HS Football Preview: 10 Teams to Watch in Southwest Michigan

Friday night lights have returned to Michigan for the 2024 high school football season.

Southwest Michigan teams might not always get the love they deserve, but plenty of teams in the area have playoff - and even state title - aspirations.

Here are 10 teams to watch in southwest Michigan, with games starting this week:

Portage Northern - The Huskies have reached the playoffs five of the last six seasons, including last fall’s 8-2 record. Northern returns a talented squad, especially in the trenches, where tackle Gregory Patrick is one of the top junior lineman in the nation. Northern’s best season came in 2019 when they went 10-2 and outscored their opponents 459-187. This year, the Huskies will get an early test with a matchup against Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in Week 1.

Key Matchup: Cross-town rival Portage Central handed Northern its only regular-season loss last fall, so the Huskies will be hoping for some redemption October 11.

Key Players: Zach French (OL/DL), Gregory Patrick OT (4-star national recruit), Carter Yates (WR/DB), Vaughnzell Tyus (RB/LB), Joe Thole (QB), Braden Hembree (OT/DT), Jordan Bates-McCullough (WR/LB), Cameron Bates-McCullough (WR/RB, CB)

Paw Paw - The Red Wolves have produced a few NFL players, and might have another one in senior offensive tackle Darrin Strey, who is committed to Kentucky. Paw Paw has reached the playoffs six straight seasons, including last fall’s 9-2 effort. Like many of the consistently good teams in southwest Michigan, Paw Paw hasn’t been able to generate many long postseason runs. Maybe that can change with this squad’s dominant front line.

Key Matchup: Paw Paw’s lone regular-season loss was against a determined Niles squad. The two teams face off again October 25 - the last game of the season. If the Red Wolves can flip that result, it should provide a spark entering the playoffs.

Key Players: Darrin Strey (OT), Ben Miller (RB), PJ DeYoung (RB, SS), Bryson Newell (FB, OLB), Julian Hernandez (G), Landon Buhl (LB, FB), Eli Sonnenberg (CB), Gunner Goodwell (QB), Cody Connoly (TE)

Martin - The Clippers score a lot of points, and they win with unique regularity. Martin has won the 8-man state title each of the last two years, scoring 705 points in 2022 and 455 points last fall. Martin has drastically turned around its program. After failing to win a game from 2009 through 2013, the Clippers have now made six straight playoffs. With another strong schedule ahead of them, could Martin be gearing up for a three-peat?

Key Matchup: Martin was trounced 53-16 by Gobles last fall in the regular season. In a turn of events, Martin avenged the loss in the playoffs to advance to the state semifinal. The two teams meet October 11 in what should be a thrilling game.

Key Players: Gavin Meyers (QB/CB), Haylen Buell (RB/LB), Carson Cameruci (OL), Weson Elkins (CB), James Gruber (OL/DL), Jon Owen (DL)

Niles - The Niles football program is certainly on the rise. After recording a team record 321 points in 2022, they obliterated that number in 2023 by scoring 558 points, despite playing in a tough conference. The Vikings have only reached the playoffs six times since 1950, but they went 10-2 while reaching the regional last fall. Niles scored 40 or more points in all 10 of their wins. The Vikings only had one winning season between 2004 and 2020. The tide has turned with three straight winning seasons.

Key Matchup: Opening the season at St. Joe could be a tone-setter for both schools. Niles will be trying to start the season with momentum, but don’t expect another 55-0 win. The Bears retained a lot of young talent.

Key Players: Paul Hess (ATH), Chase Brawley (OT), Brandon Hamilton (OL), Sam Rucker (DL), Jaden Ivery (DB), Brenden Olsen (ATH), Riley Cowan (OL),

St. Joseph - The Bears enter the season on a string of nine straight playoff appearances. The highlight of that stretch was in 2021 when St. Joe reached the state semifinal. The Bears went 6-4 last season and scored just 228 points, a substantial decline after recording 425 and 405 points, respectively, in 2022 and 2021. St. Joe has a host of returning players (see below) who were named to the SMAC all-conference teams last season, so expectations are again high.

Key Matchup: The Bears shutout Stevensville-Lakeshore 35-0 in the regular season last fall. In a turn of events, Lakeshore then upset St. Joe 20-15 during the first round of the playoffs. These two teams, separated by only a couple miles, face off September 27 in what promises to be a spirited battle.

