One round down, four to go! The 2026 MHSAA football playoffs are heating up as we head into Round 2, with 128 teams across eight divisions still standing in the hunt for a state championship at Ford Field.

The Goosepoop website is updated once again with the latest team ratings, projected spreads, over/unders, win probabilities, and more for every second-round matchup.

The opening round brought its share of excitement, but the stakes only get higher from here. With the field cut in half, the competition is getting tougher, the matchups are getting better, and the margin for error is shrinking. From battles between state championship contenders to underdogs looking to keep their seasons alive, Round 2 has plenty of potential for chaos across Michigan.

Below, we'll break down the biggest games, championship contenders, potential upsets, and storylines to watch in Round 2. For the full slate of projections, rankings, and more, head over to the Goosepoop website.

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Heading into Round 2, here's the entire Division 1 district championship field, ranked 1–16 by our computer ratings:

And here's how the Division 1 playoff bracket looks after the opening round:

Division 1 remains absolutely loaded after the opening round, with nearly all of the top championship contenders advancing. Detroit Catholic Central continues to lead the Goosepoop computer ratings, followed by undefeated East Kentwood and Cass Tech. Clarkston, Romeo, and Saline also took care of business, keeping the race to Ford Field as competitive as ever.

The left side of the bracket is particularly interesting, with five of the top eight teams in the computer ratings still standing. Catholic Central and Clarkston remain on a potential collision course, while East Kentwood will look to continue its undefeated season against Grand Ledge. Meanwhile, Cass Tech, Romeo, and Saline headline the opposite side, where all three remain undefeated.

One of the more surprising developments from Round 1 was Grandville's victory over Howell, sending the 5–5 Bulldogs into a district championship matchup with Portage Central. Grandville is the only remaining Division 1 team without a winning record, making its continued postseason run one of the more interesting stories in the division.

Second-round matchups to watch: Clarkston vs. Grand Blanc is the clear headliner, featuring the fourth- and eighth-rated teams in Division 1. East Kentwood vs. Grand Ledge is another intriguing battle between undefeated teams, while Detroit Catholic Central vs. Oxford brings together two top-ten contenders. With so much talent remaining, Division 1 is setting up for some outstanding district championships.

Here's the entire Division 2 district championship field, ranked 1–16 by our computer ratings:

And here's how the Division 2 playoff bracket looks after the opening round:

Division 2's opening round left nearly all of its major championship contenders standing, setting up a fascinating second weekend. Orchard Lake St. Mary's remains the clear favorite according to the Goosepoop computer ratings, with a considerable gap separating the Eaglets from the rest of the field. Byron Center, Mona Shores, Caledonia, and Brother Rice round out the top five, and all are still alive.

The left side of the bracket is especially competitive, with Byron Center, Mona Shores, Caledonia, and South Lyon all advancing. A potential regional matchup between Byron Center and Caledonia or Mona Shores would make for an outstanding showdown, but each team still has a district championship to win first.

Elsewhere, Portage Northern advanced past Traverse City West, setting up a difficult matchup with Byron Center. South Lyon East also moved on and will face South Lyon in an intriguing district final between neighboring programs. On the opposite side, undefeated Gibraltar Carlson remains alive alongside Orchard Lake St. Mary's, Brother Rice, and Grosse Pointe South.

Second-round matchups to watch: Caledonia vs. Mona Shores is the biggest game of the week in Division 2, featuring the third- and fourth-rated teams in the computer rankings. Byron Center vs. Portage Northern and South Lyon vs. South Lyon East are also worth watching. With so many heavyweights still standing, this division is sure to be chaos for the remainder of the playoffs.

Here's the entire Division 3 district championship field, ranked 1–16 by our computer ratings:

And here's how the Division 3 playoff bracket looks after the opening round:

Division 3 might be one of the most interesting championship races in the state. DeWitt remains atop the Goosepoop computer ratings, but Harper Woods and Detroit Martin Luther King are close behind. Zeeland West and undefeated Chelsea round out the top five, giving this division several legitimate contenders capable of making a run to Ford Field.

