Photo Credit: Lou Murray
The first round of the MHSAA football playoffs are here! Below, you will find the scores for each game in our coverage area and their district counterparts. We also have game notes, links to game stories, and District Finals matchups. Listen to the MSR Football Show for more in-depth analysis!
DIVISION 1
REGION 1 DISTRICT 1
Hudsonville 47 Jenison 7: The Eagles wasted no time ensuring that Jenison would not be able to spoil their perfect regular season. Hudsonville scored 21 points in the first quarter alone, cruising to their seventh straight win over their crosstown rivals (sixth if you count the 2020 COVID forfeit).
Rockford 42 Grandville 7: The Rams were in cruise control against Grandville, in a repeat of their 28-0 regular season rout. It was a balanced offensive attack with three passing and three rushing scores. Game story here!
FINALS: Rockford (8-2) at Hudsonville (10-0)
REGION 1 DISTRICT 2
Howell 45 Kalamazoo Central 20: The Highlanders win their postseason opener for the fourth straight appearance, besting the Maroon Giants. After the game was even at seven following the first quarter, Howell went on a 38-7 run over the next two and a half quarters. In 61 rushing attempts, Howell racked up 379 yards and four touchdowns, with Jack Gondick (20 carries, 169 yards) and Preston Barb (31 yards, two touchdowns) leading the way. Barb also completed two passes, both for touchdowns (one to Gondick). In defeat, Tryone Sheppard threw for 311 yards and two scores on 19/32 passing, but he was intercepted four times. Curtis Whitfield had 125 receiving yards and an 86-yard kick return touchdown to highlight the offense for Kalamazoo Central, a program that is now 0-7 in the postseason.
East Kentwood 49 Grand Ledge 15: East Kentwood wins their first playoff game since 2019, as they dispose of the Comets. Kayd Coffman was phenomenal, throwing for four touchdowns and 206 yards in this victory. He found Stephan Jones twice for scores, as well as single scoring tosses to Kendrick Mayhue and Owen Van Der Veen. This game was 28-0 EK at halftime, before the second half played a bit closer. Jesse Phillips and Jacarvion Johnon each rushed for touchdowns in the second half to extend the Falcons’ lead, while Davien Nettleman rushed for 122 yards to lead all Falcons. In defeat, Mason Myers had an impressive 95-yard interception return for a touchdown.
FINALS: East Kentwood (8-2) at Howell (9-1)
DIVISION 2
REGION 1 DISTRICT 1
Muskegon 39 Mona Shores 34: The latest epic chapter of this rivalry took place Friday. Lamar Bradford was otherworldly, rushing for five touchdowns and passing for a sixth. Game story here!
Traverse City Central 15 Traverse City West 13: The Trojans got their revenge after a one-point loss in last week’s regular season finale. Isaac Turnwald rushed for a score, threw a touchdown to Carter Gle, and a successful PAT fake gave them the 15-13 victory. Postseason woes continue for the Titans, who are now 0-3 against their rivals in the playoffs, and TC West has failed to make a District Final since 2004.
FINALS: Traverse City Central (6-4) at Muskegon (7-3)
REGION 1 DISTRICT 2
Portage Central 67 Lansing Everett 19
Byron Center 47 Portage Northern 6: The Bulldogs dominated the Huskies in their playoff opener. They racked up 446 yards of total offense, with 276 on the ground. Easton Wycher was 5/8 passing for 171 yards and three touchdowns, with 118 yards and two scores to Chase Swartz. Cam Payne caught the third touchdown on a 53-yard strike, while adding 133 rushing yards and three more touchdowns. B scored the first 47 points in this rout, marking the third straight year they’ve won their playoff opener.
FINALS: Byron Center (7-3) at Portage Central (10-0)
DIVISION 3
REGION 1 DISTRICT 2
Coopersville 42 Kenowa Hills 7: The Broncos dominated the Knights in a revenge game. After falling 34-31 in a close regular season battle, the Broncos dominated in this postseason rematch. Coopersville scored the first 42 points in this rout, with Leland Noel rushing for four touchdowns. Champ Kelly rushed for the fifth score, and Brooks Hadden made an impact on defense with a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown. Kenowa Hills has lost eight straight playoff openers, with their last first round win coming in 1992.
