LMCU High School Football Preview Week 9

LMCU High School Football Preview Week 9

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
They motion purchase now sending him back play Bake Fiss
fires across the middle. Touchdown has this man on a
little crossing route. Jack Dahn holds it in in traffick
this with a bullet deer in South Christian on the board.
Fourteen to six hand off from left to right, cutting
off Campaign us all more off to the races. Twenty
fifty ten touchdown. He saw senior brother do it, he

(00:24):
said I can do it too. Campaign takes it from
forty two yards out and the Bulldogs extend their lead.

Speaker 2 (00:30):
It's almost game night, West Michigan. Time to hear from
the coaches and the guys who call the games in
the press box. Who's in this week's top ten and
what about the players of the week. No one covers
high school football like we do. This is the LMCU
High School Football Preview Show, exclusively.

Speaker 1 (00:47):
Here on ninety six.

Speaker 2 (00:48):
Won the Game and powered each week by Lake Michigan
Credit Union. We treat our members like neighbors and also
brought to you by Meyer Kids, Food Basket, Jay and
H Family Stores, Van der Long Home Improvement, Trinity Health, Sporting, You, Wing, Doozy,
Straight Line Fence, Rapid Radios Uptown, Cheapskate in Granville and Kenwood,

(01:10):
MKD Funeral Homes, Win Shoolers, Delicious Cheese Spreads, haulse Jepson
Physical Therapy, Discount Door and Montel Construction. And now here
are your hosts, Brett Pekina and Jason Hutton.

Speaker 1 (01:24):
Here we go Week nine LMCU High School Football Preview Show.
It's brought to you by friends at Lake Mischian Credit Union.
The regular season finishes up tomorrow night, or if there
are some games on Saturday, then it's hard to believe.
MHSA Selection Sunday. It's going to be five o'clock on
the NFHS Network. For more details, reference MHSA dot com.
And of course we're excited for all the West Miskan teams.

(01:46):
We've still got some business to take care of those
those some crowns like the ok Silver A winner take
all with Belding and Godwin Heights. We'll talk about but
before we welcome in our first coach for the Montel
Constructions Coach's Corner, want to let you know our Kids
Food Basket campaign with the Touchdowns for Kids ends this
week as well. In week nine for the regular season,
we had twelve touchdowns Jason last week combined another six

(02:07):
hundred dollars. That puts our total at fifty four hundred
and fifty dollars. We're hoping to score a lot of
touchdowns a week nine. We've got Zeeland West and West
Catholic we'll get to in a minute, but that would
put us over six thousand again for another year.

Speaker 3 (02:19):
Yeah, hoping for some more scores this Friday night. I'm
sure there will be some. But it's been an awesome partnership,
an awesome campaign and fun to follow in tally up
to totals.

Speaker 1 (02:26):
Remember, want to nourish local kids so they can be
their best kidsfood basket dot org if you'd like to
make a donation as well. Well, let's go into the
Montel Construction Coaches Corner, our first of two coach interviews
that we do every week. We welcome in. They are
the champs now outright of the Okay white Land and
Grove and the falcons of West Catholic. Coach. We had
you against South Christian Earland the week. We're gonna get

(02:47):
you again tomorrow and against Zeland West in our game
of the week. But congratulations on the seven and one
mark so far.

Speaker 4 (02:53):
Yeah, thanks for having us on and thank you for that.
You really proud of our kids. I think we've come
a long way this year since week one especially, you know,
we've taken a lot of growth and we've grown in
a lot of areas and we're a much different football
team than we were Week one, two, three, I'm up
to now, and that's uh, you know, I think that's
a testament to our kids trusting the process of working hard,
and we're proud of for straight conference titles that come
with that.

Speaker 3 (03:13):
Yeah, I was going to ask you that because over
two different divisions, the Blue and now the White, nineteenth
straight conference wins four straight conference titles. And I know
you've talked a lot about the importance of that, but
how big of a deal is that for your players
to have won four in a row.

Speaker 4 (03:25):
It's a really big deal, you know, especially at a
place at West Cathock. You know, there's a lot of tradition,
there's a lot of legacies, and you know, every every
senior class wants the opportunity to leave their mark on
this place. And you know, for our seniors, they get
to leave here where all they've done is win conference titles.
So that means a lot, you know, and I'm proud
of the senior class. They mean a lot to me.
So to get them that and to get our whole
program that means a lot to everybody. So extremely proud

(03:46):
of them, proud of our staff, proud of our school
for doing that. And as you guys know, you know,
to win, to win, you know, two in row, three
in row four row is not easy to do in
the Okay any division, just with the level of football
that has played over here.

Speaker 1 (03:57):
Coach, go ahead and highlights some of your senior leaders.
I know I've talked to you about a few of them.
We cover that South Christian game. We've honored one as
our mayor Prep Path of the Week, but I'll give
you the honors here as their head coach.

Speaker 4 (04:07):
Yeah, Meyer Prep was Connor Olschsky, And you know, I
think he's kind of the heart and soul of our
team in regardless to just not only the way he plays,
but the way he leads. You know, he's one of
the more consistent kids I've ever had. Is that practice
every single day, it's at every lift he is. He's
got a voice and he uses it, He's got actions
and he uses that as well. I think that our

(04:27):
team really feeds off of him on both sides of
the football and also just off the field and things
we do. And you know, there's a there's always like
you can tell a good team by their best leader,
and he's our best leader, and I think he's he's
as good as I've had in a while, So I
think that correlates to the rest of our guys. And
then from there it's really all It's really contagious all
over the place. Max Wildman has done a fantastic job

(04:47):
this year, stepping out specifically on the defensive side of
the ball and moving to a different position and playing
an outside linebacker position. He was an inside linebacker last
year's a junior. We found a better fit for him,
which allowed for Giant l Jugham to kind of come
in and Colin Abram coming inside and have a good year,
as well as our sophomore Deacon Parslow. Then you know,
Max is you know, no ego involved there and stepped

(05:07):
up into a really nice job, you know. And then
you could talk about Grady at gust and all day
as well, and the things he does for us. He
eased to take for granted sometimes just because you know,
we are running first with the amount of things he
has to do pre snap, post snap, everything in between
to make our offense go. And he also, you know,
broke our school record here, which we've had some pretty
good quarterbacks over the years, Travis Russell, Guy Tnavaloney to

(05:30):
name a couple. He owns the record for passing yards
in a single game. So we're extremely proud of him
and his growth. And you know, for him, it's been
a big emotional year for him in regards to like
his emotional growth and keeping his composure and staying cal
him cool, collected at all times. But you know, I
could go down the list on all those guys. I'm
proud of cam Embody, Jacob Pats, Massy Wickstrom, like they've
all every single senior in this program has played a

(05:51):
major role in our success this year. And you know,
my favorite thing is there's no ego in the room,
you know, in the in the society we live in
where everyone's trying to get the coolest is a grand
post stup and well who can have the coolest picture
to post after the game, And our guys aren't necessarily
worried about that. You know, I gave the example to
our team last last night or sup me that last
night Friday night after the game. It's like, you know,
we have Connor Ochsky and Colin Abram, who either of

(06:13):
the two could be arguably the best back in the
area or state and arguably lead the state in rushing
yards if we just had one of them as their
feature back. But you know, they are split fifty to
fifty to the number. I think Connor has one more
carry than him, and I think Connor has about seventy
more yards them. They both have twelve touchdowns, so they're
both at about the seven to fifty plus mark raged

(06:34):
rushing and they both have twelve touchdowns. And this is
for them. There's never a question of who should be
in who shouldn't be in. You know, Connor could be rolling,
but I want to see Colin do something. He comes
right out without saying a word, So there's no ego
in the room. We're all here for the same purpose
and it's a beautiful thing.

