2024 High School Football Preview – Wolverine Conference

After years of Edwardsburg on top of the Wolverine Conference Standings, Niles didn’t just eek out the conference championship, they overpowered the rest of the league and had the program’s best season ever and winning their first conference championship since 2001.   The Vikings won’t sneak up on anybody this season.  Will they be able to hold onto the crown, or will Edwardsburg reclaim what they consider to be theirs or will someone else step up and lay claim.

2024 Wolverine Conference Preview:

Edwardsburg Eddies

2023 Record: 5-5 (5-2 Wolverine)

Head Coach: Dan Purlee (2nd season, 5-5)

2024 Schedule

08/30 – at Walkerton John Glenn (IN) – 7:00 p.m.

09/06 – St. Joseph – 7:00 p.m.

09/13 – at Plainwell – 7:00 p.m.

09/20 – Three Rivers – 7:00 p.m.

09/27 – Otsego – 7:00 p.m.

10/04 – at Paw Paw – 7:00 p.m.

10/11 – Niles – 7:00 p.m.

10/18 – at Vicksburg – 7:00 p.m.

10/25 – Sturgis – 7:00 p.m.

There were a lot of smiles around the Wolverine conference heading into last year.  This after Kevin Bartz stepped down as head coach of Edwardsburg after the 2022 season.  Bartz spend 28 season as the head coach for the Eddies, building the team into perennial powerhouse and multiple deep runs in the playoffs, with a state championship in 2018.

But change is inevitable, even in Edwardsburg.   The Eddies found themselves in an uncomfortable situation, after a 5-4 regular season. And the first time that the Eddies’ season did not include a conference or division championship since their first year in the Wolverine conference in 2012.

But a few bumps are expected whenever a new coach takes over, especially one taking over from a legend.   But a way to get around that is to name a legend to replace a legend.  Dan Purlee, who went 70-22 in nine seasons at Cassopolis, now enters his second season as head Edwardsburg, after serving under Bartz as an assistant coach.

Purlee has the advantage of 38 players on the varsity rosters and exactly half, 19 of them seniors.

Edwardsburg’s offense will again run a Power T offense and has 9 returning starters, under offensive coordinator Brian Schaible will be run on the field with Senior Quarterback Zeke Pegura (6’5, 200), with senior running backs Carson Cebra (5’9, 180), and Grant Griffin (6’1, 205).  Two Senior Tight Ends Oscar Morris (6’2, 220) and Nick Walker (6’2, 205).  Up front will be senior linemen Elek Widman (6’3, 235), Walker Karafa (5’11, 230), and Gavin O’Day (6’0, 225).  Senior Grady Ostrander (5’6, 170) will also be a key player on offense.

The deceptive Power T offense won’t be anything new for the group of Eddies, as it has been the base offense for the Edwardsburg football teams, from the high school down to the middle school and even rocket programs for years, so the group on offense won’t have any trouble in Purlee’s second year.

Edwardsburg’s defense will line up in a 3-4 base and have 6 starters back for defensive coordinator Randy Brooks.   Four of the Eddies key defensive players are also on offense with Morris and Griffin playing linebacker, Cebra at safety and Karafa at defensive end.     The Edwardsburg defense has some room to improve, the Eddies allowed 246 points last season, the most since the 2014 season when Edwardsburg allowed 216 points in the regular season.    To put in into perspective, Edwardsburg allowed 213 points in the 2017 season when they won the state championship, but that was for the entire season AND playoffs.

Edwardsburg again doesn’t rely on Special Teams all that much, Edwardsburg traditionally goes for the 2 point conversion after touchdowns, and doesn’t kick PAT’s, but Carter Houseworth will be the kicker and punter, and Alex Rudolph is probably the most critical player on special teams, the long snapper.

Purlee says, “We are excited about the season. We bring back a lot of experience on the offensive side of the ball. Our guys worked extremely hard in the off season to prepare themselves for the the 2024 season. We open up with John Glenn in IN, followed by St Joe, MI week 2. We expect the Wolverine Conference to be extremely competitive this year and hope to compete for a Conference Championship and more.”

