Week 5 Football Playoff Listing

September 18, 2012

Here is a list of Michigan High School Athletic Association football playing schools, displaying their win-loss records and playoff averages through the fourth week of the season.

Schools on this list are in enrollment order. An asterisk (*) beside a record indicates that a team has eight or fewer games scheduled. A carrot (^) beside a school’s name indicates that a team is one win away from playoff qualification.

Those schools with 11-player teams with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules, or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer, will qualify for the MHSAA Football Playoffs beginning Oct. 26-27. Schools with 5-4, 4-3 or 4-4 records may qualify if the number of potential qualifiers by win total does not reach the 256 mark. Schools with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer may be subtracted from the field based on playoff average if the number of potential qualifiers exceeds the 256 mark.

Once the 256 qualifying schools are determined, they will be divided by enrollment groups into eight equal divisions of 32 schools, and then drawn into regions of eight teams each and districts of four teams each.

Those schools with 8-player teams will be ranked by playoff average at season’s end, and the top 16 programs will be drawn into regions of eight teams each for the playoff in that division, which also begins Oct. 26-27.

To review a list of all football playoff schools, individual school playoff point details and to report errors, visit the Football page of the MHSAA Website.

The announcement of the qualifiers and first round pairings for both the 11 and 8-player playoffs will take place on Oct. 21 on the Selection Sunday Show on FOX Sports Detroit at 7 p.m. The playoff qualifiers and pairings will be posted to the MHSAA Website following the Selection Sunday Show.

