The Panthers started out sluggish in their first O-K Red Conference matchup of the season.  They found themselves behind by nine after only three minutes had been played.  But they didn’t panic, and behind strong performances by quarterback Desmond Morgan and tailback Zac Boersema, West Ottawa came back  to defeat the favored Grand Haven Bucs, 29-15.

The story is best told through the work of Murray Photography.  Check out the rest of the game’s action photos here.

Hudsonville exemplifies balance and parity throughout their entire batting order, and as a result is looking back at much of their competition, in the O-K Red and around the region.  They are an early contender to go late into the playoffs.  Hudsonville junior Shane Trevino caught up with WMA recently to chat about pitching, hitting, flashlights and what exactly makes the Eagles so tough.  Shane’s a mature young player with a bright future, and it’s starting now.

WMA: Thanks for making the time, Shane.  You guys are having a heck of a season. What’s your record now? 21-5?

ST: Yeah, and 10-2 in the Red

WMA: Pretty doggone snazzy.  So what’s gone well for you this year? What have you guys been particularly successful at?

ST: Our hitting has been pretty good just like last year but our defense and pitching has improved a lot.  Ultimately we haven’t been making many errors and our pitchers are getting the job done.  Sky Hoke and Drew Hawkins are really leading the way.  Sky’s been throwing strikes and getting outs, and Drew has done a great job in relief.  We can always depend on him to come in and keep us in the game.

WMA: And offensively?

ST: We’re pretty solid throughout the entire order and that’s big. The pitcher never gets a break. He has to be on top of his game the whole game. Every player can hit.

WMA: That’s a scary prospect for an opposing pitcher. Caught anyone sweating yet?

ST: (Laughs) I’m sure most pitchers are at least a little nervous when they’re playing us.

WMA: I’m not surprised. So, now let’s talk about you.  Besides blasting your dad’s car window, what’s going well for you this year?

ST: At the beginning of the year I was doing pretty well on the mound, but lately I’ve had control issues a little bit.  I’ve started to get it back to normal recently, but it’s still not quite there.  I’m just a little bit off, but that’s all it takes as a pitcher.  And then as a hitter, I’m still not where I would like to be.  But it’s getting better.

WMA: Well it’s tough to stay on top all the time, but hopefully the goal is to figure out what’s going on and fix it before it gets you into too much trouble.  So you guys are obviously right up there with the teams to beat in West Michigan, but with the playoffs looming right around the corner, how are you feeling about your chances?

ST: We’re feeling pretty good right now. We’re playing pretty well but we definitely think we can play better. It’s going to be tough though, because we’re in a good district.  We have Jenison so we figure we’re going to see Jerry Ferris. He’s a very good pitcher so it’s going to be battle.

WMA: How do you feel like you stack up? Think you can shake him on the mound?

ST: We’ve beaten them twice and it’s tough to beat a team three times, even without Ferris.  They’re a good team so it’s going to be a battle, especially with Ferris on the mound.

WMA: What’s the longterm goal this year?

ST: Definitely to win state. No question. We made a run last year but fell short. But we’re good this year and we think we can make a run and maybe even win it.

WMA: Certainly not out of the question.  Good luck for sure.  Okay, now the tough questions.  First, what’s the one thing about you that very very few people know.

ST: You going to publish this?

WMA: You bet.

ST: Okay, well I used play with toothbrushes when I was really little and I used to collect flashlights. Just in case the lights went out.

WMA: I’m having trouble drawing the connection between the two.  Help me out?

ST: They’re not related at all.  I just figured if you wanted one, two would be even better.

WMA: Right you are!  And now for your Celebrity Tweet. You get 140 characters to say whatever you want and I’ll publish it on WMA. Shout out, talk trash, whatever. Be creative.

ST: People thought we were down and that jacked us up. We’re in the driver’s seat right now in the O-K Red and we’re ready to make a run.

WMA: Nice!  Thanks again for making the time to talk with me about the season!

ST: No problem. Thank you.

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WMA caught up with senior pitcher Troy Stango before Tuesday’s game at East Kentwood.  We chatted about the Panthers’ season, discussed expectations versus performance, and revealed the infamous West Ottawa “taters.”

Check out the full transcript after the jump (edited slightly for readability):

WMA: You guys have started out pretty hot and gotten some key wins. What are you guys doing well this season that plays into your success?

TS: So far we have been hitting the ball pretty good, and our pitching has been doing well.  Basically we’ve been doing the key things that win baseball games.  That and capitalizing on the other team’s mistakes.

WMA: It takes a pretty veteran, intelligent team to be able to maintain that consistent focus and performance.  So on the offensive side, who’s really been stepping up?

