1st & Goal: 2026 Playoffs Week 2 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 10, 2026
We’re entering the third week of these 2026 MHSAA Football Playoffs, and at least a handful of teams have reached this stage of the season for the first time since before their current players were born.
This week's "Review" highlights some of those below, along with other notable accomplishments both for teams advancing to this week’s rounds but also those whose seasons have come to a close.
11-Player Division 1
HEADLINER Northville 17, Saline 14 Division 1 provided the biggest stunner of the week for the second straight as the Mustangs (9-2) handed the first and only loss to Saline (10-1). Both were league champions this fall, but Saline had reached the Regional Finals a year ago and hadn’t had a game closer than 14 points this fall. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.
District Digest East Kentwood 42, Grand Ledge 21 The Falcons (10-1) advanced from this meeting of undefeated teams, ending the Comets’ season for the second straight. Clarkston 27, Grand Blanc 26 Grand Blanc (10-1) led 20-7 at halftime, but Clarkston (10-1) came back to end the previously undefeated Bobcats’ season also for the second consecutive year. Rochester Hills Stoney Creek 21, Rochester Adams 7 The Cougars (9-2) avenged a Week 7 loss to the Highlanders (7-4), ending an eight-game losing streak against their rivals.
11-Player Division 2
HEADLINER Livonia Franklin 17, Gibraltar Carlson 6 Franklin (9-2) clinched its first District title since 2022 by handling Carlson (10-1) its only loss of the season. The Marauders entered the matchup averaging 35 points per game, but the Patriots held their opponent to single digits for the third time over the last four weeks. Click for more from the Detroit News.
District Digest Milford 31, Midland Dow 19 The Mavericks (10-1) claimed their first District championship since 2006, ending a seven-game winning streak by the Chargers (8-3) as they sought to repeat as District winners. Muskegon Mona Shores 49, Caledonia 35 Mona Shores (10-1) has scored 49 points in both of their playoff games to outpace their high-powered opponents including this time the Fighting Scots (8-3). South Lyon 55, South Lyon East 32 The Lions (9-2) finished a season sweep of the rival Cougars (8-3), extending their winning streak in the series to four after winning both matchups last year as well.
11-Player Division 3
HEADLINER Harper Woods 20, Detroit Martin Luther King 6 Harper Woods ran its District title streak to four seasons in a row with this one, its first in Division 3, holding King (7-4) to its lowest-scoring output of the season. The loss also ended the Crusaders’ District championship streak at 11. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.
District Digest Warren De La Salle Collegiate 27, Port Huron 10 The Pilots (7-4) handed Port Huron (10-1) its only loss to advance to what will be another highly anticipated matchup this week with Harper Woods. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 41, St. Joseph 13 After last year reaching the District Finals for the first time since 2020, the Trojans took the next step with their first District championship since 2001 and ended St. Joseph’s run at 8-3. Chelsea 51, Redford Thurston 14 The Bulldogs claimed their first District title since their Division 4 championship season of 2021, ending Thurston’s winningest season in 15 years at 9-2.
11-Player Division 4
HEADLINER Portland 35, Edwardsburg 17 The Raiders ran their District championship streak to six with this win in a matchup of undefeated teams. Portland (11-0) outscored the Eddies 21-0 during the second half and for the game held Edwardsburg (10-1) to its fewest points scored this season. Click for more from the South Bend Tribune.
District Digest Macomb Lutheran North 48, Marysville 20 Lutheran North (10-1) clinched its third District championship over the last four years, downing a league co-champion in Marysville (6-5). Hudsonville Unity Christian 49, Ada Forest Hills Eastern 23 Unity Christian repeated as a District champion and ended Forest Hills Eastern’s winning season since 2015 at 9-2. Detroit Country Day 35, St. Clair 13 The Yellowjackets (8-3) returned to the playoffs this season for the first time since 2022 and now have their first District title since that season as well, as they ended St. Clair’s return to the postseason after the Saints (8-3) missed last year’s playoffs.
