2015 Week 7 Football Playoff Listing

October 6, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Here is a list of Michigan High School Athletic Association football playing schools, displaying their win-loss records and playoff averages through the sixth week of the season.

Schools on this list are in enrollment order for 11-player teams, with 8-player teams ordered by playoff average. An asterisk (*) beside a record indicates a team has eight or fewer games scheduled. A caret (^) beside a school’s name indicates a team is one win away from playoff qualification.

Those schools with 11-player teams with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules, or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer, will qualify for the MHSAA Football Playoffs beginning Oct. 30. Schools with 5-4, 4-3 or 4-4 records may qualify if the number of potential qualifiers by win total does not reach the 256 mark. Schools with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer may be subtracted from the field based on playoff average if the number of potential qualifiers exceeds the 256 mark.

Once the 256 qualifying schools are determined, they will be divided by enrollment groups into eight equal divisions of 32 schools, and then drawn into regions of eight teams each and districts of four teams each. Those schools with 8-player teams will be ranked by playoff average at season’s end, and the top 16 programs will be drawn into regions of eight teams each for the playoff in that division, which also begins Oct. 30.

To review a list of all football playoff schools, individual school playoff point details and to report errors, visit the Football page of the MHSAA Website.

The announcement of the qualifiers and first-round pairings for both the 11 and 8-player playoffs will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 on the Selection Sunday Show on FOX Sports Detroit. The playoff qualifiers and pairings will be posted to the MHSAA Website following the Selection Sunday Show.

