Dowagiac senior Caleb Murphy does it on both sides of the ball for the Chieftans.

Class of 2018

Jacob Ager  6-1  230  Sr  LB  Boyne City: Old school, run stuffing, sideline-to-sideline mike linebacker. Fundamental tackler who delivers a wallop and can tell he’s well-coached because he plays hard and with an edge but is still a clean hitter. Plays with the toughness of the former offensive lineman that he was, with the legs of a tight end and fullback where Ager can also contribute. Had 100 tackles as a junior and has now led Boyne City to a 4-0 start. Similar to but better than another recent small-school Up North linebacker St. Francis’ Byron Bullough.

Jamar Bennett  6-0  225  Sr  RB  Godwin Heights: Doesn’t have the breakaway TD runs that tend to get backs noticed on the local news highlights, but is a solid all-around complement to star QB Susu Davenport in the Wolverines’ backfield. Patient between-the-tackles runner who can make the first guy miss and runs falling forward. Can catch the ball and has the size to be an impact blocker. Versatile rotation back at the next level. Some may like him as a linebacker as well.

Seth Hoonhorst  6-2  280  Sr  DL  Hudsonville: Hard worker who has added weight and strength and turned himself into a recruitable player thanks to his versatility on the D line. Moves from tackle to ends and in four- or three-man fronts. Probably more at home from the interior as he’s quick in short spaces and doesn’t mind locking horns and brawling. His rate of improvement and competence at a scarce position just increase the value and intrigue.

Max Lundeen  6-4  225  Sr  DL  East Grand Rapids: Has produced against quality competition, including wins against Farmington Hills Harrison, Forest Hills Northern and Lowell for 4-0 EGR. Lines up off two feet and is quick beating tackles inside or outside. Aggressive with a motor, throws his body around in pursuit. Plays upright, which doesn’t say linebacker at the next level. Doesn’t need to add that much more weight to play his natural position with his hand down and be a pass rush threat at the D2 level.

Caleb Murphy  6-4  210  ATH  Dowagiac: Just overmatches teams physically at times, running a 4.5 with that frame. Does so much for Dowagiac, rushing the passer, dropping back in coverage, vertical and reach for tough receptions, yac, wildcat, end arounds or against a tough running team like Edwardsburg just going old school smashmouth in the middle. Kind of small-town athlete who ends up starting in the MAC or all-league in the GLIAC.

Class of 2019

Tate Hallock  6-3  175  Jr  WR/DB  Forest Hills Central: He and another Rangers lacrosse player Bryce Clay provide two serious playmakers for a 4-0 FHC team scoring over 40 a game — at a level where Hallock looks like he could be a top 10 Lake Area recruit in the 2019 class. Creative route runner who uses his size to extend over defenders and has some separation speed. Shows physicality and toughness as a blocker and tackler. Similar to Jacorey Sullivan, the two-way Muskegon standout now at CMU.

Lake Area Offensive Player of the Week

Isaac Dykema  Sr  QB  Grand Rapids Christian: He threw for 391 yards and four TDs, his second-straight four TD game, as the Eagles pounded Wyoming.

Lake Area Defensive Player of the Week

Marty Ward  Sr  LB  East Grand Rapids: He had two interceptions for the Pioneers against Lowell. The second ended the Red Arrows’ final drive and preserved EGR’s 17-14 victory, their first win over Lowell this decade.

Lake Area Small School Player of the Week

Leroy Quinn  So  RB  Muskegon Oakridge: The powerhouse underclassman had 19 carries for 195 yards and 5 TDs in Oakridge’s blowout of Shelby.

Lake Area Northern Michigan Player of the Week

Jaxon Disbrow  Jr  QB/DB  Kalkaska: He threw for 207 yard and five TDs and made 14 tackles including a sack as the Blazers improved to 3-0 with a 46-22 defeat of Benzie Central.

Lake Area Coach of the Week

Terry Farmer, Kalamazoo Loy-Norrix: The Knights were on the verge of losing 20 straight games. But their streak ended at 19. And it couldn’t have come against a more gratifying opponent — Kalamazoo Central. This is Farmer’s first season at Loy-Norrix.

Big, bad Anthony Bradford of Muskegon is the Lake Area’s top offensive line prospect for the 2019 class.

Class of 2018

Connor Bolthouse  5-10  175  Sr  DB  Grand Rapids West Catholic: The Falcons’ game against Power-T Zeeland West wasn’t the best venue to scout the pass coverage ability of Bolthouse, who had four picks last season for the D5 state champions. But he made a nice extra linebacker! Nose for the ball and tough, so that helps. His agility and hand-eye were on display offensively when he made a nice over-the-shoulder catch against the Dux.

