TEAM OUTLOOK

Zeeland West and Hall-Of-Fame coach John Shillito missed the state championship game in division three by two yards last season, as Forest Hills Central on 4th down and goal from the two powered their way into the endzone to defeat the Dux late. Z.W. reached that point despite a rash of injuries across the team to key players, this year, they will be able to return a lot of talent – that if they can stay healthy, could deliver another very deep run.

The Dux feature one of the best Power-T attacks in the state under Shillito, but will have to replace multi-year stalwarts like Parker Holman and Rolando Robelin in the backfield this year. Trey Sloothaak will be a key returner here at RB, he took a leading role last year with injuries to the likes of Holman, and will look to do so again this year. Marshall Johnson and Mason Myers are two returners that we can expect to see on the line on both sides of the ball and help lead the way in the ‘T’ run game.

The defense will again be one of the team’s strengths in 2024. Sloothaak was an all-state safety in 2023 and will again lead the secondary this season. Brody Smeyers and Brody Maas make up a dangerous one-two punch each coming off the edge at DE. And, Keaton Hendricks returns to join Sloothaak in the secondary as the team’s leading lock-down corner.