Week 8 Football Playoff Listing

October 15, 2013

Here is a list of Michigan High School Athletic Association football playing schools, displaying their win-loss records and playoff averages through the seventh week of the season.

Schools on this list are in enrollment order. An asterisk (*) beside a record indicates that a team has eight or fewer games scheduled. A caret (^) beside a school’s name indicates that 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 Nov. 1-2. 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 Nov. 1-2.

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 on Oct. 27 on the Selection Sunday Show at 7 p.m. on FOX Sports Detroit. The playoff qualifiers and pairings will be posted to the MHSAA Website following the Selection Sunday Show.

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11-Player Playoff Listing

1. Utica Eisenhower, 2772, 4-3, 58.429                   
2. Clarkston, 2737, 6-1, 87.286                    
3. Macomb Dakota, 2693, 7-0, 100.571                   
4. Howell, 2672, 4-3, 57.857                                         
5. Grand Blanc, 2624, 6-1, 91.000                              
6. East Kentwood ^, 2612, 5-2, 73.143                    
7. Rockford, 2572, 6-1, 91.000                                    
8. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2506, 7-0, 104.000
9. Lake Orion, 2490, 6-1, 85.143                 
10. Dearborn Fordson, 2309, 4-3, 61.048               
11. Holland West Ottawa, 2293, 4-3, 59.286         
12. Northville, 2275, 6-1, 86.000                
13. Detroit Cass Tech, 2262, 7-0, 100.571               
14. Brighton ^, 2164, 5-2, 77.000                                               
15. Monroe ^, 2145, 5-2, 67.857                
16. Detroit Catholic Central, 2132, 6-1, 85.810     
17. Plymouth ^, 2126, 5-2, 67.429                             
18. Canton, 2078, 7-0, 106.286                   
19. Novi, 1986, 4-3, 55.571                                           
20. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, 1965, 6-1, 85.000        
21. West Bloomfield, 1941, 4-3, 57.857                   
22. Saline, 1897, 6-1, 88.000                                        
23. Westland John Glenn, 1880, 4-3, 54.143         
24. Holt, 1866, 4-3, 58.000                                            
25. Warren Mott, 1796, 7-0, 92.571                          
26. Rochester Hills Stoney Creek ^, 1759, 5-2, 72.000       
27. Hudsonville, 1736, 4-3, 62.571                             
28. Ann Arbor Skyline, 1715, 4-3, 54.143
29. Grand Ledge, 1715, 4-3, 55.571                          
30. Belleville ^, 1714, 5-2, 69.714                               
31. Davison, 1692, 4-3, 47.571                    
32. Walled Lake Northern ^, 1688, 5-2, 70.714    
33. Traverse City West, 1653, 4-3, 61.857              
34. Rochester, 1615, 4-3, 55.286                
35. Waterford Kettering, 1604, 4-3, 54.571           
36. Temperance Bedford, 1600, 7-0, 108.571       
37. Grosse Pointe South, 1598, 4-3, 57.571           
38. Rochester Adams, 1582, 4-3, 60.286                 
39. Saginaw Heritage, 1575, 4-3, 57.000                 
40. Warren DeLaSalle ^, 1564, 5-2, 79.200                             
41. Walled Lake Western, 1556, 7-0, 99.429         
42. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1488, 6-1, 84.286    
43. Detroit U-D Jesuit, 1476, 4-3, 59.857
44. Midland, 1462, 6-1, 87.571                    
45. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1460, 6-1, 79.714                     
46. Pinckney ^, 1452, 5-2, 72.143                              
47. Traverse City Central, 1448, 4-3, 52.952          
48. Oak Park ^, 1438, 5-2, 71.143                               
49. Detroit Martin Luther King *, 1432, 6-0, 97.714            
50. Ypsilanti Community, 1399, 4-3, 49.000           
51. Port Huron ^, 1398, 5-2, 68.548                          
52. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1373, 7-0, 102.857      
53. Portage Central, 1372, 7-0, 99.429                     
54. Lansing Everett ^, 1369, 5-2, 63.714                  
55. Portage Northern ^, 1364, 5-2, 72.571             
56. Southfield, 1356, 6-1, 93.429                               
57. North Farmington *^, 1352, 4-3, 53.810          
58. Caledonia ^, 1350, 5-2, 66.714                             
59. Battle Creek Lakeview, 1348, 7-0, 84.571       
60. Birmingham Seaholm, 1337, 7-0, 93.714         
61. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1326, 7-0, 104.857
62. Grosse Pointe North, 1323, 4-3, 58.571           
63. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1314, 6-1, 86.429   
64. Midland Dow, 1304, 6-1, 83.000                         
65. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1300, 6-1, 91.000  
66. South Lyon ^, 1277, 5-2, 72.143                          
67. Swartz Creek, 1277, 4-3, 57.024                          
68. Birmingham Groves, 1274, 7-0, 93.714            
69. Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills, 1231, 4-3, 46.143
70. Fenton, 1188, 7-0, 97.143                      
71. Grand Rapids Northview, 1182, 4-3, 54.857   
72. Warren Woods Tower ^, 1170, 5-2, 55.429    
73. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1151, 6-1, 86.143 
74. Lowell, 1146, 7-0, 110.857                     
75. Taylor Truman, 1131, 6-1, 81.714                       
76. Holly, 1124, 4-3, 55.714                                          
77. Muskegon, 1118, 6-1, 92.286                               
78. Lapeer East, 1113, 4-3, 55.714                             
79. Marquette *, 1110, 5-1, 79.381                          
80. Detroit East English ^, 1109, 5-2, 64.738          
81. Detroit Cody, 1106, 4-3, 51.429                           
82. Allen Park ^, 1103, 5-2, 72.429                            
83. Detroit Renaissance, 1097, 4-3, 48.857            
84. Detroit Mumford, 1090, 6-1, 78.571 
85. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1079, 6-1, 77.429
86. Zeeland East ^, 1071, 5-2, 72.286                       
87. Lapeer West, 1063, 6-1, 89.571                           
88. Redford Thurston, 1063, 4-3, 60.714
89. Byron Center ^, 1039, 5-2, 63.714                      
90. Mt. Pleasant, 1033, 6-1, 87.714                           
91. Riverview ^, 993, 5-2, 59.857                               
92. St. Joseph, 986, 7-0, 97.143                  
93. Petoskey, 965, 4-3, 55.571                    
94. Mason ^, 958, 5-2, 62.000                                     
95. East Grand Rapids, 949, 4-3, 56.857                  
96. Linden, 944, 4-3, 52.000                                         
97. DeWitt, 941, 7-0, 101.943                      
98. Sault Ste. Marie, 928, 4-3, 52.857                       
99. Grand Rapids Christian, 927, 6-1, 87.571         
100. Detroit Denby ^, 909, 5-2, 60.833                    
101. Haslett ^, 907, 5-2, 65.143                  
102. Stevensville Lakeshore, 892, 4-3, 51.429      
103. Fruitport ^, 886, 5-2, 58.571                               
104. Romulus, 882, 4-3, 44.000                                   
105. Milan, 872, 7-0, 94.857                                         
106. St. Clair, 869, 7-0, 92.571                                     
107. Tecumseh ^, 869, 5-2, 66.000                            
108. Sturgis, 868, 4-3, 53.286                                       
109. Wayland Union, 861, 4-3, 59.143                     
110. Melvindale, 860, 6-1, 84.286                              
111. Plainwell, 852, 6-1, 77.429                  
112. Ionia ^, 851, 5-2, 62.000                                       
113. Sparta ^, 851, 5-2, 61.571                    
114. Eaton Rapids, 844, 4-3, 49.143                          
115. Detroit Old Redford *, 838, 5-2, 59.571         
