The Forest Park (Crystal Falls, MI) varsity football team will play a neutral-site playoff game against Onekama (MI) today at 12:00 PM. This game is part of the 2024 Michigan High School Football Playoff Brackets for the MHSAA 8-Man 2 tournament.

What: Michigan High School Football
Who: Forest Park (MI) vs Onekama (MI)
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Michigan High School Football Playoff Brackets: MHSAA – 8-Man 2
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Onekama vs. Forest Park: A Closer Look at Two Exceptional Teams

As the 2024-2025 high school football season draws to a close, the Onekama and Forest Park football teams stand out as two of the most impressive squads in the state of Michigan. Both teams have posted identical overall records of 10-1, with strong league performances, remarkable offensive stats, and solid defenses. This article dives deep into their rankings, statistical comparisons, and key players, offering a comprehensive view of what makes these teams so exceptional.

Overall Team Performance

Both Onekama and Forest Park boast exceptional overall records of 10-1. Onekama has been dominant in their league, finishing 4-1 in conference play, while Forest Park matched this record, also finishing 4-1 in league games. However, both teams remained perfect on the road, each securing 5-0 records in away games. Additionally, their performances in neutral-site games were also impressive, with both teams going undefeated in these matchups.

Their strength on both offense and defense is evident, as they both rank highly in various statistical categories. Onekama, with 354 points scored and 190 points allowed, holds a scoring average of 32.2 points per game. Forest Park, on the other hand, has been even more potent offensively, amassing 523 points and only allowing 156, leading to an impressive scoring average of 47.5 points per game. This difference in offensive output reflects their ability to dominate games, with Forest Park leading by a large margin in scoring.

Offensive and Defensive Breakdown

When comparing the offensive stats, Forest Park stands out in terms of total yards, averaging 387 yards per game. Their ground game has been particularly potent, averaging an outstanding 299.1 rushing yards per game. Onekama’s offense has also been strong, with 354 total yards per game, though their rushing attack is slightly less potent, averaging 115.2 yards per game. However, Onekama’s passing attack has been more prolific, with 87.9 passing yards per game compared to Forest Park’s 82.8.

On defense, both teams have demonstrated their ability to limit opponents. Onekama records an average of 45.3 tackles per game, while Forest Park slightly edges them out with 47.5 tackles per game. The teams’ sack numbers are also impressive, with Onekama’s defense recording 2.5 sacks per game, and Forest Park registering 2.5 as well.

Key Players to Watch

Each team has several standout players who contribute significantly to their success.

For Onekama, Dax Huuki has been a standout player, leading the team in both rushing and total yards. He averages 115.2 rushing yards per game and 124.3 total yards per game, making him a key offensive weapon. He also contributes heavily to the scoreboard, averaging 10.5 points per game. Defensively, Nikolas Stephens has been the team’s leader in tackles, with an average of 7.5 tackles per game.

For Forest Park, the spotlight shines on running back Dax Huuki and quarterback Vic Giuliani. Huuki has been a strong offensive force with his 115.2 rushing yards per game. Giuliani has been effective in the passing game, averaging 80.5 yards per game. In terms of defense, Matthew Showers stands out with an average of 0.5 sacks per game.

Team Scoring Averages

Looking at scoring by quarters, Onekama has averaged a high-scoring first quarter with 14 points, but they tend to drop off in the second and fourth quarters, scoring 0 points in both of those quarters. Their third-quarter production of 16 points shows their ability to regroup after halftime. Forest Park, on the other hand, maintains a more consistent offensive output throughout the game, averaging 20 points in the first quarter, 15.1 in the second, and 8.8 in the third. They tend to slow down a little in the fourth quarter, but their high-scoring first half gives them the edge.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

When comparing head-to-head matchups or performance against common opponents, both teams have proven their dominance. Neither team has faced each other yet, which makes for an exciting potential playoff matchup. However, their similar records against common opponents suggest that these two teams are equally matched in terms of competitive play.

Conclusion

The 2024-2025 season has been a memorable one for both Onekama and Forest Park. With impressive records, dominant performances, and star players, both teams are poised for a deep run in the playoffs. As the season progresses, football fans can look forward to watching these two high-performing teams continue to shine on the field, with their contrasting styles—Onekama’s quick offensive strikes and Forest Park’s relentless consistency—making each matchup an exciting spectacle.