2023 Season Preview | West Catholic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your subscription by using Pallone30 in the coupon code area!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Football season is just around the corner, and that means it's team preview time! Over the next month, we'll be previewing many teams throughout Michigan. This summer, we'll go more in-depth on these teams than ever. For our next Preview, we look at what I'd call a re-emerging Powerhouse in West Catholic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">West Catholic Falcons</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For decades, West Catholic Football has had a great tradition of success. Especially in the early-mid 2010s, West Catholic was at its peak dominance, being a State Championship favorite every single season under Legendary Head Coach Dan Rohn. After Rohn's departure, West Catholic had some bumps in the road, including one of their worst seasons ever, going 1-8 back in 2019. After a few extremely promising rebuilding years in 2019 and 2020, West Catholic found their guy in Head Coach Landon Grove, and The Falcons immediately went on to win their first State Championship in 5 years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's State Championship was a statement. Not only did West Catholic win the state title, they did it in dominating fashion. Throughout their five postseason games, they outscored their opponents 221-59 while winning the State Championship by a score of 59-14. This playoff run, alongside a dominating regular season, showed a significant boost in performance compared to years prior. Especially after this offseason, it's clear that West Catholic is back, and they're here to stay. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2022 Recap</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 1 (A) - Defeated Edwardsburg 28-20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 2 (A) - Defeated Ferndale 43-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 3 (A) - Defeated Spring Lake 41-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 4 (H) - Defeated Holland Christian 28-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 5 (H) - Defeated Allendale 39-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 6 (A) - Defeated Hamilton 51-19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 7 (A) - Lost to Fruitport 28-20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 8 (H) - Defeated Coopersville 37-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 9 (H) - Defeated Unity Christian 38-16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pre-Districts - Defeated Watervliet 42-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Districts - Defeated Constantine 50-24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Regionals - Defeated Lansing Catholic 37-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Semifinals - Defeated Clinton 33-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>State Championship - Defeated Negaunee 59-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Losses Due to Graduation </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Timmy Kloska - Running Back / Linebacker - Army</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bernie Varnsdell - Quarterback - Davenport (Basketball)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joe Debski - Defensive Back - Alma College </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elliot Zainea - Linebacker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2023 Impact Players</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["207193"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Alek's transfer to West Catholic was one of the most intriguing moves of the offseason. At Grand Rapids Christian, Alek was a solid Quarterback with a renowned offseason work ethic. I always knew he was working his tail off to be great, and he showed a ton of flashes at GR Christian. Over the entirety of this offseason, I've seen Alek greatly improve his game. My gut tells he this is due to another offseason of work plus better coaching u0026amp; offseason competition. Seeing Alek at a few camps plus 7on7 events, he looks as confident and accurate as ever.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["253240"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Another transfer, I am super interested in seeing what [player_tooltip player_id='253240' first='Mike' last='Murphy'] is able to do at West Catholic. Mike is another player I've known about for quite some time, and he's someone I've seen go from a skinny freshman to absolutely jacked and athletic. Likely a linebacker, Mike is going to play a huge role in the Falcon defense, and I wouldn't be shocked if he was utilized on offense- considering his role with Northview.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1148700' first='Jacob' last='Timmer']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"West Catholic","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"One of the most promising young linemen in Michigan, I expect [player_tooltip player_id='1148700' first='Jacob' last='Timmer'] to make waves this season. I was able to see Jacob a bit at this week's Veer Camp, and him alongside other West Catholic Linemen looked solid. Timmer should improve throughout this coming season, and once it's time to face top competition, he'll be drilled and skilled. A future college prospect? If he keeps up his work, most definitely.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64c2b6dce04b4"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Key Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryner Snow - Defensive Back</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='602171' first='Gabe' last='Schwieters'] - Wide Receiver / Defensive Back</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='568142' first='Connor' last='Olszewski'] - Running Back</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='295480' first='Charlie' last='DeBruyn'] - Running Back</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='899512' first='Gabe' last='Powers'] - Guard </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(and many more)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Schedule / Pivotal Matchups</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 24 @ Edwardsburg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sep. 1 vs. GR Union</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sep. 8 @ Coopersville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sep. 15 @ Unity Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although West Catholic dominated Unity Christian 36-18 last season, you'll likely note UC's historical dominance. Last season was a down year for UC, this is a team known for being a year-in, year-out state championship contender. I still have West Catholic as the favorite in this one, but Unity Christian may prove to be The Falcons hardest Regular-Season test all season. Expect a close first-half and a well-coached contest for this one!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sep. 22 vs. Spring Lake</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sep. 29 @ Holland Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 6 @ Allendale</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 13 vs. Hamilton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oct. 20 vs. Fruitport </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fruitport served as a surprising loss last season. Armed with a lot of severely underrated players, Fruitport controlled the game and came away with a close victory. It was an eye-opening experience for West Catholic, and there's no doubt The Falcons will be locked in heading into this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Division 5 Postseason</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The competition is going to improve significantly once the Postseason begins. Now in Division 5, West Catholic has the potential to face teams such as GR Catholic Central, Gladwin, Frankenmuth, and others. Based on the bracket system, an early-playoff matchup against Catholic Central is incredibly likely. This potential matchup would be one of the most anticipated games of the season, and I would currently view this hypothetical matchup as a toss-up. No matter what, I expect West Catholic to be greatly tested in the postseason. Even though I feel this West Catholic team is all-around better than last season, the road to Ford Field will be more challenging. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">X-Factor: Defensive Line</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive line is the only aspect of West Catholic that I am not supremely confident in. Every other position has at least 1 prominent college-level name that I know well. This team will need help from their defensive line in order to rush the passer in key playoff matchups and to stuff the run throughout the season. Especially if this team wants to win against GR Catholic Central, the defensive line will need to step up to the challenge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Final Thoughts + Season Prediction</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Catholic comes into the 2023 Season as my #2 Ranked team in Division 5. I fully expect them to<strong><em> sweep</em></strong> the regular season on their way to a very high seed in the postseason. Just looking at their schedule, I know that Edwardsburg is young and relatively inexperienced, UC likely won't be at West Catholic's level and the rest of the OK-Blue simply seems to be a few steps below West Catholic. This is an extremely skilled and well-coached team filled with rising stars, and this season is state championship or bust. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Floor: 9-2, District Finals loss to GR Catholic Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ceiling: 14-0, State Championship Victory</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: 10-1, District Finals loss to GR Catholic Central (Prove Me Wrong, please!!!) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->