Offense
MVP TJ Patterson 6-3 275 Sr OL Reed City
He came in consensus all-state as a two-way lineman who had cleared the way for one of the Lake Area’s most prolific rushing offenses, and Patterson’s performance did nothing to diminish those accolades. He’s really improved, from a big raw talent to a fit athlete who executes. GLIAC scholarship lineman.

QB Andrew Duckett 6-1 190 Sr Niles Brandywine
QB Jay Doll 6-0 195 Sr Paw Paw
RB Devon Simmer 5-9 190 Sr Whitmore Lake
RB Maceo Vroman 5-11 160 Sr Boyne City
OL Will Stecker 6-4 290 Sr Gaylord
OL Brian Beukema 5-11 230 Sr Portage Central
OL Christopher Sanders 6-5 330 Sr Benton Harbor
OL Max Kallemetyer 6-6 230 Sr Wyoming
WR Tristan Waters 6-2 165 Sr East Kentwood
WR Rob Wolfington 6-0 190 Sr Elk Rapids

Defense
MVP Jay Koski 5-11 205 Sr LB Portage Northern MVP
He had two picks in Portage Northern’s playoff win over Portage Central and showed those pass coverage skills here, looking like a true corner at times. Sharp middle linebacker who picked things up quickly and applied coaching. Versatility is his name, in addition to lockdown coverage and making plays on the ball, in the fall Koski had 20 tackles behind the line and also played center.

LB Cole Butler 6-3 190 Sr Boyne City
LB Marcus Garth 5-11 190 Sr East Kentwood
LB Zach McMahon 6-1 205 Sr Kalamazoo Hackett
DL Melvin Sylvester 5-11 215 Sr East Kentwood
DL Jalen Kisner 6-0 270 Sr Hopkins
DL Brady Jackson 6-1 220 Sr Sanford Meridian
DB Hunter Bost 6-3 205 Sr Battle Creek Lakeview
DB Pierce Vreeland 6-2 190 Sr Gobles
DB Alex Kahila 6-0 160 Sr Mattawan
DB Malik Schrad 5-9 170 Sr Batttle Creek Lakeview

It was another strong showing for the Lake Michigan Area in the 2014 state finals. Three of the five teams won — South Christian in D4, West Catholic in D5 and Muskegon Catholic Central in D8. Muskegon’s defense acquited itself well in the D3 final, which was dropped to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 7-0. Here are the Lake Area teams’ top performers from the state finals.

Offense
OL Mitchell Quakkelaar 6-3 240 Sr Grand Rapids South Christian
OL Michael Caughey 6-0 240 Sr Muskegon Catholic Central
OL Brendan Huyser 6-2 290 Sr Grand Rapids South Christian
OL Derices Brown 6-2 275 Jr Muskegon
OL Drew Doyle 6-1 240 Sr Grand Rapids West Catholic
QB Jon Wassink 6-3 190 Sr Grand Rapids South Christian
QB Travis Russell 6-2 185 Sr Grand Rapids West Catholic
RB Tommy Scott 5-8 175 Sr Muskegon Catholic Central
RB Caleb Washington 5-7 185 Sr Muskegon
WR Charlie O’Connor 5-9 160 Sr Grand Rapids West Catholic
WR Eric VanVoorst 6-3 180 Sr Grand Rapids South Christian

Defense
DL Christian Boyd 6-2 265 Jr Muskegon Mona Shores
DL Jaeden MacPherson 6-2 245 Sr Muskegon Catholic Central
DL Carl Myers 6-2 250 Jr Grand Rapids West Catholic
LB Sam Heyboer 6-5 210 Sr Grand Rapids South Christian
LB Terrion Hill-McKay 6-1 205 Jr Muskegon
LB Lamar Jordan 6-0 195 Sr Muskegon Catholic Central
LB Jake Wierenga 6-3 200 Sr Grand Rapids South Chrsitian
DB Alezay Coleman 5-11 175 Sr Muskegon
DB Brett Wildman 6-1 165 Sr Grand Rapids West Catholic
DB Zach Winzer 5-10 180 Sr Muskegon Catholic Central
DB Jason McDonough 5-10 165 Sr Grand Rapids West Catholic

MVP Tyree Jackson 6-5 210 Sr QB Muskegon Mona Shores
The Division 2 state final was an unfortunate end to an incredible career for Jackson, as he wasn’t 100 percent after suffering a knee injury in the semifinals. But that shouldn’t dim what he accomplished during the best season in school history. He completed 125-of-204 passes for 1,923 yars and 22 TDs and really improved as a runner, with 719 yards and 10 TDs. A virtually unheard of four-year starting QB in big-school football, Jackson finishes top 10 in state history in total passing yardage at 6,431 and TDs with 69. He has committed to Buffalo.

