1st & Goal: 2026 Week 2 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 3, 2026
If you’re traveling for the long weekend and see stadium lights shining in the distance, you might want to make a quick stop and check out one of these matchups.
Nearly 80 percent of this weekend’s games will be played Thursday, although those waiting for Friday won’t miss out as there are plenty of opportunities that night as well to see high-profile nonleague clashes or conference openers that could eventually determine championships.
Staying close to home? Tune in to the NFHS Network for the majority of games across the state, and follow the MHSAA Scores page for results as they’re submitted.
Bay & Thumb
Almont (1-0) at Armada (1-0) – Thursday
Almont has continued to set the standard in the Blue Water Area Conference with three straight league championships. The Raiders’ most recent league loss came in 2022 – to Armada, which has finished second once and third in the league twice over that stretch. Both opened this season with wins over 2025 playoff teams, Armada over St. Clair Shores Lakeview and Almont over Marysville.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Saginaw Swan Valley (1-0) at Freeland (0-1), Lapeer (0-1) at Goodrich (1-0), Saginaw Heritage (0-1) at Midland Dow (1-0), Marysville (0-1) at Port Huron (1-0).
Greater Detroit
Detroit Martin Luther King (1-0) at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (1-0) – Friday
This power pair is facing off for the first time since 2006, and theirs will certainly be one of the most discussed games statewide this weekend. St. Mary’s is coming off winning last season’s Division 2 championship and opened with a 35-27 win over Muskegon Mona Shores, while King reached the Division 3 Regional Finals last fall and began this one by downing annual Ohio contender Toledo Whitmer.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Howell (1-0) at Belleville (0-1), Rochester Adams (0-1) at Rochester (1-0), Clarkston (1-0) at Rochester Hills Stoney Creek (1-0). FRIDAY Davison (1-0) at Detroit Catholic Central (1-0).
Mid-Michigan
DeWitt (1-0) at Mason (1-0) – Thursday
This has developed into one of the most intriguing rivalries in the Lansing area, with both teams playing at Ford Field over the last three seasons – with 2023 also when these two started their current series. DeWitt has a 2-1 edge and won last year’s matchup 44-37 – the Panthers’ closest game during a run to the Division 3 championship – but Mason has brought back nearly its entire starting lineup this fall.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Fenton (0-1) at Haslett (0-1), Durand (1-0) at New Lothrop (1-0), Lansing Sexton (1-0) at Portland (1-0), Hastings (0-1) at Williamston (1-0).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Ogemaw Heights (1-0) at Traverse City St. Francis (1-0) – Friday
Ogemaw Heights made its first run to the Semifinals last season since 2009, and its only loss of the regular season came 42-32 to St. Francis in Week 2. The Falcons opened last week with an impressive win over Freeland, and the Gladiators downed Elk Rapids. This matchup is joined on St. Francis’ schedule by three games against teams that finished last season at Ford Field.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Escanaba (0-1) at Gaylord (1-0), East Jordan (0-1) at Oscoda (0-1). FRIDAY Boyne City (0-1) at Charlevoix (1-0), Grand Rapids Christian (0-1) at Traverse City West (0-1).
Southeast & Border
Pewamo-Westphalia (1-0) at Ottawa Lake Whiteford (0-1) – Friday
These two small-school powers are playing for the first time, but it might not be the last time this season as both stand to be in the Division 7 playoff chase in two months. Whiteford also played a first-time opponent last week, falling to Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 37-28, while the Pirates are also coming off a tough opener after having outlasted North Muskegon 17-9.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Monroe Jefferson (1-0) at Carleton Airport (0-1), Brooklyn Columbia Central (1-0) at Michigan Center (1-0), Union City (1-0) at Reading (1-0). FRIDAY Flat Rock (0-1) at Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (1-0).
Southwest Corridor
Cedar Springs (0-1) at Battle Creek Harper Creek (1-0) – Friday
Harper Creek hasn’t received enough attention for its run over the last three seasons, which has included two straight Interstate 8 Athletic Conference titles and a combined 22-6 record. The Beavers opened this campaign with a fourth-straight win (and third-straight shutout) of rival Battle Creek Lakeview and now will have a chance to avenge last fall’s lone regular-season loss. Cedar Springs won that Week 2 matchup 30-20 and is seeking to bounce back after falling to Zeeland West last week.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (0-1) at Portage Central (0-1), Lansing Everett (0-1) at Battle Creek Central (1-0). FRIDAY Stevensville Lakeshore (1-0) at Niles (0-1), Lowell (0-1) at St. Joseph (1-0).
