2018 Week 6 Football Playoff Listing
September 25, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Here is a list of MHSAA football playing schools, displaying their win-loss records and playoff averages through the fifth 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.
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. 26. 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 32 programs will then be divided into two divisions of 16 each based on enrollment. The playoff in that division also begins Oct. 26.
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 Oct. 21 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, 3114, 4-1, 72.800
2. Dearborn Fordson, 2795, 5-0, 92.800
3. East Kentwood, 2651, 4-1, 77.600
4. Grand Blanc, 2637, 4-1, 79.200
5. Clarkston, 2548, 5-0, 99.200
6. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2462, 5-0, 104.000
7. Detroit Cass Tech, 2432, 5-0, 86.400
8. Howell, 2387, 3-2, 57.200
9. Canton, 2260, 3-2, 58.600
10. Brighton, 2202, 4-1, 79.200
11. Holland West Ottawa, 2190, 4-1, 72.600
12. Oxford, 2170, 3-2, 61.800
13. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 2115, 3-2, 64.200
14. Dearborn, 2106, 3-2, 52.400
15. Plymouth, 2060, 3-2, 55.400
16. Detroit Catholic Central, 2020, 4-1, 87.200
17. West Bloomfield, 2005, 4-1, 79.200
18. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, 1994, 4-1, 71.000
19. Monroe, 1949, 4-1, 72.000
20. Hudsonville, 1879, 4-1, 74.600
21. Saline, 1834, 4-1, 80.800
22. Romeo, 1779, 4-1, 80.400
23. Detroit Western International, 1773, 4-1, 59.800
24. Lapeer, 1772, 5-0, 89.600
25. White Lake Lakeland, 1740, 3-2, 55.800
26. Davison, 1687, 5-0, 94.400
27. Kalamazoo Central, 1672, 3-2, 58.200
28. Belleville, 1642, 5-0, 99.200
29. Traverse City West, 1634, 3-2, 62.800
30. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1628, 4-1, 79.000
31. Rochester Adams, 1621, 3-2, 58.600
32. Grosse Pointe South, 1593, 5-0, 94.400
33. Warren Mott, 1585, 4-1, 80.800
34. Waterford Mott, 1558, 4-1, 71.000
35. Warren DeLaSalle, 1474, 4-1, 75.200
36. Jenison, 1464, 4-1, 77.000
37. Detroit U-D Jesuit, 1456, 3-2, 50.600
38. Livonia Franklin, 1443, 3-2, 53.400
39. Livonia Churchill, 1435, 3-2, 62.400
40. Dearborn Heights Crestwood, 1424, 5-0, 86.400
41. St. Clair Shores Lakeview, 1399, 3-2, 52.000
42. Traverse City Central, 1391, 4-1, 78.800
43. Okemos, 1381, 3-2, 57.400
44. Birmingham Seaholm, 1376, 4-1, 77.600
45. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1376, 3-2, 52.400
46. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1358, 3-2, 55.800
47. Oak Park, 1349, 5-0, 92.800
48. Portage Central, 1349, 4-1, 75.600
49. Roseville, 1303, 3-2, 47.800
50. Birmingham Groves, 1298, 3-2, 55.800
51. Port Huron Northern, 1295, 4-1, 77.400
52. Midland, 1289, 3-2, 52.000
53. Portage Northern, 1284, 3-2, 55.600
54. Midland Dow, 1277, 3-2, 52.600
55. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, 1276, 4-1, 69.400
56. Flushing, 1275, 3-2, 63.400
57. North Farmington, 1264, 3-2, 50.800
58. Swartz Creek, 1262, 4-1, 76.000
59. Walled Lake Western, 1258, 4-1, 72.600
60. Jackson, 1229, 5-0, 91.200
61. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1226, 4-1, 64.600
62. South Lyon, 1225, 5-0, 92.800
63. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1215, 5-0, 96.000
