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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.) 
 

Detroit Cass Tech's Peyton Robinson (10) attempts to pull away from King's Gerald Thomas (34)

1st & Goal: 2026 Week 8 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 19, 2026

Week 8 of this Michigan high school football season was billed to be spectacular, with league-deciding matchups all over the state. 

MI Student AidSpectacular was just the start.

In fact, as happens every week, more headliners emerged than originally anticipated. Read on for several as we next prepare for regular-season finales and playoff selection over the next five days.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Grand Blanc 28, Davison 21 The Bobcats clinched a third-straight Saginaw Valley League South championship as these rivals decided the title for the third-straight season. The next time they play each other for a football title will be similar but different; this also was the last game for both before they join the Oakland Activities Association next fall. Click for more from the Flint Journal. 

Watch list Frankenmuth 41, Saginaw Swan Valley 22 The top challenger has shifted the last few seasons, but Frankenmuth (7-1) remains the Tri-Valley Conference Red champion as the Eagles won their 78th consecutive league game dating back to 2014 while handing the Vikings (7-1) their lone loss. 

On the move Burton Bendle 39, Flint Elite 0 After sharing the Genesee Area Conference title a year ago, these two met to decide it again with Bendle (8-0) avenging last season’s 34-8 loss to clinch a share and earn a chance to finish as outright champion this week. Goodrich 49, Fenton 14 Goodrich (8-0) finished its third-straight Flint Metro League overall championship run against a familiar opponent as these two have faced off in the deciding game all of the last three seasons. Sanford Meridian 28, Gladwin 13 The Mustangs (8-0) added the Jack Pine Conference overall championship while earning an opportunity this week to finish the regular season perfect for the first time since 2015. 

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Detroit Cass Tech 21, Detroit Martin Luther King 20 For the second time in four seasons, these two played a city championship rematch that came down to a single point – and Cass Tech (8-0) prevailed with a fifth-straight Detroit Public School League title game victory, adding to its Week 4 20-7 PSL Blue win over the Crusaders (7-2). Click for more from the Detroit Free Press. 

Watch list Harper Woods 28, Clarkston 13 Harper Woods (7-1) is undefeated since losing its season opener to Cheslea, and this OAA Red/Blue crossover of league champions ended with the Pioneers celebrating a second win in two years over the Wolves (7-1). 

On the move Detroit Edison 30, Ecorse 20 Edison (7-1) clinched the Charter School Conference Gold championship outright with a perfect run through the league schedule, handing Ecorse (7-1) its lone defeat. Walled Lake Western 42, South Lyon East 14 Western (7-1) maintained its position among three teams tied for first in the Lakes Valley Conference, and knocked East (6-2) out of that mix. Detroit Central 8, Detroit Denby 6 These two met for the second-straight week, this time for the PSL Gold city championship, and with another low-scoring result after Central (7-1) defeated Denby (5-3) seven days earlier 6-2. 

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Grand Ledge 28, DeWitt 14 The Comets claimed the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue title outright by downing DeWitt (6-2) in this winner-take-all matchup, and also avenged last season’s 59-7 loss that ended up deciding the league championship. Grand Ledge (8-0) is one of eight undefeated teams left in Division 1. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Watch list Hastings 54, Mason 49 The Saxons started this season 1-2, but they’ve won five straight and this was certainly the most notable of the run as the Bulldogs (7-1) haven’t let any other opponents come within 12 points. 

On the move Ithaca 35, Fowler 0 The Yellowjackets (8-0) have outscored their opponents by a combined 412-26, and in this one shut out a Fowler team that has scored 42 or more points five times during its 6-2 start. Mount Pleasant 34, Midland 10 The Oilers (7-1) clinched a share of the SVL North title, but will be rooting for Midland (4-4) this week to defeat Dow – which with Traverse City West also can clinch a share. Lake Odessa Lakewood 31, Olivet 21 Lakewood (7-1) has reached seven wins for the first time since 2018 and is up to No. 5 on the Division 5 playoff-points list, with its only loss to undefeated Portland by three points. 

