1st & Goal: 2026 Week 1 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
August 31, 2026
The 2026 Michigan high school football season wasted no time reminding us of the best from a year ago – while hinting as well at what’s potentially to come this fall.
Two rematches of 2025 MHSAA Finals highlighted the statewide schedule, as Dearborn Divine Child downed Hudsonville Unity Christian again after defeating the Crusaders in last year’s 11-Player Division 4 championship game, and Blanchard Montabella took advantage of another opportunity against Martin, defeating the Clippers after falling to them in 8-Player Division 1 last November.
Those are just two of several results highlighted below as a new season brings as well a new series of “1st & Goal” reports.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Goodrich 10, Frankenmuth 7 Jacob Daggett’s 33-yard field goal with 7:32 remaining was the difference at Michigan Stadium as Goodrich defeated the Eagles by three in their season opener for the second-straight season. The teams were nearly even in total yardage and first downs as well, but the Martians held Frankenmuth scoreless during the second half after the Eagles got on the board first a minute into the second quarter. Click for more from the Saginaw News.
Watch list Cass City 34, Harbor Beach 0 The Red Hawks broke a four-game losing streak against the reigning Division 8 champion Pirates, who hadn’t lost a regular-season game since Week 4 of 2023 and claimed last year’s matchup 42-8.
On the move Grand Blanc 24, Belleville 23 The Bobcats held on with less than a minute to play, stopping the Tigers on a 2-point conversion try to secure the victory. Holly 15, Lapeer 12 Holly is coming off one of its best seasons of late and Lapeer off one of its least successful, but a win over a regular Saginaw Valley League contender is a big deal for the Bronchos regardless. Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central 25, Allen Park Cabrini 21 The Panthers started with a significant stride as Cabrini reached the Division 8 Semifinals a year ago.
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Dearborn Divine Child 56, Hudsonville Unity Christian 28 The victor of this rematch of last season’s Division 4 Final was the same, but the margin significantly different after Divine Child won by just a point at Ford Field in November. Drew Sheridan threw five touchdown passes as the Falcons outscored Unity 29-6 during the fourth quarter.
Divine Child domination 💪
No. 10 Divine Child (@DCHS_Football14) came out firing defeating Unity Christian 56-28!
Powered by @CallSam pic.twitter.com/SSKjgEDtYX— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) August 29, 2026
Watch list North Farmington 14, Birmingham Groves 13 The Raiders have reached the playoffs two straight seasons but most recently fell to Groves 36-3 in their 2023 opener – and Groves reached the Division 2 Semifinals the last two years.
On the move Romeo 17, Rochester Adams 10 Adams had defeated Romeo both on opening night and in a Division 1 Regional Final last season, and in their 2024 opener as well. Detroit Central 12, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 7 Notre Dame Prep is coming off finishing Division 5 runner-up a year ago and kicked off last season with a 55-0 win over the Trail Blazers, who are 1-0 for the first time since 2022 but have strung together 12 straight playoff seasons. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 30, Macomb Dakota 20 Brother Rice avenged last season’s 14-10 loss to the Cougars, jumping out to a 17-point halftime lead and holding on in a matchup of top Metro Detroit teams.
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Brighton 49, Dexter 7 The Bulldogs avenged last season’s 50-27 opening loss to Dexter, which went on last fall to finish runner-up in Division 2 but also is replacing a pair of record-setting playmakers among a strong group of graduates. Click for more from the Chelsea Sun Times News.
Watch list Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 25, Hastings 16 The Trojans’ broke a five-game opening-night losing streak against Hastings as they look to build on last year’s first playoff appearance this decade.
On the move DeWitt 59, Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills 21 The Panthers showed they’ve got plenty of offense left after last season’s Division 3 title run, and the defense also locked down a Kenowa Hills attack that could put up big numbers this fall. Pewamo-Westphalia 17, North Muskegon 9 The Pirates ran their winning streak against North Muskegon to four, building on last year’s opening-night and Division 7 District Final wins. Lansing Sexton 33, Lansing Everett 0 Sexton ended a two-year opening-night losing streak against the rival Vikings in a matchup of programs that have both reached the playoffs the last three seasons.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Charlevoix 36, East Jordan 30 Charlevoix trailed 22-6 midway through the second quarter before coming all the way back to run its recent winning streak against East Jordan to 11 going back to 2014. Both teams have made the playoffs every season this decade. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.
