1st & Goal: 2024 Week 8 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 21, 2024
This forecast for late October never fails:
As expected, championships were celebrated and big playoff pushes were made all over the state during Week 8 of another football regular season that will be over by this time next week.
This week's "Review" details several of those league races now decided, but also the movements of several teams in, or out, of the potential playoff field as we inch closer to Sunday's selection announcement.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Frankenmuth 21, Freeland 20 Frankenmuth (8-0) clinched the Tri-Valley Conference Red title and extended its league winning streak to 66 games, but with Freeland (7-1) providing one of the strongest challenges to the decade-plus run. Logan Diener’s second touchdown, with 3:58 to play, and Aiden Labissoniere’s go-ahead extra point helped put the game, and title, away. Click for more from the Saginaw News.
It's always a heated battle when @FrankenmuthF and Freeland square off!
Freeland battle tested the Eagles going into the second half as they took the lead, 20-14.
However, Frankenmuth would prevail to secure their 13th straight conference title, 21-20. pic.twitter.com/LRV2sjhRyn— Miriam Bingham (@mbinghamreports) October 19, 2024
Watch list Grand Blanc 55, Davison 49 Grand Blanc (7-1) finished a perfect run through the Saginaw Valley League Red by handing Davison its lone Valley loss, although the Cardinals (6-2) finish with Lapeer this week. The Bobcats’ championship was their first since 2021 and came after finishing second to Davison a year ago.
On the move Goodrich 42, Fenton 3 Goodrich (7-1) won the overall Flint Metro League championship game and in doing so handed the Tigers (7-1) their first loss, finished a run of reaching 42 points in all seven league games and gave up a total of 45 points to Metro opponents. Ubly 30, Cass City 12 No one should have thought Ubly (5-3) was going away quietly with its 0-3 start this fall after last season’s Division 8 championship. Those first three opponents are a combined 23-1, and the Bearcats are up to No. 19 on the Division 8 playoff point list. Midland Dow 23, Lapeer 14 Dow (5-3) has won five of its last six games to jump into the Division 2 playoff picture for the first time this season, moving up seven spots to No. 26 while sending Lapeer to 5-3 and the No. 24 position on the Division 1 list.
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Detroit Cass Tech 30, Detroit Martin Luther King 14 Cass Tech (6-2) again broke the recent trend in this rivalry, taking the Detroit Public School Blue City championship after King won their first meeting this season and finished with the PSL Blue regular-season title. It was the second time in three years the Technicians have avenged a King loss from a month earlier, and also only the second time in five years that the winner of the first matchup didn’t finish with a sweep. Cass Tech’s Alex Graham scored on a kickoff return and catching a pass as the Technicians reached the end zone three times through the air. Click for more from the Detroit News.
Check out the highlights of Detroit Cass Tech (@Detroit_CTFB) winning the City Championship for the 3rd straight year over rival King on October 18th, 2024. Powered by @altaequipment pic.twitter.com/ii4R1afVTH
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 19, 2024
Watch list Detroit Central 22, Detroit Denby 18 Central (6-2) has won six straight games and avenged a pair of losses from last season to Denby (5-3) to take the PSL Gold City championship after these two shared the regular-season title. The Trail Blazers gave up six points total with four shutouts over five division games and cooled a Denby offense that was averaging 33 points per game.
On the move Gibraltar Carlson 42, Allen Park 0 Carlson (7-1) clinched a share of the Downriver League title, its fourth straight, with Allen Park (6-2) holding out hope for a share as well if Lincoln Park can catch the Marauders this week. Clarkston Everest Collegiate 42, Royal Oak Shrine Catholic 3 The Mountaineers (8-0) finished off an outright title run in the Catholic High School League Intersectional #2, their second straight as they ran their league game winning streak to 12 with a seventh in a row over Shrine (6-2) – which has guaranteed its best record since 2020. Belleville 31, Dearborn Fordson 0 Belleville (8-0) closed out an eighth-straight league title by finishing another sweep of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association East, with this the Tigers’ second-straight shutout and third over seven KLAA games. Walled Lake Western 20, Mason 17 Walled Lake Western (8-0) entered the week No. 2 in the Division 3 coaches poll, and Mason (6-2) was No. 6 and had won both matchups with the Warriors last season including in a Regional Final.
