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Detroit Cass Tech's Peyton Robinson (10) attempts to pull away from King's Gerald Thomas (34)

1st & Goal: 2026 Week 8 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 19, 2026

Week 8 of this Michigan high school football season was billed to be spectacular, with league-deciding matchups all over the state. 

MI Student AidSpectacular was just the start.

In fact, as happens every week, more headliners emerged than originally anticipated. Read on for several as we next prepare for regular-season finales and playoff selection over the next five days.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Grand Blanc 28, Davison 21 The Bobcats clinched a third-straight Saginaw Valley League South championship as these rivals decided the title for the third-straight season. The next time they play each other for a football title will be similar but different; this also was the last game for both before they join the Oakland Activities Association next fall. Click for more from the Flint Journal. 

Watch list Frankenmuth 41, Saginaw Swan Valley 22 The top challenger has shifted the last few seasons, but Frankenmuth (7-1) remains the Tri-Valley Conference Red champion as the Eagles won their 78th consecutive league game dating back to 2014 while handing the Vikings (7-1) their lone loss. 

On the move Burton Bendle 39, Flint Elite 0 After sharing the Genesee Area Conference title a year ago, these two met to decide it again with Bendle (8-0) avenging last season’s 34-8 loss to clinch a share and earn a chance to finish as outright champion this week. Goodrich 49, Fenton 14 Goodrich (8-0) finished its third-straight Flint Metro League overall championship run against a familiar opponent as these two have faced off in the deciding game all of the last three seasons. Sanford Meridian 28, Gladwin 13 The Mustangs (8-0) added the Jack Pine Conference overall championship while earning an opportunity this week to finish the regular season perfect for the first time since 2015. 

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Detroit Cass Tech 21, Detroit Martin Luther King 20 For the second time in four seasons, these two played a city championship rematch that came down to a single point – and Cass Tech (8-0) prevailed with a fifth-straight Detroit Public School League title game victory, adding to its Week 4 20-7 PSL Blue win over the Crusaders (7-2). Click for more from the Detroit Free Press. 

Watch list Harper Woods 28, Clarkston 13 Harper Woods (7-1) is undefeated since losing its season opener to Cheslea, and this OAA Red/Blue crossover of league champions ended with the Pioneers celebrating a second win in two years over the Wolves (7-1). 

On the move Detroit Edison 30, Ecorse 20 Edison (7-1) clinched the Charter School Conference Gold championship outright with a perfect run through the league schedule, handing Ecorse (7-1) its lone defeat. Walled Lake Western 42, South Lyon East 14 Western (7-1) maintained its position among three teams tied for first in the Lakes Valley Conference, and knocked East (6-2) out of that mix. Detroit Central 8, Detroit Denby 6 These two met for the second-straight week, this time for the PSL Gold city championship, and with another low-scoring result after Central (7-1) defeated Denby (5-3) seven days earlier 6-2. 

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Grand Ledge 28, DeWitt 14 The Comets claimed the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue title outright by downing DeWitt (6-2) in this winner-take-all matchup, and also avenged last season’s 59-7 loss that ended up deciding the league championship. Grand Ledge (8-0) is one of eight undefeated teams left in Division 1. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Watch list Hastings 54, Mason 49 The Saxons started this season 1-2, but they’ve won five straight and this was certainly the most notable of the run as the Bulldogs (7-1) haven’t let any other opponents come within 12 points. 

On the move Ithaca 35, Fowler 0 The Yellowjackets (8-0) have outscored their opponents by a combined 412-26, and in this one shut out a Fowler team that has scored 42 or more points five times during its 6-2 start. Mount Pleasant 34, Midland 10 The Oilers (7-1) clinched a share of the SVL North title, but will be rooting for Midland (4-4) this week to defeat Dow – which with Traverse City West also can clinch a share. Lake Odessa Lakewood 31, Olivet 21 Lakewood (7-1) has reached seven wins for the first time since 2018 and is up to No. 5 on the Division 5 playoff-points list, with its only loss to undefeated Portland by three points. 

