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Marquette's Brody Clements hauls in a pass during his team's 41-13 win over Alpena.

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.

MI Student AidBut 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.

A pair of Davison defenders wrap up a De La Salle ball carrier.

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.

DeWitt's Channing Ridley breaks toward the sideline during his team's win over Mason.

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).

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.

Marquette's quarterback Ford Richardson is able to just get in the end zone to score a touchdown against Alpena.

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.)

Drive for Detroit: Playoff Week 3 Review

November 13, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A longtime observer of Michigan high school football had a hard time remembering a playoff weekend with as many close finishes as fans enjoyed Friday and Saturday.

Start with the games in 11-player Division 1, where all four were decided by fourth-quarter scores or stops, and nail-biters dominated a weekend that saw 32 teams move on to 11-Player Regional Finals and the four finalists for 8-player championships book trips to Marquette’s Superior Dome.

We start with a brief glance below at all four 8-Player Semifinals and then move into all 32 11-player games. The MHSAA Playoffs are sponsored by the Michigan Army National Guard, and “Drive for Detroit” is sponsored by MI Student Aid.   

8-Player Division 1

Central Lake 54, Stephenson 20

The Trojans (12-0) rode a ravenous rushing attack in a snowstorm to earn its first MHSAA championship game berth while also tying its program record for wins in a season. Central Lake plodded to more than 400 yards against a Stephenson defense that had given up only 16.7 points per game entering the day. The Eagles finished 9-3. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Deckerville 52, Bellevue 18

Deckerville rattled off 44 straight points to earn a second straight trip to the MHSAA Finals. Bellevue led 12-8 early before the Eagles (11-1) went on their run against another otherwise-stellar defense – the Broncos (10-2) were giving up only 9.5 points per game entering the day and this season set a program record for wins. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.

8-Player Division 2

Crystal Falls Forest Park 36, Pickford 34

Forest Park will add to its 13 championship game appearances as an 11-player program with its first in 8-player after handing Pickford its lone loss this season. The Trojans (10-2) last made a championship game in 2009 and moved to 8-player a year ago. They put up the most points Pickford (11-1) gave up in a game this season by 12. The Panthers fell in their second straight Semifinal but moved to 27-7 in three years of 8-player. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Portland St. Patrick 33, Kinde-North Huron 14

The Shamrocks are 53-12 since moving to 8-player in 2012, and in their first Semifinal since that first season finally broke through to earn a first championship game berth since 1997. St. Patrick (11-1) scored 21 points during the fourth quarter to pull away against a North Huron program that also was playing in its second 8-Player Semifinal and finished 10-2. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

11-Player Division 1

West Bloomfield 28, Utica Eisenhower 25

Quarterback Bryce Veasley scored the winning touchdown with under a minute to play to send West Bloomfield (10-2) to its first MHSAA Semifinal in football. The Lakers edged an Eisenhower program much more familiar with this stage of the playoffs; the Eagles were playing for a third Regional title this decade and made the Semifinals a year ago. Eisenhower (11-1) had given up more than 20 points in a game to only one other opponent this fall. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Other Regional Finals:

Clarkston 29, Holland West Ottawa 22 – The Wolves (10-2) scored 23 unanswered fourth-quarter points to win their second Regional title in four seasons and end West Ottawa’s winningest football season at 10-2.

Detroit Catholic Central 27, Canton 26 – The Shamrocks (8-4) stopped a Canton two-point conversion attempt with 34 seconds to play to win their fifth Regional title this decade while handing the Chiefs (10-2) their first loss since opening night.

Detroit Cass Tech 32, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 26 – In maybe the most dramatic finish of all this weekend, Chippewa Valley (10-2) took the lead with 1:25 to play and Cass Tech (9-2) took it back as the clock ticked under 10 seconds to win an eighth straight Regional title. 

11-Player Division 2

Livonia Franklin 31, Flushing 29

Franklin (10-2) clinched its second Regional title in three seasons on kicker Brad Gibson’s 27-yard field goal with 13 seconds to play. Flushing had taken the lead just more than a minute before with a two-point conversion after a late score. Flushing was playing for its first Regional title and finished 9-3, tying its most successful season (2014) since 1997. Click for more from the Observer & Eccentric.

