Week 8 Football Playoff Listing
October 15, 2013
Here is a list of Michigan High School Athletic Association football playing schools, displaying their win-loss records and playoff averages through the seventh 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 caret (^) 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 Nov. 1-2. 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 Nov. 1-2.
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. 27 on the Selection Sunday Show at 7 p.m. on FOX Sports Detroit. 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, 4-3, 58.429
2. Clarkston, 2737, 6-1, 87.286
3. Macomb Dakota, 2693, 7-0, 100.571
4. Howell, 2672, 4-3, 57.857
5. Grand Blanc, 2624, 6-1, 91.000
6. East Kentwood ^, 2612, 5-2, 73.143
7. Rockford, 2572, 6-1, 91.000
8. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2506, 7-0, 104.000
9. Lake Orion, 2490, 6-1, 85.143
10. Dearborn Fordson, 2309, 4-3, 61.048
11. Holland West Ottawa, 2293, 4-3, 59.286
12. Northville, 2275, 6-1, 86.000
13. Detroit Cass Tech, 2262, 7-0, 100.571
14. Brighton ^, 2164, 5-2, 77.000
15. Monroe ^, 2145, 5-2, 67.857
16. Detroit Catholic Central, 2132, 6-1, 85.810
17. Plymouth ^, 2126, 5-2, 67.429
18. Canton, 2078, 7-0, 106.286
19. Novi, 1986, 4-3, 55.571
20. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, 1965, 6-1, 85.000
21. West Bloomfield, 1941, 4-3, 57.857
22. Saline, 1897, 6-1, 88.000
23. Westland John Glenn, 1880, 4-3, 54.143
24. Holt, 1866, 4-3, 58.000
25. Warren Mott, 1796, 7-0, 92.571
26. Rochester Hills Stoney Creek ^, 1759, 5-2, 72.000
27. Hudsonville, 1736, 4-3, 62.571
28. Ann Arbor Skyline, 1715, 4-3, 54.143
29. Grand Ledge, 1715, 4-3, 55.571
30. Belleville ^, 1714, 5-2, 69.714
31. Davison, 1692, 4-3, 47.571
32. Walled Lake Northern ^, 1688, 5-2, 70.714
33. Traverse City West, 1653, 4-3, 61.857
34. Rochester, 1615, 4-3, 55.286
35. Waterford Kettering, 1604, 4-3, 54.571
36. Temperance Bedford, 1600, 7-0, 108.571
37. Grosse Pointe South, 1598, 4-3, 57.571
38. Rochester Adams, 1582, 4-3, 60.286
39. Saginaw Heritage, 1575, 4-3, 57.000
40. Warren DeLaSalle ^, 1564, 5-2, 79.200
41. Walled Lake Western, 1556, 7-0, 99.429
42. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1488, 6-1, 84.286
43. Detroit U-D Jesuit, 1476, 4-3, 59.857
44. Midland, 1462, 6-1, 87.571
45. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1460, 6-1, 79.714
46. Pinckney ^, 1452, 5-2, 72.143
47. Traverse City Central, 1448, 4-3, 52.952
48. Oak Park ^, 1438, 5-2, 71.143
49. Detroit Martin Luther King *, 1432, 6-0, 97.714
50. Ypsilanti Community, 1399, 4-3, 49.000
51. Port Huron ^, 1398, 5-2, 68.548
52. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1373, 7-0, 102.857
53. Portage Central, 1372, 7-0, 99.429
54. Lansing Everett ^, 1369, 5-2, 63.714
55. Portage Northern ^, 1364, 5-2, 72.571
56. Southfield, 1356, 6-1, 93.429
57. North Farmington *^, 1352, 4-3, 53.810
58. Caledonia ^, 1350, 5-2, 66.714
59. Battle Creek Lakeview, 1348, 7-0, 84.571
60. Birmingham Seaholm, 1337, 7-0, 93.714
61. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1326, 7-0, 104.857
62. Grosse Pointe North, 1323, 4-3, 58.571
63. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1314, 6-1, 86.429
