October 25, 2026—Selection Sunday has come and gone in Michigan, and the road to Ford Field is mapped. The MHSAA released its 2026 football playoff pairings Sunday: 256 teams qualified in 11-player (top 32 per division by playoff-point average). First-round games are Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30–31, with the finals Nov. 27–28 at Ford Field in Detroit.

One big change this year: Michigan’s new regional seeding model. Each 11-player division is split into four regions of eight, then into two four-team districts per region, seeded by playoff points — seeds 1, 4, 5 and 8 in one district, seeds 2, 3, 6 and 7 in the other. The idea is to reward strong seasons and stop top teams from colliding in district finals. And as the brackets show, points don’t always follow records.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) football playoff-point average is a formula ranking system. It weighs wins, opponent division and opponent win-loss record divided by games played to order teams.

The formula is —

  • 25% of winning percentage
  • Plus—50% of opponent’s winning percentage
  • Plus—25% of its opponent’s opponent’s winning percentage.

Here is the field, division by division.

Division 1: Howell owns the most points in the state


Top seeds: Howell (9-0, 87.000 points — the highest in the entire 11-player field) in Region 1, Grand Blanc (9-0) in Region 2, Detroit Cass Tech (9-0) in Region 3, Romeo (9-0) in Region 4.

Seven teams finished 9-0 in D-I, and three sub-.500 teams got in — Grandville, Lake Orion and Plymouth, all 4-5. Defending champion Detroit Catholic Central (8-1) opens at home against Lake Orion (4-5) — DCC beat Cass Tech 42-19 in last year’s final. Last year’s runner-up, Cass Tech (9-0), hosts Plymouth (4-5). The new seeding format already shows its effect: the old Clarkston–Grand Blanc district-final collision is avoided. Best first-round games on paper: Davison (7-2) at Oxford (7-2), and Belleville (6-3) at Dearborn Fordson (7-2) — a 0.666-point gap.

D-I first-round games: Grandville (4-5) at Howell (9-0); Hudsonville (6-3) at Portage Central (8-1); Brighton (5-4) at East Kentwood (9-0); Rockford (5-4) at Grand Ledge (9-0); Bloomfield Hills (5-4) at Clarkston (8-1); Hartland (7-2) at Grand Blanc (9-0); Lake Orion (4-5) at Detroit Catholic Central (8-1); Davison (7-2) at Oxford (7-2); Plymouth (4-5) at Detroit Cass Tech (9-0); Belleville (6-3) at Dearborn Fordson (7-2); Dearborn (5-4) at Saline (9-0); Brownstown Woodhaven (7-2) at Northville (7-2); New Baltimore Anchor Bay (5-4) at Romeo (9-0); Macomb Dakota (5-4) at Rochester (6-3); Macomb L’Anse Creuse North (6-3) at Rochester Hills Stoney Creek (7-2); Utica (6-3) at Rochester Adams (6-3).

Division 2: The defending champs are 6-3 — and still a top seed


Top seeds: Byron Center (7-2) in Region 1, Milford (8-1) in Region 2, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (6-3) in Region 3, Gibraltar Carlson (9-0) in Region 4.

Five sub-.500 teams made the D-II field, tied for the most in 11-player: Muskegon, East Lansing, Traverse City Central, Midland and Roseville, all 4-5. Defending champion Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (6-3) — back-to-back titles, 10th overall — is still the Region 3 top seed on points and hosts Birmingham Groves (5-4). Last year’s runner-up, Dexter, dropped to Division 3 (see below). East Lansing (4-5) made the field after sitting 33rd — first team out — entering Week 8, a late push story. Tightest games: Walled Lake Western (7-2) at Midland Dow (7-2) and Livonia Franklin (7-2) at Allen Park (7-2), both with roughly one-point gaps.
D-II first-round games: Muskegon (4-5) at Byron Center (7-2); Portage Northern (5-4) at Traverse City West (6-3); East Lansing (4-5) at Caledonia (7-2); Traverse City Central (4-5) at Muskegon Mona Shores (8-1); Midland (4-5) at Milford (8-1); Walled Lake Western (7-2) at Midland Dow (7-2); Flushing (5-4) at South Lyon (7-2); Saginaw Heritage (6-3) at South Lyon East (7-2); Roseville (4-5) at Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (7-2); North Farmington (6-3) at Ferndale (7-2); Birmingham Groves (5-4) at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (6-3); Birmingham Seaholm (5-4) at St. Clair Shores Lakeview (7-2); Detroit Mumford (5-4) at Gibraltar Carlson (9-0); Livonia Franklin (7-2) at Allen Park (7-2); Dearborn Heights Crestwood (5-4) at Grosse Pointe South (8-1); Livonia Churchill (5-4) at Temperance Bedford (7-2).