Christian Brooks  6-2  215  Sr  RB/LB  North Muskegon: College size and speed on both sides of the ball have this transfer from Illinois looking like a Muskegon High talent at North Muskegon. Patient and smooth at Mike linebacker as the play develops, doesn’t over-commit, avoids the anarchy in the trenches and then is able to finish plays with physical but legal hits. A long stride runner who is able to separate from defenders if he breaks into the second level — in a Week 3 win against Ravenna, Brooks had a 55-yard TD run and returned a blocked punt for a TD. Shares carries for the Norse which allows him to also show fullback potential with his willingness to block and ability to catch the ball. Showed off his athletic bonafides at the LMFR spring combine when he record a 4.6-second 40, 34″ standing vertical, 42′ power ball toss and 4.35-second pro agility drill.

Thomas Robinson  6-1  180  Sr  WR  Wyoming Lee: Likely the Lake Area’s fastest player, but cloistered in a football backwater at Wyoming Lee. Robinson is the two-time defending D3 state champion sprinter in the 100- and 200-meter dash.

Joel Wilson  6-4  200  Sr  ATH  Petoskey: How’s this for versatility? Wilson was the LMFR Defensive Player of Week 2, then came out in Week 3 and threw for 209 yards and three TDs and ran for another in a win against Cadillac. And he was still getting it done on defense with two TFL and a sack. As an outside linebacker he was able extend the edge and keep the block from getting inside his shoulder. Natural moving athlete who is good in pursuit. D1 athleticism and body, at the LMFR spring combine he had a 33 1/3″ standing vertical,  4.3-second pro agility and 40′ power ball toss. A three-sport standout with still a lot of untapped potential who may actually project best as a tight end, though given his physical tools he’s still one of the Lake Area’s top QB prospects.

2019

Anthony Bradford  6-5  330  Jr  OL  Muskegon: There are various ways to skin a cat. Do you like your offensive tackle prospects long, lanky, and waiting to put on college weight, like the Lake Area’s top two 2018 prospects Jalen Mayfield and Ryan Hayes, both headed to U-M? Or do you like them with the width and weight already there, and sculpt and rearrange some of it in college, like Bradford, who just received an Ohio State offer? Bradford is the Big Reds’ right tackle, a bookend to Penn State-bound Antwan Reed at left tackle. He often looks twice as wide as the defenders he’s going against, so it surprises him with how quickly he gets his hands on them. Serves up pancakes like it’s 3 am at IHOP and a bunch of drunk college kids just rolled in. Great motor and energy for his size.

Lake Area Junior Offensive Line Prospects

1. Anthony Bradford  6-5  330  Jr  Muskegon
2. Logan Brown  6-6  290  Jr  East Kentwood
3. Karsen Barnhart  6-4  280  Jr  Paw Paw
4. Spencer Holstege  6-5  260  Jr  Grand Rapids South Christian
5. Stuart Kettler  6-5  265  Jr  East Grand Rapids
6. Jack Haverdink  6-4  255  Jr  Portage Northern
7. Logan Miller  6-5  275  Jr  Allendale
8. Marquis Cooper  6-2  280  Jr  Muskegon
9. Tyler Sikkema  6-3  260  Jr  Wayland
10. Peyton Young  6-4  310  Jr  Muskegon Oakridge
11. Luke Harmon  6-4  250  Jr  Grand Rapids Catholic Central
12. Michael Sarabyn  6-6  270  Jr  Dowagiac

Spencer Holstege  6-5  260  Jr  OL  Grand Rapids South Christian: It may have been bittersweet for Holstege on Saturday. He was a guest of MSU as a recruit, but had to witness a high school legend from his alma mater, Jon Wassink, struggle with growing pains as WMU’s QB. As for Holstege the prospect, he was already very strong in the spring, and has added 25 pounds since, which has aided his transition from underclassman tight end to upperclassman left tackle. That tight end background shows with how comfortable he is out in space in the second level hunting down linebackers. Uses the aforementioned strength to bully and envelop smaller defenders in the running game. Shows a good bit of nasty for his age, and will play through the whistle. Pad level and technique will have to improve as he faces similarly sized and D linemen in the future. Body type and style may project him to guard at the next level.

Jalin Jones  5-9  200  Jr  RB/LB  Benton Harbor: Kind of a microcosm of this Benton Harbor team, which lost Saturday to Chicago De La Salle — improving, potential, and could be a key member of a playoff team … in 2018. It’s been a tough road thus far for the 0-3 Tigers, who graduated a strong 2017 class then lost QB Dennie Brown to injury. Jones is a blue-collar two-way kid who is the primary runner when they go with one back, and the lead blocker for Darrius Clayton when they go to the “i.” Tends to over-pursue into the backfield as a linebacker, but showed nice speed and hustle with a TD-saving run down. Improved vision and patience will help him on both sides of the ball.

