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

Byron Center leaps into the rankings

Throughout the 2022-23 high school football season, SBLive is taking a look at the top 25 teams in the state of Michigan, spanning all classifications.

LAST WEEK'S RANKINGS

No. 6 West Bloomfield outlasted No. 19 Adams on Friday. Byron Center (5-0) upset then No. 7 Forest Hills Central 15-14, and then No. 10 Dakota (4-1) fell to then No. 17 Chippewa Valley (3-2) 28-21 in another top-10 upset.

Who rose and fell after Week 5? Find out below in this complete breakdown of the SBLive Michigan Power 25 rankings, as of the week of Monday, September 25, 2023:

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Michigan high school football Power 25

No. 1 Belleville (5-0)

Belleville dominated Franklin 42-3 en route to its 30th straight win. Junior Tiger quarterback Bryce Underwood had five touchdown passes, and two of them went to junior receiver Adrian Walker Jr. The Tigers have allowed just ten points in their last four games, and they’ll look to win their last home game of the regular season when Glenn visits next. 

No. 2 Rockford (5-0)

The Rams beat West Ottawa 39-12 Friday night, and it was the fourth straight game in which they scored at least 31 points. Rockford was coming off of a monumental 42-16 win over Caledonia, who beat Rockford 14-13 in double overtime in the 2022 playoffs. The Rams visit Grand Haven next for an interleague matchup. 

No. 3 Southfield A&T (5-0)

Southfield A&T shut out Farmington in a 46-0 victory. It was by far the best defensive performance from the Warriors this season, as they allowed 105 points in their first four games. Forty-six points was also the most the Warriors have scored in a game this season, so they seem to be on a roll as they’re set to host Bloomfield Hills next. 

No. 4 Mason (5-0)

Mason defeated Haslett 35-20, marking its fifth straight game of scoring 35 points or more. The Bulldogs have two more games in the Capital Area league this season, and the first of which comes when they visit Eastern next. Two of Mason’s last three games come against teams currently in the top 25, so it has a chance to prove itself as a real contender before the playoffs begin. 

No. 5 Davison (5-0)

The Cardinals recorded their first shutout of the season with a 63-0 win over Arthur Hill. Since its week one win over De La Salle, Davison has won its last four games by no less than 15 points. Davison has its last non-league game of the regular season next against South Lyon. 

No. 6 Caledonia (4-1)

The Fighting Scots defeated Jenison 32-6 Friday night. Caledonia should be able to win the rest of its games heading into the playoffs. First, the Fighting Scots will have to get by Hudsonville. 

No. 7 Saline (5-0)

Saline was able to outlast Monroe 42-35. The Hornets’ defense seemingly came back down to earth following back-to-back shutouts, and 35 is the second most points Monroe has scored in a game this season. Saline is set to host Ann Arbor Huron next on September 29. 

No. 8 West Bloomfield (4-1)

West Bloomfield defeated Rochester Adams 36-32 on its homecoming night. Senior Laker quarterback Reqez Nance threw three first half touchdowns, and he finished with over 200 total yards. Senior defensive end and tight end Brandon Davis-Swain (Colorado) was a playmaker on both sides of the ball for West Bloomfield. The Lakers visit Clarkston next. 

No. 9 Lake Orion

The Dragons were able to force three turnovers en route to a 48-29 victory over Stoney Creek. Lake Orion has a tough schedule remaining, and its last game of the regular season is at Saline. Next, the Dragons will have to get by Rochester Adams. 

No. 10 Cass Tech (3-2)

The Technicians dominated Mumford 41-0 Friday night. After starting the season 0-2 with 78 points allowed, Cass Tech has won its last three games by a combined score of 95-7. The Technicians have Western International and East English Village Prep left on their schedule. 

No. 11 Zeeland West (5-0)

The Dux were able to handle cross-town rival Zeeland East 36-13. Zeeland West had over 200 yards on the ground, and Zeeland East wasn’t far behind. The Dux host Holland next before a big matchup with Muskegon on October 6. 

