Games of the Week – OK Conference

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome to game day! This article will quickly rundown 13 of the biggest games of this weekend!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday, August 31</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grand Rapids Christian @ Fruitport</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both GR Christian and Fruitport dropped their first game of the season. These two teams have been fringe playoff teams over the past several years, and this game could have major playoff point implications. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sparta @ Coopersville </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coopersville has the edge on paper, but don't count out a physical Sparta team. I'm very interested in the outcome of this one as it's a great measuring stick game for both squads. I'm looking forward to the QB battle between [player_tooltip player_id='483604' first='Nic' last='Gordon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='286479' first='Beau' last='Harris'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":908375,"width":396,"height":264,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/IMG_9725.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-908375" style="width:396px;height:264px" width="396" height="264" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Byron Center @ East Kentwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best games of the week in the Grand Rapids area! Byron Center started off the season with a statement win with a 41-point win against Battle Creek Central. East Kentwood also won their first game 35-10 against a usually good Hartland squad. Both of these teams are likely playoff teams, and this game will set the tone for league play later in the season. I know quite a few players on East Kentwood, so I'm interested in seeing how [player_tooltip player_id='241629' first='Casey' last='Joppie'], [player_tooltip player_id='471404' first='Elisee' last='Kanda'], [player_tooltip player_id='253244' first='Stellan' last='Bowman'], and others play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":471403,"width":392,"height":261,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/10/Kanda2-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-471403" style="width:392px;height:261px" width="392" height="261" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grand Haven @ Traverse City West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both of these teams suffered tough losses week 1. TC West lost 13-7 against Gaylord, a frustrating offensive performance. Grand Haven was incredibly competitive with Reeths-Puffer for most of the game, but ended up losing 41-13. This is a good measuring stick game with a whole lot of opportunity for young talent on both squads. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grandville @ Davison</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I will be attending this game. This one is huge. Grandville opened the year with a statement beatdown of Grand Blanc, boasting a dominating offense led by [player_tooltip player_id='875978' first='Cash' last='Ruff'], [player_tooltip player_id='206418' first='Jayden' last='Terry'], and the whole O-Line. The bulldog defense also looked great against a high-powered passing offense at GB. As for Davison, they had what was the most phenomenal win of opening weekend, with a 31-26 Victory against defending state champion De La Salle. There are literally dozens of players I'm looking forward to watching, and this game is a true tone-setter for the rest of the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":584298,"width":373,"height":245,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/IMG_6110-crop-653x429-1672983156.jpg?w=652" alt="" class="wp-image-584298" style="width:373px;height:245px" width="373" height="245" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='206418' first='Jayden' last='Terry']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>West Ottawa @ Portage Northern</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On paper Portage Northern will have the advantage, but don't count West Ottawa out. During week 1, West Ottawa suffered a tough 37-30 loss against Grand Ledge, while Portage Northern claimed a dominating victory against Vicksburg. Both teams have college prospects, and it's gonna be a good battle!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":471363,"width":383,"height":251,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/10/Forbes1-scaled-crop-2048x1345-1665263971.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-471363" style="width:383px;height:251px" width="383" height="251" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hudsonville @ East Lansing</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I highly considered attending this game. Hudsonville is a very under-appreciated team, as they have a ton of talent yet lost a ton of close games last season. During Week 1, Hudsonville hosted Howell where the Eagles stomped on Howell, winning 28-2. East Lansing suffered a somewhat surprising 17-7 loss against Portage Central. Lots of talent on both of these teams, so I'm looking forward to seeing who stands out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Reeths-Puffer @ Farmington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If this game was closer, I'd probably attend. I absolutely adore OK vs. OAA matchups, and this one is as perfect as you'll get. Both Reeths-Puffer and Farmington have had some recent success, I could see this one coming down to the wire. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Friday, September 1 </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Union @ West Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although I fully expect West Catholic to take care of business, there are several college prospects worth watching. [player_tooltip player_id='422578' first='Jesse' last='Phillips'] for Union is one of my favorite young West Michigan prospects, while West Catholic has close to a dozen players I'm keeping an eye on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":525298,"width":391,"height":260,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/TD-City9.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-525298" style="width:391px;height:260px" width="391" height="260" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Grand Rapids @ South Christian </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>EGR had a very impressive defensive performance last week, shutting out Cedar Springs 14-0. Considering how good Cedar Springs defense usually is, I don't think 14 points is bad either. For South Christian, their playmakers really showed up and showed out last week against GR Christian. They'll be facing a much better defense with EGR, so I'm curious to see how those playmakers fare in this one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rockford @ Mona Shores</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Considering Rockford's incredibly strong performance against Muskegon last week, I've got to give them the edge here. [player_tooltip player_id='1122536' first='Drake' last='Irwin'], Ryan Ahern, and several others took off in their Senior Debuts, and I know several other Rams are going to break out this season. As for Mona Shores, [player_tooltip player_id='602245' first='Jonathan' last='Pittman'] will be the X-Factor. If Pittman can be consistently accurate with few mistakes, Mona Shores has a chance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":908325,"width":392,"height":261,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/IMG_9545.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-908325" style="width:392px;height:261px" width="392" height="261" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>River Rouge @ Grand Rapids Catholic Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both of these teams lost against two of the best teams in the country. GRCC didn't stand a chance against Illinois powerhouse Loyola Prep, while River Rouge had their heart broken with a last-second touchdown against nationally-ranked Belleville. Both of these teams have several players who will be on D1 or D2 rosters after High School, so if you want a great environment with high-quality high school talent, I highly suggest this one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>De La Salle @ Muskegon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm planning on attending this game. Both of these teams come into the season with state championship expectations, and honestly, we could see this exact matchup at Ford Field come November. De La Salle comes into the season having to replace many gamechanging D1 talents, but they surely have all the pieces to 3-peat as State Champion. Muskegon on the other hand should have one of the most high-powered offenses this season. With an elite O-line and a 3-headed monster in the backfield, there is no reason why Muskegon shouldn't be able to put up some points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->