11-Player Playoff Listing

1. Macomb Dakota, 2921, 4-2, 72.167
2. Grand Blanc, 2727, 4-2, 64.667
3. Clarkston, 2707, 4-2, 66.667
4. Utica Eisenhower, 2669, 3-3, 56.333
5. Sterling Heights Stevenson ^, 2634, 5-1, 82.000
6. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley ^, 2611, 5-1, 92.500
7. East Kentwood, 2581, 4-2, 69.000
8. Howell ^, 2567, 5-1, 77.833
9. Rockford, 2561, 4-2, 69.667
10. Dearborn Fordson, 2477, 3-3, 47.000
11. Detroit Cass Tech ^, 2285, 5-1, 84.833
12. Northville, 2281, 6-0, 97.333
13. Brighton ^, 2211, 5-1, 50.000
14. Troy Athens, 2153, 3-3, 48.333
15. Detroit Catholic Central ^, 2138, 5-1, 74.100
16. Utica Ford, 2080, 4-2, 70.833
17. Canton ^, 2076, 5-1, 80.500
18. Monroe, 2066, 3-3, 49.500
19. Salem, 2063, 3-3, 51.333
20. Lapeer, 2059, 6-0, 88.000
21. Plymouth ^, 2057, 5-1, 77.667
22. Ann Arbor Pioneer ^, 2025, 5-1, 80.833
23. Hartland, 2017, 4-2, 66.667
24. Novi, 2017, 3-3, 48.333
25. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, 2001, 3-3, 51.000
26. New Baltimore Anchor Bay, 1946, 3-3, 48.833
27. West Bloomfield, 1932, 6-0, 97.333
28. Dearborn, 1921, 3-3, 47.333
29. Saline *, 1879, 6-0, 96.000
30. Livonia Stevenson ^, 1831, 5-1, 83.500
31. Grandville, 1825, 3-3, 47.000
32. Warren Mott ^, 1810, 5-1, 84.667
33. Holt, 1788, 4-2, 59.833
34. Utica, 1788, 3-3, 52.667
35. Davison, 1765, 4-2, 60.833
36. Hudsonville ^, 1763, 5-1, 88.333
37. Belleville ^, 1735, 5-1, 81.667
38. Ann Arbor Skyline, 1703, 3-3, 41.333
39. Romeo, 1673, 6-0, 104.000
40. Grand Ledge, 1663, 6-0, 89.333
41. Rochester Hills Stoney Creek, 1654, 3-3, 44.833
42. Waterford Mott, 1651, 3-3, 45.500
43. Grosse Pointe South, 1629, 4-2, 66.500
44. Livonia Churchill, 1620, 4-2, 61.333
45. Livonia Franklin, 1615, 3-3, 42.000
46. Walled Lake Northern, 1611, 4-2, 65.500
47. Warren DeLaSalle ^, 1572, 5-1, 83.500
48. Sterling Heights ^, 1561, 5-1, 72.500
49. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1537, 6-0, 104.000
50. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1533, 3-3, 44.500
51. Oak Park, 1530, 3-3, 48.667
52. Warren Cousino, 1514, 4-2, 61.000
53. Waterford Kettering, 1512, 3-3, 46.833
54. Detroit U-D Jesuit, 1486, 4-2, 58.933
55. Traverse City Central, 1474, 6-0, 100.000
56. Walled Lake Western, 1462, 6-0, 106.667
57. Midland, 1419, 6-0, 93.333
58. Jenison, 1418, 3-3, 51.833
59. Dearborn Edsel Ford, 1380, 3-3, 42.667
60. Portage Northern, 1375, 3-3, 45.667
61. Lincoln Park, 1363, 4-2, 63.500
62. Portage Central, 1351, 6-0, 97.333
63. Wyandotte Roosevelt ^, 1346, 5-1, 81.833
64. Battle Creek Lakeview, 1344, 4-2, 66.500
65. Grosse Pointe North, 1341, 3-3, 45.333
66. Detroit East English, 1338, 4-2, 61.500
67. Swartz Creek, 1322, 3-3, 50.167
68. Southfield-Lathrup, 1320, 4-2, 55.833
69. Dearborn Heights Crestwood, 1308, 3-3, 37.167
70. Alpena, 1285, 3-3, 35.767
71. Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills, 1280, 4-2, 58.167
72. Southfield, 1269, 4-2, 69.333
73. North Farmington, 1267, 3-3, 46.333
74. Port Huron Northern, 1260, 4-2, 56.500
75. Midland Dow ^, 1256, 5-1, 75.167
76. Berkley ^, 1248, 5-1, 71.167
77. Birmingham Groves, 1248, 6-0, 88.000
78. Royal Oak, 1248, 3-3, 45.333
79. Jackson, 1244, 4-2, 55.833
80. Flushing, 1242, 3-3, 48.167
81. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1239, 6-0, 100.000
82. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1222, 3-3, 41.667
83. Farmington Hills Harrison ^, 1218, 5-1, 81.833
84. Grand Rapids Northview, 1183, 3-3, 46.000
85. Farmington, 1176, 4-2, 64.833
86. Mattawan, 1175, 3-3, 47.000
87. Lowell ^, 1168, 5-1, 86.167
88. Gibraltar Carlson, 1140, 4-2, 61.333
89. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern ^, 1124, 5-1, 81.833
90. East Lansing, 1123, 3-3, 49.667
91. Battle Creek Central, 1115, 3-3, 50.833
92. Muskegon ^, 1113, 5-1, 90.000
93. Fenton ^, 1108, 5-1, 81.833
94. Ypsilanti Community, 1088, 3-3, 42.667