64. Dexter, 1172, 3-2, 47.600
65. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1168, 3-2, 64.667
66. Ferndale, 1162, 3-2, 55.800
67. Fenton, 1160, 4-1, 74.200
68. Mattawan, 1153, 3-2, 55.200
69. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1149, 4-1, 66.400
70. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1142, 3-2, 51.800
71. Warren Woods Tower, 1126, 5-0, 73.600
72. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1115, 3-2, 52.400
73. Gibraltar Carlson, 1114, 4-1, 79.000
74. Farmington, 1111, 5-0, 96.000
75. East Lansing, 1111, 4-1, 74.800
76. Allen Park, 1105, 4-1, 80.600
77. Grand Rapids Northview, 1096, 3-2, 50.800
78. Garden City, 1080, 3-2, 52.000
79. South Lyon East, 1063, 3-2, 52.200
80. Mt. Pleasant, 1053, 5-0, 86.400
81. Muskegon, 1022, 5-0, 97.600
82. Battle Creek Central, 1014, 4-1, 69.800
83. St. Joseph, 1010, 3-2, 55.200
84. Gaylord, 1002, 4-1, 66.200
85. DeWitt, 1001, 5-0, 102.400
86. East Grand Rapids, 998, 3-2, 54.200
87. Zeeland West, 997, 4-1, 74.200
88. Cedar Springs, 992, 4-1, 76.000
89. Linden, 977, 3-2, 55.400
90. Zeeland East, 955, 4-1, 67.800
91. St. Johns, 955, 3-2, 52.200
92. Petoskey, 948, 3-2, 52.400
93. Detroit Mumford, 943, 4-1, 67.600
94. Trenton, 914, 4-1, 75.800
95. Riverview, 913, 4-1, 66.200
96. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, 903, 5-0, 81.600
97. River Rouge, 897, 4-1, 61.600
98. Haslett, 895, 4-1, 71.000
99. Ortonville-Brandon, 887, 4-1, 77.200
100. Grand Rapids Christian, 886, 4-1, 71.200
101. Parma Western, 870, 4-1, 60.000
102. Chelsea, 851, 3-2, 61.133
103. Farmington Hills Harrison, 849, 4-1, 72.800
104. Spring Lake, 845, 5-0, 72.000
105. Fowlerville, 842, 3-2, 42.800
106. Edwardsburg, 838, 5-0, 76.800
107. Wayland Union, 829, 3-2, 54.000
108. Plainwell, 825, 4-1, 60.000
109. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 809, 4-1, 70.000
110. St. Clair, 807, 3-2, 44.400
111. Milan, 761, 4-1, 59.800
112. Goodrich, 758, 4-1, 64.600
113. Detroit Cody, 755, 4-1, 71.000
114. Allendale, 749, 3-2, 47.800
115. North Branch, 726, 4-1, 58.400
116. Croswell-Lexington, 724, 3-2, 47.800
117. Center Line, 720, 3-2, 49.200
118. Battle Creek Pennfield, 709, 4-1, 66.200
119. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 702, 4-1, 58.200
120. Sault Ste. Marie, 700, 3-2, 42.000
121. Escanaba, 691, 3-2, 54.267
122. Detroit Country Day *, 687, 3-2, 58.400
123. Three Rivers, 682, 5-0, 86.400
124. Holland Christian, 672, 3-2, 47.800
125. Paw Paw, 670, 3-2, 48.000
126. Whitehall, 669, 3-2, 44.600
127. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 663, 3-2, 45.200
128. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 662, 4-1, 59.800
129. Ludington, 645, 3-2, 29.800
130. Alma, 643, 5-0, 73.600
131. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 643, 4-1, 63.000
132. Williamston, 619, 4-1, 75.600
133. Grand Rapids South Christian, 615, 3-2, 52.800
134. Big Rapids, 613, 3-2, 40.600
135. Grosse Ile, 609, 5-0, 75.200
136. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 608, 5-0, 75.200
137. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 602, 5-0, 88.000
138. Harper Woods, 594, 4-1, 47.600
139. Freeland, 584, 4-1, 56.800
140. Gladwin, 575, 3-2, 37.600
141. Saginaw Swan Valley, 573, 5-0, 89.600
