Drive for Detroit: Week 9 in Review

October 25, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The MHSAA football playoffs are upon us. From 617 teams that began this season, we’re down to watching our final 272.

But before we get too far ahead, there’s plenty to review from the final week of the regular season – including a number of upsets that altered the playoff field and brackets created Sunday.

Bay & Thumb

Fenton 28, Linden 21

The Tigers (7-2) scored with three minutes to play to move past Linden (6-3) for good and claim an outright Flint Metro League championship; a Linden win would’ve created a three-way tie for the title with these two and Ortonville Brandon. Fenton has won 29 straight league games and opened this season with two nonleague losses. Click for more from the Flint Journal.

Also noted:

Lapeer 24, Flint Carman-Ainsworth 14 – Carman-Ainsworth (6-3) won the Saginaw Valley League Blue and Lapeer was only second in the Red, but the Lightning (7-2) did remain undefeated in their three-year series with the Cavaliers.

Freeland 7, Frankenmuth 3 – The Tri-Valley Conference Central champion Falcons (9-0) made it three wins in two years over TVC East winner Frankenmuth (8-1), with a chance they could meet again in a Division 5 District Final.

Pinconning 20, Whittemore-Prescott 6 – The Spartans (6-3) claimed their first playoff berth since 2009, which also was their last season with a winning record; Whittemore-Prescott (5-4) did still make the postseason with an at-large bid.

Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 24, New Lothrop 20 – The Cardinals (7-2) got a major boost heading into the playoffs, handing New Lothrop (8-1) its first regular-season loss since 2009.

Greater Detroit

Detroit Catholic Central 17, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 14

The last 11-player game of Michigan’s high school regular season had drama right until the end. The undefeated Shamrocks (9-0) were less than a minute from falling to St. Mary’s (5-4) in a Prep Bowl A-B Final rematch of the Detroit Catholic League Central first and second-place teams this fall. DCC scored with 21 seconds remaining for its second win over the Eaglets in three weeks after losses to them the last two seasons. Click for more from the Detroit News.

Also noted:

Bloomfield Hills 21, Lake Orion 0 – The 4-year-old Black Hawks (9-0) bounced back from 1-8 last season to win the Oakland Activities Association Blue title and make the playoffs for the first time; Lake Orion (5-4) did earn an at-large bid with four losses to teams that are a combined 27-9.

Detroit Cass Tech 41, Detroit Martin Luther King 20 – The Technicians (9-0) finished off another tremendous regular season with a second win over Martin Luther King (7-2), this time in the Public School League I final at Ford Field; Cass Tech has beaten all opponents by at least 13 points.

Detroit Denby 8, Detroit Mumford 0 – The Tars (8-1) guaranteed their best record since 2006 and claimed a PSL I/II championship by handing Mumford (7-2) its first loss since opening night. 

Dearborn Divine Child 35, Detroit Loyola 24 – The Falcons (7-2) had lost seven times to Loyola (7-2) over the last five seasons including 34-24 in Week 5, but came back to break the streak in the Catholic League Prep Bowl.

Mid-Michigan

Williamston 38, Lake Fenton 35

Williamston needed to win its final regular-season game and some help to earn an at-large bid to the playoffs – but really helped itself by upsetting previously-undefeated Lake Fenton (8-1). A late defensive stand kept the Hornets (5-4) in the playoff mix, and they were selected to the field after missing at 4-5 a year ago. Lake Fenton, meanwhile still finished two wins better than 2015. Click for more from the Tri-City Times.

Also noted:

Holt 30, Grand Ledge 20 – The Rams (5-4) missed the playoffs by one spot among at-large teams from Class A, but the rebounding program can go into the offseason having handed Grand Ledge (6-1) the latter’s only loss in the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue.

Ionia 35, Lake Odessa Lakewood 30 – The Bulldogs (4-5) mostly struggled in league play, but started this season with two wins and ended with two straight including this upset of longtime rival and Greater Lansing Activities Conference champion Lakewood (8-1)

Lansing Catholic 42, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 20 – The Cougars (8-1) won their fifth straight, good momentum for this week’s matchup with reigning Division 5 champion Grand Rapids West Catholic, and also might have eliminated SMCC (4-5).

Fowler 27, Merrill 14 – The Eagles (6-3) continued their string of eight straight playoff berths by holding Merrill (6-3) to its second-fewest points this season.

