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Week 9 Football Playoff Listing

October 16, 2012

Here is a list of Michigan High School Athletic Association football playing schools, displaying their win-loss records and playoff averages through the eighth 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 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. All 8-player teams, regardless of win total, are listed below.

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 at 6 p.m. on Oct. 21 on the Selection Sunday Show 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, 6-2, 85.250

2. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 2766, 6-2, 81.375

3. Clarkston, 2721, 8-0, 109.000

4. Howell ^, 2692, 5-3, 67.750

5. Grand Blanc, 2644, 4-4, 57.000

6. Macomb Dakota, 2608, 7-1, 94.750

7. Lake Orion, 2565, 7-1, 94.875

8. Rockford, 2526, 6-2, 81.625

9. Troy ^, 2502, 5-3, 65.125

10. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley ^, 2462, 5-3, 69.750

11. Dearborn Fordson, 2442, 7-1, 102.375

12. Holland West Ottawa, 2262, 6-2, 77.250

13. Northville ^, 2220, 5-3, 65.875

14. Detroit Cass Tech, 2200, 6-2, 80.125

15. Canton ^, 2166, 5-3, 63.500

16. Monroe, 2154, 6-2, 72.250

17. Detroit Catholic Central ^, 2060, 5-3, 65.792

18. Plymouth, 2050, 7-1, 89.875

19. Salem ^, 2039, 5-3, 67.500

20. Livonia Stevenson, 2005, 6-2, 78.250

21. Holt ^, 1992, 5-3, 61.750

22. Hartland, 1932, 7-1, 92.625

23. Warren Mott, 1879, 7-1, 79.625

24. Livonia Churchill, 1877, 8-0, 111.000

25. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, 1853, 6-2, 76.125

26. Saline, 1849, 7-1, 91.500

27. Grandville, 1846, 4-4, 47.750

28. Romeo, 1802, 4-4, 59.500

29. Dearborn ^, 1790, 5-3, 71.000

30. Rochester Hills Stoney Creek ^, 1777, 5-3, 62.125

31. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1772, 7-1, 80.875

32. Grand Ledge, 1743, 6-2, 76.125

33. Rochester ^, 1725, 5-3, 63.125

34. Traverse City West ^, 1720, 5-3, 64.625

35. White Lake Lakeland ^, 1700, 5-3, 62.750

36. Harrison Township L'Anse Creuse, 1680, 4-4, 48.500

37. Belleville, 1678, 4-4, 54.500

38. Ann Arbor Pioneer ^, 1670, 5-3, 65.625

39. Davison, 1664, 6-2, 69.750

40. Grosse Pointe South, 1648, 7-1, 90.625

41. Walled Lake Northern, 1599, 6-2, 84.375

42. Temperance Bedford ^, 1581, 5-3, 63.125

43. Walled Lake Western, 1553, 6-2, 77.375

44. Warren DeLaSalle, 1550, 4-4, 53.292

45. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1520, 7-1, 88.750

46. Ypsilanti Lincoln ^, 1520, 5-3, 58.500

47. Wyoming, 1515, 4-4, 41.429

48. Dearborn Edsel Ford ^, 1508, 5-3, 60.625

49. Midland, 1485, 8-0, 109.000

50. Oxford ^, 1481, 5-3, 69.875

51. Port Huron, 1473, 6-2, 76.000

52. Pinckney, 1448, 4-4, 50.000

53. Traverse City Central, 1429, 7-1, 88.250

54. Oak Park, 1391, 7-1, 99.500

55. Bay City Central, 1385, 4-4, 46.000

56. Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, 1364, 4-4, 46.250

57. Lansing Everett, 1359, 8-0, 111.000

58. Grosse Pointe North ^, 1353, 5-3, 60.875

59. Midland Dow ^, 1350, 5-3, 58.500

60. Birmingham Seaholm, 1349, 7-1, 90.750

61. Battle Creek Lakeview ^, 1347, 5-3, 61.875

62. Garden City, 1344, 4-4, 48.125

63. Portage Central ^, 1340, 5-3, 62.375

64. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1337, 4-4, 48.750

65. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1336, 6-2, 84.250

