Grand Rapids is sending 15 football teams to the state playoffs beginning Friday night, kicking off a five-week trek that will culminate with the state championship games over the Thanksgiving Weekend at Ford Field.
Odds are that Grand Rapids will have at least one team go all the way. The last time Grand Rapids did not crown a state champion was in 2001.
Who’s the area’s best bet to extend the streak to 18 consecutive years? The feeling here is that Division 4 is where it’s most likely to happen, and two teams jump out at me.
Catholic Central is ranked second in the state in the final Michigan Associated Press Poll, and the Cougars appear poised to make another deep playoff run. The Cougars won titles in 2016 and 2017 before losing in the state semifinals last year.
There’s also Grand Rapids Christian, which has dropped from Division 3 to 4 this fall. The Eagles have won seven-straight after an 0-2 start.
But first things first. Here’s a look at this weekend’s opening round games, plus our picks.
Region 1, District 1
Grand Haven (5-4) at Grandville (7-2), 7 p.m. Friday
Last time: Grandville beat Grand Haven 27-7 on Sept. 20.
Series: Grandville leads 24-16.
Pick: The Bulldogs gave up 56 points in last week’s loss to Caledonia. Look for the Bulldogs to tighten up the defense. Grandville 32, Grand Haven 14.
Hudsonville (6-3) at Traverse City West (7-2) 7 p.m. Saturday
Last time: Hudsonville beat Traverse City West 16-14 on Sept. 4, 2015
Series: Hudsonville leads 4-0
Pick: The Eagles have a tough road trip this weekend. The Titans are only giving up about 13 points a game. But the Eagles are battle tested after playing in the OK Red, which has sent five teams to the postseason. Hudsonville 30, Traverse City West 20.
Region 1, District 2
East Kentwood (5-4) at Rockford (8-1), 7 p.m. Friday
Last time: Rockford beat East Kentwood 17-7 on Friday.
Series: Rockford leads 27-25
Pick: Rockford’s defense. It’s hard to pick against that. Rockford 20, East Kentwood 14.
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DIVISION 2
Region 1, District 2
Mattawan (5-4) at Forest Hills Central (7-2), 7 p.m. Friday
Last time: FHC beat Mattawan 40-14 on Oct. 27, 2017
Series: FHC leads 1-0
Pick: Mattawan has made the playoffs after starting the season 1-4. It’s been a great comeback but look for the Rangers to snap the Wildcats’ four-game winning streak. FHC 33, Mattawan 7.
DIVISION 3
Region 1, District 1
Mt. Pleasant (7-2) at Cedar Springs (8-1), 7 p.m. Friday
Last time: Cedar Springs beat Mt. Pleasant 44-14 on Nov. 2, 2018.
Series: 1-1
Pick: Cedar Springs is scoring 41 points a game while Mt. Pleasant is averaging 38. The Red Hawks are giving up nearly per contest and Mt. Pleasant 10. It looks like a great matchup on paper, but I will take the Red Hawks. Cedar Springs 30, Mt. Pleasant 21.
Region 1, District 2
Spring Lake (5-4) at Byron Center (9-0), 7 p.m. Friday
Last time: Byron Center beat Spring Lake 24-7 on Nov. 1, 2002.
Series: Byron Center leads 6-2
Pick: The Bulldogs are 9-0 for the first time in program history, and they will keep rolling Friday. Byron Center 42, Spring Lake 14
Lowell (5-4) at East Grand Rapids (6-3), 7 p.m. Friday
Last time: EGR beat Lowell 16-14 on Sept. 8, 2017
Series: EGR leads 34-16
Pick: The Red Arrows played Rockford, Zeeland West, Cedar Springs and Forest Hills Central, and they will do the same against EGR. But give me the Pioneers. EGR 27, Lowell 14.
Region 2, District 1
Zeeland East (5-4) at Zeeland West (8-1), 7 p.m. Friday
Last time: Zeeland West beat Zeeland East 34-14 on Oct. 18.
Series: Zeeland West leads 11-7
Pick: Zeeland East heads into the postseason on a three-game losing streak, while the Dux have won four-straight. Stick with the Dux. Zeeland West 32, Zeeland East 20.
DIVISION 4
Region 1, District 2
Allendale (5-4) at Grand Rapids Catholic Central (8-1), 7 p.m. Friday
Last time: Catholic Central beat Allendale 20-19 on Oct. 4.
Series: Catholic Central leads 5-1
Pick: The Cougars are 14-2 in the postseason dating back to 2015. Catholic Central 35, Allendale 21
Sparta (8-1) at Orchard View (9-0), 7 p.m. Friday
Last time: Sparta beat Orchard View 41-13 on Aug. 25, 2017
Series: Sparta leads 1-0
Pick: You have to love the Orchard View story, going from 2-7 a year ago to 9-0. But the Spartans are having one of their best seasons in program history. Sparta 35, Orchard View 21
Region 2, District 1
South Christian (5-4) at Grand Rapids Christian (7-2), noon Saturday
Last time: Christian defeated South Christian 27-20 on Oct. 11.
Series: South Christian leads 25-23
Pick: The Eagles have won nine of the past 10 games between the two teams dating back to 2009. Look for that trend to continue. Christian 38, South Christian 21.
Otsego (6-3) vs. Unity Christian (6-3) at Jenison, 7 p.m. Friday
Last time: Friday’s game is the first between the two schools.
Pick: The defending Division 5 champion Crusaders are looking to make some noise in their return to Division 4. Unity Christian 32, Otsego 14.
DIVISION 5
Region 2, District 1
Dowagiac (6-3) at Hopkins (8-1) 7 p.m. Friday
Last time: Dowagiac beat Hopkins 42-13 on Nov. 4, 2011.
Series: Dowagiac leads 2-0
Pick: The Vikings’ bid for a perfect regular season ended last week but the feeling here is that they get back on track. Hopkins 36, Dowagiac 29
DIVISION 7
Region 2, District 1
NorthPointe Christian (6-3) at Kent City (6-3), 7 p.m. Friday
Last time: NorthPointe beat Kent City 24-18 on Oct. 4, 2013.
Series: 2-2
Pick: This looks like a close one on paper. Both teams are 6-3, with Kent City scoring 267 and giving up 124, and NorthPointe scoring 285 and allowing 153. Give me Kent City at home in a close one. Kent City 28, NorthPointe Christian 17.
8-PLAYER DIVISION 2
Region 3
Tri-Unity Christian (5-4) at Onekema (7-2), 2 p.m. Saturday
Last time: Tri-unity beat Onekama 28-26 on Sept. 21, 2018.
Series: 1-1
Pick: Onekama’s defense has held four opponents to a touchdown or less. Onekama 31, Tri-unity 26.
Last week: 20-8
Overall: 187-44