Other Regional Finals:

Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 28, Traverse City Central 10 – Forest Hills Central (12-0) won its first football Regional title since 1995 with 28 unanswered points over the second and third quarters; Traverse City Central (8-4) was playing for its first Regional title since 1991.

Detroit Martin Luther King 55, Ypsilanti Lincoln 14 – The Crusaders (11-1) won their third straight Regional title and fifth in seven years while finishing the most successful playoff run ever for Lincoln (9-3), which hadn’t lost since an 0-2 start.

Warren DeLaSalle 14, Oak Park 7 – A last-minute touchdown gave DeLaSalle (10-2) its first Regional title since 2014 as both teams scored their fewest points since opening night; Oak Park (9-3) tied its most successful season after also going 9-3 in 2012. 

11-Player Division 3

Riverview 36, Dearborn Divine Child 31

The Riverview dream season continues, this time after a close win over one of last season’s Division 3 semifinalists. The Pirates (11-1) won their first Regional title since 2002, with the reminder again that they went only 2-7 a year ago. Riverview led by 12 heading into the fourth quarter and held off Divine Child (10-2) during a late comeback attempt. Click for more from the Southgate News-Herald.

Other Regional Finals:

Muskegon 49, DeWitt 0 – The Big Reds (12-0) were great on offense as usual, but defensively this was the most impressive of their six shutouts this fall; DeWitt (10-2) was averaging 39 points per game entering the day.

Battle Creek Harper Creek 16, East Lansing 13 – The Beavers (12-0) scored all 16 of their points during the fourth quarter to clinch their first Regional title since 2012 and hand East Lansing (9-3) its first defeat this season since Week 3; the Trojans finished their best season since 2011.

Farmington Hills Harrison 34, Linden 21 – The Hawks (9-3) added to their inspired run with a first Regional title since 2014; Linden (9-3) was playing for its first Regional title but did finish its winningest season since 2012. 

11-Player Division 4

River Rouge 21, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood 14

The Panthers (10-2) reached 10 victories for the fourth straight season and fifth in six seasons by clinching this third straight Regional title. River Rouge never broke away but did go ahead to stay midway through the fourth quarter to seal its closest win of the season (the two losses were by nine and seven). Cranbrook Kingswood (10-2) did cap its winningest season in program history. Click for more from the Southgate News-Herald.

Other Regional Finals:

Escanaba 39, Williamston 21 – The Eskymos (10-2) began pulling away during the first half on the way to their first Regional title since 1981; for Williamston (7-5), it was the only loss this season by more than seven points.

Grand Rapids Catholic Central 42, Belding 3 – GRCC (12-0) rode another giant dose of running back Nolan Fugate to its 18th straight win; Belding (9-3) ended its most successful season since 1998.

Edwardsburg 52, Lansing Sexton 30 –The Eddies (11-1) won their second straight Regional title with their fifth game over 50 points this season; Sexton (8-4) did become the first team to top 30 against Edwardsburg this fall.

11-Player Division 5

Grand Rapids West Catholic 28, Portland 26

The latest of frequent playoff meetings between these annual contenders turned out to be another classic as West Catholic (10-2) stopped a late two-point conversion attempt to secure the win – after also beating Portland by three last season on the way to winning the Division 5 title. The Raiders (10-2) fought back from two touchdowns down in the fourth quarter. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Other Regional Finals:

Reed City 46, Menominee 34 – The Coyotes (11-1) closed this weekend’s action in Saturday’s final game by claiming their first Regional title against a Menominee team playing in its ninth straight Regional Final; the Maroons, last season’s Division 5 runners-up, finished 8-4.

Saginaw Swan Valley 48, Muskegon Oakridge 14 – The Vikings (11-1) will play in their third Semifinal in nine years as Alex Fries threw three touchdown passes and ran for a fourth score; Oakridge (9-3) was playing for its first Regional title since 2013.

