2017 Week 6 Football Playoff Listing
September 26, 2017
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 fifth 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.
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. 27. 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 32 programs will then be divided into two divisions of 16 each based on enrollment. The playoff in that division also begins Oct. 27.
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. on Oct. 22 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, 3016, 4-1, 72.800
2. Dearborn Fordson, 2741, 5-0, 92.800
3. Utica Eisenhower, 2689, 5-0, 108.800
4. Grand Blanc, 2660, 5-0, 92.800
5. East Kentwood, 2639, 4-1, 72.600
6. Clarkston, 2603, 4-1, 82.000
7. Rockford, 2485, 3-2, 59.000
8. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2434, 4-1, 79.200
9. Detroit Cass Tech *, 2434, 3-1, 56.600
10. Troy, 2422, 4-1, 75.600
11. Southfield Arts & Technology, 2345, 3-2, 52.600
12. Brighton, 2247, 3-2, 60.200
13. Canton, 2212, 4-1, 76.000
14. Holland West Ottawa, 2200, 4-1, 69.600
15. Detroit Catholic Central, 2080, 3-2, 56.000
16. West Bloomfield, 1990, 3-2, 63.400
17. New Baltimore Anchor Bay, 1956, 5-0, 89.600
18. Monroe, 1934, 3-2, 53.067
19. Utica, 1907, 3-2, 57.200
20. Saline *, 1869, 4-1, 75.600
21. Bloomfield Hills, 1842, 3-2, 55.600
22. Lapeer, 1837, 4-1, 72.600
23. Livonia Stevenson, 1811, 4-1, 77.200
24. Walled Lake Central, 1804, 3-2, 59.000
25. White Lake Lakeland, 1765, 4-1, 78.800
26. Romeo, 1753, 3-2, 56.600
27. Holt, 1752, 3-2, 47.000
28. Grandville, 1750, 4-1, 77.400
29. Grand Ledge, 1726, 4-1, 79.000
30. Warren Mott, 1712, 3-2, 52.400
31. Belleville, 1709, 5-0, 97.600
32. Detroit Western International, 1701, 3-2, 48.800
33. Davison, 1695, 5-0, 92.800
34. Walled Lake Northern, 1678, 3-2, 48.800
35. Grosse Pointe South, 1644, 3-2, 59.850
36. Rochester Adams, 1626, 4-1, 75.600
37. Waterford Mott, 1586, 4-1, 79.000
38. Traverse City West, 1582, 5-0, 97.600
39. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1569, 3-2, 52.800
40. Temperance Bedford, 1548, 4-1, 71.000
41. Warren DeLaSalle, 1538, 4-1, 75.267
42. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1502, 3-2, 49.600
43. Livonia Churchill, 1486, 4-1, 79.000
44. Livonia Franklin, 1469, 3-2, 52.400
45. Jenison, 1457, 3-2, 52.800
46. Roseville, 1412, 3-2, 53.800
47. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1404, 4-1, 64.267
48. Dearborn Edsel Ford, 1396, 3-2, 48.000
49. Oak Park, 1395, 4-1, 77.600
50. Portage Central, 1353, 4-1, 79.200
51. Traverse City Central, 1345, 3-2, 55.800
52. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1345, 5-0, 91.200
53. Royal Oak, 1332, 3-2, 50.400
54. Okemos, 1326, 4-1, 63.000
55. Walled Lake Western, 1318, 4-1, 77.400
56. Midland, 1316, 4-1, 74.400
57. Flushing, 1312, 4-1, 75.800
58. Birmingham Groves, 1300, 4-1, 74.200
59. Port Huron Northern, 1277, 4-1, 67.800
60. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, 1273, 3-2, 50.800
