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Clarkston players celebrate in the Wayne State end zone during their win over Belleville.

1st & Goal: 2025 Week 1 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 2, 2025

The 51st season of MHSAA playoff-era football kicked off over the weekend with multiple matchups of teams that finished last season at Ford Field and nearly 600 teams total bringing championship dreams into this fall.

MI Student AidEvery one of them remains in the hunt after the first week. But below we have 45 first impressions as we begin our search for the next contenders.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Goodrich 17, Frankenmuth 14 The reigning Division 4 champion Martians ran their record to 2-3 against the Eagles during this recent opening-day series, going ahead for good on Jacob Daggett’s 30-yard field goal. Goodrich’s only defeat last season was 22-0 to Frankenmuth, which went on to finish Division 5 runner-up. Click for more from the Flint Journal.

Watch list Grand Blanc 35, Muskegon Mona Shores 20 The Bobcats didn’t let a two-point loss to Mona Shores last year slow them down on the way to league and District titles, so this win could provide significant momentum as they look to build on that success.

On the move Armada 21, Marine City 14 The Tigers ran their season-opener win streak over Marine City to four with a third win by seven points or fewer during that stretch. Saginaw Swan Valley 55, Croswell-Lexington 35 After starting 2024 with three straight losses – including a third in a row to Croswell-Lexington – the Vikings broke through this weekend with their second highest-scoring game over the last four seasons. Midland Dow 38, Fenton 6 The Chargers broke a streak of three straight season-opening losses to the Tigers in another matchup of annual playoff teams.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Clarkston 38, Belleville 7 These two met for a second-straight year in an opener at Wayne State, this time as part of the Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic, and this time with Clarkston coming up big after the Tigers won 35-28 in 2024. The loss was only the third regular-season defeat for Belleville over the last nine years. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Watch list Detroit Cass Tech 28, Toledo Central Catholic (Ohio) 27 The reigning Division 1 champion Technicians held off a 2024 Ohio state runner-up that also should be among favorites again in the Catholic High School League Central this fall.

On the move Warren Michigan Collegiate 32, Clarkston Everest Collegiate 6 Michigan Collegiate avenged its only regular-season loss of the last two years. Northville 14, Lake Orion 13 The Mustangs also rebounded from a 2024 defeat, having opened last year with a 21-13 loss to the Dragons. Walled Lake Western 51, Milford 26 This matchup determined the Lakes Valley Conference championship last season and could end up key again this fall as Western attempts to win a fourth-straight title.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER DeWitt 21, Haslett 3 This was a much different game than when the teams combined to score 111 points a year ago. This time, the Panthers held Haslett to its first single-digit output since midway through the 2023 season, while Haslett’s defense also proved tougher than most against the often high-scoring Panthers. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Watch list Williamston 46, Lansing Catholic 14 After reaching the playoffs last year at 3-6, the Hornets got off to a stronger start by avenging last season’s loss to Lansing Catholic, which went on to finish as Division 6 runner-up in 2024.

On the move Pewamo-Westphalia 35, North Muskegon 6 P-W got a solid jump on the season with a second-straight win over North Muskegon, which made the Semifinals for the second-straight season last fall. Mount Pleasant 35, Saginaw Heritage 13 The Oilers broke a two-game losing streak against the Hawks as they look to build on a seven-year playoff streak. Howell 23, Traverse City West 13 The Highlanders made the long drive north but ran their regular-season winning streak to 10 after finishing last year’s without a loss.

A pair of North Muskegon defenders wrap up a Pewamo-Westphalia ball carrier.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Kingsley 24, Reed City 6 The Stags got off to an impressive start, avenging last season’s 24-22 loss to Reed City, which went on to win a District title in 2024. The pair have met in the playoffs three of the last five seasons and will both play in Division 6 again if they qualify in two months. Click for more from the Cadillac News.

Watch list Traverse City St. Francis 30, Maple City Glen Lake 6 These are two more potential playoff teams after both won league titles a year ago, with this their first meeting since 2021.