142. Belding, 572, 4-1, 59.800
143. Muskegon Oakridge, 571, 5-0, 70.400
144. Macomb Lutheran North, 560, 4-1, 58.000
145. Birch Run, 552, 3-2, 47.600
146. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 551, 3-2, 42.800
147. Portland, 550, 5-0, 80.000
148. Clawson, 550, 3-2, 39.000
149. Frankenmuth, 549, 4-1, 66.400
150. Olivet, 542, 5-0, 76.800
151. Detroit Osborn, 537, 4-1, 51.800
152. Lansing Catholic, 531, 4-1, 61.600
153. Cheboygan, 527, 3-2, 47.000
154. Grant, 525, 3-2, 39.400
155. Richmond, 524, 4-1, 62.600
156. Ida, 512, 4-1, 58.200
157. Hopkins, 507, 4-1, 64.800
158. Benzie Central, 505, 3-2, 46.000
159. Reed City, 504, 5-0, 83.200
160. Detroit Denby, 504, 5-0, 69.600
161. Almont, 503, 5-0, 73.600
162. Marine City, 503, 4-1, 64.800
163. Berrien Springs, 500, 4-1, 61.600
164. Dundee, 485, 3-2, 44.400
165. Manistee, 472, 5-0, 67.200
166. Durand, 468, 3-2, 39.000
167. Coloma, 460, 3-2, 46.200
168. Gladstone *, 459, 3-2, 40.800
169. Ovid-Elsie, 453, 3-2, 44.800
170. Kalamazoo Hackett, 450, 5-0, 68.800
171. Clare, 449, 4-1, 53.400
172. Montague, 445, 4-1, 53.600
173. Newaygo, 445, 3-2, 45.800
174. Kingsley, 443, 4-1, 58.400
175. Hillsdale, 441, 5-0, 68.800
176. Tawas *, 418, 3-1, 40.200
177. Michigan Center, 412, 5-0, 54.400
178. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 410, 4-1, 66.200
179. Constantine, 400, 5-0, 72.000
180. Fennville, 400, 4-1, 51.800
181. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 392, 5-0, 75.200
182. Calumet, 392, 5-0, 72.000
183. Ishpeming Westwood, 391, 3-2, 43.200
184. Millington, 390, 4-1, 60.800
185. Ithaca, 388, 4-1, 53.600
186. Ecorse, 387, 4-1, 60.000
187. Blissfield, 383, 4-1, 69.600
188. Byron, 380, 3-2, 46.400
189. Montrose, 379, 3-2, 47.600
190. Delton Kellogg, 378, 4-1, 58.200
191. Hemlock, 374, 4-1, 45.400
192. Morley Stanwood, 369, 3-2, 42.800
193. Quincy, 369, 3-2, 35.200
194. Elk Rapids, 366, 4-1, 46.800
195. Napoleon, 365, 4-1, 47.000
196. Beaverton, 362, 4-1, 52.000
197. Grass Lake, 357, 5-0, 60.800
198. Jackson Lumen Christi *, 356, 5-0, 86.400
199. Traverse City St. Francis, 355, 5-0, 84.800
200. Flint Hamady, 353, 5-0, 73.600
201. Schoolcraft, 353, 4-1, 59.800
202. Niles Brandywine, 352, 3-2, 36.200
203. Kent City, 351, 5-0, 64.000
204. Lake City, 348, 5-0, 65.600
205. Leroy Pine River, 348, 4-1, 45.200
206. L'Anse, 344, 3-2, 41.800
207. Ravenna, 344, 3-2, 36.600
208. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 332, 3-2, 34.600
209. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 331, 4-1, 71.800
210. St. Louis, 331, 3-2, 41.400
211. Oscoda, 329, 4-1, 38.400
212. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 328, 3-2, 43.200
213. McBain, 327, 3-2, 43.000
214. Hartford, 322, 4-1, 42.000
215. Roscommon, 319, 4-1, 59.800
216. Madison Heights Madison, 316, 5-0, 89.600
217. Pewamo-Westphalia, 315, 5-0, 59.200
218. Clinton, 313, 4-1, 50.200
219. Bad Axe, 311, 3-2, 36.400
220. Detroit Community *, 308, 4-0, 48.000
221. Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 306, 4-1, 58.400
222. New Lothrop, 302, 5-0, 73.600
223. Springport, 302, 5-0, 57.600
224. Sandusky, 300, 5-0, 64.000
225. Allen Park Cabrini, 300, 4-1, 43.800
226. Iron Mountain, 298, 4-1, 56.400
227. Cass City, 291, 4-1, 51.600
228. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 282, 4-1, 56.600
