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 8 in Review
October 19, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
One point can mean one win and change an entire season. More than a few teams are feeling that impact after a nail-biting Week 8.
Michigan high school teams played nine one-point games last week. And those games resulted in the naming of two league champions, two more teams not winning a share of league titles, two teams earning playoff spots and three more keeping playoff hopes alive, and two more seeing their playoff hopes dashed.
See more on most of those games in this week's report below.
Bay & Thumb
Richmond 15, Algonac 14
This still has been a dream season for Algonac (7-1) – but the Muskrats were forced to share some of it with perennial power Richmond (7-1) after the Blue Devils held them scoreless over the second half of their Blue Water Area Conference title-deciding contest. Richmond gets a share of the title – its second in three seasons – with its lone league loss by one to Almont. Algonac’s share was its first league title since 1972 and came after a 1-8 finish only a year ago. Click for more from the Port Huron Times-Herald.
Also noted:
Montrose 7, Flint Beecher 6 – For the first time in a long time, this didn’t have Genesee Area Conference Red title implications for both, but Montrose (5-3) needed a win to stay alive for an automatic playoff berth and in the process kept Beecher (5-2) from claiming a share of the title.
New Lothrop 49, Flint Hamady 0 – Hamady (6-2) had a chance to make the GAC Blue title also a three-team share, but New Lothrop (8-0) held on for the outright championship for the sixth straight season.
Croswell-Lexington 28, Almont 27 – Back to the BWAC, Croswell-Lexington (6-2) earned a playoff berth for the first time since 2012 with its first win over Almont (6-2) since that fall.
Birch Run 21, Essexville Garber 15 – The Panthers (5-3) stayed alive for a second straight playoff berth, while Garber (4-4) will need a win and good fortune to extend a three-year postseason streak.
Greater Detroit
Macomb Dakota 35, Sterling Heights Stevenson 28 (OT)
A wild Macomb Area Conference Red race finally is sorted out, with Dakota (6-2) – which suffered its only league loss all the way back in Week 3 – emerging as champion for the fourth straight season. Stevenson (6-2), Clinton Township Chippewa Valley and Utica Eisenhower all finished a game back and Warren Mott was two win out – and Eisenhower and Mott can join the other three with automatic playoff berths if they win this week. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.
Also noted:
Harper Woods Chandler Park 28, Warren Michigan Collegiate 18 – Chandler Park (6-2) has put together a pair of streaks that remain under the radar; the Eagles have made the playoffs all seven seasons they’ve played a full schedule, and this win over Michigan Collegiate (5-3) made them 40-0 in Charter School Conference play all-time.
Madison Heights Madison 56, St. Clair Shores South Lake 42 – Madison (7-1) won its 19th straight MAC Silver game and fourth straight league title while handing South Lake (7-1) its first loss this fall – which is still one to celebrate after South Lake's 2-7 finish in 2014.
Waterford Our Lady 36, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood 10 – The Detroit Catholic League C-D title came down to two undefeated teams, but Our Lady (8-0) emerged with its third straight championship although the Cranes are still enjoying their best season since at least 2005.
Warren Cousino 35, Grosse Pointe North 34 – Another one-pointer meant a shared MAC Blue title between these two after Cousino (5-3) beat North (4-4) by three last season to claim the championship outright.
Mid-Michigan
Pewamo-Westphalia 34, Fowler 7
The 50th game between these rivals extended a pattern of the teams trading victories to seven seasons. The Pirates (8-0) also kept a streak alive of giving up no more than seven points, which they've done seven straight weeks after giving up 25 in a win over Madison Heights Madison on opening night. Most importantly, P-W linched an outright Central Michigan Athletic Conference title. Fowler, last season’s champion, finished third but remains playoff-ready at 6-2. Click for more from the Ionia Sentinel-Standard.
Also noted:
Grand Ledge 31, East Lansing 21 – The Trojans (4-4) put a scare into Grand Ledge (8-0) nearly to the end, but the Comets emerged with a share of the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue title and a chance to win it outright this week against second-place Holt.
