Football Frenzy preview: What to expect from regional finals

Above on Behind the Frenzy, Football Frenzy correspondents Dean Holzwarth and Andrew McDonald break down some key district finals and what they might mean for motivation going into this week’s regional finals on the push to Ford Field.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A trip to Ford Field is getting closer and closer for several area teams as we enter the regional finals.

Here is a closer look at a few key games involving area teams.

DIVISION 1

HUDSONVILLE AT HOWELL

The Hudsonville Eagles (10-1) take on the Howell Highlanders (11-0) Saturday at 1 p.m.

After persevering through two tough district games against O-K Red conference opponents East Kentwood and Grandville, the Eagles have redemption on their minds entering this weekend’s regional finals.

Hudsonville gets a rematch against the team that gave it its only loss of the season in the season opener.

The Eagles lost to Howell 20-17 in Week 1 and hope to return the favor in search of their first trip to the state semifinals since 2005.

The Highlanders have already set a school record for wins (11) and points (393) in a season and edged Brighton 35-33 in the district finals.

Howell went 3-6 and 4-5 the past two seasons.

DIVISION 2

PORTAGE CENTRAL AT BYRON CENTER

The Portage Central Mustangs (8-3) play the Byron Center Bulldogs (10-1) Friday at 7 p.m.

The Bulldogs return to the regional finals for a second straight year following a thrilling win over O-K Green conference champion Mona Shores in a district final.

Byron Center avenged its lone loss of the year against the Sailors.

This is the second straight year that Byron Center and Portage Central have met in the postseason.

The Bulldogs defeated the Mustangs last year in their playoff opener, 42-23.

Byron Center is seeking its first state semifinal appearance in school history, while the Mustangs last won a regional crown in 2013.

DIVISION 3

FOREST HILLS CENTRAL AT ZEELAND WEST

The Forest Hills Central Rangers (9-2) take on the Zeeland West Dux (10-1) Friday at 7 p.m.

The showdown between O-K Gold conference foes will be a rematch of last year’s state semifinal, which Forest Hills Central won 18-14 en route to a state title.

The Rangers lost a talented senior class from a year ago but have not missed a beat this season while currently riding a five-game winning streak.

Their only losses came against Unity Christian and Zeeland West. The Dux defeated Forest Hills Central 28-7 in Week 6.

Zeeland West outscored its first two playoff opponents 74-6 and has only lost to Unity Christian this season.

Forest Hills Central has allowed 14 points or less in eight of its 11 games.

DIVISION 4

SOUTH CHRISTIAN AT WHITEHALL

The South Christian Sailors (7-4) play the Whitehall Vikings (8-3) Friday at 7 p.m.

South Christian suffered through a four-game losing skid but finds itself in the regional finals for the fifth straight season after knocking off top-ranked Unity Christian 35-28 in a district final.

Senior quarterback Carson Vis accounted for five touchdowns in the win.

The Sailors have made two consecutive trips to Ford Field, while Whitehall is in pursuit of its first after a 1-2 start to the season.

The Vikings lost to Portland in their regular-season finale but have earned two big road wins in the postseason against Forest Hills Eastern and Big Rapids.

These two teams last met in the regional finals in 2022. South Christian posted a 28-21 win en route to the state title.

DIVISION 5

KALAMAZOO UNITED AT CATHOLIC CENTRAL

The Kalamazoo United Fighting Irish (9-2) play the Catholic Central Cougars (7-4) Friday at 7 p.m.

Catholic Central finished the regular season with four losses for the first time since 2009 but is still in the hunt for back-to-back state championships after a thrilling district final against rival West Catholic.

The Cougars needed a last minute blocked punt and ensuing touchdown to stun the Falcons, 21-18.

Catholic Central also beat West Catholic last year in the postseason en route to a state championship.

Kalamazoo United is playing in a regional final for the first time since 2021 after back-to-back wins against South Haven and Berrien Springs.

The Fighting Irish lost to Lawton and Jackson Lumen Christi during the regular season. They’ve allowed only 145 points this season, including four shutouts.

Other regional finals involving area teams include the following: