1st & Goal: 2021 Playoff Week 3 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 11, 2021
The 8-player football season is down to its final six games, and the 11-player season is down to its final three weeks – and every matchup at this point in the MHSAA Playoffs has a story to tell.
We preview 12 of those below, switching things up with the 8-Player Semifinals first as we join those contenders in preparing for next weekend’s trip to the Finals at Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome.
All four 8-Player Semifinals and 31 of 36 football games total this weekend will be streamed live on MHSAA.tv, with Bally Sports Detroit broadcasting the 11-player Division 1 matchup between Rochester Adams and West Bloomfield. Click for how to watch.
8-Player Division 1
Martin (11-0) at Adrian Lenawee Christian (11-0), Friday
Lenawee Christian’s winning streak since switching to 8-player last season has reached 22 games, and they have yet to win one by only single digits – Climax-Scotts came closest this fall in a 16-point Week 6 loss. But all of that could change this week; Martin has put together two perfect regular seasons over its three in 8-player, and Mendon (in losses by eight and 19) is the only team to get within 40 points of the Clippers this season.
Rudyard (9-2) at Suttons Bay (11-0), Saturday
By defeating previously-unbeaten Indian River Inland Lakes 53-18 last week, Suttons Bay ran its record over the last three seasons to a combined 33-2, with both losses in Division 1 championship games. No one has gotten closer than 18 points to the Norseman this fall, and the last nine wins have all been by at least 30 points. Enter Rudyard, which is holding opponents to only 11 points per game and features a two-way threat on offense in senior quarterback EJ Suggitt (853 yards/17 TDs passing, 362 yards/11 TDs rushing). The Bulldogs have avenged both of their regular-season losses during the playoffs.
8-Player Division 2
Marion (10-1) at Powers North Central (11-0), Saturday
To say the Jets have been unchallenged this season is becoming an understatement – they’ve outscored their 10 opponents on the field by an average of 61-4, and they too have won 22 straight games. But Marion is enjoying historic success, reaching double-digit wins for the first time since 1992 with the only loss to Suttons Bay (see above) and no other opponent getting closer than 15 points. Junior quarterback Mason Salisbury can do it all; he’s run for 1,567 yards (11 per carry) and 30 touchdowns and thrown for another 908 yards and 12 scores.
Colon (10-1) at Au Gres-Sims (11-0), Saturday
The Wolverines have reached their previous high point, as in 2018 they also entered a Semifinal 11-0 before falling that game to Pickford. This time, Au Gres-Sims features a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in senior Mason VanSickle (1,434/21 TDS) and junior Keagan Bender (1,209/16), and VanSickle also has thrown for 2,465 yards and 40 touchdowns – nearly half to senior Evan Saunders (1,061 yards/17 TDs). They surely will test a Colon defense allowing only 12 points per game. But the Magi have seen many of the rest of the best, with the only loss to Lenawee Christian (see above) and wins the last two weeks over previous unbeatens Portland St. Patrick and Morrice.
11-Player Division 1
Dearborn Fordson (9-2) at Belleville (10-1), Saturday
Fordson’s two losses this season were by a combined five points, and the first came Week 5 against Belleville 21-19 in a game that ended up helping the Tigers finish atop the Kensington Lakes Activities Association East. The Tractors’ defense has been sound – they are giving up only 17 points per game, and those 21 tied Belleville’s second-lowest output of the season. But Fordson’s challenge of scoring more in this rematch faces a tough obstacle as well with the Tigers giving up only 13 points per game this season including a combined 19 over their last three games.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY West Bloomfield (10-1) at Rochester Adams (11-0), Macomb Dakota (8-3) at Sterling Heights Stevenson (9-2). SATURDAY Grand Blanc (11-0) at Rockford (11-0).
11-Player Division 2
Traverse City Central (10-1) at Caledonia (10-1), Friday
Central has followed up last season’s first Semifinal trip since 1998 with a record offensive performance. The Trojans’ 537 points are their most since at least 1950 (according to Michigan-football.com), and they’ve scored 49 or more five straight games and 42 or more in nine games total. Caledonia may not be fazed. The Fighting Scots are giving up 13 points per game, and that includes allowing only 17 to Rockford (averaging 40 per game) and 12 to Muskegon Mona Shores (44 ppg) over the last five weeks. But the comparison also cuts the other way; Central’s defense is giving up just 13 points per game as well, and Caledonia’s offense is grinding out 35.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Portage Central (9-2) at South Lyon (11-0), Livonia Franklin (6-5) at Waterford Mott (7-4). SATURDAY Roseville (7-4) at Warren De La Salle Collegiate (10-0).
