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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

Niles Brandywine football

1st & Goal: 2021 Week 1 in Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

August 30, 2021

Michigan high school football has been ripe for a fresh start after a COVID-rattled 2020 (and into 2021) season. 

Win or lose this past weekend, nearly 600 varsity football teams across the state should continue to have plenty to look forward to this fall – and of course, some have a few more reasons for early excitement.

Four of last season's champions fell, which meant big headlines for Rochester Adams, Edwardsburg, Jackson Lumen Christi and Niles Brandywine. Three showcase events further fed anticipation as top teams gave us first looks at what we can expect over the next three months. 

Below is our look back at Week 1 and some of the results that could matter most as we start another 14-week championship chase. 

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Grand Blanc 40 East Lansing 34 The premier matchup of the Vehicle City Gridiron Classic pitted two of the highest-regarded teams in the state, and didn’t disappoint. The Bobcats emerged with Elijah Jackson-Anderson and kicker Dylan Hertzberg providing plenty of offense – Hertzberg had four field goals – while in defeat Brevin Jackson (396) and receiver Mason Woods (212) set Trojans single-game school records for passing and receiving yardage, respectively. Click for more from the Flint Journal.

Watch list Millington 42, Cass City 19 The Cardinals are carrying the longest current streak of winning seasons (32) in the state, but doubling up a Cass City team that came within two points of making last season’s Division 7 championship game has to be one of Millington’s best opening wins during that streak.

Remember this one Hemlock 33, Breckenridge 8 Hemlock’s Huskies are looking to take another step after three-straight eight-win seasons and only one loss a year ago, and downing Breckenridge’s Huskies in this fashion is a notable.  

More shoutouts Freeland 24, Clare 14 The Falcons enjoyed another great start after making the Semifinals last season, against a Clare team that lost only in the playoffs. Saginaw Nouvel 21, Sandusky 6 The Panthers also enjoyed a solid start against a Sandusky team coming off a one-loss season.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 45, Detroit Catholic Central 20 This Xenith Prep Kick Off Classic matchup featured two are sure to be counted among Division 1 title contenders in two months, and Chippewa Valley’s start is especially impressive coming off a 3-4 finish a year ago. Cephus Harris scored four touchdowns as one of many standouts for the Big Reds, while DCC QB Declan Byle made some big-play throws that surely will have defenses on notice. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.

Watch list Rochester Adams 35, West Bloomfield 17 The memory of last season’s 3-4 finish for Adams should be drifting away after the Highlanders downed the reigning Division 1 champion, avenging a 37-0 defeat and breaking a four-game losing streak against the Lakers.

Remember this one Clarkston 29, Davison 26 Both lost just once last season – Davison in the Division 1 championship game and Clarkston in a District Semifinal – and it would hardly be shocking to see them meet up again in November. This time, Davison led at halftime and Clarkston came back and then held off a late rally.

More shoutouts Dearborn Fordson 38, Canton 23 The Tractors also earned an impressive win over a team that lost just once last season – and Antonio Gates Jr. was just fun to watch with two touchdown catches and two interceptions. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 35, Macomb Dakota 21 Two traditional powers, another big-time opener – and this one saw Rice take a 21-0 lead, Dakota tie it in the fourth quarter and Rice then pull away.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER DeWitt 47, Traverse City Central 27 With a star quarterback and two college-bound receivers back from last season’s Division 3 championship team, DeWitt’s offense wasn’t going to sneak up on anyone. But the Panthers’ playmakers were among the most impressive of Battle at the Big House performers as quarterback Tyler Holtz connected with three receivers for six touchdown passes total, including four to Bryce Kurncz. Central had given up only 18.7 points per game last season in reaching the Division 2 Semifinals. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Watch list Williamston 43, Croswell-Lexington 20 The Hornets reached the Division 4 Semifinals last season, and they rolled out of the gate again with this road win over a Croswell-Lexington team that lost to only one opponent (twice) in 2020.

