2015 Week 9 Football Playoff Listing
October 20, 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 eighth 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, 6-2, 88.375
2. Grand Blanc, 2727, 4-4, 51.750
3. Clarkston, 2707, 6-2, 76.500
4. Utica Eisenhower ^, 2669, 5-3, 75.875
5. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 2634, 6-2, 82.250
6. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2611, 6-2, 87.125
7. East Kentwood, 2581, 6-2, 81.875
8. Howell ^, 2567, 5-3, 65.625
9. Rockford ^, 2561, 5-3, 70.375
10. Dearborn Fordson ^, 2477, 5-3, 65.875
11. Detroit Cass Tech, 2285, 7-1, 91.875
12. Northville, 2281, 8-0, 108.000
13. Brighton, 2211, 7-1, 96.500
14. Troy Athens ^, 2153, 5-3, 61.750
15. Detroit Catholic Central, 2138, 6-2, 77.625
16. Utica Ford ^, 2080, 5-3, 71.125
17. Canton, 2076, 6-2, 83.000
18. Monroe, 2066, 4-4, 50.375
19. Lapeer, 2059, 8-0, 100.000
20. Plymouth, 2057, 6-2, 80.375
21. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 2025, 6-2, 81.625
22. Hartland ^, 2017, 5-3, 71.000
23. Novi, 2017, 4-4, 54.500
24. West Bloomfield, 1932, 8-0, 105.000
25. Dearborn, 1921, 4-4, 47.625
26. Saline *, 1879, 8-0, 107.000
27. Livonia Stevenson, 1831, 6-2, 83.500
28. Grandville ^, 1825, 5-3, 63.625
29. Warren Mott ^, 1810, 5-3, 66.750
30. Holt ^, 1788, 5-3, 58.750
31. Utica, 1788, 4-4, 55.625
32. Davison ^, 1765, 5-3, 62.750
33. Hudsonville, 1763, 6-2, 85.000
34. Belleville, 1735, 7-1, 94.250
35. Ann Arbor Skyline, 1703, 4-4, 44.250
36. Romeo, 1673, 8-0, 110.000
37. Grand Ledge, 1663, 8-0, 97.000
38. Waterford Mott ^, 1651, 5-3, 63.750
39. Grosse Pointe South, 1629, 6-2, 82.125
40. Traverse City West, 1623, 4-4, 48.875
41. Livonia Churchill, 1620, 4-4, 50.250
42. Livonia Franklin ^, 1615, 5-3, 60.875
43. Walled Lake Northern ^, 1611, 5-3, 65.250
44. Warren DeLaSalle, 1572, 6-2, 87.157
45. Sterling Heights, 1561, 6-2, 74.125
46. Temperance Bedford, 1561, 4-4, 51.250
47. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1537, 8-0, 108.000
48. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1533, 4-4, 48.625
49. Oak Park ^, 1530, 5-3, 66.125
50. Warren Cousino ^, 1514, 5-3, 62.250
51. Detroit U-D Jesuit ^, 1486, 5-3, 62.250
52. Caledonia, 1476, 4-4, 50.625
53. Traverse City Central, 1474, 8-0, 105.429
54. Walled Lake Western, 1462, 8-0, 112.000
55. Midland, 1419, 7-1, 88.875
56. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1403, 4-4, 43.250
57. Dearborn Edsel Ford, 1380, 4-4, 48.250
58. Portage Northern, 1375, 4-4, 51.625
59. Lincoln Park ^, 1363, 5-3, 62.750
60. Portage Central, 1351, 8-0, 103.000
61. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1346, 6-2, 78.250
62. Battle Creek Lakeview ^, 1344, 5-3, 66.875
63. Grosse Pointe North, 1341, 4-4, 51.125
64. Detroit East English, 1338, 6-2, 70.625
65. Swartz Creek, 1322, 4-4, 52.875
66. Southfield-Lathrup ^, 1320, 5-3, 57.875
67. Dearborn Heights Crestwood, 1308, 4-4, 42.750
68. Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills, 1280, 4-4, 49.000
69. Southfield ^, 1269, 5-3, 66.000
70. North Farmington, 1267, 4-4, 49.875
71. Port Huron Northern, 1260, 4-4, 46.875
