1st & Goal: 2026 Playoffs Week 2 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 5, 2026
Rematch week often means rivalry week and frequently includes a side of revenge as well when teams earn the opportunity to see each other a second time during the MHSAA Football Playoffs.
Our 11-Player District and 8-Player Regional Finals this season feature notable rematches between rivals and neighbors that will surely rev up those communities. No matter what was on the line the first time around, this time the winner will hoist a mitten trophy – and the team that doesn’t will put away the helmets and pads for the winter.
Tickets for all games are available on GoFan.co, and 70 will be broadcast on MHSAA.tv. Click to follow scores as they are reported and next week’s matchups as they’re determined, and see below for more on a game in each division that could make the most major impact on its bracket.
11-Player Division 1
Grand Ledge (10-0) at East Kentwood (10-0) – Saturday WATCH
The champions of the Capital Area Activities Conference Red and Ottawa-Kent Conference Red, respectively, will meet in a rematch of a 2025 District opener won by East Kentwood 49-15. The Falcons’ closest games this season were 21-point victories over Grandville and Rockford, the latter also defeated by Grand Ledge last week 34-31. That was the Comets’ first game closer than 14 points this fall, and it will be interesting to see if that experience pays off if this matchup is decided by a similarly small margin.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Grand Blanc (10-0) at Clarkston (9-1) WATCH, Rochester (7-3) at Romeo (10-0) WATCH, Rochester Adams (7-3) at Rochester Hills Stoney Creek (8-2) WATCH.
11-Player Division 2
South Lyon East (8-2) at South Lyon (8-2) WATCH
South Lyon defeated rival East during both the regular season and District last season and will attempt to finish a repeat this fall after downing the Cougars 21-10 in Week 7. That win eventually allowed South Lyon to claim a share of the Lakes Valley Conference title and kept East from doing the same, and that victory also was the second in a current string of five that has seen the Lions give up no more than 15 points in a game. East has hit its stride offensively again and opened the playoffs by nearly doubling up Saginaw Heritage.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Muskegon Mona Shores (9-1) at Caledonia (8-2) WATCH, Midland Dow (8-2) at Milford (9-1) WATCH, Temperance Bedford (8-2) at Grosse Pointe South (9-1) WATCH.
11-Player Division 3
Detroit Martin Luther King (7-3) at Harper Woods (8-2) WATCH
Several eyes statewide will be on this District Final thanks to the star power on the field and potential for the winner to end up the eventual Division 3 champion. Both of Harper Woods’ losses were against teams still in this field as well, Chelsea and Mason, and the Pioneers bounced back from a Week 9 defeat to the latter to get past Warren Fitzgerald in its District opener. King lost its final two regular-season games, to Detroit Cass Tech and Cincinnati Moeller, but also bounced back well last week against Grosse Pointe North to earn this opportunity to win a 12th-straight District title.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Redford Thurston (9-1) at Chelsea (10-0) WATCH, Cadillac (8-2) at Mount Pleasant (9-1) WATCH, Warren De La Salle Collegiate (6-4) at Port Huron (10-0) WATCH.
11-Player Division 4
Portland (10-0) at Edwardsburg (10-0) WATCH
CAAC White champion Portland will attempt this week to finish a run through the elite of the Wolverine Conference, having defeated runner-up Paw Paw 22-13 in a District opener to set up this matchup with league leader Edwardsburg. Despite both having plenty of playoff success in the recent past, they’ve never met before, and this matchup will pit a pair of teams known for their offensive efficiency and rushing power, and ability to withstand both on the other side of the ball.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Grand Rapids South Christian (9-1) at Stevensville Lakeshore (9-1) WATCH, Adrian (9-1) at Dearborn Divine Child (9-1) WATCH, St. Clair (8-2) at Detroit Country Day (7-3).
11-Player Division 5
Negaunee (6-4) at Kingsford (10-0) – Saturday WATCH
Kingsford proved itself to be undoubtedly the best team in the Upper Peninsula during the regular season, especially with wins during the final two weeks over Menominee and Marquette. But the Flivvers’ closest game this fall – and in fact, one of only three decided by single digits – was 21-16 over Negaunee in Week 4. The Miners have played several tough teams in nail-biters this season, defeating Marquette by two and losing to Calumet, Kingsford, Menominee and Iron Mountain by a combined 19 points.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Hopkins (9-1) at Grand Rapids West Catholic (8-2) WATCH, Imlay City (8-2) at Saginaw Swan Valley (9-1) WATCH, Ida (8-2) at Monroe Jefferson (9-1).
11-Player Division 6
Gladwin (6-4) at Sanford Meridian (10-0) WATCH
The Jack Pine Conference division champs will meet for a second time in four weeks, and this is hardly the mismatch their records might seem to indicate. Meridian has been outstanding, 10-0 for the first time since 2015 and defeating six playoff teams to get here, including Gladwin 28-13 in their league crossover Oct. 16. But look at who the Flying Gs have played as well; they’ve defeated four playoff teams and lost to four more, and they opened their postseason last week with a 40-19 win over Northern Michigan Football Conference co-champion Harbor Springs.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Traverse City St. Francis (7-3) at Kingsley (10-0) WATCH, Montrose (8-2) at Marine City (10-0) WATCH. SATURDAY Clinton (9-1) at Detroit Edison (9-1) WATCH.
