2018 Week 7 Football Playoff Listing
October 2, 2018
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. 26. 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. 26.
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 Oct. 21 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, 3114, 5-1, 79.500
2. Dearborn Fordson, 2795, 5-1, 82.167
3. Utica Eisenhower, 2668, 3-3, 51.667
4. East Kentwood, 2651, 5-1, 83.500
5. Grand Blanc, 2637, 4-2, 69.667
6. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 2591, 3-3, 48.333
7. Clarkston, 2548, 6-0, 98.667
8. Rockford, 2481, 3-3, 47.167
9. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2462, 6-0, 110.667
10. Detroit Cass Tech, 2432, 6-0, 92.800
11. Lake Orion, 2393, 3-3, 48.667
12. Howell, 2387, 4-2, 62.500
13. Canton, 2260, 4-2, 65.167
14. Brighton, 2202, 5-1, 84.833
15. Holland West Ottawa, 2190, 5-1, 78.000
16. Oxford, 2170, 4-2, 69.000
17. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 2115, 3-3, 45.000
18. Dearborn, 2106, 3-3, 45.833
19. Plymouth, 2060, 4-2, 65.167
20. Detroit Catholic Central, 2020, 5-1, 87.500
21. West Bloomfield, 2005, 5-1, 87.500
22. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, 1994, 4-2, 59.500
23. Monroe, 1949, 5-1, 80.071
24. Hudsonville, 1879, 5-1, 78.100
25. Saline, 1834, 5-1, 87.500
26. Romeo, 1779, 5-1, 85.833
27. Detroit Western International, 1773, 4-2, 53.167
28. Lapeer, 1772, 6-0, 97.333
29. White Lake Lakeland, 1740, 4-2, 66.667
30. Ann Arbor Skyline, 1701, 3-3, 44.500
31. Davison, 1687, 6-0, 96.000
32. Kalamazoo Central, 1672, 4-2, 67.500
33. Belleville, 1642, 6-0, 105.333
34. Traverse City West, 1634, 4-2, 71.000
35. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1628, 5-1, 85.833
36. Rochester Adams, 1621, 3-3, 51.167
37. Grosse Pointe South, 1593, 6-0, 97.333
38. Warren Mott, 1585, 4-2, 71.000
39. Waterford Mott, 1558, 4-2, 61.000
40. Saginaw Heritage, 1541, 3-3, 42.667
41. Warren DeLaSalle, 1474, 5-1, 82.167
42. Jenison, 1464, 4-2, 69.000
43. Detroit U-D Jesuit, 1456, 3-3, 45.833
44. Livonia Franklin, 1443, 4-2, 62.000
45. Livonia Churchill, 1435, 4-2, 72.167
46. Dearborn Heights Crestwood, 1424, 6-0, 88.000
47. St Clair Shores Lakeview, 1399, 3-3, 45.500
48. Traverse City Central, 1391, 5-1, 88.500
49. Okemos, 1381, 4-2, 64.100
50. Birmingham Seaholm, 1376, 5-1, 79.500
51. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1376, 4-2, 63.833
52. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1358, 3-3, 48.500
53. Oak Park, 1349, 6-0, 96.000
54. Portage Central, 1349, 4-2, 66.333
55. Royal Oak, 1335, 3-3, 48.333
56. Roseville, 1303, 4-2, 58.667
57. Birmingham Groves, 1298, 4-2, 60.167
58. Port Huron Northern, 1295, 5-1, 79.333
59. Midland, 1289, 3-3, 47.000
60. Portage Northern, 1284, 4-2, 62.500
61. Midland Dow, 1277, 4-2, 58.667
62. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, 1276, 5-1, 76.667
63. Flushing, 1275, 4-2, 69.167
64. North Farmington, 1264, 3-3, 43.000
65. Swartz Creek, 1262, 5-1, 82.167
66. Walled Lake Western, 1258, 4-2, 62.500
67. Jackson, 1229, 6-0, 100.000
68. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1226, 4-2, 57.500
