HS Football Week 2: Breaking down top players and teams from Southwest Michigan

It felt a little like football weather in Southwest Michigan Friday night, as temperatures were in the high 50s by the end of most games.

That’s a stark contrast to the close to 85 degrees teams played in during Week 1. With fall weather swirling around Lake Michigan, several Southwest Michigan teams proved they could stay cool under pressure.

Here are seven teams who shined during Week 2 of the Michigan prep football season:

Paw Paw - Having a future SEC lineman on your squad will always keep eyes on your games, but this team is more than just punishing lineman Darrin Strey (Kentucky commit). Red Wolves quarterback Gunnar Goodell didn’t have to throw often in their 49-15 victory over Berrien Springs, but when he did he made it count. Goodell went 3 for 4 for 62 yards and three touchdowns. Barron Marinich caught two touchdowns for 40 yards and Kaelin Tate hauled in a 22-yard reception. Tate also had two interceptions, including a pick-six.

The Red Wolves are going to be tough to stop on the ground. A two-headed rushing attack of budding star PJ DeYoung and Ben Miller could be the best in Southwest Michigan. DeYoung rushed for 156 yards and a touchdown, while Miller rushed for 150 yards and two scores. Strey led the team with 10 tackles, proving Paw Paw can dominate on both sides of the ball.

Bridgman - Although the Bees lost for the first time since 2020 (35 straight wins) - 42-36 against defending state champion Martin - Bridgman showed fight and determination to almost rally back from a 42-14 deficit early in the third quarter. Bees’ Gavin Meyers rushed for 114 yards, while Haylen Buell added 111 yards on the ground. Buell was perhaps the player of the game, rushing for three touchdowns and adding a 67-yard fumble return TD that sparked the comeback.

Charlie Pagel led Bridgman through the air with 339 passing yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 105 yards and four touchdowns, proving to be one of the more versatile players in the area. Bridgman may have ended their elite win streak, but they also showcased the winning mentality to fight back that often goes a long way in the playoffs.

Niles - After suffering a tough 30-7 loss in Week 1, Niles bounced back in a big way Friday night. The Vikings forced a running clock with a 46-0 victory over Stevensville-Lakeshore, dominating on the ground and in the trenches. Sam Rucker and Elijah Norris each rushed for two touchdowns. Rucker’s were huge plays: scoring from 70 and 39 yards out.

It’s tough to gauge Niles so far this season. Always a physical squad, they were just too strong and fast for a potentially weaker Lakeshore squad (the Lancers beat Niles last season). Niles has some big games left on the schedule, including matchups against Paw Paw, Edwardsburg and Vicksburg. With conflicting results to start the season, time will tell which one is more indicative of Niles’ overall potential.

Loy Norrix - To be blunt: the Knights do not have a rich football history. They have only made the playoffs once since 1998, and have only won 39 games in that stretch. However, Loy Norrix has impressed early this season, starting 2-0 with a 51-8 win over Quincy and Friday night’s 32-0 win over Ottawa Hills. Those might not have been great tests, but Loy Norrix has looked polished and poised.

The Knights will get their first chance to truly put themselves on the map next week with a road trip to St. Joe (2-0). The Bears dominated Niles, and then held on for a clutch road win against Edwardsburg. Loy Norrix has a solid, athletic nucleus who make plays all over the field. It will be interesting to see if they can hang with St. Joe’s speed and physicality.

St. Joe - As mentioned above, St. Joe has started the season with two very impressive victories. Their opening-season home 30-7 win against Niles looks even more impressive after the Vikings dismantled Lakeshore. The Bears have a special passing attack, proven by two 70-yard passing touchdowns in a 36-29 win at Edwardsburg Friday night. The Bears have an impressive balance between run and pass plays, making them tough to stop in Western Michigan where the wing-t is pretty popular.

The Bears have been a playoff staple over the past two decades and likely just won their two toughest games of the season. St. Joe still has a difficult overall schedule, but a blend of speed, strength and mental toughness could lead to a special season.

Twin City - Entering their fourth season of existence as an 8-man program between Our Lady of the Lake, Michigan Lutheran and Benton Harbor Countryside, the Sharks defeated Eau Claire 60-24 to earn their first 2-0 start in school(s) history. Senior quarterback Ty Johnson led the Sharks with 287 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He also threw for 200 yards and two more TDs. This was the Sharks’ first win over Eau Claire. Collin Watts also helped Twin City by hauling in a 55-yard touchdown pass and rushing for a 20-yard TD in the first quarter.

Twin City will have its work cut out for it next week, traveling to defending state champion Martin (2-0), who just ended Bridgman’s 35-game win streak.

Gobles - Two straight playoff appearances have the Tigers playing with confidence. That has been on full display so far this season, highlighted by a 66-16 win Friday night against Fennville. Gobles (2-0) has so far outscored its opponents 119-16. The Tigers have a favorable start to the season, likely making them favorites to reach 6-0. But their last three games are against Martin, Bridgman and Our Lady of the Lake, which could make-or-break their season.