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2018 Week 9 Football Playoff Listing

October 16, 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 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. 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 Selection Sunday Show will be available on the primary FOX Sports Detroit channel on cable. The program also can be viewed on the internet through the FoxSportsDetroit.com Website, and on handheld devices and television streaming devices like Roku using the FOX Sports app. 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, 6-2, 78.375
2. Dearborn Fordson, 2795, 7-1, 92.875
3. Utica Eisenhower, 2668, 5-3, 69.125
4. East Kentwood, 2651, 7-1, 93.750
5. Grand Blanc, 2637, 5-3, 67.125
6. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 2591, 4-4, 54.500
7. Clarkston, 2548, 7-1, 93.625
8. Rockford, 2481, 5-3, 64.875
9. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2462, 8-0, 120.000
10. Detroit Cass Tech, 2432, 8-0, 107.714
11. Lake Orion, 2393, 4-4, 52.875
12. Howell, 2387, 4-4, 50.750
13. Canton, 2260, 6-2, 79.375
14. Brighton, 2202, 7-1, 94.875
15. Holland West Ottawa, 2190, 6-2, 78.000
16. Oxford, 2170, 6-2, 84.125
17. Dearborn, 2106, 4-4, 49.625
18. Plymouth, 2060, 6-2, 74.375
19. Detroit Catholic Central, 2020, 6-2, 87.268
20. West Bloomfield, 2005, 6-2, 90.000
21. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, 1994, 4-4, 48.000
22. Monroe, 1949, 6-2, 77.181
23. Hudsonville, 1879, 5-3, 64.036
24. Saline, 1834, 7-1, 96.875
25. Romeo, 1779, 5-3, 71.125
26. Detroit Western International, 1773, 5-3, 52.000
27. Lapeer, 1772, 8-0, 107.000
28. White Lake Lakeland, 1740, 5-3, 65.125
29. Ann Arbor Skyline, 1701, 4-4, 49.375
30. Davison, 1687, 7-1, 87.625
31. Kalamazoo Central, 1672, 5-3, 67.250
32. Walled Lake Northern, 1672, 4-4, 49.750
33. Belleville, 1642, 8-0, 112.000
34. Traverse City West, 1634, 6-2, 81.375
35. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1628, 7-1, 94.625
36. Rochester Adams, 1621, 5-3, 66.750
37. Grosse Pointe South, 1593, 8-0, 103.000
38. Warren Mott, 1585, 6-2, 79.750
39. Waterford Mott, 1558, 4-4, 50.250
40. Saginaw Heritage, 1541, 5-3, 53.500
41. Warren DeLaSalle, 1474, 6-2, 83.700
42. Jenison, 1464, 5-3, 67.000
43. Temperance Bedford, 1462, 4-4, 51.125
44. Livonia Franklin, 1443, 4-4, 50.500
45. Livonia Churchill, 1435, 6-2, 79.625
46. Ypsilanti Community, 1433, 4-4, 48.125
47. Dearborn Heights Crestwood, 1424, 8-0, 95.000
48. St. Clair Shores Lakeview, 1399, 5-3, 59.625
49. Traverse City Central, 1391, 6-2, 83.250
50. Okemos, 1381, 6-2, 72.536
51. Birmingham Seaholm, 1376, 7-1, 91.875
52. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1376, 5-3, 65.125
53. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1358, 4-4, 50.750
54. Oak Park, 1349, 7-1, 91.625
55. Portage Central, 1349, 6-2, 80.000
56. Royal Oak, 1335, 4-4, 47.500
57. Roseville, 1303, 5-3, 58.536
58. Birmingham Groves, 1298, 6-2, 72.375
59. Port Huron Northern, 1295, 7-1, 90.500
60. Midland, 1289, 5-3, 58.875
61. Portage Northern, 1284, 6-2, 75.375
62. Midland Dow, 1277, 5-3, 59.250
63. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, 1276, 6-2, 72.625
64. Flushing, 1275, 6-2, 82.250
65. Swartz Creek, 1262, 6-2, 78.500
66. Walled Lake Western, 1258, 5-3, 66.000
67. Jackson, 1229, 8-0, 104.000
68. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1226, 4-4, 46.625
69. South Lyon, 1225, 8-0, 108.000
70. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1215, 7-1, 95.875
71. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 1212, 4-4, 54.250
72. Dexter, 1172, 6-2, 69.500
73. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1168, 5-3, 70.329
74. Detroit Renaissance, 1168, 4-4, 43.000
75. Ferndale, 1162, 6-2, 73.375
76. Fenton, 1160, 6-2, 78.375
77. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1154, 5-3, 54.375
78. Mattawan, 1153, 5-3, 62.179
79. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1149, 7-1, 85.875
80. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1142, 5-3, 59.500
81. Warren Woods Tower, 1126, 8-0, 90.000
82. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1115, 6-2, 71.250
83. Gibraltar Carlson, 1114, 7-1, 96.750
84. East Lansing, 1111, 7-1, 91.161
85. Farmington, 1111, 6-2, 83.625
86. Allen Park, 1105, 6-2, 81.250
87. Redford Thurston, 1098, 5-3, 53.125
88. Grand Rapids Northview, 1096, 6-2, 74.250
