1st & Goal: 2026 Week 3 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 14, 2026
The highest-scoring game, potentially, in Michigan high school history will put Week 3 in the record books at the end of this season.
But several more results could send the second weekend of September into school record books across the state if the rest of the regular season plays out as past history dictates it might.
Several matchups that decided 2025 league titles were played at the one-third point this fall. And while we will have to wait another month or more to know for sure, many noted below might end up deciding which teams hoist conference championship trophies later this fall.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Montrose 35, New Lothrop 33 Montrose (2-1) ran its Mid-Michigan Athletic Conference winning streak to 11 with its closest league victory in two years. After only two weeks of league play there are only two teams 2-0 in the MMAC – Montrose joined by Birch Run, and they’ll meet in a Week 8 league finale. Click for more from WJRT.
Watch list Imlay City 22, Croswell-Lexington 0 Imlay City (3-0) already has as many wins as a year ago and with one more victory will match its highest total since 2020. This win reversed a 42-7 loss to Croswell-Lexington (0-3) a year ago and was the Spartans’ first over the Pioneers since 2014.
On the move Armada 28, North Branch 6 The Tigers (2-1) bounced back from a Week 2 loss to Almont to hand North Branch (2-1) its first defeat. Davison 54, Traverse City Central 28 The Cardinals also enjoyed an impressive bounce-back coming off a Week 2 defeat to Detroit Catholic Central with a notable win over a Central team that reached the Regional Finals last fall. Millington 43, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 16 Last season’s Cardinals win over Laker (1-2) in the league finale decided the Big Thumb Conference White title. This season they played in the league opener, and the result might end up doing the same although Caro and Cass City are both undefeated as well and up next for Millington (3-0).
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 31, Warren De La Salle Collegiate 28 A Marcus Hayes interception returned for a touchdown was the highlight play from this Catholic High School League Central matchup. The end result of the game was Brother Rice (3-0) taking a step as a candidate to be top contender in the league race against Detroit Catholic Central, although Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in Week 5 will present another major challenge. Click for more from the Detroit News.
1-800-CALL-SAM PLAY OF THE WEEK NOMINEE 🏈
Brother Rice's Marcus Hayes with the GAME-CHANGING PICK 6 against Warren De La Salle to defeat them 31-28!
Vote this Friday on the State Champs! Instagram 🗳️
Powered by @CallSam pic.twitter.com/es8s5htcfu— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) September 12, 2026
Watch list Northville 35, Brighton 34 Northville (3-0) finished second in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West last year thanks in part to a loss to Brighton (2-1), but may be the team to beat in the new KLAA Black after securing this one with a 2-point conversion stop with 24 seconds to play.
On the move Detroit Edison 41, Romulus Summit Academy North 14 After these two shared the championship a year ago Edison (2-1) now joins Ecorse with the early lead in the Charter School Conference Gold, with those two set to meet in Week 8. South Lyon 35, Walled Lake Western 14 This was one of the two big matchups when South Lyon won the Lakes Valley Conference last season, and might prove a decider again although upcoming games with Milford and South Lyon East will influence the race as well. Dearborn Divine Child 14, Detroit Country Day 7 Divine Child (3-0) marched late for the go-ahead score to run its current streak over Country Day to three wins in three seasons, but the close loss also showed how dangerous the Yellowjackets (1-2) could be the rest of the way.
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Beal City 42, Springport 13 The Aggies (3-0) stepped away from their Highland Conference repeat pursuit for a week to take on the reigning champion from the Big 8 Conference and busted out in a big way during the second half after leading only 14-7 at the break. It was the first regular-season loss for Springport (2-1) since Week 8 of 2024. Click for more from WLNS.
Watch list Mount Pleasant 28, Midland Dow 7 The Oilers (3-0) began their Saginaw Valley League North repeat pursuit with their best defensive game of the young season as they faced last year’s league runner-up in Dow (1-2).
