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Drive for Detroit: Week 9 in Review

October 23, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

By now, you know which teams made the playoffs, what the first-round matchups look like and what the roads will be for your favorites to arrive at either the Superior Dome or Ford Field next month.

But a lot was still undecided heading into Week 9 – in fact, nearly one third of the playoff berths were still up for grabs.

So as we’ve done each Monday since mid-August, our “Drive for Detroit” – powered by MI Student Aid – will give you 45 glimpses below into how we got to this point. 

Bay & Thumb

Lapeer 35, Flint Carman-Ainsworth 23

With both 5-3 entering the weekend, a win would guarantee the victor a playoff berth. In the end, both teams qualified, but Carman-Ainsworth had to wait a little longer to find out its season would go on. Lapeer has made the playoffs all four years since the former West and East high schools merged into one. Carman-Ainsworth made the playoffs as an at-large qualifier for the second straight year, no doubt helped that its losses this fall came to to Grand Blanc, Davison, Midland Dow and Lapeer (which are a combined 28-8). Click for more from the Lapeer County Press.

Also noted:

Bridgeport 54, Chesaning 31 – The Bearcats (6-3) have as many wins as the last three seasons combined and earned their first playoff berth since 1999; Chesaning (4-5) missed the playoffs but did double its win total from a year ago.

Frankenmuth 20, Freeland 7 – After missing perfect regular seasons the last two because of losses to Freeland (6-3), Frankenmuth (9-0) got past its nemesis and ended up with the highest playoff point average in Division 5.

Midland 49, Midland Dow 21 – The Chemics (8-1) broke a four-game losing streak to rival Dow (7-2), in doing so doubling their win total from a year ago.

Lake Fenton 35, Williamston 28 – The Blue Devils (8-1) staved off their most challenging opponent since a Week 1 loss to New Lothrop … and earned the opportunity to face Williamston (5-4) again this week in a Division 4 opener. 

Greater Detroit

Detroit Martin Luther King 21, Detroit East English 0

King completed its second Detroit Public School overall title run in three seasons with this win in the PSL A final at Ford Field. The Crusaders also made it eight straight victories over East English (8-1), which hadn’t been shut out since 2013. King, the two-time reigning MHSAA Division 2 champion, finished the regular season 8-1 with its only loss to Toledo Central Catholic (which also is 8-1). Click for more from MLive-Detroit.

Also noted:

Warren DeLaSalle 35, Detroit Catholic Central 14 – The Pilots (7-2) beat Detroit Catholic Central (5-4) in Week 8 to clinch the Catholic League Central title, and then again Saturday for the A-B championship.

Detroit Central 40, Detroit Denby 0 – After opening the Detroit Public School League Black schedule with a 12-6 loss to Denby (6-2), Central (7-2) avenged in a big way in Friday’s PSL B championship game.

Waterford Mott 42, Fenton 28 – The Corsairs (8-1) reached eight wins for the first time since 1973 by handing Fenton (8-1) its lone loss of the regular season.

Canton 35, Livonia Churchill 21 – The overall Kensington Lakes Activities Association championship went to the Chiefs (8-1), who have won eight straight and swept the KLAA Black; Churchill (7-2) swept the Red to reach this final.

Mid-Michigan

Clare 38, Beaverton 14

Clare continues to own the Jack Pine Conference. Both of these teams entered the regular-season finale undefeated in league play – Beaverton undefeated overall as well – but the Pioneers (8-1) emerged with a big win to claim their 10th league title in 11 seasons and run their league winning streak back up to 14 straight games. The Beavers (8-1) do still have their best record since 1970, and home-field advantage this week and should they advance to a Division 7 District Final. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.

Also noted:

Ithaca 38, Carrollton 6 – It becomes easy to take for granted after so many years, but Ithaca (9-0) completed its eighth straight perfect regular season by downing playoff qualifier Carrollton (6-3); the Yellowjackets’ only losses since the start of 2010 were in the 2014 Division 6 Final and in a Division 5 Regional Final last season.

East Lansing 21, Okemos 7 – The Trojans (7-2) have come back from a 1-2 start to earn a home playoff game, while this victory kept Okemos (5-4) out of the postseason; the Chiefs still finished with more wins than their last two seasons combined.

Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 24, Grand Rapids Christian 20 – In easily one of the most massive upsets of the regular season, Middleville TK (2-7) won for the first time since opening night and avenged last season’s 54-0 loss to the Eagles (7-2).

Ovid-Elsie 23, Richmond 14 – The Marauders (7-2) continued their bounce-back from 4-5 a year ago with what likely would be considered an upset of the Blue Water Area Conference runner-up Blue Devils (7-2). 


