Trending up
Class of 2013
15. Ryheem Stokes  5-10  170  DB  Grand Rapids Catholic Central
Stokes is ably picking up for Kevin Vicari, who was a utility all-state player and is now at Grand Valley State. When you dominate East Grand Rapids on all three units, you’re legit. In CC’s 33-14 win, Stokes twice intercepted the Pioneers, blocked a punt, and ran for a 53-yard score. He’ll be a big-time rankings mover at this rate.

Class of 2014
9. Kenneth Finley  6-4  265  Jr  DL  Muskegon
Westside stand up. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s found out that the real Big Red certainly isn’t their garish home turf. Finley shut it down inside, keying a yeoman line effort that sent Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in defeat back to Oakland County. And that puddle they dare call a lake.

20. Zach Evans  6-3  235  DL  Kenowa Hills
Kenowa Hills had four junior standouts on defense. But Evans was on a level of his own, with his motor going both ways, ears down big play ability and terrific 11th-grade frame.

On the Lake Michigan horizon
This category covers players whose performance warrants a shot at the next 2013 player rankings. Matthew Hall, a 6-0, 210 Grand Rapids Christian senior, is a playmaker for the Eagles’ D at middle linebacker. He led them with nine tackles in their win against South Christian and returned a fumble for a TD. He did the same thing last year against Northview. Hall will hit to cause fumbles, too, and is a consistent threat to break through into the offensive backfield. A typical effort from Hall Saturday at Cincinnati Moeller will go a long way towards helping the Eagles’ compete.

2015 watch
Two sophomores are already impact quarterbacks. Grand Rapids Christian came into the season a consensus top 10 pick and a roster double-digit deep with college prospects. All South Christian’s 6-2, 180 soph QB Jon Wassink did in his high school debut, a 10-point losing cause agaisnt the Eagles, was complete 12-of-24 throws for 227 yards and three TDS, while running for 145 and another TD. “He didn’t make a bad decision … he never forced the ball anywhere,” South Christan coach Mark Tamminga said.

Tyree Jackson is already a second-year starter for Muskegon Mona Shores. The 6-0, 165 sophomore loves the long ball, but Mona didn’t really need it in a 42-6 dismantling of injury-ravaged Muskegon Catholic Central.