It’s officially playoff time and everyone is invited.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association reformatted its original playoff system this fall, which allows every participating 11-player football team to take compete in the state tournament for the first time in its history.
The new format creates some opportunity for potential first-time playoff wins for some programs and could result in some shocking upsets as well.
Before the playoffs kick off, we want to know what games you, the fans, are the most hyped for. Each week, we’ve presented a list of some of the top games from each of our coverage areas for you to vote on and present the final results every Friday morning.
Below is a list of games we think will be must-see contests this week, followed by a poll for fans to cast their own vote. You can vote as many times as you’d like from now until 9 a.m. Friday.
NOTE: This poll does not determine MLive coverage. It’s designed to start a conversation among fans and create school spirit for the games.
Howell (3-3) at Hartland (3-3), TBD
The Eagles host the Highlanders in a Kensington Lakes Activities Association West Division rematch to open the Division 1 district tournament. Howell defeated Hartland 27-13 in Week 3 of the regular season.
Davison senior running back Carter Cryderman runs the ball in for a touchdown in the second quarter on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020 at Davison High School. Davison defeated Flint Powers Catholic in a 48-0 shutout. (Jake May | MLive.com)Jake May | Mlive.com
Lapeer (3-3) at Davison (6-0), TBD
The defending Division 1 state champions will host the Lightning in a rematch of their Week 6 in the Saginaw Valley Blue Division. Davison won that matchup 37-6 but beating a good team twice in the same season is never a walk in the park.
Forest Hills Northern (4-2) at Forest Hills Central (5-1), 7 p.m. Friday
The Rangers and Huskies will meet again for an OK White Conference clash but this time the stakes will be much higher. Forest Hills Central defeated Forest Hills Northern 28-13 in Week 2 but the Huskies will be motivated to knock off their rivals for the first time since 2004.
Lowell (3-3) at Byron Center (5-1), 7 p.m. Friday
The Red Arrows travel to take on the Bulldogs in another OK White rematch this week. Byron Center scored a 36-22 win over Lowell in Week 4, which was only the second meeting in the two program’s history. The first was a 48-17 win by Lowell in the 2015 district finals.
Ypsilanti (3-3) at Dearborn Heights Crestwood (5-1), TBD
The Grizzlies have an opportunity to record their first playoff victory in school history this weekend but a road trip to Dearborn Heights Crestwood will be a tall task. The Chargers have outscored their opponents 142-72 so far this season and will be looking to make a statement after a 34-0 loss to Ann Arbor Huron in their season finale.
Jackson (3-3) at Portage Central (2-4), 7 p.m. Friday
The Vikings and Mustangs have shared a similar road in 2020, as difficult schedules, injuries and illnesses have resulted in a deceiving overall record. Jackson will lean on senior tailback Dorion Riley, who has rushed for more than 1,700 yards and 23 touchdowns so far this season, while Portage Central also deploys a power rushing attack. This one should be a battle in the trenches and might come down to the final drive of the game.
Parma Western (3-3) at Battle Creek Harper Creek (4-2), 7 p.m. Friday
The Panthers and Beavers were two of the best teams in the Interstate Eight Conference this season and now they’ll finally get a chance to prove it on the gridiron. Harper Creek is currently on a three-game winning steak while Western is coming off a 42-27 road loss to Caledonia on Saturday.
Plainwell (3-2) at Vicksburg (4-2), TBD
The two Wolverine Conference rivals will meet for the first time this season after their original Week 2 contest was never rescheduled after the season was initially postponed in August. Plainwell’s only losses this season have been via forfeit due to COVID-19 quarantines, while Vicksburg’s only losses came to state-ranked opponents Edwardsburg (58-7) and Paw Paw (57-27).
Belding (5-1) at Hopkins (5-1), 1 p.m. Saturday
The OK Silver Conference foes will clash one more time this season after an exciting Week 4 contest. Hopkins came away with a 34-28 win in that meeting but might not be so lucky the second time around.
Hillsdale (4-2) at Olivet (5-1), 7 p.m. Friday
The Hornets and Eagles meet for the first time since 2005 in this Division 5 district opening matchup. Olivet is outscoring its opponents 230-62 so far this season, while Hillsdale prefers low-scoring slugfests. The team that established their style of play in this matchup will likely advance to the next round.
Kent City (5-1) at Clare (6-0), 7 p.m. Friday
The Eagles didn’t get a favorable draw in their Division 6 playoff opener, as they’ll travel to undefeated Clare on Friday. The Pioneers have outscored their opponents 261-56 so far this season, while Kent City is coming off its first loss of the season, a 26-20 decision to Orchard View last week.
Houghton Lake (4-2) at Evart (4-2), TBD
The Wildcats and Bobcats will meet for the second time this season, as the Highland Conference rivals clashed in Week 3 of the regular season. Evart won that matchup 29-22 and we expect the rematch to be just as competitive come playoff time.
