2017 Week 7 Football Playoff Listing
October 3, 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 sixth week of the season.
Schools on this list are in enrollment order for 11-player teams, with 8-player teams ordered by playoff average. An asterisk (*) beside a record indicates a team has eight or fewer games scheduled.
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. 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, 5-1, 79.500
2. Dearborn Fordson, 2741, 5-1, 82.167
3. Utica Eisenhower, 2689, 6-0, 112.000
4. Grand Blanc, 2660, 6-0, 94.667
5. East Kentwood, 2639, 4-2, 62.500
6. Clarkston, 2603, 5-1, 84.500
7. Rockford, 2485, 4-2, 70.667
8. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2434, 5-1, 86.167
9. Detroit Cass Tech *, 2434, 4-1, 68.400
10. Troy, 2422, 4-2, 66.500
11. Southfield Arts & Technology, 2345, 3-3, 44.667
12. Brighton, 2247, 3-3, 51.833
13. Canton, 2212, 5-1, 84.833
14. Holland West Ottawa, 2200, 5-1, 80.833
15. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 2094, 3-3, 47.000
16. Salem, 2090, 3-3, 46.833
17. Detroit Catholic Central, 2080, 4-2, 67.000
18. West Bloomfield, 1990, 4-2, 70.500
19. New Baltimore Anchor Bay, 1956, 5-1, 74.833
20. Monroe, 1934, 3-3, 46.429
21. Utica, 1907, 3-3, 49.667
22. Saline *, 1869, 5-1, 83.167
23. Bloomfield Hills, 1842, 4-2, 62.667
24. Lapeer, 1837, 5-1, 74.000
25. Livonia Stevenson, 1811, 4-2, 70.333
26. Walled Lake Central, 1804, 4-2, 65.500
27. White Lake Lakeland, 1765, 4-2, 67.833
28. Romeo, 1753, 4-2, 67.633
29. Holt, 1752, 3-3, 41.167
30. Grandville, 1750, 4-2, 66.500
31. Grand Ledge, 1726, 5-1, 84.667
32. Warren Mott, 1712, 4-2, 62.667
33. Belleville, 1709, 6-0, 105.333
34. Detroit Western International, 1701, 3-3, 44.500
35. Davison, 1695, 5-1, 80.667
36. Walled Lake Northern, 1678, 4-2, 58.167
37. Grosse Pointe South, 1644, 3-3, 50.567
38. Rochester Adams, 1626, 5-1, 81.833
39. Waterford Mott, 1586, 5-1, 85.833
40. Traverse City West, 1582, 6-0, 97.333
41. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1569, 4-2, 63.000
42. Temperance Bedford, 1548, 5-1, 75.333
43. Warren DeLaSalle, 1538, 5-1, 83.167
44. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1502, 4-2, 61.500
45. Livonia Churchill, 1486, 5-1, 83.167
46. Caledonia, 1474, 3-3, 45.833
47. Livonia Franklin, 1469, 4-2, 59.833
48. Jenison, 1457, 4-2, 61.667
49. Roseville, 1412, 4-2, 61.000
50. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1404, 5-1, 73.162
51. Dearborn Edsel Ford, 1396, 4-2, 56.167
52. Oak Park, 1395, 5-1, 82.167
53. Grosse Pointe North *, 1371, 3-2, 55.333
54. Portage Central, 1353, 5-1, 83.500
55. Traverse City Central, 1345, 4-2, 64.167
56. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1345, 6-0, 96.000
57. Royal Oak, 1332, 3-3, 43.000
58. Okemos, 1326, 4-2, 54.500
59. Walled Lake Western, 1318, 5-1, 87.333
60. Midland, 1316, 5-1, 83.500
61. Flushing, 1312, 5-1, 79.333
62. Birmingham Groves, 1300, 5-1, 84.667
63. Port Huron Northern, 1277, 5-1, 76.667
64. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, 1273, 3-3, 43.167
65. Pinckney, 1272, 5-1, 79.333
66. Detroit East English, 1270, 6-0, 85.333
67. Midland Dow, 1263, 5-1, 75.000
68. Southgate Anderson, 1263, 3-3, 46.667
69. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 1258, 6-0, 98.667
70. Ypsilanti Community, 1254, 3-3, 45.500
71. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1238, 6-0, 109.333
72. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1224, 3-3, 49.310
73. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1222, 4-2, 63.667
74. Lowell, 1195, 4-2, 70.667
75. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1186, 3-3, 42.167
76. Ferndale, 1180, 5-1, 75.167
77. Mattawan, 1171, 4-2, 62.500
78. Holly, 1166, 3-3, 46.167
79. Fenton, 1163, 6-0, 98.667
80. Greenville, 1158, 3-3, 45.833
81. Holland, 1140, 4-2, 56.000
82. Hamtramck, 1135, 4-2, 54.333
83. Detroit Renaissance, 1131, 4-2, 50.667
84. Gibraltar Carlson, 1125, 6-0, 100.000
85. Bay City Central, 1116, 3-3, 50.000
86. East Lansing, 1108, 4-2, 61.333
87. Redford Thurston, 1102, 4-2, 52.833
88. Eastpointe, 1101, 3-3, 43.167
89. Warren Woods Tower, 1095, 6-0, 92.000
90. Byron Center, 1083, 4-2, 56.000
91. Muskegon, 1058, 6-0, 100.000
92. St. Joseph, 1043, 4-2, 65.000
93. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1033, 4-2, 67.667
94. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1030, 4-2, 66.833
95. Richland Gull Lake, 1028, 3-3, 48.833
96. East Grand Rapids, 1010, 6-0, 102.667
97. DeWitt, 994, 5-1, 80.667
98. Zeeland East, 994, 6-0, 88.000
99. St. Johns, 990, 3-3, 41.833
100. Gaylord, 980, 3-3, 40.167
101. Ortonville-Brandon, 969, 4-2, 61.500
102. Zeeland West, 960, 4-2, 73.500
103. Melvindale, 956, 3-3, 49.500
104. Cedar Springs, 946, 4-2, 66.500
105. Coldwater, 933, 4-2, 56.405
106. Riverview, 928, 5-1, 68.500
107. Detroit Cody, 924, 3-3, 41.933
108. Linden, 924, 5-1, 83.500
109. Redford Union, 922, 3-3, 38.000
110. Trenton, 911, 3-3, 48.667
111. Warren Fitzgerald, 903, 5-1, 70.167
112. Grand Rapids Christian, 896, 5-1, 88.833
113. Stevensville Lakeshore, 891, 6-0, 102.667
114. Hazel Park, 889, 4-2, 62.833
115. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 884, 6-0, 85.333
116. Parma Western, 880, 4-2, 55.833
117. New Boston Huron, 877, 5-1, 71.000
118. Adrian, 865, 3-3, 46.833
119. Romulus, 864, 4-2, 62.667
120. Haslett, 856, 5-1, 73.833
121. Carleton Airport, 855, 3-3, 39.167
122. Marshall, 854, 3-3, 44.000
123. Dearborn Divine Child, 852, 5-1, 74.000
124. Tecumseh, 850, 3-3, 48.333
125. Chelsea, 841, 5-1, 77.833
126. River Rouge, 836, 5-1, 76.833
127. Edwardsburg, 835, 6-0, 80.000
128. Bay City John Glenn, 831, 3-3, 43.000
129. Detroit Mumford, 829, 5-1, 66.000
130. Coopersville, 824, 4-2, 51.833
131. Wayland Union, 816, 3-3, 44.000
132. Sparta, 815, 4-2, 50.667
133. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 812, 5-1, 67.333
134. Marysville, 808, 3-3, 41.000
135. Plainwell, 808, 4-2, 56.167
136. Vicksburg, 801, 5-1, 69.833
137. Ada Forest Hills Eastern, 794, 3-3, 47.000
138. Ionia, 792, 3-3, 40.167
139. Charlotte, 790, 3-3, 44.167
140. Milan, 772, 3-3, 40.667
141. Madison Heights Lamphere, 768, 3-3, 37.333
142. Detroit Old Redford, 763, 3-3, 33.833
143. Goodrich, 759, 5-1, 66.000
144. Escanaba, 739, 5-1, 69.767
145. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy, 727, 4-2, 54.600
146. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 718, 5-1, 58.167
147. Three Rivers, 707, 5-1, 69.667
148. Armada, 685, 3-3, 39.000
149. Croswell-Lexington, 681, 3-3, 40.667
150. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 679, 5-1, 56.833
151. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 678, 6-0, 82.667
152. Romulus Summit Academy North, 674, 4-1, 49.167
153. Yale, 672, 3-3, 32.500
154. Paw Paw, 662, 3-3, 40.833
155. Whitehall, 661, 4-2, 51.000
156. Flint Powers Catholic, 660, 3-3, 49.500
157. Lake Fenton, 660, 5-1, 70.167
158. Flat Rock, 658, 4-2, 61.833
159. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 646, 6-0, 76.267
160. Alma, 642, 6-0, 81.333
161. Big Rapids, 642, 3-3, 35.667
162. Comstock Park, 636, 4-2, 57.167
163. Corunna, 633, 3-3, 37.667
164. Williamston, 628, 4-2, 54.667
165. Lansing Sexton, 620, 4-2, 68.667
166. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 608, 5-1, 67.500
167. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 606, 4-2, 59.667
168. Grand Rapids South Christian, 602, 5-1, 68.667
169. Belding, 597, 5-1, 68.667
170. Bridgeport, 594, 3-3, 39.833
171. Muskegon Oakridge, 592, 5-1, 63.167
172. Saginaw Swan Valley, 586, 5-1, 72.833
173. Hancock, 584, 5-1, 56.081
174. Macomb Lutheran North, 581, 3-3, 36.167
175. North Muskegon, 579, 4-2, 40.167
176. Dowagiac, 568, 3-3, 47.333
177. Freeland, 564, 4-2, 54.833
178. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard, 555, 6-0, 68.267
179. Olivet, 552, 6-0, 84.000
180. Lansing Catholic, 551, 5-1, 71.333
181. Remus Chippewa Hills, 550, 4-2, 54.667
182. Cheboygan, 548, 3-3, 38.667
183. Kingsford *, 542, 4-1, 72.371
184. Mt. Morris, 536, 3-3, 36.333
185. Algonac, 534, 5-1, 66.000
186. Portland, 534, 5-1, 79.167
187. Frankenmuth, 528, 6-0, 81.600
188. Carrollton, 520, 5-1, 63.333
189. Ida, 520, 5-1, 57.833
190. Marine City, 514, 5-1, 76.833
191. Grant, 512, 4-2, 47.833
192. Kalkaska, 512, 3-3, 29.833
193. Richmond, 510, 6-0, 82.667
194. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 505, 5-1, 71.333
195. Onsted, 505, 4-2, 42.333
196. Reed City, 501, 5-1, 70.167
197. Almont, 494, 4-2, 52.167
198. Gladstone, 493, 6-0, 68.000
199. Grayling, 492, 4-2, 48.333
200. Perry, 489, 3-3, 34.833
201. Berrien Springs, 484, 5-1, 62.833
202. Coloma, 480, 4-2, 42.500
203. Menominee, 479, 4-2, 56.619
204. Kalamazoo Hackett, 474, 5-1, 62.167
205. Newaygo, 474, 4-2, 53.167
206. Detroit Denby *, 461, 4-1, 58.800
207. Ovid-Elsie, 458, 5-1, 58.000
208. Clare, 457, 5-1, 63.500
209. Detroit Voyageur, 446, 4-2, 49.333
210. Parchment, 443, 4-2, 50.500
211. Leslie, 438, 3-3, 36.333
212. Boyne City, 428, 6-0, 78.667
213. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 426, 4-2, 62.667
214. Michigan Center, 419, 5-1, 59.167
215. Ecorse, 417, 3-3, 33.833
216. Harrison, 410, 4-2, 42.833
217. Montague, 409, 6-0, 78.667
218. Millington, 407, 6-0, 80.000
219. Hemlock, 405, 4-2, 43.500
220. Morley Stanwood, 405, 5-1, 54.167
221. Negaunee, 405, 3-3, 32.667
222. Ithaca, 403, 6-0, 70.667
223. Clinton Township Clintondale, 401, 6-0, 82.667
224. Calumet, 396, 3-3, 34.905
225. Byron, 387, 3-3, 43.500
226. Constantine, 386, 3-3, 33.500
227. Detroit Henry Ford, 385, 4-2, 34.600
228. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 382, 6-0, 84.000
229. Montrose, 381, 5-1, 60.667
230. Maple City Glen Lake *, 376, 3-2, 38.467
231. Quincy, 376, 4-2, 50.667
232. Kent City, 375, 6-0, 70.667
233. Lakeview, 374, 3-3, 30.333
234. Napoleon, 373, 4-2, 51.833
235. Schoolcraft, 372, 5-1, 59.333
236. Blissfield, 371, 4-2, 60.167
237. Niles Brandywine, 370, 3-3, 28.000