66. Portage Northern, 1328, 7-1, 87.875

67. Caledonia, 1308, 6-2, 73.500

68. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1304, 7-1, 90.750

69. Farmington Hills Harrison ^, 1302, 5-3, 67.750

70. Detroit Martin Luther King ^, 1287, 5-3, 66.375

71. Detroit Cody ^, 1282, 5-3, 57.589

72. Farmington, 1278, 6-2, 79.250

73. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 1278, 4-4, 52.000

74. South Lyon, 1262, 4-4, 48.625

75. Taylor Truman, 1253, 7-1, 91.750

76. Berkley, 1225, 4-4, 47.125

77. Flushing, 1225, 4-4, 44.375

78. Swartz Creek, 1223, 7-1, 86.750

79. Southfield ^, 1218, 5-3, 69.625

80. Fenton, 1202, 7-1, 88.750

81. Grand Rapids Northview, 1180, 7-1, 82.500

82. Lowell, 1177, 7-1, 93.875

83. Holly, 1172, 4-4, 48.875

84. Bay City Western, 1171, 7-1, 79.875

85. Gibraltar Carlson, 1160, 4-4, 46.375

86. Muskegon, 1144, 8-0, 114.000

87. East Lansing ^, 1142, 5-3, 59.000

88. Mattawan, 1124, 7-1, 86.875

89. Allen Park ^, 1120, 5-3, 60.250

90. Marquette *, 1112, 5-3, 66.875

91. Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, 1109, 4-4, 57.125

92. Lapeer West, 1101, 6-2, 78.375

93. Detroit Renaissance, 1094, 4-4, 45.125

94. Redford Thurston ^, 1088, 5-3, 60.000

95. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1080, 7-1, 84.750

96. St. Johns ^, 1068, 5-3, 62.375

97. Zeeland East, 1067, 8-0, 102.000

98. Byron Center ^, 1032, 5-3, 63.000

99. Detroit East English, 1030, 7-1, 89.750

100. Mt. Pleasant, 1014, 4-4, 52.125

101. Owosso ^, 1012, 5-3, 57.875

102. Lansing Waverly ^, 1011, 5-3, 57.375

103. St. Joseph, 974, 4-4, 53.875

104. Mason ^, 969, 5-3, 52.000

105. Petoskey ^, 967, 5-3, 64.875

106. Milan, 959, 8-0, 93.000

107. Sault Ste. Marie ^, 959, 5-3, 55.625

108. Grand Rapids Christian, 954, 7-1, 92.625

109. Cedar Springs, 950, 4-4, 37.000

110. DeWitt, 931, 6-2, 78.625

111. Fruitport, 929, 8-0, 86.000

112. Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 926, 6-2, 85.575

113. Bloomfield Hills Lahser ^, 925, 5-3, 60.375

114. Linden, 923, 7-1, 87.625

115. Niles, 920, 4-4, 45.750

116. Hazel Park, 909, 4-4, 46.625

117. Stevensville Lakeshore, 906, 8-0, 117.000

118. St. Clair, 901, 7-1, 83.750

119. Haslett, 894, 4-4, 50.125

120. South Lyon East, 891, 4-4, 51.125

121. Tecumseh, 887, 7-1, 78.500

122. Sturgis, 882, 4-4, 47.375

123. Melvindale, 879, 4-4, 49.500

124. Carleton Airport ^, 868, 5-3, 55.250

125. Detroit Central Collegiate ^, 868, 5-3, 59.750

126. Charlotte, 851, 6-2, 67.375

127. Chelsea ^, 851, 5-3, 63.875

128. Hastings, 850, 6-2, 67.750

129. Plainwell, 832, 6-2, 67.750

130. Cadillac, 820, 6-2, 68.000

131. Edwardsburg, 805, 6-2, 61.500

132. North Branch ^, 803, 5-3, 51.000

133. Hamilton ^, 801, 5-3, 60.071

134. Marysville, 794, 6-2, 71.500

135. Escanaba, 791, 4-4, 48.750

136. Warren Lincoln, 791, 4-4, 42.250

137. Zeeland West ^, 791, 5-3, 62.750

138. Detroit Old Redford, 787, 4-4, 33.107

139. Coopersville ^*, 781, 4-3, 48.607

140. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 780, 6-2, 78.375

141. Spring Lake ^, 778, 5-3, 53.321

142. Holland Christian, 771, 4-4, 46.750

143. Three Rivers ^, 760, 5-3, 48.125

144. Ogemaw Heights ^, 759, 5-3, 63.750

145. Goodrich, 748, 6-2, 61.500

146. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy *, 729, 6-1, 73.036

147. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 727, 4-4, 48.125

148. Marshall ^, 723, 5-3, 55.500

149. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 720, 7-1, 89.750

150. Big Rapids, 706, 7-1, 68.875

151. Croswell-Lexington, 704, 8-0, 91.000

152. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 704, 6-2, 70.000

153. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 701, 8-0, 98.000

154. Otsego, 698, 6-2, 62.500

155. Yale, 689, 4-4, 45.250

156. Detroit Country Day, 685, 7-1, 90.125

157. Comstock Park, 678, 7-1, 83.071

158. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 674, 8-0, 93.000

159. Armada, 667, 4-4, 44.750

160. Whitehall, 663, 4-4, 38.625

161. Grand Rapids South Christian ^, 660, 5-3, 58.000

162. Battle Creek Pennfield, 656, 7-1, 64.875

163. Richmond ^, 656, 5-3, 58.750

164. Grosse Ile, 649, 7-1, 76.875

165. Saginaw Swan Valley, 642, 6-2, 64.375

166. Paw Paw, 639, 8-0, 85.000

167. Allendale, 636, 7-1, 81.750

168. Williamston ^, 636, 5-3, 54.375

169. Cheboygan, 631, 6-2, 72.000

170. Marine City, 629, 7-1, 89.500

171. Alma ^, 614, 5-3, 54.750

172. Saginaw Valley Lutheran ^, 608, 5-3, 38.125

173. Dowagiac, 605, 8-0, 88.000

174. Livonia Clarenceville ^, 597, 5-3, 53.125

175. Midland Bullock Creek, 586, 4-4, 45.125

176. Clawson ^, 582, 5-3, 50.250

177. Remus Chippewa Hills ^, 581, 5-3, 49.250

178. Essexville Garber ^, 572, 5-3, 49.125

179. Clinton Township Clintondale, 570, 8-0, 83.000

180. Lake Fenton, 564, 7-1, 76.750

181. Grant ^, 562, 5-3, 54.000

182. Freeland, 561, 6-2, 70.250

183. Kingsford, 559, 7-1, 83.750

184. Portland, 555, 7-1, 83.750

185. Gladwin, 547, 6-2, 62.125

186. Almont ^, 543, 5-3, 57.125

187. Detroit Community, 543, 4-4, 25.696

188. Flint Powers Catholic, 542, 8-0, 98.000

189. Menominee, 539, 7-1, 90.750

190. Macomb Lutheran North ^, 537, 5-3, 53.875

191. North Muskegon, 532, 4-4, 40.875

192. Standish-Sterling Central ^, 532, 5-3, 54.750

193. Hopkins, 531, 8-0, 81.000

194. Detroit University Prep, 528, 7-1, 65.714

195. Grayling, 516, 8-0, 77.000

196. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 515, 7-1, 81.875

197. Allen Park Cabrini, 512, 6-2, 56.625

198. Olivet ^, 509, 5-3, 47.375

199. Frankenmuth, 507, 8-0, 90.000

200. Newaygo, 507, 6-2, 59.625

201. Grand Rapids West Catholic ^, 503, 5-3, 65.542

202. Ida ^, 503, 5-3, 48.875

203. Capac, 495, 4-4, 42.125

204. River Rouge, 495, 8-0, 74.286

205. Manistee ^, 493, 5-3, 44.958

206. Carrollton, 492, 7-1, 65.875

207. Lansing Catholic, 487, 7-1, 85.625

208. Reed City, 480, 8-0, 90.000

209. Dundee, 476, 6-2, 58.125

210. Muskegon Oakridge, 474, 8-0, 84.000

211. Kingsley ^, 473, 5-3, 42.750

212. Jackson Lumen Christi, 472, 8-0, 94.000

213. Buchanan, 467, 6-2, 61.625

214. Leslie, 467, 8-0, 77.000

215. Clare, 465, 6-2, 66.500

216. Roscommon ^, 461, 5-3, 48.125

217. Kalkaska, 459, 6-2, 44.750

218. Millington, 459, 7-1, 72.875

219. Lakeview ^, 457, 5-3, 43.000

220. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 446, 6-2, 62.464

221. Harper Woods ^, 440, 5-3, 41.083

222. Boyne City, 437, 8-0, 72.000

223. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 437, 6-2, 63.625

224. Negaunee, 433, 7-1, 73.500

225. Elk Rapids, 432, 4-4, 37.000

226. Manistique ^, 430, 5-3, 43.875

227. Beaverton, 422, 4-4, 33.750

228. Hemlock, 421, 7-1, 82.875