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Traverse City West 27, Bay City Western 26 After putting themselves in position to claim a share of the SVL North title in Week 7 with a two-point win over league leader Mount Pleasant, West maintained that possibility in similar fashion. The Titans (5-3) scored during the final minute in this one and face rival Traverse City Central this week hoping to become a league champion as well. Bay City Western (3-5) faces Bay City Central seeking to move back into the Division 3 playoff field after falling out of the top 32. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Watch list East Jordan 13, Frankfort 0 The Red Devils’ defense posted its second shutout this fall as East Jordan (7-1) clinched a share of the Northern Michigan Football Conference championship. Frankfort (5-3) also ranks among the top 20 on the Division 8 playoff-points list, so these two could meet again. 

On the move Charlevoix 9, Elk Rapids 0 The Rayders (6-2) do not have a game this week but finished the regular season with three straight shutouts, this one to stay ahead of the Elks (5-3) for second place in the Northern Shores Conference. Kingsley 50, Kalkaska 6 Kingsley (8-0) locked up, outright, the first NSC football championship. Harbor Springs 41, Johannesburg-Lewiston 0 Harbor Springs’ ascension the last two seasons has been speedy and impressive, from going a combined 0-26 from 2023-25 to setting up a matchup with East Jordan this week for a share of the NMFC title.

Grayling's Jaden Peters (7) winds up to throw a pass during his team's 42-0 win at Bath.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Saline 35, Temperance Bedford 21 Saline finished a repeat run through the Southeastern Conference Red with this winner-take-all championship clincher against the previously undefeated Kicking Mules (7-1). The Hornets (8-0) can finish a first perfect regular season since 2021 with a win this week over Lake Orion. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.

Watch list Monroe Jefferson 8, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 6 By nearly the slimmest of margins, Jefferson (8-0) clinched the Huron League title in another winner-take-all matchup against a previously undefeated opponent. The Bears will face Clinton this week seeking to finish a first perfect regular season since 1993.

On the move Clinton 24, Adrian Madison 21, Hudson 26, Ida 0 With these victories, Clinton and Hudson broke a four-team tie for first in the Lenawee County Athletic Association, finishing as co-champions. Hanover-Horton 36, Manchester 30 The Comets (7-1) clinched the overall Cascades Conference championship for the second-straight season, coming back from a 30-12 deficit to catch Manchester (6-2). Jackson Lumen Christi 28, Detroit Country Day 27 Lumen Christi (7-1) held on to set up a winner-take-all for the Catholic High School League AA title this week against co-leader Dearborn Divine Child. 

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Edwardsburg 59, Vicksburg 27 The Eddies (8-0) are Wolverine Conference champions for the first time since 2022, clinching a share with this victory and earning an opportunity to finish as outright title winner this week against Niles. Edwardsburg had broken 40 points five times this fall entering the night but scored its season high in handing Vicksburg (7-1) its only loss. Click for more from the Niles Daily Star.

Watch list Cassopolis 34, Saugatuck 14 A Week 1 loss to Decatur ended up derailing the Rangers’ Southwest 10 Conference title hopes, but there are more championship  opportunities ahead as Cassopolis (7-1) moved up to No. 20 in Division 7 playoff points by sending Saugatuck to 5-3. 

On the move Parchment 41, Lawton 34 The Parchment/Richland Gull Lake co-op improved to 5-3, two more wins than those two schools combined for last season. Bronson 42, Reading 16 Bronson (6-2) opened this season 1-2 falling to the top contenders in the Big 8 Conference, but has won five straight to jump up to No. 16 on the Division 7 list. Portage Northern 46, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 13 Portage Northern (5-3) has climbed all the way to No. 16 on the Division 2 playoff points list with four wins over its last five games including two straight over Division 1 opponents. 

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Kingsford 21, Menominee 14 Kingsford has accomplished plenty throughout its storied history, but this must go down as one of the program’s most memorable wins over the last three decades as the Flivvers clinched the winner-take-all outright championship in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper by ending Menominee’s 21-game winning streak. Kingsford (8-0) can finish a perfect regular season this week against another league champion in Marquette. Click for more from My UP Now.