72. Midland Dow, 1256, 7-1, 85.625
73. Berkley, 1248, 6-2, 73.375
74. Birmingham Groves, 1248, 8-0, 100.000
75. Royal Oak, 1248, 4-4, 46.375
76. Jackson, 1244, 6-2, 69.250
77. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1239, 8-0, 108.000
78. South Lyon, 1224, 4-4, 52.125
79. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1218, 7-1, 94.625
80. Grand Rapids Northview, 1183, 4-4, 51.500
81. Farmington ^, 1176, 5-3, 65.625
82. Mattawan, 1175, 4-4, 50.250
83. Lowell, 1168, 7-1, 94.875
84. Detroit Renaissance, 1140, 4-4, 40.875
85. Gibraltar Carlson ^, 1140, 5-3, 60.125
86. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1124, 6-2, 79.625
87. East Lansing, 1123, 4-4, 50.625
88. Muskegon, 1113, 6-2, 88.500
89. Fenton, 1108, 7-1, 94.500
90. Ypsilanti Community, 1088, 4-4, 51.125
91. Byron Center, 1070, 6-2, 72.500
92. Holly ^, 1068, 5-3, 67.875
93. Redford Thurston ^, 1064, 5-3, 68.125
94. Mt. Pleasant, 1061, 6-2, 73.625
95. Ortonville-Brandon ^, 1060, 5-3, 61.875
96. Allen Park, 1058, 7-1, 95.625
97. St. Johns, 1053, 6-2, 81.500
98. Zeeland East ^, 1040, 5-3, 73.400
99. Mason, 1033, 6-2, 71.375
100. Orchard Lake St. Mary's *, 1032, 6-1, 93.450
101. Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, 1030, 4-4, 49.875
102. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1010, 4-4, 45.375
103. Hamtramck, 984, 4-4, 39.625
104. St. Joseph, 980, 7-1, 91.500
105. East Grand Rapids ^, 975, 5-3, 72.875
106. Petoskey, 970, 6-2, 75.393
107. DeWitt, 960, 7-1, 101.875
108. Romulus ^, 956, 5-3, 58.625
109. Trenton, 953, 7-1, 93.750
110. Linden, 947, 7-1, 92.750
111. Cedar Springs ^, 943, 5-3, 60.250
112. Gaylord ^, 940, 5-3, 55.018
113. Sturgis, 926, 6-2, 67.625
114. Riverview, 912, 6-2, 60.500
115. Grand Rapids Christian ^, 905, 5-3, 66.625
116. Parma Western ^, 876, 5-3, 55.250
117. Haslett ^, 875, 5-3, 64.000
118. Stevensville Lakeshore ^, 874, 5-3, 70.750
119. New Boston Huron, 871, 4-4, 45.375
120. Warren Fitzgerald ^, 871, 5-3, 55.125
121. Fruitport, 865, 4-4, 43.196
122. Coldwater, 863, 8-0, 97.000
123. Marshall, 863, 7-1, 85.875
124. Vicksburg, 858, 6-2, 66.500
125. Edwardsburg, 851, 8-0, 90.000
126. Sault Ste. Marie ^, 850, 5-3, 63.804
127. Bay City John Glenn ^, 847, 5-3, 50.554
128. Chelsea, 845, 7-1, 82.375
129. Zeeland West, 840, 8-0, 100.000
130. Ada Forest Hills Eastern, 828, 8-0, 97.000
131. Dearborn Divine Child, 827, 4-4, 49.700
132. Milan, 820, 6-2, 69.625
133. Plainwell, 807, 4-4, 44.500
134. Fowlerville, 800, 4-4, 50.500
135. Coopersville, 797, 4-4, 40.000
136. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 794, 7-1, 69.875
137. Detroit Denby, 790, 4-4, 50.500
138. Marysville, 783, 6-2, 76.250
139. North Branch, 758, 4-4, 40.500
140. Center Line, 754, 4-4, 42.000
141. Goodrich, 754, 6-2, 68.071
142. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 728, 7-1, 88.625
143. Allendale, 720, 4-4, 42.500
144. Escanaba, 719, 4-4, 54.411
145. Warren Lincoln ^, 697, 5-3, 49.250
146. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy, 692, 6-2, 65.786
147. Detroit Country Day, 685, 7-1, 80.214
148. Comstock Park, 682, 6-2, 73.500
149. Detroit Cesar Chavez Academy, 681, 6-2, 56.625
