2016 Week 7 Football Playoff Listing
October 4, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Here is a list of Michigan High School Athletic Association football playing schools, displaying their win-loss records and playoff averages through the sixth week of the season.
Schools on this list are in enrollment order for 11-player teams, with 8-player teams ordered by playoff average. An asterisk (*) beside a record indicates a team has eight or fewer games scheduled. A caret (^) beside a school’s name indicates a team is one win away from playoff qualification.
Those schools with 11-player teams with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules, or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer, will qualify for the MHSAA Football Playoffs beginning Oct. 28. Schools with 5-4, 4-3 or 4-4 records may qualify if the number of potential qualifiers by win total does not reach the 256 mark. Schools with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer may be subtracted from the field based on playoff average if the number of potential qualifiers exceeds the 256 mark.
Once the 256 qualifying schools are determined, they will be divided by enrollment groups into eight equal divisions of 32 schools, and then drawn into regions of eight teams each and districts of four teams each. Those schools with 8-player teams will be ranked by playoff average at season’s end, and the top 16 programs will be drawn into regions of eight teams each for the playoff in that division, which also begins Oct. 28.
To review a list of all football playoff schools, individual school playoff point details and to report errors, visit the Football page of the MHSAA Website.
The announcement of the qualifiers and first-round pairings for both the 11 and 8-player playoffs will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 23 on the Selection Sunday Show on FOX Sports Detroit. The playoff qualifiers and pairings will be posted to the MHSAA Website following the Selection Sunday Show.
11-Player Playoff Listing
1. Macomb Dakota, 2976, 4-2, 63.000
2. Utica Eisenhower, 2700, 6-0, 106.667
3. Clarkston, 2683, 4-2, 67.500
4. Grand Blanc, 2628, 4-2, 70.500
5. East Kentwood, 2596, 3-3, 52.333
6. Southfield Arts & Technology, 2581, 3-3, 52.667
7. Rockford, 2563, 4-2, 72.333
8. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2518, 3-3, 56.833
9. Howell, 2499, 4-2, 66.333
10. Dearborn Fordson, 2487, 6-0, 104.000
11. Lake Orion, 2418, 4-2, 64.667
12. Detroit Cass Tech, 2368, 6-0, 89.333
13. Northville ^, 2325, 5-1, 87.333
14. Salem, 2172, 3-3, 45.500
15. Brighton ^, 2142, 5-1, 87.333
16. Detroit Catholic Central, 2128, 6-0, 98.667
17. Novi, 2050, 4-2, 62.167
18. Monroe, 2046, 3-3, 45.867
19. Oxford, 2042, 3-3, 49.333
20. Canton, 2035, 4-2, 69.500
21. New Baltimore Anchor Bay, 1987, 4-2, 58.167
22. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North ^, 1986, 5-1, 79.500
23. Dearborn ^, 1978, 5-1, 86.000
24. Lapeer ^, 1932, 5-1, 72.500
25. Saline, 1923, 6-0, 100.800
26. West Bloomfield, 1905, 3-3, 52.167
27. Livonia Stevenson, 1839, 3-3, 56.000
28. Bloomfield Hills, 1831, 6-0, 97.333
29. White Lake Lakeland, 1822, 4-2, 62.167
30. Grandville ^, 1810, 5-1, 85.833
31. Hudsonville ^, 1797, 5-1, 82.000
32. Warren Mott, 1768, 6-0, 97.333
33. Grand Ledge ^, 1694, 5-1, 79.333
34. Belleville, 1668, 4-2, 64.167
