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Martin’s Gavin Meyers (7) breaks through a gap in the Gobles defense Friday.

1st & Goal: 2024 Playoffs Week 1 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 4, 2024

The ability to play another day obviously is the best reward for 288 teams that qualify for the MHSAA Football Playoffs.

MI Student AidBut another of the greatest gifts is the chance to make up for a missed opportunity from the regular season.

We highlight below 40 of our 144 first-round games from this past weekend. Of those 40, 15 were rematches – and of those rematches, nine were won the second time by the team that lost the first.

11-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Grandville 24, Rockford 14 For the second-straight season, Grandville (6-4) opened the playoffs with a win – and this time with its first over the Rams since 2019. Rockford (7-3) had defeated Grandville 37-20 in Week 3, but with Tank Terry scoring twice during the third quarter the Bulldogs brought a lead into the second half of this rematch and never trailed again. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

District Digest Hudsonville 25, East Kentwood 23 On the other side for Grandville in their District bracket, Ottawa-Kent Conference Red champion Hudsonville (9-1) held off a strong challenge from the Falcons (5-5) after having defeated them 35-6 in their Week 5 meeting. Oxford 21, Davison 14 Oxford (7-3) went on the road, and coming off a Week 9 loss, to win its first playoff game since 2021 and guarantee its best record since 2018 – when the Wildcats also opened the playoffs with a win over Davison (7-3). Clarkston 34, Lake Orion 16 The Wolves (7-3) are surging with five wins over their last six gams and this avenging their only loss during that string, a 20-13 defeat to the Dragons (6-4) in Week 7.

11-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Byron Center 38, Grand Rapids Northview 17 Byron Center (9-1) just missed on a league championship this fall but will play for a second-straight District title after pulling away to hand O-K Black champion Northview (9-1) its only loss this fall. The Bulldogs earned a rematch this week with O-K Green rival Muskegon Mona Shores, which won their Week 4 meeting 14-12. Northview closed its first winning season since 2019 with more victories than the last two combined. Click for more from FOX 17.

District Digest Grosse Pointe South 27, Roseville 26 South (10-0) at one point led 24-6 and held on to reach double-digit wins for the first time – and after going 9-2 a year ago and losing to Roseville (7-3) in a District Final, 24-17. Mattawan 27, Lansing Everett 21 Mattawan (7-3) is enjoying its winningest season since 2017, with this its first playoff victory since 2012. Everett (6-4) improved a win from a year ago to tie its highest total since 2014. Farmington 39, White Lake Lakeland 13 Farmington (7-3) earned its first playoff win since 2019 – continuing a rebound from 2-7 a year ago – and defeated a Lakeland team (6-4) that made the playoffs for the seventh time over the last eight seasons.

11-Player Division 3

HEADLINER Linden 42, Fenton 14 Linden (5-5) opened this season 0-2 and finished the regular season with two defeats and three over its last four games. But all of that may have paid off with this win to avenge a 24-21 Week 6 loss to the Tigers (7-3) that ended up deciding the Flint Metro League Stripes championship. That loss to Fenton was one of four three-point heartbreakers the Eagles endured this fall, but they will play for a District title this week. Click for more from the Tri-County Times.

District Digest Riverview 22, Trenton 21 Riverview quarterback Lucas Thompson put his team ahead to stay with a 2-point conversion run with 20 seconds to play, giving the Pirates (9-1) a close playoff win over Trenton for the second-straight season after they defeated the Trojans (6-4) by two in a District opener a year ago. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 7, East Grand Rapids 0 The reigning Division 3 champion Rangers (8-2) followed up a 24-0 win over EGR in Week 9 by just getting past the Pioneers (5-5) again. Walled Lake Western 49, Garden City 7 The Warriors (10-0) are expected to be top contenders in this division and reached 10 wins for the second straight season, but Garden City (7-3) deserves recognition as well for completing its winningest campaign since 2000.

