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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.)

Drive for Detroit: Week 8 in Review

October 21, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A season’s worth of highlights are smashing into these final weeks of the regular season.

So this Week 8 “Review” starts with some table-setters before we try to catch up with many more headliners from the weekend.

• River Rouge downed Detroit Catholic Central 16-3 in a meeting of league champions.

• Belleville got past Livonia Franklin and Clinton Township Chippewa Valley defeated Romeo to lock up outright league titles instead of ending up with shared championships.

• Newaygo downed Reed City, giving Central Montcalm an outright league title a year after going 0-9.

• Cedar Springs and Grand Rapids Catholic Central also earned championship shares.

• Posen’s 70-68 win over Au Gres-Sims tied for the fourth highest-scoring 8-player game in state history where the losing team scored at least 40 points.

And don’t forget: In six days, we’ll start this thing over with a fortunate 288 teams setting their sights on the ultimate high school football prize.

"Drive for Detroit" is sponsored by MI Student Aid.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Midland Dow 13, Mount Pleasant 12 THE GAME in this area for Week 6 was Mount Pleasant vs. Midland, and the Chemics’ one-point win put them in first alone in the Saginaw Valley League Red. Now rival Dow (5-3) has put itself in position to claim a share of the league title, after chasing the leaders since losing big to Saginaw Heritage in Week 5. Dow faces Midland this week. The Oilers (6-2), meanwhile, have lost their two games by yes, a combined two points. Click for more from the Midland Daily News.

Watch list Lapeer 34, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 10 The Lightning (7-1) will play Davison this week for the outright SVL Blue title. They’ll be riding a boatload of momentum not only with seven straight wins but this one over annual playoff qualifier Brother Rice (5-3) – which must win this week to guarantee a 20th postseason berth over the last 21 seasons.

Remember this one Fenton 42, Goodrich 21 The Flint Metro League split into divisions this season, and the “Upper” champion Tigers (7-1) doubled up the “Lower” champion Martians (6-2) in this first crossover matchup.

More shoutouts Flint Powers Catholic 28, Grand Blanc 24 In the crossover of runners-up in the Flint Metro League, Powers (6-2) clinched a playoff berth for the sixth straight season and put Grand Blanc (5-3) in a position where it must win this week to guarantee advancing for the fourth straight year. Marine City 34, Marysville 3 The Mariners (8-0) finished a perfect run through the Macomb Area Conference Silver and sent the Vikings (5-3) into a must-win-to-get-in playoff scenario as well.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER North Farmington 13, Farmington 9 The closing of Farmington Hills Harrison this spring certainly changed up football in this community – and heightened this rivalry in the process. The neighbors wasted no time giving this year’s matchup plenty of significance, as North’s first win over Farmington since 2015 gave the Raiders (8-0) their most wins for a season since 1984 and more importantly, the outright Oakland Activities Association Blue championship. Click for more from the Oakland Press and see highlights below from State Champs Sports Network.  

Watch list Dearborn Heights Robichaud 28, Garden City 26 The Bulldogs (7-1) and Redford Thurston ended up co-champions of the Western Wayne Athletic Conference thanks to Robichaud’s close win over Garden City (5-3) and Thurston’s one-pointer over Redford Union. Robichaud also earned a one-point win over Thurston in Week 3 but fell to Union in Week 6.

Remember this one Clarkston Everest Collegiate 27, Royal Oak Shrine 14 The Mountaineers (7-0) locked up their third straight Detroit Catholic League Intersectional II title and this one outright by sending Shrine (6-2) into second place after Shrine (6-2) last season won this matchup to force Everest to share with Madison Heights Bishop Foley.

More shoutouts Clawson 24, Clinton Township Clintondale 6 This matchup was for the outright MAC Bronze title, and Clawson (5-3) won it after finishing runner-up in the league a year ago. Clintondale (5-3) must defeat Hazel Park this week to guarantee a playoff berth. Harrison Township L'Anse Creuse 23, Sterling Heights 20 The Lancers (5-3) guaranteed their best finish since 2012 and shook up the MAC Gold, creating a final three-way shared championship between themselves, Sterling Heights (5-3) and Eastpointe (5-3).

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Mason 21, Portland 17 As the regular season worked its way to the end, these two stood alone as undefeated in all of the Capital Area Activities Conference. And Mason (8-0), enjoying perhaps its best season ever and first time at 8-0, owns the claim to the top spot in any of the divisions after handing the Raiders (7-1) their first regular-season loss since Week 2 of 2017. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Watch list Pewamo-Westphalia 41, Fowler 7 The Pirates (8-0) look geared up to make a run at a third MHSAA championship in four seasons as they ran their Central Michigan Athletic Conference title streak to five by handing Fowler (7-1) its lone defeat.