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Howell 36, Brighton 14 The Highlanders (8-0) completed a KLAA West outright championship, defeating Brighton (6-2) for the second-straight season to avoid what would have been a shared league title with the Bulldogs. Justin Jones ran for three touchdowns and caught a fourth to pace Howell, which faces Belleville this week in the overall KLAA championship game. Click for more from the Livingston Daily Press & Argus.
Watch list Portland 33, Lansing Sexton 0 Portland coach John Novara reached 200 career wins as the Raiders (8-0) finished another perfect run through the Capital Area Activities Conference White, extending their league game winning streak to 20. The shutout kept Portland at No. 9 on the Division 4 playoff list and Sexton (4-4) just outside the field at No. 34.
On the move Clare 54, Pinconning 28 After sharing the Jack Pine Conference Division 1 title, Clare (7-1) won this matchup with JPC Division 2 runner-up Pinconning (5-3) to move up to No. 11 on the Division 5 playoff list. Ionia 16, St. Johns 13 After this close win over St. Johns (5-3), the Bulldogs (5-3) are a win away from guaranteeing their best record since 2013 with rival Lake Odessa Lakewood up next. Olivet 27, Lansing Catholic 14 Olivet has two wins over Lansing Catholic (5-3) in two seasons in the CAAC White, with this one giving the Eagles (6-2) second place in the league and sending the Cougars into a tie for third.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER East Jordan 33, Frankfort 6 This could pay off in multiple ways for East Jordan (6-2). The Red Devils can continue to hold out hope of a title share in the Northern Michigan Football League Legacy (if Mancelona defeats first-place Maple City Glen Lake this week), and East Jordan also jumped past Frankfort on the Division 8 playoff list after trailing the Panthers (6-2) by one position entering Friday. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Watch list Ogemaw Heights 64, Harrison 28 The JPC Division 1 co-champion Ogemaw Heights (7-1) handed Division 2 winner Harrison (7-1) its first loss and scored a season high in bouncing back from a Week 6 defeat to Standish-Sterling.
On the move Boyne City 36, Oscoda 0 Boyne City (6-2) has climbed the Division 6 playoff list for the fourth-straight week, this time up to No. 18 while sending Oscoda (5-3) down only two slots to No. 30 in Division 7. Maple City Glen Lake 32, Saginaw Valley Lutheran 13 Glen Lake (7-1) has put together its best season since 2019 and heads into a potential outright league title clincher after a solid win over the Chargers (4-4). Manistee 65, Montague 32 Manistee (5-4) moved up from No. 30 to 24 on the Division 6 playoff list and moved Montague (3-5) from 31 to just outside the field at No. 33.
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Hudson 22, Clinton 6 Hudson (7-1) has a share of the Lenawee County Athletic Association championship and winless Hillsdale to play this week to make it outright, while Clinton and Ida are tied for second and likely the newest Hillsdale fans. Clinton (6-2) had won 24 straight LCAA games and the last two league titles. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.
Watch list Ottawa Lake Whiteford 30, White Pigeon 16 On paper, Whiteford (4-4) has had a tougher run than usual this fall. But its losses are to teams that are a combined 31-2, and the Bobcats are up to No. 21 on the Division 7 playoff list after handing White Pigeon (7-1) its lone defeat.
On the move Hanover-Horton 28, Brooklyn Columbia Central 19 The Cascades Conference West title belongs entirely to Hanover-Horton (8-0) as the Comets clinched it outright in sending Columbia Central (3-5) into third place and avoiding a potential three-team share. Grass Lake 28, Leslie 7 Leslie (7-1) already had the Cascades Conference East outright title in hand, but this is major win for Grass Lake (5-3) nonetheless as it bumped the Warriors up four spots to No. 37 on the Division 6 playoff list. Chelsea 21, Trenton 20 Division 4 contender Chelsea (7-1) needed a score during the final minutes to get past the Trojans (5-3), who remain No. 11 on the Division 3 playoff list.
Southwest Border
HEADLINER Kalamazoo United 35, Parchment 13 In a matchup of tough defenses, United’s was able to hold its ground most and slowed a Parchment offense that was averaging 42 points per game. In doing so, the Titans (7-1) clinched the outright Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore championship, sending the Panthers (6-2) to second place with their only league defeat. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Watch list Mattawan 42, Kalamazoo Central 20 Over the last two weeks, Mattawan (5-3) has defeated leaders of both the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West and now East, in the process jumping from No. 39 two weeks ago to No. 22 on the Division 2 playoff list. Central (5-3) is tied for first in the East and plays Loy Norrix this week for that outright title.
