TEAM OUTLOOK

The winningest program in the history of Michigan did it again in 2023, the Big Reds were able to avenge an early season loss to De La Salle with a dominant second half in the division two state title game to win their 900th game as a program in championship fashion, 33-21. And coach Shane Fairfield has reloaded in 2024 with transfers and returning D1 talent, as they look to make another run at Ford Field this season.

The Big Reds biggest move this season came from a transfer, as they welcome in all-state QB from 2023 up the road at North Muskegon, James Young. Young is more of an air-it-out pure passer than some of the skee-gun pistol option QBs in the past few years for the Big Reds – it provides a lot of intrigue at how the traditional ground-and-pound Muskegon offense will look this season. Up front, Jim Harris returns as one of the best offensive tackle prospects in the state, Harris racked up 17 division one offers before committing to Virginia this summer. Replacing the likes of Destin Piggee and Jake Price in the backfield will be far from easy, one of the options to do so is a true power back that saw plenty of snaps in that role ar RB last year with 220 pound senior Adrian Rankin Jr. 

The defense keeps together many of the key pieces that led the way in 2023. Rankin can be expected to play both ways as a terrific run-stopping and coverage outside linebacker, we’ll also see Harris come off the edge at defensive end on this side of the ball. And Darekeo Speech is a MLB with a relentless motor and great athleticism and size at 230 pounds. The defensive line will be a particular strength for this team when you add in 280 pound N’Kye Wynn – who racked up 25 D1 offers, committing to Rutgers. Also, sophomore DE Recarder Kitchen is starting to garner some D21 interest after he was on the title team as a freshman last year, and will likely be a breakout talent in 2023.