2015 Week 8 Football Playoff Listing
October 13, 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 seventh 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, 5-2, 79.143
2. Grand Blanc, 2727, 4-3, 57.429
3. Clarkston ^, 2707, 5-2, 70.000
4. Utica Eisenhower, 2669, 4-3, 68.143
5. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 2634, 6-1, 90.857
6. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley ^, 2611, 5-2, 82.143
7. East Kentwood ^, 2581, 5-2, 77.571
8. Howell ^, 2567, 5-2, 70.857
9. Rockford, 2561, 4-3, 64.000
10. Dearborn Fordson, 2477, 4-3, 56.571
11. Detroit Cass Tech, 2285, 6-1, 88.857
12. Northville, 2281, 7-0, 100.571
13. Brighton, 2211, 6-1, 89.714
14. Troy Athens, 2153, 4-3, 57.714
15. Detroit Catholic Central ^, 2138, 5-2, 69.095
16. Utica Ford ^, 2080, 5-2, 77.000
17. Canton ^, 2076, 5-2, 74.286
18. Lapeer, 2059, 7-0, 96.000
19. Plymouth, 2057, 6-1, 87.286
20. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 2025, 6-1, 87.714
21. Hartland ^, 2017, 5-2, 76.571
22. West Bloomfield, 1932, 7-0, 101.714
23. Dearborn, 1921, 4-3, 52.429
24. Saline *, 1879, 7-0, 101.714
25. Livonia Stevenson, 1831, 6-1, 90.000
26. Grandville, 1825, 4-3, 54.286
27. Warren Mott ^, 1810, 5-2, 74.429
28. Holt ^, 1788, 5-2, 64.000
29. Davison, 1765, 4-3, 55.429
30. Hudsonville, 1763, 6-1, 93.000
31. Belleville, 1735, 6-1, 87.143
32. Romeo, 1673, 7-0, 106.286
33. Grand Ledge, 1663, 7-0, 91.429
34. Waterford Mott, 1651, 4-3, 54.286
35. Grosse Pointe South ^, 1629, 5-2, 74.286
36. Livonia Churchill, 1620, 4-3, 54.429
37. Livonia Franklin, 1615, 4-3, 53.429
38. Walled Lake Northern ^, 1611, 5-2, 71.286
39. Warren DeLaSalle, 1572, 6-1, 92.857
40. Sterling Heights ^, 1561, 5-2, 67.429
41. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1537, 7-0, 105.143
42. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1533, 4-3, 53.143
43. Oak Park, 1530, 4-3, 56.857
44. Warren Cousino, 1514, 4-3, 53.571
45. Detroit U-D Jesuit, 1486, 4-3, 56.095
46. Traverse City Central, 1474, 7-0, 105.524
47. Walled Lake Western, 1462, 7-0, 107.429
48. Midland, 1419, 6-1, 86.571
49. Dearborn Edsel Ford, 1380, 4-3, 52.857
50. Lincoln Park ^, 1363, 5-2, 68.286
51. Portage Central, 1351, 7-0, 101.714
52. Wyandotte Roosevelt ^, 1346, 5-2, 73.286
53. Battle Creek Lakeview ^, 1344, 5-2, 72.000
54. Grosse Pointe North, 1341, 4-3, 55.286
55. Detroit East English ^, 1338, 5-2, 67.857
56. Swartz Creek, 1322, 4-3, 58.286
57. Southfield-Lathrup ^, 1320, 5-2, 61.857
58. Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills, 1280, 4-3, 53.143
59. Southfield ^, 1269, 5-2, 72.286
60. North Farmington, 1267, 4-3, 53.714
61. Port Huron Northern, 1260, 4-3, 57.556
62. Midland Dow, 1256, 6-1, 82.857
63. Royal Oak, 1248, 4-3, 50.429
64. Berkley ^, 1248, 5-2, 64.143
65. Birmingham Groves, 1248, 7-0, 94.857
66. Jackson ^, 1244, 5-2, 59.571
67. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1239, 7-0, 101.714
68. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1218, 6-1, 88.571
69. Farmington, 1176, 4-3, 58.857
70. Mattawan, 1175, 4-3, 55.571
71. Lowell, 1168, 6-1, 90.000
72. Gibraltar Carlson ^, 1140, 5-2, 65.286
73. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1124, 6-1, 86.286
74. East Lansing, 1123, 4-3, 54.286
75. Muskegon, 1113, 6-1, 95.429
76. Fenton, 1108, 6-1, 89.571
77. Ypsilanti Community, 1088, 4-3, 55.000