Northern Lower Peninsula

Traverse City St. Francis 22, Boyne City 0

St. Francis (9-0) repeated as Northern Michigan Football Conference Legends champion with a second straight shutout and by ending a six-game winning streak by runner-up Boyne City (6-3). It was the second straight season this matchup determined the league title winner. The Gladiators have won 22 straight regular-season games. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Also noted:

Frankfort 46, Onekama 20 – The Portagers (9-0) completed their first perfect regular season since 2004 and an outright title in the NMFC Leaders by avoiding a spoiler attempt by Onekama (6-3).

Traverse City Central 49, Cadillac 6 – Central (8-1) bounced back from a Week 8 triple-overtime loss to Birmingham Brother Rice to finish a Big North Conference championship run against third-place Cadillac (6-3).  

Grayling 34, Kalkaska 27 – The Vikings (6-3) clinched a seventh playoff berth in eight seasons but only after edging the playoff-bound Blazers (6-3), who are in for the first time since 2013.

Hillman 32, Indian River Inland Lakes 29 – By the slimmest of margins, Hillman (5-4) was able to extend its playoff streak to 11 seasons, earning an at-large bid with five wins over the last six games.

Southeast & Border

Saline 38, Birmingham Groves 3

The Hornets further strengthened their status as a Division 1 championship contender, winning big in a matchup of undefeated teams. Saline (9-0) completed its second straight perfect regular season with its second-best defensive performance this fall, holding Groves (8-1) to the latter's fewest points in a game since 2013. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.

Also noted:

Grass Lake 43, Springport 27 – The Warriors (8-1) got clipped by Michigan Center in Week 8, but came back to down Springport (7-2) in the Big 8/Cascades Conference championship game.

Ottawa Lake Whiteford 38, Clinton 12 – The Bobcats (9-0) completed their first perfect regular season since 1965 and an outright Tri-County Conference title by sending fourth-place Clinton to 6-3.

Napoleon 25, Concord 20 – The Pirates (7-2) have won seven straight to guarantee their best finish since 2002, first winning season since 2006 and first playoff berth since 2005; Concord also finished the regular season 7-2.

Morenci 42, Adrian Madison 7 – The Bulldogs (6-3) have three losses by a combined eight points, but are back in the playoffs for the third straight season after ending any chance for Madison (4-5).

Southwest Corridor

Portage Central 24, St. Joseph 14

Portage Central (8-1) secured the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West championship outright after these teams shared the title in 2015. The Mustangs took a 14-0 lead late into the third quarter and extended it to 17 in the fourth before St. Joseph (6-3) added a late score. Portage Central hasn’t lost more than once during a regular season since 2012, building a record of 35-6 over the last four years.

Also noted:

Benton Harbor 54, Muskegon Heights Academy 6 – This is worth mention because it gave the Tigers (9-0) their first undefeated regular season since going 7-0-2 in 1962.

Three Rivers 14, Vicksburg 13 – The Wildcats (7-2) added to their comeback from 3-6 a year ago by just edging Vicksburg (7-2) to tie the Bulldogs for second in the Wolverine Conference.

Coldwater 31, Traverse City West 14 – The Cardinals (7-2) continued a nice run after their one-point loss in Week 6, sending West (6-3) home with a defeat.

Battle Creek Pennfield 22, Olivet 19 – Pennfield (5-4) got the needed boost from beating Olivet (5-4) to earn an at-large playoff berth after seasons of 2-7 in 2014 and 3-6 in 2015.

Upper Peninsula

St. Ignace 62, Newberry 20

The Saints (8-1) made another argument as the top 11-player title contender from the Upper Peninsula with a dominating performance against Mid-Eastern Conference runner-up Newberry (7-2). St. Ignace won the NMFC Legacy title this fall, and its only loss was to reigning Division 8 champion Muskegon Catholic Central, 21-6. Those two could meet again in a Semifinal next month. Click for more from 9&10 News.

Also noted:

Gwinn 38, Ishpeming 6 – With its first winning record since 2000, Gwinn (6-3) clinched its first playoff berth since 1999 while guaranteeing Ishpeming (3-5) wouldn’t be in the playoffs for the first time since 2001.

Escanaba 49, Kingsford 42 – The Eskymos (7-2) secured their best record since 2011 despite losing by a point in Week 8 and ended up locking up a home playoff game by getting past also playoff-bound Kingsford (6-3).

Felch North Dickinson 56, Bark River-Harris 24 – This is reportedly the last season of 11-player for the Nordics (6-3), but they’re going out on a high note after earning their first playoff berth since 2013 with four wins over their last five games.

Iron Mountain 28, Norway 7 – Four of six Mid-Peninsula Athletic Conference teams made the playoffs, including these two both at 7-2 for the regular season.

