Photo Credit: Lou Murray
The MHSAA Football Playoffs reached the Regional Finals in 11-player, and the Semifinals in 8-player. Who advanced to next week’s games? What will the matchups be? Check out every score from around the state below!
DIVISION 1
East Kentwood 52 Hudsonville 28: Behind a remarkable 490 yards of total offense from Kayd Coffman, the Falcons secure their first Regional Championship since 2014, a year they also took down Hudsonville. This game was knotted up at 28 after three quarters, before East Kentwood went for 24 points in the final twelve minutes. Coffman ran for three touchdowns, passed for two more, and EK avenged a 43-42 loss from Week 7.
Detroit Catholic Central 42 Clarkston 13: Clarkson scored first, but Duke Banta and the DCC offense was just too much for the Wolves on Friday night. Banta threw for three touchdowns in the first half, one to each of the Gash brothers (Samson and Gideon) and the other to Michael Dersa, to give DCC a 28-7 lead at the break. Explosive touchdown runs from Cedric Williams and Ryan Jafaar pushed the lead to 35 points before a late Clarkston touchdown. This is the second straight trip to the semifinals for the Shamrocks, although they have not made it to the Finals since 2016.
Detroit Cass Tech 42 Saline 28: CJ Sadler was the star for the Technicians, as the UNC commit had three receiving touchdowns and two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown. Cass Tech led 35-14 before the Hornets scored a touchdown on a Philly Special pass to Tommy Carr, then recovered an onside kick to set up another touchdown, trimming the deficit to just seven. Donald Tabron found Sadler late in this game streaking down the field to seal the deal, pushing the lead back out to two scores.
Rochester Adams 29 Romeo 13: The Highlanders secured their second straight Regional Title, and their third in six seasons. They will look to upset Cass Tech to advance to Ford Field for just the third time in school history (2003 D2 Champs, 2021 D1 Runner-Up).
SEMIFINAL: Detroit Catholic Central (12-0) 81.056 vs East Kentwood (10-2) 70.222
SEMIFINAL: Detroit Cass Tech (12-0) 74.556 vs Rochester Adams (10-2) 76.111
DIVISION 2
Portage Central 24 Traverse City Central 20: The Mustangs faced their toughest test all season, trailing 13-3 with two minutes left in the first half. Needing a spark, they got an instant break with a kickoff return touchdown from Ben Coleman to bring them back within three. After exchanging empty drives to start the third quarter, PC got a huge 40-yard touchdown run from Cam Noe on 3rd and 1, giving them the 17-13 edge. The Trojans, not to be deterred, used a fake reverse for 62 yards to set up a short touchdown run, giving them the lead back with 11:14 to play, 20-17. Portage Central needed just under four minutes to respond, as two big plays from Noe set up his 1-yard touchdown plunge. Portage Central got a key stop, and then converted a play action pass on 4th and 2 at the TCC 36 yard line to seal the victory, capturing the school’s first Regional Championship since 2013. A win next week over OLSM would put the Mustangs in the finals for the first time since they lost to Brother Rie in the 1977 Class A Final.
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 42 Midland Dow 7
Dexter 56 Gibraltar Carlson 42
Birmingham Groves 37 St Clair Shores Lakeview 14
SEMIFINAL: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (9-2) 63.083 vs Portage Central (12-0) 76.111
SEMIFINAL: Birmingham Groves (9-3) 61.556 vs Dexter (11-1) 76.500
DIVISION 3
Mount Pleasant 28 East Grand Rapids 14: The Oilers took a hot start and turned it into a 14-point Regional Championship victory, their first Regional Title since their 2011 run to Ford Field that included that miraculous 38-37 win over East, snapping a five-year State Championship streak. After a scoreless first quarter, the Oilers struck first on a Graham Phillips 12-yard touchdown run. EGR would respond with a 69-yard touchdown strike, but they missed the PAT. Mt Pleasant would then score two more touchdowns in the quarter, as Xavier Creguer found Zay Rodriguez on a 13 and 26-yard touchdown pass to give the Oilers a 21-6 lead. EGR would get back within seven on a Zack Cawell touchdown run, but Creguer and Rodriguez connected again on a 5-yard score, capping off a 90-yard touchdown drive and sealing the win for Mt. Pleasant. East Grand Rapids had two opportunities to score from deep in the red zone in the second half, but both resulted in empty possessions, critical stands that proved to be the difference.
