Drive for Detroit: Week 3 in Review

September 12, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Streaks are made to be broken, it is said. And that being the case, Week 3 saw plenty of the inevitable all over Michigan high school football fields. 

See below for quick details on some of the most intriguing results, including a number of teams adding to their best starts in a number of seasons, and a few breaking streaks by beating opponents for the first time in more than a decade. 

Bay & Thumb

Lake Fenton 61, Flint Beecher 14

This round of one of the Flint area’s top rivalries goes to Lake Fenton, which fell to Beecher by a point last year (and 38 in 2014) but is definitely one of a few favorites now in the Genesee Area Conference Red. The Blue Devils (3-0) unloaded their highest point total since 2012, with Beecher giving up its most points since 2004. Click for more from the Tri-County Times.

Also noted:

Alma 26, Saginaw Swan Valley 0 – The Panther's first win over Swan Valley (1-2) since 2011 corresponded with Alma’s first 3-0 start since 2012.

Fenton 28, Ortonville-Brandon 22 – The Tigers (1-2) were looking for a jumpstart as they pursue another Flint Metro League title, but Brandon (2-1) has shown it may be the team to take advantage if Fenton does fall again along the way.

Grand Blanc 42, Plymouth 27 – The Bobcats’ play to get back into the playoffs after two seasons away definitely will get a bump from starting 3-0 for a second straight season; Plymouth must bounce back from 1-2 to keep its three-year playoff streak intact.

Richmond 29, Croswell-Lexington 26 – Reigning Blue Water Area Conference champion Richmond (2-1) needed a late score to get past the Pioneers (2-1) for the fourth straight season. 

Greater Detroit

Clarkston 38, Oxford 7

The Oakland Activities Association Red is sorting itself out quite a bit already this season, with preseason contender Clarkston losing to Southfield Arts and Technology in Week 2. But the Wolves (2-1) stormed back by downing an Oxford team that while 1-2 did open with a win over reigning Division 1 champion Romeo. Clarkston’s top three ground gainers – led by Michael Fluegel and his 114 yards – all averaged at least 7.8 yards per carry. Click for more from the Oakland Press

Also noted:

Detroit Mumford 26, Detroit Collegiate Prep 14 – A nine-point loss to still-undefeated Detroit U-D Jesuit in Week 1 is looking even better for Mumford, which moved to 2-1 by beating a Collegiate Prep team (0-3) that went 9-1 last fall.

Walled Lake Western 48, Northville 34 – The Warriors’ 3-0 start has now included three wins over 2015 playoff teams, and Northville (2-1) didn’t lose during the regular season last year.

Rochester 38, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 32 (OT) – The Falcons' move to 1-2 gave them as many wins as last season and 2014 as well, and with an impressive one against a Notre Dame Prep team that is 2-1 and went 8-3 last fall.

Dearborn Fordson 34, Belleville 25 – The Tractors (3-0) avenged a six-point loss last season to the Tigers (1-2), who went on to win the Western Wayne Athletic Conference Blue title while Fordson was among those tied for second. 

Mid-Michigan

Bath 17, Fowler 14

Before Friday, Bath coach Matt Stephens was among the few on his sideline who had had football success against Fowler, having quarterbacked Fulton teams that beat the Eagles during the mid-2000s. But his Bees – which won a combined two games over the last two seasons – downed Fowler (2-1) for the first time since 1989 to move to 2-1 this fall. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Also noted:

Laingsburg 27, Dansville 20 – The Wolfpack (3-0) broke a four-game skid against the Aggies (1-2), and with the Fowler loss as well suddenly look like the team to challenge favorite Pewamo-Westphalia in the Central Michigan Athletic Conference.

Breckenridge 40, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 34 – After posting a best record in more than a decade in 2014, the Huskies stepped back to winless a year ago; fast forward and they’re 3-0 with a win over a perennial winner in the Irish, who are 0-3 but also started that way on the way to 6-4 last fall.

