Game Previews for 3 key Thursday/Friday matchups in week 2

Michigan always offers great weekly high school football matchups all throughout the state, and Week 2 of the 2024 season is no different.

Here’s a preview of three Week 2 matchups that caught our eye:

Lansing Everett (1-0) vs. U.D. Jesuit (0-1)

Everett opened the season with a 28-0 victory over Lansing Sexton in a cross-town rivalry match. Now the Vikings have a date with Catholic League foe U.D. Jesuit in what might be their toughest test until a late-season matchup against East Lansing. Everett is led by quarterback Nizjai Davidson, who threw three first-half touchdowns last week, wide receiver Mason Chadwell, a Saginaw Valley State commit, and RB Logick Lyoya, a bruising power runner. Everett made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2014, losing in the first round to East Lansing.

Jesuit suffered a tough 35-14 loss against Birmingham Groves, losing their season opener for the first time since 2018. The Cubs are led by QB Brady Collins, who has visited Marshall and Florida, Army commit Zach Green (OT/DE), Saginaw Valley State commit Jacob Bellinger (OT, DT), Jordan Hearns, who recently took a visit to Northwestern, wide receiver Dante Banks, a rising 2025 star, and rising sophomore Brady Chaffin (OL). Despite being loaded with talent, the Cubs’ offense couldn’t generate much-sustained success in Week 1. They will look to get back on track against a formidable Vikings squad.

St. Joe (1-0) vs. Edwardsburg (1-0)

The Bears crushed a very solid Niles squad, 30-7 to kick off the 2024 season, giving their home fans plenty of reasons to be excited. St. Joe flipped the script after losing 55-0 against Niles to kick off last season.The Bears entered the fall as one of southwest Michigan’s top teams with 13 returning players receiving some sort of all-conference honors last season. Highlighting that group is: Rusty Klaer (OL), Blayke Sicurello (WR), Dylan Chapman (RB), Jones Rappette, (DL), Maguire Lange (DB), Jackson Milnickel (OL), Bobby DeLong (TE), Nate Schmitt (WR).

The Eddies might be one of the state’s most underrated teams, regardless of geographical location. Edwardsburg defeated Indiana’s Walkerton Glenn 48-18 last week, and have made the playoffs every year since 2010. Edwardsburg won a state title in 2018 and have since returned to the state semifinal three times. Football and basketball stars Brody Schimpa (QB) and Matt Anders (TE LB) lead a solid group with no real weaknesses. Caiden Miller (OT) and Oscar Morris (MLB, TE) are potential breakout stars.

Saline (1-0) vs. Dexter (1-0)

The Hornets have run an elite program for the last decade-plus, reaching the playoffs every season since 2012. They have so far continued that elite play this fall, earning a 41-20 win over Brighton last week. Led by do-it-all defender Isaiah Harris and WR/TE Lincoln Keyes, who both visited Georgia last week, QB Tommy Carr, who has D1 offers, and RB/DB James Rush. Saline defeated Dexter 41-25 last season, but lost the matchup in 2022. With all this next-level talent, Saline could be one of the state’s sleepers.

In addition to having one of the state’s best nicknames, the Dreadnaughts are also on a run of six straight playoff appearances. Dexter reached the state semifinal in 2022 after an undefeated regular season and backed it up with seven wins last fall. Northwestern commit and The D Zone POY watchlist candidate Ronny Johnson (RB) offers explosion and consistency. Offensive Lineman Cam Clark is committed to Wisconsin, linebacker Nathan Gersh is a fast-rising prospect who recently visited Ohio State, and tight end Holden Niemi is one of the best sophomores in the nation. This should be an exciting matchup between two elite teams.

The winner of this game will be the favorite to win the SEC Red.