Kalamazoo Football Rivals to Clash on Friday
Top-ranked offensive tackles Dewey Young and Jakari Lipsey face off in their final high school rivalry game on October 23.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Kalamazoo Central hosts Loy Norrix for a high school football game this Friday, October 23. This match marks the final time high school standouts Dewey Young and Jakari Lipsey will compete against each other before heading to college.
Why it matters
This rivalry game highlights the progression of two nationally ranked offensive prospects who have become key figures in the local sports scene. Both players represent the high level of talent emerging from Kalamazoo high school football programs as they prepare for collegiate careers.
Dewey Young is a 6-foot-5, 312-pound offensive tackle who recorded 40 pancake blocks last season, while Jakari Lipsey stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 290 pounds. Lipsey is currently ranked No. 12 nationally as an offensive tackle.
The players
Dewey Young
He is an offensive tackle at Kalamazoo Central High School who has committed to play at the University of Colorado.
Jakari Lipsey
He is an offensive tackle at Loy Norrix High School who is committed to the University of Michigan.
The details
Ahead of their final face-off, Young and Lipsey met at Milwood Middle School to conduct a joint interview. Young, who has committed to the University of Colorado, will face off against Lipsey, who has committed to the University of Michigan and holds an invitation to the 2027 Navy All-American Bowl.
Timeline
October 20, 2026: Young and Lipsey met at Milwood Middle School.
October 23, 2026: Kalamazoo Central hosts Loy Norrix for the rivalry game.
January 9, 2027: Jakari Lipsey plays in the Navy All-American Bowl.
Culture Shift
The prominence of this local rivalry reflects the growing national recruitment of high school athletes from Michigan. High school football in the region increasingly mirrors collegiate and professional scouting pipelines through prestige events like the Navy All-American Bowl.
Residents and fans attending the game on Friday can expect high-intensity play from two of the state's most sought-after college prospects. The event at Kalamazoo Central High School provides a final opportunity for the local community to watch these athletes compete before they move on to their respective universities.
The takeaway
This game illustrates how local high school sports can serve as a primary platform for future collegiate success. Following these athletes allows local observers to track the trajectory of talent as it moves from the community level to major university programs.
Further reading
Find more updates on regional student athletics in the Secondary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mlive.
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Should high school athletes focus more on local rivalries or their upcoming collegiate football careers?
