Class of 2018

Ethan Ancick  6-6  215  Sr  TE  Manton: Transfer from “downstate,” Walled Lake Northern, who at times just manhandled small-school Northern Michigan competition. Natural pass catcher at 6-foot-6 who gives quarterback Hunter Ruell so many looks split wide or tight, winning balls in crowds or beating one-on-one coverage. Also a college basketball prospect and that hoops background shows with his ball skill in traffic and overall athleticism. Projects as a college tight end where he has plus physical tools for the position though blocking is TBD. Compares favorably to the top tight end in the Lake Area, Big Rapids’ Braeden Childress, who has three MAC offers.

Liam Cavanaugh  6-4  205  Sr  LB/TE  West Ottawa: It’s a brave new world for West Ottawa athletics, winning its first-ever boys’ district championship in basketball and then its first O-K Red title in football in the same calendar year. One of the faces in that renaissance is that of Cavanaugh, one of the top defensive playmakers in the O-K Red the past two seasons. He was as crucial as ever in keeping WO’s dream season alive with five catches for 171 yards and three TDs, including the game-winner as tie expired, in the D1 playoff opener with Grandville. Productive outside linebacker whether coming in tight against power teams or out in space against athletes. Smooth and quick off blocks with good understanding of where plays are headed. GLIAC talent at linebacker but with a red-shirt year for sure he’s not going to win any physical one-on-one battles. Cavanaugh shows his versatility and athletic ability on offense. He can block as an H back, has the hands of a receiver and is a dangerous wildcat quarterback on two-point conversions or filling in like he did against East Kentwood running it right through their defense for two TDs.

Thomas Griggs  5-10  210  Sr  RB  Wyoming Kelloggsville: One of the Lake Area’s best in two sports football and basketball. One of two good senior backs for undefeated Kelloggsville along with David jackson, and senior QB Alex Guzman also a capable runner, Griggs has rushed for over 2,500 yards the past two seasons. In the district final will be the first time this season he has a higher-rated running back on the other side, as undefeated Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s Nolan Fugate has better measurables. What makes Griggs good is his feel and vision, quick stop-start and balance, while lacking the explosion and pure speed. For a a seemingly bigger target, Griggs is able to get small in tight spaces and defenders rarely get clean hits. While Jackson is the better blocker in pass pro, Griggs will do his part burying linebackers on end-arounds.

Jacob Wohlgemuth  6-5  330  Sr  DL  Wyoming Kelloggsville: Undefeated Kelloggsville has enough depth that Wohlgemuth doesn’t have to go both ways. He’s utilized fully on defense though playing tackle and end in 4-3 sets or at nose tackle when Kelloggsville goes to a 3-4 look. Also plays special teams. When playing on the interior either way the linebacker behind him feasts because Wohlgemuth’s an automatic double-team. The Rockets’ defense takes off once he creates havoc at the line because when the pocket collapses and it comes down to playmaking, they had an athletic advantage in the O-K Silver. Plays hard and with a motor for a kid his size always looming over the quarterback somehow, you feel the presence. Will really have to polish technique at the next level because right now so rarely sees anyone of similar size and won’t able to just bull rush over a center or shut down the A or B gap just by getting out of his stance. Riding MAC/GLIAC line as a prospect.