2016 Week 8 Football Playoff Listing
October 11, 2016
Second Half editor
Here is a list of Michigan High School Athletic Association football playing schools, displaying their win-loss records and playoff averages through the seventh week of the season.
Schools on this list are in enrollment order for 11-player teams, with 8-player teams ordered by playoff average. An asterisk (*) beside a record indicates a team has eight or fewer games scheduled. A caret (^) beside a school’s name indicates a team is one win away from playoff qualification.
Those schools with 11-player teams with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules, or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer, will qualify for the MHSAA Football Playoffs beginning Oct. 28.
Schools with 5-4, 4-3 or 4-4 records may qualify if the number of potential qualifiers by win total does not reach the 256 mark. Schools with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer may be subtracted from the field based on playoff average if the number of potential qualifiers exceeds the 256 mark.
Once the 256 qualifying schools are determined, they will be divided by enrollment groups into eight equal divisions of 32 schools, and then drawn into regions of eight teams each and districts of four teams each. Those schools with 8-player teams will be ranked by playoff average at season’s end, and the top 16 programs will be drawn into regions of eight teams each for the playoff in that division, which also begins Oct. 28.
To review a list of all football playoff schools, individual school playoff point details and to report errors, visit the Football page of the MHSAA Website.
The announcement of the qualifiers and first-round pairings for both the 11 and 8-player playoffs will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 23 on the Selection Sunday Show on FOX Sports Detroit. The playoff qualifiers and pairings will be posted to the MHSAA Website following the Selection Sunday Show.
11-Player Playoff Listing
1. Macomb Dakota, 2976, 4-3, 55.714
2. Utica Eisenhower, 2700, 7-0, 108.571
3. Clarkston ^, 2683, 5-2, 74.143
4. Grand Blanc, 2628, 4-3, 63.571
5. East Kentwood, 2596, 4-3, 60.143
6. Southfield Arts & Technology, 2581, 4-3, 59.286
7. Rockford ^, 2563, 5-2, 77.143
8. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2518, 4-3, 67.286
9. Howell ^, 2499, 5-2, 71.857
10. Dearborn Fordson, 2487, 7-0, 104.000
11. Lake Orion ^, 2418, 5-2, 71.571
12. Detroit Cass Tech, 2368, 7-0, 92.571
13. Northville, 2325, 6-1, 94.429
14. Salem, 2172, 4-3, 56.429
15. Brighton, 2142, 6-1, 88.714
16. Detroit Catholic Central, 2128, 7-0, 106.514
17. Novi, 2050, 4-3, 54.857
18. Oxford, 2042, 4-3, 57.429
19. Canton ^, 2035, 5-2, 74.714
20. New Baltimore Anchor Bay, 1987, 4-3, 50.571
21. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, 1986, 6-1, 83.143
22. Dearborn, 1978, 6-1, 87.571
23. Lapeer ^, 1932, 5-2, 64.286
24. Saline, 1923, 7-0, 105.905
25. Bloomfield Hills, 1831, 7-0, 100.571
26. White Lake Lakeland, 1822, 4-3, 53.714
27. Grandville, 1810, 6-1, 88.571
28. Hudsonville, 1797, 6-1, 88.714
29. Warren Mott, 1768, 6-1, 86.286
30. Grand Ledge, 1694, 6-1, 84.143
31. Belleville ^, 1668, 5-2, 71.286
32. Davison, 1668, 7-0, 97.143
33. Rochester Adams ^, 1666, 5-2, 71.143
34. Romeo ^, 1641, 5-2, 82.429
35. Rochester, 1632, 4-3, 59.857
36. Walled Lake Northern ^, 1631, 5-2, 70.714
37. Kalamazoo Central, 1615, 4-3, 57.048