89. Garden City, 1080, 6-2, 70.125
90. South Lyon East, 1063, 5-3, 62.625
91. Mt. Pleasant, 1053, 8-0, 99.000
92. Eastpointe, 1022, 4-4, 50.750
93. Muskegon, 1022, 8-0, 111.000
94. Battle Creek Central, 1014, 5-3, 61.179
95. St. Joseph, 1010, 5-3, 66.750
96. Gaylord, 1002, 5-3, 54.750
97. DeWitt, 1001, 8-0, 115.286
98. East Grand Rapids, 998, 5-3, 67.250
99. Zeeland West, 997, 6-2, 80.375
100. Cedar Springs, 992, 7-1, 88.875
101. Mason, 968, 4-4, 42.625
102. St. Johns, 955, 5-3, 58.750
103. Zeeland East, 955, 7-1, 88.750
104. Marquette, 952, 4-4, 52.333
105. Petoskey, 948, 5-3, 65.125
106. Detroit Mumford, 943, 5-3, 59.125
107. Trenton, 914, 5-3, 65.000
108. Riverview, 913, 6-2, 67.500
109. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, 903, 6-2, 70.125
110. River Rouge, 897, 7-1, 69.018
111. Haslett, 895, 7-1, 85.750
112. Ortonville-Brandon, 887, 7-1, 90.625
113. Grand Rapids Christian, 886, 6-2, 82.250
114. Parma Western, 870, 7-1, 76.875
115. Stevensville Lakeshore, 864, 4-4, 50.375
116. Chelsea, 851, 6-2, 73.917
117. Farmington Hills Harrison, 849, 5-3, 61.875
118. Spring Lake, 845, 5-3, 52.500
119. Marysville, 843, 4-4, 43.375
120. Edwardsburg, 838, 8-0, 95.000
121. Wayland Union, 829, 4-4, 46.500
122. Plainwell, 825, 5-3, 53.250
123. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 809, 5-3, 59.946
124. St. Clair, 807, 6-2, 70.375
125. Sparta, 793, 5-3, 52.625
126. Milan, 761, 6-2, 65.500
127. Goodrich, 758, 5-3, 56.375
128. Detroit Cody, 755, 6-2, 77.375
129. Allendale, 749, 4-4, 46.625
130. North Branch, 726, 6-2, 62.375
131. Croswell-Lexington, 724, 5-3, 58.625
132. Center Line, 720, 5-3, 52.000
133. Battle Creek Pennfield, 709, 4-4, 47.625
134. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 702, 4-4, 41.819
135. Sault Ste. Marie, 700, 5-3, 47.250
136. Escanaba, 691, 6-2, 75.278
137. Detroit Country Day *, 687, 6-2, 78.304
138. Flint Powers Catholic, 687, 5-3, 64.125
139. Romulus Summit Academy North, 684, 4-4, 38.696
140. Three Rivers, 682, 7-1, 80.875
141. Holland Christian, 672, 5-3, 57.125
142. Paw Paw, 670, 6-2, 66.625
143. Whitehall, 669, 6-2, 56.500
144. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 663, 4-4, 39.875
145. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 662, 7-1, 81.750
146. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 659, 5-3, 54.750
147. Otsego, 651, 5-3, 53.250
148. Lake Fenton, 648, 4-4, 34.250
149. Yale, 647, 4-4, 39.500
150. Ludington, 645, 6-2, 49.125
151. Alma, 643, 7-1, 75.875
152. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 643, 6-2, 67.946
153. Williamston, 619, 7-1, 84.500
154. Grand Rapids South Christian, 615, 4-4, 53.679
155. Big Rapids, 613, 5-3, 51.750
156. Grosse Ile, 609, 8-0, 94.000
157. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 608, 6-2, 65.500
158. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 602, 7-1, 85.625
159. Harper Woods, 594, 6-2, 55.768
160. Howard City Tri-County, 585, 4-4, 44.000
161. Freeland, 584, 5-3, 52.125
162. Dowagiac, 580, 4-4, 41.625
163. Essexville Garber, 576, 4-4, 41.000
164. Saginaw Swan Valley, 573, 8-0, 99.000
165. Belding, 572, 6-2, 64.250
166. Muskegon Oakridge, 571, 7-1, 69.750
167. Macomb Lutheran North, 560, 7-1, 72.500
168. Birch Run, 552, 5-3, 58.500
169. Clawson, 550, 5-3, 45.500
170. Portland, 550, 8-0, 90.000
171. Frankenmuth, 549, 7-1, 77.875
172. Kingsford, 547, 4-4, 43.375
173. Olivet, 542, 7-1, 79.750
174. Detroit Osborn, 537, 6-2, 61.250
175. Lansing Catholic, 531, 7-1, 74.875
176. Remus Chippewa Hills, 531, 4-4, 44.500
177. Cheboygan, 527, 4-4, 44.375
178. Grant, 525, 4-4, 37.250
179. Richmond, 524, 5-3, 54.875
180. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 513, 4-4, 50.000
181. Ida, 512, 6-2, 61.500
182. Hopkins, 507, 7-1, 73.750
183. Benzie Central, 505, 5-3, 55.000
184. Detroit Denby, 504, 6-2, 65.554
185. Reed City, 504, 8-0, 94.000
186. Almont, 503, 8-0, 86.000
187. Marine City, 503, 6-2, 70.500
188. Berrien Springs, 500, 7-1, 78.161
189. Dundee, 485, 5-3, 47.875
190. Caro, 473, 4-4, 34.250
191. Detroit Henry Ford, 472, 4-4, 39.500
192. Manistee, 472, 8-0, 79.000
193. Coloma, 460, 4-4, 45.000
194. Ovid-Elsie, 453, 6-2, 63.750
195. Kalamazoo Hackett, 450, 8-0, 85.000
196. Clare, 449, 7-1, 65.750
197. Montague, 445, 7-1, 72.875
198. Newaygo, 445, 5-3, 56.000
199. Kingsley, 443, 7-1, 76.875
200. Hillsdale, 441, 7-1, 71.750
