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1st & Goal: Week 9 in Review

October 26, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Whether it’s 6-0, 0-6, or somewhere in between, your local football team deserves our admiration for a job well done this fall.

We started late, after not knowing if we’d play at all, and amid a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. And regardless of the wins and losses on the field, every team contributed to a figure worth celebrating – every week of this abbreviated regular season, at least 96 percent of varsity teams were cleared to play, a credit to the work done by players, coaches, administrators and families statewide to ensure that continued opportunity.

Of course, there were other memorable numbers established this weekend on the field – perhaps none more incredible than Bridgman’s record 47-point comeback highlighted in our 8-player review.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Midland 32, Midland Dow 6 The Chemics (6-0) nearly reversed last season’s 42-7 loss to Dow, in doing so clinching an outright Saginaw Valley League Blue title and their first perfect regular season since 2012. Midland held the Chargers (4-2) scoreless until the fourth quarter. With wins by both this week, they would meet again in a Division 2 District Semifinal. Click for more from the Midland Daily News and see highlights below from WJRT.

Watch list Grand Blanc 14, Saline 13 The Bobcats (5-1) finished runners-up in the SVL Red, but added to their intriguing playoff potential by handing Saline (5-1) its first loss.

Remember this one Davison 37, Lapeer 6 The Cardinals’ first regular-season win over Lapeer (3-3) since 2017 sealed the SVL Red championship. Davison (6-0) hosts Lapeer this week in Division 1 and has beaten the Lightning in the playoffs two of the last three seasons.

More shoutouts Fenton 33, Ortonville Brandon 21 The Tigers (6-0) remain undefeated after handing Brandon (5-1) its first defeat in this matchup of Flint Metro League divisional champions. Imlay City 28, Almont 14 The Spartans (4-2) defeated the reigning Division 5 runner-up Pirates (2-2) for the first time since 2008 and after losing 56-7 a year ago.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Macomb Dakota 42, Traverse City Central 16 The Cougars (5-1) are surging heading into the Division 1 playoffs, adding this win over Big North Conference champion Central to its shared Macomb Area Conference Red title. Dakota scored its season high and held the Trojans (5-1) to 36 points below their season average. Click for more from MLive-Detroit and see highlights below from State Champs Sports Network.

Watch list Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 23, Detroit Country Day 13 The Warriors (5-1) are on a roll heading into the Division 3 playoffs after handing Country Day (3-2) its first on-field loss of the fall.

Remember this one New Boston Huron 34, Dearborn Heights Crestwood 0 After tying for second in the Huron League, the Chiefs (5-1) are rolling into the Division 3 bracket as well after handing Western Wayne Athletic Conference champion Crestwood (5-1) its first defeat.

More shoutouts Rochester Hills Stoney Creek 40, Birmingham Groves 14 The Cougars (6-0) capped their first undefeated regular season by clinching the outright Oakland Activities Association White title against annual contender Groves (3-3). Detroit Catholic Central 45, Detroit Loyola 14 The Shamrocks (6-0) added the Prep Bowl Bishop championship to their Catholic League Central title, handing AA champ Loyola (5-1) its first loss.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Mason 40, Williamston 10 The Capital Area Activities Conference Red title came down to these two undefeated teams, and more specifically to Mason’s offense vs. Williamston’s defense. The Bulldogs (6-0) prevailed to repeat as champs, scoring nearly half of the points Williamston has given up all season while also holding the Hornets (5-1) to their season low. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal and see highlights below from WLNS.

Watch list Lansing Catholic 28, Pewamo-Westphalia 13 The Cougars (4-2) haven’t grabbed as much attention as usual this season, but consider their losses were to teams that are a combined 11-1 – and that they are headed to the playoffs having ended P-W’s 19-game winning streak.

Remember this one Clare 26, Sanford Meridian 20 The Pioneers’ only single-digit regular-season game decided the Jack Pine Conference title, as Clare (6-0) earned it outright and denied Meridian (4-2) a chance to share.

More shoutouts DeWitt 43, Stevensville Lakeshore 6 The Panthers (5-0) have been on a tear from the start, holding five opponents to six or fewer points and putting up 43 against a Lakeshore defense that was giving up only 10 per game. Olivet 61, Stockbridge 12 The Eagles (5-1) bounced back from their lone defeat to close out their fourth-straight Greater Lansing Activities Conference title.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Charlevoix 19, Maple City Glen Lake 8 Playing the Lakers (4-2) for the Northern Michigan Football Conference Leaders championship for the second year in a row, the Red Rayders claimed their first league title in football since 2000. The win also gave Charlevoix (6-0) its first perfect regular season since 1977, according to Michigan-football.com. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review and see highlights below from MI Sports Now.