238. Detroit Central, 369, 5-1, 60.867
239. Laingsburg, 367, 4-2, 40.000
240. Grass Lake, 365, 4-2, 42.000
241. Traverse City St. Francis, 362, 6-0, 82.133
242. Jackson Lumen Christi, 361, 5-1, 75.500
243. Houghton Lake, 357, 4-2, 45.500
244. Watervliet, 355, 6-0, 71.467
245. Beaverton, 353, 6-0, 74.667
246. Elk Rapids, 353, 5-1, 58.167
247. Burton Bendle, 352, 4-2, 38.833
248. L'Anse, 351, 4-2, 45.938
249. Vermontville Maple Valley, 346, 3-3, 28.500
250. Allen Park Cabrini, 344, 3-3, 26.500
251. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 344, 3-3, 46.833
252. Hanover-Horton, 342, 3-3, 29.667
253. Ishpeming Westwood, 342, 5-1, 52.833
254. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 341, 5-1, 48.667
255. Lake City, 333, 6-0, 72.000
256. Oscoda, 332, 4-2, 37.500
257. Detroit Delta Prep, 329, 4-2, 53.667
258. St. Louis, 329, 3-3, 34.000
259. Detroit Community, 327, 3-3, 31.000
260. Flint Hamady, 327, 4-2, 44.167
261. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 327, 5-1, 64.667
262. Union City, 327, 5-1, 58.000
263. Madison Heights Madison, 323, 6-0, 84.000
264. Hartford, 318, 5-1, 54.167
265. McBain, 314, 5-1, 54.167
266. New Lothrop, 311, 6-0, 77.333
267. Clinton, 309, 4-2, 47.500
268. Harbor Springs, 306, 3-3, 30.167
269. Pewamo-Westphalia, 305, 5-1, 59.000
270. Reese, 301, 3-3, 36.500
271. Homer, 299, 3-3, 36.333
272. Saugatuck, 297, 4-2, 44.000
273. Saranac, 285, 4-2, 43.833
274. Springport, 285, 4-2, 38.667
275. Cass City, 282, 5-1, 62.000
276. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, 279, 6-0, 61.067
277. Blanchard Montabella, 273, 3-3, 28.000
278. Evart, 270, 3-3, 29.667
279. Cassopolis, 268, 6-0, 64.000
280. Unionville-Sebewaing, 267, 4-2, 42.667
281. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 263, 5-1, 58.167
282. Hudson, 263, 6-0, 76.000
283. Reading, 263, 5-1, 63.000
284. Carson City-Crystal, 258, 3-3, 31.000
285. Breckenridge, 254, 5-1, 52.833
286. Addison, 253, 5-1, 51.333
287. Sand Creek, 251, 3-3, 33.500
288. Auburn Hills Oakland Christian *, 248, 4-1, 47.767
289. Beal City, 247, 4-2, 41.500
290. Holton, 246, 3-3, 27.333
291. Iron River West Iron County, 245, 5-1, 54.238
292. Ubly, 243, 5-1, 55.333
293. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 239, 6-0, 66.667
294. St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic, 238, 4-2, 39.967
295. Petersburg-Summerfield, 235, 4-2, 45.333
296. Decatur, 234, 4-2, 40.167
297. Lincoln Alcona, 233, 5-1, 54.433
298. Norway, 230, 6-0, 62.857
299. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 228, 4-2, 39.167
300. White Pigeon, 228, 3-3, 31.667
301. Detroit Southeastern, 223, 3-3, 39.167
302. Harbor Beach, 218, 5-1, 52.833
303. New Buffalo, 209, 3-3, 27.333
304. Saginaw Nouvel, 208, 6-0, 69.333
305. Mendon, 205, 6-0, 64.000
306. Newberry *, 205, 3-2, 31.433
307. Pittsford, 204, 5-1, 55.167
308. Morenci, 200, 3-3, 37.000
309. Munising, 200, 3-3, 27.767
310. Bark River-Harris, 197, 3-3, 34.767
311. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 194, 3-3, 32.967
312. Muskegon Heights Academy, 188, 3-3, 40.467
313. Merrill, 186, 3-3, 25.333
314. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 181, 4-2, 37.333
315. Athens, 181, 5-1, 36.667
316. Fowler, 175, 3-3, 29.500
317. Gaylord St. Mary, 173, 6-0, 65.067
318. Frankfort *, 170, 4-2, 39.867
