The 2023 MHSAA Football season continued with its second week. Again, as a result of the holiday, games were scheduled for Thursday and Friday. Below are the scores and upcoming contests.
11-MAN FOOTBALL
Allendale 36 Hopkins 0
Byron Center 33 East Kentwood 16: The Bulldogs got the last bite in this battle of neighboring towns. In the schools’ first meeting since 1966, Byron Center doubled up the Falcons, who more than double Byron Center in enrollment. After an even first quarter, Byron Center scored 19 unanswered points in the second frame to create separation. Luke Laska had two rushing touchdowns to power the Bulldogs offense, while Blake Ottow, Isaac Lee and Landon Tungate also found the endzone. Lee had 123 receiving yards on 8 catches. The Byron Center offense intercepted Kentwood quarterback Casey Joppie twice in this victory. BC 2-0, EK 1-1
Caledonia 42 North Farmington 7
Chippewa Hills 43 Grant 13
Coopersville 49 Sparta 14: The Broncos obliterated their longtime rivals on Thursday, scoring the first 28 points of this game. Four different Broncos found the end zone in the opening half. Evan Arnold and Isaac Lemieux were the two Broncos that scored twice in this game. Arnold had touchdown runs of 4 and 10 yards, while Lemieux had shorter plungers of one yard each. This is the third straight season that Coopersville will begin their year at 2-0. COOP 2-0 SPT 0-2
Davison 52 Grandville 21
East Grand Rapids 21 South Christian 21
Forest Hills Central 26 Portage Central 6: The Rangers improve to 2-0 on the season with another strong performance against the Mustangs, their 7th win in the 8-game all-time series. Ty Hudkins had another big game for FHC, as he hauled in 84 yards receiving on five catches. One of those catches went for a score, and he added another touchdown on an interception return. Mason McDonald was an efficient passer, finishing 11/18 for 250 yards and a touchdown. McDonald added 60 yards and two more scores using his legs. JT Hartman added 12 tackles and 75 rushing yards on 8 carries, while Drew Fortino finished with 8 tackles. FHC 2-0 PC 1-1
Forest Hills Eastern 47 South Haven 14: After racing out to a 30-0 lead, the Hawks were able to keep the Rams at bay and improve to 2-0. Preston Hoexum led FHE with 167 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on just 10 carries. David Molhoek and Will Morgan also added to the scoring tally with rushing scores, while quarterback Jackson Arnold and Jake Heemstra paired up for the other 8-yard strike. Max Ferrick led the FHE defense with 6.5 tackles. FHE 2-0 SH 1-1
Forest Hills Northern 21 Jenison 0
Frankenmuth 48 Alma 13
Fremont 15 Beaverton 12: The Packers were able to secure their first win of 2023 when they toppled Beaverton by three. Fremont carried the football 45 times for 224 yards, with Asa Barnhard rushing for two touchdowns and 106 yards. FRE 1-1 BEV 1-1
Gladwin 48 Harrison 6
Grand Haven 27 Traverse City West 14: The Bucs were able to secure their first win of the year, defeating Traverse City West on Thursday night. Xzavier Rodriguez had a strong game, completing 14/19 passes for 163 yards and a score, while adding 120 rushing yards and two scores. Will Korenstra paced the receiving room for Grand Haven with 82 yards and a touchdown on 10 catches. Dean Mattson accounted for the final GH score on a short touchdown rush. GH 1-1 TCW 0-2
Grand Rapids Catholic Central 38 River Rouge 6
Grand Rapids Christian 37 Fruitport 22
Greenville 21 Kenowa Hills 14: The ‘Jackets football program absolutely loves to see the Knights on their schedule. In the last 29 games Greenville has played, they have just two victories. Both of those wins came against Kenowa Hills, including a narrow 7-point win on Thursday. It was mostly a ground attack for the victors with 242 of their 258 yards coming on the ground. Case Johnson paced their stable with 93 yards, but it was Nick Earles (81 yards) and quarterback Noah Long (73) who were able to find the end zone. Long also tossed for a 14-yard touchdown. The Greenville defense was stout as well, holding Kenowa Hills to just 86 yards of offense during the course of their 29 plays. GRV 1-1 KH 1-1
Gull Lake 7 Vicksburg 6: A true defensive battle took place between the Bulldogs and the Blue Devils. In the first half, Vann Ebright put Gull Lake ahead 7-0 with a 43-yard touchdown run. Vicksburg was able to respond twice with a pair of Chase Willmont field goals (22 and 38 yards), but that would leave them one point short of Gull Lake. With this win, Gull Lake improves to 2-0 for the first time since 2007. GL 2-0 VCK 0-2
