August 24, 2010
We’ve finally reached the last conference on our preview list. And my-oh-my is it a mighty one. The fight for the conference championship should be a mighty one. Half of the conference qualified for the playoffs in 2009, and it looks like we could see a similar story line this year.
ROCKFORD PREVIEW (11-1): Rockford enters 2010 as the longest running playoff team in all of the OK Conferences. Led by head coach Ralph Munger, the Rams go for their 16th consecutive playoff appearance and fourth state championship. A powerful senior offensive line (left tackle Parker Ehinger, guards T.J. Jacobs, center Thomas Bonney, and right guard Tyler Webb) should easily make room for returning running backs Nick Smythe and Zach Schmuck.
The 6’7” 260 lbs. Ehinger committed to the University of Cincinnati earlier this year becoming the third D1 signing from the 2009 team.
On defense, the Rams are led by all-state middle linebacker Brett Egnatuk (6’1” 210 lbs.). Egnatuk recorded 113 tackles last year before breaking his leg against East Kentwood in the first round of the playoffs. The healthy and bigger linebacker should sledgehammer teams again this year along with senior linebackers Tyler Pratt and Colin Remtema. Zach Nelson and Adam Kroll return on the defensive line.
Side note, ESPN ranked Rockford #35 in the nation on its Powerade Fab 50 rankings.
GRAND HAVEN PREVIEW (9-2): The ‘Bucs plan to make winning a habit in Grand Haven. Senior quarterback Adam Poel leads the charge on offense with an array of weapons to choose from. Senior Dalton Stenberg (6’2” 215 lbs.), senior Trent Hitsman (5’8” 170 lbs.), and junior Dakota Smith (5’8” 170 lbs.) will all see time at runningback.
“Dalton has incredible vision and makes great cuts,” said Poel. “Dakota and Trent are both shifty runners.”
Poel also has a big, fast receiver in senior Alec Smith (6’3” 210 lbs.). Smith should be able to separate from defensive backs with his size and speed. A young line led by Josh Geldersma (6’2” 240) and sophomore center Matt Mulcahy hopes to give Poel plenty of time to put the ‘Bucs deep into the playoffs.
“Matt’s a little pit bull. He held his own against our all-state defensive tackle [Jordan Goetz].”
Goetz will be missed on the defensive front but with eight returners, Grand Haven hopes to not miss a beat from last year. Seniors Everett Ingalls, Jerry Westerman, and Stenberg all return at linebacker with Tyler Rose, Nick Whalen, and Quintin VanDoorne plugging the defensive line. Erik Johnson and Alec Smith also give the ‘Bucs good coverage in the secondary.
MUSKEGON PREVIEW (7-4): First-year head coach Shane Fairfield is excited about continuing the winning tradition for the Big Reds. But practice scrimmages only say so much; he wants to see what they do on the field.
“They need to earn respect the right way,” said Fairfield. “They need to know the competitiveness of this conference.”
There’s no lack of competiveness in junior running back Juwan Lewis. During Oklahoma drills, Lewis collided so hard that it required stitches for the other player.
Senior Ka’Vonte Keyes returns at quarterback with Lewis and senior wide receiver TJ Michaels and senior fullback Mike Thomas as potential options. He’ll also have a healthy Justin Means who’s been on watch-lists since his freshmen year. Newcomer Darren Briggs also opens up Muskegons options with his blazing speed. They’ll also have another running back in Clayton Turner, a transfer from Reeths-Puffer.
Keyes has a young line in front of him, but a trimmer senior left tackle in Najee Brown-Duren can protect his backside.
“Our offensive line, their small but strong,” said Keyes. “They give you a good punch.”
Defensively, the Big Reds are set with their front seven with Brown-Duren and Damon Knox causing a lot of pressure at defensive end.
Competition continues in the secondary where Keyes and Deon Bailey have both impressed coach Fairfield.
EAST KENTWOOD PREVIEW (5-5): Second-year head coach Greg Hudkins is without most of his Falcons team who made the playoffs for the first time in five years. They gave Rockford a run for their money twice last year with a 13-14 loss late in the season and a 20-30 nail-biter in the first round. But without quarterback Jon Henry, fullback Jamaal Thomas, and running back Deonte Hurst, coach Hudkins has a lot of rebuilding to do.
