The final day of mid-Michigan's football season was not its best. But area teams likely ran into at least two eventual state champions in Saturday's semifinals.
The final three:
1. Detroit Catholic Central 31, Holt 0 (Division 1) -- DCC might be the best team in the state (East Grand Rapids also in the running). It's hard to argue DCC isn't the top defensive group while giving up roughly four points a game after this one.
2. Orchard Lake St. Mary 44, DeWitt 27 (Division 3) -- By the time the Panthers' offense hit its stride, this one was probably a little bit past gone. The Eaglets were simply too formidable up front.
3. Montague 47, Ithaca 16 (Division 6) -- Ithaca ran into one of the state's top programs and a favorite to win a second-straight Division 6 title.
Game ball: DeWitt's seniors. A group that basically started for two seasons found themselves down 30-0 before halftime, but fought to near-striking distance when most would've folded.
WOW factor: DCC's defense must be incredible. Holt was scoring about 28 points per game this season, but couldn't muster much.
Upset central: St. Mary's win over No. 2 DeWitt would be one on paper. But all things considered (OLSM's league, two big-time Division I prospects, the team's it's played close), this one looked good to go either way heading into the day.
Some final thoughts from my game, DeWitt vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary:
--I've been asked a lot lately if this is the best DeWitt team we've seen. Jake Baldino allows me to say yes. My thought early was that the Panthers needed a dominant hitter in the middle to be complete, and he finished his high school career with 15 tackles Saturday. He's that guy.
--DeWitt has had some strong groups of receivers over the years. Kirk Williams is the best individual, I think, but this group of Jordan Johnson, Joel Stiffler, Kiefer Carson, Caleb Higbie and others was another great one. And Johnson has one more year to out-do Williams.
--Speaking of Williamses, quarterback Jimmy Williams ended with a gutsy performance. He didn't have a lot of time at times, but he made some big plays against a lot of pressure and the best pass coverage I've seen this season.
--Paul Jorgensen has gotten his accolades as an offensive tackle, but he's in the running for LSJ Defensive Player of the Year. Add St. Mary to the teams that couldn't run to his side. He was Blake Treadwell-esque as a defensive end this season.
--These are always some of the saddest days of the year for area athletes, and it's tough to not be drawn into their disappointment. Many of us have been there -- I can't believe it's been 15 years since my last high school game with that memory still so vivid. These three teams made it two rounds deeper than any of mine ever did, though, and they have plenty to be proud of as they move on.
High school sports editor 
