Kent football capsules
Lowell Red Arrows
League: OK White
Coach: Noel Dean
2014 Record: 8-2, 4-1 CAAC Red 2nd
Players lost: Josh Colegrove (RB/LB), Josh Branigan (TE)
Players returning: Ryan Stevens (QB), Max Dean (RB/LB), Trevor Shurlow (RB/LB), Gabe Steed (WR), Sawyer Olesko (WR), Avery Buckius (WR), Evan Mierendorf (TE), Max Bishop (G), Reece Vanderwarf (OT), John Rogalke (C), Karson Murley (G), Nick Kloosterman (DE), Danny Kruse (DL), Derek Massey (CB), Zeth Dean (CB), Matt Cooper (S), Alex Anschutz (S)
Outlook: The Red Arrows were a young team last year, but that didn’t keep them from reaching double-digit wins for the 12th time in 15 years. The Red Arrows tied for the league title and reached the regional title game, where they fell to Zeeland West in the cold and snow. Lowell has a veteran squad this season, led by senior quarterback Ryan Stevens. Senior wide receiver Gabe Steed (6’1″, 190 pounds) is a four-year varsity player and a dynamic playmaker. Seniors Max Dean and Trevor Shurlow are a punishing one-two combination at running back. They will run behind a big, experienced, and talented offensive line this year that includes tight end Evan Mierendorf (6’0″, 210), junior center John Rogalke (5’9″, 235), senior guard Karson Murley (6’1″, 290), junior guard Max Bishop (5’9″, 260), and senior tackle Reece Vanderwarf (6’3″, 220). The Red Arrows are also deep and talented on defense. Seniors Danny Kruse and Nick Kloosterman lead the charge up front. Dean and Shurlow are a pair of rock ’em, sock ’em linebackers. The secondary is also seasoned, with Derek Massey and Zeth Dean at cornerback and Alex Anschutz and Matt Cooper at safety.
Rockford Rams
League: OK Red
Coach: Ralph Munger
2014 Record: 8-3, 4-1 1st
Players lost: Landon Haney (QB), Ethan LaCourt (RB/DB), Jake Sendzik (RB), Reid Martin (TE), Vance Powell (OL), Nick Alferick (OL), Derek Scholl (OL), Noah Foss (DL), Aaron Winick (LB), Spencer Andruw (DB)
Players returning: Jason Whittaker (QB), Tyler Bradfield (RB/QB/DB), Brendan McKellar (RB), Cole Shuple (RB), Hunter Novak (RB/DB), Jackson Ammon (TE), Logan Anderson (OT), Fischer Holt (G), Davis Grimm (G), Cody Carone (C), Marcus Remtema (WR), Gabe Baumann (DE), Paul Reinke (LB), Josh Patterson (CB), Andy Heider (S), Quinn Nordin (PK/P)
Outlook: The Rams qualified for the playoffs for the 20th straight season last fall and also shared the title in the rugged OK Red. This season, they are looking to get veteran coach Ralph Munger his 300th career win. That will not be an easy thing to do, considering the Rams’ rugged schedule, which begins with a trip to Division 1 state runner-up Saline. The Rams again have a deep and talented team. Senior Tyler Bradfield is a multi-purpose player who can start at any skill position on offense, who is a dynamic playmaker on defense, and who is a special teams standout. When it comes to special teams, no team in the state is as stacked as the Rams, who have the premier place kicker in the United States in senior Quinn Nordin, who is headed to Penn State University. Nordin has range to 65 yards and averages 40 yards per punt. Defensive end Gabe Baumann (6’3″, 240 pounds) brings the heat on defense, where the Rams are deep and talented. At quarterback, sophomore Jason Whittaker (6’4″, 190) is a promising signal caller with a lot of upside. The Rams have several talented sophomores, including center Cody Carone (6’3″, 270) and Marcus Remtema, a playmaker at receiver or at running back.