The second conference in our preview series is the OK Silver. This league looks much improved from 2024, with a stronger league depth. I would expect the top four teams in this league to be playing meaningful football games in October, with a real shot at the postseason.
OK Silver Predictions
- Belding
- Fruitport
- Hopkins
- Comstock Park
- Holland
- Godwin Heights
- Kelloggsville
Belding (9-2 in 2024)
The Black Knights have become the kings of the class in the OK Silver, winning 17 straight conference games and three straight outright league titles. This fall, they are once again the strong favorites to capture that title, though their eyes are set on a deeper postseason run as well.
Belding, like many of the area’s great teams, relies on their T-attack on the ground. This offense relies on the big men up front, and Belding has the best in the league. They return All-Conference lineman Antonio Smith and Colton Hummel, Honorable Mention All-Conference Drew Shearer, and All-Conference tight end Joe Coles to provide a formidable front line. They will protect Honorable Mention All-Conference quarterback Dawson Donovan, and create running lanes for a stable of ballcarriers. Many of these key returners also play on the defensive side of the football. With a manageable non-league slate, expect Belding to rack up wins in the regular season, and look to position themselves for a deep playoff run.
Comstock Park (1-8 in 2024)
The Panthers had a down year in 2024, with just a 41-8 Week 8 victory over Kelloggsville to show for their troubles. They were in several games, and battled through challenging injuries throughout the entire season.
There is real reason for optimism on the north side this fall, as several players who benefitted from the extra reps in 2024 return as seasoned veterans in 2025. Branden Fehrlen, an Honorable Mention All-Conference tailback last year, returns to lead the offensive charge. Through the air, Comstock Park will look to the speedy Jace Cummings, as well as the lengthy Henry Vandenberg, who at 6’5, will provide a big target for their quarterback. On defense, Jonze Geldhof will lead the linebacking corps, with Carson Moore anchoring the defensive line. With all of this experience back, expect a much-improved Panthers club in 2025.
Fruitport (3-6 in 2024)
It was a challenging season last year for the Trojans, as they suffered two one-score defeats late in the season. This fall, they have experience all over the field, and that will give them the hope to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
Brady Hanson leads the offensive as a returning quarterback. There is experience at the skill positions as well, with Blair Zimmer, Liam Campbell and DayDay Williams ready to provide some spark in their spread offense. On defense, the leader is Kalan Teeter, who was Honorable Mention All-Conference last fall. The non-conference slate is challenging with games against Big Rapids and Spring Lake, but expect the Trojans to be in both the OK Silver race and the playoff picture as the season winds down.
Godwin Heights (3-5 in 2024)
Last fall, the Wolverines started the year 0-3. They then put together a three-game winning streak that allowed them to be in the postseason conversation at 3-3. They were unable to defeat either of their last two opponents, which ended their season rather abruptly.
This year, the schedule will feature the full nine games, with Lakewood replacing Mason County Central, and the addition of Wyoming Lee to a repeat game against Kent City. They have an opportunity against Lakewood and Lee to capture a pair of non-league victories, and pair that with some conference success, and they could be fighting for their first winning season since 2021.
Holland (5-4 in 2024)
The Dutch were perhaps the biggest benefactors of the OK Conference realignment. After several years against the area’s biggest heavyweights, they found themselves in a league where they are now the largest school in the conference. They capitalized on this opportunity, posting their first winning record since 2017. Given the shift in playoff points, they were the second team out of the postseason last fall.
This year, they will rely on some new faces to propel them forward. Eli Wolters is expected to takeover at quarterback. He will look to returners Andreas Valkema and Taner Kingery as top targets, as well as fellow sophomore Finn Galloway. Enzo Marraquin is a name to watch on the defensive side, as he will be a key factor on their success in the trenches. There are certainly question marks with this Holland team, but look for them to push for a winning record in 2025.
Hopkins (6-4 in 2024)
Cody Francis has built Hopkins into a program that is as consistent as any in West Michigan. Last year, they raced out to a 6-1 start before failing to score in each of their final three games, including a 28-0 loss in their playoff opener.
There are some strong players back for the Vikings, starting with All-Conference OL/LB Jaxon Koperski. He is joined by Honorable Mention OL Peyton Shealy, and they will pave a path for Honorable Mention tailback Justin VanWagner. Hopkins’ biggest strength is in the trenches, and that should provide the skill players some time to develop and this team to round into form. It would be a surprise if this team wasn’t fighting for the league title and a postseason berth.
Kelloggsville (1-8 in 2024)
There is a new coach leading up the Rockets, as Justin Dennett comes over from Montague. Unlike taking over a historic program at his last stop, this job will be creating a brand new winning culture. Kelloggsville has not had a winning season since 2017, and they have five total victories since 2019.
In his first season, the Rockets have multiple opponents that they should be able to compete against. They also have the advantage of a returning quarterback in Cameron Dunbar. He will be protected by Prince Baraka and Zane Hendricks, who will start both ways. Look for this team to show some major improvements under Dennett, and even if you don’t see it in their record, Kelloggsville will be a much better football team each Friday.