Eaton Rapids 42, Ionia 41 (OT) – The Capital Area Activities Conference White looks even stronger than usual, which made handing Ionia (2-1) a first loss especially key as Eaton Rapids (2-1) looks to bounce back from 4-5 a year ago.

Mason 31, St. Johns 15 – The Redwings (0-3) may be struggling out of the gate, but that doesn’t take away from a Mason 3-0 start that’s seen its defense give up 22 points total so far. 

Northern Lower Peninsula

Traverse City Central 10, Traverse City West 8

As usual, the "Patriot Game" between these neighbors turned into a classic – Central downed West for the third straight season, but four of the last five meetings between these two have been decided by seven points or fewer. Although both entered the game averaging at least 40 points per, defense and turnovers were the narrative at Thirlby Field. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Also noted:  

East Jordan 34, Central Lake 6 – The Red Devils are 3-0 after winning two games last season and none in 2014, and this one was especially impressive with Central Lake (1-2) a playoff team the last two seasons.

Oscoda 22, Whittemore-Prescott 14 (OT) – The Owls (2-1) bounced back from a five-point loss last week against AuGres-Sims to avenge last season’s 27-point defeat to the Cardinals (2-1).

AuGres-Sims 50, Hillman 32 – While this is starting to look like a down season after two straight league titles for the Tigers (0-3), it’s also starting to look like one of offensive outbursts for the Wolverines (3-0), who have scored 128 points.

Roscommon 26, Sanford Meridian 14 – The Bucks have to be enjoying their first 3-0 start since 2000, and especially after downing reigning Jack Pine Conference champion Meridian (1-2). 

Southeast & Border

Parma Western 32, Marshall 30

It was only a few seasons ago that Parma Western couldn’t be counted on to do much in a game like this Interstate 8 Athletic Conference opener. But the Panthers (1-2) surely learned something from their early struggles this season as they avenged losses of one and then 28 points over the last two to Marshall (1-2). Parma Western made the playoffs in 2015 for the first time ever, and this nearly was a must-win for the Panthers to do the same this fall. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen-Patriot.

Also noted:

Clinton 28, Adrian Madison 20 – Make that Clinton regular-season win streak 39 straight with another 3-0 start, but Madison (2-1) again gave the Redskins one of the rare tests of this run.

Hudson 26, Brooklyn Columbia Central 14 – The Tigers’ turnaround has thrown them into the conversation again in the Lenawee County Athletic Association, as Hudson (3-0) is now one win shy of last year’s total after beating reigning league runner-up Columbia Central (2-1).

Temperance Bedford 22, Ann Arbor Pioneer 21 – The Mules (3-0) reversed a six-point loss to Pioneer (0-3) last season and have now nearly also reversed last year’s 0-4 start.

Springport 48, Union City 26 – The Spartans are 3-0 for the first time since 2011 and have avenged two of last year’s five losses, handing Union City (2-1) its first defeat after falling to the Chargers by 16 a year ago. 

Southwest Corridor

Battle Creek Harper Creek 24, Jackson Lumen Christi 14

The Beavers’ bounce-back season continued as their 3-0 start gives them as many wins as all of 2015, and the victory over Lumen Christi (1-2) was their first since the formation of the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference. One game into the I8 schedule, Harper Creek is the only undefeated team in a league with at least four that would scare most area opponents. Click for more from the Battle Creek Enquirer.

Also noted:

Coldwater 17, Battle Creek Pennfield 6 Reigning I8 champion Coldwater (2-1) kept pace a win behind Harper Creek after falling to Marshall in Week 2; Pennfield also is 1-1 in the league and 2-1 overall. 

St. Joseph 27, Portage Northern 23 – This was the sixth straight time the Bears (3-0) and the Huskies (1-2) played to within 10 points of each other, with St. Joseph winning five of the recent nail-biters.

South Haven 28, Plainwell 19 – The Rams have won only three games each of the last two seasons and no more than that since 2008, but are 2-1 having downed a Plainwell team (1-2) that has made the playoffs the last five years.