Purlee thinks Niles in the favorite in the Wolverine Conference.  Edwardsburg opens the season with a road game on Friday, August 30th across the state line at John Glenn, before returning for their home opener against St. Joseph on September 6.   And you can hear the game against the Bears on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 and at WSJM.com

Niles Vikings

2023 Record: 10-2 (3-4 Wolverine)

Head Coach: Scot Shaw (4th season, 21-11)

2024 Schedule

08/29 – at St. Joseph – 7:00 p.m.

09/06 – Lakeshore – 7:00 p.m.

09/13 – at Three Rivers – 7:00 p.m.

09/20 – Otsego – 7:00 p.m.

09/27 – Sturgis – 7:00 p.m.

10/04 – at Vicksburg – 7:00 p.m.

10/11 – at Edwardsburg – 7:00 p.m.

10/18 – Plainwell – 7:00 p.m.

10/25 – at Paw Paw – 7:00 p.m.

While Niles has had some undefeated seasons before, the 2023 Niles football season was arguably the most successful season in Niles program history.  Which is exactly where Head Coach Scot Shaw was expected to lead them to.   Niles went 10-2 last season, the first time in program history the Vikings had 10 or more wins.  Niles was also one of the most dominant teams offensively, scoring 49 or more points in 8 of their 9 games, which were all wins.  Including wins over St. Joe (55-0), Three Rivers (56-8), Sturgis (61-21), Vicksburg (50-0), Edwardsburg (49-0), Plainwell (69-0), and Paw Paw (56-18).   The two losses, a 15-14 loss to Lakeshore where the Vikings was unable to move the ball when they needed it most, and a 21-14 loss in the regional finals to Portland, this one due to costly penalties and turnovers.

Despite that, Niles still has plenty of room to improve and they have the roster to do it.   The Vikings have 35 players suiting up on Friday nights, with 15 seniors.

Niles will again operate from the flexbone, which produced a school record 460 points in the regular season, with Shaw himself conducting his highly tuned offense.  Niles has 7, possibly 8 starters returning from the team last year.  Has senior Talen Bennett (5’11, 175) at quarterback.  The Vikings running backs are seniors Sam Rucker (5’9, 185) and Paul Hess (5’10, 210), and senior Peyton Gordon (5’8, 165) and junior Alex Anderson (5’8, 180) at wing back.  Junior Brenda Olsen (6’7, 175) and Sophomore Max Rucker (6’2, 210) round of the rest of the skill positions at wide receiver and tight end respectively.   Up front on the offensive line are seniors Riley Cowan (5’11, 240) and Jordan Cunningham (6’1, 230) as well as juniors Brandon Hamilton (5’10, 240) and Chase Brawley (6’0, 270).

Niles will use multiple defensive sets, and returns 6 starters from a season ago, which shut out four opponents and held two more to 8 points or less.  Anderson, Gordon, and Olsen will play defensive back, along with senior Jaden Ivery (6’0, 170).  Hamilton, Dane Asmus (6’0, 210) and Ward Cheney (5’10, 185) will be linebackers.  On the defensive line, juniors R.J. Fiedler (6’0, 200), and Malakai Burris (5’10, 220).  With Sam Rucker playing at various defensive positions.

Niles will have to replace their very dependable kicker Andrew Cutajar, and the plan on doing that with Owen Poplin as the kicker and Sam Rucker as punter.

Shaw is maybe downplaying his outlook for his team this season, he tells us, “We should be competitive, I like our teams work ethic and commitment to being the best they can be”

He expects Paw Paw and Edwardsburg as Wolverine Conference favorites.

Three of the four key games on the Vikings schedule this season are on the road, at St. Joseph, Paw Paw and Edwardsburg, with the game against Lakeshore at home.

Niles opens the season on Friday, August 30th at St. Joseph, which you can hear on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM.  The Vikings home opener will be the following week against Lakeshore, which will be on 97.5 Y-Country.

