Our sixth preview this week brings us to the OK Gold, featuring an assortment of teams that may be the best in West Michigan, if not the state. This conference will have five teams that can not only reach the postseason, but make a run deep in the postseason. This was the toughest conference to rank without a doubt, as you could make the case for an infinite number of combinations for the final standings.

OK Gold

  1. Zeeland East
  2. Zeeland West
  3. South Christian
  4. Unity Christian
  5. Forest Hills Central
  6. Wyoming

Forest Hills Central (9-3 in 2024)

Forest Hills Central didn’t skip a beat under first-year Head Coach Dave Fortino last year. The Rangers returned to the playoffs and captured another District Championship. Their season came to an end against Zeeland West, a conference foe and the eventual Division 3 State Champs.

In 2025, their success starts with quarterback Nick Williams, fullback Matt Sexton and wide receiver Adam Piotrowski. This trio will serve as the experienced offensive core that will look to bring the others along with them. On defense, they will look to Sexton to provide that leadership as well. This is a younger group with a challenging schedule, but if we have learned anything over the past decade, it’s that Forest Hills Central is a program built to last.

South Christian (8-5 in 2024)

South Christian returned to the playoffs in 2024, but they were unable to make their third straight trip to Ford Field. After a 5-4 regular season, they played well in the postseason before falling to Niles in the semifinals. Although the personnel is shifting in 2025, expect South Christian to be in the mix once again.

Austin Burgess, a junior, is tapped to take over for the legendary Carson Vis at quarterback. He will have a reliable target in Owen Burgess, an honorable mention All-Conference player a season ago. Greyson Hunderman will anchor the defensive line, as well as captain the linebacker group. His experience as a three-year varsity contributor will be vital for this team. Dayton Blackport, a freshman, is exciting the Sailors as a player who has the athletic versatility to make an impact all over the field. It will be exciting to see what Danny Brown has in store for him this fall. The schedule is tough, featuring non-league games against Grand Rapids Christian, East Grand Rapids, West catholic and GR Catholic Central, but if the Sailors get into the playoffs, expect them to play deep into the tournament once again.

Unity Christian (10-1 in 2024)

The ‘Saders put together an undefeated regular season, capturing the OK Gold title. It was stunning when they lost in a regular season rematch against South Christian in the District Finals.

This fall, Coach Tibbe’s bunch will feature several new faces, as many of the key contributors have graduated. Brody Scholten and Jared Devries should see an increase in carries. The strength of their T-attack is the offensive line, and there are some returners there. Carter VanderVeen, Hunter Grassmid and Ryer Selvius are stalwarts up front. While we will learn about the ballcarriers soon enough, there is no doubt that Unity Christian will be a tough team again this fall.

Wyoming (1-8 in 2024)

Last season was frustrating for the Wolves, as they managed just one victory. This year, they will seek to improve on that total. Head Coach Carlton Brewster’s Wolves had a tremendous opportunity to start their season with two wins in the first three weeks, as they face both Wyoming Lee and Ottawa Hills. The Bengals were their lone win last fall, and Wyoming Lee is returning to 11-man football for the first time since 2020. It will be a challenge in conference play, in perhaps the area’s toughest conference,

Zeeland East (5-5 in 2024)

The Chix and head coach Joe Woodruff returned to the playoffs for the second straight season in 2024. Unfortunately, they once again bowed out to rival Zeeland West, who they have lost nine consecutive meetings against. In 2025, experience gives this team tremendous upside, as they look to return to the playoffs and capture their first postseason victory since 2018.

Will Drnek, an All-Conference selection in 2024, is back at quarterback after throwing for 16 touchdowns as a sophomore. Isaiah Boonstra and Coby Miller were two of his top targets, and they’re also back in the mix. On the ground, Derek Baxter, Jack Kamphuis, Peyton Davis and Bennett Bing make up a lethal group behind a seasoned offensive line. Davis is also an anchor on defense, as he was Honorable Mention All-Conference at Linebacker. This team might have as much returning production as anyone in West Michigan, and they’ll rely on that experience to get them back to the postseason.

Zeeland West (13-1 in 2024)

There is a changing of the guard at Zeeland West, after legendary coach John Shillito retired with 185 wins, 18 playoff appearances and five state championships since 2005. Jeff Bolhouse has enormous shoes to fill, as the longtime assistant becomes the Dux’ second ever head football coach.

Given that Bolhouse is familiar with the program and its culture, expect the T-style rushing attack to remain a staple at West. There is talent in the trenches, starting with All-Region selection Mason Myers, who will play guard and defensive tackle once again. He provides protection for the stable of Dux’ runners, namely quarterback Drew Albrecht and senior running back Jonah Leslie. It will be a huge test for the longevity of Zeeland West as a football program to see how they continue to evolve in the early years of the Bolhouse era, but expect the 2025 Dux to still look and play like a Shillito-style squad.