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Traverse City West 27, Bay City Western 26 After putting themselves in position to claim a share of the SVL North title in Week 7 with a two-point win over league leader Mount Pleasant, West maintained that possibility in similar fashion. The Titans (5-3) scored during the final minute in this one and face rival Traverse City Central this week hoping to become a league champion as well. Bay City Western (3-5) faces Bay City Central seeking to move back into the Division 3 playoff field after falling out of the top 32. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Watch list East Jordan 13, Frankfort 0 The Red Devils’ defense posted its second shutout this fall as East Jordan (7-1) clinched a share of the Northern Michigan Football Conference championship. Frankfort (5-3) also ranks among the top 20 on the Division 8 playoff-points list, so these two could meet again. 

On the move Charlevoix 9, Elk Rapids 0 The Rayders (6-2) do not have a game this week but finished the regular season with three straight shutouts, this one to stay ahead of the Elks (5-3) for second place in the Northern Shores Conference. Kingsley 50, Kalkaska 6 Kingsley (8-0) locked up, outright, the first NSC football championship. Harbor Springs 41, Johannesburg-Lewiston 0 Harbor Springs’ ascension the last two seasons has been speedy and impressive, from going a combined 0-26 from 2023-25 to setting up a matchup with East Jordan this week for a share of the NMFC title.

Grayling's Jaden Peters (7) winds up to throw a pass during his team's 42-0 win at Bath.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Saline 35, Temperance Bedford 21 Saline finished a repeat run through the Southeastern Conference Red with this winner-take-all championship clincher against the previously undefeated Kicking Mules (7-1). The Hornets (8-0) can finish a first perfect regular season since 2021 with a win this week over Lake Orion. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.

Watch list Monroe Jefferson 8, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 6 By nearly the slimmest of margins, Jefferson (8-0) clinched the Huron League title in another winner-take-all matchup against a previously undefeated opponent. The Bears will face Clinton this week seeking to finish a first perfect regular season since 1993.

On the move Clinton 24, Adrian Madison 21, Hudson 26, Ida 0 With these victories, Clinton and Hudson broke a four-team tie for first in the Lenawee County Athletic Association, finishing as co-champions. Hanover-Horton 36, Manchester 30 The Comets (7-1) clinched the overall Cascades Conference championship for the second-straight season, coming back from a 30-12 deficit to catch Manchester (6-2). Jackson Lumen Christi 28, Detroit Country Day 27 Lumen Christi (7-1) held on to set up a winner-take-all for the Catholic High School League AA title this week against co-leader Dearborn Divine Child. 

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Edwardsburg 59, Vicksburg 27 The Eddies (8-0) are Wolverine Conference champions for the first time since 2022, clinching a share with this victory and earning an opportunity to finish as outright title winner this week against Niles. Edwardsburg had broken 40 points five times this fall entering the night but scored its season high in handing Vicksburg (7-1) its only loss. Click for more from the Niles Daily Star.

Watch list Cassopolis 34, Saugatuck 14 A Week 1 loss to Decatur ended up derailing the Rangers’ Southwest 10 Conference title hopes, but there are more championship  opportunities ahead as Cassopolis (7-1) moved up to No. 20 in Division 7 playoff points by sending Saugatuck to 5-3. 

On the move Parchment 41, Lawton 34 The Parchment/Richland Gull Lake co-op improved to 5-3, two more wins than those two schools combined for last season. Bronson 42, Reading 16 Bronson (6-2) opened this season 1-2 falling to the top contenders in the Big 8 Conference, but has won five straight to jump up to No. 16 on the Division 7 list. Portage Northern 46, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 13 Portage Northern (5-3) has climbed all the way to No. 16 on the Division 2 playoff points list with four wins over its last five games including two straight over Division 1 opponents. 

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Kingsford 21, Menominee 14 Kingsford has accomplished plenty throughout its storied history, but this must go down as one of the program’s most memorable wins over the last three decades as the Flivvers clinched the winner-take-all outright championship in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper by ending Menominee’s 21-game winning streak. Kingsford (8-0) can finish a perfect regular season this week against another league champion in Marquette. Click for more from My UP Now.

Watch list Marquette 19, Petoskey 10 The Sentinels (6-2) are Big North Conference champions now outright after ending Petoskey’s pursuit to earn a share. These two could see each other again though, with Marquette No. 18 on the Division 3 playoff-points list and Petoskey (5-3) remaining at No. 26. 

