Future Hokie Kalil Pimpleton QB’d Muskegon to the D3 state championship game.

MVP  Kalil Pimpleton  5-7  165  Sr  QB  Muskegon: A magician with the ball whether running and throwing it as a QB, or lining up in the slot with La’darius Jefferson as the Big Reds’ QB and Pimpleton making ’em miss in the open field, or returning punts. He ran for over 1,500 yards and 25 TDs and threw for over 800 yards and 15 TDs. He also had three TD catches and two TD returns. Pimpleton will play for Virginia Tech.

QB Zac Saltzgaber  6-0  190  Sr  Byron Center: Quarterback of the the O-K Green champions. In the regular season he threw for 1,128 yards and 11 TDs and ran for 1,009 yards and 21 TDs. Then in a D3 district final he ran for five and threw for two TDs.

OL Phillip Paea  6-4  300  Sr  Berrien Springs: Big-time size/speed talent (committed to U-M) who beat up on small school athletes, until the Shamrocks ran into West Catholic in the D5 playoffs. Also a started on defense, where Paea had three sacks.

OL Anthony Bradford  6-5  320  So  Muskegon: Fast-tracked at right tackle and looked like a Power 5 prospect as the Big Reds reached the D3 state final.

OL Matt Kelly  5-11  220  Jr  Grandville: Athletic quick hitter that thrived in Grandville’s wing T, an offense which topped 40 points seven times for the O-K Red champions.

OL Ben Sherwin  6-5  260  Sr  Traverse City Central: Impacted the line both ways with his athleticism and wingspans. Left tackle for Big North champion Trojans.

OL Jalen Mayfield  6-5  245  Jr  Grand Rapids Catholic Central: He pressured QBs all fall for D4 state champion Catholic Central — and with his square frame and quick feet, may be an even better recruit at offensive tackle. Mayfield had a dozen sacks and 14 tackles behind the line during the regular season.

TE Nate Umlor  6-5  260  Sr  Allendale: A four-year starter who has committed to WMU, Umlor had six TD catches. He also played on Allendale’s D line where he had 70 tackles including six sacks.

RB Joe Brown  5-11  205  Sr  Portage Northern: An 1980s style workhorse back who rushed for 1,373 yards and 20 TDs with another score receiving.

RB Jeremy Burrell  5-9  180  Sr  Benton Harbor: He led the Tigers’ ground game through an undefeated regular season rushing for 1,646 yards and 22 TDs.

WR Brayden Smith  6-5  180  Sr  Byron Center: WMU commitment who went both ways for O-K Green champion Byron Center. Smith caught 32 balls for 641 yards and 10 TDs. He made two interceptions on defense.

WR Drew Couturier  5-9  155  Sr  Allendale: A repeat selection, Couturier didn’t have the total yardage of his junior season but was still a frequent visitor to the end zone with 14 TDs, including 11 on 60 catches for 825 yards.

This is the seventh of eight LMFR post-season honor teams, which include by school division, underclassman team, class of 2018 team and the overall All-Lake Area Offense.

Muskegon senior linebacker Andrew Ward is the Lake Michigan Football Report’s 2016 Defensive Most Valuable Player.

MVP Andrew Ward  6-1  210  Sr  LB  Muskegon: The leading tackler on the most talented Big Reds team of coach Shane Fairfield’s tenure, the O-K Black champions and D3 state finalists. Ward had over 100 tackles. He’s the Lake Area’s top uncommitted senior, with offers from the likes of Nebraska, Penn State, Washington State, Arizona, Virginia Tech and WMU.

DL Ian Hall  6-1  230  Sr  Grandville: Three-year starter and two-way technician on the line. He made the hits count, as of his 50 tackles Hall had 14 sacks and 16 more behind the line.

DL Corey Malone-Hatcher  6-3  245  Sr  St. Joseph: Michigan commitment led the Bears topping 100 tackles, 20 of them for a loss.

