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.
1st & Goal: 2025 Week 3 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 15, 2025
With at most only nine dates on every football team’s regular-season schedule, every game from August through October can make a difference when it comes to playoff hopes and league title aspirations.
We just finished up Week 3 this fall, but several of the weekend’s games may end up having that impact – and we dive into that below.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Saginaw Swan Valley 31, Freeland 7 The Vikings bounced back from a seven-point Week 2 loss to Frankenmuth to defeat the Falcons (2-1) for the first time since 2019 – and after losing last year’s meeting 34-0. Swan Valley also is 2-1 after starting 0-3 a year ago, its best start since 2020. Click for more from the Saginaw News.
Watch list Saginaw Valley Lutheran 27, Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central 20 Valley Lutheran qualified for the playoffs last season for the first time since 2012, and the Chargers are 3-0 for the first time according to Michigan-Football.com after their first win over Nouvel (2-1) in program history.
On the move Harbor Beach 33, Ubly 6 The Pirates (3-0) kicked off Big Thumb Conference Black play by winning the matchup that decided last year’s league title, adding to last year’s two wins (regular season and playoff) over the rival Bearcats. Grand Blanc 56, Saginaw Heritage 27 The Bobcats (3-0) moved to 2-0 in the Saginaw Valley League South by winning the matchup that decided last season’s league title in their favor. Caro 46, Marine City Cardinal Mooney 7 The Tigers won two games a year ago and have won no more than three in a season since 2018. But they’re up to 2-1 this fall after a big win over a Cardinal Mooney team that while 0-3 has made the playoffs every year this decade.
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Waterford Mott 42, Walled Lake Western 34 While only three games into the Lakes Valley Conference schedule, Mott has defeated the champion and runner-up from last year with this breaking Western’s 28-game LVC winning streak going back to 2021. Mott (2-1) was only 3-5 last season after making the Division 2 Semifinals in 2023. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.
Watch list Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 49, Warren De La Salle Collegiate 10 The Eaglets are 3-0 for the first time since 2021 after downing De La Salle (1-2) for the first time since 2019. It was the best-possible way for St. Mary’s to set up for this week’s titanic matchup with Detroit Catholic Central.
On the move Northville 17, Howell 7 The Mustangs (3-0) avenged last season’s 27-12 loss to Howell, breaking the Highlanders’ 11-game regular-season winning streak. Harper Woods 35, Birmingham Groves 8 The Pioneers (3-0) avenged last year’s loss to Groves (1-2) that ended up deciding the Oakland Activities Association White championship. Gibraltar Carlson 42, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 21 The Marauders’ offense has been rolling during the team’s 3-0 start, putting up a combined 152 to at least double up every opponent including the reigning Division 5 champion Fighting Irish (1-2), whose regular-season schedule is quickly looking like it will end up one of the toughest in the state this fall.
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Ithaca 42, Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 40 (OT) This Tri-Valley Conference Blue opener ended up being everything it was billed, as Ithaca stopped an MLS two-point conversion try to start overtime and won the night on the next possession. Offense reigned as both teams are averaging more than 40 points per game through these first three weeks. Click for more from the Saginaw News.
Watch list St. Johns 27, Fowlerville 26 After opening 5-0 a year ago, St. Johns (3-0) is off to another solid start after a third-straight win over the Gladiators by seven or fewer points. Fowlerville (2-1), off to its best start since 2020, will attempt to rebound against undefeated Williamston this week.
On the move Williamston 28, Mason 0 The Hornets (3-0) have now defeated three 2024 playoff teams and with Mason (1-2) also the reigning Capital Area Activities Conference Red champion. Mount Pleasant 63, Midland Dow 39 The Oilers (3-0) received their strongest challenge of the early season and responded by scoring their most points in a game since 2016 while handing Dow (2-1) its only loss. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 49, Vestaburg 7 Both of these teams returned this season to 11-player football from 8-player, and they will meet again in Week 6.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Gaylord 28, Marquette 27 (OT) The Blue Devils’ turnaround season continued as they moved to 3-0 after going 0-5 to start 2024, this time avenging a 30-0 loss to the Sentinels (1-2) to open the Big North Conference schedule. Gaylord stopped a two-point conversion try to hold on for the victory. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.
Watch list Kalkaska 24, East Jordan 20 This arguably was the best win of Kalkaska’s first 3-0 start since 2017, as it avenged last year’s 44-13 loss, gave the Blazers as many wins already as all of last season and came against an East Jordan team (2-1) that’s been in the playoffs every season this decade.
On the move Ogemaw Heights 49, Gladwin 14 The Falcons (2-1) bounced back from a Week 2 defeat to open Jack Pine Conference I play by avenging last year’s District Final loss to Gladwin (0-3). Kingsley 48, Grayling 21 The Stags (2-1) also bounced back from a Week 2 defeat as they began Northern Michigan Football League Legends play by sending Grayling to 1-2 overall. Elk Rapids 8, Oscoda 6 The Elks’ first two games this season came against teams still undefeated, but they got on the board by avenging last year’s 20-0 loss to the Owls (1-2).
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Ypsilanti Lincoln 21, Tecumseh 17 While the season is only three weeks old, Lincoln has handed a first loss this fall to all three of its opponents in opening 3-0 for the first time since 2012. The Railsplitters also are 2-0 in the Southeastern Conference White after playing in the SEC Red the last four seasons. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.
Watch list Riverview 38, Carleton Airport 6 The Pirates (2-1) opened with a loss to Division 1 Utica Eisenhower but have started Huron League play 2-0 as they look to take back league supremacy after finishing second a year ago.
