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Drive for Detroit: Week 1 in Review

August 31, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Another MHSAA football season began this weekend. Where do we begin ... 

The two longest active winning streaks in Michigan came to an end. Three Detroit Public School League teams beat opponents that finished 2014 playing at Ford Field. And that's just the start. 

See below for five of the most significant results to come from each of eight regions around the state, plus three 8-player games that could mean much as the season unfolds. 

Bay & Thumb

Bad Axe 20, Harbor Beach 6

Bad Axe last beat Harbor Beach in 2009 – and then lost the last five season openers to the Pirates by a combined score of 242-0. But the Hatchets made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2001, and now can claim giving Harbor Beach only its second regular-season loss since the start of the 2011 season. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.

Also noted:

Algonac 19, Marine City 18 – The Muskrats had one win a year ago and had dropped 15 straight to Marine City, which finished its typical 10-1 in 2014.

Davison 29, Fenton 26 – The Cardinals opened 1-0 for the first time since 2012 and after falling to Fenton 35-0 only a year ago.

Ortonville-Brandon 11, Goodrich 10 – Zach Clements’ 37-yard field goal with two seconds left avenged last season’s 33-7 opening-night loss to the Martians.

Richmond 20, Marysville 12 – The Blue Devils ran their streak to three straight wins over Marysville, last season’s District Final opponent; this time they were inspired by co-coach John Kocher, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. 

Greater Detroit

Macomb Dakota 35, Clarkston 10

Over two weeks, the three longest winning streaks in Michigan football have ended. Ithaca (69) and Ishpeming (33) saw theirs come to a close at last season’s MHSAA Finals, and Clarkston’s 27-game streak was stopped by a Dakota team that nearly broke it last season before it really got rolling when the Wolves won by three on opening night. Running back Kaiser Carleton ran for 207 yards and three touchdowns for the Cougars, who are playing this season for a 15th-straight playoff berth. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.

Also noted:

Detroit Catholic Central 15, Muskegon 12 – Last season’s 4-5 finish became a little more of a distant memory as the Shamrocks edged the reigning Division 3 runner-up.

Detroit Martin Luther King 12, Warren DeLaSalle 10 – The Crusaders opened a season filled with high expectations by beginning to meet them in downing last fall’s Division 2 champion.

Detroit Renaissance 22, Lansing Sexton 14 – The Phoenix earned its first opening-night win since 2008 against the rebuilt but still reigning Division 4 runners-up Big Reds.

Walled Lake Western 42, Lowell 40 – Western’s massive road win came down to the final minutes and made the Red Arrows 0-1 for the first time since 1993. 

Mid-Michigan

Pewamo-Westphalia 26, Madison Heights Madison 25 (OT)

These two combined for a 19-6 record, two District titles and a Regional championship a year ago, when Madison opened with an 18-6 win over the Pirates. But this one went to P-W when it chose to go for two points instead of one after an overtime touchdown and standout running back Jared Smith finished the game with a conversion. Click for more from the Ionia Sentinel-Standard.

Also noted:

Jackson Lumen Christi 22, Grand Rapids West Catholic 21 – Two squads met after graduating their stars from a year ago and played to a classic that resulted in the end of West Catholic’s 23-game winning streak.

Charlotte 38, Ionia 35 – Another last-second field goal gave the Orioles revenge for last season’s 28-0 first-game loss to the Bulldogs.

Ithaca 42, Clare 14 – The Yellowjackets started a new winning streak by making it two straight on opening night over the reigning Jack Pine Conference champ.

Beal City 28, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 6 – This was much closer than the final score for most of the game, and much closer than 36 and 61-point wins for Beal City over the Irish the last two seasons.

Northern Lower Peninsula

Boyne City 38, Mendon 14

Coming off its first MHSAA Semifinal run since 2001, Boyne City faced the test of replacing a number of top contributors and opening against another small-school program that annually reloads. So far, so good as the Ramblers ran for more than 300 yards and scored 38 of the game’s final 45 points after giving up the game’s first score. Click for more from the Petoskey News.

Also noted: 

Big Rapids 17, Cadillac 14 (2 OT) – The Cardinals couldn’t have picked a tougher opponent than Cadillac (20-2 the last two seasons) to begin a bounce-back from its 4-14 finish over the last two years.