On the move Cheboygan 19, Sault Ste. Marie 7 After at one point losing nine straight to Sault Ste. Marie, Cheboygan has now won two in a row and is 1-0 for the first time since 2022. Harbor Springs 18, Morley Stanwood 16 Harbor Springs won for the first time since Week 9 of the 2021 season, breaking a 26-game losing streak. Petoskey 21, Greenville 13 Petoskey also ran its regular-season winning streak to 10 to build on last year’s perfect pre-playoff run.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Saline 37, Rockford 28 These Division 1 titans hadn’t met since the 2020 playoffs, and Saline took a massive opening step with an impressive comeback to kick off this season. After Rockford took a 28-21 third-quarter lead on a blocked punt return, Saline rallied to re-tie the score, move ahead with a safety on a Rams miscue and then score one more time to pull away. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.

Watch list Adrian Madison 56, Grass Lake 0 A 4-1 start turned into a 4-5 finish for Madison last fall, but excitement should be renewed after this win over a Grass Lake team coming off two straight six-win seasons.

On the move Dexter 50, Brighton 27 Add the Dreadnaughts to the short list of teams that finished 9-0 during the 2024 regular season and are off to the right start again. Hudson 44, Fowler 8 The Tigers made a loud statement by avenging last season’s opening 20-6 loss to Fowler, which like Hudson is annually one of the top small-school teams in the state. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 42, Clinton 6 The reigning Division 7 runner-up Falcons actually have won 13 straight regular-season games going back to 2023 – and three matchups with Clinton since falling to the Redwolves in the District Final that fall.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Niles 28, St. Joseph 18 Niles picked up just about where it left off last season when the Vikings finished Division 4 runners-up. Their only loss before Ford Field was 30-7 to St. Joseph, but this time Niles pulled away to avenge and add a second win over the Bears over the last three seasons. Click for more from the Niles Daily Star.

Watch list Berrien Springs 20, Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep 13 These two combined to win 16 games last season, and Berrien Springs had lost its last two openers to Hackett by a combined five points – and also last season’s Division 5 District Final to the Fighting Irish by 17.

On the move Edwardsburg 28, McBain 21 The Eddies opened with a close win over the reigning Highland Conference champion Ramblers. Portage Central 45, East Lansing 0 These two now have split their last four meetings, but East Lansing had won last year’s 31-7. Union City 16, Parchment 14 The reigning Big 8 Conference champion Chargers won this matchup of 2024 playoff teams.

Negaunee's Marshall Peters carries the ball before getting tackled by Marquette's Ben Rayhorn (7), Bodi Bennett (15), and Alex Brennen (9).

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Negaunee 30, Marquette 22 Meeting 142 between these neighbors went to the Miners, who improved to 71-60-11 in the series by winning their first matchup against each other since 2017. Click for more from the Marquette Mining Journal.

Watch list Escanaba 21, Kingsford 18 Escanaba came into this fall off its first winning season since  2019, and the good times are still rolling after this first win over the Flivvers since 2019 as well. Kingsford had won last year’s matchup 21-0.

On the move L’Anse 26, Hancock 6 The Purple Hornets won just once over the last two seasons, but started 1-0 with their first win over Hancock since 2022. Bark River-Harris 52, Ishpeming Westwood 8 The Broncos bounced back big from last year’s 24-point loss to Westwood. Iron Mountain 41, Houghton 22 The Mountaineers will roll into this week’s matchup with Bark River-Harris carrying a 27-game regular-season winning streak.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Hudsonville 27, Byron Center 21 In another matchup of teams that finished at Ford Field last November, reigning Division 1 runner-up Hudsonville held off Division 2 runner-up Byron Center, handing the Bulldogs just their third regular-season loss in three years. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Watch list Grand Rapids Northview 32, Grand Rapids West Catholic 21 Northview is showing no signs of slowing down coming off arguably its best season in at least recent program history. The Wildcats followed up last year’s perfect regular season by starting a new one downing an annual championship contender.

On the move Grandville 44, Muskegon 40 The Big Reds might be coming off their first sub-.500 season since 1999, but Muskegon is still Muskegon – which means a memorable start for Grandville, with Cass Tech up next. Hudsonville Unity Christian 55, Whitehall 14 The Crusaders’ only loss last season came in their District Final, and an offense that averaged 43 points per game during that run looks ready to roll again. Lowell 40, East Grand Rapids 7 After three straight losses to EGR, including last season by 19 points, the Red Arrows served some early notice.

On Ontonagon's first possession of the game, Jack Nelson (30) catches a pass from Brody Bobula (not shown), while being defended by Ishpeming's Grady Gauthier (3), and runs it in for a touchdown.

