Drive for Detroit: Week 8 in Review
October 17, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
On one hand, this weekend was the second-to-last of a football regular season that seemed this fall to roll by as quickly as ever.
On the other, this weekend was just the start of the second half of the 14-week Michigan high school football season that finishes up in six weeks at Ford Field – and 174 teams have clinched opportunities to continue on the hunt for an MHSAA title.
This annually is one of the most important weeks of the season; more than 600 teams finish up regular-season play, and Sunday we'll announce the 256-team 11-player playoff field and 16 teams that will advance in 8-player. We'll talk about that more as this week goes on. But we'll start with the highlights of all that was Week 8 below.
Bay & Thumb
Flint Carman-Ainsworth 34, Midland Dow 27
The Cavaliers (6-2) bounced back from a 1-2 start to go undefeated in winning the Saginaw Valley League Blue title, but had to beat co-leader Dow in the final game to finish the run. Carman-Ainsworth last won a league title in 2013, but had finished fifth and then fourth in the SVL Red over the last two seasons while Dow was hoping for a third straight Blue title. Click for more from the Flint Journal.
Also noted:
Richmond 28, Algonac 13 – For the second straight season, this matchup decided at least partially the Blue Water Area Conference title; for the second straight season, Richmond (7-1) beat Algonac (7-1), this time to win the league outright.
Bay City Central 17, Saginaw Heritage 14 – The Wolves (5-3) held on against the Hawks (3-5) to edge closer to a first playoff berth since 2007, and can clinch a spot this week against rival Bay City Western.
Ubly 54, Harbor Beach 12 – The Bearcats (8-0) won the Greater Thumb Conference East title outright while guaranteeing their best season finish since 2010 and sending Harbor Beach to 4-4.
Marysville 28, St. Clair 27 – The Macomb Area Conference Gold champion Vikings (8-0) guaranteed their best record since 2011 and have a chance to go 9-0 for the first time since 2003 after just edging St. Clair (4-4).
Greater Detroit
Utica Eisenhower 38, Warren Mott 6
The Eagles (8-0) couldn’t clinch the Macomb Area Conference Red title outright until this final league game, but did so comfortably after jumping out to a 24-0 lead. Five of six teams in the league are still alive for playoff berths – Eisenhower and Mott (6-2) have clinched, and Romeo, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley and Macomb Dakota can get in with wins this week – which makes Eisenhower’s first league title since 2011 all the more impressive. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.
Also noted:
Birmingham Brother Rice 20, Traverse City Central 17 (3OT) – The Warriors (5-3) kept themselves alive to return to the playoffs by handing Central (7-1) its first loss with a marathon effort.
Dearborn 28, Dearborn Fordson 23 – This matchup of neighborly rivals also ended up as a matchup of Western Wayne Athletic Conference divisional champs; Dearborn (7-1) broke a three-game losing streak against the Tractors (7-1).
Clarkston 45, Lake Orion 16 – Despite a Week 2 overtime loss to Southfield Arts & Technology, Clarkston (6-2) stormed back to earn a share of the Oakland Activities Association Red title in part because Lake Orion (5-3) handed the Warriors a league loss in Week 5.
Warren Michigan Collegiate 34, Harper Woods Chandler Park 22 – The Cougars (7-1) clinched the Charter School Conference championship for the first time since 2011 as these two met to decide the league title for the third straight year; Chandler Park (5-3) has the week off but will make the playoffs with five wins in eight games.
Mid-Michigan
Grand Ledge 31, East Lansing 28
The Comets (7-1) jumped to an early lead and saw four players score as they stayed just ahead of East Lansing to clinch the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue title outright for the second straight season. East Lansing (5-3) had fallen to Jackson in its league opener but had a chance to create a shared championship with a victory. Grand Ledge’s only loss this season was on opening night, by seven, to Hudsonville. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
Also noted:
Clare 31, Beaverton 14 – The Pioneers (7-1) earned a share of their ninth Jack Pine Conference championship in 10 seasons while putting the Beavers (5-3) in a must-win situation this week.