69. South Lyon, 1225, 6-0, 96.000
70. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1215, 6-0, 98.667
71. Southgate Anderson, 1206, 3-3, 45.333
72. Dexter, 1172, 4-2, 54.667
73. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1168, 4-2, 71.924
74. Detroit Renaissance, 1168, 3-3, 39.500
75. Ferndale, 1162, 4-2, 62.667
76. Fenton, 1160, 5-1, 79.333
77. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1154, 3-3, 42.833
78. Mattawan, 1153, 4-2, 62.333
79. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1149, 5-1, 70.167
80. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1142, 3-3, 46.500
81. Warren Woods Tower, 1126, 6-0, 76.000
82. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1115, 4-2, 61.167
83. Gibraltar Carlson, 1114, 5-1, 86.000
84. East Lansing, 1111, 5-1, 79.767
85. Farmington, 1111, 5-1, 84.833
86. Allen Park, 1105, 4-2, 70.500
87. Redford Thurston, 1098, 3-3, 39.500
88. Grand Rapids Northview, 1096, 4-2, 59.833
89. Garden City, 1080, 4-2, 58.167
90. South Lyon East, 1063, 4-2, 63.833
91. Mt. Pleasant, 1053, 6-0, 92.000
92. Muskegon, 1022, 6-0, 105.333
93. Battle Creek Central, 1014, 4-2, 61.533
94. St. Joseph, 1010, 4-2, 66.167
95. Gaylord, 1002, 5-1, 68.667
96. DeWitt, 1001, 6-0, 106.667
97. East Grand Rapids, 998, 4-2, 61.500
98. Zeeland West, 997, 5-1, 83.333
99. Cedar Springs, 992, 5-1, 80.833
100. Warren Fitzgerald, 981, 3-3, 43.333
101. Linden, 977, 3-3, 48.500
102. Mason, 968, 3-3, 40.167
103. St. Johns, 955, 3-3, 47.000
104. Zeeland East, 955, 5-1, 75.333
105. Marquette, 952, 3-3, 47.167
106. Petoskey, 948, 3-3, 46.000
107. Detroit Mumford, 943, 5-1, 71.167
108. Trenton, 914, 4-2, 66.500
109. Riverview, 913, 5-1, 68.500
110. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, 903, 5-1, 71.333
111. River Rouge, 897, 5-1, 68.833
112. Haslett, 895, 5-1, 79.333
113. Ortonville-Brandon, 887, 5-1, 81.833
114. Grand Rapids Christian, 886, 5-1, 82.167
115. Parma Western, 870, 5-1, 67.500
116. Stevensville Lakeshore, 864, 3-3, 48.333
117. Chelsea, 851, 4-2, 66.000
118. Farmington Hills Harrison, 849, 5-1, 76.833
119. Spring Lake, 845, 5-1, 61.667
120. Marysville, 843, 3-3, 44.333
121. Fowlerville, 842, 3-3, 36.333
122. Edwardsburg, 838, 6-0, 84.000
123. Wayland Union, 829, 4-2, 58.500
124. Plainwell, 825, 4-2, 52.333
125. Carleton Airport, 811, 3-3, 39.500
126. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 809, 4-2, 60.300
127. St. Clair, 807, 4-2, 54.500
128. Sparta, 793, 3-3, 43.000
129. Milan, 761, 5-1, 64.667
130. Goodrich, 758, 4-2, 58.833
131. Detroit Cody, 755, 4-2, 61.500
132. Allendale, 749, 3-3, 40.667
133. North Branch, 726, 5-1, 67.500
134. Croswell-Lexington, 724, 3-3, 42.833
135. Center Line, 720, 3-3, 43.000
136. Battle Creek Pennfield, 709, 4-2, 58.667
137. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 702, 4-2, 53.071
138. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy *, 701, 3-2, 42.233
139. Sault Ste. Marie, 700, 4-2, 51.167
140. Escanaba, 691, 4-2, 58.786
141. Detroit Country Day *, 687, 4-2, 66.167
142. Flint Powers Catholic, 687, 3-3, 47.500