150. Croswell-Lexington, 668, 6-2, 63.500
151. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 668, 7-1, 78.750
152. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 665, 6-2, 64.250
153. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 658, 7-1, 89.500
154. Williamston, 657, 4-4, 48.500
155. Corunna, 656, 7-1, 76.339
156. Whitehall ^, 656, 5-3, 50.375
157. Paw Paw, 653, 4-4, 42.375
158. Alma ^, 642, 5-3, 54.000
159. Detroit Collegiate Prep, 632, 8-0, 83.286
160. Benton Harbor, 631, 4-4, 54.000
161. Lake Fenton, 625, 4-4, 44.821
162. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 624, 7-1, 69.375
163. Saginaw Swan Valley ^, 613, 5-3, 52.875
164. Dowagiac ^, 611, 5-3, 56.875
165. Flint Powers Catholic, 610, 6-2, 69.000
166. Big Rapids ^, 609, 5-3, 53.000
167. Richmond, 605, 7-1, 80.625
168. Wyoming Godwin Heights ^, 602, 5-3, 45.000
169. Remus Chippewa Hills, 600, 6-2, 68.375
170. River Rouge, 593, 7-1, 77.750
171. Clawson ^, 592, 5-3, 48.000
172. Birch Run ^, 583, 5-3, 54.125
173. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 573, 6-2, 67.250
174. Gladwin, 571, 4-4, 36.625
175. Freeland, 563, 8-0, 91.000
176. Macomb Lutheran North, 563, 4-4, 37.625
177. Portland, 563, 8-0, 100.000
178. Essexville Garber, 557, 4-4, 42.750
179. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 556, 4-4, 43.500
180. Detroit University Prep ^, 555, 5-3, 50.196
181. Southfield Bradford Academy, 550, 4-4, 36.768
182. Ida, 548, 8-0, 92.000
183. Kingsford, 547, 6-2, 69.196
184. Marine City ^, 540, 5-3, 58.125
185. Muskegon Oakridge, 538, 6-2, 61.214
186. Algonac, 532, 7-1, 78.750
187. Frankenmuth, 529, 8-0, 86.000
188. Olivet ^, 524, 5-3, 54.875
189. Chesaning, 523, 4-4, 44.125
190. Detroit Henry Ford ^, 523, 5-3, 47.625
191. Lansing Catholic, 517, 7-1, 77.875
192. Almont, 513, 6-2, 61.375
193. Onsted, 509, 4-4, 34.125
194. Detroit Central Collegiate, 508, 6-2, 60.000
195. Berrien Springs, 495, 7-1, 77.431
196. Parchment ^, 493, 5-3, 42.875
197. Stockbridge, 493, 6-2, 56.250
198. Ovid-Elsie, 491, 6-2, 66.750
199. Reed City, 491, 8-0, 89.778
200. Dundee, 489, 4-4, 37.500
201. Grayling, 489, 6-2, 60.375
202. Standish-Sterling, 489, 4-4, 39.750
203. Clinton Township Clintondale, 486, 4-4, 50.250
204. Menominee, 480, 8-0, 100.444
205. Harper Woods ^, 476, 5-3, 49.339
206. Manistee, 469, 6-2, 54.911
207. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 463, 7-1, 67.875
208. Buchanan, 459, 8-0, 89.000
209. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 442, 6-2, 70.500
210. Clare ^, 437, 5-3, 47.500
211. Kalkaska, 437, 4-4, 37.500
212. Kingsley ^, 431, 5-3, 47.000
213. Harrison, 430, 6-2, 55.250
214. Hillsdale ^, 430, 5-3, 50.500
215. Jackson Lumen Christi, 426, 6-2, 72.625
216. Warren Michigan Collegiate ^, 421, 5-3, 58.536
217. Calumet, 419, 6-2, 55.260
218. Lakeview, 417, 4-4, 34.875
219. Sanford Meridian Early College, 408, 8-0, 79.000
220. Detroit Pershing, 405, 4-4, 34.250
221. Ithaca, 402, 8-0, 84.000
222. Byron ^, 399, 5-3, 44.250
223. Delton Kellogg ^, 398, 5-3, 54.000
224. Millington, 398, 7-1, 78.875
225. Montague, 396, 8-0, 85.000