Damari Roberson  6-2  185  WR/DB  Muskegon Mona Shores: Some similarity to former Sailor Asantay Brown — a good if not dynamic receiver in high school who started at safety in college, then became a speed outside linebacker as a junior at WMU. Packs some strength for a young skill guy, which is evident as a tackler, and his ability to make catches in traffic. Not an athlete playing football, this is a football player who loves to stick his nose in there. Roberson has offers from half the MAC and could parlay those into serious Power 5 interest as the season progresses as Mona Shores looks like a threat to be playing deep into the playoffs.

Muskegon Catholic Central’s sophomore quarterback Cameron Martinez showed his Division I bonafides as a freshman in the state finals, and in Week 2 against Frankfort.

Lake Area Offensive Player of the Week

Zack Pickens  Sr  QB  Watervliet: He had the most prolific scoring game in modern state history against Buchanan. Pickens threw for 258 yards and five TDS and ran for 138 and four TDs. He also threw for four two-point conversions and ran for another, accounting for 64 of Watervliet’s 72 points. That’s the third-highest point total in state history, and the most in nearly 100 years. His nine TDs are the fifth-most in state history, but no one has scored more in nearly 90 years.

Lake Area Defensive Player of the Week

Joel Wilson  Sr  LB  Petoskey: One of the most versatile, athletic prospects in the Lake Area 2018 class, Wilson lived up to that rep when the QB also started at outside linebacker in a 14-7 win against Escanaba and had a sack, two tackles for a loss and broke up a pass.

Lake Area Small School Player of the Week

Cameron Martinez  So  QB  Muskegon Catholic Central: One of the Lake Area’s top 5 2020 recruits, Martinez led MCC to a quality win up North, 31-6 at Frankfort. He ran for 217 yards and a pair of TDs and threw a TD pass. On the defensive side he made an interception.

Lake Area Northern Michigan Player of the Week

Zach Noren  Sr  RB  Lake City: He ran the ball 16 times for 168 yards and four TDs as 2-0 Lake City beat Sanford Meridian 48-20.

Lake Area Coach of the Week

Andrew Pratley, Holland: The Dutch improved to 2-0 with a 58-6 win at Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills. The last time Holland began the season 2-0 was 2011 when they ended up a school-record 9-3.

Lowell senior Addison Buckius is an impact two-way threat for the Red Arrows.

Class of 2018

Addison Buckius  6-3  200  Sr  WR/DB  Lowell: Great instincts and closing time at free safety. Had a sack and recovered a fumble against Warren De La Salle and on another play in Week 1 just exploded after a loose ball. Vocal leader on the field. Lowell didn’t really need to throw against the Pilots, though Buckius showed good use of size against his man when they did look for him. Was an engaged blocker downfield when Lowell ran the ball. Athlete — also plays basketball and lacrosse for the Red Arrows. Not as dynamic, but body type, enthusiasm, versatility remind one of David Fox, the West Catholic star now at Grand Valley.

Ryan Hayes  6-7  250  Sr  ATH  Traverse City West: Showed why, even though he won’t play the position in college, he was the Preseason All-Lake tight end. He made a diving catch to get over the near corner and score a 25-yard TD in a big Week 2 win over Grand Haven. Can still get better as a downfield threat. There was one pass, though heavily covered, where Hayes should’ve corralled the ball but pulled up his route a step short and had to reach which left him off balance and susceptible to the lilliputian Buccaneer defenders. Hayes projects as an offensive tackle at U-M, and has the perfect frame to add good weight without losing his athleticism. Though he’s been compared to Jake Fisher for obvious reasons, the former West TE turned Oregon and Bengals right tackle was more explosive and nasty, whereas Hayes has more wingspan and better technique at the same age. Michigan has commitments from the Lake Area’s two top offensive line prospects.

Lake Area Senior Offensive Line Prospects

1. Jalen Mayfield  6-5  260  Sr  Grand Rapids Catholic Central  Michigan
2. Ryan Hayes  6-7  250  Sr  Traverse City West  Michigan
3. Antwan Reed  6-7  295  Sr  Muskegon  Penn State
4. Cody Carone  6-4  295  Sr  Rockford
5. Keontae Watson  6-4  265  Sr  Muskegon Mona Shores
6. Cole Schut  6-4  270  Sr  Holland
7. Jacob Achteroff  6-5  300  North Muskegon
8. Evan Gast  6-2  285  Sr  Byron Center
9. Jacob Kochanny  6-4  270  Sr  Cadillac
10. Jacob Wohlgemuth  6-5  305  Sr  Wyoming Kellogsville
11. Jake Cleypool  6-2  280  Sr  Hopkins
12. Matt Eerdmans  6-4  265  Sr  East Grand Rapids
13. Matt Stefanski  6-4  305  Sr  Frankfort
14. Sam Sherwin  6-4  250  Sr  Traverse City Central
15. Brandon Rake  6-6  240  Sr  Whitehall
16. Malachi Price  6-2  305  Sr  Grand Rapids Christian
17. Mitchell Gorman  6-5  240  Sr  Lowell
18. Paul Weinrich  6-4  265  Sr  Forest Hills Eastern
19. Kaleb McMann  6-5  270  Sr  Muskegon Orchard View
20. Parker Kingma  6-4  315  Sr  Grand Haven
21. Andrew Lefebre  6-3  255  Sr  Lowell
22. Christian Balanda  6-6  265  Sr  Forest Hills Central
23. Jacob Seager  6-5  285  Sr  Kalamazoo Central
24. Nathan Roehr  6-4  285  Sr  Allendale
25. Andrew Sikkema  6-2  275  Sr  McBain