61. Pinckney, 1272, 4-1, 74.200
62. Detroit East English, 1270, 5-0, 76.800
63. Midland Dow, 1263, 4-1, 69.200
64. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 1258, 5-0, 94.400
65. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1238, 5-0, 105.600
66. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1222, 3-2, 55.400
67. Lowell, 1195, 4-1, 79.200
68. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1186, 3-2, 48.000
69. Ferndale, 1180, 4-1, 67.600
70. Mattawan, 1171, 3-2, 54.000
71. Holly, 1166, 3-2, 54.000
72. Fenton, 1163, 5-0, 94.400
73. Holland, 1140, 4-1, 63.200
74. Hamtramck, 1135, 3-2, 49.000
75. Detroit Renaissance, 1131, 3-2, 47.600
76. Gibraltar Carlson, 1125, 5-0, 97.600
77. Bay City Central, 1116, 3-2, 55.800
78. East Lansing, 1108, 3-2, 52.600
79. Redford Thurston *, 1102, 4-1, 61.000
80. Warren Woods Tower, 1095, 5-0, 91.200
81. Byron Center, 1083, 3-2, 54.000
82. Muskegon, 1058, 5-0, 99.200
83. St Joseph, 1043, 4-1, 76.000
84. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1033, 3-2, 61.800
85. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1030, 3-2, 59.000
86. East Grand Rapids, 1010, 5-0, 96.000
87. DeWitt, 994, 4-1, 72.800
88. Zeeland East, 994, 5-0, 88.000
89. St. Johns, 990, 3-2, 49.000
90. Ortonville-Brandon, 969, 3-2, 54.200
91. Zeeland West, 960, 3-2, 60.600
92. Melvindale, 956, 3-2, 55.400
93. Cedar Springs, 946, 3-2, 54.000
94. Coldwater, 933, 4-1, 62.200
95. Riverview, 928, 4-1, 66.000
96. Detroit Cody, 924, 3-2, 49.200
97. Linden, 924, 4-1, 79.200
98. Trenton, 911, 3-2, 55.400
99. Warren Fitzgerald, 903, 4-1, 66.400
100. Grand Rapids Christian, 896, 5-0, 97.600
101. Stevensville Lakeshore, 891, 5-0, 100.800
102. Hazel Park, 889, 3-2, 60.600
103. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 884, 5-0, 78.400
104. Parma Western, 880, 4-1, 64.200
105. New Boston Huron, 877, 4-1, 65.800
106. Adrian, 865, 3-2, 53.800
107. Romulus, 864, 3-2, 49.400
108. Haslett, 856, 4-1, 69.200
109. Carleton Airport, 855, 3-2, 46.000
110. Dearborn Divine Child, 852, 5-0, 83.200
111. Tecumseh, 850, 3-2, 55.200
112. Chelsea, 841, 4-1, 75.600
113. River Rouge, 836, 4-1, 72.800
114. Edwardsburg, 835, 5-0, 73.600
115. Detroit Mumford, 829, 4-1, 66.200
116. Coopersville, 824, 3-2, 49.200
117. Wayland Union, 816, 3-2, 50.600
118. Sparta, 815, 4-1, 58.000
119. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 812, 4-1, 61.600
120. Marysville, 808, 3-2, 46.200
121. Plainwell, 808, 4-1, 61.400
122. Vicksburg, 801, 4-1, 63.000
123. Ionia, 792, 3-2, 47.000
124. Milan, 772, 3-2, 44.400
125. Madison Heights Lamphere, 768, 3-2, 41.000
126. Detroit Old Redford, 763, 3-2, 39.400
127. Goodrich, 759, 4-1, 58.200
128. Escanaba, 739, 4-1, 64.200
129. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy, 727, 3-2, 46.150
130. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 718, 4-1, 52.000
131. Three Rivers, 707, 4-1, 70.600
