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GRAND RAPIDS, MI · WEST MICHIGAN EDITION · TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2026
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Grand Rapids Bubble Teams Chase Football Playoff Spots in Week 9

Published October 20, 2026 at 5:41 am | By Ezra Vasquez, Staff Reporter

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Friday night is the last chance for a long list of Grand Rapids-area high school football teams to play their way into the postseason. Week 9 closes the regular season, and the state playoff field is set two days later.

Eleven area programs look to be on the bubble and probably need a victory to keep playing: Cedar Springs, Comstock Park, Forest Hills Northern, Grandville, GR Christian, Hamilton, Holland, Kelloggsville, Sparta, West Ottawa and Zeeland East. Teams must finish inside the top 32 in their division on playoff points to qualify.

Several of those bubble teams meet opponents with losing records. Forest Hills Northern, 3-5, hosts a 2-6 Northview team, Comstock Park, also 3-5, faces 1-7 Calvin Christian, and GR Christian and Holland Christian bring identical 3-5 marks into their game. Kelloggsville, at 3-5, has a tougher draw at home against a 6-2 Godwin Heights squad.

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At the top of the local standings, unbeaten East Kentwood is 8-0 and sits fourth in its division with 79.125 points. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 7-1, holds 67.875 points, South Christian, 7-1, has 62.500, and Forest Hills Eastern, also 7-1, carries 56.875.

Pairings will be revealed Sunday, Oct. 25, when the MHSAA airs its selection show at 5 p.m. District semifinals start Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 31, and the state finals are scheduled for Nov. 27 and 28 at Ford Field in Detroit.

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Section: More Grand Rapids MI sports news

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Filed under: Grand Rapids MI Sports News

More coverage: Grand Rapids MI high school football · Grand Rapids MI high school sports & NIL

What's Happening
Which Grand Rapids-area teams are on the playoff bubble?
Cedar Springs, Comstock Park, Forest Hills Northern, Grandville, GR Christian, Hamilton, Holland, Kelloggsville, Sparta, West Ottawa and Zeeland East.
When is the playoff field announced?
At 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25.
When do the playoffs start?
With district semifinals on Oct. 30 and 31.
Ezra Vasquez
HEREGrandRapids · SPORTS

Ezra is a staff reporter for HERE GrandRapids covering local news, community stories, and developments across Kent County. Ezra is committed to accurate, community-first journalism.

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