Class of 2014
Joey Koscielski  6-4  220  Sr  LB/RB  Saugatuck
He’s the David Walker (see below) of the SAC, the Indians’ leading rusher, receiver and tackler. While he’ll be recruited as a middle linebacker, Koscielski is a great back to help keep the pressure off a young QB, and that’s just what he did in Friday’s blowout of Marcellus as Saugatuck freshman Blake Dunn had two TDs throwing, and two running. Joey ran nine times for 110 yards and a TD. He rushed for 1,047 yards and 14 TDs in 2012. It must be quite a site for some of these small schools, staring doing Saugatuck’s wing-T with 6-5, 300 senior center Cam White clearing holes for the 6-4, 220 Koscielski.

Connor Smith  6-5  275  Sr  OL  Three Rivers
He’s quite improved from when we saw Smith in the 2012 playoffs against South Christian, then at our Grand Rapids combine in March. In that loss to the Sailors, Smith kept playing hard even when the game was out of reach. That effort has gotten consistent to the point of going through the whistle on every play. Smith is Three Rivers’ right tackle, and playing out of a two-point stance is a better pass than run blocker. Against a stout, and ultimately victorious, Plainwell defense, Three Rivers’ line helped senior QB Alex Cottingham to 200 yards total offense and a rushing TD.

David Walker  6-4  230  Sr  ATH  Harbor Springs
Harbor Springs is off to a 2-0 start. That might not seem like much, but it hadn’t happened in a decade. Helping the Rams’ cause is the presence of Walker, top available prospect in the Lake Area. Against Frankfort, he carried the ball 19 times for 232 yards and 5 TDs.

Lake Area’s Top 10 Uncommitted 2014
1. David Walker  6-4  230  ATH  Harbor Springs: It’s certainly not size and talent, what’s the difference between Walker and Wyatt Shalman or Matt Sokol? Geography.
2. Johnathon Williams  6-6  230  ATH  Berrien Springs: Being recruited by the likes of Mizzou, Toledo and SDSU on his significant upside, with tight end possible final destination.
3. Spencer Viening  6-3  220  RB/LB  Zeeland East: Even when he’s playing against guys like Kenneth Finley and Jordan VanDort, Viening is the strongest man out there.
4. Jacob Howe  6-2  240  DL/RB  Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern: Byron Center simply had no one to account for him in FHN’s first win Friday.
5. Kyle Steigenga  6-5  180  WR  Holland Christian: His fantasy stats are down with a new QB, but Stegs’ routes are faster and more consistent, and he’s as good as ever grabbing balls no one else can touch.
6. Jalen Brooks  6-3  190  ATH  Cadillac: All-time leading rusher at school that has had some great ones.
7. Drew Marion  6-2  195  ATH  Lake City: Put him up against any small-town QB in the state this side of Travis Smith
8. John Hall  6-0  195  LB & Will Hunt  6-1  225  LB  Muskegon: Most teams don’t have one let alone pair of linebackers who close like this.
9. Danny Bauder  5-9  185  Sr  RB/DB  Zeeland West: Zeeland West’s special teamers shouldn’t bother taking off their helmets when they give the Dux possession, going right back out there after another 75-yard Bauder TD. The Moses Malone of the O-K Green: Fo Fo Forty.
10. Alec Stevens  6-5  280  OL  West Branch Ogemaw Heights: Top offensive lineman left in a loaded class.

Class of 2015
Mikey Roth  5-11  185  Jr  QB  East Grand Rapids
The junior class of QBs is already pretty accomplished. Roth’s name should be mentioned right with Wassink, Jackson and Russell. The guys ranked ahead of him are just taller so easier to project. He still plays big in the pocket, though. Clearly Roth has a lot of help — a crisp, vet line led by seniors Connor Conaboy and Troy Gotch; a power-speed running back combo with Bus-like senior David Evens and junior David Hollerbach; and guys who can catch like senior Peter Stewart, soph Gourney Sloan and tight ends Stephen Gillespie and Mason Banbury a junior. Roth can lay in the ball to his receivers going over the top, or show off his arm over the middle and the flats; sometimes lets it go with too much weight on back foot. Roth has so much help, in fact, that the Pioneers may start the conference season as the O-K White favorite, though before that there’s another O-K Red crossover this Friday at West Ottawa. They beat EK last week 40-20, with Roth going only 5-of-13 but making it count with three TD tosses. EGR has won the last four games Roth has started, going back to the end of last season.

Lake Area QB Prospects: 15 for ’15
1. Jon Wassink  6-2  180  Jr  Grand Rapids South Christian
2. Tyree Jackson  6-3  190  Jr  Muskegon Mona Shores
3. Travis Russell  6-2  180  Jr  Grand Rapids West Catholic
4. Mikey Roth  5-11  185  Jr  East Grand Rapids
5. Mason Opple  6-2  195  Jr  Hudsonville
6. Brandon Childress  6-3  180  Jr  Baldwin
7. Adam Trautman  6-4  190  Jr  Elk Rapids
8. Corey Redman  6-5  180  Jr  Boyne City  Central Michigan (basketball)
9. Keegan James  6-2  190  Jr  Central Montcalm  Michigan State (baseball)
10. Andrew Duckett  6-1  175  Jr  Niles Brandywine
11. Tucker Kloote 5-10  160   Jr  Coopersville
12. Jamison Green  6-4  175  Jr  Big Rapids
13. Jay Doll  6-0  180  Jr  Paw Paw
14. David Loney  6-3  195  Jr  Frankfort
15. Luke Wilkerson  5-11  185  Jr  Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern

Class of 2017
Nate Umlor  6-3  190  Fr  DL/TE  Allendale
Allendale has two seniors who can make plays on the defensive line and catches as tight ends, Dayton Wierenga and Colin Beebe. There’s always room for more of that kind of size and versatility, apparently even if it comes in ninth-grade form. Umlor nevertheless starts both ways for the Falcons. He has a good motor for his age, playing through the whistle. At his best right now as a blocking tight end, though Umlor’s pad level can get better. His help in short yardage situations would be more evident but Allendale’s starting running back, senior Ethan Hovingh, is out with a shoulder injury.