1st & Goal: 2026 Week 4 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 21, 2026
There's always a week during high school football season when league championship races begin to become clearer.
Week 4 seems a little early for that most years. But several conference title scenarios may have begun to unfold with the results of this weekend's games.
Of course we have several more weeks to go; we haven't reached midseason yet. But read on for more on how many matchups from Week 4 may end up being the deciding ones when this regular season is complete.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Imlay City 17, North Branch 14 Imlay City sits atop the Blue Water Area Conference with Almont and Macomb Lutheran North, which are all 3-0 in league play. The Spartans (4-0) won only three games total last season and a combined 11 since their last four-win season in 2020. Click for more from the Flint Journal.
Watch list Saginaw Valley Lutheran 31, Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central 28 The Chargers (4-0) have gone from a winless 2021 and a one-victory 2022 to a perfect regular season a year ago and an equally impressive start this fall.
On the move Linden 49, Holly 35 The Week 7 matchup between Linden and Fenton is lining up as the potential Flint Metro League Stripes decider as the Eagles (4-0) sent Holly (3-1) a game back of the leaders. Croswell-Lexington 20, Richmond 14 The Pioneers (1-3) opened against teams that are a combined 11-1 but started making their move by avenging last season’s 18-point loss to Richmond (0-4), which has three defeats by seven points or fewer. Saginaw Swan Valley 15, Whitehall 14 A late safety kept Swan Valley (4-0) undefeated and among the highest-ranking teams in Division 5 playoff points as we approach midseason.
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Romeo 36, Macomb Dakota 26 This matchup – and a similar result – ended up deciding the Macomb Area Conference Red title in Romeo’s favor last season, and the Bulldogs (4-0) are hoping for a similar bump as they’ll carry the momentum into this week’s matchup with league co-leader Grosse Pointe South. Dakota (2-2) took an early 14-0 lead before Romeo rallied the lockdown defense that has otherwise given up only 17 points this season. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.
Watch list Detroit Denby 12, Detroit Cody 6 Two games into the league schedule, Denby (3-1) is the only team undefeated in Detroit Public School League Gold play as it pursues a fourth-straight title. Circle the Week 7 home game against Detroit Central as the big one.
On the move Dearborn Fordson 24, Dearborn 17 The Tractors (3-1) bounced back from a Week 3 loss to Belleville to down the rival Pioneers and have now seen all four of their games this season decided by seven points or fewer. Redford Thurston 47, Redford Union 6 These two had shared the Western Wayne Athletic Conference championship a year ago, and Thurston took a big step toward making it a one-team title this fall, with the Week 6 matchup against Garden City a potential showdown. Clarkston 45, Rochester Adams 0 The Wolves (4-0) are riding a two-game shutout streak and opened the Oakland Activities Association Red schedule in a big way, but Adams (2-2) also lost to Clarkston last season and still went on to reach the Division 1 Semifinals.
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Leslie 34, Michigan Center 32 Leslie (3-1) sits atop the Cascades Conference North thanks to the game-winning touchdown pass with nine seconds to play. A 36-32 loss to Michigan Center (2-2) in Week 5 last season stopped the Blackhawks’ season-opening winning streak, and they went 1-5 the rest of the way, but this time Leslie will look to extend their early-season success against winless Grass Lake this week before a big Week 6 matchup against Manchester. Click for more from WLNS.
Watch list Saranac 21, Laingsburg 0 The Red Hawks are 4-0 for the first time since 2011 and haven’t allowed a point since Week 2 – and only 20 total this fall. Against Fowler this week, Saranac will have its first chance to avenge a 2025 defeat.
On the move Beal City 35, McBain 16 If recent history holds, this could end up deciding the Highland Conference title for the Aggies (4-0), although Evart has re-entered the conversation and hosts Beal City in Week 7. Hartland 36, Brighton 21 The Eagles (3-1) defeated Brighton for the first time since 2015 to become Howell’s primary challenger in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association Gold; they face off in two weeks. Okemos 35, Lansing Everett 20 The Wolves bounced back from a Week 3 loss to Grand Ledge to get to 3-1, that third victory marking the team’s most since 2018 and after winning a combined five games over the last seven seasons. Okemos’ next three opponents are a combined 3-9.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Traverse City St. Francis 39, Maple City Glen Lake 20 The Gladiators’ first-half schedule has been one of the state’s toughest, and the second half may not get much easier – which made this victory especially important, even as the team is stacking up playoff bonus points for taking on such tough competition. Glen Lake (2-2) should continue to contend in the Northern Michigan Football Conference, while St. Francis (2-2) has Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and Grand Rapids West Catholic among others over the next five weeks. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Watch list Petoskey 34, Escanaba 0 The Big North Conference is looking more unpredictable by the week, and the Northmen (3-1) find themselves tied with Marquette atop the early standings after finishing fourth a year ago.
