Ottawa-Kent Conferences Games Of The Week: Week Three

We’re into the third week of the regular season and conference races in the OK are starting to take form. This week, there are four matchups pitting 2-0 teams against each other, making week three a crucial turning point during this shortened season. I’ll break down the week’s best games including top prospects, keys to each game as well as who I think will come out on top. <h5>OK Red: Grandville (2-0) @ Hudsonville (2-0)</h5> <em><strong>Top Prospects</strong></em> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="29760" first="Marcel" last="Love"], RB, Grandville</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="29754" first="Cam" last="Terry"], RB, Grandville</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="29933" first="Caden" last="Peters"], OL, Grandville</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="29974" first="Nathan" last="Elders"], DB, Grandville</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="29595" first="Carter" last="DeGraaf"], OL, Hudsonville</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="29688" first="Brennan" last="Hayes"], QB, Hudsonville</h6> <h6>Dylan Ham, WR, Hudsonville</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="29857" first="Carson" last="Fischer"], WR, Hudsonville</h6> <em><strong>Keys To The Game</strong></em> Hudsonville’s defense has given up 13 points through two games, while Grandville has scored 116 points within that same stretch. It may not be as cut and dry as something has to give between these two units, but expect the more dominant group between the two to give its team the best chance at winning this game. It’s widely known that Grandville will rely on its dynamic duo of [player_tooltip player_id="29760" first="Marcel" last="Love"] and [player_tooltip player_id="29754" first="Cam" last="Terry"] to carry the load offensively, while Hudsonville likes to spread things out more. If Hudsonville can play from out in front and capitalize early, it might be tough for the Bulldogs to keep pace, given their offensive strategy. <em><strong>Prediction: </strong>Hudsonville 28, Grandville 27</em> <h5>OK White: Forest Hills Central (2-0) @ Byron Center (2-0)</h5> <em><strong>Top Prospects</strong></em> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="29563" first="Austin" last="Roon"], LB, Byron Center</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="29653" first="Mason" last="Breit"], RB/DB, Byron Center</h6> <h6>Nolan Tagg, OL/DL, Byron Center</h6> <h6>Connor Bovia, OL/DL, Byron Center</h6> <h6>Braylon Baker, LB, Byron Center</h6> <h6>Hunter Robinson, QB, Forest Hills Central</h6> <h6>Maguire Mahacek, QB, Forest Hills Central</h6> <h6 class="article-heading">Carson Deines, LB, Forest Hills Central</h6> <em><strong>Keys To The Game</strong></em> Forest Hills Central has efficiently navigated the first two games deploying a two-quarterback system in Hunter Robinson and Maguire Mahacek. Both quarterbacks are running threats and also have the ability to throw downfield, offering a complex challenge for opposing defenses thus far. Byron Center appears to be up to the task considering the talent and experience they have on the defensive side of the ball. Future Syracuse Orange, [player_tooltip player_id="29563" first="Austin" last="Roon"] controls the box better than any linebacker in the area and will be tasked with slowing down the Ranger’s dual-quarterback attack. Expect a low-scoring game as Byron Center is allowing a bleak 6.5 points per game, while Forest Hills Central has allowed 13 ppg. <em><strong>Prediction: </strong>Byron Center 14, Forest Hills Central 7</em> <h5>OK Green: Zeeland West (2-0) @ Zeeland East (2-0)</h5> <em><strong>Top Prospects</strong></em> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="29700" first="Carson" last="Gulker"], QB, Zeeland West</h6> <h6>Terick DeJonge, RB, Zeeland West</h6> <h6>Pierce Walker, RB, Zeeland West</h6> <h6>Skyler Geurink, RB, Zeeland West</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="30138" first="Tag" last="Bonnema"], LB, Zeeland East</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="30184" first="Andrew" last="DeVries"], OL/DL, Zeeland East</h6> <h6>Nathan Veereke, OL/DL, Zeeland East</h6> <h6>Riley Tietema, OL/DL, Zeeland East</h6> <h6>Ethan Houghtailing, QB, Zeeland East</h6> <h6>Adam Cassel, RB/LB, Zeeland East</h6> <h6>Brendan Schrotenboer, RB/LB, Zeeland East</h6> <em><strong>Keys To The Game</strong></em> Neither Zeeland East nor Zeeland West has been tested in the slightest bit this year, as both squads have outscored the same opponents (Wyoming and Grand Rapids Union) by 70+ points. A striking similarity between the Zeeland foes is their defenses have each given up 27 points through two games. As in years past, this rivalry will come down to what offense can stay in rhythm and control the time of possession. The difference-maker in this game, in my opinion, will be the dynamic quarterback play of Zeeland West’s [player_tooltip player_id="29700" first="Carson" last="Gulker"]. A true dual-threat to make big plays with both his arm and legs has the Dux offense humming at the moment. It’ll be up to future Division I linebacker, [player_tooltip player_id="30138" first="Tag" last="Bonnema"], and the rest of the Chix defense to slow down the Dux attack. Expect another shootout in this one that could come down to who has the ball last. <em><strong>Prediction: </strong>Zeeland West 42, Zeeland East 38</em> <h5>OK Gold: Cedar Springs (2-0) @ Catholic Central (2-0)</h5> <em><strong>Top Prospects</strong></em> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="29554" first="Jace" last="Williams"], WR, Catholic Central</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="30137" first="Nolan" last="Ziegler"], DB, Catholic Central</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="30082" first="Isaiah" last="Hicks"], LB, Catholic Central</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="30288" first="Brady" last="Redmer"], DL, Catholic Central</h6> <h6>Antwuan Nicholls, RB, Cedar Springs</h6> <h6>Jeremy Campione, QB, Cedar Springs</h6> <h6>Aiden Brunin, RB, Cedar Springs</h6> <h6>Josh Kriekaard, DL, Cedar Springs</h6> <em><strong>Keys To The Game</strong></em> Grand Rapids Catholic Central is loaded with future collegiate talent on both sides of the ball this year and is the prohibitive favorite to take home the Division 5 State Championship. That being said, the Cougars have yet to face a rushing attack as solid as Cedar Springs has this season. While I don’t think an upset is likely, the number of solid backs the Red Hawks can rotate through can tend to give opposing defenses problems. Couple that with a few turnovers and Cedar Springs has the opportunity to keep this game interesting. In the end, the Cougars talent is overwhelming and should lead them to a 3-0 start in the OK Gold. <em><strong>Prediction: </strong>Catholic Central 35, Cedar Springs 17</em>