Unlike our player rankings, the All-Lake Team isn’t based on college potential (though there are certainly potential college players on the list) but for their performance in the 2012 high school season. The big school team covers Division 1-4 teams.

MVP  Drake Harris  6-4  180  Jr  WR  Grand Rapids Christian

Coach of the Year: Mark Tamminga, Grand Rapids South Christian
This is Tamminga’s fourth season as South Christian’s head coach, where he is 22-18. The Sailors were good if not spectacular in the regular season, 6-3, 4-1 for second place in the O-K Gold. But along the way Tamminga and his staff did a terrific job of introducing young talent to what was a solid core of upperclassman, regrouping from a 4-3 start to make the postseason. Their playoff roster looks a lot different than their season opening roster, and it’s not just underclassmen along for the joy ride, but key parts clicking like vets. And since one of those sophs is QB Jon Wassink, look for this to be the first of three seasons in which Tamminga has South Christian in state title contention.

OFFENSE

QB  Jake Brown  6-0  205  Sr  Comstock Park
A unique player who combines power running with deliberate yet strong throwing. The result? Comstock Park has made playoff runs in all three years Brown has been under center, reaching the Division 4 semifinals this season. He’s completed 134-of-234 passes for 1,600 yards and 10 TDS to two interceptions; and run for 1,130 yards and 24 TDs.

RB  John King  5-11  205  Sr  Muskegon
A punishing runner — he also starts at linebacker — who embodies the physical style of a Big Reds team that has earned a Division 2 state semifinals berth. King has run the ball 184 times for 1,474 yards and 17 TDs.

RB  Spencer Viening  6-0  215  Jr  Zeeland East
Zeeland East was the only team to beat Muskegon, and Viening was the dominant athlete on the field in that one as both a runner and linebacker. He topped 1,000 rushing yards for the second-straight season, taking the ball 186 times for 1,337 yards and 20 TDs, while sharing the backfield with another 1,000-yard rusher, senior Josh Blauwkamp.

OL  Jack Ford  6-6  270  Sr  Cadillac
He was committed to Central Michigan before the season began, and went on to show the potential of being yet another good Chippewa lineman as his pass blocking improves. Not just big but a bit mean and a hard worker, he and fellow senior tackle Riley Norman helped junior QB Jalen Brooks to run for 1,699 yards and 27 TDs.

OL  Antwan Billings  6-4  275  Sr  Muskegon
Tackle on the state’s best offensive line, where he’s helped the Big Reds’ veer average over 400 rushing yards per game. Billings didn’t allow a sack all season, and has 73 pancake blocks.

OL  Casey Mesbergen  6-2  210  Sr  Zeeland West
Mesbergen got it going at guard for a Dux wing-T that no one was able to stop all year. If Zeeland West lost, it was just because the other team outscored them. They had three backs with at least 850 rushing yards and double-digit touchdowns, led by junior Marcus Lambert’s 1,659 yards and 16 TDs. Mesbergen also started at linebacker.

OL  Connor Hayes  6-3  290  Jr  Traverse City West
There were five possible D1 offensive lineman in the Big North, but Hayes is the only one who doesn’t play a tackle. He’s a mauler who also has to mix it up and pass block for TC West. Hayes has offers from CMU, WMU, Pitt, Syracuse and Indiana.

OL  Adam Klage  6-2  295  Sr  Mattawan
He was an all-conference center the past two seasons. He keyed the trap blocking that afforded Mattawan’s wing-T offense two 1,000-yard rushers, Trevor Sweeney and Brock Lamorandier. Klage is committed to Northern Michigan.

WR  Drake Harris  6-4  180  Jr  Grand Rapids Christian
So often with the Eastside recruiting hype machine, you get kids who are workout warriors or look nice in tight shirts and the Internet fanboys go gaga, only to find out that when the pads go on it’s a different story, dude can’t really play football. Often this happens too late — once they’d signed with a top 25 team. Harris is different, embodying his Westside roots with substance to justify the buzz. The Michigan State commitment earned his stock by dominating on the field of play. If GR Christian reaches the Division 3 state final, he will likely end up setting the state single-season receiving record. He’s caught 76 balls for 1,556 yards and 15 TDS — finding the end zone in all 12 of the Eagles’ games.

