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Greater Lansing high school football: 5 storylines for the back half of regular season

brian calloway, lansing state journal
·4 min read

Just four weeks remain in the high school football regular season.

The stretch run will feature battles for league titles and numerous teams jockeying for playoff points as they look to have an opportunity to play in the postseason.

So what are the biggest things to watch in Greater Lansing football during the next month? We’ve got all the details here.

Who takes the CMAC crown?

Pewamo-Westphalia's Carter Wirth, left, stiff arms Laingsburg's Zach Grandy, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Laingsburg.
Pewamo-Westphalia's Carter Wirth, left, stiff arms Laingsburg's Zach Grandy, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Laingsburg.

A massive game in the CMAC takes place this week when Pewamo-Westphalia hosts Fowler in a matchup involving two of the three teams that shared the league title last year. P-W and Fowler are the last remaining unbeatens in CMAC play and have been dominant.

Fowler, which is ranked 7 in Division 8, has won each of its three league games by at least 45 points. The Eagles posted back-to-back 51-0 victories over Bath and Dansville the past two weeks.

Division 7 No. 8-ranked P-W has won four straight and has won each of its CMAC games by at least 19 points. The Pirates have allowed just 13 points in its three conference wins over Bath, Dansville and Laingsburg.

The Pirates and Eagles aren’t the only factors in the CMAC race as Saranac has emerged as a contender. The RedHawks picked up a big road win last week over Laingsburg to move to 2-1 in CMAC play. After a nonleague road game this week against Stockbridge, Saranac finishes CMAC play with games against Bath and Pewamo-Westphalia in Weeks 7 and 8.

Four in the mix in CAAC Blue

Everett's Javari Funches, right, and Eugene Allen Jr., left, tackle Grand Ledge's Mac Fourman during the first quarter on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at Grand Ledge High School.
Everett's Javari Funches, right, and Eugene Allen Jr., left, tackle Grand Ledge's Mac Fourman during the first quarter on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at Grand Ledge High School.

One of the other compelling league races is in the CAAC Blue where four teams appear to be in contention.

Division 1 No. 10-ranked Grand Ledge leads the way with its 3-0 mark and is the only team in the Blue that remains undefeated overall. East Lansing is the other unbeaten in Blue play at 2-0, while DeWitt and Everett are 1-1 both in the league.

The top four teams in the standings meet this week to start what could be a compelling finish.  DeWitt hosts Grand Ledge, while Everett travels to East Lansing. Other consequential games in the final few weeks include Grand Ledge hosting East Lansing in Week 9 and DeWitt traveling to Everett in Week 8.

More: These are the Greater Lansing high school football stat leaders entering Week 6

Can anyone else challenge Portland, Sexton in CAAC White?

Sexton's Damian Mack Brown runs for a gain against Charlotte during the third quarter on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, at Sexton High School in Lansing.
Sexton's Damian Mack Brown runs for a gain against Charlotte during the third quarter on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, at Sexton High School in Lansing.

The CAAC White currently features a two-way tie for first between Division 4 No. 6-ranked Portland (5-0, 4-0) and No. 9-ranked Sexton (5-0, 4-0). And a title will likely be at stake when they meet at Sexton in Week 8 — the final week of the CAAC White schedule.

Sexton and Portland have been dominant in the league this season and have won each of their league games by at least 28 points.

Ionia and Charlotte have chances to factor in the league race and have remaining games against the co-leaders. Ionia (3-2, 2-2) faces Sexton this week, needing a win to stay alive in the White race. Charlotte (4-1, 3-1) has a Week 7 road game at Portland that will also be key in the league race.

Ranked showdowns

This week's matchup between CMAC rivals P-W and Fowler is among several between state-ranked teams that will be worth watching in the closing stages of the season.

Another high-stakes matchup takes place in Flint Metro League play this week with Division 5 No. 4-ranked Corunna facing Division 4 top-ranked Goodrich in a matchup of unbeatens. The winner will have an inside track at a Flint Metro Stars title.

Sexton and Portland is setting up to be one of the top games on the Week 8 schedule, but another big matchup is emerging involving Division 3 top-ranked Mason that week. The Bulldogs hit the road for a test against Division 3 No. 2 Walled Lake Western in a matchup that should have a playoff feel.

More: Associated Press football state rankings: Mason moves up to No. 1

The playoff chase

Greater Lansing has 21 11-player teams and three 8-player squads currently in position to make the MHSAA postseason due to playoff point totals.

St. Johns (30th in Division 3) and Fulton (Tied-14th in 8-player Division 2) each are among the final teams currently in the field in their divisions and can boost their chances with strong finishes.

Teams just on the outside of the field with chances to improve their standing in the coming weeks include Holt in Division 1, Ionia in Division 4, Olivet in Division 6, Leslie in Division 7 and Morrice and Ashley in 8-man Division 2.

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Greater Lansing high school football top storylines for rest of season