78. Byron Center ^, 1070, 5-2, 69.000
79. Holly, 1068, 4-3, 60.143
80. Redford Thurston, 1064, 4-3, 56.857
81. Mt. Pleasant ^, 1061, 5-2, 69.000
82. Ortonville-Brandon, 1060, 4-3, 56.714
83. Allen Park, 1058, 6-1, 88.571
84. St. Johns ^, 1053, 5-2, 75.857
85. Zeeland East, 1040, 4-3, 68.571
86. Mason ^, 1033, 5-2, 65.429
87. Orchard Lake St. Mary's *, 1032, 6-1, 92.286
88. Hamtramck, 984, 4-3, 43.143
89. St. Joseph, 980, 6-1, 83.857
90. East Grand Rapids ^, 975, 5-2, 78.857
91. Petoskey ^, 970, 5-2, 68.762
92. DeWitt, 960, 7-0, 108.571
93. Romulus ^, 956, 5-2, 65.143
94. Trenton, 953, 6-1, 86.429
95. Linden, 947, 6-1, 88.857
96. Cedar Springs ^, 943, 5-2, 66.429
97. Gaylord ^, 940, 5-2, 58.762
98. Sturgis ^, 926, 5-2, 61.143
99. Riverview ^, 912, 5-2, 55.143
100. Grand Rapids Christian, 905, 4-3, 58.857
101. Parma Western, 876, 4-3, 51.286
102. Haslett, 875, 4-3, 58.000
103. Stevensville Lakeshore, 874, 4-3, 62.429
104. Warren Fitzgerald, 871, 4-3, 47.857
105. Fruitport, 865, 4-3, 46.238
106. Marshall, 863, 6-1, 82.000
107. Coldwater, 863, 7-0, 94.857
108. Vicksburg ^, 858, 5-2, 62.000
109. Edwardsburg, 851, 7-0, 86.857
110. Sault Ste. Marie ^, 850, 5-2, 69.952
111. Bay City John Glenn, 847, 4-3, 44.810
112. Chelsea, 845, 6-1, 73.571
113. Zeeland West, 840, 7-0, 98.286
114. Ada Forest Hills Eastern, 828, 7-0, 89.143
115. Dearborn Divine Child, 827, 4-3, 54.857
116. Milan ^, 820, 5-2, 66.714
117. Plainwell, 807, 4-3, 48.571
118. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 794, 7-0, 75.429
119. Marysville ^, 783, 5-2, 72.000
120. Goodrich ^, 754, 5-2, 63.952
121. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 728, 6-1, 87.429
122. Allendale, 720, 4-3, 45.286
123. Warren Lincoln, 697, 4-3, 43.571
124. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy ^, 692, 5-2, 57.714
125. Detroit Country Day, 685, 6-1, 77.000
126. Comstock Park ^, 682, 5-2, 67.714
127. Detroit Cesar Chavez Academy ^, 681, 5-2, 48.429
128. Croswell-Lexington ^, 668, 5-2, 54.143
129. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 668, 7-0, 85.714
130. Hudsonville Unity Christian ^, 665, 5-2, 57.143
131. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 658, 6-1, 85.143
132. Williamston, 657, 4-3, 52.143
133. Whitehall, 656, 4-3, 48.143
134. Corunna, 656, 6-1, 71.238
135. Alma, 642, 4-3, 46.429
136. Detroit Collegiate Prep, 632, 7-0, 81.333
137. Benton Harbor, 631, 4-3, 58.857
138. Lake Fenton, 625, 4-3, 48.952
139. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 624, 7-0, 76.571
140. Saginaw Swan Valley, 613, 4-3, 48.714
141. Dowagiac, 611, 4-3, 52.143
142. Flint Powers Catholic ^, 610, 5-2, 66.143
143. Big Rapids, 609, 4-3, 45.429
144. Richmond, 605, 6-1, 70.429
145. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 602, 4-3, 41.857
146. Remus Chippewa Hills, 600, 6-1, 72.429
147. River Rouge, 593, 6-1, 75.000
148. Clawson, 592, 4-3, 42.143
149. Birch Run, 583, 4-3, 46.571
150. Dearborn Heights Robichaud ^, 573, 5-2, 64.000
151. Gladwin, 571, 4-3, 41.143
152. Freeland, 563, 7-0, 90.286
153. Portland, 563, 7-0, 94.857
154. Essexville Garber, 557, 4-3, 46.714
155. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 556, 4-3, 46.857
156. Detroit University Prep, 555, 4-3, 46.476
157. Southfield Bradford Academy, 550, 4-3, 39.286
158. Ida, 548, 7-0, 86.857
159. Kingsford ^, 547, 5-2, 64.000