11-Player Division 3
Cedar Springs (9-2) at DeWitt (10-1), Saturday (at Grand Ledge)
Cedar Springs’ 21-14 win over Muskegon last week may have resulted in some double takes – the Big Reds had won nine straight District titles – but the result definitely falls in with the Red Hawks’ body of work this season. Grand Rapids Catholic Central puts up a strong argument as one of the best teams in Michigan regardless of division, the Cedar Springs fell to the Cougars by just a point in Week 8. The other loss came to Rockford. The question this time will revolve around how much the Red Hawks’ defense can match DeWitt’s offense, which averages 48 ppg. Muskegon averaged 46 before last week’s meeting, but the Panthers put up 50 on previously-undefeated Mount Pleasant in their District Final.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Parma Western (8-3) at St. Joseph (7-4), Mason (9-2) at Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (8-3) (at Lawrence Tech), Allen Park (9-2) at Detroit Martin Luther King (10-1).
11-Player Division 4
Detroit Country Day (7-3) at Chelsea (11-0), Friday
Country Day’s record really is irrelevant at this point; the Yellowjackets’ losses were to Division 2 South Lyon and Division 3 Brother Rice and Harper Woods, and South Lyon and Brother Rice are still playing. More telling might be how Country Day has played over the last five weeks – the reigning Division 4 champion is 4-1 giving up 13 points per game and having scored a combined 84 over its first two playoff contests. It’s a good match for how Chelsea has been looking consistently all season; the Bulldogs are giving up 12 points per game and scoring 43, and that’s with only one game under 40 this fall.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Cadillac (9-2) at Hudsonville Unity Christian (11-0) (at Jenison), Grand Rapids South Christian (8-3) at Edwardsburg (11-0), Croswell-Lexington (10-1) at Freeland (10-1).
11-Player Division 5
Kingsley (10-1) at Frankenmuth (11-0), Saturday
A rematch of last season Division 5 Final with Grand Rapids Catholic Central is a possibility for next week, but the Eagles cannot overlook a Kingsley team that has reached at least Regional Finals three of the last four seasons and is eight points from also being undefeated this fall. The Stags lone loss was 38-30 to Division 7 contender Traverse City St. Francis, and minus that game Kingsley is giving up only 7.8 points per contest. Frankenmuth’s defense should be ready to match – the Eagles are giving up only 9.3 points per game – but must be ready for a close game that could resemble their wins over New Lothrop, Freeland and Goodrich.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Muskegon Oakridge (9-2) at Grand Rapids Catholic Central (11-0), Kalamazoo United (8-3) at Portland (9-2), Corunna (7-4) at Marine City (11-0).
11-Player Division 6
Montague (8-3) at Lansing Catholic (10-1), Saturday
Reigning champion Montague has worked its way back to this point, and a broader look at the Wildcats’ season shows they’ve really been in the mix all along. Montague earned a share of the West Michigan Conference title, which is never a small feat, and the losses came to teams in Division 4 (Edwardsburg, Whitehall) and Division 5 (Portland) that all are still playing after winning District titles. The Cougars impressed in a big way with last week’s 28-8 win over previously-undefeated Millington, and an offense averaging 34 points per game may need to be the difference this time. Both teams are giving up only 14 points per game.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Michigan Center (10-1) at Clinton (9-2). SATURDAY Calumet (9-2) at Standish-Sterling (9-2), Ecorse (8-3) at Warren Michigan Collegiate (9-2).
11-Player Division 7
Lawton (11-0) at Muskegon Catholic Central (10-1), Friday
The Blue Devils put together their second perfect regular season in three years this fall, and a win this weekend would plant a major exclamation mark on that recent work. Lawton is seeking its first Regional title and rolling, especially on the defensive side of the ball where its giving up only 8.5 points per game. This will be MCC’s seventh-straight game against a playoff team, which makes its 34 points scored and 14 points allowed per game even more impressive. The Crusaders are seeking their first Regional title since 2016’s undefeated Division 8 run.
