The 2025 Michigan high school football season continues to heat up, and one of the spotlight non-conference matchups this week is Brother Rice vs Dakota. Scheduled for Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 7 p.m., the game will take place at Dakota High School in Macomb, MI, where both teams will officially kick off their new campaigns.

Matchup: Brother Rice vs Dakota
Date: Friday, August 29, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch here

While neither team has yet logged a win or loss this season, the anticipation surrounding this contest is undeniable. Both squads are entering the year with clean slates, eager to prove themselves against competitive opponents.

Team Rankings and Records

Both teams are heading into the 2025–26 season with identical 0-0 records. While their win percentages are yet to be determined, national and state rankings help paint an early picture of their positioning.

Brother Rice Warriors (Bloomfield Hills, MI)

• National Rank: 3,463

• Michigan State Rank: 80

• Class Rank: 18

• Record: 0-0 overall

• Home: 0-0 | Away: 0-0

• Win %: .000

• Points For: 0 | Points Against: 0

Brother Rice enters the season with plenty to prove, aiming to climb significantly higher in both national and state rankings. Their tradition of producing competitive teams sets the tone for what could be another hard-fought campaign.

Dakota Cougars (Macomb, MI)

• National Rank: 593

• Michigan State Rank: 8

• Class Rank: 4

• Record: 0-0 overall

• Home: 0-0 | Away: 0-0

• Win %: .000

• Points For: 0 | Points Against: 0

Dakota sits in a stronger preseason position, ranked inside the top 10 statewide. With that standing comes heightened expectations, and opening the season at home gives the Cougars an opportunity to set the tone early.

Common Opponents

While the two schools haven’t faced each other directly yet this season, both share Sterling Heights Stevenson as a common opponent later in the fall:

• October 24, 2025 – Sterling Heights Stevenson vs Brother Rice

• September 19, 2025 – Sterling Heights Stevenson vs Dakota

These upcoming matchups may provide a better indicator of how the two programs stack up against shared competition.

Record Breakdown

Currently, both Brother Rice and Dakota sit at 0-0 overall, with no games played in league or non-league action. Their neutral site, playoff, in-state, and out-of-state records are also untouched. This game marks the first step in shaping their season trajectories.

What This Game Means

For Brother Rice, the matchup represents an opportunity to climb the rankings quickly. Starting the season with a win over a higher-ranked opponent like Dakota would make a strong statement.

For Dakota, it’s a chance to protect their home field and validate their preseason rankings. A victory over a respected program such as Brother Rice would reinforce their reputation as one of the stronger teams in Michigan.

Scoretracker and Fan Involvement

As of now, both teams are looking for dedicated live scoretrackers to provide in-game updates. Fans and community members can get involved to help cover the action play-by-play.

• Be Brother Rice’s Live Reporter

• Be Dakota’s Live Reporter

Looking Ahead

While the outcome of Brother Rice vs Dakota remains uncertain, both programs are determined to set the tone for the rest of the season. Every snap on Thursday night will matter, as each team looks to gain an early edge and momentum heading into their future schedules.

This non-conference contest may not directly affect league standings, but it will play a pivotal role in confidence-building and long-term positioning. With plenty at stake, all eyes will be on Macomb when the two teams square off under the lights.

Final Thoughts

The excitement of the Michigan high school football season is officially here, and games like Brother Rice vs Dakota embody the passion of Friday night lights—this time on a Thursday evening. Both teams enter with identical records, but only one will walk away with the season’s first victory.

Fans across the state are eager to see which program sets the tone early. Whether it’s Dakota defending their high state ranking or Brother Rice aiming to upset expectations, this clash promises competitive football from start to finish.

For coverage of all high school football across Massachusetts, check out Massachusetts High School Football News