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Negaunee's Kyle Waterman hoists the Jubilee trophy over his head after his team defeated Marquette.

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.

MI Student AidTwo 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.

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.

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.

A Roseville ball carrier stretches for extra yardage during his team’s 28-8 loss to Davison at the Vehicle City Gridiron Classic.

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.

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.

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.

MHSAA.com's weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Click to connect with MI Student Aid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

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.)

Northmen Stadium Opens to Excitement, 'Awe'

September 1, 2016

By Dennis Chase
Special for Second Half

PETOSKEY – Petoskey kicked off a new era in football last Thursday with the unveiling of Northmen Stadium, a multi-use facility that will be home for football, soccer, lacrosse, band and track & field.

More than 4,000 spectators turned out on a beautiful late August night to watch Petoskey open its season against Ada Forest Hills Eastern. School officials believe it was the largest home football crowd in Petoskey history.

Even a 35-14 setback could not dampen the enthusiasm and pride displayed by those in attendance.

“To see the stadium from the road is one thing – and that excited people,” Superintendent John Scholten said. “But once they got inside and saw it first-hand, there was an awe factor. It was like, ‘Wow!’”

Northmen Stadium replaces Curtis Field, which was built in 1927 and served as the home for Petoskey football for 88 years.

“Our community is very tradition-oriented, very values-oriented,” Dan Ledingham, president of the football boosters, said. “Curtis Field means a lot to us. It’s very symbolic – the roots from where we started. Multiple generations played on that field. I know families who go three to four generations deep. But it was time.”

“It’s time” was actually the theme for the $10 million bond proposal that the electorate approved by a 64 to 36 percent vote in 2014.

“It (Curtis Field) served the community well, but it was pretty tired,” Scholten said.

In addition to the $10 million bond, the school received significant donations and coordinated efforts with other sinking fund projects.

“The whole (campus) renovation is closer to $15 million,” Scholten said.

The project includes the stadium, reconstruction of six tennis courts, a rebuilt softball field, two new soccer practice fields, and a cross country 5K trail that ties into a community walkway and includes three culvert tunnels under realigned Northmen Drive.

It’s all part of a concerted effort to bring the school’s athletic facilities – once scattered around the city – to the campus location. The school had already built a stunning new high school gymnasium and an on-site baseball field.

“When I moved up here (from Maple City Glen Lake) two of the old icons from the Glen Lake days, Denny Dame and Ivan Ford, said you’re moving to the nicest gym in the north,” Scholten said. “I’m a little biased, but I think we now have one of the nicest football facilities in the north, too.”

The stadium is the centerpiece of the latest project. The property’s topography featured a “semi-natural bowl” on the southeast side. Construction workers moved 300,000 cubic yards of dirt to build up the other side, creating a complete bowl appearance.

“The fact it sits down in a bowl makes it unique,” athletic director Dave Smith said. “There are lots of places that have nice stadiums, but they’re flat and the bleachers go up. With this, there’s not a bad seat in the house because it sits down in that bowl.”

The main entrance is near the mezzanine in the north end zone, which is where the concessions and restrooms are located. It features a plaza that overlooks the field. A tunnel runs underneath the mezzanine where the players and band enter and exit the field.

“It’s a very cool place to see a game,” football coach Kerry VanOrman said. “When the band marches through the tunnel, it’s like you’re at Michigan State or Michigan.”

Team rooms, a training room and an officials room are located off the tunnel.

A 40-foot video scoreboard anchors the south end zone. There’s also a messaging board attached to the mezzanine.

The synthetic turf is lined for football, soccer and lacrosse. The soccer team opens its home season Tuesday.

The stadium seats 2,950, but there is additional lawn seating on the hillside. Plus, based on opening night, fans seem to enjoy watching from the mezzanine.

“That elevation overlooking the field gives you the best view,” Ledingham said. “You can see everything, and you can feel the energy coming from the crowd.”

Workers scrambled to get the stadium ready for opening night. In fact, just 48 hours beforehand Ledingham wondered if it would be game ready.

