1st & Goal: 2021 Week 1 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
August 26, 2021
Welcome to what might be the most anticipated opening weekend in Michigan high school football history.
No one is saying life is back to pre-pandemic normal, of course. But after last football season saw multiple delays, an abbreviated regular season and altered playoff format, it’s hard not to be excited about most things beginning “as they always have” this weekend across our state.
And there are plenty of opportunities to dig in and enjoy.
Check out your local game, or one of those highlighted below – including a number of games from three showcase events, the Battle at the Big House at University of Michigan, the Xenith Prep Kick Off Classic at Wayne State and the Vehicle City Gridiron Classic at Kettering’s Atwood Stadium. There are also plenty of opportunities to tune in from home – more than 150 games will be streamed live on the NFHS Network or by partner Bally Sports Detroit, including two televised live on BSD’s primary cable channel. (Click for details.)
As in seasons past, our weekly football previews will point out intriguing games from every region of the state – opportunities to see a great story unfold no matter where fans live or are visiting that weekend. Records below are from the 2020 season. (Games from the aforementioned showcases are listed in the region of one of the competitors.)
Bay & Thumb
Davison (10-1) vs. Clarkston (7-1), Friday at U-M
A number of teams from the I-75 corridor and particularly the Flint suburbs will be playing showcase games this weekend, and this might be the biggest as well as a preview of a more significant rematch to come. Clarkston’s lone loss last season came by seven to Grand Blanc in a District Semifinal – a week before the Wolves would have faced Davison, which suffered its only defeat at Ford Field against West Bloomfield in the Division 1 championship game. The Cardinals also were Division 1 champs in 2019, with Clarkston most recently making the Finals as Division 1 runner-up in 2018.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Lapeer (3-4) vs. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (10-0) at U-M, Frankenmuth (11-1) vs. Goodrich (6-2) at Atwood Stadium. FRIDAY East Lansing (8-1) vs. Grand Blanc (7-2) at Atwood Stadium, Midland Dow (5-3) vs. Fenton (7-1) at U-M.
Greater Detroit
Detroit Catholic Central (9-1) vs. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (3-4), Thursday at WSU
This might be the premier matchup of the Wayne State games, and also one where a 2020 record should be ignored when making that argument. Chippewa Valley may have lost four games last season, but those defeats came by a combined 21 points and none by more than nine. DCC, meanwhile, suffered its only loss to Davison, in a Division 1 Regional Final. The Shamrocks were especially tough defensively last fall, giving up 10 points per game, while winning a Detroit Catholic League Central that sent Warren De La Salle Collegiate to the Division 2 championship game.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Canton (8-1) vs. Dearborn Fordson (5-3) at Wayne State, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (7-2) at Macomb Dakota (6-2). FRIDAY Oak Park (5-6) at Orchard Lake St. Mary's (2-4). SATURDAY Southfield Arts & Technology (3-4) vs. Detroit Cass Tech (8-1) at Wayne State.
Mid-Michigan
DeWitt (12-0) vs. Traverse City Central (9-2), Thursday at U-M
The Panthers are coming off their first Finals championship, claiming the Division 3 title last season, and might be even better on offense this fall with multiple playmakers returning after the team scored at least 37 points in all but one game. Central missed making Ford Field by one win, falling to eventual champion Muskegon Mona Shores in a Division 2 Semifinal. The Trojans scored at least 30 points in all but one game last season and should be a handful in an intriguing Michigan Stadium clash.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Olivet (7-2) at Charlotte (2-5). FRIDAY Freeland (8-2) at Clare (7-1), Fowler (6-3) at Carson City-Crystal (6-2), Lansing Everett (did not play) at Lansing Sexton (did not play).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Reed City (8-0) at Cadillac (7-3), Thursday
Rewind again to when the MHSAA football season concluded at Ford Field, and Cadillac was one of the surprises of championship weekend. The Vikings reached the Finals for the first time, and while being held scoreless by Detroit Country Day in the Division 4 championship game they also put up one of their most impressive defensive performances holding the Yellowjackets to 13 points. Reed City’s story, though, had to feel a little unfinished – after starting out with eight straight wins, the Coyotes’ last playoff game before the COVID-related break in November was canceled, as was their Regional Final when play resumed in January.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Traverse City West (6-2) vs. Midland (8-1) at U-M, Beaverton (6-2) at Lake City (2-4), Houghton Lake (4-3) at Maple City Glen Lake (5-3), Kingsley (8-0) at McBain (6-1).
