Check out the exciting clips above from our latest Friday Night Highlights show of the season featuring many of the local high school football teams in Kentwood and Wyoming.
Just like basketball season, every week we’ll bring you most of the local high school football home stadium action from the Wyoming and Kentwood varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute Friday Night Highlights show.
Look for our fast-paced local highlights show every Tuesday! Thanks for tuning in.
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Truck Game of the Week covers one matchup per week, which includes two play-by-play announcers, an occasional field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
You can count on our very experienced, exciting game announcers for both football and basketball to guide you through your local team’s games. If you are interested in volunteering at WKTV Sports for our Truck or Studio productions, please email me at greer@wktv.org
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. You also can watch these games on our WKTV YouTube Channel.
WKTV Truck Game of the Week Sked
Friday, Oct. 18: Jenison at East Kentwood
Friday, Oct 25: Catholic Central vs. South Christian (at East Grand Rapids)
Check out the exciting clips above from our latest Friday Night Highlights show of the season featuring many of the local high school football teams in Kentwood and Wyoming.
Just like basketball season, every week we’ll bring you most of the local high school football home stadium action from the Wyoming and Kentwood varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute Friday Night Highlights show.
Look for our fast-paced local highlights show every Tuesday! Thanks for tuning in.
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Truck Game of the Week covers one matchup per week, which includes two play-by-play announcers, an occasional field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
You can count on our very experienced, exciting game announcers for both football and basketball to guide you through your local team’s games. If you are interested in volunteering at WKTV Sports for our Truck or Studio productions, please email me at greer@wktv.org
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. You also can watch these games on our WKTV YouTube Channel.
WKTV Truck Game of the Week Sked
Friday, Oct. 11: Godwin Heights at Kelloggsville
Friday, Oct. 18: Jenison at East Kentwood
Friday, Oct 25: Catholic Central vs. South Christian (at East Grand Rapids)
Check out the exciting clips above from our latest Friday Night Highlights show of the season featuring many of the local high school football teams in Kentwood and Wyoming.
Just like basketball season, every week we’ll bring you most of the local high school football home stadium action from the Wyoming and Kentwood varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute Friday Night Highlights show.
Look for our fast-paced local highlights show every Tuesday! Thanks for tuning in.
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Truck Game of the Week covers one matchup per week, which includes two play-by-play announcers, an occasional field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
You can count on our very experienced, exciting game announcers for both football and basketball to guide you through your local team’s games. If you are interested in volunteering at WKTV Sports for our Truck or Studio productions, please email me at greer@wktv.org
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. You also can watch these games on our WKTV YouTube Channel.
WKTV Truck Game of the Week Sked
Friday, Oct. 4: Zeeland East vs. South Christian (at Byron Center)
Friday, Oct. 11: Godwin Heights at Kelloggsville
Friday, Oct. 18: Jenison at East Kentwood
Friday, Oct 25: Catholic Central vs. South Christian (at East Grand Rapids)
Godwin Heights junior quarterback Keion Beasley showed his arm strength and poise with touchdown passes of 53 and 46 yards. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
By Ty Marzean
WKTV Contributor
In a battle of winless teams, Godwin Heights used several big plays to cruise past Kelloggsville on homecoming night, 52-0, in the WKTV Game of the Week.
Penalties plagued the Rockets all game long, and it began on the opening kickoff as sophomore Nasyre Walker ran it back for a touchdown, but a holding penalty called it off.
The Wolverines would capitalize a few plays later with an interception by Miguel Ocampo, who also returned the opening kickoff of the second half 95 yards for a touchdown.
Senior Jeff Zelaya pounded one in for a seven-yard TD and later added a 28-yard touchdown on another run.
Godwin Heights running back Jeff Zelaya. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
Godwin Heights used tandem running backs to wear down the Rockets’ defense. Zelaya was joined in the backfield by sophomore Kares Harris, who rumbled for over 100 yards in the game.
“We are real tough to stop when we have both of them in the backfield,” said Godwin Coach Brandon Kimble of his running back duo.
Kelloggsville senior quarterback Jeremie Tsoumou was under duress for most of the game, and had one interception returned 85 yards by Godwin’s Patrick Knight.
“He’s out there trying,” said Kelloggsville Coach Brandon Branch. “That happens when you put the ball in the air; sometimes the other team comes up with it. I can’t fault him for trying to make something happen.
“Our mantra is to be undefeated against adversity. When adversity strikes, we keep getting after it. I think we were undefeated against adversity today.”
Godwin Heights junior quarterback Keion Beasley showed his arm strength and poise with touchdown passes of 53 and 46 yards.
“He’s a first-year starter, and he’s been working hard,” Kimble said. “We have missed a lot of key players, so he’s had to grow up fast.”
Kimble emphasized perseverance on his team.
“If you lose your job and you’re a husband and have kids, are you going to stop fighting? Or are you going to keep fighting?”
To cap off homecoming night, newly crowned king Armani Dedrick got into the end zone on a five-yard touchdown run.
Godwin Heights (1-5) travels to OK-Silver leading Belding (5-1) next Friday. Kelloggsville (0-6) hosts Hopkins (1-5).
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Game of the Week truck films one game each week, which includes two play-by-play announcers, a field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. To watch the WKTV Game of the Week online, visit WKTVVideos on Youtube.
Check out our WKTV highlights from Godwin Heights game against Orchard View Thursday night.
WKTV Friday Night Highlights show is back on Sept. 8!
Just like we did during basketball season, every Friday we’ll bring you many great high school football clips from the Wyoming and Kentwood area teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute program.
As a bonus, we’ll have a reporter on the field at the Game of the Week to interview coaches and players for the show and occasionally have them come into our studio for a live interview as well.
You won’t want to miss all our great local coverage. Thanks for tuning in!
Godwin Heights Coach Brandon Kimble said he felt last year could have been a six – or seven-win season for the football team if they executed down the stretch.
“We are focused on execution and finishing all four quarters,” said Kimble, whose team finished 3-3 in the OK Silver last season, 4-5 overall. “We lost a couple close games last year.
Keion Beasley. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
Jace Reid-Anderson. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
“We were really banged up during the Calvin game finishing the year, so we are excited to be back healthy.”
Keion Beasley is tapped to fill the shoes of standout quarterback Jamarion Collins, who graduated last year.
“We are really excited to have Keion take over and lead us at the QB position,” Kimble said.
