2020 Football Playoff Pairings Released
October 25, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Here are the pairings for the 2020 MHSAA Football Playoffs, which begin Oct. 29-31 with District First Round games in the 11-Player Playoffs and Regional First Round Games in the 8-Player Playoffs.
For the first time this season, all 11-player teams were divided into eight divisions before play began. Because of the shortened 2020 regular season due to COVID-19, all 11-player teams were then divided into Districts of up to eight teams each, then paired into four regions. For 8-player, teams also were divided into two divisions before the start of play this fall, and the top 32 teams in each division based on playoff-point average were selected to a postseason field of 64 teams, which were then divided into four regions of eight teams apiece.
Pairings for the first four weeks of the tournament are based on regular-season playoff point averages, with the highest-ranked team hosting, regardless of the distance between the two schools. For District First Round and Regional First Round play, the top-seeded team in each bracket will host the eighth-seeded team; and the second-seeded team will host the seventh-seeded team, etc.
District Semifinals for 11-player and Regional Semifinals for 8-player will follow during the weekend of Nov. 6-7, and the weekend of Nov. 13-14 will have District Finals in the 11-Player Playoffs and Regional Finals in the 8-Player Playoffs. Both rounds will be played at the site of the highest-ranked team which was victorious in the previous round of play.
Regional Finals in the 11-Player Playoffs will take place Nov. 20-21, at the site of the highest-ranked team that was victorious in District Final play. The 8-Player Playoff Semifinals will take place on Nov. 20-21, pairing the winners of Region 1 vs. Region 2 and the winners of Region 3 vs. Region 4, at the sites of the highest-ranked team.
Semifinal games in the 11-Player Playoffs will take place Nov. 27-28, pairing the winners of Region 1 vs. Region 2 and the winners of Region 3 vs. Region 4. Highest-ranked teams will host unless participating teams are 200 or more miles apart; in those cases the MHSAA will assign the game at a prearranged site if one can be secured in a reasonable location.
All playoff tickets will be sold online only via GoFan to provide for a cashless and contactless purchasing process that also allows for contact tracing. Tickets for single-session Pre-District, District and Regional games are $6. Single-session Semifinal tickets are $8. A per-ticket convenience fee will be applied.
The 8-Player Finals will take place Nov. 27-28, and the 11-Player Finals will be played Dec. 4-5. An announcement on where those Finals will be played, and including additional spectator information, will be forthcoming.
A total of 10 8-player teams did not qualify for the MHSAA Playoffs, and they are allowed to schedule one more game, against another of the non-qualifier group, to be played this upcoming week. Four schools with enrollments too large to qualify for the 8-player postseason – Bridgman, Vandercook Lake, Vermontville Maple Valley and Concord – will play a two-round playoff over the next two weeks to conclude their seasons. That playoff is not sponsored by the MHSAA but allowed because of the shortened schedule.
A total of nine 11-player teams and seven 8-player teams that began this season withdrew from participation in the MHSAA Playoffs. Eight tie-breakers were necessary to determine bracket placement in 11-player; the first tie-breaker of head-to-head winner was used once, the second tie-breaker of opponents’ winning percentage was used five times, and the third tie-breaker – coin flip – was employed for two games. Those tie-breakers are noted below.
Pairings for both the 11 and 8-Player brackets are as follows:
11-Player Pairings
DIVISION 1
REGION 1
DISTRICT 1
Holland West Ottawa (0-5) 16.500 at Rockford (4-0) 69.500
East Kentwood (2-3) 34.667 at Hudsonville (4-2) 51.567
Grand Haven (0-6) 19.700 at Grandville (5-1) 62.067
Grand Rapids Union (1-5) 25.333 at Traverse City West (5-1) 53.167
DISTRICT 2
Ann Arbor Pioneer (0-5) 9.500 at Saline (5-1) 66.533
Ann Arbor Huron (2-2) 31.000 at Kalamazoo Central (2-4) 33.567
Kalamazoo Loy Norrix (0-6) 10.167 at Grand Ledge (4-2) 51.100
Ann Arbor Skyline (1-4) 20.000 at Holt (2-3) 38.167
REGION 2
DISTRICT 3
White Lake Lakeland (6-0) 64.167 - BYE
Howell (3-3) 42.000 at Hartland (3-3) 46.000
Walled Lake Northern (2-4) 33.833 at Detroit Catholic Central (6-0) 61.917
Novi (2-4) 35.000 at Brighton (4-2) 57.000
DISTRICT 4
Oxford (2-4) 31.367 at Clarkston (6-0) 75.333
Lake Orion (3-2) 45.000 at Grand Blanc (5-1) 60.667
Rochester Adams (2-4) 36.167 at Rochester (6-0) 70.000
Lapeer (3-3) 40.000 at Davison (6-0) 64.667
REGION 3
DISTRICT 5
Wayne Memorial (0-6) 15.000 at Canton (6-0) 75.000
Westland John Glenn (2-4) 33.167 at Livonia Stevenson (3-3) 44.000
Plymouth (1-5) 24.000 at Belleville (6-0) 74.333
Salem (1-5) 24.000 at Northville (4-2) 57.000
(Salem won tie-breaker with Plymouth, head-to-head result.)
