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Ogemaw Heights senior quarterback Eion Jones runs for a first down during his team’s Division 5 District Final win over Kingsford on Saturday.

1st & Goal: 2025 Playoffs Week 2 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 11, 2025

Kent City, Hanover-Horton, Springport, St. Clair Shores Lakeview and Allen Park Cabrini hoisted football District championship trophies for the first time.

MI Student AidBlanchard Montabella brought home its first Regional title and also was among a handful of teams that set school wins records during a highlight-filled second weekend of the MHSAA Football Playoffs.

We checked in with all eight 8-Player Regional Finals below and also glanced at 32 of our 11-Player District championship games as the field was reduced to 72 teams.  

11-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Clarkston 44, Grand Blanc 22 Three players scored multiple touchdowns and Clarkston (10-1) held Grand Blanc to well below half of its season average of 48 ppg in dealing the Bobcats (10-1) their only loss. The District title was the Wolves’ third in four years. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

District Digest East Kentwood 49, Howell 41 The Falcons claimed their first District championship since 2014 and ended Howell’s season a win shy of what would have been a second straight for the Highlanders (9-2). Hudsonville 42, Rockford 31 The Eagles (11-0) finished a season sweep of the Rams (8-3) for the first time to repeat as District champs. Rochester Adams 43, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek 18 These Highlanders (9-2) won their fourth District title over the last five seasons, pulling away after previously defeating Stoney Creek (7-4) by only six points in Week 6.

11-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Traverse City Central 16, Muskegon 14 The Trojans (7-4) have opened these playoffs with a pair of unforgettable two-point wins, this one to claim their first District title since 2021. The Big Reds closed a solid rebound season also at 7-4 after finishing 3-5 a year ago. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

District Digest Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 35, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 14 The Eaglets (8-2) saw their three-year winning streak over Rice (6-5) end with a 43-31 loss in Week 8, but they reversed that result to win a third District title over four seasons. Dexter 41, South Lyon 27 The Dreadnaughts (10-1) claimed their second District title over the last four years and delivered South Lyon (10-1) its lone loss by overcoming a defense that had given up only 12 points per game. Portage Central 34, Byron Center 7 After allowing more than eight points in a game (19) last week for the first time all season, Central (11-0) was back to its single-digit success in ending this run for last season’s Division 2 runner-up Bulldogs (7-4).

11-Player Division 3

HEADLINER Zeeland West 48, St. Joseph 24 If reigning Division 3 champion Zeeland West is going to return to Ford Field, the Dux are going to pile up plenty of miles along the way. West (8-3) went on the road for not only the second time this playoffs, but fifth-straight week and defeated St. Joseph (6-5) in a District Final for the second-straight season. West heads to Lowell next. Click for more from the Holland Sentinel.

District Digest Mount Pleasant 42, Gaylord 0 The Oilers (11-0) put up perhaps their most impressive performance against one of their most notable opponents, claiming their third shutout this season in handing Gaylord (10-1) its lone defeat. Lowell 28, Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 21 The Red Arrows (9-2) jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead and held on for a first District title since 2016, ending MTK’s run at 7-4. Fenton 35, Adrian 7 The Tigers (8-3) also earned their first District championship since 2016, ending Adrian’s winningest season since 2010 at 9-2.

11-Player Division 4

HEADLINER Goodrich 27, Chelsea 7 Make that 24 straight wins and four straight District championships for the reigning Division 4 champion Martians, who this week will pursue a fourth-straight Regional title as well. Goodrich (11-0) stopped a Chelsea offense that hadn’t scored fewer than 28 points in a game. The Bulldogs finished 9-2. Click for more from the Flint Journal.

District Digest Big Rapids 48, Escanaba 18 The Cardinals (10-1) made the trip north and came back with their second District title in three seasons, ending Escanaba’s best run this decade at 9-2. Williamston 42, Haslett 21 The Hornets (11-0) trailed 21-7 at halftime but scored 28 unanswered points during the third quarter to clinch a first District title since 2020 and end Haslett’s season at 8-3. Portland 28, Grand Rapids Christian 0 After surviving a first-round matchup with Grand Rapids South Christian 42-41, Portland locked  up its fourth shutout and ninth game giving up seven points or fewer to get past the Eagles (6-5), who were making their first playoff run since 2022.

