**ARTICLE BY NICK TUORI AND JOSH LONGSTRETH**
The final week of the regular season is here. So many games with playoff implications take place this Friday! Check out some of the MSR highlights below:
Rockford vs Hudsonville
Rams look to finish perfect regular season against Hudsonville
After locking up at least a share of the OK Red title after topping Grandville 34-13 last week, Rockford will aim for a solo title at home on Friday, September 20 when they host Hudsonville. Rockford is 8-0 overall and 6-0 in conference play while the Eagles come in at 5-3 and 3-3 respectively. The most impressive win of the season for Hudsonville came in their second contest when they topped a 6-2 East Lansing team on their way to a 4-0 start to the 2023 season. They have struggled since that point in dropping three of their last four games. The only win over that span came last week when they squeaked past Jenison 21-14. In an interesting anomaly, the Eagles have scored and allowed the exact same number of points so far over the eight-game season. That leaves them averaging 18.8 points per game and giving up the same amount. The Rams are putting up 40.8 points per game while allowing only 9.5.
The rivalry is not an old one for the two teams with the first game occurring in 2002. But they have been fairly frequent opponents for each other in the MHSAA playoffs. Being two of the largest schools in the state on the west side of Michigan, it is almost always a certainty that the teams will square off. Rockford leads the series by the count of 18-7 and won last year by the score of 42-31. The last Hudsonville victory came in 2016 by the score of 14-7.
The Eagles are coached by Brent Sandee, who is in his sixth-year at the helm. Sandee has amassed a record of 32-25 thus far for the Eagles. Before assuming the reins for the Eagles, Sandee was an assistant for five seasons and was also the head coach at Whitehall in 2012. With their 5-3 record they are safely into the field for the playoffs for the first time in three years. Fourth-year Rockford coach Brent Cummings has run up an amazing record of 37-3 so far and has yet to drop a regular season game while leading the Rams. With a win the Rams will clinch the homefield advantage for at least the first three rounds of the playoffs as long as they were to continue to win. A victory would guarantee Rockford would have the highest playoff point total in the state thus ensuring homefield.
Hudsonville is led by junior quarterback Griffin Baker and junior wide receiver Carson Dykstra. Other key pieces of the offense include running back Beau Groothuis and wide receiver Jack Zuiderveen. Leading the way on defense are safety Chase Ciolek and linebacker Ethan Carter. The Rams feature senior quarterback Drake Irwin and wide receiver Cam Kruisenga. They are buoyed by two-way stalwarts Ryan Ahern (RB/MLB) and Isaac Poot (RB/S) in the backfield and linemen Alex McPhee and Mason Kirn. Other key pieces of the Ram defense include linebackers Sam Cummings and Kade Friesen, defensive linemen Hudson Hensley, Christian Herrema and Gabe Stouffer and defensive backs Luke Ahern, Louis Bosscher, Jonah Carlson and Jack Lockwood.
Grandville v Jenison
The Bulldogs suffered a defeat last week, when they were unable to get their offense rolling against the stout Rockford defense. This week, they look to gain some momentum back as they face rival Jenison. The Wildcats are currently 1-7 on the season, and will look to score a Week 9 upset. Last season’s 52-14 Grandville victory over the ‘Cats was their 4th straight dating back to 2014.
Coopersville vs Allendale
The Broncs kept things rolling last week with their win over Holland Christian. This week, they will try to win their seventh game of the regular season for the first time since 2008. Allendale will also be headed to the postseason for the first time since 2020. Their six victories in a season is their most since 2016. These two programs will look to play a competitive battle in the final tune-up before the playoffs.
South Christian vs Wayland
The Sailors were defeated last week, 21-12, against Grand Rapids Catholic Central. This week, they will face the upstart Wildcats of Wayland. Entering this week, Wayland is ranked #29 in Division 4 playoff points. With a victory, they would certainly clinch a playoff berth. Snooze2You’s Week 8.5 projections has them as the first team out with a defeat in this game, so the tension is high in Wayland. They will look to slay the dragon that is South Christian, as the Sailors have won each game since 2018 and 13 of the past 14 meetings.
Grand Rapids Catholic Central v Ottawa Hills
The Cougars scored a big victory against South Christian last week, securing at least a share of the OK Gold title. A victory against longtime City League rival Ottawa Hills would give them the outright crown. The Bengals come in with a winless record and just 73 points of offense. A win here would snap a series streak dating back to 2009.