DISTRICT 6
Dearborn Edsel Ford (1-5) 20.000 at Detroit Cass Tech (6-0) 62.167
Detroit Western (5-1) 48.500 at Dearborn Fordson (4-2) 54.167
Taylor (1-5) 21.767 at Brownstown Woodhaven (5-1) 59.267
Dearborn (2-4) 32.000 at Monroe (4-2) 54.167
(Monroe won tie-breaker with Dearborn Fordson, opponents’ winning percentage.)
REGION 4
DISTRICT 7
Farmington (0-6) 15.400 at Sterling Heights Stevenson (5-1) 64.367
Troy Athens (2-3) 37.000 at Southfield Arts & Technology (2-3) 39.000
Utica Ford (1-5) 25.500 at West Bloomfield (5-1) 64.167
Troy (3-3) 34.867 at Bloomfield Hills (3-3) 46.067
DISTRICT 8
Rochester Hills Stoney Creek (6-0) 71.900 - BYE
Utica Eisenhower (2-4) 38.400 at Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (2-3) 39.000
Macomb L'Anse Creuse North (0-4) 7.000 at Macomb Dakota (5-1) 67.733
Romeo (2-4) 36.200 at New Baltimore Anchor Bay (4-2) 50.833
DIVISION 2
REGION 5
DISTRICT 9
Wyoming (1-3) 18.000 at Muskegon Mona Shores (6-0) 62.667
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern (4-2) 47.667 at Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (5-1) 59.333
Caledonia (2-4) 37.167 at Jenison (5-1) 62.067
Lowell (3-3) 39.333 at Byron Center (5-1) 59.500
DISTRICT 10
East Lansing (6-0) 69.900 - BYE
Jackson (3-3) 32.833 at Portage Central (2-4) 34.033
Battle Creek Central (1-4) 17.500 at Portage Northern (5-1) 54.733
Okemos (0-6) 18.000 at Battle Creek Lakeview (4-2) 49.733
REGION 6
DISTRICT 11
Alpena (0-6) 12.167 at Midland (6-0) 62.500
Flushing (2-4) 29.667 at Midland Dow (4-2) 45.000
Saginaw Heritage (0-5) 19.667 at Traverse City Central (5-1) 58.167
Flint Carman-Ainsworth (1-5) 21.833 at Swartz Creek (4-2) 47.833
DISTRICT 12
Walled Lake Central (0-6) 14.700 at Fenton (6-0) 67.667
Waterford Kettering (2-4) 35.233 at North Farmington (3-3) 44.000
Milford (1-5) 26.400 at South Lyon (4-2) 49.200
Waterford Mott (2-3) 30.000 at Walled Lake Western (4-2) 46.067
REGION 7
DISTRICT 13
Livonia Churchill (4-2) 55.167 - BYE
Ypsilanti Lincoln (3-3) 40.533 at Dexter (4-2) 47.333
Ypsilanti Community (3-3) 35.167 at Dearborn Heights Crestwood (5-1) 53.167
Temperance Bedford (3-3) 39.033 at Livonia Franklin (3-3) 48.000
DISTRICT 14
Oak Park (0-6) 15.600 at Grosse Pointe South (4-2) 56.567
Detroit U-D Jesuit (2-4) 31.400 at Grosse Pointe North (3-3) 38.667
Lincoln Park (1-5) 21.767 at Wyandotte Roosevelt (4-1) 56.167
Detroit Renaissance (2-4) 28.333 at Ferndale (4-2) 53.400
REGION 8
DISTRICT 15
Sterling Heights (0-5) 12.200 at Birmingham Seaholm (4-2) 56.333
Birmingham Groves (3-3) 40.333 at Auburn Hills Avondale (3-3) 40.700
Warren Cousino (1-5) 21.567 at Warren Mott (5-1) 56.000
Royal Oak (1-5) 22.333 at Berkley (4-2) 50.900
DISTRICT 16
St Clair Shores Lake Shore (1-5) 25.167 at Port Huron (6-0) 70.400
Harrison Township L'Anse Creuse (4-2) 48.700 at Fraser (4-2) 49.067
Port Huron Northern (2-3) 34.000 at St Clair Shores Lakeview (4-2) 51.167
Warren De La Salle Collegiate (2-4) 37.083 at Roseville (4-2) 49.833
DIVISION 3
REGION 9
DISTRICT 17
Greenville (0-5) 10.667 at Muskegon (5-1) 58.333
Petoskey (2-4) 32.833 at Cedar Springs (4-2) 44.167
Gaylord (1-5) 23.000 at Mount Pleasant (5-1) 57.333
Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (2-4) 31.367 at Marquette (5-1) 45.167
DISTRICT 18
Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills (0-6) 10.000 at Zeeland West (4-1) 52.167
Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (2-4) 27.500 at Middleville Thornapple Kellogg (3-3) 35.833
Holland (0-6) 14.667 at Zeeland East (4-2) 46.333
Grand Rapids Northview (1-5) 20.667 at East Grand Rapids (3-3) 39.333
REGION 10
DISTRICT 19
Richland Gull Lake (0-6) 10.000 at St Joseph (5-1) 56.333
Parma Western (4-2) 37.833 at Battle Creek Harper Creek (4-2) 41.833
Niles (1-5) 18.667 at Stevensville Lakeshore (4-2) 56.200
Sturgis (3-3) 31.833 at Coldwater (4-2) 43.333
DISTRICT 20
Jackson Northwest (0-5) 10.333 at DeWitt (6-0) 66.833
St Johns (2-4) 31.333 at Lansing Waverly (3-3) 37.867
Ionia (1-5) 17.500 at Mason (6-0) 60.167
Haslett (2-4) 28.333 at Fowlerville (3-3) 42.400
REGION 11
DISTRICT 21
Linden (4-2) 47.833 - BYE
Holly (1-5) 21.500 at Bay City Western (2-4) 28.833
Clio (0-6) 8.833 at Flint Kearsley (3-3) 44.333
Pontiac (0-6) 15.000 at Bay City Central (3-3) 38.167
