**ARTICLE BY SEAN MASSA**
Muskegon Catholic Central v Oakridge
Both of these teams are coming off Week 1 victories. Oakridge’s offense picked up where they left off in 2021, as they notched 30 points, three points north of their 2021 average, last week in their win against Sparta. The Oakridge defense looks to be an improved unit from last season, as they allowed just 14 points to a Sparta team that had previously averaged 27 points per game in 2021. Muskegon Catholic Central also picked up where they left off in the 2021 campaign, as they look to make it to Ford Field in 2022. Having played a stout defense in the likes of North Muskegon, Muskegon Catholic Central took home the victory in week one, despite not leading the game until midway through the fourth quarter. While both squads look to exit this matchup remaining undefeated, only one can accomplish that feat.
Montague v Ravenna
Ravenna definitely did not have what anyone would call a “tune-up” game in week 1, as Beal City found themselves at Ford Field in 2021, competing for a state championship. As early favorites to win the Rivers Division, Ravenna took Beal City all the way to the wire, losing by only one point, with a final score of 22-21. A huge game for Ravenna, as their defense limited a high-powered Beal City offense whom average 31 points per contest in 2021, to just 22 points and Week 1. While it’s never ideal to lose, the fight that Ravenna put up was nothing short of impressive. Montague saw their week 1 contest go all the way down to the final kick, as their team escaped with the victory and advanced to 1-0. With both of these teams coming off an impressive week 1 performance, the build-up for a great week 2 matchup between these two squads looks inevitable.
Whitehall v Hastings
The Whitehall offense was nothing short of impressive in week 1, as their unit scored 54 points and came out with the victory. Hastings also saw their team leave week one with a win, as they defeated Thornapple Kellogg, 30-20. It will be interesting to see if the Whitehall offense can recreate their Week 1 recipe against Hastings, as the Hastings defense will definitely have their work cut out for them in week 2. Both of these teams with their undefeated seasons on the line should lead to a hard fought battle, perhaps the best matchup involving a WMC team this week.
Ludington v Shelby
Ludington is coming off of a spectacular game, as they defeated Petoskey in an overtime thriller in week 1. The Ludington offense to 37 points in the win, while allowing 31. On the other side of the field, Shelby looks to rebound after their Week 1 loss to White Cloud. This game will be decided in the trenches, as Ludington saw their rushing attack play a huge role in their eventual win over Petoskey, with Trey Forfinski leading the Ludington ground attack with 181 yards on 24 carries. This is going to be a huge focus for the Shelby defense as they are coming off a game in which they saw White Cloud running back Jace Silverton rush for 315 yards and four touchdowns. Shelby will look to contain the run and regain a .500 record, as Ludington is looking for yet another win in to improve to 2-0.
Manistee v Mason County Central
Mason County Central started their season with a loss to Frankfort, 33-14. The story of this game for the Mason County Central squad was protecting the football, as their team tallied four costly turnovers. On the contrary, Manistee is coming off a dominating win in week 1. Manistee recorded the first 54 points of the game and buried Holton from the get-go. Both teams found themselves with a heavy emphasis on the rushing attack in week 1, and look to recreate the success with running the football this week. Manistee will look to build off they’re dominating victory and advance to 2-0, while Mason County Central looks to rebound and even up their record to 1-1.
Orchard View v North Muskegon
North Muskegon is coming off of a tough week 1 loss to cross town rival Muskegon Catholic Central, as they fell short in the seesaw battle, 24-22. And another crosstown battle is in store this week, as North Muskegon faces Orchard View. Orchard View is coming off of a less-than-ideal week 1 performance, as they found themselves with the short end of the stick against the Reed City, losing 64-16. Both of these squads will look to earn their first victory of the 2022 campaign. One will find themselves victorious, and the other will move to 0-2 on the year. This crosstown matchup will see both teams hungry to get in the win column early on in the 2022 campaign, and that is a recipe for an exciting football game.
Fremont v Beaverton
Fremont is coming off of a 22-8 victory against Hart in week 1, where their offense and defensive units showed their potential for the 2022 season. They posted north of 250 all purpose yards, as their defense held their opponent to less than 100 yards and forced four turnovers. Their opponent in week 2, Beaverton, is coming off of a week 1 loss vs Evart. Beaverton lost that contest 34-20, and looks to be in for a battle with this well rounded Fremont team. Fremont’s defense will look to once again put their team in an outstanding position to win and advance to 2-0 on the season, as Beaverton will look to rebound, attack the Fremont defense, and get themselves in the win column.
Hesperia v St Louis
Hesperia enters week 2 following a tough week 1 loss to Manton, 37-34. Their opponents, the St Louis Sharks, are also entering the new week following a loss in week 1. They lost last week to Calvin Christian, 20-14 in a heartbreaker. Hesperia will look to control the game offensively, as their defense looks to bounce back and contain an explosive Sharks offense in Week 2.
Holton v Perry
Holton finds themselves entering week 2 following a week 1 loss to Manistee, 54-6. Their offense was not able to do anything until the fourth quarter, as they were shut out for the first three quarters of the contest. Their opponent, Perry, is coming off of a week 1 victory against Clawson, 24-14. Perry will look to continue trudging in the right direction with a week to win, as Holton will look to rebound and reshape their identity and outlook on the 2022 season with a win.
Other Week 2 Previews
