The Biggest Week 1 Games In The Capital Area Conferences

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are now down to less than a week until gameday across the state of Michigan! It's time to start breaking down some of the biggest matchups in the state, starting in the heart of the state around the Lansing area! Let's preview these intriguing matchups. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DeWitt vs Haslett </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game is a week 1 matchup we have been getting for a while now, and I always look forward to it! DeWitt returns this season as a team with a lot to look forward to, meanwhile Haslett is an underrated team I think will surprise some people. The DeWitt Panthers feature the Larner brothers of QB [player_tooltip player_id='587912' first='Elliott' last='Larner'], and brother [player_tooltip player_id='587931' first='Abram' last='Larner'] outside at WR, and will feature up and coming 2026 Tight End [player_tooltip player_id='567870' first='Jacob' last='Schorfhaar']. This offense has the potential to be explosive and powerful and will need that explosiveness against another strong offense in Haslett. The Vikings will be relying heavily on the run game, led by RB [player_tooltip player_id='1148693' first='Kory' last='Amachree']. Paving the way for him will be Michigan Tech OL commit [player_tooltip player_id='591065' first='Gregory' last='Myles']. I think this game has the potential to get really fun, with the scorekeeper getting a fair workout in week 1! <strong>My prediction: DeWitt 38, Haslett 30</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lansing Catholic Central vs Williamston </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am a big believer in both of these teams heading into the 2024 season, so I think this game could be very interesting! LCC will see Williamston for the first time since 2022 and will be looking to their strong receiving core to help them build on a rather disappointing 4-7 season. Guys like [player_tooltip player_id='899622' first='Braden' last='Rabideau'], [player_tooltip player_id='899459' first='Ty' last='Rakan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1298763' first='Xavier' last='Luea'] all have the ability to stretch a defense and make life difficult. Williamston has a veteran presence overall on this season's squad, but I think they'll need someone in the younger classes to break out and put on some great production. They'll be led defensively by [player_tooltip player_id='1225694' first='Joe' last='Smith'] at LB, and on offense, receivers [player_tooltip player_id='1225692' first='Thomas' last='Pratt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1393765' first='Hunter' last='Vansickler'] will be used in a variety of ways to move the ball offensively. I predict this game is close in the first half, but I like Williamston a lot in 2024, so I think they'll pull away. <strong>My prediction: Williamston 42, Lansing Catholic 20</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Portland vs Detroit Country Day</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game will feature a couple more of the best receivers in the state, as Portland's [player_tooltip player_id='899449' first='Christopher' last='Battley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='591085' first='Barrett' last='Brennan'] will lead a solid receiving room against one of the top Detroit teams. Portland is coming off of a 12-1 season that saw them Narrowly lose to South Christian in the semi-finals. Portland returns a lot of production and is one of those programs that continues to reload season after season. They'll have their work cut out for them against a Country Day squad that is looking for a bounce back season after finishing 3-5, albeit a tough schedule. If Portland wants to get the job done, they will need to neutralize guys like [player_tooltip player_id='600297' first='Chase' last='Dawkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='1148707' first='Derrick' last='Williams'] and Toledo committed offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='600306' first='Cade' last='Wilhelmi']. I think they do that, and the Red Raiders get the week 1 win. <strong>My prediction: Portland 35, Country Day 17</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->