MHSAA Provides Update on 2024 Football Playoff Hopefuls, Bracket Reveal Schedule
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 23, 2024
Here is a list of Michigan High School Athletic Association football playing schools, displaying their win-loss records and playoff averages through the eighth week of the season, plus information on this season's MHSAA Playoffs bracket and Finals schedule announcements.
Schools on this list are divided by division and ordered by playoff average. The top 32 teams by playoff average in each 11-player division and top 16 teams by playoff average in each 8-player division will qualify for the MHSAA Football Playoffs beginning Nov. 1. Divisions were determined prior to the start of the season, and the lists below include not only teams currently positioned to potentially qualify, but also the next eight teams in each division.
To review a list of all football playoff schools, individual school playoff point details and to report errors, visit the Football Playoff Point Summary page.
The announcement of the qualifiers and first-round pairings for both the 11 and 8-player playoffs will take place at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, on the “Selection Sunday Show” on FanDuel Sports Network and its website. The playoff qualifiers and pairings will be posted to the MHSAA Website following the Selection Sunday Show, and times and dates will be added Monday, Oct. 28.
The MHSAA Football Playoffs conclude with the 8-Player Finals on Nov. 23 at Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome and 11-Player Finals to be played Nov. 29-30 at Ford Field.
11-Player Division 1
1. Howell, 8-0, 83.250
2. Belleville, 8-0, 79.125
3. Detroit Catholic Central, 8-0, 78.911
4. Hudsonville, 7-1, 78.250
5. Grand Blanc, 7-1, 76.375
6. Utica Eisenhower, 7-1, 75.125
7. Macomb Dakota, 7-1, 72.750
8. Lake Orion, 6-2, 72.125
9. Rochester Adams, 6-2, 69.875
10. Oxford, 6-2, 68.875
11. Brighton, 6-2, 66.750
12. Rockford, 6-2, 65.071
13. Davison, 6-2, 64.804
14. Detroit Cass Tech, 6-2, 62.250
15. Clarkston, 5-3, 60.750
16. Northville, 5-3, 60.000
17. Dearborn Fordson, 5-3, 58.750
17. Saline, 5-3, 58.750
19. Novi, 5-3, 58.500
20. East Kentwood, 5-3, 57.875
21. West Bloomfield, 4-4, 57.125
22. Grandville, 4-4, 54.917
23. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 5-3, 54.875
24. Lapeer, 5-3, 54.500
25. Rochester Hills Stoney Creek, 4-4, 53.250
26. Romeo, 3-5, 51.750
27. Dearborn, 4-4, 51.375
28. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 4-4, 50.250
29. Grand Ledge, 4-4, 49.625
30. Livonia Stevenson, 4-4, 49.125
31. New Baltimore Anchor Bay, 3-5, 47.875
32. Troy, 4-4, 45.804
33. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 3-5, 45.750
34. Jenison, 3-5, 45.125
35. Holt, 4-4, 44.375
36. Hartland, 3-5, 44.250
37. Kalamazoo Central, 5-3, 43.500
38. Utica, 3-5, 42.625
39. Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, 5-3, 42.500
39. Rochester, 3-5, 42.500
11-Player Division 2
1. Dexter, 8-0, 79.875
2. Grosse Pointe South, 8-0, 78.375