Remember this one DeWitt 30, St. Joseph 14 The Panthers (6-2) can lock up a share of the CAAC Blue title this week, and could also end up owning wins against two more league champs if St. Joseph (6-2) gets past Portage Northern on Friday.

More shoutouts Lansing Catholic 56, Fowlerville 7 Since falling to Portland by a point in Week 5, Lansing Catholic (7-1) has won its next three by a combined 136-21 including this week scoring the most Fowlerville (6-2) had given up since 2015. Williamston 35, Olivet 28 The Hornets (5-3) entered Week 7 at 4-2 and with three undefeated teams left on their schedule. They fell to Mason, but this weekend handed Olivet (7-1) its lone loss. Next up: P-W with the playoffs on the line.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Maple City Glen Lake 42, Charlevoix 18 The Lakers (7-1) quickly bounced back from a Week 7 loss to Kingsley to lock up the Northern Michigan Football League Leaders championship, their fourth straight. Glen Lake with a win this week also can finish its best regular season since 2013. Charlevoix (5-3) ended second in the Leaders and must defeat NMFL Legacy contender Harbor Springs this week to guarantee getting back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle and see highlights below from MI Sports Now.

Watch list McBain 27, Beal City 0 From a 1-3 start, McBain (5-3) has jumped all the way to the verge of a playoff berth. And the Ramblers should be Houghton Lake’s second-favorite team, as this win created a shared Highland Conference championship between the Bobcats and the Aggies (7-1).

Remember this one Traverse City Central 62, Escanaba 7 Since falling to DeWitt on opening night, Central (7-1) has been on a tear winning all but one of its games by at least 32 points. Including a Week 2 nine-point win over Marquette, this gave the Trojans victories against the top two teams in the Great Northern Conference and after Central fell to the Eskymos (6-2) a year ago.

More shoutouts Ogemaw Heights 24, Grayling 14 The Falcons (6-2) clinched their first playoff berth since 2013 and at six wins have as many as the last five seasons combined. East Jordan 21, Mancelona 6 While there will be no playoffs this season for the Red Devils, they’ve improved substantially after two straight one-win seasons – and may have stifled the playoff hopes for Mancelona (4-4), which must win this week and hope to make the field for the first time since 2014 as an additional qualifier.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Milan 20, Carleton Airport 6 The Big Reds (8-0) finished a perfect run through a Huron League that could send half its teams to the playoffs if Carleton Airport (5-3) can finish the regular season with a win this week. Milan had finished second both seasons since its last championship in 2016, and this year’s was the Big Reds’ first outright league title since 2013. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.

Watch list Addison 48, Napoleon 10 The Panthers (7-1) locked up their second Cascades Conference championship in three seasons, and this one outright. A win this week would guarantee Addison its best regular-season record since 2006.

Remember this one Hillsdale 21, Brooklyn Columbia Central 6 The Hornets shared the Lenawee County Athletic Association title last season with Columbia Central (4-4), and this time downed the Golden Eagles to clinch a share. Hillsdale (8-0) can win it outright this week against Dundee.

More shoutouts Grass Lake 25, Manchester 8 The Warriors (7-1) ended up second in the Cascades Conference after winning a year ago, and pushed third-place Manchester (5-3) into a must-win situation this week as the Flying Dutchmen look to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Jackson Lumen Christi 49, Battle Creek Pennfield 14 The Titans (8-0) have won three Interstate 8 Athletic Conference titles in four seasons and the last two outright. This win extended their overall winning streak to 31.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Lawton 20, Saugatuck 14 The Blue Devils (8-0) avoided a potential three-team championship in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore with wins the last two weeks over Fennville and then Saugatuck (3-5), which finished tied for second. The league title is Lawton’s first since 2012 and first outright since 2010, and the Blue Devils also can equal that team’s perfect regular season with a win over Comstock this week. Click below for highlights from FOX17.

Watch list Battle Creek Lakeview 54, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 14 The Spartans (8-0) locked up their first Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference East title since 2015 and outright league championship since 2014. They also moved to 8-0 for the first time since 2013, with a chance to avenge last year’s loss to Battle Creek Harper Creek up next.  

Remember this one White Pigeon 8, Mendon 6 The Chiefs (7-1) made headlines a year ago when they beat Mendon (6-2) for the first time in two decades, but they then fell to the Hornets five weeks later in a first-round playoff game – and by this same score, 8-6. Both are headed to the postseason again, with another rematch possible.

