10 Greater Lansing games to watch in 2022

From state champions to rekindling rivalries, there are plenty of exciting high school football matchups involving Greater Lansing programs slated to take place this fall.

Here’s a look at the top 10 games during the regular season involving a zone team.

DeWitt v. Haslett

(Game at Michigan Stadium)

∎ When: 3:30pm Thursday (Week 1)

∎ What you need to know: When these two teams meet at Michigan Stadium in the season opener, it will mark their first matchup since 2017 when both were members of the CAAC Red. DeWitt and Haslett were both Division 3 playoff qualifiers and league champions last season. DeWitt, which is playing in the Big House for the second straight season, was the Division 3 runner-up last season and is the defending CAAC Blue champion. Haslett posted a six-win improvement while winning a share of the CAAC Red title and reaching a district final.

Portland to DeWitt

Portland football defeated DeWitt 20-17 on Thursday, Sept. 2, at Portland High School.

∎ When: 19:00 September 1 (week 2)

∎ What you need to know: These programs are meeting for the fourth consecutive year in an early season game. Portland, which reached the Division 5 state semifinals last season, has won two of the last three meetings between the programs, including a 20-17 victory at home last season.

Mason at Holt

Holt's JJ Moore, left, celebrates his catch with Josh Lopez during the third quarter Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, at Mason High School.

∎ When: 19:00 September 1 (week 2)

∎ What you need to know: The Cedar Street Bowl returned last season after a long hiatus with Holt claiming the trophy with a road win over neighbor Mason. The Bulldogs and Rams will meet again this fall before diving into their league schedules. Both programs are coming off playoff appearances, with Mason advancing to the Division 3 state semifinals. Holt has won 21 of the 35 meetings between the programs since 1950.

DeWitt in East Lansing

DeWitt's Bryce Kurncz, right, catches a pass as East Lansing's Jaden Patterson, left, and Mason Woods, center, make the tackle during the second quarter Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, at DeWitt High School.

∎ When: 19:00 September 16 (week 4)

∎ What you need to know: These two programs have been the best in the CAAC Blue over the past five seasons and each opened the season as part of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association preseason rankings. This contest will likely be a key start in the CAAC Blue race. East Lansing is the only CAAC Blue team to own a win over DeWitt since the Panthers joined the league in 2018.

Mason in Haslett

Haslett quarterback Isaac Pavona scores a touchdown against Mason on a run during the first quarter Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, at Mason High School.

∎ When: 19:00, September 23 (week 5)

∎ What you need to know: Mason and Haslett finished tied for the top of the CAAC Red last season and split their two meets. Haslett won the regular season meeting and the Bulldogs took the game in a Division 3 final. Mason used a late defensive stand to knock off the Vikings in that playoff game. With both teams expected to be in the mix for a CAAC Red title, this contest could be huge in the race for a championship.

Olive in Pewamo-Westphalia

∎ When: 19:00, September 30 (week 6)

∎ What you need to know: These programs will meet for a second straight season and both are the defending league champions. Olivet has been the dominant team in the GLAC in recent years, while Pewamo-Westphalia has been the dominant force in the CMAC. PW posted a 26-14 victory when the teams met in Week 6 in 2021.

Lansing Catholic in Portland

∎ When: October 7 19:00 (week 7)

∎ What you need to know: The CAAC champion White has usually come in the matchup between the Cougars and Raiders and it could happen again when they meet in the final week of league play. Two of the last three regular-season meetings between the programs have been decided by three points or less, which included Lansing Catholic winning 31-29 in a Week 6 contest last fall.

Morrice in Portland St. Patrick

∎ When: October 14 19:00 (week 8)

∎ What you need to know: These two programs have been 8 man power and both had playoff point totals that were among the best in the state last season. This matchup marks the first matchup between the programs since 2016 when the two were part of the same league. The matchup could have league title implications with both divisions of the newly formed 8-man Central Michigan Football Conference. Morrice and St. Patrick open the season ranked in the top five of the coaches association poll.

Olivet in Williamston

∎ When: October 14 19:00 (week 8)

∎ What you need to know: These programs are meeting for the fourth straight season and both won league titles last season. Williamston won the games in 2019 and 2020, while Olivet prevailed in the two meetings between the teams last fall. Both games last season were decided by three points or less, with Olivet winning 20-19 in Week 8 and then 3-0 in overtime in a Division 5 playoff opener two weeks ago late.

Pewamo-Westphalia at Lansing Catholic

∎ When: 19:00, October 23 (week 9)

∎ What you need to know: The Pirates and Cougars are meeting for the third straight season in a matchup of the defending state champions. The home team has won the first two meetings with Lansing Catholic posting a 28-13 victory in 2020 and PW winning 12-7 last fall. Both programs have won two state titles in the last three seasons and were also champions in 2019.