Norway’s Keith Burcar (54) and Chase Moraska (60) line up on defense against Pickford on Nov. 7 at Ronberg Field in Norway. (Mary Spera photo)

The MHSAA Football Playoffs turn into a second season for teams still alive at this late date — and it’s impossible to not begin sensing the opportunities opening up for those teams.

in the 8-player season, one reigning champion is in pursuit of a Superior Dome return, and two teams are seeking to reach the finals for the first time.

8-Player Division 1

Blanchard Montabella (10-1) vs. Norway (11-0) at Traverse City’s Thirlby Field. 1 p.m. Eastern time today

Montabella has pulled within one more win of reaching the finals for the first time, its only loss this season to Division 2 semifinalist Portland St. Patrick. As a team, the Mustangs are averaging 8.5 yards per carry, paced by senior Brady Kieff (1,475 yards, 8.5 per carry, 16 touchdowns rushing).

Norway last reached the semifinals in 2006 (in 11-player) but has seemed on the verge of a run since moving to 8-player in 2021. Senior quarterback Owen Baij has run for a team-high 1,443 yards and 30 touchdowns and thrown for 817 yards and 13 more scores.

Kingston (10-1) vs. Martin (11-0) at Chelsea

Martin moved to a combined 13-2 in playoff games this decade with last week’s 36-20 win over Climax-Scotts, and the Clippers are once again led by a two-way threat in senior quarterback Haylen Buell, who has run for a team-high 1,528 yards and 32 touchdowns and thrown for 866 and 13 scores.

Kingston has run into eventual champions the last two seasons, falling to Martin in a semifinal in 2023 and then Deckerville in a regional final last year. The Cardinals are attempting to reach their first championship game powered as well by a dangerous two-way quarterback in senior Tanner James (524 yards/11 TDs rushing, 902/20 passing).

8-Player Division 2

Felch North Dickinson (11-0) vs. Onekama (11-0) at Marquette, 1 p.m. Eastern time today

North Dickinson has stormed into its first semifinal since 2001 (in 11-player) with senior quarterback Brady Jungwirth directing an offense that has outpaced every opponent by at least three touchdowns, including adding to a 38-34 win over Lake Linden-Hubbell in Week 1 with a 32-12 win in their rematch last weekend.

Jungwirth has thrown for 1,888 yards and 28 touchdowns, with just three interceptions. Onekama is playing in a second-straight semifinal seeking to get to the Superior Dome for the first time since 2018, paced by a pair of running backs both averaging more than nine yards per carry — senior Tyler Hart (859 yards, 15 TDs rushing) and freshman Bennett Zeller (821/13).

Deckerville (10-1) vs. Portland St. Patrick (11-0) at Mount Pleasant

Deckerville won Division 1 last season and is seeking to return to the Superior Dome with junior Brandon Salowitz moving up from supporting cast in 2024 to the starring role. He’s the leading rusher with 1,311 yards and 24 touchdowns, starts at linebacker and punts.

The Shamrocks are working to get back to the finals for the first time since 2020 and showed off a dynamic playmaker as well last week in senior running back/linebacker/punter Brady Leonard, who has run for 1,091 yards and 14 touchdowns and intercepted 10 passes. He scored five touchdowns in last week’s 51-22 win over previously-undefeated Mendon.