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Clarkston's Desman Stephans II dives for the end zone during his team's 33-10 Division 1 playoff win over Romeo.

1st & Goal: 2023 Playoff Week 1 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 30, 2023

The first weekend of MHSAA Football Playoffs sees the initial field of 288 teams cut in half, with 144 moving on either to District Finals in 11-player or Regional Finals in the 8-player divisions.

MI Student AidBut it’s a milestone weekend for many as well.

Football is the one MHSAA Tournament team sport requiring contenders to qualify for the postseason. That’s an accomplishment in itself, of course.

But making it then also opens the door for more – and so while we listed plenty of highlights below for championship hopefuls moving on, we also included plenty of context on what those that advanced and some that did not also achieved by making it this far.

11-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Grandville 22, Hudsonville 21 Only two Division 1 playoff games were decided by fewer than 21 points, and Grandville (8-2) came back from two touchdowns down to finish a season sweep of the Eagles (5-5) after previously defeating them 44-37 in Week 5. The win earned the Bulldogs a rematch with Rockford. Click for more from Michigan Sports Radio.

District Digest Macomb Dakota 10, St. Clair Shores Lakeview 7 This was Division 1’s only other close game, and Dakota (8-2) earned the opportunity to play for a third-straight District title while Lakeview closed 7-3. West Bloomfield 42, Rochester Adams 14 The Lakers (8-2) finished a season sweep of their Oakland Activities Association Red rival after Adams (6-4) swept them in 2021 and won last year’s lone meeting. Detroit Cass Tech 35, Westland John Glenn 14 The Technicians (7-3) went on the road and ended John Glenn’s most successful season since 2009 at 7-3.

11-Player Division 2

HEADLINER White Lake Lakeland 28, Milford 21 Lakeland (7-3) edged Lakes Valley Conference rival Milford (6-4) by seven points for the second week in a row, this time with the last-second heroics of Trevor Tschudin creating one of the first round’s most memorable highlights. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

District Digest Birmingham Seaholm 56, Birmingham Groves 49 Seaholm quarterback Colton Kinnie was among the stars as the Maples also held off Groves for the second week in a row after also winning by seven, 21-14, in Week 9. Midland Dow 14, Midland 7 This Week 9 rematch also saw the same winner but by a much closer score as Dow (6-4) had defeated the Chemics (5-5) 29-9 the first time around. Gibraltar Carlson 42, Livonia Churchill 35 Carlson (9-1) withstood a significant challenge from Churchill, which finished 4-6 and doubled its win total from 2022.

Petoskey's Seth Marek (0) catches a pass from quarterback Joseph McCarthy that he takes into the end zone.

11-Player Division 3

HEADLINER Coopersville 14, East Grand Rapids 13 Coopersville (8-2) hasn’t received enough statewide buzz for its success this season, but this one should gain the Broncos some notice. The win gave them eight for the first time since 2007 as they’ve added to their total now for the third straight season, and Coopersville’s only losses this fall were by a point to Spring Lake and three to undefeated Grand Rapids West Catholic, both during the first half of September. This one over the Pioneers (7-3) was clinched with a two-point conversion try stop. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

District Digest Stevensville Lakeshore 20, St. Joseph 15 After falling to St. Joseph (6-4) in Week 7, 35-0, Lakeshore (6-4) bounced way back and also ended a three-game losing streak in advancing. DeWitt 56, Fenton 28 DeWitt (7-2) defeated Flint Metro League Stripes champion Fenton (6-4) and earned a rematch with Week 2 opponent Mason. Auburn Hills Avondale 34, Holly 24 Avondale (9-1) is enjoining its winningest season since 2012 and earned its first playoff victory since that year. The Bronchos (6-4) completed their winningest season since 2011.

11-Player Division 4

HEADLINER Harper Woods 20, Croswell-Lexington 13 Harper Woods (7-3) ended the regular season with the highest playoff-points average in Division 4, but Croswell-Lexington (7-3) entered this game’s fourth quarter with the lead before the Pioneers scored to move ahead for good. The playoff victory was Harper Woods’ first since 2019 as it continues an impressive rebound from finishing 3-6 a year ago. See below for more from the D Zone.