Frankenmuth 17, Algonac 7 – The Eagles (12-0) won their second straight Regional title and set a program record for wins by outlasting the Blue Water Area Conference champion Muskrats (10-2) in a defensive struggle; Frankenmuth held Algonac to 161 yards. 

11-Player Division 6

Ithaca 33, Montague 23

Ithaca made a statement in a game pitting teams that have combined to win seven of the last nine Division 6 titles. Following quarterback Joey Bentley – 218 yards and four touchdowns rushing, one more touchdown passing – the Yellowjackets (12-0) led by 18 late before Montague added a final score. The Wildcats (11-1) did put up the most points Ithaca has given up this season – the Yellowjackets have now allowed only 101 over 12 games. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.

Other Regional Finals:

Traverse City St. Francis 33, Millington 26 – The Gladiators (11-1) hung on to win their second Regional title in three seasons as Millington (10-2) put up the most points St. Francis has given up this season – although the Gladiators also became just the second to score more than 30 on the Cardinals.

Jackson Lumen Christi 44, Watervliet 22 – The reigning Division 6 champion Titans (10-1) locked down a Watervliet offense that had scored at least 36 points every game and averaged 52 per game during the Panthers’ 11-0 start.

Warren Michigan Collegiate 32, Blissfield 6 – The Cougars (12-0) won their second Regional title in 10 seasons as a program, ending Blissfield’s first winning season since 2012 and winningest since 2009 at 7-5. 

11-Player Division 7

Lake City 20, Breckenridge 18

Someone was going to celebrate a major accomplishment after this game. Lake City improved to 12-0, extending its program record for wins in claiming its first Regional title and with last year’s 2-7 finish becoming tougher to believe by the week. Breckenridge was 0-9 only three years ago and won its first playoff game just two weeks ago on the way to finishing 10-2 this fall. Click for more from the Cadillac News.

Other Regional Finals:

Pewamo-Westphalia 34, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 0 – The Pirates’ fifth shutout this season moved them to 11-1 and landed them their sixth Regional title in seven seasons; Laker (10-2) did contain P-W to its third-fewest points this fall.

Saugatuck 7, Cassopolis 6 – A go-ahead score with under three minutes to play pushed Saugatuck (9-3) just past the Rangers (10-2) for its first Regional title since 2010; Cassopolis had guarded that lead since the first quarter.

Madison Heights Madison 22, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 20 – Madison (12-0) will play in its first Semifinal since 2007 after coming back from two touchdowns down during the second half; the Falcons finished 7-5 after a 1-3 start this fall. 

11-Player Division 8

Iron River West Iron County 35, Frankfort 20

West Iron’s first Regional title since 1977 came with a program record-setting 11th win as the Wykons haven’t lost since falling by two points on opening night. West Iron scored the first 22 points and locked down a Frankfort offense that had scored 45 per game entering the game. The Panthers finished 8-3 after making the Regional Finals for the third straight season. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Other Regional Finals:

Saginaw Nouvel 54, Lincoln Alcona 34 – Nouvel (12-0) picked the best time to score its most points in a game this season, coming off a District Final scare against Harbor Beach; the Panthers opened a 28-0 lead on the Tigers (9-3), who were playing in their first Regional Final.  

Mendon 14, Climax-Scotts 6 – A week after stunning reigning champion Muskegon Catholic Central, Mendon (12-0) had to hold off the Panthers (9-3) for 2½ quarters to earn its first Regional title since 2011.

Ottawa Lake Whiteford 60, Clarkston Everest Collegiate 20 – Last season’s Division 8 runner-up Bobcats (12-0) clearly are intent on getting back to Ford Field; they finished this one on a 44-6 run to end the longest tournament run in the five-year history of Everest Collegiate (9-3).

Second Half’s weekly “Drive for Detroit” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Student Financial Services Bureau 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, including various student financial assistance programs to help make college more affordable for Michigan students. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 savings programs (MET/MESP) and eight additional aid programs within its Student Scholarships and Grants division. Click for more information and connect with MI Student Aid on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.  

PHOTO: Ithaca’s Devon Smith (51) closes in on a Montague ball carrier during Saturday’s Division 6 Regional Final. (Photo by Tim Reilly.)