1st & Goal: 2022 Week 2 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 1, 2022
Week 1 of this football season, as is annually the process, was filled with teams grabbing our attention with strong and often unexpected first impressions.
Week 2 is the beginning of making those impressions stick.
We’ll be watching as 245 games are played Thursday, 50 more Friday and two Saturday. Click for the full schedule from MHSAA.com and check out the broadcast schedule from MHSAA.tv.
Bay & Thumb
East Lansing (1-0) at Fenton (1-0), Thursday
Both were among Week 1 winners to give the strongest notice, with Fenton defeating Midland Dow in a big way and East Lansing going on the road and downing Portage Central. The Trojans won last year’s matchup 33-7 on the way to finishing 7-4 overall, but this also looks early like a much-improved Tigers team from the one that ended 2021 at 4-5.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Lake (1-0) at Cass City (1-0), New Lothrop (1-0) at Chesaning (1-0), Frankenmuth (1-0) at Saginaw Swan Valley (0-1). FRIDAY Detroit Catholic Central (0-1) at Davison (1-0).
Greater Detroit
Southfield Arts & Technology (1-0) at Clarkston (0-1), Thursday
Southfield A&T made perhaps the most stunning entrance of all Week 1, defeating Detroit Cass Tech 56-54 in overtime with junior quarterback Isaiah Marshall throwing six touchdown passes and running for two more scores. Up next are the Wolves, who lost 28-21 to Davison last week but won last season’s Southfield matchup 56-27. Sidenote: The last six years these two were in the same Oakland Activities Association division, and this season they are not.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Parma Western (1-0) at Detroit Country Day (1-0), Croswell-Lexington (1-0) at Richmond (1-0), Rochester Adams (1-0) at Rochester (0-1). FRIDAY Muskegon (1-0) at Warren De La Salle Collegiate (1-0).
Mid-Michigan
Portland (1-0) at DeWitt (1-0), Thursday
The Raiders have won both recent meetings between these Lansing area powers, in 2019 and then 20-17 a year ago on the way to the Division 5 Semifinals. Portland opened with a big win over Ovid-Elsie, while DeWitt – the reigning Division 3 runner-up – put up an especially strong defensive performance in defeating Haslett last week at University of Michigan. With both expected to do big things again, this one should benefit both in playoff points whichever team comes out on top.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Mason (1-0) at Holt (0-1), Standish-Sterling (1-0) at Ithaca (1-0), Williamston (1-0) at Lansing Catholic (0-1). FRIDAY Midland (1-0) at Mount Pleasant (1-0).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Oscoda (1-0) at Maple City Glen Lake (0-1), Thursday
The Owls joined the Northern Michigan Football League last fall, playing in the Legacy division, and this will be their first matchup with the annually-contending Lakers as Glen Lake moved to the Legacy this season. Oscoda missed the playoffs last year for the first time in five, but finished on a four-game winning streak and opened last week with a solid win over Houghton Lake. The Lakers are coming off a similar situation, having won their final three regular-season games last fall to reach the playoffs at 4-5, but they’re coming off a defeat against Kalkaska.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Kingsley (1-0) at Gaylord (1-0), Frankfort (1-0) at Mancelona (1-0). FRIDAY Lapeer (1-0) at Traverse City Central (1-0), Cheboygan (1-0) at Boyne City (1-0).
Southeast & Border
Traverse City St. Francis (1-0) at Jackson Lumen Christi (0-1), Friday
These two were both one win away from facing each other in last season’s Division 7 Final, as both saw their seasons end in Semifinals on opposite sides of the bracket. They very well could meet twice this season – St. Francis is ranked No. 2 and Lumen Christi No. 3 in Division 7, with the latter coming off a 12-7 loss to top-ranked New Lothrop. The Gladiators, meanwhile, opened with a league win over Ogemaw Heights.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Saline (1-0) at Ann Arbor Huron (0-1), Reading (1-0) at Grass Lake (1-0), Constantine (1-0) at Hudson (1-0), Ottawa Lake Whiteford (1-0) at Ida (0-1). FRIDAY.
Southwest Corridor
Centreville (1-0) at Schoolcraft (1-0), Thursday
The memory of Schoolcraft’s uncharacteristic 3-5 finish a year ago is fading quickly after a major shut out last week of Comstock, and defeating the Bulldogs would further add momentum to the fresh start. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 6 in Division 8 coming off a solid win over Union City, and they defeated Schoolcraft last season 28-7.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Plainwell (1-0) at Coldwater (0-1), Stevensville Lakeshore (0-1) at Kalamazoo United (0-1), Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (1-0) at Portage Central (0-1), Hudsonville Unity Christian (0-1) at St. Joseph (0-1).
Upper Peninsula
Negaunee (1-0) at Calumet (0-1), Thursday
It took just one week for the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper race to get really interesting, with reigning co-champ Westwood falling to Houghton and last season’s third-place finisher Negaunee taking a nice step by defeating 2021 fourth-place finisher Iron Mountain. Calumet was the other co-champ last fall and also lost last week, but nonleague against Gladstone. Negaunee’s 35-21 win over the Copper Kings last fall helped Westwood eventually share the title; this time, a Miners win would make Negaunee a strong favorite just two weeks into the season.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY West Iron County (0-1) at Bark River-Harris (1-0), Kingsford (1-0) at Gladstone (1-0), Iron Mountain (0-1) at Ishpeming Westwood (0-1), Grayling (1-0) at Sault Ste. Marie (1-0).
