1st & Goal: 2026 Week 5 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 28, 2026
We’ve passed the midway point of the 2026 football regular season, and it’s already trophy time for several teams across Michigan.
Week 5 saw a few outright conference champions crowned, several claim shares of league titles, and many more continue to close in as October prepares to greet us this weekend.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Marine City 57, St. Clair 36 Marine City pulled within one more win of clinching a share of the Macomb Area Conference Silver title by claiming this matchup of co-leaders entering the weekend. The Mariners can clinch that repeat title this week against Hazel Park. Click for more from the Port Huron Times Herald.
Watch list Flushing 28, Linden 20 This could go a long way toward the Raiders (3-2) returning to the playoffs after missing last season, but also sets them up to potentially earn a share of the Flint Metro League Stripes title if Linden (4-1) can take down first-place Fenton in two weeks.
On the move Millington 27, Cass City 7 The Cardinals (5-0) clinched a share of the Big Thumb Conference White title by handing Cass City (4-1) its lone defeat – and after falling to Cass City 17-14 last season. Almont 37, Imlay City 20 These Raiders (5-0) whittled the Blue Water Area Conference race potentially down to two, handing Imlay City (4-1) its only loss to stay atop the standings tied now with only Macomb Lutheran North. Gladwin 14, Clare 13 This paired with Shepherd’s win over Ogemaw Heights put the Flying Gs (4-1) into first place alone in the Jack Pine Conference Division 1.
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Detroit Cass Tech 20, Detroit Martin Luther King 7 Cass Tech’s defense continued to excel and Julian Taylor ran for two touchdowns as the Technicians (5-0) extended their winning steak over the Crusaders (4-1) to four. Cass has now given up only 28 points over five games, but King also did the job defensively keeping the Technicians well below their 52-ppg average heading into the weekend. Click for more from the Detroit News.
JULIAN TAYLOR × 2️⃣🏈🔥
Two touchdown runs for Cass Tech standout @TM_Ju7 in last night’s @MHSAA win over Detroit King. pic.twitter.com/mS1qM6NQPe— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) September 26, 2026
Watch list Ecorse 40, Romulus Summit Academy North 33 The Red Raiders are off to a 5-0 start for the second straight season, and by downing annual contender Summit (3-2) remained tied for first in the Charter School Conference Gold with Detroit Edison.
On the move Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 48, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 20 St. Mary’s (4-1) remains one of three teams undefeated in Catholic High School League Central play after handing Rice (4-1) its only loss. Romeo 28, Grosse Pointe South 26 The Bulldogs (5-0) can clinch a share of the Macomb Area Conference Red title this week after handing South (4-1) its only defeat and after losing to South the last three seasons. St. Clair Shores Lakeview 29, Utica 28 Lakeview (4-1) pulled into first alone in the MAC White after also avenging a 2025 loss to the Chieftains (4-1).
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Portland 23, Lake Odessa Lakewood 20 The Raiders’ 30-game winning streak in the Capital Area Activities Conference White rested on the leg of Chase Fullet with a second left on the clock, and his 25-yard field goal made it 31 straight wins and put Portland at 5-0 with Lakewood falling to 4-1. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
Watch list Shepherd 14, Ogemaw Heights 12 The Bluejays (3-2) were coming off two losses to start the JPC1 schedule, but surely made those disappointments fade a bit with this stunner after falling to Ogemaw Heights (4-1) by 42 and 35 points the last two years. Shepherd is seeking its first playoff berth since 2022.
On the move Pewamo-Westphalia 59, Bark River-Harris 14 The Pirates (5-0) won this matchup between returning Division 7 and 8 semifinalists, respectively, handing Bark River-Harris (4-1) its only loss this fall. Ovid-Elsie 30, Durand 27 After opening with a pair of losses, Ovid-Elsie (3-2) still controls its destiny in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference with the two other top contenders coming up over the next two weeks. Mason 21, St. Johns 9 The Bulldogs (5-0) pulled within a win of clinching a share of the CCAAC Red title by holding back a St. Johns offense that had reached 28 points during every game of a 3-1 start.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Cadillac 22, Petoskey 20 Four of seven teams in the Big North Conference are 3-0, 3-1 or 2-1 in league play, including both of these contenders. Cadillac (3-2) has a loss to Marquette and will now hope for help from Petoskey (3-2), which faces the Sentinels in Week 8. The Vikings’ last two league games are against opponents that are a combined 2-8. Click for more from the Cadillac News.