Other Regional Finals SATURDAY Ishpeming Westwood (10-1) at Traverse City St. Francis (11-0), Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (9-2) at Pewamo-Westphalia (11-0), Detroit Loyola (6-4) at Jackson Lumen Christi (10-1).
11-Player Division 8
Clarkston Everest Collegiate (9-2) at Ottawa Lake Whiteford (10-1), Saturday
While not this group of players, Whiteford as a program has familiarity with this level of the tournament having made consecutive Finals in 2016 and 2017 and winning Division 8 to cap the latter run (when the Bobcats also defeated Everest in a Regional Final). But this will be Whiteford’s first playoff game this season against a team from outside its league. Everest has that bit of unfamiliarity on its side, and has been on its game outscoring its first two playoff opponents by a combined 88-0. The Mountaineers reached the Semifinals last season but were unable to play that round – so surely there’s some added motivation to return.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Carson City-Crystal (10-1) at Beal City (10-1), Breckenridge (9-2) at Ubly (11-0), White Pigeon (10-1) at Hudson (11-0).
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 Twitter @mistudentaid.
PHOTO Marion quarterback Mason Salisbury (7) works to get to the edge during a Week 8 win over Vestaburg. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)
1st & Goal: 2025 Playoffs Week 1 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 4, 2025
The phrase is “survive and advance” for a reason.
For high school football teams this time of year, the next game always is earned. And that was especially evident as the 51st MHSAA Playoffs began over the weekend.
A total of 32 games – out of 143 total – were decided by seven points of fewer. Nine of those matchups were decided by a single point.
We glance at several of those below as we move on this week to District Finals in 11-player and 8-player Regional championship games.
11-Player Division 1
HEADLINER Brownstown Woodhaven 30, Belleville 29 Marquez McAdoo ran for two touchdowns and Woodhaven (8-2) blocked a late extra-point try to secure the program’s first playoff win since 2021 – and after missing the postseason the last two years. The Tigers’ run ended at 7-3.
🚨 UPSET ALERT! 🚨 Woodhaven stuns Belleville in the Division 1 @MHSAA District Semifinal, 30-29!
Senior Andrew Pridemore came up clutch, blocking the potential game-tying extra point late in the 4th quarter to seal the win. The victory marks Woodhaven’s first playoff win since… pic.twitter.com/pWsyGaxA4v— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 1, 2025
District Digest East Kentwood 49, Grand Ledge 15 The Falcons (8-2) earned their first playoff win since 2019, slowing down a Comets attack that had scored 30 or more points seven times in finishing 7-3. Clarkston 52, Davison 14 The Wolves (9-1) opened the playoffs with arguably their most impressive win of a season with several, as Davison (8-2) was averaging nearly 44 points per game the night. Macomb Dakota 6, Utica 3 The Cougars (7-3) bounced back from a 26-17 loss to Utica (7-3) from Week 8.
11-Player Division 2
HEADLINER Traverse City Central 15, Traverse City West 13 Just a week after West won their Patriot Game rivalry game 21-20, these two returned to the same field but with Central (6-4) advancing with its first win over the Titans (5-5) since 2022 – and first playoff victory over any opponent since 2021. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
District Digest Grosse Pointe South 28, Roseville 27 These Macomb Area Conference White rivals met for a second time after South (9-1) won the first 47-25 in Week 5 – and after the Blue Devils also defeated Roseville (4-6) by just a point to open the 2024 playoffs. East Lansing 26, White Lake Lakeland 20 The Trojans (5-5) made the playoffs in part because of an incredible strength of schedule, and they showed they belong in extending their winning streak to four while ending the Eagles’ season at 7-3. Warren Cousino 28, Birmingham Seaholm 7 The Patriots (7-3) – after missing the postseason a year ago – claimed their first playoff win since 2007, ending the Maples’ run at 5-5.
11-Player Division 3
HEADLINER Zeeland West 30, Niles 21 The reigning champion Dux (7-3) sent a wave through the Division 3 bracket, handing Niles (9-1) its only loss of the season as the Vikings also aspired to get back to Ford Field after finishing Division 4 runners-up a year ago. West’s 30 points were the most Niles gave up in a game all fall. Click for more from the South Bend Tribune.
