Hudsonville vs. East Kentwood Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Later today, I'll be at East Kentwood for what should be an incredibly close matchup. What I'm expecting is a close, physical defensive game with both coaching staffs engaged in a full-game chess match. With that, I'll be sharing some quick stats, my thoughts on each team and thoughts on half a dozen players playing in tonight's game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hudsonville</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record: 3-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Points for: 97</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Points against: 59</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week, Hudsonville took the High School football world by storm by breaking Rockford's historic winning streak. Hudsonville is no stranger to upset wins, as they defeated East Lansing earlier this year and nearly beat Grandville last year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What I think Hudsonville does best is eliminate what the opposing team does best. Take East Lansing, for example. They have an elite run game, and they're averaging 33.5 Points Per Game. Hudsonville held East Lansing to just 12 points. I expect East Kentwood to try to be as balanced as possible, but I also know they have a great Quarterback who airs it out more than most. This game will be won and lost by the Hudsonville defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, here are my quick thoughts on a few Hudsonville players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["247638"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f635b3cf6ce"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Year-round hard work</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Elite run stopper</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has athleticism to go sideline-to-sideline</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I expect EK to try and run AWAY from Ethan</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Interested to watch Ethan in pass coverage, because he'll probably get a lot of reps</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1298758"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f635b3cf729"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Seems to be starting at Receiver right now</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Excited to see Brady potentially get open-field touches</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>If in at QB, I know the arm is excellent, but how good is the processing? </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Regardless of position, I will have an eye on Brady</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["824330"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f635b3cf76e"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Another guy who I know has put in the work</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has improved athleticism and route-running significantly over the past year and a half</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Looking for Carson to potentially convert an explosive open-field play as he did against Rockford</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Blocking?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Leadership?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">East Kentwood</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record: 3-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Points for: 103</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Points against: 85</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next few weeks will dictate how much of a step forward East Kentwood has taken. Defeating Caledonia was the first major upset in the Tyrone Spencer era. On paper, this game could go either way, and you'd have to think East Kentwood is currently the underdog against Grandville and Rockford. Winning one of those games? That's good. To win two of those games? That's going to put fear into all of West Michigan. All of them? I doubt it, but that would put East Kentwood in the dark horse State Championship conversation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I still don't know if this team has found an identity, and I'm very curious to see how they attack Hudsonville on both sides of the ball. Offensively, East Kentwood has had good games on the ground and through the air. I still think they have some holes, which I'd imagine Hudsonville is looking to exploit. The EK defense also looks pretty good, but maybe a step behind against the better offenses in West Michigan. Hudsonville doesn't seem to have a super high-powered offense, so this could be an opportunity for the EK defense to step up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, here are a few players that I'll have my eye on later tonight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["570285"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f635b3cf7b1"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of my most anticipated QB evaluations this season</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Simply put; Is Kayd as good as advertised? </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>How quickly can Kayd get the ball out? </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>How is his accuracy all over the field? </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>If the game is close, I'd love to see how Kayd reacts to a big late-game drive </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["298945"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f635b3cf7f1"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A prospect I've known since Day 1 of his HS career</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I'm looking for getoff, physicality, and motor. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Some solid highlights and stats so far this season!</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Could be a late-bloomer NAIA or D3 prospect. I know Syncere is a Saturday player!</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Very excited to watch him at East Kentwood</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["298951"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f635b3cf837"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of my most closely watched players this offseason</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Did phenomenal things at Grand Rapids Union </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Starting at DB? WR? Both? I know he has the talent to start both ways</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Looking for run support on D </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Looking for any big plays / blocks on O</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->