35. Davison, 1668, 6-0, 89.333
36. Rochester Adams ^, 1666, 5-1, 79.167
37. Romeo, 1641, 4-2, 70.500
38. Waterford Mott, 1638, 3-3, 55.167
39. Rochester, 1632, 3-3, 51.000
40. Walled Lake Northern ^, 1631, 5-1, 80.333
41. Kalamazoo Central, 1615, 3-3, 48.967
42. Grosse Pointe South, 1600, 4-2, 65.000
43. Temperance Bedford ^, 1597, 5-1, 80.833
44. Detroit Western International, 1584, 4-2, 49.167
45. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1579, 4-2, 61.500
46. Detroit East English, 1579, 4-2, 54.833
47. Livonia Churchill, 1578, 4-2, 67.500
48. Saginaw Heritage, 1558, 3-3, 39.167
49. Traverse City West, 1552, 4-2, 64.333
50. Warren DeLaSalle, 1526, 3-3, 53.933
51. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1522, 4-2, 58.667
52. Livonia Franklin, 1507, 4-2, 64.833
53. Warren Cousino ^, 1496, 5-1, 79.000
54. Detroit Martin Luther King ^, 1487, 5-1, 71.500
55. Detroit U-D Jesuit *^, 1482, 4-1, 63.967
56. Jenison, 1481, 4-2, 61.000
57. Caledonia, 1456, 3-3, 51.833
58. Oak Park, 1409, 4-2, 68.333
59. St. Clair Shores Lakeview, 1409, 4-2, 58.167
60. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1404, 3-3, 46.033
61. Traverse City Central, 1394, 6-0, 98.667
62. Port Huron, 1392, 3-3, 47.500
63. Midland, 1388, 3-3, 44.333
64. Portage Central ^, 1388, 5-1, 82.967
65. Portage Northern, 1378, 4-2, 67.567
66. Walled Lake Western ^, 1370, 5-1, 88.000
67. Grosse Pointe North, 1367, 4-2, 62.500
68. Battle Creek Lakeview *, 1353, 3-2, 58.333
69. Hamtramck, 1352, 3-3, 36.400
70. Dearborn Edsel Ford, 1346, 3-3, 40.833
71. Berkley, 1319, 4-2, 64.833
72. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central ^, 1316, 5-1, 77.833
73. Wyandotte Roosevelt ^, 1311, 5-1, 80.833
74. Dearborn Heights Crestwood, 1294, 3-3, 39.000
75. Port Huron Northern ^, 1288, 5-1, 69.333
76. Wyoming, 1288, 4-2, 57.167
77. Pinckney, 1276, 4-2, 63.833
78. Midland Dow, 1254, 6-0, 92.000
79. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1250, 3-3, 50.000
80. Birmingham Groves, 1248, 6-0, 100.000
81. Jackson, 1243, 3-3, 52.333
82. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1240, 3-3, 50.667
83. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1198, 3-3, 42.667
84. Lowell, 1165, 6-0, 104.000
85. Holly, 1164, 4-2, 61.000
86. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1161, 3-3, 49.833
87. Bay City Central, 1158, 3-3, 48.333
88. Greenville, 1142, 4-2, 66.500
89. Fenton, 1138, 4-2, 69.000
90. East Lansing, 1117, 4-2, 60.667
91. Ferndale, 1117, 4-2, 52.000
92. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1100, 3-3, 45.833
93. Allen Park, 1094, 6-0, 104.000
94. Redford Thurston, 1090, 3-3, 47.167
95. Byron Center ^, 1070, 5-1, 76.667
96. Muskegon ^, 1052, 5-1, 79.333
97. Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 1040, 4-2, 70.424
98. Ortonville-Brandon ^, 1034, 5-1, 73.833
99. Detroit Cody, 1015, 4-2, 57.167
100. St. Johns, 1015, 3-3, 44.667
101. Mason ^, 1009, 5-1, 75.333
102. Zeeland East ^, 1007, 5-1, 70.000
103. DeWitt ^, 1002, 5-1, 82.000
104. St. Joseph, 989, 4-2, 65.100
105. East Grand Rapids, 979, 4-2, 71.000
106. Trenton ^, 969, 5-1, 83.500
107. Linden, 940, 4-2, 58.667
108. Cedar Springs, 936, 3-3, 48.667
109. Niles, 931, 3-3, 41.143
110. Coldwater, 929, 4-2, 58.167
111. Romulus ^, 929, 5-1, 78.000
112. Sturgis, 929, 3-3, 37.667
113. Grand Rapids Christian ^, 912, 5-1, 84.881