319. Muskegon Catholic Central *, 169, 5-0, 68.000
320. Fulton, 167, 4-2, 41.167
321. Climax-Scotts, 162, 5-1, 51.333
322. AuGres-Sims *, 148, 6-0, 64.000
323. Hillman, 140, 3-3, 30.333
324. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 133, 4-2, 35.833
325. Waterford Our Lady *, 124, 4-1, 43.367
326. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 112, 5-1, 50.700
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Onekama, 136, 6-0, 57.333
2. Camden-Frontier, 156, 6-0, 56.000
3. Morrice, 175, 6-0, 52.000
4. Central Lake, 191, 6-0, 50.667
5. Stephenson, 160, 6-0, 49.371
6. Deckerville, 182, 5-1, 48.833
7. Rapid River, 118, 6-0, 48.800
8. Cedarville, 152, 6-0, 46.667
9. Pickford, 151, 6-0, 45.333
10. Portland St. Patrick, 103, 5-1, 44.667
11. Bellevue, 174, 5-1, 43.500
12. Flint International Academy, 150, 5-1, 42.167
13. Rudyard, 193, 5-1, 40.833
14. Marion, 136, 5-1, 40.300
15. Bay City All Saints, 97, 5-1, 39.333
16. Crystal Falls Forest Park *, 146, 4-2, 36.371
17. Battle Creek St. Philip, 135, 4-2, 34.667
18. Kinde-North Huron, 148, 5-1, 34.667
19. Kingston, 191, 4-2, 32.000
20. Webberville, 179, 4-2, 32.000
21. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 182, 3-3, 30.167
22. Engadine, 95, 4-2, 29.500
23. Ontonagon *, 187, 3-2, 28.333
24. Peck, 127, 4-2, 26.333
25. Brethren *, 159, 3-2, 25.900
26. Lawrence, 181, 3-3, 25.833
27. Mayville, 197, 3-3, 24.833
28. Suttons Bay, 201, 3-3, 24.667
29. Powers North Central *, 112, 3-2, 24.100
30. Hale, 129, 3-3, 23.867
31. Brimley, 164, 3-3, 23.000
32. Waldron, 79, 3-3, 22.833
33. Mesick, 180, 3-3, 22.533
34. North Adams-Jerome, 150, 3-3, 22.000
35. Tekonsha, 145, 3-3, 21.833
36. Atlanta, 74, 3-3, 20.167
37. New Haven Merritt Academy, 164, 3-3, 19.000
38. Onaway, 195, 3-3, 19.000
39. Manistee Catholic Central *, 178, 2-3, 17.867
40. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 99, 3-3, 17.833
41. Fife Lake Forest Area, 165, 2-4, 17.800
42. Bellaire, 142, 2-4, 17.500
43. Carney-Nadeau, 133, 2-4, 16.000
44. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 106, 2-4, 14.333
45. Bear Lake, 93, 2-4, 13.600
46. Felch North Dickinson, 101, 1-5, 11.300
47. Eben Junction Superior Central, 131, 1-5, 10.967
48. Burton Madison Academy, 171, 1-5, 9.333
49. Posen, 87, 1-5, 8.333
50. Baldwin, 105, 1-5, 7.100
51. Owendale-Gagetown, 57, 1-5, 7.000
52. Pellston, 167, 0-6, 3.333
53. Caseville, 93, 0-6, 3.167
54. Litchfield, 81, 0-6, 3.000
55. Akron-Fairgrove, 76, 0-6, 2.833
56. Burr Oak, 74, 0-6, 2.833
57. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 140, 0-6, 2.833
58. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 187, 0-6, 2.733
59. Flint Michigan School for the Deaf *, 47, 0-4, 1.167
1st & Goal: 2022 Playoff Week 1 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 28, 2022
Everything begins anew this weekend for Michigan’s remaining football hopefuls.
That isn’t entirely true, of course. Only 288 varsity teams are still playing based on what they accomplished during the regular season, and those teams are matched up in their Districts according to how they performed over the last nine weeks.
But at the same time, all 288 have a championship opportunity as playoffs begin Friday with District Semifinals in 11-Player and Regional Semifinals in 8-Player – click here for the full schedule for every division.