DISTRICT 22
Redford Thurston (1-4) 22.000 at Chelsea (6-0) 67.000
Garden City (3-3) 35.833 at South Lyon East (4-2) 50.500
Dearborn Divine Child (2-4) 25.500 at Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (5-1) 62.250
Orchard Lake St Mary's (1-3) 27.083 at Pinckney (4-2) 50.833
REGION 12
DISTRICT 23
Melvindale (2-4) 28.500 at Riverview (6-0) 54.000
Gibraltar Carlson (4-2) 47.433 at River Rouge (4-1) 48.667
Southgate Anderson (2-4) 33.967 at New Boston Huron (5-1) 49.833
Trenton (3-3) 40.167 at Allen Park (4-2) 49.667
DISTRICT 24
Detroit East English (2-4) 22.667 at Eastpointe (6-0) 63.000
Warren Fitzgerald (4-2) 34.000 at Detroit Mumford (3-3) 39.167
Warren Woods Tower (2-4) 28.667 at Detroit Martin Luther King (3-3) 48.667
Harper Woods (2-4) 33.167 at Marysville (5-1) 42.000
DIVISION 4
REGION 13
DISTRICT 25
Cadillac (4-2) 45.500 - BYE
Escanaba (1-2) 18.600 at Alma (2-4) 24.333
Bay City John Glenn (1-5) 14.833 at Ludington (4-2) 37.667
Saginaw Arthur Hill (1-5) 18.500 at Sault Ste Marie (4-2) 37.467
DISTRICT 26
Fremont (2-4) 23.833 at Spring Lake (4-2) 42.667
Ada Forest Hills Eastern (3-3) 35.000 at Allendale (3-3) 35.167
Fruitport (2-4) 25.833 at Whitehall (5-1) 38.667
Coopersville (2-4) 26.833 at Sparta (4-2) 36.833
REGION 14
DISTRICT 27
Holland Christian (0-6) 9.333 at Hudsonville Unity Christian (6-0) 58.333
Hamilton (2-4) 26.000 at Wyoming Godwin Heights (2-4) 26.000
Wyoming Kelloggsville (1-5) 16.500 at Grand Rapids South Christian (5-1) 54.167
Wayland (1-5) 18.333 at Grand Rapids Christian (3-3) 41.833
(Godwin Heights won tie-breaker with Hamilton, opponents’ winning percentage.)
DISTRICT 28
Edwardsburg (6-0) 59.667 - BYE
Plainwell (3-2) 38.500 at Vicksburg (4-2) 41.167
Three Rivers (1-5) 21.667 at Hastings (5-1) 47.667
Otsego (2-4) 27.500 at Paw Paw (4-2) 45.667
REGION 15
DISTRICT 29
Owosso (1-5) 18.167 at Williamston (5-1) 54.167
Lake Fenton (2-4) 27.667 at Charlotte (2-4) 28.167
Eaton Rapids (1-5) 21.500 at Battle Creek Pennfield (3-3) 34.500
Marshall (2-4) 26.333 at Flint Powers Catholic (2-4) 32.833
DISTRICT 30
Dearborn Heights Annapolis (1-5) 8.833 at Redford Union (5-1) 49.667
Tecumseh (1-4) 25.200 at Livonia Clarenceville (4-2) 31.333
Adrian (0-5) 11.000 at Milan (5-1) 49.167
Romulus (2-3) 23.667 at Carleton Airport (3-3) 34.833
REGION 16
DISTRICT 31
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood (0-4) 8.167 at Madison Heights Lamphere (6-0) 48.500
Center Line (2-4) 24.667 at Harper Woods Chandler Park (3-3) 26.500
Hazel Park (1-5) 18.167 at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (5-1) 48.000
Detroit Henry Ford (3-3) 24.500 at Detroit Country Day (3-2) 43.500
DISTRICT 32
Yale (0-6) 12.333 at North Branch (6-0) 56.667
Imlay City (4-2) 40.167 at Croswell-Lexington (5-1) 47.000
St Clair (1-5) 23.500 at Ortonville Brandon (5-1) 51.167
Armada (3-3) 36.000 at Goodrich (5-1) 48.667
DIVISION 5
REGION 17
DISTRICT 33
Cheboygan (0-6) 10.667 at Reed City (6-0) 51.433
Ogemaw Heights (3-3) 25.833 at Kingsford (3-2) 28.133
Standish-Sterling (1-5) 17.133 at Kingsley (6-0) 48.167
Hancock (2-3) 20.967 at Gladwin (3-3) 31.333
DISTRICT 34
Saginaw Valley Lutheran (1-4) 8.100 at Freeland (5-1) 44.167
Carrollton (2-4) 22.667 at Midland Bullock Creek (3-3) 32.167
Saginaw (0-6) 12.500 at Essexville Garber (5-1) 43.000
Shepherd (2-3) 20.333 at Saginaw Swan Valley (3-3) 33.500
REGION 18
DISTRICT 35
Howard City Tri County (2-4) 21.967 at Central Montcalm (4-2) 36.800
Grant (2-3) 25.333 at Muskegon Orchard View (2-4) 27.000
Remus Chippewa Hills (2-4) 23.500 at Muskegon Oakridge (4-2) 33.333
Newaygo (2-4) 24.100 at Big Rapids (3-3) 30.433
DISTRICT 36
Grand Rapids Catholic Central (6-0) 62.500 - BYE
Belding (5-1) 41.833 at Hopkins (5-1) 44.000
Comstock Park (1-5) 17.333 at Grand Rapids West Catholic (5-1) 50.833
Lake Odessa Lakewood (3-3) 22.833 at Portland (5-1) 50.167
REGION 19
DISTRICT 37
Berrien Springs (3-3) 28.833 at Lansing Catholic (4-2) 41.000
South Haven (4-2) 35.333 at Dowagiac (3-3) 36.167
Benton Harbor (2-4) 30.667 at Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep (5-1) 39.333
Hillsdale (4-2) 34.000 at Olivet (5-1) 39.333
(Hackett won tie-breaker with Olivet, opponents’ winning percentage.)