On the move Decatur 18, Hopkins 0 Decatur (7-1) may have fallen eight points shy of catching champion White Pigeon in the Southwest 10 Conference, but it earned this win over Ottawa-Kent Conference Silver co-leader Hopkins (6-2) to guarantee its winningest season since 2014. Portage Northern 45, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 0 The SMAC West could send four of its five teams to the playoffs, with this win over the Knights (5-3) bumping Northern (5-3) up to No. 21 on the Division 2 playoff list. Lawton 26, Saugatuck 10 Lawton (6-2) concluded the SAC Valley schedule by winning this matchup for second in the standings, further solidifying itself in the middle of the Division 7 field while Saugatuck (5-3) occupies the same in Division 8.
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Kingsford 13, Menominee 12 This season’s Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper race couldn’t have been much closer, with champion Kingsford (8-0) edging Menominee (7-1) this time to go with its two-point win over Negaunee in Week 4. The Flivvers will face Marquette this week as they play for a perfect regular season. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.
Watch list Calumet 19, Gladstone 6 While just a notch below contending in the Copper, Calumet (5-3) gave Kingsford a 14-point game in Week 5 and won its three games since. The Copper Kings climbed the Division 6 playoff list for the third straight week, now to No. 26.
On the move Iron Mountain 42, Manistique 21 The Mountaineers (8-0) pulled within a win of a potential second-straight undefeated regular season. L’Anse 40, Gwinn 22 L’Anse not only reversed a 33-6 loss to Gwinn from Week 3, but ended a 15-game losing streak stretching back to 2022. Marquette 41, Cadillac 32 The Sentinels (6-2) bounced back from a heartbreaker against Petoskey to surpass last year’s victory total. Despite the loss, Cadillac (4-4) actually moved up a spot on the Division 3 playoff list, to No. 27.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Grand Rapids West Catholic 54, Hamilton 14 After edging Ada Forest Hills Eastern by a point to take over first place alone in the O-K White in Week 7, West Catholic (6-2) sent Hamilton into third place and clinched the outright championship – its second straight after winning the O-K Blue outright last season. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Watch list Byron Center 17, Muskegon 14 With Byron Center’s move into the O-K Green this season, these two met for the first time since 2017 – and the Bulldogs (7-1) put a serious dent in the reigning Division 2 champion’s hopes of extending its playoff qualification streak that began in 2000.
On the move Grand Rapids Northview 35, Holland Christian 20 Northview (8-0) finished an outright title run in the O-K Black while sending Holland Christian to 6-2. East Grand Rapids 31, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 28 East Grand Rapids (5-3) made second place in the O-K Black a three-team share with this win over the Cougars (5-3) in their first meeting since 2016. Big Rapids 24, Coopersville 7 Fresh off wrapping up a league title in Week 7, Big Rapids (7-1) handed a loss to River Cities Alliance co-leader Coopersville (5-3), which plays Cedar Springs this week for a potential outright league title.
8-Player
HEADLINER Climax-Scotts 46, Mendon 44 The Panthers (7-1) are outright Southern Central Athletic Association Red champions after handing the lone loss this fall to Mendon (7-1), with Jackson Bagwell scoring on a four-yard run and adding the winning 2-point conversion run with 55 seconds to play. Climax-Scotts scored first, and the teams then traded touchdowns all the way until the Panthers scored last. Click for more from WWMT.
Watch list Bay City All Saints 61, Kinde North Huron 22 The Cougars’ only loss this season came in Week 1 – to still-undefeated Deckerville – and they are Big Thumb Conference Red champions after this impressive winner-take-all performance against former co-leader North Huron (6-2).
On the move Pittsford 46, Waldron 14 The SCAA Blue belongs entirely to Pittsford (7-1), which clinched a share of the championship in Week 7 but needed to get past third-place Waldron (5-3) to finish the perfect run. Pickford 51, Norway 6 Pickford (8-0) clinched a share of the Great Lakes Eight Conference East title in this matchup of previous co-leaders. The Pirates may need to defeat third-place (tied) Munising this week to clinch it outright, with Norway (6-2) hoping to share with a win over the other third-place team, Rudyard, and a Munising victory. Indian River Inland Lakes 64, Bellaire 12 Inland Lakes (8-0) will play co-leader Gaylord St. Mary for the Ski Valley Conference title this week after turning back third-place Bellaire (6-2).