Jace Reid-Anderson returns and “will be a key piece at WR/DB.”
Other Key Players
“Miguel Ocampo will be top of the list of players we are expecting to have a great year at DB and WR,” Kimble said. “Jeff Zelaya is a returning All-Conference RB that will lead the way for us on the ground. Tellios Moore is another skill position we expect to have a great year.”
Jeff Zelaya. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
“Up front, Patrick Knight, Diego Revolorio, Johlahn Thomas and Antione Jones are the guys that will lead us offensively and defensively.”
Godwin Heights Season Opener: At Mason County Central on Thursday, Aug. 24 (7 p.m.)
“We are excited to travel to Mason County and battle a tough-run, heavy team,” Kimble said. “This will be a game that will be won in the trenches. The team that is able to establish the line of scrimmage will win the game.”
WKTV Friday Night Highlights show is back next week!
Just like we did during basketball season, every Friday we’ll bring you many great high school football clips from the Wyoming and Kentwood area teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute program.
As a bonus, we’ll have a reporter on the field at the Game of the Week to interview coaches and players for the show and occasionally have them come into our studio for a live interview as well.
You won’t want to miss all our great local coverage. Thanks for tuning in!
Godwin Heights secures a 16-12 victory over Calvin Christian in the season finale. (WKTV)
By Zach Fanko, WKTV Contributor
With several players leaving the game due to injury, including star QB Jamarion Collins, Godwin Heights found a way to hold on for a 16-12 victory over Calvin Christian on Friday night.
Collins injured his ankle in last week’s loss to Belding and he started the game despite being less than 100 percent.
“He didn’t practice really all week,” Godwin coach Brandon Kimble said. “I had him go through yesterday’s walk-through and I would say he was about 70-80 percent.”
Led by their senior leader, the Wolverines jumped out to a 16-0 first quarter lead, but the Squires fought their way back into the game with two touchdowns of their own to make it 16-12 at the half.
That’s when things took a turn for the worse for Godwin as Collins was unable to finish the game with his injury, as well as its starting tackle, tight end and halfback.
From then on, the Wolverines’ defense took over in the second half with three interceptions, including what would end up being the game-winning pick by safety Jace Reid-Anderson.
Johnny Horrell and Miguel Ocampo also secured interceptions for Godwin.
“We were really limping to the finish line tonight,” Kimble said. “Sometimes you have to win ugly, but it doesn’t make it any less sweeter.
“Proud of our guys and happy we could get the win for our seniors.”
Godwin Heights finishes the season at 4-5 overall, and 3-3 in the OK Silver, while Calvin Christian finishes 4-5 and 1-5 in the OK Silver.
WKTV Game of the Week
Our Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. Watch at home on your Smart TV in brilliant HD.
Belding defeated host Godwin Heights 34-14 on Friday to improve to 7-1 overall, while Godwin Heights fell to 3-5.
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The Wolverines huddle up during a 34-14 loss to Belding Friday. (WKTV/Nathan Piers)
(WKTV/Nathan Piers)
(WKTV/Nathan Piers)
WKTV Game of the Week
Our Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. Watch at home on your Smart TV in brilliant HD.
Sparta (3-3) defeated Godwin Heights (2-4) 25-16 in OK Silver action on Friday night.
Sparta defeated Godwin Heights 25-16 in the WKTV Game of the Week. (WKTV/Nathan Piers)
(WKTV/Nathan Piers)
(WKTV/Nathan Piers)
WKTV Game of the Week
Our Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. Watch at home on your Smart TV in brilliant HD.
Godwin Heights falls to 2-3 after Friday night’s loss to Shepherd. (WKTV)
By Zach Fanko, WKTV Contributing Writer
After falling behind by two touchdowns at the half, Godwin Heights comeback attempt fell short by the narrowest of margins in a 21-20 defeat at the hands of Shepherd.
The Bluejays soared to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter behind the support of their homecoming crowd. Shepherd later led 21-7 at the break.
Godwin Heights coach Brandon Kimble explained the importance of playing a full four quarters.
“I think we came out a bit sluggish in the first half,” Kimble said. “Unfortunately, we have struggled to put together a complete game this season.”
Once again it was senior quarterback Jamarion Collins who led the Wolverines as he found pay dirt twice on the ground. Trailing 21-14 in the fourth quarter, Godwin Heights Jeff Zalaya punched in a rushing score of his own to bring the Wolverines within a single point. However, a missed extra point proved to be the difference.
Godwin Heights’ defense rose to the challenge with a fourth and inches stop to turn the Bluejays over on downs, but a holding call on the Wolverines final drive stalled any chance at completing the comeback.
Jamarion Collins scored two rushing touchdowns in Godwin Heights loss to Shepherd. (WKTV)
It was a valiant effort by Godwin’s defense as it kept Shepherd off the scoreboard in the final 30 minutes.
“Execution made all the difference between the first and second half,” Kimble said. “Started reading our keys and following our assignments. Played really aggressive in that second half.
“If we play the entire game how we played in the second half, I have no doubt we win this game.”
Godwin Heights (2-3, 1-1 OK Silver) hosts OK Silver foe Sparta (2-3, 1-1 OK Silver) for homecoming next Friday.
WKTV Game of the Week
Our Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. Watch at home on your Smart TV in brilliant HD.
Godwin Heights defeats OK Silver foe Comstock Park 45-14 on Friday night. (WKTV)
By Zach Fanko, WKTV Contributing Writer
After two consecutive losses, Godwin Heights got back to winning in a 45-14 triumph over Comstock Park in OK Silver action on Friday night.
The Wolverines jumped out to an 18-0 advantage in the first quarter and never looked back as senior quarterback Jamarion Collins featured his versatility with three touchdowns as well as nine tackles, three for a loss, at safety.
Godwin Heights coach Brandon Kimble spoke glowingly about his quarterback.
“I might be biased as his coach, but I definitely believe Jamarion is one of the best athletes on this side of the state. If not the entire state,” Kimble said. “He can do it all. He played an amazing game at safety.
Jamarion Collins scored three touchdowns and recorded nine tackles in 45-14 win over Comstock Park. (WKTV)
“Probably had the biggest hit of the night. Just laid a kid out on a crossing route.”
In addition to Collins, Elijah True also had himself a game with two long touchdowns. One of which came on an 80-yard kickoff return and a 65-yard run.
