1st & Goal: 2026 Playoffs Week 3 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 12, 2026
There are only 64 teams remaining in the 11-Player Football Playoffs, and most have been here before – so it’s not shocking at this late date that those remaining may have seen each other in the not-so-distant past.
Six of the eight 11-Player Regional Finals we highlight below are rematches from last season’s playoffs, and a handful of other matchups this weekend will see teams meet again either after facing off in the postseason last year or in league play earlier this fall.
That familiarity with the competition doesn’t transfer over to this weekend’s eight 8-Player Semifinals participants. But half those remaining teams have played in Finals at Superior Dome over the last two years and two more have made the trip to Marquette this decade – so the majority have experienced at least a little of what’s next if they prevail.
Games listed below are Friday unless noted. Tickets can be purchased at GoFan.co, and all 36 will be streamed live as well on the NFHS Network.
8-Player Division 1
Deckerville (10-1) vs. Pickford (9-2) – Saturday at Cadillac
After avenging its lone loss of the season last week against Dryden, the Eagles will play in a Semifinal for the fourth straight season in a rematch of the 2024 Division 1 Final won by Deckerville 30-28. Pickford missed the Semifinals last season but is back for the third time in four years and led by another dual-threat quarterback in senior Carter Rye (1,279 yards/16 TDs passing, 727 yards/9 TDs rushing).
Colon (10-1) vs. Blanchard Montabella (10-1) – Saturday at Greenville
Colon’s return to contention after three years missing the playoffs has seen the Magi win 14 of their last 15 games going back to last season, with the only loss along the way to Mendon – which is playing in a Division 2 Semifinal this weekend. Montabella is seeking to add the crowning step to this playoff run after finishing Division 1 runner-up a year ago, led in part by some of last year’s standouts including senior quarterback Gabe Kauffman, receiver Austin Jensen and defensive back Noah Carlson.
8-Player Division 2
Gaylord St. Mary (11-0) vs. Portland St. Patrick (11-0) – Saturday at Cadillac
Gaylord St. Mary’s first run to the Semifinals since 2002 in 11-player has been a product of dominance on both sides of the ball – and it’s impossible to overlook either. The offense has topped 50 points seven times in 10 games (one win came by forfeit) and the defense has allowed 34 points total. St. Patrick is the reigning Division 2 champion and may provide the Snowbirds with their toughest challenge to date – although there is an intriguing mutual opponent to consider, with St. Pat a 10-point winner over Pickford in Week 6 and St. Mary a 42-0 winner over Pickford in Week 8.
Britton Deerfield (9-2) vs. Mendon (11-0) – Saturday at Ypsilanti Lincoln
Mendon is seeking to return to the Finals for the first time since 2022 and once again can run the ball with anyone in the state with seniors Zak Iobe (1,299 yards, 29 touchdowns) and Xavior Zinsmaster (1,090 yards, 20 TDs) and junior Logan Stuart (699 yards, 12 TDs) all averaging more than nine yards per carry. Britton Deerfield, also playing in its second Semifinal over the last three seasons, fell to Mendon by only four points when they last played a year ago and can also chew up yards on the ground led by senior Trevor Karpinski (1,347 yards, 20 touchdowns, 11.2 yards per carry).
11-Player Division 1
Detroit Catholic Central (10-1) at Clarkston (10-1)
This is a rematch of a 2025 Regional Final won by eventual Division 1 champion DCC 42-13, and Clarkston’s only loss since was in Week 8 to Harper Woods, which is still playing in Division 3. The Shamrocks’ only loss over the last two seasons came Week 9 to Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice, still alive in Division 2. The Shamrocks have navigated the last five weeks without injured starting quarterback Duke Banta, with Peyton Sofran stepping in to impressively shoulder the load.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Northville (9-2) at Detroit Cass Tech (11-0), Rochester Hills Stoney Creek (9-2) at Romeo (11-0). SATURDAY Portage Central (10-1) at East Kentwood (11-0).
11-Player Division 2
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (8-3) at Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (9-2)
These Catholic High School League Central rivals met in Week 5, with reigning Division 2 champion St. Mary’s posting a 48-20 victory. The Eaglets’ only losses this fall are by a combined 16 points, and while they took two (to Toledo Central Catholic and Detroit Catholic Central) after the win over the Warriors, they’ve also come back with two resounding victories to open the playoffs. But Brother Rice’s performance since that first OLSM meeting also has been notable; the Warriors also lost to TCC but defeated DCC to finish the regular season, and they’re no doubt recalling last season when they defeated St. Mary’s in league play but lost the District Final rematch.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Muskegon Mona Shores (10-1) at Byron Center (9-2), South Lyon (9-2) at Milford (10-1), Livonia Franklin (9-2) at Grosse Pointe South (10-1).