114. Warren Fitzgerald, 891, 6-0, 88.000
115. New Boston Huron, 886, 4-2, 54.833
116. Melvindale, 881, 3-3, 45.500
117. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 880, 6-0, 82.667
118. Chelsea, 867, 6-0, 93.333
119. Redford Union, 865, 4-2, 52.000
120. Stevensville Lakeshore, 865, 4-2, 69.167
121. Vicksburg ^, 861, 5-1, 67.500
122. Dearborn Divine Child, 859, 4-2, 58.333
123. Zeeland West, 857, 4-2, 68.167
124. Edwardsburg, 855, 6-0, 82.667
125. Marshall, 849, 3-3, 48.000
126. Bay City John Glenn, 838, 4-2, 61.333
127. Sparta, 834, 3-3, 36.333
128. Fowlerville, 833, 4-2, 56.167
129. Tecumseh, 832, 3-3, 45.533
130. Cadillac ^, 817, 5-1, 71.167
131. Hamilton ^, 810, 5-1, 72.667
132. Wayland Union, 810, 3-3, 41.167
133. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood ^, 797, 5-1, 64.500
134. Marysville, 794, 6-0, 88.000
135. Adrian, 792, 3-3, 50.533
136. Detroit Osborn, 786, 3-3, 41.833
137. St. Clair, 784, 3-3, 46.667
138. Milan, 775, 6-0, 93.333
139. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 749, 4-2, 58.333
140. River Rouge ^, 741, 5-1, 68.833
141. Allendale, 735, 4-2, 59.000
142. Three Rivers ^, 730, 5-1, 68.167
143. Escanaba ^, 722, 5-1, 72.833
144. Detroit Mumford ^, 714, 5-1, 71.267
145. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy *^, 708, 4-2, 52.833
146. Ludington ^, 695, 5-1, 55.500
147. Detroit Country Day, 692, 6-0, 82.667
148. Monroe Jefferson, 687, 3-3, 42.333
149. Yale, 683, 3-3, 35.000
150. Alma ^, 674, 5-1, 67.500
151. South Haven, 674, 3-3, 42.833
152. Paw Paw, 672, 3-3, 40.500
153. Battle Creek Pennfield, 669, 3-3, 43.000
154. Wyoming Kelloggsville ^, 660, 5-1, 67.967
155. Croswell-Lexington, 659, 4-2, 56.167
156. Lake Fenton, 654, 6-0, 74.667
157. Grosse Ile ^, 653, 5-1, 74.167
158. Whitehall, 653, 4-2, 53.333
159. Flint Powers Catholic, 647, 3-3, 50.833
160. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 645, 3-3, 43.967
161. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 644, 6-0, 92.000
162. Benton Harbor, 643, 6-0, 82.667
163. Williamston, 643, 3-3, 39.000
164. Big Rapids, 639, 3-3, 37.333
165. Corunna, 639, 6-0, 76.000
166. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 629, 6-0, 88.000
167. Grand Rapids South Christian, 621, 3-3, 42.000
168. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 617, 4-2, 59.833
169. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 614, 6-0, 84.000
170. Dowagiac, 610, 3-3, 40.833
171. Lansing Sexton, 610, 4-2, 65.333
172. Hancock, 608, 4-2, 41.310
173. Saginaw Swan Valley, 607, 4-2, 52.000
174. Clawson, 599, 3-3, 42.000
175. Detroit Denby ^, 593, 5-1, 63.167
176. Muskegon Oakridge ^, 590, 5-1, 60.833
177. Southfield Bradford Academy ^, 587, 5-1, 60.667
178. Belding, 585, 4-2, 50.667
179. Portland, 579, 6-0, 89.333
180. Remus Chippewa Hills ^, 577, 5-1, 67.500
181. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 568, 3-3, 30.300
182. Richmond ^, 562, 5-1, 68.833
183. Freeland, 561, 6-0, 89.333
184. Essexville Garber, 550, 4-2, 50.833
185. Algonac, 547, 6-0, 80.000
186. Ida, 546, 6-0, 76.000
187. Carrollton, 543, 4-2, 46.500
188. Kingsford, 543, 4-2, 59.214
189. Mt. Morris, 543, 3-3, 36.500
190. Olivet, 541, 4-2, 49.667
191. Harper Woods, 540, 4-2, 49.000
192. Frankenmuth, 533, 6-0, 84.000
193. Lansing Catholic ^, 532, 5-1, 76.833
194. Grandville Calvin Christian, 531, 3-3, 38.900
195. Grant, 520, 4-2, 49.500
