1st & Goal: 2026 Week 7 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 12, 2026
One play does not decide a game. But one play also can make all the difference.
Several Week 7 games showed that to be true once again, as a number of league champions were decided during the first full weekend of October, and multiple by one-score margins.
A few league races were reshuffled as well, and those results earned their places in our "Review" too as we move toward the final two weeks of the regular season.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Almont 28, Macomb Lutheran North 27 Almont (7-0) has clinched a share of the Blue Water Area Conference title and can finish a fourth straight as outright champion this week against Croswell-Lexington. The Raiders have won 30 straight BWAC games, this the third by one point during that time. Lutheran North (6-1) has made a run at the title in its first season in the league after previously playing in the Catholic High School League. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.
Watch list Gladwin 26, Ogemaw Heights 20 The Flying Gs (5-2) capped a dramatic run to the Jack Pine Conference Division 1 title, falling to Midland Bullock Creek in Week 6 but bouncing right back to win this one on Jacob Pahl’s walk-off touchdown catch from Preston Newman. Ogemaw (5-2) had entered the night with the opportunity to clinch as well.
On the move Fenton 49, Linden 42 Fenton (6-1) finished an outright championship in the Flint Metro League Stripes with another of several close games against Linden (5-2) over the last two decades. Montrose 42, Ovid-Elsie 14 The Rams (6-1) clinched a share of a second-straight Mid-Michigan Activities Conference title and kept Ovid-Elsie (3-4) just outside the Division 6 playoff picture. Bay City Western 27, Traverse City Central 21 Western (3-4) jumped 13 spots to tied for No. 31 in the Division 3 playoff-points list with this first win over the Trojans (3-4) in five years of Saginaw Valley League play together.
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Detroit Catholic Central 27, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 20 This matchup definitely lived up to season-long anticipation, as Detroit Catholic Central came back from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to pull closer to a potential third-straight Catholic High School League Central title – the Shamrocks (7-0) can clinch a share this week against one-win Toledo St. Francis de Sales. Gideon Gash scored twice during the fourth quarter and Ryan Jaafar ran for the eventual game-winner with 10 seconds to play against the Eaglets (5-2). Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.
COMEBACK COMPLETE WITH 10 SECONDS LEFT! 🚨 Down 14 in the fourth quarter, No. 1 Detroit Catholic Central (@DCCfootball) storms back and takes the lead on Ryan Jaafar's (@ryanjaafar5) 4-yard touchdown against No. 4 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s! 🤯 Powered by @CallSam https://t.co/KmHK0oUIJk
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 10, 2026
Watch list Gibraltar Carlson 31, Brownstown Woodhaven 28 The Marauders (7-0) have won 17 straight Downriver League games and are working toward a potential sixth-straight conference championship with two games to play – including a Week 9 matchup with second-place Allen Park. Austyn Lawrence threw three touchdown passes to help send Woodhaven (5-2) into a tie for third place.
On the move Northville 30, Belleville 7 Three teams are tied for first in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association Black – these two and Dearborn Fordson – with one league game to play. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic 42, Allen Park Cabrini 21 Shrine (7-0) clinched a share of the CHSL Intersectional 2 title by winning this matchup of teams that entered the night undefeated in league play. Detroit Central 6, Detroit Denby 2 These two finished the conference schedule among three teams tied atop the Detroit Public School League Gold standings (with Detroit Cody) and will meet again this week in a city championship game.
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Howell 14, Brighton 13 This rivalry filed away another exciting chapter as the Highlanders clinched a share of the KLAA Gold title. Howell (7-0) has now defeated Brighton (4-3) in four straight, including twice in 2024, and can claim the league title outright this week against Dearborn Heights Crestwood. Click for more from State Champs! Sports Network.
Watch list Ithaca 48, Saginaw Valley Lutheran 7 The Yellowjackets (7-0) avenged last season’s one-point loss to Valley Lutheran (5-2) to this time clinch the Tri-Valley Conference Blue title outright. Ithaca this season has now given up only 26 points – fewer than four per game.