The opening round saw nearly all of the division's top-rated teams advance, although Battle Creek Central's victory over Harper Creek was a notable result. The Bearcats now face Zeeland West, which enters the district championship round as the fourth-rated team in the division.

The bracket is shaping up for some potentially massive matchups down the road. DeWitt, Zeeland West, St. Joseph, and Coopersville all remain on the left side, while Harper Woods, King, Chelsea, and Mason highlight the right. The possibility of a Harper Woods vs. King regional championship is especially intriguing, although both have important games to win this weekend.

Second-round matchups to watch: Harper Woods vs. Detroit Martin Luther King is a legendary district final showdown to keep an eye on, as they are the second and third-rated teams. DeWitt vs. Coopersville features the first and eighth-rated teams in Division 3, while St. Joseph vs. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg is another intriguing top-12 matchup.

Here's the entire Division 4 district championship field, ranked 1–16 by our computer ratings:

And here's how the Division 4 playoff bracket looks after the opening round:

Division 4 is shaping up to be another terrific championship race. Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills remains the top-rated team in the Goosepoop model, followed by undefeated Edwardsburg, Grand Rapids South Christian, and Goodrich. All four survived the opening round and remain among the favorites to reach Ford Field.

One of the more impressive results from Round 1 was Kenowa Hills advancing past Grand Rapids Christian, a matchup that looked particularly difficult on paper. The Knights now face Ludington, which moved on past Fruitport. Elsewhere, Edwardsburg advanced past Vicksburg, keeping its undefeated season alive, while South Christian handled its opening-round matchup with Marshall.

The bracket remains relatively balanced, with Kenowa Hills, Edwardsburg, and South Christian on the left side, while Goodrich, Divine Child, and Portland highlight the right. A potential Kenowa Hills vs. South Christian regional championship could be one of the best games in the entire Division 4 tournament, but there's still plenty of football to play before then.

Second-round matchups to watch: Goodrich vs. St. Johns features two top-ten teams in our ratings, while Edwardsburg vs. Portland brings together a pair of undefeated teams ranked second and sixth. South Christian vs. Stevensville Lakeshore is another quality matchup, with both programs entering the district championship round among the division's top eight.

Here's the Division 5 district championship field, ranked by our computer ratings:

And here's how the Division 5 playoff bracket looks after the opening round:

Division 5 continues to look like one of the most wide-open championship races in Michigan, especially with the reinstatement of GRCC. Grand Rapids West Catholic remains the top-rated team in the Goosepoop model, but Frankenmuth, Ogemaw Heights, and Hopkins aren't far behind. With several of the top contenders separated by only a handful of rating points, there is very little room for error.

The opening round saw nearly all of the division's biggest contenders advance. West Catholic, Catholic Central, Frankenmuth, Ogemaw Heights, and Hopkins all moved on, while Berrien Springs advanced past Lake Odessa Lakewood in one of the more intriguing first-round matchups.

The left side of the bracket remains especially difficult, with West Catholic, Ogemaw Heights, Hopkins, and Berrien Springs all still alive. That creates the possibility of several highly competitive matchups before the semifinals. Frankenmuth, meanwhile, headlines the opposite side, where Monroe Jefferson, Swan Valley, and several other contenders will look to challenge the Eagles.

Second-round matchups to watch: West Catholic vs. Catholic Central would be a Holy War regional championship matchup if both teams advance, but West Catholic must first get past Hopkin’s tremendous squad. Monroe Jefferson vs. Ida is an intriguing Southeast Michigan clash to keep your eyes on. Division 5 remains one of the toughest brackets to predict.

Here's the entire Division 6 district championship field, ranked 1–16 by our computer ratings:

And here's how the Division 6 playoff bracket looks after the opening round:

Division 6 had plenty of interesting results in the opening round, but most of the top championship contenders are still standing. Jackson Lumen Christi remains the top-rated team in the Goosepoop computer ratings, followed closely by Clinton. Kingsley, Olivet, and undefeated Sanford Meridian round out the top five, leaving several strong teams in contention.

One of the more notable results from Round 1 was Gladwin advancing past Harbor Springs, giving the Flying G's another opportunity to continue their postseason run after a difficult regular season. Elsewhere, undefeated Almont, Marine City, and Kingsley all moved on, while Traverse City St. Francis advanced past Calumet to set up a difficult district championship matchup.

