Read the full story with The Grand Rapids Press: “Ally Bremer helps lead East Grand Rapids…”

1. Rockford (2-0): The Rams avenged their lost to Holt in the Division 1 regional finals last year on a last-second field goal by junior Steve Mette. Little things like having a reliable kicker go unnoticed a lot in high school football. There’s little chance of the Rams falling down the rankings until October 1^st when Muskegon rolls into town. Linebacker Brett Egnatuck continues to lead the Rams defense with 14 tackles last week.

2. Lowell (2-0):  Lowell plays leap frog with East Grand Rapids, but don’t read much into it. Looking at the numbers, quarterback Gabe Dean couldn’t be any more balanced. The junior QB is 23-for-33 passing for 286 yards and three TDs and has rushed for 290 yards and two TDs on 30 carries. The Red Arrow’s defense has looked stellar so far.

3. East Grand Rapids (2-0): Make that 21 consecutive victories. Like I said, take the Lowell and East swap with a grain of salt. Coach Pete Stuursma does a great job of spreading playing time so that players get the experience they need. They’re in no danger of losing a game until they visit Lowell.

4. Muskegon (1-1): 1^st year head coach Shane Fairfield picked up his first win in convincing fashion last week with a 59-6 stomping of Ottawa Hills last week. Everything seemed to click for the Big Reds. Defensively, Muskegon had no problem containing dual threat quarterback Jalen Couch and fighting off the Bengal’s large offensive line.  Offensively, everything worked beautifully. Quarterback Kevonte Keyes only had passed twice and connected on both attempts while still rushing for 101 yards.

5. Grand Haven (2-0): The ‘Bucs pillaged all of Traverse City the last two weeks and now it’s time for Dalton Stenberg to unleash his bruising body against the OK-Red. Stenberg already has five rushing touchdowns and another blocked punt for a score. Friday night at West Ottawa is just the test the ‘Bucs need to judge their chances against Muskegon and Rockford.

6. Grand Rapids Christian (2-0): No team in the OK Conferences has scored more points than the Eagles (110) in their first two games. New head coach Don Fellows kept his fairly balanced in both games. Big, bruising fullback Andre Davis already has six touchdowns to his name while quarterback Matt Grasmeyer has passed for six scores.

7. Zeeland East (2-0): The new-look Chix are overpowering teams early with their size and speed. Quarterback T.J. VanDyken looked excellent in week one going 10-for-10 with 99 yards while running back Brad Horling continues to impress with his lower body strength and five scores this season.

8. Kenowa Hills (2-0): The Knights have scored at least a touchdown in the last seven quarters of play, and have not missed an extra point yet. Running backs Kitwana Clark and Tito Wingfield have split the season evenly on the ground. If they can get by Lowell this Friday and Grand Rapids Christian next Friday, the Knights are in the clear.

9. West Ottawa (2-0): Things don’t get any easier for the Panthers, thou. With three top-ten teams on their plate in the coming weeks, West Ottawa has a lot to prove. Yes, they pummeled Jackson and Holland Christian 99-9, but both teams didn’t bring much of an aerial threat. Their linebacker corps led by Desmond Morgan and Garrett Daniel has played stellar while running back Zac Boersema continues to shift up the field efficiently.

10. Byron Center (2-0): The ‘Dogs have a very good chance at repeating as conference champs, but only if they get passed both Zeeland West and Zeeland East. Mark October 22^nd on your calendar: Zeeland East at Byron Center. That should determine who wins the conference.

Bubble teams: Catholic Central, Zeeland West, Hudsonville, and Ottawa Hills

Week 2 Top 10 Teams

Week 1 Top 10 Teams

• Hastings 45, Hillsdale 14
• Muskegon Catholic Central 19, Hopkins 18
• Unity Christian 24, Belding 7
• Jenison 28, Caledonia 20
• Lowell 42, Forest Hills Central 0
• Grand Haven 41, Traverse City Central 14
• Zeeland West 51, Wayland 12
• Comstock Park 58, Rogers 14
• Zeeland East 69, Godwin Heights
• East Grand Rapids 44, Mona Shores 23
• Inkster 35, East Kentwood 3
• Detroit Catholic Central 42, Hudsonville 13
• Fruitport 25, Newaygo 16
• Grand Rapids Christian 52, Reeths-Puffer 13
• Kenowa Hills 56, Creston 0
• Forest Hills Eastern 35, Cedar Springs 7
• Northview 40, Holland 7
• Greenville 42, Union 2
• West Catholic 24, Allendale 8
• Grandville 42, Traverse City West 14
• Grant 40, Tri County 27

Read the full story with The Grand Rapids Press: “High school football roundup, Week 2…”

Read the full story with The Grand Rapids Press: “Drew Lockwood’s three goals…”

1. Rockford (1-0): The Rams remain at number one after a stellar performance against the always-talented Davison Cardinals. Junior kicker Steven Mette gives them another scoring threat even at 46 yards. It’s Rams vs. Rams this week, but Rockford should prevail after Holt’s sputtering loss in week one. Quarterback Mark LaPraire played mistake-free football so there’s no reason for the Rams to move out of this spot.