11-Player Division 5

HEADLINER Grand Rapids West Catholic 21, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 20 (OT) West Catholic (10-1) defeated rival Catholic Central for the first time since 2016, stopping a 2-point conversion try to close it out. Catholic Central (10-1) had ended the Falcons’ last two seasons with playoff losses and won nine straight District titles entering this playoffs. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

District Digest Michigan Center 35, Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard 18 This made nearly as big a wave as West Catholic’s win, as Michigan Center (10-1) won its first District title since 2021 by handing FGR (10-1) its only defeat. Ogemaw Heights 41, Kingsford 6 Ogemaw Heights (10-1) also came back from surviving a one-point playoff-opening win, claiming its first District title since 2012 in ending the Flivvers’ season at 7-4. Kalamazoo United 21, Berrien Springs 6 The Titans (9-2) won this matchup of league champions to repeat as a District title winner after these two met for last year’s as well. Berrien Springs finished 6-3 after making the playoffs this season for the 12th straight.

11-Player Division 6

HEADLINER Kingsley 57, Traverse City St. Francis 6 Kingsley (9-2) hasn’t lost since falling to St. Francis by a point in Week 5, and with this victory avenged that defeat to lock up its second District title in three seasons. The Stags earned another rematch and will face Reed City for the Regional title after defeating the Coyotes in their season opener. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

District Digest Kent City 24, Belding 16 The Eagles (11-0) claimed their first District title while playing their third-straight road game and set a program record for wins while ending Belding’s season at 9-2. Detroit Edison 48, Warren Michigan Collegiate 14 Edison (9-2) managed to still win its league this season despite losing to Michigan Collegiate (6-5) in Week 2 and added a second District title over three seasons by avenging that loss. Ida 28, Ecorse 6 The Bluestreaks (9-2) won their first District title since 2016 with their best defensive showing since September, ending Ecorse’s run at 8-3.

11-Player Division 7

HEADLINER Clinton 22, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 14 More than two months after falling to St. Mary 42-6 in its season opener, Clinton (9-2) also avenged last year’s District Final loss to the Falcons (8-3). The win gave the Redwolves their fifth District title over the last six seasons, and with St. Mary coming off finishing Division 7 runner-up last fall. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.

District Digest Hanover-Horton 20, Bronson 12 The Comets (9-2) have won eight straight and now their first District championship as part of that streak, ending Bronson’s best season since 2009 at 8-3. Ithaca 22, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 21 The Yellowjackets (8-3) came back from multiple touchdowns down to win a third District title this decade and end Laker’s run at 8-3 as well. Menominee 49, McBain 6 Menominee’s third-straight District title clincher saw the Maroons (11-0) tie their season-low points allowed while handing McBain (8-3) its first defeat since mid-September.

11-Player Division 8

HEADLINER Bark River-Harris 41, Iron Mountain 20 After entering this season having never defeated Iron Mountain, Bark River-Harris (9-1) downed the Mountaineers for the third time this fall to win a first District title since 2003. Iron Mountain (7-4) had won five District titles over the last six seasons entering the weekend. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.

District Digest Springport 35, New Lothrop 13 The Spartans (11-0) added a first District championship to what continues to be their most successful season all-time, doing so in part by holding New Lothrop (7-4) to its fewest points scored this fall. Madison Heights Madison 22, Clarkston Everest Collegiate 17 Madison’s first playoff run this decade has turned into its longest since 2018 as the Eagles (10-1) ended Everest’s season at 6-5. Allen Park Cabrini 52, Riverview Gabriel Richard 0 Cabrini (10-1) also claimed its first District title and scored its most points in a game this season while ending the run for RGR (5-6), last year’s Division 8 runner-up.