229. Shelby, 417, 6-2, 64.625

230. Detroit Consortium, 416, 6-2, 53.411

231. Vassar, 416, 7-1, 59.875

232. Clinton, 413, 8-0, 80.000

233. Maple City Glen Lake, 409, 8-0, 66.000

234. Michigan Center, 406, 7-1, 65.625

235. Manchester, 404, 6-2, 57.625

236. Calumet ^, 402, 5-3, 50.375

237. Ithaca, 402, 8-0, 84.000

238. Montrose Hill-McCloy, 400, 7-1, 74.875

239. Niles Brandywine, 396, 6-2, 50.982

240. Grass Lake, 395, 7-1, 69.750

241. Hillsdale, 391, 8-0, 80.000

242. Madison Heights Madison, 391, 7-1, 78.250

243. Ecorse ^, 390, 5-3, 43.411

244. Montague, 390, 7-1, 72.875

245. Laingsburg, 388, 4-4, 33.375

246. Sanford Meridian ^, 388, 5-3, 46.625

247. Jonesville, 383, 6-2, 54.250

248. Saranac, 383, 4-4, 39.250

249. Cass City, 379, 4-4, 34.375

250. Constantine, 371, 7-1, 64.875

251. Grandville Calvin Christian, 371, 6-2, 56.625

252. Vandercook Lake, 371, 4-4, 37.375

253. Watervliet, 369, 8-0, 69.000

254. Schoolcraft, 366, 8-0, 83.000

255. Blissfield, 364, 4-4, 43.500

256. Byron Area, 364, 7-1, 56.875

257. Indian River Inland Lakes, 364, 4-4, 33.500

258. Bronson ^*, 361, 4-3, 34.679

259. Iron Mountain, 354, 4-4, 41.625

260. Reese, 350, 8-0, 78.000

261. Union City ^, 350, 5-3, 40.875

262. Burton Bendle, 348, 7-1, 56.875

263. Flint Beecher, 347, 4-4, 39.375

264. Pellston, 347, 4-4, 20.375

265. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian ^, 346, 5-3, 38.750

266. Saginaw Nouvel, 344, 6-2, 77.250

267. Carson City-Crystal, 337, 6-2, 48.125

268. Hartford, 337, 6-2, 65.929

269. Marlette, 336, 4-4, 35.375

270. Flint Hamady ^, 334, 5-3, 39.375

271. Whittemore-Prescott, 328, 6-2, 59.375

272. Sandusky, 327, 4-4, 37.554

273. Bloomingdale, 326, 4-4, 31.375

274. Dansville, 323, 6-2, 52.375

275. Springport ^, 319, 5-3, 43.750

276. Bridgman ^, 318, 5-3, 47.089

277. Lawton, 317, 7-1, 65.625

278. Lake City, 316, 7-1, 58.875

279. Pewamo-Westphalia, 316, 6-2, 56.500

280. Manton, 315, 4-4, 26.500

281. Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 309, 4-4, 38.625

282. Ishpeming, 307, 7-1, 66.750

283. Detroit Douglass *, 306, 5-3, 58.750

284. Unionville-Sebewaing, 303, 4-4, 34.750

285. Evart, 302, 6-2, 44.625

286. Homer, 302, 4-4, 29.375

287. Traverse City St. Francis, 299, 4-4, 41.125

288. Detroit Loyola, 298, 8-0, 87.000

289. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest *, 298, 5-3, 45.875

290. Lincoln Alcona *, 292, 6-2, 47.125

291. Genesee ^, 288, 5-3, 36.000

292. Mancelona, 288, 8-0, 63.000

293. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic, 284, 4-4, 45.500

294. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 283, 7-1, 63.625

295. Reading, 283, 7-1, 65.375

296. Decatur, 277, 6-2, 48.625

297. Britton Deerfield ^, 276, 5-3, 49.250

298. Ubly ^, 275, 5-3, 36.625

299. Brown City ^, 272, 5-3, 51.000

300. Gobles, 271, 7-1, 53.750

301. Iron River West Iron County, 270, 4-4, 38.375

302. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 268, 7-1, 61.875

303. Hudson, 264, 4-4, 39.125

304. Waterford Our Lady, 263, 6-2, 57.500

305. Mayville ^, 258, 5-3, 44.554

306. Saugatuck, 257, 4-4, 30.125

307. Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech, 254, 6-2, 54.137

308. New Buffalo, 250, 4-4, 29.875

309. Marcellus ^, 249, 5-3, 34.250

310. Harbor Beach, 245, 7-1, 65.750

311. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 243, 6-2, 40.536