132. Armada, 685, 3-2, 44.600
133. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 679, 5-0, 64.000
134. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 678, 5-0, 73.600
135. Romulus Summit Academy North, 674, 4-1, 58.200
136. Yale, 672, 3-2, 36.400
137. Paw Paw, 662, 3-2, 47.800
138. Whitehall, 661, 3-2, 46.400
139. Lake Fenton, 660, 4-1, 66.400
140. Flat Rock, 658, 3-2, 53.400
141. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 646, 5-0, 68.800
142. Alma, 642, 5-0, 76.800
143. Comstock Park, 636, 4-1, 64.400
144. Corunna, 633, 3-2, 44.200
145. Williamston, 628, 3-2, 49.200
146. Lansing Sexton, 620, 3-2, 55.000
147. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 608, 5-0, 76.800
148. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 606, 3-2, 53.800
149. Grand Rapids South Christian, 602, 4-1, 66.400
150. Belding, 597, 4-1, 61.600
151. Bridgeport, 594, 3-2, 44.800
152. Muskegon Oakridge, 592, 4-1, 59.600
153. Saginaw Swan Valley, 586, 4-1, 69.600
154. Hancock, 584, 4-1, 51.933
155. Macomb Lutheran North, 581, 3-2, 40.000
156. North Muskegon, 579, 3-2, 38.200
157. Freeland, 564, 4-1, 61.400
158. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard, 555, 5-0, 68.800
159. Olivet, 552, 5-0, 76.800
160. Lansing Catholic, 551, 4-1, 66.200
161. Remus Chippewa Hills, 550, 4-1, 61.400
162. Kingsford *, 542, 3-1, 64.933
163. Algonac, 534, 4-1, 58.200
164. Portland, 534, 4-1, 72.400
165. Frankenmuth, 528, 5-0, 80.000
166. Carrollton, 520, 4-1, 58.200
167. Ida, 520, 4-1, 54.800
168. Marine City, 514, 4-1, 74.400
169. Grant, 512, 3-2, 42.800
170. Kalkaska, 512, 3-2, 34.400
171. Richmond, 510, 5-0, 78.400
172. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 505, 4-1, 63.000
173. Onsted, 505, 4-1, 50.000
174. Reed City, 501, 4-1, 61.600
175. Almont, 494, 4-1, 59.800
176. Gladstone, 493, 5-0, 64.000
177. Grayling, 492, 4-1, 55.200
178. Perry, 489, 3-2, 38.400
179. Berrien Springs, 484, 4-1, 54.600
180. Coloma, 480, 4-1, 48.400
181. Menominee, 479, 4-1, 62.533
182. Kalamazoo Hackett, 474, 4-1, 50.400
183. Newaygo, 474, 3-2, 47.600
184. Detroit Denby *, 461, 4-0, 68.800
185. Ovid-Elsie, 458, 4-1, 51.800
186. Clare, 457, 4-1, 61.600
187. Detroit Voyageur, 446, 4-1, 56.400
188. Parchment, 443, 4-1, 56.400
189. Boyne City, 428, 5-0, 72.000
190. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 426, 3-2, 50.800
191. Michigan Center, 419, 4-1, 54.800
192. Harrison, 410, 3-2, 36.600
193. Montague, 409, 5-0, 78.400
194. Millington, 407, 5-0, 76.800
195. Hemlock, 405, 3-2, 39.000
196. Morley Stanwood, 405, 5-0, 60.800
197. Ithaca, 403, 5-0, 70.400
198. Clinton Township Clintondale, 401, 5-0, 81.600
199. Calumet, 396, 3-2, 37.633
200. Byron, 387, 3-2, 49.200
201. Constantine, 386, 3-2, 36.200
202. Detroit Henry Ford, 385, 3-2, 28.300
203. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 382, 5-0, 78.400
204. Montrose, 381, 4-1, 59.800
205. Quincy, 376, 3-2, 44.600
206. Kent City, 375, 5-0, 64.000
