TEAM OUTLOOK

It’s year two for Kendall Jackson at Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills, as he looks to build a Bengals program looking for its first win since the 2021 season this year. They’ll be tested in the new OK-Black conference, which will feature a game vs. reigning state champion GR Catholic Central and other past champions like EGR and Holland Christian.

The Bengals will go into the season with a battle for the starting QB spot, but whoever wins the battle in camp will have a lot of returning talent out wide and up front to lean on. On the offensive line, Jayden Burton, Rashawn Rogers, and Ja’Ron La’Grone are all three year starters returning to anchor things this year. Ryshon Thomas and Demario Liddell also will return as the top WR targets from last year, to complement a young and deep group of RBs that will be stepping up this year.

On Defense, Liddell and Thomas will play two ways and lead things in the defensive secondary as well. At linebacker, Ottawa Hills will have a lot of returning talent as juniors Javon Welzein and Tysre Coleman along with sophomore Izaiah Battle are all back after taking snaps last season. The defensive line will look to seniors David Blair and Izaiah Anible to lead the way.