38. Grosse Pointe South ^, 1600, 5-2, 74.286
39. Temperance Bedford, 1597, 6-1, 83.143
40. Detroit Western International, 1584, 4-3, 44.286
41. Brownstown Woodhaven ^, 1579, 5-2, 68.857
42. Detroit East English, 1579, 4-3, 51.429
43. Livonia Churchill, 1578, 4-3, 60.857
44. Traverse City West ^, 1552, 5-2, 71.429
45. Flint Carman-Ainsworth ^, 1522, 5-2, 67.571
46. Livonia Franklin ^, 1507, 5-2, 74.000
47. Warren Cousino, 1496, 6-1, 82.714
48. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1487, 6-1, 79.714
49. Detroit U-D Jesuit *, 1482, 5-1, 82.905
50. Jenison ^, 1481, 5-2, 65.000
51. Oak Park ^, 1409, 5-2, 76.000
52. St. Clair Shores Lakeview ^, 1409, 5-2, 62.714
53. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1404, 4-3, 53.524
54. Traverse City Central, 1394, 7-0, 101.714
55. Port Huron, 1392, 4-3, 52.429
56. Midland, 1388, 4-3, 49.857
57. Portage Central, 1388, 6-1, 89.619
58. Portage Northern, 1378, 4-3, 60.071
59. Walled Lake Western, 1370, 6-1, 97.286
60. Grosse Pointe North ^, 1367, 5-2, 69.857
61. Battle Creek Lakeview *^, 1353, 4-2, 63.619
62. Hamtramck, 1352, 4-3, 43.071
63. Dearborn Edsel Ford, 1346, 4-3, 50.286
64. Berkley ^, 1319, 5-2, 71.714
65. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central ^, 1316, 5-2, 70.000
66. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1311, 6-1, 88.857
67. Port Huron Northern ^, 1288, 5-2, 62.571
68. Wyoming, 1288, 4-3, 49.714
69. Pinckney ^, 1276, 5-2, 73.286
70. Midland Dow, 1254, 7-0, 94.857
71. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1250, 4-3, 56.875
72. Birmingham Groves, 1248, 7-0, 105.143
73. Jackson, 1243, 4-3, 56.571
74. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1240, 4-3, 56.429
75. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1198, 4-3, 50.571
76. Lowell, 1165, 7-0, 109.714
77. Holly ^, 1164, 5-2, 65.143
78. Bay City Central, 1158, 4-3, 52.143
79. Greenville ^, 1142, 5-2, 69.714
80. Fenton ^, 1138, 5-2, 75.286
81. East Lansing ^, 1117, 5-2, 67.143
82. Ferndale ^, 1117, 5-2, 58.571
83. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1100, 4-3, 55.571
84. Allen Park, 1094, 7-0, 107.429
85. Byron Center, 1070, 6-1, 81.857
86. Muskegon, 1052, 6-1, 84.143
87. Orchard Lake St Mary's, 1040, 4-3, 64.827
88. Ortonville-Brandon, 1034, 6-1, 78.286
89. Detroit Cody ^, 1015, 5-2, 64.143
90. Mason, 1009, 6-1, 77.286
91. Zeeland East, 1007, 6-1, 78.286
92. DeWitt, 1002, 6-1, 88.714
93. St. Joseph ^, 989, 5-2, 73.095
94. East Grand Rapids ^, 979, 5-2, 76.000
95. Trenton ^, 969, 5-2, 74.714
96. Linden ^, 940, 5-2, 62.000
97. Coldwater ^, 929, 5-2, 68.429
98. Romulus, 929, 6-1, 79.571
99. Grand Rapids Christian, 912, 6-1, 85.571
100. Warren Fitzgerald, 891, 6-1, 78.143
101. New Boston Huron ^, 886, 5-2, 63.143
102. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 880, 6-1, 73.714
103. Chelsea, 867, 7-0, 97.238
104. Redford Union ^, 865, 5-2, 59.714
105. Stevensville Lakeshore, 865, 4-3, 62.143
106. Vicksburg, 861, 6-1, 72.857
107. Dearborn Divine Child ^, 859, 5-2, 63.629
108. Zeeland West ^, 857, 5-2, 75.714
109. Edwardsburg, 855, 7-0, 85.714
110. Marshall, 849, 4-3, 52.857
111. Bay City John Glenn ^, 838, 5-2, 62.000
112. Fowlerville ^, 833, 5-2, 59.857
113. Cadillac ^, 817, 5-2, 62.857
114. Hamilton ^, 810, 5-2, 65.286
115. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 797, 6-1, 69.333
116. Marysville, 794, 7-0, 96.000
117. Adrian, 792, 4-3, 55.952