Watch list Marquette 19, Petoskey 10 The Sentinels (6-2) are Big North Conference champions now outright after ending Petoskey’s pursuit to earn a share. These two could see each other again though, with Marquette No. 18 on the Division 3 playoff-points list and Petoskey (5-3) remaining at No. 26. 

On the move L’Anse 34, Hancock 26 The Purple Hornets (4-4) leaped back into the Division 8 playoff mix, jumping 11 spots to No. 26 on that playoff list after breaking a two-game losing streak. Bark River-Harris 45, Manistique 16 The Broncos (7-1) finished a West-PAC Iron outright title run and will conclude the regular season against Menominee. Calumet 44, Gladstone 28 The Copper Kings (5-3) bounced back from a Week 7 loss as they build toward the Division 6 playoffs. 

West Michigan

HEADLINER North Muskegon 21, Ravenna 13 Make that 28 wins in 28 chances for North Muskegon in the West Michigan Conference Rivers, as the Norsemen came back and held on in this winner-take-all matchup to clinch a fifth-straight league title. Ravenna (6-2) led 13-0 at halftime before North Muskegon began climbing back. Click for more from the Local Sports Journal. 

Watch list Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills 35, Lowell 21 A winner-take-all is set in the River Cities Alliance as Kenowa Hills (7-1) will take on Coopersville this week for the outright league championship. The Knights had to get past third-place Lowell (5-3) to make that happen and scored the most points the Red Arrows have given up this fall. 

On the move Grand Rapids Catholic Central 21, Holland Christian 20 (OT) The Cougars (7-1) eluded a major scare from Holland Christian (3-5), with that one deciding point also giving Grand Rapids Catholic Central the Ottawa-Kent Conference Black title outright. East Grand Rapids 28, Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 27 EGR (6-2) was right there waiting for a Catholic Central slip but finished second in the O-K Black by edging third-place MTK (6-2) by the same margin. Hudsonville 17, Rockford 14 Hudsonville got past its longtime rival to hold onto hope of grabbing a share of the O-K Red title from Week 9 opponent East Kentwood, which clinched a share Friday against Holland West Ottawa. (Caledonia remains in the mix as well.) The Rams (4-4) still control their ability to extend their record playoff streak to 32 straight seasons, as they sit No. 24 on the Division 1 playoff-points list.

8-Player

HEADLINER Mendon 28, Climax-Scotts 24 The Hornets (8-0) scored the only points of the fourth quarter with 6:11 to play to push past Climax-Scotts (6-2) and clinch the outright Southern Central Athletic Association Red title. The game-winner was Zak Iobe’s fourth touchdown run of the game, and he finished with 104 yards rushing. Click for more from WTHD. 

Watch list Waldron 48, Pittsford 28 Waldron (5-3) upended Pittsford in the SCAA Blue, cementing a third-place tie in the league for the Spartans but leaving Pittsford (5-3) to share the championship with Litchfield – which the Wildcats had defeated the week before. It was Waldron’s first win in five games against Pittsford as 8-player opponents. 

On the move Gaylord St. Mary 42, Pickford 0 The Snowbirds (8-0) have six shutouts in seven games on the field (one win was a forfeit), but this certainly was the most impressive as Pickford (6-2) entered averaging 41 points per game. Powers North Central 42, Felch North Dickinson 34 The Jets (6-2) picked up an important win as they moved up to No. 12 on the Division 2 playoff list, and they also pushed last season’s Division 2 runner-up North Dickinson (4-4) down to No. 18 and out of the potential field with one week to play. Marion 64, Onekama 6 Marion (8-0) will have an opportunity to finish the regular season perfect this week thanks to avenging last year’s 22-point defeat against the Portagers (6-2).

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) Detroit Cass Tech's Peyton Robinson (10) attempts to pull away from King's Gerald Thomas (34). (Middle) Grayling's Jaden Peters (7) winds up to throw a pass during his team's 42-0 win at Bath. (Cass Tech/King photo by Olivia B. Photography. Grayling/Bath photo by TCP Photography.)