TS: It’s been alot of different people, from Chase Tomcala, Matt Schuch, or Cale Hand hitting them “taters” as we call them, to a key clutch hit from Todd Sok, Alex Arthurs, or Alex Hunt.  It has definitely been a team effort.

WMA: Okay, hold up. I have to ask.  What’s a “tater”?

TS: (laughs) Cale (Hand) is from Oklahoma, and he says these funny things that stick on you.  On one day he hits a home run and calls it a tater, and it kinda stuck.  Now we call it that when people go yard. If we hit a home run we say it went to tatertown.

WMA: That’s awesome.  Alright, what about pitching? You’re obviously doing well, anyone else deserve mentioning?

TS: Cale throws the ball well and beat a good Hamilton team last week, Connor Ryan throws strikes and gets quick outs, and Alex Hunt gives us the help when we need it most. Each of them play their roles, and play them well.  And I have been throwing the ball pretty good lately.

WMA: I wrote about your wins over Hamilton and Hudsonville on WMA, and received a lot of feedback supporting the talent of your team. You obviously have a very talented roster, and you’re obviously in the discussion with the top teams in the area, but how do you feel like you compare?

TS: To be honest i think we can beat anyone on any day, and likewise the othe way.  We’re pretty similar to Forest Hills Central in that we have pretty deep pitching and solid hitting, and we both make the simple plays.  That’s big.  That helps win or lose games.  We both make those plays and thats what seperates us from the teams who don’t make those plays.

WMA: So with 10 returning seniors this year, what’s the realistic goal?

TS: To get past regionals and go on to win state. Last year we had a great team and we lost a 12-inning game to Hudsonville in the regional final. I don’t want to go out losing like that.

WMA: No kidding. Alright, just two more questions. These are the tough ones.  So what’s your best pitch, and why?  Or maybe your go-to pitch.

TS: Definitely my fastball. Then its either curve or change.  I throw both of them well, but my fastball is tops because I locate it well when I get ahead in the count. And location can top speed because a good located fastball is harder to hit then a harder-thrown ball. Basically I locate where I need it to be.

WMA: It’s like business — location location location. Alright, time for your celebrity tweet. You get 140-characters to say whatever you want, and I’ll publish it on WMA. Shout out, talk trash, pump up your guys, whatever. Be creative. You could even say how much you like pineapple pizza, if you liked.

TS: Everyone better watch out because West Ottawa is flying under the radar. But we know we’re the best, and we show it on the field.

WMA: Perfect! Awesome. Thanks again for your time tonight, Troy!  By the way, we’ll be watching your game at East Kentwood on Tuesday.

TS: Great! I’ll be pitching

WMA: Good luck! Thanks again for making the time.

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1. HS boys basketball Class-D power rankings — HSBB
2. Live chat from Class-B girls basketball semifinal — Grand Rapids Press
3. GR high school sports rankings — Grand Rapids Press
4. Loy Norrix’s Hughes is a first team all-stater — Kalamazoo Gazette
5. People helping people, the O-K Red is an example — Who’s the Bos?
6. GR Catholic Central is making a case to be best ever — Grand Rapids Press
7. Speaking of, here’s a couple GR all-staters in girls bball — Grand Rapids Press
8. Yes, seriously, this is a female football coach.  First ever? — CBSNews.com

Keep up with the latest action and analysis by becoming a WMA fan on Facebook, or join the conversation by following WMA on Twitter.  Heck, even start your own topic over at Allstars Among Us.

1. Feb. 5 high school basketball scores (boys) (girls) — Associated Press
2. Feb. 6 high school basketball scores (boys) (girls) — Associated Press
3. Friday’s stars in high school basketball — HSBB
4. Muskegon gets new football coach, again — Muskegon Chronicle
5. Muskegon Heights loses first game to SAH — Muskegon Chronicle
6. Comstock Park wins O-K Blue wrestling (vid) — Grand Rapids Press
7. Rockford rolls in O-K Red wrestling tourney — Grand Rapids Press
8. Spring Lake wins Lakes 8 wrestling tourney — Muskegon Chronicle
9. Lowell captures O-K White wrestling tourney — Grand Rapids Press
10. Zeeland West sophomore Meppelink rules the track — Grand Rapids Press

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We also live tweet updates from the game (which you can get sent to your phone), to make sure that the hardcore fans can keep up with the latest action and analysis, even if they can’t make it to the game.

BYRON CENTER BULLDOGS (6-2) AT GRANDVILLE BULLDOGS (4-5)

This week’s matchup is a battle between the Bulldogs, as Grandville hosts Byron Center.  Grandville currently sits at 4-5 overall, 2-2 in the O-K Red, while Byron Center is at 6-2 overall, and leading the O-K Green at 3-0.  Both sets of Bulldogs are capable of doing some damage against the best in the area, but to this point Byron Center has done it with more consistency. This inter-conference battle could go a long way toward solidifying that reputation, or helping Grandville gain confidence to go with their talent.