11-Player Division 3
DeWitt (9-2) at Mount Pleasant (10-1)
This is a rematch of last season’s Division 3 championship game, won by DeWitt 54-20, and while the Panthers have a pair of losses this time both came to league champions. Those defeats, to Mason and Grand Ledge, were the only two games DeWitt didn’t score at least 44 points this season. Mount Pleasant’s strength also has been its ability to score points; the Oilers have won all of their games (except for a loss to Traverse City West) by double digits and outlasted Cadillac 56-41 last week.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Middleville Thornapple Kellogg (8-3) at Zeeland West (9-2), Mason (10-1) at Chelsea (11-0), Warren De La Salle Collegiate (7-4) at Harper Woods (9-2).
11-Player Division 4
Dearborn Divine Child (10-1) at Goodrich (11-0)
This is also a rematch from last season’s playoffs, as Divine Child edged the Martians 10-7 in a Division 4 Semifinal on the way to winning the title the following weekend. Divine Child has lost only once since, to Division 3 Regional finalist Warren De La Salle Collegiate in Week 8. Goodrich’s perfect run to this point has included nine games scoring at least 42 points but perhaps more notably eight games giving up seven points or fewer. The offense had succeeded similarly before being shut down by the Falcons a year ago, but the Martians’ defense has taken another step this fall.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Hudsonville Unity Christian (7-4) at Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (10-1), Portland (11-0) at Grand Rapids South Christian (10-1), Detroit Country Day (8-3) at Macomb Lutheran North (10-1).
11-Player Division 5
Saginaw Swan Valley (10-1) at Frankenmuth (10-1)
This longtime rivalry has really caught fire again the last two seasons, and Frankenmuth’s 41-22 Week 8 victory decided the Tri-Valley Conference Red championship in favor of the Eagles. Frankenmuth already has won one rematch this playoffs, downing Armada last week after also defeating the Tigers in Week 9, but must remain wary of a Vikings defense that held its four other playoff opponents this fall to an average of 9.8 points per game.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Negaunee (7-4) at Ogemaw Heights (9-2), Romulus Summit Academy (8-3) at Monroe Jefferson (10-1). SATURDAY Berrien Springs (9-1) at Grand Rapids West Catholic (9-2).
11-Player Division 6
Marine City (11-0) at Almont (11-0)
These lower Thumb powers have met only three times during the playoff era, all since 2015, and with Almont winning all three meetings including last year’s 27-0 in a District Final. But the scenario is a little different for Marine City this time around. The Mariners entered the 2025 meeting having lost two of their last three games, and this time they are undefeated and coming off downing Mid-Michigan Activities Conference champion Montrose to advance. Almont, meanwhile, finds itself in a familiar place coming off a third-straight perfect regular season and entering this matchup having scored 41 or more points in four straight wins.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Sanford Meridian (11-0) at Kingsley (11-0), Belding (9-2) at Jackson Lumen Christi (9-2). SATURDAY Ecorse (10-1) at Detroit Edison (10-1).
11-Player Division 7
Ithaca (10-1) at Pewamo-Westphalia (10-0)
P-W’s road to get here turned east instead of west this season, but the Pirates have arrived in a rematch as well after defeating Ithaca 42-21 in a Regional Final a year ago. The bracket this time saw both P-W and the Yellowjackets take on some of the best from the Thumb and Saginaw over the first two rounds. Ithaca found its stride again after losing to Beal City in Week 9, impressively downing previously undefeated Millington 39-16 last week, and that also was the Yellowjackets’ eighth win this season over a playoff team. The Pirates have faced a similarly rigorous slate, defeating seven playoff teams while playing one fewer game.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Jonesville (7-4) at Ottawa Lake Whiteford (9-2). SATURDAY Charlevoix (8-2) at Menominee (10-1), Ravenna (9-2) at North Muskegon (10-1).
11-Player Division 8
Clarkston Everest Collegiate (10-1) at Madison Heights Madison (9-2) – Saturday
Madison is playing in a Regional Final for the second straight season, and after advancing last year with a 22-17 District Final win over Everest. The Eagles’ only losses this fall were to Division 4 Macomb Lutheran North and Division 6 Ecorse – both playing for Regional titles as well this week – and they defeated six playoff teams on the way back to this round. Everest is undefeated since falling to another Division 8 Regional finalist Ubly in Week 1, and downed another league champion Royal Oak Shrine Catholic last week for the second time in three weeks – the only losses Shrine took this fall.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Ubly (8-3) at New Lothrop (10-1), Springport (10-1) at Hudson (10-1). SATURDAY Bark River-Harris (9-2) at Beal City (11-0).
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PHOTOS (Top) Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice's Tyler Trusel (3) breaks from the line during his team's Week 9 win over Detroit Catholic Central. (Middle) Corbin Kanitz (3) smashes into the end zone for a score in Ogemaw Heights' Week 3 victory over Clare. (Brother Rice/DCC photo by Olivia B. Photography. Ogemaw Heights/Clare photo by High School Sports Scene.)
