Week 2 is in the books, and we already are looking at the start of conference play on the OK-Conference starting in some divisions this weekend – notably in the OK-Red, which will have stories that dominate this edition of 4 Downs.
1st DOWN: Rockford/Muskegon Delivers More Questions Than Answers
There is no match-up that quite stirs interest like when the Big Reds and Rams meet, and Friday night proved to be one that Rams fans will be looking to circle as the (further) launching point for a deep run and state title chase for a very strong 2024 orange and black group. The Rams won at Carlson-Munger 28-21 on Friday night – a closer game than the 27-7 edition in 2023, but a game the Rams controlled throughout in maybe more dominant fashion than in ’23 – leading by three scores before a pair of late Muskegon TDs (one coming after an onside kick).
The main thing I was looking for in this one was too see these two offenses and what they could evolve to from week one to week two and run up the scoreboard a bit. That of course is easier-said-than-done when they each also have maybe the two of the absolute top defensive units in the state. And from that, I think we still are sitting at a point that we haven’t seen the full offensive ability that these two title threats are going to show as the year goes on.
Rockford (while 2-0), of course, is still breaking in a new QB, RB, and weapons all over the field anchored around an elite offensive line – Next week, they play Grandville (a team will will talk a bit more about in a bit) that has given up 40+ and played in a pair of shootouts both weeks. So, week three may be the first time the Rams show truly how dangerous this offense can be after scoring 28 in what were more ball-possession and defense-first games the first two weeks of the year.
For Muskegon, they again struggled to move the ball early while trying to find balance around new QB James Young, the Big Reds showed the ability to bust a couple of chunk plays with their dangerous weapons, but the traditional consistent movement we’ve seen out of coach Fairfield’s offense just hasn’t been there so far for the new-look reigning champs. Surely, Muskegon will figure it out – their schedule has not been one that is friendly to breaking in new pieces all over the field. They next play Forest Hills Northern, the Huskies are off to a strong 2-0 start and have allowed a total of 16 points through two weeks, so this won’t be an easy test for the ‘Ski-Gun’ offense to get rolling.
2nd DOWN: Fresh Face OK-Red Teams Prove Rebuilds Aren’t Overnight
East Kentwood and Jenison were each the talk of the area in the offseason, and that only ramped up after they each had impressive defense-led shutout week one wins. But, week two proved much different for each team and their new coaches in year one of trying to build their programs to become true year-in-year-out competitors in the maybe state’s toughest conference.
EK and new coach Ty Spencer, a multi-time champ at Detroit King defeated Hartland 21-0 the first week of the year. But, week two proved much different as they traveled to Byron Center, where one of the area’s most veteran teams (and a state title threat in D2) controlled both sides of the field, taking down the Falcons 43-20. It won’t get any easier next week as OK-Red play starts for Kentwood on the road against 2022 state runners-up Caledonia.
Jenison and 2021 state champion (at Chelsea) head coach Josh Lucas ground out a 14-0 win over Kalamazoo Central the first week of the year on the road. They came back to Jenison for their home opener and first game against an OK Conference team in the Lucas era vs. Forest Hills Northern on Friday – The Huskies would take the game 28-6 and send Jenison back to the drawing board a bit before they open the Red slate with Hudsonville (0n the road) in week three.
To some extent there were different approaches that were hailed by the two staffs, as coach Lucas talked a lot about the huge numbers in the program at the lower levels and the bottom-up approach taken in rebuilding things. That was true as well at EK, but some of the transfers (like QB Kayd Coffman) and Spencer’s immediate success track-record at a place with an already deep roster put some immediate thoughts about competing on the table for Kentwood. But, I think last week proves that we need to give time to any program and any coach to get things in place over at least an entire season – or more – to be able to mold a program.
I still think both of these teams are going to ‘steal’ a win or two from the top teams in the Red, and will be contenders in the coming seasons, but success isn’t overnight, especially playing the level of competition the OK Conference and especially the Red division will provide.
3rd DOWN: Grandville, MI: Heartbreak City, USA
Going back to when I started in my junior year of high school in 2014 – I think I’ve got to be to well over 100 high school football games that I’ve called. The last two games I have called to begin this season may honestly be number one and two (minus the Unity Christian 2021 title game – sorry ‘Saders fans to bring it up) in terms of heartbreakers that I have broadcast and maybe just seen in general.