Watch list Johannesburg-Lewiston 60, Harbor Springs 29 The Cardinals (6-0) locked up their third-straight NMFC Legacy title and second-straight undefeated regular season by doubling up second-place Harbor Springs (3-3).

Remember this one Oscoda 24, Houghton Lake 6 The Owls (6-0) faced their toughest challenge this fall and answered it well, giving up their first points of the season but still holding Houghton Lake (4-2) to nearly 30 below their average.

More shoutouts Kingsley 36, Benzie Central 20 The Stags (6-0) closed out a second-straight NMFC Legends championship with their 20th-straight regular-season victory. Traverse City St. Francis 21, Jackson Lumen Christi 20 While reigning Division 7 runner-up Lumen (2-4) has had a tough run, this could end up a telling result as both head into the same division again and with St. Francis (4-2) a second seed while pursuing a seventh-straight District title.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Addison 56, Grass Lake 22 The Panthers (6-0) finished a second-straight perfect run through their Cascades Conference schedule and first undefeated regular season since 2006 while keeping Grass Lake (4-2) from earning a share of the championship. Addison has won three of its last four against the Warriors. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.

Watch list Chelsea 26, Monroe 17 The Bulldogs (6-0) finished a second-straight undefeated regular season with Monroe (4-2) their fifth opponent that finished .500 or better this fall.

Remember this one Clinton 21, Hillsdale 14 The Lenawee County Athletic Association title went to Blissfield, but Clinton (5-1) in its first season in the league won this matchup for second place, with the Hornets (4-2) ending in third.

More shoutouts Erie Mason 56, Pittsford 0 The Eagles (6-0) finished their first perfect regular season since 2003, and after last winning more than two games in a season in 2005. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 49, Detroit Southeastern 34 The Falcons (4-2) earned their most impressive win, handing Detroit Public School League 4 champion Southeastern (5-1) its only defeat.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Buchanan 20, Niles Brandywine 6 The list of accomplishments is growing for the Bucks (6-0) – they won the Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph Conference title outright, with their first perfect regular season since 2015, and after winning a combined five games over the last three seasons. Brandywine (3-3) had won the last three meetings between these teams, and two straight league titles. Click for more from the Niles Daily Star.

Watch list Constantine 70, Coloma 32 The Falcons (5-1) finished a perfect run through the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore and earned the second seed in their Division 6 District opposite Buchanan.

Remember this one St. Joseph 22, Battle Creek Lakeview 14 There wasn’t a Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference title on the line this time, but there very well could be next time and St. Joseph (5-1) will enter that game with two wins in its last three matchups with Lakeview (4-2).

More shoutouts Edwardsburg 60, Paw Paw 6 The Eddies (6-0) completed their third-consecutive undefeated regular season and will be the top seed in their Division 4 District with Paw Paw (4-2) the third. Lawton 19, Saugatuck 2 The Blue Devils locked up second place in the SAC Valley and the second seed in a Division 7 District where they could face league champ Schoolcraft in two weeks.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Marquette 28, Calumet 6 Arguably the most impressive part of Marquette’s performance this fall has been its defense, which is giving up 13 points per game – a full seven points fewer than last year. Calumet (2-3) hadn’t been held to single digits since the 2018 playoffs, but Marquette (5-1) has held its last two opponents to six points apiece. Click for more from the Upbeat. 

Watch list Bark River-Harris 28, L’Anse 0 After an 0-2 start, Bark River-Harris (3-2) won its final three regular-season games and hasn’t given up a point in its last two.

Remember this one Escanaba 20, Gladstone 12 The Eskymos (1-2) bounced back from their first on-field loss with a 10th-straight win over Gladstone (2-3), enough to earn the fifth seed in their Division 4 District.

More shoutouts West Iron County 36, St. Ignace 22 The Wykons (6-0) capped their first perfect regular season since 2013 with their best offensive output of this fall. Sault Ste. Marie 60, Cheboygan 0 The Blue Devils (4-2) secured second place in the NMFC Legends.

West Michigan  

HEADLINER Grand Rapids Catholic Central 28, Grand Rapids South Christian 27 (OT) This was just about all that could be hoped for from a matchup of undefeated teams playing for a league championship. At the end, GRCC (6-0) had clinched its sixth-straight league title, back in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold, after winning outright or sharing the Blue championship the last four seasons. Click for more from WOOD TV.

Watch list Muskegon Mona Shores 35, Detroit Martin Luther King 21 This rematch of last season’s Division 2 Final ended with nearly the same score, great news for the reigning champion Sailors (3-3) and not necessarily bad for King (3-3) as it plays in Division 3 this time.

