Selected first-team all-state last season for his versatility, Mitch Kozlowski, a 5-foot-8, 155-pound all-purpose back, scored three touchdowns Thursday.

Ford scored on four of its first five possessions behind Keith Lamb's two touchdown runs en route to a 33-30 victory over North on Friday in a Macomb Area Conference matchup.

For the second consecutive week, Utica Eisenhower relied on its defense to win Friday, 7-3, against Sterling Heights Stevenson. Eisenhower's defense forced four turnovers.

Matt Sullivan rushed for two touchdowns in the final three minutes to lift Howell past Plymouth, 18-10, on Thursday night. Howell (2-0) also scored earlier in the game on a Greg Cauley touchdown pass to Pete Cender.

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

Results of Thursday's high school football around the state:

This week's guest selector is Westland John Glenn coach Chuck Gordon. Last week's guest was former Sterling Heights Stevenson coach Rick Bye. Best bets are bold.

The game of the week in the Detroit Public School League is the game of the season for Detroit Central, according to coach Eric Smith. "This is an amazingly big game," he said of the PSL crossover.

Chris Park made the difference Wednesday in the Novi soccer team's 2-1 victory over Brighton. Park scored the winning goal with 18 minutes remaining.

This week's schedule features a big Thursday night of football games before the holiday weekend. Join beat writer Tom Markowski for a recap of the games in a live online chat beginning at 10:30 p.m.

The Detroit area's version of "The Blind Side" is playing out in this two-story home 35 miles from Shawn Conway's former home in Detroit, whose streets almost devoured him.

Birmingham Brother Rice still is getting used to playing with a target on its back after last season's Division 1 state title. And while it squeaked out a 1-0 victory over Dearborn Tuesday night, third-year coach Barry Brodsky said his team still has plenty to work on.

Sure it's common now for soccer players to double up as kickers in football. But athletes who swim and run during the same season? Sophomore Avery Evenson, 15, is doing that -- at a high level -- at Hartland.

U.D. Jesuit's Brian Cleary (football), Rochester Hills Stoney Creek's Devon Comptom (golf), Detroit Country Day's Geralyn Gaines (volleyball) and Detroit King's Dennis Norfleet (football) earn recognition.

With Jimmy Hague (seven saves) and the defense holding solid, Kyle Alsheskie took command of the offense, scoring three goals and assisting on two others. Chace Davies, Steven Massie and Jacob Hague also scored for Western (1-2-1).

The South Division is the most competitive division in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association, and no one knows that better than Franklin coach Chris Kelbert. "we told our kids we have to be ready to play right away," he said.

Despite losing to Temperance Bedford in a tournament at Portage Central -- ending its 75-match winning streak -- Marian still won the championship, defeating East Kentwood in the final.

Three days before the season opener at Roseville, six players, including the starting quarterback, were ruled academically ineligible. In addition, three other players suffered injuries in preseason drills.

Here are Tom Markowski's high school football rankings after the first week of action.

Here is a schedule of area football games in Week 2.