1st & Goal: 2026 Week 3 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 10, 2026
Settle in, because things are about to get interesting.
That’s usually where we’re at when we hit Week 3 of the high school football season, with the early-season jitters fading and the first ideas emerging of which teams have looked good enough to be standing at the end.
Multiple matchups that decided league championships last season will be played out again this week and are highlighted below. So are a few more titanic nonleague tussles before the rest of the state jumps into conference play as we move into mid-September.
Games below are Friday unless noted. There are 19 games being played Thursday this week and 11 on Saturday. Tune in to the NFHS Network to watch the majority and follow the MHSAA Scores page for results as they’re submitted.
Bay & Thumb
New Lothrop (2-0) at Montrose (1-1)
Montrose’s 28-14 win over New Lothrop last season helped put the finishing touches on the Rams’ perfect run through the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference, although the Hornets do still own a 5-3 edge in the series since the league was formed in 2018. New Lothrop finished fourth in the MMAC last season but already has avenged a 2025 defeat to Durand, while Montrose opened this fall with a loss but to much larger Marshall.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Traverse City Central (2-0) at Davison (1-1), Mount Pleasant (2-0) at Midland Dow (1-1), Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (1-1) at Millington (2-0), North Branch (2-0) at Armada (1-1).
Greater Detroit
Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (2-0) at Warren De La Salle Collegiate (2-0)
While it’s fair to consider two-time reigning champion Detroit Catholic Central the favorite in the Catholic High School League Central, these two are almost always in the conversation as well. They’ve split their last 20 meetings, and neither has won this matchup more than two times in a row since Rice saw a run of victories end in 2006. The Warriors claimed last year’s game 22-17.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY South Lyon East (2-0) at North Farmington (2-0). FRIDAY Detroit Country Day (1-1) at Dearborn Divine Child (2-0), Detroit Edison (1-1) at Romulus Summit Academy North (2-0), Detroit Cody (2-0) at Detroit Central (2-0).
Mid-Michigan
Dearborn (2-0) at Howell (2-0)
Howell has won 13 of its last 14 Kensington Lakes Activities Association divisional games, but the division alignments were changed for this fall and these two now find themselves together in the KLAA Gold and two of three (with Brighton) that have started the season 2-0. Dearborn has doubled up White Lake Lakeland and Dearborn Heights Crestwood, while Howell has double-digit wins over Traverse City West and Belleville.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Ogemaw Heights (2-0) at Clare (1-1), Grand Ledge (2-0) at Okemos (2-0), Perry (2-0) at Pewamo-Westphalia (2-0), Olivet (1-1) at Portland (2-0).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Charlevoix (2-0) at Kingsley (2-0)
These two met last season in a Week 9 nonleague matchup with Charlevoix undefeated and Kingsley emerging with a 44-18 victory on the way to reaching Ford Field and finishing Division 6 runner-up. Both are off to solid starts again, but now playing together in the Northern Shores Conference – making this a potential eventual league title decider.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Maple City Glen Lake (2-0) at East Jordan (1-1), Cadillac (1-1) at Gaylord (1-1), Coopersville (2-0) at Petoskey (2-0), Manton (1-1) at McBain (1-1).
Southeast & Border
Traverse City St. Francis (1-1) at Jackson Lumen Christi (2-0)
Even with St. Francis’ loss last week to Ogemaw Heights, this one is going to get statewide eyes especially with the possibility these two could meet again during the Division 6 playoffs. Lumen has won four straight over the Gladiators beginning with its Division 7 championship game victory in 2022 at Ford Field, and claimed last year’s matchup 27-12.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Chelsea (2-0) at Adrian (2-0), Napoleon (2-0) at Jonesville (2-0), Battle Creek Harper Creek (2-0) at Parma Western (1-1), Beal City (2-0) at Springport (2-0).
Southwest Corridor
Kalamazoo United (2-0) at Lawton (2-0)
United won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore last season and Lawton was second in the SAC Valley, and with the league together as one division this fall these two certainly are among the favorites. They did play nonleague a year ago, with Lawton claiming a 22-19 victory, but this one will mean a lot more with both also looking toward matchups with reigning Valley champ Schoolcraft coming up.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Hastings (1-1) at Marshall (2-0), Portage Central (1-1) at Portage Northern (1-1), St. Joseph (1-1) at Stevensville Lakeshore (2-0), Plainwell (2-0) at Vicksburg (2-0).
Upper Peninsula
Bark River-Harris (2-0) at Iron Mountain (1-1)
Bark River-Harris’ wins over Iron Mountain last season – in Week 2 and again in a Division 8 District Final – were the Broncos’ first over the Mountaineers since the two began playing each other annually in 2018. That regular-season matchup decided the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Iron title, and this one could too although L’Anse also is off to a 2-0 start gets Iron Mountain next.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Negaunee (2-0) at Calumet (2-0), Kingsford (2-0) at Gladstone (1-1), Manistique (1-1) at Hancock (1-1), Alpena (1-1) at Escanaba (0-2).