Speaker 3 (06:48):
West Cavioch head coach Land and Grove joining us in
the Montel Construction coaches corner. And this is exactly what
I wanted to talk to you about, because well, Shewsky's
a three year varsity player and as a sophomore junior,
we saw him kind of in a slot receiver role.
Obviously plays d defense as well, And that was the
thing that jumped out to me most when I watched
your Northview game of Week one was he's playing running
back and we knew you had Colin Abram coming up,
who's outstanding as well as a junior, had that great

(07:09):
JV year as a freshman. What went into that decision
because last year was pretty heavy Dave and Brittainfeld the senior,
So what went into the decision to move Oshesky to
running back and then kind of go with that fifty
to fifty splay And obviously it's a good one because
it's worked really well for you.

Speaker 4 (07:22):
Yeah, there were there were a few things evolved. One
is they're both really really good on defense. You know,
Colin Abrams arguably the best linebacker we've had since I've
been here. Inside Chuck to Brunin will probably have something
to say about that. And then Connor is arguably one
of our best safeties. I think he probably has the
biggest impact on a defense I've had since I've been here.
So for us to say, all right, well, we don't

(07:44):
want to limit their ability to be successful on the
deepense side of the ball, and they're both really good
at running back, so let's try let's try to keep
them as fresh as possible and split these carriers as
much as we can. And you know, it's funny, every
week after the game we get the stats and we
look and they're split fifty to fifty to the number
darn near, Like last last week it was fifteen cary
for each and it was like, we're not tracking it.
It's this kind of a field thing and there, and

(08:05):
it's been working really well. And the other thing I
went into it too, is Connor coming through as a
freshman was a running back and he's really really talented
at it. He had an unbelievable freshman year playing freshman
in GV and then we got him up in the
playoffs and he got some carries in those and like,
we really liked what he did back there, and then
in the summer we really worked with it AND's it's like,
you know, when he has the ball in his hands,

(08:26):
good things happen, and it just makes it a little
bit easier when you can just hand it off to
him back there, versus have to throw it to him
or you know, get it to him on option plays
and things of that nature. So that was a big
piece of it as well. You know, in last year
we were really working that in more and then he
got injured Week two and we didn't have him for
a bocal the season, so you know, it would have
probably shown a little bit more last year than it
ended up being. But yeah, we're really happy with how

(08:49):
it looks right now. Obviously extremely happy with how Colin
Abrams been playing. We have a third back and Julian
and Cato who's pretty durn good too, and he's been
in there. So our running back that's strong and we
feel good about that.

Speaker 1 (08:59):
Moving into the playof I'm not saying this to be funny,
and you guys might not laugh, but I always like
to think of teams that fans can relate to you
for high school if they haven't seen you, whether it's
you know, a college team or whatever. I think the
comparison for you to what Jad just laid out, what
you laid out with the two back system, You guys
are tough as nails defensively. You got beat up a

(09:20):
little bit in Week one with Northfield. But since that time,
I think that was a growth spurt for you guys. Right,
it's like, Okay, maybe we're humbled a little bit. You
remind me of this year's Lions. You really do as
far as you're not and I'm serious, you're not afraid
to go for it on fourth down. So that's credit
to you and your coaching staff like Dan Campbell. You
take what the defense gives you. Grady does a great

(09:40):
job of that. You'll take your shots every once in
a while, but you know, when it comes down to it,
I look at that South Christian game, and you know
where I'm going, coach. I mean, you were working that
two back system and just kind of pounding, pounding, pounding,
until finally it was enough and you guys win the game.

Speaker 4 (09:54):
No, I mean I think that's fair. I'll take it.
They're pretty good football team right now, So we'll take
by comparison all day. But no, I mean yeah, I
mean I would say it's similar, and it's like, you know,
we we a lot of teams like, oh what like
are you guys are like people that it's like what's
your what's your offensive flotsoph? Do you want to be
throw first, run first, and it's really just kind of
depended on the matchup obviously. Like I think, if you've
watched us over the course of the last four years,

(10:15):
where we like to establish a line scrimmage around football,
but if teams are gonna put seven eight in the box,
we have the ability to throw it too. So yeah,
I mean, and we've seen that this year, and uh,
you know, there's games where we need to throw it
a little bit more than maybe we're comfortable with. But
we have a we have a really good quarterback who
can do that, and we have some emerging receivers and
guys like Thomas bucks to I know, one Hunter and
came in body today and a few that are doing

(10:36):
a nice job out there. So yeah, you know, and
our offensive line is really coming together as well. And
like you said, week one, we had we had some
we had some growing moments going in that game. You know.
It was also I think it was one of the
better things to happen to us, because I think if
you watch that game, you know, the first three quarters,
I thought we were like, all right, here we go,
this looks like us. And then you know, we have
a pretty we have we kind of collapsed a little bit.

(10:57):
It was good, but you know, there's always something you
can say, got it. Obviously I would have preferred that
didn't happen, But looking back at it now, it was
really good for us to learn some things about ourselves.
You know, we learned about some of the strengths and
weaknesses of our team really quickly because of that too,
and that's been a really big balancing point for us
to catapult into seven straight wins and going into the
week nine.

Speaker 1 (11:18):
Look at preat well and just what you said real
quick before I kick it to Jason with the next question.
Coach is like Dan Campbell always talks about trust, right,
and you trust your guys. I mean you just laid
out all the seniors and changing position, whatever the case.
You trust this team.

Speaker 4 (11:31):
Yeah, well, hut of a cent. You know it's it's
like that's they said it last night on the broadcast.
If you have a good play and you love your players,
why not run it regardless of down and distance where
the ball is. So, you know, that's kind of where
we're at with it. These kids, they have been in the
program for four years and they have they've earned the trust,
so they put in the work. So for us, it's
as we've empowered them to take it and run with

(11:53):
it and they're doing a great job with that.

Speaker 3 (11:54):
So do Connor and Colin have a cool nickname like
Sonic and Knuckles?

Speaker 5 (11:59):
I don't.

Speaker 4 (12:00):
I don't know if they do or not. I bet
you if I asked them, I bet you they you're
come up with something. Yeah, they're they're funny. Those two
together are funny. They're great at practice, they're great in game.
They're they're having fun with it too, because again, they
don't like they could give two craps about who's scoring
and who's getting the most carries. They're they're is enjoying
the reaping the benefits for the team. And uh, you know,

(12:21):
I bet you they would have some fun with coming
up with nickname though, if I asked them.

Speaker 3 (12:23):
All right, ask them and get back to us. So
all right, I want to I want to ask them
about Zeeland West this week. I was you played this
matchup last year. Great game in Week nine at their place,
came right down to the end, they win, they end
up going on winnes State championship. Tell me the line
here for you guys, because obviously this is a big
game against a really good opponent. But at the same
point is you have to make sure you're getting ready
for the playoffs, and the worst thing that can happen

(12:44):
is injuries. So how do you tell me how you
take us through this matchup and what's important for you guys.

Speaker 4 (12:49):
Yeah, it's tough because we did We did get a
little banged up last year in the game. Nothing that
held anybody out. But the nature of playing them is
the physical the physical game they're and they're really good
everyone in the state of Michigan knows, and they play
a physical brand of football. For us, Like we talked
about this in our in our pre practice meeting yesterday,
it's like we lay it out of the kids. Okay,
if we win, the best we can be is the

(13:10):
second overall seed in regards to playoff points DY five.
If we lose, the worst seed we could be is third.
So all right, that's already done. So like does that
really make a difference. Not really. We already won our
conference championship. What are we playing for? And it's like
our kids immediately said, you know, we're playing we're playing
for the get back because they want to get them
back from last year. Because we felt like we were

(13:31):
in the position to win the game, and you know,
and that's against a really good team. So our kids
want that opportunity back, and they get it back at
least our seniors. And then for us, it's like, let's
let's let's go play against the defending D three state
champs and let's use this as a playoff prep week,
which is what we've done. We've created this week like
a playoff game, you know, and it's a good it's
a good time for our kids to learn where you know,
if you make mistakes, you can't get them back, you know.

