Only a third of the season to go – the playoff picture is coming into form and late season rivalry matchups are about to define league title and playoff races… Here’s a quick look at all of the action live on MSR this Friday!
HUDSONVILLE (6-0) vs EAST KENTWOOD (5-1)
Another monumental test in the OK-Red. Hudsonville is perfect and the top team in our power poll, with a tight loss to Rockford the lone slip-up for EK who is just a few spots behind them. A senior QB duel of Brady VanLaecke for Hudsonville and Kayd Coffman for East Kentwood is one of the best of the year in any game that you will see on MSR, and they each will have to take down stout defenses if they want to keep pace with the other.
There’s a great chance for East Kentwood to completely shake up the OK-Red race this week on the road at the reigning state runners-up, be sure to tune in to one of the games of the year in West Michigan – and the entire state.
KENT CITY (6-0) vs CENTRAL MONTCALM (5-1)
A Huge game that will determine the CSAA-White title, both teams are 3-0 in league play and have dominated their conference competition all year. Kent City will be hosting this game between teams that have each featured elite defenses and an ability to pour on points when needed.
ROCKFORD (4-2) vs JENISON (3-3)
Rockford and Jenison match back up, with each looking for revenge from week 6 losses, and Jenison looking to repeat one of 2024’s biggest upsets, when they took down the Rams at Carlson-Munger Stadium. This time coach Lucas’s team will get to host the Rams as they look to repeat last year’s result. The Rams are looking to make a statement off falling to Hudsonville last week, and return to the win column in more similar fashion to the week before when they controlled Grandville for four quarters in that 28-0 win.
GR CATHOLIC CENTRAL (6-0) vs HOLLAND CHRISTIAN (4-2)
A Clash of styles in the Ok-Black, GRCC may feature the state’s very best defense relative to their division, they have never allowed more than 14 points, earned 2 straight shutouts, and are giving up only 6.3 points per game. Holland Christian features a potent pass-first attack that was slowed vs another stout defense last week in a loss at EGR – They look to hand the Cougars loss number one of the season by breaking though the GRCC brick-wall defense.
GRANDVILLE (4-2) vs GRAND HAVEN (1-5)
The Grandville Bulldogs bounced back with a wild homecoming win last Friday night over Jenison, scoring an 80 yard TD in the closing minutes to stave off a 2nd half Jenison comeback. After a 28-6 loss to Caledonia, Grand Haven now looks to snap a 5-game losing streak. It will be a tough close after this for both teams, as they will each still have to see EK and Hudsonville. So this is an important game on ‘Bucs Pride’ Cancer Awareness night for each side, especially the Bulldogs looking to lock up their fifth win to likely safely secure a playoff berth.
COOPERSVILLE (3-3) vs KENOWA HILLS (5-1)
Coopersville has rallied with three straight wins and now host 5-1 Kenowa Hills, the Knights last week put up a big win over Lowell, again pouring on the points with their explosive pass game build around Jr QB Grayson Fellows. This game could be a playoff preview and big for the chase of the Rivers Cities Alliance Conference title this year (Coopersville is only 1/2 game back of that league lead the Knights hold, with several other tams right there with them).
ZEELAND EAST (4-2) vs SOUTH CHRISTIAN (3-3)
Zeeland East snapped a 2-game skid with a win over Wyoming last week, as South Christian earned their second straight win downing FHC to move to 3-3. This could serve as a big game for playoff positioning for both teams, with time running out to stack wins against quality opponents. Both teams feature stout offenses and good quarterback play, don’t be surprised to see some points on the scoreboard.
FOREST HILLS CENTRAL (2-4) vs ZEELAND WEST (4-2)
A rematch of a regional title game last year, but both teams are looking to rebound off week six losses this time. FHC fell to South Christian and the Dux fell in a 14-6 slugfest against conference-leading and unbeaten Unity Christian.
The Rangers have struggled in a bit of a program re-tool year, but in what has become a rivalry matchup in the past few years, don’t be surprised to see them contend on their home field against a new-look Dux team in a similar position to FHC’s last year breaking in a new coach after winning the state title the year before.
FOREST HILLS NORTHERN (3-3) vs MONA SHORES (3-3)
Mona Shores has been surprisingly dropping games the past few weeks after being one of the highest ranked teams in the pre-season, after dropping games to Byron Center and Muskegon the last two weeks they now begin the first of three straight games on the road to close the season at FHN. The Huskies picked up a 40-27 win over Reeths Puffer last week to move back to .500 on the season and will look to pick up a statement win on their senior night and final home game of the season.
FREELAND (5-1) vs BAY CITY JOHN GLENN (4-2)
Freeland has been chugging along with three straight wins where they have put up six or more touchdowns to move to 5-1. They hos homecoming on Friday against John Glenn, who sit at 4-2 and are looking to bounce back from a 51-12 loss to Frankenmuth last weekend.
SPARTA (3-3) vs CEDAR SPRINGS (5-1)
Cedar Springs finds themselves thick in the Hunt for the RCA title heading into the closing weeks of the season, and have a tough road ahead with Lowell and Kenowa Hills to close, they are fresh off a big non-con win over Sault St. Marie and now will host 3-3 Sparta, who won over Greenville last week to snap a 2-game skid.
CHIPPEWA HILLS (3-3) vs TRI-COUNTY (4-2)
Tri-County is looking to bounce back from their second loss of the season last week when they fell to Reed City 58-33. Chippewa Hills sits right at .500 and a 3-3 mark heading into week 7, they are looking to bounce back from a 56-0 Big Rapids loss last week.
NEWAYGO (0-6) vs REED CITY (4-2)
The Newaygo Lions are still seeking their first win of the season, and Friday will not be an easy test to get win number one, Reed City is fresh off a big win over Tri-County, who earlier defeated Newaygo in big fashion. We’ll see if the Lions can pull an upset for win number one under first-year coach John Hyink.
MANTON (4-2) vs PINE RIVER (4-2)
Manton closes Highland Conference action vs Pine River this week riding a 3-game win streak. Pine River has won four in-a-row themselves coming into this game, so both teams are playing their bets football of the season at the best time, so it should be a good one up up north on Friday night at Manton.