Of 144 games being played this weekend, 122 will be broadcast on MHSAA.tv, with Bally Sports Detroit broadcasting the Detroit Cass Tech/West Bloomfield Division 1 District opener at 7:30 p.m. on the BSD Extra channel.
See below for a glance at an especially notable playoff opener in every division. (Games are Friday unless noted.)
11-Player Division 1
Detroit Cass Tech (6-3) at West Bloomfield (8-1)
These continue to be two of the most high-profile programs in the state, and this will be their first meeting since the 2017 Semifinals when West Bloomfield advanced with a 9-7 victory. Both have strung together solid wins especially over the last two weeks, with the Lakers coming off victories over Southfield Arts & Technology and Utica Eisenhower and Cass Tech defeating Detroit Martin Luther King and Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice. The Technicians gave up only 14 points in both of those victories, and West Bloomfield’s offense (34 ppg) may be facing its biggest test.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Grand Ledge (7-2) at Brighton (8-1), Lapeer (7-2) at Clarkston (7-2), Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (7-2) at Romeo (7-2), Detroit Catholic Central (6-2) at Dearborn (7-2).
11-Player Division 2
South Lyon (6-3) at South Lyon East (7-2)
Just a week ago, South Lyon East broke a four-game losing streak against its rival – and now they’re meeting again on the same field. That 27-21 triumph was only the second win for the Cougars in 15 tries against the Lions since East began playing varsity football in 2008, a year after it opened with only underclassmen. But this fall under second-year coach Jacob Topp, the Cougars have posted their winningest regular season despite facing five eventual playoff teams. The Lions – who made the Semifinals last season – faced five as well and surely are driving even harder after losing the last two weeks by a combined seven points.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY East Lansing (6-3) at Battle Creek Central (7-2), Grosse Pointe South (6-3) vs. Warren De La Salle Collegiate (8-1) at Wayne State University, Traverse City Central (5-4) at Muskegon Mona Shores (7-2). SATURDAY Saginaw Heritage (7-2) at Waterford Mott (7-2).
11-Player Division 3
River Rouge (5-3) at Detroit Martin Luther King (5-3)
These are two more of the state’s most high-profile programs, but they’re plenty familiar with each other after facing off the playoffs the last two seasons with King last year’s victor and Rouge coming out on top in 2020. After both matchups, the winner eventually reached Ford Field. The Panthers are slightly more than two touchdowns from perfection this fall, having lost their games by a combined 15 points. Often recognized more for a high-powered offense, Rouge is giving up only 8.5 points per game on defense despite facing another strong schedule. That should make for an interesting matchup for King standout quarterback Dante Moore and an offense averaging 36 points per game but coming off losses to Cass Tech and Ohio powerhouse Cincinnati Moeller.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Gaylord (6-3) at Mount Pleasant (8-1), Haslett (6-3) at Linden (5-4), Lowell (6-3) at Zeeland West (8-1), Parma Western (6-3) at Jackson (5-4).
11-Player Division 4
Freeland (7-2) at North Branch (8-1)
The strengths of a pair of Saginaw/Thumb-area leagues will be tested as North Branch was a co-champion of the Blue Water Area Conference and Freeland finished second in the Tri-Valley Conference 10. Aside from its Week 7 loss to Armada, the Broncos didn’t have another game closer than 14 points – and the two do share a recent opponent with North Branch defeating Croswell-Lexington 35-21 in Week 8 and Freeland falling to the Pioneers last week 41-34. That said, the Falcons have made the Semifinals the last two seasons and have plenty of know-how when it comes to this time of year.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Big Rapids (7-2) at Whitehall (9-0), Chelsea (5-4) at Charlotte (8-1), Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (3-5) at Croswell-Lexington (7-2), Carleton Airport (7-2) at Tecumseh (9-0).
11-Player Division 5
Howard City Tri County (7-2) at Belding (8-1)
Belding is enjoying its winningest season since a District title run in 2017, while Tri County is hoping to continue building on last year’s 9-2 finish that was its winningest since 2004. Both have kept the scoreboard moving. The Vikings are enjoying their best offensive season in recent memory, averaging 44 points per game, and Belding is right there too averaging nearly 42. Both are league champions but took good losses late – Tri County to Big Rapids and Muskegon Catholic Central over the last three weeks and Belding to Cadillac in Week 7.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Kingsley (7-2) at Kingsford (6-3), Olivet (7-2) at Portland (8-1), Williamston (7-2) at Corunna (7-2), Flint Hamady (8-1) at Armada (7-2).
