Week 1 of the high school playoffs produced a number of thrilling games and some upsets thrown in. Some trends began to develop during the opening weekend as some area's of the state displayed plenty of power.

If one thing was established it was that per capita the Muskegon area may be home to some of the finest football in the state. Not only did Muskegon hammer a solid Hudsonville team from the Grand Rapids area, 42-7, but some underdogs from the Muskegon area came up with stunning upsets.

Among those upsets were a 5-4 Montague team surprising an unbeaten Kalamazoo ChristianHolton team defeating Gobles 30-7 in Division 7.

Perhaps the biggest upset of the weekend came in Division 5 where an 8-1 Onsted team not only defeated unbeaten power Jackson Lumen Christi, but shut the Titans out 20-0.

This weekend promises some monster match-ups. With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the best action state high schools have to offer.

Defense was the name of the game for Rockford and Holt during last weekend's opening games. With cold temperatures in the forecast Friday's match-up between the defending state champions and Holt in Holt, this Friday will be a defensive struggle on frozen tundra that would make Vince Lombardi proud.

Both teams claimed 10-7 wins last week. The Rams held off O-K Red rival Grandville while Holt stopped Traverse City West.

Rockford coach Ralph Munger likes rock em' sock em' type of players and that is exactly what he has on his defense led by senior linebackers Spencer Remtema (6-2, 215), Kyle Beyer (6-0, 195) and Ryan Egnatuk (5-11, 180) along with defensive linemen Jimmy Moerdyk (6-3, 200).

Offensively, the Rams have plenty of weapons that are just waiting to ignite against an unsuspecting defense. Senior quarterback Tom Fusee has connected on 67-of-115 passes for 1,052 yards and 11 touchdowns. Senior running back Zach Breen (5-11, 200) is a punishing runner who has rushed for 1,048 yards (7.1 avg.) and 14 touchdowns.

Holt counters with a strong running game. Senior running back Anthony Scott has totaled 1,352 yards (5.4 avg.) and scored 15 touchdowns this season. The Rams have a sizable front line that averages 260 pounds per man and is led by senior guard Nate Delapaz (6-1, 275) and junior tackle Austin Holtz.

Junior fullback/linebacker Mitch Zajac (6-1, 235) is one of the top underclassmen in the Lansing area. Zajac was a tackling machine against West in the district opener as he totaled 21 tackles.

The Rams can also throw the ball when they have to, as junior quarterback Michael Hollern, who has connected on 69-of-139 passes for 1,123 yards and nine touchdowns.

Holt enters the game with an eight-game winning streak after dropping a 34-20 decision to Division 2 power Davison in Week 2.

Last year, Rockford defeated Plymouth Canton in the Division 1 state title game. This year the two teams are on a collision course to meet in the state semifinal game.

Canton has picked up where it left off last year as it has reeled off 10 straight wins this season. Canton has a difficult task on its plate this week when it hosts 9-1 South Lyon.

Both teams love to run the football and with cold weather slated, you can bet the football will not be put in the air much.

Last year all-state fullback Deshon McClendon keyed Canton's run to the title game. McClendon was enjoying a big season this year before being sidelined by an injury in week five. McClendon was back in action last week and he came back with a vengeance as he rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns on just five carries to help Canton defeat Livonia Stevenson, 48-0.

The Chiefs also feature a pair of talented halfbacks in Nick Moores (727 yards, 12 TDs) and Antwuan Hawkins who also has over 500 yards rushing.

During the 1990's South Lyon was one of the most difficult places to play. Their field was called "The Jungle" and opposing teams were treated, or mistreated, to the Lions entering the field to Guns and Roses blaring out "Welcome to the Jungle".

Even though Friday's game is in Canton, you can bet the Lions will be bringing the spirit of "The Jungle" with them. The Lions come at you in waves on the ground led by Ian McGee who has rushed for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns and Marty Rochowiak who has rushed for over 700 yards.

In one of the top rematches on the schedule, unbeaten Lake Orion hosts 9-1 Clarkston.

Lake Orion defeated Clarkston, 32-8, in week eight of the regular season.

Nose guard Josh Allison, (6-2, 245), a University of Minnesota recruit, leads a punishing Lake Orion defense that is allowing just 9.6 points per game. Senior linebackers Shaun Vernon (6-1, 225) and Chase Goff (5-11, 215) are a pair of punishing hitters.

The Dragons can also put plenty of points on the scoreboard. Lake Orion is averaging 39.6 points per game and has scored at least 31 points in every game this season.

Junior running back Cortez McKinley reeled off 192 yards and 24 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns against last week while senior running back Aaron Allen (5-9, 175) is averaging over eight yards per carry while junior quarterback Chris Lum (6-3, 180) is establishing himself as a college prospect by throwing for 25 touchdown passes during the regular season.