Fowlerville 30, Corunna 15 – The Gladiators (6-2) secured their first playoff berth since 2010, also the last season they won at least six games; Corunna fell to 6-2 as well but had already clinched a spot.
DeWitt 48, Menominee 14 – In a battle of annual Ford Field hopefuls, DeWitt (7-1) became the first this season to hold the Maroons (7-1) to fewer than 28 points.
Brighton 41, Howell 20 – The Bulldogs (7-1) staved off the Highlanders (5-3) to win the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West outright and earn this week’s Lakes final berth against Walled Lake Western.
Northern Lower Peninsula
Frankfort 28, Charlevoix 0
The Panthers (8-0) repeated at Northern Michigan Football Conference Legends division champions with their second straight shutout and third this season. They earned a share and can clinch outright this week against Onekama. The win also extended Frankfort’s best start since 2004, the last time the team finished a perfect regular season. Charlevoix (6-2) still can finish with its most wins since 2006 with another this week against Mesick. Click for more from 9&10 News.
Also noted:
Johannesburg-Lewiston 30, East Jordan 28 – The Cardinals (4-4) kept themselves in the hunt for a sixth straight playoff berth while also forcing East Jordan (4-4) into hoping for an at-large bid.
Harbor Springs 38, Gaylord St. Mary 24 – In what could be considered an upset, Harbor Springs (4-4) actually moved past St. Mary (6-2) in the NMFC Legacy standings with a third straight win.
Cadillac 26, Manistee 22 – With one-loss Traverse City Central and a shot at a share of the Big North Conference title up this week, Cadillac (6-2) was wise to get playoff qualification out of the way with a close win over Manistee (4-4).
Whittemore-Prescott 14, Hillman 0 – The Cardinals (5-3) kept themselves alive for an automatic berth to their 10th straight playoffs, but Hillman (4-4) will need a win and some help to qualify for the 11th straight season.
Southeast & Border
Ottawa Lake Whiteford 48, Sand Creek 20
Whiteford (8-0) closed out its first perfect run through the Tri-County Conference since joining the league in 1975 and set itself up for its first perfect regular season since 1965. The Bobcats have won five straight over Sand Creek, which still is enjoying its best season since 2005. Click for more from the Toledo Blade.
Also noted:
Brooklyn Columbia Central 28, Dundee 26 – The Golden Eagles (6-2) clinched back-to-back playoff berths for the first time in program history while eliminating Dundee (3-5) from postseason consideration.
Ida 52, Hillsdale 13 – The Bluestreaks (7-1) came up big against a dangerous opponent in Hillsdale (4-4) to remain tied for first with Hudson in the Lenawee County Athletic Association with a game to play.
Monroe Jefferson 20, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 14 – The Bears (4-4) guaranteed their best finish since 2011 and gave themselves a chance at making the playoffs for the first time since 2006 while also putting the Falcons (4-4) in a tougher spot as they go for a 13th berth in 14 seasons.
Michigan Center 24, Grass Lake 22 – In arguably the night’s biggest upset statewide, Michigan Center (5-3) gave itself a chance to earn a playoff berth this week and gave Napoleon a share of the Cascades Conference title by dealing co-champion Grass Lake (7-1) its first loss.
Southwest Corridor
Berrien Springs 33, Buchanan 27 (OT)
A two-point loss to Buchanan kept Berrien Springs from winning the Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph White title last season, but the Shamrocks finished the run this time after coming back from nine down in the fourth quarter to force overtime. Berrien Springs (5-2) also clinched a playoff berth because it has an eight-game schedule; Buchanan (4-3) also is playing eight games and must beat Niles Brandywine this week to get in automatically. Click for more from the South Bend Tribune.
Also noted:
Battle Creek Harper Creek 21, Marshall 20 – The Beavers (7-1) bounced back from their only loss to just edge Marshall (4-4) and keep a share of the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference championship, with Jackson Lumen Christi securing the other half.
Benton Harbor 47, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 21 – The Tigers (8-1) tied their highest win total since 1985 in sending Notre Dame Prep to 4-4.
