Cass Tech, Brother Rice, King, Harper Woods and several other Metro Detroit contenders advanced during Friday’s opening round of the MHSAA football playoffs.
The road to Ford Field officially began Friday night, and the opening round of the 2026 MHSAA football playoffs delivered blowouts, close finishes and at least one major Metro Detroit surprise.
Dearborn Fordson produced the headline of the night by defeating Belleville 28–14. The Tractors avenged a 26–21 regular-season loss to the Tigers and earned a Division 1 district-final matchup with unbeaten Detroit Cass Tech.
Cass Tech handled its own opening-round assignment convincingly, defeating Plymouth 55–13. The Technicians improved to 10–0 and moved one step closer to another potential appearance at Ford Field.
Fordson Ends Belleville’s Season
Belleville entered the postseason as one of Metro Detroit’s most recognizable football programs, but Fordson made the most important statement Friday.
The Tractors’ 28–14 victory eliminated the Tigers and improved Fordson to 8–2. Their reward is a trip to Cass Tech for one of the most anticipated district finals in the area.
Cass Tech’s explosive opening-round performance means Fordson will face an even greater challenge next week. However, eliminating Belleville proves the Tractors cannot be treated as an ordinary underdog.
Division 1 Contenders Advance
Several Division 1 contenders opened the postseason with convincing victories.
Clarkston defeated Bloomfield Hills 49–14, while undefeated Grand Blanc advanced with a 39–21 victory over Hartland. Those results set up a district-final matchup between two of the region’s strongest programs.
Defending Division 1 champion Detroit Catholic Central defeated Lake Orion 43–6 and will face Oxford, which advanced with a 42–28 victory over Davison.
Romeo improved to 10–0 with a 47–33 victory over Anchor Bay. The Bulldogs will meet Rochester after the Falcons edged Macomb Dakota 22–21.
Northville defeated Woodhaven 28–19, Rochester Adams shut out Utica 35–0 and Stoney Creek rolled past L’Anse Creuse North 49–13.
Brother Rice Keeps Its Momentum
Brother Rice continued its strong run by defeating Roseville 45–27 in Division 2.
The Warriors entered the playoffs following their dramatic overtime victory against Detroit Catholic Central in the Prep Bowl. Friday’s win showed that Brother Rice was able to carry that momentum into the postseason.
Brother Rice will host North Farmington in the district final. The Raiders survived one of Friday’s closest games, defeating Ferndale 27–26.
South Lyon and South Lyon East also advanced, setting up a rivalry game with a district championship at stake. South Lyon defeated Flushing 56–15, while South Lyon East beat Saginaw Heritage 38–20.
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s defeated Birmingham Groves 40–12 and will next face St. Clair Shores Lakeview, which eliminated Birmingham Seaholm 45–31.
King and Harper Woods Set Up a Major District Final
Detroit Martin Luther King and Harper Woods left little doubt in their respective Division 3 playoff openers.
King defeated Grosse Pointe North 41–3, while Harper Woods beat Warren Fitzgerald 50–8.
Those victories created one of next week’s most compelling district finals. King brings its championship tradition into a matchup against a Harper Woods program that has already established itself as a serious postseason threat.
Warren De La Salle also advanced with a 42–21 victory over Trenton.
Detroit Programs Experience Mixed Results
Several other Detroit-area programs advanced Friday.
Detroit Country Day shut out Madison Heights Lamphere 24–0 in Division 4. Detroit Denby defeated Redford Union 56–14 in Division 5, while Detroit Edison opened its Division 6 run with a 40–0 victory over Robichaud.
Warren Michigan Collegiate defeated Detroit Central 16–8, and Summit Academy North advanced with a 34–27 victory over Father Gabriel Richard.
Other Detroit programs saw their seasons end. Macomb Lutheran North defeated East English 36–22, St. Clair beat Cody 41–16, Ecorse shut out Communication Media Arts 58–0 and Gibraltar Carlson defeated Mumford 14–0.
District Finals Begin Taking Shape
Friday’s results created several district-final matchups that should command attention across Metro Detroit:
Fordson at Cass Tech
Grand Blanc vs. Clarkston
Oxford vs. Detroit Catholic Central
Rochester at Romeo
North Farmington at Brother Rice
South Lyon East vs. South Lyon
King at Harper Woods
Clinton vs. Detroit Edison
Dates, kickoff times and host sites should be confirmed with the participating schools before next weekend.
The opening round showed that reputation alone will not carry anyone to Ford Field. Fordson delivered the first major warning, while Cass Tech, Clarkston, Grand Blanc, Brother Rice, King and Harper Woods all responded with convincing postseason statements.
The field is smaller now—and the matchups are only getting better.
