Michigan’s high school football playoffs have entered their significant second round. A total of 128 teams remain in the race for state championships. These determined teams compete in eight divisions on their path to Ford Field, and each win brings the dream of glory closer.

Several compelling matchups will define this round’s championship hopes in divisions of all sizes. Traditional powerhouses defend their legacy while ambitious emerging programs look for breakthrough wins. The stakes keep rising as teams battle for spots in regional championships, and fans can expect thrilling contests across the state.

Top Second-Round Matchups to Watch

The second-round playoffs showcase several heavyweight matchups in any discipline. Traditional powerhouses clash with emerging contenders in significant district championship games.

Division 1 showdowns

Belleville (9-1) will host Saline (7-3) in one of the most predicted matchups across the state. Senior quarterback Bryce Underwood leads Belleville’s explosive offense against Saline’s tough defense that allowed only seven points in their last game. The excitement continues as Dakota (9-1) takes on Eisenhower (8-2) in a rematch that will decide the MAC Red Championship after their regular-season clash.

Intriguing Division 2 and 3 games

Warren De La Salle (7-2) will face undefeated Grosse Pointe South (10-0) in a championship contender showdown. De La Salle’s most important playoff experience shines through their three straight appearances in the Division 2 state championship. The Division 3 bracket showcases an exciting battle between St. Joseph (9-1) and Zeeland West (9-1). These powerhouse teams proved their worth with recent dominant victories – St. Joseph defeated Lakeshore 41-21 while Zeeland West controlled Zeeland East 32-6.

Key small school matchups

The small school divisions feature some exciting games this week:

• Mattawan (7-3) at Portage Central (7-3) – These teams meet again after Portage Central won a defensive showdown 7-0 earlier
• Berrien Springs (7-3) facing Kalamazoo United (8-2) – The Shamrocks look to bounce back from their season-opening loss to United

The winners from first-round games now face tougher challenges. These teams want to claim district championships and get a chance to keep their title hopes alive.

Surprise Teams and Cinderella Stories

Michigan’s 2024 high school football playoffs tell remarkable stories. New teams rise to challenge the established programs, and powerhouse schools face unexpected competition.

Undefeated teams making noise

Howell stands out as this season’s biggest story with their perfect 9-0 record and a stunning victory over top-ranked Belleville in the KLAA Championship game. The Highlanders boast an exceptional defense that has allowed more than 20 points in just two games this season.

Several other undefeated teams are making waves:

• Groves (7-0) showed their strength with a commanding 42-12 win over Southfield A&T
• Mona Shores (7-0) achieved their first shutout by defeating Grand Rapids Union 48-0
• DeWitt (7-0) proves their defensive prowess by limiting opponents to under 200 total yards
• Unity Christian (7-0) powers through with their high-scoring offense, putting up at least 37 points in all but one game

Programs ending playoff droughts

This season marks a breakthrough moment as several programs shattered their long-standing playoff droughts. Maple Valley guides a remarkable group of 21 Lansing area teams into state playoff qualification. The team secured their spot despite facing a challenging regular season. Fulton has achieved a significant milestone under second-year coach Paul Hungerford’s leadership that brought them to postseason play for the first time since 2014. Saranac wrote their own success story when third-year coach Andy Lytle helped end their longest drought with their first playoff appearance since 2011.

Under-the-radar contenders

Newaygo has become a dark horse in Division 6 with an impressive 8-2 record under new coaches. The Lions grabbed their first playoff win since 2018 by defeating powerhouse Montague 30-17. Their offense clicks perfectly with senior quarterback Blake Kerr (805 passing yards, 10 TDs) and junior running back Porter Slominski (934 rushing yards, 13 TDs) leading the charge.

The Lions only stumbled against playoff teams Reed City and Big Rapids, proving they can hang with the top programs. Senior split-end Hunter Yearsovich shines as a two-way starter while keeping a 4.4 GPA, showing how the team excels both on the field and in the classroom.

These stories add excitement to the Michigan high school football playoffs. Teams of all levels now show that hard work and smart coaching can shake up the traditional powerhouse structure.

Toughest Roads to Ford Field

Michigan high school football teams face tough challenges on their way to Ford Field. Their playoff journey becomes especially challenging when they have multiple state-ranked opponents. Teams must also deal with complex travel arrangements in certain regions.

Loaded regions and districts

Region 1 of Division 1 stands out as a powerhouse bracket. Hudsonville (9-1) and Howell (10-0) lead the pack as top seeds. This is a big deal as it means that the region’s teams have won more than 75% of their games, creating one of the toughest brackets we’ve seen in years.

Division 2 showcases some impressive district matchups that highlight elite talent:

Brighton (8-2) vs Howell (10-0) 

West Bloomfield (5-5) vs Detroit Catholic Central (10-0) 

Utica Eisenhower (8-2) vs Macomb Dakota |(9-1)

Potential rematches

The playoff format has set up some exciting regular-season rematches. Byron Center (9-1) will face Mona Shores again in a district championship game. Their Week 4 battle saw Mona Shores edge out a close 14-12 win. The stakes are substantially higher now.