(13:53):
And and theoretically, like if we lose, yes we get
to go play next week, but we can use this
as a week of oath in regards to you know,
the inches and those fine details that you don't get
back and playoff football. That's what we're using this week for.
And you know, we're going to go and compete and
we're going to treat it as a big game because
it is. It's a great opportunity to go against one

(14:13):
of the best opponents in the state of Michigan.

Speaker 1 (14:15):
You're in and you're out, and we're going to bring
it to you six o'clock with the Jenis Family Stores
pregame show. Seven o'clock kickoff from the home of the Falcons,
Falcons Stadium, right behind their high school, West Cathay and
Zealand West. Our game of the week brought to you
by LMCU, Well coach. Since that week one, all you've
done is ride now a seven game winning streak. Congratulations
and outright okay White Division champs. We're looking forward to

(14:36):
covering you guys tomorrow night.

Speaker 4 (14:37):
Appreciate it as always and thanks for what you guys
do to cover high school kids in the state of Michigan.

Speaker 2 (14:48):
You're listening to the LMCU High School Football Preview Show,
which airs every Thursday from six to seven pm exclusively
here on West Michigan's home for high school football, ninety
six to one The Game.

Speaker 1 (15:00):
It's time now for the four pack, four different games
besides our LMCU Games of the week that we'll preview
and we bring in our color analysts that join us
every game night here on ninety six to one The
Game or one oh seven m us the Moose Tom
Kendrick joined us from our Lake Shore Crew.

Speaker 6 (15:14):
Hey Tom, Hey, how are you doing?

Speaker 1 (15:16):
And then Buck Geno joining me every Friday night in
ninety six one the game, Hey Buck, Hey guys, and
of course he's Jason Hutton in studio with me. Guys,
it's brought to you buying Jay and H's Family Stores.
I know we stop in on the way out to
our next game around the way home. Fans, you should
do that as well. With sixty plus locations across Michigan
to serve you even when the playoffs come, they're on
the other side of the state. They're north up towards

(15:36):
Travers City. Check out Jane h Family Stores. All right,
let's go to really a big one of the ok
Silver we're winner take all and it's kind of fitting that, well,
aren't you from Belding, Jason Nutting. You've got the Belding
Black Knights hosting Godwin Heights a big game at Rudness Field.
You certainly attended a few of those.

Speaker 3 (15:54):
Yeah, there've been some big ones and this will be
this any Belly's going for twenty third straight Okay silver win, right,
and they're going for four straight conference championship. And it's
fun to see Godwin be here for the first time.
It's nineteen eighty nine and you know, one thing that
I really look at in this matchup, guys, is Godwins
speed on the outside against Beldings the secondary. Because Martell's force,
the sophomore quarterback can really stretch the field. I think

(16:14):
Belding's secondary has been a strength. I am actually saying
that this year. Jonahumma last week against Comstock Park a
ninety nine yard interception return for a touchdown on the
final play of the second quarter. I just think that
matchup will be fascinating to me. Martell's force ability to
stretch the field against that belting secondary.

Speaker 1 (16:29):
All right, Buck Geo, I'm going to you next.

Speaker 5 (16:31):
Well, it's kind of the contrasting styles. You and I
saw Belding in Week four, and you know, we really
were impressed with their physical styles. I'm going down to
Division six. That's going to be an imposing force with
the size and the power that they have. I don't know,
if you look at all the common opponents, people say,
you know, maybe Godwin has it all. They played Hopkins too,

(16:51):
and those two teams played tight.

Speaker 4 (16:53):
Well.

Speaker 5 (16:53):
Godwin beat Hopkins, another physical team, So I kind of
throw that out the window a little bit when the
people say that Godwin Heights may not be able to
compete physically. Now that said, what Jason brought up as
a very good point, what Godwin Heights they to do offensively,
Belding has the counter for that. Issuear. We don't normally
typically talk about the Belding secondary. I don't remember the
last time we ever talked about a Belding secondary. But

(17:16):
it's a real thing, and that's going to be very
interesting this matchup because normally it would be contrasting stiles
of Godland Heights on the edges and through the air
versus the ground and pound of Belding. But we saw
Belding throw the pall a little bit when we saw
them play Holland, so everything is in play here. But
I'm just really happy for coach Kimball and for him
to get to this point with Godwin Heights. I mean,

(17:38):
it's been a long journey for them. It's been a
long time, as Hutton said, since they're in a spot
like this, and it's just great for them to even
get here. They guaranteed a playoff spot. They're playing with
a little bit of house money. They should be loose
and I expect an entertaining ball game.

Speaker 1 (17:54):
Tom Kendra, I'm going to go to a measuring stick
point with you before we get your preview of this,
because you just saw what Jay the Kent City Eagles
big win over Trient County to get to eight. No,
the lone loss for Godwin Heights in Week two, but
it was a good ballgame sixteen to six two Kent City.

Speaker 6 (18:09):
That's right, And what I took from that game sixteen
to six, that shows Godwin Heights can play some defense.
They apparently know how to stop that wing tea attack
and they're going to have to do it this week.
This matchup is just so intriguing because it's the perennial
power Belding going for their fourth straight Okay Silver title,
and then you've got Godwin Heights that hasn't won a
conference title in thirty six years. So that's what's great

(18:30):
about high school football, right. I've just been so impressed
with Belding. You know, they lost in Week two twenty
four to nothing to Reed City and people may have
discounted them a little bit, but they just keep proving themselves.
They have some great backs, Nick Wright, Teagan van Dyke,
but maybe their best one is the junior fullback Ethan King.
When they need a tough yard, they go to him.
I'm looking forward to Belding seeing what they do in

(18:52):
the Division six playoffs. Possibly a chance rematch with Reed
City could be looming, but first they need to take
care of business this Pride.

Speaker 1 (19:00):
I'm going to see who comes up with a big
player two and obviously turnovers in the game like this,
I think Brandon Kim and the Wolverine's going to stack
the box force Belding to try to throw the football
over the top. Not the Belding can't do it. Like
Buck said, we saw them be effective and keeping kind
of Holland back on their heels a little bit with
some big play. So we'll see. But this could be
a heck of a football game. Again, winner take all

(19:20):
in the ok Silver. Let's stay in that division and
go to bunk Gino next. Because this is an intriguing
matchup of four and four teams, so like a playoff
appetizer between the Fruit Boart Trojans and the Hopkins Vikings. Buck.

Speaker 4 (19:31):
Yeah, both teams.

Speaker 5 (19:32):
Coming in at four and four, and people say, well,
why does this game really matter? Well, it matters because
it's a playoff game. It's a playoff game in the
week nine, because if you look at the playoff points
and how they shake out, whoever loses this game isn't
going to play next week because four and five will
not get it done in the divisions that they are in.
So this is a all the chips in the kitchen

(19:53):
saying all those cliches, This is this week for Cody
Francis and Nate Smith because they have to do that
if they want to keep playing in the next week.
So this is interesting because that only is that type
of game, but it's also a conference game, and these
two teams relatively new. They haven't played each other a ton,
so there's a lot of mystery there. But I think

(20:14):
this one is just intriguing because you look at Fruitport
three years ago, oh and nine. I really liked the
job that he's done in the ok Silver and then
you have Cody Francis on the other side. He's been there,
he's seen the battles, he's been in the trenches. I
think this one's going to be intriguing just because of that.
You have two teams that are looking for the same goal,
but they're going to get there two very different ways.