Lake City 33, Harrison 32 (OT) – The Trojans enjoyed a dramatic finish coming off their first losing season since 2008 and a 28-0 loss to Harrison in last year’s opener.

Rogers City 14, AuGres-Sims 8 – The Hurons have improved their win total each of the last three seasons and took a nice step toward continuing by avenging last season’s 28-14 loss to the Wolverines.

Gaylord 49, Cheboygan 0 – The Blue Devils finished 5-4 a year ago after going 1-4 over their final five games; consider this another start on their pursuit of a first playoff berth since 2005.

Southwest Corridor

Battle Creek Lakeview 12, Portage Northern 6

The stakes weren’t as high this time after the teams met for a District championship last season – when Lakeview was victorious as well, 21-0. But the Spartans were able to further venge a 28-24 loss to Portage Northern on opening night of 2014, stopping the Huskies as they drove to tie the score midway through the fourth quarter. Click for more from the Battle Creek Enquirer.

Also noted:

Stevensville Lakeshore 34, Battle Creek Central 26 – The result was the same, and the game still close, although not decided in as intriguing a way as Lakeshore’s 2-0 win over Central on a safety a year ago.

Cassopolis 35, Niles Brandywine 8 – They’re in different divisions of the Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph Conference this season, but the Rangers still no doubt enjoyed avenging last season’s 27-26 loss.

Plainwell 32, Three Rivers 21 – It ended a lot closer than last season’s 34-0 Plainwell win, but remained an important victory over another playoff team from a year ago.

South Haven 30, Sturgis 25 – The Rams are 1-0 after opening night for the first time since 2007. 

Southeast & Border

Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 62, Tecumseh 39

The reigning Division 6 champion Falcons opened coach Adam Kipf’s era with a dominating performance reminiscent of predecessor Jack Giarmo’s hard-running teams. SMCC rushed for more than 450 yards to down Tecumseh, a Division 3 playoff qualifier in 2014. Click to read more from the Monroe Evening News.

Also noted: 

Jackson 40, Ann Arbor Huron 7 – The Vikings’ equaled last season’s win total with its most points in a game since Week 8 of 2013 and after scoring only 122 total in 2014.

Saline 37, Rockford 24 – Reigning Division 1 runner-up Saline may indeed be the state’s best team, and this only furthered that argument.

Clinton 20, Manchester 19 – The Redskins made it 28 straight regular-season wins by just edging a Manchester team that finished 8-2 a year ago.

Howell 28, Monroe 14 – The Highlanders haven’t made the playoffs since 2012 but got off to the right start avenging last season’s 21-14 loss to Monroe, a playoff team three of the last four years. 

Upper Peninsula

Bark River-Harris 14, Crystal Falls Forest Park 13

The Broncos burst back into the Upper Peninsula’s elite going 8-3 last season and making the playoffs for the first time since 2009, but two of those losses were to Forest Park – including 36-12 in the District Final. Any time these days that the Trojans lose short of Ford Field, it sends a little shockwave through the U.P. – and they haven’t started a season 0-1 since 2004, although they finished that season in the Division 8 championship game. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.

Also noted:

Munising 12, Iron River West Iron County 6 – These teams combined to go 21-3 last season, but this round goes to Munising after West Iron beat the Mustangs in the last two openers.

L’Anse 8, Houghton 6 – The Purple Hornets took a step back last season after two straight playoff appearances, but hope a second-straight two-point win over Houghton points them back in the winning direction.

Ishpeming 14, Iron Mountain 7 – This annual opening-night battle returned to its usual level of competitiveness after Ishpeming had shut out the Mountaineers 106-0 over the last three seasons.

Menominee 49, Marinette, Wis. 21 – Chapter 109 of Michigan’s longest interstate rivalry went to the Maroons, who lead the series 52-50-7. 

West Michigan

Muskegon Oakridge 45, Muskegon Catholic Central 26

Oakridge is coming off a 10th-straight playoff appearance, so its ending of MCC’s 26-game winning streak doesn’t seem like a complete shocker. But the Eagles still should receive plenty of credit for loading up the nonleague slate like perhaps no team in MHSAA history, with two straight games against reigning champions – MCC won Division 8 a year ago and Detroit Loyola, next week’s opponent, won Division 7. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.

