Class of 2014
Jacob Compagner  6-5  230  Sr  OL  Zeeland East
The consistency of having Compagner returning as the starting center has eased the Chix’ quarterback transition. Between his clean exchanges and mean streak springing Zeeland East’s backs, they’re clean through three whether from shootouts with Zeeland West, or defensive battles like last week with Hudsonville. It was in the West game that Compagner also began playing on the defensive line. While there has been a run of 2014 offensive linemen committing, the GLIAC shelves are still open and in need of guys with the frame, technique and toughness like Compagner.

Ryan Gruszka  6-4  210  Sr  DL/TE  Comstock Park
Last season Comstock Park had two seniors matriculate to GLIAC rosters, QB Jake Brown to Michigan Tech and lineman Blake Mazur to Wayne State. They may do it again, with senior running back Jacob Bush and Gruszka. When Comstock Park beat West Catholic in Week 2, it looked like CP had cloned West Catholic’s star defensive end/tight end, Mitch Stanitzek. Gruszka is smooth, gets good lean, and really closes well with 4.65 speed. He’s also one of two quality tight ends for Comstock Park, a strong blocker to complement Drake Baar’s receiving threat. He is one of the top 10 defensive ends in the 2014 class.

Lake Area 2014 Defensive Linemen
Tackles
1. Kenneth Finley  6-3  280  Sr  Muskegon  Western Michigan
2. Tommy Doles  6-5  260  Sr  Grand Rapids Christian  Northwestern
3. Jordan VanDort  6-5  300  Sr  Zeeland West  Western Michigan
4. Chris Hendricks  6-5  270  Sr  Fruitport
5. Nick Padla  6-5  270  Sr  Berrien Springs  Michigan State
6. Jake Khoury  6-3  265  Sr  Traverse City St. Francis  Buffalo
7. Jeremy Stygstra  6-2  240  Sr  Grand Rapids Christian
8. Todd Postma  6-4  240  Sr  Grand Rapids South Christian
9. Benjamin Walton  6-0  260  Sr  East Jordan
10. Demere Ramey  6-1  290  Sr  Muskegon Orchard View

Ends
1. David Walker  6-4  230  Sr  Harbor Springs
2. Jacob Howe  6-2  240  Sr  Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern
3. Johnathan Williams  6-6  230  Sr  Berrien Springs
4. Mitchell Stantizek  6-4  215  Sr  Grand Rapids West Catholic  Eastern Michigan
5. Zach Evans  6-2  240  Sr  Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills
6. Ryan Gruszka  6-5  210  Sr  Comstock Park
7. Darohn Scott  6-8  225  Sr  Grand Rapids Christian
8. Brandon Hutson  6-2  240  Sr  Big Rapids
9. Dayton Wierenga  6-2  220  Sr  Allendale
10. Jacob Kaczynski  6-4  230  Sr  Ludington

Alex Zimmerman  5-10  163  Sr  WR/DB  West Ottawa
It turns out two of the most explosive playmakers in the Lake Area reside in Ottawa County. Like Zeeland West senior Danny Bauder, Zimmerman tested as a high-end athlete at our combine, then goes out and backs up the measurables (4.5-second 40, 4.14-second pro agility, 33″ standing vertical)with all kinds of football stats.  In a comeback win over East Grand Rapids, A To Z had TD receptions of 56-, 11- and then, with 37 seconds to play, 41-yards, the game-winner from senior quarterback Jared McNitt. He’s a top 10 Lake Area receiver in his class.  Zimmerman in this week’s Fox 17 Blitz Spotlight.

Lake Area 2014 Wide Receivers
1. Drake Harris 6-4  180  Sr  Grand Rapids Christian  Michigan
2. Kyle Steigenga  6-5  180  Sr  Holland Christian
3. Asantay Brown  6-1  175  Sr  Muskegon Mona Shores  Western Michigan
4. Isaak Newhouse  6-0  185  Sr  Grand Haven
5. Colin Calloway  6-1  185  Sr  East Kentwood
6. Jalen Brooks  6-3  180  Sr  Cadillac
7. Alex Zimmerman  5-10  163  Sr  West Ottawa
8. Sam Harrison  5-10  185  Sr  Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern
9. Zach Walker  6-1  197  Sr  Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
10. Danny Bauder  5-9  185  Sr  Zeeland West

Class of 2016
Michael Holdship  5-11  200  So  LB/RB  Cadillac
Reminds you of Grandville sophomore Nolan Meekhof, with surprising strength/speed combination for his age. He’s all straight-ahead and deliver a whallop now. As he grows up and his feel and vision improve, could be a special player.

Evan Whitmore  6-2  170  So  QB  Petoskey
Had to like his poise and potential even in a losing cause at Cadillac, Whitmore’s first-ever Big North Conference game. It was a physical one against an improving Cadillac defense, and a novice had to find his legs quickly. He has the size and arm of a drop-back QB but right now he’s still learning and polishing the footwork needed in Petoskey’s offense where the first duty is the pitch to the wing back. He is a good athlete, per his combine performance in July and basketball where he is also a college prospect, which will be more evident as experience and feel for his new position take over. Petoskey threw more than reputation suggests and Whitmore converted three first-down throws on the Northmen’s lone scoring drive. It was a third down that was intercepted in the closing minutes that stings. That was a rough situation for any QB yet alone one as green as Whitmore, as consecutive holding calls pushed a promising, possibly game-tying drive back into Northmen territory for 2nd-and-26 and 3rd-and-17.