226. Burton Bendle, 393, 7-1, 66.875
227. Oscoda ^, 391, 5-3, 38.625
228. Detroit Edison Public School Academy ^, 390, 5-3, 44.750
229. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 389, 8-0, 93.000
230. Roscommon, 388, 4-4, 36.625
231. Montrose ^, 386, 5-3, 49.464
232. Morley Stanwood, 386, 6-2, 54.375
233. Constantine, 385, 4-4, 45.000
234. Negaunee, 385, 6-2, 57.143
235. Maple City Glen Lake, 384, 4-4, 40.750
236. Boyne City, 383, 7-1, 66.875
237. Hanover-Horton, 382, 4-4, 35.375
238. Grass Lake, 380, 4-4, 37.125
239. Niles Brandywine ^, 380, 5-3, 40.875
240. Adrian Madison, 379, 4-4, 33.625
241. Vassar, 377, 7-1, 64.750
242. Mason County Central ^, 376, 5-3, 51.000
243. Laingsburg ^, 373, 5-3, 39.250
244. Watervliet, 372, 7-1, 74.875
245. Madison Heights Madison, 367, 7-1, 83.875
246. Manchester, 365, 7-1, 65.875
247. Schoolcraft, 357, 8-0, 84.000
248. Bangor, 356, 4-4, 31.375
249. Charlevoix ^, 350, 5-3, 43.125
250. Leroy Pine River, 349, 4-4, 41.500
251. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 345, 8-0, 84.000
252. St. Charles, 345, 4-4, 39.500
253. Lawton, 342, 6-2, 54.375
254. Vandercook Lake, 341, 7-1, 63.750
255. Clinton, 335, 8-0, 73.000
256. Lake City, 331, 4-4, 45.625
257. Traverse City St. Francis, 320, 8-0, 89.429
258. Ishpeming Westwood ^, 315, 5-3, 46.802
259. Hesperia, 310, 8-0, 71.000
260. Sandusky, 310, 8-0, 72.000
261. Iron Mountain ^, 309, 5-3, 47.329
262. McBain, 307, 6-2, 64.625
263. Hartford ^, 305, 5-3, 48.125
264. Cass City, 304, 6-2, 51.125
265. Bridgman, 303, 7-1, 58.750
266. Gobles, 301, 4-4, 41.125
267. Marlette, 298, 4-4, 34.875
268. Union City, 298, 4-4, 35.875
269. Burton Atherton, 296, 4-4, 28.893
270. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 296, 4-4, 36.125
271. Homer, 294, 7-1, 66.500
272. Pewamo-Westphalia, 292, 8-0, 74.000
273. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest ^, 292, 5-3, 43.500
274. Flint Hamady, 291, 6-2, 52.911
275. Dansville, 289, 7-1, 58.875
276. Springport ^, 287, 5-3, 46.875
277. Saginaw Nouvel, 285, 7-1, 68.561
278. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 284, 6-2, 57.625
279. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 282, 6-2, 55.000
280. Harbor Springs ^, 281, 5-3, 38.750
281. Flint Beecher *, 278, 5-2, 59.964
282. Ishpeming *, 278, 7-0, 79.000
283. Carson City-Crystal ^, 277, 5-3, 38.875
284. Detroit Loyola, 276, 6-2, 70.339
285. New Lothrop, 276, 8-0, 83.000
286. Saugatuck, 271, 8-0, 69.000
287. Ubly, 271, 6-2, 53.375
288. Cassopolis, 270, 6-2, 55.625
289. Concord, 267, 6-2, 54.250
290. Whittemore-Prescott ^, 267, 5-3, 47.875
291. Decatur ^, 266, 5-3, 39.000
292. Hudson, 265, 4-4, 35.625
293. Lincoln Alcona ^, 265, 5-3, 36.768
294. Unionville-Sebewaing ^, 262, 5-3, 47.250
295. Detroit Allen Academy *, 258, 5-3, 41.250
296. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 255, 7-1, 55.625
297. Indian River Inland Lakes ^, 251, 5-3, 34.875
298. Onekama, 250, 7-1, 51.946
299. Petersburg-Summerfield, 240, 6-2, 53.500
300. White Pigeon, 231, 4-4, 29.250
301. Beal City, 228, 7-1, 73.250
302. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 226, 7-1, 59.750
