1st & Goal: 2026 Week 9 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 22, 2026
By Saturday night, the 2026 football regular season will be over and every league championship race decided. By Sunday evening, the playoff season will be set to begin, with several more championship opportunities ahead.
And a lot can still happen to influence how the first ends up and the second gets started.
Most of the games listed below will affect league title races, playoff qualification and positioning, or both. Make sure to keep an eye this weekend on the Playoff Point Summary page as teams move in (or out) of potential MHSAA Playoff fields, and stream the NFHS Network at 5 p.m. Sunday to find out what’s next for all 288 teams that qualify to continue their seasons next week.
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.
Bay & Thumb
Chelsea (8-0) at Linden (6-2)
Both of these teams will play in the Division 3 bracket starting next week, with Chelsea entering this matchup No. 3 on the playoff points list and Linden No. 13. The Bulldogs haven’t had a single-digit game since their Week 1 nine-point win over Harper Woods, while Linden’s losses have come by a mere eight and seven points, respectively. Chelsea won last year’s meeting 35-28.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Unionville-Sebewaing (6-2) at Saginaw Valley Lutheran (6-2), Algonac (6-2) at Flint Powers Catholic (6-2), Armada (5-3) at Frankenmuth (7-1), Goodrich (8-0) at Gladwin (5-3).
Greater Detroit
Jackson Lumen Christi (7-1) vs. Dearborn Divine Child (7-1) at Ford Field – Saturday
Two of this weekend’s Prep Bowl games will have implications for Catholic High School League championship races, with this a winner-take-all in the CHSL AA. It’s also a matchup of reigning Finals champions, Divine Child in Division 4 and Lumen Christi in Division 6. The Falcons are coming off their lone loss, to Warren De La Salle Collegiate, while Lumen set up this opportunity with a one-point Week 8 win over Detroit Country Day.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Gibraltar Carlson (8-0) at Allen Park (7-1), Walled Lake Western (7-1) at Milford (7-1), Madison Heights Madison (7-1) at Ecorse (7-1). SATURDAY Detroit Catholic Central (8-0) vs. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (6-2) at Ford Field.
Mid-Michigan
Ithaca (8-0) at Beal City (8-0)
Beal City is seeking to finish off a second-straight perfect regular season and defeated Ithaca 39-8 last year to complete the first. The Aggies haven’t played a single-digit regular-season game over the last two years, and no opponent has come closer than 19 points this fall. Ithaca’s closest win this season was last week’s 35-0 shutout of Fowler – the Yellowjackets’ third shutout over the last four weeks.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Harper Woods (7-1) at Mason (7-1), Okemos (5-3) at DeWitt (6-2), Temperance Bedford (7-1) at Grand Ledge (8-0), Northville (7-1) at Howell (8-0).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Harbor Springs (7-1) at East Jordan (7-1)
Nearly every season, the Traverse City schools’ Patriot Game owns its week on the schedule in Northern Michigan. But this matchup deserves plenty of attention as well. Harbor Springs has posted three shutouts over the last four weeks and will attempt to claim a share of the Northern Michigan Football Conference championship from East Jordan, which clinched a share last week and has defeated the Rams in five straight meetings.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Oscoda (5-3) at Frankfort (5-3), Fowler (6-2) at McBain (6-2), Traverse City West (5-3) at Traverse City Central (4-4), Manton (6-2) at Johannesburg-Lewiston (3-5).
Southeast & Border
Clinton (7-1) at Monroe Jefferson (8-0)
Jefferson is coming off clinching the Huron League championship outright with an 8-6 win last week over Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, and the Bears have navigated only two single-digit wins as they’ve pursued a first perfect regular season since 1993. Clinton’s chance at 9-0 dissolved with a Week 6 loss to Hudson, but the Redwolves hung on to claim a share of the Lenawee County Athletic Association title and could add another major highlight heading into the postseason.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY New Boston Huron (6-2) at Adrian (7-1), Tecumseh (5-3) at Adrian Madison (6-2), Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (7-1) at Hanover-Horton (7-1), Berrien Springs (8-0) at Hudson (7-1).