Speaker 3 (20:34):
Well, you look at Hopkins and they lose at Reed
City last week twenty one seven, I mean Read City's
really good. Read City jumps out twenty one to nothing
in the first quarter and Hopkins doesn't allow any points
the last three quarters. It may sound silly coming off
a loss, I feel like the Vikings have small mentum
coming into this game, and they got to find a way.
We talk about the weapons we've talked about all season,
the weapons of Fruitport. When you talk about Brady Hanson
and Liam Campbell and Dade Williams, I mean Alan Jackson,

(20:55):
the sophomore really had a big game against last week
against Holland that Vikings defense got to find a way
to contain them. Seven.

Speaker 1 (21:00):
All right, Tom Kendra, I'll give you the third option
here and then I'll go last.

Speaker 6 (21:04):
Well, yeah, if you look at Hopkins in this game,
you know they've ridden the roller coaster of emotions and
here they are at four and four. But really, Cody
Francis's team is right where they want to be. They're
playing at home in week nine on Senior Night, and
if they win, they get in and you know, looking
at the early projections, Hopkins they could be sent south
for a district which they could be very competitive in

(21:24):
So this is a great opportunity for the Vikings, you know,
to really make something special out of this season.

Speaker 7 (21:30):
And then you know the thing with Fruitport.

Speaker 6 (21:32):
They can score points, they've shown that, but they've had
trouble stopping people. So if Fruitport brings its defense, they've
got a chance in this game.

Speaker 1 (21:40):
I think this boils down to again the style that
Tom you just alluded to. If Fruitport can jump out
by a couple of scores, you know it's going to
be tough for Hopkins because Hopkins kind of likes to
do what Belding does right in what you know, run
oriented teams do. They want to get the lead and
then lean on you and kind of squeeze the clock.
So I think it's key for Fruitport to get off
to that fast start because they can score points, like
you alluded to. If they don't, then Hopkins has them

(22:02):
right where they want them. And Hopkins is kind of
that tough team to figure out. It feels like they
should have more wins than they did. They've been a
lot of tight games just having able to pull out,
like building in that one point loss earlier. Tom, Kendra,
let's go to you next. You've got a good one
here Ravenna at four and four, speaking of four and
four matchups at Montague at four and four.

Speaker 6 (22:19):
Yeah, and these are two teams that played each other
regularly as part of the Old West Michigan Conference. You know,
now the league is broken off into two different divisions,
but it's nice to see them continue to play each other.
Looking at the matchup, I think both of these teams
are going to be in the playoffs win or lose,
But I know that the coaches aren't approaching it that way.
They're saying, hey, we need to get a win in
order to solidify a playoff spot. Ravenna had a huge

(22:43):
win last week. They were down twenty to nothing at
halftime against oak Ridge and I'm not sure what Justin
Ego said at halftime to his team, Maybe you know
may Day may Day, because in the second half it
was Dylan May Ravanna's six to sixth senior quarterback. He
finished twenty four to thirty five two hundred and thirty
six yards and a pair of touchdown passes, including the

(23:06):
game winner to Brady Karchiinski with a minute ten remaining
in that game. So a dramatic win for Ravana over
their rivals. You know, I think they're a very good
Division seven team. They've been through a lot of tough
games and they're battle hardened. And then when he switched
it to Montague, you know, this is their senior night
playing at home. Now they've won three in a row.

(23:27):
Last week, it was a twenty seven yard field goal
that won the game for him over Man of Stee.
I think this game is going to be very close.
Look for Cole Moss, a junior for Montague. He's really good.
He had another kickoff return for a touchdown last week.
He could end up being the difference in this one West.

Speaker 1 (23:45):
Miskin crossover game. Obviously, Revenna in the Rivers, Montague in
the Lakes. Jay, you've spent all season kind of covered
the West Misky Conference. Your thoughts on this game, Well, I.

Speaker 3 (23:53):
Just think that you know, Revenna has you know, early
in the season, they're playing j Jackson, Wilbert Nuber two's
talented player, and they were playing him a quarterback, and
they're play and Dylan May a wide receiver, and they've
kind of gone back now to May, who was the
quarterback a year ago at quarterback and he had that
big game as Tom alluded to last week. I think
that's key for the Bullocks. But listen, they're going to
the playoffs winner lose.

Speaker 4 (24:10):
Here.

Speaker 3 (24:10):
They're going to the playoffs for first time since twenty
twenty two, so that's a big deal. And you look
at Montague three straight wins, you know they're going to
the playoffs as well for an eleventh straight season. But
what you have to look at with them is each
of the last three years, Montague has made the postseason
with a losing record because they're a small school in
the Lakes Division. But each of those three years with
losing record, they've lost in the first round. This is
a chance for Montague going on a four game winning streak,

(24:31):
have a winning record and potentially do some damage in
the playoffs.

Speaker 1 (24:34):
I think it's a big game, buck Gino, we go
to you next.

Speaker 5 (24:37):
Well, I mean Raveta with a big win over Oakridge
and that got them, as Jason alluded to, into the playoffs. Yes,
both coaches aren't going to make that point, but both
of these teams are solidly and it just depends on
where they go and what their final record is. Both
teams having very dramatic wins in Week eight, so Mentally,
it's a big step up for them to play in

(24:58):
this game because number one in the playoffs, but they
also know they kind of need a win to get
into a better spot potentially, and so this is going
to be a very interesting game from that standpoint because
it means nothing and yet it means everything, right. I mean,
no matter who loses this game, they're going to play
next week, but they're also going to be on a
one game losing streat going into what's probably going to
be against the number one seed in a district. So

(25:21):
there's just so much to here. I think it's going
to be very intriguing and exciting game. It might be
a little vanilla just because they know they have some
stuff they probably want to hold back for next week.
But if it gets to a close spot in the game,
you have to make that decision, right, do we win
this game and potentially reveal some stuff that we don't
want our first round opponent to know, or do we

(25:41):
just say the heck with it, go all in and
get this win so that we can get maybe a
better seat at least more playoff points for a potential matchup.

Speaker 1 (25:49):
Guys, I'm going to end with another one that I
think is intriguing, not that it really means anything because
Kenawa Hills is the champs of the River City's Alliance.
But you got Coopersville, Well, I think surprise some people
nice went over big rapid. It was unbeaten last week,
and we saw the Broncos push Kenniball Hills right to
the limit in our game of the Week a couple
of weeks ago. Buck They're four and four, three and
two in conference play. And then you got no one's

(26:09):
talking about Guska Polk and Cedar Springs are seven and one,
four and one. It's at Cedar Springs. This is a
great rivalry game. I love just the matchup. Guys, I'm
gonna start there. Ed came in versus gus Kapolka. I mean, Jay,
this is right up your alley. This is old school.

Speaker 3 (26:24):
Why is there a quieter seven to one team in
a stage this Theedars? Right, nobody even realizes old Cedar
Springs is seven and one. Here what I just listened
two years ago as sophomores, all of these kids where
all these seniors were up on varsity, right, they have
a ton of arsity experience. We talk about guys, Luke Egan,
you know, Caden Dryer. I mean, so many of these
guys are three of varsity players, and it's starting to show.

