By DOUG DONNELLY

OTTAWA LAKE – Whiteford will play its final home game of the regular season Friday when the Bobcats host Reading.

Whiteford is 6-0 and Reading is 1-5. It’s the third time these two teams have met, but first time in the regular season.

To say the Division 8 state championship has gone through Whiteford and Reading over the last six years would be accurate.

Whiteford (2017, 2022) and Reading (2018, 2019) have won four of the past six Division 8 State Championships.

The other state champions were Centreville (2020) and Hudson (2021).

Reading beat Whiteford in the 2018 district finals on the way to its first state title. Centreville beat Reading in the 2020 district finals on its way to Ford Field. And Hudson beat Whiteford in the 2021 state semifinals before winning the state championship.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Friday, which is Whiteford’s Homecoming.

Reading is 1-5 and facing its first losing season since 2016. Hall of Fame Head coach Rick Bailey is in his 36th year as the Rangers head coach, amassing a 243-120 record, including the two state championships.

Whiteford has won 20 straight games and is No. 1 ranked in this week’s Division 8 Associated Press poll that was released Monday:

DIVISION 8

1. Ottawa Lake Whiteford (4) (6-0) 49
2. Ithaca (1) (6-0) 40
3. Beal City (6-0) 29
   (tie) Hudson (6-0) 29
4. Ubly (6-0) 23
5. Fowler (5-1) 21
6. Addison (6-0) 20
   (tie) Iron Mountain (6-0) 20
7. Saugatuck (6-0) 12
8. White Pigeon (6-0) 11
   Others receiving votes: Frankfort 9. Harbor Beach 5. Clarkston Everest Catholic 4. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian 2. East Jordan 1.