116. Zeeland West, 833, 6-1, 78.286                        
117. Charlotte ^, 830, 5-2, 71.000                                              
118. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 823, 6-1, 76.286               
119. Dearborn Heights Annapolis, 818, 4-3, 49.143
120. North Branch, 809, 6-1, 70.429                         
121. Marysville, 791, 4-3, 51.000                                
122. Detroit Collegiate Prep, 790, 4-3, 44.286      
123. Three Rivers, 789, 4-3, 43.429                           
124. Edwardsburg, 787, 7-0, 81.143                          
125. Holland Christian, 785, 4-3, 50.000                  
126. Spring Lake, 783, 6-1, 72.714                             
127. Cadillac, 779, 7-0, 94.095                     
128. Ogemaw Heights ^, 754, 5-2, 63.381              
129. Croswell-Lexington, 738, 4-3, 47.714             
130. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep ^, 732, 5-2, 65.571             
131. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy, 724, 6-1, 70.476
132. Yale ^, 704, 5-2, 58.143                                        
133. Comstock Park, 701, 7-0, 98.667                      
134. Detroit Country Day, 700, 4-3, 54.571            
135. Fremont, 697, 4-3, 40.714                   
136. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 690, 4-3, 49.571               
137. Otsego ^, 688, 5-2, 54.143                  
138. Corunna, 686, 4-3, 45.143                   
139. Lansing Sexton, 684, 7-0, 99.429                      
140. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 678, 4-3, 48.429
141. Allendale *, 676, 6-1, 77.429                              
142. Cheboygan ^, 660, 5-2, 66.238                          
143. Belding, 654, 4-3, 44.429                     
144. Battle Creek Pennfield, 652, 6-1, 65.857       
145. Williamston *^, 651, 4-3, 46.714                      
146. Grand Rapids South Christian, 645, 6-1, 81.857
147. Saginaw Swan Valley, 644, 7-0, 85.714          
148. Richmond, 642, 6-1, 74.000                
149. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 635, 4-3, 54.714
150. Grosse Ile, 632, 4-3, 47.571                
151. Paw Paw, 632, 7-0, 78.857                  
152. Dowagiac, 621, 6-1, 67.000                                 
153. Lake Fenton, 613, 6-1, 70.429                           
154. Ludington, 610, 4-3, 43.000                                
155. Remus Chippewa Hills, 600, 4-3, 43.286        
156. Marine City, 596, 7-0, 98.286                             
157. Wyoming Kelloggsville ^, 591, 5-2, 53.286    
158. Clawson ^, 584, 5-2, 55.429                
159. Essexville Garber ^, 583, 5-2, 60.857              
160. Livonia Clarenceville, 577, 7-0, 84.571            
161. Portland *, 572, 7-0, 89.143                               
162. Freeland, 568, 6-1, 69.429                  
163. River Rouge, 568, 6-1, 57.619                            
164. Kingsford ^, 561, 5-2, 56.095                             
165. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 560, 4-3, 36.000
166. Parchment, 552, 4-3, 43.286                              
167. Ovid-Elsie ^, 549, 5-2, 55.429                             
168. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 544, 6-1, 77.429
169. Clinton Township Clintondale, 544, 7-0, 81.143
170. North Muskegon ^, 541, 5-2, 51.571              |
171. Gladwin ^, 539, 5-2, 55.000                                
172. Frankenmuth, 527, 6-1, 79.000                         
173. Hopkins ^, 527, 5-2, 66.286                
174. Almont, 524, 6-1, 71.571                     
175. Newaygo, 523, 6-1, 66.000                                 
176. Standish-Sterling Central *, 520, 6-1, 72.571               
177. Olivet, 505, 6-1, 63.571                        
178. Ida ^, 504, 5-2, 60.143                                          
179. Detroit University Prep ^, 501, 5-2, 52.714  