First, he’ll have to pick between a trio of quarterbacks. He can go with sophomore scrambler Alex Browley, or pick between conventional junior quarterbacks Jason Dickey and Aaron Hunt. Either way, seniors Christian Craft (6’2” 210 lbs.) and Blake Price (6’ 190 lbs.) are possession receivers ready to do their job.
On defense, have linebackers JonDale Freeman and Chris James and defensive end Justin Wheeler returning to lead their young defense.
“Our D-line, they’re some dogs,” said James. “They get in there and get the job done.” “We just have to make sure we execute and make good breaks on the ball and finish.”
HUDSONVILLE PREVIEW (4-5): A coaching switcheroo for the Eagles hopes to fly them back to the playoffs behind junior running back Cameron VanOoyen. VanOoyen came on strong last year, especially against Rockford where he rushed for 3 touchdowns. He’ll face another very strong team in week 2: defending division 1 state champion Detroit Catholic Central. That’ll be a fun game. quarterback Shane Trevino returners along with junior tight-end Hunter Prince, senior center Stephan Opaski, and senior tackle Brennen Verhage.
GRANDVILLE PREVIEW (4-5): The Bulldogs will have to gnaw their way through the OK-Red without quarterback Jake Blauwkamp who tore an ACL over the spring. Senior Currey Thomas steps in at quarterback behind a new offensive line and play catch with speedy senior wide receiver Austin Reminga.
“Currey’s a very good baseball player and doesn’t force any throws,” said Blauwkamp.
Another weapon has emerged in sophomore running back Courtney Meyers (6’ 190 lbs.).
“He’s a big boy,” said senior linebacker Clark Vredevoogd. “Powerful runner with some speed. I look to him for the future. He can only get stronger and faster.”
“During the scrimmage, two or three guys hit [Meyers] and he just shook them off.”
On defense, Grandville returns most of its linebacker in Vredevoogd, senior Jared Dinkel, and senior Mike Seitz. The ‘Dogs go from a 3-5 to a 4-4 to accommodate it’s stronger, larger defensive line led by senior defensive tackle Mike Cross.
“Once they get going, it’s hard to stop them.”
WEST OTTAWA PREVIEW (4-5): Senior Desmond Morgan moves from fullback to quarterback in the revamped Panther offense. Senior running back Zac Boersma returns to lead the rushing attack behind a line led by junior guards Connor Schilling and Dan Vorpagel. Tight end Garrett Daniels moves to center to give the Panthers a more athletic front.
“[Desmond] has impressed everybody. He just understands the offense very well and gets guys in the right spot,” said Boersma.
The Panthers have a lot of guys playing both ways again this year with Morgan, Daniel, and Boersma all back at linebacker, but with a larger roster this year, they’ll have much needed depth.
“We’re really looking forward to the Holland Christian game. They’re a very good team every year but now we can finally settle who’s better [in Holland.]”
JENISON PREVIEW (2-7): A senior-heavy Wildcat’s team looks to bring Jenison back to the playoffs for the first time in seven years. They hope to run over a few opponents with the now-healthy senior fullback Tyler Hoezee (6’ 190 lbs.) and senior running back Ian Hamilton (6’ 190 lbs.). A decision hasn’t been made at quarterback between the speedy senior Zech Keen and thrower Jordan VanDyk. Senior right tackle David Carlisle (6’4” 295 lbs.) and senior left guard Matt VanOpstall (6’5 220 lbs.) both return to protect whoever’s calling the plays. Senior Caleb Knol (6’3” 240 lbs.) looks to take over at center.
Defensively, the Wildcats are pretty balanced but there’s a lot of competition to fill the void at linebacker. Trevor Dunham does not return but sophomore Logan Johnson (5’9” 185 lbs.) hopes to fill that void.
“He’s strong for his age and as a football player in general,” said senior tight-end and wide receiver Gus Penning (6’5” 220 lbs.). Penning also returns at outside linebacker along with senior defensive back Kenny Marr (5’8” 175 lbs.).
“We’re bringing a lot back. It’s just preparing mentally. All the teams in the conference can win or lose.”
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