It’s hard to believe, but we’re in the final week of the high school football regular season.
Week 9 is here and there are several matchups involving Muskegon-area teams that could go down to the wire.
Here is a graphic of this week’s schedule, followed by details on the CatchMark SportsNet Game of the Week and other info:
CATCHMARK SPORTSNET GAME OF THE WEEK
Muskegon Catholic Central at Oakridge, 7 p.m. Friday
Three weeks ago, Muskegon Catholic Central picked up win No. 500 in its program’s storied history. One week later, Oakridge reached victory No. 400 in enhancing its rich tradition.
This week, the powerhouse programs will collide on the field. In just the third all-time meeting, the Crusaders (7-1) and Eagles (7-1) will square off at 7 p.m. Friday at Oakridge’s Russell A. Erickson Stadium. It has been selected the CatchMark SportsNet Game of the Week.
MCC is champion in the Lakes 8 Activities Conference, while Oakridge earned a share of the West Michigan Conference title.
The Eagles and Crusaders split their only two meetings to this point. Oakridge defeated MCC in the 2015 season opener at home, 45-26. MCC returned the favor in the 2016 opener at Kehren Stadium, 30-6.
The teams were slated to play in Week 9 last season, but that game was wiped out because teams’ regular-season schedules were abbreviated amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Both squads are coming off dramatic victories in Week 8.
Muskegon Catholic Central pulled out a thrilling 24-16 home win over reigning Division 8 state champ Centreville when Sam Convertini hauled in a 26-yard touchdown pass from Elliot Riegler with 6 seconds remaining.
Across town, Oakridge survived a wild game with visiting rival Ravenna, 43-36, in which the Eagles led 36-7 at halftime and saw the Bulldogs tie it at 36 before Brenden Raymond scored the winning TD on a 3-yard run with 54 seconds left.
MCC leads the Muskegon area with 13 state championships all-time, including 12 in the playoff era starting in 1975. Oakridge has captured three state titles in its history.
SELECTION SUNDAY SHOW
The Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Selection Sunday Show is back.
At 5:30 p.m. this Sunday, a show announcing the high school football playoff qualifiers, first-round matchups and divisional brackets will be televised on Bally Sports Detroit.
