A Game for Every Fan: Playoffs Week 2
November 5, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Emotions run high by nature during the football playoffs. But this weekend’s schedule of 11-player District Finals and 8-player Regional Finals is especially charged.
Rivalry games dominate this second round of the postseason as teams that competed for league titles meet again for another trophy – or in the case of Division 8, contenders for an MHSAA title a few years ago find themselves on the field together again.
See below for some of the most intriguing from this week’s list, and follow all weekend on the MHSAA Score Center for results as they come in and updated brackets. Watch as well four games at once Friday on Fox Sports Detroit’s Prep Zone, and catch another marquee matchup live on MHSAA.tv with subscription. All games below are Friday unless noted.
Division 1
Romeo (9-1) at Lapeer (10-0)
Lapeer is 20-1 in two seasons as a program after the merger of the former Lapeer West and East in 2014. Its lone loss was by three in last fall’s District Final to eventual champion Clarkston – and after the Lightning beat Romeo by eight in the playoff opener. Romeo earned this rematch by ending Clarkston’s reign last week, but its defense – giving up a meager 6.5 points per game – should receive its toughest challenge since Lapeer put up 23 last season.
Others that caught my eye: Brighton (9-1) at Grand Ledge (10-0), Hudsonville (7-3) at Rockford (7-3), Ann Arbor Pioneer (7-3) at Saline (9-0), Utica Eisenhower (7-3) at Macomb Dakota (8-2), Saturday.
Division 2
Muskegon (8-2) at Muskegon Mona Shores (10-0), Saturday
This gets higher billing than the matchup below between undefeated teams because it might be the state’s most anticipated game regardless of division. More than 10,000 fans watched Mona Shores’ 21-18 win over the Big Reds in Week 8, and an additional few thousand are anticipated for Saturday’s 5 p.m. kickoff. Last time, Mona Shores jumped out to a 21-3 third-quarter lead before Muskegon came back with two scores during the fourth. This one should stay closer from the start.
Others that caught my eye: Midland Dow (9-1) at Fenton (9-1), Birmingham Groves (10-0) at Walled Lake Western (10-0), Detroit East English (8-2) at Grosse Pointe South (7-3), Southfield (7-3) at Berkley (8-2).
Division 3
Edwardsburg (10-0) at St. Joseph (9-1)
The Eddies already scored one for the Wolverine B Conference over the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference by eliminating Stevensville Lakeshore last week. Now they get SMAC West co-champ St. Joseph, and on the road. The Bears’ only loss this season was to Lakeshore, by a pair of scores in Week 4, but they closed the regular season with three wins over playoff teams over the final month.
Others that caught my eye: Zealand East (7-3) at East Grand Rapids (7-3), St. Johns (7-3) at DeWitt (9-1), Chelsea (9-1) at Trenton (9-1), Vicksburg (8-2) at Coldwater (10-0).
Division 4
Comstock Park (8-2) at Ada Forest Hills Eastern (9-1)
Forest Hills Eastern can take the next step in a record-setting season that’s already seen the Hawks win their most games ever and first in the playoffs – and come within three points of being undefeated. Offense should reign. Forest Hills Eastern runs well and Comstock Park gave up more than 200 yards to Swan Valley’s leading rusher last week, and the Panthers are dangerous throwing and running and could find some gaps in an FHE defense giving up 19 points per game.
Others that caught my eye: Benton Harbor (6-4) at Zeeland West (10-0), Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (8-2) at Richmond (9-1), Big Rapids (7-3) at Remus Chippewa Hills (8-2), Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood (9-1) at Detroit Country Day (9-1), Saturday.
Division 5
Lansing Catholic (9-1) at Portland (10-0)
This either will be the first and only loss for a Portland team seeking its second MHSAA championship in four seasons, or final game for a Lansing Catholic group that came within five points of winning Division 5 a year ago – and will graduate University of Minnesota quarterback recruit Tony Poljan. Portland won their regular-season matchup 28-6 in Week 4, but can’t expect the Cougars to repeat an uncharacteristic four turnovers. They’ve both been impressive since; Lansing Catholic entered the postseason with wins over playoff teams Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard and Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central by a combined 77-23, while Portland allowed only Marshall to come closer than 22 points and held a record-setting Stockbridge offense to only 18 last week.
Others that caught my eye: Grand Rapids West Catholic (8-2) at Reed City (10-0), Frankenmuth (9-1) at Freeland (10-0), Berrien Springs (9-1) at Buchanan (10-0), Almont (8-2) at Algonac (9-1).