201. Tawas *, 418, 5-2, 43.214
202. Michigan Center, 412, 7-1, 61.875
203. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 410, 7-1, 81.500
204. Negaunee, 404, 5-3, 46.375
205. Constantine, 400, 6-2, 59.625
206. Fennville, 400, 7-1, 58.500
207. Maple City Glen Lake, 395, 4-4, 39.750
208. Calumet, 392, 8-0, 88.000
209. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 392, 8-0, 85.429
210. Ishpeming Westwood, 391, 6-2, 57.750
211. Millington, 390, 5-3, 55.625
212. Ithaca, 388, 7-1, 67.875
213. Ecorse, 387, 7-1, 72.196
214. Sanford Meridian Early College, 387, 4-4, 37.250
215. Blissfield, 383, 5-3, 59.000
216. Byron, 380, 4-4, 43.000
217. Montrose, 379, 6-2, 64.500
218. Delton Kellogg, 378, 5-3, 52.000
219. Hemlock, 374, 7-1, 60.750
220. Morley Stanwood, 369, 6-2, 52.375
221. Quincy, 369, 5-3, 46.250
222. Elk Rapids, 366, 6-2, 52.875
223. Napoleon, 365, 5-3, 43.375
224. Beaverton, 362, 6-2, 59.625
225. Grass Lake, 357, 8-0, 76.000
226. Jackson Lumen Christi *, 356, 8-0, 95.000
227. Traverse City St. Francis, 355, 8-0, 94.000
228. Flint Hamady, 353, 8-0, 82.000
229. Schoolcraft, 353, 7-1, 76.750
230. Niles Brandywine, 352, 6-2, 51.903
231. Kent City, 351, 7-1, 66.875
232. Lutheran Westland, 349, 4-4, 31.179
233. Detroit Central, 348, 4-4, 35.625
234. Lake City, 348, 8-0, 81.000
235. Leroy Pine River, 348, 6-2, 53.500
236. Vermontville Maple Valley, 347, 4-4, 35.250
237. Ravenna, 344, 4-4, 35.875
238. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 331, 6-2, 69.929
239. St. Louis, 331, 4-4, 36.625
240. Oscoda, 329, 7-1, 55.268
241. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 328, 5-3, 56.625
242. McBain, 327, 6-2, 60.625
243. North Muskegon, 327, 4-4, 32.500
244. Hartford, 322, 4-4, 31.750
245. Roscommon, 319, 7-1, 71.625
246. Madison Heights Madison, 316, 8-0, 101.000
247. Pewamo-Westphalia, 315, 8-0, 73.000
248. Clinton, 313, 6-2, 56.375
249. Bad Axe, 311, 4-4, 34.625
250. Detroit Community, 308, 7-1, 57.179
251. Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 306, 7-1, 65.036
252. New Lothrop, 302, 8-0, 86.000
253. Springport, 302, 7-1, 62.875
254. Allen Park Cabrini, 300, 5-3, 40.643
255. Sandusky, 300, 7-1, 59.750
256. Iron Mountain, 298, 6-2, 62.500
257. Union City, 297, 5-3, 42.125
258. Cass City, 291, 7-1, 67.625
259. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 282, 7-1, 62.750
260. Detroit Loyola, 280, 6-2, 69.536
261. Harbor Springs, 280, 6-2, 49.661
262. Manton, 280, 4-4, 37.750
263. Centreville, 279, 8-0, 70.000
264. Whitmore Lake, 278, 4-4, 34.000
265. Saugatuck, 273, 7-1, 63.750
266. Sand Creek, 266, 5-3, 42.804
267. Detroit Leadership Academy, 264, 4-4, 34.589
268. Cassopolis, 261, 8-0, 73.000
269. Saranac, 257, 6-2, 41.500
270. Hudson, 252, 4-4, 38.625
271. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic, 252, 4-4, 36.250
272. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 250, 8-0, 74.000
273. Carson City-Crystal, 248, 7-1, 50.875
274. Gwinn, 246, 5-3, 41.750
275. Iron River West Iron County, 246, 6-2, 50.750
276. Dansville, 244, 6-2, 49.125
277. Reading, 244, 8-0, 79.000
278. Addison, 243, 5-3, 39.125
279. Flint Beecher, 237, 6-2, 53.625
280. Holton, 234, 5-3, 40.000
281. Ishpeming, 233, 8-0, 80.000
282. Ubly, 232, 6-2, 51.500
283. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 226, 7-1, 61.661
284. White Pigeon, 225, 6-2, 54.417
285. Breckenridge, 224, 8-0, 69.429
286. Harbor Beach, 222, 7-1, 68.250
287. Norway, 220, 4-4, 32.875
288. Rogers City, 220, 7-1, 66.893
289. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 220, 8-0, 61.429
290. Petersburg-Summerfield, 219, 4-4, 34.750
291. Decatur, 216, 4-4, 34.750
292. St. Ignace, 209, 4-4, 30.375
293. Detroit Public Safety Academy, 206, 7-1, 56.179
294. Munising, 201, 4-4, 32.125
295. Mendon, 193, 4-4, 30.750
296. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 193, 6-2, 49.500
297. Merrill, 186, 5-3, 36.179
298. Pittsford, 186, 7-1, 53.639
299. Three Oaks River Valley, 186, 4-4, 31.317
300. Athens *, 185, 4-3, 38.214
301. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 183, 7-1, 57.746
302. Martin, 183, 5-3, 38.786
303. Saginaw Nouvel, 180, 5-3, 43.125
304. Frankfort, 174, 5-3, 39.911
305. Fowler, 170, 4-4, 31.000
306. Detroit Southeastern, 154, 5-3, 49.250
307. Waterford Our Lady, 128, 4-4, 36.125
308. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 115, 7-1, 59.232

