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DeWitt’s backs make a read on a handoff during their team’s 59-7 win over Grand Ledge on Friday.

1st & Goal: 2025 Week 7 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 13, 2025

Football is the only head-to-head MHSAA sport requiring teams to qualify for the playoffs. And that makes October unlike any other month across any of the school year's three seasons. 

MI Student AidNot only are teams competing for and celebrating league championships – see all nine of our "headliners" below and several more games we noted – but several more hopefuls are maneuvering to either break into playoff fields, hold onto spots they've currently earned, or move up on their respective division lists high enough to potentially earn a home game or few when the playoff brackets are selected later this month. 

We highlight some of those scenarios below, and will focus on them much more over the final two weeks of the regular season.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Millington 14, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 3 Millington (6-1) battled back from a Week 4 overtime loss to Cass City to clinch a share of the Big Thumb Conference White title – and clinch a share for Cass City as well – by handing Laker (6-1) its only loss this season. All three teams finished tied for first and league champions, Millington after winning the title outright last season. The Cardinals and Lakers have met in the playoffs the last two and could face off again in Division 7. Click for more from the Bay City Times.

Watch list Almont 35, Richmond 14 The Raiders (7-0) over the last two weeks have taken down contenders Armada and Richmond (6-1) by identical 35-14 scores to run their Blue Water Area Conference winning streak to 23 and their league title streak to three by clinching a share of this year’s with this win.

On the move Fenton 46, Linden 41 The Tigers (5-2) ran their Flint Metro League Stars winning streak to 18 games and finished their third-straight perfect run through the league while denying Linden (5-2) a chance at a title share. Harbor Beach 33, Reese 14 The Pirates (7-0) have won all 10 of their BTC Black games over the last two seasons, this time preventing Reese (4-3) and Unionville-Sebewaing from also claiming title shares. Montrose 28, New Lothrop 14 The Rams (7-0) clinched a share of the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference championship after finishing third the last two seasons, and with a second-straight win over rival New Lothrop (5-2).

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Gibraltar Carlson 27, Brownstown Woodhaven 23 The Marauders followed running back Izaiah Wright to this Downriver League title share-clinching win. Wright scored three touchdowns, his last the game-winner during the final minute. Carlson (7-0) ran its league championship streak to five with a chance to finish this run with the outright title this week at Lincoln Park. Woodhaven (6-1) fell a game back. Click for more from the Southgate News-Herald.

WATCH LIST Harper Woods 41, Saline 32 Harper Woods (7-0) has had its share of notable wins over the last three seasons – especially on the way to winning the Division 4 title in 2023. But downing Division 1 contender Saline (6-1) might be considered the best of the regular season during that time, or at least equal to wins over another Division 1 contender Clarkston in Week 2 and two years ago.

On the move Clarkston 38, West Bloomfield 10 A Wolves loss would have meant a shared Oakland Activities Association Red title between these two, but a win gave Clarkston (6-1) the outright title and its first of any degree since sharing in 2022. Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech 18, Hamtramck 8 The Gators (7-0) won a combined seven games over the last two seasons, and this victory over second-place Hamtramck (4-3) gave ABT the outright championship in the Charter School Conference Silver. Riverview 14, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 13 The Huron League title race jumped the tracks a bit as Riverview (5-2) moved into position to potentially earn a share if SMCC (6-1) can defeat leader Monroe Jefferson this week.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Pewamo-Westphalia 37, Fowler 6 The Pirates pulled away over the final three quarters to clinch a share of the Central Michigan Athletic Conference title and also avenge last season’s loss to Fowler (5-2) – P-W’s only league defeat over the last three. The Pirates (6-0) also continued a run of not allowing more than six points in any game this fall, and have surrendered a grand total over 18 over six games. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Watch list Portland 54, Eaton Rapids 6 The Raiders (7-0) ran their Capital Area Activities Conference White winning streak to 25 in clinching a share of a fourth-straight league title. They’ve given up just 31 points over six games played (with the seventh a forfeit win).