DISTRICT 38
Flat Rock (0-6) 12.667 at Romulus Summit Academy North (5-1) 38.833
Whitmore Lake (3-3) 20.333 at Dearborn Heights Robichaud (2-4) 28.000
Dundee (1-5) 15.500 at Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (2-1) 29.000
Monroe Jefferson (1-5) 19.833 at Grosse Ile (3-3) 29.000
(Father Gabriel Richard won tie-breaker with Grosse Ile, opponents’ winning percentage.)
REGION 20
DISTRICT 39
Bridgeport (1-5) 16.833 at Frankenmuth (6-0) 52.500
Ovid-Elsie (3-3) 25.000 at Almont (2-2) 27.417
Birch Run (1-5) 18.333 at Corunna (3-3) 35.000
Richmond (2-4) 24.167 at Macomb Lutheran North (4-2) 33.000
DISTRICT 40
Detroit Osborn (0-6) 7.833 at Marine City (5-1) 46.833
Detroit Communication Media Arts (3-3) 24.667 at Warren Lincoln (3-3) 30.833
Detroit Cody (1-5) 16.667 at Detroit Denby (3-3) 39.500
Clawson (2-4) 24.167 at St Clair Shores South Lake (4-2) 36.333
DIVISION 6
REGION 21
DISTRICT 41
Menominee (4-2) 39.000 - BYE
Houghton (2-2) 22.100 at Calumet (2-3) 23.033
Ishpeming Westwood (5-1) 33.967 - BYE
Negaunee (3-3) 22.000 at Gladstone (2-3) 24.933
DISTRICT 42
Kalkaska (0-5) 6.333 at Manistee (4-2) 36.167
Benzie Central (2-4) 23.667 at Grayling (3-3) 26.667
Elk Rapids (1-5) 13.833 at Maple City Glen Lake (4-2) 33.167
Mason County Central (2-4) 19.667 at Boyne City (4-2) 29.333
REGION 22
DISTRICT 43
Shelby (0-6) 9.333 at Muskegon Catholic Central (6-0) 51.333
Harrison (4-2) 31.933 at Sanford Meridian (4-2) 33.333
Hart (1-5) 13.833 at Montague (6-0) 46.333
Kent City (5-1) 30.000 at Clare (6-0) 44.767
DISTRICT 44
Tawas (0-6) 10.333 at Montrose (5-1) 40.500
Chesaning (2-4) 20.500 at Caro (3-3) 22.167
Otisville LakeVille Memorial (1-5) 10.833 at Millington (5-1) 39.500
Pinconning (0-6) 11.467 at Mt Morris (2-4) 23.833
REGION 23
DISTRICT 45
Fennville (0-6) 10.667 at Buchanan (6-0) 52.833
Comstock (3-3) 26.767 at Niles Brandywine (3-3) 31.667
Watervliet (2-4) 18.833 at Constantine (5-1) 40.667
Parchment (2-4) 21.333 at Coloma (4-2) 32.000
DISTRICT 46
Onsted (0-6) 9.000 at Jonesville (5-1) 38.967
Stockbridge (2-4) 20.000 at Brooklyn Columbia Central (2-4) 20.167
Napoleon (1-5) 12.167 at Michigan Center (3-1) 28.917
Quincy (2-4) 18.033 at Adrian Madison (5-1) 28.167
REGION 24
DISTRICT 47
Lutheran Westland (2-2) 18.083 at Blissfield (6-0) 45.167
Dearborn Advanced Tech Academy (3-3) 26.167 at Ida (3-3) 26.667
Detroit Voyageur Prep (2-4) 19.333 at Clinton (5-1) 40.833
Ecorse (2-4) 25.500 at Erie Mason (6-0) 34.500
DISTRICT 48
Southfield Bradford Academy (0-6) 8.000 at Warren Michigan Collegiate (6-0) 46.833
Flint Hamady (3-3) 23.500 at Detroit Pershing (3-3) 26.000
Algonac (1-5) 16.000 at Detroit Edison (4-2) 34.667
Detroit Collegiate Prep (2-4) 16.667 at Durand (4-2) 31.500
DIVISION 7
REGION 25
DISTRICT 49
Roscommon (1-4) 11.000 at Charlevoix (6-0) 41.000
Manistique (2-3) 19.700 at Mancelona (2-4) 21.333
L'Anse (1-5) 15.533 at Traverse City St Francis (4-2) 35.000
Lake City (2-4) 19.100 at Harbor Springs (3-3) 22.500
DISTRICT 50
Farwell (0-6) 11.467 at McBain (6-0) 38.333
Houghton Lake (4-2) 25.767 at Evart (4-2) 28.600
LeRoy Pine River (1-5) 12.667 at Beaverton (5-1) 38.267
St Louis (2-4) 21.133 at Oscoda (6-0) 31.100
REGION 26
DISTRICT 51
Lakeview (0-6) 6.667 at Ithaca (6-0) 41.667
Morley Stanwood (4-2) 27.000 at Ravenna (3-3) 28.167
Hesperia (4-2) 24.500 at Pewamo-Westphalia (5-1) 31.167
Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian (2-4) 24.500 at North Muskegon (3-3) 28.167
(North Muskegon won tie-breaker over Ravenna, coin flip. NorthPointe Christian won tie-breaker over Hesperia, opponents’ winning percentage.)