64. Midland Dow, 1304, 6-1, 83.000
65. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1300, 6-1, 91.000
66. South Lyon ^, 1277, 5-2, 72.143
67. Swartz Creek, 1277, 4-3, 57.024
68. Birmingham Groves, 1274, 7-0, 93.714
69. Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills, 1231, 4-3, 46.143
70. Fenton, 1188, 7-0, 97.143
71. Grand Rapids Northview, 1182, 4-3, 54.857
72. Warren Woods Tower ^, 1170, 5-2, 55.429
73. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1151, 6-1, 86.143
74. Lowell, 1146, 7-0, 110.857
75. Taylor Truman, 1131, 6-1, 81.714
76. Holly, 1124, 4-3, 55.714
77. Muskegon, 1118, 6-1, 92.286
78. Lapeer East, 1113, 4-3, 55.714
79. Marquette *, 1110, 5-1, 79.381
80. Detroit East English ^, 1109, 5-2, 64.738
81. Detroit Cody, 1106, 4-3, 51.429
82. Allen Park ^, 1103, 5-2, 72.429
83. Detroit Renaissance, 1097, 4-3, 48.857
84. Detroit Mumford, 1090, 6-1, 78.571
85. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1079, 6-1, 77.429
86. Zeeland East ^, 1071, 5-2, 72.286
87. Lapeer West, 1063, 6-1, 89.571
88. Redford Thurston, 1063, 4-3, 60.714
89. Byron Center ^, 1039, 5-2, 63.714
90. Mt. Pleasant, 1033, 6-1, 87.714
91. Riverview ^, 993, 5-2, 59.857
92. St. Joseph, 986, 7-0, 97.143
93. Petoskey, 965, 4-3, 55.571
94. Mason ^, 958, 5-2, 62.000
95. East Grand Rapids, 949, 4-3, 56.857
96. Linden, 944, 4-3, 52.000
97. DeWitt, 941, 7-0, 101.943
98. Sault Ste. Marie, 928, 4-3, 52.857
99. Grand Rapids Christian, 927, 6-1, 87.571
100. Detroit Denby ^, 909, 5-2, 60.833
101. Haslett ^, 907, 5-2, 65.143
102. Stevensville Lakeshore, 892, 4-3, 51.429
103. Fruitport ^, 886, 5-2, 58.571
104. Romulus, 882, 4-3, 44.000
105. Milan, 872, 7-0, 94.857
106. St. Clair, 869, 7-0, 92.571
107. Tecumseh ^, 869, 5-2, 66.000
108. Sturgis, 868, 4-3, 53.286
109. Wayland Union, 861, 4-3, 59.143
110. Melvindale, 860, 6-1, 84.286
111. Plainwell, 852, 6-1, 77.429
112. Ionia ^, 851, 5-2, 62.000
113. Sparta ^, 851, 5-2, 61.571
114. Eaton Rapids, 844, 4-3, 49.143
115. Detroit Old Redford *, 838, 5-2, 59.571
116. Zeeland West, 833, 6-1, 78.286
117. Charlotte ^, 830, 5-2, 71.000
118. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 823, 6-1, 76.286
119. Dearborn Heights Annapolis, 818, 4-3, 49.143
120. North Branch, 809, 6-1, 70.429
121. Marysville, 791, 4-3, 51.000
122. Detroit Collegiate Prep, 790, 4-3, 44.286
123. Three Rivers, 789, 4-3, 43.429
124. Edwardsburg, 787, 7-0, 81.143
125. Holland Christian, 785, 4-3, 50.000
126. Spring Lake, 783, 6-1, 72.714
127. Cadillac, 779, 7-0, 94.095
128. Ogemaw Heights ^, 754, 5-2, 63.381
129. Croswell-Lexington, 738, 4-3, 47.714
130. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep ^, 732, 5-2, 65.571
131. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy, 724, 6-1, 70.476
132. Yale ^, 704, 5-2, 58.143
133. Comstock Park, 701, 7-0, 98.667
134. Detroit Country Day, 700, 4-3, 54.571
135. Fremont, 697, 4-3, 40.714
136. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 690, 4-3, 49.571
137. Otsego ^, 688, 5-2, 54.143
138. Corunna, 686, 4-3, 45.143
139. Lansing Sexton, 684, 7-0, 99.429
140. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 678, 4-3, 48.429