On the move DeWitt 59, Grand Ledge 7 The Panthers (7-0) moved within a win of clinching the CAAC Red championship by handing the Comets (6-1) their only defeat. Mount Pleasant 29, Traverse City West 8 The Oilers (7-0) secured a share of the Saginaw Valley League North title and can make it outright this weekend against reigning champion Midland. Belding 28, Muskegon Oakridge 7 The Black Knights (6-1) are in the running for what would be a fourth-straight Ottawa-Kent Conference Silver title, and fit in this win over West Michigan Conference Lakes contender Oakridge (5-2) to hold onto the No. 3 spot in the Division 6 playoff-point rankings.

Laingsburg’s Julian Smith (7) launches a pass during his team’s 34-14 loss to Bath.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Gaylord 34, Escanaba 30 The Blue Devils (7-0) played a fourth-quarter comeback into a share of the Big North Conference championship in what was a matchup of first-place teams. Gaylord can make the title outright against Sault Ste. Marie in Week 9. It’s been a great comeback run for both contenders, as Gaylord was 3-6 a year ago and Escanaba (6-1) was 2-7 two years ago before improving to 5-4 last season. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.

Watch list LeRoy Pine River 34, Manton 30 The Bucks (5-2) haven’t had a winning season since 2018 and opened this one with two losses. But they’ve strung together five straight victories to guarantee their best finish since 2018 while also moving up to the No. 20 slot on the Division 7 playoff-point list. Manton (4-3) as well has guaranteed its best record since 2022 and with one more win would tie its best since 2014.

On the move Charlevoix 15, Mancelona 12 This was a matchup of league leaders and Charlevoix (7-0) ran its winning streak over Mancelona (4-3) to nine, but not without surviving its closest game this season. Grayling 38, Kalkaska 15 The Vikings (2-5) came out of a tough league run with an impressive win over the Blazers (5-2), who finish with two more strong opponents in Kingsley and Boyne City. Traverse City Central 47, Bay City Western 21 Central (4-3) has fallen out of the Division 2 playoff hunt only once over the last five weeks but is back up to No. 21 on that playoff-points list with a second-straight win coming off an earlier three-game losing streak.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Hudson 32, Clinton 16 The Tigers (7-0) clinched a share of the Lenawee County Athletic Association title and avoided a possible three-team share if they’d fallen to Clinton (5-2), which with Ida will hope for help this week from Hillsdale as Hudson plays for the outright title. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.

Watch list Springport 36, Quincy 20 Springport (7-0) clinched a share of the Big 8 Conference title, against a Quincy team (4-3) enjoying its best season since 2019. The Spartans can make it outright this week against second-place Union City and have given up only 38 points this season over six games (with a forfeit win as well).

On the move Ypsilanti Lincoln 36, Jackson 32 The Railsplitters (6-1) earned their fourth win by one score or less to set up the possibility this week of taking a share of the Southeastern Conference White title from Chelsea, which has clinched a share already. Temperance Bedford 31, Ann Arbor Huron 28 Bedford (4-3) also held on in a close game to gain an opportunity in the SEC Red, as it trails leader Saline by a game and travels to play the Hornets this week. Napoleon 30, Leslie 26 Likewise, Napoleon’s close win sets it up to play Michigan Center this week in a winner-take-all matchup for the Cascades Conference East title.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Portage Central 30, Portage Northern 0 Central added a share of the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West title to a dominating fall, holding Northern scoreless in what was a matchup of first-place teams. The shutout also was Central’s fifth this season, and the Mustangs have given up just 10 points total. They’ll play for an outright championship Week 9 at St. Joseph. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Watch list Dowagiac 40, Buchanan 26 Dowagiac (5-2) made the playoffs last season for the first time this decade, and now has added its first championship in the Lakeland Conference – rebounding from a Week 6 loss to Berrien Springs to take a share from Buchanan (4-3), which previously had clinched a share. Berrien Springs also can claim a share with a win over Niles Brandywine this week.

