By Randy Gregory, Michigan Sports Radio
Photo courtesy of Miles Postema
When the Michigan High School Athletic Association announced the brackets for the 2025 Division 1 football playoffs it was, barring unforeseen circumstances, almost a certainty that Rockford and Hudsonville would square off in the second weekend. That thought process came to fruition in overwhelming fashion as Rockford trounced Grandville 42-7 and Hudsonville followed suit with a 47-7 rout of Jenison. The two powerhouse teams will now square off at Hudsonville on Friday, November 7 at 7:00 P.M. for the right to square off against the winner of the East Kentwood versus Howell contest the following weekend. Hudsonville will enter the game with a record of 10-0 while the Rams come in at 8-2.
Hudsonville won the first game between the teams by the score of 35-28 at Rockford. It was almost a contest of two entirely different games in how it played out. Hudsonville completely dominated the first half to the tune of a 28-0 lead at the halftime horn. But the second half saw the Rams mount a frantic rally that saw them repeatedly burn the Eagles over the top before falling 35-28. An unbelievable leaping one-hand catch that was the ESPN national play of the day was the only points Hudsonville scored in the second half and proved to be the difference in the game.
The Eagles have been a prolific offense from day one of the 2025 season and have averaged 40.2 points per contest over the course of the year. Defensively they have allowed 17 points per game, with the two teams having allowed nearly the identical number of points during OK Red play. Rockford has allowed 17.9 points per game while putting up 34. The Rams had a much more formidable non-conference schedule as they faced a top five Saline team from Division 1 and Muskegon from Division 2. Hudsonville also won in 2024 by the score of 28-21 while the last win for Rockford came in 2023 by the score of 48-0.
The Eagles are coached by Brent Sandee, who has done a tremendous job bringing Hudsonville back to prominence from several less than stellar seasons. 2024 saw Hudsonville win the OK Red title as well as advance all the way to the Division 1 State title game before falling to Detroit Cass Tech. Despite massive graduation losses form that outstanding squad the Eagles have rebounded in spectacular fashion in 2025. When the OK Red All Conference squad was announced there were 10 different Eagles on the first team and three as honorable mention selections. Leading the way on offense was former wide receiver turned quarterback Brady VanLaecke, who has been nearly unstoppable all season long. He is joined by running back Owen Haarsma, TE Will DeYoung and linemen Brady Hansen and Eli Rose. The defense is anchored by Ferris State signee DE Ryan Aukeman and DT Luke Brodnicki as well as safety Harrison Phillips.
Rockford had seven All Conference selections with QB Braydon Daniels, WR Jax Eichbauer and OG Rylan Kirn offensively. They were joined by defenders LB Sam Cummings, S Luke Ahern, S PJ LeBlanc and DT Spencer Munson. Honorable Mention selections were LB Wyatt Colson and RB/LB Ryan Kerry. The star power is there for both sides and the stage is set for what should be a tremendous game.
