SAGINAW — Saginaw United opens Year 3 Thursday night, targeting its first MHSAA playoff berth.
James King is in his third season as coach. King told MLive: "To me, this is a playoff year. We are capable of beating enough teams on our schedule to reach the playoffs."
United went 2-7 in each of its first two seasons since debuting in fall 2024. King's record is 4-14.
Last fall United started 0-5, then won at Bay City Central 28-6 and at Flint Carman-Ainsworth 14-8. Heritage closed the season with a 39-14 win over United.
Per the MHSAA, Saginaw United High School has an enrollment of 893, Class A, 11-player Division 2, Saginaw Valley League South.
Season opener: kickoff vs. Bay City Western at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27 at 1741 N. Niagara.
Remaining schedule: Sept. 3 at Mount Pleasant, Sept. 11 at Lapeer, Sept. 18 at Powers Catholic, Sept. 25 vs. Davison, Oct. 2 at Bay City Central, Oct. 9 at Grand Blanc, Oct. 16 vs. Carman-Ainsworth, Oct. 23 vs. Heritage.
Returning: Javen Evans is back on the line (second-team All-SVL). Isaiah Burton, a Heritage transfer, is a first-team All-SVL linebacker. Also back: Antonio Romero (MLive also spelled the honors lineman's name Roman), Kyndell Jeffries, Amare Harrison and Jalill Sanders. Gone: Mel Washington, Jovell Robinson and Jordan Allen. King said Tristan Ramsey "is playing well for us this summer."
At an Aug. 11 open practice under the lights, King told WNEM: "Seniors are three years in, our Juniors are three years in and you just see it. These kids are determined, they're dedicate."
Sources: [MHSAA](https://www.mhsaa.com/schools/saginaw-united-hs) · [MLive](https://www.mlive.com/highschoolsports/2026/08/saginaw-united-looks-for-breakthrough-season-in-2026.html) · [WNEM](https://www.wnem.com/2026/08/12/saginaw-united-kicks-off-year-three-with-practice-under-lights/)