180. Menominee, 501, 7-0, 86.857                           
181. Muskegon Oakridge, 496, 6-1, 67.143           
182. Grayling, 494, 6-1, 63.286                    
183. Reed City, 490, 7-0, 83.429                 
184. Riverview Gabriel Richard ^, 490, 5-2, 56.857             
185. Dundee ^, 489, 5-2, 45.857                
186. Lansing Catholic, 480, 4-3, 50.429                    
187. Clare ^, 451, 5-2, 51.857                                      
188. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 445, 6-1, 76.286
189. Jackson Lumen Christi, 441, 7-0, 93.714        
190. Kingsley ^, 439, 5-2, 48.286                
191. Houghton, 437, 4-3, 34.196                
192. Roscommon, 431, 4-3, 36.286                           
193. Millington ^, 430, 5-2, 59.571                            
194. Warren Michigan Collegiate ^, 428, 5-2, 57.143
195. Kalkaska ^, 425, 5-2, 49.429                               
196. Madison Heights Madison, 424, 7-0, 86.857
197. Sanford Meridian, 423, 6-1, 61.143 
198. Michigan Center, 416, 6-1, 56.714   
199. Negaunee, 416, 6-1, 52.286                               
200. Hanover-Horton, 412, 4-3, 35.857                   
201. Montrose Hill-McCloy, 411, 7-0, 82.286        
202. Lakeview ^, 409, 5-2, 56.429                              
203. Grass Lake, 402, 6-1, 64.714                               
204. Shelby, 401, 7-0, 76.571                                       
205. Elk Rapids ^, 400, 5-2, 57.143                             
206. Ithaca, 399, 7-0, 80 .000                       
207. Manchester, 398, 6-1, 61.429                            
208. Hillsdale, 397, 4-3, 47.429                    
209. Niles Brandywine, 397, 7-0, 79.286 
210. Jonesville, 389, 6-1, 66.000                 
211. Grandville Calvin Christian, 388, 4-3, 47.143
212. Maple City Glen Lake, 388, 7-0, 72.000                          
213. Watervliet, 387, 7-0, 62.857                               
214. Vassar, 385, 4-3, 36.429                                       
215. Boyne City, 383, 6-1, 62.571                               
216. Clinton, 383, 7-0, 76.571                      
217. Byron Area, 380, 6-1, 58.000                              
218. Constantine ^, 379, 5-2, 46.857                        
219. Adrian Madison, 374, 4-3, 35.000                    
220. Burton Bendle ^, 374, 5-2, 51.476                   
221. Montague ^, 373, 5-2, 58.714                           
222. St. Charles, 367, 4-3, 36.000                                               
223. Quincy, 361, 4-3, 32.571                                      
224. Hartford, 351, 4-3, 39.000                                   
225. Cass City, 350, 4-3, 35.714                  
226. Indian River Inland Lakes ^, 348, 5-2, 40.333               
227. Schoolcraft, 346, 6-1, 70.429                              
228. Flint Beecher ^, 345, 5-2, 55.286                      
229. Reese, 337, 6-1, 58.000                        
230. Saginaw Nouvel, 333, 6-1, 73.429                    
231. Marlette, 332, 7-0, 69.714                  
232. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 331, 6-1, 68.000
233. McBain, 326, 4-3, 38.571                     
234. Bath, 325, 4-3, 38.000                                           
235. Hesperia, 324, 4-3, 38.714                  
236. Carson City-Crystal, 323, 7-0, 74.286              
237. Bridgman, 320, 4-3, 39.000                                 
238. Lake City, 314, 6-1, 55.714                  
239. Whittemore-Prescott ^, 309, 5-2, 49.571     
240. Springport ^, 308, 5-2, 47.286                           
241. Lawton, 307, 7-0, 60.571                     
242. Southfield Christian, 306, 6-1, 55.571             
243. East Jordan, 302, 4-3, 33.857                             
244. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker ^, 301, 5-2, 51.714
245. Ishpeming, 301, 7-0, 67.857                   &