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) Detroit Cass Tech’s Alex Graham pulls away for a touchdown against Detroit Martin Luther King at Ford Field. (Middle) Grand Blanc’s Caseton Sendry (18) eludes a pair of Davison defenders. (Below) East Grand Rapids’ Carson Thornton (8) finds a gap in the Grand Rapids Catholic Central defense. (Top photo by Olivia B. Photography. Grand Blanc/Davison photo by Terry Lyons. EGR/Catholic Central photo by Michigan Sports Photo.)
1st & Goal: 2025 Week 6 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 6, 2025
The high school football season always seems to speed up when we reach October.
As forecast Friday, a handful of Week 6 matchups resulted in at least the start of league championships being decided for this fall. Other games fast-forwarded title races as we turned toward the final one-third of the 2025 regular season.
Mix in rivalries, revenge tours, program wins or just the games to set up an even bigger one coming up. This weekend had them all, and we dive into the details below.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Saginaw Valley Lutheran 23, Ithaca 22 To call this the best win in Valley Lutheran history likely isn’t an understatement. The Chargers (6-0) clinched a share of the Tri-Valley Conference Blue title, with only sixth-place Carrollton standing in the way of an outright title. They did so by defeating Ithaca (5-1) for the first time and breaking the Yellowjackets’ 23-game league winning streak going back to 2020 – and accomplished it with a game-winning field goal during the closing seconds, the only three points scored during the second half. Valley Lutheran’s six wins this season also equal their highest total in program history. Click for more from the Saginaw News.
Watch list Almont 35, Armada 14 The Raiders (6-0) took a solid step toward a potential third-straight Blue Water Area Conference title, defeating last season’s runner-up Armada (4-2) and setting up a possible eventual winner-take-call this week against also-undefeated Richmond.
On the move Goodrich 49, Owosso 13 The Flint Metro League Stars title – at least a share at this point – belongs to Goodrich again after the Martians (6-0) held Owosso (4-2) to a season low. Midland Dow 31, Traverse City West 13 The Chargers (5-1) kept pace with Saginaw Valley League North leader Mount Pleasant and no doubt will be rooting for the Titans (3-3) this week as they face the Oilers with a chance to open the title race back up. Millington 35, Buchanan 8 The Cardinals (5-1) can still earn a share of the Big Thumb Conference White title this week and now coming off a win over the Lakeland Conference-leading Bucks (4-2), who will play Friday to make their league championship outright.
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Romeo 39, Macomb Dakota 20 The Bulldogs (4-2) own a share of the Macomb Area Conference Red championship for the first time since 2021, thanks to their first win over Dakota (5-1) since that same season. Romeo’s offense was especially impressive; Dakota had given up just 31 points total over its first five games and not more than 38 in one game since 2018. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.
TOUCHDOWN ROMEO!
Tayshawn Proctor walks in for his second TD of the night!
ROMEO: 39
DAKOTA: 20
Delivered by @hungryhowies
Catch the full broadcast on the State Champs YouTube page! pic.twitter.com/AxESv6Ezk5— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 4, 2025
Watch list Madison Heights Madison 42, Hazel Park 14 Madison (5-1) won this matchup for first place in the MAC Bronze, clinching a share of the league title and continuing its best season since 2019. Hazel Park (4-2) was one of three co-champs last fall and can still earn another share if Clinton Township Clintondale can catch Madison this week.
On the move South Lyon 21, Waterford Mott 20 South Lyon (6-0) moved ahead of Mott (3-3) during the final minute to move one game away from claiming a share of the Lakes Valley Conference title. Oxford 34, West Bloomfield 33 The Wildcats (4-2) actually leant Clarkston a hand in clinching a share of the Oakland Activities Association Red championship, although West Bloomfield (5-1) can still earn a share by defeating the Wolves this week. Harper Woods 41, Rochester 7 The Pioneers (6-0) finished a perfect run through the OAA White to clinch their first title in four seasons playing in the league.
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Williamston 20, Haslett 14 Williamston’s turnaround season now includes a share of the Capital Area Activities Conference Red title, as Haslett (4-2) also entered the evening tied for first. The Hornets (6-0) went up 14-0 and then held off the Vikings’ comeback charge, scoring the go-ahead points during the fourth quarter. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
Watch list Grand Ledge 36, Lansing Everett 8 The Comets are 6-0 for the first time since 2015 and set up this week’s matchup with DeWitt for first place in the CAAC Blue by avenging last year’s 23-point loss to Everett (4-2).