For the Wolverines, it was about getting back to playing a complete four quarters. Something Kimble felt they failed to do in their two previous losses to Grand Rapids Union and Hopkins.
“We lost a couple games from a standpoint of execution and not executing to the standard that we have the ability to do,” Kimble said. “We just want to keep stacking good practices on good practices, so that way we will get into games and be effective.”
Next on the schedule for Godwin Heights (2-2, 1-1 OK Silver) is a trip to non-league opponent Shepherd (2-2) who defeated Beaverton 34-20 on Friday night. It will be the first time both schools have met.
WKTV Game of the Week
Our Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. Watch at home on your Smart TV in brilliant HD.
An explosive second quarter helps Hopkins beat Godwin Heights on Friday. (WKTV)
By Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor
Nearly everything was decided right before the half as Hopkins outscored Godwin Heights 20-0 in the second quarter to grab a 42-20 OK Silver win on Friday.
“Scoring 20 points in the second quarter was huge for us,” said Hopkins coach Cody Francis, whose Vikings improved to 2-1 overall. “We ran the ball well and did a good job on the offensive line.
“I’m very proud of the kids. Godwin always has great athletes and are well coached. To win 42-20 was huge, and it’s always great to get your first win in conference play.”
Long pick 6 helps Hopkins in second quarter
Senior safety Zander Hitzler had a 94-yard pick 6 run in the middle of that second-quarter scoring spree, giving Hopkins a 14-6 edge.
Godwin Heights coach Brandon Kimble said the second quarter lost the game for the Wolverines.
“For us, we have to execute for four quarters,” said Kimble, whose team fell to 1-2 overall. “That one quarter got us. We made some mental breakdowns and that’s what opened the game up.
“We have to coach the boys up; it’s our responsibility. We’ll get better and keep fighting.”
Quarterback Jamarion Collins leads Wolverines
Senior quarterback Jamarion Collins, who had seven TDs in the first two weeks, had one TD pass against Hopkins.
“We play well when he plays well,” Kimble said. “He ran and threw the ball well for us tonight. He had another great game.”
Godwin Heights senior QB Jamarion Collins had one touchdown pass. (WKTV)
Send us your live game photos
We are always looking for great football game photos to post with our WKTV Journal stories on Friday nights. Please email your cool game night football pix to greer@wktv.org
WKTV Game of the Week
Our Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. Watch at home on your Smart TV in brilliant HD.
As the Wolverines prepare for the annual Kelloggsville rivalry game, 1st-year Godwin Heights football head coach Sydeon Harvey talks with WKTV about his young team’ s progress this year — what has worked (his senior captains) and what do they need to get better at (penalties, penalties, penalties). (WKTV)
Godwin Heights High School’s 1st-year head football coach Sydeon Harvey is pretty sure his senior-led but still young team will continue to improve this week when the Wolverines host Kelloggsville. He is absolutely sure his team will be pumped-up for the cross-town rival Rockets.
While records don’t really matter in a game like this one — Godwin Heights is 2-3, 0-3 in OK Conference Silver action while Kelloggsville Rockets is 2-4 and 1-2 — bragging rights do, now and in the future.
Godwin Heights High School head football coach Sydeon Harvey. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
“The records mean nothing. That’s really true,” Harvey said to WKTV this week at a team practice. “This is my first here here but I’m not an idiot. When you have a rivalry, that’s what it is all about. That’s the one game that, when you look back 20 years, you’ll say ‘We won that game!’ A lot of these kids are just like a stone’s throw away” from Kelloggsville.
“This will be a big game this week. I expect both teams to play really hard, but I’m confident we’ll do well. … We are on the cusp. I feel really confident about this week against Kelloggsville. They are not going to lay down for us, but it’s homecoming, it’s a rivalry. I think our guys are going to be up for that.”
The “big game” between Kelloggsville at Godwin Heights — which is also the Wolverines’ Homecoming game — is this week’s WKTV Feature Game, on Friday, Oct. 8, with cable television and on-demand replays available.
Godwin Heights, after a week off from action, returned to the field and OK Conference Silver acton last week but lost a tight road game at Sparta (4-2, 2-1 in conference). Kelloggsville has seen their offense in high gear for three straight weeks, the last two being wins, as they followed up a win at Calvin Christian in conference action with a non-conference road win at Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard.
After last week’s action, OK Silver standings have Comstock Park (6-0) as the only undefeated in OK Silver action at 4-0, with Hopkins (3-3) at 3-1 and Sparta (4-2) at 2-1 in conference. While a conference crown is not likely for either Godwin or Kelloggsville, either could finish with five wins and a possible playoff birth.
Young, improving team is senior led
“The thing we are doing really well is that the kids are getting better every week,” Harvey said, looking at his team’s up and down season so far. “We are getting better doing some of the little things — better with our discipline, penalties are going down. But we are not penalty free yet.
The Godwin Heights High School football team will be out to protect their house against Kelloggsville. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
“You talk about stuff we can be better at, we have to be better at those little things. We can’t have penalties at critical times. But that is part of being a young team. We got 31, 32 guys on varsity and 10 of them are seniors. We are pretty much a young team. But I have been really pleased that we are getting better at all the little things, running the ball, throwing the ball, getting everybody involved.”
Another thing coach is pleased with is his senior captains.
“All our captains are playing really, really well,” he said. “Kaleil (Harris) is a two-way player, he plays rover (on defense) and plays wide out (on offense) — he’s made a lot of real good plays for us. Jeremiah (Drake), our starting quarterback — he was missing for three games and that hurt us a little bit, it was just a change. He’s a great leader, and been doing really well for us.
“Javeon (Lyons), who is our defensive captain, has played really well for us. And then there is Jabari Crump(-Moore), he’s great leader for us and been playing extremely well for us. We have four captains and they have played great as captains, they’ve been great leaders and they’ve been great on the field.”
The Godwin Heights High School football team at practice this week preparing for a game against Kelloggsville. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Where and when to see WKTV game replays
WKTV featured games will be on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.
There are a lot of unusual aspects to Godwin Heights High School’s MHSAA football playoff opening game against Hamilton on Friday, not the least of which is that thanks to the luck of the draw the Wolverines will be hosting their first ever home playoff game.
But one thing which is no different from previous years is that Godwin and Hamilton will renew what Wolverine head coach Brandon Kimble says is not a “rivalry” game but certainly a tough game against a familiar foe.
