Top Week 1 Matchups in the OK Conference
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We are under 10 days away from opening kickoff! Being this close to the season makes me incredibly joyful, and I think we’ve all missed Friday Night Lights. This article will speak on the top matchups in West Michigan’s premiere…
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Continue ReadingWe are under 10 days away from opening kickoff! Being this close to the season makes me incredibly joyful, and I think we’ve all missed Friday Night Lights. This article will speak on the top matchups in West Michigan’s premiere conference!
Must-See Matchups
(Matchups being played IN the area of the OK Conference)
Thursday, August 24
Unity Christian @ Whitehall
This is a matchup that I’ve heard zero buzz about! Many West Michigan Football Fans know that Unity Christian is a routine state championship contender. Though, they fielded a very young team last season and are looking to return to state-championship form. As for Whitehall, they are coming off a phenomenal 2022 season, having gone 11-1, with their only loss being against Champion South Christian.
For UC, I’m looking forward to seeing what Jake Chapman Jake Chapman 6'6" | 205 lbs | TE Unity Christian | 2025 MI is able to do after a full offseason of work. Nolan Vis Nolan Vis 5'11" | 205 lbs | ATH Unity Christian | 2025 State MI should be a huge part of their offense, and Isaiah Meyers has a chance to make a name for himself as a two-way player.
Whitehall is going to be an interesting team to watch this season, and I hope they can have another uber-successful season after their 2023 graduating class. QB Kyle Stratton Kyle Stratton 5'9" | 180 lbs | QB Whitehall | 2024 State MI should be extremely fun to watch this season, as well as his big offensive tackle Connor Nash.
Cedar Springs @ East Grand Rapids
I’m super interested to see how this one turns out. Last season, Cedar Springs had an unfortunate season. They kicked it off. by playing toe-to-toe with River Rouge, and they looked great. Down the stretch, they couldn’t find a way to win games. EGR also had a bumpy season though I’m confident they’ve improved a ton this offseason, plus they brought in some young studs. Cedar Springs is the favorite here, but EGR should play them tough!
I’m looking forward to seeing how Scotty Millman Scotty Millman 5'11" | 190 lbs | QB East Grand Rapids | 2024 State MI performs. The big men Jacob Krause Jacob Krause 6'5" | 255 lbs | OL East Grand Rapids | 2024 State MI , George Bernecker, Jacob Tietema Jacob Tietema 6'7" | 225 lbs | OL East Grand Rapids | 2025 MI , and Will Kowalewski Will Kowalewski 6'9" | 295 lbs | OL East Grand Rapids | 2025 State MI will also turn heads this season.
I am not too well-informed on Cedar Springs football, though C Marquise Mance and QB/RB Tayson Doncis look go be playmakers for this team.
GR Catholic Central vs. Loyola Academy (IL)
This is a game I’ll end up streaming on NFHS network at a later date, or there’s a small chance I attend. Wow! If you don’t already know, Loyola Academy is an absolute powerhouse. Loyola also has nearly 4x’s GRCC’s population, with Loyola having 2070 students compared to GRCC’s 584. Even though Loyola should have the upper hand, GRCC has countless college-level stars and one of the best offenses in Michigan.
This will be an incredible test for guys like Connor Wolf Connor Wolf 6'3" | 180 lbs | QB Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2024 State MI , Kellen Russell-Dixon Kellen Russell-Dixon 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2024 State MI , and the entire offensive line. This will also give the receiving weapons high-quality game reps against an elite opponent. I’d highly recommend this game if you want to see college talent!
Grand Ledge @ West Ottawa
This should be a super competitive game! Last season, Grand Ledge surprised a lot of people, going 9-3 on the season while knocking Brighton and Holt out of the playoffs. West Ottawa looked much improved compared to years past. They went 4-5 with a grueling schedule, and WO could be a good playoff team!
Grand Ledge had a great 2023 class, and I wish I knew more about their current players.
West Ottawa has a ton of intriguing players. I got to watch this team at Hope’s 7v7 tournament, and QB Connor Knapp really stood out. They also have a lot of great players in the secondary.
Friday, August 25
Rockford @ Muskegon
I shouldn’t have to hype this one up at all. Two of West Michigan’s best squaring off at an incredible venue. This season, Muskegon looks to be the top challenger for De La Salle in Division 2, while Rockford is a dark horse Championship contender in D1.
Drake Irwin Drake Irwin 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Rockford | 2024 State MI will make his debut start at QB for the Rams, and we’ll see plenty of weapons take the field for those Rams. I’m incredibly interested to see how Zane Panchula Zane Panchula 6'5" | 290 lbs | DL Rockford | 2025 State MI does, as he has some D1 offers but not much film. He’ll have his work cut out for him against the best offensive line in Michigan.
Muskegon is returning the majority of their difference-makers from last season. Miguel Botello Miguel Botello 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL Muskegon | 2024 State MI , Karl Brooks Karl Brooks 6'4" | 345 lbs | OL Muskegon | 2024 State MI , and N-Kye Wynn N-Kye Wynn 6'5" | 245 lbs | OL Muskegon | 2025 State MI lead the elite O-Line, while M’Khi Guy, Destin Piggee Destin Piggee 5'6" | 160 lbs | ATH Muskegon | 2024 State MI , and Jake Price Jake Price 5'6" | 175 lbs | RB Muskegon | 2024 State MI serve as a lethal big 3 in the backfield. Stanley Cunningham Stanley Cunningham 6'5" | 200 lbs | ATH Muskegon | 2024 State MI was a phenomenal DE last season, and he’s set to start at TE this season.
Caledonia vs. Romeo
I’m so incredibly excited about this matchup! Caledonia shocked the world with a State Championship appearance last season, while Romeo posted an impressive 8-3 record, and they consistently sport one of the best defenses in Michigan.
Brody Betser Brody Betser 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Caledonia | 2025 State MI will take his first snaps at Caledonia’s starting QB, and it’s going to come against an extremely tough D. I’m looking forward to seeing how Brody performs, as well as other offensive pieces like Brock Townsend Brock Townsend 6'0" | 205 lbs | RB Caledonia | 2024 State MI . On the defense, I’m anticipating a big season from Jaxson Engelberg Jaxson Engelberg 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL Caledonia | 2024 State MI as well as Derek Pennington Jr. Derek Pennington Jr. 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Caledonia | 2024 State MI
As for Romeo- Ryan Relyea Ryan Relyea 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Romeo | 2024 State MI , Victor Earl Victor Earl 6'2" | 195 lbs | LB Romeo | 2024 State MI , and Owen Youngblood Owen Youngblood 5'7" | 135 lbs | ATH Romeo | 2024 MI are the top 3 stars for this defense.
Other Matchups
Holland @ Holland Christian
These two programs are far from their peak, but this is still a super fun rivalry. Holland Christian are the extremely heavy favorite in this one, but if you’re near Holland, consider checking this one out.
GR Ottawa Hills @ GR Union
This is a matchup where Union will be very heavily favored, but still a great city rivalry nonetheless. Union defeated Ottawa Hills 59-12 last season. Though, Union only won by 1 point in 2021 by a score of 35-34.
For Union, I’m extremely excited to potentially see Star Freshman Grayson Fellows Grayson Fellows 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Kenowa Hills | 2027 State MI take the field. I’m also looking forward to seeing just how good Jesse Phillips Jesse Phillips 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB East Kentwood | 2026 State MI and Syncere Hobson Syncere Hobson 6'2" | 260 lbs | OL Grand Rapids Union | 2026 MI are going to be this season!
Hudsonville vs. Howell
Byron Center vs. Battle Creek Central
Oakridge vs. Sparta