No. 12 Northville (5-0)

Northville defeated Howell 32-12 Friday night. The Mustangs have held every opponent under 20 points this season, and they’ve scored at least three touchdowns in every game. Northville has Salem coming to town next for an interleague matchup. 

No. 13 De La Salle (3-2)

The Pilots were able to beat Catholic League rival Detroit Catholic Central 14-7. Seven points is the least De La Salle’s defense has allowed in a game this season, but 14 is also the least its offense has scored. The Pilots have to visit St. Francis de Sales (OH) next. 

No. 14 Clarkston (3-2)

After dropping their first two games, the Wolves have rattled off three wins in a row. Clarkston beat Oxford 39-13 Friday night, and it was Clarkston's first time scoring more than 28 points this season. The Wolves have to play West Bloomfield next, and it will be a great opportunity to prove they're one of the top teams in the state. 

No. 15 Eisenhower (4-1)

The Eagles defeated Stevenson 23-21 after suffering their first loss of the season in the previous week to Romeo. Eisenhower has had three games decided by six points or less, and it came out on top in two of them. The Eagles have to visit Anchor Bay this week, which is coming off of three straight losses.

No. 16 Chippewa Valley (3-2)

The Big Reds were able to knock off Dakota with a 28-21 victory. Chippewa Valley had nearly 350 yards of total offense, and almost half of it came on the ground. The Big Reds have to visit Stevenson next on September 29. 

No. 17 Dakota (4-1)

The Cougars lost their first game of the season to Chippewa Valley by a score of 28-21. 28 points is the most Dakota has given up all year, and they only gave up more than 20 points once last season (Cass Tech). Dakota will look to get back in the win column when they host Romeo next. 

No. 18 Byron Center (5-0)

Byron Center knocked off Forest Hills Central 15-14 Friday night. The Bulldogs were able to put up over 250 total yards of offense, with most of it coming through the air. Byron Center has held every opponent under 17 points so far this year, and it’ll put its undefeated season on the line when Lowell comes to town next. 

No. 19 Forest Hills Central (4-1)

The Rangers took their first loss of the season in a 15-14 battle with Byron Center. Forest Hills Central had scored at least 26 points in every game this season prior to its game against the Bulldogs. Forest Hills Central visits East Grand Rapids next for a chance to get back on the winning side of things. 

No. 20 Walled Lake Western (5-0)

The Warriors were able to beat Lakeland 56-21. Walled Lake Western hasn’t had a tough schedule so far, but its done its job in handling lesser opponents. The Warriors have Mason on the horizon, but they’ve got to get through South Lyon East and Milford first. 

No. 21 Groves (3-2)

The Falcons dominated Rochester in a 42-7 victory. Junior running back Noah Sanders, son of NFL legend Barry Sanders, has emerged as a weapon for Groves in recent weeks. The Falcons have to visit Harper Woods next as they look to get on a roll before the playoffs begin. 

No. 22 Grand Rapids Catholic Central (4-1)

The Cougars took care of Cedar Springs 53-14 Friday night. Grand Rapids Catholic Central has scored at least 38 points in every victory this season. Since their 45-7 week one loss to Loyola Academy (Illinois), the Cougars have allowed just 41 points in their last four games. Kenowa Hills is set to visit next on September 29. 

No. 23 Muskegon (3-2)

The Big Reds were able to beat Reeths-Puffer 28-13 Friday night. Following two losses to open the season, Muskegon has won its last three games by a combined score of 146-34. Muskegon hosts Zeeland East next before a big matchup with Zeeland West on October 6.

No. 24 Rochester Adams (3-2)

The Highlanders couldn’t complete the comeback and took their second loss of the season 36-32 against West Bloomfield. Aside from a late touchdown, senior tight end and defensive end Brady Prieskorn (Michigan) was quiet on the offensive end. Adams has no time to rest, as they host Lake Orion next. 

No. 25 Detroit Catholic Central (3-2)

The Shamrocks fell to De La Salle 14-7 Friday night. Detroit Catholic Central hadn’t scored less than 10 points in a game since its 2022 matchup with De La Salle, when it got shut out 28-0. The Shamrocks have another rivalry game against Brother Rice next. 

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