“We are pretty familiar with Hamilton. We’ve been playing them the first game of the year for the last three years, this is our first year not playing them Week 1,” Kimble said to WKTV. “Very well coached program. Very tough. Kids come to play. We are excited. They are familiar with us, we are familiar with them. It is not a rivalry but it will be a good game.”
WKTV caught up with Coach Kimble, and senior defensive/offensive lineman Ru’Quan Buckley to talk about why the game is special to them and to their fans.
WKTV’s Featured Game crew will be at the 7 p.m. game and will rebroadcast the game later that night, and at other times, as well as making it available on-demand at WKTVlive.org.
Last week, Godwin Heights (2-4) at home defeated Comstock Park (1-5), 19-13, in 2 OT, on Oct. 23. Hamilton (also 2-4) lost Oct. 23 at home to Grand Rapids West Catholic, 35-7.
The Godwin vs. Hamilton game is a MHSAA Division 4, Region 14, District 27 matchup. According to the MHSAA, Godwin Heights won a host-field tie-breaker with Hamilton based on opponents’ winning percentage.
WKTV featured games will be on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.
WKTV intern Rachel Weber contributed to this story and video.
Godwin Heights goes for a two-point extra point conversion after junior quarterback Jeremiah Drake (1) punched in an early Wolverine touchdown in their Oct. 2 home game against Belding. (WKTV)
After a weekend announcement by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA), local Wyoming and Kentwood area teams know where they will be playing in this week’s opening round of an expanded and altered football playoff tournament.
East Kentwood, Wyoming high and Kelloggsville high schools will each be on the road late this week. But South Christian will host the Rockets at East Kentwood High School’s field and Godwin Heights will has also drawn a home game — which will be the WKTV Featured Game of the Week, with delayed broadcast of the game on our cable channels as well as later on-demand availability on WKTVlive.org.
Last week, Godwin Heights (2-4) at home defeated Comstock Park (1-5), 19-13, in 2 OT, on Oct. 23. The Wolverines will host Hamilton (2-4) Friday, Oct. 30, with a 7 p.m. kickoff. Hamilton (also 2-4) lost Oct. 23 at home to Grand Rapids West Catholic, 35-7.
The Godwin vs. Hamilton game was announced Oct. 24 as a MHSAA Division 4, Region 14, District 27 matchup. According to the MHSAA, Godwin Heights won a host-field tie-breaker with Hamilton based on opponents’ winning percentage.
Also in Division 4, Region 14, District 27 matchup, Wyoming Kelloggsville (1-5) will play at Grand Rapids South Christian (5-1). Kelloggsville was idle last week but gained a forfeit win against Hopkins. The Sailors lost their first game of the shortened season, a 28-27 overtime thriller Oct. 23 to visiting Grand Rapids Catholic Central. (The game was last week’s WKTV Featured Game of the Week and is available on-demand at WKTVlive.org.)
All MHSAA playoff tickets will be sold online only via GoFan at https://gofan.co/ to “provide for a cashless and contactless purchasing process that also allows for contact tracing,” according to the MHSAA. Tickets for single-session Pre-District, District and Regional games are $6. Single-session Semifinal tickets are $8. A per-ticket convenience fee will be applied.
Other local teams’ playoff matchups
In MHSAA 11-player pairings also announced this weekend, in a Division 1, Region 1, District 1 matchup, East Kentwood (2-3) will be close to home at Hudsonville (4-2) on Saturday, Oct. 31.
The Falcons finished their 5-game regular season Oct. 16 with a 24-7 home-field win over Muskegon Reeths-Puiffer (2-3). East Kentwood was originally scheduled to play at Caledonia (1-4) on Oct. 23. Hudsonville was actually 4-1 in games played, but had to forfeit their Oct. 23 home game against Jenison.
In a Division 2, Region 5, District 9 matchup, Wyoming high (1-3) will travel to Muskegon Mona Shores (6-0) on Friday, Oct. 30. Wyoming, after two weeks off due to COVID-19 safety protocols, returned to the field Oct. 23 with a 34-26 win at Holland (0-6). The Wolves match-up with Mona Shores is actually a game against a newly aligned OK Conference Green opponent which was not played this year due to the late start of the season.
In Division 8, Wyoming Lee opted out of the tournament. Wyoming Lee (1-5, including a forfeit win and a forfeit loss) lost 22-12 at Potterville (3-3) on Oct. 23 to end the Legends’ season.
In 8-player football pairings, in a Division 2, Region 4 game, Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (2-4) will be at Burr Oak (5-1) on Oct. 31. The Defenders finished their regular season with a 54-53 overtime loss at Bridgman (5-1).
Details of MHSAA playoff format
The MHSAA announced Oct. 24 that the 2020 MHSAA Football Playoffs would begin Oct. 29-31 with District First Round games in the 11-Player Playoffs and Regional First Round Games in the 8-Player Playoffs.
According to the MHSAA statement, all 11-player teams were divided into eight divisions before play began. Because of the shortened 2020 regular season due to COVID-19, all 11-player teams were then divided into Districts of up to eight teams each, then paired into four regions.
Pairings for the first four weeks of the tournament are based on regular-season playoff point averages, with the highest-ranked team hosting, regardless of the distance between the two schools. For District First Round and Regional First Round play, the top-seeded team in each bracket will host the eighth-seeded team, the second-seeded team will host the seventh-seeded team, and so on.
District Semifinals for 11-player teams will occur on the weekend of Nov. 6-7, with District Finals the weekend of Nov. 13-14. Both rounds will be played at the site of the highest-ranked team remaining.
Regional Finals in the 11-Player Playoffs will take place Nov. 20-21, at the site of the highest-ranked team. Semifinal games in the 11-Player Playoffs will take place Nov. 27-28, pairing the winners of Region 1 vs. Region 2 and the winners of Region 3 vs. Region 4. Highest-ranked teams will host unless participating teams are 200 or more miles apart; in those cases the MHSAA will assign the game to a prearranged site “if one can be secured in a reasonable location.”
The 11-Player Finals will be played Dec. 4-5 at sites to be determined, and additional spectator information will be determined later as well.
Four area teams are going to the playoffs this year, including Tri-unity Christian, South Christian, Godwin Heights and East Kentwood. Although the first round of the playoffs can be a door to something bigger, all four coaches are taking a “back-to-basics” approach this week.
“We’re just trying to keep things consistent,” Godwin Heights head coach Brandan Kimble, echoing his fellow coaches, said to WKTV.
