Top 25 Michigan high school football rankings (9/11/2023)

Walled Lake Western, Muskegon and GR Catholic Central jump into the rankings

The top teams in Michigan high school football stayed undefeated after the top eight teams all won. 

Zeeland West, Lapeer and Muskegon continue to rise as they remain undefeated through the first three weeks.

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SBLive's Michigan Power 25

No. 1 Belleville (3-0)

Last week: 1

The Belleville Tigers continued their winning streak by defeating Churchill 56-0 behind two first half touchdowns from junior quarterback Bryce Underwood. The Tigers were ranked No. 22 nationally following week two, and they have now won 28 games in a row. 

Belleville will look to keep its streak alive when they host Dearborn on September 15. 

No. 2 Southfield A&T (3-0)

Last week: 2

The Warriors were able to cruise past Harper Woods for a 49-14 victory on Friday night. Senior defensive back and wide receiver Jalen Todd (Kansas) had a highlight interception to go with multiple pass deflections. 

Birmingham Groves is the next team set to visit the Warriors as they try to remain undefeated. 

No. 3 Caledonia (3-0)

Last week: 3

The Fighting Scots easily took care of West Ottawa by a score of 48-3. Since giving up 28 points to Romeo week one, Caledonia has allowed a total of ten points in its last two games. The Fighting Scots will need their defense to show up again when they travel to Rockford for a huge early-season top-five matchup on September 15. 

No. 4 West Bloomfield (3-0)

Last week: 4

The Lakers survived a close game against Stoney Creek, walking away with a 40-33 win. West Bloomfield has now had two close games in the first three weeks, and its next three games are against teams more talented than Stoney Creek. 

If the Lakers are going to stay undefeated, they might have to play their best football earlier than they imagined. 

No. 5 Rockford (3-0)

Last week: 5

Rockford dominated Jension 49-12 Friday night. Twelve points is the most the Rams defense has allowed all season, and they’ve only allowed 27 points so far in 2023. Rockford has a great chance to prove how elite its defense is on September 15 when Caledonia comes to town, and the Fighting Scots boast an offense with 127 points this season. 

No. 6 Mason (3-0)

Last week: 6

Mason shut out Fowlerville 35-0 on Friday night, and it’s actually the first game this season in which Mason didn’t score at least 42 points. Mason has one of the most explosive offenses early this season, but what it’ll look like against top competition remains to be seen. The Bulldogs host Williamston next.

No. 7 Davison (3-0)

Last week: 7

Davison demolished Traverse City Central 49-7 thanks to its best defensive performance all season. The Cardinals have scored 132 points this season, trailing only Belleville (149), Zeeland West (146) and Saline (139) within the top 25. Davison travels to Saginaw Heritage for its first interleague game of the season on September 15. 

No. 8 Saline (3-0)

Last week: 8

The Hornets shutout Ann Arbor Pioneer 56-0 in Friday’s Southeastern League (Red) matchup. Saline has one of the best offenses in Division 1, and it should be a threat when the playoffs roll around. The Hornets will take a trip to Temperance Bedford next as they try to remain undefeated. 

No. 9 Cass Tech (1-2)

Last week: 11

After falling to No. 2 Southfield A&T and St. Joseph Regional (New Jersey), the Technicians were able to get back on track with a 47-0 shutout victory over Renaissance. With Cass Tech’s toughest regular season opponents out of the way, it could be on track to enter the playoffs on a roll as it visits crosstown rival Detroit King next. 

No. 10 De La Salle (2-1)

Last week: 12

Following a 31-26 week one loss to Davison, De La Salle has won two games in a row after defeating Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 41-27. The Pilots have scored at least 40 points in each of the last two games, but they’ll have a tough test when they visit undefeated Central Catholic (Ohio), which has only allowed 50 points all season. 

No. 11 Dakota (3-0)

Last week: 9

Dakota was able to come away with a 27-20 victory over Anchor Bay. The Cougars were able to hold Anchor Bay to negative one rushing yard while gaining nearly 150 on the ground themselves. Dakota is set to visit Stevenson next on September 15. 

No. 12 Eisenhower (3-0)

Last week: 15

The Eagles were able to defend their nest on Friday night when they knocked off visiting Chippewa Valley 31-28. One of the surprise teams early in 2023, Eisenhower might have one of the better defenses in Division I. The Eagles will have a good opportunity to show it when they visit the potent offense of Romeo next. 