West Michigan

Hudsonville 14, Rockford 7

The Eagles (8-1) bounced back after a Week 4 loss to Grandville to win four straight in commanding fashion and earn the opportunity to take a share of the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red title in Week 9. Hudsonville finished the run with a late score on Rockford that created a three-way share of the championship with the Rams (6-3) and Grandville – and the Eagles also cemented home-field advantage through a District that includes both, with Rockford up again this week. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Also noted:

Allendale 30, Grand Rapids West Catholic 27 – Allendale’s first win over West Catholic since 2008 created a three-way championship in the O-K Blue between those two (both 7-2 overall) and Grand Rapids Catholic Central (8-1).  

Byron Center 40, Hudsonville Unity Christian 19 – The Bulldogs (8-1) finished their O-K Green title by sending Unity Christian (7-2) into a tie for second in a league that will send five of seven teams to the playoffs.

Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern 27, Greenville 16 – Scheduling tough does matter; Forest Hills Northern (5-4) was 0-4 against teams with winning records heading into Week 9 but earned an at-large bid thanks in part to this victory over also playoff-bound Greenville (5-4).

Whitehall 37, Battle Creek Harper Creek 30 – The Vikings (6-3) came back from two straight one-point losses Weeks 6 and 7 to get into the playoffs for the third season in a row; Harper Creek (7-2) is headed back after going 3-6 last season.

8-Player

Powers North Central 68, Stephenson 32

The reigning MHSAA champ Jets (9-0) finished their Western Eight Conference run and moved into the top seed in 8-player with a solid boost from beating third-place Stephenson (7-2). North Central is only a little behind the pace of its incredible numbers from a year ago – the Jets are outscoring opponents on average 69-17, and Stephenson was the first to score more than 18 since Week 3. Click for more from the Marinette EagleHerald.

Also noted:

Lawrence 22, Battle Creek St. Philip 14 – The final game to finish in 8-player over the weekend saw Lawrence (8-1) come back from two losses last season to St. Philip (5-4) to knock the reigning MHSAA runner-up out of the playoff mix.

Camden-Frontier 44, Waldron 18 – The Redskins (6-1) played their way into the playoffs after two straight 0-9 finishes by getting a key win over Waldron (4-5).

PHOTO: Holt over Grand Ledge was one of a number of upsets during Week 9 of the football regular season. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)

1st & Goal: 2026 Week 3 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 14, 2026

The highest-scoring game, potentially, in Michigan high school history will put Week 3 in the record books at the end of this season. 

MI Student AidBut several more results could send the second weekend of September into school record books across the state if the rest of the regular season plays out as past history dictates it might. 

Several matchups that decided 2025 league titles were played at the one-third point this fall. And while we will have to wait another month or more to know for sure, many noted below might end up deciding which teams hoist conference championship trophies later this fall. 

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Montrose 35, New Lothrop 33 Montrose (2-1) ran its Mid-Michigan Athletic Conference winning streak to 11 with its closest league victory in two years. After only two weeks of league play there are only two teams 2-0 in the MMAC – Montrose joined by Birch Run, and they’ll meet in a Week 8 league finale. Click for more from WJRT.

Watch list Imlay City 22, Croswell-Lexington 0 Imlay City (3-0) already has as many wins as a year ago and with one more victory will match its highest total since 2020. This win reversed a 42-7 loss to Croswell-Lexington (0-3) a year ago and was the Spartans’ first over the Pioneers since 2014.

On the move Armada 28, North Branch 6 The Tigers (2-1) bounced back from a Week 2 loss to Almont to hand North Branch (2-1) its first defeat. Davison 54, Traverse City Central 28 The Cardinals also enjoyed an impressive bounce-back coming off a Week 2 defeat to Detroit Catholic Central with a notable win over a Central team that reached the Regional Finals last fall. Millington 43, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 16 Last season’s Cardinals win over Laker (1-2) in the league finale decided the Big Thumb Conference White title. This season they played in the league opener, and the result might end up doing the same although Caro and Cass City are both undefeated as well and up next for Millington (3-0).

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 31, Warren De La Salle Collegiate 28 A Marcus Hayes interception returned for a touchdown was the highlight play from this Catholic High School League Central matchup. The end result of the game was Brother Rice (3-0) taking a step as a candidate to be top contender in the league race against Detroit Catholic Central, although Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in Week 5 will present another major challenge. Click for more from the Detroit News.

Watch list Northville 35, Brighton 34 Northville (3-0) finished second in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West last year thanks in part to a loss to Brighton (2-1), but may be the team to beat in the new KLAA Black after securing this one with a 2-point conversion stop with 24 seconds to play.