DL Derek Spann  Muskegon  6-2  210  Sr  Muskegon: He had 50 tackles, including six sacks, for the D3 state finalist Big Reds.

LB Dalton Agers  5-11  195  Sr  Hudsonville: This was the third season that Agers was the Eagles’ leading tackler. On the other side he ran for 10 TDs.

LB Sal Sidebotham  5-9  190  Sr  Forest Hills Central: Three-year starter who led the Rangers in tackles, tackles for loss and interceptions.

LB Nate Stephens  6-0  195  Sr  Lowell: There were some uncertainties for Lowell going into the year, but Stephens was one of the vets who helped them to an undefeated regular season and appearance in the D2 semifinals. He had a team-high 72 tackles with 5 1/2 sacks, while also leading the Red Arrows in rushing.

DB David Fox  6-1  210  Sr  Grand Rapids West Catholic: Do-it-all athlete who started the season at quarterback, and ended it as a safety and running back for the Falcon’s fourth-straight D5 state champion. He was West Catholic’s leading tackler.

DB Mike Brown  6-0  200  Sr  Grand Rapids Catholic Central: He led the D4 state champion Cougars, and the Lake Area’s top defensive backfield, with eight interceptions, to go with 83 tackles. He also had 19 total TDs as a receiver, runner and kick returner.

DB Jack Mandryk  6-2  185  Sr  Hudsonville: Maybe the most athletic player in the O-K Red (Mandryk was also the LMFR’s D1-2 offensive MVP), he led the Eagles with four interceptions while at QB he had over 2,000 yards and 21 TDs from scrimmage.

DB  Blake Dunn  6-0  180  Sr  Saugatuck: One of the most accomplished all-around, four-sport athletes in state history. He had 64 tackles and seven interceptions in the regular season. Dunn played a little QB too rushing for nearly 2,00 yards and 34 TDs and throwing for a dozen more scores.

DB Matt Ellis  5-11  190  Sr  Grand Rapids Christian: He led the Eagles with 108 tackles. Ellis did it offensively as well, with 1,352 yars and 17 TDs rushing or catching from his running back spot.

This is the sixth of eight LMFR post-season honor teams, which include by school division, underclassman team, and the overall All-Lake Area Offense and Defense.

Muskegon junior La’darius Jefferson has helped the Big Reds to the Division 3 state title game sharing QB duties with senior Kalil Pimpleton

Offense:

• MVP La’darius Jefferson  6-2  210  Jr  QB  Muskegon
• QB Jason Whittaker  6-5  195  Jr  Rockford
• OL Antwan Reed  6-7  285  Jr  Muskegon
• OL Parker Kingma  6-4  315  Jr  Grand Haven
• OL Evan Gast  6-2  285  Jr  Byron Center
• OL Elijah Gurley  6-3  220  Jr  Forest Hills Central
• OL Jacob Wohlgemuth  6-5  300  Jr  Wyoming Kelloggsville
• TE Braeden Childress  6-4  215  Jr  Big Rapids
• RB Shane Tagg  6-1  200  Jr  Byron Center
• RB Trenton Lane  5-10  150  Jr  Hamilton
• WR Austin Lewis  6-3  185  Jr  Fennville

Defense:

• MVP Dee Davis  5-8  155  Jr  Mona Shores
• DL Nico Lesher  6-3  250  Jr  Plainwell
• DL Dan VanOpstall  6-6  230  Jr  Jenison
• DL Hunter Stearns  6-2  215  Jr  Hudsonville
• LB Job Mayhue  6-3  200  Jr  East Kentwood
• LB Toby Hulst  6-1  215  Jr  Grand Rapids South Christian
• LB Jacob Ager  6-1  220  Jr  Boyne City
• LB Liam Cavanaugh  6-3  190  Jr  West Ottawa
• LB Macero Moreno  5-10  185  Jr  Muskegon Orchard View
• DB Brady Douma  5-9  155  Jr  Lowell
• DB Willie Shanks  6-1  150  Jr  Muskegon
• DB John Todd  5-11  160  Jr  Cedar Springs

This is the fifth of eight LMFR post-season honor teams, which include by school division, class of 2018 prospects, underclassman team, and the overall All-Lake Area Offense and Defense.