On the move Frankfort 44, Johannesburg-Lewiston 16 Six of nine teams in the NMFC are 2-2 are better, including both of these, and matchups like this likely will help determine who qualifies for the playoffs. Harbor Springs 34, Tawas 6 The Rams (3-1) are another of those NMFC teams in the early playoff hunt as they pursue a first postseason appearance this decade. Ogemaw Heights 35, Midland Bullock Creek 0 The Falcons (4-0) built on a steady start defensively this season with their first shutout and did the work on offense as well after Bullock Creek (2-2) entered coming off two shutout wins.
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Adrian Madison 21, Hudson 12 Madison trailed 12-7 at halftime but came back to defeat last season’s Division 8 runner-up Tigers for the first time. The pair has been in the Lenawee County Athletic Association together the last three seasons and Hudson (3-1) had scored at least 50 points in all three of those LCAA meetings including during a 56-7 win over the Trojans (4-0) a year ago. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.
Watch list Monroe Jefferson 36, Riverview 24 These two are among five teams at 2-1 in the Huron League race with the midpoint coming up this week, and Jefferson (4-0 overall) leads with Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central at 3-0 in Huron play. Riverview (3-1) shared last year’s league title with both and will be hoping for a few slip-ups.
On the move Chelsea 63, Tecumseh 6 The Bulldogs (4-0) stand alone atop the Southeastern Conference White standings after their highest-scoring performance yet while also holding down a Tecumseh offense that reached 40 points every game of a 3-0 start. Jackson Lumen Christi 40, Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard 10 Every win is important in the Catholic High School League AA this season and especially as Lumen Christi (4-0) works to keep pace with Dearborn Divine Child. Brooklyn Columba Central 31, Jonesville 14 Jonesville had won all three meetings since these two joined the same Cascades Conference division in 2023, and the timing couldn’t have been better this time for Columbia Central which will take some added energy into this week’s key matchup at Hanover-Horton.
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER Marshall 28, Battle Creek Harper Creek 26 A dramatic fourth quarter that included a long Marshall scoring drive and 2-point conversion stop put the Redhawks (4-0) at the top of the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference standings and ended a run of three straight losses to the Beavers (3-1) – who have won the last two league titles. Click for more from the Battle Creek Enquirer.
Watch list Constantine 41, Schoolcraft 21 Just as we were anticipating a Week 6 Schoolcraft/Kalamazoo United matchup for first in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, the Falcons swooped in and changed things up, with United now alone in first place and Constantine and Schoolcraft both just a game behind at 3-1.
On the move Berrien Springs 30, Buchanan 20 The Shamrocks (4-0) no doubt were waiting for this Lakeland Athletic Conference rematch after losing last season to the Bucks and ending up as part of a three-team title share. Edwardsburg 21, Paw Paw 14 The Eddies (4-0) broke a three-game losing skid against Paw Paw (3-1) and in doing so whittled the leaders in the Wolverine Conference down to only themselves and Vicksburg, their Week 8 opponent. Union City 22, Quincy 18 The Chargers (4-0) are undefeated through the first half of their Big 8 Conference schedule after claiming their closest league win since 2022 and handing Quincy (3-1) its first defeat.
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Menominee 22, Calumet 8 The Maroons (4-0) have run their winning streak to 18, but with this victory their second-closest during the last two regular seasons – ranking just behind the 10-point victory over the Copper Kings from a year ago. The victory kept Menominee atop the Division 7 playoff-point rankings and sent Calumet (3-1) from No. 4 to No. 14 in Division 6. Click for more from the Marinette/Menominee Eagle Herald.
Watch list Marquette 33, Cadillac 27 After opening this season with a pair of losses to Upper Peninsula rivals, Marquette has added a pair of victories to begin Big North Conference play after finishing third in the league a year ago.
On the move Kingsford 21, Negaunee 16 This one always seems to have league title implications, and the Flivvers (4-0) kept themselves among the undefeated in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper. Iron Mountain 42, L’Anse 22 After a pair of one-score losses heading into this matchup, Iron Mountain (2-2) ran its winning streak over L’Anse (2-2) to six, although they meet again Week 7. Ishpeming Westwood 38, Houghton 26 The Patriots (1-3) got on the board after opening this fall with losses to three teams that are currently a combined 11-1.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Grand Rapids South Christian 34, Hudsonville Unity Christian 33 Unity led 14-0 early and by as many as 20 before Austin Burgess scored the go-ahead touchdown on fourth down with 1:34 to play and Brody Shilts iced the win for South Christian (3-1) with an interception in the end zone. Unity (2-2) had won their last two meetings by 28 and 29 points. Click for more from WOOD TV.
