High school football Week 1 scouting reports and predictions - big week for Holland teams?

The high school football season kicks off this week with all eight teams in action. Seven games will take place on Thursday and one on Friday.

Here is a look at the Week 1 scouting reports and predictions for each game.

Zeeland West at Muskegon

WHERE: Hackley Stadium, Muskegon

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday

RECORDS: 0-0

LAST YEAR: Muskegon won 22-16

SERIES HISTORY: Muskegon leads 7-2

SCOUTING REPORT: This has become one of the top games in West Michigan year after year. The Dux have not had a ton of success in the win column over the years, but have won a couple big games against the Big Reds. But even the losses have been close games. This year, the matchup is non-conference after the OK Conference realignment. Zeeland West coach John Shillito said it is the toughest schedule he can remember as a coach, and it starts with a bang. The Dux are coming off of a state semifinal appearance, but will have a lot of new personnel in the fold this year, especially on the line. If the Dux can control the line, they can control the game.

PREDICTION: Zeeland West 22, Muskegon 20

West Ottawa at Grand Ledge

WHERE: At Grand Ledge

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday

RECORDS: 0-0

LAST YEAR: Grand Ledge won 37-30

SERIES HISTORY: West Ottawa leads 4-3

SCOUTING REPORT: The Panthers are coming off of a playoff season as they continued to rise with young skill positions returining. With an all-state running back and a returning starting quarterback, the Panthers should be able to move the ball. It will be about line control and defense for West Ottawa. The Panthers lost to Grand Ledge by a touchdown last season, but that was with all the adjustments of a new quarterback and skill players. This year will be different.

PREDICTION: West Ottawa 31, Grand Ledge 20

Ottawa Hills at Holland

WHERE: Hope College Ray & Sue Smith Staduum

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday

RECORDS: 0-0

LAST YEAR: DNP

SERIES HISTORY: Holland leads 6-5

SCOUTING REPORT: Both teams were 0-9 last year. Ottawa Hills struggled to score and Holland struggled to stop opponents. With Amari Powell back under center for the Dutch, as well as starters at the offensive skill positions, the Dutch will be able to move the ball and score as they did last year. It will be up to the defense to stop the Bengals and give the Dutch their first win since 2021.

PREDICTION: Holland 28, Ottawa Hills 12

Allendale at Holland Christian

WHERE: Holland Christian High School

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday

RECORDS: 0-0

LAST YEAR: Allendale won 28-13

SERIES HISTORY: Allendale leads 4-0

SCOUTING REPORT: The Maroons will have a ton of new faces on both sides of the ball this season, so the early part of the year might have some struggles. Starting the season out with Allendale is tough, a team that has never lost to the Maroons. With the OK Conference realignment, this game is now a non-conference game. The Maroons struggled to corral the Allendale offense the past couple of years. They will need to find a way to slow the run game down to earn a win.

PREDICTION: Allendale 28, Holland Christian 21

Zeeland East at Grand Rapids Union

WHERE: Houseman Field, Grand Rapids

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday

RECORDS: 0-0

LAST YEAR: Zeeland East won 63-27

SERIES HISTORY: Zeeland East leads 12-0

SCOUTING REPORT: The Chix lost a lot on both sides of the ball, including a quarterback and several key lineman. They will have to find their new rhythm on offense to start with a win.

PREDICTION: Zeeland East 27, Union 14

Hamilton at Plainwell

WHERE: Plainwell High SChool

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday

RECORDS: 0-0

LAST YEAR: Hamilton won 47-6

SERIES HISTORY: Hamilton leads 2-0

SCOUTING REPORT: The Hawkeyes graduated their starting quarterback and all-state running back, but return a experience on both sides of the ball. It should be pretty straight forward. If the Hawkeyes can put together a couple of scoring drives and the defense can play up to its ability, it should be a good start to the season.

PREDICTION: Hamilton 28, Plainwell 17

Saugatuck at Buchanan

WHERE: Buchanan High School

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday

RECORDS: 0-0

LAST YEAR: Saugatuck won 25-14

SERIES HISTORY: Buchanan leads 2-1

SCOUTING REPORT: Cass Stanberry moves from running back to quarterback and his athleticism should get the offense going. If Saugatuck's defense can continue to build, they could be off to another strong start this season.

PREDICTION: Saugatuck 22, Buchanan 18

Our Lady of the Lake at Fennville

WHERE: Fennville High School

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday

RECORDS: 0-0

LAST YEAR: Our Lady of the Lake won 36-14

SERIES HISTORY: Our Lady of the Lake leads 1-0

SCOUTING REPORT: The Blackhawks are coming off of a season where they didn't have enough healthy players to finish the season, forfeiting the last four games. But this year, Fennville has more players and is looking to put a strong turnaround season together. There might be some struggles early, but if they can stay healthy, the Blackhawks could have a strong season.

PREDICTION: Our Lady of the Lake 28, Fennville 21

Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as  Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSport s.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: High school football Week 1 scouting reports and predictions - big week for Holland teams?