Schoolcraft 20, Constantine 10 – The Eagles (8-0) got by far their best game of the season from the old rival Falcons (5-3) in a matchup of Southwestern Athletic Conference divisional champions.
Edwardsburg 38, Three Rivers 0 – Make that 28 straight Wolverine Conference wins, four straight league titles (after clinching a share), and three straight shutouts for Edwardsburg (8-0), which has beaten Three Rivers (6-2) in five straight.
Upper Peninsula
Norway 25, Gwinn 2
Norway will need help to claim a share of the Mid-Peninsula Conference title – leader Negaunee can clinch outright this week against two-win Ishpeming Westwood. But the Knights (7-1) have equaled their most victories since 2010 and with another will guarantee their best finish since 2006. Gwinn (5-3) must beat Ishpeming this week to clinch a first playoff berth since 1999. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.
Also noted:
Iron River West Iron County 34, Hancock 7 – The Wykons (5-3) remain alive for an automatic berth with L’Anse (2-6) up next; Hancock (4-4) lost that automatic berth chance and must beat rival Houghton (3-5) this week to have an at-large shot.
St. Ignace 24, Ishpeming 16 – The Saints (7-1) avenged last season’s six-point loss to the Hematites (3-4), who must win this week to have a chance at extending their 14-season playoff streak.
Lake Linden-Hubbell 24, Felch North Dickinson 6 – The Broncos (8-0) clinched a share of the Mid-Eastern Conference title and sent North Dickinson (5-3) out of second place and into a must-win situation.
Kingsford 43, Gladstone 14 – The Flivvers (6-2) clinched their second straight playoff berth and fourth in five seasons while knocking Gladstone (3-5) out of consideration.
West Michigan
Muskegon Oakridge 31, Montague 28
Oakridge is another that enjoyed revenge and a league title celebration Friday. The Eagles (8-0) dominated the West Michigan Conference last season before losing to Montague (6-2) by seven in the final league game and finishing second to the Wildcats. This time, Oakridge hung on by scoring the final 17 points including the winning field goal with 25 seconds to play to claim the championship outright. Click for more from the Local Sports Journal.
Also noted:
Byron Center 62, Zeeland East 14 – One of the most competitive league races in all of Michigan will go at least in part to Byron Center(7-1), which clinched a share of the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green title while sending East (6-2) into a tie for third.
Grand Rapids West Catholic 20, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 3 – By many accounts, this was closer than the score indicates; West Catholic now owns a share of the O-K Blue title and has given up only 17 points over five league games after holding GRCC (7-1) 18 below its previous season low.
Lowell 41, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern 34 – The comeback Red Arrows (8-0) were down 11 this time before coming back to clinch the O-K White championship and send Forest Hills Northern to 4-4.
Wyoming 20, Greenville 13 – The Wolves (5-3) pulled to within a win of clinching the first playoff berth in the program’s five-year history and kept Greenville (5-3) from clinching as well.
8-Player
Wyoming Tri-unity Christian 8, Fife Lake Forest Area 6
Tri-unity (8-0) assuredly will make the MHSAA playoffs for the first time – the Defenders have the second-highest playoff point average in 8-player. This win also gave them the Midwest Central Conference championship outright over second-place Fife Lake Forest Area (6-2), which is now playing for one of the final spots in the postseason field. Click for more from the Cadillac News.
Also noted:
Powers North Central 76, Rapid River 18 – Well, the reigning champion Jets look ready for the playoffs with three straight games with more than 75 points, although Rapid River (5-3) did score more than any opponent had since Sept. 9.
Pickford 44, Cedarville 14 – The first-season 8-player Panthers (7-1) handed Cedarville (6-2) the latter’s second straight loss to move into second in the Bridge Alliance.
Webberville 46, Morrice 14 – The Spartans (6-2) battled through a heart-wrenching Friday to win a key game that may have cemented their spot in the playoff field.
PHOTO: Muskegon Oakridge players celebrate during Friday's West Michigan Conference title-clinching win over Montague. (Photo by Tim Reilly.)
