Week 9 high school football scouting reports
The final week of the regular season is upon us for high school football.
Six local teams are in action. Holland canceled its season several weeks ago, and for the second week in a row, Saugatuck does not have the numbers to compete because of injuries.
Here is a look at the Friday night matchups:
Jenison at West Ottawa
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: West Ottawa Stadium
RECORDS: West Ottawa 3-5, Jenison 2-6
LAST WEEK: West Ottawa lost 48-0 to Caledonia, Jenison lost 42-14 to Rockford
SERIES RECORD: Jenison leads 23-22
LAST MEETING: Last year, Jenison won 35-7
SCOUTING REPORT: Both teams were overmatched by top 10 teams in the state last week. Both teams are out of the playoff picture. But both teams could use a win this week to end on a high note and salvage the end of the season. It will be West Ottawa's last game of the first season in the new West Ottawa Stadium. It will be loud, energized and the Panthers will look to close the first chapter of the new stadium the same way it opened - with a victory.
Holland Christian at Fruitport
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Fruitport High School
RECORDS: Holland Christian 3-5, Fruitport 6-2
LAST WEEK: Holland Christian lost 28-21 to Allendale, Fruitport defeated Hamilton 61-36
SERIES RECORD: Fruitport leads 2-0
LAST MEETING: Last year, Fruitport won 52-16
SCOUTING REPORT: Fruitport is a playoff team that has played like it in the OK Blue, only losing to defending state finalist Unity Christian in conference play. They have scored 321 points and allowed just 238. The Maroons will have to slow the offense down and make some big defensive stops to have a chance to end the season with a win. The Maroons looked like a possible playoff team at times this season but came up a little bit short. But it has been a huge improvement for the Maroons, who won just two games last season. If they can finished with a win and finish 4-5 it will be huge for the program as it continues on the upswing.
Zeeland East at Wyoming
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Wyoming
RECORDS: Zeeland East 2-6, Wyoming 0-8
LAST WEEK: Zeeland East beat Grand Rapids Union 25-21, Wyoming lost 42-14 to Zeeland West
SERIES RECORD: Zeeland East leads 2-0
LAST MEETING: Last year, Zeeland East won 65-34
SCOUTING REPORT: The Chix are coming off a huge comeback win at home against Union, capped by a touchdown pass from Austin Keur to Ethan Rosenberg on homecoming. Zeeland East will look to take that momentum into the final week of the season. It has been a tough season for the Chix, losing several close games. But with a win last week and a win in the final game, the Chix could end the season for their seniors with two big wins, salvaging the season. But Wyoming will be looking to avoid a winless season, making them desperate and extremely dangerous. The Chix will have to move the ball as they did last week to have the ending they want.
"We look to end the season on a positive note against Wyoming this week. They are a very fast team that have been snake bit all year. They are able to run the ball well and have kept games close this year. Both teams are going to have to play through injuries Friday night." - Joe Woodruff
GR Union at Zeeland West
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Zeeland Stadium
RECORDS: Zeeland West 7-1, Grand Rapids Union 4-4
LAST WEEK: Zeeland West defeated Wyoming 42-14, Grand Rapids Union lost 25-21 to Zeeland East
SERIES RECORD: Zeeland West leads 2-0
LAST MEETING: Last year, Zeeland West won 52-6
SCOUTING REPORT: The Dux are one of their best editions this season and a state title contender. They will look to take care of business and get to the playoffs with some momentum. Meanwhile, Union played a strong game against East last week and will look to end with a winning record and a thrilling upset. The Dux defense will hold the key. The offense will take care of itself, but if the defense can get a couple of key stops early, it will set the tone and madke it extremely difficult for the Redhawks if they are behind by a couple of scores.
Allendalle at Hamilton
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Hamilton
RECORDS: Hamilton 2-6, Allendale 3-5
LAST WEEK: Hamilton lost 61-36 to Fruitport, Allendale defeated Holland Christian 28-21
SERIES RECORD: Allendale leads 6-3
LAST MEETING: Last year, Hamilton won 27-26
SCOUTING REPORT: After a promising 2-0 start, the OK Blue has been a tough gauntlet for the Hawkeyes. They have been able to score, and at times in bunches, but have struggled to stop the opposition, allowing 28 points or more in every game, including three games over 50. If the defense can make a few big plays and get some key stops, the Hawkeyes will have a chance to end the season with a victory.
"Both teams will be looking to send their Seniors out on a high note. They have a new coach and have switched over to the spread offense and it seems like they've gotten better and better at it as the season has gone on. Their top players are their Qb and they have a very good OT/DE. We will have to execute at a greater clip than we have the last couple of weeks to be successful." - Phil Koops
Wyoming Lee at Fennville
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Fennville High School
RECORDS: Fennville 3-5, Lee 0-8
LAST WEEK: Fennville lost 80-26 to Martin, Lee lost 50-30 to Tri-unity Christian
SERIES RECORD: Fennville leads 1-0
LAST MEETING: 1960, Fennville won 13-12
SCOUTING REPORT: These teams have not faced each other in 62 years, but have both gone to 8-man and will meet again. Lee has struggled this year, only scoring more than 18 points twice all season. Fennville has had its struggles as well, but with a healthy Ben Peterson in his final game, the Blackhawks should be able to end on a high note. He has missed parts of four games this season with multiple injuries. Defensively, the Blackhawks will need to makes some stops, but they will enter the season finale as the favorites.
"The key for us offensively will be executing our game plan, specifically in the red zone. On the defensive side of the football Wyoming Lee’s offense revolves around their running back. We’ll need to put pressure on their Oline from the jump and cleanly tackle when we have the opportunities to tackle him." - Richard Roth
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: High school football scouting reports for Week 9 in the Holland area
