The regular season is in the rearview and we’re upshifting into high gear on the season, as the playoffs are here… And, with that we are going to mix up Four Downs a bit this week, by taking a look and previewing four of the districts I’ll have my eye closest on the next couple of weeks.

 

FIRST DOWN: Division 1, District 1 – Hudsonville vs Jenison & Rockford vs Grandville

The traditional ‘OK-Red district’ again will be a war this year. Hudsonville completed a perfect season, and now will have to face their bordering rival Wildcats again out at Eagle Stadium in a game that certainly could provide some fireworks as coach Josh Lucas’s ‘Cats will look for the round one upset.

Rockford and Grandville rematch in round one, last year the ‘Dawgs pulled away and controlled the Rams for a road win, their first over the Rams in the postseason since 2016. This year the Rams beat up Bulldogs 28-0 in the regular season, and Grandville has added even more injuries in the past few weeks to their infirmary list, and  will call upon some exciting young talent that nearly helped the ‘Dawgs upset Hudsonville, as they will try to pull a repeat upset against a Rams team that is hitting it’s stride and seems like they could be ready to make a play for Ford Field.

Regardless the District Final matchup we get here, it will be chock full of storylines. A state title level rematch of Hudsy and Rockford, or maybe one of the underdogs of Grandville or Jenison building momentum with a chance to mix things up and take down a rival the second go around.

MSR will have live coverage of every game in this district!

 

SECOND DOWN: Division 5, District 35 – GRCC vs Kelloggsville & West Catholic vs Oakridge

A district that will likely be defined by it’s district championship game, two of the top three teams in playoff points and maybe the top two favorites to win the D5 title each come out of the Catholic Diocese of GR. And again the district title game between GRCC and West Catholic – this time played at The CAT – may serve as a D5 state title game of sorts.

The Cougars defense has been stingy all year, as they ran a perfect 9-0 through a tough non-con and OK–Black schedule playing mostly a schedule of teams far larger than themselves to pile up playoff points… earning more than 12 more than second place Notre Dame Prep.

West Catholic is an experienced group with multi-year starter QB Grady Augystn and a battle-hardened team of their own that rattled off 8 straight wins to close the year after a week one Northview loss. If any team can fin the recipe to score some points (and beat the season-high of 17 allowed) on CC and move on, is might be the Falcons.

We will have GRCC vs Kelloggsville live on MSR, and then will also have the final if CC is in it!

 

THIRD DOWN: Division 3, District 18 – Kenowa Hills vs Coopersville & EGR vs Cedar Springs

A district that we decided on our Facebook Live Playoff Preview show Sunday night (if you haven’t checked that out yet… Be sure to head over to the MI Sports Radio Facebook page and check out the replay) was as wide open as any and features all GR-area teams… three of which hailing out of the River Cities Alliance.

Both matchups and all four teams feature some fascinating stories. We likely will see an aerial assault and a great QB battle between Kenowa Hills and junior Greyson Fellows and Coopersville and their freshman signal-caller Champ Kelly – who has been getting better week-by-week.

EGR has featured a stingy defense and offense that can score in a variety of ways, but especially have proven to be a pretty physical team, they play the Red Hawks of Cedar Springs – who’s power T offense has again been one of the area’s best-of-the-best rushing attacks.

So, regardless the final you get here, it will likely be a very interesting clash of styles, and the way the bracket draws up – Whoever comes out of this wide open district will have a really good shot at the State semis or even a trip to Brush St in Detroit on Thanksgiving weekend…

We will likely have both first-round games in this district covered as well as likely the final, depending on the match-up!

 

FOURTH DOWN: Division 1, District 2 – Howell vs Kalamazoo Central & East Kentwood vs Grand Ledge

I’m going to give a little love to the district and game that myself and Chandler with the GAME NIGHT on MSR broadcast team will be at on Friday night – because it’s my column and I can (even if Muskegon vs Mona Shores and some other games that we’ll also have live are also worth talking about).

We’ll be out at Kentwood for the other side of the D1 region draw as Grand Ledge travels in to take on the Falcons. I’m someone that has become very high on EK after seeing them in person a few weeks ago, I think this team has one of the highest ceilings in the state if they can unlock it, and getting out of the OK-Red district will be huge for them.

Grand Ledge dropped two of their last 3 games (to state powers DeWitt and Detroit CC), but otherwise won every other game on their schedule. When the Comets have been at their best, they’ve been a team that has been able to lean on the run game and defense – but in their two losses gave up 59 to DeWitt and 36 to DCC… So they’ll have their hands full with the Falcons, senior QB Kayd Coffman and their dynamic and balanced multiple-spread offense.

MSR will have EK vs Grand Ledge this week… TBD on future games within this district 

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It’s going to be another loaded week with rivalry and upset matchups on deck for round one. Remember, per MHSAA broadcast regulations, all playoff broadcasts are audio-only.