1st & Goal: 2021 Week 4 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 17, 2021
For the last 20 years, we would have entered Week 4 of football season discussing how many teams would have to win the rest of their games to guarantee making the playoffs.
But the six-wins-and-in era is done (and never existed for 8-player), and there’s still plenty of time for every team to impact its destiny – especially with only 130 of 598 teams still undefeated and 12 more sure to fall off that list this weekend.
MHSAA.tv will carry 170 games live this weekend, with Bally Sports Detroit broadcasting Friday's Traverse City Central/Traverse City West matchup on its PLUS cable channel. See the full schedule from the MHSAA Score Center and see below for some of the games with the most intriguing storylines as we take another step toward the regular season’s midpoint.
Bay & Thumb
Davison (1-2) at Grand Blanc (3-0)
This is the fourth season these two will meet in the Saginaw Valley League Red, and Davison has won all four meetings of the recent series including for a Division 1 District title last year. Coming off three one-score wins over highly-touted foes – East Lansing, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central and Midland Dow – Grand Blanc could be ready to take its turn in the rivalry. But the Cardinals’ record is deceptive. Coming off last season’s second-straight trip to the Division 1 Final, Davison opened this fall with losses to Clarkston and then Detroit Catholic Central, falling by just three to the still-undefeated Wolves.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Mount Pleasant (3-0) at Midland Dow (2-1), Standish-Sterling (3-0) at Millington (3-0), Freeland (3-0) at Essexville Garber (3-0), Harbor Beach (2-1) at Ubly (3-0).
Greater Detroit
Warren De La Salle Collegiate (2-0) at Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (3-0)
The four Detroit Catholic League Central teams are a combined 10-1 this fall, and this week begins a must-see title race. These two have opened league play against each other since 2010, with seven meetings (including one in the playoffs) decided by seven or fewer points. Rice won the 2019 matchup 16-14 and last year 27-25, but the Pilots followed up the latter by reaching the Division 2 Final for the third time in four seasons. The Warriors haven’t given up a point since a season-opening win over Macomb Dakota, but De La Salle can claim the biggest headliner so far after downing last season’s Division 3 runner-up River Rouge 38-29 in Week 2.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Grosse Pointe South (2-1) at Romeo (3-0), Detroit Country Day (3-0) at South Lyon (3-0), Marine City (3-0) at Wyandotte Roosevelt (3-0), Southfield Arts & Technology (2-1) at Clarkston (3-0).
Mid-Michigan
Haslett (2-1) at Mason (2-1)
Last week’s Mason comeback win over Williamston thrust this game quickly into the spotlight as it’s almost sure to have Capital Area Activities Conference Red implications. Mason has won the league the last two seasons, while Haslett is returning to contention – the Vikings already have as many wins this fall as in 2020 and 2019, and they need one more point to also equal last year’s scoring over seven games. Both of these teams have intriguing offensive skill players, but both also needed time last week to get rolling – Williamston trailed 27-13 at halftime before winning 34-27, and Haslett was up 7-0 at halftime on the way to defeating Lansing Eastern 33-14. Getting on track first could be key.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Lake City (3-0) at Beal City (2-1), Big Rapids (2-1) at Central Montcalm (3-0), Holt (2-1) at DeWitt (2-1), Lansing Everett (2-1) at Grand Ledge (3-0).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Traverse City West (3-0) vs. Traverse City Central (2-1) at Thirlby Field
The annual “Patriot Game” is the place to be in northern Michigan – crowds every season of 10,000+ would agree – and this year’s chapter could read more like the one-score classics from most of the last decade after less-characteristic big wins (both by Central) the last two seasons. They’ll go together into the Saginaw Valley League for football next season, and started their final Big North Conference schedules last week with wins – West 21-7 over last season’s Division 4 runner-up Cadillac. The only loss by either so far has been Central’s season opener to reigning Division 3 champion DeWitt.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Traverse City St. Francis (3-0) at Maple City Glen Lake (1-2), Frankfort (2-1) at Oscoda (2-1), Harbor Springs (1-2) at Boyne City (3-0), Petoskey (3-0) at Gaylord (1-2).
Southeast & Border
Michigan Center (3-0) at Addison (3-0)
Addison has won two straight Cascades Conference titles and 16 straight league games, but this will be its first matchup with Michigan Center since 2019. They didn’t see each other during last year’s abbreviated regular season, although the Cardinals finished second in the league with a loss coming to Hanover-Horton. Addison has outscored its three opponents so far – including Hanover-Horton last week – by a combined 145-35. But the Cardinals have been just as impressive if not more – outscoring their three opponents 136-0, including a 42-0 avenging against Hanover-Horton in Week 2.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (3-0) at Milan (3-0), Monroe (2-1) at Saline (3-0), Ann Arbor Huron (2-1) at Temperance Bedford (3-0), Clinton (2-1) at Ida (2-1).