160. Marine City, 540, 4-3, 52.571
161. Muskegon Oakridge, 538, 6-1, 65.524
162. Algonac, 532, 7-0, 84.571
163. Frankenmuth, 529, 7-0, 84.571
164. Olivet ^, 524, 5-2, 59.429
165. Chesaning, 523, 4-3, 47.286
166. Detroit Henry Ford ^, 523, 5-2, 53.571
167. Lansing Catholic, 517, 6-1, 71.714
168. Almont, 513, 6-1, 66.000
169. Onsted, 509, 4-3, 37.286
170. Detroit Central Collegiate ^, 508, 5-2, 53.429
171. Berrien Springs, 495, 7-0, 81.714
172. Parchment, 493, 4-3, 39.714
173. Stockbridge ^, 493, 5-2, 55.143
174. Ovid-Elsie ^, 491, 5-2, 62.286
175. Reed City, 491, 7-0, 76.000
176. Dundee, 489, 4-3, 39.429
177. Standish-Sterling, 489, 4-3, 42.286
178. Grayling ^, 489, 5-2, 56.286
179. Clinton Township Clintondale, 486, 4-3, 53.286
180. Menominee, 480, 7-0, 91.143
181. Harper Woods, 476, 4-3, 38.476
182. Manistee, 469, 6-1, 60.238
183. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 463, 6-1, 60.286
184. Buchanan, 459, 7-0, 80.000
185. Grand Rapids West Catholic ^, 442, 5-2, 67.714
186. Kalkaska, 437, 4-3, 40.571
187. Clare, 437, 4-3, 44.714
188. Kingsley, 431, 4-3, 39.571
189. Harrison ^, 430, 5-2, 51.429
190. Hillsdale ^, 430, 5-2, 55.286
191. Jackson Lumen Christi ^, 426, 5-2, 67.857
192. Warren Michigan Collegiate ^, 421, 5-2, 62.333
193. Calumet ^, 419, 5-2, 53.833
194. Lakeview, 417, 4-3, 39.286
195. Sanford Meridian Early College, 408, 7-0, 76.571
196. Detroit Pershing, 405, 4-3, 38.000
197. Ithaca, 402, 7-0, 78.857
198. Byron, 399, 4-3, 40.000
199. Delton Kellogg ^, 398, 5-2, 57.143
200. Millington, 398, 6-1, 75.143
201. Montague, 396, 7-0, 75.429
202. Burton Bendle, 393, 6-1, 61.429
203. Oscoda, 391, 4-3, 34.857
204. Detroit Edison Public School Academy ^, 390, 5-2, 44.429
205. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 389, 7-0, 91.429
206. Montrose, 386, 4-3, 42.857
207. Morley Stanwood ^, 386, 5-2, 50.429
208. Constantine, 385, 4-3, 47.857
209. Negaunee, 385, 6-1, 61.405
210. Maple City Glen Lake, 384, 4-3, 42.143
211. Boyne City, 383, 6-1, 67.143
212. Niles Brandywine ^, 380, 5-2, 42.143
213. Adrian Madison, 379, 4-3, 37.429
214. Vassar, 377, 6-1, 60.143
215. Mason County Central, 376, 4-3, 46.571
216. Laingsburg ^, 373, 5-2, 41.571
217. Watervliet, 372, 6-1, 69.429
218. Madison Heights Madison, 367, 6-1, 76.286
219. Manchester, 365, 6-1, 56.857
220. Schoolcraft, 357, 7-0, 78.857
221. Charlevoix ^, 350, 5-2, 47.000
222. Leroy Pine River, 349, 4-3, 43.857
223. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 345, 7-0, 78.857
224. Lawton ^, 342, 5-2, 48.143
225. Vandercook Lake, 341, 7-0, 67.429
226. Clinton, 335, 7-0, 73.143
227. Traverse City St. Francis, 320, 7-0, 83.810
228. Ishpeming Westwood, 315, 4-3, 44.048
229. Hesperia, 310, 7-0, 69.714
230. Sandusky, 310, 7-0, 72.000
231. Iron Mountain, 309, 4-3, 38.690
232. McBain ^, 307, 5-2, 56.429
233. Hartford, 305, 4-3, 44.429
234. Cass City ^, 304, 5-2, 44.429
235. Bridgman, 303, 6-1, 52.286
236. Gobles, 301, 4-3, 44.143
237. Union City, 298, 4-3, 36.571
238. Marlette, 298, 4-3, 38.143
239. Homer, 294, 6-1, 61.143
240. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, 292, 4-3, 37.000
241. Pewamo-Westphalia, 292, 7-0, 68.571
242. Flint Hamady, 291, 6-1, 55.762
243. Dansville, 289, 6-1, 52.286
244. Springport, 287, 4-3, 38.571
245. Saginaw Nouvel, 285, 6-1, 66.667
246. Riverview Gabriel Richard ^, 284, 5-2, 53.143
247. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett ^, 282, 5-2, 50.143
248. Harbor Springs, 281, 4-3, 32.571
249. Flint Beecher *, 278, 5-1, 67.762
250. Ishpeming *, 278, 6-0, 72.000
251. Carson City-Crystal, 277, 4-3, 32.571
252. Detroit Loyola ^, 276, 5-2, 65.429
253. New Lothrop, 276, 7-0, 75.429
254. Ubly ^, 271, 5-2, 48.286
255. Saugatuck, 271, 7-0, 65.143
256. Cassopolis ^, 270, 5-2, 50.857
257. Whittemore-Prescott, 267, 4-3, 41.000
258. Concord ^, 267, 5-2, 49.143
259. Decatur ^, 266, 5-2, 42.429
260. Lincoln Alcona ^, 265, 5-2, 38.857
261. Unionville-Sebewaing ^, 262, 5-2, 50.714
262. Detroit Allen Academy, 258, 4-3, 36.571
263. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 255, 6-1, 50.857
264. Indian River Inland Lakes, 251, 4-3, 32.714
265. Onekama, 250, 6-1, 45.286
266. Petersburg-Summerfield ^, 240, 5-2, 47.143
267. Beal City, 228, 6-1, 67.571
268. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 226, 6-1, 61.429
269. Merrill, 225, 4-3, 42.000
270. St. Ignace, 225, 7-0, 64.000
271. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 223, 6-1, 64.857
272. Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech, 219, 4-3, 44.714
273. Mayville, 217, 4-3, 31.429
274. L'Anse, 215, 4-3, 40.714
275. Pittsford, 211, 4-3, 34.143
276. Newberry ^, 211, 5-2, 44.500
277. Vestaburg ^, 205, 5-2, 37.429
278. Mendon, 200, 4-3, 39.857
279. Bark River-Harris ^, 194, 5-2, 45.655
280. Morenci ^, 191, 5-2, 50.714
281. Munising, 191, 6-1, 53.143
282. Central Lake ^, 189, 5-2, 38.143
283. Fowler, 183, 6-1, 48.714
284. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian ^, 178, 5-2, 50.286
285. Muskegon Catholic Central *, 177, 5-1, 66.619
286. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 170, 6-1, 44.667
287. Crystal Falls Forest Park *^, 163, 4-2, 39.417
288. Climax-Scotts, 163, 7-0, 54.095
289. Frankfort, 160, 6-1, 62.143
290. Waterford Our Lady, 157, 7-0, 78.857
291. Lake Linden-Hubbell, 155, 7-0, 68.000
292. Colon, 153, 4-3, 35.524
293. Hillman, 146, 6-1, 44.714
294. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 142, 4-3, 37.714
295. Bay City All Saints, 118, 4-3, 28.810
296. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 113, 4-3, 40.000
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Posen, 84, 7-0, 60.571
2. Battle Creek St. Philip, 144, 7-0, 57.143
3. Owendale-Gagetown, 49, 7-0, 56.762
4. Powers North Central, 198, 7-0, 52.571
5. Morrice, 169, 6-1, 50.000
6. Deckerville, 178, 6-1, 47.000
7. Waldron, 88, 6-1, 46.571
8. Peck, 152, 6-1, 43.000
9. Cedarville, 144, 5-2, 40.286
10. Lawrence, 189, 6-1, 40.113
11. Rapid River, 111, 5-2, 40.000
12. Portland St. Patrick, 87, 6-1, 39.571
13. Stephenson, 186, 5-2, 37.857
14. Engadine, 85, 5-2, 36.714
15. New Haven Merritt Academy, 148, 5-2, 35.619
16. Pickford, 164, 4-3, 30.429
17. Onaway, 196, 4-3, 29.429
18. Bellaire, 134, 4-3, 28.571
19. Marion *, 145, 4-3, 28.048
20. Webberville, 184, 4-3, 26.286
21. Caseville, 91, 4-3, 24.476
22. Kinde-North Huron, 147, 3-4, 21.857
23. Akron-Fairgrove, 99, 3-4, 21.810
24. Kingston, 187, 3-4, 21.143
25. Tekonsha, 148, 3-4, 21.000
26. Baraga, 164, 3-4, 20.857
27. Ewen-Trout Creek, 126, 2-5, 14.714
28. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 190, 2-5, 14.405
29. Burr Oak, 75, 2-5, 13.143
30. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 108, 2-5, 12.714