Fowlerville 24, Lake Odessa Lakewood 21 – Not only did the Gladiators (4-4) hand Lakewood (7-1) its first loss this fall, they stayed in the running for an at-large playoff bid that would return them to the postseason for the first time since 2010.
Lansing Everett 33, Lansing Sexton 32 – With nothing to play for but city pride, these two enjoyed another nail-biting classic, with Everett (3-5) breaking a two-season winning streak by the Big Reds (1-7) – who lost their fifth game by a touchdown or less and third by a point.
Haslett 28, Williamston 7 – The Vikings (5-3) remain alive for an automatic playoff berth after missing last season, and Williamston (4-4) might have a shot at an at-large bid with a win this week over Lake Fenton.
Northern Lower Peninsula
Frankfort 20, Charlevoix 0
Frankfort clinched its first league title since 2008 and avenged Charlevoix’s win in this matchup a year ago. By moving to 7-1, the Panthers also guaranteed their best finish since at least 2011 and like Fowler, kept alive a streak of giving up no more than seven points in a game since opening night. In fact, the Panthers have given up only 42 all fall. Charlevoix (5-3) still can clinch a playoff spot this week against Harbor Springs. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Also noted:
Traverse City West 35, Gaylord 14 – After an 0-4 start, the Titans (4-4) have stormed back and have a chance at an at-large bid with their best win yet over solid Gaylord (5-3).
Lake City 41, Lincoln Alcona 34 – The Trojans (4-4) got a giant boost to their at-large hopes by downing a Tigers team that is 5-3 and could clinch an automatic berth this week.
Kingsley 27, Maple City Glen Lake 6 – The Stags (5-3) still face undefeated Traverse City St. Francis, but put themselves in position to earn an automatic bid or make a play for an at-large invitation by downing Glen Lake (4-4).
Whittemore-Prescott 38, Hillman 14 – The North Star Big Dipper champion Cardinals (5-3) won this battle of league title winners by downing Little Dipper champ Hillman (6-2).
Southeast & Border
Manchester 29, Vandercook Lake 7
The Dutchmen (7-1) claimed the Cascades Conference championship outright by slowing a team that had scored at least 27 points in every game and averaged 41 points per heading into the contest. The title was Manchester’s fourth straight. Vandercook Lake (7-1) is still enjoying its best season since 1996. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen-Patriot.
Also noted:
Jackson 63, Holt 41 – The Vikings (6-2), 1-8 a year ago, clinched their first playoff berth of the coach Scott Farley era and first at all since 2009 by downing similar playoff hopeful Holt (5-3).
Chelsea 9, Ann Arbor Pioneer 7 – The Bulldogs (7-1) showed again they’ll be dangerous in the playoffs by dealing a close loss to much larger Ann Arbor Pioneer (6-2).
Ida 20, Hillsdale 17 (OT) – The Bluestreaks (8-0) made sure they were at least partial Lenawee County Athletic Association champions, earning a share of the league title with Hillsdale (5-3) attempting to create a three-way tie at the top.
Homer 40, Union City 34 – The Trojans (7-1) already had claimed a share of the Big 8 Conference title, but reigning champ Union City (4-4) didn’t let the outright championship come easily.
Southwest Corridor
Buchanan 21, Berrien Springs 19
The renewing of this rivalry played out as competitively as one would expect from a pair of undefeated teams contending for a league title. After a three-season break, the pair met for the Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph Conference White championship – and Buchanan (8-0) earned it in part by blocking an extra-point try and stopping a two-point conversion attempt. The Bucks this week will play for their first perfect regular season since 1988, while Berrien Springs (7-1) still is headed for its best regular-season finish since 2005. Click for more from the Niles Daily Star.
Also noted:
Kalamazoo Central 33, Benton Harbor 18 – The Maroon Giants (3-5) made playoff hopes much dimmer for Benton Harbor (4-4), but also gave themselves a chance at their best record since 2011.
Bridgman 34, Niles Brandywine 26 – The Bees (7-1) clinched the BCS Blue title for the second straight season and after two straight losses to Brandywine (5-3).
Dowagiac 36, Otsego 34 – The Chiefs (5-3) moved a win closer to returning to the playoffs after missing last season at 3-6.