Morley Stanwood (4-2) at Ravenna (3-3), 7 p.m. Friday
The Bulldogs and the Mohawks will compete for the first time since 1996 when Ravenna won 55-12 in their regular-season finale before eventually winning a Class C state championship. The Bulldogs can take their first step toward repeating that feat if they can fend off the upset-minded Mohawks in their Division 6 playoff opener.
Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (4-2) at Bad Axe (4-2), 7 p.m. Friday
This Greater Thumb Conference West Division rematch should be an intriguing battle from state to finish. The Hatchets scored a 27-6 decision over the Lakers just two weeks ago, but Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker had won straight heading into that matchup. Will Bad Axe start their own winning streak in this rivalry or will the Lakers get their revenge in the playoffs?
Frankfort (3-3) at Saginaw Nouvel (4-2), TBD
These two powerhouse programs will meet for the first time this week to kick off the Division 8 postseason. Other than a pair of losses to Ithaca (47-27) and Carrollton (34-14), Nouvel has been dominant in their four wins this season, while the Panthers have been outscored 200-140.
Munising (4-2) at Indian River Inland Lakes (5-1), TBD
The Bulldogs are hoping to bounce back quickly after they saw their five-game winning streak snapped in a 38-6 loss to Merrill last week. The Mustangs have lost two straight games, but are outscoring their opponents 148-90 so far this season. The team that can shrug off its regular season results and get into playoff mode the fastest will likely keep their season alive in this interesting matchup.
Deckerville (4-2) at Merrill (5-1), 2 p.m. Saturday
The Eagles and Vandals will meet for the first time since 1990, when Merrill scored a 51-14 win in the Division 7 district championship game. Merrill is outscoring its opponents 254-88 so far this season, but Deckerville is more than capable of keeping pace with the Vandals, as the Eagles have put up 236 points through six games.
East Kentwood (2-3) at Hudsonville (4-2), 2 p.m. Saturday
This OK Red matchup is a rematch of the season opener for both squads. The Eagles came away with a narrow 21-13 decision in that contest and we expect a similar down-to-the-wire matchup in the playoff opener.
Detroit Western (5-1) at Dearborn Fordson (4-2), TBD
Other than a 33-7 loss to Detroit King, the Cowboys have been a force to be reckoned with in 2020. Western has won four straight heading into the postseason, but a road game against Fordson won’t be easy, as the Tractors are on a four-game winning streak of their own.
Utica Eisenhower (2-4) at Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (2-3), 7 p.m. Friday
The Eagles started the season 0-4 but have won back-to-back games heading into the postseason, including a 21-20 home win over the Big Reds. Can Utica Eisenhower keep the momentum rolling and knock off Chippewa Valley for the second time in three weeks?
Detroit U-D Jesuit (2-4) at Grosse Pointe North (3-3), TBD
The Cubs have dropped a few narrow contests to Detroit Country Day (21-12), Lake Orion (7-6) and Detroit Catholic Central (21-3) and forfeited a contest to Detroit Loyola. Grosse Pointe North will need to bounce back from a 41-3 loss to Grosse Pointe North and U-D Jesuit won’t make that mission easy in round one of the playoffs.
Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse (4-2) at Fraser (4-2), 7 p.m. Friday
The Lancers have won three straight games heading into the playoffs, including a narrow 7-6 win over the Ramblers to Week 4. Can Fraser get their revenge at home or will L’Anse Creuse knock off their Macomb Area Conference Blue Division rivals twice in the same season?
River Rouge's Armorion Smith (7) celebrates on the sidelines against Muskegon in the MHSAA Division 3 football championship game at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. (Cory Morse | MLive.com) Cory Morse | MLive.com
Gibraltar Carlson (4-2) at River Rouge (4-1), 7 p.m. Friday
The Panthers are considered by many to be one of the best teams in the state, and other than a 21-6 loss to East Lansing, the team has outscored its four other opponents 174-0. The Marauders have scored 202 total points this season and have the ability to make this playoff opener interesting.
Trenton (3-3) at Allen Park (4-2), 7 p.m. Friday
The Jaguars scored a 29-7 decision over the Trojans to open the season back in September and their only losses this season were a 16-8 decision to Brownstown Woodhaven and a forfeit loss to Ecorse. The Trojans are coming off a 20-7 win over Lincoln Park and will be hungry for revenge on their Downtown River League rivals.
Warren Fitzgerald (4-2) at Detroit Mumford (3-3), 12 p.m. Saturday
The Mustangs are a deceiving 3-3 this year due to losses to Detroit Cass Tech (35-0), Detroit Western (26-20 OT) and Grand Rapids Christian (22-12). The Spartans have scored back-to-back wins over Clinton Township Clintondale (50-34) and Warren Lincoln (46-6) and are more than capable of pulling off a first-round upset on the road.
Harrison (4-2) at Sanford Meridian (4-2), 7 p.m. Friday
The Mustangs have already scored a 28-8 win over the Hornets in Week 3 of the regular season but this Jack Pine Conference rematch will likely be much closer on the scoreboard in its second edition.
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