Key Players: Rusty Klaer (OL), Blayke Sicurello (WR), Dylan Chapman (RB), Jones Rappette, (DL), Maguire Lange (DB), Jackson Milnickel (OL), Bobby DeLong (TE), Nate Schmitt (WR), Dontrane Miller (DL), Camden King (C), Evan Wilkes (DT), Elvin Vu (DT), Aidan Johnson (ILB)

Portage Central - A storied program through and through, having reached the playoffs 13 of the last 15 seasons. Despite all the success, Central has only reached the regional twice during that span, proving long runs are very difficult. Known for their elite defense, Central has allowed under 200 points eight times since 2014 and should boast another impressive defense this season.

Key Matchup: Central suffered an early-season 26-6 loss against Forest Hills Central last year; they then lost to Byron Center in the first round of the playoffs. The Mustangs get another crack at beating a Grand Rapids team in Week 2 this season in a rematch against FH Central.

Key Players: Jase Brookens (OL), Payton Porter (QB), Nolan Bloomquist (DB), Sean Meyers (K,) Liam Takace (OL), Alex Ramierez (OL)

Stevensville-Lakeshore - The Lancers have some of the best sports facilities in the state, which has helped them procure local talent. Lakeshore has 13 playoff appearances since 2009, highlighted by a state semifinal run in 2013. The Lancers began last season with an impressive 5-1 record, but then lost three straight games. They still made the playoffs, and in the first round, avenged a regular-season loss against St. Joe.

Key Matchup: With quite a bit of turnover from last year’s squad, Lakeshore could gain a ton of momentum by defeating Grand Haven in Week 1. Grabbing an OK Conference-member victory to start the season could set the tone for another playoff spot.

Key Players: Alex Toothman (OL), Jordan Miller (OL,DL), Dylan Moore (RB), Logan Boyle (OL), Kaden Griffiths (WR), Ajay Singh (MLB)

Bridgman - The Bees are 43-2 over the last five seasons, and they haven’t lost a game since 2020. Bridgman defeated state-title winner Martin last fall, and scored at least 60 points in three separate games. As one of the smaller football programs in southwest Michigan, Bridgman moved to 8-man football in 2019. The Bees have lost almost 100 students over the past decade, but they are now an 8-man powerhouse.

Key Matchups: On September 20, Bridgman hosts Northern Michigan star program, Inland Lakes, who lost to Martin in the state finals last year. The Bees also face Martin September 6, giving them two very tough early-season matchups.

Key Players: Chuck Pagel (QB), Owen Heath (OL), Wade Haskins (WR, CB), Alex MacMartin (WR, CB), Ethan Stine (WR),

Edwardsburg - It’s hard to argue with 14 consecutive playoff appearances. The Eddies have been a postseason staple since 2010, and hope to extend that streak this fall. Edwardsburg reached the state semifinal in 2016, 2020, 2021 and 2022. However, 2018 was their magical season, finishing 14-0 and claiming the state title. That avenged their state-title loss in 2017. The Eddies are arguably the most established program in southwest Michigan. Last fall’s 5-5 record was their worst since 2009 (4-5).

Key Matchup: An October 4 matchup against Paw Paw could be a fierce Wolverine Conference matchup. Both teams have a rich history and expect to reach the playoffs every season. Paw Paw demolished the Eddies 35-0 last season, so they will be circling this date for revenge.

Key Players: Caiden Miller (OT), Oscar Morris (MLB, TE), Matt Anders (TE, LB), Walker Karafa (OL, DL), Ezekiel Pegura (QB), Austin Schimings (CB), Brody Schimpa (QB), Noah Jacobs (RB)

Mattawan - The Wildcats have had some very mixed results over the last 15 years, reaching the playoffs seven times but also being held under 200 points six seasons during that stretch. Fresh off back-to-back 3-6 seasons, the Wildcats will be on the prowl for a winning record this fall. Mattawan have nine returning players who made all-conference last season, which bodes well for the future.

Key Matchup: Mattawan faces St. Joe on October 11th in a matchup that produced a 15-13 Bears victory last fall. For an improved Mattawan squad, this late-season contest could prove to be make-or-break for a playoff spot.

Key Players: Connor O’Rourke (DB), Sam Jacob (P,) Connor Vernon (WR,DB), Brody Hergott (WR, DB), Max Lawson (G, DT), Preston Shackelford (QB), Jayden Barker (C, DE), Spencer Stiles (TE, DE), Jacob Tungate RB, OLB)