Logo

Drive for Detroit: Playoff Week 2 Review

November 5, 2018

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The postseason in any sport is a time mostly for celebrating success, as teams achieve first-time milestones or finish by bringing home the ultimate MHSAA prize.

Sadly, every week also means the end to seasons and high school careers. Two more 2017 champions saw their repeat attempts conclude this weekend, and a handful of title favorites just a few weeks ago also saw their runs halted.

We glance below at many of those storylines from the second round of the MHSAA Playoffs – noting as always that any football team making it to early November should be proud, whenever its run is done. “Drive for Detroit” is powered by MI Student Aid. 

Division 1

HEADLINER: Dearborn Fordson 41, Detroit Cass Tech 14 That Fordson won surely stunned some statewide, and especially by this margin. But the Tractors (10-1) entered the playoffs last month with just one loss for the third straight season and fell to Cass Tech (10-1) by only five points in their 2017 District Final matchup. That said, this was the eighth playoff meeting over the last decade between these two – and the Technicians won the first seven. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press and see highlights below from The D Zone.

More shoutouts: Saline 42, East Kentwood 7 The Southeastern Conference Red champ Hornets (10-1) scored 21 points in the third quarter and got near-perfect passing from quarterback Andrew Arbaugh to down the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red champ Falcons (9-2). Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 51, Macomb Dakota 10 The Macomb Area Conference Red champion Big Reds (11-0) made this much more comfortable than when they edged league co-runner-up Dakota (8-3) by seven in Week 5. West Bloomfield 20, Detroit Catholic Central 17 (OT) Last season’s Division 1 runner-up Lakers moved to 9-2 by answering the overtime field goal by DCC (7-4) with a touchdown pass from CJ Harris to Lance Dixon.

Division 2

HEADLINER: Warren DeLaSalle 35, Oak Park 7 The Pilots’ ability to shut down Oak Park again sticks out immediately – the Knights entered averaging 29 points per game, but DeLaSalle also defeated Oak Park (9-2) in their 2017 Regional Final 14-7 on the way to winning Division 2. With this victory, the Pilots (9-2) improved to a combined 21-4 over the last two seasons. Click for more from the Macomb Daily and see highlights below from State Champs Sports Network.

More shoutouts: Port Huron Northern 14, St. Clair Shores Lakeview 7 (OT) The Huskies (10-1) tied their program record for wins by getting past Lakeview (7-4) for the second time this fall. Birmingham Groves 38, Birmingham Brother Rice 24 The Falcons (9-2) avenged last season’s District-opening 24-21 loss to the Warriors (7-4), improving to 2-1 in their playoff matchups over the last three seasons. Walled Lake Western 35, South Lyon 14 South Lyon (10-1) won the Lakes Valley Conference in part with a 29-19 Week 8 win over Western, but Western (8-3) will play for its third Regional title in four years.

Division 3

HEADLINER: Cedar Springs 44, Mount Pleasant 14 Overshadowed by the many Grand Rapids-area powers during the regular season, Cedar Springs couldn’t be missed this weekend. The Red Hawks (10-1) handed Mount Pleasant (10-1) its lone loss to claim their first District title since 2000, adding to the O-K White championship clinched earlier this fall. Cedar Springs has given up a combined 21 points over the last five weeks and now will get to challenge reigning champion Muskegon. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun and see highlights below from FOX 17.

More shoutouts: Zeeland East 42, Zeeland West 24 Getting by the rival Dux (8-3) for the second time in four weeks earned the Chix (10-1) their first District title since 2010. Parma Western 44, Battle Creek Central 21 The Panthers (10-1) reached double-digit wins and won a District title for the first time in their history, ending Central’s best finish since 2004 at 7-4. DeWitt 9, East Lansing 7 The Panthers (11-0) withstood their biggest scare this season and after winning 37-0 in their Week 5 meeting with the Trojans (9-2).

