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Muskegon Mona Shores' Kevin White Jr. (15) breaks past a pair of Traverse City Central defenders during his team's 49-42 win in Division 2.

1st & Goal: 2026 Playoffs Week 1 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 2, 2026

This time of year sees a lot of dates thrown around as football teams start eagerly awaited championship drives with their first playoff appearances since that one year, their first postseason wins since the last time, and on and on. 

MI Student AidWe’ve got plenty more to toss into the mix coming out of the first rounds of our 2026 tournament.

Upsets were few this time around, but history was in the making for many, and we glance at several of those below. 

11-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Grandville 38, Howell 30 This easily was the biggest stunner in the state, regardless of division, as Howell entered the playoffs one of seven 9-0 teams in Division 1 and with the highest playoff-point average in any division. This was Grandville’s first victory over a team that finished the regular season with a winning record, and the Bulldogs (5-5) advanced to their fifth District Final over the last seven years. Click for more from the Detroit News. 

District Digest Rochester 22, Macomb Dakota 21 A 2-point conversion during the final seconds pushed Rochester (7-3) into a District Final for the first time since 2022 and ended Dakota’s season at 5-5 and short of the District Finals for the first time since 2020. Portage Central 21, Hudsonville 14 The Mustangs (9-1) opened the playoffs with another impressive defensive performance, their seventh allowing 14 points or fewer and also Hudsonville’s second-lowest scoring total this season in finishing 6-4. Oxford 42, Davison 28 The Wildcats (8-2) will play in a District Final for the second time in three seasons after also defeating Davison (7-3) to advance two years ago. 

11-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Midland Dow 41, Walled Lake Western 20 The Dow defense provided one of its best performances of another solid season’s worth, holding Western to its fewest points since Week 4. The Chargers also have hit their stride offensively and reached 40 points for the fourth time in five weeks. Click for more from Midland Daily News. 

District Digest Livonia Franklin 35, Allen Park 28 Franklin (8-2) pulled a repeat of 2024, downing Allen Park (7-3) by seven points to advance to a District Final against Gibraltar Carlson. North Farmington 27, Ferndale 26 The Raiders (7-3) earned their first playoff win since 2020 and ended Ferndale’s winningest season since 2018 at 7-3. Portage Northern 51, Traverse City West 43 Northern (6-4) earned its first postseason victory since 2022, reaching 50 points for the second time this season to end this one for Saginaw Valley League North co-champion West (6-4). 

11-Player Division 3

HEADLINER Battle Creek Central 41, Battle Creek Harper Creek 38 Battle Creek Central’s history against Harper Creek this century isn’t strong, but the Bearcats won’t forget this win over the Beavers (6-4). In the first matchup of the neighbors since 2024, Central (6-4) emerged with its first playoff victory since 2018. Click for more from the Battle Creek Enquirer. 

District Digest Redford Thurston 29, Linden 14 Thurston (9-1) earned its first playoff victory since 2019 to go with its outright Western Wayne Athletic Conference championship and now winningest season since 2011 – with an opportunity this week to get to 10 wins for the first time. Cadillac 31, Marquette 19 Cadillac (8-2) avenged a six-point Week 4 loss to Marquette that ended up deciding the Big North Conference title for the Sentinels (6-4). Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 42, Coldwater 34 The Trojans (7-3) won their playoff opener for the second year in a row, ending the fall for a Coldwater team (6-4) that was making its second-straight postseason appearance.

11-Player Division 4

HEADLINER Portland 22, Paw Paw 13 The Raiders (10-0) reached 10 wins for the sixth-straight season, emerging from what was a two-point game during the fourth quarter to hand Paw Paw (8-2) just its second loss. Portland moves on to take on another Wolverine Conference team, champion Edwardsburg, this week. Click for more from WILX.

District Digest Ludington 19, Fruitport 15 The Orioles (8-2) bounced back from a Week 9 loss to earn their first playoff win since 2020. Fruitport finished 7-3, all three defeats by six points or fewer. Stevensville Lakeshore 49, Hastings 44 Lakeshore (9-1) reached nine victories for the first time since 2017 with Kaden Griffiths running for 227 yards and four touchdowns to lead the offense as it matched the high-scoring Saxons (7-3). Macomb Lutheran North 36, Detroit East English 22 The Mustangs (9-1) are headed to a District Final for the third time in four seasons, but East English (7-3) has much to celebrate as well after concluding its winningest season since 2017. 