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Kimble and his team are taking on the South Christian Sailors Friday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m., at East Kentwood High School. Godwin Heights finished the regular season 6-3, while Mark Tamminga’s South Christian Sailors gained the playoffs as an at-large team with a 5-4 record.
For Kimble, this week comes with excitement and uncertainty. The Wolverines started off the season 1-3, but as players became more comfortable with their coach and started buying into the system, Kimble says that’s when things started to take off. Now their hoping their kids can keep with the system a little longer.
“We’re just trying to keep things consistent,” said Kimble. “We’re just going to change a few things so they can understand the importance of the week, tweak some things and then add a little bit more intensity to practice.”
Curt Copeland, assistant coach and athletic director for South Christian, is trying to help head coach Mark Tamminga win their first playoff game since 2014, the year they won their last championship.
“We’re trying to retrain our kids and get them back to understanding what it takes to make a deep run and it starts with the first week of the playoffs,” said Copeland.
Also at East Kentwood High School this weekend is East Kentwood’s opening round playoff game. The Falcons (8-1) will be hosting Brighton High School. Located towards Eastern Michigan, the Bulldogs went 7-2, with their only loses coming twice to Belleville.
East Kentwood won their final game last week against Rockford, giving them the OK-Red title. And head coach Anthony Kimbrough couldn’t be more excited for his kids.
“I coach because of them,” said Kimbrough. “I come out everyday seeing these kids wanting to get better. One of our goals was to be OK-Red champs, and beating Rockford Friday, for that to come true is tremendous for our program.”
In 8-man playoff action, head coach Tim Heath and his Tri-unity team have gone 9-0 this season, beating No. 2 ranked Colon in Week 9. They will be hosting Webberville at Grandville Middle School,m also Friday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. Colon finished their season 4-5, another at-large team sneaking into the playoffs.
Coach Heath doesn’t plan on changing anything in preparation of his Defenders. For his undefeated team, Heath’s mantra for this week is “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
“We don’t do anything different,” said Heath. “… The same preparation that goes into every game we’re taking into this game.”
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This week’s WKTV Featured Game and other sports events are cable broadcast either live, immediately after the event and/or in rebroadcast, on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99.
WKTV’s featured football games are rebroadcast on the night of the game (Thursday or Friday) at 11 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m. See WKTVjournal.org/sports for complete schedules.
WKTV’s Featured Game this week is a Division 4 football playoff game at East Kentwood Friday at 7 p.m., with Godwin Heights (6-3 overall, 5-1 and 2nd place in O-K Silver) facing South Christian (5-4, 3-3 and 4th place O-K Gold).
This will be the pre-District game for Region 2 District 1 in Division 4.
Both teams earned the same number of playoff points, 57.667. The victor will face the winner of Otsego (5-4, 49.111 points) against Holland Christian (6-3, 63.444 points), with the game being played at the team with the highest playoff points earned.
This will be the 13th meeting between these two schools with South Christian leading 8-4 overall, but it’s the first meeting since the fall of 1983 when both teams were in the O-K White. That was the last of those 12 consecutive games as conference opponents.
South Christian Notes
This is the 22nd time that South Christian has qualified for the playoffs, their 3rd consecutive, 7th in the last 8 years, and 17th of the last 20.
South started 2-0 this season but then only were 3-4 the rest of the season, highlighted by their Week 7 win when they defeated conference co-champ Grand Rapids Christian, 24-10, which was Christians only conference loss and one of only two on the season.
That game was the only win South had against an above .500 team.
Souths wins were by an average margin of just under 24 points a game while their defeats were by 5 to Wayland (4-5), 14 to Unity Christian (7-2), 13 to EGR (6-3 and conference co-champs with Christian), and 1 to Middleville (7-2); so their losses were by an average of just over 8 points a game.
They faced 4 teams that qualified for the playoffs and were 1-3 against them.
Their defense has given up just 154 points for an average of just over 17.11 points a game which will keep you in many games.
Their last playoff win was in the fall of 2014, which was their Division 4 State Championship (24-23 over Lansing Sexton). That also was their 3rd consecutive year being in the state championship game, having lost to Marine City in 2013, 49-35, and won in 2012, 40-7, over Detroit Country Day.
They also played for state championships in 2002, winning, 42-13, over Riverview; in 1999, losing to Orchard Lake Saint Mary’s, 34-13; in 1986 (Class B), losing to Marysville 38-15; and in 1984 (Class C) losing to Detroit DePorres, 38-26. Their overall playoff record is 40-18 (.690).
Godwin Heights Notes
Godwin Heights started 1-3 but closed on a 5-game winning streak highlighted by a Week 7 win against Belding (7-2), 25-21. That was their only win against a team with above .500 record.
Unlike last year, when Godwin was known for their offense after scoring 395 points on the season, this year’s team is known for its defense as they have only given up 155 points (17.2 average per game). That is the lowest total allowed since 1987 when they gave up just 84 points, so the game could be a low scoring battle led by the two defenses.
This is just the school’s 5th playoff appearance but is their 4th consecutive. However, they are still searching for their 1st playoff victory, having lost in 1989 to Muskegon Catholic Central (Class C), 46-20; in 2015 to Catholic Central (Division 4), 55-0; in 2016 also to Catholic Central, 43-0; and last year to Kelloggsville, 49-7.
Their only conference loss was to conference champ Hopkins 27-8, in Week 4.
Following that loss, they scored at least 23 points each game and a total of 143 for an average of just under 29 a game.
They played three games against playoff teams this season and were 1-2 against them (Unity Christian, Hopkins, and Belding).
One common opponent with South Christian was Unity Christian, which Godwin lost to 38-18 and South Christian lost to 28-14.
WKTV Note: Because of the MHSAA usually taking over Week 2 playoff broadcasts, this will be the final WKTV football coverage of the season. But should local teams still be alive, we will be producing online/print stories. Stay tuned.
Difficult weather conditions couldn’t slow down the Godwin Heights Wolverines as they jumped out a big first half lead Friday at home against the Lee Rebels and then made their way to a fourth straight playoff appearance.
A season that started out rough for the Wolverines, at 1-3, ended with a 6-3 record, and excited seniors and an even more excited coach.