On the move Detroit Edison 41, Romulus Summit Academy North 14 After these two shared the championship a year ago Edison (2-1) now joins Ecorse with the early lead in the Charter School Conference Gold, with those two set to meet in Week 8. South Lyon 35, Walled Lake Western 14 This was one of the two big matchups when South Lyon won the Lakes Valley Conference last season, and might prove a decider again although upcoming games with Milford and South Lyon East will influence the race as well. Dearborn Divine Child 14, Detroit Country Day 7 Divine Child (3-0) marched late for the go-ahead score to run its current streak over Country Day to three wins in three seasons, but the close loss also showed how dangerous the Yellowjackets (1-2) could be the rest of the way.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Beal City 42, Springport 13 The Aggies (3-0) stepped away from their Highland Conference repeat pursuit for a week to take on the reigning champion from the Big 8 Conference and busted out in a big way during the second half after leading only 14-7 at the break. It was the first regular-season loss for Springport (2-1) since Week 8 of 2024. Click for more from  WLNS.

Watch list Mount Pleasant 28, Midland Dow 7 The Oilers (3-0) began their Saginaw Valley League North repeat pursuit with their best defensive game of the young season as they faced last year’s league runner-up in Dow (1-2).

On the move Grand Ledge 45, Okemos 7 The Comets (3-0) won this matchup of previously undefeated opponents to open Capital Area Activities Conference Blue play. Mason 20, Haslett 7 The Bulldogs (3-0) didn’t let down after a big Week 2 win over DeWitt, opening CAAC Red play by avenging one of last season’s two league losses. Howell 54, Dearborn 14 The Highlanders have reached 40 points all three games this season and 35 points in 11 straight dating back to Week 4 of last fall.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER East Jordan 20, Maple City Glen Lake 19 The last three regular-season meetings between these Northern Michigan Football Conference rivals have been decided by a combined four points – and Glen Lake (2-1) also won last year’s District Final matchup by 14 – but this went East Jordan’s way for the first time since 2023. The Red Devils (2-1) quickly have become the only team in the one-division NMFC still without a league loss. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Watch list Harbor Springs 14, Frankfort 10 Frankfort (2-1) has made the playoffs every season this decade and Harbor Springs (2-1) hasn’t once, but that could be changing as the Rams defeated the Panthers for the first time since 2020.

On the move Kingsley 39, Charlevoix 13 The Stags (3-0) have looked especially impressive in the early going and may have won the eventual decider in the Northern Shores Conference with Charlevoix (2-1) another contender. Cadillac 28, Gaylord 0 The Vikings (2-1) made a big splash against the reigning Big North Conference champion Blue Devils (1-2), and in doing so equaled their win total of a year ago. Oscoda 20, Johannesburg-Lewiston 8 After falling to East Jordan and Harbor Springs to start the fall, the Owls (1-2) are on the board thanks to avenging last season’s 12-point loss to the Cardinals (2-1).

Ithaca’s Greyson Merchant (6) follows senior Harper Merchant for a first down during the Yellowjackets’ 63-7 win over Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Chelsea 49, Adrian 21 These two decided last season’s Southeastern Conference White title, and the early edge this fall goes to reigning champion Chelsea which is now tied for first with Tecumseh. Those co-leaders will meet this week in one of the biggest matchups regionally and beyond. Click for more from the Chelsea Sun Times News.

Watch list Jackson Lumen Christi 45, Traverse City St. Francis 0 The Titans (3-0) have won five straight over the Gladiators (1-2) but handed St. Francis its first shutout since these two met in 2023.

On the move Napoleon 32, Jonesville 12 Napoleon (3-0) moved from the Cascades Conference East to West this season and opened by slowing down a Jonesville offense that had scored 98 points during a 2-0 start. Michigan Center 22, Manchester 16 The reigning Cascades West champion Cardinals (2-1) got an important league win out of the way as Manchester also had impressed during a 2-0 start. Quincy 67, Stockbridge 21 After a rough first half of the decade, Quincy finished it up last season with a solid 5-4 run – and at 3-0 this fall may be in the mix to take another step although the schedule has a number of challenges the rest of the way.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Marshall 52, Hastings 45 The Interstate 8 Athletic Conference race is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in the southwest with three of seven teams 3-0 overall and others capable of making noise on a given night. Marshall is 3-0 for the first time since 2009 with this win over annual league contender Hastings, which is 1-2 against opponents a combined 8-1 this fall. Click for more from WWMT.

Watch list Union City 22, Bronson 14 Union City is setting up well as a Big 8 Conference contender, moving to 3-0 with this win over Bronson (1-2), which finished second in the Southwest 10 Conference a year ago.