Division 3: Last year’s finalists meet again — on opposite sides of the bracket


Top seeds: Mount Pleasant (8-1) in Region 1, St. Joseph (7-2) in Region 2, Chelsea (9-0) in Region 3, Port Huron (9-0) in Region 4.

Defending champion DeWitt (7-2) hosts Lowell (6-3); last year’s runner-up Mount Pleasant (8-1) hosts Petoskey (6-3). And Dexter (4-5) — last year’s D-II runner-up — is down in D-III and opens on the road at Mason (8-1). Only two sub-.500 teams qualified: Niles and Dexter, both 4-5. Cross-town game: Battle Creek Central at Battle Creek Harper Creek. Quirks: Linden (6-3) at Redford Thurston (8-1) is a 0.222-point gap despite the record difference.

D-III first-round games: Petoskey (6-3) at Mount Pleasant (8-1); Marquette (6-3) at Cadillac (7-2); Lowell (6-3) at DeWitt (7-2); East Grand Rapids (6-3) at Coopersville (8-1); Zeeland East (5-4) at St. Joseph (7-2); Coldwater (6-3) at Middleville Thornapple Kellogg (6-3); Niles (4-5) at Zeeland West (7-2); Battle Creek Central (5-4) at Battle Creek Harper Creek (6-3); Waterford Mott (5-4) at Chelsea (9-0); Linden (6-3) at Redford Thurston (8-1); Dexter (4-5) at Mason (8-1); Holly (7-2) at Fenton (7-2); New Boston Huron (6-3) at Port Huron (9-0); Warren De La Salle Collegiate (5-4) at Trenton (5-4); Warren Fitzgerald (6-3) at Harper Woods (7-2); Grosse Pointe North (6-3) at Detroit Martin Luther King (6-3).

Division 4: An 8-1 vs. 9-0 game in the first round

Top seeds: Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (8-1) in Region 1, Edwardsburg (9-0) in Region 2, Goodrich (9-0) in Region 3, Detroit East English Village Prep (7-2) in Region 4.

Only one sub-.500 team qualified: Grand Rapids Christian (4-5). Defending champion Dearborn Divine Child (8-1) — first title since 1985 last year — hosts Lansing Sexton (6-3); last year’s runner-up Hudsonville Unity Christian (5-4) hosts Spring Lake (5-4). Best game on paper: Paw Paw (8-1) at Portland (9-0) — a 1.000-point gap between two excellent teams. Quirk: Macomb Lutheran North (8-1) travels to East English (7-2) because East English has more points.

D-IV first-round games: Grand Rapids Christian (4-5) at Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (8-1); Fruitport (7-2) at Ludington (7-2); Big Rapids (5-4) at Ada Forest Hills Eastern (8-1); Spring Lake (5-4) at Hudsonville Unity Christian (5-4); Vicksburg (7-2) at Edwardsburg (9-0); Paw Paw (8-1) at Portland (9-0); Hastings (7-2) at Stevensville Lakeshore (8-1); Marshall (8-1) at Grand Rapids South Christian (8-1); Williamston (5-4) at Goodrich (9-0); Ortonville Brandon (6-3) at St. Johns (7-2); Lansing Sexton (6-3) at Dearborn Divine Child (8-1); Tecumseh (6-3) at Adrian (8-1); Detroit Southeastern (6-3) at Marysville (5-4); Macomb Lutheran North (8-1) at Detroit East English (7-2); St. Clair (7-2) at Detroit Cody (8-1); Detroit Country Day (6-3) at Madison Heights Lamphere (5-4).

Division 5: The unbeaten team that has to travel


Top seeds: Kingsford (9-0) in Region 1, Grand Rapids Catholic Central (7-2 — highest points in D-V) in Region 2, Frankenmuth (8-1) in Region 3, Monroe Jefferson (8-1) in Region 4.