141. Allendale *, 676, 6-1, 77.429
142. Cheboygan ^, 660, 5-2, 66.238
143. Belding, 654, 4-3, 44.429
144. Battle Creek Pennfield, 652, 6-1, 65.857
145. Williamston *^, 651, 4-3, 46.714
146. Grand Rapids South Christian, 645, 6-1, 81.857
147. Saginaw Swan Valley, 644, 7-0, 85.714
148. Richmond, 642, 6-1, 74.000
149. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 635, 4-3, 54.714
150. Grosse Ile, 632, 4-3, 47.571
151. Paw Paw, 632, 7-0, 78.857
152. Dowagiac, 621, 6-1, 67.000
153. Lake Fenton, 613, 6-1, 70.429
154. Ludington, 610, 4-3, 43.000
155. Remus Chippewa Hills, 600, 4-3, 43.286
156. Marine City, 596, 7-0, 98.286
157. Wyoming Kelloggsville ^, 591, 5-2, 53.286
158. Clawson ^, 584, 5-2, 55.429
159. Essexville Garber ^, 583, 5-2, 60.857
160. Livonia Clarenceville, 577, 7-0, 84.571
161. Portland *, 572, 7-0, 89.143
162. Freeland, 568, 6-1, 69.429
163. River Rouge, 568, 6-1, 57.619
164. Kingsford ^, 561, 5-2, 56.095
165. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 560, 4-3, 36.000
166. Parchment, 552, 4-3, 43.286
167. Ovid-Elsie ^, 549, 5-2, 55.429
168. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 544, 6-1, 77.429
169. Clinton Township Clintondale, 544, 7-0, 81.143
170. North Muskegon ^, 541, 5-2, 51.571 |
171. Gladwin ^, 539, 5-2, 55.000
172. Frankenmuth, 527, 6-1, 79.000
173. Hopkins ^, 527, 5-2, 66.286
174. Almont, 524, 6-1, 71.571
175. Newaygo, 523, 6-1, 66.000
176. Standish-Sterling Central *, 520, 6-1, 72.571
177. Olivet, 505, 6-1, 63.571
178. Ida ^, 504, 5-2, 60.143
179. Detroit University Prep ^, 501, 5-2, 52.714
180. Menominee, 501, 7-0, 86.857
181. Muskegon Oakridge, 496, 6-1, 67.143
182. Grayling, 494, 6-1, 63.286
183. Reed City, 490, 7-0, 83.429
184. Riverview Gabriel Richard ^, 490, 5-2, 56.857
185. Dundee ^, 489, 5-2, 45.857
186. Lansing Catholic, 480, 4-3, 50.429
187. Clare ^, 451, 5-2, 51.857
188. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 445, 6-1, 76.286
189. Jackson Lumen Christi, 441, 7-0, 93.714
190. Kingsley ^, 439, 5-2, 48.286
191. Houghton, 437, 4-3, 34.196
192. Roscommon, 431, 4-3, 36.286
193. Millington ^, 430, 5-2, 59.571
194. Warren Michigan Collegiate ^, 428, 5-2, 57.143
195. Kalkaska ^, 425, 5-2, 49.429
196. Madison Heights Madison, 424, 7-0, 86.857
197. Sanford Meridian, 423, 6-1, 61.143
198. Michigan Center, 416, 6-1, 56.714
199. Negaunee, 416, 6-1, 52.286
200. Hanover-Horton, 412, 4-3, 35.857
201. Montrose Hill-McCloy, 411, 7-0, 82.286
202. Lakeview ^, 409, 5-2, 56.429
203. Grass Lake, 402, 6-1, 64.714
204. Shelby, 401, 7-0, 76.571
205. Elk Rapids ^, 400, 5-2, 57.143
206. Ithaca, 399, 7-0, 80 .000
207. Manchester, 398, 6-1, 61.429
208. Hillsdale, 397, 4-3, 47.429
209. Niles Brandywine, 397, 7-0, 79.286
210. Jonesville, 389, 6-1, 66.000
211. Grandville Calvin Christian, 388, 4-3, 47.143
212. Maple City Glen Lake, 388, 7-0, 72.000
213. Watervliet, 387, 7-0, 62.857
214. Vassar, 385, 4-3, 36.429
215. Boyne City, 383, 6-1, 62.571
216. Clinton, 383, 7-0, 76.571
217. Byron Area, 380, 6-1, 58.000
218. Constantine ^, 379, 5-2, 46.857
219. Adrian Madison, 374, 4-3, 35.000
220. Burton Bendle ^, 374, 5-2, 51.476
221. Montague ^, 373, 5-2, 58.714
222. St. Charles, 367, 4-3, 36.000