229. Harbor Springs, 280, 5-0, 56.000
230. Detroit Loyola, 280, 3-2, 47.200
231. Manton, 280, 4-1, 47.200
232. Centreville, 279, 5-0, 59.200
233. Saugatuck, 273, 4-1, 53.400
234. Sand Creek, 266, 3-2, 32.200
235. Cassopolis, 261, 5-0, 65.600
236. Saranac, 257, 3-2, 25.400
237. Concord, 255, 3-2, 38.400
238. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic, 252, 3-2, 34.400
239. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 250, 5-0, 60.800
240. Carson City-Crystal, 248, 5-0, 49.600
241. Iron River West Iron County, 246, 4-1, 47.200
242. Gwinn, 246, 4-1, 45.000
243. Reading, 244, 5-0, 67.200
244. Dansville, 244, 4-1, 44.800
245. Flint Beecher, 237, 3-2, 43.000
246. Holton, 234, 4-1, 45.200
247. Ishpeming, 233, 5-0, 60.800
248. Ubly, 232, 3-2, 38.200
249. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 226, 4-1, 47.400
250. White Pigeon, 225, 3-2, 32.000
251. Breckenridge, 224, 5-0, 60.800
252. Harbor Beach, 222, 4-1, 53.000
253. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 220, 5-0, 59.200
254. Rogers City, 220, 4-1, 48.600
255. Petersburg-Summerfield, 219, 3-2, 36.800
256. Decatur, 216, 3-2, 36.800
257. Detroit Public Safety Academy, 206, 4-1, 41.000
258. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 193, 5-0, 56.000
259. Mendon, 193, 3-2, 28.200
260. Pittsford, 186, 5-0, 54.800
261. Three Oaks River Valley, 186, 3-2, 34.400
262. Athens *, 185, 3-1, 44.000
263. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 183, 5-0, 54.000
264. Martin, 183, 3-2, 34.200
265. Frankfort, 174, 3-2, 33.000
266. Fowler, 170, 4-1, 39.200
267. Detroit Southeastern, 154, 3-2, 43.800
268. Waterford Our Lady, 128, 3-2, 35.200
269. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 115, 5-0, 56.800
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Colon, 162, 5-0, 54.400
2. Pickford, 156, 5-0, 54.400
3. Morrice, 182, 5-0, 52.800
4. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 173, 5-0, 48.000
5. AuGres-Sims, 160, 5-0, 48.000
6. Posen, 78, 5-0, 43.200
7. Onekama, 131, 4-1, 41.600
8. Suttons Bay, 189, 4-1, 41.200
9. Engadine, 102, 4-1, 40.800
10. Camden-Frontier, 176, 4-1, 39.000
11. Bellevue, 185, 4-1, 37.600
12. Powers North Central, 109, 4-1, 37.400
13. Mayville, 185, 4-1, 36.000
14. Hillman, 140, 4-1, 36.000
15. Stephenson, 159, 4-1, 35.067
16. Genesee, 169, 4-1, 34.800
17. Peck, 136, 4-1, 33.800
18. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 122, 3-2, 33.400
19. Deckerville, 175, 3-2, 33.200
20. Manistee Catholic Central, 181, 4-1, 32.800
21. Kingston, 187, 4-1, 32.400
22. Brethren, 143, 3-2, 31.400
23. Fife Lake Forest Area, 183, 3-2, 30.000
24. Portland St. Patrick, 102, 3-2, 30.000
25. Eben Junction Superior Central, 121, 3-2, 29.600
26. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 125, 3-2, 29.467
27. Battle Creek St. Philip, 178, 3-2, 28.600
28. Rapid River, 127, 3-2, 28.600
29. Cedarville, 151, 3-2, 26.800
30. Kinde-North Huron, 130, 3-2, 26.600
31. Tekonsha, 121, 3-2, 23.600
32. New Haven Merritt Academy, 154, 2-3, 22.400
33. Bellaire, 131, 2-3, 21.450
34. Webberville, 176, 2-3, 20.800
35. Onaway, 187, 2-3, 20.200
36. Central Lake *, 190, 2-2, 20.000
37. Pellston, 167, 2-3, 19.400
38. Caseville *, 95, 2-2, 18.400
39. Mesick, 202, 2-3, 17.800