West Michigan
Grand Rapids South Christian (2-0) at Grand Rapids West Catholic (1-1)
Both have made Ford Field trips over the last three seasons, South Christian as Division 4 runner-up in 2023 and West Catholic as Division 5 champion last fall, and they’ve loaded up their schedules again. The Sailors already had to get past East Grand Rapids last week and have Hudsonville Unity Christian and Zeeland West up next after this one, and Grand Rapids Catholic Central in Week 9. West Catholic is coming off a loss to Coopersville and after league play will finish up this regular season with Traverse City St. Francis.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Rockford (1-1) at Caledonia (1-1), Grandville (1-1) at East Kentwood (2-0), Grand Haven (2-0) at Hudsonville (1-1), Hudsonville Unity Christian (1-1) at Zeeland East (2-0).
8-Player
Bay City All Saints (2-0) at Kinde North Huron (2-0)
These two finished first and second in the Big Thumb Conference Red last season, thanks to All Saints’ big win in Week 8. North Huron has shown early this fall it can pull off the close calls, defeating Mayville and Peck by six points apiece. All Saints has blasted out of the gate with a pair of shutouts and 93 points total over the first two weeks.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Marcellus (2-0) at Bridgman (2-0), Dansville (2-0) at Potterville (2-0), Blanchard Montabella (2-0) at Breckenridge (2-0). SATURDAY Deckerville (2-0) at Byron (2-0).
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PHOTO Detroit Country Day’s Gavin Shaw (14) stretches for the end zone during his team’s 19-14 loss to Saginaw Swan Valley on Aug. 27. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)
1st & Goal: 2023 Week 3 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 7, 2023
After two weeks of high anticipation to begin this football season, we’ve moved into the grind as several leagues begin play this weekend and contenders hope to take the first steps toward potentially celebrating a local championship next month.
It’s also not too late to bounce back from a tough start. Of 288 Michigan varsity teams that opened with losses during Week 1, 129 rebounded to win in Week 2. We’ll likely see many more find their footing over the next two days.
The majority of games across the state this weekend will be broadcast on MHSAA.tv and viewable with subscription, with results updated as those games conclude on the MHSAA Scores page.
Here’s a look at some of the matchups that may end up mattering most as this season rumbles on:
Bay & Thumb
Goodrich (2-0) at Lake Fenton (2-0)
With impressive wins over Frankenmuth and Linden over the last two weeks, Goodrich is off to an even more notable start than last season when it finished Division 4 runner-up. This one kicks off Flint Metro League Stars play with a rematch of the Martians’ only close league game from a year ago – they edged Lake Fenton 14-7 to lock up the outright title. The Blue Devils have outscored their first two opponents this season by a combined 93-6 as they look to rebound from last year’s 3-6 finish.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Croswell-Lexington (2-0) at Armada (1-1), Freeland (2-0) at Essexville Garber (2-0), Saginaw Heritage (2-0) at Grand Blanc (1-1), Bad Axe (1-1) at Harbor Beach (2-0).
Greater Detroit
Detroit Pershing (2-0) at Detroit Denby (2-0)
With Cass Tech, Martin Luther King and lately Central getting most of the pub, Denby’s success over the last decade often isn’t noted enough; the Tars have nine winning seasons and eight playoff appearances over the last 10 years. They’ve also shut out their first two opponents this fall as they begin Detroit Public School League Gold play. Pershing, meanwhile, is 2-0 for the first time since 2012 and last week defeated Madison Heights Bishop Foley to avenge a 41-point loss in 2022.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Rochester Adams (2-0) at Clarkston (0-2), New Lothrop (1-1) at Clarkston Everest Collegiate (1-1), Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (1-1) at Utica Eisenhower (2-0). SATURDAY Detroit Country Day (1-1) at Warren Michigan Collegiate (2-0).