11-Player Division 4

HEADLINER Dearborn Divine Child 42, Madison Heights Lamphere 6 Lamphere (8-2) entered the postseason No. 3 in the coaches poll and completed its third eight-win season over the last five. But Divine Child will play on after freshman quarterback Drew Sheridan threw five touchdown passes to send the Falcons (7-3) into a District Final matchup with reigning Division 4 champion Harper Woods. Click for more from the Dearborn Press & Guide.

District Digest Edwardsburg 29, Battle Creek Harper Creek 8 Edwardsburg (7-3) has shown plenty of times over the last 15 years why it is a scary playoff opponent, and this became another example as Harper Creek (8-2) entered the weekend coming off a league title and finished with its best record since 2017.  Niles 42, Paw Paw 14 The two teams that finished ahead of Edwardsburg in the Wolverine Conference met for the second week in a row, with Niles (9-1) adding to its 21-0 win from Week 9 to end Paw Paw’s season at 8-2. Harper Woods 46, Redford Union 6 Harper Woods (7-3) entered the playoffs ranked No. 5 by the coaches, and Redford Union (8-2) was No. 2 and also had lost to the Pioneers in their season opener 43-21.

11-Player Division 5

HEADLINER Gladwin 18, Kingsford 15 When a team moves to 7-3 with all three of its losses to league champions, it’s difficult to call it a stunner. But Gladwin can claim it as Kingsford (9-1) also was a league champion, undefeated and ranked No. 3 entering this District Semifinal. Eric Roggow’s fourth-quarter field goal was the decider for the Flying Gs. Click for more from the Bay City Times.

District Digest Ogemaw Heights 21, Clare 13 Just as the Week 5 matchup went to Ogemaw Heights, 41-34, so too did the rematch between the Jack Pine Conference Division 1 co-champions. Clare finished 7-3 for the second-straight year after completing its 19th-straight winning regular season. Romulus 26, Detroit Lincoln-King 24 Romulus (5-5) earned its first playoff win since 2016, and in doing so handed Lincoln-King (9-1) its only loss of what was by far the most successful season of its three-year varsity history. Lincoln-King was 0-9 two seasons ago and 3-6 last fall. Flat Rock 40, Detroit Denby 22 Flat Rock (8-2) advanced by defeating a league title winner in Detroit Public School League Gold co-champion Denby (6-4), putting the Rams in position to play for a third-straight District trophy.

11-Player Division 6

HEADLINER Ovid-Elsie 44, Almont 21 The Mid-Michigan Activities Conference saw its undefeated champion fall (see below) but its runner-up down another undefeated league title winner as Ovid-Elsie handed No. 2 Almont its only loss. This was a rematch of a 2023 Semifinal won by the Raiders 45-21, but this time the Marauders put up their most points since mid-September and the most Blue Water Area Conference champ Almont (9-1) had given up in a game since 2021. Click for more from Lansing State Journal.

District Digest Lansing Catholic 36, Chesaning 29 The Cougars (7-3) have won at least one playoff game now eight seasons in a row, and this one came against MMAC champion Chesaning (9-1) and a defense that otherwise gave up just 12 points per game this fall. Detroit Central 34, Detroit Edison 16 Central (7-3) shared the PSL Gold title with Denby and then won the PSL Gold City championship, and this victory over No. 9 Edison (6-4) ranks right up there as well. Constantine 39, Parchment 14 Just because Constantine (7-3) found itself outside a league title race this fall for the first time in a while doesn’t mean the Falcons were going to go quietly – and they made some serious noise in avenging a 51-30 loss to Parchment (7-3) from Week 7.

Clarkston’s Griffin Boman (0) wraps up Lake Orion’s Jayden Borrero.

11-Player Division 7

HEADLINER Union City 42, Hanover-Horton 13 Big 8 Conference champ Union City (9-1) has scored nearly 36 points per game during its winningest season since 2011, and this was the Chargers’ fourth time reaching 42 as they bounced back from a Week 9 loss to Buchanan. Hanover-Horton (8-2) closed this season with two losses to teams a combined 18-2 but must be celebrated for its best showing since 2014, a run which included a Cascades Conference West title. Click for more from the Coldwater Daily Reporter.