“We’re just excited that we could close out the game, close out our season and get us into the playoffs,” said head coach Brandan Kimble, who will be entering his first post season as a head coach against the South Christian Sailors on Friday. “We started a tough season with our transition. It took a little fortitude for our kids to stick to it. We started 1-3 and we told the kids that if we just finally believe and trust in the system it’ll start to work.”
Defeating Wyoming Lee, 33-6, Kimble used the situation to teach his players a valuable lesson that goes beyond football.
“In the first half we were executing on all cylinders, we were really good,” Kimble said after his team jumped to a big first half lead. “But we really respect the Lee staff … (and) in high school football you can be in the same situation. We didn’t want to win (big) just to say that we did. We brought some freshmen up and some JV players up, so … (decided) to use the second half to get those kids some experience.”
In a game that was dominated by the Wolverines offense, defense was also a key factor in the playoff clinching game. Terrence Moore had the first interception of the first half returning it for a touchdown, while Deamontae Clark had another interception during the next Wyoming Lee possession.
“Hearing the kids scream right now is just a good feeling, especially in my first season as head coach,” Kimble said on the field after the game.
Also at the game was HQ, an organization dedicated to helping at-risk youths. Attendees who donated items to the organization were admitted into the game for free. (WKTV/Micah Cho)
Also at the game was HQ, an organization dedicated to helping at-risk youths. Attendees who donated items to the organization were admitted into the game for free. For more information on HQ, please visit www.hqgr.org.
Godwin Heights is set to play their first playoff game against South Christian at East Kentwood High School at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26, which will be the WKTV featured game of the week.
This week’s WKTV Featured Game (which on Oct. 19 was East Kentwood’s home win against Rockford) and other sports events are cable broadcast either live, immediately after the event and/or in rebroadcast, on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99.
WKTV’s featured football games are rebroadcast on the night of the game (Thursday or Friday) at 11 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m. See WKTVjournal.org/sports for complete schedules.
After starting off the season with a rocky 1-3 record, Godwin Heights high school’s football team has been on a 4-game win streak bringing the Wolverines to the brink of an playoffs. And the team shows no indication of slowing down anytime soon.
The Wolverines look to may make Friday night’s game against Wyoming Lee their sixth win of the season locking them into the playoffs.
This week’s game against Wyoming Lee is big for first-year head coach Brandon Kimble and his team, as a win against the Rebels will return Godwin Heights to the playoffs. Although Lee is sitting at a rough 1-8 on the season, Kimble isn’t taking Friday night’s game lightly.
“These kids want to finish their season strong just like how we want to finish our season,” Kimble said to WKTV this week. “We did some good things to get us to this point, but what a way to ruin everything you’ve done than to overlook an opponent.”
Deamonte Clark, a senior running back and cornerback, isn’t taking this week lightly either. Clark says he knows that childhood best friend and Lee wide receiver/safety Nalin Mena and his team will be putting up a fight in their final battle of the season.
“You can’t take anyone lightly,” Clark said. “… Nalin Mena is going to give it all he’s got, so we have to give it all we got.”
Godwin Heights lost their first two games of the season, events that may have worried the Godwin faithful. But after turning their season around in just four weeks, Kimble is proud of his teams successful season.
“For me, it’s a really exciting time, if I’m being honest,” Kimble said. “… It’s my first year and I’m the head coach. You want to do things right and you want to make sure you take the program in the right way and continue it in the (team’s) trajectory that it was going, so getting into the playoffs would solidify that.”
WKTV coverage plans for Friday, Oct. 19
The WKTV sports truck can not be at two places at once, but we are planning to come close. WKTV will have sports crews out at both the Rockford at East Kentwood game, and the Lee at Godwin Heights game, on Friday, Oct. 19.
The East Kentwood game will be rebroadcast in its entirety on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99 on the night of the game (Friday) at 11 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m.
Highlights of the game at Godwin Heights will be up on WKTV’s YouTube channel early next week. Check it out at WKTVvideos on YouTube.
WKTV will also be doing Facebook Live reports from both games. Check them out at WKTV.org on Facebook.
Wyoming Lee and Godwin Heights High Schools not only share spots in the current OK Silver conference but have a long history of friendly competition on the football field as cross-town rivals.
So when the Rebels invade Wolverine territory this week, it will be for bragging rights among friends in some cases, such as between Lee senior Nalin Mena and Godwin senior Deamonte Clark.
Clark, a running back and cornerback, is childhood friends with Mena, a team captain, receiver and safety. And Clark knows Mena and his Rebel teammates will show up despite Godwin (5-3) playing for a playoff spot while Lee (1-7) is playing to end the season on high note.
“Nalin Mena is going to give it all he’s got, so we have to give it all we got,” Clark told WKTV this week. (See WKTV’s story and video on Godwin Heights here.)
Lee’s coach Tom DeGennaro, looking at his key seniors who will be playing their last game this week, could not agree with Clark more.
Mena “is the emotional leader, the best player on the team — leads the team in tackles, interceptions, receiving yardage,” DeGennaro told WKTV. “Type of kid you wish you had 11 of them to play for you.
“He is willing to do anything for his teammates, and has been on the varsity for all four years. Don’t judge him by his size, (5-foot-7, 140 pounds), he is a big time player. (And he is) better then 3.0 in the classroom.”
DeGennaro also praised three other seniors: Ruben Blanco, a tight end and defensive end; Eddie Carter-Cook, a offensive and defensive tackle; and Alan Jimenez, an offensive and defensive guard.
Blanco (6-1 and 260, and also better than 3.0 in the classroom) is a captain and 4-year year starter who was all-conference his freshman year. He played offensive tackle his first three years and switched to tight end this year.
“He has caught at least one pass in every game,” DeGennaro said. “The last two years we had zero receptions by our tight ends. He is a big time blocker and a force on defense. He will be playing somewhere next year on Saturdays.”
Carter-Cook (6-4 and 285, also better than 3.0) is a captain who transferred from Arizona his sophomore year and never played football before.
“He is a great run blocker, a big force on the offensive line,” DeGennaro said. “When he and Alan or Ruben double team somebody they stay blocked. (He) could be playing next year on Saturdays.”
Jimenez (5-10 and 225, also better than 3.0) is a 4-year starter who has committed to the United States Marine Corps next year.
“He is an awesome football player who also wrestles and throws shot put,” DeGennaro said. “He is a very quiet kid who leads by example.”
Other seniors on the Lee team include running back/defensive back Carlos Savala, full back/linebacker Alfredo Corbera and full back/linebacker Joe Broca.