Division 6
Montague (10-0) vs. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian (10-0) at Comstock Park
The Wildcats have nearly come all the way back to their former roost among the elite after going 2-7 a year ago. But NorthPointe Christian provides a substantial obstacle as Montague pursues its first District title since 2011. NorthPointe’s only loss in the last 19 games came last season in an MHSAA Semifinal, and it’s giving up only 7.6 points per game.
Others that caught my eye: Sanford Meridian (10-0) at Ithaca (10-0), Jackson Lumen Christi (7-3) at Manchester (9-1), Clinton (10-0) at Madison Heights Madison (9-1), Calumet (8-2) at Boyne City (9-1), Saturday.
Division 7
Flint Beecher (7-2) at New Lothrop (10-0)
Beecher easily is the smallest school on its side of the Genesee Area Conference, the only Class C school in a Red group of otherwise all Class B. This matchup will satisfy some curiosity, as New Lothrop hasn’t lost a game in the Class C-dominated GAC Blue since 2009 – and in Week 8 defeated Flint Hamady 49-0. Beecher just edged Hamady 30-28 to open the playoffs last week.
Others that caught my eye: Saugatuck (10-0) at Pewamo-Westphalia (10-0), Class City (8-2) at Sandusky (10-0), Dansville (9-1) at Homer (8-2), Cassopolis (8-2) at Bridgman (9-1).
Division 8
Muskegon Catholic Central (7-2) at Beal City (9-1), Saturday
One of these two has played in the Division 8 Final the last three seasons, and they met in the 2013 championship game, a 35-12 MCC win. This Crusaders’ team has a much different lineup than the one that won back-to-back championships the last two seasons, but new players gained valuable experience in losses to Division 5 Muskegon Oakridge and Division 4 Detroit Country Day. Beal City has a few who were part of the 2013 loss, setting this up as a potential classic as they seek a different result.
Others that caught my eye: Onekama (9-1) at Frankfort (8-2), Crystal Falls Forest Park (6-3) vs. Bark River-Harris (8-2) at Northern Michigan University's Superior Dome, Ottawa Lake Whiteford (8-2) at Morenci (8-2), St. Ignace (9-1) at Johannesburg-Lewiston (9-1).
8-Player
Lawrence (8-2) at Battle Creek St. Philip (10-0)
St. Philip regained the upper hand on Lawrence in Week 9 after three straight losses – and now has to keep it as the favorite to follow Lawrence as the 8-player champion. St. Philip won that meeting two weeks ago only 47-44 but led by 14 points halfway through the first quarter and by 15 points heading into the fourth. Lawrence obviously can score quickly, meaning this one should again come down to the final minutes.
Other Regional Finals: Rapid River (7-3) at Powers North Central (10-0), Cedarville (8-2) at Posen (10-0), Deckerville (9-1) at Morrice (9-1).
PHOTO: Lapeer has 20 wins over the last two seasons, including against Saginaw Heritage this fall. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
1st & Goal: 2026 Week 3 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 10, 2026
Settle in, because things are about to get interesting.
That’s usually where we’re at when we hit Week 3 of the high school football season, with the early-season jitters fading and the first ideas emerging of which teams have looked good enough to be standing at the end.
Multiple matchups that decided league championships last season will be played out again this week and are highlighted below. So are a few more titanic nonleague tussles before the rest of the state jumps into conference play as we move into mid-September.
Games below are Friday unless noted. There are 18 games being played Thursday this week and 11 on Saturday. Tune in to the NFHS Network to watch the majority and follow the MHSAA Scores page for results as they’re submitted.
Bay & Thumb
New Lothrop (2-0) at Montrose (1-1)
Montrose’s 28-14 win over New Lothrop last season helped put the finishing touches on the Rams’ perfect run through the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference, although the Hornets do still own a 5-3 edge in the series since the league was formed in 2018. New Lothrop finished fourth in the MMAC last season but already has avenged a 2025 defeat to Durand, while Montrose opened this fall with a loss but to much larger Marshall.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Traverse City Central (2-0) at Davison (1-1), Mount Pleasant (2-0) at Midland Dow (1-1), Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (1-1) at Millington (2-0), North Branch (2-0) at Armada (1-1).
Greater Detroit
Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (2-0) at Warren De La Salle Collegiate (2-0)
While it’s fair to consider two-time reigning champion Detroit Catholic Central the favorite in the Catholic High School League Central, these two are almost always in the conversation as well. They’ve split their last 20 meetings, and neither has won this matchup more than two times in a row since Rice saw a run of victories end in 2006. The Warriors claimed last year’s game 22-17.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY South Lyon East (2-0) at North Farmington (2-0). FRIDAY Detroit Country Day (1-1) at Dearborn Divine Child (2-0), Detroit Edison (1-1) at Romulus Summit Academy North (2-0), Detroit Cody (2-0) at Detroit Central (2-0).