And both games were lost by the same team – Grandville.
The Bulldogs very well may be one of the absolute best teams in the state of Michigan, which I’m not sure makes it better or worse when you think about it… Chandler and I said on the air on the GAME NIGHT broadcast that they are the best 0-2 team in the state and I’d stand by that. Both losses came against elite state title contenders (from multiple states) and proved the Bulldogs toughness even in the losses.
Week one it was the road trip to Pickerington, Ohio that led to the three-score comeback and walk-off field goal winner from Pick. North Kicker Brandon Fowler at the buzzer.
This week it was a hungry state championship contender Davison Cardinals team that came to Bulldog Stadium. And the ‘Dawgs went down three scores again (early in the 2nd quarter). They couldn’t move the ball, had already it turned it over once, and the defense was struggling to stop the dynamic Cardinals offense. But, the Bulldogs stung together some stops and some scores to lead 29-28 early in the 4th with 22 unanswered points after a 35-yard field goal from senior Jake Keranen.
Then the Cardinals found the end zone to take the lead back, before the Bulldogs would strike right back as Easton Suidinski hauled in his 3rd total TD on the night with a 65-yard pass from senior QB Ethan Newville. Grandville’s only fault here might have been scoring too quickly and dynamically, as Davison was able to convert on fourth downs and slowly move the ball over five minutes on the ground before junior QB Jaxson Dosh accounted for his fifth TD in the night, finding TE Payton Kokaly with five seconds to go, to give the Cardinals a 41-37 win over the ‘Dawgs.
While another tough-to-stomach loss, the Bulldogs ability to battle back and scoff at any deficit they’ve faced against some of the state (and region’s) top teams has been impressive. If they can clean up some of the TO’s and mistakes on defense that have popped up in the first half and actually control a game with their T offense, they could be ready to rip off quite a few wins and be a real threat to rival Rockford in the OK-Red and playoffs this year.
And guess who they play this week…
4th DOWN: Catholic Central’s International Star Freshman
One of the biggest questions that GR Catholic Central had going into 2024 revolved around how they were going to find a way to replace multi-year starter and state champion QB Connor Wolf this season as he moves on to Eastern Illinois this season. Well, it appears that Catholic Central found an answer for the next four years in freshman Odin Spencer.
Spencer is a 6’2 180 pound first-year high school student that has made an immediate impact in a multitude of ways with his arm and his legs. And that was especially true as he faced an international challenge with St.Thomas More from Ontario traveling to GR to take on the Cougars Friday.
Catholic Central’s offense took off down the stretch, led in large part by the play of the freshman. Spencer completed 15 of 28 passes for 189 yards and a TD through the air. He ran for 33 more yards and another TD to go along with the passing production.
Catholic Central ALWAYS finds a way to reload, but there were some questions from the outside with a tight-lipped coaching staff at hoe they would settle out their signal-caller spot for 2024 (and beyond). Other powerhouses like Muskegon and West Catholic went to the ‘transfer portal’ to find some possible answers, Rockford had an established junior that played in 2023 as an underclassmen – But CC didn’t seem to have a ton of answers. Turns out they did, and he answer was a now international star in his first year ion high school that could usher in a very fun four years for Cougars fans, as this youngster is only going to improve – and is already off to a great start.
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Alright, conference play is here and things are only going to pick up from here on out, and MSR is your best source for everything high school football in wets Michigan and across the state.
To get you ready for kick-off Friday: Our first Re-Max United power poll is out tomorrow, we’ll preview the games on MSR’s air mid-week in written form Wednesday and Lou Gamelin’s weekly show on the MSR Facebook page Thursday night, and you can check out all of the results, standings, and schedules on MichiganSportsRadio.com.
(Also, Grandville Bulldogs fans, we’ll have the next edition of ‘Dawg Pod coming out in the Michigan Game Night YouTube page on Tuesday, as we will help preview the game of the week as the Bulldogs and Rams duel on MSR Friday)
See you all back here next week, as we look at all of the biggest stories from week three – As conference play opens across 13+ live games on MSR and across the OK Conference and beyond!
