By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
ALLEGAN
Allegan football will enter a new era in 2022.
After playing the 2021 as an independent, the Tigers are joining the SAC as members of the Lakeshore Division.
Allegan previously played in the Wolverine Conference, where it had been since helping form the league as a charter member in 1952.
“This is our first year in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and we are looking forward to the weekly competition,” said Tony Danzig, who enters the second year of his second stint as head coach of the Tigers.
Allegan got a bit of a head start when it came to playing SAC teams, as four of its opponents from a year ago—Lawton, Constantine, Delton and Hackett Catholic—are members of the SAC, with Constantine and Hackett both in the Lakeshore Division.
The Tigers fell to all four of those teams as part of a 2-7 showing.
“Our goal for this year is to build upon last year and go into every game mentally and physically ready,” Danzig said. “Our expectation is to be competitive and continue to set the tone for Allegan football into the future.”
Seniors Jack Ellis (offensive/defensive lineman), Drew Ellis (tight end/linebacker), Skyler Szczepanski (fullback/linebacker), Josh Bruin (offensive/defensive lineman), Brody Houser (quarterback/linebacker) and Chris Shawa (offensive/defensive lineman) are among the key returning players for Allegan.
FENNVILLE
When Fennville quarterback Ben Peterson threw for seven touchdowns in his team’s win over Bloomingdale last season, he tied an 8-Player state record that had been accomplished four other times, the most recent in 2016.
That was one of three records set by the Blackhawks in their first season at the 8-Player level as they won five of their final six game after starting the season with three straight losses.
And with Peterson and 10 other players returning, second-year Fennville coach Richard Roth is hoping his team can carry that momentum into the new season.
“We’ve had a strong summer and offseason of preparation while also gaining a lot of key newcomers to our team,” said Roth, whose team averaged more than 30 points per game last season.
“Football is a funny game, but if we can stay focused and chase excellence in everything we do, we’ll be a tough opponent for everyone this season and I believe we can be right there competing to the end for our conference.”
Not that Roth expects winning the conference title to be easy, especially with three-time defending champion Martin bringing back many team players for its 11-1 squad. Mendon should also provide a big challenge.
“Both (Martin and Mendon) bring their own flavor to a top run game,” Roth said. “They’re both powerful, well-oiled machines that are coached well and trained to beat you whistle to whistle.”
Peterson, a senior, will be relied on the lead the offense for Fennville. He enters his fourth season as the team’s starting signal caller.
“Our quarterback play is obviously one of our strengths,” Roth said. “Team speed and our ability to grind will also be keys for us.”
Nathan Griffin (slot/linebacker), Bryce Callejas (offensive/defensive lineman), Jaydon Vogel (offensive/defensive lineman) and Austin Achterhof (receiver/defensive end) join Peterson as returning seniors.
Juniors Braden Henritz (receiver/defensive end), Aidan Swingle (running back/linebacker), Devohn Calhoun (receiver/defensive back) and Jayden Weimer (receiver/defensive back) also return, as do sophomores Quinn Rosema (receiver/defensive back) and Makai Weimer (running back/defensive back).
“A big thing for us is keep everyone healthy so we can put our best players on the field,” Roth said.
HAMILTON
Dedicated.
That’s one of the words that comes to mind for Phil Koops when he thinks about the players on his 2022 squad.
“This is a committed group,” he said. “I’m really proud to have so many of them who stuck with football even when it would have been really easy for them to quit.”
Senior quarterback/defensive back Brant Goodpaster leads the group of returning players who hope to lead the Hawkeyes to an improvement over last year’s 3-6 record.
Austin Osbourne (running back/linebacker), Brayden Geurink (tight end/linebacker), Brady Tebo (split end/defensive back), Tyler Berkimer (split end/defensive back), Joey Schalte (guard), Jon Hawkins (offensive/defensive lineman) and Ben Boehm (fullback/linebacker) join Goodpaster as returning players.
“I like our mix of skill players and big guys up front,” Koops said.
Newcomers include Keaton Haverdink (running back/defensive back), Max Brink (offensive/defensive lineman), Justin Eding (offensive/defensive lineman) and Lincoln Philips (running back/defensive back).
“We’re a little thin in a few spots, so depth is something we need to be aware of this season,” Koops said.
Koops sees Unity Christian and West Catholic as the teams to beat in the OK Blue.
“Those two teams figure to be the top dogs, but we hope that we can push them a little bit and think we can be very competitive with the rest of the conference,” Koops said.
MARTIN
Since making the move to 8-player football prior to the start of the 2019 season, Martin has established itself as one of the premier programs in the state.
How good have the Clippers been, you ask? Consider this: Martin has posted a 29-4 record the past three seasons and has advanced to the state semifinals the past two years.
And with a strong crop of returning players coupled with some talented newcomers, fifth-year coach Brad Blauvelt is optimistic his team can keep that run of success going.