1st & Goal: 2023 Week 9 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 23, 2023

By now, you’ve likely moved on to prepping for this weekend’s start of the 2023 Football Playoffs. We don’t blame you – it’s impossible to not look forward at this time of year.

MI Student AidBut we like to say we tell the stories behind the scores – and the Week 9 regular-season scores below tell a lot of the story of how we got here and what’s set to begin.

(And join us again Friday as we switch up the “1st & Goal” preview format to take a look at matchups in every playoff division.)

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Davison 56, Lapeer 55 The Saginaw Valley League Red title race went down to the final minutes and last points of the regular season as Davison (9-0) held on to claim the outright championship; a Lapeer win would have awarded a share of the title to runner-up Grand Blanc. What’s next? The Lightning (5-4) go back to Davison for a Division 1 District Semifinal on Friday. Click for more from the Flint Journal.

Watch list Harbor Beach 17. Beal City 8 This was among the headliners statewide as Harbor Beach (8-1) not only handed Beal City (8-1) its only loss but also leaped to No. 6 on the final playoff-points average list.

On the move Frankenmuth 38, Gladwin 0 Frankenmuth (8-1) went on the road for a rematch of last season’s Division 5 Final, won by Gladwin 10-7 on a closing-seconds field goal, and this time finished a regular-season run that guaranteed home games at least through the Regional and could include hosting the Flying Gs (7-2). Midland Dow 29, Midland 9 This got Dow (5-4) into the playoffs and boosted the Chargers enough to keep them home for a rematch with the Chemics (5-4) this week. Freeland 35, Croswell-Lexington 32 Freeland came back from 26 points down to not only get to (8-1) but eventually earn home field for this week’s game against Lake Fenton, which entered Week 9 only one spot behind the Falcons on the Division 4 playoff-points average list.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Lake Orion 35, Saline 28 These two entered both undefeated and Nos. 4 and 5, respectively, on the Division 1 playoff-points average list. Lake Orion (9-0) finished the weekend with its first perfect regular season since 2006 and the top spot overall in Division 1, guaranteeing itself three home playoff games. The Dragons took their first lead with 4:36 to play. Saline (8-1) moved down only to No. 6 on the Division 1 list and will be home this week as well. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.

Watch list Harper Woods 24, Roseville 7 The Pioneers (6-3) continued their rise from a 1-2 start and continued to benefit from a loaded schedule by moving up six spots to No. 1 on the final Division 4 playoff-points average list after avenging last season’s 28-0 loss to the Panthers (6-3).

On the move Belleville 42, Northville 0 Belleville (9-0) posted its third-straight shutout and fifth this season to claim the overall Kensington Lakes Activities Association title; the Tigers could see Northville  (8-1) again in a Regional Final. Oxford 24, Detroit U-D Jesuit 21 Oxford (4-5) climbed in the top 32 in Division 1 playoff-point average last week for the first time this season and stayed there by edging Jesuit (6-2). Birmingham Seaholm 21, Birmingham Groves 14 Seaholm (8-1) broke a four-game losing streak against its rival, and after falling to Groves in both in the regular season and playoffs last year – and the Maples will host the Falcons (6-3) again this week.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER East Lansing 35, Grand Ledge 21 East Lansing (7-2) finished an outright Capital Area Activities Conference Blue championship, its first league title since sharing the Blue in 2019, and jumped up to No. 10 on the Division 2 playoff-points average list while securing home games through the District Final. Grand Ledge (6-3), last year’s Blue co-champion, narrowly missed getting a home game and will travel in Division 1. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Watch list Portland 43, Berrien Springs 0 The Raiders (9-0) capped their first perfect regular season since 2018 with their second straight shutout and this one over another league champion in Berrien Springs (5-3).

On the move Hastings 38, Battle Creek Pennfield 3 Hastings (7-2) clinched the outright Interstate 8 Activities Conference title, the Saxons’ fourth-straight league championship (including one shared), but Pennfield also can be pleased finishing 4-5 after going 0-9 a year ago. Belding 66, Howard City Tri County 20 The Black Knights (8-1) scored a season high in their best win of the regular season as they finished 8-1 for the second straight. Tri County (7-2) helped provide the boost to keep Belding No. 5 on the final Division 5 playoff-points average list. Bath 28, Perry 6 While Perry (5-4) did still qualify for the playoffs for the first time, Bath (6-3) celebrated on this night and has made the playoffs for the second straight while also earning a home game this week in Division 7.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Gaylord 20, Sault Ste. Marie 8 Just two seasons after going 2-7, Gaylord (9-0) completed its first perfect regular season since 2002 and finished off a Big North Conference outright championship in the process. The win also kept Gaylord at No. 6 in Division 3 playoff-points average and guaranteed them home games through the District, but also likely kept Sault Ste. Marie (5-4) out of claiming one of the final spots in the Division 4 bracket. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.