On the move L’Anse 34, Hancock 26 The Purple Hornets (4-4) leaped back into the Division 8 playoff mix, jumping 11 spots to No. 26 on that playoff list after breaking a two-game losing streak. Bark River-Harris 45, Manistique 16 The Broncos (7-1) finished a West-PAC Iron outright title run and will conclude the regular season against Menominee. Calumet 44, Gladstone 28 The Copper Kings (5-3) bounced back from a Week 7 loss as they build toward the Division 6 playoffs. 

West Michigan

HEADLINER North Muskegon 21, Ravenna 13 Make that 28 wins in 28 chances for North Muskegon in the West Michigan Conference Rivers, as the Norsemen came back and held on in this winner-take-all matchup to clinch a fifth-straight league title. Ravenna (6-2) led 13-0 at halftime before North Muskegon began climbing back. Click for more from the Local Sports Journal. 

Watch list Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills 35, Lowell 21 A winner-take-all is set in the River Cities Alliance as Kenowa Hills (7-1) will take on Coopersville this week for the outright league championship. The Knights had to get past third-place Lowell (5-3) to make that happen and scored the most points the Red Arrows have given up this fall. 

On the move Grand Rapids Catholic Central 21, Holland Christian 20 (OT) The Cougars (7-1) eluded a major scare from Holland Christian (3-5), with that one deciding point also giving Grand Rapids Catholic Central the Ottawa-Kent Conference Black title outright. East Grand Rapids 28, Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 27 EGR (6-2) was right there waiting for a Catholic Central slip but finished second in the O-K Black by edging third-place MTK (6-2) by the same margin. Hudsonville 17, Rockford 14 Hudsonville got past its longtime rival to hold onto hope of grabbing a share of the O-K Red title from Week 9 opponent East Kentwood, which clinched a share Friday against Holland West Ottawa. (Caledonia remains in the mix as well.) The Rams (4-4) still control their ability to extend their record playoff streak to 32 straight seasons, as they sit No. 24 on the Division 1 playoff-points list.

8-Player

HEADLINER Mendon 28, Climax-Scotts 24 The Hornets (8-0) scored the only points of the fourth quarter with 6:11 to play to push past Climax-Scotts (6-2) and clinch the outright Southern Central Athletic Association Red title. The game-winner was Zak Iobe’s fourth touchdown run of the game, and he finished with 104 yards rushing. Click for more from WTHD. 

Watch list Waldron 48, Pittsford 28 Waldron (5-3) upended Pittsford in the SCAA Blue, cementing a third-place tie in the league for the Spartans but leaving Pittsford (5-3) to share the championship with Litchfield – which the Wildcats had defeated the week before. It was Waldron’s first win in five games against Pittsford as 8-player opponents. 

On the move Gaylord St. Mary 42, Pickford 0 The Snowbirds (8-0) have six shutouts in seven games on the field (one win was a forfeit), but this certainly was the most impressive as Pickford (6-2) entered averaging 41 points per game. Powers North Central 42, Felch North Dickinson 34 The Jets (6-2) picked up an important win as they moved up to No. 12 on the Division 2 playoff list, and they also pushed last season’s Division 2 runner-up North Dickinson (4-4) down to No. 18 and out of the potential field with one week to play. Marion 64, Onekama 6 Marion (8-0) will have an opportunity to finish the regular season perfect this week thanks to avenging last year’s 22-point defeat against the Portagers (6-2).

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.

PHOTOS (Top) Detroit Cass Tech's Peyton Robinson (10) attempts to pull away from King's Gerald Thomas (34). (Middle) Grayling's Jaden Peters (7) winds up to throw a pass during his team's 42-0 win at Bath. (Cass Tech/King photo by Olivia B. Photography. Grayling/Bath photo by TCP Photography.)

Drive for Detroit: Week 2 in Review

September 11, 2013

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The definition for "rivalry game" has grown pretty broad over the history of high school athletics. 

Some are considered rivalry games based purely on the fact they've been played for years. Others have been around for only a few, but the competition has become so fierce that it's the first date circled when schedules are printed each fall. Both include the intensity, anticipation and excitement that generally bring a few more casual fans to the bleachers on Friday night. 

Some of Michigan's best rivalry games are among the most notable results from Week 2.

West Michigan

Zeeland East 50, Zeeland West 44 (OT)

This is shaping up as one of the best football rivalries in the state, with three of the last four games decided by eight points or fewer and East — last season’s regular-season winner — then losing to West 46-0 in their playoff opener. East has the upper hand again between schools separated by mere yards. Click to read more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Also noted: 

Muskegon 35, Grand Rapids Christian 13: This would’ve been the best game on the west side any other week with the reigning MHSAA Division 2 runner-up Big Reds (2-0) continuing to look impressive in knocking off the reigning Division 3 champ Christian (1-1) in their first matchup since 1994. 