Remember this one Charlotte 49, Olivet 40 Olivet has been the more football successful of these neighbors for going on two decades, and they only started playing each other last season for the first time at least in recent history. But Charlotte won’t be forgetting this one any time soon after winning two games a year ago and falling to the Eagles 28-14 in that 2020 meeting.

More shoutouts Grand Ledge 36, Coldwater 14 The Comets also may have set the stage for a big season with a strong road win against a Coldwater program that regularly is among contenders in its league. Lansing Eastern 36, Flint Hamady 0 The Quakers didn’t play at all last season, and their two wins in 2019 were also their only two over a five-season stretch. But Eastern came out big against a Hamady team that hasn’t finished less than .500 since 2014.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Cadillac 18, Reed City 14 The reigning Division 4 runner-up Vikings should make a run at being the top team from the northern Lower Peninsula, and this victory should be a pretty strong catalyst with Traverse City West and Central looming in league play. Cadillac held the Coyotes scoreless over the second half, and the defeat was only the fifth for Reed City during the regular season over the last seven years. Click for more from the Cadillac News.

Watch list East Jordan 36, Johannesburg-Lewiston 12 The Red Devils are seeking their first winning season since 2016 and have come close over the last two. Defeating the Cardinals is an incredible way to start again as Johannesburg-Lewiston reached the Division 8 Semifinals last season.

Remember this one Traverse City West 35, Midland 28 The Titans won’t be forgetting an impressive comeback including a go-ahead 82-yard punt return touchdown at U-M.

More shoutouts Maple City Glen Lake 35, Houghton Lake 6 Both had winning records and close playoff defeats to end last season, and the Lakers’ offense looks to be humming again. Lake City 30, Beaverton 21 The Trojans had a tough go in 2020, finishing just 2-5 after three winning seasons in a row, but they could be on the move again after edging a Beaverton team coming off a fifth-straight winning campaign.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Jackson Lumen Christi 27, New Lothrop 14 The southeastern section of the Lower Peninsula was loaded with notable finishes, but Lumen Christi toppling the reigning Division 7 champion made the biggest statewide wave. The Titans broke away for the game’s final two scores and stopped a Hornets offense that scored at least 36 points per game in going 11-0 last fall. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

Watch list Ottawa Lake Whiteford 52, Blissfield 21 Whiteford always is in the title mix in the Tri-County Conference, and downing the reigning Lenawee County Athletic Association champ is a great way to prep for another run.

Remember this one Hudson 59, Ithaca 14 Last year’s matchup between the programs owning the longest winning streaks in MHSAA history wasn’t played due to the late season start. But Hudson stormed back to even the recent series after losing to Ithaca in 2019 – a major win as the Tigers go for their first winning season since 2017.

More shoutouts Napoleon 27, Brooklyn Columbia Central 14 The Pirates already have equaled last season’s win total, and in the process broke a five-game opening-night losing streak against the Golden Eagles. Saline 34, Hudsonville 30 The Hornets stopped Hudsonville just short of the goal line on the final play at Michigan Stadium.  

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Niles Brandywine 38, Centreville 32 The Bobcats have been a playoff team for most of the last decade and went 9-1 in 2019. This opening win certainly could spur more big things this fall. Centreville gave up 29 points total in going 11-0 and winning the Division 8 championship last season. Click for more from the Niles Daily Star.

Watch list Edwardsburg 38, Montague 0 Few have slowed down the Eddies’ offense over the last eight years – they scored more than 400 points in all of them – and this seems a strong indicator that things will continue along that track. The defense also deserves plenty of credit for shutting out the reigning Division 6 champ.  

Remember this one Stevensville Lakeshore 26, Portage Central 22 The season is just getting started, but a Lakeshore go-ahead touchdown with 10 minutes to play could mean a lot in the final Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference standings.