District Digest Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 28, Hastings 20 The Trojans (7-3) earned their first playoff win since 2020 and continued to impress after winning a combined eight games over the last four seasons – and opening this one with a 31-29 loss to Hastings (7-3). Warren De La Salle Collegiate 56, Warren Fitzgerald 34 De La Salle (4-6) was another qualifier that played a powerful schedule this fall, and the Pilots added to it with this win over the MAC Gold champion Spartans (8-2). Gaylord 38, Marquette 34 The Blue Devils’ 10-0 season has included now seven wins by seven points or fewer, and they kept it alive with the go-ahead score during the final minute to get past the Sentinels (6-4).
11-Player Division 4
HEADLINER Big Rapids 32, Ludington 31 Big Rapids opened the playoffs with a win over Ludington for the second-straight postseason, but this time handed the Orioles (9-1) their lone defeat as well – also with a go-ahead touchdown coming during the final minute. The Cardinals (9-1) additionally reached nine wins for the third straight season. Click for more from the Big Rapids Pioneer.
District Digest Portland 42, Grand Rapids South Christian 41 (OT) The Raiders (10-0) hadn’t had a game closer than 24 points all season, but emerged from this first matchup with South Christian since falling to the Sailors (4-6) in a 2023 Semifinal. Madison Heights Lamphere 7, Redford Union 6 Another one-pointer saw Lamphere (7-3) earn its first playoff win since 2022 and set up a rematch with Dearborn Divine Child, which eliminated the Rams a year ago. Impressive sidenote: After allowing 40 in its opener this fall, Union (7-3) gave up only 41 total over its final nine games. Three Rivers 21, Paw Paw 14 Just two weeks prior, Paw Paw (6-4) had defeated Three Rivers (6-4) in league play 43-0. The Wildcats are in the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
11-Player Division 5
HEADLINER Ogemaw Heights 29, Negaunee 28 (OT) The Falcons (9-1) advanced to a District Final for the third-straight season, advancing from their toughest challenge since a Week 2 loss to Traverse City St. Francis. The Miners ended their run at 6-4. Click for more from the Bay City Times.
District Digest Berrien Springs 34, Dowagiac 20 These Lakeland Conference rivals met for a second time for the second season in a row, and this time after sharing the league title. Berrien Springs (7-2) had won the first matchup as well. Dowagiac finished 5-4. Detroit Denby 18, Detroit Southeastern 16 Denby (8-2) ran its winning streak to eight with its first playoff victory since 2020, ending Southeastern’s season at 6-4. Richmond 14, Armada 10 These Blue Water Area Conference rivals met for the second time this season and it was nearly as close as the first, as Richmond (9-1) held on after also claiming the Week 4 matchup 24-17 – and after Armada (6-4) won regular-season and playoff games over the Blue Devils a year ago.
11-Player Division 6
HEADINER Kent City 28, Olivet 22 Kent City added its first playoff victory since 2019 to its first 10-0 start since 2017 as it went on the road to defeat the Eagles (8-2). Olivet’s only losses this season came to teams still undefeated. Click for more from Local Sports Journal.
District Digest Traverse City St. Francis 55, Boyne City 35 The Gladiators (7-2) added a second win this season over Boyne City (6-4) after winning the first 20-13, and with this one earned another rematch this week, against rival Kingsley. Durand 32, Flint Hamady 22 The Railroaders (8-2) will play in a District Final for the first time since 2009, and after missing the playoffs the last two years. Hamady finished 6-4. Napoleon 26, Buchanan 20 The Pirates (7-3) advanced with this win over Lakeland Conference co-champion Buchanan (6-4).
11-Player Division 7
HEADLINER Ithaca 24, Saginaw Valley Lutheran 12 A signature win during Saginaw Valley Lutheran’s historic fall was a 23-22 Week 6 victory over the Yellowjackets as the Chargers (9-1) went on to complete a perfect regular season. But Ithaca (7-3) got its revenge to open its 17th-straight playoff run. Click for more from the Saginaw News.