Watch list Kingsley 42, Elk Rapids 22 The Stags (5-0) have a week off with a forfeit win coming from Cheboygan but will be in position to clinch the Northern Shores Conference title – at least a share – when they host second-place Boyne City in Week 7. Elk Rapids (3-2) remains in the Division 6 playoff hunt tied for No. 31 in Division 6 playoff-point average.
On the move McBain 28, Charlevoix 27 The Ramblers (4-2) came back from two touchdowns down to win this District Semifinal rematch from a year ago by the same score. Traverse City West 36, Midland 7 The Titans (3-2) bounced back from a Week 4 loss to keep pace near the top of the Saginaw Valley League North and send Midland (3-2) a game back of the lead. Traverse City St. Francis 42, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 14 After a couple of losses to title contenders early, the Gladiators made the midseason turn with a second-straight win to move up to No. 28 in Division 6 playoff-point average.
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Hanover-Horton 49, Brooklyn Columbia Central 48 Hanover-Horton (4-1) clinched a share of the Cascades Conference South championship by handing the lone league loss to an opponent for the second-straight week, this time Columbia Central (4-1) after doing the same to Napoleon in Week 4. The league title is the Comets’ third consecutive and the win extended their conference winning streak to 13. Click for more from WLNS.
Watch list Ida 41, Adrian Madison 20 Four teams in the Lenawee County Athletic Association are 4-0 or 3-1 in league play, with Ida (5-0) now sharing the top spot with Clinton but Madison (4-1) and Hudson certainly still in the mix with three weeks of LCAA games remaining.
On the move Vandercook Lake 21, Michigan Center 12 Vandercook Lake (2-3) is seeking its first 11-player postseason appearance since 2015, and if the Jayhawks make it this win over the Cardinals (2-3) surely will have played a part. Manchester 52, Jonesville 22 A Week 3 loss to Michigan Center threw a wrench into Manchester’s Cascades Conference North title pursuit, but the Flying Dutchmen (4-1) still have a shot and will be coming off scoring their season high when they host leader Leslie on Friday. Monroe Jefferson 28, Flat Rock 26 Jefferson (5-0) kept pace with Monroe St. Mary atop the Huron League standings by surviving a close one with Flat Rock (2-3).
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER Vicksburg 26, Three Rivers 21 Vicksburg held off Three Rivers to maintain its co-lead with Edwardsburg in the Wolverine Conference. The Bulldogs and Wildcats have developed a nice matchup over the last three seasons, with all four meetings – including in last year’s District Final – decided by 3-5 points. Ja’Kobi Reed scored the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter of this one. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Watch list Galesburg-Augusta 12, Centreville 8 Galesburg-Augusta (5-0) already has matched its winningest season since 2016, and one more victory (assured at this point by a forfeit coming from White Pigeon in Week 7) will give them their most since 1997.
On the move St. Joseph 49, Battle Creek Central 19 The Bears (4-1) finished an outright league championship in the four-team Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference small-schools division, winning their three league games by a combined score of 137-29. Portage Central 43, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 0 The Mustangs (4-1) clinched a share of the SMAC big-schools division title and can finish it outright this week against Battle Creek Lakeview. Decatur 38, Galesburg-Augusta 12 Decatur (5-0), like Galesburg-Augusta, is undefeated in Southwest 10 Conference play heading into this week’s potential title decider.
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Kingsford 37, Calumet 19 The Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper race is all but down to two teams, thanks to undefeated Kingsford (5-0) handing Calumet (3-2) a second league loss and Menominee also remaining unbeaten in league play. The Flivvers and Maroons face off in Week 8. Click for more from the Houghton Daily Mining Gazette.
Watch list Ishpeming Westwood 20, Gladstone 0 The Patriots (2-3) haven’t reached four wins in a season since their most recent playoff run in 2021, but despite a loaded schedule this fall have picked up some momentum with two straight wins including this one avenging a 59-22 loss from a year ago.