Watch list Traverse City St. Francis 27, Muskegon Catholic Central 0 Last season’s Division 7 runner-up Gladiators had a lot of faces in different places or larger roles starting this fall, but they’ve qualified for the Division 7 playoffs thanks to a tough schedule and three wins over playoff teams including this one over MCC (5-4).

On the move Cheboygan 29, Benzie Central 25 Proving again that there’s always something to play for, Cheboygan (1-8) scored a season high in points, gave up their second fewest and closed a tough fall with an upset of playoff-bound Benzie (5-4). Traverse City West 17, Traverse City Central 8 Central (4-5) grabbed one of the final spots in the Division 2 playoff field and West (4-5) fell just three outside of qualifying, but the Titans surely should celebrate doubling their win total from a year ago and breaking a four-game losing streak against their rival. Ogemaw Heights 21, Almont 7 Ogemaw Heights (8-1) tied its winningest season since 2009, handing Almont (8-1) its only defeat, and earned a rematch, this time at home, against the only team it lost to this fall – Week 1 opponent Gladwin.

A Lapeer defender pursues a Davison ball carrier during Friday's 56-55 Cardinals win.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Addison 24, Napoleon 0 The timing couldn’t have been better for Addison to show arguably its best performance. The Panthers (9-0) earned the overall Cascades Conference championship in this matchup of previous undefeated divisional winners, posting their first shutout of the fall against an offense that was scoring 42 points per game, to avenge last year’s 36-18 loss and to move up to No. 5 on the Division 8 playoff-points average list with a home game against Hudson coming up next. Napoleon (8-1) will open the playoffs at home as well. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

Watch list Clinton 29, Hudson 0 With its second-straight shutout, Clinton (8-1) clinched an outright championship in the Lenawee County Athletic Association for the second-straight season. A Hudson win would have meant a shared title with the Tigers (7-2). Clinton has four shutouts this fall and suffered its only loss in the season opener.

On the move Chelsea 31, Dexter 21 After opening in August with a loss to Grand Rapids Northview, Chelsea (8-1) has been on a roll and made its loudest statement against the Dreadnaughts (6-3), who also hadn’t lost since starting 0-2. Ida 14, Dundee 7 Ida (5-4) jumped from No. 32 to a more comfortable No. 25 in Division 6 playoff-point average with this win, while Dundee (5-4) was left four spots outside the field in Division 5. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 28, Detroit Country Day 27 A tough schedule already had SMCC (5-4) in fine shape to make the playoffs, but the Falcons have won three straight to move up to No. 5 on the Division 7 playoff-points average list, in this one handing County Day (3-5) its third loss by six or fewer points this fall.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Niles 56, Paw Paw 18 Niles pulled away from what had been a much closer game at halftime, in doing so claiming the Wolverine Conference championship outright and assuring itself of home games through the Regional. Moreover, the Vikings (8-1) reached eight wins for the first time since 1979, according to Michigan-Football.com, and they could host Paw Paw (8-1) if both win their Division 4 District Semifinals this week. Click for more from the Niles Daily Star.

Watch list Buchanan 34, Union City 0 The Bucks (6-3) enter the Division 6 playoffs on an impressive defensive streak, as they haven’t given up a point over their last three games – including this one against the playoff-bound Chargers (6-3).

On the move South Haven 44, Kalamazoo United 42 South Haven (6-3) will host a Division 5 playoff opener after edging the Titans (5-4), who had defeated the Rams the last two seasons including in a 2021 playoff opener. Benton Harbor 24, Hopkins 16 The Tigers’ playoff chances seemed slimmer after a tough run midseason during which they lost two one-score games over three weeks, but Benton Harbor (4-5) won two of its final three games to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2017 (not counting 2020, when all teams qualified because of the COVID-adjusted schedule). Portage Central 42, Stevensville Lakeshore 0 Portage Central (8-1) completed an outright championship run in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference with its first shutout of the fall. Lakeshore (5-4) has reason to be pleased as well this week, as it finished the regular season back in the playoffs and two wins better than a year ago.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Iron Mountain 42, Negaunee 7 There’s conversation that Iron Mountain (9-0) may be the Upper Peninsula’s best team regardless of division this fall, and it’s hard to argue with success. The Mountaineers haven’t been challenged much after moving into the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Iron, but this win over Copper co-champion Negaunee (7-2) says plenty and kept Iron Mountain in position to host both District rounds. Click for more from UPMatters.com.