St. Joseph 45, Battle Creek Lakeview 21 – The Bears (7-1) have secured a playoff berth after missing last season, but Lakeview (5-3) must win this week to do the same despite claiming a share of its league title.
Upper Peninsula
Ishpeming 20, St. Ignace 14
This meeting of league champions was another that met expectations, with Mid-Peninsula Athletic Conference champion Ishpeming (7-0) winning its 26th straight regular-season game and handing Ski Valley champ St. Ignace (7-1) its first regular season loss after 16 straight wins. Ishpeming held the Saints to their season-low points but scored their second fewest of the fall. Click for more from the Sault Ste. Marie Evening News.
Also noted:
Crystal Falls Forest Park 34, Munising 8 – The Trojans (5-2) are making what might be their final season of 11-player football count, this time downing reigning Division 8 runner-up Munising (6-2) to qualify for the playoffs and clinch a share of the Mid-Eastern Football Conference title.
Escanaba 34, Sault Ste. Marie 8 – An upset of the Blue Devils (5-3) gave the Eskymos (4-4) their most wins since 2012 and the chance to play for an at-large playoff bid.
Iron Mountain 28, Hurley, Wis. 13 – The Mountaineers (5-3) look much better to earn a playoff spot this week against two-win Norway after doubling up always-tough Hurley (7-2).
Menominee 40, DeWitt 35 – The Maroons’ 30-game regular-season winning streak has included its share of impressive victories, but moving to 8-0 against an undefeated DeWitt team (7-1) loaded with speed should put additional fear into potential playoff opponents.
West Michigan
Muskegon Mona Shores 21, Muskegon 18
Statewide eyes turned toward this matchup of Muskegon rivals, and roughly 10,000 fans saw Mona Shores jump out to a 21-3 lead before withstanding a late Big Reds charge. Mona Shores moved to 8-0 for the first time in program history with its second straight win over Muskegon (6-2), which suffered its second three-point loss of the season. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.
Also noted:
Ada Forest Hills Eastern 49, Cedar Springs 12 – The Hawks (8-0) guaranteed themselves a share of the O-K Bronze title and also set a program record for wins while forcing Cedar Springs (5-3) into a must-win position this week.
Grandville 38, Hudsonville 13 – The Bulldogs (5-3) turned the O-K Red into the best league race left by handing Hudsonville (6-2) its first league loss and creating a four-way tie at the top with one game to play and a guarantee of two champions.
Lowell 35, East Grand Rapids 13 – The Red Arrows (7-1) earned a share of a third straight league title in one of the state’s most competitive, while putting East Grand Rapids (5-3) in a must-win spot as well.
Montague 36, Muskegon Oakridge 29 (OT) – The West Michigan Conference title came down to overtime before Montague (8-0) prevailed over the reigning champion Eagles (6-2).
Reed City 26, Remus Chippewa Hills 7 – The Coyotes (8-0) claimed their fifth straight league title by downing second-place Chippewa Hills (6-2) to win the Central State Activities Association Gold.
8-Player
Onaway 62, Bellaire 14
Onaway pushed into the 16th spot with a week to play as it pursues its first playoff berth since 2012 in its first season of 8-player football. The Cardinals (5-3) must play another 5-3 team, Pickford, this week to try to hold on to the final spot in the field. Bellaire (4-4) has fallen in two straight as its pursued making the playoffs for the sixth straight season.
Also noted:
Deckerville 50, Peck 6 – The battle for the North Central Thumb 8-Man title didn’t turn into much of one, with Deckerville (7-1) breaking a three-game losing streak to the Pirates (6-2).
Powers North Central 82, Rapid River 20 – The Jets (8-0) gave up their most points this season, but also tied their highest output on offense while downing the Rockets (5-3).
Engadine 58, Stephenson 42 – This might have been the best game of the week in 8-player, featuring two teams that have taken great strides but with Engadine (6-2) striding just a little bit farther than Stephenson (5-3) at this point.
PHOTO: Muskegon Mona Shores welcomed a reported 10,000 fans for Friday's 21-18 victory over rival Muskegon.