3. Muskegon Mona Shores, 8-0, 76.321
4. Birmingham Groves, 8-0, 73.625
5. Byron Center, 7-1, 69.821
6. Port Huron Northern, 6-2, 67.625
7. Gibraltar Carlson, 7-1, 66.946
8. Midland, 7-1, 66.625
9. Grand Rapids Northview, 8-0, 65.750
10. Allen Park, 6-2, 62.571
11. Warren De La Salle Collegiate, 5-2, 62.536
12. East Lansing, 5-3, 61.750
13. Birmingham Seaholm, 6-2, 61.375
13. Portage Central, 6-2, 61.375
15. Roseville, 6-2, 61.000
16. White Lake Lakeland, 6-2, 60.236
17. Lansing Everett, 6-2, 60.125
18. Livonia Franklin, 5-3, 59.500
19. Warren Mott, 6-2, 59.375
20. Milford, 6-2, 59.339
21. Portage Northern, 5-3, 58.375
22. Mattawan, 5-3, 58.000
23. Saginaw Heritage, 5-3, 57.875
24. North Farmington, 5-3, 56.625
25. Temperance Bedford, 5-3, 55.625
26. Midland Dow, 5-3, 54.625
27. Farmington, 5-3, 53.500
28. Flushing, 6-2, 53.125
29. Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 5-3, 53.054
30. Warren Cousino, 5-3, 52.875
31. Traverse City West, 5-3, 52.250
32. Lincoln Park, 5-3, 51.821
33. Ferndale, 5-3, 51.554
34. South Lyon East, 5-3, 51.464
35. Marquette, 6-2, 49.875
36. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 4-4, 49.589
37. Caledonia, 4-4, 49.250
38. South Lyon, 4-4, 49.089
39. Harrison Township L'Anse Creuse, 4-4, 49.000
40. Traverse City Central, 4-4, 47.250
11-Player Division 3
1. DeWitt, 8-0, 77.411
2. Walled Lake Western, 8-0, 76.839
3. Zeeland West, 7-1, 65.946
4. Fenton, 7-1, 65.750
5. St. Joseph, 7-1, 65.000
6. Detroit Martin Luther King, 6-2, 64.887
7. Petoskey, 8-0, 63.875
8. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 6-2, 62.250
9. Southgate Anderson, 6-2, 61.571
10. Lowell, 6-2, 60.750
11. Trenton, 5-3, 60.089
12. Mason, 6-2, 58.250
13. Cedar Springs, 7-1, 58.125
14. Auburn Hills Avondale, 5-3, 53.375
15. Riverview, 7-1, 52.625
16. Redford Thurston, 6-2, 52.500
17. Garden City, 6-2, 51.125
18. Port Huron, 4-4, 50.250
19. Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, 5-3, 49.750
20. East Grand Rapids, 5-3, 48.375
21. Coopersville, 5-3, 46.875
22. Mount Pleasant, 4-4, 46.750
22. St. Johns, 5-3, 46.750
24. Linden, 4-4, 46.625
25. River Rouge, 3-4, 45.036
26. Zeeland East, 4-4, 44.500
27. Cadillac, 4-4, 42.625
27. Grosse Pointe North, 4-4, 42.625
29. Warren Fitzgerald, 4-4, 41.625
30. Detroit East English, 3-5, 40.536
31. Jackson, 4-4, 40.250
32. Wayland, 4-4, 36.250
33. Waterford Kettering, 2-6, 36.000
34. Bay City John Glenn, 4-4, 35.750
35. Ypsilanti Community, 3-5, 35.357
36. Holland, 4-4, 34.875
37. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, 2-6, 34.750
38. Swartz Creek, 3-5, 34.500
39. Bay City Central, 2-6, 34.250
40. Jackson Northwest, 3-5, 33.000
11-Player Division 4
1. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 8-0, 68.750
2. Madison Heights Lamphere, 7-1, 63.250
3. Chelsea, 7-1, 62.750
4. Goodrich, 7-1, 62.625
5. Paw Paw, 8-0, 61.875
6. Harper Woods, 5-3, 59.000
7. Redford Union, 7-1, 58.500
8. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 7-1, 58.375
9. Portland, 8-0, 56.750
10. Hastings, 7-1, 56.500
