**ARTICLE BY SEAN MASSA**
Hart v Muskegon Heights: Muskegon Heights enters week 4 action winless on the season. Their opponents, Hart, look to add another win into the win column, as they find themselves entering week four play with a 2-1 record. The Muskegon Heights’ defense has struggled thus far, allowing north of 45 points per game. Hart will look to capitalize on an opportunity to put up points and inch closer to postseason conversations.
Hesperia faces North Muskegon in week 4 action. Hesperia enters with a 1-2 record on the season thus far. Their opponents, North Muskegon, enter with a 2-1 record, with both wins resulting in commanding victories. The North Muskegon offense, led by quarterback James Young, has been firing on all cylinders to begin the 2022 season, averaging north of 35 points per game thus far. Their defense has also been stellar, allowing less than 10 points on average. Hesperia will look to knock off North Muskegon, but it will not come easily. The Panthers will not only have to contain the Norsemen, but keep up with them offensively as well. Hesperia has proven they can produce at a high level this year, and they will need to channel their best efforts to have a chance in this game.
Holton and Mason County Central both enter Week 4 play with an 0-3 record. Both squads are hungry for their first victory of the season, the perfect recipe for a great matchup. The Mason County defense is allowing north of 33 points per contest to their opponents this season. Luckily for them, the Holton team’s defense has struggled this far as well, letting up north of 50 points per game. Both teams have struggled offensively against tougher foes, so expect a close battle on Friday.
Ravenna vs Shelby: Shelby enters this matchup with an 0-2 record, while Ravenna enters with a 2-1 mark. The Shelby defense has struggled thus far, allowing just over 45 points per game to their opponents. Ravenna has started out strong, with a close loss to a very skilled Beal City squad in week 1 being the only time that they found themselves on the short end of the stick. Ravenna is coming off of a week 3 matchup where they saw their team fire on all cylinders, beating Holton 61-8. They will look to continue that momentum and secure another win against the winless Tigers. As for Shelby, they will look to get that crucial first win on the season, dreaming of an upset against a tough Bulldogs’ squad.
Ludington vs Oakridge. Both squads enter this matchup with an undefeated record of 3-0 on the season. Ludington is coming off of a week 3 victory, where they took down Fremont in a very low-scoring contest, 7-0. As for Oakridge, they’re coming off of a matchup where they saw their squad convincingly take care of Manistee, 46-19. Both squads have been firing on all cylinders to begin this season, and it makes for a great matchup here in week four between two of the best teams in the WMC Lakes Division.
Manistee vs Muskegon Orchard View: Manistee enters the contest with a 2-1 record on the season, while Orchard View enters with a 0-3 record on their resume. Both squads are coming off of a loss in week 3 play. The Manistee offense has been scoring 33 points per game this season, a recipe for success thus far. They will look to continue that trend here against Orchard View, whose defense has been allowing north of 50 points per contest in their first year back on the gridiron.
Montague vs Whitehall: The Whitehall Vikings are a perfect 3-0 to start the season, while Montague is 2-1. The Whitehall offense has started off the season hot, scoring north of 40 points in all three of their contests. On the contrary, the Montague defense has been equally as impressive, allowing just 10 points on average to their opponents through the first three games of the season. With both teams coming off of impressive victories in their respective week three battles, they will look to continue the momentum in week 4. This has all of the makings of another epic chapter in the Battle for the Bell.
Fulton (IL) vs Muskegon Catholic Central: After a week 1 Victory, Muskegon Catholic Central followed up with two losses. The opponents in their week 4 matchup, the Fulton Steamers, are traveling from Illinois. They enter this matchup undefeated with a 3-0 record this far on their season. The Fulton offense has been firing on all cylinders this season, averaging north of 41 points per contest. Their defense has also been stellar, allowing a little bit over 11 points against per contest. Muskegon Catholic Central will have their work cut out for them in this out-of-state match-up, as they are coming off of two consecutive close losses to Oakridge and Benton Harbor respectively. They will look to rebound against a very worthy opponent in Fulton, while the Steamers hope to return home with their undefeated record intact.
MSR WEEK 4 PREVIEWS