Division 4

HEADLINER: Farmington Hills Harrison 13, Detroit Country Day 10 (OT) A bobbled field goal attempt turned into a backpedaling game-winning touchdown pass that extended Harrison’s final season another week. The Yellowjackets (7-3) had opened overtime with a field goal, and the Hawks (8-3) had lined up to try to tie the score. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

More shoutouts: Holland Christian 22, Grand Rapids South Christian 19 The Maroons (8-3) won their first District title since 2009, ending the Sailors’ run at 6-5. Escanaba 14, Alma 13 The Eskymos (9-2) will face reigning champion Grand Rapids Catholic Central for the third straight season after beating Alma (9-2) for a District title for the third straight year. Chelsea 35, Milan 14 The Bulldogs (8-3) won their fourth District title in five seasons, defeating Milan (8-3) for the second straight playoffs.

Division 5

HEADLINER: Hudsonville Unity Christian 40, Muskegon Oakridge 37 The Crusaders (9-2), playing for their third District title in four seasons, came back from 27 points down to edge the Eagles (9-2) as the latter was looking to repeat as District champs. Unity went on a 32-2 second-half run, taking the lead with just more than three minutes to play. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press and see highlights below from WZZM.

More shoutouts: Marine City 41, Harper Woods 27 The Mariners (9-2) won their first District title since 2013 by piling up the most points Harper Woods (8-3) gave up this season. Kalamazoo United 46, Hopkins 35 The Titans, made up of students from Hackett and Kalamazoo Christian, won the first District title for either since Christian’s in 2008 by downing the O-K Silver champion Vikings (9-2). Frankenmuth 28, Almont 22 The Tri-Valley Conference East-winning Eagles (9-2) won this matchup of league champions, handing Blue Water Area Conference leader Almont (10-1) its lone loss.

Division 6

HEADLINER: Traverse City St. Francis 42, Calumet 6 St. Francis (11-0) won this matchup of unbeatens to clinch a fifth straight District title and earn a rematch with rival Kingsley in the Regional Final. Calumet (10-1) capped its second 10-win season in three years but gave up a season-high in points while scoring a season-low six for the second straight week. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle and see highlights below from MI Sports Now.

More shoutouts: Blissfield 41, Brooklyn Columbia Central 40 In two weeks of playoffs, fourth-place Blissfield (7-4) has beaten both co-champions of the Lenawee County Athletic Association, this time avenging a Week 4 loss to the Golden Eagles (9-2). Flint Hamady 47, Ecorse 22 The Genesee Area Conference Blue-winning Hawks (11-0) added their first District title to their best run ever, eliminating Michigan Metro Athletic Conference Black champ Ecorse (8-3) Kingsley 44, Beaverton 14 The Stags (10-1) reached double-digit victories for the first time since winning the Division 6 title in 2005, ending Beaverton’s run at 8-3.

Division 7

HEADLINER: Pewamo-Westphalia 42, Saugatuck 20 This rematch of last season’s Division 7 Final went the two-time champion’s way again. This was the fifth time in six seasons these teams met, and as expected Saugatuck’s offense gave the Pirates (11-0) one of its more significant challenges. But P-W also became the first team since Week 4 to score more than 40 points on the Indians (9-2). Click for more from the Ionia Sentinel-Standard.

More shoutouts: Madison Heights Madison 38, Detroit Loyola 0 The MAC Silver champ Eagles (11-0) earned their third straight shutout, stopping Loyola (7-4) as it sought to win its seventh District title in eight seasons. New Lothrop 44, Cass City 20 The Mid-Michigan Activities Conference champ Hornets (10-1) earned a playoff rematch with P-W by doubling up Greater Thumb Conference West champ Cass City (8-3). Cassopolis 35, Centreville 0 The Rangers (11-0) won the Southwest 10 Conference title with a 21-0 Week 9 victory over the Bulldogs (9-2), and this time held them to 147 yards.