11-Player Division 5

HEADLINER Hopkins 22, Kalamazoo United 21 Hopkins avenged last season’s District-opening loss to the Titans and in doing so handed United (9-1) its only defeat this season. The victory also was Hopkins’ first in the postseason since 2019 and improved the Vikings to 9-1 this fall. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette. 

District Digest Berrien Springs 34, Lake Odessa Lakewood 28 (OT) The Shamrocks (9-1) bounced back from a Week 9 loss to hit the road and earn a sixth-straight trip to the District Finals, in doing so ending Lakewood’s most successful season since 2017 at 8-2. Romulus Summit Academy North 34, Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard 27 Summit (7-3) will play for a District title for the fourth time in five years after holding off the Fighting Irish (5-5). Remus Chippewa Hills 42, Muskegon Orchard View 21 Chippewa Hills reached 40 points for the third-straight week in claiming its first playoff victory since 2016. Orchard View, making its first playoff appearance this decade, finished 7-3. 

11-Player Division 6

HEADLINER Montrose 45, Durand 42 Montrose (8-2) had doubled up Durand 44-22 in Week 6 on the way to winning the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference title but had to hold on this time to keep its season alive as the Railroaders (6-4) cut the margin substantially before a final drive came up short. Click for more from the Flint Journal. 

District Digest Gladwin 40, Harbor Springs 19 Gladwin (6-4) won a matchup of league champions to earn a District Final rematch with Sanford Meridian, which downed the Flying Gs in Week 8. Harbor Springs ended 8-2, tying its winningest campaign since 1999. Midland Bullock Creek 13, Algonac 8 Bullock Creek (6-4) returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2023 and advanced with its sixth win this season holding an opponent to single digits. Algonac finished 6-4, its best since 2017. Marine City 86, New Haven 40 These two combined to tie for the 16th-most points scored in a game by two 11-player teams where the losing team scored at least 40. New Haven finished 6-4, its most successful run since 2006, while Marine City (10-0) reached double-digit wins for the second time in three years.

11-Player Division 7

HEADLINER Jonesville 36, Hanover-Horton 22 Jonesville finished only fourth in the Cascades Conference South this season, losing to overall Cascades champion Hanover-Horton (7-3) 32-14 in Week 6. But Jonesville (6-4) certainly won’t forget the rematch as it defeated Hanover-Horton to reach a District Final for the first time since 2020. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen Patriot. 

District Digest Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 46, Burton Bendle 22 Laker (8-2) ran its winning streak to seven games in handing the lone loss this season to Bendle, which ended 9-1 with its first perfect regular season since 1997. Ravenna 54, Cassopolis 12 Ravenna’s first playoff win since 2022 was arguably its most impressive victory of this fall as the Bulldogs (8-2) tied their high in scoring and shut down a Rangers offense that had topped 45 points seven times during an 8-1 regular season. Harrison 60, McBain 52 These two also made the record book for combined points in one game, with Harrison (8-2) building on its 58 from Week 9 and McBain (7-3) reaching 50 for the fourth time in five weeks despite the loss. 

Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary quarterback Zach Scharrer (4) looks for an open receiver during the second quarter of his team's 31-8 win over Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart in Division 8 on Saturday.

11-Player Division 8

HEADLINER East Jordan 42, Iron Mountain 35 East Jordan held on to earn its fourth District Final trip over the last five seasons. Both offenses gave the opposing defenses arguably their toughest tests this fall, East Jordan’s 42 points the most Iron Mountain (7-3) had given and the Mountaineers’ 35 points one shy of tying the most surrendered by the Red Devils (8-2). Click for more from Upper Michigan’s Source.

District Digest Fowler 43, Manchester 16 The Eagles (7-3) had lost three of their last four games but found their stride to defeat Cascades Conference North co-champ Manchester (7-3). Southfield Bradford Academy 34, Burton Atherton 14 Bradford (7-3) reached seven wins for the first time since 2016, also earning its first playoff win since a decade ago while ending Atherton’s season at 6-4. Unionville-Sebewaing 36, Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central 22 USA (8-2) has reached eight wins for the first time since 2016 and will play Ubly a second time after winning the first matchup in Week 6. Nouvel came back from a 1-2 start to finish 5-5.

8-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Colon 33, Bridgman 20 Colon (9-1) made its return to the playoffs count, as the Magi impressively held off Bridgman in their first postseason appearance since 2022. Bridgman (8-2) hadn’t scored fewer than 28 points this season, and the 20 actually tied the high-scoring Bees’ fewest since Week 3 of 2023. Click for more from the Sturgis Journal.