8-Player Playoff Listing

1. Colon, 162, 8-0, 66.000
2. Pickford, 156, 8-0, 65.000
3. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 173, 8-0, 60.429
4. Morrice, 182, 8-0, 60.000
5. AuGres-Sims, 160, 8-0, 59.000
6. Suttons Bay, 189, 7-1, 54.446
7. Engadine, 102, 7-1, 52.875
8. Hillman, 140, 7-1, 52.875
9. Powers North Central, 109, 7-1, 52.750
10. Bellevue, 185, 7-1, 52.542
11. Onekama, 131, 6-2, 49.054
12. Deckerville, 175, 6-2, 48.500
13. Kingston, 187, 7-1, 46.625
14. Brethren, 143, 6-2, 42.268
15. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 122, 6-2, 41.625
16. Posen, 78, 6-2, 39.625
17. Rapid River, 127, 5-3, 37.375
18. Peck, 136, 5-3, 37.292
19. Camden-Frontier, 176, 5-3, 37.000
20. Battle Creek St. Philip, 178, 5-3, 36.125
21. Mayville, 185, 5-3, 36.000
22. New Haven Merritt Academy, 154, 5-3, 35.804
23. Portland St. Patrick, 102, 4-4, 34.625
24. Genesee, 169, 5-3, 34.179
25. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 125, 5-3, 33.542
26. Fife Lake Forest Area, 183, 4-4, 33.536
27. Webberville, 176, 4-4, 32.500
28. Marion, 139, 5-3, 31.768
29. Tekonsha, 121, 5-3, 31.750
30. Kinde-North Huron, 130, 4-4, 31.500
31. Cedarville, 151, 5-3, 30.750
32. Stephenson, 159, 5-3, 30.417
33. Manistee Catholic Central, 181, 5-3, 29.893
34. Mesick, 202, 4-4, 26.518
35. Pellston, 167, 4-4, 26.500
36. Onaway, 187, 4-4, 26.054
37. Eben Junction Superior Central, 121, 3-5, 25.181
38. Ontonagon, 173, 4-4, 24.000
39. North Adams-Jerome, 146, 4-4, 23.750
40. Bellaire, 131, 3-5, 23.482
41. Central Lake *, 190, 3-4, 23.339
42. Bay City All Saints, 77, 3-5, 22.679
43. Lawrence, 171, 3-5, 21.625
44. Caseville *, 95, 3-4, 18.214
45. Burr Oak, 74, 3-5, 17.500
46. Owendale-Gagetown, 57, 3-5, 17.375
47. Rudyard, 159, 3-5, 16.375
48. Ashley, 94, 2-6, 14.875
49. Atlanta, 74, 2-6, 13.000
50. Waldron, 65, 2-6, 11.750
51. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 201, 2-6, 10.625
52. Bear Lake *, 94, 1-6, 9.571
53. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 156, 1-7, 9.125
54. Hale, 122, 1-7, 8.625
55. Burton Madison Academy, 163, 1-7, 7.536
56. Brimley, 154, 1-7, 7.500
57. Litchfield, 81, 1-7, 7.375
58. Felch North Dickinson, 83, 0-8, 4.375
59. Flint International Academy, 171, 0-8, 4.250
60. Carney-Nadeau, 133, 0-8, 3.625
61. Baldwin *, 120, 0-7, 2.911
62. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 100, 0-8, 2.750

2021 Football Finals

1st & Goal: 2021 11-Player Finals Preview

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 24, 2021

We have a lot to be thankful for this fall, including the opportunities that have been provided for our high school athletes in every sport with 2020 still a not-so-distant memory.

MI Student AidOn the football field, we surely are grateful for the opportunity to play a "normal" season. And we're most certainly thankful to again be celebrating another championship conclusion with our traditional 11-Player Finals weekend at Ford Field.

Here's the schedule for Friday and Saturday's games:

FRIDAY
Division 8 – 10 a.m. – Beal City (12-1) vs. Hudson (13-0)
Division 2 – 1 p.m. – Traverse City Central (12-1) vs. Warren De La Salle Collegiate (12-0)
Division 6 – 4:30 p.m. – Warren Michigan Collegiate (11-2) vs. Lansing Catholic (12-1)
Division 4 – 7:30 p.m. – Hudsonville Unity Christian (13-0) vs. Chelsea (13-0)

SATURDAY
Division 7 – 10 a.m. – Lawton (13-0) vs. Pewamo-Westphalia (13-0)
Division 1 – 1 p.m. – Belleville (12-1) vs. Rochester Adams (13-0)
Division 5 – 4:30 p.m. – Marine City (13-0) vs. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (13-0)
Division 3 – 7:30 p.m. – DeWitt (12-1) vs. Detroit Martin Luther King (12-1)

All games will be broadcast live on either the Bally Sports Detroit primary or PLUS channels – click for the schedule and check local listings to find the channels for your cable service. All eight also will be available on the Bally Sports app and streamed on the Bally Sports Detroit website. Additionally, all eight championship games will be available for listening from the MHSAA Network at MHSAANetwork.com. 

Rankings below are derived from where teams finished the regular season in their divisions based on playoff point average. Statistics are through Regional Finals unless noted. 

Division 1

Division 1ROCHESTER ADAMS
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 5 
Coach: Tony Patritto, 19th season (149-58)
League finish: First in Oakland Activities Association White
Championship history: Division 2 champion 2003. 
Best wins: 40-20 over No. 4 Grand Blanc in Semifinal, 14-13 (Regional Final) and 35-17 over No. 7 West Bloomfield, 42-20 over Lapeer in District Semifinal.  
Players to watch: QB/S Parker Picot, 6-2/185, jr. (1,316 yards/19 TDs rushing, 502 yards/7 TDs passing – includes Semifinal); RB/LB Griffin Henke, 5-10/185, sr. (863 yards, 15 TDs rushing); SL/LB Marco Discresce, 5-11/175, sr.; OL/DE Alex DeGrieck, 6-5/240, sr. 
Outlook: Adams quickly made last season’s 3-5 finish a distant memory with a 35-17 win over reigning Division 1 champion West Bloomfield on opening night. The Highlanders have gone on to set a program record for wins while also defeating the Lakers a second time in the Regional Final and last week handing Grand Blanc its lone loss of the season. DeGrieck is a menace up front on defense, and that group allows only 12.1 points per game and hasn’t given up more than 21. Picot earned an all-state honorable mention last season and directs an attack that averaged 32 points per game during the regular season but has gone over 40 in three of four playoff wins. 

