MIDLAND, MI - This Friday, November 3rd, is Football District Finals week across the MHSAA. The H.H. Dow Chargers and Heritage Hawks will matchup at Larsen Field at 7 p.m. The Division Two District One Final.
With a win, the Hawks would win their first district title since 2001, while Dow looks to reach the regional round for the first time since 2015.
Heritage dismantled Traverse City Central 62-7 in the semifinal round. Dow held off the Midland Chemics 14-7 for a second consecutive win over their rival.
On October 6th, the Chargers hosted the Hawks at Midland Community Stadium. Heritage shutout Dow victorious 42-0. Hawks senior receiver Braylon Isom had 6 receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
In the regular season, Isom had 61 receptions for 1200 yards and 21 touchdowns. He is the only player in the Saginaw Valley League with over 60 catches, and the next closest receiver in receiving yards had 496 less.
Hawks quarterback Ethan Mason paced the team with 1894 yards, 1647 through the air, and 247 on the ground. Mason accounted for 27 touchdowns on the season.
On the Chargers side, their rushing attack has worked wonders in 2023. Sophomore Garlands Randolph had two touchdowns in last week’s game and seven during the regular season with 494 yards on 79 attempts.
Senior Tyler Streeter finished with 828 all-purpose yards, and 386 rushing yards. Dow had two of the five top receivers in the SVL Blue League. Streeter with 442 yards on 39 receptions, and Senior Drew Ieuter posted 282 yards on 19 catches. Streeter scored nine total touchdowns.
Quarterback Jacob Jensen racked up 1533 yards, 593 rushing. The senior led the Chargers.
Both head coaches are in their fourth and most successful seasons. The current seniors entered the school during their coach's first year at the helm.
Heritage Head Coach Justin Thelen credits his unit’s depth for their success in 2023.
“Depth has been a weapon,” said Thelen. “Our juniors have helped us to not play every senior on both sides.”
Dow Coach Matt Peterson stressed the importance of finishing to his team this week.
“We set ourselves back too many times last week with penalties,” stated Peterson. “We have to finish drives.”
Of note, the Chargers will have starters Jason Casey and Scott Kuper on the defensive line. They did not play against the Hawks on October 6th.
All-time Dow owns a 19-8 record over Heritage. This will be the first-ever postseason game between the two schools.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m., with pregame coverage starting at 6:50 p.m. following The Payoff on Sports Radio 100.9 The Mitt.
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