8-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Blanchard Montabella 26, Merrill 0 A Week 9 loss to Portland St. Patrick is proving to be just a detour for Montabella as the Mustangs (10-1) may have missed out on a perfect regular season but have now won their first Regional championship. Montabella had taken its Week 8 matchup with Merrill 36-26, but this time claimed its third shutout this season. Click for more from the Greenville Daily News.

Regional Roundup Norway 58, Pickford 12 The Knights have reached 11 wins for the first time since 1979, according to Michigan-Football.com, and will play in their first Semifinal since 2006 after ending this run for last year’s Division 1 runner-up Pickford at 8-2. Martin 36, Climax-Scotts 20 The Clippers (11-0) clinched their fifth Regional title over the last six seasons in part by holding Climax-Scotts (8-3) to a tie for its fewest points scored over the last two years. Kingston 32, Capac 8 After opening the playoffs by avenging a regular-season loss, Capac (8-3) fell short in doing so a second time as Kingston (10-1) added to its 42-0 win from Week 2 to claim a second Regional title over the last three seasons.

8-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Portland St. Patrick 51, Mendon 22 The Shamrocks won their first Regional championship since 2020 by holding Mendon to its fewest points in two years. Both teams were undefeated entering the weekend, and Mendon (10-1) scored first before Brady Leonard scored four of his five touchdowns to help St. Patrick (11-) build a 36-8 lead early in the third quarter. Click for more from the Sturgis Journal.

Regional Roundup Felch North Dickinson 32, Lake Linden-Hubbell 12 The Nordics (11-0) added to their 38-34 Week 1 win over the Lakes (8-3) to claim their first Regional title since 2001 – and, as started previously this season, just two years after not having a varsity team. Onekama 46, Gaylord St. Mary 6 The Portagers (11-0) have won two straight Regional titles and with this one also set a program record for wins while ending the Snowbirds’ season at 8-3. Deckerville 28, Britton Deerfield 8 The Eagles (10-1) are one more win from a return trip to Superior Dome and advanced this time by handing Britton Deerfield (9-2) its first loss since Week 2.

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PHOTO Ogemaw Heights senior quarterback Eion Jones runs for a first down during his team’s Division 5 District Final win over Kingsford on Saturday. (Photo by Kolleth Photo.)

Schoolcraft football

Schoolcraft Soccer Record Setter Brings Scoring Touch to Football Field

By Pam Shebest
Special for MHSAA.com

September 21, 2021

SCHOOLCRAFT — Soccer phenom Hannah Thompson has a flare for finding the net.

Southwest CorridorThis fall, the Schoolcraft High School senior is aiming even higher – in the most literal sense.

Thompson is the place kicker on the Eagles’ football team, and in the team’s three games so far, she has connected on 4 of 5 point-after attempts.

The first female varsity football player in school history, Thompson is no stranger to breaking records.

Her 87 goals in soccer last spring not only set an MHSAA girls record for most goals in a season, but also eclipsed the boys mark.

Kristi Vandeberghe, a standout at Mount Clemens, had set the previous girls record with 66 goals in 2001. The boys record of 76 goals was set in 2009 by Dearborn’s Soony Saad.

While both sports involve kicking, the vivacious senior said there are differences.

“In soccer, you’re supposed to keep your body over the ball,” she said. “In football, you’re supposed to lean back so the ball goes higher. That’s probably the biggest difference.

“In football, if you try to kick as hard as you can, like for power, the ball can go off to the side. In soccer, you want to kick it hard.”

Head football coach Nathan Ferency, who teaches health and physical education at the high school, had tried to convince Thompson to join the team since she expressed an interest as a freshman.

Hannah Thompson“I took my health class outside one spring morning and worked her out a little bit to see if she could kick — and she can actually kick,” he added with a grin.

Ferency immediately offered her a spot on the junior varsity team, but since she plays travel hockey in the fall, she opted to concentrate on that until this year.

Her high school soccer coach, Scott Thompson, also her dad, has no problem with her playing football, “and my (soccer) teammates think it’s cool and amazing,” the senior said. 