Mid-Michigan
Dearborn (2-0) at Howell (2-0)
Howell has won 13 of its last 14 Kensington Lakes Activities Association divisional games, but the division alignments were changed for this fall and these two now find themselves together in the KLAA Gold and two of three (with Brighton) that have started the season 2-0. Dearborn has doubled up White Lake Lakeland and Dearborn Heights Crestwood, while Howell has double-digit wins over Traverse City West and Belleville.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Ogemaw Heights (2-0) at Clare (1-1), Grand Ledge (2-0) at Okemos (2-0), Perry (2-0) at Pewamo-Westphalia (2-0), Olivet (1-1) at Portland (2-0).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Charlevoix (2-0) at Kingsley (2-0)
These two met last season in a Week 9 nonleague matchup with Charlevoix undefeated and Kingsley emerging with a 44-18 victory on the way to reaching Ford Field and finishing Division 6 runner-up. Both are off to solid starts again, but now playing together in the Northern Shores Conference – making this a potential eventual league title decider.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Maple City Glen Lake (2-0) at East Jordan (1-1), Cadillac (1-1) at Gaylord (1-1), Coopersville (2-0) at Petoskey (2-0), Manton (1-1) at McBain (1-1).
Southeast & Border
Traverse City St. Francis (1-1) at Jackson Lumen Christi (2-0)
Even with St. Francis’ loss last week to Ogemaw Heights, this one is going to get statewide eyes especially with the possibility these two could meet again during the Division 6 playoffs. Lumen has won four straight over the Gladiators beginning with its Division 7 championship game victory in 2022 at Ford Field, and claimed last year’s matchup 27-12.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Chelsea (2-0) at Adrian (2-0), Napoleon (2-0) at Jonesville (2-0), Battle Creek Harper Creek (2-0) at Parma Western (1-1), Beal City (2-0) at Springport (2-0).
Southwest Corridor
Kalamazoo United (2-0) at Lawton (2-0)
United won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore last season and Lawton was second in the SAC Valley, and with the league together as one division this fall these two certainly are among the favorites. They did play nonleague a year ago, with Lawton claiming a 22-19 victory, but this one will mean a lot more with both also looking toward matchups with reigning Valley champ Schoolcraft coming up.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Hastings (1-1) at Marshall (2-0), Portage Central (1-1) at Portage Northern (1-1), St. Joseph (1-1) at Stevensville Lakeshore (2-0), Plainwell (2-0) at Vicksburg (2-0).
Upper Peninsula
Bark River-Harris (2-0) at Iron Mountain (1-1)
Bark River-Harris’ wins over Iron Mountain last season – in Week 2 and again in a Division 8 District Final – were the Broncos’ first over the Mountaineers since the two began playing each other annually in 2018. That regular-season matchup decided the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Iron title, and this one could too although L’Anse also is off to a 2-0 start gets Iron Mountain next.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Negaunee (2-0) at Calumet (2-0), Kingsford (2-0) at Gladstone (1-1), Manistique (1-1) at Hancock (1-1), Alpena (1-1) at Escanaba (0-2).
West Michigan
Grand Rapids South Christian (2-0) at Grand Rapids West Catholic (1-1)
Both have made Ford Field trips over the last three seasons, South Christian as Division 4 runner-up in 2023 and West Catholic as Division 5 champion last fall, and they’ve loaded up their schedules again. The Sailors already had to get past East Grand Rapids last week and have Hudsonville Unity Christian and Zeeland West up next after this one, and Grand Rapids Catholic Central in Week 9. West Catholic is coming off a loss to Coopersville and after league play will finish up this regular season with Traverse City St. Francis.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Rockford (1-1) at Caledonia (1-1), Grandville (1-1) at East Kentwood (2-0), Grand Haven (2-0) at Hudsonville (1-1), Hudsonville Unity Christian (1-1) at Zeeland East (2-0).
8-Player
Bay City All Saints (2-0) at Kinde North Huron (2-0)
These two finished first and second in the Big Thumb Conference Red last season, thanks to All Saints’ big win in Week 8. North Huron has shown early this fall it can pull off the close calls, defeating Mayville and Peck by six points apiece. All Saints has blasted out of the gate with a pair of shutouts and 93 points total over the first two weeks.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Marcellus (2-0) at Bridgman (2-0), Dansville (2-0) at Potterville (2-0), Blanchard Montabella (2-0) at Breckenridge (2-0). SATURDAY Deckerville (2-0) at Byron (2-0).
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PHOTO Detroit Country Day’s Gavin Shaw (14) stretches for the end zone during his team’s 19-14 loss to Saginaw Swan Valley on Aug. 27. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)