On the move Mason 45, Williamston 14 The Bulldogs (7-0) completed a similarly defense-dominated run through the Capital Area Activities Conference Red, clinching an outright title with this win while giving up no more than 17 points in any game this fall. Clare 48, Midland Bullock Creek 35 The Pioneers (3-4) are pushing back toward a potential spot in the Division 5 playoff field and gave Gladwin an assist in its outright championship by knocking Bullock Creek (4-3) out of the race for a share of the JPC1 title. Okemos 45, Lansing Waverly 12 From 2020-23, Okemos didn’t win a game, which helps explain how the Wolves’ five wins this fall equal their total from the last seven seasons combined.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Traverse City West 31, Mount Pleasant 29 The Titans (4-3) threw a curveball into the Saginaw Valley League North race as Mount Pleasant (6-1) entered this game with an opportunity to clinch a share of the title, but now has become one of three teams with a chance to win it outright. West is another, thanks in part to Landon Henfling’s last-minute go-ahead field goal. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Watch list East Jordan 53, Johannesburg-Lewiston 16 The Red Devils (6-1) pulled to within one more win of clinching a share of the Northern Michigan Football Conference title but do face fourth-place Frankfort this week and second-place (tie) Harbor Springs in the regular-season finale.
On the move Maple City Glen Lake 33, Frankfort 0 Glen Lake (5-2) is tied for Harbor Springs for second in the NMFC and will be rooting for Frankfort (5-2) this week and hoping for an East Jordan misstep. Kingsley 55, Boyne City 12 Kingsley (7-0) clinched a share of the Northern Shores Conference title, but Boyne City (3-4) also moved up one spot to No. 36 on the Division 6 playoff-points average list. Petoskey 35, Alpena 0 The Northmen (5-2) kept themselves in play to clinch a share of the Big North Conference championship with a win over first-place Marquette this week.
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Clinton 30, Ida 22 Amazingly, four teams are tied for first in the Lenawee County Athletic Association with one more week of league games to play, in part thanks to Clinton’s win over Ida (6-1) – with those two joined by Adrian Madison and Hudson at the top of the standings. Clinton (6-1) scored on a 66-yard pass midway through the fourth quarter to go ahead for good and play a major part in creating a scenario guaranteed to produce two co-champions. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.
Watch list Springport 28, Union City 14 The Spartans (6-1) still need one more win to clinch a share of the Big 8 Conference title, but now sit alone atop the standings after handing second-place Union City (6-1) its lone defeat.
On the move Hanover-Horton 52, Leslie 28 Hanover-Horton (6-1) won this matchup of Cascades Conference divisional champions, and now faces Manchester, which shared the North title with the Blackhawks (4-3). Napoleon 50, Brooklyn Columbia Central 15 The Pirates (6-1) won this matchup for second place in the Cascades Conference South, but also maintained valuable position in the Division 6 playoff hunt in case these two meet again in the postseason. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 27, Riverview 14 The Falcons (7-0) did their part to set up a winner-take-all this week in the Huron League against Monroe Jefferson, while also sending Riverview (4-3) out of the top 32 on the Division 3 playoff-points average list.
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER Vicksburg 37, Niles 21 The Bulldogs had lost by 35, 35 and 50 points to Niles the last three seasons as Niles went on to win three straight Wolverine Conference championships. But with this win, Vicksburg maintained its share of first place heading into this week’s matchup with co-leader Edwardsburg. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Watch list Berrien Springs 35, Hopkins 0 Aside from clinching a share of the Lakeland Conference title, this has to be Berrien Springs’ most notable win this season as Hopkins also entered undefeated. The victory sent the Shamrocks (7-0) from No. 7 to No. 3 on the Division 5 playoff-points list, while dropping Hopkins (6-1) only two spots to No. 7.
On the move Constantine 39, Lawton 6 Constantine (6-1) will need help from Coloma this week against first-place Kalamazoo United to gain a share of the Southwestern Athletic Conference title, but downing third-place Lawton (5-2) did earn the Falcons that opportunity. Bronson 40, Quincy 24 Bronson (5-2) remains mathematically in the hunt for a share of the Big 8 Conference title, but more importantly at this point bumped up six spots to No. 20 in the Division 7 playoff-points list by downing Quincy (4-3). Stevensville Lakeshore 35, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 0 The Lancers (6-1) jumped six spots to No. 4 on the Division 4 playoff-points list with a big win over Division 1 Loy Norrix (4-3).
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Marquette 49, Gaylord 13 Marquette has earned a share of the Big North Conference championship, its first since joining the league four years ago, and as noted above can clinch the title outright this week against Petoskey. The Sentinels (5-2) also avenged last season’s one-point loss to Gaylord (3-4) to move up two spots in the potential Division 3 playoff field to No. 21. Click for more from Upper Michigan’s Source.
Watch list Escanaba 21, Calumet 20 Escanaba (3-4) received a major boost to its playoff chances as this win bumped the team up four spots to No. 38 on the Division 4 playoff points list while Calumet (4-3) fell six spots in Division 6 to No. 20.