2. East Grand Rapids (1-0): Boy would they have fallen if Sam Nystrom didn’t wake them up. East came out slow, but Nystrom’s 70-yard fumble return for a touchdown lit a fire under the Pioneers. Running back David Drummond’s 152 yards rushing and two touchdowns along with quarterback Ryan Elble’s 127 yards passing and two touchdowns are proof that East is still a powerhouse.

3. Lowell (1-0): The Red Arrows also started out slow in their season opener, but quarterback Gabe Dean brought out his bow and launched a few at wide receiver Matt Houston to bring Lowell back. Dean went 14-of-20 passing for 191 yards and ran for another 117 yards. Slow starts happen, so week two at Forest Hills Central should help us better evaluate.

4. Muskegon (0-1): They played one of the best and came out on the losing side. A three-point loss to Macomb Dakota doesn’t knock the Big Reds out of the top-five based on their strong pedigree. Muskegon will get rid of the turnovers and we’ll see the Big Reds of old. But they’re facing a tough Ottawa Hills team. I doubt Muskegon goes 0-2, but if you’re in the area, check out that game.

5. Grand Haven (1-0): Dalton Stenberg is a load to take down. The senior running back scored five touchdowns to lead the ‘Bucs past Traverse City West in week one. Stenberg broke two long touchdown runs of 78 yards and 62 yards to give Grand Haven a 474-285 advantage in total offense.

6. East Kentwood (1-0): The Falcons flew high in their battle against the Scots for arguably the best game of week one. We all knew it would be close, but a late game interception by Chris James to give East Kentwood the victory was sweet. Had the Falcons lost, Caledonia would be sitting here, but they drop to our outside bubble.

7. Kenowa Hills (1-0): Second half comebacks were a theme in week one, but wins are wins. Kitwana Clark and Tito Wingfield combined for 328 rushing yards, and that should set the tone for the Knights. The OK-Black is theirs to lose.

8. Byron Center (1-0): The Bulldogs were one of only two team to shutout an opponent to open the 2010 season. Derek Sievers was their go to guy as expected, but their defense clamped down hard. The ‘Dogs don’t have a rough schedule so this could easily be another nine win season.

9. Ottawa Hills (1-0): Week two against Muskegon will be a fun game to watch. Devon Ivy, Javon Phillips, and quarterback Jalen Couch are an exciting trio to watch. Their defense needs to play up this week if they want a victory over Muskegon.

10. Grand Rapids Christian (1-0): Two words: Andre Davis. The 265-pound running back just knocked the Eagles into our top ten. The Eagle’s 583 total yards of offense is incredible. Coach Don Fellows has us hungry for a Christian vs. Lowell or East battle. Just four more weeks until we see the trio meet. First it’s East on September 24^th and Lowell October 1^st

Bubble teams: Coopersville, Caledonia, Holland Christian, Zeeland East

East Grand Rapids trailed 3-0 early until Nystrom grabbed the momentum and the ball on a fumble recovery. His 70 yard return for a touchdown stopped an impressive Jenison drive and helped East recover from two early fumbles. “We were ready to go but I don’t think we were together as a team. Once we scored our first touchdown everyone got hyped, turned on, they were in the mode. Our defense played a great game” said Nystrom.

Jenison was led by running back Tyler Hoezee (13 carries, 59 yards, 1 TD) and his punishing running style. The 5’11, 215 lb Hoezee continually and consistently ran over East defenders. However the passing game struggled for Jenison and they were forced to air it out as East pulled away in the second half.

Jenison returned the opening kickoff to the East 38. From there the defenses took over in the first quarter. On 4^th and 1 from the East 29, Jenison came to the line ready to go for it. The deep and sudden sound of crashing metal was unmistakable as East fans pounded their feet on the bleachers. Jenison never had the opportunity to run a play as they were flagged for a false start.