The bracket sets up some particularly interesting possibilities. Kingsley and Sanford Meridian remain on the same side, while Clinton, Lumen Christi, and Olivet highlight the opposite half. With the top two teams in our ratings positioned on the same side of the bracket, the eventual path to Ford Field could become especially challenging.

Second-round matchups to watch: Kingsley vs. Traverse City St. Francis features the third- and tenth-rated teams in Division 6, while Sanford Meridian vs. Gladwin offers an intriguing matchup between an undefeated contender and a dangerous opponent. Clinton vs. Ecorse is another district championship worth following, with both teams sitting inside the top six of our computer ratings.

Here's the entire Division 7 district championship field, ranked 1–16 by our computer ratings:

And here's how the Division 7 playoff bracket looks after the opening round:

Ithaca enters the Division 7 playoffs as the clear No. 1 team in the Goosepoop model, Division 7 is becoming an increasingly interesting championship race, with Ithaca continuing to stand above the field in the Goosepoop computer ratings. The Yellowjackets hold a sizable advantage over undefeated Millington, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, Pewamo-Westphalia, and Constantine, but the opening round showed that plenty of teams are capable of making noise.

Several of the division's top contenders advanced without changing the overall championship picture too dramatically. Ithaca, Millington, Pewamo-Westphalia, and Constantine all moved on, while Manistee advanced past Manton and Harrison moved on past McBain. The biggest question entering the district championship round is whether anyone can challenge Ithaca's position atop the rankings.

The bracket creates some interesting potential matchups moving forward. Ithaca and Millington are positioned on the same side, alongside Pewamo-Westphalia and Laker, while Constantine, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, and Whiteford highlight the opposite half. The possibility of some highly ranked teams meeting before the semifinals should make the next few rounds particularly entertaining.

Second-round matchups to watch: Millington vs. Ithaca is the biggest matchup of the weekend, featuring the first and second-rated teams in the division. Pewamo-Westphalia vs. Laker is also a matchup worth watching, safe to say that region is loaded.

Here's the entire Division 8 district championship field, ranked 1–16 by our computer ratings:

And here's how the Division 8 playoff bracket shook out:

Division 8 continues to be led by Hudson, which enters the district championship round as the top-rated team in the Goosepoop computer model. Undefeated Beal City sits second, followed by Ubly, Unionville-Sebewaing, and Fowler. With several contenders still alive on both sides of the bracket, there are plenty of intriguing possibilities as the postseason continues.

The opening round saw Hudson, Beal City, Ubly, and Unionville-Sebewaing all advance, keeping the division's biggest championship favorites in contention. Elsewhere, East Jordan moved past Iron Mountain, while Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary advanced past Sacred Heart. Those results have helped set up an interesting district championship slate.

The bracket remains particularly competitive on the left side, where Beal City, Ubly, Unionville-Sebewaing, and New Lothrop are all still standing. Hudson, meanwhile, headlines the opposite half, where Fowler, Springport, and several others will look to challenge the Tigers. A potential Hudson vs. Beal City championship matchup remains an intriguing possibility, although both teams have plenty of obstacles before reaching Ford Field.

Second-round matchups to watch: Beal City vs. East Jordan features two of the division's top 13 teams. Hudson vs. Fowler is another potential showdown worth watching, as the top-rated Tigers continue their pursuit of the state title they got so close to last year.

That’s everything you need heading into Round 2 of the playoffs!

One round down, four to go! The field has been cut in half, and 128 teams across eight divisions are still alive in the hunt for a state championship. The opening round brought plenty of excitement, but with district championships on the line this weekend, the stakes are only getting higher!

The competition is getting tougher, the matchups are getting better, and the road to Ford Field is narrowing. Expect heavyweight showdowns, potential upsets, and plenty more playoff chaos as teams fight to keep their seasons alive!

Enjoy the games, follow along with all of our playoff projections on the Goosepoop website, and let us know what you think!

We'll be back next week to recap all the district championship action and get you ready for the regional finals!

Love,
Goose & Doak