Southwest Corridor
Portage Central (7-1) at St. Joseph (7-1)
These two didn’t play in the same league this season for the first time since 2008, Central winning the larger-school division of the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference and St. Joseph winning the SMAC division made up of the smaller schools. Portage Central’s victories this season have all come by 11 points or more since falling Week 1 to Toledo Central Catholic, while the Bears have been little challenged since suffering their lone defeat in Week 2, by a point, to Lowell.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Cassopolis (7-1) at Galesburg-Augusta (7-1), Portage Northern (5-3) at Stevensville Lakeshore (7-1), Paw Paw (7-1) at Vicksburg (7-1), Hastings (6-2) at Battle Creek Harper Creek (6-2).
Upper Peninsula
Marquette (6-2) at Kingsford (8-0)
Both are riding notable winning streaks – Kingsford hasn’t lost at all this fall, and Marquette hasn’t lost again since starting 0-2. Both are league champions, and both still have plenty to gain – Kingsford sits No. 8 on the Division 5 playoff-points list and could make a jump defeating a strong Division 3 opponent, while the Sentinels are No. 18 on the Division 3 list amidst a large pack of teams with similar averages vying for a home playoff game.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Negaunee (5-3) at Iron Mountain (6-2). FRIDAY Menominee (7-1) at Bark River-Harris (7-1), L’Anse (4-4) at Calumet (5-3), Manistique (4-4) at Ishpeming Westwood (3-5).
West Michigan
Hudsonville (6-2) at East Kentwood (8-0)
East Kentwood has taken down all challengers by at least 21 points and last week earned a share of the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red championship. But Hudsonville is the two-time reigning league champ and can still earn a share this season despite falling to Caledonia in Week 5. These two also have met in the playoffs the last two seasons, with Hudsonville winning the regular-season meeting by a point last fall but the Falcons claiming the rematch in the Regional Final by 24.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Coopersville (8-0) at Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (7-1), Grand Rapids Catholic Central (7-1) at Grand Rapids South Christian (7-1), Traverse City St. Francis (6-2) at Grand Rapids West Catholic (6-2), Montrose (7-1) at Kent City (6-2).
8-Player
Mio (5-3) at Rogers City (6-2)
The North Star League Big Dipper will be decided by these two with Rogers City seeking its first league championship since 2022 and Mio a second-straight after sharing the Little Dipper title last season. But there’s much more on the line as well. Mio sits tied for No. 16 on the Division 1 playoff-points list and Rogers City is No. 20 and one of two 6-2 teams not currently set to qualify in that division but working to climb.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY St. Ignace (7-1) at Central Lake (6-2). FRIDAY Portland St. Patrick (8-0) at Dansville (7-1), St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lake Catholic (6-2) at Grand Rapids Sacred Heart (7-1), Dryden (8-0) at Kinde North Huron (7-1).
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PHOTO A Boyne City receiver attempts to get his hands on a pass over Charlevoix defenders during the Rayders’ 28-12 Week 2 victory. (Photo by kishba media.)
A Game for Every Fan: Regional Finals
November 8, 2012
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Let's face it. In high school football especially, it's tough to predict which teams will be around when the big trophies are awarded Thanksgiving weekend. It wouldn't take much research to figure out how many top-ranked favorites have fallen long before finishing the drive for Detroit.
But here's a little indicator that's bearing out as this season's playoffs rush into their third weekend.
Of 64 teams still alive in the 11-player brackets, 53 ranked among the top half of their respective divisions in playoff point average. The four teams remaining in the 8-player bracket all ranked among the top six in that division.
That's rather logical, you might say. But it's also an endorsement for playing tough competition, and further makes it special when a team with a lower average breaks through at the end.
