MVP Alex Lewandoski  5-11  185  Sr  DB  Muskegon Catholic Central
He showed his bonafides in the Division 8 state final, where he led MCC with nine tackles and two passes broken up, while running for 218 yards and three TDs. That’s a microcosm of the season, as he was the Crusaders’ leading rusher and tackler all fall. Both fast and a hitter, Lewandoski was the best player on the field regardless of if the other team included Big Ten or MAC recruits. He led a defense that pitched four shutouts, while scoring TDs via the run, catch, interception return, kick return and punt return.

DL Mitchell Stanitzek  6-4  235  Sr  Grand Rapids West Catholic
After missing most of his junior season with an injury, Stanitzek made up for lost time as a senior. He was the one circled in every West Catholic opponent’s scouting report, and demanded double teams both as a defensive end and tight end. For his career, made 40 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Stanitzek is verbally committed to Eastern Michigan.

DL Dillon Thompson  6-0  240  Jr  Elk Rapids
He made 65 tackles from his defensive end spot. 13 of those were sacks, which nearly doubled Elk Rapids’ previous school record. He went both ways, playing center on offense. Thompson and the Elks’ standout QB, Adam Trautman, were team captains as just juniors.

DL Jhonathon Williams  6-6  230  Sr  Berrien Springs
What a whirlwind for Williams. From a veritable unknown, to committing to Toledo, then Missouri, and now finally just down the road to Notre Dame.  He made 69 tackles, including 12.5 sacks.

LB Adam Armour  6-1  195  Sr  Traverse City St. Francis
It wasn’t a storybook season for one of the Lake Area’s most accomplished programs. But Armour showed up and helped the Glads make the playoffs, again leading them in tackles despite playing with a broken arm.

LB Max Boorsma  6-0  220  Sr  Grand Rapids West Catholic
He had a 28-tackle game as a sophomore, and didn’t stop until setting the career record for this 50-year-old program. Boorsma heads into Saturday’s Division 5 state championship game. Through district play, Boorsma had 140 tackles and forced three fumbles.

LB Lamar Jordan  5-11  185  Jr  Muskegon Catholic Central
The second-leading tackler for the Division 8 state champions, after All-Lake Defensive MVP Alex Lewandoski, including a dozen behind the line. Jordan also picked off three passes. Jordan will lead a large returning contingent last year, so a repeat trip to Ford Field isn’t a crazy thought for the Crusaders.

LB Marty Ward  5-9  200  Jr  Niles Brandywine
Tough two-way player for Brandywine. He led the defense with 70 tackles, while on the other side Ward ran 141 times for 1,068 yards and 14 TDs.

DB Trevor Apsey  6-0  205  Sr  Maple City Glen Lake
He was also Glen Lake’s leading tackler, in on 123 stops including 8.5 behind the line. Apsey did it on both sides of the ball, and was one of the most dangerous players in the North, with a 99-yard TD run to his credit. Apsey finished the season with 134 carries for 1,388 yards and 18 TDs.

DB Doug Freeman  5-11  205  Sr  Buchanan
A one-man gang in Buchanan. As good as he is at running back, Freeman said he prefers defense and made five interceptions to prove his point. Offensively, he ran for 1,291 yards (and over 4,000 for his career) and 15 TDs.

DB Will Noble  6-2  180  Sr  Kalkaska
The top corner in the Lake Michigan Conference, checking the opponent’s top receiver in man coverage or playing the strong side. Noble had six interceptions, broke up nine tackles and recovered a fumble while makign 53 tackles. Noble was also Kalkaska’s quarterback, punter and kicker.