KALAMAZOO, MI – It seems like just yesterday high school football teams were kicking off their 2021 campaigns, but the season is now at its halfway point, which has allowed the elite to rise to the top.
The Kalamazoo area is well-represented in the latest Associated Press prep football rankings, with Constantine checking in at No. 2 in Division 6, Lawton at No. 8 in Division 7, White Pigeon at No. 6 in Division 8, Centreville at No. 11 in Division 8, Martin at No. 9 in 8-player Division 1 and Mendon at No. 13 in that same division.
But where do those talented teams stand among the area’s best across all divisions?
We’re breaking down Kalamazoo’s top teams in the fourth edition of the area’s prep power rankings, and this week’s biggest risers were Lawton, Plainwell, White Pigeon, Centreville, Paw Paw and South Haven, who all pulled off impressive wins in Week 4.
Follow along to see where things stand heading into Week 5.
On the bubble: Kalamazoo United (2-2), Parchment (3-1), Mendon (3-1), Lawrence (3-1), Climax-Scotts (3-1), Three Rivers (2-2), Marcellus (3-1)
10. South Haven (3-1)
Last week’s ranking: Unranked
South Haven has won three in a row since dropping the season opener to Watervliet, and the Rams have withstood a pair of close calls the last two weeks, including their 36-26 Week 4 win over Buchanan, which ended with a 74-yard interception return for a touchdown by Damon Jackson that ended the Bucks’ late rally. Jackson added a 61-yard rushing touchdown and a 45-yard receiving score, while quarterback Trent Till continued his strong season with 206 yards on the ground.
With a win this week over Allegan, the Rams can move to 4-1 for the first time since 2007.
9. Paw Paw (3-1)
Last week’s ranking: Honorable mention
Paw Paw opened the season with a somewhat surprising overtime loss to Three Rivers, but the Red Wolves have dominated the last three weeks, including in Friday’s 57-32 win over Sturgis. Not everything went perfectly against the Trojans, however, as Paw Paw gave up three kickoff returns for touchdowns to let Sturgis hang around.
The Red Wolves’ kick coverage units will need to be better this week, when they travel across the state for a Saturday game against South Lyon East.
8. Centreville (3-1)
Last week’s ranking: 9
After dropping their season opener against Niles Brandywine, Centreville has bounced back with three consecutive wins and is getting the job done in all three phases of the game. In Friday’s 57-0 win over Decatur, the Bulldogs rushed for 258 yards, held the Raiders to -4 yards of total offense and got a punt return touchdown from Tyler Swanwick and a 33-yard field goal from Leo Morquecho.
Centreville is clicking on all cylinders right now, and the Bulldogs will need to play another good game to escape White Pigeon with a win in this week’s Southwest 10 showdown.
7. Martin (4-0)
Last week’s ranking: 7
Martin faced undefeated Blanchard Montabella last week, but the Clippers continued to cruise with a 48-6 win thanks to a career game from junior tight end Sam Jager, who missed his freshman and sophomore seasons with knee injuries, but caught six passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns Friday, while also rushing for another score. Martin’s ground game also saw big performances from quarterback J.R. Hildebrand, who ran for 84 yards and three touchdowns on six carriers, and junior running backs Karter Ribble and Braeden Shanley, who combined for more than 160 yards and a touchdown.
That kind of balanced offense will make Martin a tough test for any opponent, but the big game is in two weeks, when the Clippers host Mendon.
“This was a big win for us on the road against another undefeated team,” Martin coach Brad Blauvelt said of the Montabella win. “We were well prepared, and it showed.
“I’m very happy for Sam, he has been through a lot of adversity the last couple years. He’s a kid everyone pulls for, and I’m glad he is seeing some results because he has absolutely worked his butt off to get back on the field. Sam gave tremendous effort on Friday night for all four quarters, as a coach I can’t ask for much more. Multiple players made major contributions to the win, I’m proud of our team and our effort. We will focus on getting in better shape and healthy over the next week or two. We want to be at full strength going into the Mendon game in a few weeks.”
6. Vicksburg (3-1)
Last week’s ranking: 2
The Bulldogs were the latest speed bump for an Edwardsburg team that is rolling right now, as the Eddies ran to a 49-0 win. Vicksburg has some talented pieces on offense, but the Bulldogs couldn’t break through for points against an Edwardsburg team that has three shutouts in four games. The Bulldogs don’t have much time to lick their wounds, as they have another tough test this week against 3-1 Niles.
5. White Pigeon (4-0)
Last week’s ranking: 6
White Pigeon continued to play its brand of smashmouth football, as the Chiefs ran for 376 yards in a 48-12 win over Comstock, led by Jack Davidson’s 199 yards and two touchdowns. Dylan Carper, the other half of White Pigeon’s talented running back tandem ran for 105 yards and four scores, and with that kind of production from both players, the Chiefs will be tough to stop this season.
White Pigeon will play its best opponent thus far when they host defending state champ Centreville on Friday, and a win over the Bulldogs will give the Chiefs the upper hand in the Southwest 10 Conference title race.
4. Portage Central (2-2)
Last week’s ranking: 4
Central played a hard-fought game against one of the state’s better teams at East Lansing, but the Mustangs couldn’t quite escape with a win, falling to the Trojans by a score of 20-15. Central’s two losses are by a combined nine points, so a few plays here or there could have the Mustangs undefeated right now, but there will be little time to dwell on what could have been when preparing to visit a 3-1 Battle Creek Lakeview squad this week.
3. Plainwell (4-0)
Last week’s ranking: 5
The Trojans jumped out to a 33-0 lead over Richland Gull Lake and held on for a 33-14 win, showing an ability to grind out yards on the ground, then connect on passes over the top when defenses load the box. Plainwell is 4-0 for the first time since 2013, but they face their toughest opponent of the season this week, as Edwardsburg comes to town riding a 30-game regular season winning streak.
2. Lawton (4-0)
Last week’s ranking: 3
Lawton allowed its first points of the season in Friday’s 52-7 win over Allegan, as the Tigers scored a fourth-quarter touchdown to break the Blue Devils streak at three games and three quarters. Michigan High School Football Player of the Year candidate Jake Rueff continued his impressive senior season with 106 yards and three scores on just six carries, while quarterback Landon Motter completed 7 of 8 passes for 78 yards and a touchdown, giving the Blue Devils’ offense good balance.
Lawton can move to 4-0 for the third consecutive year with a home win this week over Niles Brandywine.
1. Constantine (4-0)
Last week’s ranking: 1
The Falcons remain at No. 1 after a 32-19 win over Indiana-based school Cardinal Ritter, which was a late addition to Constantine’s schedule following Schoolcraft’s decision to pull out of game due to COVID-19 issues on the team. The ground game piled up 354 yards, led by Lukas Hagenbuch’s 103 and two touchdowns on 11 carries, while Bennett VandenBerg added 92 yards and a score on 11 totes.
Constantine kicks off conference play this week with a trip to Parchment (3-1).
More high school football coverage
Michigan Associated Press high school football state rankings through Week 4
Vote for Kalamazoo-area prep football Player of the Week from Week 4 of 2021 season
Kalamazoo-area high school football playoff picture heading into Week 5
See Michigan high school football playoff picture heading into Week 5
Top 50 Michigan high school football teams: Top-five upset means movement near the top in Week 5
2021 Michigan High School Football Player of the Year watch list heading into Week 5
Portage Northern’s upset win headlines Kalamazoo-area Week 4 high school football action
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