The conference slate of play is here for everyone and the real chase for league crowns and the playoffs is on, we’ve got a packed week four featuring 13 LIVE games from across the area Friday night right here on MichiganSportsRadio.com and the MSR App.

 

ROCKFORD vs EAST KENTWOOD

The Rams begin a three week slate that could determine the fate of the OK-Red this week as they take on the high-flying Falcons, who have been probably the area’s most impressive team through three weeks, especially after dropping 54 on Jenison last week.

There are a lot of match-ups here to watch, but future-MSU-Spartan QB Kayd Coffman and the EK offense against a Rams defense that is viewed as the team’s strength and one of the best in the area is critical. Watch for some injuries and nick-ups along the Rams D, they could be without a couple of key contributors that give an would possibly given an edge to EK here.

 

GR CATHOLIC CENTRAL vs EGR

CC has been been another one of the area’s most impressive teams through three weeks and sophomore QB Odin Spencer, fresh off accounting for 3 touchdowns in the win over Lumen Christi, will now lead the Cougars into a home tilt against EGR to start OK-Black play.

Coach Shattuck and the Pioneers have fully righted the ship after falling big in week one to Lowell, winning in weeks 2 and 3 by a combined 59-7, their new look power-fist attack that the staff talked about in the offseason is starting to really take hold. A classic rivalry in this one that should be a lot of fun.

 

ZEELAND WEST vs SOUTH CHRISTIAN

ZW and SC each are looking for a bounce-back after falling for in week three. The Dux fell to Whitehall 35-28 in a shootout for their second loss of the year while the Sailors lost to West Catholic 27-20, for their second straight defeat after getting shutout but aforementioned EGR in week two.

The OK-Gold is going to be an interesting title race this season, and even after slower-than-usual starts. expect for each of these teams to factor in the title race, but winning the conference opener will be huge for both.

 

ZEELAND EAST vs UNITY CHRISTIAN

Speaking of the OK-Gold race, here’s the two teams that enter the league play maybe as the favorites, Unity Christian has been rolling and is unbeaten – dominating Whitehall, Schoolcraft, and FHE to start the season. Meanwhile it’s the school across the campus in Zeeland that has been the most impressive one to start the year, the Chix are quietly 3-0 and from QB Will Drenk on down maybe returned more talent on their roster than any other team in the area. Keep you eyes on this one, it might determine the OK-Gold chase.

 

GRANDVILLE vs CALEDONIA

Game two in the OK-Red and a third-straight road trip for the now 2-1 Grandville Bulldogs, they take on fellow 2-1 Caledonia. The Dawgs were able to take down WO in a classic Grandville time-controlling 27-14 win last week. Caledonia fell 38-6 to Hudsonville, watch the status of junior QB Bryce Backus, he was a key cog in their first two week big offensive performances and didn’t play vs Hudsonville, they are a different team with him at the controls.

Another thing to watch over the next few weeks, Grandville RB Jayden Terry, after another 155 yards vs WO now sits just 553 yards shy of the all-time MHSAA D1 rushing record – Currently held by Markus Sanders of Canton (2014-16) at 6,197 yards.

 

HUDSONVILLE vs WEST OTTAWA

Our top team in the Power Poll again this week, Hudsonville will host their homecoming game against a hungry 0-3 West Ottawa squad that are way better than what their record on the surface shows with two one-score losses and then the loss to 3rd-ranked Grandville last week.

The Panthers defensively held Grandville to their lowest point and yardage total of the season last week, so watch if they are going to be able to limit Brady VanLaecke and the high-flying Eagles offense.

 

COOPERSVILLE vs SPARTA

In the R.C.A., Coopersville is still chasing their first win as they are breaking in a lot of new pieces including a freshman QB this year. Sparta will be a tough get right game, as they are hungry off a 49-0 loss to Northview last week, but the Spartans are 2-1 with two impressive wins before that.

 

FREELAND vs POWERS CATHOLIC

Freeland suffered a rare tough defeat last week, falling to Swan Valley 31-7, they will look to get back in the win column vs Power Catholic, who as a program have been continuing to find some of their old championship-level magic in recent years, the Chargers are 0-3 on the season as they travel to Freeland Friday night.

 

CENTRAL MONTCALM vs WHITE CLOUD

A 40-point win over Lakeview last week  catapulted the Hornets to 3-0 on the season, and now Central Montcalm will travel to White Cloud, who sit son the other side of the coin. Coach Isaiah Trice’s team currently is 0-3 on the year and looking to rebound from a 53-14 loss to Hesperia  last week.

 

TRI-COUNTY vs BIG RAPIDS

Big Rapids is unbeaten and has emerged as a favorite in the CSAA-Red after thrashing Newaygo 56-0 last week to start league play. But Tri-County also sits with a perfect 3-0 record after opening their league play with an equally dominant 55-9 win over Grant last week. When it is all said-and-done this week four game may determine who wins the conference.

 

NEWAYGO vs CHIPPEWA HILLS

Newaygo is looking for a bounce back from that aforementioned big loss to Big Rapids and are still hunting for the first win of the coach David Lange era. They’ll have a good chance to get that first victory of the year as they travel to 1-2 Chippewa Hills, who are rebounding off a 42-0 Reed City loss last Friday night.

 

FHC vs WYOMING

It’s been a tough start to the year for the 2023 state champion Rangers, as FHC are now 1-2 with back-to-back 30+ point losses to Portage Central and rival FHN the past two weeks. Coach Carlton Brewster’s team for Wyoming enters league play with some of their best momentum in recent memory as he and the program are working to turn things around, they are 2-1 with back to back wins over Homer and GR Union. The Rangers need a good start to OK-Gold play, but this is also could be a chance for a statement win for the Wyoming program.

 

MANTON vs HOUGHTON LAKE

Manton fell to McBain 56-38 last week to drop to 1-2 on the season and already 0-2 in the Highland Conference. They will look for that first league win over Houghton Lake Friday night. Houghton is 1-1 in the conference and 1-2 on the season – with that win coming in OT week two over Evart.

 

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Another huge week on MSR, leading in to a really big one next week as well. Make sure you follow along on social media and stay tuned for more content and some other cool things coming up shortly.