WR  Dylan Smith  6-2  180  Sr  Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills
The all-time receiving leader at Kenowa Hills by nearly 600 yards, Smith was the top offensive threat on a playoff team. He caught 64 passes for 1,237 yards and 13 TDs and also had two special teams TDs.

TE  Patrick Cvengros  6-2  180  Sr  East Grand Rapids
EGR coach Peter Stuursma calls Cvengros one of the most versatile tight ends he’s had with the Pioneers. He caught 22 passes for 325 yards and four TDs. He was also an outstanding blocker, with Cvengros and another undersized but fast lineman, junior Troy Gotch, helping clear the way for senior Jahaan Brown to run for 1,612 yards and 15 TDs.

K  Joel Schipper  5-11  180  Sr  Grand Rapids Christian
Going into Grand Rapids Christian’s Division 3 semifinal game, Schipper has connected on 11-of-13 field goals, with a long of 48 yards. On PATs he’s a perfect 61-of-61. Of 82 kickoffs, 42 have been touch-backs. He’s narrowed his college choices to Michigan State and Western Michigan.

DEFENSE

DL  Jacob Howe  6-2  240  Jr  Forest Hills Northern
From his D-end spot, Howe had 78 tackles, including 14 for loss with four sacks. He forced two fumbles. Howe is an all-around contributor, a three-year, two-way player, as well as the Huskies’ kicker and punter. Howe’s 42.3 yards per punt is a school record, as is his 67-yard punt. He rushed for eight TDs.

DL  Kenneth Finley  6-3  255  Jr  Muskegon
He was already being recruited across the nation, and that attention should increase after last Saturday in Midland, where Finley and senior teammate Ronald Jenkins overwhelmed who Tom Lemming says may be the country’s No. 1 tackle prospect, Midland’s Steve Elmer. The scary thing for offensive linemen of the future is that Finley is still just learning how to play defensive tackle. Going into the Division 2 semifinals, Finley has 76 tackles and three recovered fumbles.

DL  Blake Mazur  6-3  250  Sr  Comstock Park
He’s been a dominant two-way lineman for Comstock Park’s playoff teams.You know Mazur is good when he’s one of the rare players to have squarely leveled Catholic Central’s Ryheem Stokes.

DL  Chris Hendricks  6-5  265  Jr  Fruitport
In his first season at Fruitport, Hendricks had a major impact on both sides of the ball as a defensive and offensive tackle for this playoff team. Hendricks collapsed lines, pressured QBs and had 60 tackles. He’s being recruited by U-M, MSU, WMU and Temple.

LB  Will Hunt  5-11  225  Jr  Muskegon
As strong as Muskegon is up front, perhaps the purest football player in the unit is this junior linebacker. Hunt is fast and delivers a wallup. He’s the Big Reds’ leading tackler.

LB  Joe Craven  5-11  205  Sr  Grand Rapids Catholic Central
The big hitter from a defense that held five opponents scoreless. Craven had over 100 tackles and finishes up as Catholic Central’s career tackles leader.

LB  Matthew Hall  6-1  210  Sr  Grand Rapids Christian
The veteran stalwart of a young defense that has improved to state championship form. Hall is the Eagles’ leading tacker for the second year in a row. Going into the Division 3 state semifinals, he has 130 tackles.

LB  Nic Lamica  6-4  210  Sr  Forest Hills Central
The Rangers didn’t have enough players to field a JV team. With the energy Lamica plays with, he could’ve held down multiple positions for them on Thursday, and still starred on Friday in the Lake Michigan area’s toughest league — the O-K White. He covered the whole field with his big frame and 4.6 speed. Lamica was also Forest Hills Central’s leading receiver with 364 yards and three TDs.

DB  Ryheem Stokes  5-11  170  Sr  Grand Rapids Catholic Central
The most dynamic, exciting player in the Lake area whenever he got his hands on the ball. Line him up at any skill position and he becomes the dominant player on the field. Over the course of CC’s 10-1 season, Stokes had an 183-yard, three TD game receiving; a 181-yard, two TD game rushing; returned an interception 103 yards for a TD; returned a kickoff for a 75-yard TD; blocked a punt and returned it for a TD; ran for over 100 yards against Comstock Park’s loaded defense. Stokes finished the year with 1,400 all-purpose yards, four interceptions and 16 TDs.