Harbor Beach Finds Stride Early, Holds Off Hudson in Matchup of Unbeatens
By
Paul Costanzo
Special for MHSAA.com
November 28, 2025
DETROIT – Caden Bucholtz walked out of Ford Field with more than a Division 8 Football Finals title on Friday.
He also took home family bragging rights.
Bucholtz and several of his Harbor Beach teammates had fathers who played on the school’s 1991 Class C runner-up squad.
“We got one up on them,” Bucholtz said with a smile.
Those fathers are likely OK with that after watching their sons defeat Hudson 31-20 to wrap up a perfect 14-0 season and claim the second Finals title in program history.
“Great game, the guys just played their hearts out just like they have all year,” said Harbor Beach coach Troy Schelke, who also coached the 2012 title team. “We knew we were going to play a tough game and we were going to play the best we could, and we did that. Hudson was a great opponent. They were here for a reason. We had to finish the play right until the end when we took the knee.”
Bucholtz led the way for the Pirates, with 146 yards and one touchdown on the ground, adding 82 yards and two TDs through the air on 5-of-8 passing.
The 6-foot-1, 225-pound senior made play after play to keep Hudson at arm’s length throughout the game.
“We just couldn’t get off the field sometimes; their quarterback made some great plays,” Hudson coach Dan Rogers said. “Every time they needed a play and we needed to get off the field, their quarterback made great plays and he’s a great player. Credit goes to them.”
Harbor Beach looked to have put a stranglehold on the game early, building a 21-0 lead just inside 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter.
While Hudson’s offense had put up massive numbers all season, it didn’t seem built for comebacks, as it did nearly all of its damage on the ground leading up to Friday – rushing for more than 5,200 yards on the season, and attempting fewer than 50 passes.
The Pirates were similarly built, but it was Bucholtz’s arm that did a lot of the early damage.
He found Skiler Kruse for a 15-yard touchdown pass on Beach’s first drive, and tight end Matt Geiger on a 19-yard TD on its second.
Geiger’s TD was set up by a Harbor Beach fumble recovery at the Hudson 27.
“We knew they could throw,” Rogers said. “They haven’t had to much, but we knew the quarterback could run and throw, and they’ve got two really good tight ends. They have weapons, running backs out of the backfield. I wouldn’t say they threw more (than he thought), but they did a good job executing it.”
The Tigers did find some success on their next drive, but it ended on downs at the Harbor Beach 37.
Just four plays later, the Pirates had stretched their lead to three scores with a 25-yard touchdown run from Bucholtz.
While the Tigers (13-1) did get one stop and make enough big plays to keep things close, they never had the ball with a chance to tie, as Harbor Beach’s offense answered each time the lead was cut to a single score.
That included a 20-yard field goal by Kruse that made the score 31-20 with two minutes to play, all but sealing the victory.
It was fully sealed when Benson Harper intercepted a pass in the endzone with 26 seconds to play.
“(The early lead) was huge because (Hudson) never quit,” Schelke said. “They kept coming back and kept cutting it, and we kept answering back. A 21-point lead, we’ll take that any time. We had to make some stops defensively, and had to finish some scores. Had to bang in a big field goal at the end, and pick one off at the end, then take a knee. Great game, great year, great program here.”
Grayson Bills had a pair of touchdown runs to help keep Hudson in the game, of 15 and five yards. He finished the game with 148 yards rushing, which included a 41-yard run in the final minute of the first half that set the Tigers up in the redzone. They were unable to cash in, however, and trailed 21-6 as they entered the break.
Colt Perry had the other Hudson score, with a 53-yard run on the Tigers’ first possession of the second half. That, as well as Bills’ second TD, brought Hudson to within a score.
“I knew we could come back,” Bills said. “All season we’ve been working together. I had hope in our team and knew what we were capable of.”
Beckett Campbell, who rushed for more than 2,300 yards on the season, had 103 on Friday. Liam Timm and Devon Brigman led the Hudson defense with seven tackles apiece.
Kruse finished with 60 yards receiving on three catches for Harbor Beach, and added an 11-yard touchdown run to answer Perry’s score in the third quarter.
John Learman led the Pirates defense with 16 tackles. Harper, who was slowed for much of the season because of an injury, had 10 tackles to go along with his game-sealing interception.
That pick set off a full-on celebration from the Harbor Beach half of the stadium, which had been plenty loud throughout.
“It was everything to us,” Bucholz said. “It felt like the whole town was behind us no matter what. They were just there to support us. Whatever the outcome I think they would have still been there no matter what.”
PHOTOS (Top) Harbor Beach coach Troy Schelke hands off his team’s championship trophy to his players Friday at Ford Field. (2) Skiler Kiser (80) elevates to haul in a touchdown catch. (Below) The Pirates’ Benson Harper (10) works to break out of the grasp of Hudson’s Colt Perry.