2024 League Preview: OK-Red

While the OK Conference has experienced a ton of changes this offseason, the OK-Red remains the same. This league consists of eight programs who've all experienced great success in the past. Right now, Rockford seems to own this league, but Grandville and Caledonia have been knocking. In addition, teams like East Kentwood and Jenison seem to be on the rise, while Hudsonville, West Ottawa, and Grand Haven are all big schools with a ton of potential. So, in this league preview, I'll be predicting the 2024 standings while discussing every team individually.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Last Season's Standings</h2>   1. Rockford (11-1)   2. Grandville (8-3)   3. Caledonia (8-3)   4. West Ottawa (4-6)   5. Hudsonville (5-5)   6. East Kentwood (3-6)   7. Jenison (1-8)   8. Grand Haven (1-8)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">My Season Prediction</h2>   1. Rockford   2. Caledonia   3. Grandville   4. East Kentwood   5. Hudsonville   6. West Ottawa   7. Jenison   8. Grand Haven   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Team-by-Team Discussion</h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rockford</h2>   It's nearly impossible to think any other team besides Rockford will win the OK-Red. This year, the Rams are going for their sixth straight OK-Red title. To put that into perspective, the last time a team other than Rockford won an OK-Red title, COVID hadn't happened, and some current Rockford players would have been nine years old. It's become a tradition that year after year, Rockford would win yet another OK-Red title and be a very high seed in the Division 1 playoffs. No matter how much talent they seem to lose every year, they load right back up. This season specifically, Rockford returns many phenomenal players, most notably at offensive line, safety, tight end, and linebacker. Like every year, Grandville and Caledonia will be huge tests, and this year, I could see East Kentwood and Hudsonville being more difficult than usual. Regardless, I simply don't see any OK-Red team posting a better league or regular-season record than Rockford.   Key Players   QB | [player_tooltip player_id='913846' first='Brayden' last='Daniels']   Brayden will decide how far this team goes. I've seen him a few times this offseason, and he's looked solid. I've had concerns about other QBs making their Varsity debuts for Rockford, and every time I've had concerns, I was immediately proven otherwise. My biggest question is how Brayden will perform when the pressure is highest. Weeks 1-3 are all big tests for Rockford, and will be huge for Brayden settling into his new role.   TE | [player_tooltip player_id='1290918' first='Blake' last='Linsley']   The sky's the limit for Blake this season. I absolutely love his 2023 highlight tape, which showed wonderful versatility at the tight end position. He's asked to block, catch, and run—really everything you'd ask a College TE to do. I know he's been working his tail off this offseason. Honestly, I'm surprised more colleges aren't sending out offers. Regardless, I hope Blake shows improvements in his blocking, hands, and RAC abilities. Blake has all-state upside, he just has to go out and prove it week after week.   S/ATH | [player_tooltip player_id='602426' first='Isaac' last='Poot']   Isaac is one of my favorite defensive backs in West Michigan. Last season, he was also utilized as a kick returner, which is expected again this season. Speaking defensively, Isaac has shown flashes of elite Safety play, especially while defending the pass. There have been times when Isaac can explode toward the targeted receiver and force an incompletion or turnover. I also know that he's more than capable in man coverage, and he's considered a leader on this football team. I'm expecting a standout season from Isaac.   Other key players: [player_tooltip player_id='899577' first='Zane' last='Panchula'], [player_tooltip player_id='1291328' first='Dawson' last='LaPlante'], [player_tooltip player_id='1092409' first='Nolan' last='Miller'], [player_tooltip player_id='602430' first='Kade' last='Friesen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1316918' first='Gage' last='Maxson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1148719' first='Luke' last='Ahern']   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Caledonia</h2>   Don't count Caledonia out! Of everyone in the OK-Red, Caledonia has seen the most improvement since 2020. Before 2020, Caledonia tended to hover around .500. Over the past three seasons, Caledonia has a record of 30-7 with a State Championship appearance—something Rockford would LOVE to say. Now, that's not to say I don't have major questions about this 2024 team. They're now without two superstar players, Brock Townsend and Derek Pennington II (both Freshmen at Central Michigan). In addition, I don't know a ton about the depth of this football team. What does make me optimistic is their offense. Since Coach Pennington took over, this offense has consistently been one of the best in Michigan. On top of that, they have a few young players that I am incredibly optimistic about. I'm excited to see who's going to step up, and if I had to guess, Caledonia is on track for another 2nd-place finish in the Red.   