On the move Iron Mountain 25, Manistique 8 Winning the West-PAC Iron will take some help after a Week 3 loss to Bark River-Harris, but the Mountaineers (3-2) have bounced back from two early defeats. Negaunee 40, Hancock 0 The Miners (3-2) bounced back from two straight losses to stifle a Hancock team (3-2) enjoying its best season over the last five. Marquette 48, Escanaba 10 The Sentinels (3-2) have won three straight to move into first place alone in the Big North Conference, this victory avenging a 2025 defeat as well.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Grand Rapids South Christian 19, Zeeland West 16 Four of six teams in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold are 4-1 or 3-2 and a fifth team is tied for first early while 2-3 overall. But while there are four weeks to go, this early matchup between the Sailors (4-1) and Dux (4-1) might end up the eventual title decider. This one also came down to a field goal during the final seconds, nailed by South Christian’s Hudson Kerstetter from 19 yards out. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Watch list Sparta 20, Marshall 14 The Spartans (3-2) are pursuing a first playoff appearance since 2022 and already have tied last year’s win total thanks to this one over the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference-leading Redhawks (4-1).
On the move Coopersville 14, Lowell 13 Coopersville (5-0) and Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills are the only two teams left without a loss in River Cities Alliance play; they face off Week 9. Caledonia 13, Hudsonville 7 Caledonia (4-1) and East Kentwood top the list in the O-K Red after the Fighting Scots ended Hudsonville’s league winning streak at 16 covering the last three seasons. Grand Rapids West Catholic 22, Hamilton 14 The Falcons (4-1) quickly are the only team left without a league loss in the O-K White, thanks to wins the last two weeks over contenders Forest Hills Eastern and Hamilton (3-2).
8-Player
HEADLINER Mendon 38, Colon 16 The Hornets (5-0) took a 14-8 lead into halftime and broke away with the first two scores of the third quarter against the previously undefeated Magi (4-1). Logan Stuart ran for 217 yards and all three of Mendon’s second-half scores. Click for more from the Sturgis Journal.
Watch list Dryden 44, Deckerville 38 After going four seasons without football, Dryden (5-0) came back in 2023 and quickly has climbed, with this fast start now including a defining win as the Cardinals had fallen to Deckerville (4-1) by 56 last season and 48 and 76 the two years before that.
On the move Grand Rapids Sacred Heart 56, Bridgman 28 These two and Marcellus are the top contenders in the Southwest Michigan 8-Man Football League Red, and this result made it so with Sacred Heart (3-1) bouncing back from a Week 4 loss to Marcellus by handing the Bees (4-1) their only defeat. Crystal Falls Forest Park 59, Felch North Dickinson 52 The Trojans (4-1) also bounced back from a Week 4 loss and on the whole are rebounding from a 1-8 season in 2025 that included a 51-point defeat against the Nordics (3-2). Rogers City 37, St. Helen Charlton Heston 19 Rogers City (4-1) broke a two-game losing streak against Heston (2-1), after falling 36-0 a year ago, and also pulled within one more win of clinching a share of the North Star League Big Dipper championship.
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PHOTOS (Top) Detroit Cass Tech’s Marquell Evans Jr. (5) wraps up Detroit King’s De’Andre Williams. (Middle) Perry quarterback Tyger Whitbeck (15) fires a pass during his team’s 54-10 win over Bath. (Below) Marquette’s Brody Clements (5) hauls in a touchdown catch during his team’s win over Escanaba. (Cass Tech/King photo by Olivia B. Photography. Perry/Bath photo by John Johnson. Marquette/Escanaba photo by Randy Ritari.)
Drive for Detroit: Week 5 in Review
September 29, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
No set up is needed to explain the significance of many of the games played across Michigan during Week 5 of the MHSAA football season.
The scores speak for themselves.
Read on for some of the details behind a wide array of results that wowed many over this weekend.
In addition, Ishpeming (5-0) became the first playoff qualifier for 2014, and Battle Creek St. Philip put up one of the most incredible point totals in MHSAA history – 89 points after trailing early in its 8-player win.
Total, seven games this weekend saw teams combine to score more than 100 points – while six games saw both teams score in single digits, including one of the matchups highlighted below.
Bay and Thumb
Goodrich 41, Montrose 39
The game of the season in the Genesee Area Conference Red was shaping up as Montrose vs. Flint Beecher on Oct. 17 – until Goodrich changed things up substantially by ending the Rams’ 22-game league winning streak. That Beecher/Montrose matchup might still decide part of the league title – but Goodrich is back in play as a contender. Click for more from the Flint Journal.
Also noted:
Almont 23, Richmond 6 – The Raiders (5-0) remained perfect while ending a 12-game Blue Water Area Conference winning streak for Richmond (4-1).