WKTV coverage plans for Friday, Oct. 19
The WKTV sports truck can not be at two places at once, but we are planning to come close. WKTV will have sports crews out at both the Rockford at East Kentwood game, and the Lee at Godwin Heights game, on Friday, Oct. 19.
The East Kentwood game will be rebroadcast in its entirety on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99 on the night of the game (Friday) at 11 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m.
Highlights of the game at Godwin Heights will be up on WKTV’s YouTube channel early next week. Check it out at WKTVvideos on YouTube.
WKTV will also be doing Facebook Live reports from both games. Check them out at WKTV.org on Facebook.
HQ is a drop-in center for youth ages 14 to 24 who are experiencing housing crisis. (Supplied/HQ)
By Godwin Heights Football and HQ
As a special feature of Friday night’s football game at Godwin Heights High School, the Night to End Youth Homelessness, Godwin Heights will admit attendees to the game for a donation of vital items for youth facing housing crisis.
On Oct. 19, when Godwin Heights host Lee, the two teams will be facing off with more than football on their mind. They will also be supporting local youth who are struggling to find safe and stable housing.
Staff and students at Godwin Heights saw that there are youth in Wyoming, and across Kent County, that are struggling with safe and stable housing, including at their own school. This is an opportunity for the team and the community to step up and make a difference.
You can gain entry to the game with a donation of any of the following items: liquid body soap, natural/urban hair products, deodorant, boxes of cereal, men’s and women’s underwear, packages of socks, white undershirts, toothpaste/toothbrush, winter hats, gloves/mittens, scarves.
“At Godwin Heights Public Schools, we have a number of students and families currently experiencing homelessness. We are excited about the opportunity to partner with HQ to help raise awareness and bring additional resources to this community issue,” according to a spokesperson for the school.
Godwin Heights High School currently has over 650 students and strives to build a legacy by building strong relationships with parents, students, staff and community partners.
HQ is a drop-in center for youth ages 14 to 24 who are experiencing housing crisis — staying in a shelter, a car, a tent, with friends or in a home environment that no longer feels safe. For each of these youth, access to resources, safety, and support from caring adults is no longer a given. This is where HQ comes in.
HQ exists to help young people find a place to rest, build connections, and receive support through relationship and professional skill building. We are a transformative space where everyone is welcome and diversity is celebrated. Youth are the experts of their own lives, and are encouraged and supported, with no strings attached, as they realize and achieve their goals and dreams.
The regular season of football completes its schedule the weekend of Oct. 19-20 and opens its playoffs the following weekend. WKTV will be at Godwin Heights as the Wolverines seek their sixth win of the season and a guaranteed spot in the playoffs.
The playoff schedules will be announced on Sunday, Oct. 21 with Pre-District games kicking off the following weekend. We plan to cover a local team in the first round of the playoffs if possible.
All games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is the end of this week’s schedule:
Monday, Oct. 15
Boys Soccer
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee – MHSAA Districts
Grand River Prep @ Covenant Christian – MHSAA Districts
Kelloggsville @ South Christian – MHSAA Districts
East Kentwood @ Kalamazoo Central – MHSAA Districts
Grand Ledge @ Wyoming – MHSAA Districts
Girls Volleyball
West Michigan Aviation @ Barry County Christian
Tuesday, Oct. 16
Boys Soccer
Potter’s House @ Calvin Christian – MHSAA Districts
Tri-Unity Christian @ Zion Christian – MHSAA Districts
TBD at South Christian – MHSAA Districts
Boys/Girls Cross Country
Wyoming @ Christian
South Christian @ Christian
Girls Swimming
South Christian @ Ottawa Hills
Girls Volleyball
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
Potter’s House @ West Michigan Aviation
Holland Calvary @ Grand River Prep
Zion Christian @ Fruitport Calvary Christian
Wednesday, Oct. 17
Boys Soccer
TBD at Caledonia – MHSAA Districts Division 1
Boys/Girls Cross Country
Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian
Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian
Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian
Thursday, Oct. 18
Boys Soccer
TBD at South Christian – MHSAA Districts Division 3
TBD at Calvin Christian – MHSAA Districts Division 4
Girls Volleyball
Godwin Heights @ Hopkins
Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Christian @ Wyoming – Dig Pink Game
Boys/Girls Cross Country
East Kentwood at Riverside Park
Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Calvary
Girls Swimming
East Kentwood @ West Ottawa
South Christian @ Wayland
Friday, Oct. 19
Boys/Girls Cross Country
Godwin Heights vs TBA at Downtown GR YMCA
Boys Football
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights — WKTV Featured Game
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
Rockford @ East Kentwood
East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming
Tri-Unity Christian @ Colon
South Christian vs FH Eastern at East Grand Rapids
Calvin Christian/Potter’s House at Belding
Boys Soccer
TBD at Midland – MHSAA Finals Division 1
TBD @ Hope College – MHSAA Finals Division 2
TBD @ Kalamazoo College – MHSAA Finals Division 4
Girls Golf
TBD @ Battle Creek Bedford Valley – MHSAA Finals Division 1
Two teams are fighting for playoff spots this week as the Kelloggsville Rockets host the Godwin Heights Wolverines. Godwin Heights needs four more games in their win category to automatically qualify for playoffs; a feat rookie head coach Brandon Kimble says isn’t out of reach.
“Getting in the post-season was one of our goals, so it’s now or never for us now,” Coach Kimble told the WKTV Journal.
Godwin Heights coach Brandon Kimble, talking at practice this week. (WKTV)
The WKTV Journal caught up with Coach Kimble earlier this year to talk about his new job as head coach of the Wolverines. During the discussion, Kimble said “defense wins championships, but offense fills the stands.” And both sides of the ball have been performing up to Kimble’s standards.
“Our defense has been playing stellar all year. Every game we’ve been in, we’ve been in because of the defense,” Coach Kimble said this week. “And our offense has actually been playing really good, we’ve just been turning the ball over.”
This will be Kimble’s first game against Kelloggsville. His counterpart, coach Don Galster of Kelloggsville, has been with his team for 29 seasons. However, Galster says don’t be fooled by his younger opponent.
“It’ll be a tough game,” Galster said. “It doesn’t matter what the records are when we play Godwin. This will be my 29th Godwin game. They’ll be ready to go, but we’ll also be ready to go.”