DB  Heath Hoogerhyde  6-1  215  Sr  Caledonia
Versatile, impact player for one of the Lake’s best defenses. Hoogerhyde is big and tackles like a linebacker, but is athletic enough to be a cover guy. He had one of the top performances anyone has turned in all season in Caledonia’s regional win at Mattawan.  Hoogerhyde spied All-Lake running back Trevor Sweeney holding him to his lowest output of the season, while himself rushing for 207 yards and two TDs. He finished the year with 112 tackles and nine interceptions, while totaling over 1,400 yards running and receiving from running back.

DB  Ryan Verhelst  6-1  175  Sr  West Ottawa
He rarely left the field for West Ottawa, and was the most dangerous skill position player in the O-K Red. Verhelst made 41 tackles, caused two fumbles, broke up six passes and made five interceptions, two of which he brought all the way back for TDs. As a receiver he caught 39 passes for 630 yards and 13 TDs. He had an 85-yard punt return TD.

SECOND TEAM

Offense

• QB  Jalen Brooks  6-3  185  Jr  Cadillac
• RB  Marcus Lambert  5-11  175  Jr  Zeeland West
• RB  Trevor Sweeney  5-9  170  Sr  Mattawan
• OL  Quincy Crosby  6-2  275  Sr  Muskegon
• OL  Alex Korhorn  6-2  275  Sr  Grand Rapids Christian
• OL  Tommy Doles  6-5  245  Jr  Grand Rapids Christian
• OL  Nate Jeppesen  6-4  265  Sr  Portage Central
• OL  Riley Norman  6-7  305  Sr  Cadillac
• WR  Kyle Steigenga  6-4  180  Jr  Holland Christian
• WR  Trent Karcher  6-1  185  Sr  Chippewa Hills
• TE  Jordan VanDort  6-6  290  Jr  Zeeland West
• K  Brett Scanlon  6-0  190  Sr  Dowagiac

Defense

• DL  Zach Evans  6-3  240  Jr  Kenowa Hills
• DL  Ronald Jenkins  6-1  255  Sr  Muskegon
• DL  Pierce Watson  6-0  190  Sr  Lowell
• DL  Dayton Wierenga  6-2  210  Jr  Allendale
• LB  Jack Jennings  6-2  220  Sr  Paw Paw
• LB  Seth VanEngen  6-5  215  Sr  Grand Rapids South Christian
• LB  Nate Pupel  6-0  215  Sr  Traverse City Central
• DB  Houston Glass  6-1  185  Sr  East Kentwood
• DB  KC Zenner  6-0  190  Sr  Rockford
• DB  Jake Gaunder  5-9  170  Sr  Stevensville Lakeshore
• DB  Braden Werley  5-11  190  Sr  Zeeland West

