1st & Goal: 2025 Week 2 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 8, 2025
Most of the time, it's pretty easy to pick out the top matchups across the state heading into a football weekend, and the potentially most impactful results coming out of one.
But perhaps the most fun part of building our "1st & Goal" reviews every Monday is highlighting our "Watch list" teams – ones that stuck out in a notable way that could indicate big things to come.
We introduce another set below, along with our headliners and more who made noise during this 2025 Week 2.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Davison 23, Warren De La Salle Collegiate 21 The Cardinals held off a late De La Salle rally to improve to 2-0. The victory avenged a 21-3 loss last year to the Pilots (1-1) and gave Davison a 2-1 series lead since the pair of championship contenders began playing openers against each other in 2023. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.
Watch list Bay City Western 38, Petoskey 32 The Warriors (2-0) should carry some momentum into Saginaw Valley League play this week after avenging last year’s 34-point loss to Petoskey (1-1), which had won 10 consecutive regular-season games.
On the move Harbor Beach 43, Ottawa Lake Whiteford 14 The Pirates (2-0) have played two 2024 playoff teams to start this season and outscored them by a combed 85-22. Midland Dow 49, Saginaw Heritage 34 The Chargers also are 2-0 opening against a pair of playoff teams from a year ago – and have avenged 2024 losses against both, having lost to the Hawks (0-2) by a point last season. Armada 34, Croswell-Lexington 12 It may be super early, but this might end up a league title decider with these two and reigning champion Almont the top three in the Blue Water Area Conference last fall.
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Detroit Catholic Central 27, Toledo Central Catholic 14 The Shamrocks (2-0) outscored TCC 21-0 during the second half in this matchup of reigning champion and runner-up, respectively, from the Catholic High School League Central. Cameron Swearingen starred. Click for more from MLIVE-Detroit.
Watch list Oxford 24, Birmingham Groves 21 The Wildcats will ride an impressive win into their the Oakland Activities Association Red opener against Clarkston, having ended Groves’ 10-game regular-season winning streak to move to 2-0.
On the move Harper Woods 27, Clarkston 21 The Pioneers (2-0) have made a massive jump over the last three seasons, but this may turn out to rank among their most impressive wins during that time as Clarkston (1-1) was coming off a big one over Belleville. Detroit Cass Tech 31, Grandville 28 (OT) Cass Tech (2-0) scored the game’s final 10 points, including a winning field goal in overtime, in a matchup of top Division 1 teams statewide. Madison Heights Lamphere 3, Port Huron Northern 2 This had potential anyway to be a high-profile game as both were division champions in the Macomb Area Conference last season, but the statistical oddity just adds to the intrigue. The Rams (2-0) have won their games this fall by a combined four points.
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER DeWitt 44, Mason 37 The recent rivalry between these two Lansing-area powers saw a couple of major swings as DeWitt scored 24 unanswered points during the first half and Mason trailed by as many as 18 before coming on late. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
Watch list Williamston 36, Hastings 29 The Hornets scored and added the two-point conversion with seven seconds to play to avenge a 2024 loss for the second week in a row and move to 2-0 after finishing last season 3-7. Hastings fell to 1-1 with its first two games both decided during the closing seconds.
On the move Haslett 15, Fenton 14 The Vikings (1-1) scored the go-ahead two-point conversion with 57 seconds to play, then held on through a Fenton field-goal attempt as time expired. Durand 40, New Lothrop 33 The Railroaders (2-0) made it two wins in a row and three in four seasons over New Lothrop (1-1) with all three victories decided by seven points or fewer. Ithaca 36, Lawton 7 The Yellowjackets (2-0) surged in a matchup of teams that finished a combined 18-4 a year ago.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Traverse City St. Francis 42, Ogemaw Heights 32 St. Francis (2-0) took a big early lead and maintained distance to win this matchup of 2024 league champions. The Falcons (1-1) pulled within two and three points during the final quarter before the Gladiators pulled away.
Watch list Gaylord 21, Kingsley 14 The Blue Devils (2-0) won by this score for the second straight week, in doing so avenging a 16-0 defeat from a year ago and moving closer to equaling last season’s 3-6 finish.
On the move Maple City Glen Lake 42, Frankfort 6 The Lakers bounced back big from a season-opening loss to St. Francis, with this likely to be a key game as they look to repeat as Northern Michigan Football League Legacy champions. Kalkaska 20, Oscoda 14 (OT) The Blazers are 2-0 for the first time since 2017 as they ready for NMFL Legends play starting this week. Tawas 44, Erie Mason 14 Tawas (1-1) has won one game both of the last two seasons, but could be ready to make noise with those 44 points their most in one contest since 2022.