11-Player Division 5
HEADLINER Negaunee 20, Kingsford 14 Even with four losses this season, Negaunee (7-4) looked like a dangerous opponent for the undefeated Flivvers (10-1) – and indeed proved to be in avenging a 21-16 loss from Week 4. The District title was the Miners’ first since 2022 and the win also ended a three-game losing streak against Kingsford. Click for more from My UP Now.
District Digest Romulus Summit Academy 30, Detroit Denby 28 Summit (8-3) has strung together 10 straight winning seasons and now has its first District championship as well after hanging on against a Denby team (7-4) that hadn’t given up more than 14 points in a game this fall. Saginaw Swan Valley 29, Imlay City 12 Swan Valley has reached 10-1 for the second-straight year and now will face Frankenmuth, which dealt the Vikings their lone loss in Week 8. Imlay City finished 8-3 and has plenty to celebrate after having won a combined 11 games over the previous five seasons. Grand Rapids West Catholic 45, Hopkins 14 West Catholic clinched its fourth District title over the last five seasons by downing another league champion in Hopkins (9-2).
11-Player Division 6
HEADLINER Detroit Edison 26, Clinton 24 Edison held off a Clinton second-half comeback attempt to repeat as a District champion and claim its third title over the last four seasons. The Redwolves (9-2) had reached the Division 7 Semifinals a year ago. The Pioneers (9-1), who haven’t lost since Week 1, earned a rematch with Ecorse and won the first meeting between those two 30-20 in Week 7. Click for more from the Detroit News.
MAKING PLAYS WHEN NEEDED 🔥 Detroit Edison defeated Clinton 26-24 to earn the MHSAA District Title. They move on to play Ecorse this week! Delivered by @hungryhowies https://t.co/uRsV0MhdbB
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 9, 2026
District Digest Marine City 37, Montrose 29 The Mariners (11-0) won another matchup of league champions, ending Montrose’s season at 8-3. Belding 28, Olivet 20 Belding (9-2) clinched its first District title since 2017 with its fifth win (and second in a row) by nine points or fewer. Olivet ended its 18th-straight playoff season at 7-4. Ecorse 26, Warren Michigan Collegiate 6 As noted above, Ecorse (9-1) earned a rematch with Edison after getting past another rival in Michigan Collegiate (5-5) for the second time this season and third in a row going back to last fall.
11-Player Division 7
HEADLINER Ithaca 39, Millington 16 Ithaca’s high-powered offense scored the most points the Cardinals (10-1) gave up this season. Yellowjackets quarterback Gibson Rondy ran for 144 yards and a score and threw for 183 and another touchdown as Ithaca (10-1) won its fourth District title over the last five seasons. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.
Ithaca (10-1) hands Millington (10-1) their only loss of the season in the Div. 7 District Finals 39-16 @ABC12WJRT https://t.co/udOVQKUaVh
— Justin Dierkes (@DierkesTV) November 7, 2026
District Digest Ottawa Lake Whiteford 38, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 34 Whiteford (9-2) avenged a 37-28 Week 1 loss to the Falcons (9-2) to clinch its first District title since 2023. Jonesville 52, Union City 30 The Comets (7-4) continued their hot streak with a fifth-straight win and first District title since 2002 after starting this season 2-4. Union City finished 8-3. Ravenna 42, Constantine 12 Ravenna has found its scoring stride; its first District title since 2016 came with its third straight game of scoring at least 42 points after the Bulldogs did so only once during the regular season. Constantine (9-2) had given up only 19 points combined over its previous six games.
11-Player Division 8
HEADLINER Springport 34, Decatur 22 Springport (10-1) handed Decatur its first and only loss of the season, in doing so repeating as a District champion and setting up a Regional rematch with Hudson, which ended the Spartans’ playoff run a year ago. The Raiders’ 10-1 finish pushed its record over the last three seasons to a combined 28-6. Click for more from WOOD TV.