303. Merrill ^, 225, 5-3, 49.000
304. St. Ignace, 225, 7-1, 59.857
305. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 223, 7-1, 65.875
306. Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech ^, 219, 5-3, 44.250
307. Mayville, 217, 4-4, 32.375
308. L'Anse ^, 215, 5-3, 44.778
309. Newberry, 211, 6-2, 46.196
310. Pittsford ^, 211, 5-3, 37.536
311. Vestaburg ^, 205, 5-3, 34.500
312. Mendon ^, 200, 5-3, 44.250
313. Bark River-Harris, 194, 6-2, 50.006
314. Morenci, 191, 6-2, 54.625
315. Munising, 191, 6-2, 49.196
316. Central Lake, 189, 6-2, 42.500
317. Fowler, 183, 6-2, 45.625
318. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian ^, 178, 5-3, 47.875
319. Muskegon Catholic Central *, 177, 5-2, 60.089
320. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 170, 7-1, 48.161
321. Climax-Scotts, 163, 8-0, 61.286
322. Crystal Falls Forest Park *, 163, 5-2, 46.720
323. Frankfort, 160, 7-1, 67.375
324. Waterford Our Lady, 157, 8-0, 87.000
325. Lake Linden-Hubbell, 155, 8-0, 68.683
326. Colon ^, 153, 5-3, 35.411
327. Hillman, 146, 6-2, 40.768
328. Baldwin *^, 144, 4-3, 34.643
329. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart ^, 142, 5-3, 42.375
330. Bay City All Saints ^, 118, 5-3, 29.429
331. Clarkston Everest Collegiate ^, 113, 5-3, 46.250
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Battle Creek St. Philip, 144, 8-0, 63.000
2. Owendale-Gagetown, 49, 8-0, 60.143
3. Posen, 84, 8-0, 60.000
4. Powers North Central, 198, 8-0, 58.000
5. Morrice, 169, 7-1, 55.875
6. Deckerville, 178, 7-1, 54.750
7. Waldron, 88, 7-1, 45.875
8. Cedarville, 144, 6-2, 44.375
9. Lawrence, 189, 7-1, 43.127
10. Engadine, 85, 6-2, 42.375
11. Peck, 152, 6-2, 42.071
12. New Haven Merritt Academy, 148, 6-2, 40.464
13. Rapid River, 111, 5-3, 40.000
14. Portland St. Patrick, 87, 6-2, 36.625
15. Stephenson, 186, 5-3, 36.000
16. Onaway, 196, 5-3, 34.000
17. Pickford, 164, 5-3, 32.875
18. Marion *, 145, 4-3, 27.744
19. Bellaire, 134, 4-4, 26.875
20. Kingston, 187, 4-4, 26.875
21. Webberville, 184, 4-4, 26.000
22. Baraga, 164, 4-4, 25.500
23. Kinde-North Huron, 147, 4-4, 24.500
24. Tekonsha, 148, 4-4, 23.625
25. Caseville, 91, 4-4, 23.411
26. Akron-Fairgrove, 99, 3-5, 20.589
27. Ewen-Trout Creek, 126, 2-6, 14.750
28. Hale *, 132, 2-5, 14.554
29. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 190, 2-6, 13.637
30. Burr Oak, 75, 2-6, 12.750
31. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 108, 2-6, 12.250
32. Ontonagon, 129, 2-6, 12.000
33. Eben Junction Superior Central, 123, 1-7, 8.125
34. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 103, 1-7, 7.875
35. Pellston, 170, 1-7, 7.000
36. Litchfield, 92, 0-8, 3.875
37. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 120, 0-8, 3.750
38. Brimley, 142, 0-8, 3.125
39. Flint Michigan School For The Deaf *, 47, 0-7, 2.982
40. Covert *, 91, 0-6, 2.220
A Game for Every Fan: District Openers
October 31, 2013
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
A handful of MHSAA football teams always are safe to expect at Ford Field when we finish the annual five-week Finals run into Thanksgiving weekend.
