After six weeks into the 2022 high school football season, it appears to be crunch time for Wayland and Hopkins, while Martin will be looking to rebound from a rare regular season loss.

All three area schools spot winning records thus far, with Hopkins and Martin both at 5-1 and Wayland at 4-2.

But the Vikings and Wildcats have huge challenges ahead in the next three weeks.

Hopkins faces a must win situation at Sparta this Friday night. It has to get past the Spartans in order to set up a showdown for the O-K Silver Conference crown Oct. 21 at Belding. The Vikings and Black Knights both are 4-0 in league play and both have put up a lot of points. Belding has scored a whopping 300 for an average of 50 per game while Hopkins has 239 for an average of just shy of 40.

Wayland has found success with four victories, the most the ‘Cats have had since 2018. However, they will be entertained by a 6-0 South Christian team that is fresh from an upset over perennial powerhouse Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Wayland will have its work cut out the following week vs. Catholic Central and at Cedar Springs.

Martin dropped a 34-19 decision last Friday at NorthPointe Christian and will take on 3-3 Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian in the Clippers’ homecoming Friday night.