No. 13 Forest Hills Central (3-0)

Last week: 14

After beating Christian 37-7, Forest Hills Central has yet to allow more than nine points in a game so far this season. After falling to De La Salle in the 2022 Division 2 state championship, it looks as if the two teams could be on a collision course headed towards each other once again. The Rangers are set to play rival Forest Hills Northern next on their quest to stay undefeated. 

14. Chippewa Valley (1-2)

Last week: 10

The Big Reds lost a 31-28 battle against Eisenhower on Friday night. Chippewa Valley was able to gain nearly 350 total yards, but its defense allowed almost 400, including 143 on the ground. The Big Reds have the offense to compete, but the defense will have to step up if they want to be a factor late in the season. 

15. Zeeland West (3-0)

Last week: 20

The Dux have allowed no more than eight points in all three of their games this season. In addition, they’ve scored 146 points, including a 54-8 win over Wyoming Friday night. Zeeland West looks as if it could be one of the best teams in Division 3 in 2023. 

16. Lapeer (3-0)

Last week: 21

Lapeer cruised past Arthur Hill en route to a 49-0 shutout victory. The Lightning’s schedule gets much harder going forward, so it remains to be seen if they can sustain their level of production. Lapeer hosts Carman-Ainsworth next for an interleague matchup. 

17. Northville (3-0)

Last week: 22

Northville was able to come away with a 24-10 victory against Brighton on Friday night. The Mustangs have been able to keep their momentum going following a week one win over Clarkston, and they’ve yet to allow more than 14 points in a game. Northville hosts Canton next on September 15. 

18. Clarkston (1-2)

Last week: 25

Clarkston was able to bounce back in a big way after two tough losses to start the season, beating Rochester Adams 28-7. The Wolves held an explosive Southfield A&T offense to 20 points in week two, and after Friday night’s performance, it seems as if they’re hitting their stride. Clarkston is set to visit Stoney Creek next.

19. DeWitt (1-1)

Last week: 19

The Panthers didn’t play in week three, and they’re coming off of a 42-23 loss to No. 6 Mason. DeWitt still has the bulk of its season ahead, and it still has the potential to make noise in 2023. The Panthers host East Lansing on September 15 for an interleague showdown. 

20. Detroit Catholic Central (2-1)

Last week: 23

The Shamrocks dominated St. Frances de Sales (Ohio) 48-7 Friday night. Forty eight points is the most Detroit Catholic Central has scored this season, and its offense will have to stay in rhythm as No. 10 De La Salle awaits on September 22. 

First, the Shamrocks will have to get through St. Mary’s Prep.

21. Rochester Adams (2-1)

Last week: 13

The Highlanders dropped their first game of the season with a 28-7 loss to Clarkston. Rochester Adams has a winnable game slated next when it hosts Oxford, but it travel to No. 4 West Bloomfield the following week. The Highlanders will have to regain their footing quickly if they want to get back in the win column. 

22. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (2-1)

Last week: N/R

After losing to Loyola Academy (Illinois) in week one, the Cougars have defeated River Rouge and Wayland by a combined score of 80-13. If they can keep up their recent level of play, the Cougars should be one of the favorites in Division IV. Catholic Central visits Thornapple Kellogg next on September 15. 

23. Birmingham Groves (2-1)

Last week: 24

Groves was able to bounce back from its loss to West Bloomfield by defeating Farmington 26-7. The Falcons have a difficult draw in week four as they visit No. 2 Southfield A&T, but the road should be much smoother after. If the Falcons can compete with Southfield A&T, or even knock them off, they’ll prove they belong among the best in the state. 

24. Muskegon (1-2)

Last week: N/R

Muskegon was able to get back in the win column in a big way by shutting out Holland 76-0. Having already played No. 5 Rockford and No. 10 De La Salle, the Big Reds should have a nice path into the playoffs if they can keep playing like they did Friday night. Muskegon travels to Mona Shores for an interleague matchup next. 

25. Walled Lake Western (3-0)

Last week: N/R

Walled Lake Western was able to rack up over 400 yards of total offense on its way to a 47-9 win over South Lyon. The Warriors have scored 132 points while only allowing 36 so far this season. Walled Lake Western has been a wildcard in the Division 3 race thus far, and it will put its undefeated record on the line when it visits rival Walled Lake Northern on September 14.