1st & Goal: Playoff Week 4 Preview
January 8, 2021
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
There are a lot of ways to describe what Michigan’s football contenders will restart Saturday, and how it will be talked about for years and perhaps generations to come.
But at the end of it all, it’s pretty simple: It’s great to be talking about the football playoffs again.
Consider this as much a catching-up as a preview of the 8-Player Semifinals and glances at many of the most intriguing 11-Player Regional Finals, all to be played Saturday. Be sure to also take advantage of the opportunity to quickly find your stride this weekend by tuning in, with every game to be streamed live thanks to a variety of sources – Click for the list of broadcasts.
Visit the MHSAA Football Playoff Home for the entire schedule for this weekend, scores as they come in and what’s next as we follow these long-awaited final few weeks of the season.
8-Player
Division 1
Martin (8-1) vs. Adrian Lenawee Christian (9-0) at Adrian College
Two seasons ago the Clippers stormed through a perfect regular season in their first of 8-player, and this season Lenawee Christian followed the same plan. The Cougars are averaging 200 yards rushing per game on more than nine yards per carry, with Jameson Chesser averaging better than 10 yards per carry on the way to 1,055 total. Martin’s only loss was a forfeit, and also led by a 1,000 rusher in Gabe Meyers, who is averaging 11.7 per carry for a team rolling up 300 yards per game on the ground.
NOTE: Suttons Bay will advance with Indian River Inland Lakes forfeit.
Division 2
Marion (8-1) vs. Powers North Central (9-0) at Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome
North Central is playing to reach the championship game for the first time since claiming back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016, and the Jets are paced by an excellent defense and multi-threat quarterback Luke Gorzinski – he leads the team in rushing (791 yards, 16 touchdowns) and has thrown for 1,105 yards and 17 scores. Marion’s only loss came in its season opener to Mesick on the way to the program’s first Semifinal since 1992. The Eagles also mix tough defense with dynamic quarterback play, with Mason Salisbury piling up 1,260 yards and 19 TDs rushing and 614 and 10 scores passing.
Kinde North Huron (8-1) vs. Portland St. Patrick (9-0) at Portland High School
Portland St. Patrick has been as close as anyone to winning a championship lately, with this its fourth-straight Semifinal and fifth of the last nine seasons. The Shamrocks defeated reigning Division 1 champion Colon 44-34 to advance to this round this time. This is North Huron’s second Semifinal appearance in four seasons after the Warriors fell to St. Patrick in a 2017 meeting to reach the championship game. North Huron’s only loss this fall was to a Mayville team that fell to Lenawee Christian in the Division 1 Regional Finals.
11-Player
Division 1
Detroit Cass Tech (9-0) at Belleville (9-0)
Five of eight teams remaining in Division 1 are undefeated, and this is one of two matchups of unbeaten teams. The Tigers have won two straight Regional titles, while the Technicians are seeking their first since 2017 but have won eight over the last decade. Yet despite their shared elite success over the last five seasons especially, this will be their first matchup at least in modern history. Belleville will see how its offense, averaging 51 points per game, stacks up against a Cass Tech defense giving up slightly more than seven.
Other Regional Finals: Saline (8-1) at Rockford (7-0), Detroit Catholic Central (9-0) vs. Davison (9-0) at Lapeer, Romeo (5-4) at West Bloomfield (8-1).
Division 2
Muskegon Mona Shores (9-0) at East Lansing (8-0)
The reigning Division 2 champion Sailors must hit the road as they seek their third consecutive Regional championship. They went into the pause with two straight one-score wins and take on a Trojans team that has given up more than one score in a game only once. East Lansing’s wins all have come by double digits, but its offense must play a big role again as Shores will present the impressive defense its toughest challenge this season.
Other Regional Finals: North Farmington (7-2) vs. Traverse City Central (8-1) at Thirlby Field, Oak Park (4-5) at Livonia Churchill (6-2), Warren De La Salle Collegiate (5-4) at Warren Mott (7-1).
Division 3
River Rouge (7-1) at Detroit Martin Luther King (6-3)
These two matched up for one of the most memorable playoff games of 2018, as King won 7-6 in a Division 3 opener on the way to claiming the championship in that division a month later. King moved to Division 2 last season and fell to Mona Shores in the Final, while Rouge claimed the Division 3 title. As they meet again, the Panthers are hoping to find their November momentum; after losing the East Lansing in Week 5 they ran off four straight shutouts at the front end of a dominating run. King may be their toughest challenge again, having lost only to Shores and twice to Cass Tech.
