We’re past the halfway point, and it’s time to start deciding league crowns and setting the playoff picture as we move into the critical final four weeks of the season. Some OK-Conference divisions only have three more league games left and things are about to heat up with a lot still to play for – let’s take a look at all of the big games you can tune in to LIVE on MSR this Friday!
COOPERSVILLE (4-1) vs ALLENDALE (1-4)
Coopersville’s offense rolled last Friday in a big 42-7 win over Greenville on their home field, now the Broncos will look to keep it rolling and stay in solo first atop the R.C.A. Conference in another home game, this time against 1-4 Allendale. The Falcons picked up a week 2 win over otherwise-unbeaten Hopkins, but have lost their other four contests and could see this one as a huge opportunity to make a statement over the league’s top team through three league-play games.
The Broncos are typically known for their run game, defense and physicality – But this team can air it out and put up the points, featuring a ton of great weapons around stand out senior QB Beau Harris. Notably Brooks Hadden, who reeled in four TD grabs in the team’s 42-point outburst win last week, we’ll see if that dynamic and balanced offense will show out again for ‘Coops’.
FREELAND (5-0) vs ESSEXVILLE GARBER (1-4)
If you haven’t gotten a chance to tune into a Freeland game on MSR this season, make sure you do – The Falcons are among the elite of the elite in D4 and have utterly destroyed every team they have faced this year and do it with an old school, yet dynamic run game that shows several different looks – They’ll use Flexbone, Power T, and a few other concepts. They also have destroyed opponents because no one can score on them; In 5 games the Falcons have given up a total of 12 points – That’s 2.4 Points allowed per game!
Essexville Garber have been on the other side of that spectrum the past few weeks, as they have been shutout in back-to-back contests, losing by a combined 81-0. Freeland should have a chance to flex some muscle in this one and show again why this team will be on the shortlist of contenders in D4 and be a real threat to take down the likes of Unity or South Christian in a likely Regional matchup.
CENTRAL MONTCALM (4-1) vs KENT CITY (3-2)
Central Montcalm pushed their win streak to three in a a 22-9 homecoming win over Berrien Springs last weekend. Now this veteran team under coach Scott Cripe will travel to Kent City for a CSAA-White Showdown between the current co-leaders in the league.
Kent City is looking for a rebound after they lost by three scores to Tri-County last weekend, Central Montcalm and Tri-County do have some similarities in the power-spread type systems that they run on offense – So we’ll see if they can give some issues to the Eagles again. Or, if Kent City’s T offense can control this football game.
GR CATHOLIC CENTRAL (4-1) vs HOLLAND CHRISTIAN (5-0)
The OK-Black is looking like a real shootout this year when you add in Northview to the mix with these two in the battle for the conference crown. We’ll get our first look at how things may settle out when ‘The CAT’ hosts Holland Christian Friday. GRCC has been good on the whole in a diverse schedule featuring two wins over out of state teams – mixed with with a big 42-0 loss to unbeaten Pontiac Notre Dame Prep. Holland Christian under coach Dave Abberger have typically been about the points, with the closest thing you’ll typically see to an air raid offense in high school football, but it’s been the Maroons defense that has stood out on their march to a 5-0 start.
From the outside looking in, you’d likely first expect to see this game feature a ton of points with a pair of talented QBs in Odin Spencer (CC) and Evan Abberger (HC) in offenses that can both be unafraid to sling it around. But, with two defenses that have played very well and with a strong run game for Catholic Central, don’t be surprised to see a defensive struggle break out in a game that could help determine the fate of the OK-Black title race.
ROCKFORD (3-2) vs CALEDONIA (4-1)
A big game every year in the OK-Red has a little different feel to it this year, as Rockford/Cal is not being played in it’s typical spot that will determine the OK-Red crown as we have seen on several occasions in the past few years. Rockford is in the midst of their first losing streak since 2018, Caledonia has now won two in-a-row after a loss to EK in week three and can out themselves squarely back in the conference title discussion with a home win at ‘The Ralph’ over the Rams.
Rockford has been playing in defensive slugfests all season long, as the Rams offense has been looking to find some of the spark we’ve seen the past few years – ever since the Rams went to the spread offense in 2020 under coach Cummings. Caledonia has been comfortable in high-scoring games, as QB Brody Better and coach Pennington’s offense have scored 35+ points in every single one of their games. The Scots have also given up 27+ in all three of their OK-Red contests. What do you make of that all, it’s tough to say – But if Rockford’s offense can find a rhythm, a shootout may very likely develop in a very important game for each program.
ZEELAND WEST (4-1) vs FOREST HILLS CENTRAL (4-1)
Maybe the best game of the week is between two of the three squads currently tied for second behind Unity Christian in the war that is the race for the OK-Gold crown. The Dux are coming off a 20-8 loss to the ‘Saders last week, while FHC (who already also has their lone loss vs UC) is coming off a big statement bounce-back win over previously unbeaten South Christian, 34-13.