Northern Lower Peninsula

Boyne City 19, Traverse City St. Francis 13

Arguably the most dramatic play statewide this weekend gave Boyne City the go-ahead points during the final minute (click the link below for more). The Ramblers (9-0) broke a three-game losing streak against the rival Gladiators and clinched the Northern Michigan Football League Legends championship outright. Boyne City also completed its second perfect regular season in four years, its 19 points only the second-most St. Francis (8-1) has given up this season. Defense certainly prevailed – the Rambers’ 19 also tied their second-fewest scored this season. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.

Also noted:

Johannesburg-Lewiston 50, Harbor Springs 8 – The Cardinals (6-3) clinched a playoff berth after missing last season for the first time in six; Harbor Springs (4-5) fell shy of an at-large opportunity.

Grayling 50, Kalkaska 33 – The Vikings (6-3) clinched a third straight playoff berth and eighth in nine seasons, while Kalkaska also (4-5) missed out on a chance at an at-large bid.

Hillman 58, Indian River Inland Lakes 8 – The Tigers (5-4) got the needed win to extend their playoff streak to 12 straight seasons; Inland Lakes (2-7) did take a step this fall after going winless in 2016.

AuGres-Sims 50, Adrian Lenawee Christian 6 – The Wolverines (8-0) capped their first perfect regular season since 2006 and with a big win over another playoff team in Lenawee Christian (6-3), which qualified after missing the postseason in 2016. 

Southeast & Border

Michigan Center 45, Reading 43

Michigan Center also has the argument for the most dramatic play of the weekend, scoring during the final minute to cap a fourth-quarter comeback and beat Reading in the crossover of champions from the Cascades and Big 8 conferences, respectively. The Rangers (7-2) suffered their first loss since Week 1 but still have more victories this season than the last two combined. Michigan Center (8-1) needs one more win to tie its program record. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

Also noted:

Union City 44, Addison 20 – The Chargers (7-2) have rebounded from two straight sub-.500 finishes to tie for second in the Big 8 Conference and earn this win over Cascades co-champion Addison (7-2).

Hudson 54, Blissfield 8 – The Tigers (8-1) locked up the Lenawee County Athletic Association championship, made more impressive as Blissfield (5-4) was one of six teams in the league, out of eight, to finish with overall winning records in the regular season.

Hillsdale 17, Brooklyn Columbia Central 10 – The Hornets (5-4) closed with three straight wins over playoff teams to earn an at-large berth after missing last season for the first time in 16; Columbia Central (6-3) is headed to the postseason for the third straight season.

Morenci 40, Petersburg Summerfield 28 – After opening this season 0-2, Morenci (6-3) won all but one of their Tri-County Conference games to finish second and secure their fourth straight playoff berth; Summerfield (6-3) finished third in the league and also qualified for the fourth straight season.

Southwest Corridor

Vicksburg 30, Three Rivers 20

Vicksburg (7-2) had only an outside chance Friday of gaining a share of the Wolverine B Conference championship. But the Bulldogs could prevent rival Three Rivers from claiming part of the league title – and this 30-20 win gave the outright championship to Edwardsburg, while Vicksburg, Three Rivers and Plainwell ended up tied for second place. Three Rivers (7-2) will have to wait only six days for a chance at vengeance; emotions surely will be running high when these two meet again in a Division 4 District opener Friday. Click for more from JoeInsider.com.

Also noted:

Coldwater 24, Traverse City West 9 – The Cardinals (6-3) took a long trip north needing a win to earn a fifth straight playoff appearance, and got it by holding the Titans (8-1) to 20 fewer points than they’d scored in any game over the first eight.

Dowagiac 21, Paw Paw 12 – The Chieftains (6-3) needed a third straight win over Paw Paw (4-5) to make the playoffs for the third straight year, and in the process took an at-large opportunity away from the Redskins.

Delton Kellogg 40, Constantine 7 – The Panthers (5-4) got what they needed to earn an at-large playoff bid for the second time in three seasons, and one more win would tie their most since 2001; Constantine (3-6) saw an 18-year playoff streak come to an end.

Battle Creek Pennfield 28, Olivet 21 – The Panthers (4-5) didn’t make the playoffs and were out of consideration after Week 8, but they rallied to give Olivet (8-1) its first loss. 

