support us.”

Photos by Cory Butzin & Jason Wolverton