143. Three Rivers, 682, 6-0, 86.667
144. Holland Christian, 672, 4-2, 54.667
145. Paw Paw, 670, 4-2, 55.000
146. Whitehall, 669, 4-2, 49.500
147. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 663, 3-3, 39.500
148. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 662, 5-1, 67.333
149. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 659, 3-3, 40.167
150. Otsego, 651, 3-3, 38.167
151. Lake Fenton, 648, 3-3, 36.333
152. Yale, 647, 3-3, 36.167
153. Ludington, 645, 4-2, 37.167
154. Alma, 643, 5-1, 63.500
155. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 643, 5-1, 67.333
156. Williamston, 619, 5-1, 75.000
157. Grand Rapids South Christian, 615, 3-3, 46.200
158. Big Rapids, 613, 3-3, 34.833
159. Grosse Ile, 609, 6-0, 77.333
160. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 608, 6-0, 78.667
161. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 602, 5-1, 76.667
162. Harper Woods, 594, 4-2, 41.500
163. Freeland, 584, 5-1, 63.500
164. Dowagiac, 580, 3-3, 42.167
165. Gladwin, 575, 3-3, 32.333
166. Saginaw Swan Valley, 573, 6-0, 96.000
167. Belding, 572, 5-1, 63.333
168. Muskegon Oakridge, 571, 6-0, 73.333
169. Macomb Lutheran North, 560, 5-1, 61.667
170. Birch Run, 552, 4-2, 54.667
171. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 551, 3-3, 38.833
172. Clawson, 550, 3-3, 33.167
173. Portland, 550, 6-0, 82.667
174. Frankenmuth, 549, 5-1, 70.167
175. Olivet, 542, 6-0, 78.667
176. Detroit Osborn, 537, 5-1, 61.833
177. Lansing Catholic, 531, 5-1, 66.167
178. Remus Chippewa Hills *, 531, 3-3, 44.500
179. Cheboygan, 527, 4-2, 51.500
180. Grant, 525, 4-2, 45.167
181. Richmond, 524, 4-2, 55.667
182. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 513, 3-3, 44.833
183. Ida, 512, 5-1, 62.000
184. Hopkins, 507, 5-1, 68.833
185. Benzie Central, 505, 3-3, 39.333
186. Detroit Denby, 504, 5-1, 62.467
187. Reed City, 504, 6-0, 88.000
188. Almont, 503, 6-0, 76.000
189. Marine City, 503, 5-1, 70.167
190. Berrien Springs, 500, 5-1, 64.833
191. Dundee, 485, 4-2, 50.500
192. Caro, 473, 3-3, 29.333
193. Grayling, 473, 3-3, 42.167
194. Detroit Henry Ford, 472, 3-3, 39.333
195. Manistee, 472, 6-0, 69.333
196. Durand, 468, 3-3, 33.500
197. Coloma, 460, 3-3, 40.833
198. Gladstone *, 459, 3-3, 37.333
199. Ovid-Elsie, 453, 4-2, 51.000
200. Kalamazoo Hackett, 450, 6-0, 74.667
201. Clare, 449, 5-1, 56.667
202. Montague, 445, 5-1, 58.167
203. Newaygo, 445, 4-2, 51.833
204. Kingsley, 443, 5-1, 66.167
205. Hillsdale, 441, 6-0, 70.667
206. Houghton, 421, 3-3, 32.000
207. Tawas *, 418, 3-2, 34.667
208. Michigan Center, 412, 5-1, 48.833
209. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 410, 5-1, 68.500
210. Negaunee, 404, 3-3, 35.500
211. Muskegon Catholic Central, 402, 3-3, 36.000
212. Constantine, 400, 5-1, 63.333
213. Fennville, 400, 5-1, 52.667
214. Maple City Glen Lake, 395, 3-3, 35.333
215. Calumet, 392, 6-0, 78.667
216. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 392, 6-0, 77.333
217. Ishpeming Westwood, 391, 4-2, 51.000
218. Millington, 390, 5-1, 65.333
219. Ithaca, 388, 5-1, 56.833
220. Ecorse, 387, 5-1, 58.000
221. Blissfield, 383, 4-2, 63.000
