We have reached the final third of the season, and week 7 is one of our most packed weeks of live action on the MSR network so far this season! We have coverage of at least 14 live games, including some huge rivalry matchups that could wind up being conference championship-deciding games!
GRANDVILLE (3-3) vs HUDSONVILLE (5-1)
Hudsonville has continued to roll the past few weeks, with their season-opening loss to unbeaten Howell a distant memory after they’ve rattled of five straight wins – including Ws over the likes of East Lansing, Rockford, and East Kentwood. Grandville have rolled off three wins of their own, after their tough 0-3 start and now sit a game back of the Eagles, and the last team to have a chance in a head-to-head game to draw even in the conference race.
Regardless the stakes and records, these two bordering rivals always play thrilling games. Since 2018, all but one game between Grandville and Hudsonville (including last year’s playoff game) have been decided by one score. Expect more of the same. The main key will be if Grandville’s potent T offense that is now scoring just over 40 points per game can keep up their normal dominance against a Hudsonville defense that is not only stingy, but led by one of the best linebacker cores in the state this year and designed to stuff the run. Also, watch for Grandville’s 2nd half defense – Even in games they struggled on the whole, they have been able to adjust well and find needed stops – last week for example – The Bulldogs gave up one second half score and forced a fourth quarter interception en route to a 33-25 win over EK.
One thing we do know, as always, the game will be decided late and probably in the closing seconds of the game. A win here gives Hudsonville complete control of the chance to win the Red outright without any hep needed. A Grandville win would tie them in the loss column with the Eagles, with each team still to see West Ottawa and Caledonia.
GR CATHOLIC CENTRAL (5-1) vs. NORTHVIEW (6-0)
Head coach Ryan Oshnock has the Wildcats in Northview sitting at 6-0 coming into a week 7 game that will decide the OK-Black race in all likelihood. Both GRCC and Northview sit perfect in conference play so far this year in the newly-formed OK-Black, notably led by CC taking down previously unbeaten Holland Christian in convincing fashion a week ago.
This game will feature one of the great QB battles of the season from two players on the opposite ends of the experience spectrum. On one hand, freshman Odin Spencer leads CC, and he’ll be facing off against multi-year starter for the ‘Cats Armaan Irving. Offense will be a leading factor in this game, as both teams have been able to score point in bunches in conference play behind their stand out signal callers. Northview has cored 50.6 points per game in the league, and CC have scored 5 or more TDs in every game they have played in the Black.
Northview will still have a date with HC next week and CC will see EGR- so the league won’t be fully wrapped up yet in either case – But, the winner of this game will control their own destiny heading into the final week of league play next week.
COOPERSVILLE (5-1) vs KENOWA HILLS (3-3)
Coopersville was able to push their win streak up to 4 in-a-row last week with 22 point win over Allendale, and also stay perfect in RCA conference play with the win. The Broncos will look to get one step closer to that first-year league championship crown in a trip to Kenowa Hills this weekend.
The Knights and new coach/QB father/son duo Don and Grayson Fellows have led a new-look knights to an up-and-down 3-3 record. Most recently giving up 56 in a loss to Lowell on the Red Arrows homecoming. This game is a bit of a clash of styles, while Coopersville certainly has proven the ability to pass the ball around and score points in recent weeks, their identity is traditionally more based in defense in physical play.
On the other hand, The Knights have spend most of the season in games where both they and their opponent have scored 4 or more touchdowns and have a prolific and dangerous offense that keeps them comfortable in shootouts. Look to see if the Knights can get the pass game going to their speedy targets early to open up the game before the physically dominating Broncos take over in their typical fashion.
FREELAND (6-0) vs JOHN GLENN (3-3)
There remains not much left to be said about coach Kevin Townsend’s Freeland bunch this year, they are one of the leading favorites to make a deep run at Ford Field and a state title this year in division four. Their latest victim was a second straight shutout last week over Essexville Garber, 46-0. This week it will be 3-3 John Glenn getting to host the Falcons on MSR.
The Bobcats fell last week to Frankenmuth and have been mostly alternating wins and losses throughout their 3-3 start to the season. Their first test will be to score some points, Freeland has still now only allowed 12 TOTAL points through 6 weeks – the simple math on that is 2.0 points-allowed-per-game. John Glenn has been able to find some offense this year, they have scored 38 or more in 4 of their 6 contests.