District Digest Clinton 38, Ottawa Lake Whiteford 32 The former Tri-County Conference rivals met for the first time since 2019, Clinton’s last season in the TCC, and this time the Redwolves (7-3) came back from two straight losses to end the regular season to end Whiteford’s fall at 5-5. Traverse City St. Francis 41, Charlevoix 16 The Gladiators (7-3) won this matchup of Northern Michigan Football League divisional champions, having also defeated the Rayders (6-4) in the season opener 67-22. McBain 49, Harrison 6 McBain (9-1) bounced back from a Week 9 loss to reach a second-straight District Final. Harrison (7-3) finished this fall with three straight defeats to playoff teams but with its best record since 2015 and after going 2-7 both of the last two seasons.

11-Player Division 8

HEADLINER Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 21, Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central 20 These neighbors have played one-point games three of the last five seasons, and Nouvel (8-2) actually won their regular-season meeting in Week 4, 23-14, and led this time 6-0 into the third quarter. But MLS (7-3) found its stride thereafter to earn its second trip to the District Finals in three seasons. Click for more from the Saginaw News.

District Digest Saugatuck 24, White Pigeon 22 After having three of its last four seasons ended by White Pigeon (8-2) in the playoffs, Saugatuck advanced to a second-straight District Final by winning the closest game for both this fall. Beal City 47, Frankfort 0 Beal City (8-2) faced Frankfort (7-3) in a playoff opener for the second-straight season, adding this win to last year’s 42-7 victory that started a Semifinal run. Harbor Beach 35, Ubly 0 The Pirates (10-0) posted their second-straight shutout and fifth of the season in ending this year’s run and a six-game winning streak for last fall’s Division 8 champion Bearcats (6-4).

Ishpeming's Caden Luoma breaks away from Norway's Carter Cazzola (43) and Keith Burar, Jr. (54).

8-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Martin 52, Gobles 22 The two-time reigning champion Clippers appear to be in playoff form again, as this avenged a 20-14 loss to Gobles from just three weeks earlier. This made it two seasons in a row that Martin (9-1) avenged a regular-season loss to the Tigers (9-1). The Clippers broke away with 30 second-half points to Gobles’ eight. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Regional Roundup Mendon 58, Climax-Scotts 50 Mendon’s Owen Gorham ran for 231 yards and five touchdowns, the last a four-yarder with three seconds to play followed by his 2-point conversion to push the Hornets (9-1) past Climax-Scotts just two weeks after losing to the Panthers (8-2) 46-44. Kingston 16, Fulton 14 The Cardinals (8-2) earned a rematch with rival Deckerville by handing the Pirates (8-2) just their second loss of their winningest season since 2010 in 11-player. Ishpeming 44, Norway 38 The Hematites’ first run into an 8-player bracket is off to the right start, with this win over the Knights (7-3) earning Ishpeming (6-2) a rematch with Week 4 opponent Pickford.

8-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Onekama 22, Marion 20 Both finalists for last season’s Division 2 championship were eliminated from this year’s bracket, and we’ll start with the reigning runner-up Marion (8-2) – which had defeated Onekama 44-8 in Week 2. The Eagles ended their season with two losses by a combined six points. But the Portagers improved to 9-1, one more win than their last four seasons’ totals combined. Click for more from the Manistee News Advocate.

Regional Roundup Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 24, Grand Rapids Sacred Heart 21 After debuting in varsity play last season with a win by forfeit and two losses, Grand Rapids Sacred Heart (9-1) established itself with a perfect regular season and No. 1 ranking heading into this playoffs. But Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (7-3) had seen plenty of top competition with its three losses to teams that all finished the regular season 8-1. Morrice 28, Portland St. Patrick 22 Two of those one-loss teams that had defeated MP Sacred Heart met on the other side of the bracket, with Morrice (9-1) avenging a 29-12 Week 4 defeat to the Shamrocks (8-2). Britton Deerfield 58, Adrian Lenawee Christian 15 The Patriots (9-1) reached nine wins for the second time in four seasons – and after finishing just 2-7 a year ago – completing a 2024 sweep of the 2023 Division 2 champion Cougars (4-6).