Also noted:

East Grand Rapids 28, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 14 – The Pioneers made it three wins in four seasons in one of the state’s most anticipated openers between previous year’s playoff teams.  

Saugatuck 43, Constantine 40 – After just missing the playoffs last season at 5-4, Saugatuck started this fall by edging a powerhouse that hasn’t missed the postseason since 1990.

East Kentwood 35, Farmington Hills Harrison 28 – There’s little better to start the season than an opener between cross-state contenders like this one between teams that went a combined 21-5 last fall, and this result tells plenty of reason why.

Grand Rapids Christian 32, Grand Rapids South Christian 28 – The Eagles survived their closest of a six-game opening night winning streak against the Sailors. 

8-player

Kinde-North Huron 54, Carsonville-Port Sanilac 14

Kinde-North Huron fell back to 2-7 last season after two playoff seasons including a run to the MHSAA Semifinals in 2013, and scored only 122 points total in 2014. But this win could be the sign of better times this fall; the Warriors were 1-3 overall against CPS since moving to 8-player, and lost 13-12 to the Tigers a year ago. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.

Also noted:

Rapid River 26, Onaway 12 – Onaway, playing its first game after switching from 11-player, gave the Rockets a rare close regular-season game.

Webberville 40, Dryden 38 – The Spartans scored eight fewer points than against Dryden a year ago, but gave up 48 fewer than in the 2014 86-48 opening-night loss. 

PHOTO: Mason opened with a 56-30 win over Okemos after falling to the rival Chieftains 28-14 a year ago.

Muskegon's Lamar Bradford celebrates his touchdown run during the Big Reds' 39-34 win over Mona Shores on Friday.

1st & Goal: 2025 Playoffs Week 1 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 4, 2025

The phrase is “survive and advance” for a reason.

MI Student AidFor high school football teams this time of year, the next game always is earned. And that was especially evident as the 51st MHSAA Playoffs began over the weekend.

A total of 32 games – out of 143 total – were decided by seven points of fewer. Nine of those matchups were decided by a single point.

We glance at several of those below as we move on this week to District Finals in 11-player and 8-player Regional championship games.

11-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Brownstown Woodhaven 30, Belleville 29 Marquez McAdoo ran for two touchdowns and Woodhaven (8-2) blocked a late extra-point try to secure the program’s first playoff win since 2021 – and after missing the postseason the last two years. The Tigers’ run ended at 7-3.

District Digest East Kentwood 49, Grand Ledge 15 The Falcons (8-2) earned their first playoff win since 2019, slowing down a Comets attack that had scored 30 or more points seven times in finishing 7-3. Clarkston 52, Davison 14 The Wolves (9-1) opened the playoffs with arguably their most impressive win of a season with several, as Davison (8-2) was averaging nearly 44 points per game the night. Macomb Dakota 6, Utica 3 The Cougars (7-3) bounced back from a 26-17 loss to Utica (7-3) from Week 8.

11-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Traverse City Central 15, Traverse City West 13 Just a week after West won their Patriot Game rivalry game 21-20, these two returned to the same field but with Central (6-4) advancing with its first win over the Titans (5-5) since 2022 – and first playoff victory over any opponent since 2021. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

District Digest Grosse Pointe South 28, Roseville 27 These Macomb Area Conference White rivals met for a second time after South (9-1) won the first 47-25 in Week 5 – and after the Blue Devils also defeated Roseville (4-6) by just a point to open the 2024 playoffs. East Lansing 26, White Lake Lakeland 20 The Trojans (5-5) made the playoffs in part because of an incredible strength of schedule, and they showed they belong in extending their winning streak to four while ending the Eagles’ season at 7-3. Warren Cousino 28, Birmingham Seaholm 7 The Patriots (7-3) – after missing the postseason a year ago – claimed their first playoff win since 2007, ending the Maples’ run at 5-5.

11-Player Division 3

HEADLINER Zeeland West 30, Niles 21 The reigning champion Dux (7-3) sent a wave through the Division 3 bracket, handing Niles (9-1) its only loss of the season as the Vikings also aspired to get back to Ford Field after finishing Division 4 runners-up a year ago. West’s 30 points were the most Niles gave up in a game all fall. Click for more from the South Bend Tribune.