Southwest Corridor
Vicksburg (3-0) at Edwardsburg (3-0)
It’s early, of course, but statistically this Edwardsburg team is following the pattern of its best over the last decade. The offense has scored more every week, from 38 to 55 to 61 against Niles in the latest win, and the defense has given up seven points total. Next up are the Bulldogs, who lost twice to Edwardsburg last season but have been a playoff team five of the last seven years. The three opponents the Eddies defeated are all 2-1, and league rivals are lined up – undefeated Plainwell is next after Vicksburg, with Paw Paw coming up in Week 6.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Three Rivers (2-1) at Niles (2-1), Battle Creek Lakeview (2-1) at Battle Creek Central (2-1), White Pigeon (3-0) at Comstock (2-1), St. Joseph (3-0) at Kalamazoo Central (1-2).
Upper Peninsula
Ishpeming Westwood (2-1) at Ishpeming (1-1)
This rivalry will be restored after Ishpeming did not field a varsity last season. The Patriots solidly ended a 23-game losing streak to the Hematites the last time they met, however, claiming the 2019 matchup 38-0. Westwood’s fast start this fall ran into an obstacle last week with a loss to Calumet, but there would hardly be a better way to pick back up than with a win tonight. Ishpeming was off last week and has had plenty of time to prepare for a game that could pay big dividends toward its rebound as well.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Kingsford (3-0) at Marquette (2-1), Iron Mountain (1-2) at L'Anse (2-1), Negaunee (2-1) at Manistique (2-1). SATURDAY Houghton (2-1) at Bark River-Harris (3-0).
West Michigan
Muskegon Oakridge (3-0) at Montague (2-1)
A fresh start with some new faces saw Montague shut out in Week 1 by a strong Edwardsburg team. But the reigning Division 6 champion Wildcats stormed right back with back-to-back shutouts the last two weeks of North Muskegon and Hart. And they could get another big boost against rival Oakridge, which they’ve beaten three of the last four seasons including 42-6 a year ago. The Eagles are coming off a forfeit win/bye last week but already own a pair of solid wins over Sparta and Whitehall. Another this week combined with the Week 2 victory over the Vikings would put the Eagles in pretty strong position in the West Michigan Conference title race.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Zeeland West (2-1) at Muskegon Mona Shores (2-1), East Grand Rapids (1-2) at Byron Center (3-0), Manton (2-1) at Evart (3-0), Grand Rapids South Christian (2-1) at Grand Rapids Catholic Central (3-0).
8-Player
Mendon (3-0) at Bridgman (3-0)
These two are likely league title contenders in the Southwest Michigan 8-Man Football League Tier 1 and 2, respectively. Mendon had been one of the last southwestern holdouts its size before switching to 8-player football for this fall, and the Hornets brought a run of 13 winning seasons over their last 14 with them. So far so good after the switch, as the offense is averaging just more than 63 points per game. Bridgman successfully made the switch in 2018 and is a combined 18-2 since the move. The Bees are scoring 55 points per game so far – but more notably for this matchup, giving up only seven.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Adrian Lenawee Christian (3-0) at Athens (3-0), Norway (2-1) at Ironwood (2-1), Lawrence (3-0) at Morrice (3-0). SATURDAY Lake Linden-Hubbell (2-1) at Powers North Central (3-0).
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: Ishpeming's Preston Gauthier (37) is chased by Manistique's Austin Hinkson (24) during their teams’ Week 1 matchup. (Photo by Cara Kamps.)
1st & Goal: 2025 Playoffs Week 3 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 18, 2025
The third weekend of these MHSAA Football Playoffs saw plenty of headlining moments.
A pair of walk-off wins.
Three first-time Regional champions and a team advancing to a Final for the first time.
Three statewide stunners – including two in Division 4 alone.
One team accomplishing something from all of the above on what had to be the most unforgettable night in that program’s history.
Add in the usual high-level matchups to be found this time of year, and it was a wild 48 hours across both peninsulas. See below for notes on all 36 games.
8-Player Division 1
HEADLINER Blanchard Montabella 32, Norway 28 Montabella (11-1) came back from a 28-8 halftime deficit to earn its first trip to an MHSAA championship game in this sport. The defeat was the only one this season for Norway (11-1), which was playing in its first Semifinal since 2006. Click for more from the Greenville Daily News.