Watch list Alpena 27, Boyne City 8 The Wildcats entered this season with four wins total over the last six seasons and after losing to Boyne City 18-13 in last year’s opener. But they are off and running after downing a Ramblers team that has made the playoffs every season this decade as well.
On the move Kingsley 22, Reed City 0 The reigning Division 6 runner-up Stags added to last year’s season-opening and Regional Final wins over Reed City. Ogemaw Heights 27, Freeland 14 Ogemaw Heights put its best foot forward coming off last season’s Division 5 Semifinals run with an impressive win over a regular Division 4 playoff team in Freeland. Petoskey 35, Croswell-Lexington 8 After just missing making the Division 3 playoffs last season, Petoskey is 1-0 for the fourth-straight thanks to a nice win over another regular playoff qualifier in Croswell-Lexington that’s also looking to get back after missing last fall.
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Chelsea 29, Harper Woods 20 Chelsea’s Gibby Ichesco ran the first play from scrimmage 72 yards for a touchdown to set the tone as the Bulldogs defeated a Harper Woods team that lost only once last season – in its Division 4 Regional Final to eventual champion Divine Child. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.
UPSET ALERT🚨
Chelsea ended up on top in their matchup against No. 11 Harper Woods upsetting them 29-20!
Powered by @LawrenceTechU pic.twitter.com/D3NivmqZfU— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) August 28, 2026
Watch list Saline 39, Rockford 12 This wasn’t necessarily a stunner as Saline won last year’s matchup as well, but the margin is notable as the Hornets seek to add to last year’s run to the Division 1 Regional Finals.
On the move Hudson 56, Hanover-Horton 6 The Tigers lost only once last season, in the Division 8 championship game, and this win likely points to good things this fall as the Comets made the Division 7 Regional Finals in 2025. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 37, Ottawa Lake Whiteford 28 These two small-school powers met for the first time, and SMCC broke away in part with two kickoff return touchdowns. Clinton 43, Olivet 21 This matchup of annual playoff teams was deadlocked 14-14 at halftime but Clinton pulled away in part by outscoring Olivet 21-7 during the fourth quarter.
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER St. Joseph 29, Niles 20 These two continued to trade wins for the fourth-straight year, St. Joseph this time avenging its 10-point loss to Niles from a year ago. The Vikings led 14-0 during the second quarter, but Caden LeClear ended up throwing for three touchdowns including two to Nate Schmitt. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.
Watch list Hartford 60, White Pigeon 0 The numbers alone make this a story; Hartford had been outscored by White Pigeon a combined 108-0 over the last two seasons and didn’t even have a team in 2022 and 2023.
On the move Kalamazoo United 29, Constantine 27 This season opener also was an opener in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and could prove to be one of the most important results in determining the champion this fall. Edwardsburg 55, McBain 20 The Eddies won this opener for the second-straight season as both look to continue playoff streaks and contend for league titles. Paw Paw 13, Big Rapids 7 Paw Paw bounced back from an opening loss to Big Rapids and 0-3 start last year to reach the playoffs and kept things rolling in downing a Cardinals team coming off a Division 4 Regional Finals berth.
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Negaunee 30, Marquette 28 After last season renewing its 130-year rivalry with Marquette with an eight-point win, Negaunee held off a late Sentinels charge this time to extend its all-time lead in the series to 72-60-11. Both are returning playoff teams. Click for more from Upper Michigan’s Source.
Watch list Kingsford 35, Escanaba 16 These are both returning playoff teams as well, and Kingsford avenged its 2025 opening loss to Escanaba with Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper play beginning this week.
On the move Calumet 14, Houghton 7 Although Calumet ran its winning streak over the Gremlins to 12, this was a close one and notable after the Copper Kings won the last two meetings by a combined 75-0. L’Anse 54, West Iron County 6 The West-PAC Iron got underway with this one of two league matchups in Week 1 and L’Anse avenging last year’s nine-point league loss. Gladstone 30, Gwinn 6 Gladstone is 1-0 for the first time since 2023, but there’s good news in Gwinn as well as the Modeltowners are back after not playing a year ago.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Grandville 29, Muskegon 28 (OT) Grandville scored first in overtime and Muskegon answered, but the Big Reds faked an extra point to go for the win and the Bulldogs stopped them as these two played to nearly a stalemate for the second-straight year. Grandville also emerged last season with a 44-40 win. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Watch list East Grand Rapids 27, Lowell 21 After the Red Arrows won big last year, East Grand Rapids stormed back to claim its fourth victory in this series over the last five seasons, with Tripp Hoekstra scoring on a quarterback keeper during the final minute to give the Pioneers their lead.
