2017 Week 8 Football Playoff Listing
October 10, 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 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.
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. The MHSAA Football Finals are presented by the Michigan Army National Guard.
11-Player Playoff Listing
1. Macomb Dakota, 3016, 5-2, 69.000
2. Dearborn Fordson, 2741, 6-1, 86.571
3. Utica Eisenhower, 2689, 7-0, 113.143
4. Grand Blanc, 2660, 6-1, 85.286
5. East Kentwood, 2639, 5-2, 66.429
6. Clarkston, 2603, 5-2, 74.429
7. Rockford, 2485, 4-3, 63.714
8. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2434, 6-1, 94.571
9. Detroit Cass Tech *, 2434, 5-1, 76.143
10. Troy, 2422, 5-2, 71.000
11. Brighton, 2247, 4-3, 58.429
12. Canton, 2212, 6-1, 87.714
13. Holland West Ottawa, 2200, 6-1, 87.714
14. Salem, 2090, 4-3, 55.286
15. Detroit Catholic Central, 2080, 5-2, 73.714
16. West Bloomfield, 1990, 5-2, 74.429
17. New Baltimore Anchor Bay, 1956, 5-2, 66.857
18. Utica, 1907, 4-3, 56.571
19. Saline *, 1869, 6-1, 88.429
20. Bloomfield Hills, 1842, 5-2, 71.000
21. Lapeer, 1837, 5-2, 65.286
22. Livonia Stevenson, 1811, 4-3, 63.143
23. Walled Lake Central, 1804, 4-3, 58.143
24. White Lake Lakeland *, 1765, 5-2, 72.000
25. Romeo, 1753, 5-2, 76.619
26. Grandville, 1750, 5-2, 70.714
27. Grand Ledge, 1726, 6-1, 86.429
28. Warren Mott, 1712, 4-3, 56.714
29. Belleville, 1709, 7-0, 106.286
30. Detroit Western International, 1701, 4-3, 49.857
31. Davison, 1695, 6-1, 88.714
32. Walled Lake Northern, 1678, 5-2, 66.000
33. Grosse Pointe South, 1644, 4-3, 63.214
34. Rochester Adams, 1626, 6-1, 89.714
35. Waterford Mott, 1586, 6-1, 87.429
36. Traverse City West, 1582, 7-0, 97.143
37. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1569, 5-2, 71.429
38. Temperance Bedford, 1548, 6-1, 81.857
39. Warren DeLaSalle, 1538, 5-2, 76.943
40. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1502, 5-2, 68.857
41. Livonia Churchill, 1486, 6-1, 91.857
42. Livonia Franklin, 1469, 5-2, 66.286
43. Jenison, 1457, 5-2, 65.714
44. Roseville, 1412, 5-2, 68.429
45. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1404, 6-1, 77.810
46. Dearborn Edsel Ford, 1396, 5-2, 62.143
47. Oak Park, 1395, 5-2, 73.429
48. Grosse Pointe North *, 1371, 4-2, 61.048
49. Portage Central, 1353, 6-1, 87.571
50. Traverse City Central, 1345, 5-2, 71.286
51. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1345, 7-0, 99.429
52. Royal Oak, 1332, 4-3, 49.714
53. Okemos, 1326, 4-3, 49.429
54. Walled Lake Western, 1318, 6-1, 92.143
55. Midland, 1316, 6-1, 84.286
56. Flushing, 1312, 5-2, 71.286
57. Birmingham Groves, 1300, 6-1, 89.714
58. Port Huron Northern, 1277, 6-1, 83.000
59. St Clair Shores Lake Shore, 1273, 4-3, 48.571
60. Pinckney, 1272, 6-1, 83.000
61. Detroit East English, 1270, 7-0, 86.857
62. Midland Dow, 1263, 6-1, 79.143
63. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 1258, 7-0, 104.000
64. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1238, 7-0, 109.714
65. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1224, 4-3, 62.036
66. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1222, 5-2, 72.000
67. Lowell, 1195, 4-3, 62.857
68. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1186, 4-3, 50.286
