Week 5 HS Football Preview

Jackson vs Ypsilanti Community, 9/19/25. Photos by Karson Durocher, JTV Sports.

David Rice | JTV Sports

Friday September 26th

(9-26-2025, 7:00AM): Week five of the 2025 high school football season is already here, and week five also brings the Jackson and surrounding area some exceptional matchups. Here is a preview to all the week five games, all kicking off at 7pm Friday (9/26):

Michigan Center (4-0) at Leslie (4-0): What could be the game of the year for this area. Leslie defeated the Cardinals (at MC) last year by just one point, with most of the same key weapons playing this year for both squads. Both teams come in with dominant 4-0 starts and have put up major numbers on the scoreboard. Leslie is expected to be back with a fully loaded squad, including all-state junior QB Joel Cranmore after missing the last few games due to injury. MC has put up just under 200 points through four games, with QB Hadyn Hinkle having an excellent start to the year. The winner will have a huge hold on the Cascades-East division, with just four weeks until the conference title game in week 9.

Dearborn Divine Child (4-0) at Lumen Christi (2-2): The gauntlet schedule for the Titans continues in week five, facing an undefeated DC team that has not allowed a single point yet this season. Divine Child comes in following a 38-0 victory on the road at Detroit Country Day. Lumen Christi had a 41-6 home conference victory over U of D Jesuit last week and a loss by just seven points to D5 Grand Rapids Catholic Central in week three. The game will be LIVE ON JTV and online at JTV.TV beginning at 6:45pm.

Jonesville (3-1) at Hanover Horton (2-2): A key Cascades-West matchup between the battle of two Comets. HH won this contest last year 21-18 on the road. With both of these squads and Vandercook Lake all being at a 1-0 Cascades-West record, the winner will earn a key victory in the quest to reach the conference championship game.

Manchester (2-2) at Napoleon (2-2): Napoleon comes off a 42-12 loss on the road at D3 Fruitport, but took wins against Columbia Central and Jonesville in the first three weeks. Manchester is also 2-2, but has scored just 10 points in two of the first four games. This matchup is expected to be a quick game as well as a very physical, smashmouth, and all run-game style of football.

Homer (1-3) at Vandercook Lake (3-1): Vandercook Lake has had an exceptional 3-1 start to the 2025 campaign. The Jayhawks come off a 17-16 victory over Addison, which happened via a school record 43-yard field goal and a late fumble recovery by the defense. Homer comes in having lost their last three after beginning 1-0 and looks to win a big Cascades-West matchup.

Tecumseh (2-2) at Jackson (1-3): Jackson comes into week five following a 50-28 loss to Ypsilanti Community, after trailing just 29-22 at halftime and allowing 21 points in the second half. Tecumseh comes to Withington Stadium with back-to-back losses after beginning 2-0. Both teams look to get a big SEC-White victory before each plays a major week six matchup.

Columbia Central (1-3) at Addison (0-4): Both teams look to earn their first Cascades-West victory on Friday. CC won last year’s contest over the Panthers 38-8 on their home field. Addison is still looking for its first win of the year, after losing by just six points or less in three of the first four games.

Coldwater (3-1) at Western (1-3): After defeating Jackson 27-20 in the season opener, the Panthers have lost three straight including a tough 22-14 loss to Hastings last week on JTV. Coldwater comes in following a 45-20 win over Northwest in week four, and allowed just one touchdown in two of their three victories. Western looks to pick up an upset conference victory at home on homecoming night.

Morenci (2-2) at Concord (2-2): After outscoring their opponents 116-0 through the first two weeks, Concord has allowed over 50 points each of the last two games and looks to win an SCAA 8-man matchup on homecoming night to get to 3-2. Morenci started out the opposite (0-2) and has won their last two matchups.

Marshall (2-2) at Northwest (1-3): Northwest comes in looking for a big I-8 victory, after starting 1-0 and dropping the last three contests. Marshall has lit up the scoreboard so far this season, scoring at least 30 points in three of the first four games. This game could be no different, and has the potential to be a high scoring affair.

Reading (2-2) at Stockbridge (1-3): Stockbridge comes into this week following a huge 25-18 victory over Big 8 foe Union City. Reading comes in having won their last two after starting 0-2, and allowing just two touchdowns the last two weeks. Both teams look to win another important Big 8 contest.