But if the record number of at-large qualifiers – 31 – or the difficulty in picking the best first-round matchups are indications, this weekend could be ripe for plenty of the unexpected.
A total of 38 teams enter the playoffs perfect for the regular season. Ithaca is riding a national-record 51-game winning streak and seeking its fourth straight Division 6 title, while Detroit Cass Tech and Birmingham Brother Rice are going for their third straight each in Divisions 1 and 2, respectively.
How they might fare this time will be easier to predict over the next few weeks. But first things first, and in this case it’s our forecast of the best District openers all over the state this weekend. (Click to see the entire schedule, with dates, times and locations.)
Division 1
Detroit Catholic Central (7-2) at Northville (8-1)
Arguably the most competitive District in any division also includes Canton and Walled Lake Western, but Northville finished ahead of both to win the Kensington Lakes Activities Association. That doesn’t necessarily make the Mustangs favored. DCC’s only marks against came against reigning Division 2 champion Birmingham Brother Rice, and the Shamrocks have plenty of know-how in the postseason – they’ve finished Division 1 runner-up the last two seasons.
Others that caught my eye: East Kentwood (5-4) at Hudsonville (6-3), Rochester Hills Stoney Creek (6-3) at Rochester Adams (6-3), Belleville (6-3) at Saline (8-1), Canton (8-1) at Walled Lake Western (8-1).
Division 2
Southfield (7-2) at Birmingham Seaholm (8-1)
This is a meeting of Oakland Activities Association champions, with OAA White winner Southfield hoping to bounce back after last week’s loss to Red champ Clarkston. Blue champ Seaholm also lost in Week 9, to Detroit U-D Jesuit. The Bluejays have been considered MHSAA contenders since the preseason, but the Maples quietly are 16-3 over the last two years and poised to take the next step.
Others that caught my eye: Midland Dow (7-2) at Fenton (8-1), Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (7-2) at Muskegon (8-1), Ypsilanti Lincoln (7-2) at Wyandotte Roosevelt (9-0), Taylor Truman (7-2) at Allen Park (7-2).
Division 3
Zeeland East (5-4) at Zeeland West (8-1)
It’s fair to assume this won’t be much of a game – East got in with an at-large bid and its worst record since 2009. But there’s too much history to ignore. East did win their first matchup this season, in Week 2, 50-44. And after the Chix cruised to a 9-0 regular season in 2012, West upset them during the District opener. More payback would be the best way to end a four-game losing streak for East – although West hasn’t lost again this fall since that early defeat.
Others that caught my eye: Detroit Denby (7-2) at Detroit Mumford (7-2), Eaton Rapids (5-4) at Charlotte (7-2), Haslett (6-3) at DeWitt (9-0), Riverview (7-2) at Melvindale (7-2).
Division 4
Battle Creek Pennfield (8-1) at Paw Paw (8-1)
League champions clash in the best Division 4 game of opening night, Paw Paw from the Wolverine B Conference East and Pennfield from the Kalamazoo Valley Association. Pennfield has made the playoffs every season under the current format, which began in 1999 – but enters this run with perhaps its best defense of the bunch after giving up seven or fewer points in six games. Paw Paw is coming off a disappointing loss to Edwardsburg last week, but has been similarly sturdy stopping opponents – Week 9 was the first the Redskins gave up more than 14 points in a game.