Remember this one Rockford 28, Grandville 8 The Rams (4-0) missed two weeks but came back in time to finish without a loss in the O-K Red while handing Grandville (5-1) its lone league defeat.

More shoutouts Hudsonville Unity Christian 42, Allendale 6 The Crusaders (6-0) finished a perfect run through the O-K Blue with their third single-digit defensive performance of the fall, holding Allendale (3-3) to a season-low points total. East Grand Rapids 12, Byron Center 8 The Pioneers (3-3) handed Byron Center (5-1) its only loss, allowing Forest Hills Central with its win over Lowell to share the O-K White championship with the Bulldogs.

8-Player

HEADLINER Bridgman 54, Wyoming Tri-unity Christian 53 (OT) The Bees set an MHSAA record – 8 and 11-player – for largest comeback winning this game after trailing by 47 points. With Martin having to forfeit a game to Lawrence, the Bees (5-1) joined the Clippers as one-loss teams atop the final Southwestern Michigan 8-Man Football League standings. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.

Watch list Portland St. Patrick 52, Burr Oak 19 Handing Burr Oak (5-1) its only loss kept St. Patrick (6-0) undefeated and cemented the Shamrocks as the top seed in the Division 2 Playoffs. 

Remember this one Morrice 58, Deckerville 30 The Orioles (6-0) also are a top seed, in Division 1, but Deckerville (4-2) is a possible Regional Semifinal opponent.

More shoutouts Mayville 48, Kinde North Huron 28 The matchup of North Central Thumb League champions went to the Stars winner as the Wildcats (6-0) handed Stripes champ North Huron its lone loss (5-1). Merrill 38, Indian River Inland Lakes 6 The Vandals (5-1) continue to look like contenders, bouncing back off a four-point loss to St. Patrick by handing Inland Lakes its only defeat.

PHOTO: Addison blockers lead the way for a teammate during Friday's win over Grass Lake. (Photo by Scott Mapes.)

Ithaca senior quarterback Gibson Rondy (2) releases a pass under pressure during the first half of his team’s Week 3 win over Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central.

1st & Goal: 2026 Week 7 Preview

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 9, 2026

It’s an enjoyable coincidence that several football games we annually forecast to be the most consequential of the regular season generally are played near the end, even as league schedules rotate when teams face off year to year. 

MI Student AidSeason-long anticipation is being fulfilled in many parts of the state this week, as numerous league championships are set to be decided, including by most of the matchups we glance at below.

Games highlighted are Friday 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

Fenton (5-1) at Linden (5-1)

Fenton has clinched a share of the Flint Metro League Stripes championship, but Linden has a chance to do the same if it can break a 13-year regular-season Tigers winning streak in the series. Of the teams’ last 16 regular-season meetings, 13 have been decided by eight points or fewer, including Fenton’s 46-41 victory a year ago. Intriguing as well: These two also met in the playoffs in 2022 and 2024, and Linden won both rematches. Both are Division 3 this season. 

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Macomb Lutheran North (6-0) at Almont (6-0), Ovid-Elsie (3-3) at Montrose (5-1), New Lothrop (5-1) at Chesaning (4-2), Cass City (5-1) at Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (4-2).

Greater Detroit

Detroit Catholic Central (6-0) at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (5-1)

This matchup of the reigning Division 1 and 2 champions, respectively, has been one of the state’s most anticipated all season. The Shamrocks have won the last six meetings, including 29-14 a year ago. DCC’s closest challenge this fall came a week ago in a 31-12 win over Toledo Central Catholic, while the Eaglets similarly have marched through the Catholic High School League Central since falling to Detroit Martin Luther King 44-42 in Week 2. 

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Northville (5-1) at Belleville (4-2), Allen Park Cabrini (4-2) at Royal Oak Shrine Catholic (6-0), Detroit Central (5-1) at Detroit Denby (5-1), Brownstown Woodhaven (5-1) at Gibraltar Carlson (6-0).

Mid-Michigan

Saginaw Valley Lutheran (5-1) at Ithaca (6-0)

Valley Lutheran’s 23-22 win in last year’s matchup gave the Chargers the Tri-Valley Conference Blue title and also was Ithaca’s first league loss since 2019. Ithaca certainly has stormed back this fall and already clinched a share of the league championship, shutting out three opponents this season and allowing only 19 points over six games total while scoring at least 47 in all of them. Valley Lutheran will attempt to rebound quickly from a 35-0 loss to Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary last week, but otherwise has been mostly dominant with three shutouts as well. 