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11-Player Playoff Listing

1. Utica Eisenhower, 2772, 3-1, 72.500

2. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 2766, 3-1, 68.500

3. Clarkston, 2721, 4-0, 90.000

4. Macomb Dakota, 2608, 3-1, 72.500

5. Lake Orion, 2565, 4-0, 90.000

6. Troy, 2502, 3-1, 70.500

7. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2462, 3-1, 74.250

8. Dearborn Fordson, 2442, 3-1, 76.250

9. Holland West Ottawa, 2262, 3-1, 66.500

10. Detroit Cass Tech, 2200, 4-0, 92.000

11. Canton, 2166, 3-1, 62.750

12. Monroe, 2154, 4-0, 82.000

13. Plymouth, 2050, 3-1, 62.750

14. Salem, 2039, 4-0, 88.000

15. Livonia Stevenson, 2005, 4-0, 92.000

16. Hartland, 1932, 4-0, 88.000

17. Warren Mott, 1879, 4-0, 84.000

18. Livonia Churchill, 1877, 4-0, 94.000

19. Walled Lake Central, 1857, 3-1, 64.750

20. Saline, 1849, 3-1, 62.250

21. Grandville, 1846, 3-1, 64.750

22. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1772, 4-0, 82.000

23. Grand Ledge, 1743, 3-1, 64.250

24. Rochester, 1725, 3-1, 68.750

25. Traverse City West, 1720, 3-1, 62.250

26. White Lake Lakeland, 1700, 3-1, 64.250

27. Davison, 1664, 3-1, 64.750

28. Grosse Pointe South, 1648, 3-1, 70.500

29. Temperance Bedford, 1581, 3-1, 58.750

30. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1520, 3-1, 64.750

31. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1520, 3-1, 66.750

32. Midland, 1485, 4-0, 94.000

33. Port Huron, 1473, 3-1, 66.500

34. Traverse City Central, 1429, 3-1, 64.000

35. Oak Park, 1391, 4-0, 94.000

36. Lansing Everett, 1359, 4-0, 96.000

37. Birmingham Seaholm, 1349, 3-1, 62.500

38. Garden City, 1344, 3-1, 64.250

39. Portage Central, 1340, 3-1, 66.750

40. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1337, 3-1, 52.750

41. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1336, 3-1, 70.750

42. Portage Northern, 1328, 3-1, 70.750

43. Caledonia, 1308, 4-0, 90.000

44. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1304, 4-0, 78.000

45. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1302, 3-1, 68.250

46. Farmington, 1278, 4-0, 90.000

47. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 1278, 3-1, 64.750

48. Taylor Truman, 1253, 4-0, 88.000

49. Swartz Creek, 1223, 4-0, 90.000

50. Fenton, 1202, 3-1, 60.750

51. Grand Rapids Northview, 1180, 3-1, 62.000

52. Lowell, 1177, 3-1, 66.750

53. Bay City Western, 1171, 4-0, 72.000

54. Gibraltar Carlson, 1160, 4-0, 78.000

55. Muskegon, 1144, 4-0, 98.000

56. East Lansing, 1142, 4-0, 76.000

57. Mattawan, 1124, 4-0, 82.000

58. Marquette*, 1112, 3-1, 68.250

59. Redford Thurston, 1088, 3-1, 52.500

60. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1080, 4-0, 82.000

61. St. Johns, 1068, 4-0, 82.000

62. Zeeland East, 1067, 4-0, 88.000

63. Detroit East English, 1030, 3-1, 60.750

64. Lansing Waverly, 1011, 3-1, 54.750

65. St. Joseph, 974, 3-1, 58.500

66. Mason, 969, 4-0, 76.000

67. Milan, 959, 4-0, 78.000

68. Grand Rapids Christian, 954, 3-1, 68.750

69. Cedar Springs, 950, 3-1, 50.250

70. DeWitt, 931, 3-1, 62.750

71. Fruitport, 929, 4-0, 76.000

72. Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 926, 3-1, 66.750

73. Bloomfield Hills Lahser, 925, 4-0, 78.000

74. Linden, 923, 4-0, 92.000

75. Niles, 920, 3-1, 66.750

76. Hazel Park, 909, 3-1, 58.750

77. Stevensville Lakeshore, 906, 4-0, 94.000

78. St. Clair, 901, 4-0, 74.000

79. Tecumseh, 887, 4-0, 82.000

80. Carleton Airport, 868, 3-1, 60.500

81. Detroit Central Collegiate, 868, 3-1, 60.250

82. Hastings, 850, 3-1, 54.750

83. Plainwell, 832, 3-1, 62.750

84. Cadillac, 820, 4-0, 80.000

85. Madison Heights Lamphere, 814, 3-1, 60.750

86. Edwardsburg, 805, 3-1, 52.500

87. North Branch, 803, 3-1, 56.500

88. Hamilton, 801, 4-0, 80.000

