Games to watch in Week 1

Eagles will try to keep their momentum rolling straight over the Tigers in week-1

Finally, at long last, football is here!  Week one should be chock full of great matchups, and may have more than a few surprises in store.  One thing’s for sure: when the dust settles after Friday’s matchups, we’ll certainly have a much clearer picture.

Now then, let’s talk about what you need to watch in Week-1

Muskegon Heights @ Muskegon Oakridge

The story for Muskegon Heights is their new head coach, Willie Snead III. Snead Coached Holland Christian to a 14-0 season last year, his spread offense scoring an average of 46 points a game.  Snead’s  son, Willie Snead IV, will be starting at QB for the Tigers, and will be surrounded on all sides by talented athletes.  There’s no doubt that the Tigers will be improved this year, but they’ll have to wait until week-2 to start their winning streak. Defending Division-5 Champion Oakridge is just too tough.

Prediction: In a game that might be closer than some think, the Oakridge Eagles take round one.

Score: Heights-28, Oakridge-34

Orchard View @ Montague

Was it Montague’s new spread offense that got them the win at Orchard View last year?  Or did Montague just play knockout defense? In their previous three meetings Orchard View averaged just shy of 41-points per game, while in 2008 the Cardinals managed a relatively paltry 21-points.  The hype says that Orchard View will be down this year, but I wouldn’t bet on it.  Which is bad news for Montague.  The good news for Montague is that, whether their spread offense clicks again or not, the Wildcat defense should be a strong unit again in 09.

Prediction: Montague will come out on top in a tight contest that goes the distance.

Score: Montague-34, Orchard View– 28

Grand Rapids West Catholic @ Grand Rapids Catholic Central

Entering the third year of their rivalry, the coaches’ series is split, each of them having won one.  Recently West Catholic has started slowly out of the gate, and they will be looking to avoid that this year.  But to win in week one they will have to shut down Catholic Central’s Division-1 recruit, Nick Ens, who will be returning at QB.

Prediction: West Catholic won’t go down easy, but in the end Ens and the Cougars will prove to have too much firepower.

Score: GRCC-28, GRWC-20

Zeeland West @ Comstock Park

Is Zeeland West back? The Dux offensive production dropped considerably last year, down to just below 22-points a game (their previous two seasons having been closer to 40 points per game). Getting their offense rolling again will be their top priority, and will be key to the Dux’ success. Comstock Park comes into the game with a decent amount of returning talent, including a level of depth that few teams can match.  Each of these teams could legitimately claim this victory, so look for this game to go the distance.

Prediction: The Dux will defeat the Colts in a close contest to start their season off on the right track.

Score: Zeeland West-30, Comstock Park-24

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