312. Vestaburg, 242, 6-2, 50.375

313. Coleman, 239, 4-4, 34.125

314. New Lothrop, 237, 8-0, 71.000

315. Bessemer *, 233, 5-2, 41.929

316. L'Anse, 233, 6-2, 45.375

317. Petersburg-Summerfield, 232, 4-4, 33.625

318. Stephenson, 229, 6-2, 44.125

319. Merrill ^, 228, 5-3, 46.000

320. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 220, 4-4, 38.375

321. Manistee Catholic Central ^, 219, 5-3, 34.625

322. Mendon, 216, 8-0, 76.571

323. Beal City, 213, 8-0, 82.000

324. Pittsford, 213, 6-2, 43.250

325. St. Ignace La Salle, 207, 8-0, 56.000

326. Lutheran Westland ^, 204, 5-3, 50.679

327. Mio ^, 203, 5-3, 36.696

328. AuGres-Sims ^, 199, 5-3, 36.071

329. Pickford, 197, 6-2, 47.750

330. Onaway ^, 194, 5-3, 36.000

331. Powers North Central ^, 194, 5-3, 30.875

332. Central Lake ^, 193, 5-3, 38.411

333. Fowler, 186, 7-1, 67.875

334. Climax-Scotts, 183, 8-0, 56.000

335. Muskegon Catholic Central ^, 181, 5-3, 49.458

336. Morrice, 171, 4-4, 28.875

337. St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic *, 171, 6-1, 50.196

338. Colon ^, 164, 5-3, 31.750

339. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 164, 6-2, 44.446

340. Baldwin *, 160, 6-2, 42.286

341. Lake Linden-Hubbell, 159, 4-4, 26.321

342. Hillman, 145, 4-4, 28.768

343. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 121, 7-1, 70.875

344. Iron Mountain North Dickinson *, 112, 8-0, 66.429

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8-Player Playoff Listing

1. Deckerville, 194, 7-1, 55.875

2. Marine City Cardinal Mooney, 185, 4-4, 24.917

3. Battle Creek St. Philip, 182, 5-3, 34.375

4. Kinde-North Huron, 180, 4-4, 27.583

5. Kingston, 175, 4-4, 27.583

6. Cedarville, 169, 8-0, 65.571

7. Tekonsha, 163, 1-7, 10.750

8. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 162, 4-4, 32.625

9. Bellaire, 161, 5-3, 36.429

10. Peck, 156, 7-1, 46.083

11. Ewen-Trout Creek *, 146, 1-6, 9.250

12. Brimley *, 145, 2-5, 15.107

13. Eben Junction Superior Central *, 132, 5-2, 39.196

14. New Haven Merritt *, 130, 1-5, 9.542

15. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran *, 118, 1-5, 7.208

16. Litchfield, 115, 1-7, 8.625

17. Rapid River, 115, 7-1, 48.875

18. Portland St. Patrick, 104, 8-0, 57.000

19. Akron-Fairgrove, 95, 6-2, 36.458

20. Caseville, 90, 0-8, 3.750

21. Engadine *, 89, 3-4, 21.554

22. Rock Mid Peninsula, 87, 2-6, 17.418

23. Waldron, 87, 6-2, 37.375

24. Posen, 84, 2-6, 14.268

25. Burr Oak, 79, 3-5, 17.875

26. Owendale-Gagetown, 60, 6-2, 36.333

27. Flint Michigan School For The Deaf *, 45, 1-5, 7.833

Grand Blanc defenders converge on a Muskegon Mona Shores ball carrier during the Sailors' 28-26 win.

1st & Goal: 2024 Week 1 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 3, 2024

Football is the only high school sport for which teams prepare an entire week to play just one game, and at most are guaranteed nine games each season.

MI Student AidThat being the case, every week contributes significantly to a team’s overall story. And we're thrilled to tell as many as possible again, starting with what struck us most from season openers this past holiday weekend.

