A Game for Every Fan: Week 4
September 17, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
By a quick count, there are 11 matchups statewide this week of MHSAA football teams entering with 3-0 records.
That means that at most only 119 teams will be undefeated after this week – and looking at the rest of the schedule, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the total after Saturday was much lower.
Read on for some of the best games to watch no matter where you live in Michigan or traveling to this weekend. And, as always, tune in to our Score Center on Friday for scores as soon as we receive them – usually all statewide by 11 p.m. – plus updated standings and the only place you’ll find updated playoff point averages throughout the weekend.
Bay & Thumb
Goodrich (2-1) at Flint Beecher (3-0)
Beecher has rolled to another impressive start, building on last season’s 9-0 regular-season finish with shutouts the last two weeks. Genesee Area Conference Red rival Goodrich was one of only two teams to come within 20 of the Buccaneers during that run last season – and is seeking its first win in this series since 2012. The Martians’ loss this season was by a point on opening night to still-undefeated Ortonville Brandon.
Others that caught my eye: Fenton (2-1) at Ortonville Brandon (3-0), Millington (2-1) at Birch Run (1-2), Yale (1-2) at Croswell-Lexington (2-1), Davison (2-1) at Flint Powers Catholic (2-1).
Greater Detroit
St. Clair Shores South Lake (3-0) at Clinton Township Clintondale (3-0)
The Macomb Area Conference Silver is one of the most competitive conferences rarely brought up west of Detroit, and Clintondale’s reputation is along that same line although it's reclaiming a place on the radar – the Dragons won 20 straight regular-season games from 2011-14 before finishing last fall a disappointing 4-5. But they’ve bounced back with two shutouts this fall – although South Lake, which already has surpassed last season’s win total, is averaging 31 points per game and likely won’t be the next to put up a zero.
Others that caught my eye: Warren DeLaSalle (2-1) at Birmingham Brother Rice (1-2), Orchard Lake St. Mary's (3-0) at Detroit U-D Jesuit (3-0), Livonia Churchill (2-1) at Plymouth (2-1), Waterford Our Lady (3-0) at Clarkston Everest Collegiate (2-1).
Mid-Michigan
Portland (3-0) at Lansing Catholic (3-0)
Recent elite-level success and star power gives this matchup the edge over four other meetings of undefeated teams in this region. Portland was the Division 5 champion in 2012 and Lansing Catholic was runner-up in 2014. The Raiders own a 6-4 edge in their 10 recent meetings, but fell 34-6 last year to a Cougars team again led this fall by quarterback Tony Poljan. Portland hopes a defense giving up just under 12 points per game can contain the University of Minnesota prospect.
Others that caught my eye: Midland (3-0) at Mount Pleasant (3-0), Grand Blanc (3-0) at Brighton (3-0), Pewamo-Westphalia (3-0) at Dansville (3-0), Lake Odessa Lakewood (3-0) at Stockbridge (3-0).
Lower Northern Peninsula
Whitehall (3-0) at Traverse City Central (3-0)
An overtime win over Traverse City West last week put Central at 3-0 for the second straight season but with an undefeated opponent making the trip up north this week. This could come down to Whitehall’s defense stopping the Trojans, who have scored 130 points but against opponents that are a combined 0-9. Whitehall has given up only 27 points so far but against opponents half the size or smaller in comparison to Central.
Others that caught my eye: Kingsley (2-1) at Boyne City (3-0), Grayling (2-1) at Charlevoix (2-1), Rogers City (2-1) at Hillman (2-1), Petoskey (2-1) at Traverse City West (0-3).
Southeast & Border
Detroit Loyola (2-1) at Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (3-0)
Gabriel Richard is off to a 3-0 start for the fourth straight season, but this time outscoring its first opponents by a combined 143-6. The Fighting Irish can make that run look even better by continuing against Loyola, the defending MHSAA champion in Division 7. The Bulldogs’ 12-point loss to reigning Division 3 champion Orchard Lake St. Mary’s during opening weekend was its first defeat during the regular season since 2010, and they bounced back with impressive wins over Muskegon-area powers Oakridge and Ravenna.
Others that caught my eye: Hudson (2-1) at Brooklyn Columbia Central (3-0), Grass Lake (2-1) at Manchester (2-1), Ann Arbor Skyline (2-1) at Monroe (2-1), Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (3-0) at New Boston Huron (2-1).
Southwest Corridor
Benton Harbor (2-1) at Portage Central (3-0)
Portage Central continues to rank among the class of the southwest, with last week’s one-point win over rival Stevensville Lakeshore a great start to the Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference West schedule. Rival Portage Northern and St. Joseph are major obstacles in the league as well – and Benton Harbor suddenly can’t be overlooked with this season’s wins its first since 2012 and already its most for an entire season since 2006. The Tigers are a seven-point opening loss to Richland Gull Lake from entering this weekend undefeated.
Others that caught my eye: Cassopolis (3-0) at Berrien Springs (3-0), Stevensville Lakeshore (2-1) at St. Joseph (3-0), Edwardsburg (3-0) at Paw Paw (2-1), Kalamazoo Central (1-2) at Battle Creek Central (1-2).
