August 24, 2010
If you can think of another football conference with two state champions in it, please let me know. Since 20o0, East Grand Rapids and Lowell have gone a ridiculous 115-13 and 110-14 with nine state championships between them in just ten years.
EAST GRAND RAPIDS PREVIEW (14-0): That winning tradition continues at East Grand Rapids where the Pioneers chase their fifth state championship in as many years. They’ll chase history with senior starting quarterback Ryan Elble and senior inside linebacker Trent Voss (a Toledo commit). Elble threw for 1,629 yards and 15 TDs in his junior season, but knows a state championship isn’t a walk in the park.
“We have to put in the work and have good attendance in the offseason like we’ve had,” said Elble. “You can’t say, ‘Because of last year’ that we’ll win anything. It’s not the same skill set.” “We’re working hard.”
There’s no lack of skill though at East. Junior running back David Drummond returns as an outside threat along with senior wide receivers Deon Jobe and junior wide receiver DeAndre Grady. The two speedy 6’1” receivers should open the playbook even more. Senior kicker Bobby Aardema also returns with an even stronger leg.
There’s also no lack of size to protect Elble. Senior right tackle Joe Monticello (5’11 250 lbs.) and junior left tackle Luke Elias (6’2” 230 lbs.) take on the outside rush while senior center Zach Wiener (6’ 240 lbs.) anchors the middle.
“[Zach’s] a smart guy and a the leader on the line.”
Re-joining Trent Voss on defense is three-year starter nose guard Reid Trierweiler along with hard-hitting safety DeAndre Grady and speedy inside linebacker Aziz Ellis.
“Trent goes hard all the time. He shows guy how hard you have to play.”
LOWELL PREVIEW(13-1): Just 15 miles east on M-21, junior quarterback Gabe Dean and the Red Arrows are gearing up for another state championship and a visit by the Pioneers on October 8th.
“We believe in what Coach Dean puts in front of us,” said senior wide receiver and defensive back Matt Houston. “Our preparation is second to none.”
Dean and Houston return on offense along with senior right tackle Nick Crook (6’1” 190 lbs.). With the powerful lower body he displayed in the state championship, Dean should lead the running game like he did in the state championship (177 yards, 2 touchdowns) AND against Muskegon (165 yards, 3 touchdowns). Joining him is junior running back Josh Addington who’s shown in practice he can get low and run through defenders.
The exceptionally fast and instinctive Sam Young (5’11” 205 lbs.) returns at linebacker with an experienced set of defensive backs behind him. Houston is joined by senior defensive back Jake Meyer and junior safety Renn Osborne. Senior Jone Destine entrenches himself at defensive end.
We’re very physical and enjoy hitting.” “We had a pretty talented JV team and with some changes on defense, the guys fit the mold perfectly.”
NORTHVIEW PREVIEW (5-4): Had they not been in the same conference as two state champions, Northview would’ve made the playoffs last year. But they’re not spiteful, the ‘Cats are just even hungrier.
“After last season, we sat down and said we’re all sick of losing to East and Lowell,” said returning senior right tackle Lance VanMeeteren. “We know we had to outwork those teams, and we’ve come together very well.”
VanMeeteren noted the depth of the team is a lot stronger and more ready. Senior Zach Baker steps in at quarterback and the Wildcats shouldn’t miss a beat at wide receiver with juniors Ryan Ruschmann (6’3” 190 lbs.) and Kevin Rich (6’3” 200 lbs.) stepping in. Rich stars on the basketball team.
“He has huge hand, and he’s fast. He hasn’t dropped a pass yet,” VanMeeteren said.
On defense, Northview returns most of their defensive line around senior defensive tackle David Green (5’10” 255 lbs.) and a number of experienced players around linebacker Ben Greene. [Coincidentally, Green and Greene are both captains.]
“We have a 10-minute competition every day,” said head coach Rob Zeitman. “And this is the highest intensity I’ve seen in my four year.”
The ‘Cats have a chance to build on their 5-4 season last year, but will have to face East Grand Rapids and Lowell in the final two weeks of the season.
“We compete in power lifting, and outside linebacker Joel Westly was the champion. We’ve made big gains with strength and not just raw strength. This is year four of our weight program, and it shows.”
“We want to measure up to [East Grand Rapids and Lowell] and be that third team. We have a lot of respect for those programs.”
GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN PREVIEW (4-5): Another team looking to join the upper echelon of team getting a new mold this year is Grand Rapids Christian under first-year head coach Don Fellows. Coach Fellows joins the Eagles after leading the College of the Canyons to the Saddleback-Western State Bowl as offensive coordinator.
“Coach has really turned up our motivation,” said senior wide receiver and cornerback Nate Thompson. “Everybody’s giving him everything they have. He just tells us to buy in, and I finally understand what he’s trying to do.”
Under his direction, several key players have come into their own, notably senior wide receiver Willie Sawyer and running back Andre Davis (5’10” 240 lbs.). Quarterback Matt Grasmeyer who threw for over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns, has also seen improvements, but will need a line to give him time.
Sophomore offensive and defensive tackle Alex Korhorn (6’1” 230 lb.) will be part of the Eagle’s rebuilt lines. Jake Hall, another sophomore, should be a staple down the road at middle linebacker as well.
GREENVILLE PREVIEW (5-4): Greenville won’t have size like Creston, but will rely on the experience of seven returning two-way starters.
“We play in the toughest conference in the state,” said head coach Dave Moore. “We’re a little bigger this year…and pretty fast. We need to use those attributes.”
Senior Justin Zimmer, the Polar Bears leading tackler, returns at linebacker alongside seniors Garrett Veihl, Zach Burris, and Jake Knapp.
At defensive line, the Yellow Jackets have seniors Joel Maddux (6’ 230 lbs.) and Andrew Sherrick (6’ 210 lbs.) rushing from the sides.
Veihl also returns at fullback with junior Chris Mickey taking turns at running back.
“Chris has quick feet and he’s a pretty tall kid,” said Veihl. “Speed and our offensive line will be key for us. We had a lot of conditioning this summer, and we’re looking good.”
Greenville’s offensive line is young this year with two juniors and a sophomore left tackle.
“They work hard. Good workers. It makes it a lot of fun to coach.”
CRESTON PREVIEW (1-8): Creston hopes not to repeat the challenges it faced in the second half of last season after it’s roster dropped to half strength.
“We had some problems last year, but now we have guys in the weight room constantly,” said guard Lawrence Stubbs. “Last year, we didn’t have the linemen we needed, but we say that this offseason so now we have guys coming in.”
Standing next to Stubbs on the offensive line is senior RT Shawn Richardson (6’4” 220 lbs.) who will try to protect senior FB Justin Luckett (5’6” 200 lbs.)
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