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
Drive for Detroit: Week 7 Preview
October 6, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Tonight could end with at least a few Michigan communities celebrating the best night in their local high school's football history.
Breckenridge is seeking its first league title since its players' grandparents were newborns. Engadine, Corunna and many more could have momentous evenings as well as league titles stand to be decided all over the state.
All nine highlighted games of this week's Drive for Detroit preview powered by MI Student Aid could decide league races, whether tonight or in the near future. Check out the MHSAA Score Center for a schedule of this weekend's games and to see scores as they're reported. All games listed below are today unless noted.
Bay & Thumb
Corunna (6-0) at Lake Fenton (6-0)
This Genesee Area Conference Red finale matches the league’s co-leaders. Corunna’s transformation the last two seasons truly deserves note; the Cavaliers didn’t have a winning season from 2006-12 and then fell back to 2-7 in 2014 after a 6-4 finish the year before. But they’re in position to repeat as Red champs after sharing the title last season with Goodrich. Lake Fenton has been much more of a regular contender but still will be playing for its first league title since sharing the Red with Montrose in 2007.
Others that caught my eye: Alma (5-1) at Carrollton (4-2), Saginaw Swan Valley (4-2) at Freeland (6-0), Davison (6-0) at Lapeer (5-1), Saginaw Heritage (3-3) at Flint Carman-Ainsworth (4-2).
Greater Detroit
Rochester Adams (5-1) at Birmingham Groves (6-0)
It’s a little complicated, but the Oakland Activities Association White winner also can be partially determined tonight. Thanks to a one-point loss to Oak Park in Week 4, Adams trails Groves just slightly in the standings with the opportunity to secure a share of the league title with a win tonight in what will be its final league game of the fall. Groves also can clinch a share tonight with a win but still has one more league game to play next week and must win that as well to clinch the title outright – unless Oak Park, already with a league defeat to Groves, also loses one of its final two OAA White games. An Adams win tonight could lead to a three-way title share.
Others that caught my eye: Romeo (4-2) at Warren Mott (6-0), Detroit Western International (4-2) at Detroit Mumford (5-1), Detroit Catholic Central (6-0) at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (4-2), Detroit East English (4-2) at Detroit Martin Luther King (5-1) on Saturday.
Mid-Michigan
Merrill (5-1) at Breckenridge (6-0)
Already celebrating its first playoff berth since 1993 – and after going 0-9 (!) last season – Breckenridge can secure a share of its first league title tonight in 70 years, according to a Midland Daily News report. But Merrill – which like Breckenridge joined the Mid-State Activities Conference this season after leaving the Tri-Valley Conference West – can set up a possibility to share the championship as it enters with only an MSAC loss to Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart. Merrill downed Breckenridge 48-6 a year ago after the Huskies took their 2014 meeting.
Others that caught my eye: Fowler (4-2) at Dansville (4-2), Lansing Sexton (4-2) at East Lansing (4-2), Stockbridge (3-3) at Olivet (4-2), DeWitt (5-1) at St. Johns (3-3).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Clare (5-1) at Roscommon (6-0)
These two are tied for first in the Jack Pine Conference with three games to play – meaning that a loss tonight won’t entirely derail either’s hopes. But the winner should be set up well to at least share the title, although Roscommon still must play Harrison (4-2) and Claire finishes with playoff hopefuls Beaverton (4-2) and Houghton Lake (3-3). The Pioneers are used to this scenario – before falling twice last season, they had won 34 straight Jack Pine games and have dominated the league most of the last two decades. Roscommon, meanwhile, has its most wins already since 2006, when it finished 10-2 and won the conference.
Others that caught my eye: Gaylord St. Mary (5-1) at Johannesburg-Lewiston (3-3), Muskegon Catholic Central (6-0) at Manistee (4-2), Charlevoix (5-1) at Onekama (5-1), Saginaw Nouvel (4-2) at Tawas (4-1).
