With just one week remaining in the 2025 Michigan high school football regular season, the playoff picture is coming into focus. Teams across all divisions are making their final push to secure a spot in the postseason, where the top 32 teams in Divisions 1 through 8 will advance.
The latest playoff point summaries from the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) reveal which teams are comfortably in, which are on the bubble, and which will need a critical win in the final week to keep their championship hopes alive. The standings are determined by a complex playoff points system that rewards teams for their wins and the strength of their schedule.
Key Takeaways
- The top 32 teams in each of the 11-player divisions (Divisions 1-8) will qualify for the MHSAA playoffs.
- Several undefeated teams, including Hudsonville, Detroit Catholic Central, and DeWitt, lead their respective divisions.
- The cutoff line for qualification is extremely tight, with many teams holding 4-4 records sitting on the bubble.
- Final week matchups will be decisive for teams ranked near the 32nd position in each division.
Division 1 Playoff Outlook
In Division 1, the state's largest schools are battling for position. Clarkston currently holds the top spot with a 7-1 record and 83.125 playoff points. Close behind are undefeated teams Hudsonville (8-0), Detroit Catholic Central (8-0), and Grand Blanc (8-0), all showcasing dominant seasons.
The race for the final playoff spots is intense. Ann Arbor Huron currently holds the 32nd and final qualifying position with a 4-4 record and 49.625 points. However, Rochester (4-4) is just outside at 33rd with 48.875 points, meaning the last week of play will determine their fate.
Division 1 At a Glance
The point differential between the 32nd seed (Ann Arbor Huron, 49.625) and the 33rd seed (Rochester, 48.875) is less than one point, highlighting the importance of the final regular-season game.
Division 1 Top 10 Standings
- Clarkston (7-1, 83.125)
- Hudsonville (8-0, 82.000)
- Detroit Catholic Central (8-0, 76.661)
- Grand Blanc (8-0, 76.625)
- Saline (7-1, 75.875)
- Belleville (7-1, 74.500)
- Howell (7-1, 72.875)
- Rochester Adams (6-2, 72.875)
- Rockford (6-2, 72.875)
- Detroit Cass Tech (8-0, 72.500)
On the Bubble (Spots 28-34)
- 28. Jenison (4-4, 53.375)
- 29. Hartland (4-4, 52.500)
- 30. Dearborn (4-4, 50.500)
- 31. Salem (4-4, 50.250)
- 32. Ann Arbor Huron (4-4, 49.625)
- 33. Rochester (4-4, 48.875)
- 34. Kalamazoo Central (5-3, 48.500)
Division 2 Qualification Race
South Lyon leads Division 2 with an undefeated 8-0 record and 75.875 points. Other strong contenders include Dexter (7-1), Gibraltar Carlson (8-0), and Portage Central (8-0), who have all established themselves as top-tier teams.
The situation at the bottom of the Division 2 standings is one of the tightest in the state. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice holds the 32nd spot with 47.161 points. Right behind them is South Lyon East, with an almost identical point total of 47.125. This razor-thin margin means the final playoff spot will likely be decided by fractions of a point based on final game outcomes and opponent wins.
Division 2 Top 10 Standings
- South Lyon (8-0, 75.875)
- Dexter (7-1, 73.875)
- Gibraltar Carlson (8-0, 73.375)
- Portage Central (8-0, 72.500)
- Grosse Pointe South (7-1, 70.125)
- Midland Dow (7-1, 67.196)
- Walled Lake Western (6-2, 65.875)
- Port Huron Northern (6-2, 65.625)
- Livonia Franklin (6-2, 64.750)
- White Lake Lakeland (6-2, 64.375)
On the Bubble (Spots 29-35)
- 29. East Lansing (3-5, 49.000)
- 30. Grand Rapids Northview (5-3, 48.875)
- 31. Milford (4-4, 47.250)
- 32. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (4-4, 47.161)
- 33. South Lyon East (4-4, 47.125)
- 34. Warren Mott (4-4, 46.875)
- 35. Midland (4-4, 45.000)
Division 3 and 4 Playoff Scenarios
In Division 3, DeWitt (8-0) and Mount Pleasant (8-0) are the clear frontrunners. The final qualifying spot is held by Bay City John Glenn (5-3), but Bay City Western (3-5) and Fruitport (4-4) are close enough to potentially jump into the top 32 with a win and some help.
Division 4 sees Harper Woods (8-0) at the top with a commanding point total of 84.750. The bubble is also crowded here, with Fowlerville (4-4) clinging to the 32nd spot. Holland Christian (4-4) and Detroit Henry Ford (4-4) are just outside looking in, making their final games essential.
How Playoff Points Are Calculated
According to the MHSAA, playoff points are a combination of a team's own wins and their opponents' success. Teams receive points for each victory, with more points awarded for beating teams in higher divisions. They also receive "bonus points" based on the wins of the opponents they have played, rewarding teams with stronger schedules.
Division 3 On the Bubble (Spots 29-34)
- 29. Coopersville (4-4, 45.500)
- 30. Warren De La Salle Collegiate (3-5, 44.929)
- 31. Dowagiac (5-3, 44.786)
- 32. Bay City John Glenn (5-3, 42.625)
- 33. Bay City Western (3-5, 41.375)
- 34. Fruitport (4-4, 40.875)
Division 4 On the Bubble (Spots 29-34)
- 29. Lansing Sexton (5-3, 42.250)
- 30. St Clair (5-3, 41.750)
- 31. Ortonville Brandon (4-4, 38.911)
- 32. Fowlerville (4-4, 38.875)
- 33. Holland Christian (4-4, 38.750)
- 34. Detroit Henry Ford (4-4, 37.500)
Playoff Picture for Divisions 5-8
The smaller divisions also feature tight races and dominant undefeated teams heading into the final week.
Division 5
Grand Rapids Catholic Central (8-0) is the top-ranked team. The bubble features Hopkins (4-4) in the 32nd spot, with Hazel Park (5-3) narrowly on the outside. A win for Hazel Park could easily shake up the final standings.
Division 6
Almont leads Division 6 with an 8-0 record. The final playoff position is currently held by Clinton Township Clintondale (4-4), but Kalkaska (5-3) is less than a tenth of a point behind, making this another race that will go down to the wire.
Division 7
Menominee (8-0) sits atop Division 7. The last spot is held by Burton Atherton (4-4). Morley Stanwood (3-5) and Quincy (5-3) are both within striking distance and will need a victory in week nine to have a chance.
Division 8
Hudson (8-0) is the team to beat in Division 8. Petersburg Summerfield (4-4) holds the 32nd position, but Muskegon Catholic Central (3-5) is right behind, hoping to sneak into the playoffs with a strong final performance.
8-Player Football Playoff Standings
In the 8-player format, where the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs, several teams have secured their spots with perfect seasons.
8-Player Division 1
Norway (8-0), Martin (8-0), Blanchard Montabella (8-0), and Indian River Inland Lakes (8-0) all boast undefeated records. Newberry (5-2) holds the 16th and final playoff spot, but Marcellus (5-3) is close behind and could claim a postseason berth with a win.
8-Player Division 2
Onekama (8-0), Portland St Patrick (8-0), and Mendon (8-0) lead the division. Hillman (5-3) is currently the 16th seed, but Adrian Lenawee Christian (5-3) and Au Gres-Sims (5-3) are tied just outside the cutoff, creating a dramatic scenario for the final week of the season.
All standings and playoff points are based on the official MHSAA Playoff Point Summary published prior to the final week of the regular season.