This week was supposed to be lackluster because of few big-time matchups. But the regular season's mid-point provided plenty of highlights and a few surprises -- with Williamston/Lansing Catholic still on the way Saturday.
Three Pointer
1. Lansing Catholic 36, Williamston 34 (OT) -- The Hornets squandered a comfortable lead, and now Lansing Catholic is set up for a CAAC White title game with Portland this week.
2. St. Johns 32, Mason 30 -- Just when it looked like the CAAC Red would come down to Mason and Sexton, the Redwings blew that idea to pieces.
3. Fowlerville 21, Haslett 7 -- I'll take the blame for a 4-1 team flying under the radar. The Gladiators won't be anymore.
Game ball: Ithaca quarterback Alex Niznak was just about perfect hitting 20 of 23 passes for 369 yards and four touchdowns at the Yellowjackets dominated rival St. Charles 42-6.
Upset alert: St. Johns. Mason was being discussed as potentially the area's top team. But again, St. Johns dissolved that theory while making its own case for being considered among the elite.
WOW factor: DeWitt 62, Charlotte 41 and Hillsdale 60, Leslie 52. We rarely see one score like this in a season in mid-Michigan, much less two in one night. Leslie quarterback Brendon Smith threw 56 times for 401 yards and four TDs and ran for two more scores. DeWitt running back Nathaniel Deak ran 11 times for 220 yards and three scores.
Three more that caught my eye:
1. Saranac 60, Dansville 33 -- The Redskins ran for 565 yards in another points explosion.
2. East Lansing 28, Okemos 14 -- Great way for the Trojans to roll into next week's slugfest with Grand Ledge.
3. Bath 21, Laingsburg 18 -- Every time I think I've figured out the CMAC this season, I haven't. The Bees are one of just four teams in the league with a winning record.
Final five from the game I covered: St. Johns 32, Mason 30
-- It's too bad these teams will be moving into different divisions of the CAAC next season, because their similarities are turning this game into a pretty solid rivalry. Both are tough by reputation and physical by style. And they both love to run.
-- St. Johns coach Dave Mariage had three backs get at least 100 yards and said he's got a fourth on the bench who can run similarly well. But he made the point that's often forgotten: It starts up front. So here's to seniors Taylor Pemberton, Jordan Waeiss, Trevor Kramer and Nicholas Theis, junior Conrado Dominguez and sophomore tight end Kristofer Lindquist for one of the most impressive performances so far this fall.
-- St. Johns senior linebacker Colin Wilson and Mason senior linebacker Lance Craft just missed our preseason all-area team, but they could be on it at the end. Their names were called more than most.
-- Without knowing anything about Owosso, Waverly or Jackson Northwest's kicking games, I have to believe the CAAC Red might be the area's top kicking league. Mason's Jacob Derby is arguably the area's best, and I'm among those who have made that argument. Sexton's Nick Spearman has looked that good too. And Wilson made two field goals with ease after an early extra point miss.
-- Mason junior running back Saylor LaVallii was good last year, but he's another level better now. He's quick through holes and laterally. And even when tacklers get a hold, he doesn't go down easily. He's one of the best I've seen so far. And St. Johns junior fullback Andrew Mulliken is on his way. He reminds me of the old Haslett star fullbacks the way he gets through the middle, and he's got a higher gear once he breaks free.
State Journal rankings after Week 5
(to be adjusted after Williamston/Lansing Catholic and Carson City-Crystal/Portland St. Patrick on Saturday)
Class A-B
1. Grand Ledge (5-0)
2. Sexton (5-0)
3. DeWitt (5-0)
4. Holt (3-2)
5. Lansing Catholic (5-0)
6. East Lansing (4-1)
7. St. Johns (4-1)
8. Mason (4-1)
9. Williamston (4-1)
10. Fowlerville (4-1)
Class C-D
1. Ithaca (5-0)
2. Fowler (5-0)
3. Pewamo-Westphalia (4-1)
4. Leslie (3-2)
5. Saranac (4-1)
6. Ashley (4-1)
7. Bath (3-2)
8. Dansville (2-3)
9. Laingsburg (2-3)
10. Fulton (2-3)
1. Lansing Catholic 36, Williamston 34 (OT) -- The Hornets squandered a comfortable lead, and now Lansing Catholic is set up for a CAAC White title game with Portland this week.
