The second season for area high school football programs will get under way next weekend in the first-round of the playoffs. Because Covid-19 wrecked regular season schedules, all teams are eligible, just like in basketball.

Wayland this Friday night will have its work cut out for it. The Wildcats captured their first victory of the season last Friday night, 33-6, over Ottawa Hills. However, they’ll be challenged at Grand Rapids Christian, which is 3-3 and has won its last three encounters.

Both Hopkins and Martin will have home contests in their first round.

Hopkins will get a rematch at 1 p.m. Saturday with Belding. The Vikings, undefeated on the gridiron, handed the Black Knights their only loss of the season, 34-28, earlier this month. Hopkins did not play this past Friday evening against Kelloggsville because at least one player tested positive for the Coronavirus.

Martin, which has had three contests called off because of Covid, Thursday night will entertain Athens, a team that is 1-5, with its only victory coming at the expense of Bellevue. The Clippers, just like Hopkins, have not been defeated on the football field this fall.