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Jackson Lumen Christi 54, Pontiac Notre Dame 34 Perhaps not surprisingly, the meeting of the reigning Division 6 and 5 champions, respectively – which both averaged more than 42 points per game last season – turned into a high-scoring matchup although Lumen did build a 20-point lead early and maintained it most of the game. In doing so, the Titans (1-1) avenged last season’s 28-24 loss to the Fighting Irish (1-1).
TOUCHDOWN NOTRE DAME PREP🍀 🏈
Brody Sink runs a BEAUTY of a route to get the Irish back within 2 scores!
Lumen Christi: 35
NDP: 20
Delivered by @hungryhowies
Catch the game live on the State Champs YouTube page and Local 4 plus! pic.twitter.com/ejPtk1IOKN— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) September 6, 2025
Watch list Ypsilanti Lincoln 27, Ypsilanti Community 26 The Railsplitters are 2-0 for the first time since 2019 and ran its winning streak against the Grizzlies (1-1) to six.
On the move Hudson 8, Ida 3 After giving up only 10 points per game last season, Hudson (2-0) hasn’t lost stride allowing a total of 11 over its first two victories this fall against opponents that went a combined 21-3 last year. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 36, Flat Rock 20 SMCC (2-0) is off to a nice start toward repeating as Huron League champ as Flat Rock (1-1) was among contenders as well last season. Hanover-Horton 28, Napoleon 8 Cascades Conference West reigning champion Hanover-Horton (1-1) bounced back from a Week 1 loss by shutting down a Cascades East regular contender in Napoleon (1-1).
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER Edwardsburg 40, St. Joseph 37 The Eddies are 2-0 for the first time since 2021 thanks to a second close win, this one following a seven-point victory over McBain in Week 1 and avenging last year’s 36-29 loss to the Bears. St. Joseph’s two defeats are by a combined 11 points to teams that finished 19-6 in 2024. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.
Watch list Portage Central 41, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 0 Few teams in the state are off to as impressive a start as Portage Central, which has defeated FHC and East Lansing by a combined 86-0 after losing to both last season before finishing 8-4.
On the move Berrien Springs 32, Otsego 14 The Shamrocks have reached the playoffs 11 straight seasons, the last two after 0-2 starts, but they are now 2-0 this fall. Plainwell 34, Galesburg-Augusta 20 The Trojans have won one game both of the last two seasons but are up to 2-0 as well this fall. Decatur 26, Bronson 20 (2OT) Bronson (1-1), from the Big 8 Conference, is playing in the Southwest 10 Conference this season and provided an exciting league opener against last season’s SW10 runner-up Raiders (1-1).
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Bark River-Harris 30, Iron Mountain 22 (OT) Watch out for the Broncos (2-0). Bark River-Harris has been a playoff team most of the last decade but took a major step with its first win over Iron Mountain (1-1) in 11 recent tries. This one was at Iron Mountain, and they will face off again Oct. 10 in Harris. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.
Watch list L’Anse 20, West Iron County 14 The Purple Hornets avenged 29 and six-point losses to West Iron from a year ago to move to 2-0 this fall – after winning one game total over the last two seasons.
On the move Calumet 55, Ishpeming Westwood 6 The Copper Kings have outscored their first two opponents by a combined 96-6 as they prepare for this weekend’s major matchup with Negaunee. Escanaba 36, Cadillac 7 Escanaba is 2-0 for the first time since 2019 as it readies to take on reigning Big North Conference champion Petoskey this week. Kingsford 29, Houghton 6 The Flivvers (1-1) got back on the right track after a Week 1 defeat.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Rockford 30, Muskegon 26 The Rams (1-1) trailed 20-17 heading into the fourth quarter but followed Luke Ahern to a big finish as Rockford made it three wins in three years against the Big Reds (0-2). Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Watch list East Kentwood 43, Byron Center 14 The Falcons (2-0) began showing signs last season of making a jump, and they may be nearing full flight with this win avenging last year’s 43-20 loss to the eventual Division 2 runner-up Bulldogs (0-2).
On the move East Grand Rapids 21, Grand Rapids South Christian 0 This was quite a rebound after EGR’s Week 1 loss to Lowell, as the Pioneers (1-1) avenged a 42-28 defeat from the Sailors from a year ago. Hudsonville Unity Christian 40, Schoolcraft 19 Unity’s offense continued to surge, as the Crusaders moved to 2-0 with this victory over a Schoolcraft team (1-1) that reached the Division 7 Semifinals last season. Muskegon Oakridge 15, Montague 7 Oakridge (2-0) is back on top in this longtime rivalry and also atop the West Michigan Conference Lakes standings after avenging last season’s 14-7 loss to the Wildcats (0-2).
8-Player
HEADLINER Mendon 28, Britton Deerfield 24 It’s not difficult to imagine these two meeting again as both reached Semifinals last season – Mendon in Division 1 and B-D in Division 2 – with both playing in Division 2 this fall. They kicked off Week 2 with a Thursday night gem. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.