OL John Keenoy 6-3 285 Sr East Kentwood
A three-year starting center, Keenoy anchored a young but talented line clearing the way for EK’s various talented skill guys and leading the Falcons to their best season in a dozen years. This season Keenoy went both ways, providing strength at the point of attack as a defensive tackle. He was an early commitment to Western Michigan.

OL Derek Smith 6-4 250 Sr Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills
Injured as a junior, this was Smith’s first full season starting left tackle and he thrived for Kenowa as the most athletic lineman in the O-K Black. He also played defensive end for the Knights. Smith was an early commitment to Central Michigan.

OL Steve Eipper 6-5 270 Sr Greenville
Like Derek Smith, Eipper is committed to CMU. But whereas Smith is a lithe athletic lineman, Eipper is a block-out-the-sun type. He cleared the way for the most prolific rushing team in Greenville history, which nearly topped 3,000 yards.

OL Dan Harazin 6-2 210 Sr Stevensville Lakeshore
HOF coach Denny Dock may have retired, but Lakeshore kept rolling in 2014 thanks to vets like Harazin. The Lakers’ center, he brought leadership and toughness to the position, as well as the athleticism of his 4.7 speed.

OL Chase VanHoef 6-5 285 Sr Grand Haven
In a league known for producing linemen Grand Haven isn’t the first school that comes to mind, but in 2014 the Bucs had the O-K Red’s top bookend tackles in Thompson McWatters and VanHoef. The latter helped open lanes for over 2,000 rushing yards while not allowing a sack from his right tackle spot all season.

QB Travis Russell 6-2 185 Sr Grand Rapids West Catholic
The entire state got to witness, again, Russell’s leadership and ability when he called his own number time and again on the game-winning drive of the Division 5 state championship game. It was his third appearance in the final and second title. For the year Russell completed 149-of-226 throws for 2,384 yards and 31 TDS while running for 1,219 yards and 19 TDs.

RB Michael Ivy 5-9 205 Sr East Kentwood
Tony Kimbrough wanted to run the ball more in his first year as EK’s head coach, and had just the man for the job. Ivy rushed for 1,919 yards and 24 TDs. He has committed to Davenport.

RB Eddie Kelly 6-1 215 Sr Caledonia
Caledonia went to the wishbone, and Kelly carried the load. A tough cover with his combination of size and speed, he ran for 1,464 yards and 20 TDs while also adding five TD catches, all against arguably the Lake Area’s toughest regular season schedule.

TE Trevor Raby 6-4 240 Sr Zeeland West
How much does Zeeland West’s HOF coach John Shillito value the tight end? He starts two of them. Raby switched over from tackle to replace last year’s Lake Area offensive MVP Jordan VanDort as one of them. He and his counterparts on the line opened the way for two backs, Nick Jasch and Darius Perisee, who topped 1,200 yards each and an offense that averaged 46 points per game. He caught three TDs and, and also starting on the D line had six tackles for loss. Raby has committed to Davenport.

WR Gabe Steed 6-1 176 Jr Lowell
Lowell will begin 2015 as the Lake Area’s No. 1 overall team, thanks to returning talents like Steed. A threat to take it to the house on any given play, he caught 34 balls for 818 yards and 10 TDs and also added TDs on interception and kickoff returns.

WR Nate Couturier 5-10 160 Sr Allendale
Just a tough cover with his shiftiness and speed, Couturier had 45 receptions for 802 yards and 11 TDs. His playmaking wasn’t limited to offense, as he also had six interceptions, two of which were returned for TDs. Couturier has committed to Davenport.