GameDay, Muskegon! Everything you need to know before the district finals

MUSKEGON, MI – There are only three opportunities each postseason for high school football teams to play for a trophy.

Everyone yearns for the ultimate goal of a state championship celebration at Ford Field but frist, you have to take care of business and hoist a district championship trophy over your head.

There will be four Muskegon-area football teams with that opportunity on Friday night as Mona Shores, Whitehall, Newaygo and North Muskegon hit the field.

Before they line up for what should be a chaotic Friday night of football, let's take a look at the Player of the Week award winner from the opening round of the playoffs and take a glance at the full schedule for West Michigan-area teams, as well predictions and previews from the MLive high school sports staff.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK The North Muskegon football team has used a high-powered offense to outscore its opponents 338-80 so far this season as the three-time West Michigan Conference Rivers Division champions continue put pressure on opposing defenses with their variety of weapons.

One of the top receiving threats for the Norsemen the past few seasons has been wideout TJ Byard, who has taken his game to a new level as a senior leader for his squad.

Last week, Byard hauled in three receptions for 120 yards and two touchdowns during his team's 56-7 win over Evart in the opening round of the Division 7 playoffs. On the season, the 6-foot-1 athlete has 28 receptions for 615 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Byard's big game last week caught the attention of readers of MLive and the Muskegon Chronicle, as they flocked to our weekly poll in support of the senior standout for the Norsemen. As the final results rolled in, Byard gained nearly 60 percent of the total votes cast to take home the MLive Muskegon Football Player of the Week award for the opening week of the postseason.

RUNNER-UP: Coreyontae Bothwell, Mona Shores

The senior defensive back for the Sailors hauled in an interception and raced 73 yards for a defensive score in the third quarter that helped seal his team's 28-0 win over Traverse City West in the opening round of the Division 2 playoffs.

EDITOR'S CHOICE: Cam Thompson, Whitehall

The senior quarterback and safety for the Vikings did a little bit of everything during his team's 28-21 comeback win over Forest Hills Eastern on Friday. The Western Michigan University commit was 3-for-3 passing for 39 yards and rushed for 114 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries on offense and added 6.5 tackles and two interceptions, including a 91-yard interception return for a score on the final play of the first half and a game-sealing interception on the final play of the game.

To see all the worthy candidates from this week's poll,.

Below are the full results for our Player of the Week fan vote.

MUSKEGON-AREA GAMES

Big Rapids (9-1) vs. Whitehall (7-3), 7 p.m.

Mona Shores (9-1) vs. Byron Center (9-1), 7 p.m.

Newaygo (8-2) vs. Central Montcalm (9-1), 7 p.m.

North Muskegon (9-1) vs. McBain (9-1), 7 p.m.

OTHER AREA GAMES

DeWitt (10-0) vs. Lowell (8-2), 7 p.m.

Forest Hills Central (8-2) vs. Coopersville (7-3), 7 p.m.

Grand Rapids West Catholic (7-3) vs. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (6-4), 7 p.m.

Hudsonville (9-1) vs. Grandville (6-4), 7 p.m.

Hudsonville Unity Christian (10-0) vs. Grand Rapids South Christian (6-4), 7 p.m.

St Joseph (9-1) vs. Zeeland West (9-1), 7 p.m.

MLive Muskegon football picks: Who hoists district hardware this Friday?

PLAYOFF BRACKETS

Recognizing the top Muskegon-area fall sports athletes for Oct. 30-Nov. 5

RELATED STORIES

Shelby's Navea Gauthier breaks Michigan prep volleyball all-time kills record

Legendary Muskegon-area football coach remembered as humble champion

Reeths-Puffer volleyball standout voted MLive Muskegon Athlete of the Week

If you would like your local high school sports news delivered free to your inbox daily,and sign up for one of our local high school sports newsletters.

Love reading about local sports? Don't miss any of the excitement from the season ahead. Purchase your subscription and get full access to every story on MLive.