Ottawa-Kent White League Preview
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Overview The OK-White was incredibly competitive last season with 5/8 teams going .500 or over. Byron Center won the league in 2020 going 5-1 in the regular season and averaging 37PPG. Though Byron Center was loaded with seniors in 2020,…
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The OK-White was incredibly competitive last season with 5/8 teams going .500 or over. Byron Center won the league in 2020 going 5-1 in the regular season and averaging 37PPG. Though Byron Center was loaded with seniors in 2020, and other teams such as Forest Hills Central/Northern & East GR are licking their chops for the league title. First, let’s take a look at last year’s standings.
2020 Standings
- Byron Center (5-1)
- Forest Hills Central (5-1)
- Forest Hills Northern (4-2)
- Lowell (3-3)
- East Grand Rapids (3-3)
- Christian (2-3)
- Northview (1-5)
- Greenville (0-5)
2021 Preview
It’s going to be another competitive year for the OK-White and it’s going to be interesting to see how the standings get shaken up. Forest Hills Central, East Grand Rapids, and Christian are teams that stand out in having many returning starters, while Byron Center and Forest Hills Northern stand out in being very young. With that being said, I still expect the league to be incredibly competitive.
Players to watch
Andrew Caswell, RB East Grand Rapids – Although East Grand Rapids is returning many players, they’ve also lost some big talent with ’21 RB Nate Milanowski Nate Milanowski 5'9" | 175 lbs | WR East Grand Rapids | 2021 State MI , among others. Caswell has big shoes to fill as a junior, but he posted an impressive 2020 showing off nice vision and acceleration through holes.
Ahmon Parks Ahmon Parks 6'3" | 280 lbs | OL Grand Rapids Christian | 2022 MI , G Christian – Parks is one of many seniors headlining the returning starters for Christian. With great IOL size at 6’4, 310, Parks is a dominant force on the offensive line. He’s a guy that truly plays until the whistle and absolutely embarrasses anyone who tries to get past him. Look for Parks to make his 2nd consecutive All-state team this year.
Brett Jacobi, DE/TE Byron Center – Jacobi is a solid defensive lineman that uses masterful finesse moves to sprint past opposing offensive linemen. Often stunting inside, Jacobi uses his tall 6’3 230 body to make his way past blockers and consistently stuff the run with the occasional QB pressure. He’s also a solid TE with great lead blocking ability.
Luke Silvernale, K/P Forest Hills Northern – Silvernale is one of the best kicking talents in the state, and undoubtedly the best in the league. A 5-star Punter (Kohl’s), Silvernale is just too good not to be put on this list. He’s a game-changer, able to pin opponents back deep with a strong leg and great consistent stroke.