DISTRICT 52
Vassar (0-6) 8.833 at Hemlock (6-0) 45.667
Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (4-2) 26.833 at Bad Axe (4-2) 29.833
Reese (2-4) 20.000 at Cass City (6-0) 36.333
St Charles (4-2) 21.567 at Sandusky (6-0) 35.000
REGION 27
DISTRICT 53
New Lothrop (6-0) 46.167 - BYE
Byron (1-5) 13.667 at Burton Bendle (2-4) 15.533
Laingsburg (3-3) 21.333 - BYE
Perry (0-6) 7.667 at Bath (3-3) 18.833
DISTRICT 54
New Haven (0-6) 9.500 at Detroit Loyola (5-1) 53.333
Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett (2-4) 17.417 at Clinton Township Clintondale (2-4) 23.167
Madison Heights Madison (0-6) 11.000 at Madison Heights Bishop Foley (5-1) 36.167
Detroit Community (1-5) 15.167 at Detroit Central (4-2) 32.000
REGION 28
DISTRICT 55
Galesburg-Augusta (0-5) 6.667 at Schoolcraft (5-1) 39.667
Delton Kellogg (3-3) 22.667 at Bronson (3-2) 26.250
Hartford (0-6) 8.200 at Lawton (5-1) 32.833
Union City (2-4) 15.283 at Homer (4-2) 28.800
DISTRICT 56
Springport (1-3) 9.950 at Riverview Gabriel Richard (5-1) 37.833
Jackson Lumen Christi (2-4) 29.833 at Hanover-Horton (4-2) 30.000
Leslie (2-4) 18.867 at Monroe St Mary Catholic Central (4-2) 36.833
Manchester (2-4) 19.167 at Grass Lake (4-2) 33.500
DIVISION 8
REGION 29
DISTRICT 57
Rogers City (2-4) 11.833 at Iron Mountain (5-1) 36.933
Gwinn (3-3) 18.867 at East Jordan (3-3) 19.833
Norway (1-4) 11.900 at West Iron County (6-0) 32.600
St Ignace (1-5) 13.167 at Bark River-Harris (3-2) 22.300
DISTRICT 58
Alcona (0-5) 5.500 at Johannesburg-Lewiston (6-0) 34.333
Frankfort (3-3) 22.167 at Saginaw Nouvel (4-2) 27.967
Coleman (1-4) 10.100 at Beal City (5-1) 32.267
Manton (1-5) 11.167 at Breckenridge (5-1) 32.183
REGION 30
DISTRICT 59
Fulton (0-6) 6.000 at Fowler (4-2) 26.500
White Cloud (2-4) 16.083 at Holton (2-4) 19.167
Blanchard Montabella (1-4) 10.500 at Carson City-Crystal (3-1) 25.500
Saranac (1-5) 11.167 at Potterville (3-3) 20.667
DISTRICT 60
Flint New Standard Academy (0-6) 6.433 at Flint Beecher (5-1) 37.533
Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (2-4) 21.633 at Harbor Beach (3-3) 23.500
Brown City (2-4) 16.267 at Ubly (4-2) 28.500
Marlette (3-3) 20.667 at Unionville-Sebewaing (4-2) 25.833
REGION 31
DISTRICT 61
Centreville (6-0) 34-733 - BYE
Saugatuck (3-3) 21.933 at White Pigeon (3-2) 23.500
Decatur (1-4) 12.333 at Reading (5-1) 32.250
Cassopolis (2-4) 16.800 at Mendon (5-1) 28.400
DISTRICT 62
Addison (6-0) 36.500 - BYE
Morenci (2-4) 18.833 at Dansville (4-2) 25.333
Pittsford (0-6) 9.500 at Sand Creek (5-1) 28.167
East Jackson (1-5) 11.167 at Hudson (3-3) 27.000
REGION 32
DISTRICT 63
Detroit Douglass (0-5) 5.833 at Detroit Southeastern (5-1) 35.833
Petersburg Summerfield (1-5) 14.167 at Allen Park Cabrini (2-4) 15.533
Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech (1-5) 11.417 at Detroit Leadership Academy (3-3) 26.500
Britton Deerfield (1-5) 14.167 at Ottawa Lake Whiteford (4-2) 23.333
(Summerfield won tie-breaker over Britton Deerfield, coin flip.)
