2017 Week 9 Football Playoff Listing
October 17, 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 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.
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 PLUS. 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, 5-3, 62.393
2. Dearborn Fordson, 2741, 7-1, 94.875
3. Utica Eisenhower, 2689, 8-0, 116.000
4. Grand Blanc, 2660, 6-2, 77.375
5. East Kentwood, 2639, 5-3, 60.018
6. Clarkston, 2603, 6-2, 78.375
7. Rockford, 2485, 5-3, 73.000
8. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2434, 7-1, 95.875
9. Detroit Cass Tech *, 2434, 5-2, 69.500
10. Troy, 2422, 5-3, 65.000
11. Brighton, 2247, 4-4, 55.000
12. Canton, 2212, 7-1, 94.750
13. Holland West Ottawa, 2200, 7-1, 93.875
14. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 2094, 4-4, 49.500
15. Salem, 2090, 4-4, 50.125
16. Detroit Catholic Central, 2080, 5-3, 66.393
17. Hartland, 2050, 4-4, 53.000
18. West Bloomfield, 1990, 6-2, 80.375
19. New Baltimore Anchor Bay, 1956, 6-2, 72.625
20. Monroe, 1934, 4-4, 48.056
21. Utica, 1907, 4-4, 51.250
22. Hudsonville, 1893, 4-4, 49.625
23. Saline *, 1869, 7-1, 92.500
24. Bloomfield Hills, 1842, 6-2, 74.375
25. Lapeer, 1837, 5-3, 60.125
26. Livonia Stevenson, 1811, 5-3, 72.500
27. Walled Lake Central, 1804, 5-3, 64.839
28. White Lake Lakeland *, 1765, 5-2, 72.393
29. Romeo, 1753, 6-2, 84.339
30. Grandville, 1750, 6-2, 76.125
31. Grand Ledge, 1726, 7-1, 90.750
32. Warren Mott, 1712, 4-4, 52.750
33. Belleville, 1709, 8-0, 104.000
34. Detroit Western International *, 1701, 5-3, 53.750
35. Davison, 1695, 7-1, 89.750
36. Walled Lake Northern, 1678, 5-3, 60.750
37. Grosse Pointe South, 1644, 5-3, 68.696
38. Rochester Adams, 1626, 7-1, 91.625
39. Waterford Mott, 1586, 7-1, 94.571
40. Fraser, 1584, 4-4, 53.250
41. Traverse City West, 1582, 8-0, 103.000
42. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1569, 6-2, 77.625
43. Temperance Bedford, 1548, 6-2, 74.375
44. Warren DeLaSalle, 1538, 6-2, 86.851
45. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1502, 5-3, 63.125
46. Livonia Churchill, 1486, 7-1, 93.500
47. Livonia Franklin, 1469, 6-2, 75.250
48. Jenison, 1457, 5-3, 61.375
49. Roseville, 1412, 5-3, 62.571
50. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1404, 7-1, 87.163
51. Dearborn Edsel Ford, 1396, 6-2, 68.625
52. Oak Park, 1395, 6-2, 81.500
53. Grosse Pointe North *, 1371, 5-2, 71.143
54. Portage Central, 1353, 7-1, 90.750
55. Port Huron, 1351, 4-4, 50.339
56. Traverse City Central, 1345, 5-3, 65.125
57. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1345, 8-0, 108.000
58. Royal Oak, 1332, 5-3, 55.750
59. Okemos, 1326, 5-3, 57.500
60. Walled Lake Western, 1318, 7-1, 94.464
61. Midland, 1316, 7-1, 92.875
62. Flushing, 1312, 6-2, 76.500
63. Birmingham Groves, 1300, 7-1, 92.625
64. Port Huron Northern, 1277, 7-1, 91.750
65. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, 1273, 4-4, 46.375
66. Pinckney, 1272, 7-1, 86.750
67. Detroit East English, 1270, 8-0, 92.000
68. Midland Dow, 1263, 7-1, 86.375
69. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 1258, 8-0, 109.000
70. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1238, 7-1, 101.875
71. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1224, 5-3, 71.601
72. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1222, 6-2, 81.250