69. Ferndale, 1180, 6-1, 75.857
70. Mattawan, 1171, 5-2, 68.714
71. Holly, 1166, 4-3, 52.429
72. Fenton, 1163, 7-0, 105.143
73. Greenville, 1158, 4-3, 51.000
74. Holland, 1140, 5-2, 64.286
75. Hamtramck, 1135, 5-2, 59.429
76. Detroit Renaissance, 1131, 4-3, 46.524
77. Gibraltar Carlson, 1125, 7-0, 101.714
78. East Lansing, 1108, 5-2, 67.714
79. Redford Thurston, 1102, 5-2, 61.571
80. Eastpointe, 1101, 4-3, 48.714
81. Warren Woods Tower, 1095, 6-1, 80.714
82. Byron Center, 1083, 4-3, 50.000
83. Muskegon, 1058, 7-0, 100.571
84. St. Joseph, 1043, 5-2, 70.714
85. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1033, 4-3, 61.143
86. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1030, 5-2, 77.000
87. East Grand Rapids, 1010, 7-0, 102.857
88. DeWitt, 994, 6-1, 87.571
89. Zeeland East, 994, 7-0, 93.714
90. St. Johns, 990, 4-3, 49.857
91. Gaylord, 980, 4-3, 49.571
92. Ortonville-Brandon, 969, 4-3, 54.714
93. Zeeland West, 960, 5-2, 74.714
94. Melvindale, 956, 4-3, 54.286
95. Cedar Springs, 946, 5-2, 72.143
96. Coldwater, 933, 4-3, 51.714
97. Riverview, 928, 6-1, 77.143
98. Detroit Cody, 924, 4-3, 48.810
99. Linden, 924, 6-1, 91.143
100. Warren Fitzgerald, 903, 5-2, 64.429
101. Grand Rapids Christian, 896, 6-1, 92.286
102. Stevensville Lakeshore, 891, 6-1, 91.857
103. Hazel Park, 889, 5-2, 67.571
104. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 884, 7-0, 91.429
105. Parma Western, 880, 4-3, 50.000
106. New Boston Huron, 877, 5-2, 64.000
107. Romulus, 864, 5-2, 65.429
108. Haslett, 856, 5-2, 66.286
109. Marshall, 854, 4-3, 49.429
110. Dearborn Divine Child, 852, 6-1, 85.143
111. Tecumseh, 850, 4-3, 54.286
112. Chelsea, 841, 6-1, 85.143
113. River Rouge, 836, 6-1, 84.286
114. Edwardsburg, 835, 6-1, 72.714
115. Bay City John Glenn, 831, 4-3, 52.143
116. Detroit Mumford, 829, 5-2, 60.810
117. Coopersville, 824, 5-2, 54.857
118. Sparta, 815, 4-3, 45.571
119. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 812, 6-1, 73.857
120. Plainwell, 808, 5-2, 64.286
121. Vicksburg, 801, 6-1, 71.429
122. Milan, 772, 4-3, 48.857
123. Madison Heights Lamphere, 768, 4-3, 47.286
124. Detroit Old Redford, 763, 4-3, 36.143
125. Goodrich, 759, 6-1, 68.143
126. Escanaba, 739, 6-1, 78.048
127. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy, 727, 5-2, 59.524
128. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 718, 6-1, 63.714
129. Three Rivers, 707, 6-1, 78.143
130. Croswell-Lexington, 681, 4-3, 42.143
131. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 679, 5-2, 50.714
132. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 678, 7-0, 86.857
133. Romulus Summit Academy North, 674, 4-3, 44.429
134. Paw Paw, 662, 4-3, 45.571
135. Whitehall, 661, 5-2, 52.000
136. Flint Powers Catholic, 660, 4-3, 57.571
137. Lake Fenton, 660, 6-1, 75.143
138. Flat Rock, 658, 5-2, 64.571
139. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 646, 7-0, 79.048
140. Alma, 642, 6-1, 73.857
141. Comstock Park, 636, 4-3, 51.143
142. Williamston, 628, 5-2, 59.714
143. Lansing Sexton, 620, 5-2, 76.286
144. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 608, 6-1, 74.000
145. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 606, 4-3, 54.571