Lowell 36 Zeeland West 34: The Red Arrows are Regional Champions for the first time since 2016, as they took down Zeeland West in an instant classic. Trailing 22-7 at the break, thanks to three Brandon Holman touchdown runs, Lowell did not pack it in. They were resilient, and ultimately, that gave them the regional title. A pair of Logan Dawson touchdown runs in the third quarter got Lowell right back in it. With four minutes to go, Marek Pullen broke off a 25-yard touchdown run to put Lowell ahead for good. The Dux had one last chance to score, getting all the way to the Lowell 16 yard line, before they turned the ball over on downs in the game’s closing seconds, their final pass slipping through the outstretched arms of the Zeeland West receiver.
DeWitt 70 Fenton 26: The Panthers kicked it into high gear with a win over Fenton in the Regional Finals. After Fenton scored on their first play from scrimmage, a 71-yard pass from Noah Sheil to Landon Becker, DeWitt’s Channing Ridley returned the ensuing kickoff 91 yards for an equalizer. This was the first of two first quarter kick return touchdowns, as Jadon Bender also returned a kick 99 yards following Fenton’s second touchdown. There were 42 points combined in the first quarter, as offensive sparks flew on both sides. In defeat, Fenton’ Noah Sheil completed 20/39 passes for 384 yards and two scores, while also running for 95 yards and two touchdowns. His twin brother, Rory Sheil, caught nine passes for 165 yards and a touchdown. DeWitt quarterback, and Central Michigan commit, Trav Moore rushed for 186 yards and two touchdowns, as the Panthers tallied 523 yards on the ground as a team. In total, there were 1,098 yards of offense in this contest. This is the 16th Regional Championship in 27 years for Rob Zimmerman at DeWitt.
Warren De La Salle 38 Detroit King 20: A career night from Jackson Tur, a wide receiver and kicker for the Pilots, propelled them to victory over Detroit King. In the first half alone, Tur caught two touchdown (both 31 yard passes), converted five extra points, and buried a 39-yard field goal at the first half buzzer. Damion King, a Ferris State commit, was bottled up, allowing the Pilots’ other players to shine. Dan Rohn, the offensive mastermind that he is, utilized his two-quarterback system beautifully, relying on Grayson Thurston and Anthony Bitoni to each use their strengths to carry this team to victory. WDLS becomes the first 6-loss team to reach the Semifinals, and much like their 2-4 team in 2020 that reached Ford Field, this group is determined to do it once again.
SEMIFINAL: Lowell (10-2) 58.778 vs Mount Pleasant (12-0) 76.444
SEMIFINAL: Warren De La Salle (6-6) 49.306 vs DeWitt (12-0) 79.667
DIVISION 4
Unity Christian 52 Big Rapids 14: The ‘Saders took down one of the tournament’s best performing teams in Big Rapids, stifling the Cardinals 52-14. After impressive wins over Ludington and Escanaba, vibes were high in Mecosta County. Those were quickly quelled, as the ‘Saders scored 22 straight points to open this game, all on touchdown runs by Jared Devries, including an Octopus! The team then exchanged touchdowns for the rest of the first half, making it 38-14 at the break, thank to Unity’s willingness to go for two. After the break, a pair of touchdown runs for the ‘Saders iced this game. Unity ran the football 54 times for 345 yards and 7 touchdowns as a team. That is good for 6.4 yards per carry. No player exceeded 73 yads (Lucas Elliot), but Jared Devries did manage four touchdown runs and seven players recorded at least 26 yards on the ground. In defeat, Big Rapids only mustered 247 yards of total offense, a frustrating number from a bunch that has been dynamic all season. The Unity Christian defense forced a pair of key interceptions. Despite all of their success, this is somehow Unity’s first Regional Title since 2021.
Vicksburg 42 Portland 41: The storybook season continues for the Bulldogs, as they win their first ever Regional Championship, upsetting the traditional power Portland. They will now travel to Caledonia to face Unity Christian in a semifinal game, an even taller task.