73. Lowell, 1195, 5-3, 69.250
74. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1186, 5-3, 54.125
75. Ferndale, 1180, 7-1, 85.500
76. Mattawan, 1171, 6-2, 73.375
77. Holly, 1166, 4-4, 47.625
78. Fenton, 1163, 8-0, 108.000
79. Greenville, 1158, 4-4, 47.000
80. Holland, 1140, 5-3, 59.125
81. Hamtramck, 1135, 6-2, 64.125
82. Detroit Renaissance, 1131, 4-4, 43.250
83. Gibraltar Carlson, 1125, 7-1, 93.875
84. Bay City Central, 1116, 4-4, 54.500
85. East Lansing, 1108, 6-2, 74.500
86. Redford Thurston, 1102, 5-3, 55.875
87. Eastpointe, 1101, 4-4, 45.750
88. Warren Woods Tower, 1095, 6-2, 73.500
89. Mt. Pleasant, 1085, 4-4, 44.750
90. Byron Center, 1083, 4-4, 44.875
91. Allen Park, 1078, 4-4, 51.625
92. Muskegon, 1058, 8-0, 109.000
93. Marquette, 1044, 4-4, 45.617
94. St. Joseph, 1043, 6-2, 76.000
95. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1033, 5-3, 64.625
96. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1030, 6-2, 80.625
97. East Grand Rapids, 1010, 8-0, 105.000
98. DeWitt, 994, 7-1, 97.750
99. Zeeland East, 994, 8-0, 99.000
100. St. Johns, 990, 5-3, 59.000
101. Gaylord, 980, 4-4, 46.375
102. Ortonville-Brandon, 969, 5-3, 64.125
103. Zeeland West, 960, 6-2, 77.375
104. Melvindale, 956, 4-4, 49.125
105. Cedar Springs, 946, 5-3, 67.250
106. Coldwater, 933, 5-3, 55.569
107. Riverview, 928, 7-1, 80.625
108. Detroit Cody, 924, 5-3, 53.696
109. Linden, 924, 6-2, 83.625
110. Trenton, 911, 4-4, 54.500
111. Warren Fitzgerald, 903, 6-2, 69.500
112. Grand Rapids Christian, 896, 7-1, 94.875
113. Stevensville Lakeshore, 891, 7-1, 94.500
114. Hazel Park, 889, 5-3, 63.125
115. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 884, 8-0, 95.000
116. Parma Western, 880, 5-3, 54.000
117. New Boston Huron, 877, 5-3, 57.875
118. Romulus, 864, 6-2, 70.500
119. Haslett, 856, 6-2, 74.250
120. Marshall, 854, 4-4, 46.375
121. Dearborn Divine Child, 852, 7-1, 86.768
122. Tecumseh, 850, 5-3, 59.750
123. Chelsea, 841, 7-1, 87.625
124. River Rouge, 836, 6-2, 78.431
125. Edwardsburg, 835, 7-1, 80.750
126. Bay City John Glenn, 831, 4-4, 47.375
127. Detroit Mumford, 829, 5-3, 56.946
128. Coopersville, 824, 6-2, 64.125
129. Sparta, 815, 4-4, 41.625
130. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 812, 7-1, 73.750
131. Plainwell, 808, 6-2, 69.500
132. Vicksburg, 801, 6-2, 65.375
133. Ionia, 792, 4-4, 46.125
134. Milan, 772, 5-3, 56.000
135. Madison Heights Lamphere, 768, 5-3, 53.500
136. Detroit Old Redford, 763, 4-4, 32.875
137. Goodrich, 759, 7-1, 74.750
138. Escanaba, 739, 7-1, 83.615
139. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy, 727, 5-3, 56.089
140. Center Line, 720, 4-4, 34.125
141. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 718, 6-2, 57.625
142. Three Rivers, 707, 7-1, 80.500
143. Armada, 685, 4-4, 37.625
144. Croswell-Lexington, 681, 5-3, 50.125
145. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 679, 6-2, 57.500
146. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 678, 8-0, 93.000
147. Romulus Summit Academy North, 674, 4-4, 40.375
148. Paw Paw, 662, 4-4, 41.750
149. Whitehall, 661, 6-2, 60.750
150. Flint Powers Catholic, 660, 5-3, 63.625
151. Lake Fenton, 660, 7-1, 78.875
152. Flat Rock, 658, 6-2, 72.625
153. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 646, 8-0, 86.143
