The Michigan Sports Radio team is ready to bring you the 2022 football season. As we draw near to kickoff, we begin our coverage with previews of teams in our coverage area.
We begin our coverage with the CSAA Silver. This league is down to just four teams, after Hesperia and Holton departed during the WMC realignment
**ARTICLE BY HUDSON HARKNESS**
Kent City: Eagles to Stick with Tradition in New Era
Zach Gropp is not a new face to Kent City football; however he is new to being a head coach. Coach Gropp was the defensive coordinator under former head coach Bill Crane for four seasons.
Coach Gropp won’t have an easy task taking over the Eagles, but he will have senior leadership to help his transition from DC to HC smoother. Kent City returns All-Conference quarterback Kyler Larson, who will have Josh Anderson and Chase Moreno as targets. Leading the Eagles on defensive side is All-Conference middle linebacker, Mason Westbrook. The Eagles will have 17 seniors on their roster and 13 juniors. The depth is going to benefit Kent City, “This is the first time we have this much depth in the time I’ve been here.” Coach Gropp thinks are there are multiple factors on why there are high numbers on this seasons team, such as the recent success, new staff, and the new facilities.
In recent years, Kent City has been a playoff regular. Last season was the first time Kent City hadn’t made the playoffs in five years. Coach Gropp wants to keep the Eagle tradition alive of making the playoffs and winning a district title. He has been pushing this in many ways, the main one being competition. “Anything you do in life you have to be competing and give it your all.”
Coach Gropp’s first game in charge will be on the road at Newaygo on August 25th. That game will be broadcasted on Michigan Sports Radio!
Lakeview: Wildcats Returners to Step Up Big
Coach Sean Rinehart has been around the block. In his tenth year, Rinehart is working with his young team to limit the mistakes and have a big season.
Last season, Lakeview finished in 5th place in the CSAA Silver with a 2-6 record. The Wildcats retain a majority of their roster from last season, including All-Conference running back David Evans. Lakeview also returns Colby Castle, Ben Grant, and CJ Copeland. Competing for the starting quarterback spot will be Ryan Sheehan and Braden Salladay. Although retuning many players the Wildcats will have to fill the spots of All-Conference players, Noah Johnson, Evan Vining, and running back Garrett Adams. The Wildcats hurt themselves throughout the season with tiny mistakes and that has been a point of emphasis for Coach Rinehart this offseason, “Teams don’t stop us, we stop ourselves.” The Wildcats will stick to their split back offense and try to be the physical team every play.
Coach Rinehart has preached to his team to believe in the system they have in place. “Last year is last year, we have to believe in this season.” Rinehart also has a lot of belief in his team. “These guys aren’t just good football players; they are good leaders.” The youth on the Wildcats will show as many of the players have little to no Junior Varsity experience but Lakeview will be prepared week one.
Lakeview will open the season with a CSAA crossover game against Tri-County on August 26th. That game will be broadcasted on Michigan Sports Radio.
Morley-Stanwood: Mohawks Look for ‘Big’ Play Inside This Season
Third-year Head Coach Art Campione is expecting both defensive and offensive dominance on the line this season. Last season the Mohawks ended the season on a two-game skid but were still able to secure the crown in the CSAA Silver, ending with a 6-3 record. This season Coach Campione is looking to repeat the success. “We want to go one week at a time. The Kent City game is one that really determines the CSAA for us. The winner of that game typically wins our division.”
Morley Stanwood comes into the season losing All-Conference lineman Brandon Lintemuth and All-Conference play caller Aaron Moore, but Coach Campione is excited with what they have cooking. “Up front we are going to be averaging 6-3, 250.” The Mohawks will be returning two All-Conference linemen in Kyle Biller, Cameren Cass, and also bring back Konnor Riggs. The big question on the offensive side of the ball is who is going to be under center? “Right now it is a three-horse race,” Coach Campione answered. The competition has been narrowed down to Zayne Moore, Mikey Mercer, and Gage Freiberg. All three are great athletes and bring something different to the table.
On the defensive side of the ball, it is the same story. Morley Stanwood brings a lot of experience and depth to the defensive line as well to the linebacker room. Although the Mohawks lost All-Conference linebacker Kodee Engstrom, expect for Zayne Moore, Demetrius Welder, and Dawson Olsen to fill the shoes of Engstrom. In the secondary the Mohawks are going to have to do some more digging before week one to nail down those spots.
The Mohawks open the season at home against Central Montcalm on August 25th. You can catch that game on Michigan Sports Radio!
White Cloud: Indians Reaching for Another Playoff Season
Joe Gorman is entering his third season as the Head Coach for the Indians. Coach Gorman was hired after the 2019 season was canceled due to low participation in the program.
Last season, White Cloud reached the playoffs with a 4-5 record. They were the lone team from the CSAA Silver to make the playoffs despite finishing 4th in the conference. The Indians lost in the first round to eventual District Champions Carson City-Crystal. This season, White Cloud is working with two returning All-Conference players in Mason Ruether and Jace Silverthorn to return to the playoffs for the third straight year, and to make a push for the conference championship. If the Indians want the title of ‘Conference Champions’, they will have to go through the likes of Morley-Stanwood and Kent City, the two most recent winners of the CSAA Silver. White Cloud graduated two All-Conferencers in Joel Bradley and Wesley Penland, who were vital parts in the Indians success last season. The Indians open the season on the road against the Tigers of Shelby.
2022 MSR FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