Those teams still alive despite bottom-16 playoff point averages? Congrats on great efforts by Detroit Catholic Central, Caledonia, St. Johns, Three Rivers, Clare, Newaygo, Constantine, Britton-Deerfield, Pewamo-Westphalia, Flint Beecher and Johannesburg-Lewiston.
This week's games are split evenly between Friday and Saturday, with 17 each day. Four Friday games will be streamed live on FoxSportsDetroit.com's Prep Zone: Montrose at Ithaca, Detrot Cass Tech at Saline, Saginaw Swan Valley at Croswell-Lexington and Three Rivers at Grand Rapids South Christian.
Below are all of the Regional Finals with a little extra on some of the best matchups, plus a look at both 8-player Semifinals. Visit the MHSAA Score Center for game times and dates, and all weekend for updated scores and schedules.
Division 1
Rockford (9-2) at Clarkston (11-0)
These two easily come to mind when Division 1 football is discussed. But oddly enough, they've never met. The Wolves are playing for their fourth Semifinal berth and second in four seasons, and were the most popular pick in Division 1 heading into the playoffs. But three-time MHSAA champion Rockford is finally humming after opening 1-2 this fall and losing quarterback Kyle Short for a time. He’s back, and the Rams are playing in their fifth-straight Regional Final.
Other Regional Finals: Detroit Catholic Central (7-4) at Plymouth (9-2), Detroit Cass Tech (9-2) at Saline (10-1), Macomb Dakota (10-1) at Lake Orion (10-1).
Division 2
Muskegon (10-1) at Midland (11-0)
The Big Reds no doubt enjoyed a sigh of relief after edging Lowell in last week’s District Final. But life gets no easier. Midland is working toward what would be the first 14-0 season in its similarly-impressive history, and is keyed by a likely all-state candidate at quarterback in Alec Johnson. Not that Muskegon will be intimidated – this will be its eighth game this fall against a playoff team.
Other Regional Finals: Caledonia (8-3) at Mattawan (10-1), Birmingham Brother Rice (9-2) at Walled Lake Western (9-2), Oak Park (9-2) at Wyandotte Roosevelt (10-1).
Division 3
Grand Rapids Christian (10-1) at Stevensville Lakeshore (11-0)
This may be the game of the weekend in Michigan. Neither has lost to an in-state team – Christian’s only defeat was to Ohio power Cincinnati Moeller – and both have crushed the majority of their opponents this fall. The Eagles scored a season-high 68 points against Zeeland West last week thanks to four touchdown passes plus four touchdown runs by quarterback Alex VandeVusse. This is Lakeshore’s fifth Regional Final over the last decade, and comes after a perfect run through the Southwest Michigan Activities Conference West – one of the state’s most competitive leagues this season.
Other Regional Finals: St. Johns (8-3) at DeWitt (9-2), Tecumseh (9-2) at Battle Creek Harper Creek (9-2), Detroit East English (9-2) at Orchard Lake St. Mary (9-2).
Division 4
Grosse Ile (10-1) at Detroit Country Day (9-2)
The Red Devils have won 10 games for the second straight season after making the Semifinals in 2011. This fall’s success has come against a schedule that has included six playoff teams. Country Day’s slate has included only three teams that made the postseason, but the Yellow Jackets beat a strong one last week in Pontiac Notre Dame and opened the playoffs by dropping previously-undefeated Clinton Township Clintondale 35-0.
Other Regional Finals: West Branch Ogemaw Heights (8-3) at Comstock Park (10-1), Three Rivers (8-3) at Grand Rapids South Christian (8-3), Saginaw Swan Valley (9-2) at Croswell-Lexington (11-0).
Division 5
River Rouge (11-0) at Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (10-1)
As written on 2H on Monday, River Rouge is one of the best stories of the season – the Panthers are 11-0 for the first time and before last month had won a playoff game only once, in 2001. But this week’s opponent easily will be their toughest this season. Gabriel Richard hasn't given up a point in the playoffs, with a 24-0 win last week over a strong Lake Fenton team.
