Photo Credit: Lou Murray
The first round of the MHSAA Football Playoffs began Friday, with 256 teams in the 11-man playoffs and 32 teams in the 8-man playoffs dreaming of a trip to the State Championship games. For half of those teams, their dreams would conclude in the first round, while others advance to a trophy round next week. The final scores, key stats, and recap article links can be found below:
Division 1 Region 1 District 1
Hudsonville 25 East Kentwood 23
Grandville 24 Rockford 14
DISTRICT FINALS: Grandville (6-4) at Hudsonville (9-1)
Division 2 Region 1 District 1
Mona Shores 28 Traverse City West 0
Byron Center 38 Northview 17
DISTRICT FINALS: Byron Center (9-1) at Mona Shores (9-1)
Division 3 Region 1 District 2
DeWitt 42 St Johns 7: Jadon Bender had an explosive night for the victorious Panthers, hauling in five catches for 169 yards and two touchdowns.
Lowell 27 Cedar Springs 7: The Red Arrows defeated the Red Hawks for the second time this season, securing the program’s first postseason victory since 2020. Cedar Springs struck first on a Noah Mallory touchdown early in the second quarter, but they would not score the rest of the way. Logan Dawson had a big night for Lowell, rushing 18 times for 103 yards and three touchdowns, while passing for a fourth score.
DISTRICT FINALS: Lowell (8-2) at DeWitt (10-0)
Division 3 Region 2 District 1
St Joseph 41 Stevensville Lakeshore 21
Zeeland West 32 Zeeland East 6
DISTRICT FINALS: Zeeland West (9-1) at St Joseph (9-1)
Division 3 Region 2 District 2
Forest Hills Central 7 East Grand Rapids 0: The Rangers defeated the Pioneers for a second straight week, ending East Grand Rapids’ season. It was a shutout for the second straight week, as both Ty Ryan and Alex Dixon finished with six tackles and an interception. The lone touchdown for FHC came in the air, as Nick Williams connected with Brendan Cargill for a score. Cargill hauled 56 of Williams 100 passing yards on two of his ten completions.
Coopersville 39 Kenowa Hills 13
DISTRICT FINAL: Coopersville (7-3) at Forest Hills Central (8-2)
Division 4 Region 1 District 1
Big Rapids 28 Ludington 21: The Cardinals advance to the District Finals, taking down the strong Orioles team. After yielding the first score, Big Rapids responded with a pair of Garrett Foster touchdowns to take a 14-7 lead. Ludington broke off a 33-yard touchdown pass from Cam Gunsell to Zach Graham in the closing seconds of the first half to draw the game even. In the third quarter, Big Rapids continued to drive away on the ground. They got a third touchdown from Foster and another score by Jack Bollman to take a two-touchdown lead. Ludington would put seven more points on the board, but it wasn’t enough. Big Rapids rushed 46 times for 206 yards in this victory, with Foster pacing the team with 25 carries for 109 yards.
Whitehall 28 Forest Hills Eastern 21: The Vikings overcame an early 14-0 deficit to knock the Hawks out of the playoffs. FHE scored on their first two possessions, including a 96-yard touchdown march after forcing a fumble deep in the red zone, to create a quick lead. The Hawks had a chance to go up even more on the final play of the first half, when Camden Thompson intercepted a pass and raced 90 yards for a score. Thompson would use his legs on the first Vikings’ drive of the second half, as his 29-yard keeper evened the score at 14. The teams would exchange touchdowns, leaving the count tied at 21 with just under seven minutes to play. Whitehall had the football, and the Vikings took all but eleven seconds of the remaining clock to march 68 yards in 15 plays. On that final play, Gavin Craner reeled off an 8-yard touchdown carry to deliver Whitehall a narrow victory. Craner (139) and Camden Thompson (114) both crossed the century mark on the ground for Whitehall. Jackson Arnold led all rushers with 143 yards and two scores on 26 carries for FHE.