On the move Chelsea 29, Adrian 12 The Bulldogs (3-0) also are 2-0 in the SEC White, running their overall league winning streak in the league to 12 in handing Adrian (2-1) its lone loss. Dexter 48, Ann Arbor Huron 16 The Dreadnaughts (3-0) will head into this week’s potential eventual SEC Red-deciding matchup with Saline having won all of their first three games by at least three touchdowns. Michigan Center 53, Hanover-Horton 14 The Cardinals’ playoff hopes last season hinged in part on a pair of losses by two points or fewer, and they avenged the first in a big way by sending the Comets to 1-2.
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER Schoolcraft 32, Constantine 14 Schoolcraft (2-1) bounced back from a Week 2 defeat to break Constantine’s three-year hold on this rivalry series. The teams now go their separate ways in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, both as potential champions. Constantine also is 2-1. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Watch list Marshall 41, Parma Western 6 After a close Week 2 loss to Fowlerville, Marshall (2-1) found its stride to open Interstate 8 Athletic Conference play with its first win over Parma Western (1-2) since 2020. The Redhawks need just one more win this fall to equal last year’s season total.
On the move Battle Creek Pennfield 23, Buchanan 20 Pennfield (2-1) already has surpassed last year’s lone victory, handing returning playoff qualifier Buchanan (2-1) its only defeat. Lawton 22, Kalamazoo United 19 The Blue Devils (2-1) bounced back from a Week 2 loss heading into SAC Valley play, defeating the Titans (1-2) for the second-straight season. Niles 30, Paw Paw 14 Although Paw Paw (0-3) is off to a rough start, this matchup did decide the Wolverine Conference title last year. Niles (3-0) has won six straight in the series including in the playoffs the last two years as well.
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Calumet 33, Negaunee 18 The Copper Kings (3-0) earned a significant upper hand on Negaunee in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper, moving into an early three-way tie for first with Menominee and Kingsford by breaking a five-game losing streak against the Miners (2-1). Menominee and Kingsley are up next, respectively, for Calumet. Click for more from the Houghton Daily Mining Gazette.
Watch list Escanaba 27, Petoskey 10 Escanaba (3-0) is moving smoothly through the start of Big North Conference play and checking in as the No. 6 team in Division 4 playoff-point average after downing the reigning league champion Northmen (1-2).
On the move Houghton 42, Hancock 0 The Gremlins (1-2) have won six straight in the Copper Bowl and surely hope this one will get them on track with plenty of tough competition ahead. Kingsford 25, Gladstone 13 After starting the season with a close loss to Escanaba, Kingsford (2-1) has opened West-PAC Copper play with two double-digit wins – right in time to face rival Negaunee this week. Menominee 50, Ishpeming Westwood 8 The Maroons (3-0) got back on the field after their Week 2 game was canceled, earning some no doubt valuable prep in advance of this week’s matchup with Calumet.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Whitehall 35, Zeeland West 28 After playing the eventual Division 3 champion to one of last season’s highest-scoring games – a 60-43 loss – Whitehall (2-1) avenged with the go-ahead score during this game’s final minute. The Dux (2-1) hadn’t lost a nonleague game since 2018. Click for more from the White Lake Mirror.
Watch list Grand Rapids Catholic Central 28, Jackson Lumen Christi 14 The Cougars’ first game this season against an in-state opponent was one to remember as they moved to 3-0 in downing the reigning Division 6 champion Titans (1-2).
On the move Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern 42, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 10 Forest Hills Northern (1-2) earned its first win over the rival Huskies since 2004 and after FHC had won the last 10 (including once in the playoffs) since the teams began playing each other annually again in 2016. Grand Rapids West Catholic 27, Grand Rapids South Christian 20 The Falcons will take a winning streak into Ottawa-Kent Conference White play this week after avenging last season’s three-point loss to the Sailors (1-2). East Kentwood 54, Jenison 7 East Kentwood is 3-0 for the first time since 2017 after handing Jenison (2-1) its only loss and with this week’s matchup against Rockford a major opportunity to prove it’s an O-K Red contender.
8-Player
HEADLINER Climax-Scotts 44, Adrian Lenawee Christian 41 These two have built a nice cross-state rivalry first in 11-player and now in 8-player over the last six seasons. Climax-Scotts (2-1) broke a 28-28 tie during the closing minutes of the third quarter this time to send the Cougars to 2-1 as well.
Watch list Gogebic 38, Ishpeming 16 The Miners (3-0) have rumbled with 173 points (and only 22 allowed) over their first three games, coming off a 5-3 finish a year ago and seeking their first playoff season since 2014.
On the move Felch North Dickinson 58, Crystal Falls Forest Park 7 The Nordics (3-0) continued to impress, this time with their first win over Forest Park (1-2) since 2012 and the era when these two frequently met in both the regular season and playoffs. Mendon 56, Concord 26 Three of Owen Gorham’s nine carries went for second or third-quarter touchdowns as Mendon (3-0) scored the first points Concord (2-1) had given up. Pickford 53, Newberry 6 Pickford (3-0) appears in midseason form already, outscoring its first three opponents by a combined 168-14 as it opened Great Lakes Eight East play with a big win over previously-undefeated Newberry (2-1).
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PHOTOS (Top) Grand Blanc cheerleaders root for their ball carrier as a Heritage defender attempts to make a tackle Friday. (2) Mount Pleasant attempts to block a Midland Dow kick. (3) Bath's Rylen Dixon (10) takes a handoff during his team's game against Pewamo-Westphalia. (4) Calumet's Ben Anderson finds a hole and gains several yards against Negaunee. (Grand Blanc/Heritage photo by Terry Lyons. Mount Pleasant/Dow photo by High School Sports Scene. Bath/P-W photo by John Johnson. Calumet/Negaunee photo by Cara Kamps.)