Three sub-.500 teams got in: Comstock Park (4-5), Corunna (4-5) and Flat Rock (3-6). Defending champion Grand Rapids West Catholic (7-2) hosts Wyoming Godwin Heights (7-2); last year’s runner-up Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (5-4) travels to Saginaw Swan Valley (8-1). The biggest points-vs.-record quirk in the field: unbeaten Kalamazoo Hackett (9-0) must travel to Hopkins (8-1) — a 7.387-point gap the wrong way for an unbeaten team. Best 8-1 vs. 8-1 game: Berrien Springs at Lake Odessa Lakewood.

D-V first-round games: Howard City Tri County (5-4) at Kingsford (9-0); Negaunee (5-4) at Shepherd (7-2); Remus Chippewa Hills (7-2) at Muskegon Orchard View (7-2); Reed City (6-3) at Ogemaw Heights (7-2); Comstock Park (4-5) at Grand Rapids Catholic Central (7-2); Berrien Springs (8-1) at Lake Odessa Lakewood (8-1); Wyoming Godwin Heights (7-2) at Grand Rapids West Catholic (7-2); Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep (9-0) at Hopkins (8-1); Whitmore Lake (6-3) at Frankenmuth (8-1); Armada (5-4) at Flint Powers Catholic (7-2); Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (5-4) at Saginaw Swan Valley (8-1); Corunna (4-5) at Imlay City (7-2); Flat Rock (3-6) at Monroe Jefferson (8-1); Ida (7-2) at Detroit Voyageur College Prep (6-3); Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (5-4) at Romulus Summit Academy North (6-3); Detroit Denby (6-3) at Redford Union (5-4).

Division 6: No bad teams — and the closest seeding gap in the state


Top seeds: Kingsley (9-0) in Region 1, Almont (9-0 — highest points in D-VI) in Region 2, Jackson Lumen Christi (7-2) in Region 3, Detroit Edison (8-1) in Region 4.

Division VI is the only 11-player division with zero sub-.500 teams — every qualifier is at least 5-4. Defending champion Jackson Lumen Christi (7-2) — four straight titles, 15th in program history — hosts Brooklyn Columbia Central (6-3); last year’s runner-up Kingsley (9-0) hosts Mason County Central (5-4). Closest seeding gap in the entire 128-game first weekend: Napoleon (8-1) at Buchanan (7-2) — 0.112 points. Quirk: Harbor Springs (8-1) travels to Gladwin (5-4) — the worse record hosts on points.

D-VI first-round games: Mason County Central (5-4) at Kingsley (9-0); Calumet (6-3) at Traverse City St. Francis (6-3); Elk Rapids (6-3) at Sanford Meridian (9-0); Harbor Springs (8-1) at Gladwin (5-4); Flint Elite (5-4) at Almont (9-0); Midland Bullock Creek (5-4) at Algonac (6-3); New Haven (6-3) at Marine City (9-0); Durand (6-3) at Montrose (7-2); Brooklyn Columbia Central (6-3) at Jackson Lumen Christi (7-2); Napoleon (8-1) at Buchanan (7-2); Adrian Madison (6-3) at Belding (7-2); Kent City (7-2) at Olivet (6-3); Dearborn Heights Robichaud (5-4) at Detroit Edison (8-1); Clawson (6-3) at Clinton (8-1); Detroit Communication Media Arts (5-4) at Ecorse (8-1); Warren Michigan Collegiate (5-4) at Detroit Central (8-1).

Division 7: The champs are back on top


Top seeds: Menominee (8-1) in Region 1, Burton Bendle (9-0) in Region 2, Constantine (8-1) in Region 3, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (8-1) in Region 4.

Defending champion Menominee (8-1) — first title since 2007 last year, a perfect 14-0 — hosts Lakeview (5-4); last year’s runner-up Schoolcraft (7-2) hosts Galesburg-Augusta (7-2). Three sub-.500 teams qualified: Manistee (4-5), Leslie (4-5) and Clinton Township Clintondale (3-6). Quirk: Manton (7-2) travels to Manistee (4-5) — a losing-record host. Note: Pewamo-Westphalia (8-0) and Charlevoix (6-2) played eight-game schedules.