223. Quincy, 361, 4-3, 32.571
224. Hartford, 351, 4-3, 39.000
225. Cass City, 350, 4-3, 35.714
226. Indian River Inland Lakes ^, 348, 5-2, 40.333
227. Schoolcraft, 346, 6-1, 70.429
228. Flint Beecher ^, 345, 5-2, 55.286
229. Reese, 337, 6-1, 58.000
230. Saginaw Nouvel, 333, 6-1, 73.429
231. Marlette, 332, 7-0, 69.714
232. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 331, 6-1, 68.000
233. McBain, 326, 4-3, 38.571
234. Bath, 325, 4-3, 38.000
235. Hesperia, 324, 4-3, 38.714
236. Carson City-Crystal, 323, 7-0, 74.286
237. Bridgman, 320, 4-3, 39.000
238. Lake City, 314, 6-1, 55.714
239. Whittemore-Prescott ^, 309, 5-2, 49.571
240. Springport ^, 308, 5-2, 47.286
241. Lawton, 307, 7-0, 60.571
242. Southfield Christian, 306, 6-1, 55.571
243. East Jordan, 302, 4-3, 33.857
244. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker ^, 301, 5-2, 51.714
245. Ishpeming, 301, 7-0, 67.857 &
1st & Goal: 2024 Week 6 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 7, 2024
We don’t track margin of victory week to week during the Michigan high school football season. So only anecdotally we will say that Week 6 felt like it was filled with several more close games than usual across the state.
Total, 57 games were decided by eight points or fewer – in essence, a touchdown and 2-point conversion, or less – and those 57 games including 113 Michigan teams (with River Rouge playing an Ohio opponent).
In other words, 19 percent of our varsity teams were part of games decided by such a slim margin – including many of the results of intriguing matchups we highlight below.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Almont 29, Armada 28 Almont’s last-minute go-ahead score may end up deciding the Blue Water Area Conference championship as the Raiders (6-0) held on to win this matchup of undefeated teams. They can clinch a share of the title this week against Richmond, while Armada (5-1) fell into a second-place tie with North Branch – but with some hope as North Branch plays Almont in Week 8. Click for more from the Port Huron Times Herald.
Watch list Marysville 39, Marine City 20 Marysville (5-1) rebounded from a 35-0 opening-night loss to Almont to win five straight and clinch a share of the Macomb Area Conference Silver title – with an opportunity to win it outright this week against second-place St. Clair.
On the move Davison 35, East Lansing 10 Davison (5-1) built a strong nonleague schedule again for this season, and this final nonconference win bumped the Cardinals up to No. 9 in Division 1 playoff-point average while keeping East Lansing (3-3) still firmly in the Division 2 mix. Grand Blanc 35, Lapeer 21 The undefeated atop the Saginaw Valley League Red standings are down to Grand Blanc (5-1) and Davison, with Lapeer (4-2) holding on to a sliver of title share hope after taking its second league loss. Fenton 24, Linden 21 Fenton (6-0) took a field goal lead during the first quarter and continued to maintain that advantage to the end to clinch a share of the Flint Metro League Stripes title and send Linden to 3-3 – but with some title share hope as Fenton faces the other second-place team, Flushing, this week.