118. St. Clair, 784, 4-3, 55.143
119. Milan, 775, 6-1, 85.000
120. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 749, 4-3, 52.286
121. River Rouge, 741, 6-1, 74.000
122. Allendale ^, 735, 5-2, 63.286
123. Three Rivers, 730, 6-1, 73.286
124. Escanaba, 722, 6-1, 76.286
125. Detroit Mumford, 714, 6-1, 79.524
126. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy *, 708, 5-2, 62.762
127. Ludington, 695, 6-1, 54.571
128. Detroit Country Day, 692, 7-0, 85.714
129. Alma, 674, 6-1, 75.143
130. Battle Creek Pennfield, 669, 4-3, 48.571
131. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 660, 6-1, 73.190
132. Croswell-Lexington ^, 659, 5-2, 58.714
133. Lake Fenton, 654, 7-0, 83.429
134. Grosse Ile, 653, 6-1, 76.143
135. Whitehall, 653, 4-3, 48.857
136. Flint Powers Catholic, 647, 4-3, 54.143
137. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 644, 7-0, 92.571
138. Benton Harbor, 643, 7-0, 86.857
139. Corunna, 639, 6-1, 68.286
140. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 629, 6-1, 80.714
141. Grand Rapids South Christian, 621, 4-3, 53.571
142. St. Clair Shores South Lake ^, 617, 5-2, 67.429
143. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 614, 7-0, 84.571
144. Dowagiac, 610, 4-3, 50.286
145. Lansing Sexton, 610, 4-3, 59.143
146. Hancock, 608, 4-3, 37.429
147. Saginaw Swan Valley, 607, 4-3, 48.000
148. Detroit Denby, 593, 6-1, 64.429
149. Muskegon Oakridge, 590, 6-1, 64.857
150. Southfield Bradford Academy ^, 587, 5-2, 54.048
151. Belding ^, 585, 5-2, 57.429
152. Portland, 579, 7-0, 92.571
153. Remus Chippewa Hills, 577, 6-1, 71.714
154. Richmond, 562, 6-1, 71.714
155. Freeland, 561, 7-0, 94.857
156. Essexville Garber ^, 550, 5-2, 55.286
157. Algonac, 547, 7-0, 83.429
158. Ida, 546, 6-1, 70.429
159. Carrollton, 543, 4-3, 43.143
160. Kingsford ^, 543, 5-2, 65.607
161. Olivet ^, 541, 5-2, 57.714
162. Harper Woods, 540, 4-3, 43.429
163. Frankenmuth, 533, 7-0, 85.714
164. Lansing Catholic, 532, 6-1, 78.571
165. Grandville Calvin Christian, 531, 4-3, 46.357
166. Grant ^, 520, 5-2, 53.000
167. Kalkaska, 517, 6-1, 62.286
168. Almont, 497, 4-3, 44.429
169. Shepherd, 497, 4-3, 46.571
170. Manistee, 496, 4-3, 40.857
171. Reed City, 496, 7-0, 88.000
172. Grayling, 492, 4-3, 42.143
173. Berrien Springs *^, 482, 4-2, 57.214
174. Buchanan *^, 476, 4-2, 55.095
175. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 475, 6-1, 65.714
176. Durand, 463, 4-3, 38.571
177. Parchment, 448, 4-3, 42.571
178. Brooklyn Columbia Central ^, 442, 5-2, 51.714
179. Menominee, 439, 7-0, 90.857
180. Hillsdale, 432, 4-3, 42.571
181. Ithaca, 426, 7-0, 78.857
182. Clare, 419, 6-1, 68.286
183. Pinconning ^, 417, 5-2, 49.143
184. Montague, 414, 6-1, 62.000
185. Tawas *^, 412, 4-2, 41.381
186. Hemlock, 411, 4-3, 39.714
187. Harrison, 410, 4-3, 40.571
188. Calumet, 406, 6-1, 67.000
189. Michigan Center, 406, 4-3, 35.000
190. Morley Stanwood ^, 404, 5-2, 52.714
191. Lakeview, 402, 4-3, 42.857
192. Delton Kellogg, 401, 4-3, 45.143
193. Negaunee, 400, 7-0, 82.857
194. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 398, 6-1, 68.333
195. Adrian Madison, 397, 4-3, 40.000
196. Boyne City ^, 396, 5-2, 61.571
197. Charlevoix, 393, 6-1, 61.143
198. Millington, 393, 6-1, 70.571
199. Beaverton ^, 387, 5-2, 51.429
200. Constantine ^, 386, 5-2, 59.429
201. Montrose, 386, 4-3, 45.571
202. Byron ^, 385, 5-2, 56.286
203. Quincy ^, 381, 5-2, 42.429
204. Jackson Lumen Christi ^, 380, 5-2, 65.429