207. Napoleon, 373, 3-2, 49.000
208. Schoolcraft, 372, 4-1, 53.400
209. Blissfield, 371, 3-2, 52.600
210. Niles Brandywine, 370, 3-2, 32.800
211. Detroit Central, 369, 4-1, 58.350
212. Laingsburg, 367, 4-1, 42.200
213. Grass Lake, 365, 3-2, 34.200
214. Traverse City St. Francis, 362, 5-0, 76.000
215. Jackson Lumen Christi, 361, 4-1, 64.800
216. Houghton Lake, 357, 3-2, 43.000
217. Watervliet, 355, 5-0, 68.000
218. Beaverton, 353, 5-0, 72.000
219. Elk Rapids, 353, 4-1, 55.200
220. Burton Bendle, 352, 3-2, 31.800
221. L'Anse, 351, 4-1, 49.533
222. Vermontville Maple Valley, 346, 3-2, 32.000
223. Allen Park Cabrini, 344, 3-2, 31.400
224. Hanover-Horton, 342, 3-2, 34.600
225. Ishpeming Westwood, 342, 4-1, 47.200
226. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 341, 5-0, 54.400
227. Lake City, 333, 5-0, 72.000
228. Oscoda, 332, 4-1, 42.400
229. Detroit Delta Prep, 329, 3-2, 49.600
230. St Louis, 329, 3-2, 36.400
231. Flint Hamady, 327, 3-2, 43.000
232. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 327, 5-0, 72.000
233. Union City, 327, 5-0, 64.000
234. Madison Heights Madison, 323, 5-0, 77.867
235. Hartford, 318, 4-1, 47.200
236. McBain, 314, 4-1, 52.000
237. New Lothrop, 311, 5-0, 67.200
238. Clinton, 309, 3-2, 37.600
239. Harbor Springs, 306, 3-2, 35.600
240. Pewamo-Westphalia, 305, 4-1, 51.400
241. Reese, 301, 3-2, 42.800
242. Homer, 299, 3-2, 41.000
243. Saugatuck, 297, 3-2, 42.800
244. Saranac, 285, 4-1, 48.600
245. Springport, 285, 3-2, 35.000
246. Cass City, 282, 4-1, 56.600
247. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, 279, 5-0, 55.600
248. Evart, 270, 3-2, 34.600
249. Cassopolis, 268, 5-0, 60.800
250. Unionville-Sebewaing, 267, 3-2, 36.400
251. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 263, 4-1, 55.200
252. Hudson, 263, 5-0, 72.000
253. Reading, 263, 4-1, 54.600
254. Carson City-Crystal, 258, 3-2, 34.600
255. Breckenridge, 254, 4-1, 45.600
256. Addison, 253, 4-1, 48.600
257. Auburn Hills Oakland Christian *, 248, 3-1, 43.600
258. Beal City, 247, 3-2, 33.400
259. Iron River West Iron County, 245, 4-1, 45.733
260. Ubly, 243, 4-1, 50.200
261. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 239, 5-0, 64.000
262. St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic, 238, 3-2, 31.750
263. Petersburg-Summerfield, 235, 4-1, 50.400
264. Decatur, 234, 3-2, 35.000
265. Lincoln Alcona, 233, 4-1, 45.600
266. Norway, 230, 5-0, 62.667
267. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 228, 3-2, 32.600
268. White Pigeon, 228, 3-2, 35.200
269. Harbor Beach, 218, 4-1, 50.400
270. Saginaw Nouvel, 208, 5-0, 63.467
271. Mendon, 205, 5-0, 62.400
272. Newberry *, 205, 3-2, 32.800
273. Pittsford, 204, 4-1, 51.800
274. Morenci, 200, 3-2, 39.800
275. Munising, 200, 3-2, 30.200
276. Bark River-Harris, 197, 3-2, 38.000
277. Muskegon Heights Academy, 188, 3-2, 44.200
278. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 181, 4-1, 43.800
279. Athens, 181, 4-1, 35.800
