Six weeks are already completed, and we are fully into the home stretch of the 2024 season, as it’s now fully time to lock in for the final stretch – let’s take a look at my four biggest stories coming our of week six and into the final three weeks of the season!

 

1st DOWN: BIRDS OF A FEATHER

No town in west Michigan may have strong of a multi-school product right now as Zeeland, as both of their schools are absolutely rolling despite some tough earlier losses and look like real threats to make some noise as the season goes. That isn’t surprising as far as Zeeland West goes – the Dux did beat the Chix a few weeks back in the bird bowl, but after a 20-8 loss to Unity Christian the following week the reigning D3 semifinalists (and one of the favorites to make it at least that far again) needed a bounce back vs. the reigning D3 champion Forest Hills Central. And the Dux delivered – commanding both sides of the ball in a physical battle 28-7 and solidifying their spot as the number two team in the OK-Gold after U.C.

The solidified that because Zeeland East was able to put together what many would label a massive upset that I see a little differently on Friday. They dispatched of reigning D4 state runners-up South Christian 22-15 in a game that was played on the terms of the Chix. While South was and likely should have been the favorite going in, even in the loss I saw the Chix live in I decided that ZE was a team that not only is going to be a threat in years to come behind sophomore QB Will Drenk, but with their stout linebacking core and physical style and run game to match the young QB and WR talent, the Chix were a team built to make some noise and take down a favorite or two in the Gold.

And that prediction that I even made on air at the end of the ‘Bird Bowl’ came true with the Chix taking down Carson Vis and the Sailors. ZE will see Unity and FHC now in back-to-back weeks – there is a real chance that they could come up with another upset win in one of those games an continue to keep both Zeeland schools in the top three in one of the area’s deepest leagues.

 

2nd DOWN: BULLDOGS BITE BACK

Last time we really talked about Grandville here, the team was sitting at 0-3 and coming off a highly disappointing Rockford loss that the team definitely felt simple execution down the stretch would have turned the tables on the result after the ‘Dawgs led at the half. In the weeks that have followed, the Bulldogs have now rattled off three straight wins, the most recent a road triumph 33-25 over East Kentwood. And with that, the Bulldogs now find themselves in the second spot in the OK-Red and with a chance this Friday to make some more noise if they can go into Hudsonville and defeat a rolling Eagles team that has now won five in-a-row and sits in a solo, unbeaten first in the Red.

The Bulldogs certainly have bitten back, and again it’s the run game out of their vaunted T offense that is doing a lot of the work, with their primary backs of junior Jayden Terry, senior Easton Suidinski and sophomore FB D.J. Hardimon leading the way. But this team has found a dynamic edge in the pass game as well, the winning score win Friday came from a beautifully placed ball over the defense from senior QB Ethan Newville to future GVSU TE Gibby Connelly.

If there Bulldogs improving defense that gave up 35 or more can play more like the team that has given up 25 or less the past two weeks to go along with that dangerous offense, the Bulldogs could be primes to shake off their early tough start vs. what I would argue to be the toughest schedule in Michigan and still rebound for an OK-Red winning performance.

But it all starts with needing to beat Hudsonville, and an Eagles team that looks as good as they have in years and wants some revenge over their bordering rival that beat them last year in the playoffs and have taken every matchup (usually in one-score games) since the 2020 season.

 

3rd DOWN: COUGARS STAYING IN THE (OK) BLACK

Grand Rapids Catholic Central made an intriguing move to the OK-Black this year after years of dueling with the likes of South Christian in the OK-Gold. At first glance based on last year’s results it looked like even a turned over GRCC team was going to be in prime position to march to the new conference crown.

But Holland Christian and Northview have entered there fray with some thoughts of their own on at, each putting up an un beaten record going into week six. And on Friday it would be the Maroons traveling to ‘The CAT’ to take on the Cougars. Catholic Freshman QB Odin Spencer and his favorite WR target Jami Williams found each other time and time again, including four scores to dominate the Maroons and make their first statement toward till marching to that OK-Black title.

Now, they can mostly settle things in week 7, as the Cougars will get the still unbeaten Northview Wildcats in one of the best QB vs. QB battles in the area this coming weekend with the freshman phenom Spencer taking on the veteran wildcat signal caller Armaan Irving.

 

4th DOWN: LIONS LOOKING TO LEAD THE PRIDE

We’ve talked a lot this year about Newaygo and their second year, fresh-faced coach that had never coached in the state of Michigan before…

Of course we are talking the opposite in Ralph Munger, legend of the state’s coaching history that has continued the incredible turnaround this season at Newaygo, and after the Lions dispatched of Chippewa Hills 27-16 last week they now find themselves set for a showdown that will likely serve as the deciding game for the CSAA-Red title.

Newaygo will be taking on Big Rapids live on MSR this Friday in a meeting of two 5-1 teams overall on the year that ae positioned at the top of the conference. Big Rapids sits at 4-0 and Newaygo at 3-1. Both teams have dispatched of common opponents including Tri-County – who Big Rapids put in a big statement 48-12 win in the books over last week.

Tune in Friday, and also be sure to tune in to the live Newaygo Lions Football show on Tuesday night, featuring coach Munger and several Lions players as they get ready for the big game – right here on MSR!

 

FREE PLAY: Home to the Hawkeyes

I guess there was a penalty on the play or something – we’ve got another untimed down coming…

The Hamilton Hawkeyes have been. pleasant surprise for their followers this season, as after they lost all-state RB Ben Boehm to reigning D2 champions Harding this season, many thought that the Hawkeyes (despite a lot of veteran pieces) would potentially struggle to build upon a 4-5 season that missed the playoffs last year.

But, after a 42-36 shootout homecoming win over GR Christian last week, the Hawkeyes now sit at 4 wins and have Spring Lake in their final home game of 2024 on deck this week. And, we have announced that Chandler Timmer and I with the GAME NIGHT crew will be in Hamilton for a game that could be must-win for the Hawkeyes to make the post season and get to five wins with West Catholic and Zeeland East looming.

This mostly will be a fun game for us, in what might look like an untraditional choice for a West Shore G.O.T.W – But, CT and I are each Hamilton 2016 grads that started out broadcast careers there together. This will be our first time coming back to do a football game at our old home broadcast booth since we in in school. Plus Aiden Lynch, Hamilton senior TE/DE also is an aspiring sportscaster who has made appearances on GAME NIGHT broadcasts in the past, so it should be fun to get to cover his senior night at the same time.

Be sure to tune in to us at 6:30pm on Friday – along with all of the other games as well, of course.

Plus – you all know the drill – power poll, podcasts, previews, live shows, standings, and a ton more will all be coming leading up to the big week seven (already) games this Friday!