11. Niles, 7-1, 55.625
12. Marysville, 7-1, 55.250
13. Big Rapids, 7-1, 54.250
14. Parma Western, 5-3, 52.375
15. Freeland, 7-1, 52.125
16. Holland Christian, 6-2, 51.500
17. Ada Forest Hills Eastern, 6-2, 50.875
18. Haslett, 5-3, 50.250
19. Dearborn Divine Child, 5-3, 50.143
20. Whitehall, 6-2, 49.625
21. Ionia, 5-3, 48.000
22. Edwardsburg, 5-3, 47.986
23. Ortonville Brandon, 5-3, 47.375
24. Macomb Lutheran North, 7-1, 46.625
25. St. Clair, 6-2, 46.375
26. Croswell-Lexington, 6-2, 45.625
27. Lake Fenton, 5-3, 45.500
28. Ludington, 6-2, 44.500
29. Grand Rapids South Christian, 4-4, 44.375
29. Hamilton, 5-3, 44.375
31. Detroit Southeastern, 4-4, 43.375
32. Detroit Henry Ford, 5-3, 41.625
33. Three Rivers, 4-4, 40.000
34. Lansing Sexton, 4-4, 39.125
35. Escanaba, 4-4, 39.000
36. Pinckney, 4-4, 38.625
37. Owosso, 4-4, 38.000
38. North Branch, 5-3, 37.875
39. Carleton Airport, 4-4, 37.375
40. Adrian, 3-5, 36.125
11-Player Division 5
1. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 7-0, 63.107
2. Frankenmuth, 8-0, 60.250
3. Corunna, 7-1, 59.375
4. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 5-3, 55.929
5. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 6-2, 53.917
6. Armada, 7-1, 51.875
7. Kingsford, 8-0, 51.500
8. Belding, 7-1, 50.768
9. Ogemaw Heights, 7-1, 50.375
10. Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep, 7-1, 49.375
11. Clare, 7-1, 48.500
12. Flat Rock, 6-2, 44.500
13. Detroit Voyageur College Prep, 6-2, 44.446
14. Flint Hamady, 5-2, 43.875
15. Hopkins, 6-2, 43.518
16. Gladwin, 6-2, 43.125
16. Saginaw Swan Valley, 5-3, 43.125
18. Romulus Summit Academy North, 5-2, 41.500
19. Berrien Springs, 5-3, 41.125
20. Detroit Lincoln-King, 8-0, 40.208
21. Dowagiac, 5-3, 38.500
22. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard, 5-3, 38.500
23. St Clair Shores South Lake, 5-3, 38.375
24. Howard City Tri County, 5-3, 37.375
25. Hazel Park, 5-3, 35.625
26. Whitmore Lake, 6-2, 35.250
27. Detroit Denby, 5-3, 35.000
27. South Haven, 4-4, 35.000
29. Muskegon Oakridge, 4-4, 34.750
29. Williamston, 3-5, 34.750
31. Romulus, 3-5, 32.625
32. Flint Powers Catholic, 3-5, 32.375
33. Detroit Country Day, 3-5, 31.804
34. Richmond, 3-5, 31.625
35. Cheboygan, 4-4, 31.375
36. Midland Bullock Creek, 4-4, 31.250
37. Houghton, 3-5, 29.125
38. Livonia Clarenceville, 2-6, 28.768
39. Birch Run, 4-4, 28.750
40. Essexville Garber, 3-5, 27.625
11-Player Division 6
1. Almont, 8-0, 59.500
2. Jackson Lumen Christi, 7-1, 57.054
3. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 7-1, 51.321
4. Marine City, 6-2, 49.375
5. Chesaning, 8-0, 47.375
6. Detroit Edison, 6-2, 46.875
7. Reed City, 6-2, 46.554
8. Newaygo, 6-2, 45.875
8. Olivet, 6-2, 45.875
10. Mason County Central, 7-1, 44.018
11. Ovid-Elsie, 7-1, 43.875
12. Lansing Catholic, 5-3, 43.125
13. Standish-Sterling, 5-3, 41.500
14. Negaunee, 6-2, 41.125
15. Kingsley, 6-2, 41.000
16. Ida, 7-1, 40.500
17. Detroit Pershing, 6-2, 40.250
18. Boyne City, 6-2, 39.875
18. Central Montcalm, 7-1, 39.875
20. Constantine, 6-2, 39.750
21. Parchment, 6-2, 39.375
