OK Bronze
Cedar Springs
Nickname: Red Hawks
Coach: Gus Kapolka
2012 Record: 4-5
Players lost: Cam Cooper, Baylee Sterling, Andy DePiazza, Jason Vietti
Players returning: Austin Hilyer, Dylan Block, Jordan Johnson, Jeff Newland, Cameron Klompstra
Notes: The Red Hawks have a new coach as Gus Kapolka takes over for Brian Busen. Cedar is low on numbers this season so remaining healthy is a major concern. The Red Hawks do have talent both in the backfield and along the line.
Forest Hills Eastern
Nickname: Hawks
Coach: Eddie Ostipow
2012 Record: 1-8
Players lost: Rylan Praftke, Kyler Kregel
Players returning: Luke Wilkerson, Sam Harrison, John McReady, Kyle Kregal, David Andrusiak, Treyvor Barclay
Notes: Ostipow is no stranger to the OK Conferences. Ostipow formerly coached at OK Red East Kentwood. Ostipow is coming to Eastern from Charlotte where he finished a second coaching stint at the school. Rebuilding will be the name of the game at Eastern but senior wide receiver Sam Harrison is a major talent.
Forest Hills Northern
Nickname: Huskies
Coach: Jeff Rapelje
2012 Record: 4-5
Players lost: Nick Wassenar, Karum Abdelgader, Mike Hogan
Players returning: Jacob Howe, Marcus Matthews, Bob Halso, Wyatt Batdorff, Trey Mitcham
Notes: The Huskies are setting their sights on a winning record and a playoff berth this year. Watch for senior fullback/linebacker Jacob Howe (6-2, 240). A punishing player, Howe has the ability to total 10 touchdowns and over a 100 tackles this season. Matthews is also a game-breaker at running back.
Greenville
Nickname: Yellow Jackets
Coach: Dave Moore
2012 Record: 4-5
Players lost: Curtis Heppe, Miguel Nieto, Greg Krusniak, Tyler Rasmussen, Dakota Sherrick
Players returning: Carter Stephens, Luke Bontrager, Tegan Boni, Jordan Dassinger, Chase Harrington, Brennan Ramirez
Notes: The Yellowjackets have a strong squad with improved speed. Keep an eye on junior linebacker Chase Harrington. Harrington has good size (6-3, 210) and excellent speed (4.7 40) and will be looked at heavily by colleges.
Northview
Nickname: Wildcats
Coach: Greg Ganfield
2012 Record: 7-3
Players lost: Robbie Meadows, Chad Walton, Pierce Houston, Brian Klinger, Anthony Reynolds
Players returning: Blake Bockheim, Brandon Lawrence, Tommy Brown, Spencer Cole, Will Izera, Zach Skrobot
Notes: The Wildcats were hammered by graduation with the biggest loss being quarterback Robbie Meadows who led the Wildcats to their first-ever playoff berth in school history. Brown, a 6-foot-2, 265-pound junior defensive lineman, has the potential to be a special player.
West Catholic
Nickname: Falcons
Coach: Dan Rohn
2012 Record: 10-4
Players lost: Danny Green, David Kuzma, Billy Schaefer, Jake Sochanek
Players returning: Mitch Stanizak, Andy Corey, Travis Russell, David Bancuk, Joe Corey, Max Boorsma
Notes: The Falcons fell three points shy of a state title last season. This year’s team returns plenty of talent. Corey is one of the most production running backs in the state. Russell is a big-time quarterback who put up video game numbersw last fall. Stanitzak (6-4, 210) is a wrecking machine on defense from his defensive end position.