89. Marysville, 794, 4-0, 84.000

90. Three Rivers, 760, 3-1, 52.500

91. Goodrich, 748, 3-1, 56.500

92. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 720, 4-0, 82.000

93. Big Rapids, 706, 3-1, 48.750

94. Croswell-Lexington, 704, 4-0, 82.000

95. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 704, 3-1, 62.500

96. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 701, 4-0, 78.000

97. Otsego, 698, 3-1, 54.500

98. Detroit Country Day, 685, 3-1, 66.250

99. Comstock Park, 678, 3-1, 60.000

100. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 674, 4-0, 76.000

101. Grand Rapids South Christian, 660, 3-1, 56.500

102. Battle Creek Pennfield, 656, 4-0, 56.000

103. Grosse Ile, 649, 3-1, 52.750

104. Saginaw Swan Valley, 642, 4-0, 72.000

105. Paw Paw, 639, 4-0, 68.000

106. Allendale, 636, 3-1, 66.500

107. Williamston, 636, 3-1, 56.750

108. Cheboygan, 631, 3-1, 58.500

109. Marine City, 629, 3-1, 66.250

110. Alma, 614, 3-1, 60.750

111. Saginaw Valley Lutheran, 608, 3-1, 36.750

112. Dowagiac, 605, 4-0, 74.000

113. Livonia Clarenceville, 597, 3-1, 57.417

114. Clawson, 582, 3-1, 46.500

115. Remus Chippewa Hills, 581, 3-1, 50.500

116. Essexville Garber, 572, 3-1, 54.500

117. Clinton Township Clintondale, 570, 4-0, 78.000

118. Lake Fenton, 564, 3-1, 54.500

119. Freeland, 561, 3-1, 54.500

120. Kingsford, 559, 3-1, 50.750

121. Portland, 555, 4-0, 72.000

122. Flint Powers Catholic, 542, 4-0, 78.000

123. Menominee, 539, 4-0, 82.000

124. Macomb Lutheran North, 537, 4-0, 74.000

125. Hopkins, 531, 4-0, 64.000

126. Detroit University Prep, 528, 4-0, 72.667

127. Grayling, 516, 4-0, 66.000

128. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 515, 3-1, 48.750

129. Allen Park Cabrini, 512, 3-1, 42.750

130. Olivet, 509, 3-1, 48.750

131. Frankenmuth, 507, 4-0, 72.000

132. Newaygo, 507, 3-1, 54.750

133. Ida, 503, 4-0, 64.000

134. River Rouge, 495, 4-0, 66.667

135. Carrollton, 492, 4-0, 56.000

136. Lansing Catholic, 487, 3-1, 52.500

137. Reed City, 480, 4-0, 70.000

138. Muskegon Oakridge, 474, 4-0, 68.000

139. Kingsley, 473, 3-1, 40.250

140. Jackson Lumen Christi, 472, 4-0, 74.000

141. Buchanan, 467, 3-1, 50.500

142. Leslie, 467, 4-0, 66.000

143. Roscommon, 461, 3-1, 46.750

144. Kalkaska, 459, 3-1, 38.750

145. Millington*, 459, 3-1, 58.750

146. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 446, 4-0, 66.000

147. Boyne City, 437, 4-0, 66.000

148. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 437, 3-1, 52.500

149. Negaunee, 433, 4-0, 66.000

150. Beaverton, 422, 3-1, 40.250

151. Hemlock, 421, 3-1, 56.750

152. Shelby, 417, 4-0, 78.000

153. Vassar, 416, 4-0, 50.000

154. Clinton, 413, 4-0, 68.000

155. Maple City Glen Lake, 409, 4-0, 54.000

156. Michigan Center, 406, 4-0, 64.000

157. Manchester, 404, 3-1, 44.750

158. Ithaca, 402, 4-0, 76.000

159. Montrose Hill-McCloy, 400, 3-1, 58.750

160. Niles Brandywine, 396, 3-1, 38.917

161. Grass Lake, 395, 3-1, 48.750

162. Hillsdale, 391, 4-0, 70.000

163. Madison Heights Madison, 391, 3-1, 58.000

164. Ecorse, 390, 3-1, 42.500

165. Montague, 390, 3-1, 50.750

166. Sanford Meridian, 388, 3-1, 48.250

167. Saranac, 383, 3-1, 50.250

168. Constantine, 371, 3-1, 44.750

169. Grandville Calvin Christian, 371, 3-1, 46.750

170. Watervliet, 369, 4-0, 48.000

171. Schoolcraft, 366, 4-0, 68.000

172. Byron Area, 364, 3-1, 40.750

173. Reese, 350, 4-0, 54.000

174. Union City, 350, 4-0, 54.000

175. Burton Bendle, 348, 3-1, 40.750

176. Pellston, 347, 4-0, 32.000

177. Saginaw Nouvel, 344, 3-1, 64.750

178. Carson City-Crystal, 337, 3-1, 34.250

179. Hartford, 337, 4-0, 62.667

180. Marlette, 336, 4-0, 56.000

181. Whittemore-Prescott, 328, 3-1, 40.750

182. Lawton, 317, 4-0, 60.000

183. Lake City, 316, 4-0, 48.000