22. Detroit Central, 6-2, 38.054
23. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 4-4, 37.125
24. Manistee, 5-3, 36.250
25. Dearborn Advanced Tech Academy, 5-3, 35.750
26. Calumet, 5-3, 35.250
27. Kent City, 5-3, 34.518
28. Clinton Township Clintondale, 5-3, 34.375
29. Detroit Old Redford, 7-1, 34.333
30. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic, 6-2, 34.250
31. Buchanan, 5-3, 34.125
31. Clawson, 6-2, 34.125
33. Montague, 3-5, 33.000
34. Adrian Madison, 4-4, 32.250
35. Ecorse, 3-4, 30.411
36. Onsted, 4-4, 30.250
37. Grass Lake, 5-3, 30.000
38. Pinconning, 5-3, 29.875
39. Durand, 4-4, 28.875
40. Hart, 4-4, 27.500
11-Player Division 7
1. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 8-0, 56.750
2. Hudson, 7-1, 47.625
3. Menominee, 7-1, 46.750
4. Ithaca, 8-0, 44.125
5. Millington, 7-0, 42.196
6. Hanover-Horton, 8-0, 42.000
7. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 5-3, 41.250
8. Traverse City St. Francis, 6-2, 40.750
9. Clinton, 6-2, 40.250
10. McBain, 8-0, 39.875
11. North Muskegon, 7-1, 39.500
12. Union City, 8-0, 38.500
13. Schoolcraft, 7-1, 37.250
14. Montrose, 5-3, 37.000
15. Lawton, 6-2, 36.875
16. Harrison, 7-1, 36.625
17. Pewamo-Westphalia, 7-1, 36.250
18. Leslie, 7-1, 35.000
19. Charlevoix, 6-2, 34.500
20. Napoleon, 5-3, 33.000
21. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 4-4, 32.917
22. Bronson, 6-2, 32.208
23. Cass City, 5-3, 30.446
24. Bath, 5-3, 30.000
25. Saranac, 5-3, 29.375
26. Evart, 5-3, 28.500
27. Burton Atherton, 6-2, 28.393
28. Houghton Lake, 4-4, 28.125
29. Blissfield, 3-5, 28.000
30. Jonesville, 5-3, 27.625
30. Oscoda, 5-3, 27.625
32. Saginaw Valley Lutheran, 4-4, 27.375
33. Ravenna, 4-4, 27.250
34. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 4-4, 26.446
35. Burton Bendle, 5-3, 24.643
36. New Lothrop, 3-5, 24.554
37. Coloma, 3-5, 23.875
38. LeRoy Pine River, 3-5, 23.625
39. Galesburg-Augusta, 3-5, 23.125
40. Benzie Central, 2-6, 21.625
11-Player Division 8
1. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 8-0, 43.125
2. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 7-1, 43.067
3. Fowler, 8-0, 40.000
4. Decatur, 7-1, 38.250"
5. Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central, 7-1, 37.625
6. Beal City, 7-1, 37.500
7. Iron Mountain, 8-0, 37.375
8. Harbor Beach, 8-0, 36.375
9. White Pigeon, 7-1, 35.750
10. Maple City Glen Lake, 7-1, 35.679
11. Petersburg Summerfield, 7-1, 35.125
12. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, 5-3, 33.125
13. Manchester, 6-2, 31.875
14. Detroit Loyola, 3-5, 31.500
15. East Jordan, 6-2, 31.429
16. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 6-2, 30.625
17. Springport, 6-2, 30.500
18. Saugatuck, 5-3, 30.250
19. Ubly, 5-3, 30.125
20. Frankfort, 6-2, 28.232
21. Mount Clemens, 6-2, 28.208
22. Reading, 4-4, 26.875
23. Bark River-Harris, 5-3, 26.750
24. Allen Park Cabrini, 5-3, 26.500
25. Centreville, 3-5, 25.304
26. Addison, 4-4, 24.625
26. Sand Creek, 4-4, 24.625
26. Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, 3-5, 24.625