Regional Roundup Dryden 60, Kingston 16 The Cardinals’ magnificent run now includes its first playoff appearance and postseason win since 2008 as Dryden (10-0) also reached double-digit wins for the first time since that fall. Ishpeming 36, Rudyard 14 The Hematites (8-2) also returned to the playoffs with a solid win after missing the postseason a year ago, ending Rudyard’s run at 7-3. Climax-Scotts 49, Concord 40 Climax-Scotts (8-2) ended Concord’s first playoff trip this decade in another of the weekend’s highest-scoring matchups. 

8-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Grand Rapids Sacred Heart 50, Marion 30 The Falcons (9-1) earned the first playoff win of their three-year football history, and it was a big one as Marion (9-1) was undefeated and had given up only 86 points over eight games all season. Sacred Heart’s offense has been that impressive most of the fall, with this its sixth-straight game scoring at least 49 points. Click for more from the Cadillac News.

Regional Report Lake Linden-Hubbell 44, Powers North Central 25 Lake Linden-Hubbell (10-0) has reached double-digit wins for the first time since 2016 thanks to defeating North Central (7-3) by an almost identical score as when they first faced off in Week 5. Marcellus 50, Litchfield 36 The Wildcats (7-3) earned their first playoff victory since 2020 while ending Litchfield’s first playoff season since 2011 at 8-2. Gaylord St. Mary 55, St. Ignace 6 Few teams have impressed defensively as substantially as the Snowbirds (10-0), who didn’t give up a point this fall until Week 7 and have allowed only 20 total, this time stopping a Saints offense that had reached 60 four times during an 8-1 regular 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) Muskegon Mona Shores' Kevin White Jr. (15) breaks past a pair of Traverse City Central defenders during his team's 49-42 win in Division 2. (Middle) Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary quarterback Zach Scharrer (4) looks for an open receiver during the second quarter of his team's 31-8 win over Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart in Division 8 on Saturday. (Mona Shores/TC Central photo by Tim Reilly. MLS photo by Kolleth Photography.) 
 

Negaunee's Kyle Waterman hoists the Jubilee trophy over his head after his team defeated Marquette.

1st & Goal: 2026 Week 1 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

August 31, 2026

The 2026 Michigan high school football season wasted no time reminding us of the best from a year ago – while hinting as well at what’s potentially to come this fall.

MI Student AidTwo rematches of 2025 MHSAA Finals highlighted the statewide schedule, as Dearborn Divine Child downed Hudsonville Unity Christian again after defeating the Crusaders in last year’s 11-Player Division 4 championship game, and Blanchard Montabella took advantage of another opportunity against Martin, defeating the Clippers after falling to them in 8-Player Division 1 last November.

Those are just two of several results highlighted below as a new season brings as well a new series of “1st & Goal” reports.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Goodrich 10, Frankenmuth 7 Jacob Daggett’s 33-yard field goal with 7:32 remaining was the difference at Michigan Stadium as Goodrich defeated the Eagles by three in their season opener for the second-straight season. The teams were nearly even in total yardage and first downs as well, but the Martians held Frankenmuth scoreless during the second half after the Eagles got on the board first a minute into the second quarter. Click for more from the Saginaw News.

Watch list Cass City 34, Harbor Beach 0 The Red Hawks broke a four-game losing streak against the reigning Division 8 champion Pirates, who hadn’t lost a regular-season game since Week 4 of 2023 and claimed last year’s matchup 42-8.

On the move Grand Blanc 24, Belleville 23 The Bobcats held on with less than a minute to play, stopping the Tigers on a 2-point conversion try to secure the victory. Holly 15, Lapeer 12 Holly is coming off one of its best seasons of late and Lapeer off one of its least successful, but a win over a regular Saginaw Valley League contender is a big deal for the Bronchos regardless. Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central 25, Allen Park Cabrini 21 The Panthers started with a significant stride as Cabrini reached the Division 8 Semifinals a year ago.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Dearborn Divine Child 56, Hudsonville Unity Christian 28 The victor of this rematch of last season’s Division 4 Final was the same, but the margin significantly different after Divine Child won by just a point at Ford Field in November. Drew Sheridan threw five touchdown passes as the Falcons outscored Unity 29-6 during the fourth quarter.