11-Player Division 7
Ithaca (9-1) at Millington (10-0) WATCH
Millington has shined on both sides of the ball in reaching 10-0 for the third time in four seasons, and the defense has made arguably the bigger impression. The Cardinals have given up more than 16 points only once, to Ubly which is also still alive, and their success in stopping Ithaca could decide this power-packed matchup. The Yellowjackets have scored at least 35 points in every game but one – their 29-26 loss to still-undefeated Beal City in Week 9 – and Ithaca also gave up only 26 points total over its other eight games this fall.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Ottawa Lake Whiteford (8-2) at Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (9-1) WATCH. SATURDAY North Muskegon (9-1) at Schoolcraft (8-2) WATCH, Ravenna (8-2) at Constantine (9-1) WATCH.
11-Player Division 8
Springport (9-1) at Decatur (10-0) WATCH
Springport’s Week 3 loss to Beal City is the only defeat between these two teams, who together have put together impressive two-year stretches – Springport is a combined 20-2 with two Big 8 Conference titles, and Decatur a combined 17-3 with a pair of Southwest 10 Conference championships. They do have one shared opponent this fall; Decatur defeated Vermontville Maple Valley 22-6 last week and Springport downed the Lions 21-14 in Week 4. But that’s just another sign of their similar strengths – both teams have multiple-touchdown wins over quality opponents, and both also have shut down the majority of offenses they’ve faced. This could be low-scoring and close.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Unionville-Sebewaing (8-2) at Ubly (7-3) WATCH, East Jordan (8-2) at Beal City (10-0) WATCH. SATURDAY Clarkston Everest Collegiate (9-1) at Royal Oak Shrine Catholic (9-1) WATCH.
8-Player Division 1
Deckerville (9-1) at Dryden (10-0) WATCH
Dryden’s most successful season since 2008 already includes a 44-38 win over Deckerville in Week 5 that ended up deciding the Big Thumb Conference Blue title, and a repeat result would give the Cardinals their first Regional title since 1996. Deckerville is more familiar with this stage of the postseason, as the Eagles are seeking a fourth-straight Regional title, but they must show they can further slow down a Dryden attack that averages 55 points per game and has gone over 80 twice.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Ishpeming (8-2) at Pickford (8-2) WATCH, Colon (9-1) at Climax-Scotts (8-2), Blanchard Montabella (9-1) at Merrill (9-2) WATCH.
8-Player Division 2
Gaylord St. Mary (10-0) at Lake Linden-Hubbell (10-0) – Saturday WATCH
Both teams are chasing history with this titanic matchup. Lake Linden-Hubbell last won a Regional title just a few seasons ago, in 2023, but an 11th win would give the Lakes their most since their Class D championship season of 1997. Gaylord St. Mary is playing to reach 11 for the first time since 2002 – when the Snowbirds won their most recent Regional title. Lake Linden-Hubbell has played only one single-digit game this fall and follows an offense that has reached 42 points in all 10. St. Mary has played only one single-game digit too and will attempt to match Lakes scores with an attack that’s reached 50 points seven times.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Britton Deerfield (8-2) at Bay City All Saints (9-1) WATCH. SATURDAY Grand Rapids Sacred Heart (9-1) at Portland St. Patrick (10-0) WATCH, Marcellus (7-3) at Mendon (10-0) WATCH.
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PHOTO Southfield Bradford’s Dalon Lyons carries the ball during his team’s 30-0 Week 2 win over Detroit Pershing. (Photo by Olivia B. Photography.)
EGR 5-Year Title Run Remains Awe-Inspiring, Product of More Than Talent Alone
By
Steve Vedder
Special for MHSAA.com
November 25, 2022
It was Peter Stuursma's first year at East Grand Rapids and while the wolves weren't necessarily knocking at the door, they were definitely on the prowl.
The tradition-rich Pioneers football team had slumped to an uncharacteristic 3-6 record in Stuursma's first season as varsity head coach in 2000, and there were subtle signs a community used to winning was growing restless with the program's direction.
That's when Stuursma bumped into one of his players coming out of the weight room, and the two had a quick conversation which he clearly remembers 22 years later.
"It was this senior offensive lineman and all he said was, 'Don't worry about it Coach, it's not going to happen again. We got this,’" Stuursma said. "We had just gone 3-6, and I'm wondering how we're going to get this going and that they might get rid of me. You never underestimate what people can do."
East Grand Rapids, under legendary coach George Barcheski, had been the dominant football program in West Michigan with 28 winning seasons over 29 from 1970-99, and 38 victories in 39 games from 1993-95, along with Class B championships in 1976 and 1983. After Stuursma replaced the retiring Barcheski,, some in the community were expecting more of the same when it came to success.
Those fans never dreamed what they would see as the Pioneers promptly pieced together arguably the greatest decade-long stretch in Michigan high school football history – and without doubt one of the most incredible five-year runs of dominance.