280. Gaylord St. Mary, 173, 5-0, 64.000
281. Frankfort *, 170, 4-1, 45.550
282. Muskegon Catholic Central *, 169, 4-0, 68.000
283. Fulton-Middleton, 167, 3-2, 30.000
284. Climax-Scotts, 162, 4-1, 43.800
285. AuGres-Sims *, 148, 5-0, 59.200
286. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, 133, 3-2, 33.000
287. Waterford Our Lady *, 124, 3-1, 35.200
288. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 112, 4-1, 46.000
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Deckerville, 182, 5-0, 52.800
2. Onekama, 136, 5-0, 52.800
3. Rapid River, 118, 5-0, 49.200
4. Camden-Frontier, 156, 5-0, 48.000
5. Bellevue *, 174, 5-0, 46.400
6. Cedarville, 152, 5-0, 44.800
7. Central Lake, 191, 5-0, 44.800
8. Morrice, 175, 5-0, 44.800
9. Stephenson, 160, 5-0, 44.000
10. Pickford, 151, 5-0, 41.600
11. Portland St. Patrick, 103, 4-1, 39.200
12. Bay City All Saints, 97, 4-1, 37.600
13. Marion, 136, 4-1, 36.800
14. Flint International Academy, 150, 4-1, 36.000
15. Rudyard, 193, 4-1, 34.400
16. Ontonagon *, 187, 3-1, 32.000
17. Battle Creek St. Philip, 135, 3-2, 31.600
18. Engadine, 95, 4-1, 31.200
19. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 146, 3-2, 30.400
20. Kinde-North Huron, 148, 4-1, 28.800
21. Kingston, 191, 3-2, 28.600
22. Webberville, 179, 3-2, 28.600
23. Lawrence, 181, 3-2, 28.400
24. Suttons Bay, 201, 3-2, 28.200
25. Hale, 129, 3-2, 25.600
26. Brimley, 164, 3-2, 24.600
27. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 182, 2-3, 24.400
28. Peck, 127, 3-2, 23.400
29. Waldron *, 79, 3-2, 23.400
30. New Haven Merritt Academy, 164, 3-2, 21.600
31. Atlanta, 74, 3-2, 21.400
32. Mayville, 197, 2-3, 21.400
33. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 99, 3-2, 20.200
34. Powers North Central *, 112, 2-2, 20.100
35. Brethren *, 159, 2-2, 19.800
36. Mesick, 180, 2-3, 19.400
37. Tekonsha, 145, 2-3, 19.400
38. Manistee Catholic Central *, 178, 2-3, 18.450
39. Carney-Nadeau, 133, 2-3, 16.267
40. Bear Lake, 93, 2-3, 15.600
41. North Adams-Jerome, 150, 2-3, 14.800
42. Onaway, 195, 2-3, 14.600
43. Bellaire, 142, 1-4, 14.000
44. Fife Lake Forest Area, 165, 1-4, 12.800
45. Eben Junction Superior Central, 131, 1-4, 12.100
46. Felch North Dickinson, 101, 1-4, 11.950
47. Burton Madison Academy, 171, 1-4, 10.000
48. Posen, 87, 1-4, 9.000
49. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 106, 1-4, 8.400
50. Owendale-Gagetown, 57, 1-4, 7.800
51. Baldwin, 105, 1-4, 7.250
52. Pellston, 167, 0-5, 3.000
53. Litchfield, 81, 0-5, 2.600
54. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 187, 0-5, 2.250
55. Akron-Fairgrove, 76, 0-5, 2.200
56. Burr Oak, 74, 0-5, 2.200
57. Caseville, 93, 0-5, 2.200
58. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 140, 0-5, 2.000
59. Flint Michigan School for the Deaf *, 47, 0-3, 0.800
Drive for Detroit: Week 5 Preview
September 21, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Big things are ahead in Michigan high school football.
