Williamston Advances to State Finals While DeWitt Falls in Semifinals

Williamston Advances as DeWitt’s Season Ends in Semifinal Heartbreak

The path to a state championship is rarely linear, and for two Mid-Michigan boys soccer teams, Wednesday night showed how thin the margin is between moving on and heading home. As reported by WILX, Williamston secured a hard-fought path to the title game, while DeWitt’s postseason run concluded in the final moments of their Division 4 semifinal match.

In Division 3, Williamston faced Grosse Ile at Parker Middle School in Howell. The match proved to be a defensive stalemate, with neither side able to break the deadlock through regulation and the subsequent extra time. The pressure of a scoreless tie shifted to the penalty spot, where senior goalie Beckam Harbert emerged as the decisive factor for the Hornets. Harbert’s two crucial saves during the shootout, combined with a game-winning goal from freshman Ari Najor, propelled Williamston to a 4-2 penalty kick victory.

The win sets the stage for a championship showdown. Williamston is scheduled to face Elk Rapids this Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Grand Ledge High School, a match that represents the culmination of a grueling tournament bracket.

Highlights: Williamston boys soccer ADVANCES to state finals, DeWitt falls in semis

Late-Game Defeat for the Panthers in Waterford

While Williamston celebrated a shootout win, the scene at Kettering High School in Waterford told a different story for DeWitt. Playing in the Division 4 semifinals, the Panthers pushed Warren De La Salle Collegiate to the limit in a high-stakes contest that remained competitive until the final whistle.

DeWitt’s offensive effort was anchored by Mason Raborn, who netted the team’s first goal, and Jake Wever, who found the back of the net to tie the game at 2-2 with only four minutes remaining in regulation. Despite the late-game momentum, the Panthers were unable to hold off De La Salle, which secured the winning goal with under a minute left to play, ending DeWitt’s season in a 3-2 loss.

Photo: mhsaa.com

Regional Soccer Competitors

As teams like Williamston prepare for Saturday’s final, the focus shifts to the physical and mental recovery required after a scoreless, double-overtime match.

With Williamston now the sole remaining Mid-Michigan representative in the championship hunt, the outcome of Saturday’s match at Grand Ledge will determine the state title winner for the 2026 season. Whether the Hornets can maintain the intensity that carried them through the semifinals remains the primary question as they prepare to face Elk Rapids.