95. Byron Center ^, 1070, 5-1, 75.333
96. Holly, 1068, 4-2, 69.167
97. Redford Thurston, 1064, 3-3, 52.667
98. Mt. Pleasant, 1061, 4-2, 63.000
99. Ortonville-Brandon, 1060, 3-3, 47.000
100. Allen Park ^, 1058, 5-1, 86.000
101. St. Johns ^, 1053, 5-1, 83.333
102. Zeeland East, 1040, 3-3, 59.333
103. Mason, 1033, 4-2, 61.500
104. Orchard Lake St. Mary's *, 1032, 5-1, 83.524
105. Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, 1030, 3-3, 48.167
106. Hamtramck, 984, 4-2, 48.333
107. St. Joseph ^, 980, 5-1, 80.500
108. East Grand Rapids, 975, 4-2, 70.500
109. Petoskey, 970, 4-2, 57.267
110. DeWitt, 960, 6-0, 101.333
111. Romulus, 956, 4-2, 63.833
112. Trenton ^, 953, 5-1, 78.000
113. Linden ^, 947, 5-1, 86.167
114. Cedar Springs, 943, 4-2, 60.000
115. Gaylord ^, 940, 5-1, 65.100
116. Sturgis ^, 926, 5-1, 66.833
117. Riverview, 912, 4-2, 49.500
118. Grand Rapids Christian, 905, 4-2, 65.333
119. Parma Western, 876, 4-2, 56.167
120. Haslett, 875, 3-3, 50.000
121. Stevensville Lakeshore, 874, 4-2, 70.667
122. Warren Fitzgerald, 871, 3-3, 40.667
123. Fruitport, 865, 3-3, 38.933
124. Coldwater, 863, 6-0, 92.000
125. Marshall ^, 863, 5-1, 79.500
126. Vicksburg, 858, 4-2, 54.833
127. Edwardsburg, 851, 6-0, 81.333
128. Sault Ste. Marie, 850, 4-2, 67.400
129. Bay City John Glenn, 847, 4-2, 49.600
130. Chelsea, 845, 6-0, 82.667
131. Tecumseh, 844, 3-3, 45.000
132. Zeeland West, 840, 6-0, 89.333
133. Detroit Mumford, 837, 3-3, 46.667
134. Ada Forest Hills Eastern, 828, 6-0, 86.667
135. Dearborn Divine Child, 827, 3-3, 44.500
136. Milan ^, 820, 5-1, 72.667
137. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 816, 3-3, 41.167
138. Plainwell, 807, 4-2, 52.833
139. Fowlerville, 800, 3-3, 44.833
140. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 794, 6-0, 72.000
141. Spring Lake, 794, 3-3, 39.767
142. Detroit Denby, 790, 3-3, 47.000
143. Marysville, 783, 4-2, 62.333
144. Holland Christian, 759, 3-3, 40.833
145. North Branch, 758, 3-3, 40.000
146. Goodrich, 754, 4-2, 55.667
147. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 728, 5-1, 79.167
148. Allendale, 720, 3-3, 39.000
149. Detroit Douglass, 718, 3-3, 37.667
150. Warren Lincoln, 697, 3-3, 41.500
151. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy, 692, 4-2, 53.433
152. Detroit Country Day ^, 685, 5-1, 71.167
153. Comstock Park ^, 682, 5-1, 75.500
154. Detroit Cesar Chavez Academy, 681, 4-2, 40.167
155. Croswell-Lexington, 668, 4-2, 46.833
156. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 668, 6-0, 84.000
157. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 665, 4-2, 49.167
158. Grand Rapids Catholic Central ^, 658, 5-1, 77.833
159. Williamston, 657, 4-2, 58.333
160. Corunna ^, 656, 5-1, 69.833
161. Whitehall, 656, 3-3, 42.333
162. Paw Paw, 653, 3-3, 43.000
163. Alma, 642, 3-3, 41.833
164. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 640, 3-3, 33.667
165. Detroit Collegiate Prep, 632, 6-0, 82.667
166. Benton Harbor, 631, 3-3, 51.000
167. Lake Fenton, 625, 4-2, 53.500
168. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 624, 6-0, 72.000
169. Saginaw Valley Lutheran, 620, 3-3, 36.167
170. Saginaw Swan Valley, 613, 4-2, 52.833
171. Dowagiac, 611, 3-3, 39.167
172. Flint Powers Catholic, 610, 4-2, 63.667
173. Big Rapids, 609, 4-2, 49.333
174. Richmond ^, 605, 5-1, 68.833
175. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 602, 4-2, 46.333
176. Remus Chippewa Hills ^, 600, 5-1, 65.667
177. River Rouge, 593, 6-0, 85.333
178. Clawson, 592, 4-2, 46.000
179. Birch Run, 583, 3-3, 40.500
180. Dearborn Heights Robichaud ^, 573, 5-1, 71.333
181. Gladwin, 571, 4-2, 44.833
182. Freeland, 563, 6-0, 85.333
183. Portland, 563, 6-0, 89.333
184. Essexville Garber, 557, 3-3, 42.000
185. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 556, 4-2, 50.767
186. Detroit University Prep, 555, 3-3, 37.500
187. Southfield Bradford Academy, 550, 4-2, 43.667
