What to watch in Lansing area as football regular season hits halfway point
Entering the third week of action in the CAAC Red, just two teams have unbeaten marks in league play.
There will only be one after this weekend.
In one of the top games taking place in Greater Lansing in Week 5, Division 3 No. 2-ranked Mason hosts Haslett for the top spot in the CAAC Red. The two programs were the best in the CAAC Red last season and were part of a three-way tie atop the standings in 2021.
Mason (4-0, 2-0) has an opportunity to take a big step toward claiming a fifth straight league championship. The Bulldogs, who have claimed three of the last four league titles outright, have been dominant in the opening half of the regular season.
All four of Mason’s victories have come by at least 19 points, which included a Week 2 road win at DeWitt and knocking off Williamston last week.
Haslett (3-1, 2-0) enters on a three-game winning streak since a season-opening loss to DeWitt. The Vikings finished a game behind Mason in the CAAC Red last season and have a chance to take a big step toward claiming a second league title in three seasons.
The Vikings are the lone team to beat Mason in CAAC Red play since the start of 2019. The Bulldogs have won 18 straight regular-season contests since falling to Haslett in Week 4 of the 2021 season.
More: Associated Press state football poll: Sexton jumps into top 10
Everett, Sexton have opportunity to add to strong starts
Everett and Sexton have been two of the top stories in Greater Lansing during the opening half of the season. Sexton is off to its best start since 2014 when it finished as the state runner-up and is ranked No. 9 in Division 4.
Everett (3-1) is off to its best start since 2019, which marked the last time it had a winning season. The Vikings surpassed their win total from last fall with their home victory over Kalamazoo Loy Norrix last week.
Both city school programs will try to add to their success this week. Sexton has a chance to keep pace with Portland in the CAAC White when it travels to face winless Lakewood.
Everett has one of its toughest tests to date this week as it travels to face unbeaten Grand Ledge, which is receiving votes in Division 1. Grand Ledge is tied atop the CAAC Blue with East Lansing as both teams own 2-0 marks. Everett is a half-game back with a 1-0 mark in the Blue.
The roar of the Lions
A total of 10 teams from Greater Lansing are unbeaten entering the middle week of the regular season. Among those is Maple Valley, which is enjoying its best start to a season since 2001. The Lions opened with seven straight wins that season and reached the Division 6 state playoffs
Maple Valley has surpassed its win total from last year and matched its highest win total over the past five seasons. It has a chance to exceed that win total when it hosts Lawrence this week.
The other Lansing area teams joining the Lions with 4-0 marks entering this week are Grand Ledge, Portland, Sexton, Mason, Corunna, Fowler, Ithaca, Carson City-Crystal and Fulton.
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: High school football: CAAC Red clash highlights Week 5 what to watch