146. Grand Rapids South Christian, 602, 6-1, 73.857
147. Belding, 597, 6-1, 78.429
148. Bridgeport, 594, 4-3, 44.571
149. Muskegon Oakridge, 592, 5-2, 58.571
150. Saginaw Swan Valley, 586, 6-1, 77.429
151. Hancock, 584, 6-1, 61.857
152. North Muskegon, 579, 5-2, 43.714
153. Dowagiac, 568, 4-3, 52.286
154. Freeland, 564, 5-2, 60.857
155. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard, 555, 6-1, 61.476
156. Olivet, 552, 7-0, 85.714
157. Lansing Catholic, 551, 6-1, 75.000
158. Remus Chippewa Hills, 550, 5-2, 60.714
159. Kingsford *, 542, 5-1, 71.131
160. Algonac, 534, 6-1, 71.571
161. Portland, 534, 6-1, 80.571
162. Frankenmuth, 528, 7-0, 88.190
163. Carrollton, 520, 6-1, 71.571
164. Ida, 520, 6-1, 63.429
165. Marine City, 514, 6-1, 87.714
166. Grant, 512, 5-2, 50.429
167. Kalkaska, 512, 4-3, 35.000
168. Richmond, 510, 7-0, 83.429
169. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 505, 6-1, 77.286
170. Onsted, 505, 5-2, 49.000
171. Reed City, 501, 6-1, 76.286
172. Almont, 494, 5-2, 58.714
173. Gladstone, 493, 6-1, 61.286
174. Grayling, 492, 4-3, 43.571
175. Berrien Springs, 484, 6-1, 65.429
176. Coloma, 480, 5-2, 51.429
177. Menominee, 479, 5-2, 61.321
178. Kalamazoo Hackett, 474, 5-2, 58.286
179. Newaygo, 474, 5-2, 56.143
180. Detroit Denby *, 461, 5-1, 69.667
181. Ovid-Elsie, 458, 5-2, 54.143
182. Clare, 457, 6-1, 64.857
183. Detroit Voyageur, 446, 4-3, 44.429
184. Parchment, 443, 5-2, 56.143
185. Boyne City, 428, 7-0, 80.000
186. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 426, 5-2, 65.143
187. Michigan Center, 419, 6-1, 61.143
188. Ecorse, 417, 4-3, 40.714
189. Harrison, 410, 5-2, 49.571
190. Montague, 409, 7-0, 85.714
191. Millington, 407, 6-1, 71.714
192. Hemlock, 405, 5-2, 47.714
193. Morley Stanwood, 405, 6-1, 55.714
194. Negaunee, 405, 4-3, 35.143
195. Ithaca, 403, 7-0, 78.857
196. Clinton Township Clintondale, 401, 6-1, 73.571
197. Calumet, 396, 4-3, 42.929
198. Detroit Henry Ford, 385, 4-3, 33.667
199. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 382, 7-0, 90.286
200. Montrose, 381, 6-1, 65.857
201. Maple City Glen Lake *, 376, 4-2, 44.000
202. Quincy, 376, 5-2, 53.857
203. Kent City, 375, 7-0, 70.857
204. Lakeview, 374, 4-3, 36.714
205. Napoleon, 373, 5-2, 56.143
206. Schoolcraft, 372, 5-2, 55.000
207. Blissfield, 371, 4-3, 55.571
208. Detroit Central, 369, 5-2, 54.143
209. Laingsburg, 367, 5-2, 48.286
210. Grass Lake, 365, 4-3, 38.000
211. Traverse City St. Francis, 362, 7-0, 86.476
212. Jackson Lumen Christi *, 361, 6-1, 80.857
213. Houghton Lake, 357, 4-3, 42.143
214. Watervliet, 355, 7-0, 75.048
215. Beaverton, 353, 7-0, 74.286
216. Elk Rapids, 353, 6-1, 64.857
217. Burton Bendle, 352, 4-3, 35.286
218. L'Anse, 351, 4-3, 43.571
219. Vermontville Maple Valley, 346, 4-3, 37.286
220. Allen Park Cabrini, 344, 4-3, 32.143
221. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 344, 4-3, 54.286
222. Hanover-Horton, 342, 4-3, 33.714
223. Ishpeming Westwood, 342, 6-1, 55.571
224. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 341, 6-1, 53.286
225. Lake City, 333, 7-0, 75.429
226. Oscoda, 332, 4-3, 34.000
227. Detroit Delta Prep, 329, 5-2, 57.714
228. St. Louis, 329, 4-3, 39.714
229. Flint Hamady, 327, 5-2, 50.714
230. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 327, 5-2, 59.857
231. Union City, 327, 5-2, 52.571
232. Madison Heights Madison, 323, 7-0, 92.800
233. Hartford, 318, 5-2, 48.571
234. McBain, 314, 6-1, 59.143
235. New Lothrop, 311, 7-0, 78.857
236. Clinton, 309, 5-2, 50.000
237. Harbor Springs, 306, 4-3, 34.000
238. Pewamo-Westphalia, 305, 6-1, 61.000
239. Homer, 299, 4-3, 44.143
240. Saugatuck, 297, 5-2, 49.143
241. Saranac, 285, 4-3, 40.714
242. Springport, 285, 5-2, 45.857
243. Cass City, 282, 6-1, 65.857
244. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, 279, 7-0, 62.476
245. Cassopolis, 268, 7-0, 69.714
246. Unionville-Sebewaing, 267, 4-3, 39.857
247. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 263, 6-1, 63.571
248. Hudson, 263, 6-1, 70.429
249. Reading, 263, 6-1, 64.286
250. Carson City-Crystal, 258, 4-3, 33.714
251. Breckenridge, 254, 6-1, 56.857
252. Addison, 253, 6-1, 56.714
253. Auburn Hills Oakland Christian *, 248, 4-2, 43.000
254. Beal City, 247, 4-3, 38.857
255. Iron River West Iron County, 245, 6-1, 60.000
256. Ubly, 243, 6-1, 57.857
257. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 239, 7-0, 69.714
258. St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic, 238, 5-2, 41.405
259. Petersburg-Summerfield, 235, 5-2, 47.143
260. Decatur, 234, 4-3, 38.857
261. Lincoln Alcona, 233, 6-1, 57.048
262. Norway, 230, 6-1, 55.643
263. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 228, 4-3, 34.714
264. Harbor Beach, 218, 6-1, 56.857
265. New Buffalo, 209, 4-3, 34.000
266. Saginaw Nouvel, 208, 7-0, 75.657
267. Mendon, 205, 7-0, 68.571
268. Newberry *, 205, 4-2, 42.714
269. Pittsford, 204, 6-1, 60.000
270. Morenci, 200, 4-3, 42.286
271. Munising *, 200, 4-3, 34.500
272. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 194, 4-3, 41.833
273. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 181, 5-2, 38.000
274. Athens, 181, 5-2, 32.286
275. Gaylord St. Mary, 173, 7-0, 70.667
276. Frankfort *, 170, 5-2, 43.619
277. Muskegon Catholic Central *, 169, 6-0, 74.667
278. Fulton, 167, 5-2, 44.714
279. Climax-Scotts, 162, 6-1, 53.286
280. AuGres-Sims *, 148, 7-0, 65.143
281. Hillman, 140, 4-3, 39.000
282. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 133, 5-2, 42.286
283. Waterford Our Lady *, 124, 4-2, 38.190
284. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 112, 6-1, 55.905
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Onekama, 136, 7-0, 57.143
2. Deckerville, 182, 6-1, 56.714
3. Rapid River, 118, 7-0, 56.381
4. Camden-Frontier, 156, 7-0, 56.000
5. Central Lake, 191, 7-0, 54.857
6. Pickford, 151, 7-0, 50.286
7. Morrice, 175, 6-1, 49.714
8. Bellevue, 174, 6-1, 47.714
9. Portland St Patrick, 103, 6-1, 46.429
10. Stephenson, 160, 6-1, 46.381
11. Marion, 136, 6-1, 44.095
12. Rudyard, 193, 6-1, 43.000
13. Cedarville, 152, 6-1, 42.857
14. Bay City All Saints, 97, 6-1, 41.857
15. Kinde-North Huron, 148, 6-1, 41.286
16. Kingston, 191, 5-2, 41.286
17. Flint International Academy, 150, 5-2, 39.143
18. Engadine, 95, 5-2, 38.143
19. Webberville, 179, 5-2, 36.857
20. Crystal Falls Forest Park *, 146, 4-2, 36.810
21. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 182, 4-3, 34.143
