GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Week 1 of high school football has come and gone. And with it, brings our first MVP of the week ballot.
Help the 13 ON YOUR SIDE team decide who should be our 13 On Your Sidelines MVP for Week 1.
Here are the nominees:
Candidate No. 1: Muskegon Heights (8-man) senior running back Damarion Buchanan:
The last time Muskegon Heights won a football game, JJ McCarthy was a freshman at the University of Michigan. 1,036 days later, that 17-game losing streak is over. Buchanan racked up 176 rushing yards and three touchdowns en route to the team's 48-16 win over Brethren. Those 48 points were the most for the team since a 66-42 win over Holton in the Division 8 district playoffs in 2021.
Candidate No. 2: Oakridge senior running back Bryson Stephenson
Stephenson had himself a monster day in Oakridge's 42-6 victory over Orchard View. The senior racked up 194 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He had the first three touchdowns of the game including a 38-yard score. He doubled down in the third quarter with yet another 38-yard run for a score.
Candidate No. 3: Zeeland East senior running back Eli Walcott
Walcott played a heavy hand in Zeeland East beating Grand Rapids Union 36-7 in its season opener. Walcott tallied 136 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the win. He had more rushing yards than his quarterback, Will Drnek, who threw for (108).