HAMILTON (4-2) vs SPRING LAKE (1-5)
The GAME NIGHT on MSR crew makes the trip back to their alma mater, where will cover the Hawkeyes of Hamilton for the first time this season on MSR. This year’s Hamilton team is off to a strong 4-2 record and are riding high after a homecoming 42-36 win over GR Christian last week. They welcome in coach Cody Mallory’s Spring Lake Lakers, who have struggles kore than expected at points this year, now sitting at 1-5 after a 7-3 campaign a year ago.
This game features a pair of teams that both use the flexbone triple option as their base offensive look, but the Hawkeyes are very diverse outside of that as well – featuring a ton of versatility in the lineup and plenty of shotgun spread concepts that they’ll mix in. Senior QB Reid Grimmer for Spring Lake is still one of the bets in the area and surrounded by a depth of weapons, the Lakers have been able to find some balance in the run and pass game while exclusively working out of the flexbone. This will be a really interesting matchup as the Hawkeyes look to get to 5 wins and very possibly put themselves in a playoff spot wit a win.
CENTRAL MONTCALM (5-1) vs LAKEVIEW (2-4)
Central Montcalm picked up their fourth win in-a-row last week in an impressive 36-8 showing over Kent City. The Hornets now sit at 2-0 in the CSAA-White and currently in solo first. Half a game back at 2-1 in the league and 2-4 overall are the Lakeview Wildcats, who will travel to C.M. Friday night on MSR.
This could serve as the pivotal game in the CSAA-White chase, as 1-1 Kent City has already suffered the head-t-head loss to the Hornets and a win here could push the Hornets a couple of games clear of their closest competitors in a tight league – with head-to-head advantages. If Lakeview picks up a win to bounce back from a loss last week against Grant, they can push half-a-game ahead and have the ‘H2H’ advantage on Central Montcalm.
ZEELAND EAST (4-2) vs FHC (4-2)
Zeeland East have been one of the most underrated teams in west Michigan this season, and maybe cemented that status to not being so underrated anymore after taking down D4 state title contender South Christian last week. FHC fell to one of the two teams that has also beaten the Chix -Zeeland West last week.
Both teams suffered similar losses to the Dux – with FHC losing 28-7 and ZE falling 28-13 in the ‘Bird Bowl’. At the surface, and when you dig deeper these are two teams that match up very similarly to each other. Both will look to run the ball out of ‘power spread’ offenses with multiple TEs on the field at most points and have great front 7’s that can control the run game. I’d look to the sophomore to sophomore connection of QB Will Drenk and WR Coby Miller for East to be an X Factor here, if they can get their connection going they way they have in other tough games though the air, it could be the impetus for another statement Zeeland East win and a move possibly into our Power Poll top 10 next week.
ROCKFORD (4-2) vs WEST OTTAWA (1-5)
Rockford was able to bounce back after their surprise back-to-back losses in weeks 4 and 5 last week with a good statement win over Caledonia, pulling away in the second half to a 34-13 triumph. West Ottawa was bale to get their first win of the season last week against Jenison (The team that took down the Rams the week prior.
This will be a game that could provide some more intrigue than the records alone show, as WO has played a very difficult schedule leading to their 5 losses and are armed with one of the west side of the state’s top weapons in 4 year starting senior RB Kayden Forbes. The Rams offense has not yet scored 40 points in a single game this season, West Ottawa may again be a little bit lower scoring and physical matchup – But look for QB Brayden Daniels and the Rams offense to try to get some momentum on the road at West Ottawa if they are going to triumph in this one.
ZEELAND WEST (5-1) vs WYOMING (1-5)
Zeeland West was able to dominate up front in a convincing 28-7 win over FHC and solidify their place as the top contender in D3 in west Michigan this year – getting revenge over the reigning champs in the process. Wyoming is in the middle of a tough stretch for the 1-5 Wolves, coming off a 46-14 loss to Unity Christian last week. After this one Wyoming will then have to see FHC to close their conference slate in week 8.
Expect for the Dux to be able to impose their will up front in this one and put up some points out of their dynamic T attack. West has been in a tough stretch of their own seeing a group of very strong defensive teams and failing to score more than 28 in their last 3 games – So this could be a chance for QB Trey Sloothaak and his dynamic backfield led by FB Keaton Hendricks to have some more room to run.