Saugatuck senior QB Blake Dunn is LMFR’s Division 7-8 offensive MVP after running for nearly 2,000 yards and 34 TDs while passing for 750 yards and 12 TDs.

Offense:

• MVP Blake Dunn  5-11  180  Sr  QB  Saugatuck
• QB Tyler Hunt  6-2  185  Sr  Gobles
• OL Brock Johnson  6-3  250  Sr  Muskegon Catholic Central
• OL Matt Stefanski  6-4  300  Jr  Frankfort
• OL Adam Benoit  6-0  215  Sr  Muskegon Catholic Central
• OL Peyton Scogin  6-2  245  Sr  Saugatuck
• OL Clayton Stapert  6-5  220  Sr  Gobles
• RB Griffin Kelley  6-1  200  Jr  Frankfort
• RB Julian Sheriff  5-11  210  Sr  Bridgman
• RB LaTommy Scott  5-8  175  Sr  Muskegon Catholic Central
• RB Derek Flory  5-10  165  Jr  Marcellus
• ATH Walker Christoffersen  5-9  180  Sr  Muskegon Catholic Central

Defense:

• MVP Andrew Schulte  5-9  175  Sr  LB  Muskegon Catholic Central
• DL Devin Koscielniak  6-6  250  Jr  Johannesburg-Lewiston
• DL Matthew Biggar  6-3  225  Sr  Traverse City St. Francis
• DL Jason Craig  6-1  225  Sr  Lawton
• DL Cam Waller  6-3  270  Sr  North Muskegon
• DL Ben Handley  5-11  240  Jr  Gaylord St. Mary
• LB Jacob Mauntler  5-11  160  Jr  Onekama
• LB Cole Hartman  5-11  205  Sr  Saugatuck
• LB Skip Schorfhaar  6-1 215  Sr  Harbor Springs
• DB Kanin Witte  5-7  165  Jr  Hesperia
• DB Matt Loney  6-3  170  Jr  Frankfort
• DB Gabe Callery  5-9  190  Sr  Traverse City St. Francis

Coach of the Year: Matt Stapleton, Frankfort

This is the fourth of eight LMFR post-season honor teams, which include by school division, class of 2018 prospects, underclassman team, and the overall All-Lake Area Offense and Defense.

Schoolcraft senior QB Ricky Clark is LMFR Division 5-6 offensive MVP after combining for over 2,400 yards and 42 TDs from scrimmage.

Offense:

• MVP  Ricky Clark  6-0  190  Sr  QB  Schoolcraft
• QB Brady Luttrull  5-10  160  Sr  Muskegon Oakridge
• OL Dylan Shafer  6-2  250  Sr  Constantine
• OL Jordan Poffinbarger  6-0  300  Sr  Ravenna
• OL Garrison Curry  6-7  310  Sr  Muskegon Oakridge
• OL Jared Sironen  6-1  215  Sr  Grand Rapids West Catholic
• OL Andrew Frisbie  5-7  240  Sr  Pine River
• TE Ryan Mount  6-4  190  Sr  Mason County Central
• RB Nick Apsey  6-1  200  Jr  Maple City Glen Lake
• RB Anthony Evilsizor  6-1  215  Sr  Constantine
• WR Sam Neville  6-3  200  Sr  Grand Rapids West Catholic
• WR Hunter Esiline  6-4  185  Sr  Pine River
• ATH David Thompson  5-8  175  Sr  Ravenna

Defense:

