KALAMAZOO, MI - The crowd is a little louder, the hits are a little harder and the Friday night lights shine a little brighter when the high school football playoffs are on the line.
The added pressure can be too much for some players to handle, but others thrive when the stakes are high, and there were plenty of Kalamazoo-area athletes that had big games in Week 6.
Follow along as we look at some of the Kalamazoo-area’s top performers from Friday, based on box scores submitted by prep coaches from around the region.
At the end of the story, place your vote for which player you find deserving of the Kalamazoo Gazette Player of the Week.
Readers have unlimited voting until 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11.
Otsego sophomore Ashton Atwater (22) rushes up the field during Otsego's home game against Edwardsburg at Bulldog Stadium in Otsego, Michigan on Friday, September 6, 2019.Emil Lippe | MLive.com
Ashton Atwater, Otsego
The sophomore running back carried 28 times for 97 yards and two touchdowns, including a 1-yard plunge to pay dirt that gave Otsego a 20-13 lead over Dowagiac in the fourth quarter and helped the Bulldogs defeat the Chieftains 27-26 in overtime. Defensively, Atwater had a interception and made three tackles for Otsego, which improved to 4-2 for the first time since 2013.
Constantine's Brayden Clark (4) makes a catch over Schoolcraft's Dawson Shearer (12) in the final seconds of the fourth quarter at Sweetland Stadium in Constantine, Michigan on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019. Schoolcraft defeated their rivals Constantine 27-24.Joel Bissell | MLive.com
Brayden Clark, Constantine
The freshman running back had a big game at a big moment for Constantine, tallying 75 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries, while adding two catches for 73 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' 27-24 loss to Schoolcraft.
Clark's first touchdown run covered 27 yards and gave Constantine a 6-0 lead, and he scored twice in the second quarter -- first on a 12-yard run and again on a 32-yard catch -- to cut his team's deficit to 20-18 heading into halftime.
Schoolcraft's Kobe Clark (10) attempts to avoid the tackle of Constantine's Wyatt Alwine (11) during the fourth quarter at Sweetland Stadium in Constantine, Michigan on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019. Schoolcraft defeated their rivals Constantine 27-24.Joel Bissell | MLive.com
Kobe Clark, Schoolcraft
After gaining just five yards on seven carries in the first half, the senior running back put Schoolcraft's offense on his shoulders in the second half and finished the game with 89 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries in the 27-24 win over Constantine.
Clark also made four tackles and snagged an interception on defense to help the 6-0 Eagles clinch their 11th consecutive playoff berth.
Mendon junior Jackson Crotser poses for a portrait during the MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette High School Football Media Day 2 at the Kalamazoo Gazette in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. Emil Lippe | MLive.com
Jackson Crotser, Mendon
The junior running back had another big game for the 5-1 Hornets, this time rushing for 139 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries in Friday's 35-14 win over Hartford. Crotser's first score covered 23 yards and gave Mendon a 14-0 lead, and his second trip to the end zone went 15 yards with 4:39 left in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
Defensively, Crotser made 11 tackles, including two behind the line of scrimmage as part of a unit that allowed just 233 total yards.
Michael Csom, Mattawan
The junior running back had a breakout game in Friday's 49-0 win over Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, carrying 12 times for 152 yards and a touchdown to help the Wildcats move to 2-4 on the season.
Paw Paw senior Logan Cummins poses for a portrait during the MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette High School Football Media Day 2 at the Kalamazoo Gazette in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. Emil Lippe | MLive.com
Logan Cummins, Paw Paw
The senior receiver caught three passes for 60 yards and two touchdowns in Paw Paw's 49-8 win, including a 29-yard scoring catch to make it a 28-0 game early in the second quarter. Defensively, Cummins made two tackles and grabbed an interception to help his team move to 6-0.
Martin senior Cayden Curry poses for a portrait during the MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette High School Football Media Day 2 at the Kalamazoo Gazette in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. Emil Lippe | MLive.com
Cayden Curry, Martin
The senior running back led Martin to its sixth consecutive win and its second straight trip to the playoffs by carrying 25 times for 251 yards and drive touchdowns in the 50-16 victory over previously undefeated Bridgman.
Although the undefeated Clippers were left off last week's Associated Press 8-player poll, Friday's win over a talented Bridgman team should put Martin on the upcoming set of state rankings and it certainly establishes the team as a state championship contender.
Parker Ellifritz, Three Rivers
The senior running back carried 20 times for 128 yards and two touchdowns, while adding two catches for 42 yards in Three Rivers' 28-6 win over South Haven. Ellifritz's first trip to the end zone covered 5 yards and gave Three Rivers a 7-0 lead, while his second touchdown went for 4 yards and capped the Wildcats' scoring.
Connor Gibson, Climax-Scotts
The senior running back was a big-play machine for Climax-Scotts, which bounced back from last week's loss to Colon with a 78-6 win over Tekonsha on Friday. Gibson carried seven times for 172 yards and three touchdowns, one of which covered 78 yards and another that went 52.
Gibson now has 759 yards and nine touchdowns this season for the 5-1 Panthers.
Three Rivers senior Devon Gidley poses for a portrait during the MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette High School Football Media Day 2 at the Kalamazoo Gazette in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. Emil Lippe | MLive.com
Devon Gidley, Three Rivers
The senior quarterback completed 10 of 14 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns, including a 35-yard scoring strike to Scott Schrader that gave Three Rivers a 14-6 lead over South Haven in the second quarter. The Wildcats would go on to defeat the Rams 28-6 to move to 2-4 on the season.
