1st & Goal: 2026 Week 8 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 15, 2026
Winner takes it all.
That might be the most to-the-point expression in sports – and most exhilarating scenario.
And it’s going to play out all over Michigan this weekend, as one last game will determine several league championships and provide crowning achievements – at least for now – rewarding the last two months of work.
Games highlighted are tonight unless noted. Tune in to the NFHS Network to watch the majority and follow the MHSAA Scores page for results as they’re submitted. Keep an eye as well on the Playoff Point Summary page to watch how those lists are updated with every win and loss.
Bay & Thumb
Grand Blanc (7-0) at Davison (6-1)
The Saginaw Valley League South title has come down to these rivals for the third straight season, as neither has lost a conference game this fall although Davison has two remaining and Grand Blanc finishes up tonight. Last season it was the Bobcats with a 57-29 win that decided the league title, and they’ve won two straight championships after Davison’s most recent in 2023. Neither has been challenged much over the last month; the lone loss between them was the Cardinals’ in Week 2 to still-undefeated Detroit Catholic Central.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Flint Elite (5-2) at Burton Bendle (7-0), Goodrich (7-0) at Fenton (6-1), Frankenmuth (6-1) at Saginaw Swan Valley (7-0), Gladwin (5-2) at Sanford Meridian (7-0).
Greater Detroit
Detroit Cass Tech (7-0) vs. Detroit Martin Luther King (6-1) at Ford Field
Although King has defeated Cass Tech twice over the last five seasons, the Technicians have won all five of their city championship game rematches and will attempt to add this time to a 20-7 victory over the Crusaders in Week 5. That was easily the toughest challenge Cass Tech has faced this season, and if King generates more offense this time it could make a run at breaking a four-game losing streak against its rival.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Detroit Central (6-1) vs. Detroit Denby (5-2) at Ford Field, Ecorse (7-0) at Detroit Edison (6-1), Clarkston (7-0) at Harper Woods (6-1), Walled Lake Western (6-1) at South Lyon East (6-1).
Mid-Michigan
DeWitt (6-1) at Grand Ledge (7-0)
Despite suffering its first regular-season loss this fall since 2023, DeWitt still has a 21-game Capital Area Activities Conference Blue winning streak intact and a familiar challenge ahead as these two also decided the league title last season. DeWitt won that one 59-7 amid a perfect fall that ended with a Division 3 championship victory, and the lone loss this season came to still-unbeaten Mason. The Comets will work to slow the Panthers’ offense, but instead may have to answer it with a similarly successful attack.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Fowler (6-1) at Ithaca (7-0), Napoleon (6-1) at Leslie (4-3), Hastings (52) at Mason (7-0), Olivet (5-2) at Lake Odessa Lakewood (6-1).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Marquette (5-2) at Petoskey (5-2)
Petoskey has been chasing in the Big North Conference since falling to Cadillac 22-20 in Week 5, but the Northmen have lost twice by a combined five points this fall and can finish with a share of the league title by getting past the Sentinels. Marquette already owns a share and won last year’s meeting 20-7. After opening this fall with a pair of nonleague losses to Negaunee and Menominee, the Sentinels have run through the BNC unscathed, with a 33-27 win over Cadillac especially of note.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Escanaba (3-4) at Cadillac (5-2), Charlevoix (5-2) at Elk Rapids (5-2), East Jordan (6-1) at Frankfort (5-2), Evart (3-4) at McBain (5-2).
Southeast & Border
Monroe Jefferson (7-0) at Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (7-0)
It’s difficult to imagine a better way to end an era, as this will be the final Huron League matchup between these neighbors for now with St. Mary moving to the Catholic High School League next fall. The Falcons are seeking a third-straight Huron title on their way out, having won it outright in 2024 and then sharing with Jefferson and Riverview last season. That split title was the product in part of SMCC’s 20-15 win over Jefferson, and both have fended off close challenges this fall to set up this winner-take-all scenario.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Saline (7-0) at Temperance Bedford (7-0), Adrian Madison (6-1) at Clinton (6-1), Ida (6-1) at Hudson (6-1). SATURDAY Hanover-Horton (6-1) at Manchester (6-1).
Southwest Corridor
Vicksburg (7-0) at Edwardsburg (7-0)
This isn’t quite winner-take-all, but the winner will earn a share of the Wolverine Conference title although Vicksburg must still face Paw Paw next week and Edwardsburg will travel to see three-time reigning champ Niles. An Eddies win tonight would give them their first Wolverine championship since 2022, while Vicksburg is seeking its first since the league went to one division again in 2015. Vicksburg won both of last season’s matchups, 38-35 during the regular season and 43-30 in a Division 4 District opener.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Reading (4-3) at Bronson (5-2), Coldwater (5-2) at Marshall (6-1), Lawton (5-2) at Parchment (4-3), Portage Northern (4-3) at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix (4-3).
