HOWELL at TC WEST
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday
WHERE: Thirlby Field, TC
2024 RECORDS: TCW 6-4; Howell 11-1
SERIES: First meeting
RADIO: FM-106.3 WQON
BACKGROUND: The Highlanders won their first 11 games last year before a regional loss to Hudsonville. The Detroit News ranked Howell No. 21 in the state regardless of division. Howell returns third-year starting quarterback Preston Barb, Air Force-bound tight end Jackson Pahl, receiver/running back Christian Greene and junior running back Bryce Kish, who has offers from Western Michigan and Toledo.
TC CENTRAL at NOVI
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Wildcat Stadium, Novi
2024 RECORDS: TCC 4-5; Novi 5-5
LAST MEETING: TCC won 13-12 in 1988
SERIES: TCC leads 1-0
RADIO: FM-104.5 WZTC
BACKGROUND: The only time these teams ever played was in the 1988 Class A state semifinal, with the Trojans winning 13-12 on the way to the state championship (a 24-14 win over another Novi school, Detroit Catholic Central). Novi comes to TC next year, and coach Jim Sparks told The Oakland Press he’s already looking forward to that trip, saying when he took Clawson to play Kingsley in 2004 it was one of the greatest experiences we’d ever had.
GLEN LAKE at TC ST. FRANCIS
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Thirlby Field, TC
2024 RECORDS: Glen Lake 9-2; TCSF 7-4
LAST MEETING: TCSF won 63-0 in 2021
SERIES: TCSF leads 14-5
STREAM: youtube.com/@NextLevelBroadcasting
BACKGROUND: These two area powers haven’t played in four years. Both have eyes on a return to long playoff runs, TCSF now in Division 6 and the Lakers in Division 8.
KINGSLEY at REED CITY
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday
WHERE: Reed City High School Field
RECORDS: Kingsley 8-3; Reed City 9-3
LAST YEAR: Reed City won 24-22
SERIES: Tied 3-3
RADIO: FM-96.7 WLXV
STREAM: nfhsnetwork.com/events/mhsaa-mi/gam771fa5dce2
BACKGROUND: Reed City kind of ran roughshod over area teams last year, until Boyne City ended that in the regional finals. The Coyotes, behind the strength of a massive offensive line, beat Kingsley, Glen Lake and Manistee on the way. Kingsley remembers the 24-22 opening-game loss last year and looks to pay back the favor on the Coyotes’ home field, which only has stands on one side of the field.
FRANKFORT at BENZIE CENTRAL
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday
WHERE: Benzie Central HS
2024 RECORDS: Benzie 4-6; Frankfort 7-3
LAST YEAR: Frankfort won 18-2
SERIES: Benzie leads 13-12
STREAM: nfhsnetwork.com/events/mhsaa-mi/gamb44795184f
BACKGROUND: Benzie narrowly leads the overall series, but Frankfort has won five of the last seven meetings, dating back to 2013. Benzie has a new head coach in Brian Lark, who aims to instill toughness and physicality in the Huskies program. Frankfort made the playoffs with a 7-2 regular-season record, but all three of their losses were lopsided results against Glen Lake, East Jordan and Beal City.