Mattawan senior Noah Janssen (6) poses for a portrait during the MLive Kalamazoo Gazette high school football media in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. Joel Bissell | MLive.com
Noah Janssen, Mattawan
A week after burning Portage Northern for two kickoff return touchdowns, the senior wideout had another big game, this time catching three passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns in a 49-0 win over Kalamazoo Loy Norrix.
Mattawan senior Jalen Jones (4) warms up before the start of Portage Northern's home game against the Mattawan Wildcats at Portage Northern High School in Portage, Michigan on Friday, September 27, 2019.Emil Lippe | MLive.com
Jalen Jones, Mattawan
The senior quarterback had a memorable game in a 49-0 win over Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, completing 9 of 11 passes for 204 yards and five touchdowns, including a 42-yard strike to Noah Janssen to make it a 49-point game in the third quarter.
Schoolcraft's Parker Lawrence (8) catches a wide open pass before scoring a first quarter touchdown against Constantine Falcons at Sweetland Stadium in Constantine, Michigan on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019.Joel Bissell | MLive.com
Parker Lawrence, Schoolcraft
The senior receiver caught three passes for 89 yards, including a 45-yard first-quarter touchdown, in Schoolcraft's 27-24 win over rival Constantine.
Lawton senior Harrison Maynard poses for a portrait during the MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette High School Football Media Day 2 at the Kalamazoo Gazette in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. Emil Lippe | MLive.com
Harrison Maynard, Lawton
Maynard continued his strong senior season by carrying 15 times for 138 yards and a touchdown to go with two catches for 52 yards and another score in Lawton's 41-9 win over Gobles. Defensively, the linebacker tallied eight tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage to help hold Gobles to 197 yards of offense and move Lawton to 6-0 for the first time since 2013.
Mattawan senior Drew McNulty (3) poses for a portrait during the MLive Kalamazoo Gazette high school football media in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. Joel Bissell | MLive.com
Drew McNulty, Mattawan
In Friday's 49-0 win over Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, the senior wide receiver caught three passes for 93 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown catch that gave Mattawan a 7-0 first quarter lead.
Lawton senior Dustin Noble poses for a portrait during the MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette High School Football Media Day 2 at the Kalamazoo Gazette in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. Emil Lippe | MLive.com
Dustin Noble, Lawton
The senior quarterback completed 11 of 15 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns, while adding nine carries for 46 yards and two scores in Lawton's 41-9 win over Gobles. Defensively, Noble registered three tackles, including a sack, to help Lawton improve to 6-0 and clinch a playoff berth.
Mendon senior Austin Rensi poses for a portrait during the MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette High School Football Media Day 2 at the Kalamazoo Gazette in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. Emil Lippe | MLive.com
Austin Rensi, Mendon
The powerful senior running back was a touchdown machine for Mendon in its 35-14 win over Hartford, scoring on runs of 1, 9 and 5 yards to help the Hornets avenge last year's overtime loss to the Indians. Rensi finished with 105 yards on 14 carries and added nine tackles on defense.
Three Rivers senior Scott Schrader poses for a portrait during the MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette High School Football Media Day 2 at the Kalamazoo Gazette in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. Emil Lippe | MLive.com
Scott Schrader, Three Rivers
The senior wideout caught five passes for 81 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown, in Three Rivers' 28-6 win over South Haven. Defensively, Schrader helped the Wildcats hold the Rams to 217 yards of total offense by making two tackles and intercepting a pass.
Hartford junior Aaron Sinclair (5) poses for a portrait during the MLive Kalamazoo Gazette high school football media in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. Joel Bissell | MLive.com
Aaron Sinclair, Hartford
The junior speedster was the only Hartford player to find much space against a tough Mendon defense, finishing with 122 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries in the 35-14 loss. Sinclair also caught three passes for 38 yards, giving him 160 of Hartford's 233 total yards.
SchoolcraftÕs Alex Thole (4) attempts a pass against the Constantine Falcons during the third quarter at Sweetland Stadium in Constantine, Michigan on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019. Schoolcraft defeated their rivals Constantine 27-24.Joel Bissell | MLive.com
Alex Thole, Schoolcraft
The junior quarterback completed 16 of 20 passes for 187 yards and three touchdowns, all of which came in the first quarter to help Schoolcraft jump out to a 20-6 lead over the Constantine. Thole also added six carries for 31 yards in the 27-24 victory.
Derek Ward, Otsego
The senior receiver caught three passes for 97 yards Friday against Dowagiac, and none were bigger than his 10-yard touchdown grab that tied the game at 26 in overtime and allowed Jack Waters to kick the game-winning extra point.
Otsego senior Owen Watson (4) looks for an open receiver during Otsego's home game against Edwardsburg at Bulldog Stadium in Otsego, Michigan on Friday, September 6, 2019.Emil Lippe | MLive.com
Owen Watson, Otsego
The senior quarterback didn’t have the most efficient day through the air, completing 6 of 13 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown, but he stepped up when it mattered most by throwing a 10-yard scoring strike to Derek Ward in overtime to give Otsego a 27-26 win over Dowagiac. Watson also ran for a 4-yard touchdown to give the Bulldogs a 12-7 first quarter lead, and he led the team with 12 tackles, including one for loss.