(26:44):
For Cedar, I think Sedar is a dangerous team. I
think they're a dangerous team this week. I think they're
a dangerous team in the playoffs. For Coopersville, I don't
know a loss, I'm not so sure they're in. This
is a big game. And of course you got Brooks
hadn't coming off the monster gave me a ninety seven
hour touchdown reception. He went over two hundre dards and
four touchdown catches.

Speaker 1 (26:59):
I know, Buck Gino's chopping of the bit, but I'm
gonna make you wait, Buck, I'm letting Tom Kendrick go
in here.

Speaker 3 (27:04):
Tom has some insigniable mention at least.

Speaker 6 (27:07):
Yeah, how about that? Well, you know, you know, for Coopersville,
that was a huge win last week. We're at over
big Rapids. And how about the freshman quarterback, you know,
Champ Kelly four touchdown passes. It would be a heck
of a story for Coopersville after an zero to three start,
if they're able to win.

Speaker 8 (27:22):
This game and get in.

Speaker 6 (27:24):
You know, we always talk about the division one Okay
Red teams playing in the Okay Red Tournament in the district.
Kind of that way with the RCA here in Division three,
you know, we could possibly have four River City's Alliance
teams in the Division three district next week. Kind of
rematch games.

Speaker 7 (27:40):
Yeah, you know, Gus Kapolka.

Speaker 6 (27:41):
Just find the way to get it done. He's got
a couple of really good seniors up front, both Savage
and Doug Hardy. They kind of lead the way for him. Again,
they're they're playing good football going into the playoffs. I
think Cooper's will after that win last week and the
way that the freshman quarterback is playing, I wouldn't be
surprised to see an upset this week.

Speaker 1 (28:00):
And Buck, that's why I wanted you to go last.
Since we saw Champ Kelly and Jay was asking me
off there, you know, what did you see? What did
you see? He feels like a sophomore quarterback. Now, I
know that sounds silly, but I mean you could see
the experience and the confidence. And then how about the
week the Brooks hadn't had last week?

Speaker 5 (28:14):
Buck, Well, we're going to tie it all together because
that's what I like to do. So last week. We
saw it in Spencer who started as freshman as on
the varsity the Catholic Central, and we saw him last
week as a sophomore playing against North to and the
progression was palpable, not only physically but mentally. And I'm
starting to see that with Champ Kelly. We see him
starting as a freshman, he struggled early. Now they played

(28:34):
their non conference schedule is ridiculous. Yeah, I mean just ridiculous.
They have well they beat Big Rapids, right, so that
was the in their non conference. They have guys, they
have two bosses, well one of them was the one
that Cooper's Bill dealt to Big Rapids. So between the
three teams they played outside the RCA, they were a
combined one loss. So that's a very tough schedule. And
you're going to get those teams with a freshman quarterback,

(28:57):
so even more challenging. But we saw in the Kennelly
Hills game the flashes that Champ is getting it. He's
starting to make those reads. He's able to stand in
the pocket, he's able to take a hit and still
deliver the football. He's able to also recognize when he
has to run.

Speaker 7 (29:13):
Is all of those things you.

Speaker 5 (29:14):
Want to see out of the quarterback. He's starting to
get and that's going to be dangerous for the rest
of the river. City's the lion starting next year because
he's not going to get any worse, and they've got
some weapons.

Speaker 4 (29:24):
That are older, then they're going to move on.

Speaker 5 (29:26):
But he's also got some kids he's growing rapport with
that are not playing as much right now, so that's
where you're going to start to see it. But I
think for this one, if Cedar Springs does what they
normally do, which is control of the clock and play ball,
control football, I like Cedar Springs chance. If it gets
a little crazy. I don't know about that Cedar Springs
secondary because Kenway Hills was able to expose some things

(29:49):
in their win and even when they play the role,
Ceedar Springs was able to beat them, but there were
some defensive vulnerability there. So if I'm Coopersville, I really
try to swing the momentum. You get three announce or
get a turnover, because if they open this up into
a shootout, I really like to brian those chances guys.

Speaker 1 (30:06):
Mark my words, Cedar Springs beats Cooperville and they go
to eight and one, I will at least have him
in my honorable mention next week. How big of you,
Great stuff, guys, Enjoy the games tomorrow night. That's our
four pack. It's brought to you by J and Ads
Family Stores. We do it every week. Buck Gino, Tom
Kender joining myself and Jason Hutton. Coming up, we got
Gobwin Heights set coach Brandon Kimbell. We continue on this

(30:27):
week non edition of the LMCU High School Football Preview.
It's brought to you by the Lake Michigan Credit Union.
Right here on ninety six to one the Game.

Speaker 9 (30:41):
On your way home from any high school game this year,
don't forget to catch the Meyer High School Scoreboard show
for scores, stats, standings, interviews and more right here on
your home for high school sports ninety six to one
the game.

Speaker 1 (30:57):
Welcome back to this regular season finale of what we
call the high School Football Preview. It's brought to you
by Lake Michigan Credit Union. Hard to believe it's week nine.
Coming up. Selection Sunday is on Sunday, and let's go
into our second coach's corner. They've been a great story
in the Okay Silver We're talking about the Wolverines. Of
Gobwin Heights just beat their crosstown rival Kelloggsville to get
to seven and one on the season and now setting

(31:20):
up that okay, silver showdown or winner take all with
Belding this Friday night, and their coach right now, Brandon
Kimball joins us coach, congratulations on this great season so far.
And it goes back to that field goal over Fruitport right.
I mean, the kids are just ecstatic right now, aren't they.

Speaker 8 (31:35):
Yeah, man, thank you Feathers for having me on.

Speaker 7 (31:38):
We've been having some really.

Speaker 8 (31:39):
Interesting finishes to some games in that field goal with
being one of them.

Speaker 3 (31:43):
Coach, what's the excitement like around school right now? Because
I mean, you guys, it's been thirty six years since
you guys have had a season like this. You were
just game of the Week on Channel thirteen last week
you beat your rival. What's the Is it noticeable in school?

Speaker 8 (31:55):
Yeah, there's a buzz and a building. I think that
everyone's excited. We've had opportunity, you know, over the last
few years to get things back, you know, make the
playoffs but not have some success, some different things like that.
But now this year feels different to everyone, so you
can for sure fill it in the building.

Speaker 1 (32:09):
What was it like getting ready for Kellogg'sville. I saw
some of your pregame quotes and your post game quotes afterwards.
I mean that was a tough focus, right because it's
a crosstown rival and you didn't want the kids to
get ahead of themselves to set up this show down
coming up tomorrow night with Belly.

Speaker 7 (32:23):
Yes, it's been for a coach. Has been frustrating.

Speaker 8 (32:26):
In our staff, we're talking about how it sounds crazy
to say we felt like we had back to back
trap games. We went in the Fruitport, which we knew
would be tough on the road, but we're trying to
keep the kids focused to not think about the rivalry
game the following week. Then you get that win and
you go into rivalry, but it's obviously the kids know
the next week everything could be on the line, so
we had to refocus them again. They're always tuned into Kelloggsville,

(32:49):
but you don't want them looking down the road to
try to compete for something that we haven't had the
opportunity for a while.

Speaker 3 (32:54):
Here at Gotland, we're talking with Gallen Heights head coach
Brandon Kimball. His Wolverines won six in a row. They're
seven to one and taking on Building Friday night for
the Okay Silver title game. I want to ask you
a little bit about this Kelloggsville game because obviously it's
a big time rivalry. Any sport doesn't matter. But you
look at the fact that you guys are good, they're
having a good season as well. How much fun is
that to have a game like that where both teams

(33:16):
are playing well, I really think they can win the game.
Where does that add to the rivalry?

Speaker 4 (33:20):
Yeah?

