With the fifth week behind us, we will now turn to a thrilling final week of the MHSAA football regular season. Still curious about last week? Check out our Recaps, Power Poll, Standings, and Core Power Performance Players of the Week.
Now onto Week 6, where we have some great games LIVE this Friday night. A brief preview of these games:
Newaygo (2-3) v Central Montcalm (3-2)
The Newaygo Lions will wrap up their 2020 regular season against the Central Montcalm Hornets. Newaygo’s defense has struggled the past two weeks, allowing 109 points in two straight defeats. Their offense however, has averaged 33.5 in those two games. They will look to keep the offensive momentum rolling against the Hornets. Central Montcalm has had some offensive struggles the past two games, scoring twenty total points in their last two games. Last season, Central Montcalm beat Newaygo 34-28.
Tri-County (2-3) vs Chippewa Hills (1-4)
The Tri-County Vikings have also suffered two straight defeats, losing both contests in the closing minutes (or overtime). The will look to even their regular season record in the finale, as they take on Chippewa Hills. Last week, the Warriors won their first game. They took down Newaygo 39-27 a week ago. In 2019, Chippewa Hills beat Tri-County 42-19.
Swan Valley (2-3) vs Birch Run (1-4)
The Swan Valley Vikings enter Friday with two straight losses, and they will look to even their regular season record when they face Birch Run. The Panthers have lost three straight games. Last fall, Birch Run was shut out by Swan Valley 49-0.
Freeland (4-1) vs Bay City John Glenn (1-4)
With at least a share of the championship in hand in the TVC-Central, Freeland will look to win the conference title outright on Friday. The team that stands in their way is the Bay City Glenn Bobcats, who have lost their last four contests. The Falcons have won their last four, although three of those contests have been decided by a touchdown or less. These two schools have not met since 2017, when Freeland doubled up Glenn 38-19.
Northview (1-4) v Forest Hills Northern (3-2)
The Northview Wildcats have lost their last four conference games, but they will look to snap that skid when they wrap up the regular season against Forest Hills Northern. The Huskies enter this game on a three-game winning streak, two of which by at least twenty-two points. Last fall, Northview beat the Huskies 48-26. This was their second straight win in the series.
East Grand Rapids (2-3) vs Byron Center (5-0)
The Pioneers will look to shake off two narrow defeats, but they have an extremely tough opponent. Byron Center comes into this game with a perfect record, and they have won three of their games by over thirty points. The Bulldogs are looking to complete their second straight undefeated regular season, and they can wrap up an outright conference title with this victory. Last year, East Grand Rapids upset Byron Center 41-14 in the district finals.
South Christian (5-0) vs Grand Rapids Catholic Central (5-0)
The Sailors and Cougars meet up in one of the games of the week on Friday. South Christian has surprised many with their perfect start, but nearly everyone expected the Cougars to enter this game without a blemish on their record. The winner of this game will win the outright OK Gold Championship. These teams have not played since 2015, when GRCC won 34-7 in the regular season finale.
Coopersville (1-4) vs Holland Christian (0-5)
The Broncos will look to surpass last year’s win total with a victory in the season finale against Holland Christian. Coopersville was shut out by Holland Christian last season, a 36-0 defeat in the opener. The Maroons are looking to avoid the first ever winless regular season in school history. In their first season back in 2003, they won just one game, the least any Maroons team has ever won.
West Catholic (4-1) vs Hamilton (2-3)
The Falcons still have an outside chance at an OK Blue championship this Friday. If Unity Christian gets upset, then a win in this game would create a share of the league title. Hamilton has lost two straight games after a 2-1 start. These two schools have never met.
Caledonia (1-4) vs East Kentwood (2-3)
The Caledonia Fighting Scots have lost their last four games, but they will look to shake that off in their biggest rivalry game of the season. East Kentwood has won two of their last three games, and they played their opponents close in the three losses. Last year, the Falcons won 23-14, extending their streak to two in a row in the series.
Rockford (3-0) vs Grandville (5-0)
In one of the biggest games in the area, two undefeated teams square off in OK Red action. Grandville has won all give of their games, outscoring opponents 241-110. Rockford, meanwhile, has not played the last two weeks due to COVID issues. They will look to pick up where they left off, as that was three straight victories. Last year, Grandville dominated Rockford 30-3.
Livonia Franklin (2-3) vs Dearborn (2-3)
A pair of 2-3 teams are set to square off in their KLAA-East finales. The Patriots and Pioneers both were held scoreless a week ago, despite scoring at least thirty-five points the week before. Last year, Franklin beat Dearborn 42-20, their second straight win in the series.