Not much will be decided this week as we cruise into the midpoint of the regular season. But teams all over Michigan are setting the foundations to celebrate soon – either as league champions or playoff qualifiers (and AuGres-Sims, 4-0 and playing eight games this season, can become our first this weekend).
Below is our weekly look at the games that appear most intriguing from every region of the state, powered by MI Student Aid. Keep these links handy for the weekend: MHSAA Score Center for scores as they come in (and links to each team’s schedule, league standings and playoff-points average), and MHSAA.tv, which again will broadcast nine games this weekend – click here for the schedule.
Bay & Thumb
New Lothrop (4-0) at Flint Hamady (3-1), Friday
The Genesee Area Conference Blue was decided last season by New Lothrop’s 51-16 Week 4 win over Hamady, and this matchup could be the eventual clincher again. The Hornets have now won 65 of their last 66 regular-season games going back to the start of 2010, and they haven’t given up a point this fall since downing GAC Red leader Lake Fenton in Week 1. But Hamady has held its last three opponents to single-digit scoring since losing to still-undefeated Cass City on opening night, signaling this might be closer than last year’s meeting.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Byron (3-1) at Lake Fenton (3-1), Midland (3-1) at Bay City Central (3-1), Flint Beecher (2-2) at Saginaw Nouvel (4-0), Harbor Beach (3-1) at Sandusky (2-2).
Greater Detroit
Birmingham Groves (3-1) at Farmington Hills Harrison (3-1), Friday
After falling to Oakland Activities Association White co-leader Oak Park last week, Groves has one more chance to mix up the top of the standings as it hopes to repeat as the league champion – this time likely sharing the title. Harrison is the other team currently in first, and longtime coach John Herrington is just two wins from tying retired Birmingham Brother Rice coach Al Fracassa for most wins (430) in MHSAA football history. A victory tonight for the Hawks could make Week 7 versus Oak Park the first opportunity for Herrington to break the record.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Utica Eisenhower (4-0) at Romeo (3-1), Clinton Township Clintondale (4-0) at Hazel Park (3-1), Marine City (4-0) at Madison Heights Madison (4-0), West Bloomfield (2-2) at Rochester Adams (4-0).
Mid-Michigan
Portland (3-1) at Lansing Catholic (4-0), Friday
The Cougars kept this rivalry game as a potential league title decider by surviving a one-point game against Williamston last week. Portland won the last two Capital Area Activities Conference White titles after handing Lansing Catholic its lone league loss both seasons. Both teams are led by dynamic quarterbacks again – Michael Lynn III for Lansing Catholic and Austin Allison for Portland – and both also are giving up only 15 points per game.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Okemos (4-0) at Grand Ledge (3-1), Montrose (3-1) at Corunna (3-1), Clare (3-1) at Harrison (3-1), Fulton (3-1) at Pewamo-Westphalia (3-1).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Grayling (4-0) at Boyne City (4-0), Friday
The Northern Michigan Football League’s Legends division is again loaded, with three undefeated teams and two more at 3-1 out of seven teams total. This matchup should help break up some of the top pack. These two and two-time reigning champion Traverse City St. Francis are the co-leaders, after St. Francis downed Boyne City in Week 9 last year to secure the title. Grayling’s last league title came in 2013 in the old Lake Michigan Conference and Boyne won the Legends in 2014 – making it hardly surprising they’re among those battling the Gladiators again. Grayling gets St. Francis next week; Boyne City has its shot in Week 9.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Frankfort (3-1) at Johannesburg-Lewiston (3-1), Beal City (3-1) at Lake City (4-0), Whittemore-Prescott (2-2) at Lincoln Alcona (3-1), SATURDAY Gaylord (2-2) at Traverse City Central (2-2).