“After reaching the semifinals the past two seasons, we have one goal as a team and that is to make it to and win the state championship,” said Blauvelt, who was named Regional Coach of the Year last season. “Everyone knows that’s the goal: players, coaches, parents and the community. There’s some pressure that comes with that expectation; however, this has been the standard since moving to 8-man football.
“We want it. We truly believe we are the best team in the state and that we can only beat ourselves.”
Quarterback/linebacker JR Hildebrand leads a group of seven returning seniors who help form the corps of the Martin roster. The others are jack-of-all-trades Karter Ribble, tight end/safety Sam Jager, running back/linebacker Chris Tuinstra, running back/linebacker Braeden Shanley, guard/defensive tackle Geno Ramos and defensive tackle Tanner Bird.
“The seniors have been tremendous in the program’s success,” Blauvelt said. “These are the kids who have come to everything: every workout, camp, pop-can drive, film session. These kids have been nothing short of a coach’s dream class. It is obvious they love the sport and everything that goes into that.”
Juniors Jackson Robinson (center/defensive tackle), Bryce Robinson (utility/defensive tackle), Abe Dykstra (linebacker) and Taegan Harris (utility/defensive back) also return.
Newcomers include senior Drake Buell along with juniors Mikey Branch and Ben Jager.
“We have an established program where the players know the terminology and their assignments,” Blauvelt said. “At the varsity level, we are focused on the small details and being.
“On defense, we want to get sideline to sideline and pursue the football. On offense, we have an abundance of playmakers. We could easily sub all our skill positions and still be very fast and athletic.”
When it comes to the conference action, Blauvelt sees Mendon—the Clippers’ Week 1 opponent—as one of his team’s biggest threats. He also believes Marcellus, Fennville and Gobles will provide tough challenges.
For the Gobles game (on Friday, Sept. 2), the Clippers will have another Onion King night during which they pay tribute to the school’s former mascot.
“We have a big tailgate prior to the game with food, inflatables and music,” Blauvelt said. “It’s a great night of celebrating with the community.”
OTSEGO
Injuries are part of sports.
Otsego coach John Kubiak was reminded of that fact once again as senior Steven Drewyor—the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback last season and for part of the 2020 campaign—suffered a leg injury that will keep him out of action for at least part of the season.
Enter junior Jack Holmes, who guided the Otsego’s JV squad a season ago.
“Jack will be taking over the reins,” Kubiak said. “Fortunately, he has some running back who he can rely on to help carry the offensive load.”
Those running backs include returning seniors Andrew Chambers, Kalei Bryant and Gavin Devine along with returning juniors Ethan Knight and Nolan VanderRoest.
Returning junior Gabe Cavazos—who led the Bulldogs with 722 rushing yards a season ago—will shift from fullback to tight end, where he’ll be joined by junior newcomer Alex Raseman.
“Gabe and Alex will help out with blocking and receiving,” Kubiak said. “Both will be a big threat in space.”
The offensive line is a work in progress, as graduation hit Otsego hard in that department.
“WE need to replace some interior lineman, center and both guards, so we are looking for a group to step up,” Kubiak said.
Juniors Blake Wilson, James VanDyke, Ethan Thrasher and Ben Erntes are among those competing for playing time at those positions.
Defensively, Chambers takes over at inside linebacker, with Knight also expected to make an impact at linebacker.
Bryant, VanderRoest and Devine have experience in the back end of the defense, while Kubiak is looking for returning senior Randy Hudon and returning junior Zackary Spence to anchor the defensive line.
“Cavazos will be a problem for opposing offensive at the defensive end position,” Kubiak said.
Seniors Kaden Knapp and Bryton Parfait also return, as does junior James VanDyke. Newcomers vying for playing time on both sides of the ball include juniors Brendon Bohl, Austin Quekenbush and Robert Darrow along with sophomore Louis Digrandi.
All in all, it’s a roster Kubiak believes can improve upon the 1-8 record from a season ago.
“This group of players has been working hard to get ready for the season and we have most of our skilled players and production back from this past year on offense,” he said. “We need to take care of the football, play physical and be consistent from down to down. We gave up too many big plays last year on defense and did not finish drives offensively, which cost us some games.
“We are looking to compete at the top of the conference and to make the playoffs.”
PLAINWELL
If the number of experienced seniors a football team has on its roster is any indication of success, then this should be a pretty fun season for Plainwell.
Second-year head coach Chris Taylor has 14 returning seniors on his roster as the Trojans hope to improve upon their 6-4 showing from a season ago.
“We’re going to have a boatload of seniors playing, and it’s a tight-knit group,” Taylor said. “They pull for each other, and they want to win more than anything.
“This is a very strong senior group and those guys will provide the leadership we need to compete for a conference title.”