29. Reese, 4-4, 24.446
30. Mancelona, 4-4, 24.429
31. Manistique, 4-4, 24.125
32. Marine City Cardinal Mooney, 3-5, 23.125
33. Arts & Technology Academy of Pontiac, 3-5, 22.083
34. Burton Bentley, 4-4, 21.732
35. Marlette, 3-5, 21.625
36. Madison Heights Madison, 2-6, 21.000
37. Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech, 3-5, 20.333
38. West Iron County, 3-5, 19.625
39. Detroit Douglass, 3-5, 17.750
40. Unionville-Sebewaing, 2-6, 17.500
8-Player Division 1
1. Alcona, 8-0, 37.750
1. Deckerville, 8-0, 37.750
3. Pickford, 8-0, 35.768
4. Gobles, 8-0, 35.714
5. Indian River Inland Lakes, 8-0, 33.518
6. Mendon, 7-1, 32.750
7. Bay City All Saints, 7-1, 32.375
7. Climax-Scotts, 7-1, 32.375
7. Fulton, 7-1, 32.375
10. Martin, 6-1, 31.821
11. Ishpeming, 5-2, 31.357
12. Norway, 6-2, 30.375
13. Kingston, 6-2, 30.000
14. Blanchard Montabella, 6-2, 28.500
15. Atlanta, 6-2, 27.804
16. Munising, 6-2, 27.375
17. Coleman, 5-3, 26.875
18. Suttons Bay, 6-3, 25.750
19. Bessemer, 4-4, 25.625
20. Marcellus, 5-2, 25.250
21. Bellevue, 5-3, 24.625
22. Rudyard, 4-4, 24.500
23. Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, 4-4, 24.125
24. Whittemore-Prescott, 3-5, 22.875
8-Player Division 2
1. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 8-0, 35.500
2. Grand Rapids Sacred Heart, 8-0, 34.375
3. Au Gres-Sims, 7-1, 34.304
4. Britton Deerfield, 7-1, 34.250
5. Portland St. Patrick, 7-1, 33.125
6. Marion, 8-0, 32.875
7. Onekama, 7-1, 32.375
7. Morrice, 7-1, 32.375
9. Pittsford, 7-1, 31.625
9. Powers North Central, 7-1, 31.625
11. Gaylord St. Mary, 7-1, 30.298
12. Mio, 6-2, 29.679
13. Bellaire, 6-2, 27.708
14. Burr Oak, 6-2, 27.375
14. Kinde North Huron, 6-2, 27.375
16. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 4-4, 27.071
17. Cedarville, 7-1, 26.833
18. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, 5-3, 26.458
19. Peck, 5-3, 25.750
20. Felch North Dickinson, 5-3, 25.000
21. Waldron, 5-3, 24.625
22. Battle Creek St. Philip, 5-3, 23.500
23. Lake Linden-Hubbell, 3-5, 22.500
24. Bear Lake, 4-4, 21.500
24. Ontonagon, 4-4, 21.500
1st & Goal: 2024 Playoffs Week 3 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 18, 2024
We’ve rounded the final turn toward the finish of this 2024 football season.
All four 8-player finalists are decided, and we lead off today’s “Review” with a look back and how they earned their trips this weekend to Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome.
We also glanced at all 32 Regional Finals in the 11-player bracket as those winners pulled within one more victory of booking Thanksgiving weekend at Ford Field.
8-Player Division 1
HEADLINER Pickford 34, Indian River Inland Lakes 18 This proved to be Pickford’s closest game so far this season, but the Panthers (12-0) advanced to their first MHSAA Final since 2019 when they won Division 1 – and also avenged a 12-0 Semifinal loss to Inland Lakes from a year ago. Pickford did so by holding the Bulldogs (11-1) well below its average of 53 points per game heading into the weekend. Click for more from WLUC.