22. Ontonagon *, 187, 4-2, 33.952
23. Battle Creek St. Philip, 135, 4-3, 31.571
24. Mayville, 197, 4-3, 30.571
25. Powers North Central *, 112, 4-2, 30.333
26. Suttons Bay, 201, 4-3, 29.571
27. Mesick, 180, 4-3, 29.381
28. Tekonsha, 145, 4-3, 29.286
29. Peck, 127, 4-3, 25.714
30. Brimley, 164, 4-3, 24.714
31. Lawrence, 181, 3-4, 24.000
32. Bellaire, 142, 3-4, 22.286
33. Brethren *, 159, 3-3, 22.238
34. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 106, 3-4, 21.857
35. Waldron, 79, 3-4, 21.571
36. Hale, 129, 3-4, 21.238
37. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 99, 4-3, 20.286
38. North Adams-Jerome, 150, 3-4, 19.714
39. Atlanta, 74, 3-4, 18.571
40. New Haven Merritt Academy, 164, 3-4, 18.143
41. Onaway, 195, 3-4, 17.429
42. Manistee Catholic Central *, 178, 2-4, 17.000
43. Carney-Nadeau, 133, 2-5, 15.943
44. Fife Lake Forest Area, 165, 2-5, 15.857
45. Eben Junction Superior Central, 131, 2-5, 15.643
46. Bear Lake, 93, 2-5, 13.571
47. Baldwin, 105, 2-5, 11.095
48. Felch North Dickinson, 101, 1-6, 10.429
49. Burton Madison Academy, 171, 1-6, 8.429
50. Posen, 87, 1-6, 7.857
51. Caseville, 93, 1-6, 7.714
52. Owendale-Gagetown, 57, 1-6, 7.000
53. Burr Oak, 74, 0-7, 3.857
54. Pellston, 167, 0-7, 3.857
55. Litchfield, 81, 0-7, 3.571
56. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 140, 0-7, 3.571
57. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 187, 0-7, 2.905
58. Akron-Fairgrove, 76, 0-7, 2.714
59. Flint Michigan School for the Deaf *, 47, 0-5, 1.686
Drive for Detroit: Playoff Week 2 Preview
November 2, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The first week of the 2017 MHSAA Football Playoffs was one of the most memorable in recent memory with a collection of twists and turns, late-game heroics and bracket-shaking upsets.
Welcome to the encore.
This week, we’ve got one of the state’s most heated rivalries, two meetings of undefeated teams, and plenty of matchups fans have been anticipating to decide District titles in 11-player and Regional championships in the 8-player divisions.
We’d love for you to check out one (or more) of the 72 games being played across the state this weekend. We also have eight being broadcast either on Prep Zone by FOX Sports Detroit or MHSAA.tv. The MHSAA playoff scoreboard page is home to results and next week’s games as they’re determined. The MHSAA Playoffs are sponsored by the Michigan Army National Guard, and “Drive for Detroit” is sponsored by MI Student Aid.
11-Player Division 1
Canton (9-1) at Belleville (10-0), Friday
The Chiefs eliminated one popular championship contender last week in downing Saline 42-12, and now get an opportunity against another of similar regard in the undefeated Tigers. Belleville has tied its most wins ever, with 10 for the first time since 1995, giving up 8.3 points per game. Canton will counter with an offense averaging 42 points per game; the Chiefs haven’t scored fewer than 35 since losing to Muskegon Mona Shores on opening night.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Rochester Adams (9-1) at Utica Eisenhower (10-0), West Bloomfield (8-2) at Waterford Mott (9-1), Rockford (7-3) at Holland West Ottawa (9-1), SATURDAY Clarkston (8-2) at Davison (9-1).