BELLEVILLE
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 6 
Coach: Jermain Crowell, seventh season (71-10)
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association West
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final. 
Best wins: 40-26 over No. T-10. Sterling Heights Stevenson in Semifinal, 12-7 (Regional Final) and 21-19 over No. 12 Dearborn Fordson, 14-10 over No. T-10. Ann Arbor Huron in District Semifinal, 46-9 over Hartland, 53-29 over Livonia Franklin.
Players to watch: DB/WR Jeremiah Caldwell, 6-3/175, sr.; QB Bryce Underwood, 6-2/180, fr.; RB/LB Aaron Alexander, 6-1/205, sr.; DB/WR Deshaun Lee, 5-11/175, sr. (Statistics not provided.)
Outlook: Belleville has broken through to reach championship weekend for the first time after playing in four straight Semifinals – and losing its previous two by a combined four points. The offense gets a lot of attention – and for good reason – but Belleville’s defense has given up only 11.5 points per game and is led in part by Alexander, who has committed to sign with Michigan. That offense does average nearly 42 points per game, with Underwood becoming an immediate star. Caldwell is a top target, and Underwood has found Lee for three touchdowns over the last two weeks. Junior Jeremiah Wilson (6-3/265) starts up front on both sides of the ball. Caldwell, Lee and senior offensive lineman Ja'Kobie Watkins (6-2/190) earned all-state honorable mentions last season.

Division 2

Division 2WARREN DE LA SALLE COLLEGIATE
Record/rank: 12-0, No. 1
Coach: Dan Rohn, second season (20-5)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League Central
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2018), three runner-up finishes. 
Best wins: 45-14 over Roseville in Regional Final, 47-26 over Division 3 No. 9 Harper Woods, 17-7 over Division 1 No. 9 Detroit Catholic Central, 21-16 over Division 3 No. 8 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice, 38-29 over Division 3 No. 14 River Rouge.  
Players to watch: QB Brady Drogosh, 6-4/205, jr. (1,285 yards/10 TDs passing, 1,440 yards/21 TDs rushing); WR Jack Yanachik, 6-2/180, jr. (426 yards/4 TDs receiving); RB Rhett Roeser, 5-11/210, soph. (774 yards/8 TDs rushing); LB Will Beesley, 6-1/215, sr. 
Outlook: The Pilots are returning to the Finals for the second-straight season and fourth in five years, having most recently won back-to-back Division 2 titles in 2017 and 2018. Drogosh also directed the offense during last season’s run, and he has continued his rise as a playmaker – he threw for two more touchdowns and ran for two during the Semifinal win. Roeser also ran for a pair of scores in the Semifinal, and as a team the Pilots are averaging 43 points per game during the playoffs – up nearly a touchdown from the regular season. De La Salle’s defensive points-allowed average also has fallen five points during the playoffs to 12 points per game over the last month. Rohn led Grand Rapids West Catholic to Division 5 championships in 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2015. 

TRAVERSE CITY CENTRAL
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 4
Coach: Eric Schugars, seventh season (62-15)
League finish: First in Big North Conference
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 1988), one runner-up finish.
Best wins: 56-20 over No. 2 South Lyon in Semifinal, 42-14 over No. 3 Caledonia in Regional Final, 56-13 over Division 3 No. 8 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice, 42-14 over Traverse City West, 24-0 over Division 4 No. 11 Cadillac. 
Players to watch: QB/LB Josh Burnham, 6-4/230, sr. (1,487 yards/28 TDs rushing, 956 yards/14 TDs passing – includes Semifinal); HB/LB Reed Seabase, 5-11/190, jr. (1,175 yards/12 TDs rushing); SB/DB Carson Bourdo, 6-0/180, sr. (381 yards/5 TDs rushing, 468 yards/8 TDs receiving); OL/DE Kadyn Warner, 6-4/245, sr. 
Outlook: The last time Central played in an MHSAA Final, it was known as Traverse City High with the creation of Traverse City West (and resulting split in enrollment) still nearly a decade away. But the Trojans have bulled their way back into the final weekend, led by a battering ram in Burnham – who is committed to sign with Notre Dame. While he does most of the damage on offense, Seabase and Bourdo are among a host of others who have complemented him well as the team has put up nearly 49 points per game. Central allows only 13.5, even more impressive considering the playoff run that’s included wins over the Nos. 2 and 3-ranked teams hasn’t seen the Trojans allow more than 20 points in a game. The only defeat came opening weekend to Division 3 finalist DeWitt.

