2014
Trevor Apsey  6-0  205  Sr  RB/LB  Maple City Glen Lake
Need a TD? There’s an Ap for that. He casts a shadow on Traverse City St. Francis’ playoff hopes Saturday night. Apsey’s big-play ability could give them flashbacks to their season opener with New Lothrop. Last week Apsey had a 99-yard TD against Suttons Bay. For 7-0 Glen Lake, Apsey has run 63 times for 1,002 yards and 14 TDs and returned two punts for scores. He’s also the leading tackler. While he exploits his speed, Apsey loves to hit and  when running the ball will finish off plays, giving more than he gets.

Marquon Sargent  6-1  170  Sr  WR  Muskegon Mona Shores
Is there a better “No. 2” receiver in the Lake Area? Junior QB has an embarrassment of riches on his offense with the likes of Sargent, can see how this became the first playoff team in school history. While WMU commitment Asantay Brown is more physical and piles up big plays on the fade, Sargent can get major separation after the catch as well as run it from his slotback position. In the playoff qualifying win over Zeeland East, he had 115 yards receiving and two TDs, and ran for 79 yards, including 54 for another TD.

Kyle Steigenga  6-5  180  Sr  WR  Holland Christian
With the Drake Harris Sabbatical, Steigenga is the most dominant receiver in the Lake Area. That’s what happens, when you’re taller and can jump higher than any defender you’ll see. It took a bit for Holland Christian and new QB Caleb Vanderlugt to get their groove. They’re flowing now, winning four in a row, most recently in record fashion against ‘hood rival Holland. Vanderlugt’s six TD passes on the Dutch set a single-game record at a school that has already had some great QBs in its short football history. Steigenga was on the winning end of four of those, and his 196 receiving yards are also a Maroons record. He matched his own school single-season record set a year ago with his 14th TD.  Like another West Michigan AAU basketball star we covered last week, Comstock Park’s Drake Baar, Steigenga is another hooper who would be a full-scholarship football recruit if he chose that route. But with the last name, is that even legal?

Timothy Wielinga  6-0  215  Sr  RB/LB  Paw Paw
When Wielinga got some sweat going running the ball, pace and momentum started to go Paw Paw’s way in their defensive struggle at Plainwell. The Redskins won 15-13 to improve to 7-0. Wielenga ran 19 times for 84 yards and a TD. While he may project as a fullback at the next level, for Paw Paw Wielinga is the way deep back. It looks like he’s gliding but hits holes hard, keeps his feet moving and falls forward with second effort. His defensive contributions were just as important, making key stops from his middle linebacker spot as well an interception in the second half. He’s more fast (runs in the 4.7s) than quick and plays high, so can get caught in overcommitments.

2015
DeKurtis Murphy  6-5  295  Jr  OL/DL  St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic
He rarely left the field against Niles Brandywine, which is no joke when you’re his size. On one long LMC drive, Big Murph played left tackle, right tackle and left guard. It was a pretty obvious clue — wherever he lined up, that’s where LMC was running it. Got off the line and into the second level. Ran hard. Leaned and overwhelmed rather than crouched to explode. College future may be as a defensive tackle. Fought hard against a strong Brandywine O-line and helped at least muddy their potent running attack. For a game between Division 7 and 8 teams, there were a number of good linemen in that game, including two of the top 10 in 2015, between Murphy and Brandywine’s 6-3, 275 Jakob Szilaygi.

Lake Area 2015 Offensive Line Prospects
1. John Keenoy  6-3  260  Jr  East Kentwood
2. DeKurtis Murphy  6-5  300  Jr  St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic
3. Bryce Wilker  6-6  280  Jr  Belding
4. Chase VanHoef  6-4  265  Jr  Grand Haven
5. Trevor Raby  6-4  240  Jr  Zeeland West
6. Seth Tice  6-2  265  Jr  Traverse City Central
7. Tommy Brown  6-2  265  Jr  Grand Rapids Northview
8. Clyde Pryor  6-4  265  Jr  Kalamazoo Central
9. TJ Patterson  6-2  250  Jr  Reed City
10. Jakob Szilaygi  6-3  275  Jr  Niles Brandywine

Mason Opple  6-2  195  Jr  QB  Hudsonville
Hudsonville’s 2013 resurgence has coincided with the emergence of Opple at QB. While his throwing motion won’t be modeled by many, Opple is a tough all-around athlete who can run between tackles and make plays with his feet or arm. In last week’s win over Grand Haven, he ran for two TDs, then caught another on a reverse pass from running back Mark Dieterle. Opple is a three-sport standout in the O-K Red. There’s certainly a precedent at Hudsonville. Blake Hibbits was their QB two years ago, and now plays basketball and baseball at CMU.