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Trenton 28, Gibraltar Carlson 14 Trenton (4-2) has strung together a nice comeback over the last month, with this win the necessary first step toward a possible – and what not long ago probably seemed improbable – opportunity to claim a share of the Downriver League title. The Trojans started this fall 0-2 with both losses in the league, but handed Carlson (5-1) its first. This week Trenton faces Downriver leader Allen Park – and with Allen Park and Carlson still to play as well. Click for more from the Southgate News-Herald.
Check out the highlights of Trenton's 28-14 win over Gibraltar Carlson from October 4th, 2024. Delivered by @hungryhowies. After starting the season 0-2, Trenton has won 4 straight games.@OnwardTrenton | @AshtonRooney_1 pic.twitter.com/z5Owy7l54x
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 5, 2024
Watch list Clawson 27, Clinton Township Clintondale 14 Reigning MAC Bronze champion Clawson (4-2) broke this season’s league standings open again, denying Clintondale (4-2) the opportunity to clinch a share of the title and setting up the possibility of three winners this season with Hazel Park also tied for first, one league game left for all three, and none of those three playing each other.
On the move Detroit Lincoln-King 50, Mount Clemens 0 Lincoln-King (6-0) posted its third straight shutout on the field (with a forfeit win during that run as well) and can clinch the Charter School Conference Silver title this week after sending Mount Clemens (4-2) into a tie for third place. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 34, Utica Eisenhower 31 (2 OT) All of a sudden the Big Reds (2-4) are only five spots out of making the Division 1 playoff field after stunning Eisenhower (5-1), which can still claim a share of the MAC Red title by defeating first-place Macomb Dakota this week. Oxford 18, Rochester Adams 17 After opening Oakland Activities Association Red play with an eight-point loss to Clarkston, Oxford has pushed back into a tie for first with a chance to clinch a share of the title this week against West Bloomfield. Oddly enough, Adams – with two league losses by a combined four points – could be part of a five-team title share if all five in the division finish 2-2 in league play.
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Fowler 14, Pewamo-Westphalia 11 Fowler (6-0) pulled into first place in the Central Michigan Athletic Conference and nearly pulled even with P-W (5-1) in their longstanding series. This was the Eagles’ second win in their last 10 meetings with the Pirates, but pulled Fowler to within one of tying P-W for wins in the 59-year rivalry. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
Watch list Leslie 36, Napoleon 28 With this win over reigning Cascades Conference East champion Napoleon (3-3), Leslie pulled within one more of clinching a share of this year’s title and with winless East Jackson up next. The Blackhawks (6-0) also have their most victories in a season since 2012, the last time they finished with a winning record.
On the move Ionia 21, Lansing Sexton 20 After this second-straight one-point win, Ionia (4-2) has avenged three of its losses from a year ago and needs two more victories to guarantee its best finish since 2013. Lansing Everett 35, Grand Ledge 12 Everett (5-1) bounced back from its loss to Grand Blanc with its first win over Grand Ledge (4-2) since 2019 – and with one more victory, would have its best finish since 2014. Mason 40, St. Johns 10 Mason (5-1) clinched a share of a sixth-straight Capital Area Activities Conference Red title by winning this matchup of league leaders, and also delivered St. Johns (5-1) its lone loss during what has been the Redwings’ best season since 2019.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Petoskey 42, Cadillac 18 The Northmen played themselves into a championship matchup in the Big North Conference this week, as they’ll face co-leader Marquette with two leagues games remaining for both. Petoskey also is 6-0 for the first time since 2011, tied last season’s win total with this one, and remains seventh in Division 3 playoff-point average while Cadillac (3-3) fell only one spot to No. 29. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.
Watch list Boyne City 21, Grayling 18 Boyne City (4-2) kept its destiny in its own hands, and it will face first-place Traverse City St. Francis in Week 9 with a chance to earn a share of the Northern Michigan Football League Legends championship.