On the move Byron Center 41, Hudsonville 20 Two of the Grand Rapids area’s best kicked off against each other for the second-straight season, Byron Center avenging a six-point loss from 2025. Grand Rapids West Catholic 48, Grand Rapids Northview 21 The reigning Division 5 champion Falcons lost only once last season, and they avenged that 11-point defeat with this 27-point win. Zeeland West 46, Cedar Springs 20 These two 2025 playoff teams met after two years off, and West built a 10-point halftime lead before pulling away over the final two quarters.
8-Player
HEADLINER Blanchard Montabella 62, Martin 12 After falling to Martin 52-8 in last season’s Division 1 championship game, Montabella started this fall with a statement. The Mustangs didn’t throw a pass but ran for 433 yards with Austin Jensen and Josh Agranbright both rushing for four touchdowns. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.
Watch list Rudyard 22, Onekama 6 The Bulldogs are seeking their first winning season since 2023 and were off to the right start with this win over a Portagers team coming off two straight trips to the Division 2 Semifinals.
On the move Britton Deerfield 38, Pittsford 20 These two have seen each other on opening night and during the playoffs the last two seasons, and the Patriots are up to 5-0 in those matchups. Morrice 28, Brown City 21 Coming off a season during which its two losses were by a combined eight points, Morrice played another close one but on the winning side against another playoff team from last fall. Grand Rapids Sacred Heart 20, Kingston 16 These two combined to go 18-4 a year ago, and this matchup could pick up even more significance as this season progresses.
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PHOTOS (Top) Negaunee's Kyle Waterman hoists the Jubilee trophy over his head after his team defeated Marquette. (Middle) A Roseville ball carrier stretches for extra yardage during his team’s 28-8 loss to Davison at the Vehicle City Gridiron Classic. (Below) Bay City Academy senior running back Brody Trudell (32) takes on a pair of defenders during his team’s inaugural game on Thursday, a 20-18 loss to Au Gres-Sims. (Negaunee/Marquette photo by Cara Kamps. Davison/Roseville photo by Terry Lyons. Bay City Academy/Au Gres-Sims photo by Kolleth Photo.)
Drive for Detroit: District Semis in Review
November 5, 2013
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Upsets seemed to fall with the raindrops that unexpectedly cropped up in spurts during the first weekend of the 2013 MHSAA football playoffs.
From Romeo to Dowagiac, Britton-Deerfield to Wayland with Parchment and Bath in between, teams celebrated wins that probably weren't expected by most when the brackets were revealed during the Sunday Selection Show.
A telling stat: While teams with higher playoff points averages host during the first three rounds, nearly 23 percent (31 of 136) of road teams won last weekend.
Here’s a look at the results from each division that stuck out most from the 11-player District openers and 8-player Regional Semifinals:
Division 1
Detroit Catholic Central 35, Northville 14
Detroit Catholic Central (8-2) opened the playoffs against Northville (8-2) for the second time in three seasons and with hopes of again starting off smoothly on a third straight trip to the MHSAA Finals. This opener certainly was closer than the 2011 56-6 DCC win, but the result was the same as the Shamrocks ended an outstanding run by the Kensington Lakes Activities Association overall champion. Click to read more from the Detroit Free Press.
Also noted:
Macomb Dakota 19, Warren DeLaSalle 14: DeLaSalle (6-4) gave Dakota (10-0) its closest game this season and was the first to come within single digits of the Cougars since opening night.
Walled Lake Western 44, Canton 41: Western (9-1) advanced to the District Final for the third straight season but only after holding off a late comeback by Canton (8-2).
Romeo 24, Lake Orion 21: Likely considered an upset because of Lake Orion’s playoff history, there is some back story. In three playoff games during 2005-08, Lake Orion (7-3) beat Romeo all three times by a combined six points – but this time the Bulldogs (6-4) captured a close one.
Brighton 14, Grand Blanc 7: Grand Blanc (7-3) won the KLAA West thanks to a 44-21 win over Brighton in Week 4, but the Bulldogs remain alive after entering the postseason 5-4.
Division 2
Birmingham Seaholm 17, Southfield 16
Seaholm (9-1), the Oakland Activities Association Blue champion, scored twice during the final seven minutes to eliminate OAA White winner Southfield (7-3). The Maples will play in their first District Final since 2001, the last time the team also won nine or more games. Click to read more from The Oakland Press.