“There were tractors and trucks, concrete and tiles,” he said. “Everything was everywhere. It looked like a true construction site that maybe in a month would be close (to done). I was wondering, ‘What’s Plan B?’ Kent (Cartwright, the school’s chief financial officer) said, ‘There is no Plan B. We are on this field.’ It was neat to see it all come together.”

Smith agreed.

“It was unbelievable the number of people there, from the construction crew to the subcontractors, working extra hours, late hours, that last month to make sure we could get in there and play on that (Thursday),” he said. “Two days out, I was also wondering how this is going to happen. But it did.”

The school received a temporary occupancy permit to open the stadium. Finishing touches were still being completed this week.

The opening culminates nearly 10 years of work. A bond proposal to fund separate football and soccer stadiums was rejected by voters in 2007.

“We had a nice plan,” Scholten said, “but it was just when the recession was starting. We did all the pre-work with the surveys and it looked like the confidence was there, but when the economy went south, (the vote) went south, too.”

Officials regrouped and, after the lingering recession ended, pared back the plan and took it to the voters.

“It was unfortunate timing (in 2007),” VanOrman said. “They were smart in waiting for things to pick up. They did a good job planning it, locating it and even tying it into the city walkways. It kind of includes everybody into it.”

Officials changed the location of the stadium, building it on what was two practice fields so it could utilize existing locker rooms and showers at the school. Two additional locker rooms will be added.

“We listened to the community,” Scholten said. “We were a little extravagant (in 2007) so we came back with a different plan. We worked real hard to say, ‘We listened to you, we trimmed it back, we feel we’re being responsible.’ We worked hard to build that confidence back up.”

The cross country trail will facilitate skiers as well as runners and walkers. The new eight-lane track replaces the outdated six-lane version at Curtis Field.

“We couldn’t host anything big because of that,” Scholten said.

Scholten expects the new facility will make Petoskey an attractive choice for hosting MHSAA tournaments.

Parking, an issue at Curtis Field, was addressed, too. Spectators can now use the high school and middle school lots, as well as new parking spaces near the stadium.

The improvements now leave hockey and downhill skiing as the only sports played off campus, Smith said.

“From an athletic director’s standpoint, I love how most of our facilities are now on school grounds,” he said.

He also loves the positive buzz the stadium’s generated. Ledingham called opening night “surreal.”

“It was amazing to see our community come together to enjoy it,” he said.

The unveiling attracted fans from nearby communities as well.

“The energy and support was great,” junior kicker Noah Ledingham said. “You run on to that field, see the lights, see (the crowd) and it just makes you want to play harder.

“To be the first team to play on that field is an amazing feeling because it’s a new chapter (in Petoskey football) and you know you’re making history.”

The Northmen, with just two key returnees back, struggled early, falling behind Forest Hills Eastern 28-0 before rallying to make it a game.

“I was pleased with the way we played in the second half,” VanOrman said. “It was 28-14 with 3:30 left in the game. We went for an onside kick and it blew up in our face. They recovered and ran it back to our 15 and then scored. (Eastern’s) a good football team. It was a good measuring stick for us to see where we have to get better.”

The night might also pay dividends. Forest Hills Eastern officials are talking about extending the two-year deal with Petoskey that is set to expire after the Northmen travel down there next season.

“They liked it so much they want to come back in two years,” Smith said. “I would say that’s a compliment right there.”

Dennis Chase worked 32 years as a sportswriter at the Traverse City Record-Eagle, including as sports editor from 2000-14. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Alcona, Oscoda, Crawford, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Charlevoix and Emmet counties.

PHOTOS: (Top) Petoskey's stadium, at dusk, hosted Ada Forest Hills Eastern for its debut. (Middle above) The Northmen take to their new field for the first time. (Middle below) Fans packed the home stands, which are part of a "bowl" circling the playing surface. (Below) The new football field is just one part of the renovated Petoskey athletic complex. (Aerial photos by Charles Dawley/Up North Imaging. Game photos by Scott Moore.)