Watch list Felch North Dickinson 52, Rudyard 7 After struggling mightily between 2017-22 and not having a varsity at all in 2023, North Dickinson came back last season to finish 6-3 – and with two victories this fall is riding a seven-game winning streak.
On the move Crystal Falls Forest Park 28, Ishpeming 22 This celebration of 1975 Finals champions was won by last year’s Division 2 title winner as the Trojans (1-1) bounced back from a Week 1 defeat. Portland St. Patrick 14, Morrice 7 These rivals kept the score low in another showdown, making it three of the last four meetings decided by seven points or fewer – and three straight wins during the regular season for the Shamrocks (2-0). Onekama 38, Marion 16 The Portagers’ only defeat last fall before the Division 2 Semifinals came to Marion in Week 2, and they avenged that 44-8 loss in a big way to improve to 2-0 this 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) Marquette's Brody Clements hauls in a pass during his team's 41-13 win over Alpena. (2) A pair of Davison defenders wrap up a De La Salle ball carrier. (3) DeWitt's Channing Ridley breaks toward the sideline during his team's win over Mason. (4) Marquette's quarterback Ford Richardson is able to just get in the end zone to score a touchdown against Alpena. (Top photo by Randy Ritari. Davison/De La Salle photo photo by Terry Lyons. DeWitt/Mason photo by Tom Pearson/TCP Photography. Marquette/Alpena Richardson photo by Cara Kamps.)
1st & Goal: 2022 Week 7 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 7, 2022
League title pursuits will continue all over the state this weekend as we begin the final third of the 2022 regular season.
But for those no longer in a championship race, or interested in what else lies ahead, every week of results makes the data even stronger as we prepare to announce the field and matchups for the MHSAA Playoffs at 6 p.m. Oct. 23 on Bally Sports Detroit.
The place to track how things are shaping up for the postseason is the MHSAA’s Playoff Point Summary page, where data can be sorted by division for both 11 and 8-player formats. The calculations update in near-real time as results are reported throughout the weekend.
Below are some of the matchups that could make things jump a little more over the next three days as we continue to settle into October.
Bay & Thumb
North Branch (6-0) at Armada (5-1)
The Blue Water Area Conference race shuffled last week with Armada defeating Croswell-Lexington, sending the Pioneers out of a tie for first with North Branch and into a tie for second with the Tigers. Now North Branch gets Armada this week and Croswell-Lexington next, needing to defeat one to clinch at least a share of the title – and after losing to both last season, including 34-28 to the Tigers. Armada is scoring 31 points per game and was one of only two opponents to put up more than 30 on North Branch last season – making this likely the best test so far for a Broncos defense giving up only six points per game this fall.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Bad Axe (5-1) at Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (6-0), Bay City Western (4-2) at Midland (5-1), Lake Fenton (3-3) at Goodrich (5-1), Fenton (4-2) at Linden (5-1).
Greater Detroit
Carleton Airport (5-1) at Riverview (6-0)
Riverview has won 25 straight regular-season games, including 20 consecutive in the Huron League – with both streaks going back to 2019. The Pirates can clinch a third-straight league title with a win in this matchup (or claim the outright championship with a win plus a New Boston Huron loss). Riverview also owns a nine-game winning streak against Airport – but with one more win this fall, Airport will tie its winningest season since 2011, and the Jets already have avenged two 2021 defeats.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Walled Lake Western (5-1) at Waterford Mott (5-1), River Rouge (4-1) at Allen Park (4-2), Detroit U-D Jesuit (3-3) at Detroit Country Day (4-1), Utica Eisenhower (5-1) at Macomb Dakota (6-0).
Mid-Michigan
Lake Odessa Lakewood (5-1) at Olivet (5-1)
These two will wrap up their ninth seasons in the Greater Lansing Activities Conference with a winner-take-all championship matchup, as both are heading to the Capital Area Activities Conference next fall. Olivet owns a 6-2 edge in their GLAC matchups, and six of those meetings decided league titles. The Eagles have won five straight, with Lakewood the only other team to win the GLAC in this sport. Olivet hasn’t given up double-digit points in a game since Week 2 and got past Pewamo-Westphalia last week 20-7, while Lakewood is riding two straight shutouts.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Lapeer (6-0) at Grand Ledge (5-1), Parma Western (4-2) at Hastings (5-1), Big Rapids (4-2) at Howard City Tri County (6-0), Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (6-0) at Ithaca (5-1).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Boyne City (6-0) at Elk Rapids (5-1)
Elk Rapids has won as many games this fall as the last three seasons combined and have an opportunity to win a league championship for the first time since claiming the Lake Michigan Conference title in 2010. The Elks are a game behind Boyne City because of a Week 4 loss to Charlevoix, but breaking a nine-game losing streak against the Ramblers would give all three a single defeat in the Northern Michigan Football Conference Leaders with a game left for Boyne City and the Rayders. That said, the Ramblers haven’t had a game closer than 15 points this season and haven’t allowed Elk Rapids to score in their last two meetings.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY St. Ignace (5-1) at East Jordan (3-3), Roscommon (3-3) at Lake City (4-2), Kingsford (4-2) at Petoskey (2-4). SATURDAY Sault Ste. Marie (4-2) at Traverse City St. Francis (6-0).