Speaker 8 (33:20):
Man, with us being so close, it's always just an
intense rivalry, but it's so much different when both of
us aren't playing well, and it brings so much excieting
to the community, so much excitement to our community, and
you can feel it when you're going around town. Everybody's
talking about it. Everyone's saying, who's a rocket, who's a Wolverine.
So it was so good for our communities to be
able to come together and for us to be able
to play. But we knew going in we were going

(33:42):
they got a really good running back and some really
tough players and well coached with the new staff coming over,
so we knew it was going to be an intense
game just giving the rivalry, but when they're playing to
the level they're playing this year, it added even more
motivation but more focused for us preparing for the week.

Speaker 1 (33:56):
Coach, talk about now in year seven as the head
coach at Gowen heits you're also the athletic director, so
we'll talk about that in a minute. That's a tough job.
Du A Roll. But you come over from East kent Wood.
You played there at East Kentwood back in the day.
You've always wanted kind of this opportunity and now you've
got it as head coach and what it means to
you to see the success now because you guys were

(34:17):
three and five a year ago, had an open date,
but now at seven and one, I mean with a
group of kids, and you've got some youngsters in there
as well that have really come together.

Speaker 8 (34:25):
Yeah, we are really proud of the work that our
team put in over the offseason last year. Kind of
how you mentioned we.

Speaker 7 (34:33):
Were three and five, We felt like we were a
five hundred team.

Speaker 8 (34:35):
We didn't end up playing ext we only played the
eight games.

Speaker 7 (34:38):
So we felt we were four and five.

Speaker 8 (34:39):
Different If it goes a little different.

Speaker 7 (34:41):
And be kind of five and four.

Speaker 8 (34:43):
And we just weren't satisfied with that, so we challenged
the boys to really put some work in.

Speaker 7 (34:47):
But for me.

Speaker 8 (34:47):
Personally, I've been super excited seeing some of the hids
and lows being around when we were just getting into
the playoffs and now was the standard and being happy
about that, but now being having success with getting kids recruited,
we wanted to return back to where can we really
go as a football program when we've had success in
our history. Here is basketball and somebody we've been saying
soccer has been picking up. We've been telling everybody, somebody's

(35:10):
got to help basketball out for just pushing God with
sports and athletics to another level. So we really want
to help the basketball program and do our part as
a football program.

Speaker 3 (35:19):
Kuch, we talked a little bit earlier about your exciting finishes,
especially that field goal to be fruit Port. But you
had an exciting finish. I believe you scored maybe last
play or pretty close to it to be count stock
Park back in week three. What is it about this
team that you guys seem to make the plays when
you have to.

Speaker 8 (35:34):
Yeah, So we we're blessed with opportunity to have a
really good quarterback that can put the ball pretty much
anywhere on the field when he throws it, So that
gives you a lot of opportunities to have some explosion,
especially with the skill we have on the outside.

Speaker 7 (35:47):
So what it does is.

Speaker 8 (35:47):
When we get in those tight games, we're confident with
him back there, and then we can know we can
make the big play. But what I think has done
more is our senior class and our leadership always being
there that no matter how the game, whether we make mistakes,
that constant game.

Speaker 7 (36:00):
As you mentioned, we have.

Speaker 8 (36:01):
Four turnovers in that and we're down by seventeen, and
we just had a long talk at halftime. We just
weren't playing our best ball. And our seiers are just
so strong and a great relationship they have with our
juniors and sophomores that are on the team that no
matter the situation, they're ready to keep fighting, keep moving forward.
And it helped us tremendously in that Comstock Park game
and the same way to end on with that game,

(36:23):
win the field, go against Fruitport.

Speaker 1 (36:25):
We're in the Montel Construction Coaches Corner Round two tonight.
We had earlier landing growth from West Catholic Godwood coach
Brandon Kimball is joining us. It's brought to you by
Montel Construction. They've been serving West Michigan with exterior projects
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(36:47):
Before we get to the big showdown with Belding and
kind of breaking them down a little bit, I want
you to kind of highlight some of the other players.
You talked about, your quarterback Julius Hoskins. I mean, what
a game two hundred two yards rushing, four touchdowns in
that Winterverkeilla. But some other kids as well that you'd
like to talk about that have really been the difference
makers for you this season.

Speaker 4 (37:06):
Yeah.

Speaker 8 (37:07):
Of course, starting with those two, Martellis and Julius in
the backfield is a crazy tandem with Martelli's being able
to throw in run. Julius is obviously running this running
crazy these past three weeks. But we also have another
running back in Charease Harris, who actually leads the team
in total touchdowns. He's more more primarily a running back
but he catches the ball off the backfield and at

(37:27):
the receiver position.

Speaker 7 (37:29):
We really have.

Speaker 8 (37:30):
A opportunity to get the ball to four different players.
Isaiah Walker who leads us in receiving yards and receiver touchdowns,
Martez Ralphiel has a few different receiving touchdowns. Aden Jackson,
and I can't forget our senior Tajon Allen.

Speaker 7 (37:43):
He plays both sides.

Speaker 8 (37:44):
The ball starts that corner, starts that receiver for us.
He's got hunt returning on the year and also does
things and returning to kick. So we just got a
lot of skill. And but I can't forget my big
boy Jeremiah League. He is really holding it down protecting.
We got a left hand quarterback, so he played right tackle,
but he is the one leading us in the run game.
We always wanted to try to run behind him when

(38:05):
we can win the game's on the line. So we
just got a.

Speaker 7 (38:07):
Really strong senior class.

Speaker 8 (38:09):
But we got a lot of talent at the skill
positions that I think really helps us coach.

Speaker 3 (38:12):
I know it's been nineteen eighty nine since you were
seven and one with you are now nineteen eighty nine.
Since you want a conference title, what you can do Friday,
and you talked after that win against Kelex, you're trying
to do things you haven't done since. Then at what
point did you guys realize, hey, we can do that.
Was that like at the start of the season or
maybe was it like a little ways in when you
kind of realized it.

Speaker 8 (38:31):
Well, I think you know, each team, we go over
the summer and you put your goals out there, and
we really wanted them to put realistic goes. What do
you really want to sacrifice and what do you really
want to move towards? And we felt this was a
special group and those are the things they put before
us having this type of season and having a conference championship.
So we started talking through what did that really look like?
And I would say probably after our can't city loss.

(38:53):
After a loss is winning, you don't think it's that way,
but we felt that was a turning point. We made
some mistakes in that game to to lose the tighty
one to who we thought was a really good team,
and you see in their undefeated stiel to now and
how our team came together after that is what we
knew is like this team could be special. And then
we've been able to start that run that we're able
to hopefully continue this Friday.

Speaker 1 (39:14):
All right, coach, I know hell, coaches are superstitious. They
don't want their players or even their coaching staff for
themselves to think about an opponent too far ahead. But
the elephants in the room now, and it's the Belding Redskins,
three time champs of the OK Silver. You're going to
run in this field, which, as you know, is a
long trip for your kids. It's a special place to play.
But kind of give us your thoughts on this Belding

(39:36):
matchup because I've seen them in person. I have not
seen you, guys, but as you know, and I think
Belding and Monty Price, I think physicality. They want to
run the football and they've got some big hosses up front,
as you know.

Speaker 8 (39:47):
Yeah, man, they're gonna be well coached, They're gonna be tough,
they're gonna be disciplined. They know their scheme, they don't
switch from it. They don't dvaight. So you know, when
you're going into there to play Belding, especially your Belding team,
coach by coach, you kind of know what they're bringing
to the table. But at the same time, it's an
environment also that adds some things.

Speaker 7 (40:06):
They're gonna be loud.