D-VII first-round games: Lakeview (5-4) at Menominee (8-1); Manton (7-2) at Manistee (4-5); Oscoda (6-3) at Charlevoix (6-2); Harrison (7-2) at McBain (7-2); Cass City (6-3) at Pewamo-Westphalia (8-0); Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (7-2) at Burton Bendle (9-0); Clinton Township Clintondale (3-6) at Millington (9-0); Saginaw Valley Lutheran (6-3) at Ithaca (8-1); Saranac (7-2) at Constantine (8-1); Cassopolis (8-1) at Ravenna (7-2); Galesburg-Augusta (7-2) at Schoolcraft (7-2); Lawton (5-4) at North Muskegon (8-1); Leslie (4-5) at Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (8-1); Bronson (7-2) at Ottawa Lake Whiteford (7-2); Jonesville (5-4) at Hanover-Horton (7-2); Union City (7-2) at Detroit Community (8-1).

Division 8: The defending champion didn’t make it


Top seeds: Beal City (9-0) in Region 1, New Lothrop (8-1) in Region 2, Hudson (8-1 — highest points in D-VIII) in Region 3, Madison Heights Madison (7-2) in Region 4.

The biggest storyline in the bracket: defending champion Harbor Beach is NOT in the field. The Pirates won D-VIII last year (31-20 over Hudson, first title since 2012) and do not appear anywhere in the 2026 pairings. Last year’s runner-up Hudson (8-1) is the Region 3 top seed and hosts Sand Creek (5-4). Two sub-.500 teams qualified: L’Anse (4-5) and Beaverton (4-4, eight-game schedule). Saugatuck (6-3) — third playoff trip in four years — travels to Springport (8-1).

D-VIII first-round games: Beaverton (4-4) at Beal City (9-0); East Jordan (7-2) at Iron Mountain (7-2); L’Anse (4-5) at Bark River-Harris (7-2); Frankfort (5-4) at Maple City Glen Lake (7-2); Vestaburg (6-3) at New Lothrop (8-1); Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (6-3) at Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (6-3); Vassar (5-4) at Ubly (6-3); Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central (5-4) at Unionville-Sebewaing (7-2); Sand Creek (5-4) at Hudson (8-1); Fowler (6-3) at Manchester (7-2); Vermontville Maple Valley (5-4) at Decatur (9-0); Saugatuck (6-3) at Springport (8-1); Sterling Heights Parkway Christian (5-4) at Madison Heights Madison (7-2); Burton Atherton (6-3) at Southfield Bradford Academy (6-3); Marine City Cardinal Mooney (6-3) at Royal Oak Shrine Catholic (8-1); Allen Park Cabrini (5-4) at Clarkston Everest Collegiate (8-1).

The statewide picture, by the numbers


Undefeated teams: 24 total — 23 at 9-0, plus Pewamo-Westphalia at 8-0.
Sub-.500 teams in the field: 19 total (D-I 3, D-II 5, D-III 2, D-IV 1, D-V 3, D-VI 0, D-VII 3, D-VIII 2). The lowest records to qualify: Flat Rock and Clintondale (both 3-6). No 2-7 or worse team qualified anywhere.

Defending champions — where they landed: D-I Detroit Catholic Central (hosts Lake Orion, 8-1); D-II Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (Region 3 top seed, 6-3); D-III DeWitt (hosts Lowell, 7-2); D-IV Dearborn Divine Child (hosts Lansing Sexton, 8-1); D-V Grand Rapids West Catholic (hosts Godwin Heights, 7-2); D-VI Jackson Lumen Christi (Region 3 top seed, 7-2); D-VII Menominee (Region 1 top seed, 8-1); D-VIII Harbor Beach (did not qualify).

Best first-round games on paper: Napoleon (8-1) at Buchanan (7-2) in D-VI (0.112-point gap); Paw Paw (8-1) at Portland (9-0) in D-IV (1.000); Davison (7-2) at Oxford (7-2) in D-I; and the cross-town Battle Creek Central at Battle Creek Harper Creek in D-III.

Sources: Official MHSAA 2026 Football Playoff Pairings release, Oct. 25, 2026; Detroit Free Press (new seeding model); Holland Sentinel; Petoskey News; Lansing State Journal; Sturgis Journal.

Story assisted my Muse AI