District Digest McBain 28, Charlevoix 27 The Ramblers (8-2) stopped a 2-point conversion attempt for the win after Charlevoix (8-2) scored with less than a minute to play. Clinton 36, Ottawa Lake Whiteford 20 Clinton (8-2) has lost only once more since falling opening night to Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, and earned a rematch this week with the Falcons by defeating Whiteford (8-2) in a playoff opener for the second-straight season. Shelby 20, LeRoy Pine River 2 Shelby qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2013 (not counting COVID-shortened 2020, when nearly all teams made the field), and followed that by winning a playoff game for the first time since reaching the Division 6 Semifinals 12 years ago.
11-Player Division 8
HEADLINER White Pigeon 22, Decatur 20 (OT) White Pigeon’s Week 8 loss to Decatur was its first to the Raiders since 2022, but the Chiefs (8-2) held on in overtime to avenge and earn a District title opportunity against undefeated Hudson this week. Decatur finished 7-3. Click for more from the Sturgis Journal.
District Digest Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central 34, Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 28 These rivals met a second time in the playoffs for the second-straight season, but this time Nouvel (8-2) finished the sweep after MLS (6-4) won by a point in their 2024 playoff matchup. Riverview Gabriel Richard 34, Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech 6 Gabriel Richard started this season 1-3 after finishing Division 8 runner-up a year ago, but that early tough competition may have paid off again as the Pioneers (5-5) handed ABT (9-1) the lone defeat of its winningest season all-time. New Lothrop 19, Fowler 14 After a rare playoff miss a year ago, the Hornets (7-3) got off to the right start by getting past an Eagles team (6-4) that made last season’s Semifinals.
8-Player Division 1
HEADLINER Pickford 30, Indian River Inland Lakes 26 Reigning Division 1 runner-up Pickford (8-1) opened these playoffs on the road, but came home with one of the weekend’s most notable wins after handing Inland Lakes (9-1) its only loss this fall. The pair had split Semifinals matchups the last two seasons. Click for more from the Cheboygan Daily Tribune.
Regional Roundup Climax-Scotts 72, Gobles 62 These two produced not only for one of the highest-scoring games this season, but their combined 134 points will rank high on the all-time MHSAA 8-player list. Gobles (7-3) had won their opening-night meeting 54-32, but Climax-Scotts (8-2) has lost only once more. Capac 40, Brown City 38 Capac (8-2) kicked off its first playoffs since 2011 by avenging a 61-22 Week 3 loss to the Green Devils (7-3). Kingston 22, Bay City All Saints 14 Kingston (9-1) navigated its closest win this season to earn a rematch with Capac. All Saints finished 7-3, its defeats by a combined 15 points to teams that are a combined 28-2.
8-Player Division 2
HEADLINER Deckerville 27, Morrice 26 This looked incredible on paper, but might have been even better than advertised as Deckerville emerged from a matchup of teams that both reached championship games a year ago. The reigning Division 1 champion Eagles (9-1) opened a 20-point lead by halftime but had to hold off the Orioles (8-2), last year’s Division 2 runner-up. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.
Regional Roundup Gaylord St. Mary 84, Mio 48 This will also make the all-time single-game scoring list, St. Mary’s 84 points its most since the 2020 playoffs as the Snowbirds moved to 8-2. Mio finished 8-2 as well, its best record since 2019. Lake Linden-Hubbell 50, Powers North Central 28 The Lakes (8-2) made this nearly a repeat of their 52-34 win over the Jets (7-3) in Week 6. North Central’s only other loss this fall came to undefeated Norway. Felch North Dickinson 40, St. Ignace 22 The Nordics (10-0) opened their first playoffs since 2016 by adding to their perfect run, downing the Saints (6-4) to earn a rematch with opening-night opponent Lake Linden-Hubbell – which gave North Dickinson its only single-digit game this fall.
MHSAA.com's weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). 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 scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Click to connect with MI Student Aid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
PHOTOS (Top) Muskegon's Lamar Bradford celebrates his touchdown run during the Big Reds' 39-34 win over Mona Shores on Friday. (Middle) East Grand Rapids' Tyler Blake (1) reaches the end zone as a Cedar Springs defender pursues during the Pioneers' 23-21 victory. (Below) An Owosso defender wraps up DeWitt's Trav Moore (2) during the Panthers' 70-13 win. (Muskegon/Mona Shores photo by Tim Reilly. EGR/Cedar Springs photo by Michigan Sports Photo. DeWitt/Owosso photo by Terry Lyons.)