More shoutouts Battle Creek Central 12, Portage Northern 6 This is a huge start for the Bearcats. Northern had won the last seven matchups between the two, including last season’s by 40, and went undefeated in league play in 2020 although the SMAC didn’t award a champion because of the abbreviated regular season. Cassopolis 20, Schoolcraft 19 After four straight double-digit win seasons, the Rangers fell back to 2-5 last fall. But defeating a Schoolcraft team coming off a Division 7 Semifinals trip may have begun a fast rebound.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Iron Mountain 14, Negaunee 12 These Western Peninsula Athletic Conference rivals had to take a year off from their annual game because of the shortened 2020 season, but they continued what’s become a series of close finishes – this the third straight decided by three points or fewer. Iron Mountain has won all three, which in this case again means a significant start to the Copper division season. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Watch list Gladstone 26, Calumet 20 (OT) The Braves won their season opener for the fifth year in a row, and the timing of this big victory couldn’t be better – four straight league games are up next.

Remember this one Ishpeming 22, Manistique 6 The Hematites didn’t play a game last season, but they returned with a victory by the identical score of their 2019 opener against Manistique.

More shoutouts Bark River-Harris 28, Gwinn 6 Bark River-Harris closed last season winning five of its last six and making a Division 8 District Final, and they may be back in stride. Ishpeming Westwood 52, Houghton 8 The Patriots extended their winning streak against Houghton to four, setting up this week’s league showdown with the Mountaineers.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Grand Rapids Catholic Central 43, Lapeer 21 The reigning Division 5 champion opened the season for the whole state with a noon Thursday kickoff at the Battle at the Big House, and looked like they’d just left Ford Field in January. QB Joey Silveri threw for two scores and ran for two more, and Nolan Ziegler caught three touchdown passes. Click for more from FOX 17.

Watch List Zeeland West 44, East Grand Rapids 27 The Dux have won eight straight season openers and now have an open week before beginning play in what might be the toughest league in the state this season, the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green.

Remember this one Caledonia 41, Holt 14 The Rams are expected to be one of the Lansing area’s best this fall – which means this could turn out to be an even more impressive start for Caledonia.

More shoutouts Muskegon Mona Shores 56, Lowell 14 The Sailors opened their pursuit of a third-straight Division 2 championship with a new quarterback but same offensive output. Ravenna 21, Beal City 20 The Bulldogs held on as the Aggies scored 13 fourth-quarter points.

8-Player

HEADLINER Marion 42, Merrill 12 The Eagles quietly have strung together five winning seasons in a row and made an impression in their first game since last season’s Division 2 Semifinal loss to eventual champion Powers North Central. Merrill was one of the best 8-player Division 1 teams in its first season playing the format in 2020. Click for more from the Cadillac News.

Watch list Pickford 36, Gaylord St. Mary 6 One game is merely that, but if history holds this would seem to indicate Pickford is a team to watch again in Division 1.

Remember this one Genesee 56, Mayville 52 The Wolves ended last season with a 48-20 playoff-opening loss to Mayville.

More shoutouts Blanchard Montabella 54, Bellevue 18 The Mustangs made a late move to 8-player this offseason and are three students too large to qualify for the playoffs – but their 8P debut will be remembered regardless if they continue to rebound from last year’s 1-5 finish in 11-player. Rogers City 14, Brethren 8 The Hurons won five games total over their last two seasons of 11-player, but debuted in 8-player with a win over a solid Brethren program coming off a third-straight finish at .500 or better.

PHOTOS: (Top) Niles Brandywine’s Ivory McCullough works to break the grasp of Centreville’s Xander Frederick during Thursday’s win. (Middle) Plainwell won its 120th meeting with Otsego, 21-6. (Below) Alpena's Joseph Blewett (21) and Mason Mumford (15) aren't able to get to Marquette's Justin Jurmu in time as Jurmu pulls in a pass from quarterback Austin Ridl to score their team’s first touchdown Thursday. (Top photo by Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune, middle by Gary Shook, and below by Cara Kamps.)