DISTRICT 64
Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest (0-6) 7.667 at Clarkston Everest Collegiate (6-0) 38.833
Marine City Cardinal Mooney (2-3) 14.000 at Sterling Heights Parkway Christian (3-3) 21.700
Mount Clemens (1-3) 7.750 at Auburn Hills Oakland Christian (5-1) 36.667
Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (0-6) 9.600 at Royal Oak Shrine Catholic (4-2) 24.533
Opted out of tournament: Allegan, Bessemer, Burton Bentley, Concord, Mattawan, Memphis, Three Oaks River Valley, Utica, Wyoming Lee.
8-Player Pairings
DIVISION 1
REGION 1
Brimley (2-4) 15.333 at Pellston (6-0) 31.500
Munising (4-2) 24.167 at Indian River Inland Lakes (5-1) 25.933
Newberry (3-3) 19.300 at Onaway (6-0) 30.200
Stephenson (3-3) 20.800 at Pickford (5-1) 27.833
REGION 2
Manistee Catholic Central (1-5) 12.667 at Suttons Bay (6-0) 33.500
Fife Lake Forest Area (2-4) 17.833 at Whittemore-Prescott (4-2) 23.767
Central Lake (2-4) 15.333 at Gaylord St Mary (5-1) 28.833
Vestaburg (2-3) 16.100 at Mesick (4-2) 27.167
REGION 3
Kingston (1-5) 14.167 at Morrice (6-0) 33.600
Deckerville (4-2) 26.167 at Merrill (5-1) 30.333
International Academy of Flint (3-3) 18.500 at Adrian Lenawee Christian (6-0) 32.700
Genesee (4-2) 23.167 at Mayville (6-0) 32.000
REGION 4
Athens (1-5) 12.367 at Martin (5-1) 28.833
Camden-Frontier (2-4) 16.833 at New Buffalo (3-3) 20.300
Gobles (2-3) 15.800 at Lawrence (5-1) 26.633
Bellevue (2-4) 16.333 at Marcellus (3-2) 21.800
DIVISION 2
REGION 1
Engadine (0-6) 8.500 at Powers North Central (6-0) 31.250
Lake Linden-Hubbell (3-3) 21.500 at Crystal Falls Forest Park (4-1) 25.000
Carney-Nadeau (3-3) 18.900 at Cedarville (5-1) 29.833
Rudyard (3-3) 19.000 at Rapid River (5-1) 27.833
REGION 2
Bellaire (1-5) 14.167 at Marion (5-1) 26.233
Hillman (2-4) 19.033 at Atlanta (3-3) 22.500
Posen (2-3) 15.500 at Hale (5-1) 24.533
Bear Lake (2-4) 15.933 at Brethren (4-2) 22.767
REGION 3
Au Gres-Sims (1-5) 10.267 at Kinde North Huron (5-1) 27.633
Ashley (3-3) 18.700 at Peck (3-3) 20.500
Akron-Fairgrove (1-5) 10.367 at Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (5-1) 26.133
Carsonville-Port Sanilac (1-5) 11.667 at Bay City All Saints (3-2) 21.000
REGION 4
North Adams-Jerome (2-4) 15.633 at Portland St Patrick (6-0) 33.200
Waldron (4-2) 21.667 at Tekonsha (4-2) 22.667
Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (2-4) 16.933 at Burr Oak (5-1) 28.833
Climax-Scotts (3-3) 19.500 at Colon (5-1) 27.833
Did not qualify: (Division 1) Battle Creek St Philip, Eau Claire, Eben Junction Superior Central, Litchfield, New Haven Merritt Academy, St Helen Charlton Heston, Webberville. (Division 2) Baldwin, Caseville, Mio.
Opted out of tournament: Felch North Dickinson, Onekama, Ontonagon, St Joseph Michigan Lutheran.
PHOTO by Robert Batzloff.
1st & Goal: 2025 Week 9 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 27, 2025
Before we could get to Sunday and the announcement of brackets for this season’s MHSAA Football Playoffs, we cheered through Friday and Saturday’s regular-season finales as teams had one more chance to affect their postseason destinies this fall.
Several capitalized on those opportunities.
We highlight many of those matchups below, as well as a few final league title deciders and other games of note as 288 teams prepare to continue on this week.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Harbor Beach 41, Millington 7 This impressive win over the reigning Division 7 champion Cardinals (6-3) is another indication Harbor Beach is going to be tough to beat in the Division 8 bracket. The Pirates have held strong in the fourth spot on their division’s playoff list and are set to host through the Regional Final if they advance. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.
Watch list Marysville 19, Marine City 8 These two kept their annual series going despite playing in different divisions of the Macomb Area Conference for the first time since 2011, with the Vikings (7-2) Gold runners-up and Marine City (6-3) the Silver champ. Marysville won the matchup for the second straight, closing the regular season with only a pair of losses coming during the first three weeks and both by three points or fewer.
On the move Grand Blanc 40, Romeo 36 The Bobcats (9-0) finished a second perfect regular season over the last four, but not without facing their toughest challenge as Romeo (6-3) lost for the first time since Week 2. Almont 53, Detroit Edison 46 Almont (9-0) capped its second-straight perfect regular season with its closest win since opening day, as Edison (7-2) lost for the first time since Week 2. Frankenmuth 42, Armada 14 These two could meet again in a Division 5 District Final after this result sent the Eagles to 8-1 and Armada to 6-3.