40. Marion, 139, 2-3, 17.600
41. Burr Oak, 74, 2-3, 17.400
42. North Adams-Jerome, 146, 2-3, 17.000
43. Rudyard, 159, 2-3, 16.400
44. Bay City All Saints, 77, 2-3, 16.000
45. Ontonagon, 173, 2-3, 15.800
46. Waldron, 65, 2-3, 13.800
47. Bear Lake *, 94, 1-3, 11.000
48. Lawrence, 171, 1-4, 10.800
49. Hale, 122, 1-4, 10.800
50. Atlanta, 74, 1-4, 9.600
51. Owendale-Gagetown, 57, 1-4, 9.600
52. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 156, 1-4, 8.800
53. Ashley, 94, 1-4, 8.800
54. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 201, 1-4, 7.800
55. Brimley, 154, 1-4, 7.800
56. Burton Madison Academy, 163, 1-4, 7.250
57. Flint International Academy, 171, 0-5, 2.400
58. Carney-Nadeau, 133, 0-5, 2.200
59. Felch North Dickinson, 83, 0-5, 2.000
60. Litchfield, 81, 0-5, 1.800
61. Baldwin *, 120, 0-4, 1.650
62. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 100, 0-5, 1.600
1st & Goal: 2023 Week 1 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
August 24, 2023
This Michigan high school football season is heating up in a hurry.
Of course, this is always one of the most highly-anticipated opening weekends on the school sports schedule – and we kick off this fall’s 14-week run with 493 teams playing 11-player football and 106 playing 8-player.
More literally concerning the heat wave affecting much of the state, the list of games changing days or kickoff times as a precaution is growing; check out the MHSAA Scores page for updates as we receive them.
More than 250 varsity games are scheduled to be broadcast this weekend on MHSAA.tv, including all 16 being played at Wayne State as part of the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic, University of Michigan as part of the Battle at the Big House and Kettering University as part of the Vehicle City Gridiron Classic. Click the names of the events for specific broadcast landing pages for those showcases.
Here’s a look at some of the matchups with the most intrigue from all over the state, including headliners from the three events referred to above. What you see below may not represent all of the schedule changes we are receiving, but again follow the MHSAA Scores page for updated dates and times – and all weekend for scores as they’re submitted.
Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic – Wayne State University – Tom Adams Field
Belleville (14-0) vs. River Rouge (5-4), Friday
Expectations couldn’t be higher for Belleville, which has won the last two Division 1 championships and 25 straight games and returns quarterback Bryce Underwood and running back/linebacker Jeremiah Beasley among standouts, and that makes this 7 p.m. kickoff arguably the most highly-anticipated in the state. But River Rouge was much better than its record last season, losing to two eventual Finals champions over its final three games as it finished its first season under a new coach – a scenario Belleville finds itself in this fall.
More Xenith games: THURSDAY Walled Lake Western (9-2) vs. Waterford Mott (8-3), Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (7-3) vs. West Bloomfield (8-2). FRIDAY Allen Park (7-4) vs. Taylor (4-5). SATURDAY Detroit Cass Tech (9-4) vs. Southfield Arts & Technology (8-3), Detroit Martin Luther King (10-3) vs. Cincinnati St. Xavier (5-7).