Division 3

Division 3DETROIT MARTIN LUTHER KING
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 1
Coach: Tyrone Spencer, sixth season (65-14)
League finish: First in Detroit Public School League Division 1
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2018), three runner-up finishes. 
Best wins: 46-7 over No. 15 Mason in Semifinal, 28-7 over No. 6 Allen Park in Regional Final, 33-12 over No. 14 River Rouge in District Final, 39-29 over Cincinnati Moeller, 21-15 and 41-34 over Detroit Cass Tech, 40-19 over Division 2 No. 16 Muskegon Mona Shores.
Players to watch: QB Dante Moore, 6-2/195, jr. (2,820 yards/40 TDs passing – includes Semifinal); WR Lynn Wyche-El Jr, 5-9/160, sr. (823 yards/11 TDs receiving); DB Jameel Croft Jr., 6-1/170, jr.; LB Blake Bailiff, 5-11/210, sr. 
Outlook: After falling by three to eventual Division 3 runner-up River Rouge in a Regional Final last season, King is back at Ford Field for its third championship game in four years. The team’s lone loss was by two points Week 1 to Indiana power Carmel, which finished 9-2. Moore is a returning all-stater and has continued to pick apart defenses with rarely-seen precision, with Wyche-El the leading receiver after earning an all-state honorable mention as a junior and seniors Chansey Willis Jr. (444 yards/6 TDs) and Joseph Williams (369/7) among other top targets. The Crusaders’ defense doesn’t get the same attention, but deserves its share of praise – King is giving up 16.7 points per game for the season, but only 9.5 per game during the playoffs. Bailiff and Croft both earned all-state honorable mentions last season. 

DEWITT
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 2
Coach: Rob Zimmerman, 23rd season (234-46)
League finish: First in Capital Area Activities Conference Blue
Championship history: Division 3 champion 2020, five runner-up finishes. 
Best wins: 42-12 over No. 10 Cedar Springs in Regional Final, 50-26 over No. 4 Mount Pleasant in District Final, 50-14 over No. 11 Stevensville Lakeshore, 49-14 over Division 2 No. 10 East Lansing, 47-27 over Division 2 No. 4 Traverse City Central.
Players to watch: QB/DB Tyler Holtz, 5-10/190, sr. (2,732 yards/39 TDs passing, 839 yards/11 TDs rushing); WR/DB Nicholas Flegler, 6-0/190, sr. (708 yards/14 TDs rushing, 433 yards/4 TDs receiving); RB/DE/LB Bryce Debri, 5-11/190, sr. (981 yards/12 TDs); WR/DB Thomas McIntosh, 6-5/205, sr. (1,238 yards/21 TDs receiving). (All statistics include Semifinal.)
Outlook: The Panthers won their first championship to close last season’s Finals, and have not slowed down with this fall’s only loss to Division 5 semifinalist Portland in Week 2. DeWitt has scored at least 42 points in every other game and averages 47 points per, with Holtz throwing for 5,128 yards and 74 touchdowns over the last two seasons. In addition to those listed above, junior Bryce Kurncz is another prominent target – he’s caught 10 touchdown passes. Holtz, Flegler, Debri, McIntosh and Kurncz – and senior lineman Jaden Hall – also start for a defense giving up 15.4 points per game. Holtz will play next at Brown, McIntosh at Wisconsin and Flegler at Air Force. McIntosh and Holtz both made the all-state first team last season, and Holtz was named Division 3-4 Player of the Year.

Division 4

Division 4CHELSEA
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Josh Lucas, fourth season (46-6)
League finish: First in Southeastern Conference White
Championship history: Division 4 runner-up 2018, Division 3 runner-up 2015. 
Best wins: 30-27 over No. 9 Freeland in Semifinal, 27-20 over Detroit Country Day in Regional Final, 49-12 over Milan in District Final, 24-14 over St. Joseph. 
Players to watch: RB/FS Trenton Hill, 5-10/185, sr. (1,490 yards/30 TDs rushing); QB Lucas Dunn, 6-0/170, sr. (1,641 yards/20 TDs passing); WR Lucas Hanifan, 6-0/164, sr. (718 yards/7 TDs receiving); SS Carson Gray, 6-0/160, sr. (All statistics include Semifinal.)
Outlook: After reaching Semifinals the last two seasons as well, Chelsea will return to Ford Field coming off two straight wins decided in dramatic fashion – the Bulldogs defeated Country Day on a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown during the final minute, then stopped Freeland less than two yards short of the end zone late in the Semifinal victory. Those last two games were the only single-digit wins of the season – the Bulldogs are winning by an average score of 41-14. Hill made the all-state second team and Gray earned honorable mention a year ago, and they part of a group of 35 seniors total. Lucas previously served as head coach at Allegan for three seasons before taking over at Chelsea in 2018 and guiding that team to Ford Field as well. 

HUDSONVILLE UNITY CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 2 
Coach: Craig Tibbe, 19th season (114-84)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Blue
Championship history: Division 5 champion 2018. 
Best wins: 58-8 over No. 3 Edwardsburg in Semifinal, 53-22 over No. 11 Cadillac in Regional Final, 79-21 (District Final) and 58-21 over No. 7 Grand Rapids Christian, 40-14 over Division 5 No. 3 Grand Rapids West Catholic. 
Players to watch: QB/DB Cameron Chandler, 6-3/185, sr. (879 yards/25 TDs rushing, 13 TDs passing – includes Semifinal); RB/DE Abraham Rappuhn, 6-3/195, sr. (1,116 yards/12 TDs rushing – includes Semifinal); RB/LB Micah Bush, 5-9/195, sr. (708 yards/10 TDs rushing); RB/DB Drew Chandler, 6-3/185, sr. (1,333 yards/20 TDs rushing, 9 TDs receiving – includes Semifinal).
Outlook: Unity Christian has scored 751 points, and needs only 24 more – or just more than 40 percent of its average scoring output – to break the record of 774 set by Muskegon Orchard View in 1999. The Crusaders have put up more than 40 every game and more than 50 in 11 wins, piling up more than 4,900 yards on the ground with Cameron Chandler then adding well-timed passes as more than half his completions heading into the Semifinal had gone for scores. An offense like that gives the defense a lot of room to breathe, but it’s not necessarily been needed – the Crusaders give up only 12.7 points per game.

