2018 Week 8 Football Playoff Listing
October 9, 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 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. 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 at 7 p.m. 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, 6-1, 87.714
2. Dearborn Fordson, 2795, 6-1, 87.714
3. Utica Eisenhower, 2668, 4-3, 58.286
4. East Kentwood, 2651, 6-1, 88.857
5. Grand Blanc, 2637, 5-2, 73.571
6. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 2591, 3-4, 44.857
7. Clarkston, 2548, 6-1, 88.571
8. Rockford, 2481, 4-3, 59.000
9. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2462, 7-0, 115.429
10. Detroit Cass Tech, 2432, 7-0, 101.333
11. Lake Orion, 2393, 4-3, 56.857
12. Howell, 2387, 4-3, 55.571
13. Canton, 2260, 5-2, 73.286
14. Southfield Arts & Technology, 2244, 3-4, 45.857
15. Brighton, 2202, 6-1, 88.857
16. Holland West Ottawa, 2190, 5-2, 73.000
17. Oxford, 2170, 5-2, 81.000
18. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 2115, 3-4, 40.714
19. Dearborn, 2106, 4-3, 54.429
20. Hartland, 2104, 3-4, 41.000
21. Plymouth, 2060, 5-2, 71.000
22. Detroit Catholic Central, 2020, 5-2, 79.048
23. West Bloomfield, 2005, 5-2, 79.857
24. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, 1994, 4-3, 53.286
25. Monroe, 1949, 6-1, 84.857
26. Utica Ford, 1903, 3-4, 37.571
27. Hudsonville, 1879, 5-2, 70.762
28. Saline, 1834, 6-1, 88.857
29. Romeo, 1779, 5-2, 76.714
30. Detroit Western International, 1773, 5-2, 56.143
31. Lapeer, 1772, 7-0, 102.857
32. White Lake Lakeland, 1740, 5-2, 71.000
33. Grandville, 1729, 3-4, 48.429
34. Ann Arbor Skyline, 1701, 3-4, 40.000
35. Holt, 1692, 3-4, 45.714
36. Davison, 1687, 6-1, 86.429
37. Kalamazoo Central, 1672, 4-3, 59.571
38. Walled Lake Northern, 1672, 3-4, 39.286
39. Belleville, 1642, 7-0, 107.429
40. Traverse City West, 1634, 5-2, 73.571
41. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1628, 6-1, 93.143
42. Rochester Adams, 1621, 4-3, 60.000
43. Grosse Pointe South, 1593, 7-0, 102.857
44. Warren Mott, 1585, 5-2, 73.714
45. Waterford Mott, 1558, 4-3, 55.571
46. Saginaw Heritage, 1541, 4-3, 47.286
47. Warren DeLaSalle, 1474, 6-1, 92.857
48. Jenison, 1464, 4-3, 62.571
49. Temperance Bedford, 1462, 3-4, 45.571
50. Detroit U-D Jesuit, 1456, 3-4, 41.143
51. Livonia Franklin, 1443, 4-3, 55.143
52. Livonia Churchill, 1435, 5-2, 75.857
53. Ypsilanti Community, 1433, 3-4, 45.429
54. Dearborn Heights Crestwood, 1424, 7-0, 94.857
55. St. Clair Shores Lakeview, 1399, 4-3, 50.714
56. Traverse City Central, 1391, 6-1, 90.857
57. Okemos, 1381, 5-2, 65.333
58. Birmingham Seaholm, 1376, 6-1, 83.143
59. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1376, 5-2, 71.000
60. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1358, 3-4, 43.857
61. Oak Park, 1349, 7-0, 99.429
62. Portage Central, 1349, 5-2, 71.857
63. Royal Oak, 1335, 3-4, 43.571
64. Roseville, 1303, 5-2, 63.524
65. Birmingham Groves, 1298, 5-2, 65.429
66. Port Huron Northern, 1295, 6-1, 84.000