East Grand Rapids 23 Cedar Springs 21: In a game of several key scoring runs, a late field goal by Will Klein (not the Dodgers pitcher) lifted the Pioneers to their first playoff win under Coach Shattuck. Game story here!
FINALS: Coopersville (5-5) at East Grand Rapids (8-2)
REGION 2 DISTRICT 1
Zeeland West 30 Niles 21
St Joseph 20 Zeeland East 6: The Bears defended their home turf to eliminate the Chix in the first round Friday. After the teams played an even 6-6 game in the opening quarter, St. Joe found enough offense the rest of the way. Ish Dixon ripped off a 15-yard touchdown in the second quarter, before Landynn Peterson added a 25-yard touchdown. As a team, the Bears rushed for 301 yards, with Brayden Malone (110) and Ish Dixon (102) eclipsing the century mark.
FINALS: Zeeland West (7-3) at St. Joseph (6-4)
REGION 2 DISTRICT 2
Lowell 49 Coldwater 14: The Red Arrows advance to the District Finals in their search of the program’s first District Title since 2016. Logan Dawson was phenomenal, scoring four touchdowns. Dawson completed 4/6 passes for 98 yards and two scores, while rushing 15 times for 170 yards and two scores. Marek Pullen added another 92 rushing yards and two scores for a potent Red Arrows rushing attack. Brady Smith and Colten Barney each had at least seven tackles and a receiving touchdown.
Middleville 28 Hastings 20: The Trojans get revenge on their rivals, securing their first playoff win since 2020. Check out our full game recap story here!
FINALS: Middleville (7-3) at Lowell (8-2)
DIVISION 4
REGION 1 DISTRICT 1
Freeland at Escanaba – Saturday, 2:00
Big Rapids 32 Ludington 31: For the second straight season, the Cardinals have knocked out the Orioles in the first round of the playoffs. On Friday night, Big Rapids trailed 24-14 entering the fourth quarter, and 31-20 with 5:24 to play, yet they emerged victorious. Cole Haist delivered a pair of touchdown passes in the final five minutes, including the game-winner to Trenton Mossel with 22 seconds to play. Haist finished 17/19 passing for 186 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 52 rushing yards. Jack Bollman had another strong game as well with 109 rushing yards and two touchdowns. In defeat, Cam Gunsell finished 14/26 passing for 285 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Gunsell also added 155 rushing yards and a score on 24 carries. Taj Williams (132) and Kyle Himes (119) each had over 100 receiving yards for Ludington, who despite their first undefeated regular season since 1989, now moves to 1-9 all-time in the postseason, including losses in three of the past four seasons.
FINALS: Big Rapids (9-1) vs Freeland OR at Escanaba
REGION 1 DISTRICT 2
Unity Christian 53 Holland Christian 42: The ‘Saders advance to the District Final by outlasting the Maroons in an old-fashioned shootout! Josh Bremer had four touchdowns for Unity, while Zaye Myaard totaled 225 yards of total offense and three scores for Holland Christian. The game was as close as three points with three minutes to go, before Unity was able to put Holland Christian away. In each of their last seven playoff appearances dating back to 2018, Unity Christian has won at least one game. They will look for their first District Championship since their historic 2021 campaign next week.
Spring Lake 42 Godwin Heights 35: The Lakers win their first playoff game since 2020, taking down Godwin Heights on the road. It was a run-heavy attack for the victors, as Landon O’Donnell completed both of his pass attempts for 91 yards and a touchdown. He was also the team’s leading rusher with 18 carries for 126 yards and three scores. Mason Herrema added 109 yards on 15 carries, while Jack Nash scored twice with 138 yards of total offense. Tyler Bolhuis also rushed for a score in the win, while Oliver Smies led the defense with ten tackles and Owen Smis added seven tackles and an interception. Godwin Heights slides to 0-7 in playoff games all-time, though this is just the second that was within single digits.
FINALS: Spring Lake (7-3) at Unity Christian (9-1)
REGION 2 DISTRICT 1
GR Christian 21 Battle Creek Harper Creek 13: Despite three first quarter fumbles, the Eagles were able to pull off an upset over the Beavers. Check out our game story here!
