Michigan high school football top 25 rankings: Southfield A&T jumps to No. 2 (Aug. 28)
Week 1 of the Michigan high school football was full of action, and we got a first look at how the pecking order might shape out this season.
Here are the top teams entering Week 2.
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Last week: 1
Story: Bryce Underwood leads Belleville on final-drive victory over River Rouge
After leading by 14 going into the fourth quarter, the Tigers found themselves with the ball in a tie game with just under 40 seconds left.
In just a few plays, junior quarterback Bryce Underwood found senior receiver Julian Johnson for a 45 yard game-winning touchdown pass with seven seconds left on the clock.
Senior running back Jeremiah Beasley (Michigan commit) looked in mid-season form, scoring two first half touchdowns. Belleville has now won 26 games in a row.
Photo by Mariusz Nowak
Last week: 4
Story: Southfield A&T football defeats Cass Tech with late touchdown
The Warriors knocked off Cass Tech in a 29-27 thriller. Senior quarterback Isaiah Marshall (Kansas) had three passing touchdowns along with a rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter to give his team the lead, and eventually the win. Senior wide receiver Tashi Braceful (Toledo) had three receiving touchdowns and over 100 receiving yards.
Photo by Mariusz Nowak
Last week: 5
Story: Caledonia football defeats Romeo in Michigan top-25 showdown
Caledonia defeated Romeo 35-28. The Scots were led by quarterback Brody Betser, as he finished with four passing touchdowns. Senior receiver Maddox Greenfield caught all four of Betser’s touchdowns, including a game-winner with 58 seconds left.
Last week: 6
The Lakers defeated Chippewa Valley 22-21. West Bloomfield marched on a 79 yard drive in the final minutes to get the win. Senior quarterback Reqez Nance was the catalyst of the Laker offense throughout the game.
Last week: 2
The Technicians lost a close one to Southfield A&T, but they showed they have a lot of talent. Sophomore quarterback Corey Sadler Jr. had the offense on his back, and he was recently named the No. 20 prospect in the country for the class of 2026 by 247sports.com.
If Cass Tech can button up defensively, it should have no problem getting back to its winning ways.
Photo by Mariusz Nowak
Last week: 15
Rockford defeated Muskegon 27-7. The Rams showed they have the ability to put up points against a good defense, and holding Muskegon to seven points is nothing to slouch at.
If Rockford can stay consistent it could be a top team throughout the year.
Last week: 17
Mason beat Holt 52-14 Friday night. Mason scored a whopping 554 points last season, and its offensive output looks like it will carry into 2023. Mason should have one of the most potent offenses in the state this season.
Last week: 9
The Panthers gave Belleville everything they had, but Bryce Underwood and the Tigers got the best of them late in the fourth quarter.
River Rouge’s defense had its moments, and senior wide receiver Nicholas Marsh (MSU) looked like he’ll be one of the best players in the state once again.
Last week: 11
Saline beat Brighton 42-3 Thursday afternoon. The Hornets should have a bigger test in week two when they travel to Dexter for their first league game of the season, so it remains to be seen just how good they are.
All things considered, the Hornets are on track to be a top contender in Division I.
Last week: 16
Davison sneaks into the top ten after defeating De La Salle 31-26. Davison has two more non-league games before its first inter league game against Saginaw Heritage on September 15.
Last week: 10
The Cougars beat Fordson 42-13 Friday night. Dakota’s only loss last season was to Cass Tech in the playoffs (35-21), and it could very well still be on their mind. The Cougars travel to Utica next for another non-league matchup.
Last week: 13
The Big Reds fell just short of West Bloomfield in a 22-21 loss Thursday night. Chippewa Valley showed potential to hang with the best however, and it has one more non-league game against L’Anse Creuse before it kicks off a stretch of five-straight inter league games.
Last week: 3
The Pilots were flying high coming into this season after winning back-to-back Division II state titles. De La Salle lost quarterback Brady Drogosh to the University of Cincinnati in the offseason, and it seems as if it’ll take some time for the offense to figure itself out.
Last week: 14
The Highlanders beat St. Mary’s Prep 22-8 on Friday night. Adams has one of the top players in the country in senior tight end Brady Prieskorn (Michigan), and he will be a force to be reckoned with against any defense.
Adams has a rivalry matchup next against Rochester on September 1.
15. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (1-0)
Last week: 19
The Rangers handily beat Jenison 37-9 Friday night. The only loss for Forest Hills Central last season came against De La Salle in the 2022 Division 2 state title game. The Rangers look as if they’ll be a top Division II team again this season.
Last week: 21
DeWitt defeated Haslett 27-17, but it has a big test ahead as it hosts Mason on August 31. Mason will surely test the Panther defense, and it will give a good idea of where both teams are early in the season.
Last week: 18
Romeo lost to Caledonia 35-28 on Friday. The Bulldogs have a tough schedule late in the season, so it’ll be important for them to get back on track in the coming weeks. Romeo will travel to Roseville next on August 31.
Last week: 8
Muskegon got handled by Rockford 27-7. The Big Reds don’t have a lot of time to recuperate either, as they host De La Salle on September 1.
How they fare against the defending Division II champs could be a great tell of how their season will go.
Last week: 7
Story: St. Xavier (Ohio) routs Detroit King (Michigan)
The Crusaders lost to St. Xavier (Ohio) 44-8 Saturday afternoon. King lost a plethora of its talent from last season’s Division 3 state championship team, and it showed. If the Crusaders fail to develop their players quickly, 2023 could be a rough season.
Photo by Mariusz Nowak
Last week: N/R
Eisenhower defeated Oxford 20-6 Friday night. The first league game for the Eagles comes against Chippewa Valley on September 8, and it should be a good indicator of just how good the Eagles are.
Eisenhower must first travel to Sterling Heights to play Utica Ford on August 31.
Last week: 12
Clarkston lost to Northville by a score of 24-10. The Wolves have one of the toughest schedules in the state this season, and they have to travel to Southfield to play Southfield A&T next.
Whether week one was a bad game or a sneak peek into what 2023 will look like for Clarkston, it won’t be long before we know.
22. Detroit Catholic Central (1-0)
Last week: 22
The Shamrocks defeated Dearborn 28-7 Thursday afternoon. Catholic Central has another non-league game against Central Catholic (Ohio) before kicking off its interleague play against St. Francis De Sales (Ohio).
Last week: 24
The Falcons beat North Farmington 36-3 on Friday. They have one of the biggest tests of their season coming up when they travel to West Bloomfield on August 31. Whether or not Groves can compete with West Bloomfield remains to be seen, but if they can, they could be one of the bigger surprise teams in the state this season.
Last week: N/R
The Bulldogs dominated Grand Blanc 41-13 Thursday afternoon. Grandville is on the road against Davison next, and it will likely be its biggest test until it plays Caledonia on October 6.
If the Bulldogs can pull out a win against Davison, they could build some early-season momentum.
Last week: N/R
Heritage beat Mt. Pleasant 42-7 in its home opener on Thursday. The Hawks have a couple more games before they host Davison on September 15, and it will likely be their most difficult game of the regular season. First, the Hawks must handle business against Lakeland on August 31.