On the move East Jordan 43, Mancelona 28 The Red Devils (4-2) bounced back from two-straight one-score losses to solidly reassert themselves in the middle of the potential Division 8 playoff field, with Mancelona (3-3) remaining in that mix as well. Traverse City St. Francis 55, Cheboygan 6 The Gladiators (5-1) won their third straight to clinch a share of the NMFL Legends title and send Cheboygan to 3-3. Charlevoix 28, Elk Rapids 0 The Rayders (4-2) are league champions as well with this clinching a share in the NMFL Leaders.
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 34, Riverview 15 Two straight power-packed weeks in the Huron League have left Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central in first place and Riverview and Flat Rock both a game back, with SMCC facing Flat Rock this week with at least a share of the league title on the line. This was billed as Riverview’s powerful offense against the Falcons’ unyielding defense, and the latter won out to give SMCC its first victory over the Pirates since 2019. Click for more from the Monroe News.
Watch list Dexter 42, Ann Arbor Pioneer 6 Dexter (6-0) clinched the Southeastern Conference Red championship, in part by sending Pioneer (4-2) into a tie for second place. The Dreadnaughts can claim the title outright this week at Monroe.
On the move Jackson Lumen Christi 63, Toledo St. Francis de Sales 35 In a winner-take-all for the Catholic High School League AA championship, Lumen Christi (5-1) clinched it and has won all six of its CHSL games since entering the league last fall. Ottawa Lake Whiteford 65, Erie Mason 8 Petersburg Summerfield clinched a share of the Tri-County Conference title by way of this Whiteford win, but the Bobcats (5-1) no doubt will be cheering for Mason next week to defeat Summerfield, which would create a shared title among all three. Chelsea 38, Tecumseh 14 Chelsea has strung together five straight wins after losing its season opener, and this one, combined with Adrian’s 17-14 victory over Jackson, gave the Bulldogs (5-1) the outright SEC White title.
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER Kalamazoo United 33, Constantine 21 United’s first win over Constantine since 2018 ended the Falcons’ 23-game winning streak in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore and put the Titans (5-1) in position to clinch a share of the league title this week if Constantine (5-1) defeats co-leader Parchment. United faces Parchment in Week 8. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Kalamazoo United wins big against Constantine. Final score 33-21! @kalamazoounited https://t.co/VNAbf9bl9Y pic.twitter.com/smtlnCVFBQ
— FOX 17 Blitz (@FOX17Blitz) October 5, 2024
Watch list Schoolcraft 17, Lawton 3 Schoolcraft (5-1) will face Saugatuck this week for a share of the SAC Valley title after sending Lawton (4-2) into third place by ending a five-game losing streak against the Blue Devils. Lawton had defeated the Eagles in both the regular season and playoffs the last two years.
On the move Battle Creek Harper Creek 32, Parma Western 13 Harper Creek (5-1) has played itself into a similar spot as last season – set to face Hastings with major Interstate 8 Athletic Conference implications. But this time, the Beavers have a win over Parma Western out of the way as they avenged last year’s loss to the third-place Panthers. Paw Paw 21, Edwardsburg 7 The Wolverine Conference race is likely to go to the end of the regular season, but this was a major obstacle to overcome as Paw Paw (6-0) moved closer to a Week 9 matchup with current co-leader and reigning champion Niles – which faces Edwardsburg (4-2) this week. Berrien Springs 31, Buchanan 6 Berrien Springs (3-3) won its second straight over the Bucks (3-3) and will face Dowagiac this week for a share of the Lakeland Conference championship.
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Marquette 28, Escanaba 7 As Petoskey accomplished against Cadillac (noted above), Marquette (5-1) did its work to set up this weekend’s Big North Conference matchup of coleaders. The seven points scored by Escanaba (3-3) were the first given up by the Sentinels in BNC play – impressive again versus an offense that was averaging 31 per game. Click for more from the Marquette Mining Journal.
Watch list Bark River-Harris 54, L’Anse 0 After opening with losses to Ishpeming Westwood and Iron Mountain, Bark River-Harris (4-2) has won four straight and its last three games by shutout. The 54 points scored were a season high.
