We have only one week to go – The Vast Majority of the conferences across the area are now settled and a lot of the playoff positioning is getting locked in. But, we still have a list of huge stories to pick from for this week’s four downs – a task that chose to be one of my toughest yet. Here’s what stood out to me – Along with like 99 other things…
1st DOWN: UNCHARTED TERRITORY FOR D2 POWERS
There are plenty of headlines to discuss in regards to playoff positioning headed into the final week, there’s plenty of jockeying to come in the ‘OK-Red District’ in D1, D4 is still up in the air, and other stories on how D3 gets divided and if the likes of FHC and Zeeland West again find themselves in separate regions.
But, I want to focus on the most surprising story of them all going into week 9 in division two. There we find both the reigning D2 champ (Muskegon) and a 2022 D1 finalist (Caledonia) both on the outside-looking-in as we head off into the final week of the year.
Muskegon, in particular, after a tough loss last week in a back-and-forth affair vs Byron Center could be in some real trouble. They play Cincinnati Moeller this week, one of the most dominant year-in-year-out forces in Ohio football. The Big Reds are currently 3-4 (due to week 3 bye – they’ll only play 8 games) and sit 41st in the playoff point rankings in division 2 (The top 32 make the postseason).
Muskegon and coach Fairfield had to replace a huge amount of senior leaders and rolled the dice with a new-look offense around transfer QB James Young that just never fully got churning this year – and it puts them in a very tough spot to make the postseason even with a win this weekend. The last time Muskegon missed the playoffs? 1999.
Meanwhile Caledonia sits at 4-4 overall after they dropped a third straight game last week, this time to OK-Red champion Hudsonville. The Scots are 37th and *could* be in a better position, with a chance to get to five wins and fewer teams to jump. So, it’s simple for Caledonia and senior QB Brody Betser – Go into Grandville and beat the Bulldogs on their senior night for a chance to make it – and hope some chaos pushed them in ‘the show’. And easier said-than-done task that will provide another classic contest in the ‘Dawgs vs Scots rivalry – A Game CT and I will have live on MSR, by the way.
P.S.: I just want to give a shoutout to the work from the guys at Snooze2You.com and Goosepoop.io – Each of those sites and their dedicated creators are must-views this week to see from Snooze how he MHSAA will likely be grouping districts and GoosePoop for taking a look at hypothetical playoff scenarios based on who wins and loses this week.
2nd DOWN: TOUCHDOWN TERRY
We at GAME NIGHT on MSR have covered the bulk of Grandville junior RB Jayden Terry’s games in his 3 year varsity career – And I wanted to take a chance to highlight a player that has proven again this year to be, in my opinion, Michigan’s top running back.
‘Tank’ picked up his 20th, 21st, and 22nd rushing TDs on the season in the ‘Dawgs 38-3 win over West Ottawa on Friday, as he also went 150 yards plus on 20 attempts and added nearly 40 receiving yards on Grandville’s lone completion of the night. It’s been impressive watching Jayden against such stiff competition that keys on him every week find a way to still break big time plays and lead the Grandville offense.
We often talk about his nose for the end zone that stands out, I’ve seen few players that find a way to fight through the final 10 yards on their way to the end zone like Jayden does. When the Bulldogs find themselves inside the red zone, everyone in the building knows where the ball is likely going, and typically on his signature stretch outside runs from the T, Jayden racks up TDs fighting through tackles and working the sideline with speed and power – or using straight muscle as the Bulldogs number one option at the goalie as well.
‘Touchdown Tank’ Terry already has 6+ D1 offers on the table at the MAC level, and has been on several P4 visits this year, including Notre Dame and Maryland this fall. We’ve still got a big playoff run and senior season for Tank coming up, before we get to see him on Saturdays for four more after that. Jayden has already cemented himself as one of there best players to suit up in West Michigan this last decade-plus, and if Grandville is going to go on the deep playoff run they are capable of, #28 will be in the middle of it.
P.S. – There will be no rest for weary Bulldog opponents, as just as Jayden followed his all-state brother Cam, a third Terry brother – Jordan – tore up eighth grade football for the Bulldogs this year and will probably sooner-rather-than-later be emulating his big brothers (and former Ferris State RB father, Drew) on varsity for the ‘Dawgs. Jordan has already been as or even more highly regarded than the all-state Terrys that came before him at this age.
3rd DOWN: FALCONS IN FORM
After a 1-2 start (with losses to elite Ohio program Cincy Elder, and shootout vs. South Christian) West Catholic was on the back foot a bit as they broke in a lot of new pieces at skill positions around the field, including junior QB Grady Augustyn, and were in the rare spot of being below .500.
But, a team that was led by a very high touted and experienced OL/DL group up front (something the Falcons know a thing or two about), coach Landon Grove’s team has been perfect since, as they rolled unbeaten through their OK-White slate – winning some tough one-score games along the way.
And, it was those type of tough efforts from this team that helps prove that they are ready to make another run at Ford Field in 2024 – a 3 point win over Spring Lake was big in week four, as they came off a heartbreaking loss in a one-score game to rival South Christian the week prior. Then, it was a dying seconds FG to beat Forest Hills Eastern from kicker Landon Smith that really stands out. The Hawks had taken that lead back with less than 50 seconds remaining before Augustyn and the Falcons calmly drove the field and set up the winning field goal strike.
After a big win over a very good Hamilton last week (54-14) the Falcons will now get one last test in a unique Thursday night trip to fellow state title contender, Zeeland West. It will be a physical Thursday night throw down that CT and I will also have live video coverage of (we’re doing a GAME NIGHT on MSR doubleheader this week).
4th DOWN: RIVERS CITIES SHOWDOWN
Another game live on MSR this week with the Broncos Radio guys is probably the biggest in west Michigan, in terms of a trophy being on the line. The inaugural Rivers Cities Alliance crown will be (mostly) determined in a huge Coopersville vs Cedar Springs showdown. They each are 4-1 in the league (along with Lowell) and the winner will guarantee themselves at least a share of the inaugural league title – and can win it outright if the Red Arrows are upset in their contest vs Greenville.
A tough schedule has Coopersville a bit off their game heading into their biggest contest of the season, coach Kaman’s group has now dropped two straight. a 43-41 shootout to QB Greyson Fellows and Kenowa Hills and then a 24-7 loss at the hands of one of the D4 title favorites, Big Rapids in a non-league week 8 game.
Cedar Springs had a rare off year and missed the playoffs in ’23, but coach Kapolka, his Red Hawks, and their Power T offense have bounced back in a big way this year and have some momentum headed into their trip to Coopersville this week. They have won three straight, scoring 54+ in two of those three wins as well.
We’ll have more to break down in this week’s preview article, but in a game that typically would be dominated by the run game of Coopersville’s power spread and Cedar Spring’s power T offenses may, in-part, be determined by the pass game. Especially the pass game of Coopersville, as their QB Beau Harris has tossed more scores this year than anyone else in Coopersville history and has a good assortment of experienced weapons to find, if a slog between to physical teams breaks out – the Broncos ability to go to the air could be the deciding point.
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Another week down and only one to go (Well – minus the five playoff weeks we have coming up on MSR) and this is going to be a great one. Some teams fighting for their playoff lives, some fighting for a conference title, and others looking for momentum and health as they chase wooden mitten trophies and a trip to Ford Field.
We’ll have all the usual content – Polls, previews, etc. all leading off to kickoff on the final regular season Friday (and Thursday) night of the year!