Forest Hills Central and East Grand Rapids find themselves in an unusual situation. These teams will clash just a week after their regular-season finale in Division 3. The coaching teams must adapt their game plans faster for this quick rematch.

Long travel for some schools

The MHSAA’s playoff format creates major travel headaches for many teams. Here’s what this means:

• Schools that are more than 75 miles apart must agree on game times together
• Schools within 75 miles get to decide game times on their own
• Schools in Northern Michigan usually have to drive longer distances
• Teams might have to cross several regions to play their playoff games

Travel becomes a big issue in Division 3’s Region 1. Teams have to drive long distances while getting ready for these crucial games. Take Newaygo for example – they might need to make several long trips if they keep winning. This can mess up their practice schedule and prep time.

The playoff point system makes things even trickier. Teams with higher rankings get home games no matter how far their opponents have to travel. This means lower-ranked teams might end up on the road for multiple games in a row. They need to be tough both on and off the field.

Upper Peninsula schools playing 11-player football face an even bigger challenge. Their trip to Ford Field isn’t just a figure of speech – it’s a real 400-mile journey for semifinal and championship games. These teams have to think about both winning games and managing these long trips.

The path to Ford Field gets harder with each round. Detroit Catholic Central (10-0) has one of the toughest roads ahead. They might need to beat several state-ranked teams to make it to the finals. Division 6 has its own twist – the only two undefeated teams (9-0 each) are in the same district. One of these perfect seasons will end before the regional finals even start.

Championship Favorites and Dark Horses

The Michigan high school football playoffs are reaching their crucial stages. Championship dreams grow stronger as clear favorites emerge, while dark horse candidates make their presence felt in all divisions.

Top contenders in each division

The championship race showcases both 10-year old powerhouses and rising stars in different divisions. Belleville dominates Division 1 with their star quarterback Bryce Underwood, who committed to LSU. His impressive stats include 3,300+ passing yards and 41 touchdowns. Detroit Catholic Central boasts a flawless 10-0 record and shows championship qualities with their stellar defense.

Division-wise championship favorites:

Division 1 – Belleville (9-1)

Division 2 – Mona Shores (9-1)

Division 3 – DeWitt (10-0)

Division 4 – Unity Christian (10-0)

Division 5 – Frankenmuth (10-0)

Sleeper teams that could make a run

A few dark horse programs look ready to challenge for championships. East Lansing stands out in Division 2 with their 5-3 record. Michigan State commit Jace Clarizio powers their offense with 1,255 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in this memorable season. Mason shows real championship DNA in Division 4. Their 6-1 record speaks volumes, and Western Illinois commit Cason Carswell leads a potent offensive attack.

Davison makes a strong case in Division 1 with a solid 6-2 record. Their star player A.J. Hill, committed to Ferris State, and dominated with 1,493 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2023. The road to Ford Field looks tough, but Davison’s talent matches up well against the division’s powerhouses.

Key players to watch

Several standout athletes could shape their team’s championship destiny in this year’s playoff field.

• Bryce Underwood (Belleville) – This LSU commit stands out among quarterbacks with 3,331 passing yards and 41 touchdowns
• Elliott Larner (DeWitt) – Michigan Tech’s newest recruit shows his versatility with 674 passing yards and 955 rushing yards
• Jaden Pydyn (Detroit Catholic Central) – Army commit shines both as running back and linebacker
• Justin Jones (Howell) – This dynamic athlete racked up 1,485 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns
• Donovan Triplett (Walled Lake Western) – This junior running back hit the 1,000-yard mark two seasons straight

Transfer talent adds excitement to the championship race. Elijah Dotson moved to Belleville from U-D Jesuit and brought impressive stats – 1,665 yards and 18 touchdowns from his junior season. Kam Flowers, Toledo’s newest commit, gives West Bloomfield a game-changing playmaker when it matters most.

Teams are gearing up for district finals. The 8-Player Finals kick off at Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome on November 23, and Ford Field hosts the 11-Player Finals on November 29-30. Each division showcases both powerhouse teams and rising challengers, promising thrilling championship battles at every level.

The second round of Michigan’s high school football playoffs marks a defining moment in the season.

Both powerhouse teams, Belleville and Detroit Catholic Central are ready to face strong challengers. Teams like Howell and Newaygo have emerged as unexpected contenders that add excitement to the race for the championship. Michigan’s depth of talent shines through these matchups. Regular-season records take a backseat to playoff performance in this unpredictable tournament format.

The road to championship glory runs through tough regional battles and long road trips. Teams must make smart tactical choices as they direct their path through packed brackets and possible rematches. Weather conditions could play a role in their journey to Ford Field. Star athletes Bryce Underwood, Elliott Larner, and Justin Jones will spearhead their teams’ title hopes. Their personal stories blend into Michigan high school football’s rich tradition. These playoffs showcase why the sport remains a treasured part of Michigan’s athletic heritage.