Also noted:
Wyandotte Roosevelt 45, Ypsilanti Lincoln 40: Downriver League champion Roosevelt (10-0) outlasted another league title winner, Southeastern Conference White winner Lincoln (7-3).
Midland Dow 30, Fenton 21: The Chargers (8-2) returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2010 and opened by beating Flint Metro League co-champ Fenton (8-2).
Pinckney 14, South Lyon 10: In its first playoff appearance since 2001, Pinckney (7-3) won its first playoff game ever and finished a season sweep of South Lyon (6-4), also its opening-night opponent.
Detroit U-D Jesuit 37, Warren Woods Tower 14: Jesuit’s first winning season since 2002 will continue; the Cubs (6-4) ended quickly the first playoff appearance for Warren Woods Tower (6-4) since 2007.
Division 3
Grand Rapids Christian 14, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern 13
The reigning Division 3 champion got a scare from Forest Hills Northern (7-3), which led 13-0 in the third quarter of its first playoff game since 2002. The Eagles (8-2) made an impressive comeback to move on to their fourth straight District Final. Click to read more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Also noted:
Zeeland West 44, Zeeland East 13: The Dux (9-1) received their lone loss from East (5-5) in Week 2, but this one wasn't as close as that six-point defeat.
Byron Center 28, Battle Creek Harper Creek 3: Harper Creek (7-3) made the Semifinals the last two seasons, but were stopped quickly this time by the Bulldogs (7-3).
Wayland 38, Plainwell 28: A year after finishing 0-9 (after three straight ending 1-8), Wayland is 6-4 and knocked out a solid contender in Plainwell (8-2).
Eaton Rapids 49, Charlotte 21: Although Eaton Rapids (6-4) beat Charlotte in Week 3, it was expected by at least a few that the Greyhounds’ first playoff appearance would be a short one since Charlotte (7-3) had won five straight.
Division 4
Dowagiac 21, Edwardsburg 17
Dowagiac has been exceptional over the last three seasons – the Chieftains (7-3) are playing to reach 10 wins for the third straight. But it was hard to see this one coming with Edwardsburg (9-1) undefeated and having beaten Dowagiac 36-0 only two weeks ago to decide the Wolverine B West championship. Click for to read more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Also noted:
Belding 21, Spring Lake 20: This spoke to the strength of the O-K Blue, as third-place Belding (7-3) beat Lakes 8 Conference champion Spring Lake (8-2).
Allendale 24, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 21 (OT): Also from the O-K Blue, league runner-up Allendale (8-1) survived a scare from frequent playoff power GRCC (6-4).
Battle Creek Pennfield 21, Paw Paw 17: The Kalamazoo Valley Association was pretty strong too, with Pennfield (9-1) one of three co-champs and the winner in this one over Wolverine B East champ Paw Paw (8-2).
Saginaw Swan Valley 14, Yale 13: Swan Valley’s hope of returning to the Semifinals – and going to Ford Field – nearly ended until the Vikings (10-0) scored the go-ahead points with two minutes to play to escape Yale (6-4).
Division 5
Parchment 40, Jackson Lumen Christi 35
In a weekend full of upsets, this was the one that rang the statewide bell loudest. Parchment has had a nice run in a tough KVA and is 7-3 overall after finishing 3-6 only a year ago. But Lumen Christi had the highest playoff point average in Division 5 by a substantial chunk and was considered a definite contender as it pursued its first MHSAA championship since 1999. Click to read more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Also noted:
Reed City 49, Clare 7: The Central State Activities Association champion Coyotes (10-0) continued their dominating play in eliminating Jack Pine Conference champ Clare (7-3).
Millington 28, Almont 21: The Cardinals’ two regular season losses were their most since 2006, but Millington (8-2) is looking strong again after opening with a win over Blue Water Area Conference runner-up Almont (8-2).
Grand Rapids West Catholic 27, Portland 14: This rematch of last season’s Division 5 Final ended the opposite way, with West Catholic (6-4) continuing a five-game winning streak while Portland (7-2) closed with two straight defeats.
Detroit University Prep 42, Clinton Township Clintondale 34: University Prep (8-2) equaled its 2012 record in only its eighth season as a program and handed a first loss to Macomb Area Conference Bronze champion Clintondale (9-1) in one of its best wins during that brief history.
