Best Returners & Biggest Shoes to Fill in the Capital-Blue

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Capital Blue proved to be one of the most entertaining leagues last season. With multiple teams having made a 2022 playoff run, this is a prime league to watch in 2023. In this article, I do my best to outline the best returners for every OK-Blue team in addition to the most valuable 2023 departing seniors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DeWitt</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Shoes to Fill - [player_tooltip player_id='241259' first='Bryce' last='Kurncz']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryce will be sorely missed as he heads to Michigan Tech. Bryce quietly posted an absolutely legendary senior season in both football and basketball, earning all-state honors for both sports. Last fall, Bryce totaled 2373 yards with 33 touchdowns playing multiple positions on both sides of the ball. I first discovered Bryce at the 2021 State Championship game where he came up with a few huge plays, including an interception. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Best Returner - [player_tooltip player_id='563430' first='Traverse' last='Moore']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If anyone is going to fill the shoes of [player_tooltip player_id='241259' first='Bryce' last='Kurncz'], it's rising star, [player_tooltip player_id='563430' first='Traverse' last='Moore']. Although Traverse is just going into his sophomore year, he had an amazing freshman season, being utilized a ton in the DeWitt offense. Traverse is blazing fast and is a great north-south runner, and has been shown to fight for extra yards. I think the athleticism he possesses allows him to play just about any skill position for the Panthers, and I am eager to see what he can do on both sides of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">East Lansing</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Shoes to Fill - [player_tooltip player_id='178996' first='Evan' last='Boyd']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evan is heading to Central Michigan after his amazing career as East Lansing's WR1. What East Lansing is losing is a big-bodied receiver that would absolutely wreck games. Evan was a special athlete, and I know very few DBs that would have a shot at guarding him. I fully expect him to contribute at CMU! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Best Returner - [player_tooltip player_id='666398' first='Javon' last='Thomas']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I could have gone a few different directions here, but I believe [player_tooltip player_id='666398' first='Javon' last='Thomas'] is too good to not write about. They say games are won and lost in the trenches, and I can't tell you how many times I've seen that saying play out in real time. Javon gives you a unique mismatch on the interior of the defensive line that very few teams can match. Whether it's stuffing the run or rushing the passer, Javon is a game-wrecker and a huge headache for any opposing coaching staff to gameplan against. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grand Ledge</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Shoes to Fill - [player_tooltip player_id='407334' first='Shawn' last='Foster']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't know if anyone could have predicted the season [player_tooltip player_id='407334' first='Shawn' last='Foster'] would have, especially at QB. The number of jaw-dropping plays Shawn was able to produce was insane, and their deep playoff run was legendary. Shawn will be incredibly missed as he heads to GV. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Best Returner - [player_tooltip player_id='587855' first='Preston' last='Bohnet'] </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An all-area selection last fall, Preston provides experience and leadership to the secondary and WR room. I remember hearing his name called quite a bit during their Week 1 game against Coldwater, and he proved to be a very reliable player down the stretch. On paper, it's looking like a reloading year for GL, but if Preston can continue to improve and eventually take off, then so can Grand Ledge! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Holt</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Shoes to Fill - [player_tooltip player_id='243467' first='Seneca' last='Moore']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whenever you lose a dynamic 6'2 QB, that's a huge loss. [player_tooltip player_id='243467' first='Seneca' last='Moore'] led Holt to a surprising 2022 season where the Rams surpassed expectations. We'll see who takes his place as QB1!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Best Returner - Dayton Hall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dayton is the best returner for Holt that I can find reliable film of. A 6'1 280lb interior O-lineman and DT, Hall has the potential to be a great anchor on offense and enforcer on defense. He has some high-effort film on the O-Line, and I hope to see him continue to improve heading into next season! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lansing Everett</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Shoes to Fill - John Douglas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A running back who totaled over 1000 yards last season, I am unsure who will replace John Douglas as RB1. John was a great north-south runner with big-play ability. He was also a big playmaker on defense! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Best Returner - [player_tooltip player_id='814544' first='Van' last='Norman']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Going with the guy I just saw at Legacy, I'm confident that [player_tooltip player_id='814544' first='Van' last='Norman'] will be a super solid player next season. Van was a surprise at Legacy and took coaching very well. He went up against some legit defensive linemen and had some impressive wins. I'd be very confident with Van on my O-Line!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->