67. Midland, 1289, 4-3, 54.286
68. Portage Northern, 1284, 5-2, 73.286
69. Midland Dow, 1277, 5-2, 64.286
70. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, 1276, 6-1, 78.429
71. Flushing, 1275, 5-2, 77.857
72. North Farmington, 1264, 3-4, 38.857
73. Swartz Creek, 1262, 6-1, 86.571
74. Walled Lake Western, 1258, 5-2, 72.000
75. Jackson, 1229, 7-0, 101.714
76. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1226, 4-3, 51.000
77. South Lyon, 1225, 7-0, 102.857
78. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1215, 7-0, 104.000
79. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 1212, 3-4, 46.714
80. Southgate Anderson, 1206, 3-4, 40.714
81. Dexter, 1172, 5-2, 62.000
82. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1168, 4-3, 62.762
83. Detroit Renaissance, 1168, 4-3, 45.571
84. Ferndale, 1162, 5-2, 67.714
85. Fenton, 1160, 5-2, 69.857
86. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1154, 4-3, 48.286
87. Mattawan, 1153, 5-2, 66.667
88. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1149, 6-1, 77.429
89. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1142, 4-3, 54.000
90. Warren Woods Tower, 1126, 7-0, 81.143
91. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1115, 5-2, 67.571
92. Gibraltar Carlson, 1114, 6-1, 89.857
93. East Lansing, 1111, 6-1, 86.762
94. Farmington, 1111, 6-1, 91.143
95. Allen Park, 1105, 5-2, 75.429
96. Redford Thurston, 1098, 4-3, 45.571
97. Grand Rapids Northview, 1096, 5-2, 68.571
98. Garden City, 1080, 5-2, 61.571
99. South Lyon East, 1063, 4-3, 57.857
100. Mt. Pleasant, 1053, 7-0, 92.571
101. Eastpointe, 1022, 3-4, 40.429
102. Muskegon, 1022, 7-0, 105.143
103. Battle Creek Central, 1014, 4-3, 54.524
104. St. Joseph, 1010, 5-2, 72.857
105. Gaylord, 1002, 5-2, 59.429
106. DeWitt, 1001, 7-0, 108.762
107. East Grand Rapids, 998, 5-2, 72.429
108. Zeeland West, 997, 6-1, 87.429
109. Cedar Springs, 992, 6-1, 85.429
110. Warren Fitzgerald, 981, 3-4, 38.429
111. Linden, 977, 3-4, 43.714
112. Mason, 968, 3-4, 36.714
113. St. Johns, 955, 4-3, 54.286
114. Zeeland East, 955, 6-1, 80.714
115. Marquette, 952, 3-4, 43.393
116. Petoskey, 948, 4-3, 58.143
117. Detroit Mumford, 943, 5-2, 64.286
118. Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 940, 3-4, 38.321
119. Trenton, 914, 4-3, 59.143
120. Riverview, 913, 6-1, 72.571
121. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, 903, 5-2, 64.000
122. River Rouge, 897, 6-1, 71.714
123. Haslett, 895, 6-1, 78.429
124. Ortonville-Brandon, 887, 6-1, 87.429
125. Grand Rapids Christian, 886, 5-2, 74.429
126. Niles, 884, 3-4, 42.143
127. Parma Western, 870, 6-1, 72.857
128. Stevensville Lakeshore, 864, 4-3, 55.429
129. Hazel Park, 859, 3-4, 32.714
130. Chelsea, 851, 5-2, 69.400
131. Farmington Hills Harrison, 849, 5-2, 67.571
132. Spring Lake, 845, 5-2, 57.143
133. Marysville, 843, 4-3, 47.429
134. Fowlerville, 842, 3-4, 33.000
135. Edwardsburg, 838, 7-0, 91.429
136. Marshall, 830, 3-4, 39.714
