This season, the East Grand Rapids football team has the same goal it always has: a state championship.

Through the first two weeks of the season, the Pioneers are 1-1, with a 36-27 loss to Zeeland East, and a 27-21 win over Forest Hills Northern.

“Our season has been up and down so far,” Ben Biermacher ‘19 said. “We had a tough week one when we got tired in the fourth quarter, but we came back last week and beat Northern in a really good football game.”

On Friday, Sep. 7, EGR will face Muskegon. Many are counting the Pioneers out of this game already, but the boys feel like they are ready to play and that they have a good chance of winning.

“This week, we are looking to shock the beast that is Muskegon High School,” Biermacher said. “they have a really good football team, but they don’t think they can lose. We’re going to beat them.”

This week and throughout the rest of the season, the Pioneers’ are trying not to overthink things. They are simply continuing to work hard in practice to win football games.

“We are just taking it one game at a time, one week at a time,” Will Marsh ‘19 said. “We’re trying to grind and get to conference and see what happens in late October.”

There is still a long season ahead of them, but come October, the Pioneers will hope to be in a good position to continue their season into the playoffs. Until then, the boys will be working their hardest to play their best on the field.

“I just want to play as best as I can, and not have any regrets after games,” Biermacher said. “I’m going to leave it all on the field and see what that warrants.”

The Pioneers play at home against Muskegon on Sep. 7, and Forest Hills Eastern on Sep. 14. Make sure to come cheer on the boys in the blue and gold!