196. Kalkaska ^, 517, 5-1, 57.833
197. Perry, 504, 3-3, 35.333
198. Almont, 497, 3-3, 35.333
199. Kalamazoo Hackett, 497, 3-3, 40.500
200. Shepherd, 497, 3-3, 40.667
201. Manistee, 496, 4-2, 45.000
202. Reed City, 496, 6-0, 84.000
203. Grayling, 492, 3-3, 39.500
204. Berrien Springs *, 482, 3-2, 48.438
205. Stockbridge, 482, 3-3, 38.000
206. Gladstone, 478, 3-3, 39.500
207. Buchanan *, 476, 3-2, 47.133
208. Grand Rapids West Catholic ^, 475, 5-1, 60.500
209. Durand, 463, 4-2, 41.333
210. Parchment, 448, 4-2, 44.733
211. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 442, 4-2, 48.167
212. Menominee, 439, 6-0, 87.619
213. Hillsdale, 432, 4-2, 47.667
214. Ithaca, 426, 6-0, 77.333
215. Clare ^, 419, 5-1, 60.833
216. Detroit Voyageur, 418, 3-3, 35.967
217. Pinconning, 417, 4-2, 42.333
218. Montague ^, 414, 5-1, 60.167
219. Houghton, 412, 3-3, 27.952
220. Tawas *^, 412, 4-1, 44.333
221. Hemlock, 411, 4-2, 44.000
222. Harrison, 410, 4-2, 45.167
223. Calumet ^, 406, 5-1, 65.976
224. Michigan Center, 406, 3-3, 29.833
225. Morley Stanwood, 404, 4-2, 49.167
226. Lakeview, 402, 3-3, 37.667
227. Delton Kellogg, 401, 4-2, 50.500
228. Negaunee, 400, 6-0, 80.000
229. Warren Michigan Collegiate ^, 398, 5-1, 66.000
230. Adrian Madison, 397, 3-3, 36.833
231. Boyne City, 396, 4-2, 58.167
232. Charlevoix ^, 393, 5-1, 53.833
233. Millington ^, 393, 5-1, 66.167
234. Burton Bendle, 392, 3-3, 30.833
235. Mason County Central, 389, 3-3, 29.333
236. Beaverton, 387, 4-2, 45.167
237. Constantine, 386, 4-2, 51.833
238. Montrose, 386, 3-3, 36.833
239. Byron, 385, 4-2, 46.667
240. Quincy ^, 381, 5-1, 47.167
241. Jackson Lumen Christi, 380, 4-2, 58.833
242. Napoleon, 380, 4-2, 41.333
243. Watervliet, 380, 4-2, 50.667
244. Maple City Glen Lake, 379, 4-2, 52.333
245. Manchester, 378, 4-2, 41.333
246. Detroit Edison Public School Academy *, 374, 3-2, 40.500
247. Houghton Lake, 374, 3-3, 38.167
248. Laingsburg ^, 374, 5-1, 56.833
249. Roscommon, 367, 6-0, 73.333
250. Grass Lake, 363, 6-0, 68.000
251. Kent City, 362, 4-2, 47.500
252. New Haven, 362, 3-3, 36.667
253. Schoolcraft, 358, 6-0, 69.333
254. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 355, 3-3, 42.000
255. Oscoda, 352, 3-3, 31.000
256. Ravenna, 350, 4-2, 45.333
257. Leroy Pine River ^, 347, 5-1, 60.667
258. Madison Heights Madison, 343, 3-3, 47.833
259. Traverse City St. Francis, 341, 6-0, 74.667
260. Bath, 336, 3-3, 29.833
261. Lawton ^, 333, 5-1, 52.833
262. Clinton, 331, 4-2, 46.667
263. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 330, 3-3, 30.333
264. Flint Hamady, 329, 4-2, 51.833
265. Reese, 328, 4-2, 46.833
266. Detroit Delta Prep, 327, 4-2, 47.667
267. McBain, 326, 3-3, 42.667
268. Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 322, 3-3, 34.000
269. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 320, 3-3, 36.333
270. Burton Atherton, 316, 4-2, 37.000
271. Homer, 313, 4-2, 50.500
272. Bridgman, 312, 4-2, 36.900
273. Galesburg-Augusta, 312, 3-3, 27.500
274. Iron Mountain ^, 302, 5-1, 56.300
275. New Lothrop, 298, 6-0, 72.000
276. Gobles ^, 289, 5-1, 55.333
277. Saugatuck, 289, 6-0, 66.667
278. Cass City, 288, 3-3, 35.667
279. Pewamo-Westphalia, 288, 6-0, 70.667
280. Gwinn, 287, 4-2, 41.500
281. Cassopolis ^, 278, 5-1, 58.533
282. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 277, 6-0, 65.333
283. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, 275, 3-3, 31.633
284. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 274, 6-0, 62.667
285. Carson City-Crystal, 268, 4-2, 32.833
286. Sand Creek, 268, 6-0, 63.200
287. Hudson ^, 267, 5-1, 60.500
288. Unionville-Sebewaing ^, 267, 5-1, 52.833
289. Detroit Loyola ^, 266, 5-1, 67.167
290. Hesperia, 265, 4-2, 42.167
291. East Jordan, 261, 4-2, 33.333
292. Ubly, 260, 6-0, 65.333
293. Dansville, 259, 4-2, 41.500
294. Springport ^, 259, 5-1, 51.167
295. Concord ^, 258, 5-1, 48.667
296. Onekama ^, 254, 5-1, 43.167
297. Whittemore-Prescott, 251, 3-3, 33.400
298. Auburn Hills Oakland Christian *, 250, 3-2, 33.467
299. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic ^, 249, 5-1, 61.667
300. Saginaw Nouvel, 248, 4-2, 46.500
301. New Buffalo, 247, 3-3, 26.667
302. Petersburg-Summerfield, 247, 4-2, 37.333
303. Lincoln Alcona ^, 245, 5-1, 55.267
304. Decatur, 243, 3-3, 27.000
305. Evart, 242, 4-2, 44.833
306. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 242, 6-0, 64.000
307. Iron River West Iron County, 241, 3-3, 33.905
308. Beal City, 239, 4-2, 46.667
309. Ishpeming *, 239, 3-2, 36.038
310. Breckenridge, 235, 6-0, 57.333
311. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 233, 3-3, 25.667
312. St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic ^, 232, 5-1, 45.833
313. Harbor Beach, 231, 4-2, 35.667
314. Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech, 224, 3-3, 30.500
315. St. Ignace ^, 219, 5-1, 56.833
316. Norway ^, 214, 5-1, 46.205
317. Newberry ^, 212, 5-1, 48.833
318. Pittsford, 206, 3-3, 28.667
319. Rogers City, 205, 3-3, 28.333
320. Marcellus, 204, 3-3, 25.500
321. Mendon, 203, 4-2, 46.400
322. Morenci, 201, 4-2, 45.500
323. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 200, 4-2, 46.500
324. Vestaburg, 195, 4-2, 37.000
325. Fulton, 191, 3-3, 26.000
326. Merrill ^, 191, 5-1, 41.667
327. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 186, 3-3, 34.867
328. Fowler, 185, 4-2, 37.000
329. Martin, 178, 4-2, 34.333
330. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 173, 3-3, 36.133
331. Frankfort, 171, 6-0, 60.000
332. Gaylord St. Mary ^, 170, 5-1, 36.667
333. Climax-Scotts, 169, 6-0, 56.000
334. Muskegon Catholic Central, 163, 6-0, 76.000
335. Lake Linden-Hubbell, 157, 6-0, 67.238
336. Colon, 156, 4-2, 35.033
337. AuGres-Sims ^, 149, 5-1, 48.667
338. Hillman, 146, 3-3, 26.000
339. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 146, 3-3, 29.833
340. Waterford Our Lady, 134, 4-2, 45.500
341. Clarkston Everest Collegiate ^, 115, 5-1, 53.833
342. Felch North Dickinson, 95, 4-2, 35.025
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Deckerville *, 177, 6-0, 62.667
2. New Haven Merritt Academy, 165, 6-0, 56.000
3. Engadine, 91, 6-0, 54.667
4. Powers North Central, 115, 6-0, 51.048
5. Cedarville, 156, 6-0, 50.667
6. Lawrence, 186, 6-0, 50.400
7. Peck, 143, 5-1, 48.033
8. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 168, 6-0, 48.000
9. Portland St. Patrick, 92, 6-0, 45.333
10. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 159, 5-1, 45.100
11. Rapid River, 116, 5-1, 40.933
12. Webberville, 178, 5-1, 40.667
13. Owendale-Gagetown, 48, 5-1, 39.500
14. Stephenson, 177, 5-1, 38.571
15. Fife Lake Forest Area, 162, 5-1, 36.833
16. Battle Creek St. Philip, 143, 4-2, 35.933
17. Pickford, 149, 5-1, 35.500
18. Camden-Frontier *, 159, 4-1, 34.967