Speaker 8 (40:07):
That bell that I hate to hear is gonna be
ready to go off. They're gonna pack the stands, especially
with everything that's on the line. We've had some success
winning there. They've had some success winning at our field too,
so we've been a little back and forth since I've
been the head coach. So we feel confident going there,
but at the same time, you feel confident in what

(40:28):
the environment is gonna be at the same time, so
I think it's gonna be a real wild environment. But
we're excited to be able to be in this, to
be able to win the conference championship and be in
the conversation.

Speaker 1 (40:38):
Coach, in your preview with your team and kind of preparation,
can you take anything from like maybe a Hopkins, who
you know is a little bit similar, or you lost
to Ken City as you mentioned week two, Jay just
did Kent City. Obviously the Eagles are right now and
they've got a very physical, big quarterback. I mean, what
do you take from that to prepare for Belding Or
is Belding just kind of its own animal.

Speaker 8 (40:59):
Yeah, I think that you never set your full schedule
for a team, But I would be lying to say
that we didn't sign that contract with Ken City a
few years ago knowing that we're gonna play Hopkins and
we're gonna play Building. I think you're spot on similar community,
similar style to play, similar coaching style, and of course
the same type of offense. So that's why we wanted
to see that early, and we wanted to see it

(41:19):
from a strong program and a well coach program, and
Kent City gave us the opportunity early, and of course
there helped in the Hopkins game. But that's what we
take away from there is you get an idea of
where you are in the front, in the trenches, because
if you're going to compete or have an opportunity to
win a game against Building, you got to do it
in the trenches. So we're able to find out early
where we are where we need to grow. What are
some of those things They do bring a unique system.

(41:42):
They're going to run the wing team, but they do
it a lot.

Speaker 7 (41:44):
Different than a few.

Speaker 8 (41:45):
Other teams, so there are some unique things in there
that you have to prepare differently when you're facing a
Building team, because that is not just a normal straight
wing team. They're gonna have some variances in there, but
we'll try to be prepared for that through the week
of practice.

Speaker 3 (41:59):
You touched on it when you you're early in your
tenure at Godwin. You and Belding played some really close games,
you know, and then the last few years it hasn't
been It hasn't been that way. Can you look back
at those old at that old stuff and say, hey,
what do we have to do or is it too
different personnel to look back at like a twenty nineteen.

Speaker 8 (42:18):
Yeah, I think it's both. I think it's using that
as an experience to say, especially how they've been dominating
the conference over the few years, giving those younger guys
that experience that as a school, we do have experience
with winning there and having some confidence going into those games.
We've seen success against them. But at the same time,
you got to talk it up that they turned into
a different program over the last three years. They've been

(42:38):
able to hold down the silver and it's really tough
to beat them on the row or at home.

Speaker 7 (42:43):
So I think you put both of them together.

Speaker 8 (42:45):
You have that respect of what they've done over the
last few years and not let that get too far
out of the mindset of the students student athletes that
are going to play on Friday, but then still talking
through especially on a row because it could be a
daunting place to play. But when you're able to have
conversations about having success in that environment, it kind of
changes the conversation and changes the landscape when we prepare

(43:06):
for our practice week.

Speaker 1 (43:07):
Brandon last, but not least, And I think this is
so important for parents and kids to hear. You have
that dual role as I mentioned, as head coach in
the football program but also ad and so you impact
a lot of different kids and obviously the entire athletic program.
There's a lot of pride with the Wolverines going back
in Godwen Heights and their history with athletics. And you've
got a chance to do something this past weekend and

(43:29):
go watch one of the best to ever play in
Marshawn Neelan at Western Michigan's second round pick of the
Dallas Cowboys down in Dallas that game. Rukwan Buckley is
still playing on the defensive line at Michigan State. He's
got the big game with Michigan coming up on Saturday.
But for your kids and for the community to see
those guys and the success they're having. How important is
that for the kids at Gowen Heights, Man.

Speaker 7 (43:50):
It's tremendous.

Speaker 8 (43:51):
I had a great time this week being able to
see Marshaana try to get down there as much as possible,
Hank with him. We had a couple We're actually going
to the Michigan State and Michigan game this Saturday to
see that rivalry. But we do a most to hangar
Roo Kwan and a few other teams, and we got
some boys and some other spots throughout the GLEIAC in
a few places. They all come back. They're all here
in the summer. They all try to make it to

(44:11):
games when.

Speaker 7 (44:12):
They can, and I.

Speaker 8 (44:13):
Think they're a large part of and I told them
they're big on the reason we're having the season we have.
They build the foundation. But also when you see student
athletes make that level of success, it's different for a
student walking through our building to be able to really
see that that stuff can really happen, that you can
really lift here, you can go to school here, you
can play ball, and you can give everything you can

(44:33):
and that type of success is in arms reach if
you put in the work and now ability skill set
and their body type is will put them in a
situation to have that and everybody doesn't have it. But
it allows our boys to have a different level of
confidence because it's not too many high schools that can
say actively they have somebody that's gonna walk that walk
their halls. But also they're going to see over the

(44:53):
summer and the off season that's currently playing in the
NFL and doing it for a story franchise like the Cowboys.
So whenever Marshall wall around changes the game and then
wu is playing on the defensive line in the big team,
that just speaks for himself.

Speaker 1 (45:05):
By the way, he wasn't three twenty five like he
is now coach, so he's built himself up. And I
know Marshawn as well. We covered Marshawn against Kelloggsville back
in the day with one of our Game of the
Week broadcasts. That is so cool. Thank you so much,
Brandon for the time. Best of luck to you and
the Wolverines against Belding. I know you've been on our
Mayor Scoreboard show with Rick Burkey. It's just a great
story to tell and I know he's very proud as

(45:26):
an alumb As.

Speaker 8 (45:26):
You know, hey, man, Rick's holding down for it is
going in the Hall of Fame there, and we're gonna
try to bring some more recognition to guy in there.
And I appreciate you guys for having me on. Appreciate
everything you got to give the Heigh Schools Force.

Speaker 1 (45:36):
All right, coach, thanks and best of luck tomorrow night.

Speaker 8 (45:39):
All right, thank you. Well here we're going to start
the fourth.

Speaker 1 (45:46):
On second and six hand off Hillart's fitting away for tackle.
Look out his break and bring inside the thirty twenty
five twenty. They've got the angle, don't they know? Ten
five touchdown? Comeal Hillard, want a way to start the
fourth quarter, and here we go the drive to Ford
Field on ninety six to one, the game in one
oh seven. M us the Moose will start next week,
brought to you again by our friends at vandal On

(46:08):
Home Improvement right there off Chicago Drive in Hudsonville. And
on Monday morning after selection Sunday, tune into Wood Radio
with my sports updates and I'll let you know what
our games of the week courtesy of LMCU are gonna
be for Week one of the playoffs. I'm so excited,
ja I love this time of year. Oh man, it's yeah,
it's winter or go home time. It doesn't get any
better than that. And really we get that tomorrow night
as well, because there's a bunch of games where teams

(46:29):
need to win to it's denders either And don't forget,
we'll have him up on our high school sports page
on Monday morning as soon as we can. That's nine
six one the Game dot com, one oh seven mus
dot com, in Wood Radio dot com for the drive
to Ford Field. Now, with that said, one other nugget
I wanted to throw in there when we taped the
show last week. We couldn't make the announce, but we
were excited to have him on it. He was great.