• MVP  David Fox  6-1  220  Sr  DB  Grand Rapids West Catholic
• DL Ian Francisco  6-4  190  Sr  Grant
• DL Billy Koepf  5-9  220  Jr  Chippewa Hills
• DL Jakob Huysken  6-0  190  Jr  Schoolcraft
• LB Duke Angers  6-1  230  Sr  Maple City Glen Lake
• LB Steven Spenner  6-3  225  Sr  Berrien Springs
• LB Ryan Chisek  5-9  145  Jr  Watervliet
• LB Jake Kies  5-11  210  Sr  Kalkaska
• DB Zack Zenner  5-10  180  Sr  Grand Rapids West Catholic
• DB Chad Adkerson  6-0  175  Sr  Buchanan
• DB Zach Vannett  5-7 170  Sr  Montague
• DB Brandon Evans  6-0  175  Sr  Reed City

Coach of the Year: Monty Price, Reed City

This is the third of eight LMFR post-season honor teams, which include by school division, class of 2018 prospects, underclassman team, and the overall All-Lake Area Offense and Defense.

Muskegon senior linebacker Andrew Ward is the leading tackler for the Big Reds’ Division 3 state finalist team and the LMFR Division 3-4 defensive MVP.

Offense:

• MVP Zac Saltzgaber  6-0  195  Sr  QB  Byron Center
• QB La’darius Jefferson  6-2  210  Jr  Muskegon
• OL Dane Stambaugh  6-3  335  Sr  Lake Odessa Lakewood
• OL Erik Ditzhazy  6-5  270  Sr  Forest Hills Northern
• OL Jacob Kochanny  6-4  260  Jr  Cadillac
• OL Mason Shirrell  6-5  220  Sr  Muskegon Orchard View
• OL Devin Sanders  6-0  250  Sr  Muskegon
• TE Conner Chupailo  6-4  275  Sr  Zeeland West
• RB Corey Hampton  5-9  190  Sr  Stevensville Lakeshore
• RB Nolan Fugate  6-1  210  Jr  Grand Rapids Catholic Central
• WR Kelvyn Valdez  6-3  185  Sr  Wyoming Godwin Heights
• WR Jack Combs  6-2  180  Sr  East Grand Rapids

Defense:

• MVP Andrew Ward  6-1  210  Sr  LB  Muskegon
• DL Jayk Slager  6-5  235  Sr  Zeeland West
• DL Jonathan Berghorst  6-3  275  Sr  Zeeland East
• DL Eli Jackson  6-1  275  Jr  Muskegon
• LB Austin Cline  5-11  180  Sr  Edwardsburg
• LB Ali’vonta Wallace  6-1  210  So  Muskegon
• LB Levi Six  5-10  185  Sr  Fruitport
• LB Connor Bruinius  6-2  220  Sr  Forest Hills Northern
• DB Jacorey Sullivan  6-3  205  Sr  Muskegon
• DB Mitchell Dykstra  5-11  180  Sr  Hudsonville Unity Christian
• DB Jalen Sartor  6-3  185  Sr  Grand Rapids Christian
• DB Antonio Strong  6-0  180  Sr  Grand Rapids Catholic Central

Coach of the Year: Todd Kolster, Grand Rapids Catholic Central

This is the second of eight LMFR post-season honor teams, which include by school division, class of 2018 prospects, underclassman team, and the overall All-Lake Area Offense and Defense.

Ian Hall was a three-year, two-way starter for Grandville and LMFR D1-2 Defensive MVP after leading the Bulldogs to an O-K Red title.

Offense:

• MVP Jack Mandryk  6-2  185  Sr  QB  Hudsonville
• QB David Kruse  6-0  185  Jr  Lowell
• OL Nick White  6-0  245  Sr  Forest Hills Central
• OL Sam Allen  6-3  265  Sr  Portage Central
• OL Lane Potter  6-3  275  Sr  Hudsonville
• OL Levi Seeley  6-3  265  Sr  Grandville
• OL Cody Carone  6-5  305  Jr  Rockford
• RB Josh Atwell  5-10  180  Sr  Grandville
• RB Marcus Collins  5-11  215  Sr  Mona Shores
• TE Keegan Cossou  6-5  235  Sr  Greenville
• WR Xavier Wade  6-3  180  Jr  West Ottawa
• WR Andre Welch  5-9  175  Sr  East Kentwood

