Top 25 Michigan high school football rankings (10/2/2023)

Lake Orion continues to rise through a difficult schedule

Author:
Ronnie Martin
Publish date:
Oct 2, 2023 1:00 PM EDT

Week six of Michigan high school football ended with many of the top teams avoiding upsets.

Then No. 14 Clarkston defeated then No. 8 West Bloomfield 44-36.

No. 18 Byron Center's undefeated season came to end with a loss to Lowell.

Here is the Power 25 heading into week seven.

Detriot King vs River Rouge October 28, 2022 Photo-Mariusz Nowak92

Adams vs Clarkston November 11, 2022 Photo-Mariusz Nowak31

Belleville vs Caledonia Nov26 Mariusz Nowak24

No. 1 Belleville (6-0)

The Tigers continued their dominance with a 35-8 win over John Glenn (5-1). Five-star junior quarterback Bryce Underwood turned in another stellar performance with three passing touchdowns and one on the ground.

If it wasn’t for a John Glenn touchdown in the final seconds, Belleville would’ve had its third shutout in its last four games. Belleville finishes out the regular season with two away games, the first coming against Wayne Memorial.

No. 2 Rockford (6-0)

Rockford remained undefeated after beating Grand Haven (1-5) 49-8. The Rams have scored at least 39 points in each of their last four games, and their defense has been stout. Rockford has three games remaining on its schedule, and it's set to host East Kentwood (3-3) next.

No. 3 Southfield A&T

The Warrior defense pitched their second shutout in a row following a 40-0 victory over Bloomfield Hills (0-6). Southfield A&T has scored at least 40 points in three straight games, and it has one of the most explosive offenses in the state. The Warriors visit Rochester Hills before a big matchup with West Bloomfield (4-2) on October 13.

No. 4 Mason (6-0)

Mason got its second shutout of the season with a 41-0 win over Eastern (0-6). The Bulldogs have been consistent this season, with their closest game coming last week in a 15 point victory over Haslett. Mason faces St. Johns (3-3) at home before closing out the regular season at Fenton (5-1).

No. 5 Davison (6-0)

The Cardinals gave South Lyon (2-4) more than it could handle and came out on top 44-0. Davison’s defense had one shutout in the regular season last year, and with three games left on its schedule this year, it already has two.

The Cardinals have scored no less than 37 points since week one, and they’ll look to keep rolling when Carman-Ainsworth (2-4) comes to town next.

No. 6 Lake Orion (6-0)

The Dragons were able to prove they’re on a different level than Rochester Adams (3-3) with a 35-0 shutout victory. Lake Orion has one of the toughest schedules in the state, and it has made light work of it so far. The Dragons have to travel to Clarkston (4-2) next, and they close the regular season out at Saline (6-0) two weeks later.

No. 7 Saline (6-0)

Saline was able to dominate Huron (3-3) in a 43-7 win Friday night. The Hornets have scored at least 41 points in every game this season, and their defense has only given up more than seven points twice. Saline faces Lincoln (1-5) and Skyline (1-5) before an end of the year meeting with Lake Orion (6-0).

No. 8 Caledonia (5-1)

Caledonia’s defense had its best game of the year en route to a 30-0 victory over Hudsonville (4-2). The Fighting Scots held Hudsonville under 100 total yards for the game, and their offense gained over 300 total yards. Caledonia has Grandville (5-1) next in line.

No. 9 Cass Tech (4-2)

The Technicians dismantled Western International (0-6) for a 75-0 win. In Cass Tech’s four wins, its defense has allowed just seven points and held three teams to zero. Cass Tech has one game left in the regular season against East English Village Prep (3-3) before it gets ready for playoffs.

No. 10 Zeeland West (6-0)

The Dux were able to stay undefeated after a 68-7 victory over Holland (0-6) Friday night. Zeeland West hasn’t allowed more than 13 points in a game this season, and it has scored at least 36 points in every contest. The Dux could have their biggest challenge yet on the horizon, as Muskegon (4-2) is set to come to town next.

No. 11 Northville (6-0)

The Mustangs took care of Salem (0-6) 49-0 with their best defensive performance of the season. Northville’s smallest margin of victory this season is 14, so it's no stranger to a runaway victory. The Mustangs end their regular season home against Hartland (2-4) and at Novi (5-1).