Upper Peninsula
Ishpeming Westwood (2-1) at Ishpeming (3-0)
The story hasn’t changed much in a year – Westwood is still seeking its first win over the neighborhood rival since 1998. Ishpeming won during the regular season and in the playoff opener last year and hasn’t loss a regular-season game to anyone since 2012. But Westwood, coming off its first playoff berth in three seasons, looks even more impressive at this point than when it entered 3-0 a year ago; the Patriots last week handed a solid L’Anse team its first loss and fell only on opening night to a Wisconsin team now 3-1.
Others that caught my eye: Indian River Inland Lakes (3-0) at St. Ignace (3-0), Marquette (0-3) at Escanaba (2-1), Iron Mountain (2-1) at Negaunee (3-0), Munising (3-0) at Newberry (2-1).
West Michigan
Muskegon (2-1) at East Grand Rapids (3-0)
The Pioneers are off to their best start since 2010 and own impressive wins over Grand Rapids Catholic Central and Caledonia – but with the Big Reds this week plus Grand Rapids Christian and Lowell among the scariest teams left on the schedule. Muskegon dealt first losses to Christian and Grandville the last two weeks after opening with a loss to Detroit Catholic Central, and had one of its best defensive games of last year’s Division 3 Final run against EGR, winning 37-7.
Others that caught my eye: Muskegon Mona Shores (3-0) at Caledonia (2-1), Zeeland East (3-0) at Grand Rapids Christian (2-1), Grand Rapids West Catholic (1-2) at Hudsonville Unity Christian (3-0), Comstock Park (3-0) at Zeeland West (3-0).
8-Player
Posen (3-0) at Bellaire (2-1)
Before this season, Posen had scored 60 or more points three times in five seasons of 8-player football. The Vikings have scored 60 or more every week this fall for their best start since 2010; they likely will need to score at least half that many against a Bellaire team that won this matchup 49-0 a year ago. The Eagles fell to upstart Powers North Central last week but remain a consistent 8-player power and a great test as Posen looks to take a step up.
Others that caught my eye: Deckerville (3-0) at Kingston (2-1), Tekonsha (1-2) at Portland St. Patrick (2-1)
PHOTO: Portland’s defense, here against Ovid-Elsie on opening night, will be charged with shutting down a potent Lansing Catholic offense this week. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
1st & Goal: 2025 Week 3 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 11, 2025
The Michigan High School Football Coaches Association and Michigan Sports Writers both released their first state rankings of the season this week, providing their opinions on the top teams in every division.
There are always a few programs that dominate from start to finish. But this season already seems like it could provide an audible.
Consider, of 602 teams playing 11 or 8-player football this fall, only 179 (just under 30 percent) after just two games. And that total is guaranteed to decrease by 28 teams over the next two days as we have that many matchups of unbeatens – several of which are noted below.
Some related food for thought: Although we finished the 2024 regular season with 27 undefeated teams statewide, only Millington and Deckerville hoisted MHSAA Finals championship trophies without taking a loss. We had only two undefeated champions in 2023 as well, but five in 2022.
You'll again have the opportunity to tune into several games this weekend on the NFHS Network. Scores for every game across the state will posted on the MHSAA Scores page as they conclude.
Bay & Thumb
Ithaca (2-0) at Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (2-0)
This matchup determined league championships in both 2022 and 2023, and Ithaca has won 20 straight league games including all five in the Tri-Valley Conference Blue a year ago. MLS gave the Yellowjackets their closest league game (35-14) last fall and is off to a solid start outscoring its first two opponents by a combined 82-8. Ithaca’s is coming off one of the state’s more notable victories of Week 2, 36-7 over Lawton.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Bay City John Glenn (2-0) at Essexville Garber (2-0) WATCH, Durand (2-0) at Montrose (2-0) WATCH, Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central (2-0) at Saginaw Valley Lutheran (2-0) WATCH, Harbor Beach (2-0) at Ubly (1-1) WATCH.
Greater Detroit
Rochester Adams (2-0) at West Bloomfield (2-0) WATCH
Arguably the most competitive league in the state – the Oakland Activities Association Red – begins play with what should be a challenging matchup for both of these opponents. Adams claimed year’s meeting 21-17 on the way to eventually reaching the Division 1 Semifinals, and has a couple of big wins so far this fall over Romeo and Rochester. West Bloomfield has won both of its first two games by 37-0 scores, shutting out Dearborn Fordson and Southfield Arts & Technology.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Birmingham Groves (1-1) at Harper Woods (2-0), Clarkston (1-1) at Oxford (2-0) WATCH, Gibraltar Carlson (2-0) at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (1-1) WATCH, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (2-0) at Warren De La Salle Collegiate (1-1).
Mid-Michigan
Williamston (2-0) at Mason (1-1)
Williamston can finish reversing last season’s 0-3 start with a win over Mason, which won last year’s meeting 34-20. This matchup again kicks off the Capital Area Activities Conference Red schedule, and Mason has won 18 straight league games and the last three Red titles. The Bulldogs fell just short in their comeback attempt last week against DeWitt, but have won six in a row over the Hornets – who have been impressive in revenge wins over Lansing Catholic and Hastings.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY St. Johns (2-0) at Fowlerville (2-0), Midland Dow (2-0) at Mount Pleasant (2-0), Portland (2-0) at Olivet (2-0) WATCH, Northville (2-0) at Howell (2-0) WATCH.
Northern Lower Peninsula
Davison (2-0) at Traverse City Central (2-0)
Davison has dominated these meetings the last three seasons, with three victories all by at least 35 points. But Central also is 2-0 heading into this game for the first time during that run and has scored a combined 96 points in big wins over returning playoff qualifiers Novi and Parma Western. Davison edged Warren De La Salle Collegiate last week 23-21 to avenge a 2024 defeat after opening with a 17-point win over Roseville.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Boyne City (2-0) at Cheboygan (1-1) WATCH, Kalkaska (2-0) at East Jordan (2-0) WATCH, Escanaba (2-0) at Petoskey (1-1) WATCH. SATURDAY Marquette (1-1) at Gaylord (2-0) WATCH.
Southeast & Border
Grand Rapids Catholic Central (2-0) at Jackson Lumen Christi (1-1) WATCH
We featured Lumen Christi in this space last week as well, but it’s hard not to again when the Titans have arguably the toughest nonleague schedule in the state. They’re coming off wins over two 2024 champions – Lombard Montini from Illinois and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep from Division 5 – and now get an opponent that fell just a win shy of also playing for the Division 5 title last season. Grand Rapids Catholic Central is facing its first in-state opponent after earning wins over teams from Illinois and Ontario.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Adrian (2-0) at Chelsea (2-0) WATCH, Blissfield (1-1) at Clinton (1-1) WATCH, Tecumseh (2-0) at Ypsilanti Lincoln (2-0) WATCH, Ann Arbor Huron (1-1) at Dexter (2-0).
Southwest Corridor
Schoolcraft (1-1) at Constantine (2-0)
This is a matchup we circle every season, and it’s easy to explain why. Constantine’s 31-29 win over Schoolcraft a year ago, while its third straight, was the second in a row decided by one score or less, as have been five of their last 12 matchups. Both teams went on to great success last season, Constantine winning a District title and Schoolcraft claiming its Regional. And while the Eagles do have an early loss, it came last week to Division 4 power Hudsonville Unity Christian.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Battle Creek Harper Creek (1-1) at Coldwater (2-0) WATCH, Kalamazoo United (1-1) at Lawton (1-1) WATCH, Three Rivers (2-0) at Otsego (1-1) WATCH, Niles (2-0) at Paw Paw (0-2) WATCH.
Upper Peninsula
Calumet (2-0) at Negaunee (2-0) WATCH
The Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper division is among the deepest leagues in northern Michigan, sending four teams to the playoffs last year with two more finishing 4-5. Calumet and Negaunee have been two of the frequent contenders, Negaunee last sharing the league title in 2023 and Calumet most recently in 2021. The Miners won last year’s matchup 29-0 and the last five in the series.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Hancock (0-2) at Houghton (0-2) WATCH, Iron Mountain (1-1) at Manistique (1-1) WATCH, Gladstone (0-2) at Kingsford (1-1) WATCH, Ishpeming Westwood (0-2) at Menominee (2-0) WATCH.
West Michigan
Caledonia (2-0) at Hudsonville (2-0) WATCH
These two are among four Ottawa-Kent Conference Red teams that have started 2-0, with three more at 1-1 as league play begins. Grandville and Rockford have especially notable wins among that 1-1 group, and this league race truly could be wide open – which will make every game including this one especially important. Hudsonville last season broke a three-year losing streak against Caledonia, and despite substantial graduations has opened with impressive victories over Byron Center and East Lansing. The Fighting Scots’ 56 points last week against Muskegon Reeths-Puffer were their most since 2023.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Hudsonville Unity Christian (2-0) at Ada Forest Hills Eastern (2-0) WATCH, Grand Rapids West Catholic (1-1) at Grand Rapids South Christian (1-1), East Kentwood (2-0) at Jenison (2-0), Grand Rapids Northview (2-0) at Sparta (2-0).
8-Player
Pickford (2-0) at Newberry (2-0)
Pickford has won the last two Great Lakes Eight Conference East titles, and last year’s run to finishing Division 1 runner-up included a 44-14 win over Newberry. But Newberry already has one victory this season over a team that reached Superior Dome a year ago – 22-20 over reigning Division 2 champion Crystal Falls Forest Park in Week 1 – and last week’s 34-14 victory over Ontonagon also avenged a 2024 loss.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Deckerville (2-0) at Bad Axe (2-0) WATCH, Adrian Lenawee Christian (2-0) at Climax-Scotts (1-1), Britton Deerfield (1-1) at Colon (2-0), Concord (2-0) at Mendon (2-0) WATCH.
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PHOTO Ithaca and Lawton players attempt to reel in a pass during the Yellowjackets' Week 2 win. (Photo by High School Sports Scene.)