The Michigan high school football season gets rolling with plenty of excitement, and one of the opening week’s spotlight games features St. Mary’s Prep vs Portage Northern. On Thursday, August 28, 2025, the Portage Northern Huskies will host the St. Mary’s Prep Eaglets in a non-conference matchup under the lights at Portage Northern High School, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

Matchup: St. Mary’s Prep vs Portage Northern
Date: Friday, August 29, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch here

This early-season clash gives both programs the chance to test themselves against strong competition before diving into league schedules.

Rankings and Records Entering the Game

As this is the opening game of the 2025-26 season, both teams enter with clean slates:

St. Mary’s Prep Eaglets

• National Rank: 621

• State Rank (Michigan): 11

• Class Rank: 1

• Overall Record (2025-26): 0-0

• Home Record: 0-0

• Away Record: 0-0

• Win %: .000

• Points For (PF): 0

• Points Against (PA): 0

The Eaglets are no strangers to high expectations. With a strong state ranking, St. Mary’s Prep enters the year eyeing another competitive run. Their ranking suggests they are viewed as a team capable of making noise not only in Michigan but potentially on the national scene as well.

Portage Northern Huskies

• National Rank: 3,456

• State Rank (Michigan): 79

• Class Rank: 17

• Overall Record (2025-26): 0-0

• Home Record: 0-0

• Away Record: 0-0

• Win %: .000

• Points For (PF): 0

• Points Against (PA): 0

Portage Northern finds itself with more to prove in terms of rankings, but home-field advantage and early-season energy always make for unpredictable outcomes. The Huskies enter this contest motivated to showcase growth and resilience against a highly-ranked opponent.

Record Breakdown

Both teams start with identical records of 0-0 across all categories, including:

• Overall: 0-0

• League: 0-0

• Non-League: 0-0

• Head-to-Head: 0-0

• Common Opponents: 0-0

• Home/Away/Neutral: 0-0

• Playoffs: 0-0

• In-State: 0-0

• Out-of-State: 0-0

Since this is the first contest of the season, no prior results shape the matchup. Instead, this game will set the tone for both teams’ fall campaigns.

Key Storylines

1. A Test of Rankings

On paper, St. Mary’s Prep enters the game as the clear favorite. Their top-15 state ranking reflects the program’s recent consistency and depth. Meanwhile, Portage Northern sits outside the top-75, which makes this a prime opportunity for the Huskies to prove doubters wrong.

2. Early-Season Energy

Opening week games often feature growing pains as players adjust to the speed of live competition. That unpredictability can swing momentum quickly, especially if either defense capitalizes on turnovers or special teams produce a big play.

3. Measuring Stick Game for Portage Northern

For Portage Northern, playing a highly regarded opponent like St. Mary’s Prep provides a valuable benchmark. Win or lose, this contest will highlight areas to build upon as the season progresses.

What to Expect

Fans can anticipate a high-energy atmosphere at Portage Northern High School. St. Mary’s Prep will likely lean on its athleticism and depth to control the pace, while the Huskies will look to stay disciplined, capitalize on home-field support, and create opportunities with smart execution.

Given that both squads have yet to play a game this season, scouting reports remain limited. The lack of prior film or statistics levels the playing field somewhat, adding an element of surprise for coaches and fans alike.

Why This Game Matters

Non-conference matchups like St. Mary’s Prep vs Portage Northern are about more than just wins and losses. They shape playoff outlooks, build confidence, and expose strengths and weaknesses early. For St. Mary’s Prep, it’s about proving they can back up their ranking with a strong start. For Portage Northern, it’s about seizing the moment against a top-tier opponent and setting the tone for the rest of the year.

Stay Connected

For updates on St. Mary’s Prep vs Portage Northern and other high school football matchups, visit the Massachusetts High School Football events page