The first round of the playoffs did not disappoint this year, we saw some favorites take care of business in statement (or even borderline historic fashion), upsets, rivalries and many of the perfect results to set up what should be one of the best district final weeks in recent memory. Let’s take a look at the four biggest stories of the week!
1st DOWN: An Exorcism in Rockford
I am a massive Chicago Blackhawks fan, but I have to admit as a play-by-play announcer, one of my favorite calls ever belonged to the CBC’s Jim Hughson in 2011 as after 3 tough series and 19 games the Vancouver Canucks finally beat the reigning champion Blackhawks in game 7 of a playoff series – Jim’s simple call ended in ‘What a wonderful day for an exorcism”.
Grandville fans know the feeling, they have not beaten the Rams since 2019, and haven’t beaten them in the playoffs since 2016. In the meantime there have been playoff losses to Rockford in 2020, 2021, and last season in 2023 for the ‘Dawgs. Grandville watched a first-half lead slip away vs. Rockford in September and a back and forth first half had their fans wondering if they were about to watch another half-time lead slip away Friday night. But on this night, the Bulldogs decided it was time to exorcize some Ram demons of their own – Pulling away 24-14, with a 73-yard TD run from Jayden Terry being the exclamation mark that stretched the lead to 24-7 at one point in the second half.
We’ll talk about what’s next for the Dawgs more in a second, but for Grandville – they were able to win a game primarily through defense in this one, smothering the Rams to only 7 points until the final moments of the 4th – Making it 3 straight games of great defensive performances from a unit that has gone from a concern giving up more then 30 per game to possibly a strength of the team – that still has an offense that is churning out nearly 40 points per game on the year.
The Bulldogs revenge tour will have to live on if they want to extend their season however…
2nd DOWN: Rematch Week
The district finals will present to us massive rivalries across the area (and state) that could in some cases determine who gets to make a trip not just in to the regionals but well beyond that, given the strength of the matchups on hand.
Of course, there is the Grandville/Hudsonville rematch – the Eagles have been untouchable and handed the Bulldogs the worst loss of their season – 35-16 – in week 7. But, as we know, this Grandville team is on a different level right now and Hudsonville will be looking to get rolling again after they needed to hit a walk-off ‘fire drill’ FG as time expired to beat East Kentwood.
Also, there is Mona Shores and Byron Center – who played to a stunning 14-12 game the first time around in what became the functional OK-Green championship game in week 4. Two of the best coaches in the area, the same can be said about each team’s senior QBs, each team’s RB group, and every other spot on the field. The winner here will have a great chance to make a run all the way to Ford Field.
Also, Unity Christian and South Christian play after the ‘Saders dominated the first go-around, but a now-healthy Carson Vis will make a world of difference in this one (no duh). We’ll talk more about the U.C. side of this one in a minute, but look out for the Sailors – they are a different team when Vis is able to move freely in and out of the pocket and create deep down field on broken plays – they could could be the one offense that can keep up with the Crusaders powerful Power T.
3rd DOWN: D5 Holy War
We had an exorcism earlier, now a holy war – as some in the fanbases here like to jokingly refer to this game between the GR area’s two catholic schools – and bitter rivals. The state title has often run through these two teams and now in the same division, it has may again run though this game like in 2023. The Falcons are likely the favorite here, as GRCC has been in a bit of a retool year with a freshman QB and a lot of new pieces from last year’s team.
But, West is still going to have all of the challenge they could ask for in trying to get past the reigning champs in one of the area’s greatest rivalry games. If Grady Augustyn, David Britenfeld, and the Falcons can run away with this one – I think they will have solidified themselves as a team that deserves to be at the very top of the list of state title favorites – and the same can be true for CC if they win this one. A trip to Ford Field may very likely be determined Friday night.
4th DOWN: Who’s Stopping the ‘Saders
Probably No One.
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I was going to write more on the last point, but after Chandler and I called a game that saw a 41-0 second quarter put Unity Christian up 56-6 at the half over a good and physical Hamilton team, I don’t think much more needs to be said.
We have another packed week on MSR this week as we will be crowning district champions, and all of the games and teams I just mentioned (PLUS MORE) will all be covered on the network on another huge Friday night!
