Every week, Brandon Folsom ranks the top 10 Michigan high school football teams from areas including Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Canton, Livonia, Novi, and more. Here’s the Week 3 update, with a reverse ranking from 1 to 10:
1. Detroit Catholic Central (3-0, 1-0 CHSL-Central; Last week: No. 1)
Detroit Catholic Central continues to hold the top spot after a commanding win against Division 4 champions, Harper Woods. The Shamrocks’ defense created turnovers that paved the way for easy offensive scores. With upcoming games against Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and Warren DeLaSalle, this powerhouse team faces a tough challenge in the Catholic League-Central.
2. Birmingham Groves (3-0, 1-0 OAA-White; Last week: No. 2)
Birmingham Groves kicked off league play in style with a 34-6 win over Rochester Hills Stoney Creek. Quarterback Ryan Counts proved he’s up to the task of replacing veteran Cayden Hardy, throwing for three touchdowns and rushing for another. With the Falcons’ stacked talent, they’re expected to go undefeated in the regular season.
3. White Lake Lakeland (2-1, 2-0 LVC; Last week: No. 6)
Lakeland bounced back strong with a 20-point win over Waterford Kettering after a tough loss in Week 2. With Walled Lake Central up next, they’re building momentum for a Week 5 showdown against LVC favorite Walled Lake Western, a team that handed them a crushing defeat last year.
4. Milford (2-1, 2-0 LVC; Last week: No. 3)
Although Milford suffered a loss to Dearborn Divine Child, there’s no reason to panic. Divine Child’s quarterback, Drew Sheridan, is one of the best young talents in the state. Milford remains a strong contender in the Lakes Valley Conference, and their eyes are set on an upset against Walled Lake Western.
5. Northville (1-2, 1-1 KLAA-West; Last week: No. 5)
Despite losing to Brighton in overtime, Northville remains ranked due to its tough early-season schedule. With a standout QB like Michael Cygan out for the season, backup Cooper Derkach will step in to lead the team as they prepare for a crucial game against Canton in Week 4.
6. Birmingham Seaholm (3-0, 2-0 OAA-Blue; Last week: No. 7)
Seaholm handled winless Bloomfield Hills with ease in Week 3. The Maples continue to dominate, and a special shoutout goes to former athletic trainer Bill Watson, who retired after the 2023-24 school year. Seaholm is positioned well in the OAA-Blue standings.
7. Livonia Franklin (1-2, 1-1 KLAA-East; Last week: No. 4)
Livonia Franklin’s season has been rocky, and losing to Dearborn by 15 points didn’t help. However, they’ll aim to bounce back against Wayne Memorial. With upcoming games against rivals Churchill and Stevenson, Franklin could still make a push for playoff points and the Livonia City championship.
8. Redford Union (2-1, 2-0 WWAC; Last week: No. 9)
Redford Union extended its WWAC winning streak to 27 games with a victory over Garden City. The Panthers are on track for a fourth straight conference title, but a crucial Week 5 matchup against Redford Thurston could decide it all.
9. Redford Thurston (3-0, 2-0 WWAC; Last week: T10)
Thurston is undefeated heading into its big Week 5 clash with Redford Union. With a 34-6 win over Melvindale, they’ve set up what could be the de facto WWAC championship game. Coach Nick Davis has turned this program around, earning respect from rival coaches.
10. Novi (2-1, 2-0 KLAA-West; Last week: Unranked)
Novi storms back into the rankings after a shaky start, following a Week 1 loss to Sterling Heights Stevenson. The Wildcats have since secured two big wins, including a 2-0 record in the KLAA-West. They face their toughest test yet in Week 4 against division favorite Brighton.
On the Bubble:
- Garden City (2-1, 1-1 WWAC): Narrow loss to Redford Union (41-29).
- Detroit Country Day (2-1): Bounced back with a 42-18 win over Detroit Loyola.
Out of the Rankings:
- Detroit Country Day (2-1): Despite the Week 3 win, they dropped out of the rankings.
- Livonia Churchill (2-1, 1-1 KLAA-East): A 65-0 loss to Belleville knocks them out.
This updated ranking provides a clearer picture of top 10 Michigan high school football teams are excelling and who faces critical games ahead. Will there be more surprises next week? Stay tuned!