Southeast & Border
New Lothrop (11-0) at Jackson Lumen Christi (5-5), Thursday
These two have made a combined six trips to Ford Field with five championships over the last five seasons. New Lothrop is coming off its second Division 7 title in three seasons in January, while Lumen Christi was stopped short in the Regional Finals – a week before it would have met New Lothrop with a Finals bid on the line. This is also an intriguing matchup between the state’s longest-serving and third-winningest football coach, Lumen’s Herb Brogan (373-89 over 42 seasons), against a younger leader on the path to join the all-time greats in Clint Galvas (129-15 over 13).
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Ithaca (8-1) at Hudson (4-4). FRIDAY Ottawa Lake Whiteford (6-3) at Blissfield (8-1), Michigan Center (6-2) at Homer (5-3), Saline (8-2) vs. Hudsonville (5-3) at U-M.
Southwest Corridor
Portage Central (3-5) at Stevensville Lakeshore (6-3) , Thursday
After not awarding a league champion last season because of the abbreviated regular-season schedule, the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference gets rolling immediately with two frequent contenders facing off. Central and Lakeshore didn’t play last season, but Central has won two straight in the otherwise-annual series.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Lake Odessa Lakewood (3-4) at Battle Creek Pennfield (5-4), Grand Ledge (5-3) at Coldwater (5-2), Cassopolis (2-5) at Schoolcraft (9-2). FRIDAY Battle Creek Lakeview (5-3) vs. Battle Creek Harper Creek (5-3).
Upper Peninsula
Negaunee (6-4) at Iron Mountain (7-2), Thursday
Once the regular season finally got started last fall, the Upper Peninsula proved quickly captivating as the status of best team north of Mackinac Bridge seemed to change hands weekly. Iron Mountain was the last remaining in the playoffs, reaching the Division 8 Regional Finals and missing the Semifinals with a one-point defeat. Both of these teams stand to be in the conversation again not only across the peninsula and statewide but more locally as the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper (and Silver) reinstates league play after also not awarding a 2020 champ.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Gladstone (2-4) at Calumet (4-4), Bark River-Harris (5-3) at Gwinn (4-4), Houghton (2-3) at Ishpeming Westwood (5-2), Sault Ste. Marie (6-3) at St. Ignace (1-6).
West Michigan
Edwardsburg (9-1) at Montague (12-0), Thursday
The anticipation for this matchup should rival any this weekend including for the games being played at the three opening showcases. Montague put together one of the most impressive 2020 runs in any division on the way to claiming the Division 6 title but enters this fall with a new coach and quarterback. Edwardsburg missed returning to Ford Field with a two-point loss to Cadillac in a Division 4 Semifinal and likely would have reached double-digit wins for a sixth-straight season if not for the abbreviated schedule.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Zeeland West (5-1) at East Grand Rapids (6-4), Muskegon Mona Shores (12-0) at Lowell (4-4). FRIDAY Grand Rapids South Christian (8-2) at Grand Rapids Christian (4-4), Hudsonville Unity Christian (7-0) at Hopkins (5-2).
