The final week of the season is already upon us, and it’s time for the the final games to determine playoff position, and who’s in and who’s out of a chance to play for a wooden mitten – starting next week! Here’s a look at the 13 live games that we will be bringing coverage of this Friday night!
GRANDVILLE (4-4) vs HUDSONVILLE (8-0)
Before the season, this was expected to be a possible week nine conference championship matchup. But, a dominant year for Hudsonville and injury-plagued run for the Bulldogs has lessened some of the intrigue around this game – But, this still s a rivalry matchup and a senior night game for a Grandville team with a a lot of senior experience, looking to go out on top of what cold be their final ever game at Bulldog Stadium.
Hudsonville comes in with an average margin of victory at over 23 points per game, while Grandville has now fallen in two straight, after their comeback bid fell just short last week against EK. The playoff picture is very up-in-the-air right now in D1, both of these teams are locked in, and this could be a preview of a district title game rematch if each do get through week one of the playoffs… Which based on Jenison/Kalamazoo Central getting in, they could each actually be hosting games next week based on how the MHSAA draws the district lines (Hudsonville will be hosting next week, we know that for sure…).
COOPERSVILLE (4-4) vs CEDAR SPRINGS (7-1)
Coopersville handed Big Rapids their first loss of 2025 last week and freshman QB Champ Kelly and the rest of the Broncos have now won four of their last five games. Cedar Springs is 7-1 with their only loss coming to RCA Champion Kenowa Hills in a tight 34-31 game two weeks back. Both teams are playing some really good football, and have shown an ability to put up some points in recent weeks as a young Coopersville offense has hit it’s stride and coach Kapolka’s Power T continues to run wild for the Red Hawks.
Coopersville is likely in the playoffs win or lose, but a win to get to 5-4 would go a long way in moving them off the bubble, so this is an important game up at Cedar Springs in that regard.
FREELAND (6-2) vs CADILLAC (2-6)
Freeland enters a non-con game in week nine as they look to bounce back from a tough loss last week to rival Frankenmuth. They host Cadillac, who has now lost four in-a-row in what’s been a bit of a down season for the Vikings and enter at 2-6, they’ll look to finish their season on a strong note.
SPARTA (3-5) vs KENOWA HILLS (7-1)
Kenowa Hills is a win away from running the table in the conference and have locked up the RCA league crown with head-to-head wins over the crowded group right behind them, they look to finish up what would be an 8-1 season as they take on 3-5 Sparta, who is looking to snap a 2-game losing streak to end their season at 4-5.
HART (4-4) vs CENTRAL MONTCALM (6-2)
A 46-14 win over Chippewa Hills bounced Central Montcalm back from their week 7 loss to Kent City, they now look for two in a row to close the season and get some more momentum heading into the postseason. The Hornets will host Hart, who sits a 4-4 and sits on the outside of the playoff bubble, they’ll need a win for any sort of outside chance to make the districts next week.
ROCKFORD (6-2) vs WEST OTTAWA (2-6)
It’s senior night in Rockford, as the Rams look for a third straight win to boost them into the postseason, in all likelihood the Rams are hosting a playoff game next week, but there’s some questions about who they are hosting and maybe what district they are even in, with a crowded set of west-side teams all looking like they could finish in playoff position.
The Panthers hopes for the playoffs were lost last week as they were walked-off by a Jenison FG in a 9-7 loss at the final gun. WO has played in a ton of close games and suffered three of their six losses by one score, so they will be looking for an upset to close their season on a high note.
GR CATHOLIC CENTRAL (8-0) vs SOUTH CHRISTIAN (4-4)
Rivalry game between pair of teams that have been state champions within the past three season to close the year. CC is still unbeaten, with one of the state’s toughest defenses and a big win over D2 Northview last week solidified their place as a favorite to win the D5 state title.
South Christian at 4-4 will find themselves in the postseason win or lose, but could have their matchup and whether or not they even have a chance to host the game if they can leapfrog a few teams impacted by the result of this game.
TRI-COUNTY (5-3) vs LUDINGTON (8-0)
A tough game to finish the season before heading into the playoffs for Tri-County as they have to take on perfect 8-0 Ludington. Tri-County will still find themselves safe if they do fall in this game to the D4 power Orioles, but a win could help them move up in some seeding and host their round one game.
ZEELAND WEST (6-2) vs WEST CATHOLIC (7-1)
For a second-straight year the Falcons and Dux will meet in a power poll top-ten non-conference tune-up for the playoffs in week nine. The Dux have rattled off back-to-back double digit wins over FHC and Wyoming after they fell in a tight one-score defensive battle vs unbeaten Unity Christian the week before and could be a win away from carrying a massive amount of momentum into their playoff state title defense.
West Catholic locked up the OK-White title last week as they won their 7th straight game, they continue to tune everything up for a likely district title game against GRCC that will possibly determine the D5 state champion
NEWAYGO (0-8) vs FREMONT (1-7)
The last chance for Newaygo to get in win in the challenging 2025 retool year for their program, and they’ll get that chance vs a 1-7 Fremont team that also is looking to finish a tough year on the right foot.
FOREST HILLS CENTRAL (2-6) vs EAST GRAND RAPIDS (6-2)
EGR will look for a third straight win as they head into the D3 playoffs in a rivalry senior night matchup on their home field against FHC. It’s been a tough year for the 2023 champs and 2024 district champion Rangers as they have gone through a bit of a rebuild year playing an exceedingly tough schedule, coach Fortino’s team will look for an upset and rivalry win to end the year on a very high note.
FOREST HILLS NORTHERN (3-5) vs NORTHVIEW (5-3)
FHN travels to Northview to close their season, as they have now lost 3 of 4 to the gauntlet of a schedule (falling to Muskegon, Mona Shores and Byron Center in those 3 losses). The Huskies likely are going to be out of the playoffs even with a win, but would need that win to stand any chance of some chaos helping them out this week.
Northview has some massive playoff implications here. With a win they are in, with a loss they find themselves right on the bubble and at the mercy of other games around the state if they sneak in or not.
MANTON (5-3) vs JOHANNESBURG-LEWISTON (1-7)
Manton has a terrific bounce-back season in 2025 building the program under coach Josh Merchant going from 3-6 last year to an above .500 record this year. And it all comes down to week 9 for them, if they avoid the upset from 1-7 Cardinals, they will likely find themselves in the playoffs, a loss and they will likely be out… So it comes down to this for the Rangers if they are to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
