OK Gold
Catholic Central
Nickname: Cougars
Coach: Trip Gallery
2012 Record: 10-1
Players lost: Joe Craven, Nate Hollern, Noah Sullivan, Ryheem Stokes, Dominic Paiz
Players returning: Joe Nixon, Nick Marosi, Austin Gordon, Colin Moran, Luke Ens, Jake VanderWal, Calvin Bischoff, Daniel Drummond
Coach’s comment: The Cougars will again have a potent air attack led by senior quarterback Joe Nixon and talented junior wide receiver Nick Marosi. The Cougars also have a pair of talented running backs. The key to success will lie on the defensive side of the ball.
Hastings
Nickname: Saxons
Coach: Fred Rademacher
2012 Record: 6-4
Players lost: Kenny Cross, Jon French, Michael Eastman, Stefan Horvat, Eric Hart
Players returning: Stephen Shaffer, Jason Slaughter, Taylor Horton, Nate Powoski, Logan Clements, Miguel Arjona, Zach McMahon
Notes: The Saxons play rugged, hard-nosed football and this year will be no exception. Hastings will not “wow you” but they will again have a solid squad.”
Thornapple Kellogg
Nickname: Trojans
Coach: Chad Ruger
2012 Record: 3-6
Players lost: Addison Schipper, Danny Dykstra, Pete Westra, Aaron Ordway, J Bronkema, Cole Gahon
Players returning: Garrett Harris, Connor Collier, Dan Yates, Clay Francisco, Devin Sloan, Kamryn Kidder, Jacob Nelson
Coach’s comment: “I love our chemistry. This is a young, but passionate and united, group of guys.”
Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills
Nickname: Bengals
Coach: Chuck Ruffin
2012 Record: 3-6
Players lost: Quinton Pulley, Jordyn Guy, Eric Reyes
Players returning: Rodney Davis, Sam Beal, Keshawn Wilkerson, Rajamon Watkins, Greg Epps, Elijah Townsend, Jeffrey Hudgins
Notes: The Bengals have plenty of talent. Offensively, they feature plenty of speed and game-breakers. Strong line play and defensive improvement will dictate how strong a season they will have.
South Christian
Nickname: Sailors
Coach: Mark Tamminga
2012 Record: 11-3
Players lost: Brandon Kuiphof, Andy Grasman, Jason Miller, Seth VanEngen, Jordan Sundelius
Players returning: Jon Wassink, Travis Steenwyk, Sam Heyboer, Todd Postma, David Boomsma
Coach’s comment: “We have got a good core nucleus back from the state championship team, and that starts with Jon Wassink. We also have an offensive line that is coming along well.”
Wayland Union
Nickname: Wildcats
Coach: Jerry Diorio
2012 Record: 0-9
Players lost: Taylor Winger, Jerry Janson, Taylor Collins
Players returning: Trevor Clausen, Quentin Sweeney, Dominic LaHuis, Mike Miklusicak, Mike Schanedorf, Colton VanDyke, Justin Eastman, Jack Phillips
Notes: This is coach Diorio’s second season of his second tenure at Wayland. The Wildcats have loads of experience and anyone looking for an easy win against the Wildcats will go away licking their wounds.