Freeland VS Cros-Lex
The Freeland Falcons bounced back a week after losing their first game of the year in week seven. Freeland was able to dominate much of the game over the John Glenn Bobcats as they went on to take the week eight matchup, 45-12. This is nothing new for a Falcons program that typically doesn’t let a loss linger long. This week will be another tough test for Freeland. Enter a Cros-Lex Pioneers team that outside of their week six loss to Almont, has cruised for much of the season. The two battled last playoff season with Freeland coming out on top.
It’s been another big season for Cros-Lex. This is something that is now expected with a Pioneers program that has now made three-consecutive playoff appearances. Battle tested, the Pioneers have set the tone on offense and defense all season. Expect Cros-Lex to give Freeland an absolute dog fight as they are loaded and would love to exact some revenge on the Falcons heading into the playoffs.
This will be one of the most highly anticipated matchups in the state to cap off the regular season. Both teams have what it takes to make deep playoff runs this season and this is a game that could build some big momentum for both before they embark on that. The two square off in Freeland this Friday night.
Newaygo @ Comstock Park
The Newaygo Lions are coming off one of their toughest losses of the season. Both their offense and defense could never get anything going in their week eight matchup with Central Montcalm as they fell to the Hornets, 0-32. Newaygo found themselves down 0-25 at the half and could never get back into the game as Montcalm held a stranglehold for much of the night. This week won’t get any easier as they face a Comstock Park team who isn’t happy after getting knocked around by Kingsley last week.
Last week was a new monster for the Comstock Park Panthers. Things couldn’t have gone worse for the Panthers in their 12-65 loss to Kinglsey as Comstock Park couldn’t get their offense going for the second week in a row. The defense would get a bit rough up on the night against a tough Stags run game as they gave up 375 yards on the ground for the night. The Panthers would love nothing more than to finish the season above .500 and they have a great opportunity to do so here.
Comstock Park welcomes in Newaygo this Friday night.
Tri-County @ Belding
Last week the Tri-County Vikings were able to bounce back after falling for the first time all year in week seven. Facing a struggling Chippewa Hills team certainly helped with that as Tri-County cruised through much of the game. It shows that the Vikings still have their goals right in front of them and know that they have the ability to do some damage in the playoffs. This week will be one of the toughest tests for Tri-County on the year. They face a Belding team who comes in winners of their last six games.
Belding dominated Jackson last week, 49-0. This is nothing new for a Black Knights team who has overmatched most of their opponents in 2023. The Belding offense had their way on the ground as they racked up 441 on the night. The Black Knights defense held Jackson to under 300 yards of total offense in the game. This week they’ll face one of their biggest tests as well as Tri-County has everything to give them a battle.
The two will square off in a big time matchup this Friday at 7:00 in Belding.
Central Montcalm @ Lakeview
The Central Montcalm Hornets are coming off one of their most impressive wins of the season in week eight. Montcalm cruised to a 32-0 win over the Newaygo Lions as they couldn’t do much wrong in the game. The offense piled up 347 yards on the ground and held the Lions to just over 100 yards of total offense in the game. This week the Hornets have another great opportunity to be dominate as they take on a Lakeview team that has been overmatched at times this season. But the Wildcats have some momentum after a big week over White Cloud last week.
Lakeview put together a dominate performance in week eight. It ended a three-game losing streak for the Wildcats. This week would be big for the trajectory of the Lakeview program. It’s an improved team that could use that momentum heading into their off season.
Lakeview welcomes in Montcalm this Friday night for a 7:00 showdown.
Zeeland East VS Mona Shores
The Zeeland East Chix fell in a tough battle to Reeths Puffer last week, 21-35. It was back and fourth for much of the game before the Rockets were able to take control late. The East offense really struggled in the second half and the defense was unable to limit the Reeths Puffer offense.That leads to a week where everything is on the line for the Chix. East has what it takes but it won’t be easy as they face a Mona Shores team who is playing some of their best ball of the season.
Monas Shores has been able to put together four straight weeks of big time football. The Sailors offense would have their struggles last week against a stingy Zeeland West defense but the Mona Shores defense was able to come up big on the night. They’ll need everything and more this week when they face a Zeeland East team that will come in with some much needed urgency.