11-Player Division 2
Traverse City Central (7-3) vs. Traverse City West (9-1) at Thirlby Field, Friday
One of the state’s best rivalries will write another chapter on the home field they share. West defeated Central 29-27 in their first meeting this season, in Week 3. Central won both of last year’s meetings, by two during the regular season and one in the playoffs as the teams met in the postseason for the first time. Central’s record doesn’t lend it enough credit; since falling to West the first time the Trojans have taken nonleague losses to playoff teams Portage Central and Birmingham Brother Rice, and then stunned Midland 21-13 on the road last week. West has kept churning too, downing Benton Harbor and bouncing back from a Week 9 loss to Coldwater (both opponents also playoff bound) to beat Midland Dow by 30 in their playoff opener.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Muskegon Mona Shores (9-1) at Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (10-0), Livonia Franklin (8-2) at Livonia Churchill (8-2), Flushing (8-2) at Fenton (9-1), Detroit East English (9-1) at Detroit Martin Luther King (9-1).
11-Player Division 3
Cedar Springs (7-3) at DeWitt (9-1), Friday
Cedar Springs opened the playoffs last week with arguably the biggest upset win in the state, downing undefeated East Grand Rapids at EGR. The Red Hawks won’t sneak up on anyone else. They’ve set a record with 401 points this season and even put up 44 in a loss to Grand Rapids Christian, but will be challenged by a DeWitt defense giving up only 10.3 points per game. The Panthers also lost to Grand Rapids Christian this year, in Week 1, but avenged that loss with a 42-10 victory over the Eagles in their playoff opener. No opponent has gotten within 24 points of DeWitt since Division 1 playoff qualifier Grand Ledge in Week 2.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Stevensville Lakeshore (9-1) at Battle Creek Harper Creek (10-0), Riverview (9-1) at Gibraltar Carlson (9-1), Haslett (8-2) at East Lansing (8-2), Farmington Hills Harrison (7-3) at Warren Woods-Tower (8-2).
11-Player Division 4
Grand Rapids Catholic Central (10-0) at Wyoming Kelloggsville (10-0), Friday
These teams both are averaging nearly 42 points per game behind two of the state’s most powerful rushing attacks. That would seem to point to the other side of the ball; both defenses are giving up a little more than two touchdowns per game. But GRCC’s biggest wins (over Comstock Park and Grand Rapids West Catholic) were in close games where the scores got big, and it could be that kind of back-and-forth offensive display in this one as well with both offenses so loaded.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Three Rivers (8-2) at Edwardsburg (9-1), River Rouge (8-2) at Chelsea (9-1), Alma (8-2) at Escanaba (8-2), SATURDAY Detroit Mumford (7-3) at Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood (9-1).
11-Player Division 5
Clare (9-1) at Reed City (9-1), Friday
Reed City quietly has one of the most consistently successful programs in Michigan. One more win and the Coyotes will have 10 for the sixth time in seven seasons, and even as their 18-game regular-season winning streak ended on opening night against Montague – Reed City hasn’t lost since. Clare is similarly consistent, especially in Jack Pine Conference play, and also hasn’t lost since opening night (to Ithaca) to reach nine wins for the first time since 2012. Both have similarly sizable wins against playoff qualifier Remus Chippewa Hills – Clare’s last week to avenge a 2016 playoff loss – indicating this might be a tightly contested matchup.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Menominee (7-3) at Kingsford (8-1), Carrollton (7-3) at Saginaw Swan Valley (9-1), Lansing Catholic (8-2) at Portland (9-1), Marine City (8-2) at Frankenmuth (10-0).
