Best Returners & Biggest Shoes to Fill in the OK-Red
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The OK-Red is one of the most competitive and talented leagues in the state. In it, we’ve got consistent great teams like Rockford, with some up-and-coming teams like Caledonia. In 2021, we saw a ton of amazing performances from amazing…
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Continue ReadingThe OK-Red is one of the most competitive and talented leagues in the state. In it, we’ve got consistent great teams like Rockford, with some up-and-coming teams like Caledonia. In 2021, we saw a ton of amazing performances from amazing seniors, and we also saw some stars in the making. Here, I’ll go over each team and who I expect to step up in 2022.
(Apologies for the formatting. I’m not sure why there are issues.)
Rockford
Biggest Shoes – QB Zak Ahern Zak Ahern 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Rockford | 2022 State MI
Best Returner – QB/WR Mac VandenHout Mac VandenHout 5'11" | 190 lbs | QB Rockford | 2023 State MI
Ahern led Rockford to a district championship this past season, and nearly to a semifinal bid. Next year, he’ll be at Ferris St and VandenHout may very well be the one who snags the QB spot. Rockford is one of those teams that seems to be able to seamlessly reload every season, so I expect increased output from guys like Mac VandenHout Mac VandenHout 5'11" | 190 lbs | QB Rockford | 2023 State MI and Alex McLean Alex McLean 5'7" | 165 lbs | WR Rockford | 2023 State MI , with others we know little about stepping into big roles.
Caledonia
Biggest Shoes – G Andrew DeVries Andrew DeVries 6'2" | 270 lbs | OL Zeeland East | 2022 State MI
Best Returner – QB Mason McKenzie
With the amount of returning talent on Caledonia, I would put them neck-and-neck with Rockford as OK-Red favorites. Caledonia took a giant leap in 2021 as they went 10-2, earning their first winning record since 2014. Head Coach Derek Pennington has shown that he’s the right fit, and he and his staff did amazing developing much of the talent, including Mason McKenzie who took a giant junior-year leap. I am very excited and optimistic for this team heading into 2022.
Grandville
Biggest Shoes – T Jackson Buckler Jackson Buckler 6'5" | 290 lbs | OL Grandville | 2022 MI and G Jackson Rader
Going all offensive-line here, Grandville’s T-Wing offense lives and dies in the trenches. The Bulldogs were able to get it going
late into the season largely because of their offensive line, and the line needs to be reloaded with studs if they want a chance at
the OK-Red championship trophy. This lies heavily on the shoulders of their Center Mason McPherson.
Hudsonville had an inconsistent 2021 season, one that was disappointing to many. Slot Back Dylan Ham Dylan Ham 5'10" | 170 lbs | WR Hudsonville | 2022 MI was leaps and bounds their best athlete, and more often than not the best athlete on the field any given Friday. Hudsonville has quite a few seniors graduating on both sides of the ball, though retaining their amazing Center Mason Dykstra is a massive plus.
Jenison was another team that had higher expectations, but they just weren’t able to string enough wins together. Ethan Mate was a great piece, but all around Jenison had some hiccups. Moving forward, Gage Chatfield Gage Chatfield 6'3" | 215 lbs | DL Jenison | 2024 MI is a big name to watch on the defensive line. He’s a great, big body at 6’3″ 220lbs and he’s capable of doing some damage. He’s currently tearing it up on the hardwood.
I am very excited to check out East Kentwood this coming season. They only won 2 games this past season, but they’ve got a stud QB in Casey Joppie Casey Joppie 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB East Kentwood | 2024 State MI who’s going to make some magical plays in 2022. He’s one of the best QB’s in his class and has been competing and performing well in the offseason. For many teams, the QB position can make or break a season, and we know that East Kentwood has their QB, likely the best in the OK-Red. The biggest mystery to me is the overall supporting cast around Joppie, as well as the defensive front 7.
2021 was a frustrating year for Grand Haven as they had immense talent but just couldn’t finish many games. They lose lots of talent, most notably Michigan State commit Ashton Lepo Ashton Lepo 6'8" | 305 lbs | OL Grand Haven | 2022 State MI , though they do have some returning talent. Nolan Peckham Nolan Peckham 6'0" | 255 lbs | LS Grand Haven | 2024 MI is the most dedicated long snapper I’ve ever seen, as he claims to work on his long snapping for more than 3 hours every day. DE Connor Vanbeek is an interesting defensive end who played at the JV level, and he’ll immediately play a big role in the Grand Haven defense.
Winless in 2021, West Ottawa looks to rebound in a big way. They played a ton of young talent, including rising star RB Kayden
Forbes. If the Offensive Line can play well, Kayden Forbes will have a huge year which will propel the West Ottawa program into
a brighter future.