205. Napoleon ^, 380, 5-2, 49.429
206. Watervliet ^, 380, 5-2, 56.286
207. Maple City Glen Lake ^, 379, 5-2, 53.143
208. Manchester, 378, 4-3, 38.571
209. Detroit Edison Public School Academy *^, 374, 4-2, 44.000
210. Houghton Lake, 374, 4-3, 44.286
211. Laingsburg, 374, 6-1, 58.000
212. Roscommon, 367, 6-1, 68.143
213. Grass Lake, 363, 7-0, 69.714
214. Kent City ^, 362, 5-2, 53.571
215. New Haven, 362, 4-3, 44.143
216. Schoolcraft, 358, 7-0, 76.571
217. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 355, 4-3, 53.571
218. Ravenna ^, 350, 5-2, 55.143
219. Leroy Pine River, 347, 6-1, 67.000
220. Madison Heights Madison, 343, 4-3, 62.000
221. Traverse City St. Francis, 341, 7-0, 77.714
222. Bath, 336, 4-3, 34.857
223. Lawton, 333, 6-1, 55.714
224. Clinton ^, 331, 5-2, 53.857
225. Flint Hamady ^, 329, 5-2, 56.143
226. Reese ^, 328, 5-2, 48.286
227. Detroit Delta Prep ^, 327, 5-2, 50.143
228. McBain, 326, 4-3, 46.000
229. Burton Atherton, 316, 4-3, 34.000
230. Homer ^, 313, 5-2, 55.000
231. Bridgman, 312, 4-3, 33.786
232. Galesburg-Augusta, 312, 4-3, 31.857
233. Iron Mountain ^, 302, 5-2, 51.143
234. New Lothrop, 298, 7-0, 77.714
235. Gobles ^, 289, 5-2, 50.714
236. Saugatuck, 289, 7-0, 68.571
237. Cass City, 288, 4-3, 42.286
238. Pewamo-Westphalia, 288, 7-0, 70.857
239. Gwinn ^, 287, 5-2, 50.571
240. Cassopolis, 278, 6-1, 62.976
241. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 277, 7-0, 71.429
242. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, 275, 4-3, 35.429
243. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 274, 6-1, 57.857
244. Carson City-Crystal, 268, 4-3, 31.143
245. Sand Creek, 268, 7-0, 64.381
246. Hudson, 267, 6-1, 70.143
247. Unionville-Sebewaing, 267, 6-1, 62.571
248. Detroit Loyola, 266, 6-1, 71.286
249. Hesperia, 265, 4-3, 38.000
250. East Jordan, 261, 4-3, 29.143
251. Ubly, 260, 7-0, 67.429
252. Dansville, 259, 4-3, 37.571
253. Springport, 259, 6-1, 55.429
254. Concord, 258, 6-1, 57.857
255. Onekama ^, 254, 5-2, 40.143
256. Whittemore-Prescott, 251, 4-3, 36.762
257. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic ^, 249, 5-2, 54.714
258. Saginaw Nouvel ^, 248, 5-2, 56.905
259. Petersburg-Summerfield, 247, 4-3, 33.857
260. Lincoln Alcona, 245, 6-1, 55.357
261. Decatur, 243, 4-3, 33.714
262. Evart, 242, 4-3, 39.429
263. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 242, 7-0, 66.286
264. Iron River West Iron County, 241, 4-3, 39.196
265. Beal City ^, 239, 5-2, 51.714
266. Breckenridge, 235, 7-0, 62.857
267. St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic, 232, 6-1, 53.000
268. Harbor Beach, 231, 4-3, 32.286
269. St. Ignace, 219, 6-1, 56.857
270. Norway, 214, 6-1, 56.714
271. Newberry, 212, 6-1, 52.286
272. Pittsford, 206, 4-3, 34.000
273. Mendon ^, 203, 5-2, 51.500
274. Morenci, 201, 4-3, 42.429
275. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary ^, 200, 5-2, 50.429
276. Vestaburg ^, 195, 5-2, 44.429
277. Merrill ^, 191, 5-2, 39.000
278. Fowler ^, 185, 5-2, 44.571
279. Martin, 178, 4-3, 31.143
280. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 173, 4-3, 41.429
281. Frankfort, 171, 7-0, 61.714
282. Gaylord St. Mary, 170, 6-1, 43.000
283. Climax-Scotts, 169, 7-0, 59.810
284. Muskegon Catholic Central, 163, 7-0, 83.429
285. Lake Linden-Hubbell, 157, 7-0, 73.571
286. Colon ^, 156, 5-2, 37.095
287. AuGres-Sims, 149, 6-1, 52.143
288. Hillman, 146, 4-3, 32.857
289. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 146, 4-3, 35.000
