Week 5 Top 10 Teams in the OK Conferences

A giant fell last week, but several more have step forward to lead the OK Conferences. Undoubtably the game of the week is East Grand Rapids at Grand Rapids Christian. Most of these top ten teams can thank their massive running backs for plowing through opponents for four weeks. I want to see them keep up that physicality in week five. Check how the rankings have changed each week. Week 4, Week 3, Week 2, and Week 1.

1. Lowell (4-0): They’ve only allowed seven points all year, which came in the first quarter of their first game. That’s 15 scoreless quarters, and a home game against Creston should make that 19 quarters. Gabe Dean continues to put up ridiculous numbers. He had three more rushing TDs and two TD passes to Matt Houston.

2. East Grand Rapids (4-0): The Pioneers made it 23 consecutive victories last week against Union. It was 48-0 at half time. David Drummound continues to impress with three touchdown runs against Union. They face their first serious test this week against Christian. Andre Davis will surely test Trent Voss’ defense.

3. West Ottawa (4-0): I have West Ottawa right above Muskegon simply because of the Panther’s outstanding linebacker corps. I really want to see how they respond to Ka’Vonte Keyes on October 15. I expect the Panthers to raddle the Big Red’s pistol offense.

4. Muskegon (3-1): Talent and equal distribution makes Muskegon a dangerous opponent. The Big Reds don’t rely so heavily on one player, and that’s why they’ve rebounded since week one. The offense does rely on Ka’Vonte Keyes who had three touchdowns against Hudsonville, but the Big Reds rushed 40 times for 319 yards with four different players with more than 50 yards.

5. Zeeland East (4-0): The Chix best compare to the West Ottawa Panthers. Strong defense and a big, physical rusher. Brad Horling’s tree trunk legs make him virtually impossible to take down. He made things look easy against Zeeland West and led the team in tackles with 12. Oh how I wish for an exhibition game between West Ottawa and Zeeland East.

6. Grand Rapids Christian (4-0): Through the air or by land, the Eagles get the job done. What most of these top teams do well is keep their offense balanced. You can’t put seven guys in the box to stop their big running backs or you risk strong armed quarterbacks heaving long touchdown passes. At 245 265 pounds, Andre Davis might be the biggest back in the league.

7. Grand Haven (3-1): Adam Poel continues to improve in his senior year by adding a rushing dimension to compliment his strong arm. Dalton Stenberg finished with 132 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries against Rockford. That’s no small feat.

8. Rockford (3-1): When your put on the pedestal since week one like Rockford it truly is easy to not live up to the hype. Think the Madden curse (you make the cover of the popular game then your stats plummet). It’s just testament to how good the OK Red is in 2010. Quarterback Mark LaPraire finished 15-of-24 for 252 yards and two touchdowns against Grand Haven, and even that wasn’t enough. A week five win over West Ottawa would do wonders.

9. Middleville (4-0): What a way to celebrate a birthday. Coley McKeough came up big last week in every dimension. He ran for three touchdowns, passed another, made the game changing interception… heck he held the ball for Nate Iveson’s game winning field goal!  The Trojans need to capitalize on its senior loaded class.

10. Catholic Central (3-1): They hang onto the top 10 by just a thread. Mistakes hurt them last week but Miles Morrissey and John Haley have a good thing going. Finding a way to stop Alex Randall on Friday is a huge task, but I think they can put something together at home.

Bubble teams: Hastings, Hudsonville Unity Christian, Greenville, Zeeland West