On the move Grand Ledge 45, Okemos 7 The Comets (3-0) won this matchup of previously undefeated opponents to open Capital Area Activities Conference Blue play. Mason 20, Haslett 7 The Bulldogs (3-0) didn’t let down after a big Week 2 win over DeWitt, opening CAAC Red play by avenging one of last season’s two league losses. Howell 54, Dearborn 14 The Highlanders have reached 40 points all three games this season and 35 points in 11 straight dating back to Week 4 of last fall.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER East Jordan 20, Maple City Glen Lake 19 The last three regular-season meetings between these Northern Michigan Football Conference rivals have been decided by a combined four points – and Glen Lake (2-1) also won last year’s District Final matchup by 14 – but this went East Jordan’s way for the first time since 2023. The Red Devils (2-1) quickly have become the only team in the one-division NMFC still without a league loss. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Watch list Harbor Springs 14, Frankfort 10 Frankfort (2-1) has made the playoffs every season this decade and Harbor Springs (2-1) hasn’t once, but that could be changing as the Rams defeated the Panthers for the first time since 2020.
On the move Kingsley 39, Charlevoix 13 The Stags (3-0) have looked especially impressive in the early going and may have won the eventual decider in the Northern Shores Conference with Charlevoix (2-1) another contender. Cadillac 28, Gaylord 0 The Vikings (2-1) made a big splash against the reigning Big North Conference champion Blue Devils (1-2), and in doing so equaled their win total of a year ago. Oscoda 20, Johannesburg-Lewiston 8 After falling to East Jordan and Harbor Springs to start the fall, the Owls (1-2) are on the board thanks to avenging last season’s 12-point loss to the Cardinals (2-1).
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Chelsea 49, Adrian 21 These two decided last season’s Southeastern Conference White title, and the early edge this fall goes to reigning champion Chelsea which is now tied for first with Tecumseh. Those co-leaders will meet this week in one of the biggest matchups regionally and beyond. Click for more from the Chelsea Sun Times News.
Watch list Jackson Lumen Christi 45, Traverse City St. Francis 0 The Titans (3-0) have won five straight over the Gladiators (1-2) but handed St. Francis its first shutout since these two met in 2023.
On the move Napoleon 32, Jonesville 12 Napoleon (3-0) moved from the Cascades Conference East to West this season and opened by slowing down a Jonesville offense that had scored 98 points during a 2-0 start. Michigan Center 22, Manchester 16 The reigning Cascades West champion Cardinals (2-1) got an important league win out of the way as Manchester also had impressed during a 2-0 start. Quincy 67, Stockbridge 21 After a rough first half of the decade, Quincy finished it up last season with a solid 5-4 run – and at 3-0 this fall may be in the mix to take another step although the schedule has a number of challenges the rest of the way.
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER Marshall 52, Hastings 45 The Interstate 8 Athletic Conference race is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in the southwest with three of seven teams 3-0 overall and others capable of making noise on a given night. Marshall is 3-0 for the first time since 2009 with this win over annual league contender Hastings, which is 1-2 against opponents a combined 8-1 this fall. Click for more from WWMT.
Watch list Union City 22, Bronson 14 Union City is setting up well as a Big 8 Conference contender, moving to 3-0 with this win over Bronson (1-2), which finished second in the Southwest 10 Conference a year ago.
On the move Mattawan 77, Battle Creek Central 76 (5OT) This was definitely the highest-scoring overtime game in MHSAA football history, the highest-scoring for two teams combined when the loser scores at least 40, and very likely the highest-scoring high school football game in Michigan overall since 1912 (before the MHSAA was formed 12 years later). Kalamazoo United 28, Lawton 7 This was another major step for United (3-0) in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, with the Week 6 date against Schoolcraft now shaping up as a potential league title decider. Lawton (2-1) still gets a shot against Schoolcraft as well, in Week 9. Portage Central 25, Portage Northern 14 Central (2-1) has taken a notable edge in this rivalry with a fifth-straight win, and these two will not meet again this season as they’re in different playoff divisions.
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Bark River-Harris 38, Iron Mountain 33 Bark River-Harris’ repeat hopes in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Iron got a major boost as this matchup has been the title decider the last two seasons. The Broncos (3-0) defeated Iron Mountain three times a year ago and certainly could see the Mountaineers (1-2) again in the playoffs in two months. Click for more from My UP Now.
Watch list Houghton 54, L’Anse 8 This could be a turning point for the Gremlins (1-2), who topped 50 points for the first time since 2022 and held a L’Anse team that had scored 90 over a 2-0 start.
