
Playoff season is right around the corner here in Michigan, and several teams in the area are looking to make a statement as we head into the closing weeks of the regular season. From Division 2 down to Division 7, we have you covered with everything you need to know about the latest 2024 MHSAA playoff picture.
We are about three weeks away from Selection Sunday, when just 256 teams across eight divisions will punch their ticket to the playoffs. A dozen teams within our coverage area are in the picture, with nearly half needing to win out to advance.
If you are unfamiliar with how the MHSAA playoffs work, here’s a quick breakdown:
Beginning in 2020, the MHSAA adopted a new playoff format and formula, ushering in a new era of high school football playoffs with a strength-of-schedule playoff point system
Important Things to Note
- No automatic qualifiers (prior to the 2020 season, six wins equated to an automatic bid).
- All teams are considered. The top 32 teams in each division qualify for the playoffs.
- Points are allotted to teams based on the division of their opponents (for example, if Ludington defeats a team from Division 2, they would gain more points than a win against a Division 6 opponent).
- Additionally, teams can earn bonus points based on their opponents’ wins and losses.
Now that we have discussed the new playoff point system, let’s look at which teams need to do what to play in November.

Division 2
Mona Shores: The Sailors head into Week 9 with a 7-0 record and 74.4 playoff points (PP). Within the division, Mona Shores is ranked third based on PP. To wrap up the regular season, the Sailors will play Reeths-Puffer and Toledo (OH) Central Catholic. They have had a remarkable season and should be a shoo-in on Selection Sunday.
Muskegon: The Big Reds are one of the more intriguing teams in the state. Even with a 3-3 record, Muskegon still has a path to the playoffs due to the PP format. Currently sitting with 44.7 PP and ranked 38th, they have a lot of work ahead to break into that magic number 32. Muskegon closes out the season with Byron Center and Archbishop Moeller.
Division 4
Whitehall: After clinching its fourth straight conference title in the WMC, the Vikings set their sights on a deep playoff run, something they have been working towards since the 2020 season took flight. In 2023, the Vikings finished the regular season ranked fourth but were eliminated by Big Rapids in the district final. This is a new season and a new team; heading into Week 9, Whitehall is 5-2 with 45.5 PP, ranked 20th.
Ludington: The Orioles find themselves just inside the 32-team window at 27th. Coming off a loss that left them with a 5-2 record, they look to bounce back and finish the season with momentum heading into the playoffs.

Courtesy of Shayla Hardy
Division 5
Oakridge: The Eagles are holding on by a thread as they close out the season. Oakridge comes in one game under .500 at 3-4 and has a total of 31.1 PP, ranking 30th among the Division 5 field, with teams such as Ravenna and North Muskegon remaining on their schedule.
Division 6
Manistee: Along with Oakridge, Manistee is looking to close out its season with two wins as Selection Sunday approaches. The Mariners rank 30th in Division 6 with a 4-3 record and 32.7 PP. Their remaining schedule includes Montague and Mason County Central.
Montague: The Wildcats are trailing Manistee but by just 0.4 PP, making their matchup this Friday particularly important. Montague is 3-4 overall with 32.3 PP. These two programs will look to knock each other out of playoff contention this week. Stay tuned to our social media pages for score updates.
Hart: Hart, like Muskegon, is playing from behind. With a 3-4 record and 25.5 PP, the Pirates rank 42nd in Division 6. With Hesperia and Central Montcalm left on their schedule, they must win out to have a shot at the playoffs.
Division 7
North Muskegon: To round out our West Michigan playoff outlook, Division 7 has North Muskegon ranked inside the top 10. The Norsemen, who lost to Pewamo-Westphalia in Week 1, have not lost since and sit at 7-1. North Muskegon will face Holton and Oakridge to finish the season.
Ravenna: The Bulldogs find themselves holding onto one of the last five playoff spots in Division 4, possessing 27.5 PP. With a record of 4-3 and Montague and Oakridge on their schedule, they have a great opportunity to pick up more PP.
Shelby: The Tigers have a very narrow path to the playoffs, but it still gives them hope heading into the final weeks of the season. With a 3-4 record and 18.3 PP, they rank 46th in Division 7. Shelby will face Mason County Central and Orchard View to end the season.

Myles Welch joined CatchMark in February 2024 as a CatchMark SportsNet Intern. He would like to become a sports broadcaster or analyst. He currently attends Whitehall High School and will graduate in 2025.

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