Week 4 of the Michigan Girls High School Flag Football League is in the books!
Sports reporter Brandon Folsom is here to rank each team from the Hometown Life coverage area and explain why.
Reminder: HTL covers teams in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Canton, Commerce Twp., Farmington, Farmington Hills, Garden City, Livonia, Milford, Northville, Novi, Plymouth, Redford, South Lyon, Wayne, Walled Lake, Westland, White Lake and Wixom.
1. Wayne Memorial (4-0; Last week: No. 1; 12-0 win at Belleville)
The Zebras recorded their third shutout of the regular season, finishing undefeated in the Gridiron Heroes League and punching their ticket to Ford Field. Outside of allowing two TDs to rival Westland John Glenn, which is understandable in a heated rivalry game, nobody has solved Wayne’s defense. It’ll be exciting to see how the Zebras fare against some of the top offenses in the state tournament, including, potentially, everyone’s favorite, Brighton.
2. Redford Thurston (4-0; Last week: No. 2; 47-0 win vs. Detroit Cody)
The Eagles did what they were supposed to do against winless Cody, dominating in both phases to wrap up a 4-0 record in the Motor City Muscle League and qualify for the state tournament. They got contributions from everyone, including Amiyah Franklin (two TDs), Malyah Gardner (two TDs), Mi’Chale Owens (interception return for a TD), Kendall Wallace (one TD reception), Azaria Brown (one TD reception) and Jamaya Blanks, who caught a rare three-point conversion.
3. Bloomfield Hills (4-0; Last week: No. 3; 19-6 win vs. Clinton Twp. Chippewa Valley)
While the Black Hawks’ offense will get the praise, rightfully so, no one could cover Julia Finkelstein or catch Milan Thai-Tang. It was their defense that helped them win the Grit Don’t Quit League by allowing only 12 points over four games, including just two TDs, while pitching two shutouts. Their division didn’t have the offensive juggernauts Wayne faced, but their defense still got it done, highlighted this past week by Angelina Gieleghem’s 26-yard interception return for a TD.
4. P-CEP Prowlers (3-1; Last week: No. 6; 19-6 win vs. Ypsilanti Lincoln)
The three-way tie finish in the All Grit League will be something coaches from P-CEP, Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard and Northville talk about for as long as this sport is played. Either the Prowlers or Mustangs were headed to Ford Field. It came down to how many points P-CEP allowed in its regular-season finale against Lincoln. Six or fewer, and they were in. Seven or more, and Northville was in.
The shock came when the Prowlers gave up a 58-yard TD to Makenzie Palmer in the first half and needed to stop the ensuing extra point to keep their season alive. That grit carried into the second half as Lincoln QB Ava Greene worked down the field. P-CEP needed a pass breakup by Charlotte Williams on a Hail Mary on the game’s final play to send the Prowlers to downtown Detroit.
5. Northville (3-1; Last week: No. 4; 20-0 win vs. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard)
The Mustangs pitched a shutout to close the season but still needed P-CEP’s defense to falter to have a chance at the postseason. Coach Chris Manno was clearly upset with how the tiebreaker criteria shook out. The nine points they allowed to Lincoln in garbage time with backups in Week 2 likely cost them a trip to Ford Field. You can’t fault him for getting all his players experience. It’s a shame a team as talented as the Mustangs has to sit at home when they’re one of the best in metro Detroit.
6. Westland John Glenn (2-2; Last week: No. 9; Bye)
The Rockets actually wrapped up their season in Week 3. But after seeing how the rest of metro Detroit fared in the final week of the regular season, it’s safe to say Glenn deserved a higher spot in the final rankings. The Rockets were well-balanced with plenty of playmakers capable of scoring on any play, including my personal favorite, Bayley Wiseley.
7. Redford Union (2-2; Last week No. 5; 12-0 loss to Detroit Renaissance)
The Panthers had another offensive letdown, despite their defense keeping the game close behind three interceptions from DB Amaya Tigney. RU will miss the postseason for the first time in program history.
8. Birmingham Groves (1-4, 1-3); Last week: No. 8; 26-6 loss to Auburn Hills Oakland Christian School)
The Falcons had one of their best offensive nights production-wise, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with the Lancers. Aliyah Wright was dynamite again, rushing for 107 yards and a score. Jalayah Buffin-Pitts caught two passes for 54 yards. And Kel’ko Buskin continued to lead the team under center, finishing 7 of 20 passing for 84 yards while also rushing for 19 yards and adding three pass breakups and two flag pulls on defense.
9. Novi (2-2; Last week: No. 9; 31-13 win over Novi)
The Wildcats saved their best performance for the finale, with several players contributing in an all-around effort. Khaella Sakoguchi continued to lead the way, rushing for 79 yards, catching four passes for 82 yards and a TD and returning an interception 50 yards. Lydia Molnar also stood out with 125 yards and two TDs passing, while Cara Tortelli had 25 receiving yards and a TD, Aubrey Kirby added 55 receiving yards and a TD and Brooklyn Tokarczyk threw for 32 yards and a TD.
10. North Farmington (1-3; Last week: No. 10; 31-13 loss to Novi)
Layla Bohannan starred for the Raiders, scoring both TDs and intercepting a pass. They finished the season on a three-game losing streak, including losses to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and Novi and a forfeit to Brighton.
11. Farmington (0-4; Last week: No. 11; 60-0 loss to Belleville)
The Falcons closed out a rough inaugural season after playing in the Create the Standard League alongside arguably the two best offenses in Michigan: state champion-favorite Brighton and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. Inconsistent participation numbers hurt them at times, but they still looked competitive in their losses to North and Novi.
Brandon Folsom covers high school sports in metro Detroit for Hometown Life. Follow him on his new X.com account at@folsomwrites.
This article originally appeared on Hometownlife.com: Michigan girls flag football rankings after Week 4