Above in this week’s edition of “Behind the Frenzy,” Football Frenzy correspondents Dean Holzwarth and Andrew McDonald run down Grand Rapids South Christian Carson Vis’ stats so far this season, discuss East Kentwood’s chances in the O-K Red, preview our Week 4 spotlight games and more.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The high school football season is in full gear. Here’s a quick look at our Football Frenzy spotlight games for Week 4.
BYRON CENTER BULLDOGS (3-0) AT MONA SHORES SAILORS (3-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
The marquee matchup of the week pits two state-ranked teams in Division 2.
Top-ranked Byron Center will travel to the lakeshore to face the Sailors. It will be the first ever meeting between the two teams.
It also will be Mona Shores’ first home game after three straight road games, all wins against Grand Blanc, River Rouge and Flint Hamady. After back-to-back state championships in 2019 and 2020, the Sailors have maintained success with three straight years of seven or more wins.
Byron Center’s high-powered offense and aggressive defense have propelled them to a perfect start, which has included wins over Battle Creek Central, East Kentwood and Hammond (Indiana) Morton. The Bulldogs have been led by the senior tandem of quarterback Landon Tungate and wide receiver Isaac Lee.
NEWAYGO LIONS (3-0) AT TRI COUNTY VIKINGS (3-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
Newaygo is off to its best start since 2014 under former Rockford coach Ralph Munger.
The Lions have already matched their win total from a year ago and are averaging nearly 30 points per game. They haven’t won more than three games in a season since 2019.
Newaygo has avenged losses to Kent City and Central Montcalm from a year ago. It hopes for the same on the road against a talented Tri County squad in a Central State Activities Association-Gold tilt.
The Vikings beat Newaygo 36-8 last year and are perfect through three games for the third straight season.
Tri County has won every game so far by double-digits and is averaging 49 points per game. The Vikings have recorded seven or more wins for three straight years and have qualified for the postseason for four consecutive years.
NORTHVIEW WILDCATS (3-0) AT EAST GRAND RAPIDS PIONEERS (2-1)
Friday, 7 p.m.
Northview is experiencing a turnaround this year after several losing seasons.
The Wildcats haven’t had a winning season since 2019, but have looked impressive so far with wins over Chelsea, Wyoming and Sparta.
Northview’s offense has produced 43 points per game, while their defense hasn’t allowed more than 14 points in each game.
The Wildcats also went 3-0 last year, but lost six of their last seven, including a narrow 14-10 loss to East Grand Rapids.
The Pioneers, led by quarterback Carson Thornton, beat Lowell in their opener before a loss to South Christian in Week 2. EGR bounced back for a win last week against Grand Rapids Christian, 42-6.
It’s the O-K Blue conference opener for both teams.