Division 5

Division 5GRAND RAPIDS CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Todd Kolster, 10th season (113-12)
League finish: First in O-K Gold
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2020), two runner-up finishes. 
Best wins: 35-0 over No. 4 Frankenmuth in Semifinal, 25-6 over No. 12 Muskegon Oakridge in Regional Final, 44-6 over No. 3 Grand Rapids West Catholic in District Final, 41-40 over Division 3 No. 10 Cedar Springs, 43-21 over Lapeer. 
Players to watch: QB/DB John Passinault, 6-0/180, sr. (2,086 yards/35 TDs passing, 9 TDs rushing); WR/DB Nolan Ziegler, 6-4/210, sr. (1,212 yards/23 TDs receiving, 86 tackles/7 sacks); WR/LB Ronin Russell-Dixon, 5-7/180, sr. (767 yards/7 TDs receiving); TE/DE Brady Redmer, 6-0/185, sr. (61 tackles).
Outlook: The Cougars are playing for a second-straight Division 5 championship, and fifth Finals win in six seasons after previously competing in Division 4. Last season’s quarterback star Joey Silveri was injured early this fall, but Passinault stepped in and has been outstanding as well, with Notre Dame-bound Ziegler again a major target. Ziegler made the all-state first team last season, and Redmer earned an honorable mention. After the Cedar Springs win in Week 8, GRCC hasn’t given up more than seven points in a game – and the Cougars have allowed only 12 over four playoff games, taking their season average down to 9.3 allowed per game. 

MARINE CITY
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 2
Coach: Daryn Letson, second season (21-2) 
League finish: First in Macomb Area Conference Silver
Championship history: Division 4 champions 2013 and 2007, runner-up 2011. 
Best wins: 27-7 over No. 6 Portland in Semifinal, 43-12 over Division 4 No. 10 St. Clair, 21-10 over Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 41-12 over Warren Fitzgerald. 
Players to watch: QB Jeffery Heaslip, 5-11/190, jr. (1,435 yards/16 TDs passing, 519 yards/10 TDs rushing); RB/DB Zachary Tetler, 5-9/165, jr. (1,359 yards, 27 TDs rushing); FB/QB/SS Charles Tigert, 5-8/185, sr. (994 yards/9 TDs rushing, 58 tackles/12 sacks on defense); LB Wyatt Walker, 5-10/170, sr. (94 tackles)  
Outlook: Marine City’s first trip to the Finals since winning Division 4 in 2013 has showcased a defense giving up only 9.1 points per game. In addition to Walker and Tigert, senior linebacker Jacob Hincherick (90 tackles) and senior safety Ty Nelson (58 tackles/7 interceptions) are among standouts. The Mariners have had to navigate only one single-digit win – over Corunna in the Regional Final – and Heaslip leads a steady offense averaging nearly 44 points per game with only three scoring less than 40.

Division 6

Division 6LANSING CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 1
Coach: Jim Baker, first season (12-1)
League finish: First in CAAC White
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2019), two runner-up finishes. 
Best wins: 18-7 over No. 8 Standish-Sterling in Semifinal, 31-13 over No. 10 Montague in Regional final, 28-8 over No. 5 Millington in District Final, 31-29 over Division 5 No. 6 Portland
Players to watch: WR/S Alex Watters, 6-0/160, sr. (1,063 yards/14 TDs receiving, 8 TDs rushing); QB Joey Baker, 6-1/165, sr. (2,628 yards/27 TDs passing – includes Semifinal); WR/CB Brandon Lewis, 5-11/170, jr. (814 yards/11 TDs receiving, 411 yards/13 TDs rushing); DL/OL Bo Poljan, 6-3/235, sr. 
Outlook: The Cougars are seeking to win a second championship in three years after claiming the Division 5 title in 2019 and reaching the Semifinals last season. Their only loss was to a team still playing – 12-7 to Division 7 finalist Pewamo-Westphalia in Week 9. Despite the defeat, that game started a run of five during which Lansing Catholic has given up only 9.2 points per game – cutting down their season points allowed average to 14 per. Watters starred on the 2019 team as well, and Poljan and offensive guard Jonah Richards also were key contributors during that run as sophomores. Watters and Poljan both made the all-state first team last season. Jim Baker took over the program this season after 27 years serving as a varsity assistant and later junior varsity head coach.

WARREN MICHIGAN COLLEGIATE
Record/rank: 11-2, No. 4
Coach: John Guth, eighth season (72-18)
League finish: First in Charter School Conference East
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 36-29 over Michigan Center in Semifinal, 38-16 over Ecorse in Regional Final, 46-13 over Port Huron, 22-0 over Romulus Summit Academy North. 
Players to watch: QB/DB Deion Black, 6-4/186, sr. (944 yards/14 TDs passing, 1,222 yards/16 TDs rushing, 9 interceptions); RB/LB Deshaun Parkman, 5-11/210, sr. (727 yads/10 TDs rushing); RB/LB Teshawn Thomas, 5-10/205, jr. (685 yards/8 TDs rushing); WR/DB Tre’von Redding, 5-11/155, sr. (681 yards/10 TDs receiving, 4 TDs rushing, 11 interceptions.) (All statistics include Semifinal.)
Outlook: Michigan Collegiate has earned its first trip to the Finals, building on a 13th-straight playoff berth and third Semifinal appearance. Black earned an all-state honorable mention at quarterback last season and is a frequent playmaker on both sides of the ball. Redding is another player who can make something good happen any time he touches the ball; in addition to his receiving and rushing touchdowns, he’s returned two of his 11 interceptions for touchdowns and also scored on kickoff and punt returns. The defense total has 29 interceptions while giving up just 14.7 points per game. The Cougars’ only losses were to Division 4 Milan and Detroit Country Day.