On the move Mattawan 77, Battle Creek Central 76 (5OT) This was definitely the highest-scoring overtime game in MHSAA football history, the highest-scoring for two teams combined when the loser scores at least 40, and very likely the highest-scoring high school football game in Michigan overall since 1912 (before the MHSAA was formed 12 years later). Kalamazoo United 28, Lawton 7 This was another major step for United (3-0) in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, with the Week 6 date against Schoolcraft now shaping up as a potential league title decider. Lawton (2-1) still gets a shot against Schoolcraft as well, in Week 9. Portage Central 25, Portage Northern 14 Central (2-1) has taken a notable edge in this rivalry with a fifth-straight win, and these two will not meet again this season as they’re in different playoff divisions.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Bark River-Harris 38, Iron Mountain 33 Bark River-Harris’ repeat hopes in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Iron got a major boost as this matchup has been the title decider the last two seasons. The Broncos (3-0) defeated Iron Mountain three times a year ago and certainly could see the Mountaineers (1-2) again in the playoffs in two months. Click for more from My UP Now.

Watch list Houghton 54, L’Anse 8 This could be a turning point for the Gremlins (1-2), who topped 50 points for the first time since 2022 and held a L’Anse team that had scored 90 over a 2-0 start.

On the move Calumet 21, Negaunee 18 The Copper Kings (3-0) opened a stretch of Negaunee/Menominee/Kingsford the best way, and for the second-straight season, with the next two games to tell their fortunes in the West-PAC Copper. Escanaba 29, Alpena 12 Escanaba (1-2) ran its winning streak against Alpena (1-2) to five and evened its record in the BNC after opening against the reigning champ. Kingsford 35, Gladstone 0 The Flivvers (3-0) have outscored their first three opponents by a combined 104-22 margin with Negaunee and Calumet up next.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Caledonia 35, Rockford 23 The Fighting Scots (2-1) impressively bounced back from the disappointment of taking a forfeit loss Week 1 by defeating the Rams (1-2) for the first time since their 2022 Division 1 District Final. Caledonia capitalized on three turnovers and a blocked punt, and also returned a kickoff for a score. Click for more from WOOD TV.

Watch list Muskegon Orchard View 22, Whitehall 8 The Cardinals (2-1) didn’t even have a team five seasons ago, but they won five of their last six games last fall and continued this early surge by defeating Whitehall for the first time in their five years together in the West Michigan Conference Lakes.

On the move Grand Rapids West Catholic 45, Grand Rapids South Christian 34 The Falcons (2-1) bounced back from a Week 2 loss to hand the Sailors (2-1) their first this season. Coopersville 20, Petoskey 17 (OT) The Broncos are now 3-0 against teams that went a combined 27-4 a year ago. Hudsonville 42, Grand Haven 14 Six of eight Ottawa-Kent Conference Red teams are 2-1 or better, including both of these after Hudsonville handed Grand Haven its first loss.

Ishpeming’s Donovan Snyder (1) pulls in a pass against Stephenson.

8-Player

HEADLINER Rudyard 42, Indian River Inland Lakes 36 (3OT) It took three overtimes, but Rudyard (2-1) ended Inland Lakes’ 25-game regular-season winning streak dating back to 2023. This was their first meeting since 2013, and an important one as they are both in the first-year Bridge Alliance Straits this fall. Click for more from the Cheboygan Daily Tribune.

Watch list Litchfield 28, Battle Creek St. Philip 6 The Terriers are 3-0 for the first time since 2022 as they seek their first playoff berth since 2011. They’ve actually won six of their last seven games going back to last season.

On the move Bay City All Saints 33, Kinde North Huron 14 The Cougars (3-0) took a major step as they pursue a fourth-straight league title, even as North Huron (2-1) gave them their closest game in the series since 2022. Ishpeming 80, Stephenson 42 The Hematites (2-1) equaled their win total from a year ago and are just 18 points shy of equaling their scoring for all of 2025. Bridgman 48, Marcellus 18 The Bees (3-0) picked up what might end up a key win in the Southern Michigan 8-Man Football League Red, as Marcellus (2-1) was coming off a victory over reigning Division 1 champ Martin.

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PHOTOS (Top) Fenton defenders close in on a tackle during the Tigers’ 26-14 win over Flushing. (Middle) Ithaca’s Greyson Merchant (6) follows senior Harper Merchant for a first down during the Yellowjackets’ 63-7 win over Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central. (Below) Ishpeming’s Donovan Snyder (1) pulls in a pass against Stephenson. (Fenton/Flushing photo by Terry Lyons. Ithaca/Nouvel photo by Kolleth Photography. Ishpeming/Stephenson photo by Randy Ritari.)