Defense:

• MVP  Ian Hall  6-1  230  Sr  DL  Grandville
• DL Logan VanderMeulen  6-0  240  Sr  Lowell
• DL Ryan Hayes  6-7  250  Jr  Traverse City West
• DL Josh Jelenik  6-0  210  Sr  Rockford
• LB Jeremiah Purnell  5-10  205  Sr  Wyoming
• LB Evan Plate  6-3  220  Sr  Greenville
• LB Khale Showers  5-11  205  Jr  Rockford
• LB Luke Ensing  5-11  185  Sr  Grandville
• DB Raine Potts  6-1  180  Sr  Portage Central
• DB Marcus Remtema  6-0  185  Jr  Rockford
• DB Bryce Clay  5-11  190  Jr  Forest Hills Central
• DB Darius Pruitt  6-3  180  Jr  Kalamazoo Central

Coach of the Year: Noel Dean, Lowell

This is the first of eight LMFR post-season honor teams, which also include by school division, class of 2018 prospects, and the overall All-Lake Area Offense and Defense.

Muskegon Catholic Central freshman Cameron Martinez is the Lake Area’s Underclassman Offensive MVP after some breakout performances while platooning at QB for the undefeated Crusaders, who are favored to win another Division 8 state championship.

Offense:

• MVP  Cameron Martinez  5-11  180  Fr  QB  Muskegon Catholic Central
• QB Eric Wenzel  6-1  185  So  Kalamazoo United
• QB Tobin Schwannecke  6-3  175  So  Traverse City Central
• OL Peyton Young  6-4  310  So  Muskegon Oakridge
• OL Logan Miller  6-5  270  So  Allendale
• OL Logan Brown  6-6  260  So  East Kentwood
• OL Marquis Cooper  6-2  280  So  Muskegon
• OL Tyler Sikkema  6-5  260  So  Wayland
• RB Shane Baker  5-11  185  So  Grandville
• RB Owen Burk  5-10  175  Fr  Allendale
• RB Donavon Webb  5-11  180  So  Holland
• WR Damari Roberson  6-2  185  So  Mona Shores

Defense:

• MVP Ali’vonta Wallace  6-1  210  So  LB  Muskegon
• DL Mazi Smith  6-3  300  So  East Kentwood
• DL Bryce Neff  6-2  235  So  Gaylord
• DL Matt Bilski  5-11  225  So  Grand Rapids West Catholic
• LB Ian Rodriguez  5-11  175  So  Rockford
• LB Traven VanOss  6-0  200  So  Three Rivers
• LB Ryan Ringler  5-9  180  So  Cedar Springs
• LB Boone Bonnema  6-3  215  So  Zeeland East
• LB Jacob Wahlberg  6-3  190  So  Mona Shores
• DB TJ VanKoevering  6-3  185  So  Hudsonville Unity Christian
• DB Bryce Stark  5-11  175  So  Montague
• DB Tyrese Hunt-Thompson  5-11  160  So  Cassopolis

Lake Area Offensive Player of the Week

Kalil Pimpleton  Sr  QB  Muskegon: The Big Reds had little trouble with Byron Center in this D3 regional. Pimpleton ran for 160 yards and three TDs.

Lake Area Defensive Player of the Week

Raquis McDonald  Sr  DB  Muskegon: In the Big Reds’ D3 dismantling of Byron Center, McDonald had an interception that led to a Muskegon score and returned a fumble for a TD.

Lake Area Small School Player of the Week

Brandon Anderson  Jr  RB  Cassopolis: He ran for 172 yards and three TDs for Cassopolis, which beat Concord for the school’s first regional title.

Lake Area Northern Michigan Player of the Week

Mason Powell  Sr  QB  Pine River: He ran for 240 yards and three TDs in Pine River’s defeat of Ravenna in a D6 regional to give Pine River it’s first-ever semifinals berth.