154. Alma, 642, 6-2, 68.375
155. Comstock Park, 636, 5-3, 61.000
156. Benton Harbor, 634, 4-4, 51.000
157. Corunna, 633, 4-4, 41.500
158. Williamston, 628, 5-3, 55.000
159. Lansing Sexton, 620, 5-3, 69.625
160. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 608, 7-1, 76.875
161. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 606, 5-3, 58.000
162. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 605, 4-4, 40.500
163. Grand Rapids South Christian, 602, 7-1, 78.750
164. Belding, 597, 6-2, 72.625
165. Bridgeport, 594, 5-3, 51.375
166. Muskegon Oakridge, 592, 6-2, 60.500
167. Saginaw Swan Valley, 586, 7-1, 84.875
168. Hancock, 584, 6-2, 57.665
169. North Muskegon, 579, 5-3, 40.125
170. Dowagiac, 568, 5-3, 56.000
171. Freeland, 564, 6-2, 69.375
172. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard, 555, 7-1, 67.893
173. Olivet, 552, 8-0, 90.000
174. Lansing Catholic, 551, 6-2, 69.000
175. Remus Chippewa Hills, 550, 6-2, 66.375
176. Cheboygan, 548, 4-4, 40.375
177. Kingsford *, 542, 6-1, 77.540
178. Algonac, 534, 7-1, 80.750
179. Portland, 534, 7-1, 87.500
180. Frankenmuth, 528, 8-0, 92.286
181. Hopkins, 524, 4-4, 41.375
182. Carrollton, 520, 6-2, 65.375
183. Ida, 520, 6-2, 58.000
184. Marine City, 514, 7-1, 94.875
185. Grant, 512, 5-3, 46.000
186. Kalkaska, 512, 4-4, 32.750
187. Richmond, 510, 7-1, 76.750
188. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 505, 6-2, 71.625
189. Onsted, 505, 5-3, 44.875
190. Reed City, 501, 7-1, 79.875
191. Almont, 494, 6-2, 62.500
192. Gladstone, 493, 7-1, 63.750
193. Grayling, 492, 5-3, 49.375
194. Chesaning, 485, 4-4, 39.625
195. Berrien Springs, 484, 6-2, 59.250
196. Coloma, 480, 5-3, 47.625
197. Menominee, 479, 5-3, 57.464
198. Kalamazoo Hackett, 474, 6-2, 62.250
199. Newaygo, 474, 6-2, 64.375
200. Detroit Denby *, 461, 6-1, 73.321
201. Ovid-Elsie, 458, 6-2, 56.625
202. Clare, 457, 7-1, 66.875
203. Detroit Voyageur, 446, 4-4, 41.250
204. Parchment, 443, 5-3, 52.875
205. Hillsdale, 434, 4-4, 43.750
206. Boyne City, 428, 8-0, 84.000
207. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 426, 6-2, 68.250
208. Michigan Center, 419, 7-1, 65.625
209. Ecorse, 417, 5-3, 44.750
210. Fennville, 414, 4-4, 30.875
211. Harrison, 410, 5-3, 47.500
212. Montague, 409, 8-0, 88.000
213. Millington, 407, 7-1, 78.875
214. Hemlock, 405, 5-3, 43.875
215. Morley Stanwood, 405, 7-1, 61.875
216. Negaunee, 405, 4-4, 32.500
217. Ithaca, 403, 8-0, 84.000
218. Clinton Township Clintondale, 401, 7-1, 75.500
219. Delton Kellogg, 398, 4-4, 44.750
220. Calumet, 396, 5-3, 49.708
221. Byron, 387, 4-4, 44.000
222. Detroit Henry Ford, 385, 5-3, 39.857
223. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 382, 8-0, 95.000
224. Montrose, 381, 6-2, 60.500
225. Maple City Glen Lake *, 376, 5-2, 46.036
226. Quincy, 376, 5-3, 49.000
227. Kent City, 375, 8-0, 76.000
228. Lakeview, 374, 5-3, 45.500
229. Napoleon, 373, 6-2, 58.375
230. Schoolcraft, 372, 5-3, 52.000
231. Blissfield, 371, 5-3, 56.875
232. Niles Brandywine, 370, 4-4, 31.875
233. Detroit Central, 369, 6-2, 61.893
234. Laingsburg, 367, 6-2, 52.375
235. Grass Lake, 365, 4-4, 34.375
236. Traverse City St. Francis, 362, 8-0, 91.714
237. Jackson Lumen Christi *, 361, 7-1, 83.875
238. Houghton Lake, 357, 5-3, 44.125
239. Watervliet, 355, 8-0, 79.714
240. Beaverton, 353, 8-0, 82.000
