OK Conference Rundown: Week 9

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are entering the final week of the regular season and two games, in particular, are taking center stage in not just the OK Conference, but perhaps the entire state. Rockford/Cal and Muskegon/Mona Shores will battle to take home league titles, playoff seedings, and bragging rights for the next year. Let's get into each game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OK Red: Rockford (8-0) @ Caledonia (8-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The game of the year in the OK Conference features the number two and number three ranked teams in Division 1. The winner of the Caledonia-Rockford game will take home the OK Red title, and will get two guaranteed home games in the state playoffs. It's hard to overstate how much buildup there has been to this game because it feels like ever since last season's week seven matchup between Rockford and Caledonia, we have been awaiting the 2022 version.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caledonia has the number one offense in the OK Red (45.6 PPG) and the number one defense (10 PPG). Its offense has arguably the best one-two punch in its backfield, led by senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='407081' first='Mason' last='Mckenzie'] and junior runningback Brock Townsend. The Scots also have reliable go-to targets in senior tight end and future Central Michigan Chippewa Derek Pennington, and speedy outside threat Justice Reed. The Scots can score early and often and like to do so with chunk plays. Containing Caledonia's offense will be the stiffest test Rockford has faced to date this season. If they don't, they'll have a hard time keeping pace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rockford has a prolific offense of their own, scoring 35.5 points per game, while only surrendering 15.7 PPG. [player_tooltip player_id='232200' first='Mac' last='VandenHout'] has been one of the more consistent signal callers this season, and easily one of the most diplomatic when it comes to dividing his passes amongst his receivers. Rockford currently has had seven different wideouts catch a touchdown pass this season, which is tops in the league. The Rams will need its best performance offensively and hope to create a turnover or two if they hope to take the Red title and home-field advantage in the state playoffs. Ultimately, I like Caledonia in a tight game that should come down to the last couple of possessions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Prediction: Caledonia 35, Rockford 31</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OK Green: Mona Shores (7-1) @ Muskegon (6-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lakeshore's two best programs in the state will clash once again this week in a game that has an OK Green title on the line. Mona Shores has looked unstoppable ever since losing to Rockford in week two. Since that loss, the Sailors have won six straight by an average of 34 points. Meanwhile, Muskegon has just one blemish on its league record in a 38-36 loss to Zeeland West.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mona Shores has one of the most dynamic offenses in the state thanks to Dahmir and [player_tooltip player_id='243093' first='KeWaun' last='Farnum']. One of the brothers has found the end zone in every game this season and has found it to be an outright mismatch for it's opponents due to the speed, strength, and elusiveness both Dahmir and Kewaun have displayed. Also keep an eye out for [player_tooltip player_id='409663' first='Jaylen' last='Vinton'], who is one of the fastest wideouts and most dangerous special teamers in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Muskegon has two regular season losses for the first time since 2015, which just goes to show how dominant this Big Red program is on an annual basis. [player_tooltip player_id='253304' first='M'khi' last='Guy'] has been one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks across the state this year and has a plethora of weapons at his disposal. Guys like [player_tooltip player_id='253303' first='Destin' last='Piggee'] and Jakob Price have big play potential each time they touch the ball and should be focal points of Mona Shore's defensive game plan. I think a big factor in this game will be who wins in the battle of the trenches. Mona Shores has dominated each group it's faced this year, while Muskegon has done largely the same to every team not named Zeeland West. I like Mona Shore's in that department and think it will be a determining factor to who controls the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Prediction: Mona Shores 33, Muskegon 26</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->