Comstock Park 39, Grand Rapids West Catholic 20: West Catholic (0-2) won the first five games of these teams’ recent series before Comstock Park (2-0) got on the board last week. 

Hamilton 21, Coopersville 20: A blocked extra point saved this win for the Hawkeyes (1-1) while dropping the Broncos to 0-2. 

Grand Rapids Catholic Central 16, Muskegon Catholic Central 13: These teams brought this series back last season after a seven-year break, and the Cougars (1-1) have won both while this time dropping the Crusaders to 0-2. 

Greater Detroit

Detroit U-D Jesuit 28, Detroit Country Day 27 (OT)

In part because it plays in a Detroit Catholic League Central with Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, Detroit Catholic Central, Birmingham Brother Rice and Warren DeLaSalle, U-D Jesuit has had some tough seasons over the last decade; its last playoff appearance was in 2000. But this win over the reigning Division 4 runner-up Yellowjackets (0-2) made the Cubs 2-0 — equaling last season’s win total — and could be an indication of more to come. Click to read more from MLive Detroit. 

Also noted: 

Belleville 17, Chelsea 14: The Tigers (1-1) are seeking their first playoff berth since 2004, and beating annual qualifier Chelsea (0-2) is a great start. 

Detroit Martin Luther King 6, Detroit East English 0 (2 OT): King (2-0) and East English (0-2) — formerly Crockett — are always two of the best teams in the city, and this might go down as the best regular-season game before the Public School League playoffs.

Farmington Hills Harrison 20, Rochester Adams 7: Harrison (2-0) made it four straight over Oakland Activities Association White rival Adams (1-1).

Plymouth 28, Milford 27: The Wildcats (2-0) came back from a two-touchdown deficit early in the third quarter to edge Milford (1-1).

Southwest and Border

Schoolcraft 37, Constantine 28

This was only the second week of nine on the Kalamazoo Valley Association schedule, but the league title could again be Schoolcraft’s to lose after this win over reigning Division 6 runner-up Constantine (1-1). A 47-yard touchdown pass after a Constantine turnover sealed the victory for the Eagles (2-0). Click to read more from the Kalamazoo Gazette. 


Also noted: 

Kalamazoo Central 23, Battle Creek Central 7: The 110th meeting in one of the nation’s longest football rivalries saw Kalamazoo Central (2-0) climb within 12 (47 wins to 59) of catching up to the Bearcats (1-1 this season) for the series lead. This game played for the Totem Pole traveling trophy dates to 1893.

St. Joseph 14, Battle Creek Harper Creek 9: After missing the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons in 2012, St. Joseph is 2-0 after handing a first loss to back-to-back MHSAA Semifinalist Harper Creek. 

Mattawan 64, Marshall 34: The Wildcats (1-1) awakened on offense after scoring only once on opening night; Marshall also upped its offensive output by 20 despite falling to 0-2. 

Plainwell 14, Three Rivers 7: They’re not in the same division of the Wolverine Conference anymore, but Plainwell (2-0) made it three straight over the Wildcats (1-1). 

Lower Up North


Maple City Glen Lake 28, Charlevoix 0

A big win by Charlevoix (1-1) over St. Ignace on opening night made this one look like a potential nail-biter. But Glen Lake (2-0) made it three in a row and two straight shutouts over the Rayders, and this week starts its pursuit of a second straight Northwest Conference championship. Click to read more from the Petoskey News.

Also noted:

Boyne City 35, Kent City 14: After a tough opening-night loss to Glen Lake, Boyne City (1-1) bounced back against the Eagles (1-1). 

Standish-Sterling 47, Gladwin 7: The Panthers (2-0) made it 10 straight over Gladwin after also beating the Flying G’s (1-1) in last season’s playoff opener. 

Harbor Springs 40, Frankfort 12: The Rams (2-0) pulled within a win of last season’s total while dropping the Panthers to 1-1 as they try to make up for last year’s first playoff miss since 1994. 

Traverse City West 21, West Branch Ogemaw Heights 8: The Titans (1-1) got a leg up by winning their Big North Conference opener while also avenging last season’s 56-39 loss to Ogemaw Heights (1-1).

