Photo courtesy of Lou Murray
The 2024 MHSAA Football season got underway Labor Day weekend with action on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Our MSR team was on the call for fifteen games throughout the week. Scores from games in our coverage area can be found below, as well as links to our recap articles.
THURSDAY AUGUST 29
Byron Center 42 Battle Creek Central 6
Caledonia 48 Windsor Holy Names (CN) 7: In the school’s first game against an out-of-state opponent, the Fighting Scots welcomed this Canadian crew to Ralph E Meyers to open the 2024 campaign. It was a one-sided affair, as Caledonia outgained Holy Names 372-35. WHN was held to (-9) yards rushing and 0/11 on third downs. Brody Betser threw for 201 yards and 4 touchdowns, while adding 32 yards and a score on the ground. Reed Vogeler paced the Caledonia receivers with 125 yards and two scores. Aaron Collins also added a pair of receiving touchdowns.
Calvin Christian 24 Eau Claire 14
Cedar Springs 20 Auburn Hills Avondale 14: The Red Hawks emerged victorious in a grinding game against Avondale. After a scoreless first half, Cedar Springs broke the draw with a 30-yard touchdown run by Kaiden Dreyer. Later in the third, Marek Oleneak added his own 34-yard sprint to the end zone, doubling the lead to 14. After Avondale responded, Noah Mallory broke free on a 75-yard race across the goal line. A late ‘Jackets touchdown run did not do enough to stifle Cedar Springs. The victors ran for 240 yards in this game, while completing no passes (just one attempt). Noah Mallory led the way with 79 rushing yards, while Dreyer (64) and Oleneak (56) were close behind.
Central Montcalm 55 Houghton Lake 26
Concord 64 Litchfield 20: The ‘Jackets exploded offensively in their opener against the Terriers. Gavin Riske completed 19 passes for 298 yards and six touchdowns. This was Concord’s first season opening victory since 2021.
East Grand Rapids 33 Lowell 14
East Kentwood 21 Hartland 0
Forest Hills Central 21 Reeths Puffer 10: The Dave Portino era began with a victory, as FHC took down the Rockets 21-10. Nick Williams was efficient as a dual-threat for the victors, combining 78 passing yards with 89 rushing yards to find the end zone twice. Ty Ryan caught his touchdown, totaling 74 yards receiving to go along 27 yards on the ground. Brendan Cargill also had a receiving score, as he had 4 catches for 55 yards. Defensively, Max Holser (7 tackles) and Matt Sexton (6 tackles, 1 interception) led the way.
Forest Hills Eastern 48 Montague 7: The Hawks dominated the Wildcats in their home opener on Friday. FHE scored 34 points in the first half, with a missed PAT denying the chance for an early running clock. They continued on cruise control in the second half to move to 1-0. Brennan Thompson was 8/12 passing for 155 yards and a score, while Jordan Shabazz blazed the Montague defense for 129 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 3 carries. Max Ferrick added 55 rushing yards and two scores for FHE, while the Hawks defense held the ‘Gue to just 116 yards of total offense.
Forest Hills Northern 21 Kenowa Hills 10
Frankenmuth 22 Goodrich 0: The Eagles avenged last year’s season opening defeat by shutting out the Martians. Goodrich returned an interception for a touchdown on the game’s opening play, but it was called back after a penalty was committed. Frankenmuth seized their second chance and didn’t look back. A great punt led to a safety tackle by Logan Diener. Three additional touchdowns by Christian Paige, Hagen Wascher and Kobbie Ke gave the ‘Muth more than enough offense. Diener had 15 tackles, while Kobbie Ke rushed for 117 yards.
Grand Ledge 36 West Ottawa 33
Grand Rapids Sacred Heart 41 Wyoming Lee 18
Grant 38 Kelloggsville 22
Hamilton 61 Plainwell 7
Hart 40 Lake City 0
Hastings 38 Middleville 30
Hesperia 13 Farwell 0
Holland 48 Ottawa Hills 0
Holland Christian 17 Allendale 12: The Maroons are 1-0 after a close victory against Allendale. Evan Abberger captained an aerial attack by the victors, finishing 22/37 for 219 yards and two scores. His favorite target was Josh Bruxvoort, who hauled in 7 balls for 103 yards and a touchdown. Caden VanHuis was able to tack on the final three points for Holland Christian with his first field goal of the season.