HEADLINER Deckerville 49, Mendon 32 Mendon scored first and trailed by only three at halftime, but Deckerville outscored the Hornets 20-6 over the final two quarters. The Eagles (12-0) slowed down a Mendon rushing attack that hadn’t run into too many obstacles this season, and Deckerville quarterback Hunter Garza ran for 228 yards and three touchdowns and threw for two fourth-quarter scores. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.
8-Player Division 2
HEADLINER Crystal Falls Forest Park 49, Onekama 24 The Trojans are headed back to the Finals for the first time since winning Division 2 in 2017. Forest Park put up more points than Onekama had given up in a game this season and held the Portagers (10-2) to eight fewer than their season average. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.
HEADLINER Morrice 36, Britton Deerfield 0 Morrice (11-1) dominated on both sides of the ball and with Wyatt Cartier finding the end zone from his positions on offense and defense, running for three scores and returning an interception for a fourth. The Patriots (10-2) were averaging 53 points per game entering the weekend. Click for more from the Lansing Herald.
11-Player Division 1
HEADLINER Detroit Catholic Central 35, Belleville 21 As anticipated, and evidenced by the sizable crowd filling the stands, this was a game many had hoped to see for some time – and they watched DCC (12-0) win its first Regional title since 2017 while ending the career of one of the most accomplished players in MHSAA football history. Belleville (10-2) finished a combined 50-4 with three trips to Ford Field and two Division 1 titles during quarterback Bryce Underwood’s four seasons on varsity. Click for more from the Oakland Press.
Big Performance from Samson Gash! 🚨💥
Check out the highlights of Detroit Catholic Central junior Samson Gash in their win over Belleville in the 2024 Division 1 Regional Final. Gash scored two touchdowns (1 rushing and 1 rushing) and he also made an interception on the… pic.twitter.com/GP622NSDYR
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 17, 2024
Regional Roundup Hudsonville 35 Howell 6 The Eagles (11-1) won their first Regional title since 2005 and ended Howell’s winningest season at 11-1, holding the Highlanders scoreless until the fourth quarter. Rochester Adams 21, Grand Blanc 14 Adams (10-2) improved to a combined 9-3 in the playoffs over the last four seasons by winning its first Regional title since 2021. Grand Blanc finished 9-3, its defeats by a combined 10 points. Detroit Cass Tech 21, Macomb Dakota 14 Alex Graham snagged the game-winning touchdown pass above two defenders with 19 seconds to play to lead Cass Tech (10-2) to its second Regional title in three seasons. Dakota finished 10-2.
11-Player Division 2
HEADLINER Birmingham Groves 21, Warren De La Salle Collegiate 19 Groves (12-0) took a seven-point lead into halftime and a one-point advantage into the fourth quarter on the way to claiming its second Regional title in three seasons. The Falcons’ victory also meant the end of De La Salle’s four-year streak of reaching Ford Field; the Pilots (8-3) were Division 2 runners-up a year ago. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.
Regional Roundup Byron Center 52, Portage Central 14 Byron Center (11-1) won its first Regional championship and set a program record for wins, taking the next step after falling in a Regional Final last year. Portage Central finished 8-4 after winning its first District title since 2021. East Lansing 49, Saginaw Heritage 27 East Lansing (9-3) repeated as a Regional champion by scoring more points than Heritage (8-4) had given up in a game since Week 3 of the 2023 season. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 27, Gibraltar Carlson 3 St. Mary’s (9-3) won its first Regional title since 2016, thanks in part to holding the Marauders (10-2) to 39 points below their average and single digits for the first time since 2022.