On the move Kalamazoo Central 31, Battle Creek Central 12 This is the oldest rivalry in Michigan high school football history, starting in 1893, and game 122 between these two ended in Kalamazoo Central (4-3) owning a share of the SMAC East title as Battle Creek Central (4-3) also entered the night undefeated in league play. Battle Creek Harper Creek 29, Hastings 15 This win didn’t clinch the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference title for Harper Creek (6-1), but it was a giant step toward potentially doing so. Hastings (5-2) also hadn’t lost in league play heading into the night. Bronson 32, White Pigeon 6 With this win by Bronson (6-1), Decatur claimed a share of the Southwest 10 Conference championship – although White Pigeon (6-1) can make it a three-team shared title by defeating Decatur this week.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Bark River-Harris 38, Iron Mountain 14 After defeating Iron Mountain in Week 2 for the first time in program history, Bark River-Harris made it a sweep – this time clinching a share of the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Iron championship as well. The Broncos (5-1) can make the title outright this week against West Iron County, which like Iron Mountain (4-2) has just one loss in league play (as the first Bark River-Harris meeting did not count toward the league standings).

Watch list West Iron County 49, L’Anse 40 In avenging a 20-14 loss to L’Anse from Week 2, West Iron County (3-3) jumped four spots to No. 37 on the Division 8 playoff-points list with two weeks to play. The Wykons had won just three games total over the last two seasons and are seeking their first playoff berth this decade.

On the move Menominee 40, Negaunee 12 This along with Kingsford’s win over Ishpeming Westwood sets up those two to meet for a winner-take-all title matchup this week in the West-PAC Copper. Menominee moved to 7-0, while Negaunee is 4-3. Gladstone 34, Houghton 22 Gladstone (3-4) also bumped up to No. 37 on a playoff-points list, in Division 6, with two games to play and chances to move up significantly. Marquette 27, Petoskey 17 While Marquette (4-3) can’t catch Gaylord in the BNC, the Sentinels did move back into playoff contention at No. 29 on the Division 3 list, sending Petoskey (3-4) to No. 34.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Kent City 46, Central Montcalm 14 In a winner-take-all for the Central State Activities Association Silver title, Kent City (7-0) seized it in a big way. In doing so, the Eagles also avenged losses to Central Montcalm (5-2) that decided last year’s league title and then ended Kent City’s season in the District opener. Click for more from WZZM.

Watch list Ludington 32, Whitehall 7 The Orioles (7-0) clinched a share of the West Michigan Conference Lakes title by avenging the loss that cost them the championship last season. Whitehall (4-3) won’t repeat but remains firmly in the Division 5 playoff hunt at No. 14 on that playoff points list.

On the move Hudsonville 43, East Kentwood 42 The Eagles (7-0) won by the slimmest of margins to pull within one more victory of clinching the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red title, moving past the Falcons (5-2) with a late rally. Grand Rapids Catholic Central 35, Holland Christian 7 The Cougars (7-0) clinched a share of the O-K Black title, improving on last season’s tie for second place. Grand Rapids West Catholic 48, Wayland 19 The Falcons (6-1) locked up a share of the O-K White title, their fourth-straight league championship.

8-Player

HEADLINER Deckerville 22, Kingston 14 Defense reigned as Deckerville clinched a share of the Big Thumb Conference Blue title for the second-straight season. Both teams were held well below their season scoring averages as the Eagles (7-0) added to last year’s regular-season/playoff sweep of the rival Cardinals (6-1). Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.

Watch list St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy 47, Hillman 26 Heston’s record for wins in a season over its first 11 was four a year ago, but the Patriots (5-2) bested it in this matchup of North Star League champions – both Heston and Hillman (5-2) have clinched shares of their division titles.

On the move Norway 34, Newberry 14 Norway (7-0) pulled within one more win of claiming a share of the Great Lakes Eight Conference East championship after finishing second a year ago. Gogebic 42, Lake Linden-Hubbell 12 The Miners (7-0) also can clinch a share of a league title this week, in the GLEC West, after handing LL-H (5-2) its only conference loss. Mio 36, Rogers City 22 There are 13 teams in Division 2 with zero or one loss, and Mio (6-1) remains right in the middle of that group on the playoff-points average list with two games against sub-.500 opponents left before the playoffs.