Mona Shores heads over to Zeeland East on Friday night.
Zeeland West @ Reeths Puffer
Zeeland West fell in another tough battle last week to Mona Shores, 6-14. It was the second week in a row where the Dux offense could never really get on track. The road doesn’t get any easier this week for West. They face a Reeths Puffer Rockets team that is currently riding a three game winning streak and would love nothing more than to stay hot heading into the playoffs.
The Reeths Puffer Rockets currently sit at 6-2 on the season and are in the midst of their best season since 2013. The two losses came to Muskegon and Mona Shores, games in which they were in to certain points. The Rockets picked up a win that could really catapult the rest of their season. The Rockets were able to put the game away and take control late against a good Zeeland East team. They’ll be in for another battle this week in facing a tough Dux team.
Reeths Puffer welcomes in West on Friday night.
Gladwin VS Frankenmuth
Gladwin was able to bounce back big last week, knocking off Beaverton 50-0. The Flying G;s led 28-0 at the half and never looked back. It was much needed for a team that was put in a little bit of shock the previous week. But it shows the resolve of a Gladwin program that expects to bounce back after a rare loss. It was a Gladwin that wasn’t in any kind mood throughout the night. The Gladwin offense piled up 410 yards of rushing offense and wouldn’t allow the Beavers to break more than 56 yards of total offense. It was needed and the same may be needed this week when they take on Frankenmuth. The Eagles ride a 7-game winning streak and have dominated every game after dropping their week one matchup with Goodrich.
Frankenmuth routed Bridgeport last week, 58-22. It was the fourth game of the year that the Frankenmuth offense has eclipsed fifty plus points. The defense gave up some plays here and there really for the first time on the year. Look for them to want to bounce back in a big way this week against a very good Gladwin offense. The two teams played in a thrilling State Championship matchup last season. Expect this one to have the playoff vibes of two teams that should find themselves deep into the playoffs again this season.
This is another big time matchup in the state of Michigan to round out the regular season. Both teams have been nothing but impressive for much of the season. A win here for each only adds to their thought process that each can compete with anyone come playoff time. Expect an absolute battle in week nine between the Flying G;s and Eagles.
Clare @ Petoskey
The Clare Pioneers are in the midst of a four-game winning streak, and one that has seen the Pioneers outscore their opponents 200-0. That is not a typo, Clare has let it be known they know how good they are and are putting their opponents on notice that they should know. And in a hurry. In their week eight win over Shepherd, the Clare offense racked up 373 yards on the ground and held the Bluejays offense to just 77 total yards. This week will be a good test for the Pioneers as they take on a Petoskey team that has put together an impressive 5-3 season.
Petoskey came up with a big time last week, knocking off Sault Ste Marie, 27-7. The Northmen were led by their defense for much of the night as they turned the Blue Devils over three times on the night. It was much needed for the Petoskey defense as they had given up some things defensively in the previous two weeks. This will be the biggest game of the year for the Northmen as they look to pull off a win against a very good Clare team and ride into the playoffs. Petoskey is in the midst of their best season since 2018.
Clare rolls into Petoskey this Friday night.
Bullock Creek @ Swan Valley
The Bullock Creek Lancers bounced back in a big way in week eight, knocking off Harrison 44-14. Coming off a tough loss to Millington it showed that this Bullock Creek team is much different than years past. The Lancers offense piled up 314 yards on the ground on the night led by Bo Schwartz who had himself a night with 169 yards rushing and a touchdown. The Bullock Creek defense held the Hornets offense to just 184 yards of total offense on the night. This is a big week for Bullock Creek. A win over Swan Valley to end the regular season could secure a Lancers playoff spot.
It’s been another successful season for the Swan Valley Vikings. Swan Valley looks to grab their own playoff spot, which would mark the thirteenth year in a row for their program. The Vikings are coming off a hard fought win over Birch Run last week. Their offense would struggled at times on the night but the Swan Valley defense was big for the second week in a row. This will be a tough task for them as Bullock Creek comes in with some big time urgency and a ton on the line.
This is another matchup to keep an eye on this week. Both have a lot on the line and have played some solid football all season. They’ll both look to see if they can cap it off and show that the moment isn’t too big for their teams. Bullock Creek heads into Swan Valley High School this Friday night.