Upper Peninsula
Kingsford (7-0) at Menominee (7-0)
The Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper could send five of its seven teams to the playoffs this season, and great matchups have abounded all fall – but this is the title decider most have anticipated. Kingsford won 14-12 in 2024 to claim the championship, and Menominee stormed back with a 49-14 clincher last season on the way to also claiming the Division 7 title. Both are coming off close wins last week, Kingsford over Ishpeming Westwood and Menominee over Negaunee.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Manistique (4-3) at Bark River-Harris (6-1), Hancock (3-4) at L’Anse (3-4), Houghton (2-5) at Negaunee (4-3), Calumet (4-3) at Gladstone (1-6).
West Michigan
Ravenna (6-1) at North Muskegon (6-1)
North Muskegon is 27-0 in the West Michigan Conference Rivers since the league split into divisions in 2022, but arguably the most consistent challenges during that run have come from Ravenna – which actually avenged a title-deciding loss in 2022 with a 10-7 playoff win over the Norsemen. North Muskegon did win last year’s meeting 36-29 and has extended its streak in part with a one-point victory over Shelby in Week 3 and 11-pointer over Manistee in Week 6.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Middleville Thornapple Kellogg (6-1) at East Grand Rapids (5-2), Cassopolis (6-1) at Saugatuck (5-2), Rockford (4-3) at Hudsonville (5-2), Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (6-1) at Lowell (5-2).
8-Player
Mendon (7-0) at Climax-Scotts (6-1)
One of these two has won their league the last four seasons, with Mendon already securing a share of the Southern Central Athletic Association Red championship this fall. The Hornets will attempt to make that title outright with a third-straight victory over Climax-Scotts (including a 2024 Regional win). But the Panthers can grab a share as well as they’ve rebounded nicely from a Week 4 loss to Colon, putting up a combined 157 points over three wins since scoring eight in that defeat.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Powers North Central (5-2) at Felch North Dickinson (4-3), Pickford (6-1) at Gaylord St. Mary (7-0), Marion (7-0) at Onekama (6-1). SATURDAY Mio (5-2) at Merrill (6-1).
MHSAA.com's weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). 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 scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Click to connect with MI Student Aid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
PHOTO Detroit Martin Luther King and Cass Tech linemen line up across from each other during their Week 5 matchup. (Click for more from Olivia B. Photography.)
Trojans Find Familiar Success in 8-Player
October 5, 2016
By Dennis Grall
Special for Second Half
Football players, coaches and fans all know what it takes to produce winning teams: score a lot of points, don’t give up many, run, pass, catch and tackle.
While 11-player football is the traditional way to play the game, declining school enrollments have forced numerous schools to adjust if they want to keep offering the sport. They are learning that 8-player football requires the same things to be successful.
Crystal Falls Forest Park for decades dominated the ranks of Class D, which later became Division 8. The Trojans used a pretty simple game plan: find a stud running back, hitch their wagon to his burly shoulders and overpower any team which happened to be on the field.
Forest Park claimed the initial two Class D championships when the playoffs began in 1975 and added another title in 2007. The Trojans also won 23 Great Western Conference crowns.
But enrollment kept dropping, as it has throughout the state, and a year ago Forest Park officials decided to join the movement to 8-player football. There are 51 teams at that level this year, and nearby Felch North Dickinson, another long-time small-school power, will join the mix in 2017.
The decision was controversial when it was accepted by a 4-2 board of education vote last October, and many staunch Forest Park fans were aghast. But that apparently has cooled down, no doubt helped by a 5-1 start to this initial season.
“I don’t hear the griping of people against it,” said veteran coach and former Forest Park player Dave Graff. “The people in the know realize where our numbers are. That type of (negative) talk has gone by the wayside.
“We still have traditionalists out there who think 8-man is not football. This program is steeped in tradition, and you don’t get acceptance in one year’s time.”
The Trojans suit up 22 players for each varsity game, but nine are freshmen and sophomores who would be playing junior varsity football if Forest Park offered that level. “If we had jayvees we would not be able to function as a varsity unit,” Graff said.
The school enrollment is about 150 students this year, and Graff said he has been hearing it may drop by about 25-30 students next year. Forest Park has not fielded a full jayvee schedule for the past six years.