222. Byron, 380, 4-2, 52.333
223. Montrose, 379, 4-2, 52.000
224. Delton Kellogg, 378, 5-1, 63.333
225. Hemlock, 374, 5-1, 51.333
226. Harrison, 372, 3-3, 35.500
227. Morley Stanwood, 369, 4-2, 45.333
228. Quincy, 369, 4-2, 42.833
229. Elk Rapids, 366, 4-2, 39.333
230. Napoleon, 365, 5-1, 50.000
231. Beaverton, 362, 5-1, 56.833
232. Grass Lake, 357, 6-0, 70.667
233. Jackson Lumen Christi *, 356, 6-0, 88.000
234. Traverse City St. Francis, 355, 6-0, 89.333
235. Flint Hamady, 353, 6-0, 82.667
236. Schoolcraft, 353, 5-1, 70.000
237. Niles Brandywine, 352, 4-2, 43.286
238. Kent City, 351, 6-0, 66.667
239. Lutheran Westland, 349, 3-3, 26.367
240. Detroit Central, 348, 3-3, 34.167
241. Lake City, 348, 6-0, 72.000
242. Leroy Pine River, 348, 4-2, 40.000
243. L'Anse, 344, 3-3, 37.833
244. Ravenna, 344, 3-3, 32.667
245. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 332, 3-3, 31.000
246. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 331, 4-2, 63.633
247. St. Louis, 331, 3-3, 35.167
248. Oscoda, 329, 5-1, 48.800
249. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 328, 3-3, 38.500
250. McBain, 327, 4-2, 50.833
251. North Muskegon, 327, 3-3, 29.833
252. Hartford, 322, 4-2, 35.667
253. Roscommon, 319, 5-1, 67.333
254. Madison Heights Madison, 316, 6-0, 100.000
255. Pewamo-Westphalia, 315, 6-0, 61.333
256. Clinton, 313, 5-1, 56.500
257. Bad Axe, 311, 3-3, 31.333
258. Detroit Community, 308, 6-0, 56.000
259. Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 306, 5-1, 60.833
260. New Lothrop, 302, 6-0, 81.333
261. Springport, 302, 6-0, 61.333
262. Allen Park Cabrini, 300, 5-1, 48.667
263. Sandusky, 300, 6-0, 64.000
264. Lawton, 299, 3-3, 29.667
265. Iron Mountain, 298, 4-2, 52.000
266. Union City, 297, 3-3, 32.833
267. Cass City, 291, 5-1, 57.833
268. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 282, 5-1, 59.333
269. Detroit Loyola, 280, 4-2, 57.000
270. Harbor Springs, 280, 6-0, 60.267
271. Manton, 280, 4-2, 42.667
272. Centreville, 279, 6-0, 61.333
273. Saugatuck, 273, 5-1, 56.667
274. Sand Creek, 266, 4-2, 39.367
275. Cassopolis, 261, 6-0, 66.667
276. Saranac, 257, 4-2, 32.167
277. Concord, 255, 3-3, 32.833
278. Marlette, 255, 3-3, 36.333
279. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic, 252, 3-3, 30.667
280. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 250, 6-0, 61.333
281. Carson City-Crystal, 248, 6-0, 53.333
282. Gwinn, 246, 4-2, 38.500
283. Iron River West Iron County, 246, 5-1, 47.500
284. Dansville, 244, 5-1, 49.500
285. Reading, 244, 6-0, 68.000
286. Addison, 243, 3-3, 30.167
287. Flint Beecher, 237, 4-2, 44.167
288. Holton, 234, 5-1, 48.500
289. Ishpeming, 233, 6-0, 68.000
290. Ubly, 232, 4-2, 41.500
291. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 226, 5-1, 50.100
292. White Pigeon, 225, 4-2, 44.333
293. Breckenridge, 224, 6-0, 58.667
294. Harbor Beach, 222, 5-1, 55.000
295. Norway, 220, 3-3, 30.167
296. Rogers City, 220, 5-1, 50.000
297. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 220, 6-0, 61.333
298. Petersburg-Summerfield, 219, 3-3, 31.667
299. Decatur, 216, 4-2, 40.333