Otsego Bulldogs

2023 Record: 0-9 (0-7 Wolverine)

Head Coach: Damien Ross (1st season)

2024 Schedule

08/29 – at Coopersville – 7:00 p.m.

09/06 – Kalamazoo United – 7:00 p.m.

09/13 – Vicksburg – 7:00 p.m.

09/20 – at Niles – 7:00 p.m.

09/27 – at Edwardsburg – 7:00 p.m.

10/04 – Sturgis – 7:00 p.m.

10/11 – at Plainwell – 7:00 p.m.

10/18 – Paw Paw – 7:00 p.m.

10/25 – at Three Rivers – 7:00 p.m.

Many times, when a school hires a new coach, no matter what sport, most coaches come into the situation blind.  They may have only heard things about the school, but chances are they have not been there or experienced that new school in any way.   For new Otsego football coach Damien Ross, he knows all about Otsego.   Not only has Ross been an assistant coach for Otsego under former head coach Scott McDougal, but Ross is a 2007 graduate of South Haven, which at the time was a member of the Wolverine Conference with Otsego.  Ross knows the area, he knows the Wolverine, he knows the rivalry with Plainwell, and being on the staff previously, he was the perfect choice for Otsego.

Ross does have his work cut out for him.  After an 0-9 season in 2022, the Bulldogs were able to go 3-6 last year, equaling the same number of wins as the previous three seasons combined.

Ross does have a lot of experience coming back on both sides of the ball this fall.  Otsego returns 5 starters on offense and 6 starters on defense, with 14 of his 33 man roster members of the class of 2025.

Otsego’s spread option offense will be directed by offensive coordinator Justin Scott.  With junior Kaleb Hildebrand starting at quarterback.  Junior Kole Englright at running back, and up front is senior lineman Mike Misner.

The Bulldogs 4-2-5 base defense will count on junior D-Lineman Rowan McKinney, and working backwards junior linebacker Lane Blanchard, and senior DB Louis DiGrandi.   Brian Sparks is Otsego’s defensive coordinator.

Otsego kicking duties will be handled by Gabe James.

Ross tells us, “We have some good experience coming back in 2024. We are looking be competitive and play with great effort.”

Ross expects Niles and Paw Paw as favorites in the Wolverine this season.  Otsego opens the season on Thursday, August 29 at Coopersville.

Paw Paw Red Wolves

2023 Record: 9-2 (6-1 Wolverine)

Head Coach: Dennis Strey (4th season, 18-13)

2024 Schedule

08/29 – at Big Rapids – 7:00 p.m.

09/06 – Berrien Springs – 7:00 p.m.

09/13 – Sturgis – 7:00 p.m.

09/20 – at Vicksburg – 7:00 p.m.

09/27 – Plainwell – 7:00 p.m.

10/04 – Edwardsburg – 7:00 p.m.

10/11 – at Three Rivers – 7:00 p.m.

10/18 – at Otsego – 7:00 p.m.

10/25 – Niles – 7:00 p.m.

Paw Paw did not provide a response to our request for a preview

Plainwell Trojans

2023 Record: 1-8 (0-7 Wolverine)

Head Coach: Brian Huberty (2nd season, 1-8)

2024 Schedule

08/29 – Hamilton – 7:00 p.m.

09/06 – at Coldwater – 7:00 p.m.

09/13 – Edwardsburg – 7:00 p.m.

09/20 – at Sturgis – 7:00 p.m.

09/27 – at Paw Paw – 7:00 p.m.

10/04 – Three Rivers – 7:00 p.m.

10/11 – Otsego – 7:00 p.m.

10/18 – at Niles – 7:00 p.m.

10/25 – Vicksburg

Sturgis Trojans

2023 Record: 3-6 (2-5 Wolverine)

Head Coach: Chance Stewart (5th season, 14-20)

2024 Schedule

08/29 – Coldwater – 7:00 p.m.

09/06 – at Kalamazoo Central – 7:00 p.m.