Even more astounding is this observation from Bill Santilli, the school’s athletic director since Aug. 1 and a former all-state running back and long-time coach: “I really fear that in the next two years Forest Park will not have a football program.”
Wow … this tradition-laden, statewide power on the threshold of no football?
Santilli added: “I’m fearful in the sense that four freshmen are playing, and we lose eight seniors. You do the math.”
He said Graff and Forest Park are being proactive and have worked with their Western Eight Conference to institute a junior high level of 8-player football and are also trying to get a grade 5-6 program started, possibly in flag football.
The school’s youth program has stayed with the 11-player game, and 2015 8-player MHSAA champion Powers North Central has kept an 11-player junior varsity. “It just doesn’t seem to be working because we’re all struggling with numbers there also,” said Santilli.
To give football a chance to hang around, he said, “We have to focus our attention on that youth level. We’re trying to build interest.”
While declining enrollment is forcing the switch to 8-player football, Santilli said, “Declining participation is probably more of a factor than it is enrollment. There are athletes in our school that in my opinion would make our football team better, but for some reason have not elected to play.”
Noting the game “nationwide is under attack,” he said it is safer now than ever because of increased improvement in equipment and extensive stress on safety. “Changes being made at every level are making the game as safe as it can be,” Santilli added.
Graff and Santilli, as players and coaches, have seen the values the sport provides.
“What are you trying to teach in football? We’re trying to teach work ethic, morals, not doing what is wrong when people aren’t watching, trying to teach character,” Graff said. “We are trying to raise people to be successful in our society and improve our society. We stress doing it right, we stress not missing the opportunity to do something good, the little things in life.
“Football is not just a rough sport. There are such great opportunities to teach things in life like discipline, teamwork, effort, enthusiasm, mental toughness, making good people.”
Santilli pointed out those lessons occur in both the 11-player game and the 8-player game. “It is still football. I’ve seen some great blocks and tackles and collisions out there,” said Santilli, who still resembles the powerful fullback who led the Trojans to their first Class D title in 1975 en route to a distinctive U.P. Sports Hall of Fame playing and coaching career.
“I don’t see that any different with 8-man; there are just fewer players.”
Santilli said some of his former teammates who now have youngsters playing have been hard to convince the switch to 8-player was necessary. “It is taking them a little bit longer to adapt to the change,” he said.
But, he said, “The players have slowly bought into the change. For them it is still the same game. There is the same excitement with the players, the same intensity when they take the field. They are just ready and waiting for the competition.”
Santilli, with his strong and successful background with the Trojans, might be the ideal observer of the switch, agreeing the game still requires athletes to make plays to stop other athletes.
“It is a different technique, a different style player more geared to open field situations (on both sides of the ball). Dave is still bringing Forest Park style football into his coaching, giving the ball to (Dan) Nocerini and powering it right at you.”
Nocerini is the latest standout back in a string of stars from Santilli and Graff who also included Mark Flood, Lee Graff, Dan Lato, Gerard Valesano and Dean Arcand. In just six games this season, the 6-foot-2, 217-pound senior has rushed for 1,186 yards and 20 touchdowns, highlighted by an opening-game 414 yards rushing and seven TDs.
“It is definitely a lot more open than I expected,” Nocerini said after that explosive opener at Rapid River. “Instead of beating a safety or a corner, you just have to beat one guy (downfield).”
He also said the players “have moved on. Everybody likes football; you just put your helmet on and go play.”
The acceptance of 8-player has been easier because the Trojans are as powerful as ever, losing only to North Central 60-42 in Week 2. They are averaging 56.3 points per game and allowing 28.3.
“People will see we have to go 8-man. There isn’t a choice,” Graff said. “We as coaches have come to grips with that ,and I think the community is coming to grips with it. The tradition is always there.”
Denny Grall retired in 2012 after 39 years at the Escanaba Daily Press and four at the Green Bay Press-Gazette, plus 15 months for WLST radio in Escanaba; he served as the Daily Press sports editor from 1970-80 and again from 1984-2012. Grall was inducted into the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 and serves as its executive secretary. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for the Upper Peninsula.
PHOTOS: (Top) Dan Nocerini of Crystal Falls Forest Park barges through a huge hole for a four-yard touchdown against Rapid River defenders David Johnson, left, and Gavin Harris (55) in their season opener. (Middle) Parker Sundell finds some running room after getting around Rockets defender Levi Miller. (Below) Roy Hagglund of Crystal Falls Forest Park reaches for a pass as Austin Wicklund of Rapid River defends. (Photos by Dennis Grall.)