This time, headliners included a pair of victories over 2023 Finals champions, and two of the highest-scoring games in MHSAA history. And those are just a few of the notables from this first chapter, as we restart our weekly "1st & Goal" series to highlight several of the results that especially jumped off the page.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Frankenmuth 22, Goodrich 0 After falling to the Martians on a last-minute score to start the 2023 season, Frankenmuth avenged by handing Goodrich its first regular-season shutout since 2018. Logan Diener led the Eagles’ defensive effort with 15 tackles and two sacks, and Kobbi Ke outran Goodrich as a team 117 yards to 54. Click for more from the Saginaw News.

Watch list Fenton 28, Midland Dow 14 The Tigers also opened last season with a win over Dow, by two points, on the way to a Flint Metro League title – and this victory was even more impressive with quarterback Noah Sheil starring.

On the move Harbor Beach 24, Cass City 22 (OT) These two finished a combined 17-5 last year, and Harbor Beach extended its winning streak against the Red Hawks to three this weekend with an overtime defensive stand. Saginaw Heritage 48, Mount Pleasant 24 Despite graduating one of the most accomplished receivers in MHSAA history, Heritage raced to a second-straight win over the Oilers, who won a league title a year ago. Armada 28, Marine City 27 This ending was unforgettable as well, as both teams scored during the final two minutes, Armada first and then Marine City on a kickoff return – but the Tigers stopped the ensuing two-point conversion try.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Belleville 35, Clarkston 28 Belleville quarterback Bryce Underwood started one of the nation’s most anticipated senior seasons running for 177 yards and two scores and throwing two touchdown passes. His 55-yard TD sprint with 18 seconds left was the game-winner at the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic. Click for more from the Detroit Sports Commission.

Watch list Warren De La Salle Collegiate 21, Davison 3 In another premier Xenith matchup at Wayne State, the 2023 Division 2 runner-up Pilots avenged last season’s 31-26 loss to Davison by dealing the Cardinals their first single-digit scoring day since 2021.

On the move West Bloomfield 42, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 0 The Lakers left no doubt in this rematch of annual powers, impressing even more after winning last season’s matchup with the Big Reds by just a point. Lake Orion 21, Northville 13 These were both 10-game winners a year ago, and Lake Orion is back on course after last season’s lone loss came by a point in its District Final. Riverview Gabriel Richard 15, Montrose 10 Gabriel Richard began building on last season’s trip to the Division 8 Semifinals by holding on against a Rams team that reached the Division 7 Regional Finals in 2023.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Lansing Everett 28, Lansing Sexton 0 Everett ended a two-game losing streak against its rival in a big way, shutting out a Sexton offense that scored 30 points per game last season and putting up 28 on a Sexton defense that gave up that many only once a year ago. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Watch list East Lansing 31, Portage Central 7 Much is expected of the Trojans this season, and they showed why immediately in this matchup of 2023 league champions. East Lansing shut down a Central offense that averaged nearly 32 points per game last year.