1st & Goal: 2025 Week 6 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 3, 2025
League title time has arrived as this Michigan high school football season rumbles into October.
We've already celebrated one champion this season, and that crowd should grow substantially this weekend as several leagues move into the final games of their schedules and leaders begin guaranteeing they'll finish with at least a share of the conference crown.
All of our games featured below will have league title implications either this week or over the next few. Watch for scores for every game across the state this weekend as they are reported on the MHSAA Scores page, and tune into several on the NFHS Network, including those with “WATCH” linked below.
Bay & Thumb
Ithaca (5-0) at Saginaw Valley Lutheran (5-0)
Tonight’s winner claims a share of the Tri-Valley Conference Blue championship with one more league game to play. Ithaca has won every matchup with Valley Lutheran since they joined the TVC together in 2006, but the Chargers over the last three seasons also are enjoying their best run of success in more than a decade. Both have played comparably close games against Michigan Lutheran Seminary this fall – Ithaca winning by two points in Week 3 and Valley Lutheran by 10 last week.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Armada (4-1) at Almont (5-0) WATCH, Mount Pleasant (5-0) at Bay City Western (3-2) WATCH, Bay City John Glenn (4-1) at Frankenmuth (4-1) WATCH, Ogemaw Heights (4-1) at Midland Bullock Creek (3-2) WATCH.
Greater Detroit
Macomb Dakota (5-0) at Romeo (3-2) WATCH
Reigning co-champ Dakota can clinch a share of its third Macomb Area Conference Red title over the last four seasons, while Romeo would clinch a share of its first since 2021. A Romeo victory also would be its first in the series since that Bulldogs’ title-winning run. They’ve put together a nice string of victories heading into this matchup, starting with a 34-28 win over the other reigning Red co-champ Utica Eisenhower in Week 3. Dakota’s only single-digit game was a 14-10 season-opening win over Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice, although Romeo and then Eisenhower should make the start of October their toughest challenge to date.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY South Lyon (5-0) at Waterford Mott (3-2) WATCH, Hazel Park (4-1) at Madison Heights Madison (4-1), West Bloomfield (5-0) at Oxford (3-2) WATCH, Rochester Adams (3-2) at Rochester Hills Stoney Creek (4-1) WATCH.
Mid-Michigan
Williamston (5-0) at Haslett (4-1)
The winner earns a share of the Capital Area Activities Conference Red title – Williamston potentially continuing its rebound from last year’s 3-7 season, and Haslett after just missing out on last year’s championship due to an overtime loss to eventual Red winner Mason. While the focus tonight may be on offense – Williamston with it’s high-powered passing game and Haslett with its college recruit-loaded running attack – defense may be the decider. The Hornets haven’t allowed a point since Week 2. Haslett – after holding DeWitt to a season-low 21 points in their opener – hasn’t given up more than 14 in a game.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Lansing Everett (4-1) at Grand Ledge (5-0) WATCH, DeWitt (5-0) at Holt (3-2) WATCH, Goodrich (5-0) at Owosso (4-1) WATCH, Howell (4-1) at Hartland (3-2) WATCH.
Northern Lower Peninsula
Boyne City (4-1) at Traverse City St. Francis (5-0)
St. Francis can finish its Northern Michigan Football Conference Legends slate undefeated after getting past Kingsley by a point a week ago. Kingsley owns a Week 4 win over Boyne City – setting up an identical scenario as last year when Boyne City also fell to the Stags but then defeated the Gladiators 23-20 to create a three-way shared title. And it doesn’t easier from here for either team; Boyne’s last two opponents this regular season are both still undefeated, and St. Francis takes on reigning Division 5 champion Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and 2024 Division 6 winner Lumen Christi over the next two weeks.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Mancelona (3-2) at East Jordan (3-2) WATCH, Maple City Glen Lake (3-1) at Kalkaska (5-0) WATCH, Cadillac (2-3) at Petoskey (2-3) WATCH, Midland Dow (4-1) at Traverse City West (3-2).