09/13 – at Paw Paw – 7:00 p.m.

09/20 – Plainwell – 7:00 p.m.

09/27 – at Niles – 7:00 p.m.

10/04 – at Otsego – 7:00 p.m.

10/11 – Vicksburg – 7:00 p.m.

10/18 – Three Rivers – 7:00 p.m.

10/25 – at Edwardsburg – 7:00 p.m.

It’s been 9 seasons since the Sturgis Trojans finished the season with an above .500 record.  Trojans head coach Chance Stewart is still trying to build his program in a Wolverine Conference that keeps getting better.  Stewart team did take a step back last year, and he’ll try to improve on that despite losing 19 seniors from his team a year ago.  Entering his 5th season as coach, his first full group of players were those departing 19 seniors.   Which leaves Sturgis with a young and inexperienced group of players coming back.

Sturgis only has 25 varsity players this season and 6 seniors.  There is just 1 starter returning on offense, and 1 starter returning on defense.  Stewart says they are a young football team, and they’re ready to prove themselves.

Stewart himself will be calling the Trojans Pass/Run option offense, which his did himself when he was a player for the trojans a decade ago.   The Sturgis offense will led on the field by sophomore quarterback Beckett Lamb (6’0, 180), behind him will be junior running back Kaicee Kyle (5’8, 170), and in front of Lamb will be junior OL Parker Altimus (6’0, 190).

The Trojans will set up in a 4/3 defensive alignment with senior defensive back Todd Guijosa (6’0, 175) and junior linebacker Gavin Lewis (6’0, 200) leading the way.

Stewart says that it has been a really fun summer, and he is excited to see his team compete this fall.

Stewart again sees Niles as the team to beat in the Wolverine Conference in 2024.

The Trojans open the season at home against arch rival Coldwater on Thursday, August 29.

Three Rivers Wildcats

2023 Record: 1-8 (1-6 Wolverine)

Head Coach: Jeff Awe (1st season)

2024 Schedule

08/29 – Charlotte – 7:00 p.m.

09/06 – at Adrian – 7:00 p.m.

09/13 – Niles – 7:00 p.m.

09/20 – at Edwardsburg – 7:00 p.m.

09/27 – Vicksburg – 7:00 p.m.

10/04 – at Plainwell – 7:00 p.m.

10/11 – Paw Paw – 7:00 p.m.

10/18 – at Sturgis – 7:00 p.m.

10/25 – Otsego – 7:00 p.m.

Things have been building up for Three Rivers, on and off the field.   The first is the upgrades at Armstrong Field, where the Wildcats will be playing on a new artificial turf field, the 5th of the 8 member Wolverine Conference who will play on a synthetic surface, along with the field updates, there are new locker rooms, and new track, and Three Rivers becomes the first Wolverine Conference school to have a video scoreboard, like Lakeshore, St. Joe, and Berrien Springs in Berrien County.

The change on the field will be another new coach on the newly turfed sideline.  Jeff Awe will be the head coach for the Wildcats after Chris Gilliam lasted only one season with the Wildcats.  Awe is the third coach in three years at Three Rivers.

Even though there has been a recent lack of stability in the head coaches office. There is stability and more importantly, depth on the Wildcats roster.   Three Rivers has 5 players returning on offense this season with 7, returning on defense.  The varsity roster consists of 40 players with 17 of them seniors.

Awe see a familiar name serving as his quarterback, Junior Mason Awe will be the signal caller on the field.  quarterback, (5’11, 195).   The Wildcats “I” Formation offense will be under the direction of offensive coordinator Nate Foley.  Other key players on offense are senior running back Lamonta Stone (5’9, 165), junior tight end Zander Barth (6’7, 225), sophomore wide receiver Brayden Carpenter (5’10, 165), with senior offensive tackle Max Burg (6’6, 260) up front.