Key Players   QB | [player_tooltip player_id='551056' first='Brody' last='Betser']   At this time last year, Brody was a huge question mark. It didn't take long for Brody to silence any doubts I had about him, as he quickly proved he could run the Caledonia offense exceptionally well. He's on-time with his throws, not afraid to take risks, and a willing athlete when asked to run the football. After another productive offseason, I expect Brody to come out and lead the Caledonia offense to a lot of success.   WR | [player_tooltip player_id='1157443' first='Tyden' last='Schuch']   I've seen Tyden quite a bit during these past two offseasons. This year, it's time to prove he can produce on the field. During those offseason workouts, Tyden has proven to be one of the most explosive high school football players I've ever seen at his age. I know he can run every route. I know he can catch every catchable ball. I know he has the footwork and athleticism to earn a ton of yards after the catch. I don't think it's a matter of IF Tyden produces as a Varsity football player. It's a matter of when and just how good he'll end up being.   ATH | [player_tooltip player_id='602441' first='Reed' last='Vogeler']   This season, Reed will serve as a Senior leader and a probable gadget player on both sides of the ball. As a safety, I've always loved his reactivity against the pass and aggressiveness when defending the run. Last season, he also showed flashes at LB and RB. If Reed is RB1 this season, I'm incredibly curious to see how he performs. Regardless, I know that Reed is a highly impactful player, and he'll be a huge part of Caledonia's success this season.   Other Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='551291' first='River' last='Swanlund'], [player_tooltip player_id='466870' first='Dallas' last='Moody'], [player_tooltip player_id='774218' first='Lincoln' last='Senti']   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grandville</h2>   Grandville is consistently inconsistent. Last season, the Bulldogs beat some great teams, including Grand Blanc and Caledonia. On the other hand, they allowed Davison and Rockford to pull away late in their respective games, and kept it way too close with East Kentwood, Hudsonville, and West Ottawa. For quite a long time, Grandville has been a good team but has failed to earn significant State Championship (or even OK-Red) hopes. That said, Grandville still returns plenty of talent, and I'd be shocked if they don't make it to the postseason. In the postseason, they'll very likely face Rockford or another OK-Red opponent. If they can make it to the regional round, anything could happen. For now, I rank Grandville firmly in the #3 spot.   Key Players   RB | [player_tooltip player_id='206418' first='Jayden' last='Terry']   Ever since his Freshman season, Jayden has been a gamebreaker. Jayden is due for a few explosive plays in almost every game, even against the best teams in Michigan. I've always been incredibly impressed with his patience, vision, and eventual explosiveness once he hits the open field. Without Jayden, Grandville's offense takes an absolutely massive hit. As long as Jayden stays healthy, Grandville will be able to score against anyone.   ATH | [player_tooltip player_id='899574' first='Ethan' last='Newville']   Ethan is bound to have another great season. I don't know if he'll start at quarterback, but I'm confident he'll take a step up as a defensive back. Last season, Ethan totaled 57 tackles, 2 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles. His tape shows an aggressive ball hawk of a DB. In person at the MHSAA Camp in Jenison, Ethan showed great competitiveness and very good DB skills. Ethan will very likely be one of the best defenders in the OK-Red, and he'll need to step up as a leader in order for Grandville to stop the better offenses in the Red.   TE | Gibson Connley   I'm going to be honest; I was surprised to see Gibson earn an offer from GVSU. The now GVSU commit has always shown immense potential as a tight end. His overall size and length are elite, and he projects very well at the college level. This season, I expect Gibson to play a much larger role on this Grandville team. Whether he's blocking, receiving, or playing defense, I'm looking forward to seeing Gibson rise as an impact player.   