188. Ida, 548, 6-0, 85.333
189. Kingsford, 547, 4-2, 59.267
190. Marine City, 540, 3-3, 39.667
191. Muskegon Oakridge ^, 538, 5-1, 58.900
192. Algonac, 532, 6-0, 76.000
193. Frankenmuth, 529, 6-0, 80.000
194. Olivet, 524, 4-2, 53.000
195. Chesaning, 523, 3-3, 41.500
196. Detroit Henry Ford, 523, 4-2, 46.333
197. Lansing Catholic ^, 517, 5-1, 68.833
198. Almont, 513, 6-0, 73.333
199. Onsted, 509, 4-2, 41.333
200. Detroit Central Collegiate, 508, 4-2, 47.500
201. Berrien Springs, 495, 6-0, 75.238
202. Parchment, 493, 4-2, 43.667
203. Stockbridge, 493, 4-2, 53.333
204. Ovid-Elsie, 491, 4-2, 57.667
205. Reed City, 491, 6-0, 69.867
206. Dundee, 489, 3-3, 29.500
207. Grayling, 489, 4-2, 53.500
208. Standish-Sterling, 489, 3-3, 35.667
209. Clinton Township Clintondale, 486, 4-2, 59.667
210. Menominee, 480, 6-0, 84.571
211. Harper Woods, 476, 4-2, 41.333
212. Manistee ^, 469, 5-1, 58.100
213. Brooklyn Columbia Central ^, 463, 5-1, 60.833
214. Buchanan, 459, 6-0, 80.000
215. Houghton, 443, 3-3, 28.952
216. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 442, 4-2, 58.667
217. Clare, 437, 3-3, 33.000
218. Kalkaska, 437, 3-3, 33.500
219. Kingsley, 431, 3-3, 35.000
220. Harrison ^, 430, 5-1, 57.667
221. Hillsdale, 430, 4-2, 53.500
222. Pinconning, 430, 3-3, 30.333
223. Jackson Lumen Christi, 426, 4-2, 58.833
224. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 421, 4-2, 54.833
225. Calumet, 419, 4-2, 47.919
226. Lakeview, 417, 4-2, 42.000
227. Sanford Meridian Early College, 408, 6-0, 68.000
228. Michigan Center, 406, 3-3, 30.667
229. Detroit Pershing, 405, 3-3, 33.333
230. Ithaca, 402, 6-0, 76.000
231. Byron, 399, 4-2, 44.167
232. Delton Kellogg ^, 398, 5-1, 61.833
233. Millington ^, 398, 5-1, 71.500
234. Montague, 396, 6-0, 73.333
235. Burton Bendle ^, 393, 5-1, 58.167
236. Oscoda, 391, 4-2, 35.667
237. Detroit Edison Public School Academy, 390, 4-2, 37.000
238. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 389, 6-0, 85.333
239. Montrose, 386, 3-3, 35.000
240. Morley Stanwood, 386, 4-2, 47.833
241. Constantine, 385, 3-3, 39.500
242. Negaunee, 385, 6-0, 68.000
243. Maple City Glen Lake, 384, 4-2, 45.167
244. Boyne City ^, 383, 5-1, 60.833
245. Niles Brandywine, 380, 4-2, 44.200
246. Adrian Madison, 379, 3-3, 32.667
247. Vassar ^, 377, 5-1, 54.000
248. Mason County Central, 376, 4-2, 50.500
249. St Louis, 374, 3-3, 33.167
250. Laingsburg ^, 373, 5-1, 46.000
251. Watervliet ^, 372, 5-1, 62.167
252. Madison Heights Madison ^, 367, 5-1, 70.167
253. Manchester ^, 365, 5-1, 52.833
254. Ravenna, 357, 3-3, 31.333
255. Schoolcraft, 357, 6-0, 73.333
256. Charlevoix, 350, 4-2, 42.500
257. Leroy Pine River, 349, 3-3, 37.500
258. Quincy, 346, 3-3, 28.667
259. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 345, 6-0, 72.000
260. St. Charles, 345, 3-3, 37.833
261. Lawton ^, 342, 5-1, 52.833
262. Vandercook Lake, 341, 6-0, 62.667
263. Clinton, 335, 6-0, 66.667
264. Lake City, 331, 3-3, 41.833
265. Traverse City St. Francis, 320, 6-0, 80.000
266. Ishpeming Westwood, 315, 3-3, 39.205
267. Hesperia, 310, 6-0, 62.667
268. Sandusky, 310, 6-0, 69.333
269. Iron Mountain, 309, 4-2, 40.300
270. McBain, 307, 4-2, 50.833
271. Hartford, 305, 3-3, 35.500
272. Cass City, 304, 4-2, 42.333
273. Bridgman ^, 303, 5-1, 48.833
274. Gobles, 301, 4-2, 47.667
275. Marlette, 298, 3-3, 32.167
276. Union City, 298, 3-3, 29.167
277. Burton Atherton, 296, 3-3, 27.333
278. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 296, 3-3, 35.167
279. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 296, 3-3, 29.033
280. Homer ^, 294, 5-1, 56.500
281. Pewamo-Westphalia, 292, 6-0, 61.333
282. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, 292, 3-3, 30.833
283. Flint Hamady ^, 291, 5-1, 51.333
284. Dansville ^, 289, 5-1, 50.167
285. Springport, 287, 3-3, 29.833
286. Saginaw Nouvel ^, 285, 5-1, 57.100
287. Riverview Gabriel Richard ^, 284, 5-1, 56.833