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) DeWitt’s backs make a read on a handoff during their team’s 59-7 win over Grand Ledge on Friday. (Middle) Laingsburg’s Julian Smith (7) launches a pass during his team’s 34-14 loss to Bath. (DeWitt/Grand Ledge photo by Terry Lyons. Laingsburg/Bath photo by John Johnson.)

A Dexter ball carrier works to break free from a Midland tackler during their Division 2 Regional Final.

1st & Goal: 2022 Playoff Week 3 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 14, 2022

We’re just days away from awarding our first MHSAA Football Finals championships for the 2022 season, and we’re guaranteed at least five new winners with many more hopefuls moving closer to earning that opportunity.

MI Student AidOur two 8-player championship games are set – we’ll have just one team returning to Superior Dome from last year’s finalists – and we’re down to 32 contenders set to play 11-player Semifinals, including just six that reached Ford Field a year ago. We’re already assured of new champions in four of those 11-player divisions.

Below is a glance at how we reached this point – headed to Marquette this weekend and then on to Detroit.

8-Player Division 1

SEMIFINAL Merrill 22, Munising 20 A big comeback sent the Vandals (12-0) to their first MHSAA championship game in this sport. Munising led by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter before Merrill came back and went ahead for good during the closing minutes. The Vandals were held 25 points below their average, but also kept Munising (11-1) well below its 51 points-per-game average heading into the weekend. Click for more from the Saginaw News.

SEMIFINAL Martin 42, Brown City 8 After falling in Semifinals in 2020 and 2021, Martin is headed to its first championship game since 1987. The Clippers (10-2) posted one of their top defensive performances of the last three seasons, stalling a Green Devils offense that was averaging 52 points per game. Brown City concluded its first season of 8-player at 10-2 after going 1-8 in 11-player in 2021. Click for more from WWMT.

8-Player Division 2

SEMIFINAL Powers North Central 36, Marion 12 North Central will play for a third-straight Division 2 championship but had to advance from its closest game of the season to earn the opportunity. The Jets (12-0) took a 22-12 lead into halftime and were able to hold Marion (11-1) off during the third quarter before pulling away for two more scores during the fourth. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

SEMIFINAL Mendon 30, Morrice 14 Jack McCaw ran for 198 yards and three touchdowns as Mendon (10-2) reached the Finals in just its second season of 8-player after playing in 12 championship games in 11-player. The Hornets scored the first two touchdowns of the game and contained a Morrice offense that had scored 42 points per game coming into the contest. The Orioles finished 9-3. Click for more from the Sturgis Journal.

11-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Clarkston 36, Rochester Adams 33 The Highlanders (10-2) went ahead on a Parker Picot run with 3:17 to play, but the Wolves (10-2) clinched the Regional title when Desman Stephens hauled in the game-winning touchdown pass with less than a second remaining. Clarkston completed a season sweep of the Highlanders, after the Wolves’ 45-35 Week 3 win eventually decided the Oakland Activities Association Red title. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Regional Roundup Caledonia 42, Grand Ledge 14 The Flighting Scots (11-1) advanced to their first Semifinal since 2012 by taking a seven-point lead into halftime and scoring 21 unanswered points during the final two quarters. Grand Ledge finished its winningest season since 2015 at 9-3. Belleville 33, Detroit Catholic Central 10 The Tigers (12-0) ran for four of their five touchdowns in reaching the Semifinals for the fifth straight season. DCC finished 8-3 for the second straight. Detroit Cass Tech 35, Macomb Dakota 21 The Technicians (9-3) defeated a third league champion in three playoff games, this time handing Macomb Area Conference Red title winner Dakota (11-1) its lone defeat.

11-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 21, East Lansing 17 The Rangers (12-0) built a two-touchdown lead and then held off a Trojans comeback attempt to earn their first Regional title since 2017. This was Forest Hills Central’s closest game, but the defense continued to shine holding East Lansing (8-4) to half its 34 ppg average heading into the weekend. Click for more from FOX 17.