District Digest Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 28, Hastings 20 The Trojans (7-3) earned their first playoff win since 2020 and continued to impress after winning a combined eight games over the last four seasons – and opening this one with a 31-29 loss to Hastings (7-3). Warren De La Salle Collegiate 56, Warren Fitzgerald 34 De La Salle (4-6) was another qualifier that played a powerful schedule this fall, and the Pilots added to it with this win over the MAC Gold champion Spartans (8-2). Gaylord 38, Marquette 34 The Blue Devils’ 10-0 season has included now seven wins by seven points or fewer, and they kept it alive with the go-ahead score during the final minute to get past the Sentinels (6-4).

East Grand Rapids' Tyler Blake (1) reaches the end zone as a Cedar Springs defender pursues during the Pioneers' 23-21 victory.

11-Player Division 4

HEADLINER Big Rapids 32, Ludington 31 Big Rapids opened the playoffs with a win over Ludington for the second-straight postseason, but this time handed the Orioles (9-1) their lone defeat as well – also with a go-ahead touchdown coming during the final minute. The Cardinals (9-1) additionally reached nine wins for the third straight season. Click for more from the Big Rapids Pioneer.

District Digest Portland 42, Grand Rapids South Christian 41 (OT) The Raiders (10-0) hadn’t had a game closer than 24 points all season, but emerged from this first matchup with South Christian since falling to the Sailors (4-6) in a 2023 Semifinal. Madison Heights Lamphere 7, Redford Union 6 Another one-pointer saw Lamphere (7-3) earn its first playoff win since 2022 and set up a rematch with Dearborn Divine Child, which eliminated the Rams a year ago. Impressive sidenote: After allowing 40 in its opener this fall, Union (7-3) gave up only 41 total over its final nine games. Three Rivers 21, Paw Paw 14 Just two weeks prior, Paw Paw (6-4) had defeated Three Rivers (6-4) in league play 43-0. The Wildcats are in the playoffs for the first time since 2022.

11-Player Division 5

HEADLINER Ogemaw Heights 29, Negaunee 28 (OT) The Falcons (9-1) advanced to a District Final for the third-straight season, advancing from their toughest challenge since a Week 2 loss to Traverse City St. Francis. The Miners ended their run at 6-4. Click for more from the Bay City Times.

District Digest Berrien Springs 34, Dowagiac 20 These Lakeland Conference rivals met for a second time for the second season in a row, and this time after sharing the league title. Berrien Springs (7-2) had won the first matchup as well. Dowagiac finished 5-4. Detroit Denby 18, Detroit Southeastern 16 Denby (8-2) ran its winning streak to eight with its first playoff victory since 2020, ending Southeastern’s season at 6-4. Richmond 14, Armada 10 These Blue Water Area Conference rivals met for the second time this season and it was nearly as close as the first, as Richmond (9-1) held on after also claiming the Week 4 matchup 24-17 – and after Armada (6-4) won regular-season and playoff games over the Blue Devils a year ago.

11-Player Division 6

HEADINER Kent City 28, Olivet 22 Kent City added its first playoff victory since 2019 to its first 10-0 start since 2017 as it went on the road to defeat the Eagles (8-2). Olivet’s only losses this season came to teams still undefeated. Click for more from Local Sports Journal.

District Digest Traverse City St. Francis 55, Boyne City 35 The Gladiators (7-2) added a second win this season over Boyne City (6-4) after winning the first 20-13, and with this one earned another rematch this week, against rival Kingsley. Durand 32, Flint Hamady 22 The Railroaders (8-2) will play in a District Final for the first time since 2009, and after missing the playoffs the last two years. Hamady finished 6-4. Napoleon 26, Buchanan 20 The Pirates (7-3) advanced with this win over Lakeland Conference co-champion Buchanan (6-4).

An Owosso defender wraps up DeWitt's Trav Moore (2) during the Panthers' 70-13 win.

11-Player Division 7

HEADLINER Ithaca 24, Saginaw Valley Lutheran 12 A signature win during Saginaw Valley Lutheran’s historic fall was a 23-22 Week 6 victory over the Yellowjackets as the Chargers (9-1) went on to complete a perfect regular season. But Ithaca (7-3) got its revenge to open its 17th-straight playoff run. Click for more from the Saginaw News.