DISTRICT FINALS: Whitehall (7-3) at Big Rapids (9-1)
Division 4 Region 1 District 2
Unity Christian 63 Hamilton 20
South Christian 35 Holland Christian 7
DISTRICT FINAL: South Christian (6-4) at Unity Christian (10-0)
Division 4 Region 2 District 2
Portland 42 Lansing Sexton 8: The Raiders punch their ticket to the District Finals with a strong showing against Sexton. Nolan Zbytowski had four total touchdowns, three on the ground and the fourth on an explosive kickoff return.
Hastings 35 Ionia 0
DISTRICT FINALS: Hastings (9-1) at Portland (10-0)
Division 4 Region 3 District 2
Goodrich 49 Ortonville Brandon 7
DISTRICT FINALS: Freeland (9-1) at Goodrich (9-1)
Division 5 Region 1 District 2
Frankenmuth 62 Tri County 6: A banged-up Vikings team, without 12 starters, self-inflicted several mistakes with five turnovers. When you’re facing one of the state’s best teams, this will quickly lead to a lopsided affair. Hagan Wascher, Lleyton Howard and Donovan Hatch all scored multiple touchdowns for the Eagles.
Belding 52 Swan Valley 30
DISTRICT FINALS: Belding (9-1) at Frankenmuth (10-0)
Division 5 Region 2 District 1
West Catholic 32 Oakridge 14
GR Catholic Central 28 Hopkins 0
DISTRICT FINALS: GR Catholic Central (6-4) at West Catholic (7-3)
Division 5 Region 2 District 2
Kalamazoo United 33 South Haven 7
Berrien Springs 14 Dowagiac 6
DISTRICT FINALS: Berrien Springs (7-3) at Kalamazoo United (8-2)
Division 6 Region 1 District 2
Reed City 41 Manistee 20
Standish-Sterling 50 Mason County Central 32
DISTRICT FINALS: Standish-Sterling (7-3) at Reed City (8-2)
Division 6 Region 2 District 1
Central Montcalm 36 Kent City 12
DISTRICT FINALS: Central Montcalm (9-1) at Newaygo (8-2)
Division 7 Region 3 District 1
Lawton 42 Coloma 6
Schoolcraft 28 Bronson 14
DISTRICT FINALS: Schoolcraft (9-1) at Lawton (8-2)
Division 8 Region 3 District 1
Decatur 34 Centreville 6
Saugatuck 24 White Pigeon 22
DISTRICT FINALS: Saugatuck (7-3) at Decatur (9-1)
8-Man Division 1 Region 4
Martin 52 Gobles 22
Mendon 58 Climax-Scotts 50: In a rematch of a closely contested battle in Week 8, the Hornets were able to reverse the result in the regional semifinals. These two went back and forth throughout the night, with Mendon holding a 16-point lead on multiple occasions in the first half. Two scores to start the second half by Climax-Scotts evened the game at 30, and the teams went score-for-score the rest of the way. With just three seconds to play, Owen Gorham powered across the goal line from four yards out to break a 50-50 tie and deliver a victory for Mendon. The Hornets rushed 71 times for 519 yards, attempting and completing just one eight-yard pass. James Lux had 26 carries for 257 rushing yards and three scores. Owen Gorham added 40 carries for 231 yards and five touchdowns. In defeat, Luke Lawrence had 15 carries for 286 rushing yards and six touchdowns for Climax-Scotts.
REGIONAL FINALS: Martin (8-1) at Mendon (9-1)
8-Man Division 2 Region 3
GR Sacred Heart v Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart – Saturday, 1:00 at Northpointe Christian
Morrice 28 Portland St Patrick 22: The Orioles reversed a 29-12 regular season defeat from Week 4 in the regional semifinals. This win over the Shamrocks marks the program’s first postseason victory since 2022.
REGIONAL FINALS: Morrice (9-1) vs ________________