West Michigan
Muskegon Mona Shores (1-0) at Rockford (1-0), Thursday
This might be the statewide game of the weekend, as these two perennial powers meet for the first time since 2018. Rockford is ranked No. 4 in Division 1, coming off a big win over East Grand Rapids. Mona Shores is No. 2 in Division 2 after a similarly-solid performance against Wisconsin’s Manitowoc Lincoln. Obviously the rosters have completely turned over, but the Sailors did own a 3-2 advantage in five games against Rockford from 2014-18.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Byron Center (1-0) at Grandville (1-0), Muskegon Oakridge (1-0) at Muskegon Catholic Central (1-0). FRIDAY Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (0-1) at East Kentwood (0-1), Zeeland West (1-0) at Cedar Springs (0-1).
8-Player
Breckenridge (1-0) at Merrill (1-0), Thursday
Despite watching its enrollment fall 30 percent over the last six years, Breckenridge became one of the strongest teams in 11-player Division 8 going 56-11 from 2016-21 before making the move to 8-player this fall. The Huskies edged Fulton 40-36 last season and now get a familiar opponent in Merrill, which played in the same league as Breckenridge from 2016-19 before switching formats. The Vandals opened last week with a significant shut out of Webberville.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian (1-0) at Indian River Inland Lakes (1-0), Camden-Frontier (1-0) at Pittsford (1-0). FRIDAY Newberry (1-0) at Munising (1-0), Au Gres-Sims (1-0) at Rogers City (1-0).
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 Redford Union’s Kyren Ware (7) breaks through the Pewamo-Westphalia defense during last week’s 26-6 victory that broke the Pirates’ 16-game winning streak. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)
1st & Goal: 2025 Playoffs Week 2 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 7, 2025
The term “rivalry week” doesn’t really pop up much during the playoffs, as generally those rivalry games take place during the regular season with maybe a few rematches as we get into November.
This second weekend of the 2025 MHSAA Playoffs might be the exception.
We have several rivalries reigniting – most rematches from the regular season but others with longer histories of seeing each other this time of year, with seasons on the line.
Tickets this weekend are $7 for 11-Player District Finals and $9 for 8-Player Regional Finals and can be purchased at GoFan.co. A total of 63 games also will be broadcast and available to watch with subscription on the NFHS Network.
Games listed below are tonight unless noted.
11-Player Division 1
Rockford (8-2) at Hudsonville (10-0) WATCH
The Eagles are a combined 22-2 over the last two seasons with two wins Rockford, including 35-28 in Week 6 this fall. But finishing a season sweep of the rival Rams would be another major accomplishment. Rockford has won their past four playoff meetings, going back a decade, and the Eagles didn’t have to go through Rockford last year on the way to finishing Division 1 runner-up.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Grand Blanc (10-0) at Clarkston (9-1) WATCH, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek (7-3) at Rochester Adams (8-2) WATCH, Macomb Dakota (7-3) at Romeo (7-3) WATCH.
11-Player Division 2
St. Clair Shores Lakeview (8-2) at Grosse Pointe South (9-1), Saturday WATCH
South’s only loss this season – and only Macomb Area Conference White loss over the last four years – came 25-22 to Lakeview on Oct. 10 and resulted in a shared league title between the Blue Devils and Utica. If South avenges this weekend, it will win a District title for the first time since 2016. If Lakeview wins, the Huskies will celebrate their first District title, ever – and after going 3-6 only a year ago.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Byron Center (7-3) at Portage Central (10-0) WATCH, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (6-4) at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (7-2) WATCH, Dexter (9-1) at South Lyon (10-0) WATCH.
11-Player Division 3
Gaylord (10-0) at Mount Pleasant (10-0) WATCH
These teams have taken distinctly different paths to reach perfection this deep into the season. Mount Pleasant hasn’t played a single-digit game and impressed primarily by giving up more than 17 points only once – when it outscored Midland Dow 63-39. Gaylord has won seven games by seven points or fewer, showing some serious moxie in outlasting those opponents – an intangible skill that tends to become important with trophies on the line.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Zeeland West (7-3) at St. Joseph (6-4) WATCH, Middleville Thornapple Kellogg (7-3) at Lowell (8-2) WATCH, Fenton (7-3) at Adrian (9-1) WATCH.
11-Player Division 4
Chelsea (9-1) at Goodrich (10-0) WATCH
The reigning Division 4 champion Martians have won 23 straight games, including close ones this fall over Frankenmuth, Lapeer and Fenton. They’ll take on a Chelsea team that’s lost only to Division 2 Dexter and otherwise played one single-digit game, defeating Linden 35-28 two weeks ago. Goodrich’s power running game has long been its catalyst, and Chelsea must either stop it – or match it – to win its first District title since its 2021 Finals championship season.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Haslett (8-2) at Williamston (10-0) WATCH, Harper Woods Chandler Park (8-2) at Harper Woods (10-0) WATCH. SATURDAY Big Rapids (9-1) at Escanaba (9-1) WATCH.
