Chelsea, MI. The Chelsea Bulldogs hosted the Waterford Mott Corsairs in the first round of the Division 3 football playoffs, marking the first time the two teams had met. The Bulldogs, who went undefeated all regular season, didn’t take long to score: quarterback Jax Ichesco ran for a touchdown with less than 3 minutes gone in the first quarter.
After a solid defensive stop by the Bulldogs, it was Ichesco throwing deep to Nolan Sciackitano for another score and a quick 14-0 lead. The Corsairs cut the lead in half off a big run, but the Bulldogs came right back for another score to take a 21-7 lead after the first.
In the second quarter, it was all Bulldogs as they rolled over the Corsairs, adding 17 more points for a huge 38-7 halftime lead. In the third, it was more of the same as the Bulldogs, behind solid up-front blocking from their o-line, were able to score twice more and get the running clock.
The Bulldogs’ defense came up big in the game with 13 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, and forcing 3 turnovers, and several stops on 4th down attempts by the Corsairs. With the win, Chelsea extended its impressive postseason streak to 13 consecutive seasons.
Chelsea improved to 10–0 on the season and will host Redford-Thurston (9-1), who defeated Linden 29-14, at home in the MHSAA District Final on Friday, November 6, 2026. Waterford Mott wrapped up its campaign at 5–5. Kickoff on Friday against the Thurston Eagles will be at 7 P.M.
Chelsea is ranked number 2 in the state in Division 3, while Thurston comes in ranked a respectable 23rd.