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Detroit Catholic Central 26, Detroit Martin Luther King 14 The final game statewide of the 2025 regular season matched two expected contenders in Divisions 1 and 3, respectively, in a Prep Bowl showdown at Ford Field. King (5-4) pulled within one score multiple times during the fourth quarter, but DCC (9-0) answered both to finish a second-straight perfect regular season. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.
TOUCHDOWN SHAMROCKS🍀 !
Duke Banta ➡️ Gideon Gash to answer right back!
DCC: 20
King: 6
Delivered by @hungryhowies
Catch the entire broadcast on the State Champs YouTube page and Local 4+ pic.twitter.com/oqAhHJeWrJ— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 26, 2025
Watch list Birmingham Groves 21, Birmingham Seaholm 14 Groves (6-3) defeated the Maples for the third-straight time to lock up homefield advantage through two potential District games, including a possible rematch with Seaholm (5-4) in two weeks.
On the move Harper Woods 21, Mason 17 The Pioneers (9-0) hung on for their third one-score win this fall to finish their first perfect regular season since 2007, while sending Mason to 5-4 with a third defeat by seven points or fewer. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 34, Hudsonville Unity Christian 25 The reigning Division 5 champion Fighting Irish (7-2) have won six straight with this arguably the most impressive of the run as they handed Division 4 Unity (8-1) its only loss. Salem 34, Livonia Stevenson 6 The Rocks (5-4) won their league crossover to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2017 (not counting 2020, when nearly all teams made the field because of COVID-19).
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Howell 57, Belleville 36 The Highlanders (8-1) claimed their second-straight overall Kensington Lakes Activities Association championship as these two division winners met for a repeat of last year’s title game. Howell’s Christian Farren scored three touchdowns during the first quarter, and Bryce Kish scored three over the final three quarters as Belleville (7-2) lost for the first time since the season opener. Click for more from the Detroit News.
The Highlanders took down Belleville 57-36 to win the KLAA Championship for the second straight year! Check out the highlights, powered by @LawrenceTechU
They’ll open the Division 1 football playoffs against Kalamazoo Central in the pre-district. @FootballHowell pic.twitter.com/lpVKIW1sL4— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 26, 2025
Watch list East Lansing 28, Holt 14 The Trojans reached the Division 2 playoffs at 4-5 in part after winning their third game in a row and also because their losses came against opponents with a combined record of 42-3, including three teams that finished 9-0.
On the move Beal City 39, Ithaca 8 The Aggies (9-0) completed their second perfect regular season in four years, and this one while giving up only 31 points total against a schedule with five playoff teams including Ithaca (6-3). DeWitt 63, Lansing Everett 7 The Panthers (9-0) closed an outright Capital Area Activities Conference Blue title, running their league winning streak to 17 games while scoring at least 51 points in all six Blue games this fall. St. Johns 28, Ypsilanti Lincoln 23 The Redwings (5-4) ended a four-game losing streak to secure a second-straight playoff berth and send also playoff-bound Lincoln to 6-3, which is still the Railsplitters’ best record since 2017 when they last qualified for the postseason (not counting COVID-shortened 2020).
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Maple City Glen Lake 23, Mancelona 22 Glen Lake (7-1) went to Mancelona to claim this winner-take-all matchup for the Northern Michigan Football Conference Legacy championship, the Lakers’ second-straight outright league title. Glen Lake now will host Mancelona (5-4) in a Division 8 District Semifinal. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Watch list Traverse City West 21, Traverse City Central 20 (OT) You’ll literally have a chance to watch again as these two will face off this week as well in a first-round Division 2 game. The Titans (5-4) have won three straight in the series and will see Central (5-4) in the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
On the move Kingsley 44, Charlevoix 18 The Stags (7-2) will jump into the postseason as the No. 7 team on the Division 6 playoff list – their highest rank since Week 4 – and coming off handing Charlevoix (8-1) its only defeat. Boyne City 27, Kalkaska 20 The Ramblers (6-3) have reached the playoffs every season this decade but kept the Blazers (5-4) from advancing as they fell to the No. 37 spot on the Division 6 list. McBain 21, Fowler 14 These two have put together a nice regular season-ending showdown the last three seasons, with this the second straight decided by seven points and this time for McBain (7-2) after Fowler (6-3) won last season’s meeting.
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Hanover-Horton 20, Michigan Center 14 The Comets (7-2) showed again how much can change over the course of a season, winning this championship matchup of Cascades Conference division winners after falling to Michigan Center (8-1) in nonleague play 53-14 in Week 3. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen Patriot.
Watch list Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard 42, Allen Park Cabrini 7 FGR (9-0) impressively won this Prep Bowl matchup of undefeated opponents to complete its first perfect regular season since 1976 (according to Michigan-Football.com).
On the move Jonesville 22, Manchester 0 The Comets (6-3) were close to the line for making the playoffs heading into the weekend but secured their spot in Division 7, as did Manchester (5-4) in Division 8 despite the defeat. Napoleon 40, Brooklyn Columbia Central 36 The Pirates (6-3) bounced back from falling to Michigan Center in a title decider the week before to get past the Golden Eagles (5-4) in a matchup of Cascades runners-up. Onsted 36, Detroit Henry Ford 16 The Wildcats (4-5) – winners of three of their last four games – sat anywhere from No. 37-44 on the Division 6 playoff list between Weeks 3-8 before jumping seven spots to No. 32 with this victory and earning first postseason appearance this decade.