Other Regional Finals: East Grand Rapids (6-3) at Muskegon (8-1), Flint Kearsley (6-3) at Chelsea (9-0). DeWitt will advance with Stevensville Lakeshore forfeit.
Division 4
Grand Rapids South Christian (8-1) at Edwardsburg (8-0)
The only loss between these two this season was South Christian’s one-point defeat versus Division 5 contender Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Otherwise, neither has faced a single-score game – the Eddies are giving up just a single score per game, on average. Before playing in Division 3 last season, Edwardsburg won Division 4 in 2018 and was runner-up in 2017. But the Sailors may be the team remaining in Division 4 best equipped to match the Eddies’ high-powered attack; the last time South Christian was this potent on offense, it won the 2014 Division 4 title.
Other Regional Finals: Ada Forest Hills Eastern (6-3) vs. Cadillac (6-2) at Traverse City's Thirlby Field, Milan (8-1) vs. Williamston (8-1) at Lansing Catholic, Detroit Country Day (6-2) vs. North Branch (9-0) at Lapeer High School.
Division 5
Marine City (8-1) at Frankenmuth (9-0)
The Eagles have been looking to break through with three Regional titles over the last four seasons, and the they outscored their first three playoffs opponents by a combined 139-26. That included a 28-0 District Final win over Almont, last season’s Division 5 runner-up. Marine City opened the postseason similarly, outscoring its first three opponents by a combined 121-28 – and that only loss was a forfeit taken Week 9.
Other Regional Finals: Muskegon Oakridge (7-2) at Grand Rapids Catholic Central (8-0), Grosse Ile (6-3) at Lansing Catholic (7-2). Freeland will advance with Reed City forfeit.
Division 6
Montrose (8-1) at Montague (9-0)
After missing a trip to Ford Field by a one-point loss in last year’s Semifinal, Montague has steamrolled through the majority of this season – only Whitehall in Week 8 (34-31) has given the Wildcats a close game. Montrose’s consistency, meanwhile, deserves more attention – the Rams are picking back up their 11th-straight winning season and hoping for a second Regional title in three seasons. The lone loss this fall was to rival New Lothrop, still rolling in Division 7.
Other Regional Finals: Negaunee (6-3) at Grayling (6-3), Michigan Center (6-1) at Constantine (8-1), Clinton (8-1) vs. Warren Michigan Collegiate (9-0) at Madison Heights Bishop Foley.
Division 7
Cass City (9-0) vs. Ithaca (9-0) at Brighton’s Legacy Center
Ithaca has had to navigate one of the most uneven playoff runs of an uneven season all around, with two of its three wins so far coming by forfeit. But the other was a 41-0 victory over Ravenna, and the Yellowjackets have put up an average of 49 points per game, an improvement of 17 ppg from a year ago. Cass City’s run-up to this game was more eventful, as it eliminated previously-undefeated Sandusky and then Hemlock in successive District games. Doing the same this week to Ithaca would put the Red Hawks in the Semifinals for the second-straight season.
Other Regional Finals: New Lothrop (8-0) vs. Detroit Loyola (8-1) at Madison Heights Bishop Foley, Jackson Lumen Christi (5-4) vs. Schoolcraft (8-1) at Portage Central. Traverse City St. Francis will advance with Oscoda forfeit.
Division 8
Johannesburg-Lewiston (9-0) vs. Iron Mountain (8-1) at Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome
Viewing from the statewide lens, this might be one of the most intriguing matchups of the weekend. The Cardinals went into the pause with a 28-21 win over 2019 Division 8 runner-up Beal City, their only game closer than 30 points. Because of forfeits, Iron Mountain has played only three games on the field – but two of those three were double-digit District Semifinal and Final wins. The Mountaineers are playing to make the Semifinals for the second-straight season as well.
Other Regional Finals: Carson City-Crystal (6-1) at Ubly (7-2), Sand Creek (8-1) vs. Centreville (8-0) at Portage Central, Petersburg Summerfield (4-5) vs. Clarkston Everest Collegiate (9-0) at Legacy Center.