11-Player Division 3
HEADLINER Zeeland West 36, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 20 West (11-1) repeated as a Regional winner and this time ended the season for the reigning Division 3 champion, after having lost to FHC 18-14 in the Semifinal a year ago that sent the Rangers to Ford Field. The Dux also had won their regular-season meeting in Week 6, as FHC finished this fall 9-3. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Regional Roundup Mason 22, Walled Lake Western 17 After falling to Western 20-17 in Week 8, Mason (10-2) avenged to clinch its fourth-straight Regional title and end the Warriors season at 11-1. DeWitt 70, Petoskey 34 DeWitt (12-0) ended Petoskey’s longest playoff run since 2014 by tying its highest-scoring output this fall – and moving into a tie for eighth all-time for single-season scoring by an 11-player team, with 682 points. The Northmen finished 11-1. Detroit Martin Luther King 34, River Rouge 0 King (9-3) ran its Regional title streak to four with a fourth-straight season defeating Rouge during the playoffs since falling to the Panthers (6-5) in a 2020 Regional Final.
11-Player Division 4
HEADLINER Niles 37, Portland 34 Niles (11-1) not only avenged last season’s 21-14 loss to Portland in this round, but in doing so won its first Regional title and set a program record for wins for the second-straight season. Portland is a combined 43-7 over the last four after completing its fourth-straight double-digit finish at 11-1 as well. Click for more from the Niles Daily Star.
Niles vs. Portland.
Regional Championship rematch from 2023.
The Vikings get their revenge!
Niles beats Portland, 37-34, to be a regional champion for the first time ever! 🏆@NilesAthletics @scot_shawNHSfb @BennettTalen @SamRucker14 @Peyton642126111 @brendenolsen22 pic.twitter.com/33dOjkFS96
— Bennett Wise WSBT (@BennettWiseWSBT) November 16, 2024
Regional Roundup Grand Rapids South Christian 28, Whitehall 21 In another one-score Regional Final, Whitehall (8-4) came back to get within striking distance but fell to the Sailors in a Regional Final by this score for the second time in three seasons. South Christian (8-4) needs one more win to reach Ford Field for a third-straight year. Goodrich 42, Haslett 13 Goodrich (11-1) repeated in winning this Regional Final matchup from a year ago as well, controlling the line to run for five touchdowns and adding a sixth on a turnover. Haslett finished 8-4 after beginning 1-3, and with three losses this season to teams playing in Semifinals. Harper Woods 48, Macomb Lutheran North 3 The reigning champion is one win from returning to Ford Field, as Harper Woods (9-3) held Lutheran North to 30 points fewer than its season average. The Mustangs set a program record for wins in finishing 10-2.
11-Player Division 5
HEADLINER Grand Rapids Catholic Central 21, Kalamazoo United 14 Dale Gant’s touchdown with 3:04 to play was the decider as Catholic Central (8-4) claimed a ninth-straight Regional title. United finished 9-3, with its highest win total since 2018 and two of those losses to opponents still playing. Click for more from Michigan Sports Radio.
Highlights of Grand Rapids Catholic Central's win over Kalamazoo United in the Division 5 Regional Final on November 15th, 2024
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— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 17, 2024
Regional Roundup Frankenmuth 35, Gladwin 0 The Eagles (12-0) added a second win over Gladwin (8-4) over the last four weeks to clinch a fifth-straight Regional championship. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 45, Armada 19 In winning their first Regional title, the Fighting Irish (10-1) tied their school record for wins. Armada (10-2) also set a school record for wins this fall. Flat Rock 41, Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard 0 Flat Rock won a second-straight Regional title with its second shutout this season. FGR finished 7-5 after winning its first District title since 2012.
11-Player Division 6
HEADLINER Lansing Catholic 49, Newaygo 36 Lansing Catholic (9-3) is another team that has entered the spotlight these playoffs, with three wins over opponents that entered those matchups a combined 26-4. The Cougars took advantage of turnovers to get a quick jump this time and followed quarterback Alex Fernandez to their second Regional title in four seasons. Newaygo finished its winningest since 2012 at 9-3. Click for more from MLIVE.