Lapeer 63, Mount Pleasant 0 – This is the most impressive win of an early run by the first-year Lightning (5-0), which looks like the Saginaw Valley Association Red favorite after dominating the Oilers (3-2).
Burton Atherton 34, Flint Hamady 22 – Atherton (4-1) still trails in the Genesee Area Conference Blue by a win, but knocked Hamady (4-1) out of a tie for first.
Millington 30, North Branch 29 – Only a week after a huge win over rival Frankenmuth, Millington (5-0) just survived against the Broncos (1-4) to remain atop the Tri-Valley Conference East.
Southwest and Border
Battle Creek Lakeview 27, Stevensville Lakeshore 0
Lakeview has had plenty of success the last few seasons and is 19-3 over its last 22 games, two playoff losses included. But this might be the most impressive win of the run – although Lakeshore plays in the Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference East and Lakeview in the West, the Spartans (3-1) still should celebrate their first win (and in impressive fashion) over the Lancers (4-1) since 2001. Click for more from the Battle Creek Enquirer.
Also noted:
Battle Creek Central 21, St. Joseph 10 – The Bearcats (3-2) already have their most wins since 2008 and now an upset of one of the best teams annually from the southwest in St. Joseph (3-2).
Plainwell 31, Vicksburg 21 – The Wolverine B Conference East title may have been decided Friday, with Plainwell (4-1) bouncing back from a Week 4 loss to slow the upstart Bulldogs (4-1).
Paw Paw 62, Edwardsburg 57 – The favorites in the Wolverine B West also met and combined for more than 100 points for the second straight season as Paw Paw (3-2) took a 2-1 advantage on Edwardsburg (4-1) in their recent series.
South Haven 34, Dowagiac 28 – South Haven (2-3) hadn’t beaten Dowagiac since 2007 – or scored a point on the Chieftains (2-3) since 2011.
Lower Up North
Boyne City 28, Traverse City St. Francis 27 (OT)
This victory will become "legendary" if it ends up deciding the first Northern Michigan Football Conference Legends title. Boyne City (5-0) held on to first place after choosing to go for a 2-point conversion instead of an extra point that would’ve instead sent the game into a second overtime. Both losses for St. Francis (3-2) this season have come in OT. Click for more from the Petoskey News.
Also noted:
Traverse City Central 18, Gaylord 7 – The Big North Conference race is getting whittled down, with Central (4-1) putting much improved Gaylord (4-1) a game back of the leaders.
Suttons Bay 48, Charlevoix 19 – The Norsemen (4-1) with a win over East Jordan this week can clinch a share of the NMFC Legacy title; Charlevoix (2-3) must win out to guarantee a playoff berth.
Manistee 30, McBain 20 – The Chippewas (4-1) broke a four-game losing streak to McBain (2-3) to surpass last season’s win total with four more games to play.
Whittemore-Prescott 34, Lincoln Alcona 0 – The Cardinals (5-0) clinched a share of the North Star League’s Huron Shores title, although Alcona (3-2) can still gain a share with some Week 7 help from Rogers City.
Greater Detroit
Clarkston 42, Oxford 14
Clarkston (5-0) left no doubt which is the top team again in the Oakland Activities Association Red, downing Oxford (4-1) to go with previous wins over Rochester Hills Stoney Creek and surprise contender West Bloomfield. The Wolves, defending MHSAA Division 1 champions, broke open the game at the end of the first half and pulled away during the second. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.
Also noted:
West Bloomfield 39, Lake Orion 0 – The Lakers (4-1) are off to their best start since 2000 with their only loss to Clarkston; Lake Orion (2-3) finds itself needing to win out to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since 2000.
Farmington Hills Harrison 34, Southfield 27 (3 OT) – Harrison (4-1) kept its hopes alive for a share of the OAA White title, but now needs help from Southfield (3-2) against league leader Oak Park in Week 8.
Waterford Mott 20, Walled Lake Western 17 – Mott (4-1) equaled its highest win totals of the last six seasons and kept a share of the top spot in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association North by upending reigning champion Western (4-1).
Warren Woods-Tower 16, Madison Heights Madison 14 – Madison (4-1) had won 20 straight regular-season games, although Woods-Tower (5-0) nearly broke the streak in 2013 after becoming the first to fall in 2012.