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER Portage Central 40, St. Joseph 8 Central avenged last season’s loss that led to shared league title, this time clinching the outright championship in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West and completing its first perfect regular season since 2013. The Mustangs (9-0) gave up their first points since Week 6 – making the total just 18 this season. The Bears (5-4) were averaging more than 37 points per game entering the weekend. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.
Watch list Niles 21, Edwardsburg 12 Niles (9-0) completed an outright championship run in the Wolverine Conference despite facing their stiffest challenge in league play in the third-place Eddies (6-3). After back-to-back one-loss regular seasons, Niles also capped its first perfect one since 1979.
On the move Buchanan 46, Muskegon Catholic Central 6 The Bucks (6-3) were treading near the playoff qualification line in Division 6, but will return to the field for a fourth-straight season. Kalamazoo United 25, Schoolcraft 20 The Titans (7-2) have won six straight this fall and most recently against Schoolcraft (7-2) had lost back-to-back games in 2022 and 2023. Kalamazoo Central 52, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 10 The Maroon Giants (6-3) clinched a second-straight outright championship in the SMAC East and will next face Howell in a District opener for the second-straight season as well.
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Marquette 21, Kingsford 13 In breaking a three-year losing streak against the Flivvers, Marquette (6-3) bumped up four spots to No. 23 on the Division 3 playoff list to secure a spot in the postseason after just missing a year ago. Kingsford (6-3) fell only one spot in the Division 5 field, to No. 18, and will host its first-round District game this weekend. Click for more from MyUPNow.
Watch list West Iron County 42, Hancock 38 After ranking between No. 36-48 on the Division 8 playoff list over the last six weeks, West Iron (4-4) played this win into a four-spot jump and its first postseason berth this decade.
On the move Escanaba 38, Gladstone 12 Escanaba not only capped its most successful regular season since 1998 at 8-1, but guaranteed itself at least two home playoff games if it advances this week against Freeland. Negaunee 44, Iron Mountain 7 The Miners (6-3) broke a two-game losing streak to the rival Mountaineers (6-3), and in doing so held on to a spot in the Division 5 playoff field. Calumet 42, L’Anse 8 The Copper Kings (7-2) capped their best regular season since 2019 with a fourth-straight win, and L’Anse (5-4) as well was able to hang on to a first playoff berth in three seasons.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Belding 52, Wyoming Godwin Heights 20 The Black Knights took this winner-take-all title matchup in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Silver, running its league championship streak to four and its league game winning streak to 23. Belding (8-1) also clinched homefield advantage through Regional Finals if it advances, and Godwin Heights (7-2) also will host this week. Click for more from the Greenville Daily News.
Watch list Holland Christian 35, Grand Rapids Christian 22 Despite going 1-4 in O-K Black play, Holland Christian (5-4) hung on with this win over O-K White runner-up Grand Rapids Christian (5-4) as both landed in the playoffs.
On the move Grand Rapids West Catholic 28, Zeeland West 16 West Catholic (8-1) avenged last season’s loss to the eventual Division 3 champion Dux (6-3). Grand Rapids Catholic Central 24, Grand Rapids South Christian 17 The Cougars (9-0) survived one of their closest games this fall to clinch their first perfect regular season since 2021. Muskegon Oakridge 41, North Muskegon 27 Oakridge (6-3) bounced back from two straight losses by avenging last season’s defeat to North Muskegon (6-3).
8-Player
HEADLINER Indian River Inland Lakes 47, Gaylord St. Mary 20 This one receives top billing because it determined one of the final league titles still outstanding, and Inland Lakes (9-0) indeed clinched its fifth-straight Ski Valley Conference championship and ran its regular-season winning streak to 23 games. St. Mary (7-2) finished Ski Valley runner-up for the fourth-straight season but did hold on to one of the final spots in the Division 2 playoff field. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.
Watch list Portland St. Patrick 42, Blanchard Montabella 16 Montabella’s pursuit of a perfect regular season has been rightfully noted these last few weeks. But the Shamrocks (9-0) completed theirs by handing the Mustangs (8-1) their only loss, and in the process St. Patrick moved up to become the overall No. 1 in Division 2 playoff points – especially key if it ends up facing No. 2 Mendon in a Regional Final.
On the move St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy 43, AuGres-Sims 6 The Patriots (7-2) went from a three-year losing streak ending in 2023 to this fall the North Star League Big Dipper championship and their first season ending with a winning record. AuGres-Sims (5-4) shared the Little Dipper title. Climax-Scotts 72, Pittsford 64 These two finished the regular season with a bang, with their combined 136 points tying for ninth-most in an 8-player game when the losing team scored at least 40. Hillman 28, Rogers City 24 With this first win over Rogers City (4-5) in four recent attempts, Hillman (6-3) hung on to the final playoff qualifying spot in Division 2.
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PHOTOS (Top) Negaunee's David Juchemich is able to get to Iron Mountain's quarterback Brayden Kassin on Thursday. (2) Durand hands off the ball as blockers hold back Bath's defenders during the Railroaders' 50-0 victory. (3) Otsego's Lane Blanchard (8) is chased by Plainwell defenders during the Bulldogs' 39-0 win. (4) Marquette's Ford Richardson (11) eludes a Kingsford defender. (Negaunee/Iron Mountain photo by Cara Kamps. Durand/Bath photo by John Johnson. Otsego/Plainwell photo by Gary Shook. Marquette/Kingsford photo by Randy Ritari.)