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Top 25 HS Football Teams – Dakota, Lowell new entries in the top 10
1. Clarkston (5-0): The Wolves enter an easy part of their schedule over the next two weeks. Rival Lake Orion and, possibly, Oak Park should provide tests heading into the playoffs.
2. Muskegon (5-0): The Bg Reds recorded their first shutout last week (63-0 over Grand Rapids Union) and is on course to be 8-0 when they face Muskegon Mona Shores.
3. Birmingham Brother Rice (5-0): The Warriors played their best game of the season last week (41-14 over Detroit Catholic Central) but they have no time to feel good about themselves with Orchard Lake St. Mary’s next.
4. Detroit Cass Tech (5-0): After an easy week the Technicians have an important game with Detroit East English Prep (4-1), at home, on Saturday.
5. Detroit King (5-0): The Crusaders struggled a bit against Detroit Mumford (28-17) last Saturday but their offense is steadily improving behind the play of quarterback Mikale Washington.
6. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (5-0): Much like King, St. Mary’s is improving week to week on the offensive side with a junior quarterback (Brendan Tabone) who is gaining valuable experience.
7. DeWitt (5-0): The Panthers were 13-0 last season before losing to Zeeland West in the Division 3 final. Their toughest test this season will come on Friday when they travel to St. Johns (5-0).
8. Oak Park (4-1): Oak Park trailed Rochester Adams 3-0 at halftime before pulling away in the second half last Friday. The Knights should breeze past their next two opponents before facing Southfield.
9. Macomb Dakota (4-1): Coach Mike Giannone got what he was looking for last week, a serious test (21-14 victory over Utica Eisenhower) for his Cougars. Dakota’s next big game is week eight against Sterling Heights Stevenson (4-1).
10. Lowell (5-0): The Red Arrows have given up 14 or fewer points in four games this season. Their defense will have be to on their toes against Grand Rapids Christian (4-1) this week.
11. Livonia Churchill (5-0): A break in the schedule (47-12 win over Wayne Memorial last week) should help the Chargers prepare for this week’s KLAA South Division showdown with Canton (4-1).
12. Lansing Sexton (5-0): Sexton’s closest game came in its opener against Detroit East English Village Prep (35-26). Holt (2-3) is next and after that only Lansing Everett (3-2) in week eight stands in the way of the Big Reds for a 9-0 season.
13. East Kentwood (5-0): We’ll find out in the next three weeks whether the Falcons are a paper tiger or a legitimate contender for the O-K Red Division title. East Kentwood plays at Holland West Ottawa (4-1) on Friday.
14. Midland Dow (5-0): Quarterback Alec Marty has Dow off to its best start since 1991. The last time Dow was 6-0 was in 1976 when it won the Class A title.
15. Lapeer (5-0): The Lightning have outscored their opponents 242-13 after blitzing Mt. Pleasant (3-2) 63-0 last week. Lapeer will be 6-0 when it takes on Midland on Oct. 10.
16. Zeeland West (5-0): Throw out the 2012 season (7-4 that year) and the Dux are 32-1 over three seasons. Byron Center (4-1), in week eight, appears to be the only team that could spoil a 9-0 season.
17. Warren De La Salle (3-2): Fourth quarter touchdowns each of the last two weeks have cost the Pilots a chance at being 5-0. They’re resilient. A game with Dearborn Fordson on Friday will have their attention this week.
18. Dearborn Fordson (5-0): The Tractors whipped Dearborn 35-0 on Friday and go out of conference this week against De La Salle.
19. Muskegon Mona Shores (4-1): Quarterback Tyree Jackson has done his part this season but it’s Mona Shores’ defense that has the Sailors in position to challenge Muskegon for the O-K Black Division title.
20. Grand Rapids Christian (4-1): The post-Drake Harris era hasn’t had as dramatic an effect as many had thought. Christian has Lowell, East Grand Rapids and Caledonia yet to play.
21. South Lyon (5-0): The Lions can clinch a share of the KLAA Central Division on Friday against Novi. South Lyon has a shot at its first 9-0 season since 1991.
22. Caledonia (3-2): Go figure. Caledonia took it on the chin against Mona Shores (40-7) on Sept. 19. A week later the Fighting Scots rout Rockford, which was ranked No. 4, 42-0. As good as they are Caledonia might not make the playoffs because of its demanding schedule.
23. Canton (4-1): The Chiefs are accostumed to playing meaningful games this time of yearw and with Churchill next they should be ready. The two teams have played some wild games recently.
24. West Bloomfield (4-1): This is quite possibly the first time the Lakers have been state ranked by this reporter. They earned it with a huge win (39-0) over Lake Orion.
25. Rockford (4-1): Let’s chalk up last week’s loss to Caledonia as a learning experience. At 1-0 the Rams are still undefeated in the O-K Red with division rival Grandville next.
