Game Preview: South Christian vs Grand Rapids Christian

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school football season kicks off this week across thehigan. Two of the better programs from the west side of the state will clash tonight as South Christian plays host to Grand Rapids Christian at East Kentwood High School. Tonight's game will be the 52nd all-time meeting between the Grand Rapids rivals with Grand Rapids Christian holding a 28-23 advantage. Both teams are coming off a successful season from a year ago, which saw both programs make the playoffs. South Christian will look to win its fourth in a row against the Eagles with it's most recent win coming in last year's 27-7 drubbing in the opener. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Players To Watch</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13202283">Jacob DeHaan</a>, QB, South Christian 2023"</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jake comes into his senior season hoping to build off a successful junior campaign where he threw for 3,014 yards and 27 touchdowns. He is regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in the state in the 2023 class and has two years of playing experience that have helped grow his confidence. Listed at 6'2, 180 lbs, Jake has the size, strength, and speed that makes him a threat on the ground, especially in short-yard situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10013574">Eli Smith</a>, RB/WR/DB, 2023"</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eli has served as DeHaan's go-to big play guy for the past two seasons. He's a quick twitch, swiss-army knife type of athlete that thrives in the open field. That skillset translates to the defensive side of the ball as Eli has shown a knack for finding the ball in the secondary. Expect Eli to be a focal point as his production and Grand Rapids Christian's game plan to stop him should be center stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207193' first='Alek' last='Wickstrom'], QB, Grand Rapids Christian 2024"</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alex threw for nearly 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns in his sophomore season last year and is expected to be one of the best signal callers in the state from the 2024 class. His momentum has ramped up this offseason as he displayed consistent poise and playmaking ability at various 7-on-7 events. Expect the Eagles to throw early and often to its weapons in open space. South Christian's defense will serve as a great first test for Alex.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='362792' first='Tyler' last='Porte'], TE, Grand Rapids Christian 2023"</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tyler is one of the more physically imposing tight ends the west side has to offer. Standing 6'6, Tyler is a big threat in the Eagle's passing game, especially in red zone situations. Matching up with Tyler will be one of South Christian's biggest challenges if they hope to come away with the week one win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Prediction</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm expecting a bit of a shootout between two of the better offenses in the area. Both Alex Wickstrom and Jake DeHaan can lead their team to a score on every drive and have the skill position weapons surrounding them to do so. I'll lean towards the experience of Jake DeHaan and South Christian to find a way to pull out the win in a game that I'm expecting to be decided in the 4th quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>South Christian 34, Grand Rapids Christian 28</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->