Mid-Michigan
Pewamo-Westphalia (1-1) at Laingsburg (2-0)
The Wolfpack’s drive this season certainly must be substantial after just missing the playoffs last year despite a 6-3 record. Paced by senior Jack Borgman, Laingsburg opened by avenging last season’s loss to Durand and will now seek to defeat the Pirates for the first time since 2009 after missing by just seven points a year ago. P-W bounced back from a three-point loss to North Muskegon in its opener to shut out Bath last week.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Northville (2-0) at Brighton (1-1), Lansing Catholic (1-1) at Charlotte (2-0), Grand Ledge (2-0) at Holt (1-1), Olivet (0-2) at Lansing Sexton (2-0).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Marquette (1-1) at Gaylord (2-0), Saturday
League realignments over the last few years have led to some different trips for teams in the northern half of the Lower Peninsula – see Traverse City Central welcoming Davison in the Saginaw Valley League this weekend and this Marquette drive along with Sault Ste. Marie’s to Cadillac in the newest version of the Big North Conference. Gaylord is 2-0 for the second-straight season, but last year saw that momentum paused with a 17-14 Week 3 loss to Marquette. Marquette is coming off a 49-0 win over Alpena after falling to the Wildcats by two a year ago.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Frankfort (2-0) at Benzie Central (1-1), Sault Ste. Marie (2-0) at Cadillac (1-1), Boyne City (2-0) at Charlevoix (1-1), Davison (2-0) at Traverse City Central (1-1).
Southeast & Border
Carleton Airport (2-0) at Flat Rock (2-0)
The Huron League and Carleton Airport headlines this section of the state for the second week in a row, this time after the Jets avenged their 2022 loss to league champion Riverview with a 48-27 win. Flat Rock gave Airport a mighty challenge last season as well, with the Jets prevailing only 21-19 but the Rams going on to finish 8-4 – their winningest since 1976. Flat Rock is off to another solid start with victories over Dundee and Grosse Ile, both playoff teams as well in 2022.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Leslie (2-0) at Addison (2-0), Temperance Bedford (1-1) at Dexter (0-2), Hillsdale (1-1) at Hudson (2-0), Clinton (1-1) at Ida (1-1).
Southwest Corridor
Kalamazoo Central (1-0) at St. Joseph (1-1)
The Maroon Giants celebrated their first win in two seasons last week, downing 2022 playoff qualifier Sturgis 47-34 to break an 11-game losing streak. St. Joseph won this matchup big a year ago and has taken 12 straight since Central’s most recent victory in the series in 2004. However, the Bears are seeking to gain momentum to start September; they were shut out by Niles in their opener and didn’t get to play last week after receiving a forfeit win from Detroit Henry Ford.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY White Pigeon (2-0) at Decatur (1-1), Constantine (1-1) at Lawton (2-0), Jackson Lumen Christi (2-0) at Richland Gull Lake (2-0), SATURDAY Kalamazoo United (2-0) at Schoolcraft (2-0).
Upper Peninsula
Gladstone (2-0) at Kingsford (2-0)
Gladstone has opened with a pair of wins over Marquette and Negaunee that puts the Braves back in the discussion for best in the Upper Peninsula. But this week they face another challenger – one that’s also familiar but under changed circumstances. Gladstone and Kingsford were past Great Northern Conference football foes who both moved to the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper this fall, and the Flivvers actually had won 23 straight in this series before Gladstone’s 34-20 victory last season. Kingsford has yet to give up a point.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Houghton (0-2) at Hancock (1-1), Iron Mountain (2-0) at Ishpeming (1-1), Calumet (1-1) at Negaunee (1-1), Ishpeming Westwood (0-2) at Menominee (2-0).
West Michigan
Lowell (2-0) at East Grand Rapids (2-0)
For most of the 2000s, this was one of the spotlight games every season not only in the Grand Rapids area, but often statewide. The buzz has cooled some the last few years but could be building again. Lowell posted its first winning season last fall since 2017. East Grand Rapids is seeking its first since 2020 and last week downed reigning Division 4 champion Grand Rapids South Christian 23-21. The Pioneers edged the Red Arrows 15-14 a year ago.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Grand Rapids West Catholic (2-0) at Coopersville (2-0), Manistee (2-0) at Muskegon Oakridge (1-1), Wayland (2-0) at Grand Rapids Catholic Central (1-1), Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (2-0) at Muskegon Mona Shores (1-1).
8-Player
Bridgman (2-0) at Martin (2-0)
This is a rematch of one of the most memorable 8-player games from last season, as Bridgman’s 35-34 win in Week 9 finished off its second-straight perfect season. The Bees’ enrollment is too high for the team to qualify for the 8-player playoffs, however, and Martin went on to finish 11-2 and an overpowering Division 1 champion after winning all of its playoff games by at least 34 points. This season has started similarly as the Clippers have outscored their first two opponents by a combined 117-6 and Bridgman has put up 90 points over its first two games. This meeting takes on extra meaning as well as a switch put these two in the same division of the Southwest Michigan 8-Man Football League this fall.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY St. Ignace (2-0) at Alcona (2-0), Kingston (2-0) at Brown City (2-0), Newberry (2-0) at Rudyard (2-0). SATURDAY Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (2-0) at Portland St. Patrick (2-0).
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 Harper Woods pulled away from Rochester Hills Stoney Creek 34-21 in Week 1. (Photo by Olivia B. Photography.)