PHOTOS: Championship contenders East Lansing, on defense, and River Rouge met Sept. 25, with the Trojans winning 21-6. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
1st & Goal: 2025 Week 7 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 13, 2025
Football is the only head-to-head MHSAA sport requiring teams to qualify for the playoffs. And that makes October unlike any other month across any of the school year's three seasons.
Not only are teams competing for and celebrating league championships – see all nine of our "headliners" below and several more games we noted – but several more hopefuls are maneuvering to either break into playoff fields, hold onto spots they've currently earned, or move up on their respective division lists high enough to potentially earn a home game or few when the playoff brackets are selected later this month.
We highlight some of those scenarios below, and will focus on them much more over the final two weeks of the regular season.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Millington 14, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 3 Millington (6-1) battled back from a Week 4 overtime loss to Cass City to clinch a share of the Big Thumb Conference White title – and clinch a share for Cass City as well – by handing Laker (6-1) its only loss this season. All three teams finished tied for first and league champions, Millington after winning the title outright last season. The Cardinals and Lakers have met in the playoffs the last two and could face off again in Division 7. Click for more from the Bay City Times.
Watch list Almont 35, Richmond 14 The Raiders (7-0) over the last two weeks have taken down contenders Armada and Richmond (6-1) by identical 35-14 scores to run their Blue Water Area Conference winning streak to 23 and their league title streak to three by clinching a share of this year’s with this win.
On the move Fenton 46, Linden 41 The Tigers (5-2) ran their Flint Metro League Stars winning streak to 18 games and finished their third-straight perfect run through the league while denying Linden (5-2) a chance at a title share. Harbor Beach 33, Reese 14 The Pirates (7-0) have won all 10 of their BTC Black games over the last two seasons, this time preventing Reese (4-3) and Unionville-Sebewaing from also claiming title shares. Montrose 28, New Lothrop 14 The Rams (7-0) clinched a share of the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference championship after finishing third the last two seasons, and with a second-straight win over rival New Lothrop (5-2).
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Gibraltar Carlson 27, Brownstown Woodhaven 23 The Marauders followed running back Izaiah Wright to this Downriver League title share-clinching win. Wright scored three touchdowns, his last the game-winner during the final minute. Carlson (7-0) ran its league championship streak to five with a chance to finish this run with the outright title this week at Lincoln Park. Woodhaven (6-1) fell a game back. Click for more from the Southgate News-Herald.
IZAIAH WRIGHT DOING IZAIAH WRIGHT THINGS. The Carlson senior — Purdue commit and Mr. Football candidate — scored three touchdowns, including the game-winner in the final minute as Carlson beats rival Woodhaven 27-23 to stay unbeaten at 7-0. Delivered by @hungryhowies… pic.twitter.com/rKQ3dBZOpj
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 11, 2025
WATCH LIST Harper Woods 41, Saline 32 Harper Woods (7-0) has had its share of notable wins over the last three seasons – especially on the way to winning the Division 4 title in 2023. But downing Division 1 contender Saline (6-1) might be considered the best of the regular season during that time, or at least equal to wins over another Division 1 contender Clarkston in Week 2 and two years ago.
On the move Clarkston 38, West Bloomfield 10 A Wolves loss would have meant a shared Oakland Activities Association Red title between these two, but a win gave Clarkston (6-1) the outright title and its first of any degree since sharing in 2022. Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech 18, Hamtramck 8 The Gators (7-0) won a combined seven games over the last two seasons, and this victory over second-place Hamtramck (4-3) gave ABT the outright championship in the Charter School Conference Silver. Riverview 14, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 13 The Huron League title race jumped the tracks a bit as Riverview (5-2) moved into position to potentially earn a share if SMCC (6-1) can defeat leader Monroe Jefferson this week.
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Pewamo-Westphalia 37, Fowler 6 The Pirates pulled away over the final three quarters to clinch a share of the Central Michigan Athletic Conference title and also avenge last season’s loss to Fowler (5-2) – P-W’s only league defeat over the last three. The Pirates (6-0) also continued a run of not allowing more than six points in any game this fall, and have surrendered a grand total over 18 over six games. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
Watch list Portland 54, Eaton Rapids 6 The Raiders (7-0) ran their Capital Area Activities Conference White winning streak to 25 in clinching a share of a fourth-straight league title. They’ve given up just 31 points over six games played (with the seventh a forfeit win).