Regional Roundup Dexter 42, Midland 7 Reeves Taylor threw for 300 yards and five touchdowns to lead Dexter (12-0) to its first Regional championship. Midland finished 10-2, its best since 2013 and a major improvement from 2-7 in 2021. Birmingham Groves 32, Livonia Franklin 25 The Falcons (9-3) are another team making a great comeback this fall, after two straight sub-.500 seasons; they’re headed back to the Semifinals for the first time since 2018. Franklin finished 10-2, its winningest run since 2017. Warren De La Salle Collegiate 55, Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse 7 The Pilots (11-1) scored just a point short of their season high and lowered their points allowed average to 12.3 per game in winning a third-straight Regional title. L’Anse Creuse finished 7-5 after winning its first District title two weekends ago.

11-Player Division 3

HEADLINER Muskegon 27, Zeeland West 20 This matchup came down to one score again after West had won the Week 5 meeting 38-36. Big Reds quarterback M’Khi Guy – a member of the MHSAA Student Advisory Council – ran for three touchdowns including the eventual game winner. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.

Regional Report DeWitt 29, Linden 16 The Panthers (9-3) are headed to the Semifinals for the fifth-straight season after becoming only the second team this fall to hold Linden (7-5) under 21 points. Mason 49, Trenton 30 The Bulldogs (12-0) clinched their second-straight Regional title with quarterback Cason Carswell tossing six touchdown passes to keep his team a step ahead of the Trojans (10-2), who finished their first double-digit win season since 1998. Detroit Martin Luther King 22, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 12 The Crusaders (8-3) are headed to their seventh Semifinal in eight seasons with quarterback Dante Moore rushing for two second-half touchdowns after Rice (5-6) led at halftime.

11-Player Division 4

HEADLINER Grand Rapids South Christian 28, Whitehall 21 A back-and-forth matchup of undefeated teams ended with South Christian claiming its first Regional title since 2014 and after falling short in Regional Finals the last two seasons. The Sailors (12-0) put up the last two scores for the final margin. Whitehall finished its winningest season at 11-1. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Regional Report Edwardsburg 24, Hastings 14 The Eddies (11-1) won their third-straight Regional title and seventh over the last nine seasons with another lockdown defensive performance as Hastings entered averaging 41 points per game. The Saxons (10-2) completed their first double-digit win season. Goodrich 40, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 20 The Martians are first-time Regional champions after scoring first and following quarterback Gavin Hart to their third 40-point scoring performance over the last four games. The Eaglets finished 5-6. Riverview 45, Dearborn Divine Child 35 The Pirates (12-0) won their first Regional title since 2017 as Jacob Shank ran for 251 yards and five scores, the last after Divine Child (9-3) had pulled within three points of the lead.

11-Player Division 5

HEADLINER Gladwin 26, Muskegon Oakridge 8 After trailing by two points at the break, Gladwin (12-0) scored 20 unanswered during the second half to win its first Regional title since 1998 and extend its winningest season. Only Whitehall had held the Eagles (10-2) to single digits this season as they reached 10 wins for the second time in four years and first since 2019. Click for more from the Midland Daily News.

Regional Roundup Grand Rapids Catholic Central 42, Portland 19 Quarterback Connor Wolf and running back Kellen Russell-Dixon provided much of the offense’s firepower as GRCC (11-1) won its seventh-straight Regional title. The Cougars also held Portland (10-2) to its fewest points in a game this fall. Frankenmuth 49, Flint Hamady 7 Griffin Barker ran for 114 yards and two touchdowns and caught a third as the Eagles (12-0) won their third-straight Regional championship. Hamady’s two winningest seasons have come over the last five, as this year’s 10-2 finish joined the 2018 team’s 11-1 at the top of the list. Detroit Country Day 44, Flat Rock 7 After just missing last season, Country Day (8-3) is headed back to the Semifinals for the third time in four seasons and coming off its highest-scoring showing this fall. The Yellowjackets also held Flat Rock to its season low. The Rams did finish with plenty to celebrate, as their 8-4 record came after four straight sub-.500 seasons.