Division 8

HEADLINER: Reading 28, Ottawa Lake Whiteford 6 Reigning Division 8 champion Whiteford (10-1) hadn’t lost in two years, and hadn’t scored fewer than 36 points since falling in the 2016 championship game. This was arguably the most impressive of a great run of victories for the Rangers (11-0), who have beaten three league champions and a runner-up over the last month. Click for more from the Hillsdale Daily News and see highlights below from BCSN.

More shoutouts: Harbor Beecher 28, Ubly 26 (3OT) The GTC East co-champion Pirates (10-1) held off the revenge-minded Bearcats (8-3), who finished third in the league after also falling to Harbor Beach in Week 5. Flint Beecher 22, Clarkston Everest Collegiate 14 The Bucs (8-3) clinched their first District title since 2012 by edging the Catholic League C-D champion Mountaineers (9-2). Detroit Southeastern 24, Dansville 22 Southeastern (8-3) outscored Dansville (7-4) 16-0 in the second half to win its first football District title since 2009 and after six straight sub-.500 finishes heading into this fall.

8-Player Division 1

HEADLINER: AuGres-Sims 72, Deckerville 28 The Wolverines (11-0) added to their first season in 8-player and best run in football ever by beating reigning Division 1 runner-up Deckerville (8-3) to claim their first Regional title in the sport. AuGres-Sims countered giving up their most points in a game this season by going over 70 for the second time this fall. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune and see highlights below from WBKB.

Other Regional Final shoutouts: Pickford 48, Suttons Bay 42 The Panthers (11-0) survived their toughest challenge of this season, holding off Suttons Bay (9-2) with quarterback Jimmy Storey’s touchdown run with 37 seconds to play. Morrice 44, Wyoming Tri-unity Christian 14 The Orioles (11-0) won their first Regional title since 1996 by dealing the Defenders (10-1) their only loss this season. Colon 40, Bellevue 22 The Magi (10-1) are Regional champs for the first time thanks to a second win this season over the league rival Broncos (9-2).

8-Player Division 2

HEADLINER: Rapid River 40, Crystal Falls Forest Park 34 The reigning Division 2 champ Trojans (6-5) opened the playoffs by stunning Powers North Central, and Rapid River (8-3) followed up this week by downing Forest Park to make the Semifinals for the first time since 2013. Rapid River actually handed Forest Park one of its two defeats in 2017 as well. The Rockets will look next to make the Finals for the third time in eight seasons. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.

More Regional shoutouts: Portland St. Patrick 20, Tekonsha 6 The reigning Division 2 runner-up Shamrocks (7-4) have rattled off four straight wins, this one over Southern Central Athletic Association B champ Tekonsha (6-5).  Cedarville 44, Posen 0 The Trojans join Rapid River among three Great Lakes Conference East teams still alive after running their winning streak against Posen (8-3) to four straight. Onekama 52, Brethren 0 The Portagers (9-2) won their first Regional title by also downing a conference champion in the West Michigan D League’s Bobcats (7-4).

Second Half’s weekly “Drive for Detroit” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Student Financial Services Bureau located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information, including various student financial assistance programs to help make college more affordable for Michigan students. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 savings programs (MET/MESP) and eight additional aid programs within its Student Scholarships and Grants division. Click for more information and connect with MI Student Aid on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.  

PHOTO: Clinton Township Chippewa Valley remained undefeated with a second win over Macomb Dakota this season. (Click for more from C&G Newspapers.)

Detroit Cass Tech’s Marquell Evans Jr. (5) wraps up Detroit King’s De’Andre Williams.

1st & Goal: 2026 Week 5 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 28, 2026

We’ve passed the midway point of the 2026 football regular season, and it’s already trophy time for several teams across Michigan. 

MI Student Aid

Week 5 saw a few outright conference champions crowned, several claim shares of league titles, and many more continue to close in as October prepares to greet us this weekend. 