1st & Goal: Week 4 Preview

September 17, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

After a slight delay, we’re back – and landing right in the heart of the 2020 Michigan high school football season.

After missing the previously-scheduled first three weeks due to COVID-19 precautions, there’s no time for teams to ease into the action. This week’s schedule is loaded with some of the major matchups we circle every fall.

Below is a look at storylines coming out of every region of the state and 8-player for this opening weekend (we’re going to continue calling it Week 4). We’ll again be tracking scores in real time with the MHSAA Score Center. And remember, attendance limits are in place – but we’ll have at least 32 games broadcast Friday and Saturday on MHSAA.tv. (Nine games kicked the varsity season off Thursday night, and you can catch one of those as well on demand.) 

Records below are for the 2019 season.

Bay & Thumb

Beaverton (10-1) at Sanford Meridian (8-4)

The Beavers are coming off their best season ever, after claiming the Jack Pine Conference championship and closing the regular season with four straight shutouts. The zero streak began with a 20-0 win over Meridian, which went on to finish third in the JPC but then claimed a District title. The Mustangs are hoping to next beat Beaverton for the first time since their best season ever, in 2015.

Keep an eye on these: FRIDAY Linden (4-5) at Flushing (5-5), Frankenmuth (9-2) at Freeland (9-3), Flint Carman-Ainsworth (2-7) at Grand Blanc (5-5), Ubly (10-3) at Harbor Beach (10-1).

Greater Detroit

Detroit Martin Luther King (11-3) at Detroit Cass Tech (7-5), Saturday

The Detroit Public School League kicks off with its annual game of the year. These rivals will play in different divisions of the PSL again and could meet a second time, as is frequent, in the PSL championship game in five weeks. King is coming off a big win in last season’s matchup after a similar Cass Tech victory in 2018 – so another classic may be due.

Keep an eye on these: FRIDAY Macomb Dakota (6-5) at Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (9-1), West Bloomfield (10-2) at Oak Park (8-2), Utica Eisenhower (9-3) at Sterling Heights Stevenson (8-5) SATURDAY Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (6-5) at Warren De La Salle Collegiate (5-5).

Mid-Michigan

Portland (8-3) at DeWitt (10-3)

Both will look to hit the ground running in what should again this season be one of the best matchups in the Lansing area. The Panthers’ three losses last year came by a combined 28 points, and their closest was a 29-27 defeat to the Raiders in Week 2. Portland scored the most points DeWitt gave up last fall, but arrived in a similar spot later with three losses over its final four games and by a combined 29 points.

Keep an eye on these: FRIDAY Williamston (5-5) at Fowlerville (7-4), Pewamo-Westphalia (14-0) at Laingsburg (6-4), Saginaw Nouvel (7-5) at Ithaca (8-2), Saginaw Swan Valley (8-4) at Alma (4-5).