On the move Mount Pleasant 28, Bay City Western 17 As noted above, Mount Pleasant (6-0) leads the SVL North and can clinch a share of the league title this week. Western (3-3) already has tied last year’s win total and is holding tight to a spot in the Division 3 playoff field. Howell 35, Hartland 7 The Highlanders (5-1) kept pace behind Brighton in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West with their matchup against the Bulldogs coming up in Week 8. Mason 31, St. Johns 20 Mason (3-3) also is holding onto a spot in the Division 3 playoffs, and this win over the Redwings (4-2) may eventually decide if the Bulldogs make the field this season.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Traverse City St. Francis 20, Boyne City 13 With a pair of close games over the last two weeks, St. Francis (6-0) secured the Northern Michigan Football Conference Legends title, adding this victory over the Ramblers (4-2) to a one-pointer over Kingsley in Week 5. This is the last season for the league; the rest of the Legends division will play in the Northern Shores Conference in 2026. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Watch list Maple City Glen Lake 16, Kalkaska 12 This nonleague matchup was significant nonetheless, as Kalkaska (5-1) was undefeated and Glen Lake (4-1) won by less than a score for the second straight game (after an open date last week). The Lakers are tied with Week 9 opponent Mancelona for first in the NMFC Legacy.
On the move Mancelona 36, East Jordan 16 The Ironmen held onto the share of first in the Legacy noted above by defeating East Jordan (3-3) for the first time since 2021. Traverse City Central 28, Midland 14 The Trojans (3-3) gave their Division 2 playoff hopes a serious boost as they moved up 10 spots back into the potential field at No. 26 and sent Midland (3-3) outside the top 32. Petoskey 20, Cadillac 13 Neither can make up enough ground to win the Big North Conference, but Petoskey (3-3) moved up five spots to get to No. 32 in the Division 3 playoff-point rankings.
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Chelsea 35, Ypsilanti Community 6 The Bulldogs (5-1) ran their league winning streak to 15 and cleared one more obstacle as they attempt to close in on a third-straight Southeastern Conference White championship. The loss also dropped Ypsilanti (3-3) to No. 33 in the Division 3 playoff-point rankings, although the Grizzlies have some great opportunities to move back up as they seek their first postseason appearance (not counting COVID-shortened 2020) since 2014. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.
Watch list Ida 40, Adrian Madison 19 The Bluestreaks (5-1) need help in the Lenawee County Athletic Association title race with Hudson and Clinton both still undefeated in league play. But they are continuing to climb the Division 6 playoff-points list and are up to No. 15 after downing Madison (3-3) – which is hanging onto the No. 30 spot.
On the move Saline 42, Ann Arbor Huron 14 The Hornets (6-0) clinched a share of the Southeastern Conference Red title with one league game to play in Week 8 and undefeated Harper Woods up next. Adrian 23, Tecumseh 7 The Maples (5-1) stayed a game back of Chelsea in the SEC White by avenging last year’s loss to Tecumseh (3-3), and surpassed last year’s win total as well. Manchester 30, Leslie 29 The Flying Dutchmen (3-3) needed this one in a big way, coming off two straight losses, and they jumped 11 spots to No. 26 on the Division 8 playoff-point list.
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER Schoolcraft 18, Lawton 14 It looks as though the Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley title will go through Schoolcraft (5-1) again as the Eagles pulled within one more win of clinching a repeat championship. Schoolcraft led 6-0 at halftime, fell behind 14-6 into the final minutes of the third quarter but pulled ahead for good midway through the fourth. Lawton (4-2) fell into a second-place tie with Coloma. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Watch list Portage Northern 42, St. Joseph 36 The Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West shifted over the weekend with this win helping Northern (5-1) move into a first-place tie with Portage Central and those two set to face off this weekend with a share of the league title on the line. St. Joseph (3-3) still has a slight chance at a share if a few results fall into place.
On the move Berrien Springs 21, Dowagiac 0 While Buchanan has guaranteed itself a share of the Lakeland Conference title, there’s potentially still a lot to be decided as a Dowagiac win over Buchanan this week would give Dowagiac (4-2) and Berrien Springs (4-1) shares as well. Kalamazoo United 34, Constantine 7 The Titans (4-2) also can clinch this week in the SAC Lakeshore with Constantine (4-2) among three teams one game back. Niles 49, Three Rivers 0 Niles (6-0) has continued to impress; Three Rivers (4-2) entered the week in the Wolverine Conference title mix as well.