Nathan Ferency“They’re very supportive of me. My (travel) coaches do not like it whatsoever. They’re not a fan.”

Her dad sees some positives coming from football.

“As her coach, I have no issues with her playing football,” he said. “She’s working on driving through the ball and working on her leg muscles.

“Being in high school, I didn’t see any issues. As a place kicker, she has minimal opportunities for getting hurt.”

Ferency is aware that soccer is her main interest.

“We’re never going to put her into a kickoff situation where she has to hit somebody,” he said. “We feel comfortable in a PAT or field goal situation where she’s protected and unlikely to have contact.

“We want to preserve her senior year of soccer. That’s her love, and we want to make sure her goals are met.”

Thompson, who has committed to play soccer at Eastern Michigan University, said the hardest part of football is putting on the equipment, especially clipping down the shoulder pads.

“I wear youth large pads so they’re like the middle school pads, and it’s hard to get them clipped down,” she said, laughing while she demonstrated with her hands.

Pads also posed a bit of a problem for her debut.

“The first game, the girdle has the hip pads and the butt pads,” she said. “The pants have pads on the front and on the knees.

“I didn’t know you only had to wear one set. The first game I wore both and I had two pads everywhere. I didn’t know until the next game.”

Thompson said she is also developing her neck muscles.

“The helmet’s really heavy,” she said. “My neck’s getting strong.

“I have a big head, so I have to wear size large. But I got a new helmet that no one’s ever worn, so that’s good.”

Unlike the constant action in soccer, Thompson waits on the sidelines for the nod to play.

When she got the call during that first game, “I wasn’t really nervous because it happened super fast, so I didn’t really think about it,” she said. 

“It was exciting. I’m supposed to keep my head down when I kick it so I don’t see it, but I looked up and saw it going (over).”

She almost had a chance for a field goal that would have clinched a win for the Eagles.

“Week 1, we were down two points late in the game and getting close to field goal range,” Ferency said.

Schoolcraft soccer“Unfortunately we threw an interception before she had an opportunity, but I was prepared to let her kick the game-winner at that point.”

Thompson practices with the football team twice a week and with her travel team twice a week.

“She puts the work in,” Ferency said. “We go through her kicking game, and she conditions and runs with the team afterwards.

“She makes it a point to do everything she can to be a part of the team, and we accept her just like anybody else.”

Pressure in football and soccer is nothing compared to pressure she felt twice before in her young life.

When she was 5 years old, she was home with her newborn sister, Makenna, when their mother suffered a brain aneurysm.

“I called my dad, who was going out of town, and said mom’s not OK,” she said. 

Her father came home and her mom, Alyssa, was rushed to the hospital where she was in ICU for 17 days.

“It was remarkable for a 5-year-old,” her dad said. “We had just taught her how to use the phone. She was very heroic.”

Ten years later, it happened again, but this time her father was away on business and could not make it home.

Although she had just a driver’s permit, she loaded her mother and sister into the car and headed to the hospital.

“She remembered that I said earlier that it would be quicker for me to drive her mom to the hospital than wait for an ambulance to find us,” her dad said.

“When she talked with me, I could hear the confidence in her voice. She handled that better than most adults would and she took care of her sister.”

He said that confidence carries over to everything his daughter does, and he is savoring this time with her, especially during her senior year.

“It’s more fun to watch (her play) as a parent, but it’s also very satisfying to help your daughter (as a coach),” he said. “No one can ever take that time back.”

Pam ShebestPam Shebest served as a sportswriter at the Kalamazoo Gazette from 1985-2009 after 11 years part-time with the Gazette while teaching French and English at White Pigeon High School. She can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Calhoun, Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties.

PHOTOS: (Top) Schoolcraft’s Hannah Thompson, left, lines up for an extra point this season. (Middle) Thompson and Schoolcraft football coach Nathan Ferency. (Below) Thompson set the MHSAA single-season record for goals scored as a junior. (Football photo by Jamie Zinsmaster, head shots by Pam Shebest, and soccer photo by Walt Tokarchick.)