Other key players: [player_tooltip player_id='899618' first='Emery' last='Moody'], Reid Gaverson, [player_tooltip player_id='899522' first='James' last='Weiss'], [player_tooltip player_id='1274215' first='Carson' last='Kubczak'], [player_tooltip player_id='1290927' first='Miguel' last='Rojas'], [player_tooltip player_id='1015657' first='Garrett' last='Nawrocki']   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">East Kentwood</h2>   Is EK going to resurge as a powerhouse in Division 1? I think there's a great chance. Will they win the Red in year 1 of the new regime? I don't think so. Last season, East Kentwood finished 3-6 with a 2-5 conference record. I know this program had talent last season, but they generally did not play their best on Friday nights. Heading into this season, the program has acquired several great transfers in addition to a vastly upgraded coaching staff. Considering their #4 conference ranking, I'm expecting a significant jump during this season. I still see plenty of holes, most notably on the offensive and defensive line, but I also see a few position groups that I'd rank near the top of the OK-Red. This is going to be an incredibly interesting season for East Kentwood, and I'm looking forward to hopefully catching a game.   Key Players   ATH | Chris Murphy-Ware   Chris is a high-tier GLIAC prospect in my eyes. Although he hasn't earned much college attention, I fully expect that to change this season. Chris should earn a ton of playing time on both sides of the ball, and I have no doubt he'll be utilized well.   WR | [player_tooltip player_id='1225707' first='Owen' last='Van Der Veen']   One of the most intriguing prospects in Michigan. Owen has shown tremendous potential in the few months that he's been playing receiver. He has the length, has quickly developed good route-running, and I'm excited to see his game translate to full-go Friday night lights. Owen is someone I'll have a close eye on, and if he can have a breakout season, East Kentwood could make noise in the postseason.   QB | [player_tooltip player_id='570285' first='Kayd' last='Coffman']   Kayd is another player with very high upside, who hasn't quite proven themselves at the varsity level just yet. On paper, he's a great QB prospect who could see himself on a Division 1 roster one day.   Other Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='422578' first='Jesse' last='Phillips'], [player_tooltip player_id='922123' first='Austin' last='Bobo'], Several Underclassmen   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hudsonville</h2>   Hudsonville is another one of those good, but inconsistent programs. Last season, they came within a score of defeating Grandville, but struggled mightily against 1-8 Jenison and 1-8 Grand Haven. You really don't know which team you'll get week after week, and that concerns me. There's college talent in this program, but I'd imagine the depth of some positions just isn't there. In order for Hudsonville to emerge as a top team in the Red, the role players will need to take a major step up. I predict another near-.500 season and another playoff appearance for Hudsonville, but nothing more.   Key Players   QB | [player_tooltip player_id='1298758' first='Brady' last='Van Leacke']   Brady may be the most talented QB in the OK-Red. For this offense to succeed, Brady needs to play with confidence and composure. I know he can make every throw, I know his fundamentals are there, but I hope he can stay consistently accurate and poised, especially in those big moments. I'm expecting a breakout season from Brady.   LB | [player_tooltip player_id='1291326' first='Connor' last='Brintnall']   With the departure of other key defenders, Connor is expected to step up like never before. Connor is legitimately one of the best off-ball linebackers in the state. Fearless, aggressive, reactive, and defends the inside run exceptionally well. Against teams like Grandville, Connor will play a major role in securing a W.   Other Key Players: Isaac Vanderveen, [player_tooltip player_id='824330' first='Carson' last='Dykstra'], [player_tooltip player_id='1316941' first='Cooper' last='Roberts']   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">West Ottawa</h2>   While I'm expecting a few teams to take a step up, I see West Ottawa remaining stagnant. Last season, WO had an OK 4-5 season, with a 4-3 conference record. This was a team that found a way to be consistently competitive but never competed too well against their best opponents. This season, they once again face very difficult non-league opponents with Zeeland West and Grand Ledge. On a bright note, they'll be more prepared to compete against the OK-Red competition. On the other hand, I expect WO to start the season with a 0-2 record. If some of their incoming Juniors and Sophomores can step up, they may be a solid playoff team.   