300. St. Ignace, 209, 3-3, 31.167
301. Detroit Public Safety Academy, 206, 5-1, 45.200
302. Munising, 201, 3-3, 32.000
303. Mendon, 193, 3-3, 24.500
304. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 193, 6-0, 58.667
305. Merrill, 186, 3-3, 31.700
306. Pittsford, 186, 6-0, 58.667
307. Three Oaks River Valley, 186, 4-2, 36.833
308. Athens *, 185, 3-2, 36.167
309. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 183, 5-1, 46.333
310. Martin, 183, 3-3, 30.867
311. Saginaw Nouvel, 180, 3-3, 31.500
312. Frankfort, 174, 4-2, 38.500
313. Fowler, 170, 4-2, 34.833
314. Detroit Southeastern, 154, 4-2, 51.333
315. Waterford Our Lady, 128, 4-2, 41.667
316. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 115, 6-0, 59.733
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Colon, 162, 6-0, 61.333
2. Pickford, 156, 6-0, 60.000
3. Morrice, 182, 6-0, 54.667
4. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 173, 6-0, 52.533
5. AuGres-Sims, 160, 6-0, 50.667
6. Onekama, 131, 5-1, 48.033
7. Engadine, 102, 5-1, 46.167
8. Suttons Bay, 189, 5-1, 43.767
9. Hillman, 140, 5-1, 43.500
10. Powers North Central, 109, 5-1, 43.333
11. Peck, 136, 5-1, 43.000
12. Bellevue, 185, 5-1, 42.167
13. Posen, 78, 5-1, 39.333
14. Kingston, 187, 5-1, 37.833
15. Deckerville, 175, 4-2, 37.333
16. Fife Lake Forest Area, 183, 4-2, 36.000
17. Camden-Frontier, 176, 4-2, 34.833
18. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 122, 4-2, 34.833
19. Brethren, 143, 4-2, 34.767
20. Battle Creek St. Philip, 178, 4-2, 34.667
21. Mayville, 185, 4-2, 33.500
22. Rapid River, 127, 4-2, 33.500
23. Genesee, 169, 4-2, 33.467
24. Stephenson, 159, 4-2, 32.595
25. Manistee Catholic Central, 181, 4-2, 29.433
26. New Haven Merritt Academy, 154, 3-3, 29.333
27. Tekonsha, 121, 4-2, 29.333
28. Cedarville, 151, 4-2, 29.167
29. Portland St. Patrick, 102, 3-3, 28.333
30. Eben Junction Superior Central, 121, 3-3, 27.000
31. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 125, 3-3, 26.595
32. Kinde-North Huron, 130, 3-3, 24.333
33. Pellston, 167, 3-3, 24.333
34. Onaway, 187, 3-3, 23.700
35. Mesick, 202, 3-3, 23.167
36. Bellaire, 131, 2-4, 21.500
37. Caseville *, 95, 3-2, 21.200
38. North Adams-Jerome, 146, 3-3, 21.000
39. Marion, 139, 3-3, 20.433
40. Burr Oak, 74, 3-3, 20.167
41. Lawrence, 171, 2-4, 20.167
42. Webberville, 176, 2-4, 19.667
43. Ontonagon, 173, 3-3, 18.833
44. Central Lake *, 190, 2-3, 17.300
45. Bay City All Saints, 77, 2-4, 15.333
46. Rudyard, 159, 2-4, 14.667
47. Owendale-Gagetown, 57, 2-4, 13.667
48. Waldron, 65, 2-4, 12.167
49. Bear Lake *, 94, 1-4, 9.733
50. Hale, 122, 1-5, 9.667
51. Ashley, 94, 1-5, 8.667
52. Atlanta, 74, 1-5, 8.667
53. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 156, 1-5, 8.500
54. Burton Madison Academy, 163, 1-5, 7.567
55. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 201, 1-5, 7.167
56. Brimley, 154, 1-5, 7.167
57. Felch North Dickinson, 83, 0-6, 3.167
58. Flint International Academy, 171, 0-6, 2.833
59. Carney-Nadeau, 133, 0-6, 2.500
60. Litchfield, 81, 0-6, 2.500
61. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 100, 0-6, 2.167