(46:49):
Charlie Gunslan one of our coaches Corner, the head coach
at Luddington's his final year. He did tell us that
during the interview his son Cam's having a great year.
They won last week, so they are now eight to zero.
They beat miss Skeigan or Review. They are the outright
West Michigan Conference Lakes Division champions. But he was for
week seven the Detroit Lyons High School Football Coach of
the Week. What a deserving honor and I'm just I

(47:11):
think as most people are that have heard the story,
pulling for the Orioles to make a nice run. Wouldn't
that be a fitting way to send off the coach.

Speaker 3 (47:17):
Yeah, it sounds like he's got the team to do
it too, because they're just having so much success. He
was super nice to us coming on the show last week,
great interview, So it's an exciting time up there on
the beach.

Speaker 1 (47:27):
And he wants to make some noise up there. He said,
we don't get the coverage necessarily from Grand Rapids in
that area down there, so we're loving it. Keep an
eye on Luddington eight to zero going into the Tri
County game week nine to end the regular season, trying
to pull off that perfect season. Then we'll see where
they fall selection Sunday. They are in, by the way,
Division four. All right, Jay, I went first with our
top ten rankings, so it's time for you here in

(47:48):
week nine.

Speaker 3 (47:49):
Well, it's an easy week because nobody lost, right, so
there's no changes. Hudsonville won, Rockford two, Muskegan three, East,
kent Wood four, Portah Central five, Unity Christian six, Byron
Center seven, Grand Up. It's Kevicsan eight East Grand Rapids nine,
West Catholic ten, so everybody won. No changes. I don't
do honorable mentions. I guess if I did, Cedar Springs
would be in my honorable mention.

Speaker 1 (48:08):
So I have Hudsonville one, Unity Christian two, Portage Central three.
All of those eight no by the way, so going
for perfect seasons. This week Division champions Rockford number four
at six and two. Hudsonville by the way, just to
share because of how many teams are in the Okay Red.
So they're trying to win it outright. If they can
beat Grandville this week, East Kent win at six and
two is number five for me. Muskegan at six and
two is six. Then Catholic Central I saw with my

(48:29):
own eyes beating North Few thirty five to seven last
Friday at number seven is also eight no. Then Luddington
eight is eight no. Kentwill Hills nine, RCA champs seven
and one, East Grand Rapids ten at six and two.
Then I had West Catholic who's seven to one. We'll
see again this week against Zelidle West who's in my
honor Manson at six and two, Belding seven to one,
and I want to go back to our games of
the week. I want to comment on the Cougars of

(48:49):
Grandpas Catholic Central, but I want to ask you how
impressed you were with Kent City the Eagles now eight
and oh keep an eye on them. That was a
big win over Tri County in your game of the week.

Speaker 3 (48:58):
Yeah, I was just impressed with the way they kind
of hand We haven't seen a whole lot of adversity
this year and so try kind of gets you open
and kick goes right down and scores and that just
really hapdened.

Speaker 1 (49:05):
Happened.

Speaker 3 (49:05):
They trade, They trailed the entire first half and only
the second time they trailed all year. It's certainly the
longest they trailed, and they just came out. They scored
the last play of the half. They come out and
the third quarter and just dominated the third quarters. Off
was impressed the way they handled adversity, which they haven't
seen much this year.

Speaker 1 (49:18):
And by the way they beat Gown with Heights who
seven and wan and going for an okay silver championship
tomorrow night at Belding in Week two, sixteen to six and.

Speaker 3 (49:25):
Division six playoffs are going to be interesting, right because
you figure Belding Kent City Monague all maybe Central Mont
com some in some form or fashion of a district.
The matchups should be good.

Speaker 1 (49:34):
I will tell you this. The Catholic central defense is
for real, my friend. You know that six and a
half points per game is all they gave up. Gave
up seven, so they were right on the mark. And
that one. The offense is starting to come alive, and
they did all that Jay without one of their outstanding
outside linebackers and another senior. They start eight seniors on defense.
I guess he would make nine Colin Lot. Yeah, a
lot of Armack ha been starting since their sophomores. Braden Sweeney,

(49:55):
they're outstanding safety rover type player, has been starting since
he was a freshman.

Speaker 3 (49:59):
I mean mere Pratt on the nose. That's a really
good defense. And and Joel passenal is a great coordinator.
You know, we talk about Randy Vanderveen all the time.
I mean passing is in that same breath. So yeah,
that's a that's a really good group.

Speaker 1 (50:11):
Keep an eye on Catholic Central West Catholic, We've seen
it before. Probably gonna meet a district final. They are
one to two as far as the playoff point summaries,
in Division five in the state going into Week nine.
All Right, our uptown cheapskate players of the week, I'll
go first, and I'm gonna go with the Wolverines of
Godwin Heights and they're forty one to twenty two win
over rival Kelloggsville, spoiling the Rockets homecoming. How about this guy,

(50:33):
Julius Hoskins nineteen carries two hundred and two yards and
four rushing touchdowns for the Wolverine.

Speaker 3 (50:39):
Well, and he's a big factor for them because they
run the ball a lot with their quarterback Martellus forst
who's outstanding. They throw it a lot, they get it
to the perimeter. If they can run the football with Hoskins,
that's an added element to their game. And they're gonna
need to stay on the field against Belding because Beelding
this year's just done such a good job of limiting
possessions because they offensively control the football. So if they

(51:00):
can run the football a little bit, that would give
them a chance. All right, And for your uptown chiefs skate, Yeah, way,
I'm gonna go Brooks hadd't I mean this seems like
an easy choice. Seven catches two hundred and fourteen yards,
four touchdowns as Coopersville beat Previously in beating Big Rapids
he had touchdown catches of ninety seven and seventy yards. Impress.
I mean, he's a three year varsity guy. Been really good.
I can't wait to see where he ends up because
he's gonna play on Saturday somewhere Kenaw Hills. Defensively when

(51:22):
we covered him, bottle him up pretty good. Obviously you
got to stop number seven. I mean that was the
theme with Don Fellows all week that week. But he
had a huge game in that win over Big Rapids
as you mentioned, and Brooks hadn't champ Kelly the freshman
starting to get that connection going trying to get into
the playoffs.

Speaker 1 (51:37):
There are you Uptown Cheapskate players of the week for
both of us. Each we'll get a twenty five dollars
gift card and do some shopping at Uptown Cheapskate. But
of course those locations in Granville and Kentwood, if you
don't know, they buy what you loved yesterday, sell what
you want today, clean out your closet and earn cast
for your clothes. Plus you can become an Uptown inside
and get monthly deals at Uptown Cheapskate dot com. That's
gonna do it for this week. Non addition, want to

(51:57):
thank of course Buck Geno and Tom Kender for joining
us in the four pack and also both coaches tonight
Brandon Kimball of Gowen Heights, Landing Grove of West Catholic
for Jasonutt. My name is Brepakinda. Enjoy the games tomorrow night.
We'll see you back here with a week ten edition
next Thursday night, start at six. You're on ninety six
to one the Game.

Speaker 2 (52:13):
We hope you enjoyed this edition of the LMCU High
School Football Preview Show and exclusive presentation of ninety six
one the Game and iHeartMedia powered by Lake Michigan Credit Union.
Find out more at LMCU dot org and also brought
to you by Meyer Kids, Food Basket, Jay and H
Family Stores, Van der Lonholm Improvement, Trinity Health, Sporting You, Wing, Doozy,

(52:37):
Straight Line, Fence, Rapid Radios, Uptown Chief Skate in Granville
and Kentwood, MKD Funeral Homes, Windsheeler's Delicious Cheese Spreads, Pulse,
Jepson Physical Therapy, Discount, Door and Montel Construction and just
a reminder that you can follow all of the high
school sports action this fall with conference schedules, scores, and

(52:58):
standings for your favorite teams by logging onto West Michigan
oksports dot com