Others that caught my eye: Harper Woods Chandler Park (7-2) at Richmond (8-1), Dowagiac (6-3) at Edwardsburg (9-0), Dearborn Heights Robichaud (6-3) at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (7-2), Yale (6-3) at Saginaw Swan Valley (9-0).
Division 5
Grand Rapids West Catholic (5-4) at Portland (7-1)
Just as this matchup was tough to predict when these teams met for the Division 5 championship last season, it’s hard to read again this fall. The Raiders rebuilt quickly, with their lone loss two weeks ago to Division 3 contender DeWitt, 13-7. West Catholic made the playoffs with an at-large bid after a one-point win in Week 9 – but has won four straight after opening 0-3.
Others that caught my eye: Kingsford (7-2) at Grayling (8-1), Clare (7-2) at Reed City (9-0), Olivet (8-1) at Hopkins (7-2), River Rouge (8-1) at Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (8-1).
Division 6
Reese (8-1) at Montrose (9-0)
Judging by last week’s Genesee Area Conference Blue deciding game, it's fair to guess this might not be much of a contest – Montrose ran past second-place Lake Fenton 37-0 to claim the title outright and also beat Reese 38-8 on opening night. But the Rockets haven’t loss since or scored fewer than 41 points since the first week of October.
Others that caught my eye: Elk Rapids (6-3) at Boyne City (7-2), Marlette (8-1) at Saginaw Nouvel (8-1), Schoolcraft (8-1) at Niles Brandywine (8-1), Manchester (7-2 at Grass Lake (8-1).
Division 7
Saugatuck (8-1) at Pewamo-Westphalia (8-1)
One of these teams has reached MHSAA semifinals each of the last three seasons and both have advanced to Ford Field once during that time. And each has prepared well this season against similar or bigger foes – Saugatuck’s lone loss was to playoff qualifier Decatur and it beat Division 6 qualifier Hartford. Pewamo-Westphalia beat Division 5 qualifier Lansing Catholic and lost only to Division 8 powerhouse New Lothrop.
Others that caught my eye: Traverse City St. Francis (5-4) at Iron River West Iron County (9-0), Royal Oak Shrine (6-3) at Madison Height Bishop Foley (6-3), St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic (6-2) at Cassopolis (6-3), Whittemore-Prescott (6-3) at Lake City (8-1).
Division 8
Bessemer (6-3) at Crystal Falls Forest Park (9-0)
We discussed this game at length when these teams met only two weeks ago and Forest Park celebrated avenging a 2012 loss to the Miners to this time clinch the Great Western Conference title outright. A win for Bessemer in this game would be even bigger as the Trojans are attempting to bounce back after failing to reach the District Finals last season for the first time since 2002.
Others that caught my eye: Munising (6-3) at Powers North Central (7-2), Mio (7-2) at Beal City (9-0), Clarkston Everest Collegiate (7-2) at Waterford Our Lady (7-2), Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (6-3) at Coleman (7-2).
8-Player
Deckerville (5-4) at Peck (9-0)
Last season’s champion opens these playoffs against one of the favorites according to playoff points average. Deckerville won the MHSAA championship in 2012, the team's first season of 8-player, and won two of its final three regular season games this fall. Peck is one of three 9-0 teams in 8-player and owns the third-highest playoff point average in the division. The Pirates beat Deckerville 56-8 only two weeks ago.
Others that caught my eye: Akron-Fairgrove (7-2) at Owendale-Gagetown (8-1), Casonville Port-Sanilac (6-3) at Portland St. Patrick (7-2), Bellaire (5-4) at Kinde-North Huron (6-3), Engadine (5-4) at Cedarville (8-1).
PHOTO: DeWitt (blue helmets) and Portland met in a Week 7 battle of undefeated teams, and both are considered Ford Field possibilities – DeWitt in Division 3 and Portland in Division 5. (Click to see more from High School Sports Scene.)