The electrifying atmosphere of high school football playoffs is set to engulf East Lansing, Michigan, as the East Lansing Trojans prepare to lock horns with the formidable Muskegon Big Reds on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 1:00 PM. This high-stakes matchup marks the opening round of the MHSAA Division 2 playoffs, promising a captivating spectacle of athleticism and strategic brilliance.
What it is: Boys Varsity Football
Matchup: East Lansing Trojans vs Muskegon Big Reds
Game Type: Playoff
Bracket: 2023 Michigan High School Football Playoff Brackets: MHSAA – Division 2
Time: Saturday, Nov 18, 2023, 1:00 PM (Local Time)
Locations: East Lansing – MI
Preview:
The East Lansing Trojans and Muskegon Big Reds will clash in a highly anticipated matchup in the MHSAA Division 2 playoffs on Saturday afternoon. Both teams bring impressive records into the game, with East Lansing boasting a 10-2 mark and Muskegon sporting a 10-2 record.
East Lansing is coming off a dominant 42-20 victory over Byron Center in the regional finals, while Muskegon rolled past Saginaw Heritage by a score of 42-14 in their regional championship game.
The Trojans are led by a high-powered offense that averages 35 points per game. Quarterback AJ Mayer is the key cog in the offense, throwing for over 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns this season. Running back Jalen Lewis is also a threat, averaging over 100 yards per game on the ground.
Muskegon’s offense is just as explosive, averaging 40 points per contest. Quarterback Lance Montgomery is the leader of the Big Reds’ attack, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. Wide receiver Justin Johnson is Montgomery’s favorite target, hauling in over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns.
The defense will be a key factor in this game, as both teams have been stingy against the pass. East Lansing allows just 10 points per game, while Muskegon surrenders only 12 points per contest.
The two groups enter the field with great records, flaunting an exceptional 10-2 imprint. The East Lansing Trojans, hailing from the core of Michigan, have shown an intense offense, averaging a stunning 35 focuses per game. In charge of this hostile juggernaut stands quarterback AJ Mayer, a maestro of passing accuracy who has amassed north of 2,000 yards and 25 scores this season. Supplementing Mayer’s ethereal ability is running back Jalen Lewis, a unique ground force who reliably midpoints north of 100 yards for every game, leaving safeguards afterward.
Their rivals, the Muskegon Huge Reds, hailing from the shores of Lake Michigan, reflect the Trojans’ hostile capability, averaging a similarly amazing 40 focuses per game. Quarterback Spear Montgomery, the orchestrator of the Large Reds’ hostile ensemble, has coordinated north of 3,000 yards and 30 scores. His essential objective, wide collector Justin Johnson, has arisen as a considerable flying danger, gathering more than 1,000 yards and 15 scores.
While the hostile firecrackers make certain to spellbind the group, the protective ability of the two groups will assume a critical part in deciding the result. The East Lansing Trojans have raised an imposing cautious wall, surrendering a simple 10 focuses per game. Likewise, the Muskegon Huge Reds have exhibited their cautious determination, permitting a pitiful 12 focuses per challenge.
This is sure to be a close and exciting game, and it should be a great way to kick off the MHSAA Division 2 playoffs.
Prediction:
East Lansing 35, Muskegon 31