On the move Calumet 29, Houghton 0 The Copper Kings (3-3) broke a three-game losing streak and in doing so bumped up from No. 40 in Division 6 playoff-point average to No. 32. Manistique 33, West Iron County 0 The Emeralds will finish off the regular season with a pair of still-undefeated opponents and will get a nice bump from those matchups win or lose, but this one paid off big as well as they jumped six spots to No. 30 in Division 8 playoff-point average. Negaunee 42, Ishpeming Westwood 6 With a Week 4 loss to co-leader Kingsford, but co-leader Menominee coming up this week, Negaunee still has some hope for a share of the title in Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper – and if that doesn’t work out, wins like this one over Westwood (2-4) will continue to boost the Miners in Division 6. They currently rank No. 12 on that playoff-point average list, up two spots from last week.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Grand Rapids Catholic Central 42, Holland Christian 18 The Cougars may have made the Ottawa-Kent Conference Black title pursuit a two-team race by sending Holland Christian out of a tie for first and with co-leader Grand Rapids Northview up next for the Cougars (5-1). Holland Christian (5-1) also will see Northview, in Week 8, as it continues building its guaranteed best season since 2018. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Check out the highlights of Grand Rapids Catholic Central beating Holland Christian 42-17 on October 4th, 2024. @GRCC_CougarsFB improved to 5-1 on the season. Powered by @miarmyguard pic.twitter.com/rHjUDxXZx8
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 5, 2024
Watch list Zeeland East 22, Grand Rapids South Christian 15 The O-K Green is loaded and several other contenders have received a lot of the attention this fall. But the Chix (4-2) are right there as well, with this easily their most impressive win of the fall and a great way to push into the final two league games against Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central and leader Hudsonville Unity Christian. South Christian (4-2) has lost two straight after a strong start.
On the move Zeeland West 28, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 7 The Dux (5-1) bounced back after losing to Unity Christian in Week 5 and remain one game back in the Green with two league games to play. Rockford 34, Caledonia 14 Rockford (4-2) bounced back from its first back-to-back losses since 2018 by downing the Fighting Scots (4-2) to move back up to No. 15 in Division 1 playoff-point average. Grandville 33, East Kentwood 25 After opening with three losses, Grandville has three wins and the No. 22 spot in Division 1 playoff-point average thanks to a jump of 10 spots. East Kentwood (3-3) would be part of the field as well if the season ended today.
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HEADLINER Norway 40, Munising 28 The Great Lakes Eight Conference East has plenty of power with four of six teams .500 or better, and at the top are Norway and Pickford with the Knights (5-1) handing Munising (5-1) the latter’s first loss of the season. Circle Norway vs. Pickford in Week 8 as one of the biggest 8-player regular-season games of this fall. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.
Watch list Grand Rapids Sacred Heart 28, St. Joseph Our Lake of the Lake Catholic 20 Sacred Heart (6-0) emerged from one of its toughest tests of this program-defining season, the Falcons’ second overall and first playing a full varsity schedule. Our Lady (4-2) is one of five Sacred Heart opponents so far that sits at .500 or better.
On the move Mendon 66, Bellevue 42 Two strong offensive teams not surprisingly combined to score a lot of points, with Owen Gorham totaling 256 yards and six touchdowns rushing for Mendon (6-0) and Seth Keson running for two touchdowns, scoring a third on a kick return and throwing for two more for Bellevue (4-2). Fulton 60, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 33 The Pirates (5-1) have finished with winning seasons three of their four in 8-player football, and this has been their best start with this victory avenging a seven-point loss to the Irish (4-2) from a year ago. Marion 48, Suttons Bay 0 Marion (6-0) has won its games by an average of 38 points per, and this first shutout of the season came against one of its most successful opponents so far in the Norsemen (4-2).
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PHOTOS (Top) Fowler's Jacob Halfmann pulls away from a Pewamo-Westphalia defender Friday. (Middle) Chesaning's Brayden Florian (11) finds a seam during his team's 50-0 win over Montrose. (Below) c (Top photo by Jim Pivarnik. Chesaning/Montrose photo by Terry Lyons. Negaunee/Westwood photo by Cara Kamps.)