HEADLINER Martin 20, Kingston 8 The Clippers (12-0) also trailed at halftime before scoring 20 unanswered points to earn their third Finals trip over the last four seasons. Kingston ended 10-2, with its highest win total since 1996. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
8-Player Division 2
HEADLINER Felch North Dickinson 44, Onekama 28 The Nordics (12-0) will play for a Finals championship for the first time since 1998 after finding their stride against an Onekama defense that otherwise gave up only 11.5 points per game this season. The Portagers finished 11-1, setting a school record for victories. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.
HEADLINER Portland St. Patrick 36, Deckerville 15 St. Patrick denied Deckerville (10-2) a return trip to Superior Dome as the Eagles sought to add to their Division 1 title won a year ago. Instead, the Shamrocks (12-0) will play in their first Final since 2020, and after holding Deckerville to its fewest points since also scoring 15 in Week 1. Click for more from WLNS.
11-Player Division 1
HEADLINER East Kentwood 52, Hudsonville 28 The Falcons (10-2) avenged a 43-42 Week 7 loss to eventual Ottawa-Kent Conference Red champion Hudsonville, in doing so handing the 2024 Division 1 runner-up Eagles (11-1) their only defeat this fall. The Regional title was East Kentwood’s first since 2014 and came in part thanks to three rushing touchdowns and two passing scores from quarterback Kayd Coffman. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Regional Roundup Detroit Cass Tech 42, Saline 28 The reigning Division 1 champion Technicians (12-0) ran their winning streak to 23 as C.J. Sadler scored four touchdowns to help end Saline’s run at 10-2. Detroit Catholic Central 42, Clarkston 13 The Shamrocks (12-0) clinched a second-straight Regional title, opening a 28-7 lead by halftime and holding Clarkston (10-2) to its fewest points this fall. Rochester Adams 29, Romeo 13 The Highlanders (10-2) also won a second-straight Regional title, adding to a 39-7 win over Romeo (8-4) in their season opener.
11-Player Division 2
HEADLINER Dexter 56, Gibraltar Carlson 42 The Dreadnaughts (11-1) won their second Regional title in four years and this time by scoring their second-most points in a game this fall. Carlson (11-1) – which set a school record for wins this season – had opened up a two-score lead during the third quarter before Dexter stormed back. Quarterback Cooper Arnedt threw for 590 yards and eight touchdowns. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.
Regional Roundup Portage Central 24, Traverse City Central 20 A lot of Portage Central headlines have gone to the defense this fall, but the offense earned this one as the Mustangs (12-0) took the lead in the fourth quarter and held onto the ball late to deny the Trojans (7-5) one more comeback attempt. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 42, Midland Dow 7 The reigning Division 2 champion Eaglets (9-2) hit the road and scored their most points since Week 6, while also holding Dow (10-2) to its season low. Birmingham Groves 37, St. Clair Shores Lakeview 14 After starting this season 2-3, Groves (9-3) hasn’t lost since September and added a second-straight Regional title while ending a record-setting run for Lakeview (9-3) – which made an awesome jump from 3-6 a year ago,
11-Player Division 3
HEADLINER Warren De La Salle Collegiate 38, Detroit Martin Luther King 20 The Pilots opened up a 24-6 lead by halftime and kept King (7-5) – the reigning Division 3 runner-up – from reaching the Semifinals for the first time since 2020. De La Salle (6-6) has won five of its last seven games, and this was its fifth Regional title in six seasons after last year’s run ended in this round. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.
Regional Roundup Lowell 36, Zeeland West 34 The Red Arrows (10-2) moved past the reigning Division 3 champion Dux (8-4) late, earning their first Regional title since 2016. DeWitt 70, Fenton 26 The Panthers (12-0) reached 70 points for the second time this playoffs to advance to the Semifinals for the seventh time over the last eight seasons, ending Fenton’s longest run since 2016 at 8-4. Mount Pleasant 28, East Grand Rapids 14 The Oilers (12-0) earned their first trip to the Semifinals since 2011 and ended East Grand Rapids’ winning streak at seven games and season at 9-3.
11-Player Division 4
HEADLINER Dearborn Divine Child 10, Harper Woods 6 Divine Child is 11-1, so deciding a degree of upset here is difficult – but Harper Woods (11-1) had defeated Division 1 Saline and Clarkston among others this season and was ranked No. 1 in the final coaches poll, so this made a pretty big statewide wave. The Pioneers were seeking a third-straight Regional title, and Divine Child claimed its first since 2016. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.
Regional Roundup Vicksburg 42, Portland 41 The Bulldogs (8-4) pulled off another of the stunners of these playoffs, clinching their first Regional title in this sport with a walk-off touchdown catch to hand Portland (11-1) its only defeat of the season. Hudsonville Unity Christian 52, Big Rapids 14 Unity Christian (11-1) won its first Regional title since 2021 with its sixth 50-point game this season, and also held Big Rapids (10-2) to the Cardinals’ season low. Goodrich 41, Williamston 33 The reigning Division 4 champion Martians (12-0) won this matchup of undefeated contenders, ending the Hornets’ longest run since 2020 at 11-1.