8-Player
Gaylord St. Mary (7-2) at Pickford (7-2), Friday
These two won’t see each other again when the playoffs roll around – Pickford is in Division 1 this season and St. Mary in Division 2. But if recent history serves, this opener could be a primer for the kind of matchup both could earn a few months from now. Pickford made the Regional Finals last season and has pushed at least that far into the playoffs the last five seasons. Gaylord St. Mary is coming off two straight Regional Finals trips, both in Division 1 as well before moving into Division 2 for this fall.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Mendon (6-2 in 11-player) at Vandercook Lake (4-2). FRIDAY Merrill (6-2) at Marion (8-2), Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (3-5) at Martin (8-2), Onaway (6-1) at Indian River Inland Lakes (8-2).
PHOTO: Football stadium lights, like these last season at Muskegon High School, will brighten the sky again for the 2021 season beginning this weekend. (Photo by Tim Reilly.)
1st & Goal: 2025 Week 2 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 8, 2025
Most of the time, it's pretty easy to pick out the top matchups across the state heading into a football weekend, and the potentially most impactful results coming out of one.
But perhaps the most fun part of building our "1st & Goal" reviews every Monday is highlighting our "Watch list" teams – ones that stuck out in a notable way that could indicate big things to come.
We introduce another set below, along with our headliners and more who made noise during this 2025 Week 2.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Davison 23, Warren De La Salle Collegiate 21 The Cardinals held off a late De La Salle rally to improve to 2-0. The victory avenged a 21-3 loss last year to the Pilots (1-1) and gave Davison a 2-1 series lead since the pair of championship contenders began playing openers against each other in 2023. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.
Watch list Bay City Western 38, Petoskey 32 The Warriors (2-0) should carry some momentum into Saginaw Valley League play this week after avenging last year’s 34-point loss to Petoskey (1-1), which had won 10 consecutive regular-season games.
On the move Harbor Beach 43, Ottawa Lake Whiteford 14 The Pirates (2-0) have played two 2024 playoff teams to start this season and outscored them by a combed 85-22. Midland Dow 49, Saginaw Heritage 34 The Chargers also are 2-0 opening against a pair of playoff teams from a year ago – and have avenged 2024 losses against both, having lost to the Hawks (0-2) by a point last season. Armada 34, Croswell-Lexington 12 It may be super early, but this might end up a league title decider with these two and reigning champion Almont the top three in the Blue Water Area Conference last fall.
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Detroit Catholic Central 27, Toledo Central Catholic 14 The Shamrocks (2-0) outscored TCC 21-0 during the second half in this matchup of reigning champion and runner-up, respectively, from the Catholic High School League Central. Cameron Swearingen starred. Click for more from MLIVE-Detroit.
Watch list Oxford 24, Birmingham Groves 21 The Wildcats will ride an impressive win into their the Oakland Activities Association Red opener against Clarkston, having ended Groves’ 10-game regular-season winning streak to move to 2-0.
On the move Harper Woods 27, Clarkston 21 The Pioneers (2-0) have made a massive jump over the last three seasons, but this may turn out to rank among their most impressive wins during that time as Clarkston (1-1) was coming off a big one over Belleville. Detroit Cass Tech 31, Grandville 28 (OT) Cass Tech (2-0) scored the game’s final 10 points, including a winning field goal in overtime, in a matchup of top Division 1 teams statewide. Madison Heights Lamphere 3, Port Huron Northern 2 This had potential anyway to be a high-profile game as both were division champions in the Macomb Area Conference last season, but the statistical oddity just adds to the intrigue. The Rams (2-0) have won their games this fall by a combined four points.
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER DeWitt 44, Mason 37 The recent rivalry between these two Lansing-area powers saw a couple of major swings as DeWitt scored 24 unanswered points during the first half and Mason trailed by as many as 18 before coming on late. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
Watch list Williamston 36, Hastings 29 The Hornets scored and added the two-point conversion with seven seconds to play to avenge a 2024 loss for the second week in a row and move to 2-0 after finishing last season 3-7. Hastings fell to 1-1 with its first two games both decided during the closing seconds.