1-800-CALL-SAM PLAY OF THE WEEK NOMINEE
ONE LAST CHANCE… DENIED. ❌
Brody Shilts picks off Unity Christian’s final end-zone attempt to slam the door and seal the win for South Christian! 🔒🏈
Powered by @CallSam pic.twitter.com/acTvBzzbhA— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) September 20, 2026
Watch list Hamilton 28, Spring Lake 7 The schedule won’t get easier for the Hawkeyes (3-1), but they’ve already improved substantially on last year’s 2-7 finish, especially considering their first three opponents are a combined 11-5.
On the move Big Rapids 27, Reed City 7 This matchup decided the last two Central State Activities Association Red championships, and the Cardinals (2-2) have an important edge again as they prepare to play current co-leader Remus Chippewa Hills this week. Grand Rapids West Catholic 42, Ada Forest Hills Eastern 34 West Catholic (3-1) delivered Forest Hills Eastern’s first defeat in the matchup that might end up deciding the Ottawa-Kent Conference White title. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 26, Holland Christian 7 TK also has some major opponents ahead, but sits 4-0 for the first time since 2018 and delivered Hamilton’s lone loss and Hastings’ first this season.
8-Player
HEADLINER Colon 32, Climax-Scotts 8 Colon coach Robbie Hattan previously led the Magi to the Division 1 championship in 2019 and has the team rumbling again in his return as it downed a Climax-Scotts team that had averaged 31 points per game during its 3-0 start and won last year’s meeting 77-33. Colon has another big one this week against undefeated Mendon. Click for more from WTHD.
Watch list Dansville 38, Morrice 25 The Aggies (4-0) are playing their first season of 8-player after winning one game total over their last three 11-player seasons. The switch suits them, as they’ve claimed all of their games this fall by at least 12 points.
On the move Ishpeming 38, Crystal Falls Forest Park 22 It’s a good time to say Ishpeming is all the way back from last season’s uncharacteristic down year as the Hematites (3-1) are now the only contender to defeat traditional powers Forest Park (3-1) and Powers North Central this season. Mendon 50, Mio 34 The Hornets (4-0) won this matchup of unbeatens by giving up their season high but also topping 45 points for the fourth straight week. Lake Linden-Hubbell 60, Norway 32 The Lakes already had a win over Ishpeming and this was another massive achievement as Norway’s only defeat over the last two years was during last season’s Division 1 Semifinals.
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PHOTOS (Top) Grand Rapids West Catholic takes the field prior to last week's win over Forest Hills Eastern. (Middle) A Davison pass rusher pursues the Saginaw Heritage quarterback Friday. (Below) Marquette's Winston Leonard keeps the ball as Cadillac's Westin Hamp pursues and eventually tackles him. (West Catholic photo by Michigan Sports Photo. Davison/Heritage photo by Terry Lyons. Marquette/Cadillac photo by Cara Kamps.)
Friday Nights Always Memorable as Record-Setter Essenburg Begins 52nd Year as Official
By
Steve Vedder
Special for MHSAA.com
August 31, 2023
GRAND RAPIDS – All Tom Essenburg could think of was the warmth of a waiting bus.
Five decades later, that's what Essenburg – then a senior defensive back at Holland High School – remembers most about a stormy Friday night before 2,100 thoroughly drenched fans at Riverview Park. He recalls having a solid night from his position in the Dutch secondary. He remembers a fourth-quarter downpour, Holland eventually winning the game and trudging wearily through the lakes of mud to the team's bus.
But what never dawned on Essenburg until much later was that he had been the first to accomplish something only three defenders in the history of Michigan high school football have ever done:
Intercept five passes in a single game.
"I knew after the game that I had a bunch of them, but (at the time) we were in a 0-0 game and my mind was on just don't get beat (on a pass) and we lose 7-0," he said of the Sept. 21, 1962, contest against Muskegon Heights.
It wasn't until the next morning's story in the Holland Evening Sentinel that Essenburg grasped what exactly had happened. He didn't realize until then that he had picked off five passes in all, including two over the last 1:52 that sealed a 12-0 win over Muskegon Heights. One of the interceptions went for a 37-yard touchdown, which Essenburg does vividly remember.
"I remember thinking to myself that I had to score," said Essenburg, who has been involved with high school sports in one fashion or another for more than 60 years. "There was a Muskegon Heights guy who had the angle on me and I pretty much thought I was going to get tackled, but I got in there."