11-Player Division 5
Grand Rapids West Catholic (9-1) at Grand Rapids Catholic Central (10-0) WATCH
This will be the fourth playoff meeting over the last five seasons between these rivals, and Grand Rapids Catholic Central has won the first three of that series – including by two points two years ago and three last season. The Cougars have avenged three losses from last fall – when they reached the Division 5 Semifinals – and haven’t allowed more than 17 points in a game. West Catholic opened this fall with its lone loss, to Grand Rapids Northview, but has been on a roll since and finished the regular season with a 28-16 win over reigning Division 3 champion Zeeland West.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Michigan Center (9-1) at Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (10-0) WATCH, Monroe Jeffers (9-1) at Romulus Summit Academy North (8-1) WATCH, Richmond (9-1) at Frankenmuth (9-1) WATCH.
11-Player Division 6
Traverse City St. Francis (7-2) at Kingsley (8-2) WATCH
St. Francis won these rivals’ Week 5 matchup 21-20 with a stop on a 2-point conversion try. This will be their first playoff rematch since 2018, and Kingsley retained homefield advantage thanks to a schedule that also included a loss to undefeated Division 3 Gaylord and a big Week 9 win over previously-unbeaten Charlevoix. That said, this will be St. Francis’ eighth game against a team with a winning record – with its losses to reigning Division 6 champion Jackson Lumen Christi and last year’s Division 5 title winner Pontiac Notre Dame Prep.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Kent City (10-0) at Belding (9-1) WATCH, Warren Michigan Collegiate (6-4) vs. Detroit Edison (8-2) at The Corner Ballpark, Marine City (7-3) at Almont (10-0) WATCH.
11-Player Division 7
Clinton (8-2) at Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (8-2)
This is a rematch from Week 1 and a repeat of last season – and actually the third year in a row these two will meet in the playoffs. St. Mary, last year’s Division 7 runner-up, opened this fall with a 42-6 win over Clinton and obviously won last year’s District Final matchup as well. Clinton’s only other loss this fall was to still-undefeated Hudson, while SMCC closed the regular season with defeats to Riverview and Detroit Country Day over a three-week span before bouncing back with a 27-2 win over Leslie to open the playoffs.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Bronson (8-2) at Hanover-Horton (8-2) WATCH, Lawton (8-2) at Schoolcraft (8-2) WATCH. SATURDAY Ithaca (7-3) at Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (8-2).
11-Player Division 8
New Lothrop (7-3) at Springport (10-0) WATCH
Springport is pursuing its first District championship in this sport and after falling in last year’s District Final against Reading by just a point. The Spartans closed this regular season with a pair of close calls, defeating Union City by a point and Bronson by seven, but opened the playoffs by downing Manchester 47-8. New Lothrop is back in the mix after missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 1999, and the Hornets bounced back from a pair of late league losses to win close in Week 9 over Cheboygan and then 19-14 last week over Fowler – which missed Ford Field with a one-point Semifinal defeat a year ago.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Iron Mountain (6-3) at Bark River-Harris (8-1) WATCH, Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central (8-2) at Beal City (10-0) WATCH, Riverview Gabriel Richard (5-5) at Allen Park Cabrini (9-1) WATCH.
8-Player Division 1
Climax-Scotts (8-2) at Martin (10-0) WATCH
Climax-Scotts is playing to win a first Regional title since 2019 and has put up 72 points – and given up at least 62 – in both of its last two games, last week avenging a Week 1 defeat against Gobles. The Panthers are averaging 54 points per game but likely will run up against their toughest challenge yet in the Clippers, who have allowed 87 points total this season – and more than 14 only twice. Martin won the Division 1 championship back-to-back in 2022 and 2023 before falling in this round last season. The Clippers also have a win over Gobles from Week 4.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Pickford (8-1) at Norway (10-0) WATCH, Merrill (8-2) at Blanchard Montabella (9-1) WATCH, Capac (8-2) at Kingston (9-1) WATCH.
8-Player Division 2
Mendon (10-0) at Portland St. Patrick (10-0) WATCH
Mendon has reached at least the Regional Finals four of its five seasons in 8-player football, and this will be the first time doing so undefeated. The Hornets have the highest-scoring player in MHSAA 8-player history in running back Owen Gorham, and they’ll run up against a defense giving up only 8.5 points per game. The Shamrocks can score too, topping 40 points in all but one of their wins on the field (one win was by forfeit). But the Hornets also have shown they can slow down top offenses – they held Climax-Scotts, noted above, to just 20 points three weeks ago.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Gaylord St. Mary (8-2) at Onekama (10-0) WATCH. SATURDAY Lake Linden-Hubbell (8-2) at Felch North Dickinson (10-0), Deckerville (9-1) at Britton Deerfield (9-1) WATCH.
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.
PHOTO Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central's Sean Foley (2) breaks down the sideline during a Week 7 game against Ithaca. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)