The game all of West Michigan has waited months to see is taking place in the Showboat City of Lowell. Over 12,000 fans are expected to cram the stadium and surrounding hillside in Lowell when the Red Arrows host Muskegon.

Both teams enter the game with similar numbers. Lowell, led by quarterback Keith Nichol, enters the game averaging 44.8 points per game while the Big Reds, led by the multi-dimensional Ron Johnson, are putting up 41.4 points per game.

Nichol was at his best last week during Lowell's 45-3 win against Greenville as he rushed for 116 yards on 16 carries and connected on 15-of-24 passes for 370 yards and three touchdowns.

Nichol, who has passed for over 2,200 yards this season and has 31 touchdown passes against just 3 interceptions, has a number of targets he can throw to including Torsten Boss and Mike McElroy.

Boss, a sophomore, is one of the best young receivers in Class of 2009. McElroy is sure-handed two-way standout who could play college football in the Ivy League or the MAC.

Muskegon will counter with a dime package that includes Ron Johnson and his brother Corey Johnson and fellow cornerback Bobby Miller.

Special teams could play a big role in this classic showdown. The Big Reds are hoping that Johnson takes a kick to the house.

Getting Ron Johnson 10-to-15 touches in this game will be a key for the Big Reds. RoJo did not catch a pass during the district win against Hudsonville. But for the Big Reds to win, Johnson will need a big day against the Red Arrows.

Ron Johnson was not needed against Hudsonville thanks to the punishing running of Ashton Leggett (5-11, 225). Running behind an offensive line that averages over 270-pounds per man, Leggett gashed the Hudsonville defense for 213 yards on 23 carries and five touchdowns. For the season Leggett has gained 1,557 yards.

In region two, Davison ran its record to 10-0 for the season last week with a 35-21 win against Rochester Adams.

Junior quarterback Jared Cowan (5-11, 190) enjoyed a big week as he completed 11-of-19 passes for 184 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

The Cardinals have a high-powered passing attack that will pose a major challenge for Oxford. For the year Cowan has connected on 89-of-153 passes for 1, 854 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Senior wide receiver Jeremy Wilson (6-3, 175) caught one of those touchdowns passes against Adams, but it was his 101-yard interception return for a touchdown that was the key play of the game.

Although sophomore running back Richard Kirksey was not a factor, Tim Olds stepped in and picked up 116 yards and a touchdown.

This week the Cardinals host a 7-3 Oxford team that likes to control the ball. Junior fullback Zach Line (6-1, 195) led the Wildcats with 101 yards in a 6-0 win against the Bronchos of Holly. Senior running back Vinnie Ives (6-0, 175) leads the Wildcats ground game as he has rushed for 1,003 yards this season.

During the 2001 playoffs, Fruitport, located just east of Muskegon, came into East Grand Rapids and stunned a highly-rated Pioneer team led by freshman sensation Kevin Grady, 42-30. This Friday, the unbeaten Trojans will try and find out if lightning strikes twice.

But this time the Trojans must deal with not one Grady, but twoGrady's. Senior running back Kelvin Grady, a University of Michigan basketball recruit, is an explosive running back in his own right who has rushed for 1,218 yards and 18 touchdowns. At quarterback is his cousin, DeMarcus Grady, who has passed for over 400 yards this season and recently committed to Northern Illinois University.

The Pioneers have a three-pronged attack as fullback Luke Glendening is a dangerous back who must be accounted for after rushing for 1,081 yards and 18 touchdowns this season.

East also boasts one of the premier linemen in the state in Michigan State recruit Darrell Davis-Budanauro (6-5, 361) who is a dominating offensive tackle and also fills in along the defensive line at nose guard to take away the run.

Taking away the run will be key against Fruitport. The Trojans, who run out of the wing-T but can also mix in some spread or I-formation, are paced by running back Mike Hilliard who has rushed for 1,234 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Quarterback Drew Beck is a clever ball handler who has rushed for over 600 yards. Keep an eye on defensive back/kick returner/running back Evest Briggs who returned a kickoff for touchdown against Mt. Pleasant last week.

The Dustin Mayner show continues for at least one more week as Fowlerville makes the trip to Linden.

Last week Mayner rushed for 125 yards and three scores and passed for 125 yards as the Eagles edged Mason 27-23.

For the year, Mayner has completed 125-of-189 passes for 2,388 yards and 31 scores while on the ground Mayner has picked up 1,077 yards and scored 18 touchdowns.

Fowlerville comes into the game with a power-running game led by junior Adam Powell who has rushed for 1,513 yards and nine touchdowns. Linden has had problems stopping the run as evidenced by Mason's Eric Stage running for 160 yards last week.

For Michigan State fans on the East side of the state, the game to take in this Saturday is Bloomfield Hills Lahser at Farmington Hills Harrison.

It will be Lahser senior running back Quincy Landingham going up against Mark Dell and his Harrison Hawks. Dell and the Hawks were dominant last week against Ferndale as they claimed a 48-6 win.