On the move DeWitt 69, Haslett 42 These rivals ran right into the MHSAA record book combining for more than 100 points during one of the most high-scoring games of opening night, as the Panthers’ Elliott Larner and Vikings’ Kory Amachree combined to run for seven touchdowns. Pewamo-Westphalia 8, North Muskegon 7 The Pirates avenged their only two losses of a year ago (on opening night and then in a Regional Final) with a fourth-quarter touchdown and two-point conversion. Fowler 20, Hudson 6 Fowler also made some big-time small-school noise with this win over a Hudson program that was a combined 31-5 over the last three seasons.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Ogemaw Heights 29, Ubly 13 Ogemaw is coming off its best season in over a decade, and it’s impossible to argue with this start against last season’s undefeated Division 8 champion. Ubly has some significant changes on offense as several standouts graduated, and is a much smaller school, but the Falcons still held the Bearcats to their lowest-scoring performance since 2021. Click for more from the Bay City Times.

Watch list Traverse City West 6, Gaylord 0 West avenged last season’s 13-7 loss to the Blue Devils, who are coming off a perfect regular season and league and District titles. The Titans are seeking their first winning season since 2021.

On the move Traverse City St. Francis 67, Charlevoix 22 After opening last season with a one-point win over the Rayders, St. Francis fell to them in their Division 7 District opener. This avenges that, but they could mean again. Elk Rapids 7, Benzie Central 2 This may seem more like a baseball score, and Elk Rapids will take it after losing this matchup 47-26 last season and missing the playoffs at 4-5 while Benzie qualified at 5-4. Petoskey 8, Greenville 6 Only a few points were scored in this one too, but Petoskey knows every one of them counts after making the playoffs at 5-4 as well last season.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Onsted 35, Napoleon 20 The Wildcats are seeking their first winning season since 2019 and finished 2-7 a year ago. But they’re halfway to equaling that total after a loud start, as Napoleon is coming off back-to-back league titles. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.

Watch list Ypsilanti Lincoln 10, Milan 7 The Railsplitters are seeking their first winning season since 2017 and won two games a year ago as well, but they are on the right path with this victory over a 2023 playoff qualifier.

On the move Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 22, Clinton 14 The Falcons bounced back from losing to Clinton by the same score in last season’s Division 7 District Final. Jackson Lumen Christi 49, Michigan Center 21 This matchup featured two of the Jackson area’s traditional best for the second-straight season, with the reigning Division 7 champion Titans again prevailing. Ann Arbor Pioneer 27, Adrian 17 The Pioneers avenged last season’s 36-30 loss to the Maples as they look to build on their winningest season since 2015.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Paw Paw 32, Big Rapids 14 Paw Paw won this opening matchup for the second season in a row and by an almost identical score as in 2023, when Big Rapids went on to win the Central State Activities Association Gold and the Red Wolves finished second in the Wolverine Conference. PJ DeYoung led the way this time with 203 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Watch list St. Joseph 30, Niles 7 St. Joseph rebounded significantly after losing last season’s opener to Niles 55-0. The Bears took strides on both sides of the ball; Niles never scored fewer than 14 points in a game last season, and St. Joseph reached 30 only three times in 2023.  

On the move Hartford 55, Niles Brandywine 24 Hartford has a varsity team for the first time since 2021 and now its first win since 2019. Dowagiac 21, South Haven 11 Dowagiac last year posted its first winning season since 2019 despite a one-point loss to South Haven in their opener, and ending a three-game losing streak against the Rams over the weekend was another solid step. Buchanan 32, Saugatuck 6 Buchanan was another season-opening avenger, having fallen to Saugatuck 25-14 a year ago in what turned into a playoff season for both.

