District Championship Previews & Predictions

Written by
Tate Baker
Published
11/04/2021

It's trophy time as teams across the state will look to take one step closer to Ford Field by securing a district championship. Check out my preview and prediction for all the district championships featuring teams from the OK Conference

D1: Grandville (7-3) @ Rockford (10-0)

Grandville and Rockford meet in a district championship for the second straight season as the Rams will look to claim it’s 4th straight win over the Bulldogs. Each of the past two games between these rivals has gone into overtime, highlighted by two high powered offenses. Ferris State commit Zak Ahern has been one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the state this season, throwing 25 touchdowns and running for 22 scores. His number one target is Army commit Tyler Vroman, who led the OK Red with six touchdown receptions. Grandville has an arsenal of backs that produces in their Wing T offenses, but none are more productive than Cade Pilczuk, who led Grandville with 19 rushing touchdowns on the year. Rockford comes into the game as the favorite and will look to win the game by connecting on big plays and limiting Grandville’s rushing attack. The Bulldogs will need to contain Zak Ahern and force him to move the ball with his arm if they hope to pull off the upset.

Prediction: Rockford 42, Grandville 28

D2: Mona Shores (8-2) vs Caledonia (9-1) (Grandville HS)

Mona Shores had arguably the most impressive win of the first round of the playoffs, dismantling a 9-1 Forest Hills Central team to a 31-7 win. Mark Konecny got consistent yards on the ground, running behind a dominant offensive line. Running back Dahmir Farnum and slot back Demetri Robinson are two of the most dangerous skill position players in the area and are a threat to score whenever they touch the ball. Caledonia is led by a young core that can get it done through the air and on the ground. Junior quarterback Mason McKenzie has thrown for 13 touchdowns and ran for 16 in the regular season, while sophomore Brock Townsend has nine rushing touchdowns, a receiving touchdown, and a special teams score on the year. The difference in this game will come down to the battle in the trenches, as both offensive and defensive line units for each team have the ability to generate leverage. Watch for Ferris State commit Andrew DeVries to be a difference maker for Caledonia.

Prediction: Caledonia 24, Mona Shores 21

D3: Cedar Springs (8-2) @ Muskegon (9-1)

Cedar Springs and Muskegon meet in the playoffs for the 4th consecutive season, with Muskegon having won each of the previous three games by an average of 25 points. The Big Reds are led by two talented underclassmen running backs in Destin Piggee and Jakob Price, who have combined for 20 rushing touchdowns in the regular season. Myles Walton is one of the most electric playmakers in the state and has 10 passing touchdowns and 8 rushing touchdowns on the year. Also keep an eye on Damari Foster, who had seven touchdowns during the regular season. Cedar Springs enters this game 8-2 with it’s only losses to undefeated Rockford and GR Catholic Central. The Red Hawks find the majority of their success on the ground in the Wing-T behind a stacked backfield that includes Ryan Mitchell, Aiden Brunin, Carter Falen, Antwaun Nichols, and others. Expect Cedar Springs to try to shorten the game with long, drawn out offensive possessions. I’m expecting Muskegon’s playmakers to make the difference in what should be a game that’s closer than the previous meetings between these two programs.

Prediction: Muskegon 36, Cedar Springs 28

D4: Grand Rapids Christian (7-3) vs Unity Christian (10-0) (Jenison HS)

Grand Rapids Christian and Unity Christian clash in a division 4 district final with the winner earning a favorable path to make a run at Ford Field. Unity Christian has had the most dominant season amongst any team in the OK Conference, winning all but one game by at least 30 points. In fact, the Crusaders already defeated GR Christian in week two by a score of 58-21. Led by Drew Chandler (26 TDs) and Cam Chandler (19 TDs), Unity’s offense has been running on all cylinders, scoring 56 points per game. GR Christian seems to enjoy playing from behind, as a handful of their wins have resulted in the comeback fashion this season. Ja’Marte Hogan, Aviere Thomas, and Amir Nixon are the players to watch on the Eagle offense and each will need to have big games in order for the Eagles to pull off the upset.

Prediction: Unity Christian 49, Grand Rapids Christian 28

D4: Grand Rapids South Christian (7-3) @ Hastings (9-1)

Grand Rapids South Christian hopes to make another run in the Division 4 playoffs after losing to Edwardsburg in the regional final a season ago. Jake DeHaan and Chandler Van Solkema, who each have 19 touchdowns on the year, are the players to keep an eye on for the Sailors. The Hastings Saxons are led by a high powered offense that has scored 45 points per game. I’m expecting DeHaan and Van Solkema to have big days and earn a second consecutive district championship.

Prediction: GR South Chrisitan 38, Hastings 28

D5: West Catholic (9-1) @ Catholic Central (10-0)

West Catholic and Catholic Central meet for the first time since 2019 in what’s known around West Michigan as the “Holy War.” The longtime rivals are both led by potent offenses with drastically different ways of getting down the field. Catholic Central’s junior quarterback John Passinault stepped in for injured star quarterback Joey Silveri in week four, and hasn’t missed a beat, throwing 21 touchdown passes. Notre Dame commit Nolan Zeigler leads the team with 17 touchdown receptions, while Devin Fridley-Bell and Joe Mullett have each hauled in eight, and Ronin Russell-Dixon and Jack Schreur have each caught six touchdown passes. West Catholic gets things done on the ground, by the way of star running back Tim Kloska, who has 26 rushing touchdowns on the year. If West Catholic hopes to pull off the upset and end Catholic Central’s 36 game win streak, they’ll have to do so by controlling the clock and capitalize on its drives with six points. Catholic Central will look to make this a high scoring game, knowing they have the weapons to outscore just about anyone in it’s path to another state championship.

Prediction: Catholic Central 38, West Catholic 17