Division 7

Division 7PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 5
Coach: Jeremy Miller, ninth season (104-9)
League finish: First in Central Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2019), two runner-up finishes. 
Best wins: 28-21 over No. 3 Traverse City St. Francis in Semifinal, 53-21 over No. T-10. New Lothrop in District Final, 42-7 over No. T-15. Ithaca in District Semifinal, 12-7 over Division 6 No. 1 Lansing Catholic, 26-14 over Division 5 No. 15 Olivet, 33-6 over Division 4 No. 6 Redford Union. 
Players to watch: QB/LB Troy Wertman, 6-2/210, jr. (945 yards/15 TDs rushing, 580 yards/9 TDs passing); RB/DB Dak Ewalt, 5-9/180, sr. (833 yards/9 TDs rushing); FB/LB Gavin Nurenberg, 5-9/200, soph.; OL/DL Corey Schafer, 6-5/215, sr.
Outlook: The Pirates will be playing in their fifth Final in seven seasons, but arguably have never encountered and overcome so many obstacles to get here. In addition to a playoff road that included wins over both last season’s champion and runner-up, P-W has succeeded having lost its starting quarterback, leading receiver and all-state running back. But players like Wertman have kept things rolling – he threw for three touchdowns and ran for the fourth in the win over St. Francis last week – and Schafer made the all-state second team last season and continues to anchor both lines. All seven nonleague wins, including four in the playoffs, have come over teams that went on to or had won their conference championships. 

LAWTON
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 8
Coach: Wade Waldrup, third season (30-3)
League finish: First in Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 21-20 over No. 1 Jackson Lumen Christi in Semifinal, 41-22 over No. 6 Muskegon Catholic Central in Regional Final, 69-40 over No. T-10. Montrose. 
Players to watch: RB/S Jake Rueff, 6-0/176, sr. (2,317 yards/46 TDs rushing); RB/S Carter Cosby, 5-9/165, jr. (847 yards/11 TDs rushing); QB/S Landon Motter, 6-0/154, sr. (622 yards/10 TDs passing, 8 TDs rushing); OL/DL Evan Stephayn, 6-2/250, sr. (All statistics through Semifinal.)
Outlook: Lawton will be playing in its first championship game, coming off arguably the biggest win in program history, and riding the legs of a senior standout putting up numbers hardly seen in 100+ years of Michigan high school football. Rueff’s 49 total touchdowns (including three receiving) currently rank fourth for one season; his 46 rushing touchdowns are third on that list. And when Lumen Christi kept him mostly contained last week, Motter ran for two scores and senior Cooper Geib (690 yards/8 TDs rushing) led the team in run yardage. Senior tight end/defensive end Chase Mitchell is another standout – he starts both ways and was an all-state honorable mention punter last season. Rueff also earned honorable mention, and Stephayn made the second team in 2020. 

Division 8

Division 8HUDSON
Record/rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Dan Rogers, second season (18-4)
League finish: First in Lenawee County Athletic Association
Championship history: Division 7 champion 2010, three runner-up finishes. 
Best wins: 28-22 over No. 2 Ottawa Lake Whiteford in Semifinal, 8-0 over No. 9 White Pigeon in Regional Final, 28-8 over No. 3 Addison in District Final, 22-0 over No. 14 Reading in District Semifinal, 22-14 over Division 6 No. 6 Ida, 59-14 over Division 7 No. T-15. Ithaca. 
Players to watch: RB/LB Nick Kopin, 5-11/175, sr. (1,483 yards/16 TDs rushing – includes Semifinal); RB/S Bronson Marry, 5-10/155, sr. (640 yards/11 TDs rushing – includes Semifinal); RBLB Brendan Akers, 5-10/195, jr. (856 yards/12 TDs rushing); RB/LB Payton Rogers, 5-8/160 sr. 
Outlook: A high-powered rushing game and a nearly-unbreakable defense have Hudson back at the Finals for the first time since that 2010. The Tigers are approaching 4,000 yards rushing for the season, and the defense has given up a mere 7.1 points and 136 yards per game this fall. Hudson has seven shutouts, and only Whiteford last week and Division 6 Clinton scored more than 14 points. Dan Rogers played at Hudson and served as an assistant since 1997 – including 19 seasons as defensive coordinator – before taking over the program a year ago. Senior Ethan Harris (6-foot-3/235 pounds) and junior Aden Barrett (5-9/170) start on both lines. 

BEAL CITY
Record/rank: 12-1, No. 4
Coach: Brad Gross, seventh season (54-23)
League finish: First in Highland Conference
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2009), six runner-up finishes. 
Best wins: 12-7 over No. 5 Ubly in Semifinal, 34-14 over No. 6 Carson City-Crystal in Regional Final, 41-6 over No. 7 Iron Mountain in District Final, 14-12 over Sand Creek.  
Players to watch: RB/LB Cade Block, 5-9/165, sr. (1,351 yards/27 TDs – includes Semifinal); QB/DE Hunter Miles, 5-10/175, sr. (695 yards/6 TDs passing); RB/DB Jamisen Latham, 5-9/170, soph. (680 yards/6 TDs rushing – includes Semifinal); TE/DE Matt Oswald, 6-1/225, sr. (3 TDs receiving, 60 tackles). 
Outlook: Beal City is headed back to Ford Field for the second time in three seasons, a one-point Week 1 loss to Division 7 Ravenna from a perfect record and riding one of the most impressive playoff runs into Detroit. In addition to the wins over three top-seven teams, the Aggies began the playoffs with a 36-0 win over another league champion, Bark River-Harris. The 6.8 points they are allowing per game during the playoffs falls right in line with their season average of 8.5. Oswald earned an all-state honorable mention last season, and he’s joined on both lines by senior Peyton Sellers (5-foot-10/230 pounds), with linebackers Wade Wilson and Josh Wilson two more key two-way starters and top tacklers. 

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