Southeast & Border
Chelsea (4-1) at Ypsilanti Community (3-2)
Although Chelsea would still need one more win after this weekend to clinch a share of another Southeastern Conference White title, a victory tonight would be a nice rebound off last week’s 42-28 loss to Dexter and extend the Bulldogs’ league winning streak to 14 over the last three seasons. Ypsilanti hasn’t downed Chelsea since 2015, but needs just one more win this fall to guarantee its best finish since 2020 after defeating Pinckney last week to avenge a 2024 defeat.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Tecumseh (3-2) at Adrian (4-1) WATCH, Saline (5-0) at Ann Arbor Huron (3-2) WATCH, Adrian Madison (3-2) at Ida (4-1) WATCH, Stockbridge (2-3) at Springport (5-0) WATCH.
Southwest Corridor
Schoolcraft (4-1) at Lawton (4-1) WATCH
Recent history sends this matchup to the front of a strong slate of games in the southwest this week. After matching up from different divisions of the Southwestern Athletic Conference in a 2019 District Final – won by Schoolcraft – these two have played together in the SAC Valley and determined that league’s champion four of the last five seasons. Schoolcraft broke Lawton’s three-year hold on the Valley title with a 17-3 win in last year’s regular-season meeting, and also claimed a Division 7 District Final rematch 38-0.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Kalamazoo United (3-2) at Constantine (4-1), Berrien Springs (3-1) at Dowagiac (4-1), Three Rivers (4-1) at Niles (5-0) WATCH, St. Joseph (3-2) at Portage Northern (4-1) WATCH.
Upper Peninsula
Marquette (3-2) at Escanaba (5-0) WATCH
This annual rivalry showdown assures Escanaba won't look ahead to a potential Big North Conference-deciding Week 7 matchup against Gaylord. Escanaba is one win away from guaranteeing its best finish since 2019 and seeking its first victory over Marquette since 2017, after the Sentinels won last year’s meeting 28-7. Marquette fell to undefeated Gaylord by just a point in Week 3 and will be Escanaba’s biggest fan if it can get a win tonight and revive its BNC title hopes.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Houghton (2-3) at Calumet (3-2) WATCH, Bark River-Harris (3-1) at L’Anse (4-1) WATCH, Gladstone (2-3) at Menominee (5-0) WATCH.
West Michigan
Hudsonville (5-0) at Rockford (4-1) WATCH
The Ottawa-Kent Conference Red, top to bottom, may be as strong as it’s ever been – and these two are again the frontrunners. Hudsonville broke through last season for its first win over the Rams since 2016 and went on to finish the season at Ford Field as the Division 1 runner-up. The Eagles faced arguably their toughest challenge this season last week and shut out Jenison 42-0, while Rockford also is coming off a 28-0 shutout of a solid Grandville team.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Grand Rapids Christian (3-2) at Grand Rapids West Catholic (4-1), Belding (4-1) at Fruitport (3-2), Muskegon (3-2) at Muskegon Mona Shores (3-2), Hudsonville Unity Christian (5-0) at Zeeland West (4-1).
8-Player
Lake Linden-Hubbell (4-1) at Power North Central (4-1) WATCH
This is only the second week of the Great Lakes Eight Conference West schedule, but this game almost assuredly will impact the league championship picture with these two and undefeated Bessemer the anticipated contenders. North Central’s Week 2 loss to Norway looks better by the week as the undefeated Knights lead the GLEC East, and the same can be said of LL-H’s season-opening defeat to still-unbeaten Felch North Dickinson from the GLEC Central. The Jets have won six of their last eight against the Lakes, including 60-8 a year ago but after LL-H swept regular-season and playoff matchups in 2023.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Peck (4-1) at Kinde North Huron (3-1) WATCH, Concord (3-2) at Pittsford (4-1) WATCH, Indian River Inland Lakes (5-0) at Rogers City (4-1), Central Lake (3-2) at Onekama (5-0) WATCH.
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PHOTO A Muskegon ball carrier outruns Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern's pursuing defenders during the Big Reds' 40-21 win last week. (Photo by Tim Reilly.)