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Marine City 57, St. Clair 36 Marine City pulled within one more win of clinching a share of the Macomb Area Conference Silver title by claiming this matchup of co-leaders entering the weekend. The Mariners can clinch that repeat title this week against Hazel Park. Click for more from the Port Huron Times Herald. 

Watch list Flushing 28, Linden 20 This could go a long way toward the Raiders (3-2) returning to the playoffs after missing last season, but also sets them up to potentially earn a share of the Flint Metro League Stripes title if Linden (4-1) can take down first-place Fenton in two weeks. 

On the move Millington 27, Cass City 7 The Cardinals (5-0) clinched a share of the Big Thumb Conference White title by handing Cass City (4-1) its lone defeat – and after falling to Cass City 17-14 last season. Almont 37, Imlay City 20 These Raiders (5-0) whittled the Blue Water Area Conference race potentially down to two, handing Imlay City (4-1) its only loss to stay atop the standings tied now with only Macomb Lutheran North. Gladwin 14, Clare 13 This paired with Shepherd’s win over Ogemaw Heights put the Flying Gs (4-1) into first place alone in the Jack Pine Conference Division 1. 

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Detroit Cass Tech 20, Detroit Martin Luther King 7 Cass Tech’s defense continued to excel and Julian Taylor ran for two touchdowns as the Technicians (5-0) extended their winning steak over the Crusaders (4-1) to four. Cass has now given up only 28 points over five games, but King also did the job defensively keeping the Technicians well below their 52-ppg average heading into the weekend. Click for more from the Detroit News. 

Watch list Ecorse 40, Romulus Summit Academy North 33 The Red Raiders are off to a 5-0 start for the second straight season, and by downing annual contender Summit (3-2) remained tied for first in the Charter School Conference Gold with Detroit Edison. 

On the move Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 48, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 20 St. Mary’s (4-1) remains one of three teams undefeated in Catholic High School League Central play after handing Rice (4-1) its only loss. Romeo 28, Grosse Pointe South 26 The Bulldogs (5-0) can clinch a share of the Macomb Area Conference Red title this week after handing South (4-1) its only defeat and after losing to South the last three seasons. St. Clair Shores Lakeview 29, Utica 28 Lakeview (4-1) pulled into first alone in the MAC White after also avenging a 2025 loss to the Chieftains (4-1). 

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Portland 23, Lake Odessa Lakewood 20 The Raiders’ 30-game winning streak in the Capital Area Activities Conference White rested on the leg of Chase Fullet with a second left on the clock, and his 25-yard field goal made it 31 straight wins and put Portland at 5-0 with Lakewood falling to 4-1. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Watch list Shepherd 14, Ogemaw Heights 12 The Bluejays (3-2) were coming off two losses to start the JPC1 schedule, but surely made those disappointments fade a bit with this stunner after falling to Ogemaw Heights (4-1) by 42 and 35 points the last two years. Shepherd is seeking its first playoff berth since 2022.

On the move Pewamo-Westphalia 59, Bark River-Harris 14 The Pirates (5-0) won this matchup between returning Division 7 and 8 semifinalists, respectively, handing Bark River-Harris (4-1) its only loss this fall. Ovid-Elsie 30, Durand 27 After opening with a pair of losses, Ovid-Elsie (3-2) still controls its destiny in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference with the two other top contenders coming up over the next two weeks. Mason 21, St. Johns 9 The Bulldogs (5-0) pulled within a win of clinching a share of the CCAAC Red title by holding back a St. Johns offense that had reached 28 points during every game of a 3-1 start. 

Perry quarterback Tyger Whitbeck (15) fires a pass during his team’s 54-10 win over Bath.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Cadillac 22, Petoskey 20 Four of seven teams in the Big North Conference are 3-0, 3-1 or 2-1 in league play, including both of these contenders. Cadillac (3-2) has a loss to Marquette and will now hope for help from Petoskey (3-2), which faces the Sentinels in Week 8. The Vikings’ last two league games are against opponents that are a combined 2-8. Click for more from the Cadillac News. 