290. Waterford Our Lady ^, 134, 5-2, 54.333
291. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 115, 6-1, 56.571
292. Felch North Dickinson ^, 95, 5-2, 37.857
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Deckerville *, 177, 7-0, 61.714
2. Engadine, 91, 7-0, 58.286
3. New Haven Merritt Academy, 165, 7-0, 56.000
4. Powers North Central, 115, 7-0, 54.190
5. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 168, 7-0, 53.714
6. Portland St. Patrick, 92, 7-0, 52.762
7. Stephenson, 177, 6-1, 46.857
8. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 159, 6-1, 46.762
9. Lawrence, 186, 6-1, 46.571
10. Owendale-Gagetown, 48, 6-1, 45.429
11. Cedarville, 156, 6-1, 44.286
12. Fife Lake Forest Area, 162, 6-1, 41.048
13. Pickford, 149, 6-1, 40.857
14. Peck, 143, 5-2, 39.952
15. Battle Creek St. Philip, 143, 5-2, 38.381
16. Rapid River, 116, 5-2, 38.190
17. Webberville, 178, 5-2, 38.000
18. Flint International Academy, 185, 5-2, 35.857
19. Camden-Frontier *, 159, 5-1, 35.762
20. Morrice, 168, 4-3, 33.905
21. Tekonsha, 135, 4-3, 28.286
22. Hale, 129, 4-3, 27.286
23. Onaway, 190, 4-3, 25.143
24. Marion, 132, 3-4, 24.286
25. Posen, 94, 3-4, 22.095
26. Waldron, 83, 3-4, 21.857
27. Ontonagon, 126, 3-4, 21.054
28. Mayville, 196, 3-4, 20.857
29. Burton Madison Academy, 198, 3-4, 19.714
30. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 97, 3-4, 18.524
31. Manistee Catholic Central, 189, 3-4, 18.000
32. Eben Junction Superior Central, 125, 2-5, 16.286
33. Burr Oak, 72, 2-5, 15.143
34. Brethren, 152, 2-5, 14.143
35. Caseville, 98, 2-5, 13.143
36. Flint Michigan School for the Deaf *, 47, 2-4, 12.333
37. Bellaire, 133, 2-5, 12.143
38. Baraga, 150, 1-6, 9.048
39. Ewen-Trout Creek, 115, 1-6, 9.000
40. Carney-Nadeau *, 140, 1-5, 8.762
41. Covert *, 95, 1-5, 8.190
42. Charlton Heston Academy, 137, 1-6, 8.000
43. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 118, 1-6, 7.571
44. Pellston, 169, 0-7, 3.952
45. Kinde-North Huron, 157, 0-7, 3.333
46. Litchfield, 85, 0-7, 3.143
47. Akron-Fairgrove, 105, 0-7, 3.000
48. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 193, 0-7, 2.762
Grand Haven Playmakers Rising to Challenge After Loss of Senior Standout
By
Tom Kendra
Special for MHSAA.com
September 9, 2026
Grand Haven was expected to have one of the state’s best backfield duos this season in seniors Andrew Willemsen and KV Korenstra.
That duo became singular in July, when Willemsen tore his ACL for the second-consecutive year, a gut-punch both for him and the Buccaneers’ coaching staff – which was planning on handing the ball to Willemsen 20-plus times per game.
Despite that emotional setback, Haven is off to its first 2-0 start since 2018, as the team’s many other offensive standouts – notably Korenstra and senior quarterback Easton Hintz – have stepped up their games.
“We all feel so bad for Andrew, and it just makes us appreciate things so much more,” said Korenstra, a Ferris State commit who rushed for 519 yards and caught 26 passes for 291 yards last fall.
“It’s good for our morale to be 2-0, but we all know that we can play so much better and that we have to play so much better, especially on offense.”
Grand Haven (2-0) heads into the gauntlet of its schedule the next three weeks, starting with Friday night’s Ottawa-Kent Conference Red opener at defending league champion Hudsonville, followed by East Kentwood at home and at Rockford.