No. 12 Clarkston (4-2)

Clarkston was able to knock off West Bloomfield (4-2) 44-36 in a showdown of two of the best teams in Michigan. West Bloomfield was almost able to mount a comeback, but an onside kick recovery sealed it for the Wolves. Clarkston won’t be able to rest on its laurels however, as it has to get ready for Lake Orion (6-0) next.

No. 13 De La Salle (4-2)

The Pilots took care of Ohio’s St. Francis de Sales (1-6) with a 67-7 win. Before Friday night, De La Salle hadn’t scored more than 41 points in a game this season. The Pilots will look to make it three straight wins when they visit Brother Rice on October 7.

No. 14 West Bloomfield (4-2)

West Bloomfield fell to Clarkston (4-2) 44-36 Friday night. The Lakers were able to make it close near the end, but a big early lead from Clarkston proved too much to overcome.

Both of the Lakers’ losses have come by no more than eight points, and they gave themselves a chance to win both games as well. West Bloomfield has to visit Oxford (2-4) before a big home matchup against Southfield A&T (6-0).

No. 15 Utica Eisenhower (5-1)

Eisenhower was able to edge out Anchor Bay (2-4) with a 15-9 victory. The Eagles only had 200 total yards of offense, but their defense was able to hold Anchor Bay to under 175. Eisenhower ends the regular season with three home games in a row, but it’ll have to get past Dakota (5-1) first.

No. 16 Chippewa Valley (4-2)

The Big Reds defeated Sterling Heights Stevenson (2-4) 38-21 Friday night. Chippewa Valley was able to accumulate over 350 yards on offense, including over 150 yards on the ground. Following three straight wins, the Big Reds will look to make it four against Romeo (3-3).

No. 17 Dakota (5-1)

The Cougars took down Romeo (3-3) by a score of 31-19 following last week’s loss to Chippewa Valley (4-2). Dakota put up over 250 yards on the ground and over 400 total. Dakota has an important matchup next when it visits Eisenhower (5-1).

No. 18 Walled Lake Western (6-0)

The Warriors handled South Lyon East (2-4) 66-17 to stay undefeated. Since their 15-point victory in week one, Walled Lake Western has won each game by at least 33 points. The Warriors have to visit Milford (5-1) and rival Walled Lake Central (1-5) to close out the regular season.

No. 19 Forest Hills Central (5-1)

Forest Hills Central defeated East Grand Rapids (5-1) 20-0 for its first shutout of the season. The Rangers were able to get back in the win column following a surprising 15-14 loss to Byron Center (5-1). Forest Hills Central is set to host Northview (4-2) next.

No. 20 Grand Rapids Catholic Central (5-1)

The Cougars dominated Kenowa Hills (2-4) 48-3 Friday night. Catholic Central has scored at least 38 points against every team they’ve beaten, and their defense has only allowed 44 total points over those five games. The Cougars have to visit Forest Hills Eastern (5-1) on October 6.

No. 21 Muskegon (4-2)

The Big Reds cruised past Zeeland East (3-2) 49-14. Muskegon has now won four games in a row after dropping the first two to Rockford and De La Salle. The Big Reds have a chance to prove they’re among the best in the state when they visit Zeeland West (6-0) next.

No. 22 Groves (4-2)

The Falcons were able to squeak by Harper Woods (3-3) with a 20-12 victory. Groves has scored at least 19 points in every game this season, but its defense has been shaky at times. The Falcons have all road games left in the regular season, with the first coming against Bloomfield Hills on October 6.

No. 23 Detroit Catholic Central (4-2)

The Shamrocks were able to demolish Brother Rice (0-6) 41-0 Sunday afternoon. It was Catholic Central’s first shutout since it beat St. Mary’s 21-0 on October 8, 2021. The Shamrocks have three home games left on their regular season schedule, and Ohio’s St. John’s Jesuit comes next.

No. 24 Portage Northern (6-0)

The Huskies beat St. Joseph (2-4) 48-22 to stay undefeated behind almost 500 yards of offense. Portage Northern has scored at least 40 points in every game this season, and it hasn’t allowed more than 28. The Huskies have a rivalry game next when they visit Portage Central (5-1).

No. 25 Grandville (5-1)

Grandville was able to top West Ottawa (1-5) 41-31 on Friday night. West Ottawa was able to put up almost 350 total yards of offense, but the Bulldogs did enough to get the job done. Grandville has games against Caledonia (5-1) and Rockford (6-0) over the next two weeks, and if it finds a way to win at least one of them, it could catapult itself into the playoffs.

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