The field is set for the 2026 Michigan high school football playoffs.
The top 32 teams in the eight 11-player divisions and the top 16 teams in the two 8-player divisions have been determined, via the MHSAA playoff point formula. This is also the first year that the playoffs will be seeded by region instead of district. The goal is to preserve competitive games for later in the bracket.
So who's headed to Ford Field on Thanksgiving weekend – and, more importantly, who'll hoist the trophies on Nov. 28-29? Here are Free Press sports writer Jared Ramsey's picks in all eight divisions.
[ Sign up for our new Michigan Sidelines statewide high school sports newsletter ]
Division 1
Defending champ: Novi Detroit Catholic Central. The Shamrocks finished an undefeated
season with a convincing win over Detroit Cass Tech in the state title game. It was CC's first state championship since 2009 and the 11th in school history. Despite losing to rival Birmingham Brother Rice in Week 9, DCC likely has another deep playoff run ahead. The Shamrocks are a little banged up but expect to get starting quarterback Duke Banta back soon and are loaded with talent around him. If Banta is his old self, don't be surprised by a D-1 repeat.
Toughest district: Region 1, District 1 – Howell, Portage Central, Hudsonville, Grandville. Howell is the top-seeded team in Division 1 after completing its second undefeated regular season in three years. Portage Central is undefeated against Michigan teams, finishing the year with eight straight wins. Hudsonville and Grandville both played a tough regular-season schedule in the OK-Red conference and should be battle-tested.
Final four: East Kentwood, Novi Detroit Catholic Central, Detroit Cass Tech, Romeo.
Sleeper: Rochester Hills Stoney Creek. The Cougars' only two losses came to OAA Red opponents (Clarkston and Rochester Adams, as they cruised to an OAA White title). Stoney Creek has a large senior class hungry to add some trophies after district exits the past two seasons.
Watch MHSAA football playoff games on NFHS
State champ: Detroit Cass Tech. The Technicians completed a second straight undefeated regular season to earn the top ranking in Michigan. Cass Tech is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, is well-coached and has plenty of experience in high-profile matchups. Junior quarterback Donald Tabron II (a Texas A&M commit) and junior running back Julian Taylor lead a balanced offense, while the defense held teams to an average of 6.1 points per game, with five shutouts.
Division 2
Defending champ: Orchard Lake St. Mary's. St. Mary's won a second straight Division 2 title with a blowout win over Dexter. The Eaglets had a few lumps in the regular season, but had everything come together for a dominant playoff run. It has been a similar story so far, with St. Mary's finishing 6-3, with losses to CC, Detroit King and Toledo CC. OLSM is arguably as talented as anyone in the state.
Toughest district: Region 2, District 1 – Milford, Midland Dow, Walled Lake Western, Midland. Milford has been clicking on all cylinders, winning its past five games since its lone loss to South Lyon. Dow finished the year with seven straight wins and finish tied for first in a competitive SVL North. Walled Lake Western went 7-2 in the expanded LVC conference. Midland snuck in at 4-5 against a tough schedule.
Final four: Muskegon Mona Shores, South Lyon, Orchard Lake St. Mary's, Grosse Pointe South.
Sleeper: Traverse City West. TC West has one of Michigan's best junior quarterbacks, Brayden Tillman, and a Division I tight end, Aiden Jacobs (Kent State), leading their offense. The three losses came to two undefeated D-1 teams (Howell, Grand Blanc) and a Midland Dow team that will contend in D-2. The Titans also closed the year strong with three straight wins after the big loss to Dow.
State champ: Muskegon Mona Shores. The Sailors won eight straight games to close the season after losing in the final minute in Week 1 against two-time defending D-2 champion Orchard Lake St. Mary's. It will be a tough path, especially with other great teams on the west side (including Caledonia and Byron Center), but Mona Shores has the talent to go on a run. The Himes brothers are game-changers on both sides of the ball and junior quarterback Owen Terpstra is an all-around threat.
Division 3
Defending champ: DeWitt. The Panthers ran through everyone for a perfect 14-0 season, capped by a record-breaking performance from now-graduated Trav Moore (Central Michigan). DeWitt's run-heavy offense was too much to handle for anyone in 2025, finishing with the second-most yards in a season in state history. The Panthers have largely continued the success despite graduating a large senior class, but lost to Mason and Grand Ledge.
