Ottawa-Kent Green 2021 Review

The programs currently in the Ottawa-Kent Green have been incredible over the past decade producing lots of college talent with many state championships. Muskegon, Mona Shores, and Zeeland West have all won a state championship in the past decade, with even more programs being regular playoff teams. Though, this year something is a bit off about the OK-Green; not a single team advanced past the district finals. So, let’s review the OK-Green standings, and briefly recap each team’s season. <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Standings</span></strong> <ol> <li><strong>9-1 Muskegon</strong></li> <li><strong>8-3 Mona Shores</strong></li> <li><strong>6-3 Zeeland West</strong></li> <li><strong>5-5 Zeeland East</strong></li> <li><strong>4-5 Union</strong></li> <li><strong>3-6 Reeths-Puffer</strong></li> <li><strong>1-8 Holland</strong></li> <li><strong>1-10 Wyoming</strong></li> </ol> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Muskegon</span></strong> The Big Reds have established themselves as a household name in Michigan, and they’re a team that is largely feared among their opposition (I know I was). Sporting a veer-style offense, Muskegon often produces excellent offensive line, running back, and quarterback talent. Though, after advancing to or winning the state championship 5 times since 2014, Muskegon’s season has been cut short by a 21-14 loss to Cedar Springs in the District Finals. Muskegon will surely be back at the top, as they did have the #1 offense and #1 defense in the Green this season. Offensive MVP -  <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10486101">[player_tooltip player_id="30158" first="Myles" last="Walton"]</a> Defensive MVP -  <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13326116">Dominic Sugin</a> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Mona Shores</span></strong> After winning the 2020 state championship, Mona Shores has had a bit of a down year (believe it or not). They’re a young team, having graduated a very large 2020 class with lots of college talent. The Sailors seemed to improve more and more as the season went on. After their first loss against King, and the first-half scare against Union, Mona Shores seemed to get it together and have a decent season. Their most impressive win was in the pre-district round of the postseason where they demolished a great Forest Hills Central team 31-7. They have just been eliminated by Caledonia in the district finals. Mona Shores had the #2 offense and the #3 defense in the Green. Offensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13244273">Dahmir Farnum</a> Defensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11510732">[player_tooltip player_id="93664" first="Mark" last="Konecny"]</a> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Zeeland West</span></strong> The Dux had an OK year from their standards, going 6-3 with losses against Muskegon, Mona Shores, and St. Joseph in the playoffs. This is much of the same for Zeeland West as they’ve been a good team but struggled to make a deep playoff run since their state championship in 2015. This is a team that is close to breaking out into being elite, but they aren’t quite there yet. Zeeland West had the #3 Offense and #2 Defense Offensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13997330">Trevor Wallar</a> Defensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15544743">Skyler Geurink</a> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Zeeland East</span></strong> The Chix, like the Dux, had a ver familiar season this year, just meeting expectations. They won the games they were supposed to win, but lost every game they were an underdog in. They went on to slide into the playoffs where they lost in OT to Lakeshore. Zeeland East has been a .500 team for quite some time, and I’m interested in seeing how they progress or degrees in the future. The Chix had the #4 offense and #5 defense. Offensive MVP - Cebe Hunderman Defensive MVP - N/A (not enough data) <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Union</strong></span> This season is a HUGE accomplishment for Union, as they were very competitive against a grueling schedule. The difference in this team is undoubtedly Don Fellows, the man who built the Grand Rapids Christian program, and who is in the process of building the Union program. I watched this team play against Mona Shores, where they went into the half with a lead. This team showed heart, and pride, something that was not seen in years past. After going 4 seasons straight without a single victory, Union is on the rise and I’m incredibly excited for it. Union had the #7 offense and the #6 defense. Offensive MVP -  <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11277570">Keaunt’e Swarn</a> Defensive MVP -  <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16233008">Keith Griffin</a> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Reeths-Puffer</span></strong> The Rockets haven’t fared very well in the Green since the league realignment, and they’re without a winning season since 2019 in the OK-Black. It’s been a big change for this program since they’re now facing much better teams on a regular basis, and I’m unsure where the program will go from here. The Rockets finished #5 in league offense and #4 in league defense. Offensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11941710">Brady Ross</a> Defensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13730387">Caiden Bolduc</a> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Holland</strong></span> It’s rough sailing for Holland and I’m afraid there are no clear skies ahead for this program. Something needs to change in order for Holland to get back at least to .500, especially now that they’re in the OK-Green. Giving up 57.6 points per game is not going to win you many, if any football games. Holland ranked #7 in league offense and #8 in defense. Offensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11339005">[player_tooltip player_id="30239" first="Zachary" last="Hop"]</a> Defensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11559413">Dariel Song</a> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Wyoming</span></strong> Despite a shocking late-season win against Union, the Wolves were not competitive all season and don’t have any signs of upward trajectory. Wyoming hasn’t had a winning season since 2016, and that season was admittedly against inferior competition compared to the OK-Green. Wyoming ranked #8 in league offense and #7 in defense. Offensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13224378">Bernie Varnesdeel</a> Defensive MVP - <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13567712">Jase King</a>