St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic 20, Niles Brandywine 6 – One of the toughest losses of two seasons of ups and downs for Lake Michigan Catholic was a 57-18 defeat to Brandywine last fall; this one put Brandywine at 1-2 and the Lakers at 3-0 after they won two games total in 2015. 

Upper Peninsula

Newberry 48, Bark River-Harris 34

As expected, these Mid-Eastern Conference contenders combined to put up plenty of points. But Newberry (3-0) continued to put up more, running its total to 154 over three games and putting itself in fine position in the league standings by downing the reigning co-champion. Bark River-Harris (2-1) had beaten the Indians in two straight, including 56-34 a year ago. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.

Also noted:

Iron Mountain 48, Iron River West Iron County 21 – The Mountaineers’ great start keeps picking up steam as they’re now 3-0 for the first time since 2011 and with a second straight win over the rival Wykons (1-2).

Ishpeming Westwood 18, L’Anse 16 – The Patriots (1-2) got a much-needed win as they go for a third-straight playoff berth but now head into Mid-Peninsula Conference play; the Purple Hornets (0-3) have a similarly hard road coming up.

Escanaba 27, Gaylord 13 – The Eskymos are 3-0 for the first time since 2010, with Gaylord (1-2) the second straight 2015 playoff team to fall to the Great Northern Conference contenders.

Felch North Dickinson 24, Munising 6 – The Nordics are hoping to climb back to their elite status from the start of this decade, and at 2-1 they’re only a win shy of equaling their total of both of the last two seasons; they’ll meet Munising (0-3) again in Week 6. 

West Michigan

Zeeland West 38, Grand Rapids West Catholic 22

The battle of reigning MHSAA champions went to the Division 4 winner, as West (3-0) continued its 28-game regular-season winning streak with one of its most impressive over a run that’s been especially stellar this fall. Adding in the reigning Division 5 champion Falcons (2-1), West has beaten teams that went a combined 28-7 in 2015. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Also noted:

Leroy Pine River 34, Beal City 7 – The Bucks (2-1) had last beaten Beal City (1-2) in 2000 and have helped the always-powerful Aggies to their toughest start since that year.  

Lowell 34, East Grand Rapids 7 – Even when it’s not much of a game, Lowell (3-0) taking on East Grand Rapids (1-2) is still going to be a game of statewide interest.

Rockford 37, Muskegon Mona Shores 23 – The Rams’ 21-season playoff streak got a needed jolt; beating Mona Shores (1-2) is a much better way for Rockford (1-2) to enter the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red schedule.

Hamilton 34, Zeeland East 21 – The Hawkeyes (3-0) are soaring after winning a combined four games over the last three seasons; handing annually-strong East (2-1) a loss makes the start even more impressive. 

8-Player

Rapid River 36, Webberville 34 (OT)

Rapid River made a long drive south for one of the most intriguing nonleague matchups of the 8-player season and headed back across the bridge at 2-1 after edging the home Spartans in overtime. Webberville had given up only 26 points over its first two games. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.

Also noted:

Engadine 42, Pickford 32 – The Eagles also are 3-0 for the first time since 2011 after finding openings in a Pickford defense that had given up only six points over its first two games of a 2-1 start.

Owendale-Gagetown 70, Flint International Academy 50 – No team statewide is scoring like the Bulldogs (3-0), who went over 70 points for the second straight week – although first-year Flint International (1-2) scored the most O-G has given up since 2013.

PHOTO: A Breckenridge ball carrier works to beat a Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart defensive player to the goal line during the Huskies' Week 3 win. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)

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.

MI Student AidSeveral 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.

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.

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).

 Durand hands off the ball as blockers hold back Bath's defenders during the Railroaders' 50-0 victory.

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.

Otsego's Lane Blanchard (8) is chased by Plainwell defenders during the Bulldogs' 39-0 win. 

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.

Marquette's Ford Richardson (11) eludes a Kingsford defender.

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.)