Portland 42 South Christian 41 (F/OT): The Raiders rallied from a 35-20 deficit with 2:04 left in the third quarter to force overtime and eliminate the Sailors. With just sixteen seconds left in regulation, Nolan Zbytowski scored on a 1-yard touchdown plunge, before completing the Octopus with a two-point catch. In overtime, Austin Burgess gave South the lead first, but the extra point was blocked. On Portland’s returning possession, Kayden Dickerson had a 7-yard touchdown run, before Leo Wagner booted the winning extra point. Austin Burgess was phenomenal at quarterback for South Christian, completing 14/20 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns. South Christian finishes the year 4-6, posting their most losses since 2015 despite extending their playoff streak to ten straight seasons and fourteen of the past fifteen (2015).
FINALS: GR Christian (6-4) at Portland (10-0)
DIVISION 5
REGION 1 DISTRICT 2
Swan Valley 38 Clare 20
Whitehall 38 Tri-County 22: Whitehall wins this battle of the Vikings, as they race out to a 28-8 halftime lead and never look back. Whitehall has now won at least one playoff game in each of the past six seasons, marking a high level of consistency as a program. They will now look for their second straight District Championship next week against another Vikings team, Swan Valley.
FINALS: Whitehall (6-4) at Swan Valley (9-1)
REGION 2 DISTRICT 1
GR Catholic Central 45 Kelloggsville 16
West Catholic 56 Oakridge 7
FINALS: West Catholic (9-1) at GR Catholic Central (10-0)
REGION 2 DISTRICT 2
Kalamazoo United 41 Hopkins 20
Berrien Springs 34 Dowagiac 20
FINALS: Berrien Springs (6-2) at Kalamazoo United (8-2)
REGION 4 DISTRICT 2
Frankenmuth 56 Yale 0
Richmond 14 Armada 10
FINALS: Richmond (9-1) at Frankenmuth (9-1)
DIVISION 6
REGION 1 DISTRICT 2
Reed City 63 Sanford Meridian 28
Montague 40 Central Montcalm 20: The Wildcats go on the road and silence the Hornets in a CSAA/WMC showdown. Cole Moss was the superstar for Montague, as he started the game with a 75-yard punt return touchdown and a 13-yard carry to give Montague a 12-0 lead. Later in the game, he would rush for a 51-yard touchdown and catch an 18-yard touchdown pass. In defeat, Zayne Cooper had three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing).
FINALS: Montague (6-4) at Reed City (8-2)
REGION 2 DISTRICT 1
Belding 28 Ovid-Elsie 14
Kent City 28 Olivet 22: The Eagles improve to 10-0 after going on the road and taking down Olivet, their first playoff win since 2019. It was a ground-heavy attack for the Birds, as they tallied 269 yards as a team. Logan Thompson led the way with 156 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries, while quarterback Andre Meade added 44 yards and two scores on seven carries. Meade completed 3/5 pass attempts, with one going ten yards to Kai Kamanu for a touchdown. Kent City led 22-7 before holding off a late Olivet surge, and they will now travel to Belding looking for their first-ever District Championship.
FINALS: Kent City (10-0) at Belding (9-1)
DIVISION 7
REGION 1 DISTRICT 1
Menominee 48 Manton 17
McBain 28 Charlevoix 27
FINALS: McBain (8-2) at Menominee (10-0)
REGION 1 DISTRICT 2
Harrison 36 Morley Stanwood 8
Shelby 20 LeRoy Pine River 2
FINALS: Shelby (6-4) at Harrison (8-2)
REGION 2 DISTRICT 1
Ravenna at Pewamo-Westphalia, Saturday – 1:00
Saranac at North Muskegon, Saturday – 1:00
FINALS:
REGION 3 DISTRICT 1
Schoolcraft 42 Galesburg-Augusta 21
Lawton 49 Constantine 28: The Blue Devils took down their conference rivals in a playoff opener. Lawton led by as many as 35 in the third quarter, before two late Constantine scores. Lawton rushed for 335 yards as a team, outgaining Constantine 395-275. In defeat, Cooper McGee had two touchdowns for the Falcons.
FINALS: Lawton (8-2) at Schoolcraft (8-2)
8-PLAYER DIVISION 1
REGION 3
Martin 40 Marcellus 0
Climax-Scotts 72 Gobles 62
FINALS: Climax-Scotts (8-2) at Martin (10-0)
8-PLAYER DIVISION 2
REGION 3
Marion at Portland St Patrick – Saturday, 5:00
Mendon def GR Sacred Heart, forfeit
FINALS: Mendon (10-0, 37.375) vs Marion OR at Portland St Patrick’s