Watch list Kingsley 42, Elk Rapids 22 The Stags (5-0) have a week off with a forfeit win coming from Cheboygan but will be in position to clinch the Northern Shores Conference title – at least a share – when they host second-place Boyne City in Week 7. Elk Rapids (3-2) remains in the Division 6 playoff hunt tied for No. 31 in Division 6 playoff-point average. 

On the move McBain 28, Charlevoix 27 The Ramblers (4-2) came back from two touchdowns down to win this District Semifinal rematch from a year ago by the same score. Traverse City West 36, Midland 7 The Titans (3-2) bounced back from a Week 4 loss to keep pace near the top of the Saginaw Valley League North and send Midland (3-2) a game back of the lead. Traverse City St. Francis 42, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 14 After a couple of losses to title contenders early, the Gladiators made the midseason turn with a second-straight win to move up to No. 28 in Division 6 playoff-point average. 

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Hanover-Horton 49, Brooklyn Columbia Central 48 Hanover-Horton (4-1) clinched a share of the Cascades Conference South championship by handing the lone league loss to an opponent for the second-straight week, this time Columbia Central (4-1) after doing the same to Napoleon in Week 4. The league title is the Comets’ third consecutive and the win extended their conference winning streak to 13. Click for more from WLNS.       

Watch list Ida 41, Adrian Madison 20 Four teams in the Lenawee County Athletic Association are 4-0 or 3-1 in league play, with Ida (5-0) now sharing the top spot with Clinton but Madison (4-1) and Hudson certainly still in the mix with three weeks of LCAA games remaining. 

On the move Vandercook Lake 21, Michigan Center 12 Vandercook Lake (2-3) is seeking its first 11-player postseason appearance since 2015, and if the Jayhawks make it this win over the Cardinals (2-3) surely will have played a part. Manchester 52, Jonesville 22 A Week 3 loss to Michigan Center threw a wrench into Manchester’s Cascades Conference North title pursuit, but the Flying Dutchmen (4-1) still have a shot and will be coming off scoring their season high when they host leader Leslie on Friday. Monroe Jefferson 28, Flat Rock 26 Jefferson (5-0) kept pace with Monroe St. Mary atop the Huron League standings by surviving a close one with Flat Rock (2-3). 

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Vicksburg 26, Three Rivers 21 Vicksburg held off Three Rivers to maintain its co-lead with Edwardsburg in the Wolverine Conference. The Bulldogs and Wildcats have developed a nice matchup over the last three seasons, with all four meetings – including in last year’s District Final – decided by 3-5 points. Ja’Kobi Reed scored the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter of this one. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette. 

Watch list Galesburg-Augusta 12, Centreville 8 Galesburg-Augusta (5-0) already has matched its winningest season since 2016, and one more victory (assured at this point by a forfeit coming from White Pigeon in Week 7) will give them their most since 1997. 

On the move St. Joseph 49, Battle Creek Central 19 The Bears (4-1) finished an outright league championship in the four-team Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference small-schools division, winning their three league games by a combined score of 137-29. Portage Central 43, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 0 The Mustangs (4-1) clinched a share of the SMAC big-schools division title and can finish it outright this week against Battle Creek Lakeview. Decatur 38, Galesburg-Augusta 12 Decatur (5-0), like Galesburg-Augusta, is undefeated in Southwest 10 Conference play heading into this week’s potential title decider. 

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Kingsford 37, Calumet 19 The Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper race is all but down to two teams, thanks to undefeated Kingsford (5-0) handing Calumet (3-2) a second league loss and Menominee also remaining unbeaten in league play. The Flivvers and Maroons face off in Week 8. Click for more from the Houghton Daily Mining Gazette. 

Watch list Ishpeming Westwood 20, Gladstone 0 The Patriots (2-3) haven’t reached four wins in a season since their most recent playoff run in 2021, but despite a loaded schedule this fall have picked up some momentum with two straight wins including this one avenging a 59-22 loss from a year ago. 