184. Pewamo-Westphalia, 316, 3-1, 46.500

185. Hesperia, 309, 3-1, 38.500

186. Ishpeming, 307, 4-0, 62.000

187. Unionville-Sebewaing, 303, 3-1, 38.500

188. Evart, 302, 3-1, 34.750

189. Homer, 302, 3-1, 36.750

190. Detroit Loyola, 298, 4-0, 76.000

191. Lincoln Alcona, 292, 3-1, 30.500

192. Genesee, 288, 3-1, 34.000

193. Mancelona, 288, 4-0, 50.000

194. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic, 284, 3-1, 56.750

195. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 283, 3-1, 36.500

196. Reading, 283, 3-1, 38.500

197. Decatur, 277, 4-0, 50.000

198. Gobles, 271, 3-1, 38.750

199. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 268, 3-1, 40.750

200. Waterford Our Lady, 263, 4-0, 64.000

201. Newberry, 260, 3-1, 26.750

202. Mayville, 258, 3-1, 50.500

203. Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech, 254, 3-1, 52.500

204. Marcellus, 249, 4-0, 44.000

205. Harbor Beach, 245, 3-1, 38.750

206. Vestaburg, 242, 3-1, 36.500

207. Coleman, 239, 3-1, 38.250

208. New Lothrop, 237, 4-0, 64.000

209. Bessemer*, 233, 3-1, 38.750

210. L'Anse, 233, 4-0, 54.000

211. Petersburg-Summerfield, 232, 3-1, 40.750

212. Atlanta, 224, 3-1, 30.917

213. Mendon, 216, 4-0, 50.000

214. Beal City, 213, 4-0, 68.000

215. Pittsford, 213, 3-1, 36.250

216. Morenci, 207, 3-1, 40.000

217. St. Ignace La Salle, 207, 4-0, 46.000

218. Pickford, 197, 4-0, 48.000

219. Onaway, 194, 4-0, 38.000

220. Powers North Central, 194, 3-1, 26.250

221. Fowler, 186, 3-1, 48.750

222. Climax-Scotts, 183, 4-0, 44.000

223. Morrice, 171, 4-0, 48.000

224. St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic*, 171, 3-0, 46.667

225. Colon, 164, 3-1, 30.750

226. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 164, 4-0, 48.000

227. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 121, 3-1, 42.750

228. Iron Mountain North Dickinson*^, 112, 4-0, 54.000

229. Ashley, 99, 3-1, 28.500

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8-Player Playoff Listing

1. Deckerville, 194, 3-1, 36.750

2. Battle Creek St. Philip, 182, 3-1, 34.750

3. Kingston, 175, 3-1, 30.500

4. Cedarville, 169, 4-0, 45.333

5. Peck, 156, 4-0, 40.000

6. Eben Junction Superior Central, 132, 4-0, 42.000

7. Rapid River, 115, 4-0, 34.000

8. Portland St. Patrick, 104, 4-0, 46.000

9. Owendale-Gagetown, 60, 3-1, 32.250

Drive for Detroit: Playoff Week 1 Review

November 4, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Everything starts fresh in the playoffs. It’s not supposed to matter which teams have dominated during the regular season or won the first time when two rivals are set to meet again.

When coaches need a little help convincing their players of any of that, they should remember this first weekend of the 2019 postseason.

Upsets abounded, rematches reversed, and a few brackets saw some serious shake-up during the Pre-District and Pre-Regional rounds in 11- and 8-player, respectively.

Our weekly review, playoff edition, glances at some of the results from every division as we move one step closer to Ford Field and the Superior Dome.

"Drive for Detroit" is sponsored by MI Student Aid.

11-Player

Division 1

HEADLINER Macomb Dakota 34, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 13 The reigning Division 1 champion Big Reds (9-1) had won 23 straight games including three during that time over rival Dakota, but this year’s first meeting was an indication of what might be possible. Chippewa Valley won the Week 6 meeting only 27-21, and unlike last year – when the Big Reds won the regular-season game by seven and the playoff rematch by 41 – Dakota flipped the result for perhaps the biggest upset from a weekend full of them. Click for more from the Macomb Daily and see highlights below from State Champs Sports Network.

