Spring Lake set for big opener, focused on nine weeks of grinding

*This story also appeared in the LSJ’s 2026 high school football preview. Click here for the PDF version. By Tom Kendra LocalSportsJournal.com The buzz around the Tri-Cities right now is Spring Lake opening the season at Grand Haven – the first time the two rivals have met on the football field since 1989. But one person trying to keep things in perspective is fifth-year Spring Lake head coach Cody Mallory. “I outlawed our players from talking about that game,” said Mallory about the matchup of the Lakers (Division 4) and the Buccaneers (Division 1). “Our preseason camp and the work…