By Greg Chrapek
Wyoming-Kentwood News Today Contributor
greer@wktv.org
With a large group of talented veterans returning, the South Christian football team is primed for a big season.
The Sailors turned in a 4-6 record last season playing in the rugged OK Green Conference. South qualified for the playoffs with a 4-5 record during the regular season, but it came to an early end as Portland edged the Sailors 42-41 in the opening round of the playoffs.
This year’s edition of the Sailors features plenty of talent and depth along with plenty of experience.
“I feel like we’ve had a really good offseason with weightlifting and training,” said South Christian Coach Danny Brown. “I’ve been happy with the effort and their commitment. I think one thing we’re blessed with is we return a lot of players from last year’s team. A lot of guys that played meaningful snaps for us, whether it be in the regular season or in the playoff game.”
The depth of the Sailors starts at quarterback where senior Austin Burgess and junior Houston Wildeboer are competing for the starting nod.
“I think the beauty of this team is we have two guys that can play the quarterback position at a high level,” Brown said. “We have two guys that are just competing their tails off to try to earn that spot.”
Even more talent, depth and competition is available at running back. Returning at running back are seniors Jesse Van De Griend (5-10, 168) and Isaac Osterhaven (6-0, 195), along with junior Kyle Naklizki (5-9, 185) and sophomore Dax Blackport (6-4, 220) all in the mix.
“Running back is a unique group,” Brown said. “There’s a lot of depth. It’s kind of going to be running back by committee where we ride the hot hand. Whoever’s rocking and rolling that game or that week of practice.”
The receiver positions also bring back plenty of experience with three players back who started at some point last season.
Easton Raak (5-9, 140) is an elusive and speedy junior receiver who gained starting experience last year. Senior Charlie Vermaas (6-3, 190) is a tall target with good hands who started at an outside receiver position last year. Also working in at receiver is Blackport. Another big, tall receiver, Blackport is a hybrid player on offense for the Sailors with his ability to play multiple positions and create mismatches for the defense. Senior Jack Buist is a returnee at tight end who has made plenty of progress since last season, while his cousin, Carson Buist, is looking to contribute at wide receiver.
Paving the way for the offense is a line that returns four starters. Providing the nucleus of the offensive line are seniors Jackson Ringnalda (6-3, 210), Jacob Lobbezoo (6-2, 190), Joesph Gritter (6-2, 205) and Cody Jones (6-4, 225).
“There’s a ton of starts in that group,” Brown said, “but what happened last year doesn’t dictate what happens this year. We have to buy into what we’re doing, get together as a unit, and for us that all starts up front.”
On the defensive side of the ball the Sailors also return a core of veteran starters.
Senior Gavin Bouma (6-3, 205) is one of the returning veterans to the defense. A two-year starter, Bouma can play multiple positions including defensive end and outside linebacker. Bouma has become bigger and stronger in the offseason and has garnered looks from college recruiters.
Another versatile defender is Blackport who started as a freshman. Like Bouma, Blackport is a versatile defender who can line up anywhere along the defensive line or linebacker.
Jones is another veteran and two-year starter who returns to the defensive line. Senior Nathan Potter (6-3, 285) is a two-year varsity player who provides plenty of muscle in the interior of the defensive line and brings more experience to the defense. His size and strength are a key to stopping the run.
Linebacker is a key position in fall camp as the Sailors need to replace both starting inside linebackers.
“We are trying to fill linebacker right now,” Brown said. “We have guys repping in and out, who is going to take that over is to be determined. That’s a big part of a defense so we’re hoping that these guys figure it out and get up to speed and we’ll be ready to rock and roll.”
Among the players in the mix at linebacker are seniors Connor Mead (6-0, 186) and Liam Feyen (6-2, 195), and juniors Ky Hunderman (5-11, 175) and Xander Burgess.
The defensive secondary also brings back a chunk of experience.
The Sailors return a pair of veteran cornerbacks in junior Brody Schilts (6-2, 185), who started as a freshman two years ago, along with junior Ben Jackson (6-1, 185), who started at cornerback last year as a sophomore.
The Sailors also welcome back a pair of safeties who have plenty of experience in seniors Mark DeJong (6-1, 184) and Jack Weiss (6-0, 175).
As usual, the Sailors face a rugged conference and non-league schedule that ultimately prepares the team for the playoffs. South opens with Grand Rapids Christian on Friday, Aug. 28, as a home game (at East Kentwood High School), and is featured as our WKTV Game of the Week, and then travels to East Grand Rapids in Week Two before opening conference play at West Catholic in Week Three.