More shoutouts Constantine 40, Kalamazoo United 15 The Falcons (6-2) knocked United out of a tie for first place in the SAC Valley but now will be the Titans’ biggest fans – United (4-4) plays first-place Schoolcraft this week, and with a win would create a three-team shared title. Mattawan 35, Portage Central 7 The Wildcats (4-4) kept their hopes for a third-straight playoff berth alive while putting Portage Central (4-4) also in additional qualifier territory as it seeks to extend a seven-year postseason streak.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Marquette 37, Gladstone 14 The Redmen (4-4) edged closer to earning an additional qualifier spot in the playoff field, but that obviously was secondary this weekend as they also clinched a share of the Great Northern Conference title for the second-straight year. Marquette will play Kingsford this week for the outright league title, with the hope as well that another win will get them into the postseason for the first time since 2014. Click for more from the Marquette Mining Journal.

Watch list Iron Mountain 51, L’Anse 6 The Mountaineers (8-0) locked up a share of the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper championship, and can both clinch it outright and finish their first perfect regular season since 2011 with a win Friday against winless Gogebic.

Remember this one Menominee 47, Kingsford 8 After missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 1995, Menominee (5-3) kept its hopes alive of returning – while sending Kingsford (4-4) into an additional qualifier situation after the Flivvers also missed last season for the first time since 2014. Next up for the Maroons: undefeated Hopkins.

More shoutouts Ishpeming 54, Munising 6 The Hematites (6-2) clinched a share of the West-PAC Iron title and moved to 12-0 in the league in their two seasons as a member. Lake Linden-Hubbell 42, Bark River-Harris 0 The Lakes (5-3) moved one win closer to returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and earned some key bonus points as Bark River-Harris (5-3) also is working for a postseason berth.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Muskegon 53, Muskegon Mona Shores 0 The score says it all as the Big Reds (8-0) dominated the reigning Division 2 runner-up – and be sure potential playoff opponents are listening. Muskegon clinched a share of the Ottawa-Kent Conference Black for the fourth straight season and has outscored its first five league opponents by a combined 278-10 with four shutouts. Mona Shores (6-2) averaged 37 points per game entering the night. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.

Watch list Muskegon Oakridge 27, Ravenna 20 (OT) The Eagles (8-0) locked up their first West Michigan Conference title since 2016 by scoring the game’s final 20 points. Ravenna (6-2) also entered the night unbeaten in league play and has guaranteed its first playoff berth since 2016.

Remember this one Grandville 30, Rockford 3 The Bulldogs (7-1) were rewarded for persevering after falling to Hudsonville by 23 in Week 6, as Rockford (7-1) went on to defeat Hudsonville the next week and now Grandville and Rockford sit tied for first in the O-K Red with a league game to play for both.

More shoutouts Grand Rapids Christian 38, East Grand Rapids 31 This matchup has determined at least a share of the O-K Gold championship now four straight seasons, as the Eagles (6-2) clinched a share and sent EGR (5-3) into a must-win playoff scenario. Byron Center 33, Hudsonville Unity Christian 20 The Bulldogs (8-0) clinched a share of the O-K Green title for the first time since 2016 and made things tougher for the reigning Division 5 champion Crusaders (5-3), who must face Zeeland East this week with a return to the postseason on the line.

8-Player

HEADLINER Crystal Falls Forest Park 22, Morrice 14 This matchup came together as a result of Forest Park and Morrice’s original opponents being unable to play – and ended up becoming one of the most notable 8-player games this fall. The Orioles (7-1) had won 20 straight (including 13 during last season’s perfect run to the Division 1 title) and given up only 18 points over their first seven games. The Trojans (6-2) got up 16-0 and scored the final go-ahead points with 3:13 to play. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Watch list Suttons Bay 29, Onekama 18 The first meeting between these two, a 20-14 Suttons Bay win in Week 4, was a late add and nonleague. This one was for the Midwest Central Michigan Conference West title, and Suttons Bay (8-0) held on again to win the championship outright by handing Onekama (5-3) its only league defeat. 

Remember this one Deckerville 42, Kingston 34 The Eagles (8-0) locked up a share of a fourth straight North Central Thumb League Blue championship, but got their first single-digit game of the season from the rival Cardinals (6-2) 

More shoutouts Newberry 20, Brimley 18 The Indians (5-3) would have fallen just outside the playoff field if the regular season had ended a week ago, but defeating Brimley (5-3) could end up the eventual difference. Gaylord St. Mary 65, Mio 28 The Snowbirds (3-5) had to forfeit four wins last week, but a slim chance of making the playoffs remained – and they took a big step toward making it a reality getting past Mio (7-1).

Second Half’s weekly “Drive for Detroit” previews 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: Clinton Township Chippewa Valley's Myles Harris (4) outraces a Romeo defender for a kickoff return touchdown Friday. (Photo by Chris Mudd Photography.)