The Deckerville (MI) varsity football team will host Mendon (MI) in a home playoff game today at 1 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 Michigan High School Football Playoff Brackets for MHSAA – 8-Man 1 tournament.
What: Michigan High School Football
Who: Deckerville (MI) vs Mendon (MI)
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Michigan High School Football Playoff Brackets for MHSAA – 8-Man 1
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network
Comparing Two Michigan High School Football Powerhouses: Mendon vs. Deckerville
As the 2024-2025 Michigan high school football season winds down, two teams have emerged as dominant forces in their respective leagues: Mendon and Deckerville. With impressive records, standout individual performances, and exceptional team dynamics, both schools are making waves in Michigan’s Class rankings. Let’s break down how these teams compare in key areas, such as overall performance, offensive and defensive stats, and individual achievements.
Team Overview
Mendon (24-25 Season)
- National Rank: 168
- MI Rank: 2
- Class Rank: 2
- Record: 10-1
- League Record: 4-1
- Home Record: 5-0
- Away Record: 4-1
- Neutral Record: 1-0
- Win %: 91.0%
- League %: 80.0%
- Points For (PF): 673
- Points Against (PA): 244
Deckerville (24-25 Season)
- National Rank: 188
- MI Rank: 3
- Class Rank: 3
- Record: 11-0
- League Record: 7-0
- Home Record: 7-0
- Away Record: 4-0
- Win %: 100.0%
- League %: 100.0%
- Points For (PF): 540
- Points Against (PA): 164
While both teams have had extraordinary seasons, Deckerville holds a perfect record at 11-0, while Mendon’s lone loss came in a league match. Both schools have demonstrated offensive and defensive mastery, but Deckerville has been especially dominant, boasting an unbeaten record.
Offensive Breakdown
When comparing offensive production, Mendon shows a higher overall points average per game, scoring an average of 61.2 points per game, while Deckerville averages 49.1 points per game. However, Deckerville’s defense has been equally impressive, allowing only 164 points throughout the season, compared to Mendon’s 244.
Mendon:
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 421.2
- Passing Yards Per Game: 47.9
- Receiving Yards Per Game: 47.9
- Total Yards Per Game: 469.1
- Points Per Game: 61.2
Mendon’s offense is powered by a heavy rushing attack, averaging 421.2 yards per game. The team is led by Owen Gorham, who leads the team in rushing with 192.2 yards per game. The Gorham duo (Owen and his brother Ryder) have been key contributors, with Ryder adding 47.0 passing yards per game.
Deckerville:
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 306.5
- Passing Yards Per Game: 77.1
- Receiving Yards Per Game: 75.3
- Total Yards Per Game: 383.5
- Points Per Game: 42.9
Deckerville’s offense is also powered by an effective rushing game, although it is slightly less potent than Mendon’s, averaging 306.5 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Hunter Garza has been a dual threat, both rushing and passing, contributing 135.3 rushing yards per game and 73.1 passing yards per game. Additionally, Logan Martin has been a standout receiver, averaging 45.4 receiving yards per game.
Defensive Comparison
Both teams are strong on defense, but Mendon and Deckerville have different strengths. Deckerville’s defense has been incredibly stingy, allowing only 164 points, compared to Mendon’s 244. Deckerville has also recorded more sacks, with 2.3 sacks per game compared to Mendon’s 1.4.
Mendon:
- Tackles Per Game: 49.1
- Sacks Per Game: 1.4
The defensive line is led by Owen Gorham, who contributes with 0.5 sacks per game and is also a key tackler. Mendon’s defense overall is solid but has given up more points compared to Deckerville.
Deckerville:
- Tackles Per Game: 52.1
- Sacks Per Game: 2.3
Deckerville’s defense is perhaps its most impressive feature. Players like Brandon Salowitz, who averages 8.8 tackles per game, and Preston Holman, with 1.1 sacks per game, lead a defense that has been impenetrable at times this season.
Key Players to Watch
Mendon:
- Owen Gorham – The team’s offensive leader, rushing for an average of 192.2 yards per game, with 196.2 total yards per game and 26.9 points per game.
- Nick Stiver – A key defensive presence, averaging 7.9 tackles per game.
- Ryder Gorham – Contributes as a passer with 47.0 passing yards per game and helps spread out the offense.
Deckerville:
- Hunter Garza – Leading the charge both as a rusher (135.3 yards per game) and a passer (73.1 yards per game), Garza is the heart of Deckerville’s offense.
- Brandon Salowitz – A tackling machine, Salowitz averages 8.8 tackles per game and is a key defensive force.
- Logan Martin – A reliable receiving threat, with 45.4 receiving yards per game, he has been crucial for Deckerville’s passing game.
Head-to-Head Comparison and Record Breakdown
Mendon and Deckerville have faced off only once during the season and remain undefeated in their respective non-league and playoff matchups. Mendon holds a 10-1 record with 4-1 in league play, while Deckerville is still perfect at 11-0, dominating both in league (7-0) and non-league (4-0) play.
Conclusion
Both Mendon and Deckerville have displayed remarkable success during the 2024-2025 football season, each with a unique offensive and defensive identity. Mendon’s offensive dominance, especially in the rushing game, is complemented by strong individual performances from the Gorham brothers. Deckerville’s unbeaten record, highlighted by solid rushing and passing contributions from Hunter Garza, is supported by a defense that has been hard to break.
With their undefeated seasons and impressive performances, both teams are set to make a deep run into the playoffs, but the comparison clearly shows that each has strengths that set them apart. Fans can expect thrilling matchups and perhaps a postseason showdown between these two Michigan football powerhouses.
