WE ARE BACK!
High School football in Michigan kicks off this weekend, and MSR will have coverage across the state coming up – as we begin another season of ‘Friday Night Lights’ in west Michigan. For the first addition of Four Downs this year, I am taking a look at what I think are the four most pressing questions to be answered this season across the area – in a year that I think could have as much volatility as we’ve seen in a while.
Let’s get started…
FIRST DOWN: The OK-Red, That’s the Question
I’ve racked my brain trying to handicap the OK-Red all offseason and as we’ve gotten closer to the season I have not gotten really closer to an answer whatsoever to who the favorite and my pick to win the league is. Nick Tuori did a great job in his preview going over the league last week, so be sure to check that out…
Grandville presents I think the best case, just based on returners to be the pre-season favorite to win the league (although don’t expect anyone to make it through the conference unbeaten like Hudsonville did last year… or even maybe make it through with only one loss). The Dawgs return much of their leading defensive talent that flipped a switch last season, allowing less than 20 points per game for their last seven contests, and they return Jayden Terry and a deep RB room and another great offensive line that will create a dynamic Power T attack.
But, coach Ty Spencer and QB Kayd Coffman at East Kentwood have earned a ton of much-deserved attention for a team that is going to be a ble to put a ton of points on the scoreboard.
Rockford returns QB Brayden Daniels, the majority of their defensive starters and if they can replace what they lost on the O Line – the Rams will be right back at the top of the Red.
Hudsonville, the reigning state runners-up, have a lot to replace across the board, but coach Sandee does have the talented Brady VanLaecke (a three year varsity player). stepping into the starting QB role, Owen Haarsma returning at tailback and a newfound team identity and belief after last season’s run to Ford Field.
But, what makes the Red such a wildcard this year is how good the depth of the league is. Jenison beat Rockford last year, and I think we can expect a massive step from them in year two for coach Josh Lucas (a former state champion at Chelsea), Caledonia has a new coach who also comes with highly touted junior QB Bryce Backus stepping into the starting role. And West Ottawa and Grand Haven also are showing to be on the rise and are excited about many of their new pieces behind proven coaches.
In Short, be sure to tune into the OK-Red title race all year long on MSR…
SECOND DOWN: Battle for The City of Muskegon
Muskegon and Mona Shores have been two of the constants of west Michigan football in the past decade, where the two programs have traded state titles almost yearly. Last year the Sailors would fall in a wild district title game against eventual state runner-up Byron Center. Meanwhile, for the first time in nearly a quarter century Muskegon would fail to make the playoffs.
Both teams are reloaded and hungry. The Sailors are one of the top teams in the hunt for the D2 state title this year, in my opinion – athough a camp injury to WR/DB George Duggins that will sideline him for the year hurts. The Sailors return key pieces up front and stud RB Ike Steward, and have added Portage Norther transfer QB Joe Thole to the mix for a dynamic attack through the air and on the ground.
The Big Reds and coach Shane Fairfield last year experimented with a more dynamic pass-first type spread attack, a 180 from their state title pistol triple option offense used in 2024 (and since Tony Annese invented the ‘Ski-Gun’ there decades ago). Tailback KeShawn drummer and 5 star edge rusher Recarder Kitchen will be key to this team’s prospective resurgence in 2025. But, the QB battle will be key to watch – senior Lamar Bradford and sophomore Lou Gressett have reportedly been close in the battle for the job and the winner of the battle could somewhat tell what the offense looks like this year, as Bradford is more of the traditional 4.5 40 speedster QB they have had in the past, while Gressett is a highly touted dual-threat that wants to still use his arm more than his legs in many cases.
THIRD DOWN: Who Hoists A Mitten?
Last year, only Zeeland West would go home as state champions from West Michigan – as legendary coach John Shillito would go out on top. The interesting question this year, is if the West Side can return to the top more often across the 8 11 man divisions. Let’s take a look at the how the top five divisions line up…
D1: The way the seeding goes here could be big, a team like EK could be able to avoid the annual murderers’ row district that traditionally includes Rockford, Grandville, and Hudsonville. Don’t be surprised to see whoever comes out of this go on a trip all the way to Detroit on Thanksgiving weekend like Hudsonville did last year.
D2: We just discussed the Muskegon schools, Mona Shores is I think a really solid pick here, but look out for the BC Bulldogs to make a trip back to Ford Field looking for revenge, they did lose a lot, but I like a lot of what replaces the graduating talent and the backfield duo of juniors Easton Wychers and Cam Payne could be as good as any.
D3: Zeeland West won it all last year, they need to replace QB Trey Sloothaak and coach John Shillito, but certainly will still very much be in the mix. Then there is a depth of teams including the ’23 champs FHC that I think will be primed to come out of this division and make a run at Ford Field.
D4: This has been a division that’s been pretty surefire in terms of teams at minimum making it to Ford Field between Unity Christian and South Christian, both of those teams may be in what could be considered to be retool years, but are as well coached of units as you’ll find, and by November will be in the mix.
D5: I never talk in certainties when it comes to 16-17 year old kids playing sports, but if you made me put money down (hypothetically, of course) I would point to this division as the one I am most certain delivers a wets side title between West Catholic and Catholic Central. I am very high, especially, on the Falcons – But if Sophomore QB Odin Spencer makes a big leap, the Cougars could be right back to winning it all again.
FORTH DOWN: Where Should I Go For HS Football Coverage this Year?
I would suggest MichiganSportsRadio.com or the MSR App… 15+ plus live games from dedicated ‘home’ broadcast crews and featured games every Friday night – all the way through Ford Field. Plus video and written highlights/recaps, columns and previews during the week to get you set for Friday night.
Log in to the site or app and be sure to follow us on Facebook, IG and X to not miss anything on the gridiron in West MI and beyond!