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Harrison (5-1) at Farwell (4-2), Brighton (4-2) at Howell (6-0), Mason (6-0) at Williamston (4-2), Pewamo-Westphalia (6-0) at Saranac (5-1).

Northern Lower Peninsula

Gladwin (4-2) at Ogemaw Heights (5-1)

Three teams are tied for first in the Jack Pine Conference Division 1 with 3-1 league records, and at least one will end up with a share or more of the championship this weekend. Bullock Creek is the third team in the hunt and defeated Gladwin last week, while Ogemaw’s lone league loss came to Shepherd two weeks ago. A Falcons title would be their fourth straight, including the last three in the JPC1 with last season’s outright thanks to an early 49-14 win over the eventual runner-up Flying Gs. 

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Johannesburg-Lewiston (3-3) at East Jordan (5-1), Boyne City (3-3) at Kingsley (6-0), Frankfort (5-1) at Maple City Glen Lake (4-2), Mount Pleasant (6-0) at Traverse City West (3-3).

Southeast & Border

Union City (6-0) at Springport (5-1)

A Union City win would clinch the Chargers a share of the Big 8 Conference title, while Springport would still need one more victory after this weekend to accomplish the same. The Spartans clinched last year’s with a 35-34 victory over Union City in the league finale. A 42-13 Week 3 loss to undefeated Beal City remains Springport’s only regular-season loss over the last two years, while Union City has thrived this fall with a defense giving up only 7.7 points per game. 

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Ypsilanti Community (3-3) at Adrian (5-1), Ida (6-0) at Clinton (5-1), Leslie (4-2) at Hanover-Horton (5-1), Brooklyn Columbia Central (5-1) at Napoleon (5-1).

Southwest Corridor

Lawton (5-1) at Constantine (5-1)

Both are chasing Kalamazoo United with three league games left on the Southwestern Athletic Conference schedule, and the winner of this matchup will have a chance to claim a share of the league title if the Titans slip up. Lawton has taken the last three meetings with Constantine, including in back-to-back weeks last fall with the regular-season finale followed by a Division 7 District Semifinal. 

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Portage Central (5-1) at Battle Creek Central (3-3), Vicksburg (6-0) at Niles (3-3), Kalamazoo Loy Norrix (4-2) at Stevensville Lakeshore (5-1), Redford Union (4-2) at St. Joseph (5-1).

Upper Peninsula

Menominee (6-0) at Negaunee (4-2)

Arguably the most anticipated matchup in the Upper Peninsula this season will pit Menominee against also potentially undefeated Kingsford next week. But Negaunee can make a mess of that scenario if it can end the Maroons’ 20-game winning streak. Menominee has claimed the last two meetings between this pair, including 40-12 a year ago, but the Miners are just a combined eight points from being undefeated as well this fall.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Calumet (4-2) at Escanaba (2-4), Bark River-Harris (5-1) at Hancock (3-3), L’Anse (3-3) at Iron Mountain (4-2), Gaylord (3-3) at Marquette (4-2).

West Michigan

East Kentwood (6-0) at Caledonia (5-1)

This is another one we’ve been waiting for, as these two have separated themselves in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red. East Kentwood is seeking its first league title since 2018 and also must still face reigning champion Hudsonville in Week 9. Caledonia earned a 13-7 win over the Eagles two weeks ago, the middle result of three straight victories decided by seven points or fewer. The Falcons have won the last two in this series, including 42-6 in 2025. 

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Battle Creek Harper Creek (5-1) at Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (5-1), Berrien Springs (6-0) at Hopkins (6-0), Zeeland West (5-1) at Hudsonville Unity Christian (4-2), Muskegon Mona Shores (5-1) at Muskegon (3-3).

8-Player

Blanchard Montabella (5-1) at Merrill (6-0)

Montabella has several strong reasons to be dreaming of another run to the Superior Dome next month, and last year’s on the way to finishing Division 1 runner-up included 36-26 and 26-0 victories over Merrill, the first that decided the Mid-State Activities Blue championship. This weekend’s matchup will do the same as both enter 4-0 in league play and full of playmakers who have allowed them to break 50 points regularly. 

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Rudyard (5-1) at St. Ignace (5-1), Pickford (5-1) at Indian River Inland Lakes (4-2), Pittsford (4-2) at Litchfield (6-0). SATURDAY Crystal Falls Forest Park (5-1) at Lake Linden-Hubbell (6-0).

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PHOTO Ithaca senior quarterback Gibson Rondy (2) releases a pass under pressure during the first half of his team’s Week 3 win over Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central. (Photo by Kolleth Photography.)