Other Regional Finals: Clare (9-2) at Menominee (10-1), Newaygo (9-2) at Grand Rapids West Catholic (8-3), Portland (10-1) at Flint Powers Catholic (11-0).
Division 6
Montrose (10-1) at Ithaca (11-0)
One of these weeks, an opponent is going to provide a strong challenge to Ithaca’s 39-game winning streak. Montrose might be it. The two have met in the playoffs the last two seasons, with Ithaca winning only 28-13 in last season’s District Final. Granted, it doesn't look as good for the Rams after surviving by a point in the District Semifinal and by just five against a good Millington team last week. But expect Montrose to bring its best, and Ithaca to match in front of a crowd that could approach 3,000 fans.
Other Regional Finals: Shelby (9-2) at Negaunee (10-1), Constantine (9-2) at Hillsdale (11-0), Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (9-2) at Grass Lake (10-1).
Division 7
Britton Deerfield (8-3) at Detroit Loyola (11-0)
The Britton-Macon Tories hadn't made the MHSAA playoffs since reaching the Semifinals in 2000, before the school combined in 2010 with Deerfield – which hadn't fielded a football team since 1992. Britton-Deerfield has made the playoffs both years of its existence and has improved two wins on last season’s finish so far. Loyola had easily the highest playoff point average in Division 7 entering the playoffs and is in the Regional Final for the second year in a row. The Bulldogs also entered 11-0 last season and were shut out by Hudson, but have upped their offensive average this fall by a touchdown to more than 46 points per game.
Other Regional Finals: Lake City (10-1) at Ishpeming (10-1), Pewamo-Westphalia (8-3) at Decatur (9-2), Flint Beecher (7-4) at Saginaw Nouvel (9-2).
Division 8
St. Ignace (11-0) at Felch North Dickinson (10-0)
The Saints are playing for their second straight Semifinal berth, but it’s fair to say they’re even better this time around. After giving up a respectable 16 points per game last season, St. Ignace is giving up an average of only five and has five shutouts (not counting the forfeit win over Rudyard in Week 3). North Dickinson’s most noticeable improvement this fall has come on offense – the Nordics have upped their points per game from 38 in 2011 to 50 this fall.
Other Regional Finals: Johannesburg-Lewiston (9-2) at Beal City (11-0), Muskegon Catholic Central (8-3) at Mendon (11-0), Waterford Our Lady (9-2) at Harbor Beach (10-1).
8-Player (Semifinals)
Bellaire (8-3) at Rapid River (10-1)
It’s fair to call these teams two of the original powers in MHSAA 8-player football. Bellaire is 24-8 since making the switch in 2010, and that season finished “mythical” runner-up, that being the term because the championship game was organized by the two leagues and was not an MHSAA playoff game. Rapid River is 20-4 in two seasons as an 8-player program, and was the runner-up in last season’s inaugural championship game. The Rockets stunned the 8-player community last week by beating Cedarville 22-14 after falling to the Trojans 72-12 on Sept. 28.
Deckerville (10-1) at Portland St. Patrick (11-0)
These are both first-year 8-player programs, and it’s fair to say their moves were good ones. Deckerville’s only loss also was to Cedarville, but that was back on the final day of August. The Eagles' run opened with a 42-39 win over reigning MHSAA champ Carsonville-Port Sanilac. All but one of the Shamrocks' opponents were from the southwest part of the Lower Peninsula, but St. Patrick shouldn't be stunned by facing a little bit tougher competition after years of 11-player in the highly-competitive Central Michigan Athletic Conference.
PHOTO: Detroit Country Day senior Trevor Woodland (2) tries to break a tackle by Pontiac Notre Dame senior Mark Juriga during last week’s District Final win for the Yellow Jackets. (Click to see more at Terry McNamara Photography.)