62. Baldwin *, 120, 0-5, 1.867
A Game for Every Fan: Week 3
September 10, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
League play begins this week for many teams across Michigan – and with favorites facing off immediately in games that eventually could decide who wins those conference titles.
The highlighted matchups below include a few of those, but mostly some of the last titanic nonleague battles we'll see this fall – at least, until we reach the MHSAA playoffs.
All games below are tonight unless noted. Follow all of the results as they come in at the MHSAA Score Center. And keep an eye on Muskegon vs. Grandville; with their next win, the Big Reds will become the first program in state history with 800 victories.
Bay & Thumb
Millington (2-0) at Essexville Garber (1-1)
This might not seem the caliber of a “best game of the week” from this area, but it’s been a sneaky-good matchup the last few years as Garber won in 2013 and Millington came back with a 28-19 victory on opening night in 2014. The Cardinals’ opening-night victory over Vassar this fall was a solid start, and the Dukes have scored 80 points total despite splitting their first two matchups.
Others that caught my eye: Marine City (1-1) at Marysville (1-1), Sandusky (2-0) at Bad Axe (1-1), Ortonville-Brandon (2-0) at Clio (2-0), Corunna (2-0) at Goodrich (1-1).
Greater Detroit
Detroit East English (2-0) at Detroit Martin Luther King (2-0)
King is expected by many to be the team to beat from the Detroit Public School League this season, and its first five opponents include reigning Division 2 champion Warren DeLaSalle (a 12-10 win), now East English and in two weeks rival Cass Tech. East English has opened with victories over 2014 playoff teams Walled Lake Central and Detroit Renaissance.
Others that caught my eye: Southfield (1-1) at Farmington (2-0), Lincoln Park (2-0) at Trenton (2-0), Clarkston (1-1) at West Bloomfield (2-0), Farmington Hills Harrison (1-1) at Oak Park (0-2).
Mid-Michigan
Grand Ledge (2-0) at Lansing Sexton (0-2)
While Grand Ledge looks early like possibly the Lansing area’s best team (Lansing Catholic is on the other side of that argument), the Comets can't look past an old rival. Sexton graduated a lot from last season’s Division 4 runner-up team, including the majority of its skill players on offense, but a new group is coming along – with the 0-2 start coming against two 2014 playoff teams.
Others that caught my eye: Lansing Catholic (2-0) at Williamston (2-0), Jackson (2-0) at East Lansing (0-2), Oscoda (1-1) at Vestaburg (2-0), Eaton Rapids (1-1) at Ionia (1-1).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Escanaba (2-0) at Gaylord (2-0)
There’s tons of excitement surrounding these programs as we head toward the middle of September. Escanaba is off to its first 2-0 start since 2011 and a win away from equaling its total from each of the last two seasons. Gaylord missed the playoffs a year ago and came back by starting this fall outscoring its first two opponents 94-6 – and won all three meetings the last time these teams had a series, from 2008-10.