11-Player Division 6
Kent City (10-0) at Montague (10-0), Friday
Few teams this season have as impressive a resume as Montague, which in addition to handing the lone losses to Reed City and Muskegon Catholic Central has six shutouts over its 10 games. The Wildcats now also have a chance to avenge last year’s one-point playoff opener loss to Kent City, which has built a likewise impressive body of work this fall. The 10 wins are a program record, and a District title would be the Eagles’ first in this sport.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Michigan City (9-1) at Jackson Lumen Christi (8-1), Detroit Central (8-2) at Warren Michigan Collegiate (10-0), Houghton Lake (7-3) at Millington (9-1), SATURDAY Maple City Glen Lake (7-2) vs. Traverse City St. Francis (9-1).
11-Player Division 7
Pewamo-Westphalia (9-1) at New Lothrop (10-0), Friday
The Hornets are hoping their annual regular-season success pays off this fall with a first MHSAA Finals trip since 2006. The Hornets are a combined 86-6 since the start of 2010 and only one of those losses came during the regular season – they’ve reached the Semifinals three times this decade but just missed taking that next step again. A game like the Week 1 win over Lake Fenton surely was meant to prepare the Hornets for matchups like this one with the reigning Division 7 champion Pirates, who despite graduating the second-leading rusher in MHSAA history is riding a nine-game winning streak and scoring 43 points per game versus last year’s 46.
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Reading (8-2) at Cassopolis (9-1), Riverview Gabriel Richard (9-1) at Madison Heights Madison (10-0), Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (9-1) at Cass City (9-1), SATURDAY Ishpeming Westwood (9-1) at Lake City (10-0).
11-Player Division 8
Muskegon Catholic Central (8-1) at Mendon (10-0), Saturday
This might be the most anticipated small-school matchup in Michigan so far this season – the reigning four-time Division 8 champion against an 11-time MHSAA title winner now revived. The Hornets ran for 415 yards in last week’s 28-12 win over St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic, and that ability to hold onto the ball will be necessary against a Crusaders attack led by dynamic dual threat quarterback Cameron Martinez (see 2H feature Tuesday).
Others that caught my eye: FRIDAY Norway (9-1) at Iron River West Iron County (9-1), Harbor Beach (9-1) at Saginaw Nouvel (10-0), Climax-Scotts (8-2) at Pittsford (9-1), SATURDAY Frankfort (7-2) at Gaylord St. Mary (10-0).
8-Player Division 1
Morrice (9-1) at Deckerville (9-1), Friday
Morrice broke Deckerville’s 16-game regular-season winning streak with a 33-32 Week 5 win that announced the Orioles as MHSAA championship contenders – even though they were then beaten by Kingsford a week later. Morrice avenged that loss last week and now must avoid falling by the same fate to the reigning Finals runner-up Eagles, who have amped up the offense by scoring 250 of their 496 points this season over the last four weeks.
Other Regional Finals: FRIDAY Cedarville (8-2) at Stephenson (8-2), Suttons Bay (7-3) at Central Lake (10-0), Lawrence (5-5) at Bellevue (9-1).
8-Player Division 2
Onekama (9-1) at Pickford (10-0), Saturday
Perhaps the most impressive part of Pickford’s dominance this season has come on the defensive side of the ball. The Panthers are giving up only 9.6 points per game, which just doesn’t happen much in the wide-open 8-player game – and is half as many points as they gave up while reaching the Semifinals a year ago. Enter Onekama, averaging 51 points per game – only a few behind Pickford’s 56 and against a similarly competitive slate.
Other Regional Finals: FRIDAY Engadine (8-2) at Crystal Falls Forest Park (7-2), Bay City All Saints (7-3) at Kinde-North Huron (9-1), SATURDAY Flint International Academy (8-2) at Portland St. Patrick (9-1).
Second Half’s weekly “Drive for Detroit” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Student Financial Services Bureau located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information, including various student financial assistance programs to help make college more affordable for Michigan students. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 savings programs (MET/MESP) and eight additional aid programs within its Student Scholarships and Grants division. Click for more information and connect with MI Student Aid on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
PHOTO: Clare, here against Ithaca in Week 1, will play for a District title tonight against Reed City. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)