Parker Kingma  6-4  315  Sr  OL  Grand Haven: One of Grand Haven’s two senior tackles with college potential along with 6-4, 250 Charlie Brown. Kingma is massive but had a hard time keeping up Thursday with Traverse City West’s smaller, quicker defense. Should get GLIAC offers if he can show some more flexibility, and pop at the point of attack.

Luke Morrell  6-1  175  Sr  K  Plainwell: We don’t usually look too much at kickers, but the 2018 class has a number of future college guys so it’s tough to ignore. Chief among them is Morrell, athletic enough to last season be All-Wolverine Conference in football, soccer and basketball. He’s hit field goals from nearly 60 yards on the camp circuit. He hasn’t attempted a field goal yet this season but is 7-for-7 on PATs.

Lake Area Senior Kicker Prospects

1. Luke Morrell  6-1  175  Sr  Plainswell
2. Liam Putz  6-3  185  Sr  Grand Rapids West Catholic
3. Eric Zeboor  5-10  175  Sr  Rockford
4. Andrew Haan  6-2  185  Sr  Grand Rapids South Chrsitian
5. Gabe Pickett  6-0  200  Sr  Traverse City Central

Mitchell O’Gorman  6-5  240  Sr  OL/DL  Lowell: The Red Arrows love to take advantage of O’Gorman’s versatility on the line. He plays a 2 and 2i technique defensive tackle and also starts on the offensive line at left tackle. In goal line he’ll also be moved to tight end, where he did a good job of utilizing his size advantage on linebackers. Back at tackle looked more comfortable as an edge blocker than someone who’ll punish you with the down block. Didn’t play every down but got good penetration off the D line when he did. Lowell had a second-quarter sack against De La Salle that began with O’Gorman bursting through the line and pushing the QB from the pocket. Athleticism, length and multi-position project make him a legit prospect, with some more motor and meanness could really be even higher on recruiting boards.

Sam Sherwin  6-4  250  Sr  OL/DL  Traverse City Central: As a D end in a three-down front he was too quick and smooth for Bay City Western’s right tackle in TC Central’s Week 1 blowout win. Showed patience and awareness in space to get a sack. Plays right tackle offensively. Nice technique, keeps hands in and was still able to maneuver guys and clear paths for the Trojans’ myriad runners. Maintains his blocks and doesn’t get caught flat-footed. Shows decent speed getting into the second level. Similar to his brother Ben Sherwin, an All-Lake lineman last season now at Ferris State, in that they rely on fundamentals and positioning rather than mauling and physically dominating. And the Sherwin train doesn’t stop, as youngest brother Jack is a junior defensive end. Their father, Greg, was an All-MAC tackle for CMU.

Class of 2019

Odin Soffredine  6-0  205  Jr  LB/RB  Traverse City West: Part of TC West’s stable of talented running backs, and he had a 40-yard TD run in their Week 2 whupping of Grand Haven. But where he really excelled and his future is at linebacker. Smart position guy, a talker, but also delivered the hits you want in the middle.

Class of 2020

Adam Lambert  6-5  280  So  DL  Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian: No, not that Adam Lambert. This one wears eye black, not eye shadow. Young and showed flashes, and will only get better as he adds moves, becomes aggressive, instead of just being the big kid taking up space. Learning on the job. On successive plays against Spring Lake in Week 1, Lambert lost track of the ball as it was run right by him, but then on the next one shed a block and wrapped up the carrier at the line. Can’t lose sight of the ball.

Bryce Mostella  6-6  245  So  DL/OL  East Kentwood: He’s similar in trajectory to where his teammate, junior lineman Logan Brown, was a year ago going both ways on the outside. Mostella was just finding his way out there in his varsity debut against L’anse Creuse North, the reaction time and muscle memory isn’t there yet. But it was still hard to take your eyes off him because of all the potential — long, smooth and athletic. His father played at Auburn. A year from now expect Mostella, like Brown, to have double-figure Power 5 offers. EK has another sophomore lineman with potential, 6-5, 250 Dallas Fincher.