31. Eben Junction Superior Central, 123, 1-6, 8.857
32. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 103, 1-6, 8.143
33. Hale *, 132, 1-5, 7.810
34. Ontonagon, 129, 1-6, 7.571
35. Pellston, 170, 1-6, 6.857
36. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 120, 0-7, 3.143
37. Litchfield, 92, 0-7, 3.143
38. Flint Michigan School For The Deaf *, 47, 0-6, 2.476
39. Covert *, 91, 0-5, 2.167
40. Brimley, 142, 0-7, 2.000</p">
Drive for Detroit: Week 3 in Review
September 12, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Streaks are made to be broken, it is said. And that being the case, Week 3 saw plenty of the inevitable all over Michigan high school football fields.
See below for quick details on some of the most intriguing results, including a number of teams adding to their best starts in a number of seasons, and a few breaking streaks by beating opponents for the first time in more than a decade.
Bay & Thumb
Lake Fenton 61, Flint Beecher 14
This round of one of the Flint area’s top rivalries goes to Lake Fenton, which fell to Beecher by a point last year (and 38 in 2014) but is definitely one of a few favorites now in the Genesee Area Conference Red. The Blue Devils (3-0) unloaded their highest point total since 2012, with Beecher giving up its most points since 2004. Click for more from the Tri-County Times.
Also noted:
Alma 26, Saginaw Swan Valley 0 – The Panther's first win over Swan Valley (1-2) since 2011 corresponded with Alma’s first 3-0 start since 2012.
Fenton 28, Ortonville-Brandon 22 – The Tigers (1-2) were looking for a jumpstart as they pursue another Flint Metro League title, but Brandon (2-1) has shown it may be the team to take advantage if Fenton does fall again along the way.
Grand Blanc 42, Plymouth 27 – The Bobcats’ play to get back into the playoffs after two seasons away definitely will get a bump from starting 3-0 for a second straight season; Plymouth must bounce back from 1-2 to keep its three-year playoff streak intact.
Richmond 29, Croswell-Lexington 26 – Reigning Blue Water Area Conference champion Richmond (2-1) needed a late score to get past the Pioneers (2-1) for the fourth straight season.
Greater Detroit
Clarkston 38, Oxford 7
The Oakland Activities Association Red is sorting itself out quite a bit already this season, with preseason contender Clarkston losing to Southfield Arts and Technology in Week 2. But the Wolves (2-1) stormed back by downing an Oxford team that while 1-2 did open with a win over reigning Division 1 champion Romeo. Clarkston’s top three ground gainers – led by Michael Fluegel and his 114 yards – all averaged at least 7.8 yards per carry. Click for more from the Oakland Press.
Also noted:
Detroit Mumford 26, Detroit Collegiate Prep 14 – A nine-point loss to still-undefeated Detroit U-D Jesuit in Week 1 is looking even better for Mumford, which moved to 2-1 by beating a Collegiate Prep team (0-3) that went 9-1 last fall.
Walled Lake Western 48, Northville 34 – The Warriors’ 3-0 start has now included three wins over 2015 playoff teams, and Northville (2-1) didn’t lose during the regular season last year.
Rochester 38, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 32 (OT) – The Falcons' move to 1-2 gave them as many wins as last season and 2014 as well, and with an impressive one against a Notre Dame Prep team that is 2-1 and went 8-3 last fall.