District Digest Hastings 30, Charlotte 28 The Saxons (8-2) held on to defeat the Orioles (6-4) for the third-straight playoffs and sixth consecutive season overall. Big Rapids 27, Spring Lake 20 (OT) Big Rapids moved to 9-1, reaching nine wins for the first time since 2009 by getting past Spring Lake (7-3) in overtime. Chelsea 49, Tecumseh 35 Chelsea moved to 9-1 as its offense responded repeatedly before pulling away just a bit at the end of finish a season sweep of Tecumseh (5-5).

11-Player Division 5

HEADLINER Muskegon Oakridge 13, Belding 7 Oakridge (7-3) ran its winning streak this fall to four with a playoff win over Belding for the second-straight season. The Eagles handed Belding (8-2) its first loss since Week 2 by stopping an offense that averaged 44 points per game entering the weekend and hadn’t scored fewer than 38 since that previous defeat. Click for more from CatchMark SportsNet.

District Digest Detroit Southeastern 38, Detroit Denby 20 Southeastern (7-3) had tied for second in the Detroit Public School League Blue and over the last two weeks handed Ecorse its only regular-season loss and then downed PSL Gold champion Denby (8-2). Birch Run 37, Saginaw Swan Valley 15 Birch Run (6-4) earned its first playoff win since 2010 and guaranteed its winningest season since 2014 in avenging a 14-10 Week 8 loss to the Vikings (5-5). Corunna 45, Flint Hamady 7 Corunna (10-0) won the only first-round matchup of undefeated teams as a defense that’s given up only 5.9 points per game this fall continued to dominate against the Hawks (8-1) – who hadn’t given up a point since Week 6.

11-Player Division 6

HEADLINER Hart 44, Kent City 22 After reaching the playoffs for the first time (not counting COVID-shortened 2020), Hart now has its first playoff win as well as the Pirates (9-1) put up 44 or more points for the fourth straight game. Connor Edwards ran for 204 yards and three touchdowns in helping to end Kent City’s eighth-straight winning season at 7-3. Click for more from CatchMark SportsNet.

District Digest Midland Bullock Creek 22, Clare 19 Bullock Creek (7-3) has followed up two straight sub-.500 seasons with its winningest since 2007, throwing for the game-clinching touchdown during the final minute to get past Clare (7-3). Lansing Catholic 35, Michigan Center 34 Lansing Catholic (4-6) was one of only three three-win teams to reach the playoffs, and the Cougars made it count in upsetting Michigan Center (7-3) to make it seven consecutive seasons with at least one postseason win. Detroit Edison 22, Detroit Old Redford 0 Edison (7-3) secured the winningest season in program history by ending Old Redford’s winningest season all-time at 8-2.

11-Player Division 7

HEADLINER North Muskegon 27, Union City 14 The West Michigan Conference Rivers champion Norsemen (10-0) claimed this matchup of league title winners, ending the season for Big 8 Conference champ Union City (6-4). North Muskegon also reached double-digit victories for the first time since 1986. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.

District Digest Charlevoix 31, Traverse City St. Francis 7 Charlevoix (9-1) avenged its lone loss, 41-40 to St. Francis (4-5) in the season opener, and the nine wins are the program’s most since going undefeated in 1977, according to Michigan-Football.com. Bath 16, Laingsburg 14 Bath (7-3) guaranteed its winningest season since 2000 by avenging a 17-6 Week 6 loss to the Wolfpack (4-6). Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 10, Detroit Loyola 7 (OT) Drew Harris drilled a game-winning field goal to add to SMCC’s combined 17-6 record in the playoffs over the last seven seasons. Loyola finished 4-6, an improvement of three wins from a year ago.

11-Player Division 8

HEADLINER Ithaca 28, Fowler 27 These two traded scores to the end before Ithaca (10-0) stopped a two-point conversion try during the final minutes to remain undefeated and also reach double-digit wins for the second-straight season. Both offenses scored the most the opposing defenses had given up this fall, as Ithaca still has allowed only 7.3 ppg and Fowler finished having given up just 8.1. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.