Toughest district: Region 1, District 2 – DeWitt, Coopersville, East Grand Rapids, Lowell. DeWitt is the defending state champ and has the talent for another deep run. Lowell reached the 2025 semifinals and went 6-3 this season. Coopersville went 8-1 and East Grand Rapids went 6-3 with some D-1 talent in the trenches.
Final four: DeWitt, Zeeland West, Mason, Detroit King.
Sleeper: Middleville Thornapple Kellogg. Thornapple Kellogg is entering the playoffs on a two-game losing streak, but those losses came by single digits to East Grand Rapids and a Byron Center team that could go on a run in D-2. The Trojans have an experienced offense that can put up points in bunches, while the defense is led by Kansas commit Elliott Neff.
State champ: Detroit King. Despite the Crusaders dropping their last two regular-season games – to Cass Tech and Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller – I am not wavering from my preseason D-3 prediction. King is one of the most physical teams in Michigan, with talented players across the lines of scrimmage. Darryl Flemister and Don Spillers are two future Big Ten players who consistently produce on both sides of the ball. It has been a few years since King won a big game at Ford Field, but the Crusaders' fortunes will change after navigating the toughest region across any division, featuring Harper Woods, Warren De La Salle and undefeated Port Huron.
Division 4
Defending champ: Dearborn Divine Child. The Falcons won their first state championship since 1985 with a 23-22 win over Hudsonville Unity Christian. Marcello Vitti, now at Iowa, led the way with a great two-way performance. Divine Child has dealt with injuries but finished the year with a bounce-back Prep Bowl win over Jackson Lumen Christi after losing to Warren De La Salle in Week 8. Drew Sheridan is one of Michigan's most consistent QBs and will put the Falcons in contention again.
Toughest district: Region 2, District 1 – Edwardsburg, Portland, Vicksburg, Paw Paw. This district features four teams consistently among the top 10 of D-4 all fall. Edwardsburg and Portland enter the postseason undefeated, Paw Paw is 8-1 with the only loss coming to Edwardsburg and Vicksburg is 7-2 with losses to Edwardsburg and Paw Paw after reaching the semifinals last year.
Final four: Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, Grand Rapids South Christian, Dearborn Divine Child, Birmingham Detroit Country Day.
Sleeper: Hastings. The Saxons proved they can contend in D-4 by going on the road and beating Mason on the road in a shootout in Week 8. Hastings is on a six-game winning streak and averaged 43.1 points per game over the final two months of the season. Keep an eye on junior Jonah Hamp, who is dynamic in all three phases.
State champ: Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills. Kenowa Hills did not perform how it wanted in a Week 1 showcase game against DeWitt in Detroit, but the Knights rebounded with eight straight wins – all by at least 14 points – to close the regular season. The explosive offense is led by three future D-I and D-II players: running back Lundon Hampton (Michigan), receiver Will Fussman (Central Michigan) and quarterback Grayson Fellows (Michigan Tech). The defense tightened up down the stretch, making the Knights one of the most dangerous teams in an open division.
Division 5
Defending champ: Grand Rapids West Catholic. West Catholic denied a Pontiac Notre Dame Prep repeat with a convincing 42-14 win. Everything clicked on offense and the defense was stout to give the Falcons their eighth state title, all since 2010. West Catholic went 7-2 in 2026, losing to Coopersville and Grand Rapids Christian. Still, the Falcons will be a contender in a tough D-5 region on the west side.
Toughest district: Region 2, District 2 – Grand Rapids West Catholic, Hopkins, Kalamazoo United, Wyoming Godwin Heights. This district features the defending state champion, an undefeated Kalamazoo United, an 8-1 Hopkins team and a Godwin Heights group on an active four-game winning streak.
Final four: Kingsford, Grand Rapids West Catholic, Frankenmuth, Monroe Jefferson.
Sleeper: Shepherd. The BlueJays (7-2) have won five straight since losing consecutive games to Gladwin and Midland Bullock Creek in September. That stretch includes three wins by one score, demonstrating Shepherd can win tight ones behind a great rushing attack led by running back Ty Burns and Eason VanAlstine.
State champ: Grand Rapids West Catholic. This is my first team picked to repeat as champs. West Catholic faces a tough district and a potential rematch with GR Catholic Central, but the Falcons should be ready for the stiff competition as long as they remain healthy. Running back/linebacker Collin Abram is a difference-making player, and sophomore quarterback Will Smith has continued to grow throughout the year.
