Best Returners & Biggest Shoes to Fill in the Capital-Area Blue
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The Capital-Area Blue league is among the most talented in the state, and this is where you’ll get the best Lansing-area football. DeWitt is a powerhouse that has been elite for years, while East Lansing, Holt, and Grand Ledge are…
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Continue ReadingThe Capital-Area Blue league is among the most talented in the state, and this is where you’ll get the best Lansing-area football. DeWitt is a powerhouse that has been elite for years, while East Lansing, Holt, and Grand Ledge are knocking on the door. Now, I’ll go over each team’s best returner in addition to their biggest shoes to fill.
DeWitt
Best Returner – WR/DB Bryce Kurncz Bryce Kurncz 6'1" | 165 lbs | ATH DeWitt | 2023 State MI
Biggest Shoes – QB Ty Holtz Ty Holtz 5'11" | 190 lbs | QB DeWitt | 2022 MI
DeWitt will be a young team that may not be as good as the 2021 team, but I still wholeheartedly expect them to make the postseason at the absolute least. DeWitt was loaded this year with many outstanding seniors, and the only teams who stood a chance all season were Portland and Detroit MLK. Ty Holtz Ty Holtz 5'11" | 190 lbs | QB DeWitt | 2022 MI is a significant loss alongside other superstars on both sides of the ball. Bryce Kurncz Bryce Kurncz 6'1" | 165 lbs | ATH DeWitt | 2023 State MI performed great during the State Championship, and he’ll be a vital part of the DeWitt offense and defense.
Holt
Best Returner – QB Seneca Moore Seneca Moore 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Holt Senior | 2023 MI
Biggest Shoes – DE Malachi Davis Malachi Davis 6'5" | 220 lbs | DL Holt | 2022 State MI
Holt performed well last season, with their three losses against three great teams in Caledonia, DeWitt, and Grand Blanc. They retain a stud QB, which is always a marker for general team improvement. Seneca Moore Seneca Moore 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Holt Senior | 2023 MI totaled a little less than 1700 passing yards, and if he can have a repeat in 2022, Holt is in a good spot. The departure of Malachi Davis Malachi Davis 6'5" | 220 lbs | DL Holt | 2022 State MI will hurt, though, as the Toledo commit was a dominant force in 2021. All in all, I don’t expect Holt to degrees, though many athletes will need to step up if they were to make a playoff run.
East Lansing
Best Returner – G Hayden Healey Hayden Healey 6'4" | 305 lbs | OL East Lansing | 2023 MI
Biggest Shoes – RB Asher Gregory Asher Gregory 5'7" | 175 lbs | RB East Lansing | 2022 MI & P Evan Sundermann Evan Sundermann 6'2" | 190 lbs | P East Lansing | 2022 MI
The Trojans were quite good this year and even won a playoff game, but they still regressed from an outstanding regional bid in 2020. Asher Gregory Asher Gregory 5'7" | 175 lbs | RB East Lansing | 2022 MI was one of the best Running Backs in the state, and he’ll be a force to be reckoned with at Michigan Tech. Punter Evan Sundermann Evan Sundermann 6'2" | 190 lbs | P East Lansing | 2022 MI was one of, if not the best punter in the class of 2022, as he was awarded all-state honors his junior and senior seasons. East Lansing retains some good talent, with G Hayden Healey Hayden Healey 6'4" | 305 lbs | OL East Lansing | 2023 MI and his 40 pancakes leading the charge. It’s going to be very, very fun to see this league play out next season, and I’m especially interested in this team.
Grand Ledge
Best Returner – TE/DE Teddy Williams Teddy Williams 6'6" | 235 lbs | TE Grand Ledge | 2023 State MI
Biggest Shoes – QB Jeffrey Kolb
Grand Ledge retains a ton of talent, but they also lose a significant amount, including their QB. Kolb was a good QB who could efficiently control the flow of the game and score points. On the other hand, Teddy Williams Teddy Williams 6'6" | 235 lbs | TE Grand Ledge | 2023 State MI does wonders on the hardwood, and he’ll be primed and ready to go for this senior football season. He has the potential to be excellent at 6’6″ 215lbs, and I’m curious how his talent will progress.
Everett
Best Returner – N/A
Biggest Shoes – Tyrell Green Tyrell Green 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Lansing Everett | 2022 MI
Everett is a team with good talent, but they’re losing three all-area players to graduation. Having just had a 4-5 season, this team needs to improve in some areas to compete with the best in this league and make a playoff run. Being in Division 2, the talent will be there, and I’m confident the coaching will push them over the next hill.
Waverly
Best Returner – WR/DB Martavion Robinson
Biggest Shoes – QB/FS Tyrese Miller Tyrese Miller 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Lansing Waverly | 2022 MI
Waverly has talent, and time will tell if this team can mold together to create a fantastic on-the-field product. Tyrese Miller Tyrese Miller 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Lansing Waverly | 2022 MI was a dedicated High School QB who could make great plays with his arm and feet. Martavion Robinson already has an offer from Davenport and may very well be in line for more with a great 2022.
Okemos
Best Returner – RB Sebastian Canales
Biggest Shoes – DB Chais Williams Chais Williams 5'8" | 155 lbs | DB Okemos | 2022 MI
The Chieftains only scored 7 points all season. That right there tells you the story of their 2021 season. Like many poor-performing teams, Okemos fielded many first- and second-year students. RB Sebastian Canales performed best, but the team has lots to figure out.