Dearborn Fordson 34, Belleville 25 – The Tractors (3-0) avenged a six-point loss last season to the Tigers (1-2), who went on to win the Western Wayne Athletic Conference Blue title while Fordson was among those tied for second.
Mid-Michigan
Bath 17, Fowler 14
Before Friday, Bath coach Matt Stephens was among the few on his sideline who had had football success against Fowler, having quarterbacked Fulton teams that beat the Eagles during the mid-2000s. But his Bees – which won a combined two games over the last two seasons – downed Fowler (2-1) for the first time since 1989 to move to 2-1 this fall. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
Also noted:
Laingsburg 27, Dansville 20 – The Wolfpack (3-0) broke a four-game skid against the Aggies (1-2), and with the Fowler loss as well suddenly look like the team to challenge favorite Pewamo-Westphalia in the Central Michigan Athletic Conference.
Breckenridge 40, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 34 – After posting a best record in more than a decade in 2014, the Huskies stepped back to winless a year ago; fast forward and they’re 3-0 with a win over a perennial winner in the Irish, who are 0-3 but also started that way on the way to 6-4 last fall.
Eaton Rapids 42, Ionia 41 (OT) – The Capital Area Activities Conference White looks even stronger than usual, which made handing Ionia (2-1) a first loss especially key as Eaton Rapids (2-1) looks to bounce back from 4-5 a year ago.
Mason 31, St. Johns 15 – The Redwings (0-3) may be struggling out of the gate, but that doesn’t take away from a Mason 3-0 start that’s seen its defense give up 22 points total so far.
Northern Lower Peninsula
Traverse City Central 10, Traverse City West 8
As usual, the "Patriot Game" between these neighbors turned into a classic – Central downed West for the third straight season, but four of the last five meetings between these two have been decided by seven points or fewer. Although both entered the game averaging at least 40 points per, defense and turnovers were the narrative at Thirlby Field. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Also noted:
East Jordan 34, Central Lake 6 – The Red Devils are 3-0 after winning two games last season and none in 2014, and this one was especially impressive with Central Lake (1-2) a playoff team the last two seasons.
Oscoda 22, Whittemore-Prescott 14 (OT) – The Owls (2-1) bounced back from a five-point loss last week against AuGres-Sims to avenge last season’s 27-point defeat to the Cardinals (2-1).
AuGres-Sims 50, Hillman 32 – While this is starting to look like a down season after two straight league titles for the Tigers (0-3), it’s also starting to look like one of offensive outbursts for the Wolverines (3-0), who have scored 128 points.
Roscommon 26, Sanford Meridian 14 – The Bucks have to be enjoying their first 3-0 start since 2000, and especially after downing reigning Jack Pine Conference champion Meridian (1-2).
Southeast & Border
Parma Western 32, Marshall 30
It was only a few seasons ago that Parma Western couldn’t be counted on to do much in a game like this Interstate 8 Athletic Conference opener. But the Panthers (1-2) surely learned something from their early struggles this season as they avenged losses of one and then 28 points over the last two to Marshall (1-2). Parma Western made the playoffs in 2015 for the first time ever, and this nearly was a must-win for the Panthers to do the same this fall. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen-Patriot.
Also noted:
Clinton 28, Adrian Madison 20 – Make that Clinton regular-season win streak 39 straight with another 3-0 start, but Madison (2-1) again gave the Redskins one of the rare tests of this run.
Hudson 26, Brooklyn Columbia Central 14 – The Tigers’ turnaround has thrown them into the conversation again in the Lenawee County Athletic Association, as Hudson (3-0) is now one win shy of last year’s total after beating reigning league runner-up Columbia Central (2-1).
Temperance Bedford 22, Ann Arbor Pioneer 21 – The Mules (3-0) reversed a six-point loss to Pioneer (0-3) last season and have now nearly also reversed last year’s 0-4 start.
Springport 48, Union City 26 – The Spartans are 3-0 for the first time since 2011 and have avenged two of last year’s five losses, handing Union City (2-1) its first defeat after falling to the Chargers by 16 a year ago.
Southwest Corridor
Battle Creek Harper Creek 24, Jackson Lumen Christi 14
The Beavers’ bounce-back season continued as their 3-0 start gives them as many wins as all of 2015, and the victory over Lumen Christi (1-2) was their first since the formation of the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference. One game into the I8 schedule, Harper Creek is the only undefeated team in a league with at least four that would scare most area opponents. Click for more from the Battle Creek Enquirer.
