The Red Hawks and the Comstock Panthers faced off last Saturday in the GRidiron Classic. Their game was one of the three hosted at Grand Valley’s Lubbers Stadium in Allendale. The games were put together by the West Michigan Sports Commission. Football photos by K. Alvesteffer and R. LaLone.

It was an offensive battle last Saturday, August 26, between the Cedar Springs Red Hawks and Comstock Panthers, in the first ever GRidiron Classic, at Grand Valley’s Lubbers Stadium. Both teams had something to prove, but it was the Panthers that came out on top, 48-38. The Red Hawks will take on another non-conference rival Thursday (tonight), when they host the Sparta Spartans at Red Hawk Stadium. Come on out at cheer on your 2014 OK-Bronze champions! Game time is 7 p.m. Click here to read about Saturday’s game.

The Cedar Springs Red Hawks will host the Comstock Park Panthers in the new GRidiron Classic at Grand Valley State University on August 29. The photo shows Red Hawk quarterback Collin Alvesteffer being tackled by a Panther during last fall’s win over Comstock Park.

Saturday, August 29, marks the first game of the 2015 season for the Cedar Springs Red Hawks, and you don’t want to miss it! They will host the Comstock Park Panthers at Grand Valley State University Lubbers Stadium, in the brand new GRidiron classic, at 4 p.m.

The West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) partnered with Grand Valley State University and the OK Conference to promote the newly created high school football showcase, which will feature three games:

1:00 p.m. Hamtramck vs. NorthPointe Christian (host)

4:00 p.m. Comstock Park vs. Cedar Springs (host)

7:00 p.m. Oak Park vs. Zeeland West (host)

“West Michigan prides itself in our high school football and this event will highlight the start of the season with some great matchups at a superb facility,” stated Mike Guswiler, President of the WMSC, in a press release last spring.

Each purchased ticket entitles the bearer to attend all three scheduled games. Tickets are available online at a cost of $8 Adults / $6 Students. Tickets purchased on the day of the event at the door will be sold for $10 Adults / $8 Students.

Last year, the Red Hawks took on Comstock Park in their opening game on the Panther’s home turf, and ran away with the game, 50-13. They went on to become OK-Bronze Champions, and ended their season after losing to Muskegon in the second game of the playoffs.

Come on out and cheer on your Cedar Springs Red Hawks!

The Cedar Springs Red Hawks will host the Comstock Park Panthers in the new GRidiron Classic at Grand Valley State University on August 29. The photo shows Red Hawk quarterback Collin Alvesteffer being tackled by a Panther during last fall’s win over Comstock Park.

West Michigan Sports Commission launches High School Football kickoff event 

The West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) has partnered with Grand Valley State University and the OK Conference in the promotion of a newly created high school football showcase, the GRidiron Classic.

The event will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at Lubbers Stadium on the main campus of GVSU. The GRidiron Classic will include three highly competitive high school games beginning at 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm, and 7:00 pm respectively. Each purchased ticket entitles the bearer to attend all three scheduled games. Pre-sale tickets will be available at each host school (listed below) beginning in May, at a cost of $8 Adults / $6 Students. Tickets purchased on the day of the event will be sold for $10 Adults / $8 Students.

Games are Saturday, August 29, 2015 Lubbers Stadium – GVSU

1:00 p.m. Hamtramck vs. NorthPointe Christian (host)

4:00 p.m. Comstock Park vs. Cedar Springs (host)

7:00 p.m. Oak Park vs. Zeeland West (host)

“West Michigan prides itself in our high school football and this event will highlight the start of the season with some great matchups at a superb facility,” stated Mike Guswiler, President of the WMSC.

“Our hope moving forward is to partner with the Detroit Sports Commission, which has hosted a Prep Kickoff Classic for over 10 years at Wayne State University, to make this an annual event, pairing the top football teams from East Michigan against the top teams from West Michigan,” added Guswiler.

More details are being developed including sponsorship opportunities and other activities surrounding the games.

Follow them on Twitter at @WMSCKickoff, and like their Facebook page: GRidiron Classic.