Game Preview: Grandville (1-1) @ Caledonia (2-0)

Game Info

Grandville (1-1) @ Caledonia (2-0)

Friday, September 10th @ 7 pm

CHS Ralph E. Meyers Memorial Stadium

Series history: 8th all-time meeting. Grandville leads the series 4-3 and won last year’s matchup 42-7.

Conference play begins this week and The D Zone’s OK Conference Game of The Week features a pair of OK Red foes that hope to continue the momentum they’ve built over the past two weeks.

Caledonia sits at 2-0 for the first time since 2015 with hopes of starting the season 3-0 for the first time since they made the Division 2 state semifinals in 2012. Grandville is 1-1 following an opening week loss to Glenn Ellyn Glenbard West (Illinois, enrollment 2,360), and a 50-0 win over University of Detroit Jesuit in week two.

Caledonia

2-0, Last week: Defeated Lowell 35-0

Players To Watch

Mason McKenzie, QB, 2023”

Mason has generated some buzz and should be considered one of the more under-the-radar quarterbacks in the area. Mason has a quick release and delivers the ball accurately. He’s shown the pocket presence and ability to go through his reads. Additionally, Mason is most dangerous on the run, as he’s shown he can connect with his receivers and tuck the ball away and gain yardage effectively with his legs.

Brock Townsend RB/DB, 2024”

Brock is one of the Scots' best two-way playmakers and has made an impact at an early age. The sophomore back is elusive and can make his man miss with consistency in the open space. Don’t be surprised to see him in on key plays late in this game.

Owen Graham, DB/WR, 2022”

Owen is one of Caledonia’s defensive linchpins, lining up at defensive back and outside linebacker. Owen has natural ball instincts and puts himself in a position to make a play on every down. His sideline to sideline speed jumps off the tape, as does his closing speed.

Caleb Paarlberg, OL/DL, 2022”

Caleb might be one of the most tenacious linemen in the OK Conference. His film displays a quick burst of speed and strength that overmatches the average opposing lineman. His skill set translates to positive plays on both sides of the ball. His ability to make plays in the trenches will have a big impact on who wins this game.

Andrew Devries, OL/DL, 2022”

Andrew joined the Caledonia football program along with his dad and assistant coach Eric DeVries after starring for Zeeland East. Andrew was an All-Conference and All-Region selection in 2020 and figures to be one of the premier linemen in the OK Red this year. Andrew has great footwork and explodes off the line of scrimmage. Andrew has shown great effort, specifically in the run game, where he clears out multiple defenders on a given play.

Grandville

1-1, Last week: Defeated University of Detroit Jesuit 50-0

Players To Watch

Cade Pilczuk, RB, 2022”

Grandville’s dynamic duo of Marcel Love and Cam Terry graduated last year, opening the door for a new star back to emerge. Cade Pilczuk has thrown his hat in the ring to be that guy with a huge performance against UofD Jesuit in week two, rushing for 161 yards and three touchdowns. He’ll receive the lion’s share of the carries and be expected to execute behind Grandville’s beefy offensive line.

Tyson Mann, RB, Grandville

Tyson Mann is another player that has seen an increase in role and responsibility this season after the departure of last year’s graduating class. Tyson has flashed a good burst out of the backfield and is someone who can churn out hard-fought yardage on crucial downs.

Ian Sanders, QB, 2022”

Ian is the steady presence under center for Bulldogs, operating the Wing-T with efficiency and consistency. He isn’t asked to throw often, but when his number is called, he has shown the poise to limit mistakes and connect on throws both on the run and in the pocket. Ian also is a plus blocker in the run game and isn’t afraid to put a hat on a hat downfield.

Jackson Buckler, OL/DL, 2022”

Standing 6’5 305 lbs, Jackson is the driving force of the offensive line for the Bulldogs and can be credited for much of the success Grandville’s run game has seen in the past couple of seasons. A mauler up front, the Scots will have to find a way around #70 if they hope to mitigate the Bulldog’s wing-t attack.

Alex Pepin, DB, 2022”

Alex is one of the Bulldog’s leaders in the defensive backfield due to the consistent play and athleticism he’s displayed at defensive back. He has great closing speed and can take away a potential big play before it has the chance to develop. Expect Alex to be frequently involved in Grandville’s game plan to slow down Caledonia’s offense.

Keys To The Game

Whoever wins the battle in the trenches will win this game. Both offensive and defensive lines for each team feature a ton of size, speed, and strength. I think both lines are relatively evenly matched, however, if one unit can dominate, that’ll go a long way to coming out with a win.

Grandville’s defense is somewhat of an unknown given they struggled against an Illinois power in week one then completely dominated Detroit Jesuit in game two. I think they’ll have a completely new challenge in defending Caledonia’s multiple look attack tomorrow night. If the Bulldogs can limit the Scots big plays and force Caledonia in third in longs, they’ll have a good shot at getting out to a 1-0 record in conference play.

Prediction

Grandville 32, Caledonia 27