Marquette's Drew Bradley (6) breaks a tackle and gains several yards.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Marquette 55, Gladstone 0 Watch out for the Sentinels. Marquette had lost two in a row to Gladstone, including 36-7 a year ago, and hadn’t reached 50 points in a game since 2021. This also was Marquette’s first season-opening win in three years. Click for more from the Marquette Mining Journal.

Watch list Ishpeming Westwood 36, Bark River-Harris 12 Westwood is coming off a pair of sub-.500 finishes after a string of much better ones, but breaking a two-game losing streak against Bark River-Harris could be the start of a turnaround. The Broncos had won last season’s matchup 50-14.

On the move Gwinn 14, Bridgeport 6 The Modeltowners are 1-0 for the first time since 2018 – the last time the team posted a winning record for the season. Iron Mountain 26, Houghton 16 The Mountaineers ran their winning streak against Houghton to three, but the Gremlins made this the closest matchup since their most recent victory over Iron Mountain in 2021. Kingsford 21, Escanaba 0 These two renewed this rivalry after a year ago, with Kingsford claiming its third-straight victory in the longtime series.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Zeeland West 28, Muskegon 13 This jumps off the page as Muskegon is the reigning Division 2 champion and won 12 straight games – including 22-16 over West – to close last season. But looking back further, it's fair to say the Dux have been on the verge; the Big Reds had won four of the last five matchups, but all of them were decided by eight points or fewer. This one, however, was a nonleague game as they are in separate divisions of the Ottawa-Kent Conference this fall for the first time since 2019. Click for more from the Holland Sentinel.

Watch list Reed City 24, Kingsley 22 Not to be outdone, Reed City also defeated a reigning Finals champion, edging last year’s Division 6 title winner Kingsley with a touchdown and two-point conversion with one second to play. Kingsley had defeated Reed City 37-7 last fall to advance to Ford Field.

On the move Rockford 30, Detroit Cass Tech 23 These Division 1 powers met for the first time, and the next time could be with a championship on the line. Rockford held on with a late defensive stand. Hudsonville Unity Christian 43, Whitehall 21 Unity Christian is coming off its first sub-.500 season in a decade, which began with a loss to Whitehall – which went on to finish 10-1 last fall and is Unity’s only opponent from 2023 on this year’s schedule. Muskegon Mona Shores 28, Grand Blanc 26 Shores followed quarterback Jonathan Pittman across the state for an impressive win at the Vehicle City Gridiron Classic.

Otsego's Lane Blanchard breaks through an opening during his team's loss to Coopersville.

8-Player

HEADLINER Pickford 40, Powers North Central 12 Pickford dealt the Jets a season-opening defeat for the first time since 2018 as the two 8-player powers faced off for the first time since 2019. Both could again be in the championship mix in at the end of this fall; North Central made the Division 2 Regional Finals last season, and Pickford reached the Division 1 Semifinals. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.

Watch list Britton Deerfield 68, Pittsford 58 This tied for the 20th highest-scoring game in MHSAA 8-player history, with Britton Deerfield rebounding nicely off last year’s 2-7 finish to defeat a Pittsford team coming off a 7-3 run.

On the move Brimley 26, St. Ignace 0 The Saints stormed into 8-player last season with a 9-2 finish, but Brimley coming off a 3-6 run pulled off one of the stunners of Week 1 as it pursues a first .500-or-better season since 2019. Gaylord St. Mary 8, Rudyard 0 This was nearly an opposite of last season’s meeting; St. Mary’s won this time after Rudyard claimed last year’s 58-32. Atlanta 40, Rogers City 36 Atlanta closed last season 2-2 over its final four games and might be on the verge of another step forward with this first win over Rogers City after two losses in their previous two 8-player matchups – including 34-24 a year ago.

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PHOTOS (Top) Grand Blanc defenders converge on a Muskegon Mona Shores ball carrier during the Sailors' 28-26 win. (Middle) Marquette's Drew Bradley (6) breaks a tackle and gains several yards against Gladstone. (Below) Otsego's Lane Blanchard breaks through an opening during his team's 41-0 loss to Coopersville. (Top photo by Terry Lyons, middle photo by Cara Kamps and below photo by Gary Shook.)