On the move Haslett 15, Fenton 14 The Vikings (1-1) scored the go-ahead two-point conversion with 57 seconds to play, then held on through a Fenton field-goal attempt as time expired. Durand 40, New Lothrop 33 The Railroaders (2-0) made it two wins in a row and three in four seasons over New Lothrop (1-1) with all three victories decided by seven points or fewer. Ithaca 36, Lawton 7 The Yellowjackets (2-0) surged in a matchup of teams that finished a combined 18-4 a year ago.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Traverse City St. Francis 42, Ogemaw Heights 32 St. Francis (2-0) took a big early lead and maintained distance to win this matchup of 2024 league champions. The Falcons (1-1) pulled within two and three points during the final quarter before the Gladiators pulled away.
Watch list Gaylord 21, Kingsley 14 The Blue Devils (2-0) won by this score for the second straight week, in doing so avenging a 16-0 defeat from a year ago and moving closer to equaling last season’s 3-6 finish.
On the move Maple City Glen Lake 42, Frankfort 6 The Lakers bounced back big from a season-opening loss to St. Francis, with this likely to be a key game as they look to repeat as Northern Michigan Football League Legacy champions. Kalkaska 20, Oscoda 14 (OT) The Blazers are 2-0 for the first time since 2017 as they ready for NMFL Legends play starting this week. Tawas 44, Erie Mason 14 Tawas (1-1) has won one game both of the last two seasons, but could be ready to make noise with those 44 points their most in one contest since 2022.
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Jackson Lumen Christi 54, Pontiac Notre Dame 34 Perhaps not surprisingly, the meeting of the reigning Division 6 and 5 champions, respectively – which both averaged more than 42 points per game last season – turned into a high-scoring matchup although Lumen did build a 20-point lead early and maintained it most of the game. In doing so, the Titans (1-1) avenged last season’s 28-24 loss to the Fighting Irish (1-1).
TOUCHDOWN NOTRE DAME PREP🍀 🏈
Brody Sink runs a BEAUTY of a route to get the Irish back within 2 scores!
Lumen Christi: 35
NDP: 20
Delivered by @hungryhowies
Catch the game live on the State Champs YouTube page and Local 4 plus! pic.twitter.com/ejPtk1IOKN— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) September 6, 2025
Watch list Ypsilanti Lincoln 27, Ypsilanti Community 26 The Railsplitters are 2-0 for the first time since 2019 and ran its winning streak against the Grizzlies (1-1) to six.
On the move Hudson 8, Ida 3 After giving up only 10 points per game last season, Hudson (2-0) hasn’t lost stride allowing a total of 11 over its first two victories this fall against opponents that went a combined 21-3 last year. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 36, Flat Rock 20 SMCC (2-0) is off to a nice start toward repeating as Huron League champ as Flat Rock (1-1) was among contenders as well last season. Hanover-Horton 28, Napoleon 8 Cascades Conference West reigning champion Hanover-Horton (1-1) bounced back from a Week 1 loss by shutting down a Cascades East regular contender in Napoleon (1-1).
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER Edwardsburg 40, St. Joseph 37 The Eddies are 2-0 for the first time since 2021 thanks to a second close win, this one following a seven-point victory over McBain in Week 1 and avenging last year’s 36-29 loss to the Bears. St. Joseph’s two defeats are by a combined 11 points to teams that finished 19-6 in 2024. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.
Watch list Portage Central 41, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 0 Few teams in the state are off to as impressive a start as Portage Central, which has defeated FHC and East Lansing by a combined 86-0 after losing to both last season before finishing 8-4.
On the move Berrien Springs 32, Otsego 14 The Shamrocks have reached the playoffs 11 straight seasons, the last two after 0-2 starts, but they are now 2-0 this fall. Plainwell 34, Galesburg-Augusta 20 The Trojans have won one game both of the last two seasons but are up to 2-0 as well this fall. Decatur 26, Bronson 20 (2OT) Bronson (1-1), from the Big 8 Conference, is playing in the Southwest 10 Conference this season and provided an exciting league opener against last season’s SW10 runner-up Raiders (1-1).