Pinned deep in their own territory, East fumbled. Jenison capitalized with a field goal and an early 3-0 lead on a 34 yard field goal from Jesse Fulkerson. East running back David Drummond foreshadowed a brilliant second half with a long first quarter run that was called back for holding. Despite the setback he finished with a game high 152 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

Each side traded fumbles until Nystrom’s return for a touchdown. With the momentum on their side, East kicker Bobby Aardema booted a knuckleball on the ensuing kickoff that confused and pinned Jenison inside their 10. Elble added a 1 yard keeper up the middle of Jenison’s defense for a 14-3 lead at halftime.

Jenison again played solid defense and held East to start the second half. However, three unsuccessful plays and a failed fake punt at midfield ended their drive and their chances. Drummond quickly gained 40 yards on a run, that invoked Brandon Marshall’s game-winning TD against Dallas last year. Nystrom then provided his own excitement, flipping over a defender on his way to a 10 yard receiving touchdown. Drummond added a 2 point conversion.

From there East and Jenison traded rushing touchdowns by Drummond and Hoezee to bring the score to 29-11. East answered quickly with a jump ball to the back of the end zone caught by DeAndre Grady. Grady (2 catches, 17 yards) made two great catches and Nick Mulhall (3 catches, 97 yards) was a deep threat that connected with Elble for a 67 yard reception.

Drummond added his second touchdown on a 26 yard run and Jenison’s Gus Penning (4 catches, 89 yards) provided some late game excitement as East closed with a 43-11 victory and optimism for the future. “We started the game tight. Maybe that’s the first game. They will be better when they relax and that will come” said East coach Peter Stuursma. Jenison played both Zecheriah Keen and Jordan VanDyk at quarterback. Keen and VanDyk both showed moments of brilliance but also moments of inconsistency. Keen’s late passing surge (4-10 72 yards) may have given him the edge moving forward.

High quality action shots from the game are available from David Chandler Photography.

2. East Grand Rapids: Chasing football history are the East Grand Rapids Pioneers. All the pieces are set for their fifth consecutive state championship. Returning quarterback Ryan Elble has plenty of weapons and a strong offensive line.

3. Muskegon: The Big Reds have several explosive weapons around quarterback Ka’Vonte Keyes either by air or on the ground. Lowell knocked them out of the playoffs last year, but every indication points to the two meeting again.

4. Lowell: We should see junior quarterback Gabe Dean running through opponents deep in the playoffs again this year. The Red Arrows made it look too easy against Inkster last year. They lost some pieces, but like several teams on our top ten list, they retool every year.

5. Grand Haven: With their speed and physicality, the Buccaneers sit at number five. Running back Dalton Stenberg is a load to take down, and wide receiver Alec Smith gels well with quarterback Adam Poel. Grand Haven also has its former defensive coordinator now as head coach so their defense is not a concern.

6. East Kentwood: The only team to give Rockford trouble (besides Holt) were the Falcons. They lost a lot from last year’s squad, but they have plenty of athletes to fill the gaps.

7. Caledonia: Caledonia and East Kentwood face off in week one, and it’ll definitely be a nail bitter. Cal has two many weapons in their backfield to not be a solid program this year. An experienced offensive line should help the Fighting Scots rack up the rushing yards.

8. Kenowa Hills: The Knights aren’t a sleeper team but newcomers at several positions keep me reserved. Junior running back Kitwana Clark and senior Tito Wingfield are explosive, game changing players who could set some records this year. The talent is there at all positions so a slide up the rankings is possible.

9. Byron Center: A nice run in 2009 has the Bulldogs on the radar. With Derek Sievers, Zac Cross, and Austin Haight all returning this year, The ‘Dogs could have another break out season.

10. Ottawa Hills: Rounding out our top ten are the Bengals led by speedy Devon Ivy. Ivy is an outstanding athlete who can carry an offense. Big Danzell Maze also returns on the offensive and defensive line.

Surprise teams: Grand Rapids Christian, Forest Hills Eastern, Zeeland East, and Zeeland West.

• Brett Egnatuk, Rockford
• Trent Voss, East Grand Rapids
• Gabe Dean, Lowell
• Danzell Maze, Ottawa Hills
• Alec Smith, Grand Haven
• Ryan Eble, East Grand Rapids
• Desmond Morgan, West Ottawa
• Carl Roscoe, Kelloggsville
• Derek Sievers, Bryon Center
• Dan Pittman, West Catholic

Teams:

• East Grand Rapids
• Lowell
• Rockford
• Grand Haven
• West Catholic
• Kenowa Hills
• Caledonia
• Ottawa Hills
• Kelloggsville
• Zeeland West

Read the full story with The Grand Rapids Press: “High school football preview…”

 The game begins at 7 p.m.

Read the full story with The Grand Rapids Press: “Jenison and East Grand Rapids football teams…”

Read the full story with The Grand Rapids Press: “Jessica Meloche edges teammate…”