Week 4 Preview: Top 20 matchups throughout Michigan (Part 1)

Detroit King (2-1) at Cass Tech (2-1)

The Crusaders thumped Detroit Renaissance 49-0 last week, rebounding from a Week 2 loss against Warren De La Salle. King reached the state semifinals last season and have made the playoffs every year since 2009. King has split with Cass Tech over the last two seasons, losing in 2023, but winning in 2022 in one of the state’s most competitive annual matchups.

Cass Tech has made the playoffs every season since 2008, highlighted by a state title in 2016. The Technicians defeated King 14-7 last fall, but they ultimately lost four games for the third straight season. Cass Tech lost a physical battle against Rockford in Week 1 but have since outscored their opponents 90-3 in two convincing victories. Led by five-star national recruit Corey Sadler, this team can hang with anyone.

Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (2-1) vs Detroit Catholic Central (3-0)

The Eaglets became the next team to suffer a defeat at the hands of Warren De La Salle last week, however, two thoroughly convincing wins to start the season has OLSM firmly locked as a state title contender. QB Alex Newell will look to keep finding Michigan State commit Jayden Savoury in the end zone in yet another Catholic League clash.

A quick 3-0 start, while already outsourcing opponents 122-31, has the Shamrocks dreaming big. Detroit CC has only missed the playoffs twice since 2007, proving to be one of the state’s elite high school football programs. The next two games will let everyone know where the Shamrocks stand, as they take on OLSM and then Warren DLS.

Byron Center (3-0) at Mona Shores (3-0)

The Bulldogs are off to a fast start, already outscoring opponents 139-54 in three big wins. Byron Center wide receiver Isaac Lee is a hot name in recruiting circles, and he will look to continue his terrific play this week. The Bulldogs have made the playoffs five straight years, highlighted by a regional appearance last season. Mona Shores will be a hostile environment, but this team has the talent to overcome physicality and crowd noise.

Mona Shores must think they are on the east side of the state, as it has defeated Grand Blanc, River Rouge and Flint Hamady by a combined score of 98-44. Seven straight playoff appearances have redefined this program as an annual state-title contender. The Sailors made three straight state finals from 2018-2020, winning the latter two. A win this week would be a big confidence boost toward another long postseason run.

Clarkston (2-1) at Rochester Adams (3-0)

Clarkston played Belleville close to start the season, losing 35-28. The Wolves then dismantled Southfield and won a close one against Oxford. Having missed the playoffs only once since 2003, Clarkston has firmly established itself as one of the state’s premier football programs. The Wolves have two straight wins over Adams.

Unlike some of the other teams listed, Adams has played multiple close games this fall. A one-point win over Romeo kicked off the season, and then a 21-14 victory last week over West Bloomfield cemented their ability to win tight games. Adams lost to Belleville in the state title in 2021 and would certainly enjoy another deep run.

Rockford (3-0) at Hudsonville (2-1)

Rockford has given De La Salle fierce competition for most impressive team so far this season. The Rams are gunning for their 30th straight trip to the playoffs and might already have enough points with wins over Cass Tech, Muskegon and Grandville - all schools with deep playoff runs on their minds. Rockford’s high-powered offense will face a tough test against Hudsonville, which is allowing under 13 points per game.

Hudsonville shook things up in Week 2 with an upset victory over East Lansing. That followed a three-point loss against Howell. This will be the Eagles’ toughest test this season, as they have not defeated Rockford since 2016. Hudsonville has had inconsistent success over the past 30 years, but their program is obviously headed in the right direction.

Anchor Bay (2-1) vs. Eisenhower (3-0)

Anchor Bay played one of the most thrilling games of the fall in Week 2 with a 66-65 win over Roseville. Unfortunately for Tars fans, they then lost 34-6 against Macomb Dakota. With only four playoff appearances since 2010 to their name, the Tars will hope they can take advantage of a potentially explosive offense and make a run this season.

Eisenhower has been dominant, outsourcing their opponents 110-23 through three games. The Eagles’ 33-16 win over Oxford stands out as a quality win. It also proved Eisenhower can beat good teams with elite offense and defense. With only three missed playoff appearances since 1999, the Eagles once again look like a dominant squad.

Lake Orion (3-0) vs. Oxford (1-2)

Few teams with losing records have been as impressive as Oxford. The Wildcats’ losses have come against Clarkson and Utica Eisenhower, two of the state’s best teams and programs. Oxford has only made the playoffs twice since 2014, but still projects as a postseason squad this fall despite the early losses. Elite defensively, the Wildcats have a smoother road after this game.

The Dragons have quickly established themselves as contenders this season with three blowout victories, leading to a 95-26 point differential. Lake Orion hasn’t played the toughest schedule, yet. However, upcoming games against Oxford, Clarkston and Rochester Adams will tell us what this team is really made of. The Dragons have not made it past districts since 2012, but have remained a consistent playoff contender throughout that stretch.

Macomb Dakota (3-0) vs. Sterling Heights Stevenson (3-0)

It’s a pretty clear sign a team is elite when it outscores its opponents 122-29 through the first three weeks of the season. Dakota has done that by beating Fordon, L’Anse Creuse North and Anchor Bay by over 20 points apiece. But that should be expected from a program reaching for its 24th straight postseason appearance. This will likely be Dakota’s toughest test until an October 4 matchup against Eisenhower.

A friendly early-season schedule has Stevenson among the state’s undefeated teams, but it will have to kick things up a notch to topple Dakota. The Titans have been consistent, twice scoring 24 points while adding a season-high 27-point effort in Week 1 against Novi. Stevenson will be hoping to rediscover some of the magic that led it to a semifinal trip in 2021.

Saginaw Heritage (2-1) vs. Davison (2-1)

No one at Davison should feel bad about a Week 1 loss to De La Salle. The Cardinals rebounded with a high-scoring win against Grandville, and then a convincing victory over Traverse City Central. Davison has a manageable schedule, so picking up points in key games like this week’s matchup will be massive for playoff seeding.

Heritage only has a 97-73 scoring advantage through three weeks, so the defense is going to have to step up against a tough, physical Davison squad. Fresh off a 22-21 loss against Grand Blanc, the Hawks are hoping to get back on track against one of their most difficult matchups on the schedule this fall. Heritage is looking to make its third straight postseason appearance.

Forest Hills Central (3-0) vs. Hudsonville Unity Christian (3-0)

The Rangers remain undefeated despite scoring just 45 points through three games, including a 7-0 win against Portage Central. After scoring 440 points last season, the Rangers are going to have to quickly get hot to come close to that total. Eight straight playoff appearances have catapulted this program into one of the most feared on the west side of the state.

Unity scored over 800 points in 2021 while reaching the state finals. They aren’t quite on that elite pace, but still have put up 124 points through three games. The Crusaders haven’t scored under 37 points this season, while FH Central hasn’t allowed more than 14 in a game. Something will have to give in a classic defense versus offense showdown.

Belleville (3-0) vs. Dearborn (1-2)

It’s worth watching Belleville any time they take the field, especially with the nation’s top prospect and LSU commit Bryce Underwood leading the helm. The Tigers have already scored 144 points this season, including a whopping 65-0 shutout against Churchill. Belleville has reached the state title three straight seasons, winning twice.

Dearborn certainly has talent, but a blowout Week 1 loss against Detroit CC has them behind 57-90 in the season’s point differential. This seems like a David versus Goliath matchup, but we know how that story turned out. Either way, it’s always worth watching the Tigers play.