19. Flint International Academy, 185, 4-2, 33.500
20. Hale, 129, 4-2, 29.333
21. Morrice, 168, 3-3, 28.667
22. Marion, 132, 3-3, 27.167
23. Onaway, 190, 4-2, 27.000
24. Tekonsha, 135, 3-3, 24.667
25. Mayville, 196, 3-3, 24.500
26. Waldron, 83, 3-3, 23.167
27. Posen, 94, 2-4, 17.533
28. Brethren, 152, 2-4, 17.167
29. Ontonagon, 126, 2-4, 16.214
30. Burr Oak, 72, 2-4, 15.333
31. Burton Madison Academy, 198, 2-4, 14.500
32. Caseville, 98, 2-4, 14.500
33. Flint Michigan School for the Deaf *, 47, 2-3, 14.233
34. Bellaire, 133, 2-4, 13.333
35. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 97, 2-4, 12.833
36. Manistee Catholic Central, 189, 2-4, 12.500
37. Eben Junction Superior Central, 125, 1-5, 9.933
38. Ewen-Trout Creek, 115, 1-5, 9.500
39. Baraga, 150, 1-5, 9.267
40. Carney-Nadeau *, 140, 1-4, 9.067
41. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 137, 1-5, 8.333
42. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 118, 1-5, 7.667
43. Pellston, 169, 0-6, 3.333
44. Kinde-North Huron, 157, 0-6, 2.833
45. Litchfield, 85, 0-6, 2.833
46. Covert *, 95, 0-5, 2.333
47. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 193, 0-6, 2.000
48. Akron-Fairgrove, 105, 0-6, 2.000
1st & Goal: 2023 Playoff Week 1 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 26, 2023
Part of the enchantment of high school sports is the relatively small window athletes receive to play them. Most get four seasons – and most football players just two on the varsity team under the frequently and fondly-referenced “Friday night lights.”
That enchantment makes it impossible to undersell the anticipation as another MHSAA Football Playoffs – the 49th – begin tonight.
It will be the first playoffs for thousands of players and the start of the last playoffs for thousands more as 11-Player District Semifinals and 8-Player Regional Semifinals kick off with 128 games, and 16 more Saturday.
The mini heat wave finishing its run through Michigan is another reason to check out a first-round game in person. But if you’re not heading out, you still can watch nearly all of them – as of Thursday evening, 122 of this weekend’s 144 playoff games will be broadcast live on MHSAA.tv, viewable with subscription. Keep up with scores as well and Round 2 matchups as they’re determined on the Football Playoff Scoreboard.
Here are just a handful of the intriguing matchups as this postseason gets underway. Games are Friday unless noted.
11-Player Division 1
Rochester Adams (6-3) at West Bloomfield (7-2) - WATCH
These two rank among the most successful playoff teams in the state over the last three seasons, with West Bloomfield a combined 8-2 in the postseason with a Division 1 championship in 2020, and Adams a combined 7-2 (not counting a COVID-related forfeit in 2020) with a runner-up finish in 2021 after the Highlanders defeated the Lakers 14-13 in a Regional Final during that run. This fall West Bloomfield was third and Adams fourth in the Oakland Activities Association Red, thanks in part to the Lakers' 36-32 win in their Week 5 meeting. West Bloomfield also handed Southfield Arts & Technology its only defeat, 31-20 in Week 8.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Detroit Catholic Central (7-2) at Novi (7-2) - WATCH, St. Clair Shores Lakeview (7-2) at Macomb Dakota (7-2) - WATCH, Detroit Cass Tech (6-3) at Westland John Glenn (7-2) - WATCH.