Junior Nick Apsey is a two-way playmaker for D6 semifinalist Maple City Glen Lake.

Class of 2017

Mike Doyle  6-4  240  Sr  DL  Lowell: He was one of the few starters back from the Red Arrows’ 2015 state finalist team. And now here they are again, one win away from a return visit to Ford Field. While Lowell mixes their fronts he looks best as a one technique tackle with the strength to hold the gap against double teams allowing linebackers to blitz and a swim move to get some QB pressure going up the middle. With his frame, toughness and Lowell pedigree, should be a popular D2 target.

Cameron Ekanayake  6-2  200  Sr  ATH  Edwardsburg: This QB has led the Eddies to an undefeated season including playoff wins over Hamilton, Stevensville Lakeshore and Chelsea. Their reward? A date in the D3 semis with Muskegon. Edwardsburg runs the wing T and while Ekanayake is a fine ball-handler, he’s not the smaller, quick, clever type of QB that often thrives hiding behind the dual tight ends. He’s a big, power runner who will take guys with him. He also plays cornerback for Ekanayake, and while he may not have the speed for that spot at the next level this is a physical winner that can help a team somewhere.

Austin McCullough  6-5  185  Sr  WR  Portage Central: He’s one of the Lake Area’s top dual-sport athletes, a scholarship talent in either basketball or football. There are a lot of similarities to Tyler Conklin, a basketball star at L’anse Creuse North who briefly played hoops at Northwood, walked on at CMU, and is now on NFL scouts’ radars as a tight end. For that to happen, he’d have to get more serious in the weight room, as he’s prioritized basketball thus far. At his size one might think McCullough does most of his damage using his size to post up on hitch or hook routes. But in reality he’s a true receiver, a natural route runner who doesn’t break stride and stretched the field for the Mustangs’ run-heavy offense for five TDs. Nor is just a finesse hooper running around out there, McCullough is a diligent blocker.

Class of 2018

Nick Apsey  6-1  200  Jr  ATH  Maple City Glen Lake: His brother, Trevor Apsey, was a terrific player now at Central Michigan, but never saw the team success like this, as Glen Lake will meet Pine River in the D6 semifinals. While he’s their top running and receiving threat, like his brother Apsey’s future is on the defensive side of the ball and gives the Lakers have a pair of college linebackers with Duke Angers inside and he outside. While he may play up North, speed is speed, and will be his ticket to the next level.

Elijah Gurley  6-3  220  Jr  OL  Forest Hills Central: The junior class will be yet another strong one on the offensive line in the Lake Area. Gurley isn’t one of the biggest or strongest right now, but one whom recruiters may take a flier on. He has good length and pass block technique at left tackle, a finesse complement to the terrific senior Nick White at right tackle, buying time for senior QB Tanner Hallock who loved to put up deep balls to junior Bryce Clay and senior Jack Uecker.

David Kruse  6-0  185  Jr  QB  Lowell: Few positions in the Lake Area come with the historic ramifications, pressure and storied excellence as being Lowell’s quarterback. Kruse has lived up to it, handling the veer like a vet and is undefeated so far in his first season as a starter replacing Ryan Stevens. He’s led Lowell to big-time comeback victories over Rockford and now, twice, Forest Hills Central. He ran for three TDs in the Rangers rematch for the D2 regional crown. Kruse’s oldest brother, Connor Kruse, was a starting offensive lineman at MSU, and this miniature version plays with a similar toughness. Kruse looks much bigger and stronger than his listed dimensions when running the ball, less surprising given that like so many of his teammates he also wrestles. He also had a good left arm on him.

Class of 2019

Tyrese Hunt-Thompson  5-11  160  So  Cassopolis: He’s been a major playmaker for Beatty High, and brought the entire arsenal in their D7 regional win over Concord. He caught a TD pass, ran for two TDS, and returned a fumble 75 yards for a score. If he can do just half that against Detroit Loyola in the state semifinals Hunt-Thompson can claim one of the top young talents in the Lake Area regardless of school size.