District Digest East Kentwood 38, Rockford 12 This nearly overtook the above for biggest upset statewide. A week after Rockford (8-2) downed East Kentwood 17-7 to lock up the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red title, the Falcons (6-4) stormed back to hand the Rams their earliest playoff exit since 2002. Belleville 49, Saline 10 This matchup of 2018 semifinalists went Belleville’s way big as the Tigers (10-0) achieved double-digit wins for the third straight season and held the Hornets (8-2) to their fewest points this season. Detroit Cass Tech 24, Grosse Pointe South 17 The Technicians (6-4) may have made the playoffs as an additional qualifier, but they always are tough to beat in the postseason and advanced to the District Finals for the 12th straight year. The Blue Devils finished 7-3. Davison 35, Romeo 21 The Cardinals (8-2) bounced back from a Week 9 loss to Lapeer and also a first-round playoff exit a year ago to get past Romeo (7-3) and earn a rematch this week with the Lightning.

Division 2

HEADLINER Detroit U-D Jesuit 34, North Farmington 21 The Cubs (7-3) did win the Detroit Catholic League AA title this fall, but had to beat Dearborn Divine Child a second time Week 9 to make the playoffs as an automatic qualifier. So on paper, they may not have been expected to hand North Farmington (9-1) its first and only loss – although digging deeper, it’s key to remember Jesuit’s defeats were to annual powers Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice, Detroit Catholic Central and Warren De La Salle Collegiate – valuable preparation for games of this magnitude. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

District Digest Farmington 12, Oak Park 6 The Falcons (8-1) fell short of winning the Oakland Activities Association Blue because of a four-point loss to North Farmington, but they’ll play for a District title after this win over the OAA White champion Knights (8-2). Midland Dow 27, Traverse City Central 24 The Chargers (7-3) are riding as hot a streak as any team in the state and followed up a league title-clinching win Week 9 by edging the Big North Conference champion Trojans (8-2). Muskegon Mona Shores 20, Midland 13 The Sailors (8-2) began a march they hope leads to a second-straight trip to Ford Field with a second straight win over the Chemics (8-2) after also defeating them in last year’s Semifinal. Port Huron 27, Port Huron Northern 21 The Big Reds (7-3) broke a three-game losing streak against their crosstown rival as they continued their best season since 2014. Northern (8-2) had won the first meeting Week 7, 29-26, but lost star defensive end Braiden McGregor to a season-ending injury in that victory.

Division 3

HEADLINER St. Johns 17, Mason 7 The Redwings (7-3) have made nice strides under first-year coach Andy Schmitt this fall, with their best record since 2015. But they’ve also made big improvements over just the last five weeks – St. Johns had fallen to Mason 46-7 in Week 5, and the Bulldogs (9-1) went on to achieve their first undefeated regular season. The rematch win gave the Redwings a 6-2 advantage on Mason since the teams became part of the same league in 2014. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal and see highlights from WILX.

District Digest DeWitt 21, East Lansing 13 On the other side of the District from St. Johns, DeWitt (8-2) avenged its only Capital Area Activities Conference Blue defeat by downing the Trojans (7-3) in a matchup of two of the three teams that shared the league title. Flint Kearsley 20, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 19 The Hornets (8-2) made their first playoff game since 1998 count winning a game that saw both teams score during the final minutes. Rice finished 6-4. Cedar Springs 34, Mount Pleasant 7 The Red Hawks (9-1) will play for a District title for the third-straight season after opening the playoffs for the second straight with a win over the Oilers (7-3). Zeeland West 38, Zeeland East 7 The Dux (9-1) avoided the rematch upset that had occurred between these rivals in the playoffs three of the last seven years, finishing a season sweep of the neighboring Chix (5-5).

Division 4

HEADLINER Sparta 35, Muskegon Orchard View 0 This looked on paper like potentially one of the first round’s best matchups, and Sparta (9-1) showed up big in its first playoff game since 2013. The Spartans not only handed Orchard View (9-1) its lone loss, but shut out an offense averaging 40.7 points per game entering the weekend. See highlights below from FOX 17.

