This is it… The final week of the regular season is already here! Who’s in? Who’s Out? Who will become Conference Champions? Who gets the One Seed?
There are so many questions that we are going to finally have answered and week eight set us up for a huge week nine – And for that reason, we are going to mostly focus in this week’s column on looming stories and matchups you can catch this week on MSR, as we end the regular season Friday night!
FIRST DOWN: RIVERS CITIES ON THE LINE
The Rivers Cities Alliance championship has been the story to watch all season, Kenowa Hills and Coopersville each took care of business last Friday night and are both perfect in the R.C.A.. This one is simple, whoever wins the game is league champion for 2026.
Good luck handicapping this game too, ‘Coop’ is now 8-0 after a 56-0 drubbing of Allendale last Friday night and have now scored 35 or more in their last three game and allowed a total of 27 points in their last four.
Kenowa has rattled of seven-straight wins after dropping their opener to Dewitt. Their 35-21 win over Lowell was the first time since week one they failed to score at least 40 points, they have as talented and explosive of an offense in the area. Unstoppable force, meets immovable object – LIVE on MSR.
SECOND DOWN: Titles and Playoffs on the Line in the Red
The OK-Red features a pair of interesting stories. At the top, East Kentwood and Hudsonville meet with the league championship to be decided. EK clinched at least a share last week with their shootout win over WO, as they are perfect in the Red. But Hudsonville is just a game back and can force a share of the title with a win (for their third straight) – If Hudsonville does prevail and Caledonia beats WO, this will be a 3-way share of the title. EK vs Hudsonville is LIVE on MSR on Friday!
Also, down ballot in the Red is a win-t0-get-in playoff clincher is set to go at Grandville, where the Dawgs need a win to follow up their drubbing of Jenison last week to make the playoffs at 4-5. Grand Haven sits at 4-4 currently and are traveling to Grandville but despite already getting four wins, they are not in as strong of a playoff points situation at those four wins and also find themselves in a must-win scenario to play in the district playoffs. That game will be live at 6:30 on MSR Friday night!
THIRD DOWN: Rivalry Clash at Hope College
A Non-league matchup between two teams that have already clinched titles and clinched high-ranking playoff berths may not sound like the biggest recipe for a huge matchup, but a neutral site clash in Holland at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium at Hope Collee will provide a final tune-up between two teams that each have state title aspirations in their respective divisions.
South Christian is 7-1 and rolling, GR Catholic Central is also 7-1 but a 21-20 OT survival over Holland Christian has them looking to build a bit of momentum and earn some bragging rights over a school they have had some great duels with in the past. Another game live on MSR in the final week of action!
FOURTH DOWN: Traditional Powers Last Playoff Gasp
Freeland and Big Rapids play a non con clash to end the season as well that has a surprising twist between a couple of teams that are regulars at the top of the playoff points board and each have made some recent deep runs n the torunament.
A down season for Freeland likely has them on the outside looking in win or lose in the D4 playoffs, but they will need to win to get some luck and make it in if there is any chance. Big Rapids sits squarely on the bubble where a win gets them in and a loss likely means their season ends after they won a district title a year ago. Another game with season’s on the line in week nine – LIVE on MSR!