Upper Peninsula
Menominee (1-0) at Marquette (1-0) – Thursday
These former Great Northern Conference rivals are meeting for the first time since 2022, the last season of football for that league. The Sentinels have won four of their last five matchups, but both have found success since their last time facing off. Over the last three seasons, Menominee has played at Ford Field twice – winning last year’s Division 7 title – and Marquette has reached the Division 3 playoffs twice and opened with a close but impressive loss last week to Negaunee.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Ishpeming Westwood (0-1) at Calumet (1-0), Houghton (0-1) at Kingsford (1-0). FRIDAY Gladstone (1-0) at Negaunee (1-0), North Muskegon (0-1) vs. Iron Mountain (1-0) at Petoskey.
West Michigan
East Kentwood (1-0) at Byron Center (1-0) – Thursday
Rare are the days when Muskegon/Rockford isn’t be the default “game of the week” in West Michigan. But don’t look past this matchup this time. East Kentwood is coming off a run to the Division 1 Semifinals last season, which included a 43-14 win over 2024 Division 2 runner-up Byron Center in Week 2. The Bulldogs emerged from an 0-2 start last season, including that defeat by the Falcons, to go 7-2 the rest of the way, and they’ve already avenged the first of last year’s losses by downing Hudsonville 41-20 last week.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Grand Rapids South Christian (1-0) at East Grand Rapids (1-0), Detroit Cass Tech (1-0) at Grandville (1-0). FRIDAY Muskegon (0-1) at Rockford (0-1), Midland (1-0) at Zeeland West (1-0).
8-Player
Portland St. Patrick at Blanchard Montabella – Friday
There may not be a team in MHSAA 8-player football history that scheduled a tougher slate to start the season than Montabella, which avenged last fall’s Division 1 championship game loss with a 62-12 win over Martin last week and now gets the reigning Division 2 champion Shamrocks. St. Patrick handed the Mustangs their only regular-season defeat a year ago, 42-16, in Week 9 on the way to a perfect run, and even had a few more days to prepare this time with its Week 1 opponent Wyoming Tri-unity Christian canceling its season.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Merrill (1-0) at Morrice (1-0), Central Lake (1-0) at Gaylord St. Mary (1-0), Britton Deerfield (1-0) at Climax-Scotts (1-0). FRIDAY Pickford (1-0) at Rudyard (1-0).
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.
PHOTO Ithaca defenders wrap up a Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart ball carrier during their 48-6 Week 1 win. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)
1st & Goal: 2023 Playoff Week 1 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 26, 2023
Part of the enchantment of high school sports is the relatively small window athletes receive to play them. Most get four seasons – and most football players just two on the varsity team under the frequently and fondly-referenced “Friday night lights.”
That enchantment makes it impossible to undersell the anticipation as another MHSAA Football Playoffs – the 49th – begin tonight.
It will be the first playoffs for thousands of players and the start of the last playoffs for thousands more as 11-Player District Semifinals and 8-Player Regional Semifinals kick off with 128 games, and 16 more Saturday.
The mini heat wave finishing its run through Michigan is another reason to check out a first-round game in person. But if you’re not heading out, you still can watch nearly all of them – as of Thursday evening, 122 of this weekend’s 144 playoff games will be broadcast live on MHSAA.tv, viewable with subscription. Keep up with scores as well and Round 2 matchups as they’re determined on the Football Playoff Scoreboard.
Here are just a handful of the intriguing matchups as this postseason gets underway. Games are Friday unless noted.
11-Player Division 1
Rochester Adams (6-3) at West Bloomfield (7-2) - WATCH
These two rank among the most successful playoff teams in the state over the last three seasons, with West Bloomfield a combined 8-2 in the postseason with a Division 1 championship in 2020, and Adams a combined 7-2 (not counting a COVID-related forfeit in 2020) with a runner-up finish in 2021 after the Highlanders defeated the Lakers 14-13 in a Regional Final during that run. This fall West Bloomfield was third and Adams fourth in the Oakland Activities Association Red, thanks in part to the Lakers' 36-32 win in their Week 5 meeting. West Bloomfield also handed Southfield Arts & Technology its only defeat, 31-20 in Week 8.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Detroit Catholic Central (7-2) at Novi (7-2) - WATCH, St. Clair Shores Lakeview (7-2) at Macomb Dakota (7-2) - WATCH, Detroit Cass Tech (6-3) at Westland John Glenn (7-2) - WATCH.