Division 6
Grandville Calvin Christian 14, Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian 12
These two and Hopkins played to a three-way tie for the O-K White championship during the regular season, which resulted in part because of NorthPointe’s 13-8 win over Calvin Christian (7-3) in Week 3. This time the Squires came out on top in a matchup of teams both looking for their first playoff wins. NorthPointe finished 8-2. Click to read more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Also noted:
Montrose 42, Reese 13: The Rams (10-0) won their 10th game for the third straight season and made it two this fall over solid Reese (8-2).
Shelby 35, Montague 23: Montague (6-4) played West Michigan Conference champion Shelby (9-1) closer than in Week 4, but the Tigers (9-1) bounced back from its lone loss, in Week 9, against Division 4 Spring Lake.
Schoolcraft 28, Niles Brandywine 21: Co-KVA champ Schoolcraft (9-1) hasn't lost in two months, although Brandywine (8-2) gave the Eagles one of their closest games in a while.
Constantine 41, Michigan Center 26: This win over Michigan Center (8-2) gave Constantine (6-4) at least one postseason victory in each of the last 12 seasons.
Division 7
Britton-Deerfield 42, Hudson 28
Britton-Deerfield has made the playoffs all three seasons since its creation from the merging of the Britton-Macon and Deerfield districts. In fact, the Patriots reached the Regional Final in just their second season last fall. But Lenawee County Activities Association co-champion Hudson has reached the MHSAA Semifinals three of the last five seasons and had to be considered a possibility to get back again this month. Click to read more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.
Also noted:
Iron River West Iron County 21, Traverse City St. Francis 7: Given St. Francis’ history of postseason success, this seemed ripe for an upset – but West Iron (10-0) broke away from the Gladiators (5-5) in the second half.
Pewamo-Westphalia 57, Saugatuck 21: The Central Michigan Athletic Conference champion Pirates (9-1) bounced back from their lone loss the week before to finish the season for Southwestern Athletic Conference North winner Saugatuck (8-2).
Bath 27, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port 14: This is not only Bath’s first playoff run since 2000, but first winning season since that fall – and the Bees (6-4) continued with a stunner against Greater Thumb Conference West runner-up Laker (7-3).
Madison Heights Bishop Foley 42, Royal Oak Shrine 10: A Week 3 loss to Shrine (6-4) got Bishop Foley off to a rough start in the Catholic League Intersectional, but the Ventures (7-3) scored their second-most points of the season in this rematch.
Division 8
Detroit Allen 54, Adrian Lenawee Christian 32
Detroit Allen (7-2) built on its first playoff berth with its first playoff win, ending a similarly historic season for Lenawee Christian – the Cougars set a team record for wins in finishing 7-3. Both programs have been in existence for only six seasons, and this fall Allen finished second to much larger River Rouge in the Michigan Metro Athletic Conference. Click to read more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.
Also noted:
Waterford Our Lady, 34, Clarkston Everest Collegiate 7: These two previously were one as a co-op team before splitting this season; Our Lady (8-2) will move on while Everest (7-3) finished an impressive first season on its own.
Powers North Central 35, Munising 21: Although Munising (6-4) made the playoffs for the second time in three seasons, neither of these teams has much recent postseason history – but Powers (8-2) made its own with this first playoff win.
Crystal Falls Forest Park 30, Bessemer 16: The Trojans (10-0) beat the Miners (6-4) for the second time in three weeks and have 10 wins again for the first time since 2010.
L’Anse 52, Lake Linden-Hubbell 34: The Purple Hornets (8-2) bounced back from a Week 9 loss with their most points of the season to outlast one of the best offensive performances as well by Lake Linden-Hubbell (5-5).
8-Player
Engadine 28, Cedarville 26
Perhaps a little under the radar, Engadine has been arguably the hottest team in 8-player football with five straight wins after beginning this season 1-4. The Eagles’ third loss this fall was 42-16 to Cedarville (8-2) – but in six weeks, Engadine (6-4) found a way to reverse the tide just enough. Click for more from WWTV 9&10.
Also noted:
Peck 32, Deckerville 14: The 8-player champion could come from the Thumb area for the third straight season; in 2012 it was Deckerville (5-5), and Peck (10-0) is looking like a favorite this time.
Carsonville-Port Sanilac 54, Portland St. Patrick 18: The Tigers (7-3) made it two straight wins and two straight over the Shamrocks (7-3) after also beating St. Patrick 45-12 in Week 9.
PHOTO: Detroit Catholic Central running back Connor Holton (22) prepares to sprint through a hole in the line while Northville linebacker Jack Ernst works to stop him. (See more at Terry McNamara Photography.)