Key Players   RB | [player_tooltip player_id='471362' first='Kayden' last='Forbes']   A starter since his freshman season, Kayden is an incredibly experienced running back. He's always shown phenomenal patience, vision, and good contact balance- just as you'd like to see from any college prospect RB. As long as Kayden remains healthy, he should once again carry this West Ottawa offense.   QB | [player_tooltip player_id='1290558' first='Connor' last='Knapp']   Over the past two years, Connor has shown plenty of offseason flashes. He's a QB who can make just about any play during 7on7. Though, last season, Connor was susceptible to some mistakes. Limiting those mistakes will be key to keeping the offense moving at a consistent pace.   Other Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1291324' first='Tai' last='Hescott'], [player_tooltip player_id='402050' first='CJ' last='Traylor'] Jr, [player_tooltip player_id='1251326' first='Elijah' last='Reynolds']   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jenison</h2>   I would love to see Jenison take a step up this season. Considering their hiring of Head Coach Josh Lucas, I feel that this program is set up nicely for at least the next couple of years. When looking at Jenison's 2023 season, they were surprisingly competitive against some solid teams. Most notably, they lost to West Ottawa by 3 and Hudsonville by 7. I'm not too aware of the talent on this team, but I know Jenison is a big school with a ton of potential moving forward.   Key Players   ATH | [player_tooltip player_id='1287950' first='AJ' last='Park']   AJ is the only player that I'm well-aware of at Jenison. Last season, he played a multitude of positions, including WR, TE, LB, and K. He's a Swiss army knife who performed quite well in all areas, even against the better teams in the OK-Red. He also looks to be a phenomenal Baseball prospect. This season, I'd expect AJ to take on a similar role to last season while stepping up leadership-wise.   Other Key Players: All Underclassmen   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grand Haven</h2>   It was just two years ago that Grand Haven was forced to cancel their contest against Rockford due to not having enough players. For a big school like Grand Haven, that is shocking. Look, Grand Haven's numbers have bounced back slightly, and they have a few legit prospects. But since last season, I haven't seen anything to indicate that this team is destined to improve. Heading into the Fall, I really hope to see top to bottom improvement with this Grand Haven program.   Key Players   LB | Connor VanBeek   By all accounts, Connor is an all-state candidate. Last season's highlight tape showed great all-around LB play. On ball, Connor is smart and aggressive. Off-ball, Connor is greatly reactive and plays with a ton of confidence. Last season's tape, in addition to what I've heard about his work ethic, makes for perhaps the best linebacker in the entire OK-Red.   WR | [player_tooltip player_id='1298528' first='Will' last='Korenstra']   Will is an incredibly intriguing wide receiver. This is an exceptional athlete who is fundamentally very raw. Committed to GVSU, I have no doubt that he'll develop quickly. For now, I'm not sure how he'll play this coming season. If Will can improve his route-running in addition to hands and RAC, he could be in for a true breakout season.   QB | [player_tooltip player_id='1290550' first='Luke' last='Berry']   I'm not quite sure what to make of Luke. As a quarterback, he is ideal in size and has a calm pocket presence. He's a pro-style QB through and through, a solid one at that. In order for Grand Haven to have a successful season, Luke needs to clean up his mistakes while improving his throwing mechanics.   Other Key Players: All Underclassmen

While the OK Conference has experienced a ton of changes this offseason, the OK-Red remains the same. This league consists of eight programs who've all experienced great success in the past. Right now, Rockford seems to own this league, but Grandville and Caledonia have been knocking. In addition, teams like East Kentwood and Jenison seem to be on the rise, while Hudsonville, West Ottawa, and Grand Haven are all big schools with a ton of potential. So, in this league preview, I'll be predicting the 2024 standings while discussing every team individually.