State Championship Preview: Division 5

Tyler Graham November 25, 2023 @ 03:26 AM

All season long, most people thought D5 was the most open and entertaining division in the state. Personally, I think this game is the one I am most excited for. Honestly, I think 5 has been the most entertaining division for a few years now. This season features a familiar face in Grand Rapids Catholic Central, and a squad getting to Ford Field for the first time in school history. Both of these teams are loaded and evenly matched, so this should be a good one!   Grand Rapids Catholic Central has the pedigree unlike any other school in this division. They're gunning for their 8th state title in school history. The Cougars are a well coached team with dangerous athletes at every position. Star RB [player_tooltip player_id='533709' first='Kellen' last='Russell-Dixon'] is going to give Corunna problems as he can spring any carry for 6, and is also a fantastic DB. QB [player_tooltip player_id='188030' first='Connor' last='Wolf'] is playing his best ball right now, and with athletes like Jamison Williams on the outside, this GRCC team can hit you from anywhere. They also possess a balanced line that can both pass protect, or move the line of scrimmage yards downfield on a run play. I think they will be tested defensively as Corunna is a scoring machine as well. I think they'll need a takeaway or 2 in this one.   Corunna is going to look to knock off GRCC off with their defense. They can score with the best of them, averaging 45 PPG while beating teams like Goodrich, and Notre Dame Prep, Fenton and Armada. The Bower twin connection has been impossible to stop all year long, and I think it will show out again in this contest. Other than them, there are still so many ways this team can do damage. Jaden Edington has emerged as an impressive player who plays a ton of different roles on any given night. This game will be another that battles it out mostly in the trenches. Corunna will need to generate a lot of pass rush to make Wolf feel uncomfortable, because if he sits back with time, it will be a long day for the Cavs DBs.   As I said, this is one of my favorite games of the weekend. This will have a little bit of everything. Incredible defenses, potent offenses, 2 college caliber QBs, and big men in the trenches that love to get physical. It's hard to gauge whether there will be a lot of points, or if it will be a defensive standoff, but this game should be evenly matched, and thrilling throughout!

All season long, most people thought D5 was the most open and entertaining division in the state. Personally, I think this game is the one I am most excited for. Honestly, I think 5 has been the most entertaining division for a few years now. This season features a familiar face in Grand Rapids Catholic Central, and a squad getting to Ford Field for the first time in school history. Both of these teams are loaded and evenly matched, so this should be a good one!