11-Player Division 2
Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (7-2) at Muskegon Mona Shores (6-3) - WATCH
This is also a rematch, as Mona Shores opened the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green schedule with a 28-10 win over Reeths-Puffer – and in fact, the Rockets are seeking their first win over Shores since 2016. But this also has been Reeths-Puffer’s winningest season since 2013, and they enter this opener coming off impressive back-to-back victories over Zeeland East 35-21 and Zeeland West 14-12, the latter avenging a 2022 defeat. Shores also defeated West, 14-6 two weeks ago, but was edged by East 21-20 in the regular-season finale.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Portage Northern (8-1) at Caledonia (7-2) - WATCH, Birmingham Groves (6-3) at Birmingham Seaholm (8-1) - WATCH, Dexter (6-3) at Allen Park (8-1) - WATCH.
11-Player Division 3
Zeeland East (6-3) at Zeeland West (6-3) - WATCH
Zeeland West has won its last six meetings with its neighbor, including once in the playoffs, since East swept a pair in 2018. The Dux claimed this season’s first matchup 36-13. But that shouldn’t be an indication a repeat is a sure thing. As noted above, East is coming off a one-point win over Mona Shores – avenging a 42-7 loss from a year ago and breaking a two-game losing streak to the Sailors since they rejoined the same league in 2020. West meanwhile has lost three straight games, but those beg for context as well – those defeats came to Muskegon High, Mona Shores and Reeths-Puffer, and all by eight points or fewer. Muskegon is the only team to score more than 14 points on the Dux, and the Big Reds put up just 22 in their six-point Week 7 win.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Battle Creek Harper Creek (6-3) at Parma Western (8-1), Fenton (6-3) at DeWitt (6-2) - WATCH, Detroit Martin Luther King (4-5) at Port Huron (7-2) - WATCH.
11-Player Division 4
Lansing Sexton (8-1) at Portland (9-0)
This is a rematch of the Week 8 decider for the Capital Area Activities Conference White title, and Portland’s 41-0 win over then-undefeated Sexton further emphasized the mightiness of the Raiders’ defense this year – they’ve given up just 47 points and also shut out Berrien Springs last week. Portland is up to No. 3 in the final coaches poll and enters having won District titles in Division 5 the last two seasons (and its Regional two years ago) and with a combined 29-5 record going back to the start of 2021. But Sexton, enjoying its best season since 2017, is ranked No. 10 and certainly has the ability to flip things if it can build up some success on offense and keep Portland’s off the field.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Big Rapids (8-1) at Spring Lake (7-2), Wayland (6-3) at Grand Rapids South Christian (6-3) - WATCH, Croswell-Lexington (7-2) at Harper Woods (6-3).
11-Player Division 5
Gladwin (7-2) at Ogemaw Heights (8-1) - WATCH
The only loss of Ogemaw Heights’ most successful regular season since 2009 came in the opener on the road at reigning Division 5 champion Gladwin, 42-28. The Falcons get the Flying Gs at home this time, and have given up just under 10 points per game on average since that defeat. Ogemaw Heights has downed five playoff teams over those eight games including previously-undefeated Almont 21-7 last week. About 40 miles southeast, Gladwin impressively ran its Jack Pine Conference winning streak to 19 games and three straight championships, and those defeats came last week to Frankenmuth and Week 7 to Pontiac Notre Dame Prep – which are 16-1 between them.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Berrien Springs (5-3) at South Haven (6-3) - WATCH, Flint Hamady (8-0) at Corunna (9-0) - WATCH, Detroit Denby (8-1) at Detroit Southeastern (6-3).
