Football is Back! The high school season kicks off this week on MSR with a packed slate of huge cross-state and local action to begin our biggest season yet on Michigan Sports Radio. Let’s take a look at four of the biggest stories and questions we will be looking to answer this season – As always this is one of the toughest tasks of the year, trying to decide on just four stories to keep an eye on… But especially this season, with a lot of changes in big name players and coaches from 2025 to this season.
FIRST DOWN: (The Annual Story) Seeing Red
Who wins the OK-Red in 2026? We’ve opened up storylines with this exact question every season, and every year maybe the state’s toughest conference throws us for a loop. The last two years it was Hudsonville that came out on top (including a trip all the way to Ford Field in 2024). But the Eagles and coach Sandee will have to significantly reload this year, starting with the QB position – where they have been settling between several options including Senior Tyler Floriana (2025 Scout Team) and a pair of juniors Trey Snip (2025 Hudsonville JV QB) and Donovan Terres (Byron Center transfer) to replace now-Ferris-State-Bulldog Brady VanLaecke.
The teams vying to take that spot away from Hudsonville this year all feel that they are ready to take that next step as well. East Kentwood went all the way to the state semis last year, where they lost to eventual champion DCC. Coach Spencer’s team returns key pieces like Donovan Jones and Jones on each side of the ball – But will mostly be looking how they can replace now-MSU-Spartan signal-caller Kayd Coffman, Colin O’Connor is in to EK from Yorba Linda, California, and the class of ’27 QB turned a lot of heads in summer camps for the Falcons as the expected heir to to throne.
Rockford is, well – Rockford – and always a threat, and coach Brent Cummings will have a loaded team again this fall, even with a roster that *only* hovers around 85 players instead of it’s usual 100+. The Rams will turn to a strong defense to lead the way as they settle their QB question. Junior QB Casen Whitford played some gmes, including beating Grandville last fall under center, and will be one of the frontrunners to be the Ram QB in 2026 and continue his strong play thsat he showed in flashes last season.
The depth of the OK-Red is the stand out this season – Grandville is reloading but will have a deep RB room led by DJ Hardiman and a new look on defense that could lead the Bulldogs back to the top of the Red. Jenison and Grand Haven have been showing flashes and see 2026 as the year that the talent and pieces come together for their staff’s. Look out for Caledonia, who may have the league’s top passing attack behind QB Bryce Backus. And West Ottawa has been knocking on the door of returning to the playoffs and have a great crop of athletes for 2x state champ coach Pat Collins.
SECOND DOWN: Dueling in D5
Another annual question… GRCC or West Catholic in D5. Last year it was the Falcons for coach Landon Grove that ultimately got the upper hand here. As WC edged by the Cougars 21-20 in overtime of their all-time classic district clash, before the Falcons then ran their way to a state title, including a 42-14 trashing of Notre Dame prep at Ford Field.
GRCC may be the team set to take the glory back in ’26 though, as Odin Spencer (now a junior) returns for his third season at the helm of coach Kolster’s offense, and if the CC defense is anywhere close to as good as it was last year to go with a surely-explosive offense, the Cougars could be set to return to a place that has been a second home to them in the past decade… Ford Field.
THIRD DOWN: Kenowa Knighted?
Kenowa Hills is the newest school added to our roster of broadcasts on MSR, and they may be one of the most exciting teams in the state to watch this season. Their three headed monster on offense will lead to some eye-popping numbers and could create some historic heights for the Knights program and coach Don Fellows.
At running back, Lundon Hampton is one of the state’s all around best athletes and will be used in a variety of ways this season, all before he heads off to play for the Wolverines next year. Grayson Fellows twill be playing his fourth year as a starting QB in high school before playing for Michigan Tech next year, Fellows is as accurate as it comes and will be allowed to sling it around a lot this year again… Including to his favorite target and the school’s all-time leading receiver, Will Fussman, who is a 3-star talent himself.
FOURTH DOWN: Who Wins it All?
Lastly, there is always one goal that hangs above the rest – hoisting the wooden mitten at Ford Field in November. The journey for the GR-area starts this week – and there are a number of teams across divisions that all feel they could represent the west-side come this November as champs.
The OK-Red features a ton of contenders, all looking to be the first champion in the state’s top division from this side for the state since 2008.
D2 has been a stalwart lately for the west-side – Muskegon and junior QB Lou Gressett could be posed to return to Big Reds to glory.
Zeeland West was the 2024 state champ in D3, it’s year two now for coach Jeff Bolhouse, and the reports are that both sides of the ball for the Dux looks experienced and dangerous.
Unity Christian fell in the state title game last year in D4, but the likes of Kenowa Hills, South Christian, and many more all have a stake here to make a run.
We already talked about D5 and the CC/WC rivalry.
And that’s only a handful of the contenders and stories – There’s only one thing left to do at this point – Tee is up and kick the season off! We’ll see you live this weekend on Michigan Sports Radio!
