OK Blue
Allendale
Nickname: Falcons
Coach: Ben Burk
2012 Record: 8-2
Players lost: Mitchell VanFarowe, Kyle Landis, Ian TeGrootenhuis, Keith Rogers, Nick Avink
Players returning: Haiden Majewski, Nate Couterier, Colin Beebe, Dayton Wierenga, Glen Geurink, Hunter Jarsma, Damon Schut, Aaron DeWeerd
Coach’s comment: “Our strength is the defensive side of the ball, where we like it to be. We play very aggressive football defensively.”
Belding
Nickname: Redskins
Coach: Joe Schwander
2012 Record: 2-7
Players lost: Brady Badder, Jake Jones, Cody Zham, Levi Eldred, Michael Stephan, Brendan Zuver
Players returning: Brice Wilker, Kole Hart, Neil McCully, JP Wilmore, Garret Anderson, Garrett Strotheide
Notes: Junior offensive lineman Brice Wilker (6-5, 275) is big, strong and technically solid. The Redskins have a great work ethic and love the game and the pieces are in place for a solid season. In Hart the team has a work-horse running back.
Comstock Park
Nickname: Panthers
Coach: Mark Chapman
2012 Record: 11-2
Players lost: Jake Brown, Blake Mazur, Luke Sullivan, Jack Razmus, John Welson
Players returning: Ryan Gruzska, Jake Bush, Craig Armock, Sam Laroche, Drake Baar, Jack Razmus
Notes: The Panthers fell one-game short of making it to Ford Field last season. A slew of talented players return this season led by Bush who is a big-play performer on offense. The key is replacing all-everything quarterback Jake Brown. The future does look bright at the position.
Cooopersville
Nickname: Broncos
Coach: Jared Hudson
2012 Record: 4-4
Players lost: Justin Howe, Dan Sherman, Tommy McCarthy, Alex Mervenne, Matt Lieffers, Jimmy Borgman
Players returning: Aaron Curtiss, Clayton Schoenborn, Jack Cunningham, Tucker Kloote, Nate Darcy, Jack Woodcock, Corey Snyder, Logan Panetta, Michael Becerra
Notes: The Broncos have a new coach in Jared Hudson. Coopersville has good quickness this season and is also athletic up front. Staying healthy will be a big key.
Sparta
Nickname: Spartans
Coach: Mike Rivers
2012 Record: 2-7
Players lost: John Donazollo, Luke Snyder, Evan Stubbs, Darrin DeBoer, Riley Kutzlie
Players returning: Peter Momber, Thomas Cheslek, Ryan Rogers, Dylan Ray, Braden La Tour, Shane Miedzelec, Nick Priest, Adrian Garza, Christian Pangborn
Notes: The Spartans have a new coaching staff and a new system. The Spatrans do return some talented athletes and how fast they adapt to the new system will be key to success this season.
Wyoming
Nickname: Wolves
Coach: Tom White
2012 Record: 5-4
Players lost: Jack Rozema, Hunter Halas, Stephen Gietzen, Steven Talsma, Chad Barber
Players returning: Sully Goodman, Rodney Johnson, Juanya Duncan, Alex Ramirez, Jurquan Harris, Jamall Cooley, Derek Fry, Brian Hallum, Draian Brooks
Coach’s comment: “I think we’ll be as competitive as we were last year. I like our attitude a lot this year. The kids are working hard and are enjoying winning.”