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Bark River-Harris 30, Iron Mountain 22 (OT) Watch out for the Broncos (2-0). Bark River-Harris has been a playoff team most of the last decade but took a major step with its first win over Iron Mountain (1-1) in 11 recent tries. This one was at Iron Mountain, and they will face off again Oct. 10 in Harris. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.
Watch list L’Anse 20, West Iron County 14 The Purple Hornets avenged 29 and six-point losses to West Iron from a year ago to move to 2-0 this fall – after winning one game total over the last two seasons.
On the move Calumet 55, Ishpeming Westwood 6 The Copper Kings have outscored their first two opponents by a combined 96-6 as they prepare for this weekend’s major matchup with Negaunee. Escanaba 36, Cadillac 7 Escanaba is 2-0 for the first time since 2019 as it readies to take on reigning Big North Conference champion Petoskey this week. Kingsford 29, Houghton 6 The Flivvers (1-1) got back on the right track after a Week 1 defeat.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Rockford 30, Muskegon 26 The Rams (1-1) trailed 20-17 heading into the fourth quarter but followed Luke Ahern to a big finish as Rockford made it three wins in three years against the Big Reds (0-2). Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Watch list East Kentwood 43, Byron Center 14 The Falcons (2-0) began showing signs last season of making a jump, and they may be nearing full flight with this win avenging last year’s 43-20 loss to the eventual Division 2 runner-up Bulldogs (0-2).
On the move East Grand Rapids 21, Grand Rapids South Christian 0 This was quite a rebound after EGR’s Week 1 loss to Lowell, as the Pioneers (1-1) avenged a 42-28 defeat from the Sailors from a year ago. Hudsonville Unity Christian 40, Schoolcraft 19 Unity’s offense continued to surge, as the Crusaders moved to 2-0 with this victory over a Schoolcraft team (1-1) that reached the Division 7 Semifinals last season. Muskegon Oakridge 15, Montague 7 Oakridge (2-0) is back on top in this longtime rivalry and also atop the West Michigan Conference Lakes standings after avenging last season’s 14-7 loss to the Wildcats (0-2).
8-Player
HEADLINER Mendon 28, Britton Deerfield 24 It’s not difficult to imagine these two meeting again as both reached Semifinals last season – Mendon in Division 1 and B-D in Division 2 – with both playing in Division 2 this fall. They kicked off Week 2 with a Thursday night gem. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.
Watch list Felch North Dickinson 52, Rudyard 7 After struggling mightily between 2017-22 and not having a varsity at all in 2023, North Dickinson came back last season to finish 6-3 – and with two victories this fall is riding a seven-game winning streak.
On the move Crystal Falls Forest Park 28, Ishpeming 22 This celebration of 1975 Finals champions was won by last year’s Division 2 title winner as the Trojans (1-1) bounced back from a Week 1 defeat. Portland St. Patrick 14, Morrice 7 These rivals kept the score low in another showdown, making it three of the last four meetings decided by seven points or fewer – and three straight wins during the regular season for the Shamrocks (2-0). Onekama 38, Marion 16 The Portagers’ only defeat last fall before the Division 2 Semifinals came to Marion in Week 2, and they avenged that 44-8 loss in a big way to improve to 2-0 this season.
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PHOTOS (Top) Marquette's Brody Clements hauls in a pass during his team's 41-13 win over Alpena. (2) A pair of Davison defenders wrap up a De La Salle ball carrier. (3) DeWitt's Channing Ridley breaks toward the sideline during his team's win over Mason. (4) Marquette's quarterback Ford Richardson is able to just get in the end zone to score a touchdown against Alpena. (Top photo by Randy Ritari. Davison/De La Salle photo photo by Terry Lyons. DeWitt/Mason photo by Tom Pearson/TCP Photography. Marquette/Alpena Richardson photo by Cara Kamps.)