11-Player Division 2
Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (7-2) at Muskegon Mona Shores (6-3) - WATCH
This is also a rematch, as Mona Shores opened the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green schedule with a 28-10 win over Reeths-Puffer – and in fact, the Rockets are seeking their first win over Shores since 2016. But this also has been Reeths-Puffer’s winningest season since 2013, and they enter this opener coming off impressive back-to-back victories over Zeeland East 35-21 and Zeeland West 14-12, the latter avenging a 2022 defeat. Shores also defeated West, 14-6 two weeks ago, but was edged by East 21-20 in the regular-season finale.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Portage Northern (8-1) at Caledonia (7-2) - WATCH, Birmingham Groves (6-3) at Birmingham Seaholm (8-1) - WATCH, Dexter (6-3) at Allen Park (8-1) - WATCH.
11-Player Division 3
Zeeland East (6-3) at Zeeland West (6-3) - WATCH
Zeeland West has won its last six meetings with its neighbor, including once in the playoffs, since East swept a pair in 2018. The Dux claimed this season’s first matchup 36-13. But that shouldn’t be an indication a repeat is a sure thing. As noted above, East is coming off a one-point win over Mona Shores – avenging a 42-7 loss from a year ago and breaking a two-game losing streak to the Sailors since they rejoined the same league in 2020. West meanwhile has lost three straight games, but those beg for context as well – those defeats came to Muskegon High, Mona Shores and Reeths-Puffer, and all by eight points or fewer. Muskegon is the only team to score more than 14 points on the Dux, and the Big Reds put up just 22 in their six-point Week 7 win.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Battle Creek Harper Creek (6-3) at Parma Western (8-1), Fenton (6-3) at DeWitt (6-2) - WATCH, Detroit Martin Luther King (4-5) at Port Huron (7-2) - WATCH.
11-Player Division 4
Lansing Sexton (8-1) at Portland (9-0)
This is a rematch of the Week 8 decider for the Capital Area Activities Conference White title, and Portland’s 41-0 win over then-undefeated Sexton further emphasized the mightiness of the Raiders’ defense this year – they’ve given up just 47 points and also shut out Berrien Springs last week. Portland is up to No. 3 in the final coaches poll and enters having won District titles in Division 5 the last two seasons (and its Regional two years ago) and with a combined 29-5 record going back to the start of 2021. But Sexton, enjoying its best season since 2017, is ranked No. 10 and certainly has the ability to flip things if it can build up some success on offense and keep Portland’s off the field.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Big Rapids (8-1) at Spring Lake (7-2), Wayland (6-3) at Grand Rapids South Christian (6-3) - WATCH, Croswell-Lexington (7-2) at Harper Woods (6-3).
11-Player Division 5
Gladwin (7-2) at Ogemaw Heights (8-1) - WATCH
The only loss of Ogemaw Heights’ most successful regular season since 2009 came in the opener on the road at reigning Division 5 champion Gladwin, 42-28. The Falcons get the Flying Gs at home this time, and have given up just under 10 points per game on average since that defeat. Ogemaw Heights has downed five playoff teams over those eight games including previously-undefeated Almont 21-7 last week. About 40 miles southeast, Gladwin impressively ran its Jack Pine Conference winning streak to 19 games and three straight championships, and those defeats came last week to Frankenmuth and Week 7 to Pontiac Notre Dame Prep – which are 16-1 between them.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Berrien Springs (5-3) at South Haven (6-3) - WATCH, Flint Hamady (8-0) at Corunna (9-0) - WATCH, Detroit Denby (8-1) at Detroit Southeastern (6-3).