137. Wayland Union, 829, 4-3, 51.571
138. Plainwell, 825, 5-2, 58.714
139. Carleton Airport, 811, 3-4, 36.000
140. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 809, 4-3, 54.429
141. St. Clair, 807, 5-2, 64.143
142. Sparta, 793, 4-3, 47.429
143. Charlotte, 766, 3-4, 33.000
144. Vicksburg, 762, 3-4, 33.857
145. Milan, 761, 5-2, 59.857
146. Goodrich, 758, 5-2, 62.143
147. Detroit Cody, 755, 5-2, 68.857
148. Allendale, 749, 3-4, 36.857
149. North Branch, 726, 6-1, 68.286
150. Croswell-Lexington, 724, 4-3, 49.429
151. Center Line, 720, 4-3, 45.286
152. Battle Creek Pennfield, 709, 4-3, 51.857
153. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 702, 4-3, 46.786
154. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy *, 701, 3-3, 37.143
155. Sault Ste. Marie, 700, 4-3, 45.714
156. Escanaba, 691, 5-2, 65.286
157. Detroit Country Day *, 687, 5-2, 72.286
158. Flint Powers Catholic, 687, 4-3, 53.571
159. Romulus Summit Academy North, 684, 3-4, 31.238
160. Three Rivers, 682, 6-1, 78.571
161. Holland Christian, 672, 4-3, 47.857
162. Paw Paw, 670, 5-2, 59.857
163. Whitehall, 669, 5-2, 51.714
164. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 663, 4-3, 44.429
165. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 662, 6-1, 75.000
166. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 659, 4-3, 50.714
167. Otsego, 651, 4-3, 46.714
168. Lake Fenton, 648, 4-3, 38.143
169. Yale, 647, 4-3, 42.714
170. Ludington, 645, 5-2, 44.571
171. Alma, 643, 6-1, 71.714
172. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 643, 5-2, 61.429
173. Williamston, 619, 6-1, 80.429
174. Bridgeport, 618, 3-4, 39.143
175. Grand Rapids South Christian, 615, 4-3, 58.095
176. Big Rapids, 613, 4-3, 44.000
177. Grosse Ile, 609, 7-0, 84.571
178. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 608, 6-1, 70.571
179. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 602, 6-1, 79.571
180. Harper Woods, 594, 5-2, 48.429
181. Howard City Tri-County, 585, 3-4, 38.714
182. Freeland, 584, 5-2, 57.571
183. Dowagiac, 580, 3-4, 38.000
184. Essexville Garber, 576, 3-4, 36.286
185. Gladwin, 575, 3-4, 29.429
186. Saginaw Swan Valley, 573, 7-0, 98.286
187. Belding, 572, 5-2, 57.143
188. Muskegon Oakridge, 571, 6-1, 67.000
189. Macomb Lutheran North, 560, 6-1, 65.571
190. Birch Run, 552, 4-3, 48.429
191. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 551, 3-4, 35.429
192. Clawson, 550, 4-3, 40.143
193. Portland, 550, 7-0, 84.571
194. Frankenmuth, 549, 6-1, 75.143
195. Kingsford, 547, 3-4, 38.643
196. Olivet, 542, 7-0, 85.714
197. Detroit Osborn, 537, 6-1, 65.714
198. Lansing Catholic, 531, 6-1, 70.571
199. Remus Chippewa Hills *, 531, 3-4, 40.000
200. Cheboygan, 527, 4-3, 47.286
201. Grant, 525, 4-3, 40.571
202. Richmond, 524, 4-3, 51.143
203. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 513, 4-3, 53.571
204. Ida, 512, 5-2, 56.429
205. Hopkins, 507, 6-1, 71.714
206. Benzie Central, 505, 4-3, 47.714
207. Detroit Denby, 504, 5-2, 56.571