11-Player Division 6
Detroit Old Redford (8-1) at Detroit Edison (6-3), Saturday
Old Redford has built its most successful regular season, and the climb has been stunning. The Ravens didn’t play a game in 2020 or 2021, then went 4-5 last year before doubling their victories this fall – with their only loss in the season opener to playoff team Dearborn Heights Robichaud. Old Redford won the Charter School Conference Silver but should get one of its toughest challenges in Edison, which spent more than a month in the coaches poll top 10 and reached No. 6 on the list on the way to earning six wins for the third time in four seasons and after going just 2-7 a year ago. Edison tied for second in the Charter School Conference Gold behind undefeated Warren Michigan Collegiate.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Kent City (7-2) 39.000 at Hart (8-1) - WATCH, Lake City (6-3) at Manistee (7-2) - WATCH, Buchanan (6-3) at Kalamazoo United (5-4).
11-Player Division 7
Traverse City St. Francis (4-4) at Charlevoix (8-1) - WATCH
This is another fascinating rematch. These two didn’t play in the same league this fall, but they did open against each other with St. Francis winning 41-40 while filling in almost an entirely new starting lineup. The Gladiators were coming off finishing Division 7 runner-up a year ago and had to navigate six more eventual playoff qualifiers – but reached the postseason again, and now a large group of new contributors at the start of the year have a season of experience against strong competition. Charlevoix bounced back and didn’t lose again – or let anyone closer than 13 points on the way to winning a league title and reaching eight wins for the fourth-straight season.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Schoolcraft (7-2) at Lawton (8-1) - WATCH, Sandusky (6-3) at Cass City (7-2) - WATCH, Manchester (7-2) at Napoleon (8-1).
11-Player Division 8
Fowler (8-1) at Ithaca (9-0) - WATCH
The Division 8 bracket is loaded. Six teams are undefeated and five more have lost only once, and this game matches one from each group. Ithaca is playing in Division 8 for the first time and brings a streak of 15 straight league championships, Division 7 District titles two of the last three seasons and a current team that is outscoring its opponents on average 50-5 with shutouts in five of its last six games. But Fowler has seen this caliber of competition. The Eagles’ lone loss was 27-14 to Division 7 contender Pewamo-Westphalia in Week 6, and the Pirates are the only team to score on Fowler since Sept. 1. The Eagles have given up only 53 points this season with six shutouts, and five of those shutouts were of playoff teams including Frankfort, Laingsburg and McBain since the P-W loss.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Hudson (7-2) at Addison (9-0) - WATCH, Frankfort (7-2) at Beal City (8-1) - WATCH, Mount Clemens (5-4) at Riverview Gabriel Richard (5-4) - WATCH.
8-Player Division 1
Mendon (7-2) at Gobles (7-2) - WATCH
Gobles made the switch to 8-player in 2021 and has strung together two straight seven-win seasons, with this fall’s coming against a schedule featuring five teams with winning records. Mendon wasn’t on this year’s slate after a league change, but they’ll meet again after the Hornets won their matchup a year ago 36-6. Gobles has scored 53 points in all of its wins and has its 2022 points total by more than 100. Mendon, last season’s Division 2 runner-up, remains similarly able to match points with most and lost only to still-undefeated Climax-Scotts and Adrian Lenawee Christian.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Alcona (8-1) at Indian River Inland Lakes (8-1) - WATCH, Newberry (7-2) at Norway (7-2) - WATCH. SATURDAY Carson City-Crystal (8-1) at Brown City (9-0) - WATCH.
8-Player Division 2
Crystal Falls Forest Park (7-2) at Lake Linden-Hubbell (6-3), Saturday - WATCH
For more than a decade, this was a notable regular-season finale in the 11-player Great Western Conference, with these two meeting again in the playoffs six times between 2004-15. Forest Park switched to 8-player in 2016, Lake Linden-Hubbell in 2020, and this is the third season in a row they’ll meet in the regular season and playoffs. Forest Park won the Week 6 matchup this fall 36-28, but also won last year’s regular-season matchup 22-14 before the Lakes flipped things in the Regional Semifinal 44-12.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Bay City All Saints (7-2) at Marion (8-0) - WATCH. SATURDAY Au Gres-Sims (7-2) at Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (8-1) - WATCH, Powers North Central (7-2) at Posen (8-0).
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PHOTO DeWitt's Elliott Larner (3) unloads a pass during a Week 9 win over Lansing Waverly. (Photo by TCP-Photography.)