Division 5 Regional Final Preview: Oakridge vs GRCC

After a long wait, the high school football playoffs are finally back. Eight teams remain in each of the eight divisions of the MHSAA playoffs all with the goal of reaching Ford Field for a chance at a State Championship. In what has already been an unprecedented season, the regional finals will take place in December for the first time. Below I break down a Division 5 regional final between defending Division 5 State Champion Grand Rapids Catholic Central and Muskegon Oakridge. <em><strong>Playoff Road</strong></em> GRCC: (8-0, OK Gold): District Semi: Defeated Belding 41-6, District Final: Portland (Win by Forfeit) Oakridge (7-2, West Michigan Conference): Pre-District: Defeated Chippewa Hills 40-6, District Semi: Big Rapids 41-20, District Final: Tri-County 50-12 <em><strong>Top Prospects</strong></em> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="29554" first="Jace" last="Williams"], WR, Catholic Central</h6> Jace is the top wideout prospect from the west side of the state. The future Miami of Ohio Redhawk is an outstanding athlete who can go up and get 50/50 balls with the best of them. He’s a crisp route runner that can stretch the field vertically as well as pick you apart across the middle on short to intermediate routes. <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="30137" first="Nolan" last="Ziegler"], DB, Catholic Central</h6> Nolan is one of the best athletes in the state from the 2022" class. Ziegler, who committed to Notre Dame in August, has great quickness and can cover a ton of ground in a hurry. He does a great job of coming up in the box to stop the run and delivers hits with a pop. <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="30214" first="Joey" last="Silveri"], QB, Catholic Central</h6> Joey has been one of the most impressive quarterbacks in the state this season, passing for 1,483 passing yards and 22 touchdowns, and rushing for 423 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. He’s efficient when going through his progressions and does a good job taking what the defense gives him. <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="30288" first="Brady" last="Redmer"], DL, Catholic Central</h6> Brady is the anchor of an impressive defensive front for the Cougars. He plays with a mean streak and has the elusiveness and motor to give opposing offenses problems for a full game. <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="29778" first="Nick" last="Hollern"], RB, Catholic Central</h6> Nick sometimes is overshadowed by the other stars in the Cougars offense, however, he shouldn’t be taken lightly given his ability to pop off big chunk plays at any given moment. Nick’s also proven to be a reliable target out of the backfield, making him that much harder to contain. <h6>Luke Martin, OL, Oakridge</h6> Luke is the main cog in the Oakridge front-seven. While Oakridge’s offense can attack defenses in several directions, it’s at its best when Luke’s clearing the way. <h6>Corey Vanderputte, RB, Oakridge</h6> Corey is a hard-nosed runner who isn’t afraid to seek out contact. He does a good job of hitting his holes with precision. Corey’s also a threat on special teams, adding another dimension to his game. <h6>Ethan Josza, DL, Oakridge</h6> Ethan is Oakridge’s biggest disrupter on the defensive line, with most of his work coming at defensive end. He has a number of moves to help him evade blockers and get to the ball carrier. <h6>Jacob Danicek, WR/DB, Oakridge</h6> Jacob is one of Oakridge’s best athletes who makes plays on both sides of the ball. At wideout, he has the speed to take it the distance whenever he touches the ball. Defensively, he’s one of the hardest-hitting tacklers on Oakridge’s defense. <h6>Ethan Dailey, QB/DB, Oakridge</h6> Ethan operates the Oakridge offense as a true dual-threat quarterback, as he has the arm strength and accuracy to make plays through the air, and the speed to evade defenses with his legs. Defensively, Ethan helps secure Oakridge’s backline. <em><strong>Keys To The Game</strong></em> Grand Rapids Catholic Central has been one of the most dominant teams in the state this decade regardless of division as they attempt to capture their fourth state championship in five years. Led by next-level athletes on both sides of the ball, they will be the overwhelming favorites in this game. That’s not to say Oakridge doesn’t have a chance at the upset, but it’s going to take the Eagles best effort on both sides of the ball to keep this one close. <em><strong>Prediction: </strong>GRCC 42, Muskegon Oakridge 21</em>