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) Martin’s Gavin Meyers (7) breaks through a gap in the Gobles defense Friday. (Middle) Clarkston’s Griffin Boman (0) wraps up Lake Orion’s Jayden Borrero. (Below) Ishpeming's Caden Luoma breaks away from Norway's Carter Cazzola (43) and Keith Burar, Jr. (54). (Top photo by Gary Shook. Clarkston/Lake Orion photo by Terry Lyons. Ishpeming/Norway photo by Cara Kamps.)

Negaunee's Kai Lacar gets a few yards before being tackled by Kingsford's Wyatt Scott (24) and Caleb Kleist (30).

1st & Goal: 2023 Week 4 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 18, 2023

We're just a few days past the fourth week of this high school football season. A few of Michigan's high school leagues have yet to even begin play.

MI Student AidBut for several others, we already are getting ideas of which teams might be celebrating championships when the regular season is done – and we're likely to look back at Week 4 as playing a big part.

Several conference favorites and other early impressers met over the weekend, and a number of standings shifters are highlighted below: 

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Gladwin 44, Clare 28 The Flying Gs (4-0) took over first place alone in the Jack Pine Conference, but only after flipping this game during the final 25 minutes. Clare took a 21-3 lead with 1:07 left in the first half – but Gladwin responded with a touchdown pass with 29 seconds left before the break, and then Jhace Massey threw another after an onside kick to get the margin to just five points by halftime. Clare (2-2) pushed the lead back to 12 to start the second half, but Gladwin then scored 28 unanswered points, and Massey finished with those two passing touchdowns and three more running the ball. Click for more from MI Sports Now.

Watch list Almont 29, North Branch 22 Almont (4-0) gave up just its first points of this season in starting the heart of the Blue Water Area Conference schedule with this win over the reigning co-champion Broncos (2-2), and with the other co-champion Armada and current co-leader Croswell-Lexington up over the next two weeks, respectively.

On the move Ubly 56, Harbor Beach 20 Ubly (4-0) stands alone atop the Greater Thumb Conference East standings after scoring its season high to get past the Pirates (3-1). Montrose 29, Ovid-Elsie 22 Montrose (4-0) will play Chesaning for first in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference this week now having defeated reigning champion Durand and the reigning runner-up Marauders (2-2). Midland Bullock Creek 28, Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 0 Bullock Creek (2-2) is seeking its first winning season since 2019 and avenged a 14-13 loss to MLS from last year to get back to even this fall with both losses so far by only seven points apiece.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Lake Orion 17, West Bloomfield 13 Lake Orion (4-0) is off to its best start since finishing 9-2 in 2019, its four wins equaling last year’s total and the team’s most since that last winning season. The Dragons went ahead for good with 1:24 to play, giving them their first win in the annual matchup since 2013. Lake Orion’s defense came up especially big, holding the Lakers (3-1) to their fewest points in a regular season game since also scoring 13 in the 2018 finale. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Watch list Detroit Cass Tech 14, Detroit Martin Luther King 7 The result of this matchup generally means a Detroit Public School League division title for the winner, and Cass Tech is among three teams without a loss early in the PSL Blue after De’Mari Hendrix put them ahead to stay with a score during the final minute.

On the move Southfield Arts & Technology 42, Birmingham Groves 35 The Warriors (4-0), No. 8 in the Division 1 coaches poll, got the weekend rolling with a Thursday night win over Division 2 No. 5 Groves (2-2). Novi 39, Brighton 21 Novi avenged last season’s 41-6 loss to the Bulldogs (1-3) and is 3-1 for the first time since 2013. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 40, Detroit Country Day 0 NDP (4-0) avenged last season’s 35-19 District Final loss to Country Day (1-3) while winning its third-straight game by 40 or more points this fall.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER East Lansing 40, DeWitt 34 East Lansing (2-2) scored first and then held off a second-half Panthers comeback attempt to remain one of three teams undefeated in Capital Area Activities Conference Blue play. The Trojans also ran their winning streak over DeWitt (1-2) to two in adding to last season’s 36-30 win, as this has become one of the annual must-see games in the Lansing area. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Watch list Lansing Sexton 28, Charlotte 0 By moving to 4-0, Sexton has equaled last season’s win total and all but guaranteed its best finish since its most recent winning season in 2017. The J-Dubbs shut down a Charlotte offense that averaged 42 points per game during the Orioles’ 3-0 start.