District Digest Hudson 40, Addison 0 This was another of the weekend’s stunners as Hudson (8-2) bounced back from two straight losses to hand Addison (9-1) its only defeat. Ishpeming 20, East Jordan 6 After starting this season 1-3, Ishpeming (7-3) long ago guaranteed its first winning season since 2019, and with this victory ended East Jordan’s winningest season since 1999 at 8-2. Allen Park Cabrini 35, Sterling Heights Parkway Christian 27 Cabrini (5-5) was 2-7 just a year ago but has won three straight games this month and in this one avenged a 50-21 Week 2 loss to Parkway (7-3).

A collection of Martin defenders wrap up a Marcellus ball carrier.

8-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Gobles 50, Mendon 14 Gobles’ first 8-player playoff win in its fourth season since switching formats was one to remember, as the Tigers (8-2) avenged last year’s 36-6 regular-season loss to Mendon and also ended the season for the 2022 Division 2 runner-up Hornets (7-3). Gobles earned a rematch with last season’s Division 1 champion, Martin, after defeating the Clippers 53-16 in Week 4. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Regional Roundup Indian River Inland Lakes 22, Alcona 6 This matchup of league champions went to the Ski Valley Conference’s Inland Lakes (9-1), which held the North Star League Big Dipper’s Alcona (8-2) to well below its average of 51.4 ppg heading into the weekend. Martin 44, Marcellus 18 The Clippers (8-2) are undefeated since that Gobles loss and earned the rematch by winning this rematch with Marcellus after also downing the Wildcats (7-3) in Week 8. Marcellus capped its winningest season since 1998. Kingston 46, Merrill 6 Kingston (8-2) ended the season for the 2022 Division 1 runner-up Vandals (8-2), coming back off a Week 9 loss to earn its first playoff victory since 2019.

8-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Powers North Central 54, Posen 20 The three-time reigning Division 2 champion isn’t done yet. Despite suffering its first defeats this fall since 2019, North Central (8-2) is off to another big playoff start after hitting the road and dealing Posen (8-1) its only loss to reach the Regional Finals for the fifth-straight season. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.

Regional Roundup Marion 64, Bay City All Saints 14 Another matchup of league champions saw West Michigan D League title winner Marion (9-0) remain undefeated by downing the North Central Thumb League Stripes’ All Saints (7-3). Lake Linden-Hubbell 27, Crystal Falls Forest Park 6 In a repeat of 2022, Lake Linden-Hubbell (7-3) won the playoff rematch with Forest Park (7-3) after falling during the regular season, this time avenging a 36-28 defeat. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 34, Au Gres-Sims 0 Au Gres-Sims (7-3) averaged 50 points per game this season, but Sacred Heart’s defense lowered its average allowed to 16.4 with its second shutout of the fall as the Irish moved to 9-1.

Second Half’s weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and X (Twitter) @mistudentaid.

PHOTOS (Top) Clarkston's Desman Stephans II dives for the end zone during his team's 33-10 Division 1 playoff win over Romeo. (Middle) Petoskey's Seth Marek (0) catches a pass from quarterback Joseph McCarthy that he takes into the end zone. (Below) A collection of Martin defenders wrap up a Marcellus ball carrier. (Top photo by Chris Mudd/National Photo Scout. Middle photo by Cara Kamps. Below photo by Gary Shook.) 

Ithaca defenders converge on a Shepherd ball carried during the Yellowjackets' 43-0 win to finish 9-0.

1st & Goal: 2024 Week 9 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 28, 2024

Wow. The 2024 football regular season did not go quietly. 

MI Student AidBetween multiple matchups of undefeated teams, several league championships being decided, and final maneuvering to get into the field of the 50th MHSAA Football Playoffs, there was a lot to follow – with the final moves still being made late Saturday afternoon.

Below we glance at several of the highlights, and Friday we'll move into playoff mode as we preview the first round of this season's tournament. 

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Midland 17, Midland Dow 6 Midland High (8-1) locked up one of the final league championships still in question, finishing an outright title run in the Saginaw Valley League Blue when a Dow win would have given the Chargers (5-4) a share. The Chemics also avenged two losses to Dow from 2023, from the regular-season finale and first week of the playoffs, and they could meet again this postseason as well if both win first-round games this week. Click for more from the Midland Daily News.