Battle at the Big House – University of Michigan – Michigan Stadium
Goodrich (12-2) vs. Frankenmuth (13-1), Friday
Both finished their 2022 seasons at Ford Field, Frankenmuth the runner-up in Division 5 after a last-second Gladwin game-winning field goal and Goodrich runner-up in Division 4 after Grand Rapids South Christian dealt the Martians their only loss since opening night. That opening night had seen Frankenmuth defeat Goodrich 27-2, and several contributors from that game will find themselves in bigger roles as this season begins on a big stage.
More Big House games: THURSDAY Lake Orion (4-6) vs. Livonia Stevenson (4-5), South Lyon East (7-3) vs. White Lake Lakeland (4-5), Lapeer (7-3) vs. Ann Arbor Huron (5-5). FRIDAY Caledonia (12-2) vs. Romeo (8-3), Clarkston (10-3) vs. Northville (8-3).
Vehicle City Gridiron Classic – Kettering University – Atwood Stadium
Davison (9-2) vs. Warren De La Salle Collegiate (13-1), Friday
Like Belleville, De La Salle is on a two-season championship streak after claiming the last two Division 2 titles by large margins, and the Pilots’ only loss over the last two years was by a point last September to league opponent Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice. There will be new faces in key places in these lineups as well, especially after De La Salle graduated its quarterback of the last three seasons and Davison has a new starter at that position as well.
More Vehicle City games: THURSDAY Mt. Morris (2-7) vs. Clio (2-7). FRIDAY Flint Hamady (10-2) vs. Harper Woods Chandler Park (4-5), Flint Carman-Ainsworth (2-7) vs. Flint Kearsley (3-6).
Bay & Thumb
Mount Pleasant (9-2) at Saginaw Heritage (7-3)
After spending most of the last two decades as part of a one-division Saginaw Valley League or in the same division when the league was split, these two are heading into a second-straight season in different divisions with Mount Pleasant a reigning co-champion in the North (now Blue) and Heritage coming off finishing third in the Red. They didn’t face each other last season, but the Oilers had won this matchup nine straight times before that – although expectations are rising in Saginaw Township as the Hawks won their most games last season since 2006.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Clarkston Everest Collegiate (9-4) at Ubly (13-1), Saginaw Swan Valley (7-4) at Croswell-Lexington (7-3), Millington (10-2) at Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (10-2). FRIDAY Harbor Beach (8-2) at Marine City Cardinal Mooney (8-3).
Greater Detroit
Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (5-6) at Roseville (8-3)
Roseville has posted its winningest two seasons over the last two years and rolled through the second half of 2022 before running into eventual Division 2 champion De La Salle in a District Final. A win over Rice in this season opener would be considered another serious step, as the Warriors were much better than their record last year may have seemed to indicate. Rice, as noted above, is the only team to defeat De La Salle over the last two seasons.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Parma Western (6-4) at Dearborn Divine Child (9-3). FRIDAY Rochester Adams (10-2) at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (5-6).
Mid-Michigan
Haslett (6-4) at DeWitt (9-4)
The rivalry got some juice again last season at Michigan Stadium, as the Panthers hung on for a 21-14 victory. Two sets of siblings will be the main focus as this one kicks off. Haslett will pursue its first win in the series since 2005 paced by dynamic playmaker Nakai Amachree, who returned a kick and a punt for touchdowns in last year’s meeting, and younger brother Kory will be tough to stop as well. Junior twins Elliott and Abram Larner, meanwhile, shined as sophomores on a DeWitt team that reached the Division 3 Semifinals in November.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Saline (8-3) at Brighton (8-2), Holt (7-4) at Mason (12-1), Portland (10-2) at Ovid-Elsie (8-3).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Midland (10-2) at Cadillac (5-5)
These two were league champions last season, Midland sharing in the SVL North and Cadillac winning the Big North Conference while also playing one of the most crushing nonleague schedules in the state – five of the Vikings’ opponents finished the regular season 8-1. Midland won last year’s matchup, 27-21 at home, but this time must make the trip west.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Traverse City St. Francis (13-1) at Charlevoix (8-2), Standish-Sterling (8-2) at Boyne City (9-1), Traverse City West (2-7) at Gaylord (6-4).