241. Elk Rapids, 353, 6-2, 58.750
242. Burton Bendle, 352, 5-3, 43.250
243. L'Anse, 351, 4-4, 39.373
244. Vermontville Maple Valley, 346, 4-4, 33.750
245. Allen Park Cabrini, 344, 4-4, 30.000
246. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 344, 5-3, 56.875
247. Hanover-Horton, 342, 4-4, 31.500
248. Ishpeming Westwood, 342, 7-1, 56.321
249. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 341, 7-1, 57.750
250. Lake City, 333, 8-0, 81.000
251. Oscoda, 332, 5-3, 37.857
252. Detroit Delta Prep, 329, 5-3, 53.464
253. St. Louis, 329, 5-3, 45.000
254. Flint Hamady, 327, 6-2, 54.625
255. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 327, 5-3, 55.125
256. Union City, 327, 6-2, 54.250
257. Bloomingdale, 325, 4-4, 33.500
258. Madison Heights Madison, 323, 8-0, 98.000
259. Hartford, 318, 5-3, 44.875
260. McBain, 314, 6-2, 55.250
261. New Lothrop, 311, 8-0, 80.000
262. Clinton, 309, 5-3, 47.875
263. Harbor Springs, 306, 4-4, 30.893
264. Pewamo-Westphalia, 305, 7-1, 63.500
265. Homer, 299, 5-3, 45.875
266. Saugatuck, 297, 6-2, 53.125
267. Sandusky, 295, 4-4, 35.625
268. Saranac, 285, 5-3, 43.000
269. Springport, 285, 6-2, 52.375
270. Cass City, 282, 7-1, 68.750
271. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, 279, 8-0, 67.143
272. Blanchard Montabella, 273, 4-4, 28.375
273. Evart, 270, 4-4, 35.375
274. Cassopolis, 268, 7-1, 64.875
275. Unionville-Sebewaing, 267, 5-3, 45.125
276. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 263, 7-1, 67.750
277. Hudson, 263, 7-1, 78.625
278. Reading, 263, 7-1, 69.250
279. Carson City-Crystal, 258, 5-3, 37.875
280. Breckenridge, 254, 7-1, 57.875
281. Addison, 253, 7-1, 61.750
282. Auburn Hills Oakland Christian *, 248, 5-2, 47.089
283. Beal City, 247, 4-4, 39.000
284. Iron River West Iron County, 245, 7-1, 69.486
285. Ubly, 243, 6-2, 54.500
286. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 239, 8-0, 76.000
287. St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic, 238, 6-2, 42.357
288. Petersburg-Summerfield, 235, 6-2, 52.375
289. Decatur, 234, 5-3, 46.125
290. Lincoln Alcona, 233, 6-2, 54.018
291. Norway, 230, 7-1, 59.794
292. Whittemore-Prescott, 230, 4-4, 33.143
293. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 228, 5-3, 37.750
294. Detroit Southeastern, 223, 4-4, 39.500
295. Harbor Beach, 218, 7-1, 63.875
296. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 216, 4-4, 36.875
297. Marcellus, 210, 4-4, 34.000
298. New Buffalo, 209, 4-4, 32.625
299. Saginaw Nouvel, 208, 8-0, 82.333
300. Mendon, 205, 8-0, 76.000
301. Newberry *, 205, 5-2, 46.161
302. Pittsford, 204, 7-1, 65.625
303. Morenci, 200, 5-3, 44.375
304. Munising *, 200, 4-3, 33.643
305. Bark River-Harris, 197, 4-4, 37.857
306. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 194, 5-3, 45.839
307. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 181, 6-2, 43.375
308. Athens, 181, 5-3, 29.000
309. Gaylord St. Mary, 173, 8-0, 76.000
310. Frankfort *, 170, 6-2, 48.429
311. Muskegon Catholic Central *, 169, 7-0, 73.286
312. Fulton, 167, 6-2, 49.375
313. Climax-Scotts, 162, 6-2, 49.500
314. AuGres-Sims *, 148, 7-0, 64.429
315. Hillman, 140, 4-4, 35.732
316. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 133, 6-2, 48.125
317. Waterford Our Lady *, 124, 5-2, 44.875
318. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 112, 7-1, 59.018
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Central Lake, 191, 8-0, 63.000
2. Deckerville, 182, 7-1, 61.750
3. Camden-Frontier, 156, 8-0, 61.000
4. Pickford, 151, 8-0, 57.000
5. Morrice, 175, 7-1, 55.625
6. Onekama, 136, 7-1, 53.875
7. Bellevue, 174, 7-1, 52.875
8. Rapid River, 118, 7-1, 52.857
9. Portland St Patrick, 103, 7-1, 51.750
10. Stephenson, 160, 7-1, 49.480
11. Rudyard, 193, 7-1, 47.625
12. Kingston, 191, 6-2, 46.375
13. Crystal Falls Forest Park *, 146, 5-2, 44.087
14. Engadine, 95, 6-2, 42.625
15. Flint International Academy, 150, 6-2, 42.500
16. Marion, 136, 6-2, 42.357
17. Cedarville, 152, 6-2, 41.500
18. Kinde-North Huron, 148, 7-1, 41.250
19. Powers North Central *, 112, 5-2, 39.857
20. Mayville, 197, 5-3, 39.125
21. Bay City All Saints, 97, 6-2, 37.250
22. Webberville, 179, 5-3, 36.375
23. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian *, 182, 5-3, 36.125
24. Battle Creek St Philip, 135, 5-3, 34.750
25. Mesick, 180, 5-3, 33.857
26. Suttons Bay, 201, 5-3, 33.125
27. Ontonagon *, 187, 4-3, 32.071
28. Tekonsha, 145, 4-4, 27.750
29. North Adams-Jerome, 150, 4-4, 26.625
30. Bellaire, 142, 4-4, 24.875
31. Waldron, 79, 4-4, 24.375
32. Lawrence, 181, 3-5, 24.250
33. Atlanta, 74, 4-4, 23.625
34. Brimley, 164, 4-4, 23.625
35. Peck, 127, 4-4, 23.375
36. Brethren *, 159, 3-4, 20.643
37. Hale, 129, 3-5, 20.429
38. Manistee Catholic Central *, 178, 3-4, 20.375
39. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 106, 3-5, 19.625
40. St Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 99, 4-4, 18.375
41. Eben Junction Superior Central, 131, 3-5, 18.071
42. Baldwin, 105, 3-5, 17.536
43. Onaway, 195, 3-5, 17.250
44. New Haven Merritt Academy, 164, 3-5, 16.750
45. Carney-Nadeau, 133, 2-6, 14.893
46. Fife Lake Forest Area, 165, 2-6, 14.679
47. Bear Lake, 93, 2-6, 13.625
48. Burton Madison Academy, 171, 2-6, 12.000
49. Posen, 87, 2-6, 11.250
50. Felch North Dickinson, 101, 1-7, 9.944
51. Caseville, 93, 1-7, 7.625
52. Owendale-Gagetown, 57, 1-7, 7.125
53. Burr Oak, 74, 0-8, 4.375
54. Litchfield, 81, 0-8, 4.125
55. Pellston, 167, 0-8, 4.000
56. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 140, 0-8, 4.000
57. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 187, 0-8, 3.196
58. Akron-Fairgrove, 76, 0-8, 2.750
59. Flint Michigan School for the Deaf *, 47, 0-6, 1.833
Drive for Detroit: Week 9 Preview
October 24, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Sadly, thousands of Michigan high school football players will play the final game of their seasons – and in many cases their careers – this weekend.
The sunnier news: A few thousand more may still have control over whether they will suit up again for the MHSAA Playoffs.
Week 9, the last of this regular season, began Thursday with a handful of games and will conclude around 8 p.m. Saturday with the last of the Detroit Catholic League championship games. Entering Thursday, 166 teams had clinched playoff berths in the 256-team 11-player field – with 139 hopefuls still with a chance to advance. Of that 139, 60 simply need to win this weekend to qualify – but it’s also anticipated that a record number of additional qualifiers – with 5-4 or 4-4 records – will make the field when it is selected and introduced Sunday.