On the move Menominee 38, Negaunee 28 The Maroons (7-0) played their closest game of the season but held on to set up a winner-take-all in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper this week against Kingsford. Kingsford 15, Ishpeming Westwood 8 The Flivvers (7-0) did their part as well to set up that matchup, surviving only their second single-digit challenge this fall. Westwood (2-5) still moved up two spots to No. 38 on the Division 6 playoff points list despite the defeat. Bark River Harris 44, Hancock 14 The Broncos (6-1) secured a share of the West-PAC Iron title after withstanding Hancock (3-4), which is tied for third in the league.
West Michigan
HEADLINER East Kentwood 49, Caledonia 27 East Kentwood (7-0) still must win one of the next two games to clinch a share of the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red title, but this one was a major obstacle as Caledonia (5-2) also entered the weekend undefeated in league play. The Falcons face seventh-place Holland West Ottawa this week before closing against reigning champ Hudsonville. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Watch list Grand Rapids Christian 29, Grand Rapids West Catholic 28 (OT) The Eagles (2-5) still have work to do to climb into the playoff hunt, but this came off 37 and 22-point losses to West Catholic (5-2) over the last two years and pushed Forest Hills Eastern back into a tie for first with the Falcons in the O-K White with one week of league games to play.
On the move Muskegon Mona Shores 44, Muskegon 21 Mona Shores (6-1) clinched a share of the O-K Green title by avenging last season’s 16-point loss to the Big Reds (3-4). Zeeland West 36, Hudsonville Unity Christian 0 The Dux (6-1) will need a win by Zeeland East over Grand Rapids South Christian this week to pick up a share of the O-K Gold title, but set themselves up for that opportunity by sending Unity (4-3) into a tie for third. Muskegon Orchard View 19, Fremont 16 Orchard View (5-2) ended Fremont’s title chances in the West Michigan Conference Lakes and while doing so jumped seven spots to No. 12 on the Division 5 playoff points list.
8-Player
HEADLINER Blanchard Montabella 60, Merrill 20 Montabella (6-1) claimed this winner-take-all for the Mid-State Activities Conference Blue title with another stunning offensive performance, but may have been even more impressive on defense. Merrill (6-1) was averaging nearly 52 points per game entering the title decider. The Mustangs have won three straight league championships. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.
Watch list Pittsford 60, Litchfield 54 Pittsford (5-2) bounced back from a big Week 6 nonleague loss to Concord to hand Litchfield (6-1) its only defeat this fall and clinch a share of the Southern Central Athletic Association Blue title. Pittsford has won 17 straight league games and can claim a third-straight outright championship this week against Waldron.
On the move Lake Linden-Hubbell 42, Crystal Falls Forest Park 38 Lake Linden-Hubbell (7-0) guaranteed itself a share of a second-straight league title and can claim the Great Lakes Eight Conference West outright by winning just one of its next two games. Forest Park (5-2) is one of three league teams with two league losses and slim hopes of still gaining a share. Pickford 36, Indian River Inland Lakes 30 (2OT) Pickford finished an outright championship in the Bridge Alliance Straits by navigating its most substantial league challenge, from Inland Lakes (4-3). St. Ignace 34, Rudyard 18 While the Saints (6-1) weren’t able to catch Pickford in the Straits, they did continue to strengthen their position in the Division 2 playoff chase with this win over the Bulldogs (5-2).
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PHOTOS (Top) A pair of Muskegon Mona Shores players breaks up a play during their win against Muskegon. (Middle) Fowler’s Eli Thelen (8) is brought down by Bath’s Lorenzo Gonzalez (23) and Hunter Tolliver (2) during the Eagles’ 53-0 win. (Below) Menominee’s Kiefer Chouincard (11) gets a hand on the ball and dislodges it as he and Nathan Nelson (44) make a tackle against Negaunee. (Mona Shores/Muskegon photo by Tim Reilly. Fowler/Bath photo by John Johnson. Menominee/Negaunee photo by Cara Kamps.)
Fresh from Cancer Fight, Disbrow Returns to Coaching Ready to Continue 'Winning the Day'
By
Doug Donnelly
Special for MHSAA.com
September 16, 2026
Nikki Disbrow grabbed her keys and started to get into the family vehicle to pick up her son from a summer 7-on-7 practice. Her husband, Sand Creek football coach Sid Disbrow, told her he wanted to come, too.
“What are you doing?” she asked. “You can barely walk.”
Sid, who had just returned home from surgery to have a tumor removed while battling colorectal cancer for the second time in three years, wasn’t having it. He got in the vehicle.
When Nikki arrived at the field, Sid opened the door.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
Sid, unrelenting, got out of the car and began making his way to the field.
“She was kind of my walker,” he said. “I couldn’t walk on my own, but I needed to address the kids. I needed to be out there. I needed to show them that it’s about winning the day, because you never know what might happen.”
