Michigan high school football top 25 rankings (9/18/2023)

The Tigers earned their 29th straight victory after shutting out Dearborn 53-0. Junior five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood went 15-for-15 through the air and finished with over 250 total yards and five total touchdowns. Belleville will travel to Livonia Franklin next as it tries to extend its streak further. 

The Rams answered a lot of questions after defeating Caledonia 42-16 Friday night. Senior quarterback Drake Irwin threw for over 350 yards and three touchdowns. Rockford accumulated over 500 yards of offense, and doing it against Caledonia’s defense means it didn’t come easy. Rockford hosts West Ottawa next for an interleague matchup. 

The Warriors were able to edge out Groves with a 42-35 win. Southfield A&T has one of the best offenses in the state, but its defense hasn’t been keeping up. The Warriors have yet to allow less than 17 points in a game, and they’ve given up more than 25 points in all but one game. Southfield A&T is set to visit Farmington on September 22. 

Mason continued its offensive dominance with a 37-12 victory over Williamston. The Bulldogs have now scored at least 35 points in each of their first four games. With playoffs on the horizon, Mason looks like the team to beat in Division 3. Haslett is the next team in the way of the Bulldogs’ perfect season. 

The Cardinals were able to knock off Heritage 37-22. Davison has one of the most consistent offenses in the state this season, scoring no less than 31 points in every game so far. With a favorable schedule ahead, Davison could enter the playoffs on a tear. Davison is set to host Arthur Hill next. 

Saline shutout Bedford for a 48-0 win on Friday night. Following a 56-0 win the previous week, the Hornets have outscored their last two opponents 104-0. Saline was able to gain nearly 350 total yards against Bedford while holding them to under 150 total yards. The Hornets host Monroe on September 22 for an interleague matchup. 

The Rangers have held every opponent they’ve faced under 10 points in 2023. Forest Hills Central defeated rival Forest Hills Northern 38-6, and senior receiver Ty Hudkins (Northwestern) had two catches for over 100 yards and two touchdowns. The Rangers host Byron Center next, and it will likely be the best offense they’ve seen this season. 

Caledonia suffered its first loss of the season after falling to Rockford 42-16. It was the first time Caledonia’s defense allowed more than 28 points, and 16 was by far the least amount of points they’ve scored in a game this season. 

The Fighting Scots will have a chance to get back in form when Jenison comes to town on September 22. 

The Lakers took their first loss of the season against Lake Orion by a score of 17-13. West Bloomfield has the offense to compete with just about anyone, but its defense has been suspect early in 2023. There’s time to turn things around, but West Bloomfield has a tough schedule remaining, as it has to play Rochester Adams next and Southfield A&T on October 13. 

Dakota was able to beat Sterling Heights Stevenson 21-13. The Cougars have scored at least 20 points in every game this season. The biggest test for Dakota still lies ahead however, as it’s set to visit Chippewa Valley next on September 22. 

The Dragons pulled off a big 17-13 victory over West Bloomfield Friday night. Lake Orion has given itself a lot of momentum heading into the second half of the season, and it could need all of it as it heads towards matchups against Rochester Adams and Saline. The Dragons host Stoney Creek next. 

The Technicians were able to beat Detroit King 14-7 in the closing seconds with a short touchdown run from freshman running back De’mari Hendrix. Sophomore Cass Tech quarterback Corey Sadler Jr. had over 150 total yards and a rushing touchdown, and he fought through a leg injury for most of the game. Mumford is the next team standing in the way of the Technicians. 

The Pilots fell to Central Catholic (Ohio) 28-23 Friday night. Central Catholic seems to be one of the best teams in Ohio this season, so De La Salle keeping it close had to be a good sign for Pilot fans. De La Salle will look to bounce back when Catholic Central comes to town next. 

After defeating Union 48-7, the Dux have outscored their opponents 194-30 in 2023. Zeeland West put up over 400 yards of offense while almost holding Union to under 200. The Dux have a rivalry game slated next against Zeeland East. 

Lapeer was able to beat Carman-Ainsworth 49-12 Friday night. The Lightning have scored at least 40 points in each game this season, and they’ve put up 49 points in back-to-back games. Lapeer still has some challenges ahead, as they face Heritage next and Davison on October 20. 

The Mustangs defeated Canton 50-19, and it was the second time this season they’ve scored 50 points in a game this season (Aug. 31). Northville has been one of the most consistent teams in the state, and 19 points is the most its defense has given up. The Mustangs will try to remain undefeated when they visit Howell next. 

The Big Reds pulled out a 44-43 win in overtime against Anchor Bay Friday night. The offense did enough to get the victory, but Chippewa Valley’s defense gave up 501 yards against Anchor Bay. Things won’t get easier for the Big Reds next week as they host Dakota on September 22.

Following an 0-2 start, Clarkston has won two in a row after beating Stoney Creek 14-10. Aside from West Bloomfield and Lake Orion, Clarkston has a fairly favorable schedule heading into the second half of the season. If the Wolves can keep their momentum, they could be right back in the mix when playoffs roll around. 

After suffering their first loss of the season to Clarkston, the Highlanders beat Oxford 32-7. Rochester Adams is home to one of the top players in the country, senior tight end Brady Prieskorn (Michigan). With West Bloomfield next, Prieskorn might need a big game if the Highlanders want to stay on the winning side of things. 

The Eagles took their first loss of the season against Romeo by a score of 20-14. Coming off of a big win against Chippewa Valley the previous week, Eisenhower wasn’t able to sustain the momentum. With games against Dakota (Oct. 6) and Clarkston (Oct. 20) still to come, the Eagles have to get through Sterling Heights Stevenson first. 

The Falcons fell short against Southfield A&T 42-35. The Warriors are one of the best teams in the state, so for Groves to keep it a one score game, it says a lot. Groves has likely already played its toughest opponents in the regular season, so if it can keep stringing wins together it’ll be in good shape for playoffs.

Grand Rapids Catholic Central defeated Thornapple Kellogg 49-14 Friday night. After falling to Loyola Academy (Illinois) in week one, the Cougars have outscored their last three opponents 129-27. Grand Rapids Catholic Central will look to stay undefeated in league play when they visit Cedar Springs next. 

The Shamrocks have won two in a row after falling to Central Catholic (Ohio). Catholic Central defeated St. Mary’s prep 16-14 Friday night. The Shamrocks have two tough games headed their way, as they have De La Salle next followed by Brother Rice. If Catholic Central can manage to win its next two games, it could prove itself to be one of the top teams in the state. 

Following an 0-2 start to 2023, Muskegon has won two in a row after beating Mona Shores 42-21. Muskegon had arguably the toughest schedule to begin the season, having to play Rockford and De La Salle back-to-back. Those games appear to be in the rearview mirror, and the Big Reds have a rivalry game against Reeths-Puffer next. 

Walled Lake Western stayed undefeated after beating rival Walled Lake Northern 45-12. The Warriors’ closest game so far in 2023 was a 42-27 victory over Mott in week one. Mason awaits on October 13, so Walled Lake Western could use all the momentum it can muster in the coming weeks.