Hopkins 34 Fremont 20: The Vikings bested the Packers in the season opener. Brayden Crosley was effective in defeat for Fremont. He was 10/14 passing for 158 yards, and he also rushed for a score. Asa Barnhard had 80 rushing yards for Fremont, and he also found the endzone.
Howell 20 Hudsonville 17
Ionia 20 Belding 6
Jenison 14 Kalamazoo Central 0
Kalamazoo United 20 Berrien Springs 16
Lawton 56 Benton Harbor 0
Ludington 67 Alpena 0
Manistee 47 Kalkaska 12: The Mariners began their new identity on the gridiron with a convincing win against Kalkaska. Kaden Kott led a strong rushing attack with 10 carries for 157 yards and two scores. Dayvion Neal-Berry added 11 carries, 127 yards and a score to the mix, while Landin Sowa chipped in 58 yards and two touchdowns. Sowa also led the defensive charge with 8 tackles, while Braylen Zimmerman had a 43-yard interception return. Manistee had 476 yards of total offense in this win, 454 on the ground.
Maple Valley 9 Potterville 8
Mason County Central 16 Godwin Heights 14
Mattawan 18 Vicksburg 0
Mendon 60 New Buffalo 0: The Hornets posted a dominating shutout in their 2024 debut. Owen Gorham found the end zone five times, racking up 65 yards on 8 carries. James Lux added 118 rushing yards and Ryder Gorham finished with 93 as the team finished with 322 yards on the ground. The defense held New Buffalo to just 1/13 passing for 13 yards.
Mona Shores 28 Grand Blanc 26
Morley Stanwood 59 Holton 0
New Lothrop 30 Muskegon Catholic Central 29: In the Vehicle City Gridiron Classic at historic Atwood Stadium, another epic battle ensued. Kaven Unangst was the late hero for the Hornets, as he darted 21 yards for the winning score with less than two minutes to play. Unangst finished with 211 rushing yards anf four touchdowns on 30 carries. Bryan Convertini was strong in defeat for MCC rushing for 81 yards and two scores on 17 carries, while also passing for two scores and 142 yards.
Northpointe Christian 32 Climax-Scotts 24
Northview 31 Chelsea 14
Oakridge 42 Orchard View 6
Olivet 39 Chippewa Hills 21
Paw Paw 32 Big Rapids 14: For the sixth straight season, Big Rapids will begin the year with a defeat. This fall, it was Paw Paw that dealt that knockout blow. The Red Wolves scored the game’s first 19 points to create a comfortable halftime cushion. Cole Haist would provide some spark with two touchdown passes and nearly 200 yards passing, but it would not be enough to overcome the early deficit. Paw Paw wore the Cardinals down with 314 rushing yards on 54 carries.
Pewamo-Westphalia 8 North Muskegon 7
Reed City 24 Kingsley 22
Rockford 30 Cass Tech 23
Shelby 59 White Cloud 20
Shepherd 20 Alma 13
Sparta 48 Wyoming 8
Spring Lake 40 Fruitport 6
Twin City Sharks 62 Fennville 24
Unity Christian 43 Whitehall 21
Wayland 49 Lansing Waverly 14: For the third straight season, Wayland captured a victory on opening night. For the second straight year, they bested the Warriors, with a strong ground attack. Wayland ran the football 51 times, attempting zero passes. The Wildcats turned those carries into 322 yards and seven touchdowns. Bryton Merren led the way with 13 carries and 91 rushing yards. Carson Reurink and Brody Keur each ran for three touchdowns for the victors.
Webberville 42 Ashley 0
Zeeland East 36 Union 6
FRIDAY AUGUST 30
Beal City v Ravenna
Benzie Central v Elk Rapids
Comstock Park v Tri-County
Grand Rapids Catholic Central v St John Lake Central (IN)
Muskegon v Zeeland West
Muskegon Heights v Brethren
Newberry v Crystal Falls Forest Park
Pickerington North (OH) v Grandville
South Christian v Grand Rapids Christian
Stevensville Lakeshore v Grand Haven
SATURDAY AUGUST 31
Martin v Harlan Tri-State (IN)
