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.)
Martin Returns, Redeems, Runs Away for 3rd Finals Championship in 4 Seasons
By
Jason Juno
Special for MHSAA.com
November 22, 2025
MARQUETTE — Martin has gotten used to making the long but fruitful trip to the Superior Dome in the middle of the Upper Peninsula.
But after winning back-to-back 8-player Division 1 championships in 2022 and 2023, the Clippers didn’t make it out of the Lower Peninsula last year, losing in the final second of the Regional Final.
That started the Redemption Tour.
The players coined it, the coaches went with it, a fan even painted it on his car windows. The Clippers completed the tour Saturday with a dominating 52-8 victory over Blanchard Montabella 435 miles away from their home south of Grand Rapids.
They didn’t want to forget what happened last year, and that bad taste in their mouths helped turn the 2025 campaign into the kind of season they’ll never want to forget either — only for much better reasons.
“We didn’t want that feeling again because it was terrible,” Martin coach Brad Blauvelt said. “Especially winning the two years before, we wanted to be here doing this.”
Senior quarterback Haylen Buell was a big part of the win; he ran for a game-high 179 yards on just nine carries and threw for another 134 during a four-touchdown championship day. That’s two years after being one of the leading rushers and receivers in the 2023 Final.
“(This) means everything. This is what we strive for each and every year,” Buell said. The workouts to get here start each year in March. “I think every senior was at every single workout. It showed up here.”
A dozen seniors, some with experience in previous Finals like Buell, were key to the season and to this victory. Despite the final score, Blanchard Montabella proved up to the challenge early on and Martin needed an answer.
The Mustangs scored first, a rarity for any team against Martin, according to Mustangs coach Tim Webb. They used 13 plays and nearly six minutes to go 90 yards as Brady Kieff put them on the scoreboard with a three-yard run.
Martin answered with a scoring drive to tie it, ending on a three-yard touchdown rush by Buell. Montabella took the ball back and took another methodical drive right back into the red zone, even overcoming a holding penalty early in the drive.
“We thought that we were gonna be the more physical, more dominant team,” Blauvelt said. “That first quarter, they gave us a run for our money and then we kind of took over with our physicality.”
With the help of a key takeaway to set it all in motion.
On the third play of the second quarter, and the 10th of the drive, the Mustangs fumbled. Martin senior linebacker Isaac Suk recovered, and the whole game changed. Compounding the devastating turnover, Martin scored on the very first play of the ensuing drive, on an 81-yard touchdown run by Bryer Watson.
“That was a huge turnover,” Blauvelt said. “Football is momentum, and once we had that, we didn’t really look back.”
It opened the floodgates for the Clippers.
The Mustangs went four-and-out. Martin scored on a 44-yard run by Buell. Montabella punted. Martin scored on a one-yard rush by Seth Toris. Montabella turned it over on downs near midfield. Martin scored on a 25-yard pass from Buell to Anderson Keeler.
It went from looking like a shootout to a 38-8 Martin lead at the half.
Webb said the Mustangs needed to play mistake-free football to compete. It was tough to keep doing that all afternoon.
“We did some good things, I thought, first quarter, first couple drives,” he said. “But we needed to play almost flawless to be able to compete. Their (12) seniors just kind of control the game. Line of scrimmage, they controlled the offense and defense. They tackled better than we did. And I got to give them credit for that.”
Montabella finished the season 11-2 while making its first trip to the Finals. A tough ending to be sure, but a lot to be proud of as well.
“It was a good experience for us, but I mean it’s tough to have it go the way it did,” center Brayden Foster said. “But first one in school history.”
Webb said he hopes the successful run this year shows other Montabella students they can do it, but it’ll take even more dedication in the weight room.
“It’s been a pretty magical couple weeks for our football program,” he said. “And I think we’re just getting started.”
Martin is the gold standard right now in Division 1, with the Clippers now winners of three titles over the last four years. They can forget about last year now that the Redemption Tour is complete with a 13-0 championship season.
“It’ll take me a minute to realize all that,” Blauvelt said. “We’re just trying to win the football game at this point. We’ll look back at it and years from now be like, ‘Man, that was a heck of a run.’ Heck of a run, just special, every time we get here and then win it, too. I’m just proud of my team and my coaches.”
He was thrilled to have a player-led team this time around, something that’s no slam dunk with high school-age kids. It’s the most tight-knit senior group he’s had, and that’s what made this team unique among the three champion squads.
Plus that dominating defense.
“Our defense is different,” he said. “This is our best defense that we think we had. And we held our hat on that, and we like to be physical.”
And if a strong senior class and a feared defense weren’t enough, Martin also had the advantage of having been here before, the coaches and the players. They have an itinerary for the trip that works — which includes speeches from players and coaches the night before — and the ability to focus on the game instead of the commotion of championship week.
“We take that as an advantage,” Blauvelt said. “We just try to soak in the moment every time we come. This is a special place to play. … It’s electric, it’s fun. It stinks it’s eight hours from home, but it’s a cool place.”
One that’s been very good to them.
PHOTOS (Top) Martin’s Weson Elkins (22) charges down the sideline Saturday as Montabella’s Austin Jensen closes in during the Division 1 Final at Superior Dome. (Middle) Montabella’s Brady Kieff steps into the end zone for the game’s first score. (Below) The Mustangs’ Noah Carlson (10) attempts to slow down Haylen Buell as he approaches the end zone. (Click for more from Cara Kamps.)