On the move Iron Mountain 25, Manistique 8 Winning the West-PAC Iron will take some help after a Week 3 loss to Bark River-Harris, but the Mountaineers (3-2) have bounced back from two early defeats. Negaunee 40, Hancock 0 The Miners (3-2) bounced back from two straight losses to stifle a Hancock team (3-2) enjoying its best season over the last five. Marquette 48, Escanaba 10 The Sentinels (3-2) have won three straight to move into first place alone in the Big North Conference, this victory avenging a 2025 defeat as well. 

Marquette’s Brody Clements (5) hauls in a touchdown catch during his team’s win over Escanaba.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Grand Rapids South Christian 19, Zeeland West 16 Four of six teams in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold are 4-1 or 3-2 and a fifth team is tied for first early while 2-3 overall. But while there are four weeks to go, this early matchup between the Sailors (4-1) and Dux (4-1) might end up the eventual title decider. This one also came down to a field goal during the final seconds, nailed by South Christian’s Hudson Kerstetter from 19 yards out. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Watch list Sparta 20, Marshall 14 The Spartans (3-2) are pursuing a first playoff appearance since 2022 and already have tied last year’s win total thanks to this one over the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference-leading Redhawks (4-1). 

On the move Coopersville 14, Lowell 13 Coopersville (5-0) and Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills are the only two teams left without a loss in River Cities Alliance play; they face off Week 9. Caledonia 13, Hudsonville 7 Caledonia (4-1) and East Kentwood top the list in the O-K Red after the Fighting Scots ended Hudsonville’s league winning streak at 16 covering the last three seasons. Grand Rapids West Catholic 22, Hamilton 14 The Falcons (4-1) quickly are the only team left without a league loss in the O-K White, thanks to wins the last two weeks over contenders Forest Hills Eastern and Hamilton (3-2). 

8-Player

HEADLINER Mendon 38, Colon 16 The Hornets (5-0) took a 14-8 lead into halftime and broke away with the first two scores of the third quarter against the previously undefeated Magi (4-1). Logan Stuart ran for 217 yards and all three of Mendon’s second-half scores. Click for more from the Sturgis Journal. 

Watch list Dryden 44, Deckerville 38 After going four seasons without football, Dryden (5-0) came back in 2023 and quickly has climbed, with this fast start now including a defining win as the Cardinals had fallen to Deckerville (4-1) by 56 last season and 48 and 76 the two years before that. 

On the move Grand Rapids Sacred Heart 56, Bridgman 28 These two and Marcellus are the top contenders in the Southwest Michigan 8-Man Football League Red, and this result made it so with Sacred Heart (3-1) bouncing back from a Week 4 loss to Marcellus by handing the Bees (4-1) their only defeat. Crystal Falls Forest Park 59, Felch North Dickinson 52 The Trojans (4-1) also bounced back from a Week 4 loss and on the whole are rebounding from a 1-8 season in 2025 that included a 51-point defeat against the Nordics (3-2). Rogers City 37, St. Helen Charlton Heston 19 Rogers City (4-1) broke a two-game losing streak against Heston (2-1), after falling 36-0 a year ago, and also pulled within one more win of clinching a share of the North Star League Big Dipper championship.

MHSAA.com's weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Click to connect with MI Student Aid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTOS (Top) Detroit Cass Tech’s Marquell Evans Jr. (5) wraps up Detroit King’s De’Andre Williams. (Middle) Perry quarterback Tyger Whitbeck (15) fires a pass during his team’s 54-10 win over Bath. (Below) Marquette’s Brody Clements (5) hauls in a touchdown catch during his team’s win over Escanaba. (Cass Tech/King photo by Olivia B. Photography. Perry/Bath photo by John Johnson. Marquette/Escanaba photo by Randy Ritari.)