That’s the type of games these teams play when they go head-to-head.

Mona Shores quarterback Mark Konecny gets ready to pass against Zeeland West earlier this season. Photo/Jeremy Clark

This year Mona Shores will be meeting up with the Pioneers right away. The Sailors, 7-2, learned on Sunday on Bally Sports Detroit that they will travel to FH Central (8-1) this weekend in the first round of the Division 2 state playoffs.

Mona Shores will be trying to win its third straight state championship, and will have a major challenge right out of the gate.

“We seem to cross paths quite a bit,” said Mona Shores Coach Matt Koziak about Forest Hills Central. “It’s crazy that we always seem to meet so early. I think our district is going to be really tough, with us, Forest Hills Central and Caledonia.

“It always seems to come down to the last possession (against FH Central). Last year it was the last play. They have always been great games. They are a great team and very well coached. We know what they are going to bring, and they’re familiar with us. It will be a great Week 1 matchup, maybe the best in the state.”

Mona Shores will be on the road through the first two weeks of playoffs, if they survive. The Sailors won’t get the chance for a home game until at least the regional round, and Koziak said that’s not a problem.

“Four of our first five games were on the road, and to tell you the truth our field is pretty beat up, so it will be nice to play on turf,” the coach said.

The Muskegon Big Reds will be home for their first game in the Division 3 playoffs, against Lowell.

Jakob Price takes off on a big run for Muskegon in a win over Mona Shores. Photo/Jeremy Clark

The traditionally strong Red Arrows are only 4-5 this year, but Muskegon Coach Shane Fairfield said nothing will be taken for granted.

“They are reckless on defense and they fly around,” he said. “Offensively they control the football. They are a little Wing-Tish, and they can throw the ball when they have to.”

The Big Reds were not mentioned by Bally Sports Detroit broadcasters on Sunday as one of the favorites in Division 3, even though they have been to the state finals four of the past five years.  and are currently on a seven-game winning streak.

“That’s fine,” Fairfield said. “They can disrespect us. That’s OK. We’ve still won more playoff games than anybody since 2012. I’m just worried about the players and the coaches in this room today.”

Fairfield noted that it’s not always a bad thing to be overlooked.

“A lot of teams have used that to their advantage in the past,” he said. “People kind of forget about you, and it makes you a little more hungry to shock some people.”

Mona Shores and Muskegon are among 12 local teams that qualified for the playoffs, and learned who their first-round opponents will be when the MHSAA released playoff brackets on TV on Sunday.

Game dates and times for first round matchups will be announced this week.

Holton quarterback Austin Fowler lets go of a pass. Photo Steve Gunn

Two first round district games will feature interesting local matchups – North Muskegon at Ravenna in Division 7, in a rematch of a West Michigan Conference rivalry, and Holton at Muskegon Heights in a battle between two Division 8 teams that score a lot of points.

For Muskegon Heights, it will be the first appearance in the state football playoffs since 2010. It will also be the first playoff trip for fourth-year head coach Van Parker, whose team won only one game in his first two seasons, and did not play at all last year due to COVID.

“It’s an exciting feeling and something we’ve been waiting for,” said Parker, whose team had a watch party on Sunday to see who they would be playing. “The guys are super excited and ready for the opportunity.”

When asked how it feels to make the playoffs, Parker said, “To be honest I can’t put it into words. I’m super excited for our coaches, kids and community and the whole Heights family.”

Holton, 5-4, is hoping to have the same type of playoff experience it had in 2018, when the Red Devils also got in the postseason with a 5-4 record then rolled all the way to the Division 8 state semifinals.

“We are excited,” said first-year Holton Coach Alex Smith. “It’s a local game, and its against a team we have a lot of respect for. We were expecting to maybe have to go down to Saugatuck, so from a fan perspective it’s nice that it’s local.

“I think any time you have 12 seniors like we have, you have a shot. It’s been a great year with a great group of kids, and we’re really excited.”

FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF GAMES FOR MUSKEGON AREA FOOTBALL TEAMS

DIVISION 2
Mona Shores (7-2) at Forest Hills Central (8-1)

DIVISION 3
Lowell (4-5) at Muskegon (8-1)

DIVISION 4
Spring Lake (6-3) at Grand Rapids Christian (6-3)
Whitehall (7-2) at Sparta (7-2)
Fruitport (4-5) at Cadillac (7-2)

DIVISION 5
Big Rapids (5-4) at Oakridge (7-2)

DIVISION 6
Central Montcalm (5-4) at Montague (6-3)

DIVISION 7
Delton Kellogg (5-3) at Muskegon Catholic (8-1)
North Muskegon (4-5) at Ravenna (6-3)

DIVISION 8
Holton (5-4) at Muskegon Heights (5-4)