The final week of the MHSAA Football regular season is here. Teams have one last chance to secure a playoff berth, with the top 32 teams in each division securing the right to battle their way to Ford Field. The following games are set to be broadcast LIVE on Michigan Sports Radio.
ROCKFORD V GRAND HAVEN
The Rockford Rams will look to complete their first nine-game undefeated regular season since 2009 as they take on the Bucs. Grand Haven currently sits at 3-5 on the year, and are amidst a four-game slide. Rockford has won nine straight in this series, including a 19-14 victory in 2019. Last year’s game was cancelled due to COVID problems at Rockford.
HUDSONVILLE V CALEDONIA
The Hudsonville Eagles are currently the #33 ranked team in the Division 1 Playoff Point tally, leaving them as the first team out. In order to ensure they move inside the playoff bubble, they will need to beat Caledonia, one of Division 2’s best clubs. The Fighting Scots are 7-1, their best start since 2008. Hudsonville has won all five meetings against Caledonia since they joined the OK Red, including a 17-7 win last fall.
EAST KENTWOOD V JENISON
The Falcons and Wildcats will conclude their 2021 seasons against each other on Friday night. East Kentwood took down Grand Haven last week, a 27-7 victory that moved their record to 2-6. Jenison is also 2-6, though they have lost five of their last six games. Last year’s game was a thriller. Jenison won 28-21 over the Falcons.
GRANDVILLE V WEST OTTAWA
The Bulldogs enter Friday’s finale on a four-game winning streak. They look to extend that streak to five games against a West Ottawa club in search of their first victory. Grandville has won three straight against WO, including the past two by nearly identical scores. In 2020, it was 62-26, and in 2019 it was 64-26.
FOREST HILLS CENTRAL V EAST GRAND RAPIDS
The Rangers will look to conclude their OK White championship season with an undefeated league slate. Standing in their way are the East Grand Rapids Pioneers, who hope that enough dominoes can fall in their favor to earn a playoff berth. Currently #38, the Pioneers will need some help, but a victory is absolutely essential. Forest Hills Central is looking to lock in a home playoff game for at least the first round, possibly more, with a win over EGR. Last fall, the Rangers defeated the Pioneers 17-9.
NORTHVIEW V GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN
Northview, currently #29 in Division 3, is a team that is looking to secure their playoff berth. A victory over Grand Rapids Christian would go a long way in making that a reality. Northview’s 4-4 record has seen victories over struggling opponents and defeats against strong clubs. They would need to reverse this trend to defeat the Eagles, who are currently 5-3. Christian has won four straight over the ‘Cats, including 16-14 last season.
SOUTH CHRISTIAN V CEDAR SPRINGS
The Sailors and Red Hawks will battle in OK Gold action on Friday night. South Christian has won four straight to bring their record to 6-2 this fall. Cedar Springs, also 6-2, has lost to GR Catholic Central and Rockford, two of the area’s best teams. Last week against GRCC was a heartbreaker, as the Red Hawks failed to convert a two-point try in the closing minutes. Last fall, South Christian won 27-14.
GRAND RAPIDS CATHOLIC CENTRAL V KENOWA HILLS
The Cougars and Knights will wrap up the 2021 regular season with a conference battle on Friday. GRCC has won 31 straight ballgames, despite the midseason quarterback switch to John Passinault. The offense hasn’t skipped a beat, with at least 41 points in every game Passinault has started. Kenowa Hills is 3-5, with four losses in their last five games. Their offense has sputtered, with more than two scores just once in that stretch. Last fall GRCC outlasted Kenowa 42-28 in a shootout.
WEST CATHOLIC V HOLLAND CHRISTIAN
The Falcons will wrap up their regular season against the Maroons on Friday. West Catholic, 7-1 on the year, is setting themselves up for a playoff push behind Tim Kloska. Holland Christian, fresh off an overtime victory against Hamilton, is 2-6. Last fall, West Catholic cruised to a 49-19 victory.
COOPERSVILLE V HAMILTON
The Broncos are currently #26 in the postseason rankings in Division 3. They will look to hold onto their playoff spot on Friday night, as they face Hamilton. The Hawkeyes, 3-5 on the year, suffered a frustrating upset at the hands of Holland Christian last week. Coopersville slipped past Hamilton last season, 21-14.
TRI COUNTY V MANISTEE
The Vikings and the Chippewas wrap up their 2021 regular seasons on Friday. Tri-County has posted a 7-1 record, and this will be their final tune-up for the postseason. Manistee, 5-3 on the season, is currently #26 in Division 6. The Chippewas will surely lock up a spot with a win over a Division 5 team, but they still may be able to hold onto a spot with a defeat. This is going to be a battle of two tremendous running teams. These schools last met in 2005, when they were members of the WWAC-River. Manistee won 49-8.
NEWAYGO V HOLTON
The Lions suffered a frustrating loss to Chippewa Hills last week. They look to bounce back against Holton, an extremely talented ballclub. Holton is ranked #26 in Division 8, and they are led by Austin Fowler, one of the area’s most prolific passers. His ability to make plays will pose a challenge for the Lions’ secondary. This is the 52nd meeting in the series, and the first since 2013, a 54-36 Newaygo victory.
CENTRAL MONTCALM V RAVENNA
The Hornets and Bulldogs are both sitting comfortably in their playoff chase, sitting in 18th and 19th place respectively in their divisions. This week, they will clash in a non-conference game that is sure to be filled with thrilling play. Both teams hold 5-3 records on the year. Central Montcalm and Ravenna each lost to the three best teams on their schedule as well. This is the first meeting since 1968, when Central Montcalm captured a 20-0 shutout win.
FREELAND V FLUSHING
The Freeland Falcons will face off against the Flint Metro League’s Flushing Raiders in a non-league battle on Friday. Freeland comes in at 7-1, the lone loss to undefeated Frankenmuth. Flushing is 4-4 on the year, currently #40 in the Division 2 playoff standings. This is the first meeting between the schools.
SWAN VALLEY V HEMLOCK
The Vikings will wrap up their regular season against the Hemlock Huskies. Swan Valley is 4-4 on the year, and currently within the playoff field at #20 in Division 5. Hemlock holds a 5-3 record, and positioned #15 in Division 7. Despite the size advantage in terms of enrollment (Swan Valley 586, Hemlock 337) this should be an extremely competitive football game. This is the 44th meeting between the longtime conference foes, and the first since Hemlock left the TVC-Central in 2015.
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