Southeast & Border
Ida (6-0) at Hudson (5-1)
Ida has won all but one of its Lenawee County Athletic Association games over the last two seasons by at least 24 points. The team to come closer, Hillsdale (falling 20-17), is next week’s opponent – but Ida won’t look past rejuvenated Hudson. The Tigers have bounced back from finishing 4-5 last year and still have LCAA title hopes despite falling to Hillsdale 14-6 last week. Hillsdale already has a league loss as well, so an Ida win tonight puts the Bluestreaks in strong position to at least share the championship after winning it outright in 2015.
Others that caught my eye: Petersburg-Summerfield (4-2) at Clinton (4-2), Quincy (5-1) at Concord (5-1), Milan (6-0) at Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (3-3), Morenci (4-2) at Ottawa Lake Whiteford (6-0).
Southwest Corridor
Battle Creek Harper Creek (6-0) at Coldwater (4-2)
Harper Creek is having an all-around great fall; the volleyball team is ranked No. 6 in Class B, the boys cross country team was tied for No. 9 in Lower Peninsula Division 2 entering this week, and the football team has doubled its wins from a season ago with an opportunity tonight to clinch a share of the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference championship against last year’s champion. Coldwater has won two straight over the Beavers and won’t go quietly, but Harper Creek has yet to allow a team to get closer than 10 points.
Others that caught my eye: St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic (5-1) at Bridgman (4-2), Schoolcraft (6-0) at Gobles (5-1), Portage Central (5-1) at Portage Northern (4-2), Delton Kellogg (4-2) at Watervliet (4-2).
Upper Peninsula
Ishpeming (3-2) at Negaunee (6-0)
A couple of pretty strong Negaunee teams have had their Mid-Peninsula Athletic Conference hopes dashed by MHSAA title-contending Ishpeming teams over the last few years. The Hematites have beaten the Miners in three straight, and the 2013 and 2015 victories decided league titles. But Negaunee enters as the favorite this time with wins over five teams still up for playoff berths, and Ishpeming has a little additional pressure; it must win two of its last three games against Negaunee, St. Ignace and Gwinn to guarantee adding to a 14-season playoff streak.
Others that caught my eye: Kingsford (4-2) at Iron Mountain (5-1), Escanaba (5-1) at Gladstone (3-3), Lake Linden-Hubbell (6-0) at Houghton (3-3), Hancock (4-2) at Gwinn (4-2).
West Michigan
Zeeland East (5-1) at Hudsonville Unity Christian (6-0)
Four teams in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green are at least 5-1 and a fifth is 4-2, making this arguably the strongest league in the state top to bottom this fall. Two of this week’s matchups are highlighted in this space this week, and Unity Christian enters tied with Byron Center for first place but with Hamilton and Zeeland East holding only one league loss. East is a newcomer after playing previously in the O-K Black, but could have the greatest influence on the final finish with Unity on the schedule this week, Byron Center next week and rival Zeeland West in Week 9
Others that caught my eye: Whitehall (4-2) at Ravenna (4-2), Big Rapids (3-3) at Reed City (6-0), Grand Rapids South Christian (3-3) at Wyoming (4-2), Hamilton (5-1) at Zeeland West (4-2).
8-Player
Cedarville (6-0) at Engadine (6-0)
Engadine is in the midst of a string of successful seasons it hasn’t enjoyed since the mid-1980s, but winning tonight could make this fall the best of the bunch. The Eagles can clinch a share of the Bridge-Alliance League title after returning this fall after a year playing in the Western Eight Conference. Cedarville, of course, is a regular favorite and has only four league losses in five seasons of 8-player football. The Trojans’ closest games this fall have been a pair of 20-point wins, and Engadine hasn’t let anyone get closer than 10.
Others that caught my eye: Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (6-0) at Lawrence (6-0), Webberville (5-1) at Portland St. Patrick (6-0), Rapid River (5-1) at Stephenson (5-1).
Second Half’s weekly “Drive for Detroit” previews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Student Financial Services Bureau located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information, including various student financial assistance programs to help make college more affordable for Michigan students. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 savings programs (MET/MESP) and eight additional aid programs within its Student Scholarships and Grants division. Click for more information and connect with MI Student Aid on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
PHOTO: Saginaw Swan Valley (left) and Zeeland East faced off earlier this season; both will attempt to beat league leaders this weekend. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)