Game Preview: West Catholic (5-0) @ Coopersville (5-0)

Game Info:

West Catholic (5-0) @ Coopersville (5-0)

Friday, October 1st @ 7pm

Coopersville Stadium

Series History: 12th all-time meeting. West Catholic leads the all-time series 11-1 and won last year’s matchup 36-13.

We’re past the midway mark of the high school football regular season and into the games that win and lose conference championships and determine playoff seeding. This year, the OK Blue is top-to-bottom the most competitive league in the entire OK Conference as four teams enter week six without a loss. The winner of this game and the winner between Unity Christian (5-0) and Spring Lake (5-0) will have the inside track to the OK Blue title.

Coopersville enters Friday’s game with an offense averaging 28.8 points per game, and a defense giving up 12.2 points per game. West Catholic comes into the matchup with an offense averaging 44.2 ppg, and a defense surrendering 11.4 ppg. The Falcons and Broncos have each defeated Allendale and Fruitport this season with West Catholic winning by a combined 72 points and Coopersville doing so by 25 points.

Coopersville

5-0 (3-0), Last Week: Defeated Allendale: 24-6

Players To Watch

Dylan Merlo, RB/DB, 2022”

Dylan has been one of the area’s best two-way players this season, making impact plays at running back and defensive back on a weekly basis. In week four, Dylan rushed for 167 yards and came down with three interceptions. The Broncos will need that level of playmaking as they enter the gauntlet of their schedule.

Ryan Serba, WR/DB, 2022”

Just last week, Ryan showed the type of impact he can have as he caught nine passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns in the Bronco’s win over Allendale. Like Merlo, Ryan’s impact is felt just as much on the defensive side of the ball.

Tim Allen, DE/TE, 2022”

Standing 6’3, 225 lbs, Tim is one of the more physically imposing defensive ends in the area and will be tasked with helping slow down Tim Kloska and the Falcon rushing attack.

Colton Bosch, QB, 2023”

The junior quarterback has played mistake-free football through a month’s worth of games and will soon be tested against some of the best teams in the state as the Broncos enter the tougher part of their schedule. Colton is coming off a 264 yard, three-touchdown performance over Allendale, showing he’s capable of putting up big numbers.

West Catholic

5-0 (3-0), Last Week: Defeated Fruitport 49-14

Players To Watch

Tim Kloska, RB, 2023”

Through five weeks, Tim leads the state in rushings yards (1,370) and touchdowns (19) and is averaging an insane 15.2 yards per carry. He’s faced just about every defensive scheme designed to slow him down and it hasn’t mattered. The fact that he’s only a junior and will be doing this for another year speaks to the amount of work he’s put in to put himself in a position to shatter all of West Catholic’s rushing records.

Elliot Zainea, RB, 2023”

Elliot is another talented back in the Falcon backfield and is someone who’s capable of putting up huge numbers. Just last week, Elliot rushed for over 200 yards in West Catholic’s win over Fruitport. Expect Elliot to take advantage of every touch he gets tonight.

Kyle Kloska, OL/DL, 2022”

Kyle is the anchor of the offensive and defensive lines for the Falcons. He’s a huge key to the success that West Catholic has had in the run game and a key reason why their defense is only giving up 11 points per game.

Michael Ignatoski, LB/TE 2022”

Standing at 6’1 200 lbs, Michael is another valuable asset in the run game at the tight end position, and he has the ability to split out and make a difference in the Falcon’s passing attack. Defensively, Michael controls the box at linebacker and has the athleticism to cover backs on passing plays.

Noah Arsulowicz, QB, 2022”

Noah has played clean and efficient football through five weeks and has done what has been asked of him in every game. He has shown he can make accurate throws on the run and doesn’t cost his team by throwing into double coverage.

Keys To The Game

Tim Kloska has looked unstoppable through five weeks. If that trend continues, West Catholic will have a hard time not finding a way to win this game. That being said, the Falcons haven’t faced the type of playmakers on the defensive side of the ball as Coopersville has. It’ll be up to the Broncos leaders like Merlo, Serba, and Allen to slow down what has been statistically the best running back in the state.

Can Coopersville generate enough offense to win in a shootout? It’s evident that they have the playmakers to score enough points to win, however, their season average of 28 points per game might not be enough tonight. I think it’ll take at least five touchdowns to win tonight’s game. Colton Bosch has the ability to put up big numbers. He’ll need to do so tonight for the Broncos to come away with the win.

Prediction

West Catholic 28, Coopersville 17