208. Reed City, 504, 7-0, 88.000
209. Almont, 503, 7-0, 81.143
210. Marine City, 503, 5-2, 63.143
211. Berrien Springs, 500, 6-1, 68.667
212. Dundee, 485, 4-3, 45.286
213. Caro, 473, 3-4, 27.143
214. Grayling, 473, 3-4, 38.143
215. Detroit Henry Ford, 472, 3-4, 34.429
216. Manistee, 472, 7-0, 76.571
217. Durand, 468, 3-4, 31.714
218. Coloma, 460, 3-4, 37.286
219. Gladstone, 459, 3-4, 33.857
220. Perry, 459, 3-4, 32.143
221. Ovid-Elsie, 453, 5-2, 57.714
222. Kalamazoo Hackett, 450, 7-0, 78.857
223. Clare, 449, 6-1, 63.571
224. Montague, 445, 6-1, 68.286
225. Newaygo, 445, 5-2, 60.571
226. Kingsley, 443, 6-1, 69.429
227. Hillsdale, 441, 7-0, 77.714
228. Houghton, 421, 3-4, 29.714
229. Boyne City, 418, 3-4, 28.143
230. Tawas *, 418, 4-2, 42.190
231. Michigan Center, 412, 6-1, 54.571
232. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 410, 6-1, 72.571
233. Negaunee, 404, 4-3, 40.000
234. Muskegon Catholic Central, 402, 3-4, 33.143
235. Constantine, 400, 6-1, 63.571
236. Fennville, 400, 6-1, 56.571
237. Maple City Glen Lake, 395, 3-4, 33.571
238. Detroit Edison Public School Academy, 394, 3-4, 26.810
239. Calumet, 392, 7-0, 83.429
240. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 392, 7-0, 80.000
241. Ishpeming Westwood, 391, 5-2, 55.429
242. Millington, 390, 5-2, 60.286
243. Ithaca, 388, 6-1, 62.571
244. Ecorse, 387, 6-1, 65.143
245. Sanford Meridian Early College, 387, 3-4, 31.857
246. Blissfield, 383, 5-2, 64.571
247. Byron, 380, 4-3, 46.857
248. Montrose, 379, 5-2, 59.714
249. Delton Kellogg, 378, 5-2, 57.571
250. Hemlock, 374, 6-1, 57.857
251. Harrison, 372, 3-4, 32.571
252. Morley Stanwood, 369, 5-2, 48.286
253. Quincy, 369, 4-3, 40.143
254. Elk Rapids, 366, 5-2, 44.143
255. Napoleon, 365, 5-2, 46.143
256. Beaverton, 362, 5-2, 53.000
257. Grass Lake, 357, 7-0, 76.571
258. Jackson Lumen Christi *, 356, 7-0, 91.429
259. Traverse City St. Francis, 355, 7-0, 93.714
260. Flint Hamady, 353, 7-0, 82.286
261. Schoolcraft, 353, 6-1, 76.143
262. Niles Brandywine, 352, 5-2, 46.429
263. Kent City, 351, 7-0, 73.143
264. Lutheran Westland, 349, 3-4, 24.810
265. Detroit Central, 348, 3-4, 31.143
266. Lake City, 348, 7-0, 73.143
267. Leroy Pine River, 348, 5-2, 46.000
268. Vermontville Maple Valley, 347, 3-4, 30.857
269. L'Anse, 344, 3-4, 34.286
270. Ravenna, 344, 4-3, 38.571
271. Lakeview, 340, 3-4, 30.286
272. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 332, 3-4, 27.143
273. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 331, 5-2, 69.429
274. St. Louis, 331, 3-4, 33.429
275. Oscoda, 329, 6-1, 55.000
276. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 328, 4-3, 49.429
277. McBain, 327, 5-2, 54.143
278. North Muskegon, 327, 4-3, 35.000
279. Hartford, 322, 4-3, 33.857
280. Roscommon, 319, 6-1, 70.286
281. Madison Heights Madison, 316, 7-0, 102.857
282. Pewamo-Westphalia, 315, 7-0, 69.714
283. Clinton, 313, 6-1, 58.857
284. Bad Axe, 311, 4-3, 36.429
285. Detroit Community, 308, 7-0, 63.048
286. Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 306, 6-1, 60.476
287. New Lothrop, 302, 7-0, 84.571
288. Springport, 302, 7-0, 67.429
289. Allen Park Cabrini, 300, 5-2, 44.429
290. Sandusky, 300, 7-0, 65.143
291. Lawton, 299, 3-4, 26.286
292. Iron Mountain, 298, 5-2, 58.571
293. Union City, 297, 4-3, 39.857
294. Cass City, 291, 6-1, 64.571
295. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 287, 3-4, 29.857
296. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 282, 6-1, 60.143
297. Detroit Loyola, 280, 5-2, 66.286
298. Harbor Springs, 280, 6-1, 54.810
299. Manton, 280, 4-3, 38.571
300. Centreville, 279, 7-0, 65.143
301. Whitmore Lake, 278, 3-4, 28.429
302. Saugatuck, 273, 6-1, 59.000
303. Blanchard Montabella, 269, 3-4, 26.286
304. Sand Creek, 266, 4-3, 36.143
305. Detroit Leadership Academy, 264, 3-4, 27.524
306. Cassopolis, 261, 7-0, 70.857
307. Saranac, 257, 5-2, 39.143
308. Concord, 255, 3-4, 28.857
309. Marlette, 255, 3-4, 32.714
310. Hudson, 252, 3-4, 30.000
311. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic, 252, 3-4, 28.429
312. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 250, 7-0, 67.429
313. Carson City-Crystal, 248, 6-1, 48.857
314. Gwinn, 246, 5-2, 44.571
315. Iron River West Iron County, 246, 5-2, 44.000
316. Dansville, 244, 5-2, 46.714
317. Reading, 244, 7-0, 70.857
318. Addison, 243, 4-3, 35.286
319. Flint Beecher, 237, 5-2, 48.429
320. Holton, 234, 5-2, 43.714
321. Ishpeming, 233, 7-0, 74.286
322. Ubly, 232, 5-2, 46.143
323. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 226, 6-1, 60.238
324. White Pigeon, 225, 5-2, 49.143
325. Breckenridge, 224, 7-0, 67.429
326. Harbor Beach, 222, 6-1, 59.714
327. Norway, 220, 3-4, 29.143
328. Rogers City, 220, 6-1, 60.143
329. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 220, 7-0, 60.952
330. Petersburg-Summerfield, 219, 4-3, 37.714
331. Decatur, 216, 4-3, 36.429
332. St. Ignace, 209, 4-3, 33.714
333. Detroit Public Safety Academy, 206, 6-1, 52.524
334. Munising, 201, 4-3, 34.286
335. Mendon, 193, 4-3, 32.714
336. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 193, 6-1, 53.286
337. Merrill, 186, 4-3, 32.952
338. Pittsford, 186, 6-1, 54.286
339. Three Oaks River Valley, 186, 4-3, 33.714
340. Athens *, 185, 3-3, 31.857
341. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 183, 6-1, 53.333
342. Martin, 183, 4-3, 34.905
343. Saginaw Nouvel, 180, 4-3, 36.429
344. Frankfort, 174, 4-3, 34.714
345. Fowler, 170, 4-3, 32.857
346. Detroit Southeastern, 154, 4-3, 46.000
347. Climax-Scotts *, 148, 3-3, 33.429
348. Waterford Our Lady, 128, 4-3, 39.000
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Colon, 162, 7-0, 64.000
2. Pickford, 156, 7-0, 64.000
3. Morrice, 182, 7-0, 59.429
4. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 173, 7-0, 58.667
5. Powers North Central, 109, 6-1, 53.286
6. AuGres-Sims, 160, 7-0, 52.571
7. Onekama, 131, 6-1, 50.381
8. Suttons Bay, 189, 6-1, 48.286
9. Bellevue, 185, 6-1, 48.095