Disbrow, 49, has been coach for just about 30 years. It’s part of who he is in the Sand Creek school district and community. He’s been an assistant football coach, youth baseball and softball coach, varsity boys and middle school basketball coach. He’s detailed, organized, loves the competition and thrives on being around kids.
Last year around the eighth or ninth week of the football season, he began noticing the symptoms of the cancer he had chemotherapy and radiation to treat a couple years prior. He finished the season, knowing middle school basketball was getting ready to start.
Within a week of finding out the cancer had indeed returned, he was able to get everything scheduled and begin chemotherapy. He was getting treated at Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio, about 45 minutes from Sand Creek.
“They would give me the last appointment of the day so I could get there after school,” he said. “They were great to work with.”
It wasn’t easy trying to maintain a rigorous coaching schedule while fighting cancer.
“There are no rules in cancer. You don’t get to do as you wish. Chemotherapy is real,” Disbrow said.
He wasn’t deterred. He coached the entire middle school basketball season – which ended around Christmas. Some days, he was exhausted. Still, quitting wasn’t an option.
“I wanted to be out there for my son and all of the other kids that I’ve been coaching all the way through,” he said. “That was important to me. That was my driving force.”
Not long after basketball season ended, he began eight weeks of radiation. It ended just in time for him to coach his son’s baseball team.
After that season ended, something still wasn’t right. Doctors found a tumor, although they weren’t sure if it was shrinking or growing. They gave him an option – surgery to remove it or wait a few months, get tested again. At that point, if it returned, it meant starting chemotherapy and radiation all over again. He checked the calendar.
“I thought about football season,” he said. “My son is on JV this year. That’s not something I want to miss.”
He went in for surgery and had the tumor successfully removed. Doctors found out later it was indeed cancerous and growing.
“I made the right decision,” he said.
He was recovering from that round of surgery when he made it onto the football field to talk to the Aggies players. The football field is more than a place for Disbrow to forget all about cancer and focus on the lives of the young men on the field. It’s a place him and Nikki, a former varsity volleyball coach at Sand Creek herself, got married.
“It’s probably the first time there was a wedding on the football field, and probably the last time,” he said.
On Aug. 3 – one week before two-a-days started for Sand Creek – he found out the cancer was in remission. He was back with the team when practice began.
“I brought my lawn chair with me,” he said. “There were some days where I just didn’t have the strength.”
Through it all, he’s endured, never wavering.
“The credit goes to God,” he said. “I don’t see how people go through something like this without their faith. I owe it all to Him. He’s given me this chance to continue to teach and coach. I don’t take that lightly.”
Sand Creek varsity football coach Derek Hewitt said seeing Disbrow come back to practice after all he went through was inspiring. Disbrow coaches special teams, the quarterbacks and helps Hewitt with the offense. On most Fridays he’s in the coach’s box.
“It’s great to have him back out there,” Hewitt said. “He’s not the scout team quarterback anymore, but he’s there, every day. It’s great for me to have him by my side.”
One thing Disbrow is not planning to do is stop coaching. In fact, he’s going to be even busier. He was recently named the school’s junior varsity boys basketball head coach.
“Coaching really kept me going through all of this,” he said. “The kids have been great through it all.”
The father of four is from Morenci, the neighboring town to the south and heated rival of Sand Creek, which he admits caused some angst when he moved from coaching football at his alma mater to Sand Creek.
He was part of the 1995 Morenci football team that played for a Class C championship in the Pontiac Silverdome, graduating in 1996. He was a sophomore at Adrian College when a Morenci coach asked him to join that coaching staff. A couple years later he began coaching at Sand Creek.
Now, he, his wife and four kids are engrained in the Aggies community.
“I wasn’t one of those people who got into teaching because I wanted to coach,” he said. “I wanted to be a teacher, to be around young people and help them. Coaching was something I loved once I started doing it. It’s who we are now as a family. It’s part of our lives.”
Doug Donnelly has served as a news and sports reporter at the Adrian Daily Telegram and the Monroe News for 30 years, including 10 years as city editor in Monroe. He's written a book on high school basketball in Monroe County and compiles record books for various schools in southeast Michigan. He is now publisher and editor of The Blissfield Advance, a weekly newspaper. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for Jackson, Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Lenawee and Monroe counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Sand Creek assistant football coach Sid Disbrow mans the headset while on the sideline during a game. (Middle) Disbrow lays in a hospital bed while receiving care in 2023. (Below) Disbrow stands for a photo with wife Nikki last fall. (Top photo by Becky Serin. Hospital and family photos courtesy of the Disbrow family.)