On the move Mason 37, Williamston 12 Mason (4-0) just keeps churning, this time extending a winning streak over Williamston (2-2) to four after the last two matchups between them had been decided by eight points or fewer. Belding 49, Comstock Park 21 Belding (3-1) has run its Ottawa-Kent Conference Silver winning streak to eight with all but one of those victories by double digits as it seeks to repeat as champion. Beal City 50, Houghton Lake 8 Beal City is winning its games by an average score of 47-7 after this one over a much-improved Bobcats team that sits 3-1.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Charlevoix 50, East Jordan 6 Charlevoix (3-1) has handed the first loss this season to its last two opponents, and East Jordan (3-1) very well could go on to contend in the Northern Michigan Football Conference Legacy. This provided the Rayders with more momentum as they head into this week’s matchup with Benzie Central that could eventually decide the NMFC Leaders title. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.

Watch list Kingsley 64, Boyne City 13 Kingsley (3-1) is averaging just under 50 points per game after putting up a season high against the Ramblers (2-2), another contender in the NMFC Leaders.

On the move Frankfort 55, Johannesburg-Lewiston 0 Frankfort (4-0) earned its second-straight shutout of the Cardinals (2-2), but the Panthers’ defense has shined all season giving up just under 11 ppg. Traverse City St. Francis 28, Grayling 22 The young Gladiators (2-2) might be finding their stride after two straight losses, settling in against a Grayling team that’s 2-2 and had topped 30 points in all of its first three games. Gaylord 9, Petoskey 0 An impressive defensive stand put Gaylord (4-0) in position to play Cadillac this week for sole possession of first place in the Big North Conference, with Petoskey (2-2) among those hoping to stay in the race with another chance or two coming up to impact it.

Traverse City West defenders pursue a Grand Blanc ball carrier during the Bobcats' 43-7 win.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Jackson Lumen Christi 28, Detroit U-D Jesuit 6 Lumen Christi’s first game as part of the Detroit Catholic League saw the Titans (4-0) give up their first points of the season, and only six in adding to the impressiveness of this victory over last year’s CHSL AA champion Cubs (3-1). Click for more from the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

On the move Napoleon 42, Manchester 21 The Pirates took an important first step as they seek to repeat as league champions, this time of the new Cascades Conference East. Manchester (3-1) had given up only 29 points total over its first three games, but Napoleon (4-0) upped its early scoring average to 42 ppg and its regular-season winning streak to 14.

On the move Adrian 29, Tecumseh 7 Adrian is 4-0 for the first time since 2010 and hadn’t defeated Tecumseh (1-3) since 2011. Grass Lake 42, East Jackson 8 Grass Lake (4-0) also is undefeated at the top of the Cascades Conference East, with Napoleon up next. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard 34, Riverview Gabriel Richard 6 AAGR avenged last season’s 11-point loss to RGR (1-3) to move to 4-0 – giving the Fighting Irish one more win than all of last season and guaranteeing their best finish since 2019.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Constantine 27, Schoolcraft 21 Constantine (3-1) twice led by double digits and held on to run their winning streak against the Eagles (3-1) to two. The Falcons will start Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore play this week on the best-possible note, especially key as all six league teams area 2-2 or better heading into the league schedule. Click for more from the Three Rivers Commercial-News.

Watch list Dowagiac 39, Parchment 14 Dowagiac has had a mostly rough last three seasons, going a combined 5-20, but head into Lakeland Conference play this week with more wins than all of the last two seasons combined and after handing Parchment (3-1) its lone defeat.  