Watch list Kingsford 46, Marquette 11 Kingsford is the other side of the argument for best in the UP, and the Flivvers (8-1) have their most wins since 2017 and are a one-point loss to Negaunee from a perfect regular season. This defeat of Division 3 Marquette (5-3) pushed Kingsford to No. 10 on the Division 5 playoff-points average list.  

On the move Menominee 44, Bark River-Harris 14 The Maroons (7-2) bounced back from back-to-back losses to hold steady at No. 7 on the Division 7 playoff-points average list, but ended playoff hopes for Bark River-Harris (5-4) in the process. Gladstone 30, Escanaba 0 Gladstone (7-2) is No. 6 on the Division 6 list and will be home for both District rounds as well. Ishpeming 30, Ishpeming Westwood 0 The Hematites (6-3) have their best record since 2019 after ending a three-game losing streak to rival Westwood.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Wayland 49, Grand Rapids South Christian 40 Wayland not only qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2013 (not counting 2020’s COVID-related format), but the Wildcats (6-3) with this win downed the reigning Division 4 champion and reached six wins for the first time since that playoff season a decade ago. They’ll go to South Christian (6-3) this week for a Division 4 District Semifinal. Click for more from Michigan Sports Radio.

Watch list Hart 44, Ravenna 0 Hart (8-1) will be making its first playoff appearance this week (not counting 2020), coming off its first win over Ravenna (3-6) since 1992 and after losing to the Bulldogs 48-0 a year ago. The eight wins are the program’s most since 1968.

On the move Rockford 48, Hudsonville 0 The Rams (9-0) finished an outright Ottawa-Kent Conference Red championship and fourth-straight perfect regular season, and could see Hudsonville (5-4) again in a District Final. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer 14, Zeeland West 12 After losing to West by 40 two seasons ago and 18 last fall, Reeths-Puffer (7-2) edged the Dux (6-3) to get to seven wins for the first time since 2013. Zeeland East 21, Muskegon Mona Shores 20 (OT) Similarly, East (6-3) had fallen to Mona Shores (6-3) by 19 in 2021 and then 35 last year before this win that boosted the Chix to No. 16 on the Division 3 playoff-points average list.

8-Player

HEADLINER Indian River Inland Lakes 36, Gaylord St. Mary 30 Inland Lakes (8-1) ran its Ski Valley Conference title streak to all three since joining the league, taking this winner-take-all matchup. Inland Lakes also moved up to No. 5 on the 8-player Division 1 playoff-points average list, while St. Mary (6-3) fell two spots and missed qualifying by four slots. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.

Watch list Posen 46, Au Gres-Sims 42 This winner-take-all for the North Star League Little Dipper title went Posen’s way after Au Gres-Sims (7-2) won their Week 9 matchup last season to claim the championship. Posen is 8-0 and set to host both Division 2 Regional rounds.

On the move Fulton 36, Carson City-Crystal 28 Fulton (6-3) sat three spots off the Division 2 playoff list heading into the weekend, but reached the final spot in the field by handing Carson City-Crystal (8-1) its only loss. Powers North Central 48, Crystal Falls Forest Park 24 The three-time reigning Division 2 champion Jets (7-2) also were in danger of missing the playoffs in the No. 16 slot when the weekend began – but moved up to No. 14 by getting past the Trojans (7-2). They could meet again in a Regional Final. St. Ignace 42, Pickford 10 The Saints (8-1) handed Pickford its only loss, limiting an offense that entered averaging 54 points per game. A rematch would come in a Division 1 Semifinal.

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PHOTO Bath and Perry faced off under the lights and rain in Week 9, and both will continue as the playoffs begin this weekend. (Middle) A Lapeer defender pursues a Davison ball carrier during Friday's 56-55 Cardinals win. (Top photo by Max McCallister. Middle photo by Terry Lyons.)