8-Player

HEADLINER Newberry 22, Crystal Falls Forest Park 20 Newberry ended last season with two straight wins to come in at 2-7 overall and ran its winning streak to three over the weekend by edging last season’s Division 2 champion. The victory also avenged a 37-6 loss to the Trojans from a year ago and gave Forest Park its first season-opening defeat since 2019. Click for more from the NFHS Network.

Watch list Central Lake 44, Marion 38 The Trojans – also 2-7 in 2024 – provided a strong indication that this could be a turnaround season by avenging last year’s 64-6 loss to Marion, which at a combined 40-6 has been one of the state’s top 8-player programs the last four years.

On the move Britton Deerfield 60, Pittsford 22 The Patriots made it three wins in three tries over the last two years against Pittsford in claiming this rematch of last season’s Division 2 Regional championship matchup. Gobles 54, Climax-Scotts 32 The Tigers are posted a perfect regular season a year ago and started this one with a notable win over a Climax-Scotts team that is coming off an 8-2 overall finish. Ontonagon 21, Ishpeming 14 Ontonagon claimed its fifth-straight opening-night win, this time downing an Ishpeming team that reached the Division 1 Regional Finals last year in its first playing 8-player.

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) Clarkston players celebrate in the Wayne State end zone during their win over Belleville. (2) A pair of North Muskegon defenders wrap up a Pewamo-Westphalia ball carrier. (3) Negaunee's Marshall Peters carries the ball before getting tackled by Marquette's Ben Rayhorn (7), Bodi Bennett (15), and Alex Brennen (9). (4) On Ontonagon's first possession, Jack Nelson (30) catches a pass from Brody Bobula while being defended by Ishpeming's Grady Gauthier (3), and runs it in for a touchdown. (Top photo courtesy of State Champs! Sports Network. P-W/North Muskegon photo by Jim Pivarnik. Negaunee/Marquette and Ontonagon/Ishpeming photos by Cara Kamps.)

Muskegon's Lamar Bradford celebrates his touchdown run during the Big Reds' 39-34 win over Mona Shores on Friday.

1st & Goal: 2025 Playoffs Week 1 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 4, 2025

The phrase is “survive and advance” for a reason.

MI Student AidFor high school football teams this time of year, the next game always is earned. And that was especially evident as the 51st MHSAA Playoffs began over the weekend.

A total of 32 games – out of 143 total – were decided by seven points of fewer. Nine of those matchups were decided by a single point.

We glance at several of those below as we move on this week to District Finals in 11-player and 8-player Regional championship games.

11-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Brownstown Woodhaven 30, Belleville 29 Marquez McAdoo ran for two touchdowns and Woodhaven (8-2) blocked a late extra-point try to secure the program’s first playoff win since 2021 – and after missing the postseason the last two years. The Tigers’ run ended at 7-3.

District Digest East Kentwood 49, Grand Ledge 15 The Falcons (8-2) earned their first playoff win since 2019, slowing down a Comets attack that had scored 30 or more points seven times in finishing 7-3. Clarkston 52, Davison 14 The Wolves (9-1) opened the playoffs with arguably their most impressive win of a season with several, as Davison (8-2) was averaging nearly 44 points per game the night. Macomb Dakota 6, Utica 3 The Cougars (7-3) bounced back from a 26-17 loss to Utica (7-3) from Week 8.

11-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Traverse City Central 15, Traverse City West 13 Just a week after West won their Patriot Game rivalry game 21-20, these two returned to the same field but with Central (6-4) advancing with its first win over the Titans (5-5) since 2022 – and first playoff victory over any opponent since 2021. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

District Digest Grosse Pointe South 28, Roseville 27 These Macomb Area Conference White rivals met for a second time after South (9-1) won the first 47-25 in Week 5 – and after the Blue Devils also defeated Roseville (4-6) by just a point to open the 2024 playoffs. East Lansing 26, White Lake Lakeland 20 The Trojans (5-5) made the playoffs in part because of an incredible strength of schedule, and they showed they belong in extending their winning streak to four while ending the Eagles’ season at 7-3. Warren Cousino 28, Birmingham Seaholm 7 The Patriots (7-3) – after missing the postseason a year ago – claimed their first playoff win since 2007, ending the Maples’ run at 5-5.

11-Player Division 3

HEADLINER Zeeland West 30, Niles 21 The reigning champion Dux (7-3) sent a wave through the Division 3 bracket, handing Niles (9-1) its only loss of the season as the Vikings also aspired to get back to Ford Field after finishing Division 4 runners-up a year ago. West’s 30 points were the most Niles gave up in a game all fall. Click for more from the South Bend Tribune.