Southeast & Border
Livonia Franklin (10-2) at Dexter (12-1), Friday
Dexter graduated serious star power from the group that produced the program’s longest playoff run and just missed making the Division 2 Final. But long forgotten are the days when the Dreadnaughts were among the last teams seeking to make the playoffs for the first time – and after five straight postseason appearances, this fall will provide another chance to show how far the program has come. Franklin has made the playoffs eight straight seasons and also is coming off one of its best as it reached double-digit wins last fall for the fourth time – making this one of the most intriguing season openers statewide outside of the three weekend showcases.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Warren Michigan Collegiate (10-2) at Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (6-6), Whitmore Lake (6-3) at Manchester (6-5). FRIDAY Tecumseh (10-1) at Jackson Northwest (5-4).
Southwest Corridor
Grand Rapids West Catholic (13-1) at Edwardsburg (11-2), Friday
This is another one many have had circled, especially after West Catholic last season won the matchup 28-20 – handing Edwardsburg its first regular-season defeat since 2017. The Falcons went on to win the Division 6 championship, while the Eddies reached the Division 4 Semifinals and were a touchdown from returning to Ford Field as well. West Catholic graduated much of its offensive firepower but returns important leaders on defense, and they’ll be tested right away by an Edwardsburg offense that has topped 4,000 yards rushing eight of the last nine seasons (with COVID-shortened 2020 the only exception during that time.)
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Lawton (9-3) at Benton Harbor (4-5), East Lansing (8-4) at Portage Central (4-5). FRIDAY Portage Northern (7-4) at Vicksburg (5-5).
Upper Peninsula
Houghton (6-4) at Iron Mountain (11-2)
These two are playing a nonleague game this time after finishing fourth and second, respectively, in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper in 2022. Iron Mountain reached the Division 8 Semifinals last fall and has moved into the Iron division of the league this season as the West-PAC has added three teams to the Copper from the Great Northern Conference. Houghton remains in the Copper and will be looking to avenge last season’s 28-6 loss to the Mountaineers, which was followed by the Gremlins’ best finish since 2013.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Ishpeming (4-6) at Negaunee (13-1). FRIDAY Bark River-Harris (8-3) at Ishpeming Westwood (4-5), Marquette (3-6) at Gladstone (9-3).
West Michigan
Rockford (10-1) at Muskegon (11-3), Friday
A few others listed above are in contention, but this has to be the most highly-anticipated opening-weekend matchup outside of the showcase events. League opponents most recently in 2011, these west-side powers haven’t faced each other since 2013. Muskegon returned to Ford Field last season, finishing Division 3 runner-up, and returns the majority of its offensive playmakers from that lineup including quarterback M’Khi Guy and running back Jakob Price. Rockford’s only loss last fall was by a point in a District Final to eventual Division 1 runner-up Caledonia, and the Rams also return a major player on both sides of the ball in senior Ryan Ahern.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Hudsonville Unity Christian (6-5) at Whitehall (11-1), New Lothrop (10-3) at Muskegon Catholic Central (8-3), Cedar Springs (5-5) at East Grand Rapids (4-6). FRIDAY Kingsley (7-3) at Reed City (11-2).
8-Player
Martin (11-2) at Colon (10-1), Friday
These have become two of the strongest programs in 8-player football, but they head into this fall with some unfamiliarity. Martin is 40-6 in 8-player football and the reigning Division 1 champion, but graduated much of its nucleus from that title-winning team. Colon is 51-7 in 8-player but enters with a new coach for the first time since making the format switch in 2018. The Magi’s only loss last season came by two points in a Regional Final to eventual Division 2 runner-up Mendon.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Brown City (10-2) at Peck (7-3), Gaylord St. Mary (8-3) at Pickford (6-3). FRIDAY Morrice (9-3) at Breckenridge (8-3), Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian (8-0) at Climax-Scotts (8-2), Rudyard (6-3) at Munising (11-1).
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PHOTO Mount Pleasant takes the field during the 2022 season. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)