Watch list Almont 49, Detroit Edison 24 Almont (9-0) enters the playoffs as the No. 1 overall seed in Division 6, holding down the top spot for the third-straight week with this win over Edison (6-3), which entered Week 9 No. 6 on the Division 6 playoff list. The Raiders had last finished a regular season 9-0 in 2019.

On the move Davison 48, Lapeer 28 The Cardinals (7-2) cemented second place in the SVL Blue, but more importantly moved ahead of Oxford to earn a home game in their Division 1 matchup this week. Marine City 37, Detroit Central 15 The Mariners finished second in the Macomb Area Conference Silver this season but defeated a co-league champion in Central (6-3) to hold onto the No. 4 spot on the Division 6 playoff list. Frankenmuth 41, Gladwin 14 The Eagles (9-0) wrapped up a fourth perfect regular season over the last half-decade with a second-straight win over Gladwin (6-3).

Great Detroit

HEADLINER Detroit Catholic Central 23, Detroit Martin Luther King 7 DCC’s Jaden Pydyn starred in this Prep Bowl showcase game at Ford Field, running for two touchdowns and scoring a third on an interception return. The Shamrocks moved to 9-0, completing their first perfect regular season since COVID-shortened 2020 and first at 9-0 since 2016, and they sit second on the Division 1 playoff list. King finished 6-3 and moved down only one spot on the Division 3 list to No. 7. Click for more from Hometown Life.

Watch list Romeo 14, Grand Blanc 13 This one was a stunner as Grand Blanc (7-2) had just clinched the SVL Red title the week before and Romeo (4-5) was six spots from falling out of the Division 1 playoff field. Instead, Romeo moved up to No. 19 and earned a rematch with Week 3 opponent Utica Eisenhower.

On the move Macomb Dakota 28, Oxford 0 Dakota (8-1) won a meeting of league champions, adding to its shared title in the MAC Red by shutting out the Oakland Activities Association Red-winning Wildcats (6-3). Clarkston 32, Utica Eisenhower 3 Clarkston (6-3) finished tied for second in the OAA Red and dominated its matchup with the other co-champion from the MAC Red, sending Eisenhower to 7-2. Macomb Lutheran North 17, Clarkston Everest Collegiate 14 (OT) Lutheran North (8-1) completed its most successful regular season since posting the same record in 2006, adding the Catholic High School League Cardinal championship by handing Everest (8-1) its only loss.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Howell 30, Belleville 29 Howell finished 9-0, concluding its first perfect regular season since 1963 (according to Michigan-Football.com) and after going only 3-6 a year ago. The Highlanders retained the No. 1 position on the Division 1 playoff list for the third straight week. So to call this a shocker seems at least a little absurd, but Belleville (8-1) hadn’t lost a regular-season game since Week 3 of 2021 and has played in three straight Division 1 Finals and won the last two. Justin Jones’ touchdown grab from Preston Barb with eight seconds to play clinched the overall Kensington Lakes Activities Association championship and was called by the Howell Football’s X feed “the biggest play in the history of Howell football.” Click for more from the Livingston Daily Press & Argus.

Watch list Leslie 35, Hanover-Horton 14 The Blackhawks (8-1) have gone from not posting a winning season since 2012 to claiming the overall Cascades Conference championship by handing Hanover-Horton (8-1) its only defeat.

On the move Belding 40, Hopkins 0 In a winner-take-all for the Ottawa-Kent Conference Silver title, Belding (8-1) did so for the third straight season, running its league winning streak to 17 games and sending the Vikings to 6-3. Fowler 35, McBain 28 The Eagles (9-0) completed their first perfect regular season since 2014 and are No. 3 on the Division 8 playoff list after handing Division 7 McBain (8-1) its only defeat. Mason 43, Fenton 0 Mason (7-2) won a matchup of league champions and moved up to No. 8 on the Division 3 playoff list as it begins a quest to reach Ford Field for the second-straight season.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Boyne City 23, Traverse City St. Francis 20 Ryan Spate’s 35-yard field goal with five seconds to play turned an outright league championship for St. Francis (6-3) into a three-team share that included the Ramblers (7-2) and Kingsley in the Northern Michigan Football League Legends. The win was Boyne’s first over the Gladiators since 2017. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.