On the move Benton Harbor 34, Buchanan 27 Benton Harbor (2-2) opened Lakeland play with its third-straight game decided by seven points or fewer, but this one a win over the reigning league champion Bucks (2-2). Watervliet 18, Coloma 16 These two played for the 111th time – ranking 11th among Michigan high school rivalry games – and after the rivalry took a break the last two years. Paw Paw 40, Vicksburg 17 A testament to their tough schedule, the Red Wolves (4-0) made the playoffs last season at 4-5 – and all four of their wins so far this fall are over 2022 playoff teams.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Negaunee 13, Kingsford 12 The Miners started the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper schedule a win down, losing to Gladstone two weeks ago. But the reigning champs are right back in the mix after handing Kingsford a narrow defeat in the teams’ first meeting since 1994. The Flivvers (3-1) had reached 34 points in all three of their wins before Negaunee slowed them down. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Watch list Menominee 44, Calumet 0 With Gladstone, Negaunee and Kingsford handing each other defeats, Menominee (4-0) sits on the top of the Copper standings with those three coming up, but also having given up only six points this season with three shutouts.

On the move Houghton 34, Ishpeming Westwood 16 After two losses to open the fall, Houghton (2-2) has bounced back with two wins and gets Menominee next. Sault Ste. Marie 21, Escanaba 7 The Blue Devils (3-1) met a slightly more familiar opponent in their second game as part of the Big North Conference, adding a second win in two seasons over Escanaba (1-3). Manistique 52, West Iron County 0 After taking an eight-point loss to Ishpeming in Week 2, Manistique has two straight wins (and two straight shutouts) to get to 2-2 – after winning two games total in 2022 and 2021.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Rockford 42, Caledonia 16 The Rams (4-0) hurdled perhaps their toughest obstacle early as they pursue a fifth-straight Ottawa-Kent Conference Red title. Rockford’s defense shut down a Caledonia attack that averaged 42 points per game over its first three, and in doing so also avenged last year’s one-point District Final loss to the eventual Division 1 runner-up Fighting Scots (3-1). Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Watch list Muskegon 42, Muskegon Mona Shores 21 The Big Reds (2-2) ran their streak in another of the state’s most competitive rivalries to three straight wins, with M’Khi Guy throwing two touchdown passes and running for another score against the Sailors (2-2).

On the move Allendale 61, Hamilton 38 The Falcons (4-0) are another team on the rise, with their four wins equaling their totals of both of the last two seasons and this victory the only loss for a Hamilton team that at 3-1 has already bested its 2022 finish. Saugatuck 15, Union City 14 The Trailblazers won just two games last season but are 4-0 for the first time since 2016 and with this win over the reigning Big 8 Conference champ Chargers (3-1) their most impressive. Big Rapids 25, Reed City 14 The Cardinals (3-1) earned their first win over Reed City (1-3) since 2009, and in doing so stayed in a tie atop the Central State Activities Association Gold.

8-Player

HEADLINER Carson City-Crystal 45, Merrill 30 Carson City-Crystal (4-0) made its move to 8-player football this season coming off five straight 11-player playoff seasons. The Eagles’ first three wins this fall came against teams that are a combined 1-11, but this one over the reigning Division 1 runner-up Vandals (3-1) tells plenty about how quickly they are advancing in the new format. Click for more from the Greenville Daily News.

Watch list Gobles 53, Martin 16 The Tigers (4-0) have absolutely dominated this season, outscoring their opponents by a combined 237-24 – and that includes this win over reigning Division 1 champion Martin (2-2), which had won the last two meetings with Gobles by a combined 110-6.

On the move Brown City 46, Deckerville 28 The Green Devils (4-0) are in their second season of 8-player and first as part of the North Central Thumb League Stars – and they are tied for first after handing annual contender Deckerville (3-1) its only defeat. Pickford 44, Rudyard 42 By nearly the closest of margins, Pickford (4-0) ended a two-game losing streak to Rudyard (3-1) and after falling 34-6 last season. St. Ignace 30, Indian River Inland Lakes 28 The Saints (4-0) just keep climbing as well, with Inland Lakes (3-1) the third team they’ve handed a first loss this season.

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) Negaunee's Kai Lacar gets a few yards before being tackled by Kingsford's Wyatt Scott (24) and Caleb Kleist (30). (Middle) Traverse City West defenders pursue a Grand Blanc ball carrier during the Bobcats' 43-7 win. (Top photo by Cara Kamps. Middle photo by Terry Lyons.)