Southeast & Border
Michigan Center (3-1) at Addison (4-0), Friday
Addison’s best start since 2006 has made the Cascades Conference race one of the most intriguing of the first half of the regular season. Last season’s co-champions, Grass Lake and Napoleon, remain in the mix, but Addison’s two-point win over Napoleon last week put the Panthers in first place alone. After six straight sub-.500 seasons, Addison is a win from breaking that streak. Michigan Center, meanwhile, is one of three teams tied for second in the league and only a three-point loss to Napoleon in Week 3 from being tied for first.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Adrian (3-1) at Chelsea (3-1), Quincy (3-1) at Reading (3-1), Homer (3-1) at Springport (2-2), SATURDAY Temperance Bedford (3-1) at Ann Arbor Pioneer (2-2).
Southwest Corridor
Kalamazoo Hackett (4-0) at Watervliet (4-0), Friday
The Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley is another league that has enjoyed a great nonconference run – five teams are 3-1 or 4-0, and the sixth is 2-2. Watervliet has won or shared its league’s championship six straight seasons and is on pace to break 500 points offensively for the third straight year. Hackett’s path has been different – the four wins this fall tie their most in nine of the last 10 seasons. But the Fighting Irish clearly are up to the challenge this year – and both will have to be up to the challenges of Constantine, Coloma, Delton Kellogg and new league foe Schoolcraft over the next five weeks.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY White Pigeon (3-1) at Mendon (4-0), Athens (4-0) at Climax-Scotts (3-1), St. Joseph (3-1) at Mattawan (3-1), Three Rivers (3-1) at Paw Paw (3-1).
Upper Peninsula
Bark River-Harris (3-1) at Norway (4-0), Friday
The Mid-Eastern Conference continues to produce some of the U.P.’s top matchups every week, and this one again could go far in figuring out the eventual champion. Norway is the only one of five teams that hasn’t played a league game; it’s also the only one undefeated and has the highest playoff-point average of the five. Bark River-Harris’ loss came to current M-EC leader Newberry; the Broncos interestingly have wins over teams from multiple states – Wisconsin and Illinois – a rarity on either peninsula.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Hancock (3-1) at Calumet (3-1), Gladstone (4-0) at Ishpeming (2-2), Negaunee (1-3) at Gwinn (2-2), Newberry (3-1) at Lake Linden-Hubbell (0-3).
West Michigan
Grandville (3-1) at East Kentwood (4-0), Friday
The Ottawa-Kent Conference Red easily could be headed for another split title – three teams shared last year, two in 2015 and 2014. And there appear to be four contenders again – these two obviously included. Grandville was one of those three champs a year ago, and minus a painful defeat to Warren DeLaSalle has given up only 27 points over its three wins. The Falcons have been nearly as stellar on that side of the ball, shutting out reigning Division 3 champion Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in Week 2 and despite giving up 32 last week to Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern (which is averaging 30 per game).
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Cedar Springs (3-1) at Grand Rapids Christian (4-0), Coopersvile (3-1) at Grand Rapids West Catholic (3-1), Grant (3-1) at Remus Chippewa Hills (3-1), Montague (4-0) at Whitehall (3-1).
8-Player
Morrice (4-0) at Flint International Academy (4-0), Friday
Similar to last season, no one has slowed down Deckerville yet. But the winner of this game will have the most meaningful chance. All three are 3-0 in the North Central Thumb League Stars division, Morrice bouncing back from a 4-5 finish last season and Flint International picking right back up after going 6-3 in its first season of 8-player football in 2016. The Flames already have put up 190 points, more than half their total over nine games a year ago. They’ll face a great challenge in a Morrice defense that is giving up 4.5 points per game – a rarity in this high-scoring, wide-open format.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Rudyard (3-1) at Brimley (3-1), North Adams-Jerome (2-2) at Camden-Frontier (4-0), Lawrence (3-1) at Kingston (2-2), Onekama (4-0) at Suttons Bay (3-1).
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PHOTO: Bark River-Harris, right, will take on Norway in this weekend’s most intriguing game in the Upper Peninsula. (Photo by Jeff Rochefort.)