10. Engadine, 102, 6-1, 47.714
11. Hillman, 140, 6-1, 47.714
12. Deckerville, 175, 5-2, 42.571
13. Posen, 78, 6-1, 41.857
14. Kingston, 187, 6-1, 41.714
15. Rapid River, 127, 5-2, 40.429
16. Brethren, 143, 5-2, 40.190
17. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 122, 5-2, 38.143
18. Peck, 136, 5-2, 37.810
19. Tekonsha, 121, 5-2, 35.571
20. Fife Lake Forest Area, 183, 4-3, 35.429
21. Battle Creek St. Philip, 178, 4-3, 34.000
22. New Haven Merritt Academy, 154, 4-3, 33.857
23. Mayville, 185, 4-3, 32.857
24. Kinde-North Huron, 130, 4-3, 32.571
25. Genesee, 169, 4-3, 30.857
26. Camden-Frontier, 176, 4-3, 30.429
27. Stephenson, 159, 4-3, 28.714
28. Marion, 139, 4-3, 28.048
29. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 125, 4-3, 27.714
30. Portland St. Patrick, 102, 3-4, 27.571
31. Webberville, 176, 3-4, 27.429
32. Cedarville, 151, 4-3, 26.857
33. Eben Junction Superior Central, 121, 3-4, 26.571
34. North Adams-Jerome, 146, 4-3, 26.286
35. Onaway, 187, 4-3, 26.238
36. Manistee Catholic Central, 181, 4-3, 25.905
37. Ontonagon, 173, 4-3, 25.571
38. Bellaire, 131, 3-4, 24.500
39. Pellston, 167, 3-4, 23.143
40. Mesick, 202, 3-4, 22.857
41. Lawrence, 171, 3-4, 22.286
42. Caseville *, 95, 3-3, 20.952
43. Burr Oak, 74, 3-4, 19.286
44. Rudyard, 159, 3-4, 17.714
45. Central Lake *, 190, 2-4, 16.810
46. Bay City All Saints, 77, 2-5, 16.381
47. Ashley, 94, 2-5, 14.714
48. Owendale-Gagetown, 57, 2-5, 12.571
49. Waldron, 65, 2-5, 12.286
50. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 201, 2-5, 11.143
51. Bear Lake *, 94, 1-5, 10.048
52. Hale, 122, 1-6, 9.143
53. Atlanta, 74, 1-6, 8.714
54. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 156, 1-6, 8.429
55. Burton Madison Academy, 163, 1-6, 7.476
56. Brimley, 154, 1-6, 7.143
57. Litchfield, 81, 1-6, 7.143
58. Felch North Dickinson, 83, 0-7, 3.714
59. Flint International Academy, 171, 0-7, 3.143
60. Carney-Nadeau, 133, 0-7, 2.857
61. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 100, 0-7, 2.429
62. Baldwin *, 120, 0-6, 1.881
1st & Goal: Playoff Week 4 Preview
January 8, 2021
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
There are a lot of ways to describe what Michigan’s football contenders will restart Saturday, and how it will be talked about for years and perhaps generations to come.
But at the end of it all, it’s pretty simple: It’s great to be talking about the football playoffs again.
Consider this as much a catching-up as a preview of the 8-Player Semifinals and glances at many of the most intriguing 11-Player Regional Finals, all to be played Saturday. Be sure to also take advantage of the opportunity to quickly find your stride this weekend by tuning in, with every game to be streamed live thanks to a variety of sources – Click for the list of broadcasts.
Visit the MHSAA Football Playoff Home for the entire schedule for this weekend, scores as they come in and what’s next as we follow these long-awaited final few weeks of the season.