Also noted:
Coldwater 17, Battle Creek Pennfield 6 – Reigning I8 champion Coldwater (2-1) kept pace a win behind Harper Creek after falling to Marshall in Week 2; Pennfield also is 1-1 in the league and 2-1 overall.
St. Joseph 27, Portage Northern 23 – This was the sixth straight time the Bears (3-0) and the Huskies (1-2) played to within 10 points of each other, with St. Joseph winning five of the recent nail-biters.
South Haven 28, Plainwell 19 – The Rams have won only three games each of the last two seasons and no more than that since 2008, but are 2-1 having downed a Plainwell team (1-2) that has made the playoffs the last five years.
St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic 20, Niles Brandywine 6 – One of the toughest losses of two seasons of ups and downs for Lake Michigan Catholic was a 57-18 defeat to Brandywine last fall; this one put Brandywine at 1-2 and the Lakers at 3-0 after they won two games total in 2015.
Upper Peninsula
Newberry 48, Bark River-Harris 34
As expected, these Mid-Eastern Conference contenders combined to put up plenty of points. But Newberry (3-0) continued to put up more, running its total to 154 over three games and putting itself in fine position in the league standings by downing the reigning co-champion. Bark River-Harris (2-1) had beaten the Indians in two straight, including 56-34 a year ago. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.
Also noted:
Iron Mountain 48, Iron River West Iron County 21 – The Mountaineers’ great start keeps picking up steam as they’re now 3-0 for the first time since 2011 and with a second straight win over the rival Wykons (1-2).
Ishpeming Westwood 18, L’Anse 16 – The Patriots (1-2) got a much-needed win as they go for a third-straight playoff berth but now head into Mid-Peninsula Conference play; the Purple Hornets (0-3) have a similarly hard road coming up.
Escanaba 27, Gaylord 13 – The Eskymos are 3-0 for the first time since 2010, with Gaylord (1-2) the second straight 2015 playoff team to fall to the Great Northern Conference contenders.
Felch North Dickinson 24, Munising 6 – The Nordics are hoping to climb back to their elite status from the start of this decade, and at 2-1 they’re only a win shy of equaling their total of both of the last two seasons; they’ll meet Munising (0-3) again in Week 6.
West Michigan
Zeeland West 38, Grand Rapids West Catholic 22
The battle of reigning MHSAA champions went to the Division 4 winner, as West (3-0) continued its 28-game regular-season winning streak with one of its most impressive over a run that’s been especially stellar this fall. Adding in the reigning Division 5 champion Falcons (2-1), West has beaten teams that went a combined 28-7 in 2015. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Also noted:
Leroy Pine River 34, Beal City 7 – The Bucks (2-1) had last beaten Beal City (1-2) in 2000 and have helped the always-powerful Aggies to their toughest start since that year.
Lowell 34, East Grand Rapids 7 – Even when it’s not much of a game, Lowell (3-0) taking on East Grand Rapids (1-2) is still going to be a game of statewide interest.
Rockford 37, Muskegon Mona Shores 23 – The Rams’ 21-season playoff streak got a needed jolt; beating Mona Shores (1-2) is a much better way for Rockford (1-2) to enter the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red schedule.
Hamilton 34, Zeeland East 21 – The Hawkeyes (3-0) are soaring after winning a combined four games over the last three seasons; handing annually-strong East (2-1) a loss makes the start even more impressive.
8-Player
Rapid River 36, Webberville 34 (OT)
Rapid River made a long drive south for one of the most intriguing nonleague matchups of the 8-player season and headed back across the bridge at 2-1 after edging the home Spartans in overtime. Webberville had given up only 26 points over its first two games. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.
Also noted:
Engadine 42, Pickford 32 – The Eagles also are 3-0 for the first time since 2011 after finding openings in a Pickford defense that had given up only six points over its first two games of a 2-1 start.
Owendale-Gagetown 70, Flint International Academy 50 – No team statewide is scoring like the Bulldogs (3-0), who went over 70 points for the second straight week – although first-year Flint International (1-2) scored the most O-G has given up since 2013.
PHOTO: A Breckenridge ball carrier works to beat a Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart defensive player to the goal line during the Huskies' Week 3 win. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)