The gist on Byron Center

After breaking into the Class-B state rankings early in the season, Byron Center suffered a close loss to a very good Zeeland West team. They rebounded nicely by doubling up Cedar Springs on Tuesday, and still carry substantial momentum into Friday’s contest.

Lead by versatile guard Ryan Sabin, Byron Center has had no trouble scoring this season (apart from a still unexplained anomaly against Holland Christian).  Sabin is disruptive on defense, with a tendency to rack up steals in bunches, and quite simply powers the Bulldog machine on offense.  Zac Cross has come on strong of late for Byron Center, and will also play a key role in Friday’s game.

The gist on Grandville

Grandville is a tough team to figure out.  On the one hand, they’re the team that only managed to put up 53-points in two losses against Grand Haven and Grand Rapids Creston.  And on the other hand they’re the team who beat Rockford, and scored 40- of their 55-total points in the second half to come from behind against Hudsonville.  Go figure.

Grandville is coming off back-to-back losses against Jenison and Ottawa Hills, so if history is any indication the Bulldogs are due for one of their better performances.  Grandville coach Kyle VanderWall put it well after the Ottawa Hills game:

“We’re having a tendency right now of playing very inconsistent,” Grandville coach Kyle VanderWall said. “Our wins have been distinctive, and so have our losses.

“It’s feast or famine, and part of this is a process of these guys learning how to win. Mentally, learning that you can compete with every team you play, which is different for these guys.”

Grandville is lead by Jake Blauwkamp and Spencer Nabors, but other players are also capable of stepping up on any given night.

Overall prognosis

Tough call.  Which Grandville team will show up?  They’ve got the talent to hang with Byron Center, but whether they will live up to that potential is still a big question mark.  That said, they are definitely due, if you believe in that sort of thing.

Prediction: Byron Center holds off a charging Grandville team late, 56-48.

Keep up with the latest action and analysis by becoming a WMA fan on Facebook, or join the conversation and receive live in-game updates by following WMA on Twitter.  Heck, even start your own topic over at Allstars Among Us.

1. The Venerable One predicts WMich to roll — Who’s the Bos?
2. Bronson v. Constantine. Same old same old? — Kalamazoo Gazette
3. Montague v. Iron Mountain needs toughness — Muskegon Chronicle
4. P. Central looking to dominate on defense — Kalamazoo Gazette
5. Heights’ Parker effective from anywhere — Muskegon Chronicle
6. Mendon v. Hudson. About time, huh? — Kalamazoo Gazette
7. CMU sniping WMich basketball talent — Grand Rapids Press
8. S.Christian golfers sign letters of intent — Grand Rapids Press
9. O-K Red water polo gunning for states — Grand Rapids Press
10. Knew this was coming, but Pickrel signs — Grand Rapids Press

Keep up with the latest football action and analysis by becoming a WMAS fan on Facebook, or join the conversation by following WMAS on Twitter.  Heck, even start your own topic over at Allstars Among Us.

What're you laughing at? Can't you see we're bad? Look, it says so on my shirt.

A look around the wide world of high school sports and the web that covers it.  Well, not the whole world, mostly just the distance between Lake Michigan and somewhere-in-the-vicinity-of-Lansing, give or take about 50-miles.  In an order wholly indecipherable to the naked eye.  So look closely:

1. Bakita and Bos break down the top-5 games of the week — Press Box Podcast
2. The hugest game of the week — Mlive.com
3. Week-7′s statistical top RBs — Searn’s Board
4. Updated boys water polo top-10 — Mlive.com
5. Mendon’s dominating defense gets a feature — Kalamazoo Gazette
6. Area teams chomping for playoffs — Muskegon Chronicle
7. DeCamp’s football picks. I wish I were this big a deal — Kalamazoo Gazette
8. Grand Haven soccer blanks the WO for the O-K Red — Grand Rapids Press
9. KChristian tennis doubles duo dominant in D-flat — Kalamazoo Gazette
10. Mona Shores’ Woodcock prepping for GMAA champs — Muskegon Chronicle

Got a tip/link/question for West Michigan Allstar?  Email westmiallstar@gmail.com, facebook us, or follow us on Twitter.