Essenburg's recollection of the first three interceptions is a bit hazy after 61 years, but the next day's newspaper account pointed out one amazing fact. The Muskegon Heights quarterback had only attempted six passes during the entire game, with five of them winding up in the hands of the 5-foot-8, 155-pound Essenburg – who had never intercepted a single pass before that night. He would later intercept two more in the season finale against Grand Rapids Central.
It wasn't until the middle 1970s that Essenburg began wondering where the five-interception performance ranked among Michigan High School Athletic Association records. What he remembers most about the game was the overwhelming desire to find warmth and dry out.
"I just wanted to get to the bus and get warm. We were all soaked," he said. "For me it was like, 'OK, game over.' I was just part of the story."
Curiosity, however, eventually got the better of Essenburg. A decade later he contacted legendary MHSAA historian Dick Kishpaugh, who in an attempt to confirm the five interceptions, wrote to Muskegon Heights coach Okie Johnson, who quickly verified the mark.
It turns out that at the time in 1962, nobody had even intercepted four passes in a game. And since Essenburg's record night, only Tony Gill of Temperance Bedford on Oct. 13, 1990, and then Zach Brigham of Concord on Oct. 15, 2010, have matched intercepting five passes in one game.
Three years after Essenburg's special night, Dave Slaggert of Saginaw St. Peter & Paul became the first of 17 players to intercept four passes in a game.
Essenburg laughs about it now, but his five interceptions didn't even earn him Player of the Week honors from the local Holland Optimist Club. Instead, the club inexplicably gave the honor to a defensive lineman.
It was that last interception Essenburg cherishes the most. His fourth with 1:52 remaining at the Holland 17-yard line had set up a seven-play, 83-yard drive that snapped a scoreless tie. Then on Muskegon Height's next possession, Essenburg grabbed an errant pass and raced 37 yards down the sideline to seal the game with 13 seconds left.
In those days, running games dominated high school football and defensive backs were left virtually on their own, Essenburg said.
"I kept thinking don't let them beat you, don't let them beat you. No one can get beyond you. In those days, once a receiver got in the secondary, they were gone," said Essenburg, who describes himself as a capable defender but no star.
"I wasn't great, but I guess I was pretty good for those days," he said. "I'm proud that I'm in the record book with a verified record."
Essenburg's Holland High School career, which also included varsity letters in tennis and baseball, is part of a lifelong association with prep sports. After playing tennis at Western Michigan, he became Allegan High School's athletic director in 1971 while coaching the tennis team and junior varsity football from 1967-73.
But he's most proud of being a member of the West Michigan Officials Association for the last 47 years. During that time, Essenburg estimates he's officiated more than 400 varsity football games and nearly 1,000 freshman and junior varsity contests. In all, he's worked 83 playoff games, including six MHSAA Finals, the most recent in 2020 at Ford Field. An MHSAA-registered official for 52 years total, he's also officiated high school softball since 1989.
Essenburg also worked collegiately in the Division III Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and NAIA for 35 years, including officiating the 2005 Alonzo Stag Bowl.
Essenburg said the one thing that's kept him active in officiating is being a small part of the tight community and family bonds that make fall Friday nights special.
"I enjoy being part of high schools' Friday night environment," he said. "All that is so good to me, especially the playoffs. It's the small schools and being part of community. I used to say it was the smell of the grass, but now, of course, it's turf.
"I can't play anymore, but I can play a part in high school football in keeping the rules and being fair to both teams. That's what I want to be part of."
While it can be argued high school football now is a far cry from Essenburg's era, he believes his even-tempered attitude serves him well as an official. It's also the first advice he would pass along to young officials.
"My makeup is that I don't get rattled," he said. "Sure, I hear things, but does it rattle me? No. I look at it as part of the game. My goal is to be respected.
"I've never once ejected a coach. It's pretty much just trying to be cool and collected in talking to coaches. It's like, 'OK Coach, You've had your say, let's go on."
While Essenburg is rightly proud of his five-interception record, he believes the new days of quarterbacks throwing two dozen times in a game will eventually lead to his mark falling by the wayside. And that's fine, he said.
"It'll get beaten, no question. It's just a matter of when," he said. "Quarterbacks are so big now, like 6-4, 200 pounds, and they are strong-armed because of weight programs. They throw lots of passes now, so there's no doubt it's going to happen."
Until Essenburg is erased from the record book, he'll take his satisfaction from his connection with Friday Night Lights.
"I love high school sports and being with coaches and players," he said. "My goal was once to work for the FBI or be a high school coach, but now I want to continue working football games on Friday nights until someone says no more."
PHOTOS (Top) Tom Essenburg holds up a copy of the program from the 1962 game during which he intercepted a record five passes for Holland against Muskegon Heights. (Middle) Essenburg, left, and Al Noles officiate an Addix all-star game in Grand Rapids. (Photos courtesy of Tom Essenburg.)