OK Black
Kenowa Hills
Nickname: Knights
Coach: Scott VanEssen
2012 Record: 5-5
Players lost: Cody Ritsema, Dylan Smith, Luke VanEssen, Chad Meister, Mike Pickart
Players returning: Travis Breuker, Zach Evans, Sean Beachnau, Eric Orsinger, Josh Fransted, Chase Dunneback, Malik Swain, Jared Zczesny, Derek Smith
Coach’s comment: “We lost a lot of offensive skill players that we have to replace. The kids have been working hard in the off-season, and I know who we put on the field will play hard.”
Mona Shores
Nickname: Sailors
Coach: Matt Koziak
2012 Record: 4-5
Players lost: Darnell Longmire, Alek Jend, Brandon Stafford, Collin Sullivan, Chris Bradford, David Bloom
Players returning: Tyree Jackson, Marquan Sargent, Diante Moffitt, Cody Schneider, Jake Workman, Hunter Broersma
Coach’s comment: “We have a lot of skill kids back and a lot of talented skill kids. If we can get our offensive line to be just average, we can be really good because we can really get the ball on the perimeter.”
Muskegon
Nickname: Big Reds
Coach: Shane Fairfield
2012 Record: 12-2
Players lost: Antoine Billings, Quincy Crosby, Shandar Ricks, Noah Tozer, Sherman Hodges, Jalen Smith, Ronald Jenkins
Players returning: DeShaun Thrower, Javauntae Thomas, Caleb Washington, John Hall, Justin Foster, Malik King, Ken Finley, Will Hunt, Jacob Sims, John Hall
Coach’s comment: “We have seven starters back on defense. They all played in 14 games last season, and to have the mental toughness to play 14 games and the leadership they bring is a big strength.”
Reeths-Puffer
Nickname: Rockets
Coach: Kyle Jewett
2012 Record: 3-6
Players lost: Johnderius Betts, Marquis Livers, Kyle Kolbe
Players returning: Garrett Blanshine, Julian Munday, Dereko Riley, Buck Tottingham, Matt Hoover, Corey Plichta, Steve Hanson, Jake Balkema, Josh Buie
Coach’s comment: “We have pretty high expectations. This is my second year with the program, and I think everyone has a better grasp of the offense and the defense, and I think we will be that much better.”
Grand Rapids Union
Nickname: Red Hawks
Coach: Tommie Elliott
2012 Record: 1-8
Players lost: Devon Baker, Aaron Wright, Jalen Vasser, Javon Burns, Deseean Herrera
Players returning: Paul Brown, Jacquiese Rogers, Juwan Sterling, Anthony Rios, Jakar Key, Alanta Brown, Taimu Nhytro, Cedric Pennamen, Robert Arrington
Coach’s comment: We have a lot of new faces on defense. We are going to be very aggressive and get after people. We will use our aggressiveness to cause opposing offenses problems.”
Zeeland East
Nickname: Chix
Coach: Derek Pennington
2012 Record: 9-1
Players lost: Michael Custer, Andrew Bouwman, Josh Blauwkamp, Patrick Banks
Players returning: Spencer Viening, Corey Westra, Jacob Compagner, Bud Cliffman, Gordon Hoonhorst, Josh Hart, Devin Butler, Jacob Gregory, Jadin Hunderman, Seth Nyberg, Austin Bellis, Travis Jacobs
Coach’s comment: “I think defensively we return more kids. We are probably further ahead there then we are on offense.”