District Digest Bark River-Harris 38, Maple City Glen Lake 13 The Broncos (9-2) clinched a second-straight District title with a second playoff win over Glen Lake (8-3) in two years after also edging the Lakers in a Regional Final last fall. Clarkston Everest Collegiate 24, Royal Oak Shrine 14 Everest (10-1) finished a season sweep of Shrine after also defeating the Knights (9-2) in a Week 9 Prep Bowl matchup 34-7. Ubly 32, Unionville-Sebewaing 8 Ubly (8-3) made five weeks make a big difference, avenging a 30-16 loss to USA (8-3) from Week 6 that decided the Big Thumb Conference Black championship.
8-Player Division 1
HEADLINER Deckerville 62, Dryden 22 Deckerville reversed its 44-38 Week 5 loss to the Cardinals to clinch a fourth-straight Regional title. The Eagles (10-1) topped 60 points for the first time since Week 2 of last year in ending Dryden’s most successful season since 2008 at 10-1. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.
Regional Roundup Pickford 28, Ishpeming 22 Pickford left for a new league this fall and didn’t see Ishpeming (8-3) during the regular season, but the Panthers (9-2) capitalized on this opportunity and extended their 8-player record over the Hematites to 4-0. Colon 30, Climax-Scotts 20 After returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2022, the Magi (10-1) clinched their first Regional title since 2021 by adding to a 32-8 Week 4 win over Climax-Scotts (8-3). Blanchard Montabella 54, Merrill 36 Montabella (10-1) also won a league rematch, adding this win over Merrill (9-2) to a 60-20 victory in Week 7.
8-Player Division 2
HEADLINER Gaylord St. Mary 32, Lake Linden-Hubbell 14 St. Mary (11-0) returned from the northern Upper Peninsula with arguably its best win of an impressive last four weeks, handing the Lakes (10-1) their only defeat. The Snowbirds most notably slowed down an LL-H attack that hadn’t scored fewer than 42 points in a game, and in doing so claimed their first Regional title since 2002. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.
Regional Roundup Portland St. Patrick 47, Grand Rapids Sacred Heart 14 The Shamrocks (11-0) repeated as Regional champions in part by slowing down a Sacred Heart offense that had scored at least 49 points in six straight games. The Falcons finished 9-2. Mendon 60, Marcellus 14 The Hornets (11-0) ground out 427 rushing yards and took advantage of four turnovers to win a third Regional title in five years and end Marcellus’ run at 7-4. Britton Deerfield 36, Bay City All Saints 8 The Patriots clinched their second Regional title in three seasons, winning a matchup of league champions and ending All Saints’ run at 9-2.
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PHOTOS (Top) A Hudsonville Unity Christian defender wraps a Forest Hills Eastern ball carrier Friday. (Middle) DeWitt’s Krew Koutsoubos (30) brings down Coopersville’s Champ Kelly during a 54-21 Division 3 District Final win. (Unity Christian/Forest Hills Eastern photo by Michigan Sports Media. DeWitt/Coopersville photo by TCP Photography.)
Vandercook Lake Football Returns, Growing Despite School's Decreased Enrollment
By
Doug Donnelly
Special for MHSAA.com
September 17, 2024
A few weeks ago, Daniel Midena noticed someone watching his Vandercook Lake football team practice in Jackson.
Upon some quick investigation, he discovered it was a friendly visit.
“I found out it was one of our alumni,” Midena said. “Turns out he just wanted to congratulate our guys on that win. I told our kids, if we do this right, the community is going to support you.”
The Jayhawks had defeated East Jackson 43-28 on Sept. 6 to win their first 11-player varsity football game since 2018.
“I’m just so proud of the kids,” he said. “They put in a lot of hard work. To just experience that win and to know, ‘Yeah, we can do this.’ That was great for the kids. This is what winning feels like. So many people reached out with congratulations – some people that I don’t even know.”
