Photo Credit: Lou Murray
The OK Gold is the latest preview on MSR. This league features the three-time reigning State Champion Grand Rapids Catholic Central. The OK Gold also have historically strong programs Cedar Springs and South Christian. The remaining five teams in this league all show signs of optimism and improvement as the 2022 campaign begins.
Cedar Springs
2021 Season: 9-3 (lost in regionals)
Last Conference Championship: 2019 OK White
Last Playoff Victory: 2021
Non-Conference Schedule: River Rouge (at Wayne State), Zeeland West
In 2021, Cedar Springs had a phenomenal season. They posted a 7-2 regular season with defeats against Rockford and GR Catholic Central. In their game against the Cougars, they nearly snapped the winning streak of the three-time reigning State Champions. In the postseason, Cedar Springs finally slayed the dragon that was Muskegon, toppling the Big Reds 21-14 to capture the first District Championship for the program since 2000.
This fall, the Red Hawks start out with an absolute gauntlet in the opening four weeks. They will face River Rouge, Zeeland West, Grand Rapids Catholic Central and South Christian, four of the best programs in the state. With returners such as Antwuan Nicholls, Carter Falan, Cashius Heiss, Josh Kriekaard, Ryan Mitchell, and Ryan West back, the Red Hawks will certainly be a factor in the OK Gold and the Division 3 playoffs. Despite their “hide the ball” Wing-T offense, the Red Hawks won’t be a surprise to anyone in 2022.
Forest Hills Eastern
2021 Season: 5-5 (lost in playoff opener)
Last Conference Championship: 2015 OK Bronze
Last Playoff Victory: 2020
Non-Conference Schedule: at Adrian, South Haven
The Hawks qualified for the playoffs for the second straight season in 2021. Their season followed what many experts would have predicted in terms of the wins and losses in each contest.
In 2022, the Hawks will look to get off to a strong start with a more favorable non-league schedule. One returning player they hope will get things rolling is Collin Fridsma. A bit of a Swiss Army Knife last fall, Fridsma scored a touchdown four different ways (rushing, receiving, defense, and kick return). Bryson Kuzdal, who finished second in the OK Gold with 12 rushing touchdowns is also back for the Hawks.
Grand Rapids Catholic Central
2021 Season: 14-0 (State Champions)
Last Conference Championship: 2021 OK Gold
Last Playoff Victory: 2021
Non-Conference Schedule: Port Huron (at University of Michigan), at Detroit Loyola
The Cougars continued their winning ways in 2021, securing the program’s third straight State Championship. It was a dominant season in which they outscored opponents 587-128. The defense was elite, holding ten opponents (including all six postseason foes) to single digit outputs.
With a win streak of 37 games, GRCC carries a large target on their back this fall. Everyone will be giving the Cougars their best shot, something Coach Kolster’s program has gotten used to since first of five State Championships since 2016. Despite some heavy star power departing, the Cougars figure to be one of the area’s best teams once again this fall. They will look to Billy Mikolay, Jack Cook, Kellen Russell-Dixon, Nate VanTimmeren and Ryan Eastland to continue their winning tradition.
Kenowa Hills
2021 Season: 3-6
Last Conference Championship: 2010 OK Black
Last Playoff Victory: 1992
Non-Conference Schedule: Fruitport, at Greenville
Last season was the first for Rory Zegunis as the head coach at Kenowa Hills. The Knights had some offensive woes at times, averaging less than 20 points per game for the third time in four years. A pair of September wins, paired with a Week 8 win over Ottawa Hills, gave the Knights their final 3-6 record.
This fall, the Knights look to be a much-improved team with depth and experience returning. Jaiden Acker, who holds Service Academy, FCS and Division 2 scholarship offers is back in action. He is joined by returning quarterback Andrew Bradley (9 touchdowns), and top receiver Nolan Thayer. There are challenges and opportunities littered throughout this schedule. Coach Zegunis’ bunch will be ready to take those head on this fall.
Middleville
2021 Season: 3-6
Last Conference Championship: 2010 OK Gold
Last Playoff Victory: 2020
Non-Conference Schedule: Hastings, at Lowell
The 2021 season started off in a frustrating manner for the Trojans. They suffered defeats in each of the first four weeks, including a forfeit loss against Byron Center. At 0-4 with the OK Gold’s top two teams still in front of them, the Trojans could have rolled over and looked to 2022. Instead, Middleville battled hard and captured three victories in their final four games, including a two-game win streak to end the year over Wayland and Ottawa Hills.
Carsen Burbridge, who grew into the quarterback role throughout the season, is back and under center. He will look to improve on his 14 touchdown (9 pass/5 rush) campaign last fall. There are a stable of skill players that look to help Burbridge and the offense, including Brendan Peters, Jaxan Sias, J Garcia, and Tyler Gavette. The Trojans have two tough non-league bouts, before the always challenging OK Gold. Middleville ends the season with a gauntlet, facing Cedar Springs and Grand Rapids Catholic Central, the top two teams in the 2021 league title race. If they have any dreams of reaching the postseason, it is crucial that they get off to a hot start in 2022.
Ottawa Hills
2021 Season: 2-7
Last Conference Championship: 1996 City League
Last Playoff Victory: 2005
Non-Conference Schedule: vs Union, at Benton Harbor
The Bengals took significant steps as a program in 2021. Under Head Coach Christian Verley, the Bengals snapped a 16-game losing streak last fall with a Week 2 win over Benton Harbor. Two weeks later, Ottawa Hills defeated Wayland to post their first two-win campaign since 2015. In fact, their two wins in 2021 matched their entire total between 2016-2020 (a 2-41 record).
The schedule is exactly the same for the Bengals this fall, with the league games just shuffled in order. Keymarion Gibson, one of the Bengals’ most explosive players, returns with scholarship offers from Army, Central Michigan, Ferris State and Western Michigan. Anthony George and Kamani Jones are also back as contributing skill players. They will benefit from an offensive line that returns all five starters. Demarion Keyes, Izaiah Anible, JaRon Lagrone, Lucciano Buggs and Rashawn Rogers will anchor the Bengals as they try and build the program toward its first winning season since 2013.
South Christian
2021 Season: 8-4 (lost in Regional Finals)
Last Conference Championship: 2014 OK Gold
Last Playoff Victory: 2021
Non-Conference Schedule: Grand Rapids Christian, at East Grand Rapids
The Sailors started the year 2-2, but proceeded to win four straight games to secure a playoff bid at 6-3. In the playoffs, they dominated Plainwell and Hastings to capture a District Championship for the second straight year. Echoing the 2020 campaign, the Sailors fell in the regionals to Edwardsburg, though the 2021 edition was far more competitive (28-14).
South Christian will look to make it three straight District Championships this fall, and they hope to factor into the OK Gold title conversation. Jake DeHaan is back at quarterback for the Sailors, fresh off a season with over 20 total touchdowns. The Sailors will also have Austin Tiesma, Cayden Dykema, Jake Vermaas, Nate Brinks, and Seth Ritsema ready to keep the success at South Christian rolling.
Wayland
2021 Season: 0-9
Last Conference Championship: 2007 OK Gold
Last Playoff Victory: 2013
Non-Conference Schedule: Hopkins, at Holland Christian
The Wildcats suffered a winless campaign in 2021, and they enter the season losers of 10 straight and 27 of their last 28 games. Things won’t be easy schedule wise for the ‘Cats in 2022, as Hopkins and Holland Christian will challenge them early in non-league play. Wayland returns nine starters on each side of the football. This returning experience should help them be more consistently competitive in 2022.
2022 MSR FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