On the move DeWitt 59, Grand Ledge 7 The Panthers (7-0) moved within a win of clinching the CAAC Red championship by handing the Comets (6-1) their only defeat. Mount Pleasant 29, Traverse City West 8 The Oilers (7-0) secured a share of the Saginaw Valley League North title and can make it outright this weekend against reigning champion Midland. Belding 28, Muskegon Oakridge 7 The Black Knights (6-1) are in the running for what would be a fourth-straight Ottawa-Kent Conference Silver title, and fit in this win over West Michigan Conference Lakes contender Oakridge (5-2) to hold onto the No. 3 spot in the Division 6 playoff-point rankings.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Gaylord 34, Escanaba 30 The Blue Devils (7-0) played a fourth-quarter comeback into a share of the Big North Conference championship in what was a matchup of first-place teams. Gaylord can make the title outright against Sault Ste. Marie in Week 9. It’s been a great comeback run for both contenders, as Gaylord was 3-6 a year ago and Escanaba (6-1) was 2-7 two years ago before improving to 5-4 last season. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.
Watch list LeRoy Pine River 34, Manton 30 The Bucks (5-2) haven’t had a winning season since 2018 and opened this one with two losses. But they’ve strung together five straight victories to guarantee their best finish since 2018 while also moving up to the No. 20 slot on the Division 7 playoff-point list. Manton (4-3) as well has guaranteed its best record since 2022 and with one more win would tie its best since 2014.
On the move Charlevoix 15, Mancelona 12 This was a matchup of league leaders and Charlevoix (7-0) ran its winning streak over Mancelona (4-3) to nine, but not without surviving its closest game this season. Grayling 38, Kalkaska 15 The Vikings (2-5) came out of a tough league run with an impressive win over the Blazers (5-2), who finish with two more strong opponents in Kingsley and Boyne City. Traverse City Central 47, Bay City Western 21 Central (4-3) has fallen out of the Division 2 playoff hunt only once over the last five weeks but is back up to No. 21 on that playoff-points list with a second-straight win coming off an earlier three-game losing streak.
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Hudson 32, Clinton 16 The Tigers (7-0) clinched a share of the Lenawee County Athletic Association title and avoided a possible three-team share if they’d fallen to Clinton (5-2), which with Ida will hope for help this week from Hillsdale as Hudson plays for the outright title. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.
Watch list Springport 36, Quincy 20 Springport (7-0) clinched a share of the Big 8 Conference title, against a Quincy team (4-3) enjoying its best season since 2019. The Spartans can make it outright this week against second-place Union City and have given up only 38 points this season over six games (with a forfeit win as well).
On the move Ypsilanti Lincoln 36, Jackson 32 The Railsplitters (6-1) earned their fourth win by one score or less to set up the possibility this week of taking a share of the Southeastern Conference White title from Chelsea, which has clinched a share already. Temperance Bedford 31, Ann Arbor Huron 28 Bedford (4-3) also held on in a close game to gain an opportunity in the SEC Red, as it trails leader Saline by a game and travels to play the Hornets this week. Napoleon 30, Leslie 26 Likewise, Napoleon’s close win sets it up to play Michigan Center this week in a winner-take-all matchup for the Cascades Conference East title.
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER Portage Central 30, Portage Northern 0 Central added a share of the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West title to a dominating fall, holding Northern scoreless in what was a matchup of first-place teams. The shutout also was Central’s fifth this season, and the Mustangs have given up just 10 points total. They’ll play for an outright championship Week 9 at St. Joseph. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Watch list Dowagiac 40, Buchanan 26 Dowagiac (5-2) made the playoffs last season for the first time this decade, and now has added its first championship in the Lakeland Conference – rebounding from a Week 6 loss to Berrien Springs to take a share from Buchanan (4-3), which previously had clinched a share. Berrien Springs also can claim a share with a win over Niles Brandywine this week.
