Grand Rapids area District Finals Matchups to Watch

We’re here in the 2nd round of the playoffs with 16 teams remaining in each division fighting for a spot in the regional finals, plus a shiny MHSAA trophy. We saw many great games in the Grand Rapids area during the district semifinals, and we have an even better slate of matchups this week. Check out the best Grand Rapids area games to follow during the district finals. <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Games to Watch </strong></span> &nbsp; <strong>Grandville @ Rockford (D1)</strong> - Grandville has had this one pinned on their greaseboard for quite some time. These two teams faced off in last year’s playoffs, and Rockford won that game in 3OT. They also met up during week 4 of this season, and Rockford won that one in 2OT. Needless to say, the Bulldogs are going to come out motivated and ready to kick the #1 ranked Rams to the curb this Friday. This is not to count Rockford out, as they deserve the #1 ranking in Division 1, though they seem to struggle against the T-Wing offense that Grandville brings out. <strong>Players to watch</strong> - [player_tooltip player_id="54861" first="Zak" last="Ahern"], [player_tooltip player_id="80476" first="Kade" last="Kostus"], <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11786326/Alex-McLean">Alex McLean</a>, [player_tooltip player_id="99367" first="Jackson" last="Buckler"], <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11450574/Luke-DeHaan">Luke DeHaan</a>, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11450566/Carlos-Alvarado">Carlos Alvarado</a> &nbsp; <strong>Mona Shores @ Caledonia (D2)</strong> - Perhaps I shouldn’t doubt defending state champion Mona Shores, but this time I truly think this is going to be a close game (I promise, maybe). Mona Shores surprised everyone last week with a statement 31-7 blowout against Forest Hills Central, and they come in with experience and momentum. As for Caledonia, they have a great resume defeating some great teams such as Byron Center and Grandville, while their only loss was to #1 Rockford 17-14. This matchup is one that I will be keeping a close eye on. <strong>Players to watch</strong> - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13244273/Dahmir-Farnum">Dahmir Farnum</a>, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11480545/DJ-Caviness">DJ Caviness</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11510732">[player_tooltip player_id="93664" first="Mark" last="Konecny"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11230858">[player_tooltip player_id="30184" first="Andrew" last="DeVries"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12946393">Mason McKenzie</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12235692">Caleb Paarlberg</a> &nbsp; <strong>South Christian @ Hastings (D3)</strong> - It’s hard to concretely predict this matchup since there are few common opponents, and both teams are in very different conferences, though I have a feeling this one is going to be great. Both squads are coming in with similarly high PPG’s and both teams have a winning tradition. Should be very interesting to see the result of this one. <strong>Players to watch </strong>- <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10013576">Evan Roedema</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10013584">Sam DeHaan</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15040172">Jake Vermaas</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11424441">Daniel Harp</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11375735">Owen Winegar</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13196683">Collin Fouty</a> &nbsp; <strong>Oakridge @ Tri-County (D5)</strong> - I’ll be heading to Tri-County High School to watch this one. No better small-town game to watch this week, as this matchup looks to be a shootout between two great offenses. Overall I’m just excited to cover a great game with two teams that I haven’t gotten the opportunity to look very closely at. <strong>Players to watch</strong> - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11202260">Ethan Jozsa</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11202264">[player_tooltip player_id="30276" first="Derek" last="Driscoll"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11202269">Kimball Hanks</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10179824">Tyler Tompkins</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/8287308">Nate Lovell</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15108547">Mikey Stout</a> &nbsp; <strong>West Catholic @ Catholic Central (D5) </strong>- A massive showcase of talent in this one as two elite programs face off against one another. I’ve talked extensively about West Catholic throughout the season, as they’re an elite program that’s incredibly well-coached with a great winning culture. If anyone is going to defeat Catholic Central, it’s West Catholic. On the other side is the titan Catholic Central. Housing one of the great Michigan prospects, Notre Dame commit <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11204803">[player_tooltip player_id="30137" first="Nolan" last="Ziegler"]</a>, Catholic Central looks to 3-peat in the state championship. In addition, Catholic Central hasn’t lost a game since September 7, 2019, and they look to continue that incredible streak. <strong>Players to watch</strong> - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11204803">[player_tooltip player_id="30137" first="Nolan" last="Ziegler"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15176705">Joe Mullett</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11281882">[player_tooltip player_id="30214" first="Joey" last="Silveri"]</a>, [player_tooltip player_id="159621" first="Tim" last="Kloska"], [player_tooltip player_id="154344" first="Kyle" last="Kloska"], <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11557031">Noah Arsulowicz</a>