1. The week-7 Searn Super 32 rankings, top-32 teams in MI — Searn’s Board
2. And here’s the top-25 teams from an Eastsider’s perspective — Prepseer
3. And the top-10 teams from a Westsider’s perspective — Who’s the Bos?
4. The top-25 games from an Eastsider’s perspective — Prepseer
5. And the top-10 teams from a Westsider’s perspective — Kalamazoo Gazette
6. Finally, the top-10 by division from an Eastsider — Detroit Free Press
7. Very preliminarily, here are the projected football playoff maps — Snooze2You
8. Some football teams have already made the playoffs — Searn’s Board
9. Hudsonville wins O-K Red in girls golf — Grand Rapids Press
10. FHN owns the O-K Rainbow in tennis — Grand Rapids Press
11. Volleyball latest top-team rankings — MHSVCA
12. And finally, the top WR/TE’s from week-6 — Searn’s Board

Got a tip/link/question for West Michigan Allstar?  Email westmiallstar@gmail.com, facebook us, or follow us on Twitter.

Stonewalled.

Conventional wisdom said that Rockford would beat Grand Haven in Friday night’s battle between the number-1 and number-6 teams in Division-1.  Although both teams were undefeated at 4-0, Rockford had historically owned the Buccaneers, having won their past eight matchups, including most recently a 51-0 drubbing in 2008.  The Rams continued their dominance in 2009, solidifying their place at the top of Division-1 with Friday’s 14-0 victory over the Buccaneers.

Conventional wisdom was confirmed.  But it wasn’t easy.

Whether or not Grand Haven entered Friday night’s all-world Game of the Week with the same record as their rivals, only a small percentage of those in attendance would have bet on them to win.  That percentage may have shifted slightly after the Buccaneers played the Rams to a 0-0 tie at halftime, but even then you got the feeling that Rockford wasn’t done.  It wasn’t that they were holding back; more that they hadn’t quite warmed up yet.

Grand Haven's Trent Hitsman led the Bucs with 61-yards rushing.

You can’t blame them.  The Bucs never gave them the opportunity to get started.  The Rams were on their heels for almost the entire second quarter, as the Bucs drove 89-yards in 18-plays, in a drive that lasted over 9-minutes.  But with no more real estate on which to backpedal, looking at a Buccaneers’ first-and-goal from the 4-yard line, Rockford stuffed their rivals four consecutive times.  After that, the 0-0 halftime score was tilted decidedly in Rockford’s favor.

Running back Ryan Darby wasn’t surprised.  “Backs against the wall, we knew we could stop them.  We have that confidence, and we went out and did it.”

“That one put a smile on my face,” said longtime Rockford coach Ralph Munger of his team’s goal-line stand.  “If you’re team’s the one doing it, that one’s awesome.  That’s just great football, there.”

After holding the Bucs to a three-and-out to start the second half, the Rams were forced to punt three plays later.  And that’s when the game was decided.

Rockford quarterback Taylor Masiewicz found success with the screen pass.

The ball sailed high in the air off the punter’s foot, and the Buccaneer return man positioned himself underneath it.  Only, not quite far enough underneath it.  The ball squirted through the Buccaneer’s hands, and the Rams pounced on it at the Grand Haven 28-yard line.  Suddenly the closest they’d been to the Grand Haven endzone all game, it took only two plays for Darby to punch the ball in for a 7-0 Rams’ lead.

Smelling blood, the Rams reached deep within their playbook on the subsequent drive, trying to put the game away in one single moment.  Darby was handed the ball on an end-around, and nobody saw the pass coming.  Darby found Neil VanderLaan wide open down the sideline for a 36-yard gain.  Rockford scored on the very next play, quarterback Taylor Masiewicz finding Joe Johnson wide open in the endzone for a 6-yard touchdown.

After almost an entire game of rock-solid defense — par for the Buccaneer course — Grand Haven found themselves down 14-0 within the span of less than 5-minutes.  They were never able to recover.

And that’s the difference between number-1 and number-6 in the state.

Just that much.

But that much, nonetheless.

Congratulations!  You’re the new owner of the O-K Red

With the win, Rockford advances to 5-0, and has all but locked up one of the toughest conferences in the state, the O-K Red.  Even without many stars from their 2008 state championship squad, Rockford hasn’t skipped a beat.  It’s a testament to Munger and his staff, along with the culture of Rockford football, that they can so consistently reload.  Their defense is dominant, and their offense, as they showed on Friday, can be electric.

Perhaps more importantly, with their win over Grand Haven the Rams showed that they can continue to do the little things, even in the face of a stiff challenge.  Looking at their remaining schedule, it wouldn’t be surprising in the least if the Rams were able to run the table for an undefeated 9-0 regular season.

Mainstream Media Coverage

• The Venerable Jane Bos covered everybody’s game of the week for the Grand Rapids Press
• Correspondent Matt Kazawa covered the game for the Grand Haven Tribune