On the move Kalamazoo Central 31, Battle Creek Central 12 This is the oldest rivalry in Michigan high school football history, starting in 1893, and game 122 between these two ended in Kalamazoo Central (4-3) owning a share of the SMAC East title as Battle Creek Central (4-3) also entered the night undefeated in league play. Battle Creek Harper Creek 29, Hastings 15 This win didn’t clinch the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference title for Harper Creek (6-1), but it was a giant step toward potentially doing so. Hastings (5-2) also hadn’t lost in league play heading into the night. Bronson 32, White Pigeon 6 With this win by Bronson (6-1), Decatur claimed a share of the Southwest 10 Conference championship – although White Pigeon (6-1) can make it a three-team shared title by defeating Decatur this week.
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Bark River-Harris 38, Iron Mountain 14 After defeating Iron Mountain in Week 2 for the first time in program history, Bark River-Harris made it a sweep – this time clinching a share of the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Iron championship as well. The Broncos (5-1) can make the title outright this week against West Iron County, which like Iron Mountain (4-2) has just one loss in league play (as the first Bark River-Harris meeting did not count toward the league standings).
Watch list West Iron County 49, L’Anse 40 In avenging a 20-14 loss to L’Anse from Week 2, West Iron County (3-3) jumped four spots to No. 37 on the Division 8 playoff-points list with two weeks to play. The Wykons had won just three games total over the last two seasons and are seeking their first playoff berth this decade.
On the move Menominee 40, Negaunee 12 This along with Kingsford’s win over Ishpeming Westwood sets up those two to meet for a winner-take-all title matchup this week in the West-PAC Copper. Menominee moved to 7-0, while Negaunee is 4-3. Gladstone 34, Houghton 22 Gladstone (3-4) also bumped up to No. 37 on a playoff-points list, in Division 6, with two games to play and chances to move up significantly. Marquette 27, Petoskey 17 While Marquette (4-3) can’t catch Gaylord in the BNC, the Sentinels did move back into playoff contention at No. 29 on the Division 3 list, sending Petoskey (3-4) to No. 34.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Kent City 46, Central Montcalm 14 In a winner-take-all for the Central State Activities Association Silver title, Kent City (7-0) seized it in a big way. In doing so, the Eagles also avenged losses to Central Montcalm (5-2) that decided last year’s league title and then ended Kent City’s season in the District opener. Click for more from WZZM.
Watch list Ludington 32, Whitehall 7 The Orioles (7-0) clinched a share of the West Michigan Conference Lakes title by avenging the loss that cost them the championship last season. Whitehall (4-3) won’t repeat but remains firmly in the Division 5 playoff hunt at No. 14 on that playoff points list.
On the move Hudsonville 43, East Kentwood 42 The Eagles (7-0) won by the slimmest of margins to pull within one more victory of clinching the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red title, moving past the Falcons (5-2) with a late rally. Grand Rapids Catholic Central 35, Holland Christian 7 The Cougars (7-0) clinched a share of the O-K Black title, improving on last season’s tie for second place. Grand Rapids West Catholic 48, Wayland 19 The Falcons (6-1) locked up a share of the O-K White title, their fourth-straight league championship.
8-Player
HEADLINER Deckerville 22, Kingston 14 Defense reigned as Deckerville clinched a share of the Big Thumb Conference Blue title for the second-straight season. Both teams were held well below their season scoring averages as the Eagles (7-0) added to last year’s regular-season/playoff sweep of the rival Cardinals (6-1). Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.
Watch list St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy 47, Hillman 26 Heston’s record for wins in a season over its first 11 was four a year ago, but the Patriots (5-2) bested it in this matchup of North Star League champions – both Heston and Hillman (5-2) have clinched shares of their division titles.
On the move Norway 34, Newberry 14 Norway (7-0) pulled within one more win of claiming a share of the Great Lakes Eight Conference East championship after finishing second a year ago. Gogebic 42, Lake Linden-Hubbell 12 The Miners (7-0) also can clinch a share of a league title this week, in the GLEC West, after handing LL-H (5-2) its only conference loss. Mio 36, Rogers City 22 There are 13 teams in Division 2 with zero or one loss, and Mio (6-1) remains right in the middle of that group on the playoff-points average list with two games against sub-.500 opponents left before the playoffs.
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PHOTOS (Top) DeWitt’s backs make a read on a handoff during their team’s 59-7 win over Grand Ledge on Friday. (Middle) Laingsburg’s Julian Smith (7) launches a pass during his team’s 34-14 loss to Bath. (DeWitt/Grand Ledge photo by Terry Lyons. Laingsburg/Bath photo by John Johnson.)