District Digest Grand Rapids South Christian 31, Grand Rapids Christian 28 The Sailors had given Grand Rapids Christian (7-3) one of the latter’s two closest O-K Gold games, losing by just seven Week 7. South Christian (6-4) avenged that 27-20 defeat, hanging on after a late Eagles score. Cadillac 35, Escanaba 12 The Vikings’ first playoff win since 2013 came at Escanaba (7-3) against a team that had won three straight District titles. Cadillac (6-4) heads back over the Bridge this week to Sault Ste. Marie. Fowlerville 29, Goodrich 28 (OT) The Gladiators (7-3) went for a 2-point conversion after its overtime touchdown and knocked out a league champion in the Martians (7-3). Milan 14, Carleton Airport 13 The Big Reds (10-0) narrowly escaped joining the list of those who suffered rematch downfalls, getting past Airport (6-4) for the second time in three weeks after winning the Week 8 meeting 20-6.

Division 5

HEADLINER Almont 30, Richmond 20 The Raiders traveled to Richmond (8-2) for the second time in four weeks and came home victorious again against the team it defeated previously to clinch a share of the Blue Water Area Conference title. Almont (10-0), which then won the league outright, also reached double-digit wins for the second-straight season and will play this week for what would be its first District title since 2014. Click for more from the Port Huron Times Herald.

District Digest Kalamazoo United 16, Berrien Springs 12 The Titans (6-4) are surging, claiming a share of their league title Week 9 against previously-unbeaten Schoolcraft and this week ending the season for another undefeated team in the Shamrocks (8-1). Lansing Catholic 28, Olivet 21 The Cougars (9-1) got past Olivet (8-2) in the first round for the third-straight year to again earn a chance to avenge its only loss against rival Portland. Dearborn Heights Robichaud 29, Dundee 28 A fourth-quarter score gave the Bulldogs (8-2) their first playoff win since 2015 and sent Dundee to 5-5, still tying its winningest season since 2012. Whitmore Lake 45, Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard 28 The Trojans (8-2) earned their first postseason win since 2006 by avenging a 22-20 Week 5 loss to the Fighting Irish (5-5).

Division 6

HEADLINER Sanford Meridian 19, Ithaca 14 Talk about perseverance. The Mustangs (7-3) are in the playoffs for the first time since 2015 and after three straight sub-.500 seasons. During their last three-year playoff stretch from 2013-15, they were eliminated by Ithaca (8-2) twice. And Meridian also put this win together on the road and coming off its third loss over the final five weeks of the regular season. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun and see highlights below from MI Sports Now.

District Digest Menominee 48, Ishpeming Westwood 18 The Maroons (7-3) moved to 24-8 in playoff contests this decade and appear to be heating up with at least 47 points for the third straight game, this total the most given up by Westwood (7-3) since 2013. Harrison 38, Clare 6 The Pioneers (8-2) rarely lose during the Jack Pine Conference season, but Harrison (6-4) came back from a 42-40 Week 3 defeat to win this rematch 38-6. Constantine 58, Niles Brandywine 8 The Falcons’ best season since 2014 now includes a share of a league title and handing the only loss to Brandywine (9-1). Constantine (8-2) increased its points per game average to 42.3. Millington 21, Flint Hamady 14 The Cardinals (6-4) extended their playoff season streak to 16 as an additional qualifier, then opened the postseason by defeating a league champion in Hamady (7-2).

Division 7

HEADLINER Riverview Gabriel Richard 17, Clinton 14 The Pioneers won on a field goal as the final seconds ticked off the clock. Gabriel Richard (8-2) has had a nice run over the last five years and will play in its fourth District Final during that time and third straight. But this still likely was considered a slight upset with Clinton (9-1) undefeated for the regular season for the fifth time in eight years and having beaten all but one of its opponents this fall by double digits. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.