Those returning seniors are: quarterback/cornerback Ryan Koob; tight end/linebacker Landon Schuhmacher; guard/linebacker Dane Jorgensen; center/defensive lineman Brady Glessner; tight end/linebacker Matt Beck; fullback/safety Trammel Robinson; guard/defensive lineman Trent Cooper; split end/cornerback Nick Semm; split end/cornerback Michael Griffey; nose guard/running back Maddow Benn; nose guard/running back Cam Frederick; tackle/linebacker Luke Lyons; guard/defensive lineman Tyler Preuss; and split end/cornerback Nick Rachel.
A 15th senior joins that group as running back/safety Evan Gerlinger joins the team after transferring in from Saline, where he played at the varsity level the past two seasons. Gerlinger previously attended Plainwell Community Schools before moving away.
“This team probably has the best blend of strength and speed that we’ve had in a long time,” Taylor said. “These guys are really committed to the weight room and have put a lot of time in. It’s a really strong bunch, but there are some athletic kids too, so it’s not just all weight room strength that won’t translate.”
Taylor expects Edwardsburg to once again be the team to beat in the Wolverine Conference, with Three Rivers and Vicksburg also near the top of the standings.
“We always aim to compete for the conference championship and that hasn’t changed this year,” he said.
Juniors Ryan McDaniel, Michael Gonyeau and Jaxson Miller join Gerlinger as top newcomers.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how these guys perform on the field because they’ve put a lot of hard work in,” Taylor said. “I’m really excited to see what they can do.”
SAUGATUCK
Graduation took a serious toll on Saugatuck’s roster, with 12 members of the 2021 squad now done with high school.
That, however, doesn’t mean the cupboard is bare for coach Bill Dunn, who is entering his 20th season at the helm of the Trailblazers.
Ten players return with varsity experience, having helped Saugatuck post a 6-5 record a season ago that included a 28-8 playoff victory over Cassopolis.
“This is a young, but experienced group,” Dunn said. “The key for us is to stay healthy as we have a small roster and need to keep everyone on the field.”
The returning group of players includes offensive/defensive linemen Tribal Cadreau and Jefferson McCluskey, who are the team’s only returning seniors and will be asked to provide leadership for their younger teammates.
Newcomer Nathan Schaefer (tight end/defensive back) is the third senior on the roster.
Returning juniors include Bradley Moorer (running back/defensive back), Matthew Hartgerink (quarterback/defensive back), Will Doucette (running back/defensive lineman) and Landon Miller (running back/linebacker).
Cass Stanberry (running back/linebacker), Norm Bos (quarterback/linebacker), Carter Miller (tight end/defensive back) and Chris Foley (offensive linemen/linebacker) comprise the group of returning sophomores.
“Our strength, despite the fact we are young, is that the kids have a year or two under their belt and feel confident going into the season,” Dunn said. “They know our system, have confidence in our system and have had success with our system.
Sophomore kicker/punter Cam Lewis joins Schaefer as one of the newcomers who could make an impact for Saugatuck.
It’s a group Dunn believes has the talent to compete with the top teams in the SAC Valley Division.
“Schoolcraft and Lawton are the top contenders in our division, but we feel we are right there,” Dunn said. “If we can stay strong and healthy throughout the season, we feel like we have a chance to be a factor.”
WAYLAND
As he enters the third season of his second stint as head coach in Wayland, Tim Gibson likes what he sees from his team.
“We’ve had a great off-season and this is the physically strongest team we’ve put on the field since I’ve been back in Wayland,” Gibson said. “That goes from our lineman to our skilled players. I also like our athleticism along our edges and our overall team speed.”
Gibson hopes that improved strength and speed translate into wins, as the Wildcats seek to rebound from a 0-9 showing last season.
“This group is extremely coachable and we are further along in so many respects than we’ve been over the past two seasons,” he said.
Wayland returns nine players on offense and nine on defense, led by senior quarterback/strong safety Dustin Loomans.
Classmates Nathin Dressler (center), Bronson Huyck (offensive/defensive lineman), Terry Sylvester (linebacker/running back) and Maverick Day (running back/linebacker) are among the other key returnees, as are juniors Bryce Calkins (tight end/linebacker) and Cam Bogart (outside linebacker/running back) along with sophomore running back/safety Hudson Biondo.
Top newcomers who will vie for playing time include the junior duo of Craig Dermody (offensive/defensive lineman) and Brady Cassini (quarterback/defensive back) as well as sophomore Trent Sikkema (linebacker/tight end).
“The internal competition for playing time has been intense due to the depth at key positions along with the quality of players in these spots,” Gibson said. “We expect a much-improved squad this fall. We are seeing a shift in our culture and our kids have bought in.”
Gibson believes Catholic Central, Cedar Springs and South Christian will duke it out for the top spot in the conference standings. He sees the rest of the teams battling for the next tier.
“I’m excited to see where we fit in our league,” he said. “We just need to continue to develop depth and stay healthy. The main questions for us are will our second-year varsity players take the next step in their development, will our third-year players carry us and will our seniors drive the bus, so to speak.
“We have a tremendous group of kids and I’m looking forward to sharing this season with them.”
NOTE: No preview information was received from Hopkins prior to deadline.