Watch list North Farmington 14, Birmingham Groves 13 The Raiders have reached the playoffs two straight seasons but most recently fell to Groves 36-3 in their 2023 opener – and Groves reached the Division 2 Semifinals the last two years.

On the move Romeo 17, Rochester Adams 10 Adams had defeated Romeo both on opening night and in a Division 1 Regional Final last season, and in their 2024 opener as well. Detroit Central 12, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 7 Notre Dame Prep is coming off finishing Division 5 runner-up a year ago and kicked off last season with a 55-0 win over the Trail Blazers, who are 1-0 for the first time since 2022 but have strung together 12 straight playoff seasons. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 30, Macomb Dakota 20 Brother Rice avenged last season’s 14-10 loss to the Cougars, jumping out to a 17-point halftime lead and holding on in a matchup of top Metro Detroit teams.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Brighton 49, Dexter 7 The Bulldogs avenged last season’s 50-27 opening loss to Dexter, which went on last fall to finish runner-up in Division 2 but also is replacing a pair of record-setting playmakers among a strong group of graduates. Click for more from the Chelsea Sun Times News.

Watch list Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 25, Hastings 16 The Trojans’ broke a five-game opening-night losing streak against Hastings as they look to build on last year’s first playoff appearance this decade.  

On the move DeWitt 59, Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills 21 The Panthers showed they’ve got plenty of offense left after last season’s Division 3 title run, and the defense also locked down a Kenowa Hills attack that could put up big numbers this fall. Pewamo-Westphalia 17, North Muskegon 9 The Pirates ran their winning streak against North Muskegon to four, building on last year’s opening-night and Division 7 District Final wins. Lansing Sexton 33, Lansing Everett 0 Sexton ended a two-year opening-night losing streak against the rival Vikings in a matchup of programs that have both reached the playoffs the last three seasons.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Charlevoix 36, East Jordan 30 Charlevoix trailed 22-6 midway through the second quarter before coming all the way back to run its recent winning streak against East Jordan to 11 going back to 2014. Both teams have made the playoffs every season this decade. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.

Watch list Alpena 27, Boyne City 8 The Wildcats entered this season with four wins total over the last six seasons and after losing to Boyne City 18-13 in last year’s opener. But they are off and running after downing a Ramblers team that has made the playoffs every season this decade as well.

On the move Kingsley 22, Reed City 0 The reigning Division 6 runner-up Stags added to last year’s season-opening and Regional Final wins over Reed City. Ogemaw Heights 27, Freeland 14 Ogemaw Heights put its best foot forward coming off last season’s Division 5 Semifinals run with an impressive win over a regular Division 4 playoff team in Freeland. Petoskey 35, Croswell-Lexington 8 After just missing making the Division 3 playoffs last season, Petoskey is 1-0 for the fourth-straight thanks to a nice win over another regular playoff qualifier in Croswell-Lexington that’s also looking to get back after missing last fall.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Chelsea 29, Harper Woods 20 Chelsea’s Gibby Ichesco ran the first play from scrimmage 72 yards for a touchdown to set the tone as the Bulldogs defeated a Harper Woods team that lost only once last season – in its Division 4 Regional Final to eventual champion Divine Child. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.

Watch list Saline 39, Rockford 12 This wasn’t necessarily a stunner as Saline won last year’s matchup as well, but the margin is notable as the Hornets seek to add to last year’s run to the Division 1 Regional Finals.

On the move Hudson 56, Hanover-Horton 6 The Tigers lost only once last season, in the Division 8 championship game, and this win likely points to good things this fall as the Comets made the Division 7 Regional Finals in 2025. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 37, Ottawa Lake Whiteford 28 These two small-school powers met for the first time, and SMCC broke away in part with two kickoff return touchdowns. Clinton 43, Olivet 21 This matchup of annual playoff teams was deadlocked 14-14 at halftime but Clinton pulled away in part by outscoring Olivet 21-7 during the fourth quarter.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER St. Joseph 29, Niles 20 These two continued to trade wins for the fourth-straight year, St. Joseph this time avenging its 10-point loss to Niles from a year ago. The Vikings led 14-0 during the second quarter, but Caden LeClear ended up throwing for three touchdowns including two to Nate Schmitt. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.

Watch list Hartford 60, White Pigeon 0 The numbers alone make this a story; Hartford had been outscored by White Pigeon a combined 108-0 over the last two seasons and didn’t even have a team in 2022 and 2023.