2. St. Johns 32, Mason 30 -- Just when it looked like the CAAC Red would come down to Mason and Sexton, the Redwings blew that idea to pieces.
3. Fowlerville 21, Haslett 7 -- I'll take the blame for a 4-1 team flying under the radar. The Gladiators won't be anymore.
Game ball: Ithaca quarterback Alex Niznak was just about perfect hitting 20 of 23 passes for 369 yards and four touchdowns at the Yellowjackets dominated rival St. Charles 42-6.
Upset alert: St. Johns. Mason was being discussed as potentially the area's top team. But again, St. Johns dissolved that theory while making its own case for being considered among the elite.
WOW factor: DeWitt 62, Charlotte 41 and Hillsdale 60, Leslie 52. We rarely see one score like this in a season in mid-Michigan, much less two in one night. Leslie quarterback Brendon Smith threw 56 times for 401 yards and four TDs and ran for two more scores. DeWitt running back Nathaniel Deak ran 11 times for 220 yards and three scores.
Three more that caught my eye:
1. Saranac 60, Dansville 33 -- The Redskins ran for 565 yards in another points explosion.
2. East Lansing 28, Okemos 14 -- Great way for the Trojans to roll into next week's slugfest with Grand Ledge.
3. Bath 21, Laingsburg 18 -- Every time I think I've figured out the CMAC this season, I haven't. The Bees are one of just four teams in the league with a winning record.
Final five from the game I covered: St. Johns 32, Mason 30
-- It's too bad these teams will be moving into different divisions of the CAAC next season, because their similarities are turning this game into a pretty solid rivalry. Both are tough by reputation and physical by style. And they both love to run.
-- St. Johns coach Dave Mariage had three backs get at least 100 yards and said he's got a fourth on the bench who can run similarly well. But he made the point that's often forgotten: It starts up front. So here's to seniors Taylor Pemberton, Jordan Waeiss, Trevor Kramer and Nicholas Theis, junior Conrado Dominguez and sophomore tight end Kristofer Lindquist for one of the most impressive performances so far this fall.
-- St. Johns senior linebacker Colin Wilson and Mason senior linebacker Lance Craft just missed our preseason all-area team, but they could be on it at the end. Their names were called more than most.
-- Without knowing anything about Owosso, Waverly or Jackson Northwest's kicking games, I have to believe the CAAC Red might be the area's top kicking league. Mason's Jacob Derby is arguably the area's best, and I'm among those who have made that argument. Sexton's Nick Spearman has looked that good too. And Wilson made two field goals with ease after an early extra point miss.
-- Mason junior running back Saylor LaVallii was good last year, but he's another level better now. He's quick through holes and laterally. And even when tacklers get a hold, he doesn't go down easily. He's one of the best I've seen so far. And St. Johns junior fullback Andrew Mulliken is on his way. He reminds me of the old Haslett star fullbacks the way he gets through the middle, and he's got a higher gear once he breaks free.
State Journal rankings after Week 5
(to be adjusted after Williamston/Lansing Catholic and Carson City-Crystal/Portland St. Patrick on Saturday)
Class A-B
1. Grand Ledge (5-0)
2. Sexton (5-0)
3. DeWitt (5-0)
4. Holt (3-2)
5. Lansing Catholic (5-0)
6. East Lansing (4-1)
7. St. Johns (4-1)
8. Mason (4-1)
9. Williamston (4-1)
10. Fowlerville (4-1)
Class C-D
1. Ithaca (5-0)
2. Fowler (5-0)
3. Pewamo-Westphalia (4-1)
4. Leslie (3-2)
5. Saranac (4-1)
6. Ashley (4-1)
7. Bath (3-2)
8. Dansville (2-3)
9. Laingsburg (2-3)
10. Fulton (2-3)
High school sports editor 