Honorable Mention:
Quinn Ameel  Sr  DB  Petoskey; Isaac Andrusiak  Sr  WR  Caledonia; Mitch Bancroft  Sr  DB  Lakeshore; Patrick Banks  Sr  DL  Zeeland East; Utah Bartholic  Sr  LB  Grandville; Cal Beck  Sr  OL  Paw Paw; Colin Beebe  Jr  LB  Allendale; Riley Bell  Jr  DB  Portage Northern; Brandon Benac  Sr  RB  Ogemaw Heights; Cody Berkobien  Sr  RB  Spring Lake; Johndries Betts-Retter  Sr  RB  Reeths-Puffer; Josh Blauwkamp  Sr  RB  Zeeland East; Chris Bradford  Sr DB  Mona Shores; Asantay Brown  Jr  DB  Mona Shores; Correy Brown  Sr  RB  Three Rivers; Demetrius Brown  Sr  LB  Muskegon; Jahaan Brown  Sr  RB  East Grand Rapids; Paul Brown  Jr  LB  GR Union; Josh Buie  Jr  LB  Reeths-Puffer; Jake Bull  Sr  DL  Hudsonville; Josh Burdewyik  Sr  LB  Unity Christian; Ethan Buresh  Sr  LB  Hamilton; Jake Bush  Jr  RB  Comstock Park; Zac Caldwell  Sr  TE  Gull Lake; Brandan Campbell  Sr  LB  Otsego; Treshawn Campbell  Sr  LB  Loy-Norrix; Justin Chopp  Sr  QB  Forest Hills Central; Josh Colegrove  So  DL  Lowell; Tabias Coleman  Sr  LB  Byron Center; Ato Condole  Sr  WR  West Ottawa; Miguel Correa  Sr  OL  West Ottawa; Zach Crouch  Sr  TE  GR Christian; Nate Couturier  So  WR  Allendale; Garrett Cross  Sr  RB  Byron Center; Jake Daugherty  Sr  LB  Big Rapids; Mason Dekker  So  LB  West Ottawa; Derrick Diver  Sr  LB  TC West; Zac Drake  Jr  RB  Lakeshore; Dan Dyer  Sr  OL  Lowell; Tanner Ellens  Sr  DL  Caledonia; Tyler Fehler  Sr  QB  Fruitport; Amilio Flores  Sr  DL  Fruitport; Randy Garvin  Jr  LB  Rockford; Tyler Gildersleeve  Sr  OL  TC Central; Dakota Gordon  Sr  RB  Fruitport; Stephen Hanson  Jr  OL  Reeths-Puffer; Colt Harrington  Sr  DL  Greenville; Dontel Highsmith  Sr  WR  Dowagiac; Nate Hollern  Sr  LB  GR Catholic Central; DJ Hunt  Sr  LB  Dowagiac; Zach Huser  Sr  LB  Lowell; Tyree Jackson  So  QB  Mona Shores; DeJuan James  Sr  RB  Portage Central; Gary Jones  Sr  RB  Allegan; Jake Kaczyinski  Jr  DL  Ludington; Brian Killinger  Sr  LB  GR Northview; Malik King  Jr  OL  Muskegon; Nick Kronemeyer  Sr  QB  Hamilton; Justin Krueger  Sr  DB  Caledonia; Louis Lamberti  Sr  K  Petoskey; Austin Labus  Jr  DL/OL  Portage Northern;Brock Lamorandier  Sr  RB  Mattawan; Justin McCauley  Sr  QB  Paw Paw; Collin McCaw  Sr  WR  Vicksburg; Jason Miller  Sr  DB  South Christian; Matt Mulcahy  Sr  OL  Grand Haven;  Isaak Newhouse  Jr  WR  Grand Haven;  Corey Pierce  Sr  DB  Orchard View; Quinton Pully  Sr  LB  Ottawa Hills; John Pung  Sr  RB  Zeeland East; Chandar Ricks  Sr  OL  Muskegon; Bishop Robinson  Sr  WR  Loy-Norrix; Jack Rozema  Sr  QB  Wyoming; Ryan Schaefer  Sr  DL  Lowell; Collin Schlosser  Sr  LB  Forest Hills Central; TJ Schepperly  Sr  QB  TC Central; Cody Schneider  Jr  DB  Mona Shores; Zack Schneider  Sr  WR  Grandville; Stephen Shafer  Jr  RB  Hastings; Kyle Short  Sr  QB  Rockford; Brent Showers  Jr  LB  Rockford; Sam Shutes  Sr  QB  Three Rivers; Kyler Shurlow  Jr  DB  Lowell; Preston Simon  Jr  LB  Portage Northern; Jalen Smith  Sr  QB  Muskegon; Marcus Smith  Sr  RB  Muskegon; Trevor Steenwyk  Jr  OL  South Christian; Chad Sterk  Sr  RB  South Christian; Alec Stevens  Jr  OL  Ogemaw Heights; Reed Stormzand  Sr  LB  Lowell; Shomari Tate  Sr  DL  GR Catholic Central; Alex VanDeVusse  Sr  QB  GR Christian; Luke VanEssen  Sr  TE  Kenowa Hills; Trevor VanTubbergen  Sr  QB  West Ottawa; Adam Walma  Sr  DL  Caledonia; Jon Wassink  So  QB  South Christian; Chad Walton  Sr  WR  GR Northview; John Weldon  Sr  LB  Comstock Park; Tyler White  Sr  TE  Plainwell;  Harold Wiggins  Sr  WR  Lakeshore; Mitchell Wynkoop  Jr  DL  TC Central.