The Bucs have found a way to win two tight games, a 35-34, triple-overtime thriller over visiting Spring Lake in the opener and then a hard-fought, 17-14 road win at Muskegon Reeths-Puffer last week.
“It hasn’t always been pretty, but we have been able to finish games out, which hasn’t been the case in the past,” said fourth-year Grand Haven coach Andrew Biedenbender, a Mount Pleasant native who played offensive line at Grand Valley State. “We can’t puff our chests out. We understand what’s ahead of us, but going into it with the confidence we now have is big.”
Senior quarterback Easton Hintz has been the catalyst, completing 28-of-42 passes (67 percent) for 359 yards and four touchdowns, with no interceptions. The dual-threat playmaker also has rushed for 168 yards and a score.
Hintz employs a variety of receiving options, starting with 6-foot-2 wideout Amani Frierson, another Ferris State commit, who has 11 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown.
An emerging weapon for the Bucs is junior tight end Grayam Beyer (6-6, 225), who had a breakout game against Spring Lake with four catches for 43 yards, including two TDs. Beyer already has five Division I college offers and visited Ohio State last Saturday.
If those weapons draw excessive attention, Hintz often hooks up with shifty junior slot receivers Lennon Jorgensen and Drew Hammerle.
Korenstra has been solid, if not spectacular, with 157 rushing yards and two TDs through two games. Korenstra, who finished third at the Lower Peninsula Division 1 Finals in the 100-meter dash last spring (10.79), has been slowed by a sprained ankle which he suffered early in the opening game.
“If you saw him early last week, you would have never thought he could play a football game,” said Biedenbender of the senior speedster, who was clocked at 4.28 seconds in the 40-yard dash this summer.
“So he has been fighting that ankle but still has hit a couple of 15- or 20-yard runs, but we’re waiting for him to break off a couple of 40- or 50-yarders.”
While he waits for Korenstra to get back up to full speed, Biedenbender occasionally allows himself to imagine what might have been this fall if Willemsen had stayed healthy.
The three-sport standout and athletic freak burst onto the scene as a sophomore with 1,321 yards and 11 TDs. He missed his entire junior year after tearing his ACL during summer workouts but came all the way back and was part of two school-record sprint relay teams in track this spring.
His recovery was so impressive (running a 4.3 40-yard dash and squatting almost 500 pounds early this summer) that he was offered a scholarship at Grand Valley. Willemsen was working out at GVSU in July when the unthinkable happened – a full tear of his other ACL.
“It’s like having a sports car in your garage that you never had a chance to drive,” said Biedenbender, whose main assistants are Matt Naber (offensive coordinator) and Eric Rozema (defensive coordinator). “He’s one of the best athletes ever at Grand Haven that no one’s going to know about. He has some great football ahead of him but, unfortunately, it won’t be for us.”
The Buccaneers still possess a variety of weapons that other teams would love to have, with an experienced senior quarterback in Hintz directing the show. Hintz (6-0, 185) threw for 975 yards last fall despite missing about one-third of the season with an injury, but is now on pace to easily eclipse the 1,000-yard passing plateau.
Haven’s 2-0 start also has put the team in position to make some noise in the conference race and compete for five wins and the school’s first playoff berth since 2019.
The quick start is a continuation of success at Grand Haven, which won the Division 1 boys volleyball title in the spring, to go along with a Finals appearance in softball and a fifth-place team finish in boys track.
“So much of it comes down to belief,” said Hintz, a crafty left-hander who is just as comfortable throwing on the run as he is in the pocket. “Our aiming point is making it to the playoffs and then winning a playoff game, which is something that hasn’t been done at this school in a long time. I believe we have the team to do it.”
Tom Kendra worked 23 years at The Muskegon Chronicle, including five as assistant sports editor and the final six as sports editor through 2011. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for Muskegon, Oceana, Mason, Lake, Oceola, Mecosta and Newaygo counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Fourth-year Grand Haven coach Andrew Biedenbender celebrates with wideout Amani Frierson (1) during last week’s victory over Muskegon Reeths-Puffer. (Middle) KV Korenstra (12) follows his blockers against Spring Lake. (Below) Senior quarterback Easton Hintz (9) prepares to take a snap against Reeths-Puffer. (Photos by Josh Walters/JWaltVisuals.)