Watch list Maple City Glen Lake 35, Mancelona 0 The Lakers (8-1) completed an outright championship in the NMFL Legacy and sit No. 8 on the Division 8 playoff list with their only loss this season to Division 6 Reed City.

On the move Traverse City West 23, Traverse City Central 7 The Titans (6-3) capped their best regular-season finish in three years with their second-straight win over rival Central (4-5). Petoskey 42, Clare 21 Petoskey won this matchup of league champions to finish 9-0 for the first time since 1974. Clare is 7-2 with its only losses to league title winners. Kingsley 47, Charlevoix 28 The Stags received a piece of the NMFL Legends title thanks to Boyne City’s win, and also moved up to No. 13 on the Division 6 playoff list for downing the Rayders (6-3).

Grand Ledge's Anthony Baker (28) eludes Okemos defenders as Sean Cho (7) pursues during the Comets' 46-10 win.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Dexter 35, Chelsea 6 The Southeastern Conference Red-winning Dreadnaughts (9-0) claimed this matchup of league champions after jumping to a 21-0 first-quarter lead against the SEC White-clinching Bulldogs (7-2). In doing so, Dexter also avenged last season’s 31-21 loss to Chelsea. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.

Watch list Pinckney 12, Ann Arbor Pioneer 7 Including the first four games of this season, Pinckney (5-4) had lost 13 straight before winning their last five games this fall with this one clinching a Division 4 playoff berth. The Pirates jumped six spots to No. 30 on that division’s playoff list.

On the move Jackson Lumen Christi 39, Kalamazoo United 21 Lumen (8-1) impressed in another CHSL Prep Bowl showcase game, handing another league champion in United (7-2) just its second defeat. Saline 8, Lake Orion 7 Saline (6-3) scored and added a two-point conversion during the final minutes of the fourth quarter to get past the Dragons (6-3). Ida 23, Clinton 14 Ida (8-1) secured second place in the Lenawee Country Athletic Association and sent Clinton (6-3) into third, and ended a three-game losing streak against the Redwolves.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Kalamazoo Central 20, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 10 The most consequential meeting of these rivals in some time went to Central (6-3), which not only clinched the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference East title outright but jumped five spots to No. 32 in Division 1 to secure a first playoff appearance since 2018 (not counting COVID-shortened 2020, when nearly all teams qualified). Loy Norrix missed the playoffs, but at 5-4 posted its best finish since 1998. Click for more from WWMT.

Watch list St. Joseph 15, Portage Central 0 Despite losing a Week 7 contest to Mattawan, St. Joseph (8-1) clawed back to shut out Portage Central and share the SMAC East championship with the Mustangs (6-3). The shutout was St. Joseph’s third over the last seven weeks and avenged last year’s loss to Central.

On the move Niles 21, Paw Paw 0 Niles (8-1) finished a second-straight perfect run through the Wolverine Conference, posting its second-straight shutout this month and fifth of the season in this winner-take-all matchup. Paw Paw also is 8-1 and will travel back to Niles this weekend for a Division 4 playoff opener. Stevensville Lakeshore 28, Portage Northern 13 Despite losing its first six games this season, Lakeshore (3-6) won its final three and will return to the playoffs after facing six opponents that finished with winning records including Northern (5-4). Buchanan 17, Union City 7 The Bucks (6-3) jumped from a precarious No. 31 spot on the Division 6 list all the way up to No. 22 with this win over a league champion in Union City (8-1).

An Otsego player pulls in a pass during the Bulldogs' 17-7 win over Three Rivers. 

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Kingsford 27, Marquette 17 Kingsford (9-0) defeated a longtime rival to finish a first perfect regular season since 2002, and by downing the Division 2 Sentinels moved all the way up to No. 4 on the Division 5 playoff list. The Flivvers have won three straight over Marquette, which finished 6-3. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Watch list Iron Mountain 35, Negaunee 21 The Mountaineers (9-0) completed their second-straight perfect regular season with a second-straight win over Negaunee (6-3), and in doing so moved up to No. 8 on the Division 8 playoff list and secured home games through the Regional Final should they continue to advance.