The last winning season for Vandercook Lake was in 2015. It’s been a rocky road since for the football program, which has struggled to field full varsity teams and win games for the last decade. The Jayhawks moved to 8-player football in 2020 in an effort to save the program, but by 2022 the team was down to 10 players or fewer at times. They lost games that fall by scores of 79-0, 58-0, 65-0 and 70-0 before halting the season.
Midena, 32, a physical education and health teacher at Vandercook Lake, has been the architect of the rebuild. A Brooklyn Columbia Central graduate, Midena took over the Vandercook Lake Middle School football program a couple of years ago and saw some success. One of his teams went undefeated.
Once he entered the picture, the team more than doubled its turnout for football, from 11 players in 2022 to 30 players last season. This year he has nearly 40 athletes participating on the varsity and JV.
“We were at rock bottom,” he said. “I said, ‘Let’s see if we can change this. I was able to reach some of the kids in the hallways. We were able to double the numbers. There were a lot of kids who should have been playing. They just expected to lose here and didn’t want to play. I am trying to change that – to get an expect-to-win mentality.”
He’s also teaching the game to some athletes who never had the opportunity to play youth football or learn the game growing up.
“Still today, I’m teaching things I wouldn’t think I would have to,” he said. “From not playing football, some of these just need to be taught the simple rules. Every day we teach the game more than we play it. They must know the game before they can do it. That was a big thing. We’re literally teaching basic rules and schemes.”
Midena has no trouble teaching the rules of the game. He’s officiated basketball, baseball and football for the MHSAA for several years. Last year he was one of the officials for the 11-player Division 4 Final at Ford Field.
“I think that helps big-time with the rule knowledge and teaching the kids,” he said of his referee background.
Most of all, he’s building relationships with a new era of football players at the Jackson County school. When he was asked to take over the program once the school decided to return to 11-player football, he decided to take off his referee hat and pick the coaching whistle. Having coached several of the current varsity players while they were in middle school was an advantage.
“I feel we have done a tremendous amount of growth from last year to this year,” he said. “I had relationships with them; they knew my expectations.
He is now looking to build consistency in the program.
“Most challenging is consistency,” Midena said. “That is our big word. I still fight numbers every day. Monday, we finished the JV game with 11 players, and we won. That is still a problem. The kids have to learn that you have to show up every day for practice. It’s the process over the outcome. You can’t just show up and think we are going to do okay on Friday.
“We’re still trying to drive home to the kids you have to be consistent in everything you do.”
The Jayhawks are focused on building a foundation for football teams of the future. The current team has two seniors, six juniors and more than 30 freshmen and sophomores.
While he hopes there are more wins on this year’s schedule, he is not taking anything for granted.
“We take things on a game-by-game basis,” he said. “Our goal is to go out and compete and see how we are going to do.”
Some players are pulling double duty, participating in cross country or marching band this fall.
“They run in, I give them some details, and they go out and perform in the band. We share athletes in other sports,” he said.
The Vandercook Lake school district is going through a steady decline in enrollment, something Midena says keeps him up at night. In 2008, the high school enrollment was two students shy of 400. This fall, the enrollment is 190.
“I have to keep reaching the kids that we have here,” he said. “I can only concentrate on the kids we have here at the school. That’s what I am going to continue to do – try to get more kids to come out and play football.”
Doug Donnelly has served as a sports and news reporter and city editor over 25 years, writing for the Daily Chief-Union in Upper Sandusky, Ohio from 1992-1995, the Monroe Evening News from 1995-2012 and the Adrian Daily Telegram since 2013. He's also written a book on high school basketball in Monroe County and compiles record books for various schools in southeast Michigan. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for Jackson, Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Lenawee and Monroe counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Vandercook Lake’s Leland Barton carries the ball against East Jackson this season. (Middle) Jayhawks coach Daniel Midena, middle, high-fives his players. (Photos by Jeff Steers.)