8-Player
Division 1
Martin (8-1) vs. Adrian Lenawee Christian (9-0) at Adrian College
Two seasons ago the Clippers stormed through a perfect regular season in their first of 8-player, and this season Lenawee Christian followed the same plan. The Cougars are averaging 200 yards rushing per game on more than nine yards per carry, with Jameson Chesser averaging better than 10 yards per carry on the way to 1,055 total. Martin’s only loss was a forfeit, and also led by a 1,000 rusher in Gabe Meyers, who is averaging 11.7 per carry for a team rolling up 300 yards per game on the ground.
NOTE: Suttons Bay will advance with Indian River Inland Lakes forfeit.
Division 2
Marion (8-1) vs. Powers North Central (9-0) at Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome
North Central is playing to reach the championship game for the first time since claiming back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016, and the Jets are paced by an excellent defense and multi-threat quarterback Luke Gorzinski – he leads the team in rushing (791 yards, 16 touchdowns) and has thrown for 1,105 yards and 17 scores. Marion’s only loss came in its season opener to Mesick on the way to the program’s first Semifinal since 1992. The Eagles also mix tough defense with dynamic quarterback play, with Mason Salisbury piling up 1,260 yards and 19 TDs rushing and 614 and 10 scores passing.
Kinde North Huron (8-1) vs. Portland St. Patrick (9-0) at Portland High School
Portland St. Patrick has been as close as anyone to winning a championship lately, with this its fourth-straight Semifinal and fifth of the last nine seasons. The Shamrocks defeated reigning Division 1 champion Colon 44-34 to advance to this round this time. This is North Huron’s second Semifinal appearance in four seasons after the Warriors fell to St. Patrick in a 2017 meeting to reach the championship game. North Huron’s only loss this fall was to a Mayville team that fell to Lenawee Christian in the Division 1 Regional Finals.
11-Player
Division 1
Detroit Cass Tech (9-0) at Belleville (9-0)
Five of eight teams remaining in Division 1 are undefeated, and this is one of two matchups of unbeaten teams. The Tigers have won two straight Regional titles, while the Technicians are seeking their first since 2017 but have won eight over the last decade. Yet despite their shared elite success over the last five seasons especially, this will be their first matchup at least in modern history. Belleville will see how its offense, averaging 51 points per game, stacks up against a Cass Tech defense giving up slightly more than seven.
Other Regional Finals: Saline (8-1) at Rockford (7-0), Detroit Catholic Central (9-0) vs. Davison (9-0) at Lapeer, Romeo (5-4) at West Bloomfield (8-1).
Division 2
Muskegon Mona Shores (9-0) at East Lansing (8-0)
The reigning Division 2 champion Sailors must hit the road as they seek their third consecutive Regional championship. They went into the pause with two straight one-score wins and take on a Trojans team that has given up more than one score in a game only once. East Lansing’s wins all have come by double digits, but its offense must play a big role again as Shores will present the impressive defense its toughest challenge this season.
Other Regional Finals: North Farmington (7-2) vs. Traverse City Central (8-1) at Thirlby Field, Oak Park (4-5) at Livonia Churchill (6-2), Warren De La Salle Collegiate (5-4) at Warren Mott (7-1).
Division 3
River Rouge (7-1) at Detroit Martin Luther King (6-3)
These two matched up for one of the most memorable playoff games of 2018, as King won 7-6 in a Division 3 opener on the way to claiming the championship in that division a month later. King moved to Division 2 last season and fell to Mona Shores in the Final, while Rouge claimed the Division 3 title. As they meet again, the Panthers are hoping to find their November momentum; after losing the East Lansing in Week 5 they ran off four straight shutouts at the front end of a dominating run. King may be their toughest challenge again, having lost only to Shores and twice to Cass Tech.
Other Regional Finals: East Grand Rapids (6-3) at Muskegon (8-1), Flint Kearsley (6-3) at Chelsea (9-0). DeWitt will advance with Stevensville Lakeshore forfeit.