Goodrich 41 Williamston 33: The Martians are back in the semifinals for the fourth straight season, besting Williamston in a shootout. Goodrich led 21-7 early, before Williamston rallied to make it 21-20 midway through the second quarter, thanks in large part to recovering a fumble on the kickoff following their second touchdown. The teams exchanged scores early in the third to keep Goodrich ahead by one, before Tanner Mazich’s 37-yard score gave them a 7-point lead headed into the fourth. Once again, an exchange of touchdowns in the final stanza moved the margin by a single point, but kept Goodrich out in front, ending the Hornets’ season.
Dearborn Divine Child 10 Harper Woods 6
SEMIFINAL: Unity Christian (11-1) 61.334 vs Vicksburg (8-4) 48.556
SEMIFINAL: Goodrich (12-0) 68.000 vs Dearborn Divine Child (11-1) 59.667
DIVISION 5
Ogemaw Heights 34 Swan Valley 14
West Catholic 27 Kalamazoo United 0: The Falcons become the latest Grand Rapids area team to knock this Kalamazoo bunch out of the postseason, posting a shutout in the process. Since 2017, Grand Rapids Catholic Central (2), Unity Christian and West Catholic (2) have eliminated the Titans in five of their nine trips to the playoffs. Grady Augustyn got WC going with a 1-yard quarterback keeper, finishing a drive where the Falcons ran the ball on all 13 plays. This would serve as the theme of the night, as the Falcons eclipsed 300 rushing yards as a team in this victory. Connor Olszewski led that attack with 158 yards on 26 carries, while Collin Abram added 90 yards on 17 carries. Defensively, they held K-United to just 103 yards of total offense, forcing two turnovers and limiting the Titans to 2.2 yards per carry. Though they won the D6 finals in 2022, this is the first Division 5 semifinal for West Catholic since 2017, when they won their fifth of five straight Division 5 State Championships.
Monroe Jefferson 71 Michigan Center 45: The Bears continue their storybook season with a Regional Championship victory over Michigan Center. Last year, the Bears were 1-8. This will be their first winning season since 2008, and now they are in the Semifinals for the first time since 1999 after scoring 71 points. Luke Beaudrie was 4/5 passing for 91 yards and a touchdown, but his impact was felt on the ground, as he rushed for 189 yards and three scores. Drake Jones added 167 yards and five rushing touchdowns on 17 carries, a remarkable tandem offensively for this team.
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 42 Frankenmuth 28: For the second straight season, the Fighting Irish provided a swift end to the Eagles’ season. After a 42-7 drubbing at Ford Field last season, Frankenmuth provided a much stronger fight in tonight’s Regional Final defeat. On their opening drive, Cash Tedford’s 12-yard carry gave the Eagles a 7-0 lead. PNDP rallied back with four unanswered touchdowns, including one on a punt block from Ashton Gust. Trailing 28-7, Frankenmuth battled back with a pair of scores to bring it with seven with 8 minutes left in the third quarter. The teams traded touchdown passes, before Samuel Stowe’s third touchdown pass of the night, his second to Brodin Sink, sunk the Eagles for good. Stowe was 17/26 passing for 219 yards and three touchdowns. Brodin Sink caught eight of those balls for 146 yards and two scores. Anthony Tartaglia rushed for 122 yards on 20 carries for the Fighting Irish. In defeat, Lleyton Hoard completed 9/14 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding 94 rushing yards and a score. Cash Tedford had 126 receiving yards, 63 rushing yards, and two touchdowns.
SEMIFINALS: West Catholic (11-1) 62.111 vs Ogemaw Heights (11-1) 54.389
SEMIFINALS: Monroe Jefferson (11-1) 52.111 vs Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (10-2) 62.444
DIVISION 6
Kingsley 18 Reed City 14: The Stags, 2005 and 2023 Division 6 State Champions, are one win away from a return to Ford Field. They took down Reed City in a great football contest. After Kingsley fumbled the opening kick, Reed City scored on a 34-yard touchdown run from Kason Coppick. After a key interception stopping a Coyotes drive on a rare pass attempt, Kingsley broke through. On 4th-and-goal from the four, Nolan Hodges ran it in for the Stags’ score, although they missed the conversion. On the first play of the second half, Reed City extended their lead with a 67-yard touchdown from Jack Ditsch. Once again, Kingsley went to Nolan Hodges, who converted a second 4-yard touchdown run to move the game to 14-12, Reed City. After two crucial holding penalties stalled Reed City, Kingsley took advantage. They elected to go for it on 4th and 10, and Tucker Dreves found Nolan Hodges on a 38-yard touchdown strike. Another failed conversion ensued, but Kingsley had the lead by four. Reed City’ final drive failed on a turnover on downs, pushing the Stags into the semis.
