2026 Football Schedule Release
Don’t Blink, Football Is Here!
In what feels like just a few short weeks since our basketball coverage wrapped up, it’s time to gear up for the 2026 football season. Practice officially began on Monday, August 10, with the first games taking place on Thursday and Friday, August 27 and 28. Your WLEW Sports broadcast team will be crisscrossing the Thumb, providing coverage of up to 11 teams over the course of nine weeks. A lot of balancing goes into our preliminary schedule (team balance, strong matchups, rivalry games, booth size, internet availability, personal schedules, etc.), so do not fret if your local team isn’t featured as much as you personally feel like they should. All games are subject to change.
Week 01 — Thursday, August 27, 2026 — Harbor Beach at Cass City
The defending Division 08 state champions begin on the road to take on a hungry Cass City Red Hawk squad. After losing nearly every starter to graduation, Harbor Beach will have to rebuild quickly if they want to remain on the top of the BTC-Black division. Cass City returns its play caller and other key pieces, making for a great week one matchup from the coziest booth in all of the Big Thumb Conference.
Week 02 — Thursday, September 03, 2026 — Bad Axe at Deckerville
Just before the Labor Day weekend, we shift our attention to 8-player football: Bad Axe at Deckerville. After making the jump to 8-player, Bad Axe is looking to make some noise in the newly formed BTC-Gold division. The defending BTC-Blue champions, Deckerville, will look to squash any chances of an upset as they defend their home turf, the Foxborough of 8-Player Football.
Week 03 - Friday, September 11, 2026 — Lakers at Millington
In what might be one of the most unique and impressive football complexes in the Thumb of Michigan, we take our show on the road to the southern reaches of Tuscola County for a key Big Thumb - White division showdown as Millington hosts Lakers. The fate of the BTC-White could be decided from this very game at Tim Furno Field.
Week 04 - Friday, September 18, 2026 — Harbor Beach at USA
Our coverage then shifts up M-24 to the shores of Saginaw Bay as the Unionville-Sebewaing Area Patriots host the Harbor Beach Pirates. Last year, Harbor Beach dispatched the Patriots early in the season and again in the playoffs — something that the Patriots will look to even the score in 2026. Key playoff points will be on the line for either team.
Week 05 - Friday, September 25, 2026 — Pioneer Sugar Bowl: USA at Reese
In a bucket list broadcast item for our team, the WLEW Sports team will stick to the west side when the USA Patriots take on the Reese Rockets in the 33rd annual Pioneer Sugar Bowl. Hosted by Reese this year, this game has created instant classic after instant classic, going down to the wire, regardless of who is expected to win.
Week 06 - Friday, October 02, 2026 — Lakers at Sandusky
Sandusky brings back a lot of high-powered weapons for 2026, but so do the EPBP Lakers, making this one of the most intriguing matchups of the regular season. Both teams have aspirations of hoisting the BTC-White trophy, but will have to win in week 06 to make that possible.
Week 07 - Friday, October 09, 2026 — Cass City at Lakers
It’s one of those good old fashioned rivalry games that you just can’t miss. With no love lost between the two fan bases, both Lakers and Cass City will be looking to claim the last laugh for their 2026 rivalry game. Historically on the third week of the season, both teams will be in mid-season form come early October for a game that will have a major impact on the BTC-White division.
Week 08 - Friday, October 16, 2026 — TO BE ANNOUNCED
A lot can change quickly as the season unfolds each week. As a result, we are holding off on announcing our Week 08 featured game until we see how the tea leaves line up. Check back as the season progresses for an announcement.
Week 09 - Friday, October 23, 2026 — Ubly at Cass City
The final week of the regular season is another classic matchup, dating back many, many years: Ubly at Cass City. In our first chance of the season to see the Bearcats in person, Ubly will look to finish out the regular season with a road victory, but the Cass City Red Hawks don’t lose at home all that often. A key game for early-postseason momentum.
Week 10 - Playoffs!
Just like the beginning of the season, it’ll be here before we know it! The playoff field is announced on Sunday, October 25 via the MHSAA.