It was another thrilling night across West Michigan as district championship and playoff matchups brought energy, emotion, and unforgettable moments to the field and court. Here’s a look at how it all unfolded:
Volleyball: Hart Falls to Reed City
The Hart Pirates gave it their all but came up short in their playoff matchup against Reed City. The Coyotes took control early, winning the opening set and keeping momentum throughout the evening. Despite a strong push from Hart in the second set, Reed City sealed the sweep 3-0 to advance to the next round.
Final:
Reed City 3
Hart 0
Football: Reed City Dominates to Capture District Championship
In Reed City, the Coyotes’ high-powered ground game proved too much for Montague to handle. Behind a relentless rushing attack, Reed City stormed ahead early and never looked back, claiming the Division 6 District Championship in convincing fashion.
Quarterback Eli Petersen opened the scoring for Montague with a keeper in the first quarter, but Reed City answered — and then some. The Coyotes rattled off 35 unanswered points, led by standout performances from Isaac Turnwald and a punishing offensive line.
Final Score:
Reed City Coyotes 45
Montague Wildcats 14
The Coyotes (9-2) advance to face Kingsley in next week’s Regional Championship, while Montague’s season ends at 6-5 — a year marked by steady growth and resilience.
District Showdown at Hackley Stadium: Traverse City Central Stuns Muskegon
In one of the most dramatic finishes of the night, Traverse City Central pulled off a stunning 16-14 upset over Muskegon at the historic Hackley Stadium. The Trojans’ defense held strong late, and a fourth-quarter field goal by Gideon Benghauser proved to be the difference.
Muskegon’s dynamic duo of Lamar Bradford and Demetrius Rainey-Brown connected twice for scores, but Traverse City Central’s composure and timely execution carried the day — giving head coach Eric Schugars a storybook homecoming victory in Muskegon.
Whitehall vs. Swan Valley: Vikings Battle to the End
Whitehall’s postseason run came to an end Friday night with a 36-20 loss to Saginaw Swan Valley in the Division 5 District Final. The Vikings battled hard but couldn’t overcome an early 29-0 deficit. Quarterback Liam Leeke sparked the offense in the second half with a touchdown strike, but Swan Valley’s efficiency sealed the win.
Final:
Swan Valley 36
Whitehall 20
Shelby Makes History
The Shelby Tigers continued their incredible resurgence, capturing their first District Title since 2013 with a 30-16 victory over Harrison. Big plays from Garcia and a dominant second-half push helped the Tigers secure the championship and punch their ticket to the regional round.
Final:
Shelby 30
Harrison 16
Looking Ahead: North Muskegon Set for Saturday Showdown
The action isn’t over yet! North Muskegon takes the field Saturday at 1 p.m. as the Norsemen travel to face Pewamo-Westphalia in a highly anticipated Division 7 matchup. Stay tuned to CatchMark SportsNet for live updates, scores, and highlights from this exciting regional clash.
