The season is here and MSR is providing a packed slate of 14 games week one, including massive state-wide matchups, and battles of the area’s bets in non-conference action right off the jump! Let’s take a look at the games you can catch live this weekend!
THURSDAY – 8/28
Grandville vs Muskegon: After missing the playoffs for the first time since 1999, Muskegon looks for a bounce back and they will have to start with a doubleheader of some of the OK-Red’s best with Grandville this week and Rockford next. Junior 5* DE/TE Recarder Kitchen will lead the ways on both sides of the ball in what is sure to be a physical game for the Big Reds.
Grandville Senior RB Jayden Terry begins is fourth and final varsity season already as the school and conference’s all-time leading rusher, the ‘Dawgs have a lot of returning talent – many of which 3 year players along with ‘Tank’ and could be set for a big season starting on their home field vs the Big Reds.
Rockford vs Saline: Rockford will be one of the area’s most stout defenses this season, and returns Brayden Daniels as a second year starting QB, as the Rams look to rebound back to the top of the OK-Red this season. They start the year by taking on future Miami (OH) QB Tommy Carr and Saline. The matchup of the Rams defense and the explosive Saline offense will be critical in this game.
Hudsonville vs Byron Center: The 2024 D1 state runner-up (Hudsonville) and the 2024 D2 state runner-up (Byron Center). Not much more needed to set it up here, both teams are breaking in a lot of new pieces, including new starting QBs at Brady VanLaecke takes the keys of the Eagles attack and Easton Wychers will now be at the controls of the BC offense.
Both teams last year were incredibly physical out of their run-heavy power spread offenses and stout defenses, expect more of the same in a tough battel Thursday night.
Coopersville vs Ludington: Coopersville will be one of the most interesting teams to watch in 2025, as they welcome in a freshman QB in Champ Kelly running the offense – he’ll have plenty of weapons including senior stand-out wideout Brooks Hadden to throw to. They open with the Orioles of Ludington, who went 7-4 last season before falling in the first round of the playoffs to Big Rapids.
ZEELAND WEST vs OLD REDFORD: The only 2024 state champion from the west side, Zeeland West, will turn a lot over this year – including the retirement of legendary coach John Shillito from their sidelines. Longtime assistant Jeff Bolhouse will be looking to keep much of the same going, including the Dux continuing to run the Power T offense that Shillito perfected. The Dux will open with Old Redford, out of Detroit, they are a division six school that went 9-2 in 2024.
FREELAND vs SAGINAW UNITED: Freeland begins a quest for an 18th straight trip to the state playoffs for coach Kevin Townsend in 2024, after they were one of the best teams in D5 in the state a year ago. They take on Saginaw United, a newly formed school last year that went 2-7 in their first year of play.
CENTRAL MONTCALM vs HOUGHTON LAKE: The Hornets of Central Montcalm are coming off a 9-2 season where they fell in a playoff heartbreaker 35-34 to Newaygo to end their year, coach Scott Cripe’s team will look to build upon that season starting with an opener against Houghton Lake – a 5-5 team out of the Highland Conference last season).
TRI-COUNTY vs OVID-ELSIE : 2024 was a bit of a down-season for the traditionally dominant Vikings of Tri-County of the past few seasons, as they went 5-5 before losing big in their playoff opener to Frankenmuth last year. They will look for a big 2025 comeback starting with Ovid-Elsie – The Marauders were 8-3 last season.
NEWAYGO vs KENT CITY: Newaygo had one of the bets seasons in school history in 2024 and sent Legendary head coach Ralph Munge rout into retirement with one last district championship. David Lange now takes over on the Lions sideline. They take on the Eagles of Kent City to begin the 2025 campaign.
EAST GRAND RAPIDS vs LOWELL: Traditional West Michigan powers meet in week one in a rematch of a week one game from last year, that the Pioneers won 33-14. This time game shifts to EGR and the shores of Reeds Lake. Expected a physicals game, as the traditionally power-first Red Arrows will now be met with a new look EGR attack that coach Josh Shattuck says will reflect more of a power run game vs speed to lead the offense.
FRIDAY – 8/29
SOUTH CHRISTIAN vs GR CHRISTIAN: After another trip to the state semis, coach Danny Brown will look to make another run back to Ford Field this year with the Sailors – but will have to do so without graduated QB Carson Vis. Their season starts vs coach Kirk Sundberg and the Eagles of GR Christian, who went 2-7 last year and are looking to build back to their championship ways and get some revenge for a week one loss to the Sailors last season.
GR CATHOLIC CENTRAL vs ST JOHN LAKE CENTRAL (IN): An out-of-state rematch after the Cougars ground out a 17-10 win to open the year last season in Grand Rapids. They now travel down to Indiana for the first test of the year for now sophomore QB Odin Spencer, who looks to take a huge leap in his second year at the helm of the ‘Cougs dynamic offense.
MANTON vs VESTABURG: Manton went 3-6 last season, but closed by winning 2 of their last 3 games, that look to keep tat momentum going into the new season as they take on Vestaburg to open the 2025 campaign – It’s a similar story for the wolverines, who also wet 3-6 last year and also won 2 of their last 3. So this should be a good early season matchup.
FOREST HILLS NORTHER vs KENOWA HILLS: FHN battled a tough schedule to a 4-5 record for coach Eddie Ostipow in 2024 and will be looking to make a jump in ’25, starting with a matchup against River Cities Alliance Kenowa Hills – a 6-4 team last season that the Huskies beat in week one. This game features a battle of father-son coach/QB duos with FHN’s Eddie and Owen Ostipow facing off against Don and Greyson Fellows for the Knights.
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Be Sure to tune in all weekend long right here on Michigan Sports Radio. Check out he live video and audio broadcasts via the ‘Listen Live’ page or via the Michigan Sports Radio App. And stay tuned for recap, column, and preview written and video content all week long to keep you in the know heading into kick off each week!