The experience defense of the Wildcats will line up in a 3-5-3 alignment with Mitch Walters serving as the defensive coordinator.   The key players on defense include, Junior defensive end Jaxon Smith (6’1, 230), Senor DT Sam Reynolds (5-9, 240).  A pair of senior linebackers, Jace Gray (5’9, 195) and Landon Moreland (5’10, 195).  Tre Rohrer, a senior will line up at linebacker or on the defensive line (5’9, 180). Junior Blake Stewart (5’11, 165) will play defensive back.

Colton Westcomb (6-1, 195) will handle the kicking and punting duties, with Carpenter also serving as the kick and punt returner.

Awe tells us, “Our goals are to be focused, physical and to compete in every game. We want to be a top team in the Wolverine Conference and make the playoffs.”   Awe says Niles in the favorite in the Wolverine Conference.  He says, “Defending champion, they’re well coached and return a strong nucleus.

Three Rivers opens the season and their new home field on Thursday, August 29th against Charlotte.

Vicksburg Bulldogs

2023 Record: 4-6 (4-3 Wolverine)

Head Coach: Thomas Marchese (18th season, 83-81)

2024 Schedule

08/29 – at Mattawan – 7:00 p.m.

09/06 – Gull Lake – 7:00 p.m.

09/13 – at Otsego – 7:00 p.m.

09/20 – Paw Paw – 7:00 p.m.

09/27 – at Three Rivers – 7:00 p.m.

10/04 – Niles – 7:00 p.m.

10/11 – at Sturgis – 7:00 p.m.

10/18 – Edwardsburg – 7:00 p.m.

10/25 – at Plainwell – 7:00 p.m.

If there is any team in the state of Michigan that was pleased with the MHSAA’s new playoff qualification system, it had to be Vicksburg, and because of that if there was a team that was unhappy with the MHSAA’s new playoff qualification system, it had to be the Vicksburg Bulldogs.

Vicksburg finished last season with a 4-5 record.  Earlier it would have ended the Bulldogs 4-year stretch of making the playoffs.  But the new system and the adjustments made to strength of schedule and the size of the opponent, Vicksburg was able to make it to the playoffs.    The part that Vicksburg probably didn’t enjoy was a return visit to Niles, who beat them 50-0 a month prior.  The rematch was a little closer with Niles winning the rematch 42-10.

Vicksburg is looking for a much better record and a better seeding in the playoffs this season as Thomas Marchese begins hi 18th year at the helm.

Vicksburg will field 38 players on the varsity team this season with 14 seniors.   Offensively Vicksburg does return 5 starters from last season, but the defense only has 3 starters back.

The Bulldogs will operate from a spread formation, with Marchese calling the plays as offensive coordinator.   Vicksburg senior Hunter Bell (6’0, 170) will start at quarterback.  With juniors Anthony Marchese (6’5, 210), Braylen Vallier (5’11, 170), and Dillyn VanHeukelum (5’11, 170) at wide receiver.  At running back is senior Zack Kline (5’10, 195).   Two of the big men up front are senior Grant Daniels (6’1, 310) and junior Luke Deal (6’4, 250).

Some of the key offensive player will go both ways hoping to bring a little more experience to the defense, including Kline at linebacker, being joined by senior Storm Schrader (5’9, 190), and junior Michael Johnson (5’8, 265).  Marchese, VanHeukelum, and Vallier will play defensive back alongside senior Trey Willmont (5’10, 165).  Daniels will play on the offensive and defensive line as well.

The Bulldogs special teams will be handled by Johnson at kicker, Cohen Balle at Punter.   Kline, Vallier, VanHeukelum, and Aroldo Medoza returning kicks.

Marchese says. “We lost a lot of talented starters to graduation……we will be young and pretty green in the starters returning category but the kids have worked hard all summer and we expect to compete every single week.:

He expects Niles, Paw Paw, followed by Edwardsburg as Wolverine conference favorites.

Vicksburg opens the season on the road at Mattawan on Thursday, August 29th. With their first home game coming a week later against Gull Lake.   Vicksburg will open conference play in the Wolverine’s “Battle of the Bulldogs” in week 3 at Otsego.

Next: Lakeland (today)