Hamilton 36 St Johns 29
Hart 52 White Cloud 28
Hudsonville 23 East Lansing 12
Kalamazoo United 19 Otsego 14
Kent City 32 Central Montcalm 14
Laingsburg 35 Kelloggsville 7
Lowell 34 Middleville 13
Loy Norrix 33 Ottawa Hills 13
Ludington 55 Shelby 6
Manistee 58 Mason County Central 8
Montague 39 Ravenna 34
North Muskegon 41 Muskegon Catholic Central 21: The Norsemen defeated the Crusaders for the first time since 2010 in a shootout. Quarterback James Young was nearly perfect for North Muskegon. He completed 19/20 passes for 391 yards and 4 touchdowns. Landon Christensen was the preferred target for Young, as he hauled in 6 passes for 260 yards and all four scores. North Muskegon raced out to a 20-0 lead before jumping in front 35-7 early in the third quarter. With this loss, MCC drops to 0-2 for the first time since 2013. NM 2-0 MCC 0-2
Northview 43 Wyoming 20
Orchard View 28 Godwin Heights 26: The Cardinals raced out to a 14-0 lead, but the Wolverines clawed back. A 52-yard touchdown strike in the closing minutes got the Wolverines within two points, but Godwin Heights was unable to convert the two-point equalizer or recover the onside kick attempt. Godwin outgained OV 382-260 in defeat. This is the program’s first two-game win streak since 2019, when they posted a perfect 9-0 regular season. OV 2-0 GH 0-2
Portage Northern 41 West Ottawa 13
Reeths-Puffer 34 Farmington 18
Saugatuck 49 Lakeview 7
Spring Lake 34 Belding 28
St Louis 16 Hesperia 6
Stevensville Lakeshore 15 Niles 14
Unity Christian 33 Oakridge 21
Wayland 49 Holland Christian 35: The Wildcats were able to outlast the Maroons in a Thursday night shootout. As a result, Wayland is now 2-0 for the second straight season. Kaharrie Puerifoy had a remarkable evening, turning just eight carries into 290 yards and 4 touchdowns. Wayland outgained Holland Christian 506-413, despite holding the football for nine less minutes. In defeat, Eli Boyce was 22/35 for 292 yards through the air, in addition to 72 yards and three scores on the ground. Luke Michmerhuizen was Boyce’s favorite target, as the duo connected 11 times for 192 yards and a touchdown. WAY 2-0 HC 1-1
West Catholic 63 Union 21: The Falcons won this old-school City League battle with an offensive onslaught in the first quarter. West Catholic scored five times in the opening frame to create a 35-7 cushion. Alek Wickstrom completed 7/9 passes for 151 yards and three scores, while Charlie DeBruyn added two rushing touchdowns. Union was close in total yardage (365-305 deficit), but five turnovers led to short West Catholic scores. WC 2-0 UNI 1-1
Zeeland East 49 Flushing 23
Zeeland West 36 Cedar Springs 7
8-MAN FOOTBALL
Ashley 22 New Haven Merritt Academy 0: The Bears secured their first win of the year with a shutout of Merritt Academy. Jon Snider had a strong night with 162 yards rushing on 18 carries, and two touchdowns (one rushing and one receiving). Robert Kral threw for a score, and led the defense with 14 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception. ASH 1-1 NHMA 0-1
Concord 34 Toledo Christian 14: It was a big night for the aerial attack of Concord. All five scores came through the air, with TJ Allen hauling in a pair. Collin Thompson played a key role defensively with two fumble recoveries. CON 1-1 TC 1-1
Maple Valley 28 Marcellus 8: The Lions nearly pitched a shutout in their Week 2 win over Marcellus. Maple Valley scored the first 28 points in this contest before yielding a score with just 28 seconds to play. Evan Brandenburg led Maple Valley in rushing with 101 yards and 2 scores on just four carries. Dawson Lehew paced Marcellus in defeat with 169 yards and a touchdown on 33 carries. MV 2-0 MCL 1-1
Martin 55 Lawrence 0: The Clippers cruised to victory over the Tigers on Friday night. Gavin Meyers completed 4/5 passes for 118 yards and 2 scores, while adding 67 rushing yards and a score on just four carries. Taegan Harris rushed for two scores, while Abe Dykstra and Bryce Robinson added a score a piece on the ground. In total, Martin rushed for 225 yards on just 17 carries. MRT 2-0 LWR 0-2
Mendon 58 Colon 30: The Hornets remain perfect with another offensive explosion against the Magi. Mendon nearly doubled Colon in total yardage, 497-259. Although Mendon led 20-6 early, Colon drew back close at 28-22 as the teams broke to half. In the second half, two quick scores gave the Hornets necessary breathing room. Jack McCaw paced Mendon offensively with 147 yards on 24 carries. Owen Gorham added 119 rushing yards of his own. MND 2-0 CLN 0-2
Northpointe Christian 58 Tri-Unity Christian 20