District Digest Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 28, Hastings 20 The Trojans (7-3) earned their first playoff win since 2020 and continued to impress after winning a combined eight games over the last four seasons – and opening this one with a 31-29 loss to Hastings (7-3). Warren De La Salle Collegiate 56, Warren Fitzgerald 34 De La Salle (4-6) was another qualifier that played a powerful schedule this fall, and the Pilots added to it with this win over the MAC Gold champion Spartans (8-2). Gaylord 38, Marquette 34 The Blue Devils’ 10-0 season has included now seven wins by seven points or fewer, and they kept it alive with the go-ahead score during the final minute to get past the Sentinels (6-4).

East Grand Rapids' Tyler Blake (1) reaches the end zone as a Cedar Springs defender pursues during the Pioneers' 23-21 victory.

11-Player Division 4

HEADLINER Big Rapids 32, Ludington 31 Big Rapids opened the playoffs with a win over Ludington for the second-straight postseason, but this time handed the Orioles (9-1) their lone defeat as well – also with a go-ahead touchdown coming during the final minute. The Cardinals (9-1) additionally reached nine wins for the third straight season. Click for more from the Big Rapids Pioneer.

District Digest Portland 42, Grand Rapids South Christian 41 (OT) The Raiders (10-0) hadn’t had a game closer than 24 points all season, but emerged from this first matchup with South Christian since falling to the Sailors (4-6) in a 2023 Semifinal. Madison Heights Lamphere 7, Redford Union 6 Another one-pointer saw Lamphere (7-3) earn its first playoff win since 2022 and set up a rematch with Dearborn Divine Child, which eliminated the Rams a year ago. Impressive sidenote: After allowing 40 in its opener this fall, Union (7-3) gave up only 41 total over its final nine games. Three Rivers 21, Paw Paw 14 Just two weeks prior, Paw Paw (6-4) had defeated Three Rivers (6-4) in league play 43-0. The Wildcats are in the playoffs for the first time since 2022.

11-Player Division 5

HEADLINER Ogemaw Heights 29, Negaunee 28 (OT) The Falcons (9-1) advanced to a District Final for the third-straight season, advancing from their toughest challenge since a Week 2 loss to Traverse City St. Francis. The Miners ended their run at 6-4. Click for more from the Bay City Times.

District Digest Berrien Springs 34, Dowagiac 20 These Lakeland Conference rivals met for a second time for the second season in a row, and this time after sharing the league title. Berrien Springs (7-2) had won the first matchup as well. Dowagiac finished 5-4. Detroit Denby 18, Detroit Southeastern 16 Denby (8-2) ran its winning streak to eight with its first playoff victory since 2020, ending Southeastern’s season at 6-4. Richmond 14, Armada 10 These Blue Water Area Conference rivals met for the second time this season and it was nearly as close as the first, as Richmond (9-1) held on after also claiming the Week 4 matchup 24-17 – and after Armada (6-4) won regular-season and playoff games over the Blue Devils a year ago.

11-Player Division 6

HEADINER Kent City 28, Olivet 22 Kent City added its first playoff victory since 2019 to its first 10-0 start since 2017 as it went on the road to defeat the Eagles (8-2). Olivet’s only losses this season came to teams still undefeated. Click for more from Local Sports Journal.

District Digest Traverse City St. Francis 55, Boyne City 35 The Gladiators (7-2) added a second win this season over Boyne City (6-4) after winning the first 20-13, and with this one earned another rematch this week, against rival Kingsley. Durand 32, Flint Hamady 22 The Railroaders (8-2) will play in a District Final for the first time since 2009, and after missing the playoffs the last two years. Hamady finished 6-4. Napoleon 26, Buchanan 20 The Pirates (7-3) advanced with this win over Lakeland Conference co-champion Buchanan (6-4).

An Owosso defender wraps up DeWitt's Trav Moore (2) during the Panthers' 70-13 win.

11-Player Division 7

HEADLINER Ithaca 24, Saginaw Valley Lutheran 12 A signature win during Saginaw Valley Lutheran’s historic fall was a 23-22 Week 6 victory over the Yellowjackets as the Chargers (9-1) went on to complete a perfect regular season. But Ithaca (7-3) got its revenge to open its 17th-straight playoff run. Click for more from the Saginaw News.