Division 4
Grand Rapids South Christian (8-1) at Edwardsburg (8-0)
The only loss between these two this season was South Christian’s one-point defeat versus Division 5 contender Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Otherwise, neither has faced a single-score game – the Eddies are giving up just a single score per game, on average. Before playing in Division 3 last season, Edwardsburg won Division 4 in 2018 and was runner-up in 2017. But the Sailors may be the team remaining in Division 4 best equipped to match the Eddies’ high-powered attack; the last time South Christian was this potent on offense, it won the 2014 Division 4 title.
Other Regional Finals: Ada Forest Hills Eastern (6-3) vs. Cadillac (6-2) at Traverse City's Thirlby Field, Milan (8-1) vs. Williamston (8-1) at Lansing Catholic, Detroit Country Day (6-2) vs. North Branch (9-0) at Lapeer High School.
Division 5
Marine City (8-1) at Frankenmuth (9-0)
The Eagles have been looking to break through with three Regional titles over the last four seasons, and the they outscored their first three playoffs opponents by a combined 139-26. That included a 28-0 District Final win over Almont, last season’s Division 5 runner-up. Marine City opened the postseason similarly, outscoring its first three opponents by a combined 121-28 – and that only loss was a forfeit taken Week 9.
Other Regional Finals: Muskegon Oakridge (7-2) at Grand Rapids Catholic Central (8-0), Grosse Ile (6-3) at Lansing Catholic (7-2). Freeland will advance with Reed City forfeit.
Division 6
Montrose (8-1) at Montague (9-0)
After missing a trip to Ford Field by a one-point loss in last year’s Semifinal, Montague has steamrolled through the majority of this season – only Whitehall in Week 8 (34-31) has given the Wildcats a close game. Montrose’s consistency, meanwhile, deserves more attention – the Rams are picking back up their 11th-straight winning season and hoping for a second Regional title in three seasons. The lone loss this fall was to rival New Lothrop, still rolling in Division 7.
Other Regional Finals: Negaunee (6-3) at Grayling (6-3), Michigan Center (6-1) at Constantine (8-1), Clinton (8-1) vs. Warren Michigan Collegiate (9-0) at Madison Heights Bishop Foley.
Division 7
Cass City (9-0) vs. Ithaca (9-0) at Brighton’s Legacy Center
Ithaca has had to navigate one of the most uneven playoff runs of an uneven season all around, with two of its three wins so far coming by forfeit. But the other was a 41-0 victory over Ravenna, and the Yellowjackets have put up an average of 49 points per game, an improvement of 17 ppg from a year ago. Cass City’s run-up to this game was more eventful, as it eliminated previously-undefeated Sandusky and then Hemlock in successive District games. Doing the same this week to Ithaca would put the Red Hawks in the Semifinals for the second-straight season.
Other Regional Finals: New Lothrop (8-0) vs. Detroit Loyola (8-1) at Madison Heights Bishop Foley, Jackson Lumen Christi (5-4) vs. Schoolcraft (8-1) at Portage Central. Traverse City St. Francis will advance with Oscoda forfeit.
Division 8
Johannesburg-Lewiston (9-0) vs. Iron Mountain (8-1) at Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome
Viewing from the statewide lens, this might be one of the most intriguing matchups of the weekend. The Cardinals went into the pause with a 28-21 win over 2019 Division 8 runner-up Beal City, their only game closer than 30 points. Because of forfeits, Iron Mountain has played only three games on the field – but two of those three were double-digit District Semifinal and Final wins. The Mountaineers are playing to make the Semifinals for the second-straight season as well.
Other Regional Finals: Carson City-Crystal (6-1) at Ubly (7-2), Sand Creek (8-1) vs. Centreville (8-0) at Portage Central, Petersburg Summerfield (4-5) vs. Clarkston Everest Collegiate (9-0) at Legacy Center.
PHOTOS: Championship contenders East Lansing, on defense, and River Rouge met Sept. 25, with the Trojans winning 21-6. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)