Our weekly preview below highlights many contests you might expect, and many you might not. There are still five league title races completely up for grabs, and 23 where one team has clinched but another (or more) may still share the championship. Games with league titles or playoff berths are on the line were given priority over otherwise great matchups that will still be fun to watch but won’t figure in as much into what happens beyond this weekend.
Remember to tune in to FOX Sports Detroit PLUS at 7 p.m. Sunday for the “Selection Sunday Show” announcement of brackets in every division for both 11 and 8-player. The show also can be viewed on FOXSportsDetroit.com or via FOX Sports Go! Additionally, 34 games will be streamed live Friday and Saturday on MHSAA.tv – click for listings and links.
"Drive for Detroit" is sponsored by MI Student Aid.
Bay & Thumb
Lapeer (7-1) at Davison (7-1)
Just like a year ago, the Saginaw Valley League Blue title comes down to this regular-season finale. Last season, Lapeer emerged with a 28-6 win and the outright league championship. The Lightning’s only regular-season loss the last two seasons came to Lake Orion this year in Week 1, and that’s looked better every week as the Dragons stand 7-1. Also for the second straight year, Davison’s lone loss heading into this game has come to Warren De La Salle Collegiate. The Cardinals also have a notable win over Flint Metro League “Upper” champion Fenton, while Lapeer beat SVL Red second-place Midland Dow and last week Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice.
Keep an eye on these: FRIDAY Ubly (7-1) at Cass City (7-1), Central Montcalm (7-1) at Millington (4-4), New Lothrop (8-0) at Frankenmuth (8-0), Midland (8-0) at Midland Dow (5-3).
Greater Detroit
Detroit Catholic Central (4-4) vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary's (7-1), Saturday at Eastern Michigan University
The Bishop division championship game at Rynearson Stadium will match up the co-champions from the Detroit Catholic League Central – but this means more than another trophy for the Shamrocks. DCC is one of two league champions statewide facing the prospect of ending with a sub-.500 overall record. And if history holds, DCC also would look good to qualify for the playoffs at 5-4 due to its strong schedule. But the Eaglets are not without added motivation too – they fell to DCC 20-14 two weeks ago to create that shared league title.
Keep an eye on these: FRIDAY Dearborn Fordson (7-1) at Brighton (7-1), Birmingham Groves (7-1) at Brownstown Woodhaven (8-0), Detroit Martin Luther King (6-2) vs. Detroit Denby (7-1) at Detroit Renaissance, West Bloomfield (7-1) at Warren De La Salle Collegiate (5-3).
Mid-Michigan
Pewamo-Westphalia (8-0) at Williamston (5-3)
The Pirates locked up the Central Michigan Athletic Conference title last week and can extend their regular-season winning streak to 26. One of the few close victories during that run came in Week 9 last season when P-W edged Williamston 28-27. The Hornets need this one to qualify for the playoffs automatically, and having that chance is impressive on its own considering they entered Week 7 with three undefeated teams left on the schedule. Williamston then fell close to still-unbeaten Mason, but last week handed Olivet its only loss, 35-28.
Keep an eye on these: FRIDAY Okemos (1-7) at East Lansing (6-2), Lansing Waverly (3-5) at DeWitt (6-2), Grand Ledge (2-6) at Holt (6-2), Bath (3-5) at Perry (4-4).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Cadillac (5-3) at Traverse City Central (7-1), Saturday
The Trojans led the Big North Conference all season, winning all of their games since falling to DeWitt by five in Week 1. They claimed a share of the title last week, but a fifth-straight win over Cadillac to make the championship outright won’t be automatic by any means. The Vikings have bounced way back from going 1-8 last year after finishing 2-7 in 2017, and two of those three losses this fall were by a combined four points.
Keep an eye on these: FRIDAY Charlevoix (5-3) at Harbor Springs (6-2), Clare (7-1) at McBain (5-3), Kingsley (8-0) at Boyne City (4-4), Johannesburg-Lewiston (8-0) at Indian River Inland Lakes (8-0).