District Digest McBain 28, Charlevoix 27 The Ramblers (8-2) stopped a 2-point conversion attempt for the win after Charlevoix (8-2) scored with less than a minute to play. Clinton 36, Ottawa Lake Whiteford 20 Clinton (8-2) has lost only once more since falling opening night to Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, and earned a rematch this week with the Falcons by defeating Whiteford (8-2) in a playoff opener for the second-straight season. Shelby 20, LeRoy Pine River 2 Shelby qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2013 (not counting COVID-shortened 2020, when nearly all teams made the field), and followed that by winning a playoff game for the first time since reaching the Division 6 Semifinals 12 years ago.

11-Player Division 8

HEADLINER White Pigeon 22, Decatur 20 (OT) White Pigeon’s Week 8 loss to Decatur was its first to the Raiders since 2022, but the Chiefs (8-2) held on in overtime to avenge and earn a District title opportunity against undefeated Hudson this week. Decatur finished 7-3. Click for more from the Sturgis Journal.

District Digest Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central 34, Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 28 These rivals met a second time in the playoffs for the second-straight season, but this time Nouvel (8-2) finished the sweep after MLS (6-4) won by a point in their 2024 playoff matchup. Riverview Gabriel Richard 34, Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech 6 Gabriel Richard started this season 1-3 after finishing Division 8 runner-up a year ago, but that early tough competition may have paid off again as the Pioneers (5-5) handed ABT (9-1) the lone defeat of its winningest season all-time. New Lothrop 19, Fowler 14 After a rare playoff miss a year ago, the Hornets (7-3) got off to the right start by getting past an Eagles team (6-4) that made last season’s Semifinals.

8-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Pickford 30, Indian River Inland Lakes 26 Reigning Division 1 runner-up Pickford (8-1) opened these playoffs on the road, but came home with one of the weekend’s most notable wins after handing Inland Lakes (9-1) its only loss this fall. The pair had split Semifinals matchups the last two seasons. Click for more from the Cheboygan Daily Tribune.

Regional Roundup Climax-Scotts 72, Gobles 62 These two produced not only for one of the highest-scoring games this season, but their combined 134 points will rank high on the all-time MHSAA 8-player list. Gobles (7-3) had won their opening-night meeting 54-32, but Climax-Scotts (8-2) has lost only once more. Capac 40, Brown City 38 Capac (8-2) kicked off its first playoffs since 2011 by avenging a 61-22 Week 3 loss to the Green Devils (7-3). Kingston 22, Bay City All Saints 14 Kingston (9-1) navigated its closest win this season to earn a rematch with Capac. All Saints finished 7-3, its defeats by a combined 15 points to teams that are a combined 28-2.

8-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Deckerville 27, Morrice 26 This looked incredible on paper, but might have been even better than advertised as Deckerville emerged from a matchup of teams that both reached championship games a year ago. The reigning Division 1 champion Eagles (9-1) opened a 20-point lead by halftime but had to hold off the Orioles (8-2), last year’s Division 2 runner-up. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.

Regional Roundup Gaylord St. Mary 84, Mio 48 This will also make the all-time single-game scoring list, St. Mary’s 84 points its most since the 2020 playoffs as the Snowbirds moved to 8-2. Mio finished 8-2 as well, its best record since 2019. Lake Linden-Hubbell 50, Powers North Central 28 The Lakes (8-2) made this nearly a repeat of their 52-34 win over the Jets (7-3) in Week 6. North Central’s only other loss this fall came to undefeated Norway. Felch North Dickinson 40, St. Ignace 22 The Nordics (10-0) opened their first playoffs since 2016 by adding to their perfect run, downing the Saints (6-4) to earn a rematch with opening-night opponent Lake Linden-Hubbell – which gave North Dickinson its only single-digit game this fall.

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PHOTOS (Top) Muskegon's Lamar Bradford celebrates his touchdown run during the Big Reds' 39-34 win over Mona Shores on Friday. (Middle) East Grand Rapids' Tyler Blake (1) reaches the end zone as a Cedar Springs defender pursues during the Pioneers' 23-21 victory. (Below) An Owosso defender wraps up DeWitt's Trav Moore (2) during the Panthers' 70-13 win. (Muskegon/Mona Shores photo by Tim Reilly. EGR/Cedar Springs photo by Michigan Sports Photo. DeWitt/Owosso photo by Terry Lyons.)