Ottawa-Kent Conferences Games Of The Week: Week Three
We’re into the third week of the regular season and conference races in the OK are starting to take form. This week, there are four matchups pitting 2-0 teams against each other, making week three a crucial turning point during…
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Continue ReadingWe’re into the third week of the regular season and conference races in the OK are starting to take form. This week, there are four matchups pitting 2-0 teams against each other, making week three a crucial turning point during this shortened season. I’ll break down the week’s best games including top prospects, keys to each game as well as who I think will come out on top.
OK Red: Grandville (2-0) @ Hudsonville (2-0)
Top Prospects
Marcel Love Marcel Love 5'7" | 160 lbs | RB Grandville | 2021 MI , RB, Grandville
Camron Terry Camron Terry 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Grandville | 2021 State MI , RB, Grandville
Caden Peters Caden Peters 6'3" | 275 lbs | OL Grandville | 2021 MI , OL, Grandville
Nathan Elders Nathan Elders 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Grandville | 2021 State MI , DB, Grandville
Carter DeGraaf Carter DeGraaf 6'5" | 280 lbs | OL Hudsonville | 2021 IN , OL, Hudsonville
Brennan Hayes Brennan Hayes 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Hudsonville | 2021 State MI , QB, Hudsonville
Dylan Ham, WR, Hudsonville
Carson Fischer Carson Fischer 6'4" | 195 lbs | WR Hudsonville | 2021 MI , WR, Hudsonville
Keys To The Game
Hudsonville’s defense has given up 13 points through two games, while Grandville has scored 116 points within that same stretch. It may not be as cut and dry as something has to give between these two units, but expect the more dominant group between the two to give its team the best chance at winning this game. It’s widely known that Grandville will rely on its dynamic duo of Marcel Love Marcel Love 5'7" | 160 lbs | RB Grandville | 2021 MI and Camron Terry Camron Terry 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Grandville | 2021 State MI to carry the load offensively, while Hudsonville likes to spread things out more. If Hudsonville can play from out in front and capitalize early, it might be tough for the Bulldogs to keep pace, given their offensive strategy.
Prediction: Hudsonville 28, Grandville 27
OK White: Forest Hills Central (2-0) @ Byron Center (2-0)
Top Prospects
Austin Roon Austin Roon 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Byron Center | 2021 State MI , LB, Byron Center
Mason Breit Mason Breit 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB Byron Center | 2021 State MI , RB/DB, Byron Center
Nolan Tagg, OL/DL, Byron Center
Connor Bovia, OL/DL, Byron Center
Braylon Baker, LB, Byron Center
Hunter Robinson, QB, Forest Hills Central
Maguire Mahacek, QB, Forest Hills Central
Carson Deines, LB, Forest Hills Central
Keys To The Game
Forest Hills Central has efficiently navigated the first two games deploying a two-quarterback system in Hunter Robinson and Maguire Mahacek. Both quarterbacks are running threats and also have the ability to throw downfield, offering a complex challenge for opposing defenses thus far. Byron Center appears to be up to the task considering the talent and experience they have on the defensive side of the ball. Future Syracuse Orange, Austin Roon Austin Roon 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Byron Center | 2021 State MI controls the box better than any linebacker in the area and will be tasked with slowing down the Ranger’s dual-quarterback attack. Expect a low-scoring game as Byron Center is allowing a bleak 6.5 points per game, while Forest Hills Central has allowed 13 ppg.
Prediction: Byron Center 14, Forest Hills Central 7
OK Green: Zeeland West (2-0) @ Zeeland East (2-0)
Top Prospects
Carson Gulker Carson Gulker 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Zeeland West | 2021 State MI , QB, Zeeland West
Terick DeJonge, RB, Zeeland West
Pierce Walker, RB, Zeeland West
Skyler Geurink, RB, Zeeland West
Tag Bonnema, LB, Zeeland East
Andrew DeVries Andrew DeVries 6'2" | 270 lbs | OL Zeeland East | 2022 State MI , OL/DL, Zeeland East
Nathan Veereke, OL/DL, Zeeland East
Riley Tietema, OL/DL, Zeeland East
Ethan Houghtailing, QB, Zeeland East
Adam Cassel, RB/LB, Zeeland East
Brendan Schrotenboer, RB/LB, Zeeland East
Keys To The Game
Neither Zeeland East nor Zeeland West has been tested in the slightest bit this year, as both squads have outscored the same opponents (Wyoming and Grand Rapids Union) by 70+ points. A striking similarity between the Zeeland foes is their defenses have each given up 27 points through two games. As in years past, this rivalry will come down to what offense can stay in rhythm and control the time of possession. The difference-maker in this game, in my opinion, will be the dynamic quarterback play of Zeeland West’s Carson Gulker Carson Gulker 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Zeeland West | 2021 State MI . A true dual-threat to make big plays with both his arm and legs has the Dux offense humming at the moment. It’ll be up to future Division I linebacker, Tag Bonnema, and the rest of the Chix defense to slow down the Dux attack. Expect another shootout in this one that could come down to who has the ball last.
Prediction: Zeeland West 42, Zeeland East 38
OK Gold: Cedar Springs (2-0) @ Catholic Central (2-0)
Top Prospects
Jace Williams Jace Williams 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2021 State MI , WR, Catholic Central
Nolan Ziegler Nolan Ziegler 6'4" | 205 lbs | DB Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2022 State MI , DB, Catholic Central
Isaiah Hicks Isaiah Hicks 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2021 State MI , LB, Catholic Central
Brady Redmer Brady Redmer 6'0" | 215 lbs | DL Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2022 MI , DL, Catholic Central
Antwuan Nicholls, RB, Cedar Springs
Jeremy Campione, QB, Cedar Springs
Aiden Brunin, RB, Cedar Springs
Josh Kriekaard, DL, Cedar Springs
Keys To The Game
Grand Rapids Catholic Central is loaded with future collegiate talent on both sides of the ball this year and is the prohibitive favorite to take home the Division 5 State Championship. That being said, the Cougars have yet to face a rushing attack as solid as Cedar Springs has this season. While I don’t think an upset is likely, the number of solid backs the Red Hawks can rotate through can tend to give opposing defenses problems. Couple that with a few turnovers and Cedar Springs has the opportunity to keep this game interesting. In the end, the Cougars talent is overwhelming and should lead them to a 3-0 start in the OK Gold.
Prediction: Catholic Central 35, Cedar Springs 17