District Digest McBain 28, Charlevoix 27 The Ramblers (8-2) stopped a 2-point conversion attempt for the win after Charlevoix (8-2) scored with less than a minute to play. Clinton 36, Ottawa Lake Whiteford 20 Clinton (8-2) has lost only once more since falling opening night to Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, and earned a rematch this week with the Falcons by defeating Whiteford (8-2) in a playoff opener for the second-straight season. Shelby 20, LeRoy Pine River 2 Shelby qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2013 (not counting COVID-shortened 2020, when nearly all teams made the field), and followed that by winning a playoff game for the first time since reaching the Division 6 Semifinals 12 years ago.

11-Player Division 8

HEADLINER White Pigeon 22, Decatur 20 (OT) White Pigeon’s Week 8 loss to Decatur was its first to the Raiders since 2022, but the Chiefs (8-2) held on in overtime to avenge and earn a District title opportunity against undefeated Hudson this week. Decatur finished 7-3. Click for more from the Sturgis Journal.

District Digest Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central 34, Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 28 These rivals met a second time in the playoffs for the second-straight season, but this time Nouvel (8-2) finished the sweep after MLS (6-4) won by a point in their 2024 playoff matchup. Riverview Gabriel Richard 34, Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech 6 Gabriel Richard started this season 1-3 after finishing Division 8 runner-up a year ago, but that early tough competition may have paid off again as the Pioneers (5-5) handed ABT (9-1) the lone defeat of its winningest season all-time. New Lothrop 19, Fowler 14 After a rare playoff miss a year ago, the Hornets (7-3) got off to the right start by getting past an Eagles team (6-4) that made last season’s Semifinals.

8-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Pickford 30, Indian River Inland Lakes 26 Reigning Division 1 runner-up Pickford (8-1) opened these playoffs on the road, but came home with one of the weekend’s most notable wins after handing Inland Lakes (9-1) its only loss this fall. The pair had split Semifinals matchups the last two seasons. Click for more from the Cheboygan Daily Tribune.

Regional Roundup Climax-Scotts 72, Gobles 62 These two produced not only for one of the highest-scoring games this season, but their combined 134 points will rank high on the all-time MHSAA 8-player list. Gobles (7-3) had won their opening-night meeting 54-32, but Climax-Scotts (8-2) has lost only once more. Capac 40, Brown City 38 Capac (8-2) kicked off its first playoffs since 2011 by avenging a 61-22 Week 3 loss to the Green Devils (7-3). Kingston 22, Bay City All Saints 14 Kingston (9-1) navigated its closest win this season to earn a rematch with Capac. All Saints finished 7-3, its defeats by a combined 15 points to teams that are a combined 28-2.

8-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Deckerville 27, Morrice 26 This looked incredible on paper, but might have been even better than advertised as Deckerville emerged from a matchup of teams that both reached championship games a year ago. The reigning Division 1 champion Eagles (9-1) opened a 20-point lead by halftime but had to hold off the Orioles (8-2), last year’s Division 2 runner-up. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.

Regional Roundup Gaylord St. Mary 84, Mio 48 This will also make the all-time single-game scoring list, St. Mary’s 84 points its most since the 2020 playoffs as the Snowbirds moved to 8-2. Mio finished 8-2 as well, its best record since 2019. Lake Linden-Hubbell 50, Powers North Central 28 The Lakes (8-2) made this nearly a repeat of their 52-34 win over the Jets (7-3) in Week 6. North Central’s only other loss this fall came to undefeated Norway. Felch North Dickinson 40, St. Ignace 22 The Nordics (10-0) opened their first playoffs since 2016 by adding to their perfect run, downing the Saints (6-4) to earn a rematch with opening-night opponent Lake Linden-Hubbell – which gave North Dickinson its only single-digit game this fall.

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) Muskegon's Lamar Bradford celebrates his touchdown run during the Big Reds' 39-34 win over Mona Shores on Friday. (Middle) East Grand Rapids' Tyler Blake (1) reaches the end zone as a Cedar Springs defender pursues during the Pioneers' 23-21 victory. (Below) An Owosso defender wraps up DeWitt's Trav Moore (2) during the Panthers' 70-13 win. (Muskegon/Mona Shores photo by Tim Reilly. EGR/Cedar Springs photo by Michigan Sports Photo. DeWitt/Owosso photo by Terry Lyons.)