West Michigan
Caledonia 42, Rockford 0
Caledonia opened this season with two impressive wins and looked like a team to watch until then falling to 2-2 (although those losses were to talented teams as well). Put the Fighting Scots (3-2) back on the watch list; over the last decade, only powerhouse Muskegon has managed to put this kind of loss on Rockford (4-1). Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Also noted:
Grand Rapids Christian 35, Hudsonville 34 – Only the shock of the above result kept this from being the area’s most intriguing game of the weekend; Christian (4-1) scored the go-ahead points during the final minutes, delivering Hudsonville (3-2) its second one-point loss in successive weeks.
Grandville Calvin Christian 29, Wyoming Godwin Heights 28 – The Squires (2-3) trail by a win in the O-K Silver standings but still have hope for the playoffs after giving Godwin Heights (4-1) its first loss.
Grand Rapids South Christian 41, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 14 – Just when it looked like the Sailors (3-2) might struggle after opening with two losses (albeit against strong teams), they’re looking good to win out in the O-K Gold; GRCC (2-3) must do the same to guarantee a seventh straight playoff berth.
Muskegon Oakridge 36, Ravenna 20 – Oakridge (4-1) still owns supremacy in the West Michigan Conference although Ravenna (4-1) is poised to take a share of the league title if the Eagles fall over the next three weeks.
Mid-Michigan
Manchester 18, Hanover-Horton 16
The Flying Dutchmen dissolved a little of the thrill of Hanover-Horton’s turnaround season with a goalline stand that set up this week’s likely Cascades Conference championship game against Grass Lake. Both are undefeated in conference play – Manchester (4-1 overall) has played one more game – while Hanover-Horton sits tied for third but still 4-1 overall and with a strong shot at its first playoff berth since 2008. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen-Patriot.
Also noted:
Charlotte 42, Parma Western 35 – The Orioles (2-3) delivered another heart-breaker to Western (2-3) which has three losses by seven points or fewer.
Fowler 27, Dansville 6 – The Eagles (5-0) are setting up a Week 8 championship game against Pewamo-Westphalia after the two more or less eliminated Dansville (3-2) from Central Michigan Athletic Conference contention over the last two weeks.
Eaton Rapids 9, Portland 7 – This was another sign Eaton Rapids (3-2) has turned a corner as a program; after falling badly to Williamston in Week 4, the Greyhounds hung in a nail-biter against improving Portland (3-2).
Homer 40, Jonesville 16 – The Big 8 Conference looks to be a two-team race after Homer (5-0) dropped Jonesville (3-2) into third behind the Trojans and also-undefeated Union City.
Upper Peninsula
Bark River-Harris 22, Felch North Dickinson 18
Bark River-Harris (4-1) hasn’t won more than two games in a season since 2009 – and its four wins this fall equal the total of the last four seasons combined. The Broncos have won all four after losing on opening night to Crystal Falls Forest Park, but beating North Dickinson was by far the most impressive as the Nordics (3-2) are playoff regulars and went 8-3 a year ago. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.
Also noted:
Iron Mountain 13, Ishpeming Westwood 8 – The Mountaineers (3-2) are shaping up as second-best in the Mid-Peninsula Athletic Conference, with Westwood (3-2) falling after two straight losses.
Marquette 21, Gladstone 13 – The Great Northern U.P. Conference race is again looking like Marquette (4-1) vs. Menominee, with Gladstone (3-2) falling to both in successive weeks.
St. Ignace 28, Johannesburg-Lewiston 0 – The Saints (5-0) are alone atop the Ski Valley Conference with the Cardinals (4-1) now in a tie for second place.
Hurley, Wis., 32, Bessemer 26 – Hurley (5-1) clinched a share of the Great Western Conference title while Bessemer (3-2) fell to third place despite a strong effort.
8-Player
Waldron 66, Webberville 46
When these two have met the last two seasons, it's been busy for the scoreboard operator. Waldron (4-1) scored its most points since Week 6 in 2012, and also scored its season-high points in 2013 in a 56-54 win over the Spartans (3-2). Click for more from the Hillsdale Daily News.
Also noted:
Kingston 26, Dryden 24 – The Cardinals (3-2) surpassed last season’s win total and kept a foot in the North Central Thumb 8-Man League race while handing Dryden (3-2) its second straight loss.
Big Rapids Crossroads Academy 26, Burton Madison 24 – The Cougars (1-4) earned their first win in 8 or 11-player since 2010.
PHOTO: Lapeer, in its first season after former schools West and East combined this summer, is off to a 5-0 start. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com).