On the move Kalamazoo United 29, Constantine 27 This season opener also was an opener in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and could prove to be one of the most important results in determining the champion this fall. Edwardsburg 55, McBain 20 The Eddies won this opener for the second-straight season as both look to continue playoff streaks and contend for league titles. Paw Paw 13, Big Rapids 7 Paw Paw bounced back from an opening loss to Big Rapids and 0-3 start last year to reach the playoffs and kept things rolling in downing a Cardinals team coming off a Division 4 Regional Finals berth.

A Roseville ball carrier stretches for extra yardage during his team’s 28-8 loss to Davison at the Vehicle City Gridiron Classic.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Negaunee 30, Marquette 28 After last season renewing its 130-year rivalry with Marquette with an eight-point win, Negaunee held off a late Sentinels charge this time to extend its all-time lead in the series to 72-60-11. Both are returning playoff teams. Click for more from Upper Michigan’s Source.

Watch list Kingsford 35, Escanaba 16 These are both returning playoff teams as well, and Kingsford avenged its 2025 opening loss to Escanaba with Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper play beginning this week.

On the move Calumet 14, Houghton 7 Although Calumet ran its winning streak over the Gremlins to 12, this was a close one and notable after the Copper Kings won the last two meetings by a combined 75-0. L’Anse 54, West Iron County 6 The West-PAC Iron got underway with this one of two league matchups in Week 1 and L’Anse avenging last year’s nine-point league loss. Gladstone 30, Gwinn 6 Gladstone is 1-0 for the first time since 2023, but there’s good news in Gwinn as well as the Modeltowners are back after not playing a year ago.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Grandville 29, Muskegon 28 (OT) Grandville scored first in overtime and Muskegon answered, but the Big Reds faked an extra point to go for the win and the Bulldogs stopped them as these two played to nearly a stalemate for the second-straight year. Grandville also emerged last season with a 44-40 win. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Watch list East Grand Rapids 27, Lowell 21 After the Red Arrows won big last year, East Grand Rapids stormed back to claim its fourth victory in this series over the last five seasons, with Tripp Hoekstra scoring on a quarterback keeper during the final minute to give the Pioneers their lead.

On the move Byron Center 41, Hudsonville 20 Two of the Grand Rapids area’s best kicked off against each other for the second-straight season, Byron Center avenging a six-point loss from 2025. Grand Rapids West Catholic 48, Grand Rapids Northview 21 The reigning Division 5 champion Falcons lost only once last season, and they avenged that 11-point defeat with this 27-point win. Zeeland West 46, Cedar Springs 20 These two 2025 playoff teams met after two years off, and West built a 10-point halftime lead before pulling away over the final two quarters.

Bay City Academy senior running back Brody Trudell (32) takes on a pair of defenders during his team’s inaugural game on Thursday, a 20-18 loss to Au Gres-Sims.

8-Player

HEADLINER Blanchard Montabella 62, Martin 12 After falling to Martin 52-8 in last season’s Division 1 championship game, Montabella started this fall with a statement. The Mustangs didn’t throw a pass but ran for 433 yards with Austin Jensen and Josh Agranbright both rushing for four touchdowns. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.

Watch list Rudyard 22, Onekama 6 The Bulldogs are seeking their first winning season since 2023 and were off to the right start with this win over a Portagers team coming off two straight trips to the Division 2 Semifinals.

On the move Britton Deerfield 38, Pittsford 20 These two have seen each other on opening night and during the playoffs the last two seasons, and the Patriots are up to 5-0 in those matchups. Morrice 28, Brown City 21 Coming off a season during which its two losses were by a combined eight points, Morrice played another close one but on the winning side against another playoff team from last fall. Grand Rapids Sacred Heart 20, Kingston 16 These two combined to go 18-4 a year ago, and this matchup could pick up even more significance as this season progresses.

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) Negaunee's Kyle Waterman hoists the Jubilee trophy over his head after his team defeated Marquette. (Middle) A Roseville ball carrier stretches for extra yardage during his team’s 28-8 loss to Davison at the Vehicle City Gridiron Classic. (Below) Bay City Academy senior running back Brody Trudell (32) takes on a pair of defenders during his team’s inaugural game on Thursday, a 20-18 loss to Au Gres-Sims. (Negaunee/Marquette photo by Cara Kamps. Davison/Roseville photo by Terry Lyons. Bay City Academy/Au Gres-Sims photo by Kolleth Photo.)