Division 6
Defending champ: Jackson Lumen Christi. The Titans won their fourth straight state championship – two in Division 6 and two in Division 7 – with a two-touchdown rout of Kingsley. It was Lumen Christi's 15th state championship, the most in MHSAA history.
Toughest district: Region 4, District 1 – Detroit Edison, Clinton, Clawson, Dearborn Heights Robichaud. This bracket has the potential for a top-5 D-6 showdown between DEPSA and Clinton, both 8-1, in district finals. Clawson finished 6-3 and Robichaud was one of the last teams in at 5-4.
Final four: Kingsley, Almont, Jackson Lumen Christi, Clinton.
Sleeper: Harbor Springs. The Rams closed the season on a seven-game winning streak to enter the playoffs at 8-1. It has been a rapid and amazing turnaround for Harbor Springs, which lost 26 straight between 2021 and 2024 before clinching a conference title for the first time since 1987 in Week 9. Harbor Springs will be on the road in Week 1 against Gladwin for its first playoff game since 2019.
State champ: Jackson Lumen Christi. Every Lumen Christi finger will have its own ring five weeks from now once the Titans pick up their fifth straight state championship. Lumen Christi is tough, experienced and talented on both sides of the ball. Sophomore Ayden Gatewood is one of the best young running backs in Michigan regardless of division, while quarterback Benny Gaston keeps everything on schedule. If Lumen Christi wins five straight games for another state title, head coach Herb Brogan would pass Farmington Hills Harrison coach John Herrington for the most wins in MHSAA football history.
Division 7
Defending champ: Menominee. Despite needing to leave the Upper Peninsula early because of snowstorms, Menominee had no issue coming downstate and completing a perfect season with a 34-6 win over Schoolcraft. The Maroons won their fourth state title and first since 2007. Menominee will be in the mix again after going 8-1 in 2026, with the only setback coming to undefeated Kingsford.
Toughest district: Region 2, District 1 – Pewamo-Westphalia, Burton Bendle, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, Cass City. P-W and Burton Bendle both enter the playoffs undefeated. Port Laker (7-2) finished the year on a six-game winning streak, with each win coming by 19 points or more.
Final four: Menominee, Pewamo-Westphalia, North Muskegon, Monroe St. Mary CC.
Sleeper: McBain. The Ramblers' two losses came to two undefeated teams, Edwardsburg and Beal City. McBain closed the season on a five-game winning streak, including one-point wins over Charlevoix and Fowler. Clayton Heuker, also a great basketball player, is a key piece who will help the Ramblers contend in a tough northern region.
State champ: Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central. The only loss came to rival Monroe Jefferson, a top Division 5 team, in an 8-6 slugfest. Monroe St. Mary scored at least 27 points in every other game and closed the regular season with a convincing win over Hanover-Horton. SMCC will ride its strong running game, led by senior Cole Reinhardt, to Ford Field.
Division 8
Defending champ: Harbor Beach. The Pirates won their first state title since 2012 by plugging the run and letting their star, now-graduated Caden Bucholtz, guide them to a trophy. After graduating most of the team, Harbor Beach struggled in 2026. The Pirates finished 1-8 and missed the playoffs.
Toughest district: Region 1, District 1 – Beal City, Iron Mountain, East Jordan, Beaverton. Beal City is undefeated and No. 1 in Division 8. Iron Mountain (7-2) closed the year on a six-game winning streak, while East Jordan (7-2) spent most of the year ranked as a top-10 D-8 team.
Final four: Beal City, New Lothrop, Hudson, Madison Heights Madison.
Sleeper: Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart. The Irish closed the season with four straight wins after consecutive losses to Traverse City St. Francis and a California team, Eureka St. Bernard. The offense can score in bunches while the defense closed the year by holding three straight teams to 15 points or fewer.
State champ: Hudson. After coming a game short of the final wooden mitten in 2025, Hudson will get the job done in 2026. The Tigers have a potent rushing attack, led by running back Beckett Campbell and offensive lineman Koen Hinzman. After a hiccup against Adrian Madison, Hudson closed the regular season with five straight wins, including shutting out two ranked teams, Ida and Berrien Springs, in the final two weeks. That stretch also included a win over D-6 contender Clinton.
Nominate a high school athlete for the Detroit Free Press boys and girls athlete of the week.
Jared Ramsey covers high school sports for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jramsey@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2026 MHSAA football playoff predictions for state champs, final 4
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