11-Player Division 6
Detroit Old Redford (8-1) at Detroit Edison (6-3), Saturday
Old Redford has built its most successful regular season, and the climb has been stunning. The Ravens didn’t play a game in 2020 or 2021, then went 4-5 last year before doubling their victories this fall – with their only loss in the season opener to playoff team Dearborn Heights Robichaud. Old Redford won the Charter School Conference Silver but should get one of its toughest challenges in Edison, which spent more than a month in the coaches poll top 10 and reached No. 6 on the list on the way to earning six wins for the third time in four seasons and after going just 2-7 a year ago. Edison tied for second in the Charter School Conference Gold behind undefeated Warren Michigan Collegiate.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Kent City (7-2) 39.000 at Hart (8-1) - WATCH, Lake City (6-3) at Manistee (7-2) - WATCH, Buchanan (6-3) at Kalamazoo United (5-4).
11-Player Division 7
Traverse City St. Francis (4-4) at Charlevoix (8-1) - WATCH
This is another fascinating rematch. These two didn’t play in the same league this fall, but they did open against each other with St. Francis winning 41-40 while filling in almost an entirely new starting lineup. The Gladiators were coming off finishing Division 7 runner-up a year ago and had to navigate six more eventual playoff qualifiers – but reached the postseason again, and now a large group of new contributors at the start of the year have a season of experience against strong competition. Charlevoix bounced back and didn’t lose again – or let anyone closer than 13 points on the way to winning a league title and reaching eight wins for the fourth-straight season.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Schoolcraft (7-2) at Lawton (8-1) - WATCH, Sandusky (6-3) at Cass City (7-2) - WATCH, Manchester (7-2) at Napoleon (8-1).
11-Player Division 8
Fowler (8-1) at Ithaca (9-0) - WATCH
The Division 8 bracket is loaded. Six teams are undefeated and five more have lost only once, and this game matches one from each group. Ithaca is playing in Division 8 for the first time and brings a streak of 15 straight league championships, Division 7 District titles two of the last three seasons and a current team that is outscoring its opponents on average 50-5 with shutouts in five of its last six games. But Fowler has seen this caliber of competition. The Eagles’ lone loss was 27-14 to Division 7 contender Pewamo-Westphalia in Week 6, and the Pirates are the only team to score on Fowler since Sept. 1. The Eagles have given up only 53 points this season with six shutouts, and five of those shutouts were of playoff teams including Frankfort, Laingsburg and McBain since the P-W loss.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Hudson (7-2) at Addison (9-0) - WATCH, Frankfort (7-2) at Beal City (8-1) - WATCH, Mount Clemens (5-4) at Riverview Gabriel Richard (5-4) - WATCH.
8-Player Division 1
Mendon (7-2) at Gobles (7-2) - WATCH
Gobles made the switch to 8-player in 2021 and has strung together two straight seven-win seasons, with this fall’s coming against a schedule featuring five teams with winning records. Mendon wasn’t on this year’s slate after a league change, but they’ll meet again after the Hornets won their matchup a year ago 36-6. Gobles has scored 53 points in all of its wins and has its 2022 points total by more than 100. Mendon, last season’s Division 2 runner-up, remains similarly able to match points with most and lost only to still-undefeated Climax-Scotts and Adrian Lenawee Christian.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Alcona (8-1) at Indian River Inland Lakes (8-1) - WATCH, Newberry (7-2) at Norway (7-2) - WATCH. SATURDAY Carson City-Crystal (8-1) at Brown City (9-0) - WATCH.
8-Player Division 2
Crystal Falls Forest Park (7-2) at Lake Linden-Hubbell (6-3), Saturday - WATCH
For more than a decade, this was a notable regular-season finale in the 11-player Great Western Conference, with these two meeting again in the playoffs six times between 2004-15. Forest Park switched to 8-player in 2016, Lake Linden-Hubbell in 2020, and this is the third season in a row they’ll meet in the regular season and playoffs. Forest Park won the Week 6 matchup this fall 36-28, but also won last year’s regular-season matchup 22-14 before the Lakes flipped things in the Regional Semifinal 44-12.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Bay City All Saints (7-2) at Marion (8-0) - WATCH. SATURDAY Au Gres-Sims (7-2) at Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (8-1) - WATCH, Powers North Central (7-2) at Posen (8-0).
Second Half’s weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. 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 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and X (Twitter) @mistudentaid.
PHOTO DeWitt's Elliott Larner (3) unloads a pass during a Week 9 win over Lansing Waverly. (Photo by TCP-Photography.)