It will be a high-powered passing game against a power running game when Dowagiac travels to Battle Creek Harper Creek this Friday.

The Beavers of Harper Creek have a devastating passing game as Comstock can attest to.

Last week Harper Creek scored 50 first-half points en route to a 62-36 win.

Senior quarterback Nate Smith connected on 20-of-34 passes for 342 yards and six touchdowns. For the season, Smith has hit on 160-of-279 passes for 2,331 yards and 23 touchdowns and during his career he has passed for close to 6,400 yards.

Tight end Rocky Weaver (6-6, 230), a Division 1 recruit, caught 52 passes for 874 yards and nine touchdowns during the regular season but has been battling an injured ankle the past two games.

Dowagiac is led by junior running back Jamie Simpson (6-1, 220) who has rushed for 1,171 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. Simpson, a rare blend of speed and power, averages over 11 yards per carry for a team that has rushed for nearly 3,000 yards this season. Senior Jake Shelton has added 787 yards rushing.

It will be the battle of I-75 when Birch Run makes the trip south from the outlet mall east of town down I-75 south of Flint to the lovely community of Lake Fenton.

Lake Fenton likes to run the ball and is averaging 31.7 points per game. The Blue Devil also possesses a defense that has been tough all season allowing just six points per game.

Birch Run was one of the Cinderella teams of 2005 as it reached the state semifinals before falling to Jackson Lumen Christi.

The Panthers returned 17 players from that team and are led by quarterback Kyle Wilson who has rushed for almost 500 yards and passed for over 900 more. Corey King leads the ground game with over 900 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Two of the premier junior running backs in the state meet Friday when Detroit Country Day travels to Madison Heights Madison.

Country Day is led by standout junior Jonas Gray. The junior speedster rushed for 212 yards on 20 carries and scored three touchdowns during Country Day's 41-12 win against Macomb Lutheran North.

On the other side of the field Madison is led by junior DeAndre Johnson who has already committed to the University of Michigan. Johnson led Madison to an 18-0 win against Almont as he ran the ball 25 times for 282 yards and two touchdowns.

The Constantine offense was next to unstoppable last week against Schoolcraft.

Running out of their Wing-T offense, the Falcons from Constantine, located in Southwest Michigan just minutes north of the Indiana border, avenged an earlier 35-32 loss to Schoolcraft by rolling to a 63-20 win.

The Falcons totaled 527 rushing yards for the game. Lance Cartagena led the attack with 241 yards and four touchdowns while sophomore Jared McBride added 200 yards and one touchdown.

Although Constantine is a small school, they are not a small team with offensive linemen like junior tackles Travis Marunde (6-0, 270) and Kyle Grindle (6-3, 255) and junior guard Spencer Bouwkamp (6-1, 240) paving the way.

Constantine will square off against defensive-minded Union City at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Last week the Chargers blanked Kalamazoo Hackett 21-0. Union City's defense put the brakes on Hackett junior running back sensation Jezrel White, who came into the game with over 2,000 yards rushing.

Union City features a solid passing attack out of its spread offense led by junior quarterback Doug Counterman who has passed for over 1,750 yards and 18 touchdowns this year.

Running back Dustin Davis is an effective back who has rushed for 800 yards.

For any one interested in seeing some of the top small-school running backs in the state, a trip to the tiny southwest Michigan town of Cassopolis will be worth the drive. Located about a half hour northeast of South Bend in rural Michigan, the Rangers feature one of the most productive freshman running backs in the state in DaShaun Curtis (5-8, 165) who rushed for 1,630 yards on 121 carries (13.5 avg.) and 24 touchdowns. Rival teams can't key just on Curtis as junior Larry Harris (5-10, 180) has added 748 yards, A.J. Ballard (557 yards) and quarterback Paul Curtis (483 yards.)

Decatur counters with senior running back Izzy Brill. Izzy Brill and his Raider teammates left Centreville dizzy last week, as Decatur rallied from a 34-16 halftime deficit to claim a 40-34 win. Izzy finished the game with 313 yards rushing and five touchdowns, including the last four of the game. For the season, Brill (6-0, 188) has rushed for 1,442 yards and scored 25 touchdowns.

It will be small-school football at its best when undefeated Climax-Scotts host league foe Martin (8-2).

Located between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek just off I-94, Climax Scotts has outscored its foes by an amazing 472-61 margin this season. Fullback Nick Ludwig leads the way for the Panthers as he rushed for 1,369 yards this year with 20 touchdowns.

Quarterback Jordan Langs also threw for a touchdown and ran for two more in a 53-20 win against Morrice last week.

Martin, located 20 minutes north of Kalamazoo and home to one of the finest dragways in the Midwest, is led by junior quarterback Keaton Wolfe (6-2, 185) who passed for 1,110 yards and 14 touchdowns during the regular season and rushed for 400 more and seven touchdowns.