Zeeland West was able to get star senior QB Trey Sloothaak back into the lineup Friday, but despite a ton of varied looks – including a unique direct-snap shotgun T – ZW just was not able to effectively move the ball against Unity. These teams can each stop the run effectively, and both want to try to run the ball effectively on the other side and aren’t afraid to engage in some slugfests – Would probably expect a defensive-minded, run-first brawl to break out between these two budding rivals that played a 18-14 slugfest in the state semis last November…
GRANDVILLE (2-3) vs EAST KENTWOOD (3-2)
Despite their flipped overall records, Grandville and EK are each part of the 2-1 group of teams (along with Caledonia) one game back of OK-Red leader Hudsonville heading into Friday night. It’s tough to make of what to expect in this game – Grandville played their best game of the year vs a pretty tough and skilled Grand Haven squad on Friday, putting together a 56-13 win on Bulldog homecoming. East Kentwood, on the other hand, lost 35-6 vs. an absolutely rolling Hudsonville team last week.
Kentwood has been incredibly up-and-down in terms of the style of game and results of those games this season. They pitched a shutout in week one and only allowed 7 in a win over West Ottawa – But they gave up 35 or more in their other three contests. Grandville’s defense had not allowed fewer than 35 until their 13 allowed last week, but the Bulldogs offense has been spectacular – scoring 42 points per game. Likely expect some fireworks between offenses each led by FBS-offered juniors: Grandville RB Jayden Terry and EK QB Kayd Coffman.
GRAND HAVEN (2-3) vs HUDSONVILLE (4-1)
Nobody in West Michigan may have better form than coach Brent Sandee’s Hudsonville Eagles right now. After a week 1 loss vs. unbeaten Howell, Hudsy has ripped off wins vs. the state’s elite like Rockford and East Lansing and sprinkled in some conference blow outs over Jenison and East Kentwood – putting them alone in the top spot of the OK-Red chase. Grand Haven and 2nd-year coach Andrew Biedenbender have been much improved, and despite the big loss to Grandville last week – they have been dangerous: leading early vs. Grandville and swapping the lead throughout much of their eventual loss to Caledonia.
The Hudsonville defense has been a standout group this year, never allowing more than 21 points and playing great complimentary football with a powerful run attack that has some explosive pass plays built in. Grand Haven does have some weapons to test the defense, notably GVSU-commited WR Will Korensta, we’ll see if the Bucs can break him and others free for a statement upset win for their own program like Jenison last week, or if the Eagles will keep flying high after this one.
ZEELAND EAST (3-2) vs SOUTH CHRISTIAN (4-1)
South Christian is seeking a bounce-back after their first loss of the season last Friday against FHC, while Zeeland East bounced back from their ‘bird bowl’ loss with a big 60-6 win over Wyoming. East’s lone losses this year remain a hail-mary last-seconds loss to Flushing and a the aforementioned Zeeland West in a game they kept close throughout.
Another game that will be a little tough to pick the style up on, we know that Carson Vis and South Christian will look to score some points, likely by throwing the ball around. But East has shown a few different styles, they like to predominantly run the ball with senior RB Eli Walcott behind a couple of TEs/FBs out of a power spread. BUT, East also have shown an ability to spread the field and throw it around a bit themselves – notably with the sophomore duo of QB Will Drenk and WR Coby Miller. Zeeland East will have a good chance to score quite a few points and keep up with the Sailors vaunted attack that has, conversely, given up four or more TDs in four of their five games.
If you are one for common opponent comparison – South Christian beat Wyoming 42-6 in week four and then Zeeland East took down the Wolves 60-6 last week.
FOREST HILLS NORTHERN (3-2) vs MONA SHORES (5-0)
Mona Shores is our top team in this week’s RE/MAX United Power Poll and have full earned that rank with back-to-back wins over Byron Center at home and Muskegon on the road. Coach Koziak’s team will now be tested in what could be a bit of a trap game coming off those two big weeks. Forest Hills Northern is 3-2 and came up with their biggest win of the year, taking down Reeths Puffer 31-13.
Both of these teams are great defensively and will lean on the run game along with what can still be balanced offensive attacks if needed. If coach Ostipow’s Huskies are to keep this one close, it will likely come from matching some tough defense as both teams control the clock and execute when chances arrive. If Jonathan Pittman and the Sailors can find some chunk plays on top of their physical attack, it could open up a chance for the area’s top team to pull away some – otherwise this could be a test for our #1 squad in west Michigan – again.
MANTON (1-4) vs PINE RIVER (2-3)
Manton’s roller coaster season suffered a loss last Friday on the heels of their first win of the year in week 4, as the Rangers fell to Evart 63-24. They now travel to LeRoy to take on Pine River – The Bucks are 2-3 on their season and an even 2-2 in the Highland Conference. Pine River picked up a 17-12 win over Roscommon last Friday.
We’ll see if the Rangers can bounce back once again, or if Pine River will start a win streak and make wins in three of four for the Bucks. Both teams have played in some low-scoring battles, and have also allowed some big points and scored pretty big at times two, so it will be interesting to see the game script here.
—
Check out Lou Gamelin’s MSR Preview show Wednesday Night at 7:30 for a deeper look into these games and more heading into the week!
Coverage will begin as early as 6:30 on Friday night with kick-off across the state at 7:00pm!
