Top 5 Area Games: Week 8

Week 8 of the 2021 high school football season in northern Michigan features several great non-conference matchups.

Friday, Oct. 15
D3 No. 7 Birmingham Brother Rice (5-2) at D2 No. 4 Traverse City Central (6-1), 7 p.m. – The seventh meeting in the series, Brother Rice holds a 5-1 edge over Traverse City Central. The Trojans have been on a roll since losing to DeWitt in Week 1. Brother Rice ends its regular season against defending Division 4 champion Detroit Country Day next week while Central faces North Farmington.

Friday, Oct. 15
Traverse City West (6-1) at Marquette (5-2), 7 p.m. – This marks Marquette first of two straight meetings against Big North Conference foes and the third of the season for the Redmen, who fell to Traverse City Central in Week 2. Traverse City West has won three straight entering Friday’s game, including a pair of shutouts. Marquette saw a four-game win streak snapped by Menominee last week. West leads the all-time series at 5-0.

Friday, Oct. 15
Beaverton (3-4, 3-3 Jack Pine) at D5 No. 8 Gladwin (7-0, 5-0 Jack Pine), 7 p.m. – The Battle for Butch, this contest doesn’t look exciting on paper, but it’s not one to be overlooked any year. Gladwin is fresh off securing its first Jack Pine title since 2002 after a wild 48-42 win over Clare last Friday. Beaverton is coming off a bye. The Flying G’s have dominated the series since 1950, leading 57-9-4.

Friday, Oct. 15
Mancelona (5-1, 2-1 NMFC Leaders) at Charlevoix (6-1, 3-1 NMFC Leaders), 7 p.m. – The second straight conference test for Mancelona, Charlevoix has won five straight since a Week 2 loss to league leader Boyne City. Mancelona was on the wrong end of a 50-18 game against Boyne City last week in its first loss of the year. The Rayders are 21-6 all-time against the Ironmen.

Friday, Oct. 15
D4 HM Cadillac (5-2) at D5 No. 4 Portland (6-1), 7 p.m. – The first-ever meeting between these two, Cadillac got back on track with a 35-0 win over Petoskey last week. Portland’s lone loss was a two-point defeat to undefeated Lansing Catholic. The Red Raiders have a win over defending Division 3 state champion DeWitt. A fine playoff primer for both teams.