11-Player Division 5
HEADLINER Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 42, Frankenmuth 28 This rematch of last season’s Division 5 Final was much closer, but Notre Dame Prep prevailed again as quarterback Sam Stowe through three touchdowns passes and the Fighting Irish (10-2) also returned a blocked punt for a score. Frankenmuth finished 10-2, its only other loss to still-undefeated Goodrich during Week 1. Click for more from the Oakland Press.
Regional Roundup Ogemaw Heights 34, Saginaw Swan Valley 14 Ogemaw Heights (11-1) clinched its first Regional title since 2009, holding Swan Valley (10-2) to its fewest points since also scoring 14 in its only other loss this fall in Week 2. Grand Rapids West Catholic 27, Kalamazoo United 0 The Falcons (11-1) posted their first shutout since Week 2, and scored the most points the Titans (9-3) gave up in a game this fall. Monroe Jefferson 71, Michigan Center 45 This one will make the highest-scoring games list for this season, as Jefferson (11-1) scored its most since 2010 and Michigan Center (10-2) went over 40 for the eighth time this season.
11-Player Division 6
HEADLINER Kent City 50, Montrose 20 Kent City (12-0) added a first Regional title to its first District championship won the weekend before, reaching 50 points for the third time this season and after Montrose had given up only 62 points combined over its first 11 games. The Rams completed their winningest season since 2013 at 11-1. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.
Regional Roundup Almont 44, Detroit Edison 8 After edging Edison 53-46 in Week 9, Almont (12-0) pulled away this time to claim a second Regional title in three seasons. The Pioneers set a program record for wins in finishing 9-3. Jackson Lumen Christi 21, Ida 7 The reigning champion Titans (9-3) turned away their strongest challenge since the start of October, and after defeating Ida (9-3) by 21 in a District Final a year ago. Kingsley 18, Reed City 14 The Coyotes (9-3) cut the margin after Kingsley (10-2) won their season-opening meeting 24-6, but the Stags prevailed scoring the go-ahead points on a fourth-down pass.
11-Player Division 7
HEADLINER Clinton 20, Millington 18 This was another classic decided during the final minute, as Clinton (10-2) went ahead on a scoring pass to end Millington’s repeat Division 7 championship hope and season at 9-3. The Regional title was Clinton’s first since 2022. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.
Regional Roundup Menominee 43, Shelby 0 The Maroons (12-0) have been tough on defense all season, allowing just 10 points per game on average, but they threw their first shutout in ending Shelby’s longest run since 2013 at 7-5. Pewamo-Westphalia 42, Ithaca 21 The Pirates clinched their first Regional title since 2021 and improved to 11-0, running their playoff record against Ithaca (8-4) to 3-0 over the last five seasons. Schoolcraft 22, Hanover-Horton 14 Schoolcraft (10-2) scored the only points of the fourth quarter to claim a second-straight Regional title. Hanover-Horton finished 9-3, setting a program record for wins.
11-Player Division 8
HEADLINER Harbor Beach 26, Beal City 15 The Pirates (12-0) won their first Regional title since 2018 and ended the season for reigning Division 8 champion Beal City (11-1). Harbor Beach continued its impressive defensive run, with the Aggies’ 15 points the most the Pirates have given up – and with Beal City averaging nearly 46 per game entering the weekend. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.
Regional Roundup Hudson 68, Springport 22 The Tigers (12-0) continued their perfect run, scoring their second-most points this fall in handing Springport (11-1) the only loss of its winningest season. Bark River-Harris 22, Maple City Glen Lake 21 The Broncos (10-1) secured their first Regional title since 2003 with a kickoff return touchdown and 2-point conversion on the final plays of the game. Glen Lake (9-2) had scored just seconds earlier to break a 14-14 tie. Allen Park Cabrini 34, Madison Heights Madison 32 The Monarchs’ first Regional title came with a go-ahead touchdown during the fourth quarter, sending Cabrini to 11-1 and ending Madison’s season at 10-2 – an incredible turnaround after the Eagles had won a combined six games over the previous five seasons.
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) Portland St. Patrick running back Brady Leonard (9) accelerates through a hole during the first quarter of his team’s 8-Player Semifinal win Saturday over Deckerville. (Middle) Detroit Catholic Central quarterback Duke Banta targets a receiver during his team’s Division 1 Regional Final win Friday over Clarkston. (St. Patrick/Deckerville photo by Kolleth Photo. DCC/Clarkston photo by Terry Lyons.)