On the move Escanaba 50, Gladstone 7 Escanaba (5-4) won its final two games to finish this season with as many victories as the last three combined. Calumet 51, L’Anse 6 The Copper Kings (6-3) have fallen between Nos. 26-32 on the Division 6 playoff list the last four weeks but secured the No. 30 spot and a place in the bracket with this fourth-straight victory this season. Menominee 41, Bark River-Harris 0 The Maroons bounced back from a two-point loss to Kingsford in Week 8 to close out its best regular season since 2016 and move into the No. 2 spot on the Division 7 playoff list as they too work to get back to Ford Field for the second consecutive November.  

West Michigan

HEADLINER Coopersville 35, Cedar Springs 21 The first-year River Cities Alliance put four of seven teams into the playoffs, making Coopersville’s shared league championship with Lowell even more impressive. The title was the Broncos’ first since 2007 and came as the program also has celebrated its 100th season. Coopersville is 6-3, and Cedar Springs (7-2) would have shared the title instead with a win. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Watch list Hudsonville Unity Christian 43, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 28 Unity Christian (9-0) has owned the No. 1 spot on the Division 4 playoff list the last five weeks and impressed yet again sending Notre Dame Prep (7-1) from No. 1 to No. 2 on the Division 5 list.

On the move Grandville 49, Caledonia 20 Grandville (5-4) plowed into the Division 1 playoffs with two straight wins to cap the regular season and kept Caledonia (4-5) from making a final move up the Division 2 list. Grand Rapids South Christian 26, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 20 The Sailors (5-4) were able to secure a place in the Division 4 field by avenging last year’s loss to the Cougars (5-4) to break a four-game losing streak. Zeeland West 34, Grand Rapids West Catholic 20 The Dux (8-1) will bound into the Division 3 playoffs coming off this win over the O-K White champion Falcons (6-3).

Ishpeming's Ethan Corp works to get past an Auburn Hills Oakland Christian defender Saturday during the Hematites' 58-6 victory.

8-Player

HEADLINER Powers North Central 45, Crystal Falls Forest Park 34 The latest chapter in this rivalry saw the Jets claim the Great Lakes Eight Conference West championship outright via this winner-take-all matchup. North Central has won seven straight over the Trojans, this time scoring the most points Forest Park (8-1) has given up this season and holding the Trojans to their second-fewest. Click for more form the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Watch list Deckerville 50, Alcona 42 Deckerville (9-0) faced one of its few challenges this fall – and prevailed impressively once again to finish a regular season undefeated for the first time since 2019. The Eagles remained on top of the Division 1 playoff list as Alcona (8-1) fell one spot to No. 3 with its first defeat.

On the move Indian River Inland Lakes 50, Gaylord St. Mary 8 Inland Lakes (9-0) has never lost a league game in 8-player and wrapped up its fourth-straight Ski Valley Conference title in this winner-take-all with the Snowbirds (7-2). Climax-Scotts 63, Pittsford 14 Climax-Scotts also impressed again in this matchup of league champions, moving to a combined 18-1 over the last two seasons after losing only its opener this fall. Kingston 26, Marion 22 The Cardinals (7-2) showed more of the power of the Big Thumb Conference Blue. They finished third as Deckerville won the league and Brown City was runner-up this fall, but closed the regular season by handing Marion (8-1) its lone loss.

MHSAA.com's weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Click to connect with MI Student Aid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTOS (Top) Ithaca defenders converge on a Shepherd ball carried during the Yellowjackets' 43-0 win Friday to finish 9-0. (2) Grand Ledge's Anthony Baker (28) finds a crease as Okemos' Sean Cho (7) pursues during the Comets' 46-10 win. (3) An Otsego player pulls in a pass during the Bulldogs' 17-7 win over Three Rivers. (4) Ishpeming's Ethan Corp works to get past an Auburn Hills Oakland Christian defender Saturday during the Hematites' 58-6 victory. (Top photo by High School Sports Scene. Grand Ledge/Okemos photo by John Johnson. Otsego/Three Rivers photo by Gary Shook. Ishpeming/Oakland Christian photo by Cara Kamps.)