Even that optimistic offensive lineman couldn't have imagined a remarkable 126-7 record over the next 11 years, a 40-3 MHSAA Tournament mark and seven Finals championships. Five of those titles (2006-10) came in a row, a feat accomplished just three times in the now 46-year history of the playoffs.
The five straight championships were part of an amazing era that Stuursma and his players say has not diminished with time. They recall no single factor explained going 67-3 overall over those five seasons. There was talent, obviously, but coaching, tradition, confidence and strength of community all played vital parts. There were Thanksgiving practices attended by hundreds of former football alumni, dedicated fan support that included playing before more than 30,000 fans at least twice at Ford Field, and a program-wide attitude that, while some may call it a cliché, proved that success did indeed breed success.
"I'm in awe of the scope of things," said Stuursma, whose team used back-to-back Division 3 championships in 2002-03 as a springboard to later success. "Because we had won a couple times before it just started to feel normal. We had such support the community used to think Thanksgiving break ended at Ford Field."
EGR teams would find all kinds of ways to win during the five-year title stretch. The 2009 team, for instance, barreled through its first four playoff opponents by a combined score of 164-29 until a 24-21 win over Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in the Final. The 2010 team had to win three playoff games by eight points or fewer to finish off its perfect 14-0 record. And then there was the wild 46-39 five-overtime win over St. Mary's in the 2007 Final during which the Pioneers had to score on all five possessions in overtime to outlast the Eaglets.
While teams always seemed to find ways to get the victory, former players remember what it was like to be part of a seemingly endless tradition of success on the football field.
"One of the things that was so special about East Grand Rapids were the expectations," said Luke Glendening, a running back on the 2006 team who has gone on to a long NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings and Dallas Stars. "During the game I'd look around and see guys who had played here a long time ago. I viewed it as a privilege to have the opportunity to play before the alumni and community."
Quarterback Ryan Elble, who completed a combined 34 passes for 483 yards and seven touchdowns during the 2008 and 2009 Finals, also used the word "honored" to describe his high school experience.
"The culture was to win. Coach Stuursma made it fun, and it always seemed to take shape on the field," said Elble, who went on to play baseball at Miami (Ohio) "I think each team had different skill sets, but at the end of the day it was our culture and putting in the work to spend Thanksgiving weekend at Ford Field."
The players point to that winning culture over talent. Elble said he played with only one eventual Division I college player in linebacker/running back Trent Voss, who went on to Toledo. Nobody wins without talent, of course, but they point to many other factors as being just as critical. Because EGR coaches would always work juniors into the lineup, Stuursma said the program faced only one major rebuild, in 2007. That team wound up 13-1 and the second of those five straight champions.
"We had some incredible players," said Stuursma, who left EGR in 2016 to lead Hope College to two Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association titles, three second-place finishes and a 46-15 overall record over his seven seasons. "We returned only two starters (in 2007), but we still had good guys who wanted to win."
The players say the culture started with Barcheski and the program's tradition. As Hope College's coach, Stuursma said there’s a similar common thread among schools he sees on recruiting visits: a winning tradition that, in Stuursma's words "screams excellence," from every corner of the building. He sees it the minute he walks into some schools, and East Grand Rapids had the same culture before he arrived. The past players say it played a major part in their careers.
That tradition didn't start with the five straight titles, said former quarterback Kyle Cunningham, who played on the 2002-03 teams and went 46-0 over four years from his freshman to senior seasons. Those two championship teams’ most recognizable player was running back Kevin Grady, who still holds multiple MHSAA records including for career rush yardage and went on to play at University of Michigan.
"We worked hard and had a lot of pride," he said. "I remember watching film of earlier teams, and I remember hoping our team could stand up the same way."
While the players point to tradition and community, Ryan Blair, a tight end/defensive tackle on the 2006-08 champion clubs, said talent remained critical – but EGR was outmanned physically in some of those title games. That's when camaraderie and the confidence that someone was going to make a key play took over. The Pioneers' remarkable run was teeming with such plays.
"Certainly we were never one of the biggest teams there, we never had a big size advantage in any game," he said. "But we had this camaraderie on every team. We had guys who really liked playing with each other. When things got tight we stuck together, and we'd fight to the fourth quarter or beyond."
Despite the long odds of winning a single state title let alone repeating, Stuursma believes there could be a team one day which wins six straight. That team will have the same characteristics of those EGR teams – the talent, coaching, tradition and fortune of catching timely breaks – but it can be done, he said.
"Absolutely," Stuursma said. "The only record I can think of that won't be broken is Wayne Gretzky's (NHL) scoring record. It will take a lot, but records are made to be broken. I think high school football is on the upswing and there would have to be an emphasis on winning. You would have to have a good path to get there, but I can see someone getting six one day."
PHOTOS (Top) East Grand Rapids celebrates its third-straight Division 3 championship win in 2008. (Middle) Pioneers converge on an Orchard Lake St. Mary’s ball carrier during the 2007 five-overtime title decider. (Below) EGR coach Peter Stuursma, kneeling center, monitors the action during the 2010 championship game.