11-Player Division 6
Calumet (6-3) at Menominee (5-4)
These two both made it count down the stretch to earn longer seasons. Calumet has won three straight, including two matchups over playoff teams, and its losses are against arguably the three best teams from the Upper Peninsula this fall. Menominee held off Kingsford 42-41 last week after losing two in a row, but its offense has been rumbling with 42 or more points both of the last two weeks – raising its season average to 31. Calumet has been on a similar ride, scoring at least 35 points over those last three games – about a touchdown above its season average of 28.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Kent City (7-2) at Muskegon Catholic Central (7-2), Buchanan (8-1) at Constantine (8-1), Ovid-Elsie (7-2) at Almont (6-3), Detroit Voyageur College Prep (7-2) at Ecorse (8-1).
11-Player Division 7
Ravenna (6-3) at North Muskegon (8-1)
This is a rematch of a Week 7 game won 28-7 by North Muskegon on its way to claiming the West Michigan Conference Rivers championship. These two annual league opponents also met in a District opener last season, won 7-6 by the Bulldogs. The Norsemen have tied their winningest season since 2006 and haven’t lost since a season-opening two-point defeat to Muskegon Catholic Central. The offense is scoring 40 points per game and the defense is giving up eight and hasn’t allowed more than seven to an opponent in a month. Ravenna bounced back from two straight losses with a big win last week over Hart.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Bath (6-3) at Pewamo-Westphalia (5-4), Bad Axe (6-3) at Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (8-1), Union City (7-2) at Hudson (8-1), Homer (7-2) at Jackson Lumen Christi (6-3).
11-Player Division 8
Harbor Beach (8-1) at Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (8-1)
These two are part of one of the most competitive Districts in any division, making this one of the top openers of the weekend statewide. On the other side of the bracket, Ubly (9-0) hosts Saginaw Nouvel (6-3), and whichever team advances to Regionals surely will have earned it and then some. MLS’s only loss was to Division 7 contender Ithaca, and its best win was over another Division 8 contender in Marine City Cardinal Mooney – plus MLS defeated Nouvel 55-7 in Week 6. Harbor Beach’s only defeat came to Ubly, but otherwise only Division 7 Cass City put up much of a challenge – and a 28-7 win over Division 7 Bad Axe two weeks ago was especially notable.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Bark River-Harris (7-2) at St. Ignace (7-2), Carson City-Crystal (8-1) at Fowler (8-1), White Pigeon (6-3) at Centreville (6-3), Addison (5-4) at Ottawa Lake Whiteford (9-0).
8-Player Division 1
Newberry (8-1) at Rogers City (9-0)
These two are part of a super-strong Regional – Munising (9-0) hosts Norway (6-3) on the other side. The Hurons finished their first perfect season since 1998 and really started to impress after midseason, with none of their last four opponents getting closer than 16 points as they averaged 57 points per game over the string. Newberry’s loss came all the way back in Week 2, when it was the only team this season to hang with Munising. Newberry hasn’t allowed a point in three straight games and four of its last five, taking its defensive average down to 7.4 points allowed per game.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Deckerville (6-3) at Kingston (9-0), Auburn Hills Oakland Christian (8-1) at Brown City (8-1), Fulton (7-2) at Breckenridge (7-2).
8-Player Division 2
Mendon (7-2) at Climax-Scotts (8-1)
Climax-Scotts was one of the elite small-school 11-player programs in Michigan during the first two decades of the 2000s, and although the Panthers made the 8-player Division 2 Semifinals in their first season in the format in 2019, this season feels like potentially a bigger step toward winning a championship. Climax-Scotts’ only loss was by five to undefeated Colon, and it joined Colon in handing two-time reigning Division 1 champion Adrian Lenawee Christian a defeat this fall. Mendon seems on a similar track. The Hornets dominated small-school 11-player football for years and debuted in 8-player with an 8-3 finish a year ago. But with their two losses this season by a combined eight points to teams that are a combined 16-2, Mendon may too be on the verge of something substantial.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Posen (7-2) at Marion (9-0), Central Lake (7-2) at Gaylord St. Mary (7-2), Morrice (7-2) at Peck (7-2).
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PHOTO Traverse City Central applies the pressure as Mount Pleasant gets off a pass during the Oilers’ Week 4 win over the Trojans. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)