Upper Peninsula


Houghton 26, Ishpeming Westwood 20 (2 OT)

Not only did Westwood (0-2) own two straight wins over Houghton before last weekend, but the Patriots won those games by a combined score of 70-0. They led again this time by two touchdowns early before the Gremlins (1-1) came back to claim their first victory this fall and pull within one more of equaling their victory total of all 2012. Click to read more from the Marquette Mining Journal. 


Also noted: 


Iron Mountain 27, Gwinn 8: Iron Mountain (1-1) bounced back from an opening-night loss; Gwinn (1-1), despite this loss, played the Mountaineers much closer than the last two seasons. 


St. Ignace 26, Mancelona 20 (OT): After their first opening-night loss in four seasons, the Saints (1-1) bounced back while dropping Mancelona to 0-2 after the Ironmen lost just once in 2012. 


Ishpeming 38, Manistique 0: The Hematites (2-0) have outscored their first two opponents, both 2012 playoff teams, by a combined 74-0. Have no fear Emeralds: You also started last fall 0-2 but made the postseason. 


Powers North Central 14, Munising 12: Munising (0-2) no doubt is smarting after losing its first two games by a combined nine points, but the Jets surely are celebrating their second straight 2-0 start. 

Mid-Michigan

Lansing Everett 48, Saginaw 14

Five Capital Area Activities Conference Blue teams left Greater Lansing for Week 2 games, but only the Vikings (2-0) returned with a victory. Everett’s offense has scored 83 points so far and looks even better than last season’s best effort in four seasons. Saginaw did struggle to keep up this time, but is 1-1 entering Saginaw Valley Association North play this week. 

Bath 40, Fulton 22: For a Bees (1-1) team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2000, a second straight win over traditionally powerful Fulton has to be encouraging. The Pirates (1-1) also are looking to climb back into the playoffs after missing in 2012. 

Fowler 26, Laingsburg 12: This has been one the best Central Michigan Athletic Conference games for a decade; Fowler (1-1) enjoyed a nice bounce-back after a loss to Mendon on opening night, but the Wolfpack finds itself in a recently-rare 0-2 spot.

Beal City 48, Clare 0: This was expected to be much closer, but Beal City (2-0) might just be this strong. The Aggies have now outscored their first two opponents by a combined 109-0 while Clare is 0-2 again although it ended up 9-3 with the same start in 2012. 

St. Johns 28, Dearborn 13: The Redwings (1-1) followed up a lackluster opening-night loss to Charlotte with an impressive win over a playoff regular in Dearborn (0-2). 

Bay and Thumb

Essexville-Garber 25, Millington 6

The Saginaw News called this a “program-defining” win for Garber, and it might’ve been the team’s biggest in the Tri-Valley Conference East since also beating the Cardinals in 2009. The Dukes (2-0) broke a two-season playoff hiatus last fall, and this season could be league title contenders as well — although the Cardinals (1-1) certainly shouldn’t be expected to fall out of the mix. Click to read more from the Saginaw News. 

Mount Pleasant 21, Flint Powers Catholic 14: The Oilers (1-1) had a rare struggle in 2012 and opened this fall with a loss to DeWitt, but got back on the right foot by beating recently powerful Powers (1-1).


Fenton 43, Adrian 7: The Tigers (2-0) continued to roll after a rivalry win over Linden in Week 1; Adrian fell to 1-1 but 0-2 versus Fenton over the last two seasons.


Flint Carman-Ainsworth 49, Saginaw Heritage 20: Carman-Ainsworth (2-0) enhanced its status as a Saginaw Valley South favorite by knocking off a solid Hawks team (1-1). 


Richmond 28, Croswell-Lexington 21: The Pioneers (1-1) had beaten Richmond (1-1) in six straight including a second time last season during the playoffs. 

Trophy Games

Each week the MHSAA highlights trophy games played across the state. One was mentioned above, and we also knew about this one heading into the weekend. 

Promise Bowl Trophy: Jackson High and Lumen Christi began playing for this prize a year ago, and the Titans own both matchups so far. Final: Lumen Christi 43, Jackson 14.

PHOTO: Lansing Everett (white jerseys) improved to 2-0 with last week's win on the road against Saginaw High. (Click to see more from High School Sports Scene.)