Opponent Watch - East Grand Rapids

EGR linebacker and Miami (OH) commit Carter Masek

Team: East Grand Rapids
Location: East Grand Rapids, MI
Enrollment: 986
Head Coach:  Peter Stuursma (16th year)
School Colors: Blue, Gold
Conference: Ottawa Kent - White



East Grand Rapids has arguably been the most successful West Michigan program since the turn of the century. Head Coach Peter Stuursma has led the Pioneers to six state championship titles since 2000, with hopes of a run to a seventh this year.

The Skinny:

East Grand Rapids boasts a 483-137-9 record since 1950, good for a .775 win percentage. In comparison, Muskegon has a 440-183-10 record during that same span, with a .703 win percentage. 

Head Coach Pete Stuursma:

“Our strength is in our defense,” Stuursma said. “You need to play great defense in a conference like the OK White. The key to our success will be the progression of our offensive line.”

Muskegon Coach Shane Fairfield on East Grand Rapids:

“They’re big, talented, a really good group. Their defense is the real deal. It’s the best we’ve seen so far. Their four linebackers are (Division I) guys.”

“We’re trying to correct us and get us right for the big push,” Fairfield said. “It’s more than us against East Grand Rapids. It’s about home-field advantage for the playoffs and about us for the big push. We know what’s at stake.”

East Grand Rapids Offense:

EGR senior quarterback Mikey Roth is healthy, and that is great news if you're a Pioneer fan. Having a senior leader at the most important position on offense is always a plus, and with some solid weapons around him, expect this offense to be potent. Roth has 414 passing yards and four touchdowns on the season.

AJ Zawacki is the all-purpose back for EGR. Expect to see him in the backfield and the slot. Fullback Drew Hollerbach will get his fair share of touches too. Hollerbach had nearly 500 yards rushing last season, and can do significant damage on the ground, if given the chance.

Wide receivers Michael Clifford and Gourney Sloan may just be the best receiving tandem in West Michigan. Both players averaged over 15 yards a catch last season, and should be a real challenge for Muskegon's corners. Both are also capable of making plays in the return game.

The Pioneers love to incorporate play-action whenever they can, and they have the offensive line to make that happen. Smith, Sharp, Washington and the rest of Muskegon's defense will have to play great to stop this offense.

East Grand Rapids Defense:

Like coach Stuursma said, the strength of this Pioneers team is the defense.

Led by linebackers Carter Masek (Miami of Ohio commit) and Michael Johnston, East Grand Rapids' defensive unit has accumulated 11 sacks and five forced-fumbles on the season. Muskegon has had ball control issues these first three games of the season. If the Big Reds are going to win on Friday, they'll have to take care of the ball.

On top of their receiving duties, Michael Clifford and Gourney Sloan are also the main defensive backs for EGR. They played solid ball last season, so it will be interesting to see how they fare against Muskegon's receiving corps.

Prediction Based on Flimsy Evidence:

In my mind, this is one of the cooler non-conference foes Muskegon has faced over the last ten years or so. If this game was scheduled about five or six years ago, it easily would have been up for discussion for the game of the decade.

 That being said, Friday's matchup will be huge. Both teams have title aspirations, led by their elite defenses. Will Muskegon be able to stop EGR's play-action? Will EGR be able to slow down Muskegon's triple-option? Questions like this are why I love Friday night football.

Muskegon 24, East Grand Rapids 20

******A special thank you to @EGRFootball for helping put this preview together. EGR stats taken from the West Michigan Football Network.




UA-54967453-1