11-Player Division 6

HEADLINER Clinton 31, Warren Michigan Collegiate 30 The Redwolves (12-0) came back from a double-digit deficit to edge last season’s Division 6 runner-up and move on to the Semifinals for the second time in three seasons. A pair of late scores put Clinton over the top, including the eventual game-winner with 1:29 to play. Michigan Collegiate finished 10-2 and stands 21-5 over the last two seasons. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.

Regional Roundup Negaunee 18, Gladstone 12 The Braves made this rematch closer than Negaunee’s 24-6 win in Week 7, but the Miners (12-0) won their first Regional title since 2003 by holding on for only their second single-digit win – and first since opening night – of a stellar season. Gladstone finished 9-3, its winningest run since 2008. Reed City 6, Millington 0 Both defenses were stellar as Reed City entered averaging 47 points per game and Millington 44. But the Coyotes got all the points their needed on a third-quarter score to reach the Semifinals for the first time since 2017. Millington finished 10-2, their second-straight season with 10 wins. Grand Rapids West Catholic 37, Lansing Catholic 7 The Falcons (11-1) continue to climb as they reached 11 wins and won their first Regional title both since 2017. Lansing Catholic finished 6-6 after winning four straight entering the weekend.

Grand Rapids Catholic Central's Kellen Russell-Dixon (23) holds off a Portland defender during his team's Division 5 Regional Final win.

11-Player Division 7

HEADLINER Napoleon 14, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 7 The Pirates are headed to the Semifinals for the first time, continuing a memorable rise that saw Napoleon go 1-6 two seasons ago and just miss the playoffs last year at 6-3. The Pirates (12-0) have given up just 20 points over their last four games – the Big 8/Cascades champions crossover and three playoff matchups. Monroe St. Mary finished 6-6 after winning four straight entering the weekend. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

Regional Roundup Traverse City St. Francis 63, Ithaca 0 Of many impressive wins this season, this one might top the list as St. Francis (12-0) posted its first shutout and scored its season high against an Ithaca team that was averaging nearly 44 points per game. The Yellowjackets finished 10-2, their winningest season since 2017. New Lothrop 29, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 20 The Hornets (10-2) are headed back to the Semifinals for the second time in three seasons, thanks in part to a defense that held Laker to half its 41-ppg scoring average entering the game. Laker’s 10-2 finish was its best since posting the same record in 2017. Jackson Lumen Christi 7, Lawton 6 After Lawton (9-3) won last year’s Semifinal matchup 21-20, Lumen Christi (9-3) will move on this time after a second-half touchdown and extra point – and after blocking Lawton’s extra-point attempt after a first-half score.

11-Player Division 8

HEADLINER Iron Mountain 34, Evart 33 The Mountaineers (11-1) came back from a double-digit deficit to edge Evart and earn their second Regional title in four seasons. Iron Mountain hadn’t given up more than 19 points in a game this season, but Evart built a three-touchdown lead before the Mountaineers got rolling – their 34 points were the most Evart had given up this fall as well. The Wildcats finished 10-2, their first season reaching double-digit victories. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Regional Roundup Ubly 49, Fowler 7 The Bearcats’ only loss the last two seasons was in last year’s Semifinal, and they’ll get to return to that round this weekend after halting a Fowler offense that was scoring 32 points per game entering the weekend. Ubly is 12-0, and the Eagles finished 10-2. Ottawa Lake Whiteford 38, White Pigeon 26 The Bobcats (12-0) repeated as Regional champions in winning their closest game this fall, ending White Pigeon’s run at 8-4 after the latter had opened 2-3 but won six straight to reach this point. Clarkston Everest Collegiate 30, Sterling Heights Parkway Christian 6 These Mountaineers (9-3) earned a rematch with Whiteford after losing to the Bobcats in last season’s Regional Final. Parkway finished 6-6, a solid jump from 3-6 a year ago – and after starting the season 1-5.

MHSAA.com'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. 

PHOTOS (Top) A Dexter ball carrier works to break free from a Midland tackler during their Division 2 Regional Final. (Middle) Grand Rapids Catholic Central's Kellen Russell-Dixon (23) holds off a Portland defender during his team's Division 5 Regional Final win. (Top photo courtesy of Midland High's athletic department. Middle photo by High School Sports Scene.)