Southeast & Border
Tecumseh (6-0) at Chelsea (5-1)
Chelsea has won 22 straight Southeastern Conference White games, going back to 2018 and including the last three league titles with this matchup providing the opportunity to add a fourth outright. The defense has been outstanding again, giving up just under 10 points per game, and the reloaded offense has averaged 40 points per game over its last three. Tecumseh is another team enjoying long-awaited success, with all of its wins by at least 23 points and its victory total already its highest since 2013. That’s also the last season Tecumseh defeated the Bulldogs.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Dundee (5-1) at Hillsdale (3-3), Temperance Bedford (4-2) at Saline (6-0), Addison (4-2) at Grass Lake (3-3), Michigan Center (2-4) at Napoleon (6-0).
Southwest Border
Lawton (5-1) at Schoolcraft (4-2)
Big points totals the last three weeks have Lawton averaging 40 per game for the season just in time for what might end up the deciding game in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley. A win would clinch a share of the title for the Blue Devils, while Schoolcraft has played only one league game but would be in position to accomplish at least the same. The Eagles are continuing their bounce-back from their three-win 2021 campaign, and the defense was especially impressive in holding Centreville to two points in Week 2 and Muskegon Catholic Central to only 16 a week ago.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY St. Joseph (5-1) at Stevensville Lakeshore (3-3), Buchanan (5-1) at Niles Brandywine (4-2), Three Rivers (4-2) at Sturgis (4-2), Decatur (4-2) at Delton Kellogg (4-2).
Upper Peninsula
Negaunee (6-0) at Gladstone (5-1)
Last week’s Gladstone loss to Durand, 28-24, took only a bit of the luster off this matchup of the top two teams in the Upper Peninsula this season (with Iron Mountain a strong honorable mention on that list). The Braves have clinched a share of the Great Northern Conference title and their best record since at least 2017, but even while finishing 4-6 last year they gave Negaunee a challenge before falling 31-30 during the regular season and 42-28 in a playoff rematch. The Miners have a tougher road ahead as they look to wrap up the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper title, but there are plenty of signs they too have improved on a team that went 8-3 in 2021. They are scoring more and giving up about the same number of points as at this point last season, with this their toughest test since defeating the Mountaineers 19-14 in their season opener.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Ishpeming Westwood (3-3) at L'Anse (3-3), Houghton (5-1) at Calumet (3-3), Marquette (2-4) at Menominee (4-2), Tomahawk, Wis. (3-4) at Ishpeming (3-3).
West Michigan
Ravenna (5-1) at North Muskegon (5-1)
With the expansion and split of the West Michigan Conference, these two are the contenders for the first Rivers division championship. Both are undefeated in league play, with Ravenna a win ahead at 4-0 and able to clinch a share of the title with another victory tonight. Ravenna gave challenges to annual favorites Muskegon Oakridge and Montague during their time together in the previously one-division WMC. This is newer ground but also a deserved opportunity for North Muskegon, which despite finishing in the middle of the former WMC has made the playoffs five straight years thanks to the added bonus of that tough competition.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Kent City (6-0) at Reed City (5-1), Ludington (5-1) at Whitehall (6-0), Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (5-1) at Zeeland West (5-1), Grand Rapids West Catholic (6-0) at Fruitport (4-2).
8-Player
Au Gres-Sims (5-1) at Alcona (6-0)
Alcona and Rogers City are both undefeated and lined up to face each other in Week 8 for the North Star League Big Dipper title. But Au Gres-Sims, tied for first in the Little Dipper, can muddy things up if it can continue a high-scoring surge that began after a Week 2 loss to the Hurons. The Wolverines have scored at least 50 points in all four games since, and put up 72 in a 40-point win over Alcona last year. But this is a much-improved Tigers team, and only two opponents have scored more than 14 points against them this fall.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Concord (4-2) at Marcellus (4-2), Cedarville (5-1) at Rudyard (4-2). SATURDAY Mesick (5-1) at Brown City (5-1), New Haven Merritt Academy (4-2) at Peck (5-1).
Second Half’s weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
PHOTO A Muskegon Catholic Central defender makes a stop during last week's 16-12 win over Schoolcraft. (Photo by Tim Reilly.)