Kimble gave mutual respect to Galster regarding the coaches tenureship at Kelloggsville.
“With Kellogsville, the coach has been there a long time. He know’s the conference and other teams very well,” Kimble said. “We expect to see a team that’s aggressive, a team that’s going to fly around, a team that’s going to be competitive.”
This week’s WKTV Featured Game and other sports events are cable broadcast either live, immediately after the event and/or in rebroadcast, on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99.
WKTV’s featured football games are rebroadcast on the night of the game (Thursday or Friday) at 11 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m. See WKTVjournal.org/sports for complete schedules.
WKTV’s coverage of high school sports and select community events are also available on-demand within a week of the event at wktvondemand.com.
Brandon Kimble’s approach to football is simple: “Defense wins championships, offense fills the stands”. Coach Kimble will be starting his first game as head coach of the Godwin Heights varsity football program this week, Thursday at 7 p.m., against Hamilton at Godwin Heights.
Coach Kimble sat down with WKTV’s Ken Norris earlier this summer to talk about what he hopes his team can accomplish this season.
“Defensively, I think they (the fans) can look forward to seeing a team that loves to play defense … They’re going to see athletes that enjoy playing the game and doing it the right way” Kimble said. “Offensively … We’re going to do some exciting things … our plan is to put them in space, put the ball in their hands and let them do some exciting things.”
Although Kimble’s plan for this year is to focus on the defensive side of the game, taking advantage of athletes from last year’s dominant basketball program will help build athleticism on the offensive side. SuSu Davenport, last year’s starting quarterback for the Wolverines and current Davenport University quarterback, helped the Wolverines to a 7-3 record in football and a 21-2 record in basketball, being a dominant force in both sports.
Connecting and recruiting basketball players before this summer was important for Kimble.
“It was one of the first things I wanted to do when I got into the building. ‘I got to get some of those basketball guys to come out…’ It show’s that we have the ability athletically to do some great things. It allows us to do the things we really want to do.” Kimble said. “Putting them in space, taking advantage of different defenses, playing fast, being able to do some creative things. When you have those athletes there’s a lot of things that you can do offensively and defensively.”
These and other sports events are cable broadcast either live, immediately after the event and/or in rebroadcast, on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99.
WKTV’s featured football games are rebroadcast on the night of the game (Thursday or Friday) at 11 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m. See WKTVjournal.org/sports for complete schedules.
WKTV’s coverage of high school sports and select community events are also available on-demand within a week of the event at wktvondemand.com.
WKTV’s 2018-19 high school sports coverage starts with prep football season opening night action at Godwin Heights High School as new head coach Brandon Kimble leads the Wolverines onto the field for the first time. (Don’t forget your sunglasses as the sun sets!)
WKTV interviewed Coach Kimble this summer; he talked football, mentoring young people, and more.
WKTV will cover all the local football teams in the first six weeks, including Tri-Unity Christian’s 8-man football team, before we start covering the best game available in October. Next week’s game will be the Thursday, Aug. 30, clash of Ashley at Tri-Unity Christian (8-man football at 5651 Gezon Court Wyoming.)
These and other sports events are cable broadcast either live, immediately after the event and/or in rebroadcast, on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99.
WKTV’s featured football games on the night of the game (Thursday or Friday) at 11 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m. See WKTVjournal.org/sports weekly for complete feature broadcast schedules.
WKTV’s coverage of high school sports and select community events are also available on-demand within a week of the event at wktvondemand.com.
The complete local high school sports schedule through the end of the month is as follows:
Monday, Aug. 20
Boys / Girls Cross Country
East Kentwood @ Muskegon Orchard View
Boys Tennis
@ Wyoming – David Bentley Tournament
Kelloggsville @ Union
Boys Soccer
Wyoming @ Hudsonville Christian
Hudsonville Hornets @ Tri-Unity Christian
South Christian @ Holland Christian
West Michigan Aviation @ Union
Potter’s House @ Calvin Christian
Tuesday, Aug. 21
Boys Tennis
Catholic Central @ East Kentwood – Quad
Girls Volleyball
Caledonia @ East Kentwood
Wyoming Lee @ Potter’s House
Girls Swimming
East Kentwood@ Jenison
Boys / Girls Cross Country
Godwin Heights @ Kent City
Kelloggsville @ Kent City
South Christian @ St. Joe
Boys Soccer
Ottawa Hills @ Kelloggsville
Tri-County @ Wyoming Lee
Wednesday, Aug. 22
Girls Golf
South Christian @ East Kentwood
Holland @ Wyoming
Boys Soccer
East Kentwood @ Portage Northern
Godwin Heights @ Union
Zeeland West @ Wyoming
Calvin Christian @ South Christian
Zion Christian @ Kalamazoo Christian
Boys Tennis
Wyoming @ Holland
Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian
Unity Christian @ South Christian
Boys / Girls Cross Country
Wyoming Lee @ Hesperia – Baker Woods Invitational
Thursday, Aug. 23
Girls Volleyball
East Grand Rapids @ South Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Godwin Heights
Wellsprings Prep @ Kelloggsville
Wyoming Lee @ West Michigan Aviation
Boys Soccer
East Kentwood @ Holland
Grand River Prep @ Kelloggsville
Wyoming Lee @ West Michigan Aviation
Tri-Unity Christian @ Hope Academy of West Michigan
Muskegon Catholic Central @ Zion Christian
Boys Football
Hamilton @ Godwin Heights – WKTV Featured Event
South Christian @ Greenville
Olivet @ Calvin Christian/Potter’s House
Boys / Girls Cross Country
Grand River Prep @ Kelloggsville – Rocket Invitational
On a special high school sports episode of WKTV Journal: In Focus, WKTV caught up with Brandon Kimble, who in May took over as head football coach of the Godwin Heights High School Wolverines.
Kimble is no stranger to the Wolverine program as he served as the team’s defensive coordinator in 2015. He played wide receiver and safety at East Kentwood High School before graduating in 2006, and went on to play wide receiver at Olivet College. He has also coached in the East Kentwood and Grand Rapids Union football programs.
At the time of his hire, Godwin athletic director Rob Hisey praise Kimble’s football knowledge but also praised his ability to build relationships with kids.
In Focus host and producer Ken Norris talks with Coach Kimble about football, off-seasons in the weight room and, maybe most importantly, leading young men to become better on and off the field.
All In Focus interviews are available on YouTube at WKTVvideos .