Southeast & Border
Livonia Clarenceville (5-3) at Whitmore Lake (6-2)
The Trojans moved into the Michigan Independent Athletic Conference this fall after decades in the Tri-County Conference, and they couldn’t have hoped for a better football outcome. Whitmore Lake is guaranteed its first winning regular season in this sport since 2013, and it claimed a share of the MIAC title last week. But that could turn into a three-team shared championship if Clarenceville – tied with Auburn Hills Oakland Christian for second place – downs Whitmore Lake in this league finale.
Keep an eye on these: FRIDAY Jonesville (6-2) at Grass Lake (7-1), Hillsdale (8-0) at Dundee (5-3), Homer (6-2) at Manchester (5-3). SATURDAY Reading (7-1) at Addison (7-1).
Southwest Corridor
Edwardsburg (8-0) at Paw Paw (8-0)
The reigning Wolverine Conference and statewide Division 4 champion Eddies are putting a 22-game winning streak on the line, having last lost in the 2017 Division 4 Final. In fact, Edwardsburg has only two league defeats since joining the Wolverine in 2012. The Eddies defeated Paw Paw twice last season, also in a District Final – but the Redskins rarely have been slowed this fall and enter this matchup with nearly the same defensive points-against average as Edwardsburg after playing the same opponents. Not counting South Haven, which forfeited to Edwardsburg and fell to Paw Paw 56-0, the Eddies are scoring 52 points per game and giving up 6.4. Paw Paw is scoring 39 points and giving up 6.9.
Keep an eye on these: FRIDAY St. Joseph (6-2) at Portage Northern (7-1), Stevensville Lakeshore (4-4) at Mattawan (4-4), Kalamazoo United (4-4) at Schoolcraft (8-0), Vicksburg (5-3) at Otsego (5-3).
Upper Peninsula
Kingsford (4-4) at Marquette (4-4)
Marquette joins Detroit Catholic Central as the other league champion also playing for an overall winning record and playoff berth this week. The Redmen have earned a share of the Great Northern Conference title and can clinch it outright against the Flivvers. But Kingsford has a lot to play for as well – a win could mean an additional qualifier playoff berth after the team just missed the postseason a year ago. Additionally, Escanaba would claim a share of the league title as well if the Flivvers are victorious.
Keep an eye on these: THURSDAY Bark River-Harris (5-3) at Ishpeming (6-2). FRIDAY L'Anse (4-4) at Calumet (7-1), Negaunee (6-2) at Ishpeming Westwood (6-2), Bessemer (0-8) at Iron Mountain (8-0).
West Michigan
East Kentwood (5-3) at Rockford (7-1)
The Ottawa-Kent Conference Red is full of possibilities after Grandville defeated Rockford 30-3 last week to move into a tie for first place with the Rams. The first option would see Rockford win this game and Grandville defeat Caledonia so they would share the title – or just one of the two could win tonight and claim the championship outright. Or, East Kentwood and Caledonia could win this weekend, with the Falcons and then perhaps Hudsonville (with a win over last-place Holland West Ottawa) making it a four-team shared championship. East Kentwood defeated Rockford 28-17 last season, and fell to Grandville by just a point four weeks ago.
Keep an eye on these: FRIDAY Portland (7-1) at Montague (6-2), Traverse City St. Francis (6-2) at Muskegon Oakridge (8-0), Hudsonville Unity Christian (5-3) at Zeeland East (5-3), Grandville (7-1) at Caledonia (3-5).
8-Player
Martin (8-0) at Climax-Scotts (7-1)
At one point in Martin history, the Clippers posted six straight 0-9 seasons from 2008-13. It’s only worth bringing those up because Martin this weekend can finish the regular season undefeated for the first time since 1987, when it won the 11-player Class D title. Climax-Scotts, like Martin, is enjoying an excellent first year of 8-player – and if the playoffs started today, they’d both be considered MHSAA championship contenders with the Clippers in Division 1 and the Panthers in Division 2.
Keep an eye on these: FRIDAY Gaylord St. Mary (3-5) at Brethren (5-3), Suttons Bay (8-0) at Mesick (7-1), Burr Oak (5-3) at Portland St. Patrick (8-0), Pickford (7-1) at Brimley (5-3).
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PHOTO: Southfield Arts & Technology defenders, in red, stop an Oxford ball carrier during a Week 7 win. The Warriors are among teams needing a victory this weekend to potentially qualify for the playoffs. (Photo by Terry Lyons.)