Best Returners & Biggest Shoes to Fill in the Capital-Blue
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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.
DeWitt
Shoes to Fill – Bryce Kurncz Bryce Kurncz 6'1" | 165 lbs | ATH DeWitt | 2023 State MI
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.
Best Returner – Traverse Moore Traverse Moore 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH DeWitt | 2026 State MI
If anyone is going to fill the shoes of Bryce Kurncz Bryce Kurncz 6'1" | 165 lbs | ATH DeWitt | 2023 State MI , it’s rising star, Traverse Moore Traverse Moore 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH DeWitt | 2026 State MI . 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.
East Lansing
Shoes to Fill – Evan Boyd Evan Boyd 6'3" | 195 lbs | WR East Lansing | 2023 State MI
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!
Best Returner – Javon Thomas Javon Thomas 6'4" | 255 lbs | DL East Lansing | 2024 State MI
I could have gone a few different directions here, but I believe Javon Thomas Javon Thomas 6'4" | 255 lbs | DL East Lansing | 2024 State MI 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.
Grand Ledge
Shoes to Fill – Shawn Foster Shawn Foster 6'1" | 165 lbs | WR Grand Ledge | 2023 State MI
I don’t know if anyone could have predicted the season Shawn Foster Shawn Foster 6'1" | 165 lbs | WR Grand Ledge | 2023 State MI 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.
Best Returner – Preston Bohnet Preston Bohnet 6'2" | 175 lbs | ATH Grand Ledge | 2025 MI
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!
Holt
Shoes to Fill – Seneca Moore Seneca Moore 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Holt Senior | 2023 MI
Whenever you lose a dynamic 6’2 QB, that’s a huge loss. Seneca Moore Seneca Moore 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Holt Senior | 2023 MI led Holt to a surprising 2022 season where the Rams surpassed expectations. We’ll see who takes his place as QB1!
Best Returner – Dayton Hall
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!
Lansing Everett
Shoes to Fill – John Douglas
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!
Best Returner – Van Norman Van Norman 6'3" | 300 lbs | OL Lansing Sexton | 2024 State MI
Going with the guy I just saw at Legacy, I’m confident that Van Norman Van Norman 6'3" | 300 lbs | OL Lansing Sexton | 2024 State MI 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!