Macomb Lutheran North’s Owen VanderVlucht leaps into the endzone above Marysville’s Landon Boisvert (2) Friday during this Division 4 district finals clash on Nov. 6, 2026. (GEORGE SPITERI — For MediaNews Group)

MARYSVILLE – Macomb Lutheran North football coach Brad Morris had some concerns when the skies opened up as the Mustangs were taking the field Friday for their Division 4 district championship game against host Marysville.

“We thought we’d have to throw the ball a little bit and then when we saw the weather, ‘Oh boy,’” Morris said after North defeated the Macomb Area Conference Gold Division co-champion Vikings 48-20. “We were a little bit concerned about that.”

There was no need to be concerned. Junior quarterback Owen VanderVlucht made sure of that.

VanderVlucht completed 10-of-15 passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns. He also carried the ball four times for 50 yards and scored twice.

“I was slightly concerned (about the cold, steady rain) but this is stuff we’ve worked on all yea — dry your hand conditions, wet ball drills,” VanderVlucht said. “All that work really came together today.”

The move to the passing game was a departure from the Mustangs’ 36-22 win against Detroit East English in the district semifinal.

“Last week we ran the ball like crazy,” Morris said. “Joe Avolio had 235 yards (rushing) but he was a little dinged up and we hoped we wouldn’t have to use him today.”

Macomb Lutheran North's Benjamin Berry (71) gives chase to Marysville's Bobby Hill during this Division 4 district finals clash at Marysville on Nov. 6, 2026. (GEORGE SPITERI -- For MediaNews Group)

Frank Ferretti, a two-year starter at linebacker, got his first start at running back and carried the ball 14 times for 116 yards. He also returned an interception 40 yards for the Mustangs’ final touchdown.

“I told my team I was going to secure the ball — no fumbles,” Ferretti said. “I love playing football. I want to be out there as long as I can.”

The bone-chilling rain didn’t faze Ferretti until he and the rest of the North starters came out of the game.

“It was cold once I got pulled out,” Ferretti said with a smile. “When I was out there I didn’t feel it at all.”

Lutheran North scored on its first five possessions of the game and on the sixth — after an interception by Ty Hoef — time ran out at the end of the first half. It wasn’t until midway through the fourth quarter that the Mustangs finally had to punt.

Marysville's Bobby Hill (10) tries to escape the grasp of MAcomb Lutheran North's Malachi Horvath (6) Friday during this Division 4 district finasl on Nov. 6, 2026. (GEORGE SPITERI -- For MediaNews Group

North scored three times in the first quarter. VanderVlucht went in from the three after completing a pair of passes to Charlie Bates and picking up 16 yards on a keeper. On the next possession, VanderVlucht connected with Bates on a 33-yard scoring strike. After a three-and-out, the Mustangs took advantage of a short punt and Bates scored on a 17-yard reverse.

“We set the tone early and the defense was a big part of that,” VanderVlucht said. “We got momentum and we just kept the momentum going.”

Marysville scored early in the fourth quarter on a two-yard run by Bobby Hill. That capped a 14-play, 80-yard drive that consumed nearly 8 1/2 minutes. North answered with a six-yard touchdown run by VanderVlucht but Hill broke away for a 40-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 26-14 with 3:18 left in the first half.

“Those guys never gave up,” Morris said of Marysville. “There were a couple times in the game where I thought if they scored again things could change on us.”

Lutheran North increased its lead to 33-14 at halftime on VanderVlucht’s 24-yard touchdown pass to Luke Roussin and Aiden Vermiglio’s extra point.

Hill scored his third touchdown on a six-yard run seven minutes into the second half. Again, North answered with a 20-yard TD pass from VanderVlucht to Bates, who finished with eight catches for 128 yards.

Macomb Lutheran North's Luke Roussin (11) tries to elude Marysville (4) Friday during this Division 4 district finals on Nov. 6, 2026. (GEORGE SPITERI -- For MediaNews Group

“Our offensive line kept the ball moving,” Morris said.

Opening up the holes for the runners and providing pass protection were Brady Lee, Lucas Simon, Brendan Deane, Ayden Eason, Jonah Nelson and tight end Ty Hoef. Ben Berry was a standout in the defensive line.

Lutheran North (10-1) will host Detroit Country Day next week for the regional championship.

Marysville closed out its season with a 6-5 record.