Man, high school football in Michigan just hits differently. You've got the chill in the air, the smell of concession stand popcorn, and that weirdly intense local pride that only makes sense if you grew up here. But honestly, the michigan high school football playoffs 2024 were something else entirely. It wasn't just a tournament; it was a total reshaping of the power dynamics we’ve seen for the last decade.
If you were following along, you know it felt like every Friday night delivered some kind of gut-punch upset. Remember when we all thought the path to Ford Field was a paved highway for certain teams? Yeah, the playoffs had other plans. It was the year of the "first-timer" and the "long-awaited return," basically proving that in the MHSAA, history is just paper until you hit the turf.
The Night the Giants Faltered
Most people look at the bracket and expect the blue bloods to just cruise. That didn’t happen this time. The biggest shocker for a lot of folks was seeing the end of the Bryce Underwood era at Belleville earlier than expected. Look, Underwood is a generational talent—a five-star recruit who eventually flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan—but even a superstar QB couldn't drag his team past the brick wall that was Detroit Catholic Central in the regional finals.
Catholic Central’s defense was like a vice grip. They won that game 35-21, and it honestly felt like a changing of the guard. For years, Belleville was the inevitable final boss. Seeing them go down before the semifinals was the first real sign that the 2024 playoffs were going to be a wild ride.
Cass Tech’s Redemption Arc
Then you have Detroit Cass Tech. Kinda wild to think they hadn’t won a title since 2016, right? For a program that produces D1 athletes like a factory, that’s a long drought. They didn't start the season great, losing two of their first four games. People were whispering that maybe the "Technician" magic was fading.
Wrong.
By the time the Division 1 finals rolled around at Ford Field, they looked unstoppable. They absolutely dismantled Hudsonville 42-20. It wasn't even as close as the score suggests; they were up 35-0 at one point. Freshman quarterback Donald Tabron II played like a 22-year-old pro, throwing for three scores. It’s scary to think he’s only a freshman.
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Records Shattered at Ford Field
If you weren't at Ford Field for the Division 6 final, you missed a literal history lesson. Jackson Lumen Christi has a trophy case that’s basically a museum at this point, but Kadale Williams decided to add a whole new wing to it.
Williams was a human highlight reel. He carried the ball 27 times for 314 yards. That’s not a typo. 314 yards in a state championship game. He also tied the record with five rushing touchdowns. Seeing Lumen Christi roll Lansing Catholic 56-18 was a reminder that some traditions in Michigan football just don't break.
The First-Time Champions
The coolest part of the michigan high school football playoffs 2024 was seeing schools that had never tasted gold finally get their moment.
Goodrich is the perfect example. They’ve been close before, but they always seemed to run into a buzzsaw. In the Division 4 final against Niles, they left no doubt. A 35-6 win gave the Martians their first-ever state title. Chase Burnett was the engine, racking up 157 yards on the ground.
Then you had Pontiac Notre Dame Prep in Division 5. They took down Frankenmuth 42-7. It was their first title too, and what made it even better was the story of their coach, Pat Fox. The guy grew up in Frankenmuth! Winning your first championship by beating your hometown team? That’s the kind of stuff they write movies about.
A Quick Look at the 11-Player Finals
Instead of a boring list, let's just break down how the weekend shook out at Ford Field. It was a mix of blowouts and defensive masterclasses.
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In Division 7, Millington stayed perfect. They finished the season as the only undefeated 11-player champion, shutting out Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 24-0. Their defense only allowed about 7.7 points per game all season. That’s just mean.
Division 3 saw Zeeland West and their famous T-formation attack confuse the heck out of Detroit Martin Luther King. Zeeland West won 42-22, proving that "old school" football still works if you run it to perfection. Keaton Hendricks set records of his own in that one, helping the Dux control the ball for over 30 minutes.
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s took Division 2 with a 35-19 win over Byron Center. They were actually trailing 13-7 late in the second quarter before they decided to just flip a switch and dominate the second half.
Finally, in Division 8, Beal City got back on top for the first time since 2009. They beat Riverview Gabriel Richard 43-14. Coach Brad Gross has now won a title as a player (1994), an assistant (2009), and a head coach (2024). Talk about a local legend.
Why 2024 Was Different
Usually, you can predict the semifinals by Week 6. This year? No way. The "Playoff Point" system definitely rewarded teams that played tough schedules, which meant we saw more battle-tested teams in the early rounds.
We also saw a massive surge in attendance. Nearly 45,000 fans made the trip to Detroit for the finals weekend. That’s a huge rebound and shows that despite all the talk about kids moving toward 7-on-7 or other sports, the Friday Night Lights culture in Michigan is still the king.
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Small Town Pride: 8-Player Highlights
We can't ignore the 8-player divisions. They play their finals up at the Superior Dome in Marquette, and it’s a whole different vibe.
- Division 1: Deckerville edged out Pickford 30-28 in a literal nail-biter.
- Division 2: Crystal Falls Forest Park took care of business against Morrice, winning 42-20.
The 8-player game is growing so fast in the rural parts of the state, and the quality of play in 2024 was arguably the best it’s ever been. It’s fast, high-scoring, and honestly, a blast to watch if you haven't seen it yet.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Playoffs
People think the "big" schools have all the advantages, but the michigan high school football playoffs 2024 showed that coaching and scheme often trump raw recruiting stars. Look at Zeeland West. They don't have a roster full of four-star recruits, yet they bullied one of the most athletic teams in the state (Detroit King) just by being more disciplined in the trenches.
Also, don't buy into the idea that the "Detroit schools" always dominate. While Cass Tech won D1, schools from Zeeland, Millington, Beal City, and Goodrich showed that the talent is spread out across both peninsulas.
How to Prepare for Next Season
If you're a fan, a player, or a parent looking toward 2025 based on what we saw this year, here are the real takeaways:
- Defense still wins championships. Look at Millington and Goodrich. They didn't just win; they suffocated their opponents. If your school isn't prioritizing the defensive line, they aren't winning a ring.
- Freshmen are the real deal. Between Donald Tabron II at Cass Tech and other young stars, the "wait your turn" era is over. If the kid can play, he's going to play.
- The T-Formation is back. Zeeland West proved that if you can't stop the run, it doesn't matter how many fancy spread concepts you have.
The 2024 season is in the books, but the shift in power we saw is going to be felt for a long time. Whether it's the return of Cass Tech or the rise of new powers like Notre Dame Prep, Michigan high school football is in a very interesting place right now.
To stay ahead for the 2025 season, start tracking the returning starters for the regional finalists of 2024. Teams like Detroit Catholic Central and Cass Tech are returning significant cores, while programs like Belleville will be enters a total rebuilding phase after losing a generational quarterback. Keep an eye on the transfer portal—yes, even in high school—as it continues to reshape the rosters of the top D1 and D2 programs this winter.