NEWAYGO (5-1) vs BIG RAPIDS (5-1)
The battle for the CSAA-White will be decided in this Friday night clash at Newaygo. Big Rapids sits at a perfect 4-0 in the CSAA-White with the Lions a game back of them at 3-1 – But the winner here will hold the head-to-head advantage and win the conference, with this being the final league game for both.
This game will present a clash of styles – as coach Munger’s Lions will operate out of the triple option flexbone on offense and try to win via the ground game there. Big Rapids will work out of a shotgun spread, but expect to see the use of TEs and even multi-back sets to power the ball down the field in the run game out of the spread as well. The CSAA-White comes down to this, watch the trenches on both sides of the ball in a game that could come down to the final, physical possession.
FOREST HILLS NORTHERN (3-3) vs BYRON CENTER (5-1)
Byron Center has continued to move along as a somewhat underrated top tier team in the state, their lone loss coming to our Power Poll’s #1 team Mona Shores by just two points. Last week, they were able to roll Reeths Puffer 42-28 as they now prepare for a trip to Forest Hills and Husky Stadium. FHN is 3-3 now on the 2024 campaign after a 33-7 loss to Mona Shores last Friday night and will be looking to bounce back with an upset here.
The Huskies defense has been strong all year, but holding the dynamic Bulldogs attack will be tricky, senior QB Landon Tungate has a variety of weapons to throw to, including D1 prospect WR Isaac Lee and 4 year varsity RB Luke Laska. The script for an FHN win will likely be playing elite defense and limiting possessions on the whole – they allowed 13 or fewer points in all of their wins this season and have given up an average of 32 in the losses. It will be easier-said-than done to hold the BC offense at bay – The Bulldogs have scored at least 6 touchdowns in every game but the Mona Shores contest.
SOUTH CHRISTIAN (4-2) vs UNITY CHRISTIAN (6-0)
South Christian again finds themselves in need of a bounce back after they suffered an upset loss at the hands of Zeeland East last week – And they have a chance to really shake up the OK-Gold and the Power Poll for next week if they are able to win on the road at Unity Christian. The ‘Saders have been the number two team in our Power Poll the past several weeks and continue to stay perfect, last week it was Wyoming that ran into coach Tibbe’s buzz-saw team, 46-14.
The X-Factor is going to revolve around the South Christian offense and if senior QB Carson Vis and the Sailors can get their offense rolling once again this week. SC Scored 6 TDs in each of their first 4 games (all wins). Then in their last 2 weeks (losses to FHC and ZE) they have only put up a total of 28 points in 2 weeks. Unity’s defense has been solid, never giving up more than 21 in a game this year – So it won’t be an easy task for the Sailors to right the ship offensively, but if the dynamic Vis and the rest of the offense can step up, it could put them in a place to take down UC for the first time this year.
Also note that these are two teams that could very likely be set for another meeting, based on the draw – likely in the D4 district finals if they each win in round one – So, add a little more intrigue to this matchup with that….
MANTON (1-5) vs ROSCOMMON (1-5)
Manton and Roscommon both come into this week 7 Highland Conference game at 1-5 on the season. Manton last week fell to Pine River in a close one 39-34 and will look for a bounce back to earn their second league win of the year this week.
Roscommon has now dropped five straight and are still looking for their first Highland win of the 2024 season. Manton will host this battle, as both teams look to move up the standings with only one game to play in the conference after this week.
TRI-COUNTY (4-2) vs CHIPPEWA HILLS (1-5)
After a week 6 loss against conference unbeaten Big Rapids, Tri-County fell out of the race for the CSAA-White – But still will be looking for a strong finish as they will be looking for some playoff revenge in a few weeks. Chippewa Hills fell to 1-5 on the season last week in a loss to Newaygo 27-16.
The Chippewa Hills defense, has been one of their most improved facets throughout the year – as they gave up 49+ points in their first 4 games and then 27 or fewer in the past 2, including their week 5 win vs. White Cloud. We’ll see if the potent Vikings attack will be able to match more of the output of the first four week, or if the Warriors can keep this one close and go for the upset.
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There it is, 14 LIVE games, with several that will decide conference races. Check back in over the weekend for recaps as well as results and standings to keep up with everything going on Friday night. And check back with us often, as there is new written, podcast, live show, graphics, and other content posted daily to MSR!