Kent City 50 Montrose 20
Jackson Lumen Christi 21 Ida 7: The Bluestreaks scored first, but never again, in their defeat to JLC. Sean Walicki brought the Titans back to even with a 28-yard carry on 4th and 2, before Benny Gaston found Wes Learned for a 33-yard touchdown with 12 seconds to go in the first half. Ida missed a field goal to start the second half, and with 9:50 to play, Sean Walicki’ second touchdown run iced it for Lumen.
Almont 44 Detroit Edison 8
SEMIFINAL: Kingsley (10-2) 48.166 vs Kent City (12-0) 49.667
SEMIFINAL: Almont (12-0) 61.667 vs Jackson Lumen Christi (9-3) 61.889
DIVISION 7
Shelby (7-4) 26.667 at Menominee (11-0) 52.486, Saturday, 12:00
Pewamo-Westphalia 42 Ithaca 21: A strong start and a strong finish powered PW to a victory against fellow state power Ithaca. The Pirates got three Ty Thelen rushing touchdowns in the first quarter to build a 21-7 lead. Ithaca would rally, as Gibson Rondy and Elijah Smith connected for two more touchdowns, one in each of the second and third quarters, evening the game at 21. The duo provided the ‘Jackets their first quarter score as well. Ty Thelen continued his strong game for PW, as he rushed for a go-ahead score on an 80-yard sprint to the end zone. He would pad the lead with a 41-yard touchdown pass to Caleb Blythe, and another 80-yard carry in the fourth quarter. In total, Ty Thelen rushed 25 times for 283 yards and five touchdowns. He also completed 2/4 passes for 44 yards and a score. Gibson Rondy completed just 9/25 passes for Ithaca, but he managed to run for 114 yards and toss the three touchdown passes to Elijah Smith.
Schoolcraft 22 Hanover-Horton 14
Clinton (9-2) 20 Millington 18
SEMIFINAL: Pewamo-Westphalia (11-0) 41.889 vs Menominee (12-0) 52.486
SEMIFINAL: Schoolcraft (10-2) 39.333 vs Clinton (10-2) 40.556
DIVISION 8
Bark River-Harris 22 Maple City Glen Lake 21: The Broncos advance on the best finish of the 2025 playoffs so far, and one of the best finishes of all-time. Trailing 21-14 after a Glen Lake touchdown with seven seconds to go, Bark River-Harris pulled out the best trick in their deck of cards. After one Bronco fielded the kickoff, he rifled it across the field to Gionni McDonough, who raced 90 yards for the score. In what certainly is the best Octopus of the season, McDonough was called on for the two-point conversion try, and he powered through the left side of the line, diving into the end zone for the winning conversion. This is Bark River-Harris’ first Regional Championship since 2003, and if Beal City wins on Saturday, it will be a rematch of that game that the Aggies won 16-6. Check out the thrilling video here, courtesy of My UP Sports Zone.
Harbor Beach 26 Beal City 15
Hudson 68 Springport 22
Allen Park Cabrini 34 Madison Heights Madison 32
SEMIFINAL: Bark River-Harris (10-1) 37.375 vs Harbor Beach (12-0) 42.556
SEMIFINAL: Allen Park Cabrini (11-1) 38.889 vs Hudson (12-0) 49.857
8-PLAYER DIVISION 1
Blanchard Montabella 32 Norway 28
Martin 20 Kingston 8
FINALS: Blanchard Montabella (11-1) 35.222 vs Martin (12-0) 38.667, Saturday 11/22 at 11:00 AM, Superior Dome
8-PLAYER DIVISION 2
Felch North Dickinson 44 Onekama 28
Portland St Patrick 36 Deckerville 15
FINALS: Felch North Dickinson (12-0) 34.708 vs Portland St Patrick (12-0) 37.750, Saturday 11/22 at 2:00 PM, Superior Dome