Others that caught my eye: Lincoln Alcona (2-0) at Rogers City (2-0), Fife Lake Forest Area (1-1) at Indian River Inland Lakes (2-0), Grayling (1-1) at Maple City Glen Lake (2-0), Traverse City Central (2-0) at Traverse City West (0-2).
Southeast & Border
Saline (2-0) at Ann Arbor Skyline (2-0)
This might be the most highly-anticipated game in Michigan this weekend. Saline is playing like a team with arguably the state’s top quarterback (Josh Jackson) and coming off finishing runner-up in Division 1 – the Hornets then beat Rockford by 13 on opening night. And Skyline is playing like a team with two of the state’s most dynamic players in Daelin Hayes and Hunter Rison, opening with a pair of double-digit wins after entering the season with 12 straight losses.
Others that caught my eye: Morenci (2-0) at Petersburg-Summerfield (2-0), Hillsdale (1-1) at Brooklyn Columbia Central (2-0), Climax-Scotts (2-0) at Adrian Lenawee Christian (2-0), Homer (1-1) at Concord (2-0).
Southwest Corridor
Portage Central (2-0) at Stevensville Lakeshore (2-0)
These Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference West rivals again kick off the league schedule against each other after last season’s 20-17 Lakeshore win in Week 3 eventually decided the title. Five of their six meetings since joining the same SMAC division have been decided by 10 points or fewer – and those six meetings have resulted in three wins for each team.
Others that caught my eye: New Buffalo (1-1) at Cassopolis (2-0), Battle Creek Pennfield (1-1) at Coldwater (2-0), Paw Paw (2-0) at Sturgis (1-1), Kalamazoo Loy Norrix (1-1) at Kalamazoo Central (2-0), Battle Creek Lakeview (1-1) at Battle Creek Central (0-2).
Upper Peninsula
Negaunee (2-0) at Gladstone (2-0)
Gladstone likely was feeling similarly excited this time last fall when it ended a 22-game losing streak with a 3-0 start, only to drop its final six games. But the Braves have bounced back again and hope to follow last fall’s 24-19 win over Negaunee, which had to be considered an upset then and after as the Miners made the playoffs for the sixth time in seven seasons. They’re 2-0 after surviving a tough test last week from Calumet.
Others that caught my eye: Munising (2-0) at Felch North Dickinson (1-1), Ishpeming (2-0) at Calumet (1-1), Iron River West Iron County (2-0) at Iron Mountain (1-1), Marquette (0-2) at Sault Ste. Marie (1-1).
West Michigan
Rockford (1-1) at Muskegon Mona Shores (2-0)
The Rams are taking on their second 2014 MHSAA runner-up already this season, having fallen to Saline in Week 1 and now taking on the second-place team from Division 2. Rockford handed the Sailors their only pre-Ford Field loss in 2014, 10-7 in Week 3. But Mona Shores has had no problem putting points on the board despite replacing a Division I college quarterback – the Sailors have scored 55 in each of their first two games.
Others that caught my eye: East Grand Rapids (2-0) at Caledonia (2-0), Hudsonville (2-0) at Zeeland East (2-0), Grandville (2-0) at Muskegon (1-1), Scottville Mason County Central (2-0) at Whitehall (2-0).
8-Player
Rapid River (2-0) at Cedarville (2-0)
Together these two have played in three of the first four MHSAA 8-player Finals, and they’ll continue this growing rivalry game despite playing in different leagues for the first time since making the format switch. Cedarville's only regular-season losses of the last three years have come, twice, to the Rockets, who won 20-19 a year ago and haven’t lost a regular-season game since Week 9 of 2012.
Others that caught my eye: Peck (1-1) at Kinde-North Huron (1-1), Powers North Central (2-0) at Bellaire (2-0) (Sat.).
PHOTO: Grand Ledge’s 2-0 start included a 38-7 win over Holland West Ottawa in Week 2. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)