On the move Calumet 21, Negaunee 18 The Copper Kings (3-0) opened a stretch of Negaunee/Menominee/Kingsford the best way, and for the second-straight season, with the next two games to tell their fortunes in the West-PAC Copper. Escanaba 29, Alpena 12 Escanaba (1-2) ran its winning streak against Alpena (1-2) to five and evened its record in the BNC after opening against the reigning champ. Kingsford 35, Gladstone 0 The Flivvers (3-0) have outscored their first three opponents by a combined 104-22 margin with Negaunee and Calumet up next.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Caledonia 35, Rockford 23 The Fighting Scots (2-1) impressively bounced back from the disappointment of taking a forfeit loss Week 1 by defeating the Rams (1-2) for the first time since their 2022 Division 1 District Final. Caledonia capitalized on three turnovers and a blocked punt, and also returned a kickoff for a score. Click for more from WOOD TV.
Watch list Muskegon Orchard View 22, Whitehall 8 The Cardinals (2-1) didn’t even have a team five seasons ago, but they won five of their last six games last fall and continued this early surge by defeating Whitehall for the first time in their five years together in the West Michigan Conference Lakes.
On the move Grand Rapids West Catholic 45, Grand Rapids South Christian 34 The Falcons (2-1) bounced back from a Week 2 loss to hand the Sailors (2-1) their first this season. Coopersville 20, Petoskey 17 (OT) The Broncos are now 3-0 against teams that went a combined 27-4 a year ago. Hudsonville 42, Grand Haven 14 Six of eight Ottawa-Kent Conference Red teams are 2-1 or better, including both of these after Hudsonville handed Grand Haven its first loss.
8-Player
HEADLINER Rudyard 42, Indian River Inland Lakes 36 (3OT) It took three overtimes, but Rudyard (2-1) ended Inland Lakes’ 25-game regular-season winning streak dating back to 2023. This was their first meeting since 2013, and an important one as they are both in the first-year Bridge Alliance Straits this fall. Click for more from the Cheboygan Daily Tribune.
Watch list Litchfield 28, Battle Creek St. Philip 6 The Terriers are 3-0 for the first time since 2022 as they seek their first playoff berth since 2011. They’ve actually won six of their last seven games going back to last season.
On the move Bay City All Saints 33, Kinde North Huron 14 The Cougars (3-0) took a major step as they pursue a fourth-straight league title, even as North Huron (2-1) gave them their closest game in the series since 2022. Ishpeming 80, Stephenson 42 The Hematites (2-1) equaled their win total from a year ago and are just 18 points shy of equaling their scoring for all of 2025. Bridgman 48, Marcellus 18 The Bees (3-0) picked up what might end up a key win in the Southern Michigan 8-Man Football League Red, as Marcellus (2-1) was coming off a victory over reigning Division 1 champ Martin.
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PHOTOS (Top) Fenton defenders close in on a tackle during the Tigers’ 26-14 win over Flushing. (Middle) Ithaca’s Greyson Merchant (6) follows senior Harper Merchant for a first down during the Yellowjackets’ 63-7 win over Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central. (Below) Ishpeming’s Donovan Snyder (1) pulls in a pass against Stephenson. (Fenton/Flushing photo by Terry Lyons. Ithaca/Nouvel photo by Kolleth Photography. Ishpeming/Stephenson photo by Randy Ritari.)
Culture Change Creates More Organized, Motivated & Successful Manchester
By
Doug Donnelly
Special for MHSAA.com
September 27, 2022
Manchester’s football team is going through a re-birth.
One of the team’s top players – senior Jaxon McGuigan – calls it a change in culture.
“This summer, when we were having workouts or lifting, we had 30 guys show up every time,” said McGuigan, the team’s leading receiver. “When I was younger, there were times we would have only 10 guys. If we had 10 guys there now, we knew something would be wrong.”
Manchester is one of the oldest prep football programs in the state. It also has been one of the most successful. From 2003-16, the Flying Dutchmen made the playoffs 13 of 14 seasons, including a streak of nine straight. Then, for a variety of reasons, the bottom fell out.
Manchester went from 9-2 and a Cascades Conference championship in 2015 to back-to-back 4-5 seasons in 2017 and 2018, a 2-5 record in 2020 and 3-6 last season.
Head coach Ben Pack was brought in to make changes to the program. He’s delivered. Now in his third season, the Dutchmen have a signature win over three-time reigning league champion Addison and stand 4-1 midway through the season. They are firmly in the playoff hunt and are just a game behind league leader Napoleon, the only team to beat them this season. Even that was a close game until the end.
“Our numbers were so low when I got here,” Pack said. “We struggled. That first year, the COVID year, we could barely put together a scout team.