Northern Lower Peninsula

Traverse City West (7-3) vs. Traverse City Central (8-2) at Thirlby Field

Talk about a different look this season. The “Patriot Game” between these rivals generally brings about 10,000 fans to downtown Traverse City. But this region is allowed a maximum of 500 people (including players) at outdoor games under Phase 5 of the MI Safe Start Plan. Still, smaller crowds won’t change the meaning for the teams on the field. Central’s 32-0 win last year was the first double-digit victory in the series since 2012, and it decided the Big North Conference title.

Keep an eye on these: FRIDAY Kingsley (12-1) at Cheboygan (4-5), Boyne City (4-5) at Maple City Glen Lake (12-2), Lake City (6-4) at McBain (6-5) SATURDAY Sault Ste. Marie (7-4) at Traverse City St. Francis (8-4)

Southeast & Border

Dexter (8-2) at Chelsea (12-1)

Dexter – remember one of the great stories of 2018 when it made the playoffs for the first time – continued its surge last fall with its most wins during at least the MHSAA playoff era. And the Dreadnaughts were close to accomplishing possibly much more, with last year’s defeats by a combined seven points. Chelsea’s 22-17 win over Dexter in Week 1 ended up deciding the Southeastern Conference White title, making this rematch potentially another of the “right into the fire” moments of this season’s start.

Keep an eye on these: FRIDAY Ida (4-5) at Clinton (9-1), Hanover-Horton (4-5) at Michigan Center (4-5), Pittsford (4-5) at Sand Creek (8-3), Dundee (5-5) at Blissfield (6-4).

Southwest Corridor 

Constantine (8-3) at Schoolcraft (10-2)

These were two of three teams that shared the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore title last season, thanks to Schoolcraft’s 27-24 win of their matchup. The Eagles have won six straight meetings with Constantine, including two in the playoffs – and this game will still mean a lot to both although the teams are in different divisions of the SAC this fall.

Keep an eye on these: FRIDAY Portage Northern (10-2) at Stevensville Lakeshore (4-5), East Lansing (7-3) at Portage Central (5-5), Fennville (4-5) at Lawton (10-1), Jackson Lumen Christi (12-1) at Marshall (6-5).

Upper Peninsula 

Menominee (7-4) at Marquette (5-5)

This rematch could be one of the best regular-season games north of Mackinac Bridge this fall. Marquette is the reigning Great Northern Conference champion as both of these teams made the postseason a year ago. Marquette’s 28-21 win over the Maroons broke a seven-game losing streak against the annual league foe.

Keep an eye on these: FRIDAY Harbor Springs (6-4) at St. Ignace (5-5), Kingsford (4-5) at Calumet (10-2), Gwinn (1-8) at Hancock (5-4), Manistique (3-6) at Negaunee (6-4).

West Michigan

Hudsonville (8-4) at East Kentwood (6-5)

The Eagles have had to wait all offseason and then some for a chance to avenge a painful 2019 loss. Despite falling to Rockford the previous week last season, Hudsonville came into last year’s matchup with East Kentwood still tied for first in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red – and then was upset 31-20 by the eventual fourth-place Falcons. Maybe it wasn’t an upset though, as East Kentwood has beaten Hudsonville in three straight and picked up a playoff win over Rockford at the end of last fall.

Keep an eye on these: FRIDAY Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (8-3) vs. Grand Rapids Christian (7-3) at Forest Hills Eastern, Muskegon Mona Shores (12-2) at Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (5-4), Jenison (4-5) at Rockford (8-2), East Grand Rapids (5-5) at Lowell (1-8).

8-Player

Deckerville (10-1) at New Haven Merritt (8-2)

Deckerville’s only loss last season came in a Regional Final, and the Eagles yearly are one of the strongest statewide contenders. Merritt is looking to make that jump. The Mustangs have reached the playoffs five of the last six seasons, and they’ll get two serious tests – plus major postseason prep – right away this month in Deckerville and Morrice as a new member of the North Central Thumb League Stars.

Keep an eye on these: FRIDAY Camden-Frontier (6-4) at Climax Scotts (9-3), Martin (10-1) at Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (5-5), Cedarville (6-5) at Engadine (8-2), Bellevue (6-4) at Colon (13-0).

PHOTO by Robert Batzloff.