Regional Roundup Boyne City 34, Reed City 21 Boyne City (10-2) rushed to its first Regional title since 2014 on the legs of Owen Hewitt, who scored four touchdowns. Reed City finished 9-3, reaching nine wins for the fifth-straight season. Jackson Lumen Christi 42, Constantine 6 Last season’s Division 7 champion is enjoying similar success in Division 6 as Lumen Christi (11-1) is seeking to make the Ford Field trip for the third-straight year. Constantine finished 8-4. Marine City 52, Detroit Central 26 Marine City (10-2) downed Central for the second time in four weeks after previously defeating the Trailblazers (8-4) in Week 9, 37-15. The Regional title was the Mariners’ second in four seasons.
11-Player Division 7
HEADLINER North Muskegon 23, Menominee 0 North Muskegon made the long drive to the western Upper Peninsula, which allowed additional time to celebrate one of the most notable wins in recent program history. The Norsemen (11-1) claimed their second-straight Regional title and avenged last year’s Semifinal loss to Menominee (10-2), which ended up finishing Division 7 runner-up. This time, North Muskegon shut down a Maroons offense that was averaging 45.5 points per game and put 32 on the Norsemen last season. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.
Regional Roundup Millington 28, Pewamo-Westphalia Defense also was the story in this matchup, as the Cardinals (12-0) posted their fifth shutout this fall, holding the Pirates (9-3) without a point for the first time since 2012. Schoolcraft 28, Hudson 16 Schoolcraft (11-1) will play in the Semifinals for the first time since 2020 after taking the lead during the closing minute of the first half and holding off the Tigers (10-2) the rest of the way. Hudson entered the game giving up only 8.4 points per game and hadn’t allowed more than 17. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 55, Leslie 18 St. Mary (12-0) won its first Regional title since 2019 as it continued to surge offensively – the Falcons topped 50 points for the second time this season and also second week in a row. Leslie finished its first winning season since 2012 at 10-2, totaling one more win than the last three seasons combined.
11-Player Division 8
HEADLINER Fowler 25, Harbor Beach 7 Fowler (12-0) has impressed all season and now will play in a Semifinal for the first time since 2019. But this might have been the Eagles’ best win so far this fall. Fowler held a Pirates offense averaging 44 points per game to a single score and put 25 points on a defense that was giving up just 5.5 ppg entering the weekend. Harbor Beach finished 11-1, its best since 2018. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
Regional Roundup Beal City 14, Iron Mountain 7 Beal City (10-2) also handed the lone loss of this season to its opponent, traveling to Iron Mountain to win its second-straight Regional title and third in four seasons. The Aggies also defeated the Mountaineers (11-1) in a 2023 Regional Final. Decatur 41, Reading 0 Decatur (11-1) claimed its first Regional title since 2002, continuing a tremendous improvement from 4-5 a year ago. The Raiders have given up only 13 points over three playoff games. Reading finished 7-5, also a considerable turnaround from 2-7 last fall. Riverview Gabriel Richard 30, Detroit Loyola 12 RGR (10-1) was another repeat Regional champion, and this time set a program record for wins in adding a second this fall over Loyola (5-7). The Pioneers also had defeated Loyola 29-8 in Week 5.
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PHOTOS (Top) Hudsonville’s Bryce Fox (9) emerges from the grasp of multiple Howell defenders Saturday. (2) East Lansing’s Jace Clarizio (0) works to break the tackle of Saginaw Heritage’s Anthony Fries. (3) Goodrich’s Chase Burnett (25) takes on a pair of Haslett defenders. (4) Fowler’s Joe Epkey (78) wraps up a Harbor Beach ball carrier Saturday. (Top and East Lansing/Heritage photos by L.C. Arreguin/Team Arreguin Photos. Goodrich/Haslett photo by Terry Lyons. Fowler/Harbor Beach photo by Kolleth Photo.)