SAGINAW TWP. -- In a night of stunning results, the biggest one may mave been in Saginaw Township.
Just 5-4 headed into the postseason, the Beecher Bucs defeated the defending Division Seven state champion Nouvel Catholic Central Panthers 19-15.
Beecher took an early 13-0 lead in the second quarter but Nouvel returned the favor with 15 unanswered points. The Bucs’ Marcus Wright then threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Eric Cooper for the decisive score.
The Bucs will play either Detroit Loyola or Britton-Deerfield in the state semifinal on Saturday, November 17.
In Division Five, defending state champion Powers Catholic’s season ends after the Chargers gave up 31 second-half points, losing to the Portland Red Raiders 45-28.
Powers took a 28-14 lead into halftime but collapsed after intermission, giving up 21 of those points in the third quarter.
The Chargers’ season ends with an 11-1 record.
In Ithaca, the Yellowjackets won their 40th straight game, defeating Montrose for a third straight season in the Division Six playoffs 31-0.
With their fourth straight regional championship, Ithaca can win their third consecutive state title with two more wins.
Beal City and Swan Valley were also winners in the Division Four and Eight Regional Championships, respectively.