District Digest Charlevoix 32, Harbor Springs 0 The Rayders (7-3) won in the playoffs for the first time with their first shutout of the season and after also defeating Harbor Springs (6-4) 47-27 in Week 9. McBain 14, Oscoda 12 The Owls (8-2) were playing for their first playoff win since 2000, but McBain (6-4) held on to book a return trip to the District Finals. Lawton 7, Centreville 3 These teams combined to gain only 384 yards and punt seven times, which made sense since Lawton (10-0) gives up 7.8 points per game and Centreville (6-4) gave up 8.6 per game this fall. Detroit Loyola 26, Detroit Central 12 After facing six eventual playoff qualifiers during the regular season, Loyola (5-4) made the prep pay off in handing Central (8-2) its first defeat since Week 1.

Division 8

HEADLINER Flint Beecher 52, Clarkston Everest Collegiate 25 Beecher (6-3) worked through a 1-2 start and then an open Week 7 to reach the postseason, then kickoff off the playoffs by handing the Mountaineers (8-1) their only defeat. The teams had also met in the playoffs last year, a 22-14 Buccaneers District Final win, and this time Beecher took off for its highest-scoring game of the fall.

District Digest Lake Linden-Hubbell 36, West Iron County 14 The Lakes’ first playoff win since 2016 improved them to 7-3 and avenged a 24-16 Week 6 loss to the Wykons (7-3). Saginaw Nouvel 33, Merrill 13 Three straight losses at the end of the regular season forced Nouvel (6-4) to win Week 9 to have a chance at earning an additional qualifier spot, and now the Panthers are on a two-win streak after downing the Vandals (6-4). Reading 38, Mendon 0 The reigning Division 8 champ Rangers (9-1) started this playoff run with their fourth shutout over the last five weeks, ending Mendon’s season at 7-3. Sand Creek 52, Addison 24 The Aggies (8-2) finished third in a strong Tri-County Conference and earned the league more fame by doubling up the Cascades Conference-winning Panthers (7-3).

8-Player

Division 1

HEADLINER Gaylord St. Mary 48, Pellston 6 The Snowbirds (5-5) quickly ended Pellston’s first playoffs, locking down an offense that averaged 42.4 points per game. The Hornets’ only other defeat this fall came against Hillman as they finished 8-2 to end a streak of 22 straight sub-.500 seasons. Next up for St. Mary is Suttons Bay, which it beat on the field by a point in Week 6. Click for more from the Gaylord Herald Times.

Regional Roundup Mio 34, Mayville 22 The Thunderbolts (9-1) extended their first 8-player season with their first playoff win since 2010, ending what tied for the winningest season for Mayville (6-4) since 1987. Kingston 58, Mesick 22 The Cardinals (8-2) made their first Regional Final since 2014 by defeating a league champion in Mesick (7-3), which concluded its winningest season since 1995. Martin 28, Bellevue 0 The Clippers (10-0) reached double-digit wins for the first time since 1987 with their first playoff victory since 2007, handing Bellevue (6-4) its first shutout since 2016.

Division 2

HEADLINER Powers North Central 46, Crystal Falls Forest Park 28 These rivals were two of the top seven teams in Division 2 by playoff point average, with North Central tied for the top spot. After falling in the teams’ first meeting 34-8, Forest Park scored first in the rematch but couldn’t keep pace with a Jets offense averaging 53.3 points per game. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.

Regional Roundup Onekama 22, Wyoming Tri-unity Christian 20 The reigning Division 2 runner-up escaped a quicker exit against former league foe Tri-unity (5-5), which had beaten the Portagers (7-3) by two when they last met a year ago. Pickford 57, Engadine 12 The reigning Division 1 runner-up earned its second win this season over Engadine (8-2), which lost only to Pickford (9-1) this fall. Climax-Scotts 26, Brethren 6 The Panthers (8-2) bounced back from a two-point Week 9 loss to unbeaten Martin with a nice win over a Brethren team that strung together back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time and finished this fall 5-5.

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PHOTO: After breaking a couple of tackles and almost getting pushed out of bounds, Menominee's Keagan Moore dives for the end zone and scores. (Photo by Cara Kamps.)