“When I got here, we had four guys returning from the previous year and six juniors who were on JV as sophomores,” Pack said. “Ten guys in the program. I had to do a lot of recruiting in the hallways. We had to get kids out for football.”
Pack is a veteran coach. He is a Jackson native who started his coaching career at Jackson High School while in college. He became the head coach at Parma Western in 1983 and headed home to Jackson after that. The Vikings put together a string of good teams, including the 1999 group that was Jackson’s first playoff qualifier.
Pack left Jackson in 2002 to become an administrator, but remained in football when he joined the Albion College staff. He returned to the high school ranks a couple of seasons ago at Parma Western as a volunteer assistant. Two seasons later he was named head coach at Manchester.
Pack has not only been recruiting in the Manchester hallways, but he’s also been busy implementing a strength program.
“We had no organized lifting program,” he said. “We had guys who would come in to lift, but nothing organized. Now the kids come in and they are working, they are getting stronger and more mature. Those kids who were freshmen and sophomores when I got here are stronger and more mature. With strength and maturity comes confidence.”
One of his players that first year was a freshman quarterback, Kannon Duffing, who made one start.
“He competed,” Pack said. “He was definitely a half-pint, but he played, and he did a nice job. He completed passes. He wasn’t ready to win, yet, but he grew from it and learned from the experience.”
Duffing completed 60 percent of his passes last year for 1,273 yards and nine touchdowns. This season, he’s been even better. Through five games, Duffing has completed 57 of 82 passes, a healthy 69.5 percent, for 821 yards and nine touchdowns. His interceptions have dropped from eight last year to just two this fall.
“We don’t throw deep a lot,” Pack said. “But what we do throw, he’s very accurate. He gets the job done. He’s the unsung hero for us. He’s the catalyst. He is the key to the whole thing.”
Wide receiver Andrew Campbell, running back Wyatt Carson and McGuigan are benefactors of Duffing’s accuracy.
“He is so good,” McGuigan said. “I know he’s going to put the ball right there. We have other good receivers, too, and he does a great job at getting us the ball. Our game plan is not to just get the ball to me.”
McGuigan is a former quarterback himself. He shifted to receiver early on in his career at Manchester and likes the move. He’s now a 6-foot-2, 170-pound college prospect. He’s a three-sport athlete with a 4.0 GPA.
Pack said McGuigan has great technique in the way he runs routes.
“Every successful team has a player or two that the other kids count on,” Pack said. “Jaxon has accepted that responsibility and is a role model for handling the pressure.”
Through five games, McGuigan has caught 37 passes for 554 yards and seven touchdowns. The biggest came with time running out against Addison and helped the Flying Dutchmen overcome a two-score deficit to defeat the Panthers. The Flying Dutchmen defense came up big in that game, too, when they put together a goal-line stand during the final moments to keep Addison out of the end zone.
“To be honest, that’s the type of game the last couple of years that we wouldn’t win,” McGuigan said. “To beat them just shows that everyone has buy-in now. It just shows how we’ve changed the culture here.”
Two weeks ago, Manchester bounced back from the Napoleon loss to win against East Jackson. McGuigan had one of his biggest games with eight catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns.
East Jackson coach Joe Niehaus said McGuigan is one of the most complete receivers he’s coached against.
“He runs great routes and catches virtually everything thrown to him,” Niehaus said. “On top of that, he is a threat to go the distance after the catch every single time.”
Manchester has conference games remaining against Michigan Center, Hanover-Horton, and Grass Lake. The Dutchmen are a top-10 team in Division 7 playoff points and are sitting nicely as they attempt to get back into the postseason.
“Ever since Coach Pack came here, it’s been drilled into us to trust the process,” McGuigan said. “We’re still far from where we could be as a team.”
Doug Donnelly has served as a sports and news reporter and city editor over 25 years, writing for the Daily Chief-Union in Upper Sandusky, Ohio from 1992-1995, the Monroe Evening News from 1995-2012 and the Adrian Daily Telegram since 2013. He's also written a book on high school basketball in Monroe County and compiles record books for various schools in southeast Michigan. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for Jackson, Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Lenawee and Monroe counties.
PHOTO Manchester receiver Jaxon McGuigan holds on to the ball while Addison defenders take him out of bounds. (Photo by Mark Ball, courtesy of the Manchester football program.)