A quick note before the article: Michigan’s 2026 season begins on August 27 (tomorrow, at the time of writing), so there are no final scores to report yet. What follows is based on actual preseason standings and schedule information, rather than estimated results. Once the games begin, this page should be updated weekly with the actual scores.
Michigan high school football is about to kick off its 2026 season, and the race for first place looks wide open even before the first game. Opening games are scheduled for August 27, and all Michigan High School Athletic Association (MSA) standings, from Division I down to the 8-player division, will begin statewide that same week.
Who’s the favorite going into the season?
Detroit Catholic Central begins the year ranked No. 1 in the state preseason standings, riding a 14-0 undefeated season and a championship in Michigan’s top division. That track record of defending titles makes the Shamrocks the team every other top program in the state is chasing from the start.
But they won’t be the center of attention. Programs like Cass Tech, Hudsonville, Saline, and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s all finished among the top teams in the state rankings last season and are expected to be contenders again once the 2026 season begins. The rivalries within this group—Catholic Central’s matchups in the Catholic League, Cass Tech’s games in the PSL—typically produce some of the most-watched games in the state each year.
Where to Find the Schedules
The schedules for each team for the 2026 season are now available from the MHSAA and MaxPreps’ Michigan football section, broken down by ranking and region. If you want to follow a particular team’s full schedule—from opening day through a potential playoff run in November—those are the two most reliable starting points, as each school’s schedule may change slightly as opening games are finalized.
What to Expect at the Start of the Season
Last season offered a preview of what to expect from Michigan’s most competitive programs. Cass Tech and Detroit Catholic Central battled for the top two spots in the state rankings for most of 2025, with Cass Tech’s suspended and resumed victory over rival Detroit King and Catholic Central’s blowout win over Orchard Lake St. Mary’s standing out as two of the year’s most significant results. If this season follows a similar pattern, the state’s top tier is expected to be decided again by a handful of star-studded non-conference and rivalry games in September and October.
We’ll be tracking Michigan scores and rankings right here as the season develops. Check our Scores page for weekly results once games kick off, and our Rankings page for where Michigan’s top teams stack up as the season progresses.