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Escanaba 38, Marquette 20 Not only did Escanaba (6-0) defeat rival Marquette for the first time since 2019, but by doing so it set up this week’s matchup with also-undefeated Gaylord for a share of the Big North Conference championship. Escanaba also moved up to No. 5 on the Division 4 playoff-points list as it seeks its first postseason appearance this decade. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.
Watch list Bark River-Harris 44, L’Anse 16 The Broncos (4-1) bounced back from a Week 5 loss to set up their biggest game of the season, a rematch this week with Iron Mountain. L’Anse is 4-2.
On the move West Iron County 27, Manistique 22 The Wykons (2-3) are starting to climb as they broke a two-game losing streak against Manistique (1-4). Calumet 46, Houghton 0 The Copper Kings (4-2) got back on the right foot coming off back-to-back losses this fall to run their winning streak over the Gremlins (2-4) to 12. Menominee 61, Gladstone 6 The Maroons (6-0) remain atop the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper with massive matchups against Negaunee and then Kingsford up next.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Hudsonville 35, Rockford 28 An awe-inspiring one-handed catch by Lawsyn Weber and an all-around stunning performance by quarterback Brady Van Laecke helped Hudsonville get past Rockford and left the Eagles (6-0) alone atop the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red. The Rams (4-2) are one of three teams tied for second place halfway through the league schedule. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
HUDSONVILLE’S BRADY VAN LAECKE MAKING HIS CASE. The senior QB accounted for 4 total touchdowns — 2 on the ground and 2 through the air — as the Eagles took down Rockford. 👀 He’s building a strong résumé for the STATE CHAMPS! Mr. Football Award Top 10! Delivered by… pic.twitter.com/Z7f4n2w6eM
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 4, 2025
Watch list Hudsonville Unity Christian 14, Zeeland West 6 Unity (6-0) moved to the top of the O-K Gold with a second win in two years over reigning Division 3 champion Zeeland West and can clinch a share of a repeat league title this week.
On the move Grand Rapids West Catholic 51, Grand Rapids Christian 14 The Falcons (5-1) moved into first alone in the O-K White with a chance to clinch a share of the league title this week and only Christian (3-3) a game back with two to play. Muskegon 28, Muskegon Mona Shores 12 The Big Reds (4-2) ran their winning streak to four as they remained in the top spot in the O-K Green with this rivalry win over Mona Shores (3-3). Muskegon Oakridge 14, Whitehall 13 Both are still chasing Ludington in the West Michigan Conference Lakes, but Oakridge (5-1) definitely will be cheering for Whitehall (4-2) against the Orioles this week.
8-Player
HEADLINER Lake Linden-Hubbell 52, Powers North Central 34 Lake Linden-Hubbell (5-1) avenged a 60-8 loss to the Jets from a year ago to set up a potential championship decider against Gogebic this week in the Great Lakes Eight Conference West. The pair also entered last week at Nos. 15 and 16 on the Division 2 playoff-points list, but Lake Linden-Hubbell now is tied for No. 10 and North Central (4-2) is tied for 17th. Click for more from the Houghton Daily Mining Gazette.
Watch list Kinde North Huron 38, Peck 32 The Warriors (4-1) are tied for first in the Big Thumb Conference Red with Bay City All Saints and sent Peck (4-2) into third place. North Huron and All Saints meet in Week 8.
On the move Onekama 36, Central Lake 14 Onekama (6-0) sits in the top spot on the Division 2 playoff-points list, and Central Lake (3-3) is just one spot outside the field in Division 1. Pittsford 44, Concord 24 The Wildcats (5-1) ran their winning streak to five with a nonleague stop before jumping back into Southern Central Athletic Association Blue play. Indian River Inland Lakes 51, Rogers City 0 Inland Lakes (6-0) sits first on the Division 1 playoff-points list and Rogers City (4-2) is holding onto the No. 16 spot after the Bulldogs posted their fifth shutout of the season.
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) A Grand Ledge ball carrier charges up the sideline Friday during his team's 36-8 win over Lansing Everett. (Middle) A Beal City ball carrier attempts to break free during his team's 58-0 win over Lake City. (Top photo by Terry Lyons. Middle photo by High School Sports Scene.)