Lake Area Offensive Player of the Week

Brock Bethke  5-11  185  Sr  RB  Jenison: It was the Lake Area’s biggest upset of the week, if not the season, when perpetually moribund Jenison rose up to knock off previously undefeated, previously Division 1 No. 1 East Kentwood 28-7. Bethke proved to be both a workhorse and big-play back for the Wildcats, with 36 carries for 282 yards including TD runs covering 68 and 38 yards.

Lake Area Defensive Player of the Week

Joe Dault  6-1  190  Sr  LB  Forest Hills Eastern: Though still quite potent offensively, FHE has scored successively fewer points in in four straight weeks. So it was a good time for the defense to make some plays in their 34-21 defeat of Grand Rapids Northview. Dault certainly answered the bell for the Hawks, making 24 tackles. Forest Hills Eastern is now 5-0, tying the best start in the school’s dozen-yaer history.

Lake Area Small School Player of the Week

Blake Dunn  5-11  175  Jr  QB  Saugatuck: How was that for a prescient Prospect Watch? Featured last week, Dunn went out and justified the love in Saguatuck’s 50-20 defeat of Decatur. Dunn ran 24 times for 360 yards including TDs 99, 67, 59, five and one yard and completed 5-of-9 passes for 140 yards and two TDs covering 47 and 43 yards. When not under center, Dunn made an interception and kicked a 26-yard field goal for the 5-0 Indians.

Lake Area Northern Michigan Player of the Week

Logan Eling  5-10  160  Jr  WR  McBain: Eling caught two fourth-quarter TDs from McBain QB Jimmy Schneider as the Ramblers rallied from down 18-6 to beat Manton 26-24. Eling caught three balls for 119 yards including a 76-yard TD. He also made an interception as McBain improved to 4-1.

Lake Area Coach of the Week

Aaron Sims, Hesperia: Hesperia hasn’t made the playoffs since 2002, but is just a win away after a 5-0 start. In just his second season, Sims has Hesperia off to its best start since 1992. The Panthers’ wing-T is humming, most recently beating Holton 39-12 to claim the “Golden Football.”