Football Playoff Pairings, Opening Matchups to be Announced Sunday on NFHS Network

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 22, 2026

The announcement of qualifiers and first-round pairings for this season’s Michigan High School Athletic Association Football Playoffs – the annual “Selection Sunday Show” – will be streamed at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, on the NFHS Network.

The playoffs for both 11 and 8-player teams begin during the weekend of Oct. 30-31. The top 32 teams by playoff-point average in each 11-player division and top 16 teams by playoff-point average in each 8-player division will qualify. Divisions were determined prior to the start of the season. 

Click for the direct link to watch the Selection Sunday Show. That link also is posted to the Football page of the MHSAA website. A subscription is not required to watch the Selection Sunday Show, although viewers must register on the site to view the broadcast.

The playoff qualifiers and pairings will be posted to the website following the show, and times and dates will be added Monday, Oct. 26.

To review a list of all football playoff schools and individual school playoff point details, visit the Football Playoff Point Summary page.

The MHSAA Football Playoffs conclude with the 8-Player Finals on Nov. 21 at Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome and 11-Player Finals to be played Nov. 27 and 28 at Ford Field. Both games will be broadcast live on the NFHS Network. 

Unforgettable 5ive: 2021 Football Playoff Week 1

By Jon Ross
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties

November 3, 2021

Here's a look at our Playoff Week 1 "Unforgettable 5ive" from MHSAA.tv and MHSAA media partner broadcasts:

► Dearborn Fordson's Alex Osman connects with Antonio Gates Jr. on the overtime touchdown giving the Tractors a 21-14 win over Detroit Cass Tech. 

► Crystal Falls Forest Park's Sam McKissack takes it in for the game's only score in an 8-0 win over Lake Linden-Hubbell. 

► Nolan Petru scores in the third overtime for Howell in a 35-28 win over Hartland. 

► Clinton Township Chippewa Valley's Cephus Harris scores in a 33-0 win over Troy. 

► Bay City Western's Eli Meylan hits the game-winning 35-yard field goal in a 25-23 win over Midland Dow.