OK Conference Predictions: Week Three
League play across the OK Conference is set to kickoff this Friday as teams across West Michigan will try to take one step closer to a conference championship and a coveted berth in the playoffs. Each week I'll breakdown my top game from each of the six divisions in the OK Conference. The game of the week for week three is Grandville-Caledonia, so check back in tomorrow for that game preview.
OK Green
Muskegon (1-1) @ Zeeland West (1-0)
Outside of the Grandville-Caledonia matchup, the best game in the OK Conference this week features two teams from the OK Green that expect to make deep postseason runs almost every year in Muskegon and Zeeland West. Zeeland West is coming off a rare week 2 bye, while Muskegon will look to get back on track following their week two loss to Cass Tech. Zeeland West tailback Skyler Geurink opened the season with a four-touchdown performance against East Grand Rapids and will look to lead the Dux against what figures to be one of the top defenses in the area in Muskegon. Muskegon quarterback/defensive back Myles Walton, who might be the area’s best two-way player, will be the main focus for the Dux defense. Expect a tight game with a chance for a lot of big plays.
Prediction: Muskegon 28, Zeeland West 24
OK White
Northview (2-0) @ FHC (1-1)
Northview is off to a 2-0 start and will try to start the season 3-0 for the first time in 10 years. The Wildcats are averaging 23.5 ppg, a 10-point improvement from a season ago, however, Forest Hills Central’s defense will be their toughest test so far this season. Forest Hills Central is coming off of a heartbreaking loss to Grand Blanc that was decided in the final minute. Jacob Bonnett is one of the area’s quickest wideouts and is a threat to take it to the house whenever he touches the ball. Ranger junior quarterback Justin Osterhouse has played up to standard in the absence of injured starter Hunter Robinson. Expect the Rangers to carry over some of the offensive success that they had in the first two weeks of the season.
Prediction: Forest Hills Central 35, Northview 16
OK Gold
Cedar Springs (1-1) @ Ottawa Hills (1-1)
Cedar Springs is coming off of a tough loss to a top-10 state-ranked Rockford team, while Ottawa Hills enters week three off a 20-12 win over Benton Harbor. Scharai Horton is one of the best backs in the OK Gold and should be the Red Hawks’ primary target to stop on Friday. Cedar Springs also has a potent ground game, led by quarterback Aiden Brunin and running back Antwuan Nichols. Fans of scoring drives coming from running the ball are in for a treat in this one.
Prediction: Cedar Springs 42, Ottawa Hills 20
OK Blue
West Catholic (2-0) @ Allendale (2-0)
After two weeks, it looks as if the deepest league in the OK Conference this year just might be the Blue. Six teams are tied atop the OK Blue standings at 2-0, while Fruitport and Holland Christian sit at 1-1. With that said, every league game will have an added element of importance when it comes to winning the league and ultimately making the playoffs. West Catholic running back Tim Kloska has shredded opposing defenses through the first two weeks to the tune of 42 carries for 765 yards and 7 touchdowns. Allendale has a talented back of their own in Cole DiPiazza, who rushed for 211 yards and two touchdowns in Allendale’s 14-0 win over Hopkins last week. Whichever back can have the most productive game against a pair of defenses that are allowing less than 10 ppg will give their team the best shot in this one.
Prediction: West Catholic 21, Allendale 7
OK Silver
Comstock Park (2-0) @ Sparta (1-1)
Long-time border rivals will meet up for the 42nd time with the Panthers holding a slight 20-19-1 edge in the series. It might be too soon to talk conference title implications, but I have a feeling the winner of this game will have the inside track to the OK Silver crown. The Panther backfield featuring quarterback Jackson Gates and Tyler DeWitt has been tremendous through two weeks, helping the Panthers average over 50 ppg. Sparta dropped a nail-biter in week one in a one-point loss to Muskegon Oakridge and followed that up with a 41-3 drubbing of Ludington. Expect this one to come down to the wire.
Prediction: Sparta 30, Comstock Park 28