Upper Peninsula

Kingsford 21, Escanaba 14

First a few weeks ago, it looked like Escanaba/Gladstone might be the matchup of the best in the Upper Peninsula. After the Eskymos won that game, Kingsford (6-2) emerged from an early schedule of Wisconsin opponents to become the next challenger. So it’s fair to call the Flivvers the best above the bridge after it finished a perfect run through the Great Northern Conference while suffering its only loss this season to Menasha, Wis., in Week 1. Escanaba (7-2) could host up to two playoff games, however, and its losses were by a combined 14 points. Kingsford is in line to host up to three playoff games. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Also noted:

Calumet 20, Gladstone 16 – The Copper Kings (6-3) needed a win to guarantee a fourth straight playoff appearance and 12th in 13 seasons, and had to get it against a Gladstone team that at 7-2 is enjoying its first winning season since 2009 and first playoff season since 2008.

Ishpeming Westwood 30, Negaunee 14 – The Patriots (8-1) set a program single-season record for wins and after going only 2-7 a year ago; in the process they also helped end Negaunee’s five-year playoff streak as the Miners finished 4-5.

Menominee 34, Marquette 17 – The Maroons (6-3) earned their 22nd straight playoff berth, good to tie for second-longest streak all-time, but only by getting past the rival Redmen (4-5) as they sought an at-large opportunity.

Hancock 21, Houghton 0 – The win over Houghton (1-8) wasn’t a huge surprise, but Hancock (7-2) obviously should celebrate its first playoff berth since 2006. 

West Michigan

Montague 34, Muskegon Catholic Central 10

This meeting of league champions – Montague from the West Michigan Conference and MCC (7-1) from the Lakes 8 – was anticipated as well because both were undefeated and both are potential MHSAA champions, MCC in Division 8 and Montague in Division 6. This meeting was the first between the two Muskegon-area powers, and the Wildcats (9-0) were able to finish off a second perfect regular season in three years and end MCC’s 27-game winning streak. Click for more from the Local Sports Journal.

Also noted:

Holland West Ottawa 34, Grandville 18 – In the end, what looked a few weeks ago like an unpredictable Ottawa-Kent Conference Red race turned into an outright championship for West Ottawa (8-1); the title had been split three straight seasons, and a Grandville win would’ve earned the Bulldogs and Rockford shares.

Zeeland East 28, Zeeland West 8 – East (9-0) completed a perfect regular season for the first time since 2012 and claimed the outright O-K Green title, the Chix’ first league title since winning the O-K Black also in 2012. But East also must see West (6-3) again immediately in a Division 3 opener.   

East Grand Rapids 13, Grand Rapids South Christian 7 – The Sailors (7-2) also had a chance to turn the O-K Gold into a three-team title share, but East Grand Rapids (9-0) held on not just for the outright championship but its first perfect regular season since 2010.

Fennville 40, Saugatuck 7 – Fennville (5-4) fell shy of the playoffs and Saugatuck (6-3) will play on, but this win gave the Blackhawks the outright Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore title with one more league win than the Indians.

8-Player

Kinde-North Huron 56, Bay City All Saints 46

North Huron (8-1) finished its North Central Thumb League Stripes championship run against All Saints, who were tied with the Warriors for first place entering the weekend. It’s been an incredible turnaround for North Huron, which was 2-7 a year ago and last won a league title in 2006 (sharing it that year with Kingston). These teams could meet again; North Huron is home in their shared Division 2 Regional and All Saints (6-3) will open on the road at Marion. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.

Also noted:

Pickford 53, Rudyard 14 – The Panthers (9-0) held off Rudyard’s attempt at creating a shared Bridge Alliance title, as the Bulldogs (7-2) instead fell into a three-way tie for second.

Bellaire 42, Onaway 20 – Although Onaway finished only 3-6, this was a key game because it was Bellaire’s fourth straight win and likely the playoff clincher after a 1-4 start to this season.

Powers North Central 32, Stephenson 20 – After the reigning MHSAA champion Jets (6-2) started 1-2, things looked dim; in retrospect, those losses were by only a combined 10 points and this win over Stephenson (7-2) was their fifth straight.

Eben Junction Superior Central 46, Rapid River 22 – Superior Central (4-5) fell short of the playoffs but closed with three straight wins for the second straight season, and this time dealt Western Eight Conference champion Rapid River (7-2) its only league loss. 

Second Half’s weekly “Drive for Detroit” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Student Financial Services Bureau 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, including various student financial assistance programs to help make college more affordable for Michigan students. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 savings programs (MET/MESP) and eight additional aid programs within its Student Scholarships and Grants division. Click for more information and connect with MI Student Aid on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTO: Montague, here on defense surrounding a ball carrier, won a meeting of undefeated teams Friday in its first game ever against Muskegon Catholic Central. (Photo by Tim Reilly.)

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.)