Opponent Watch - Grandville

Team: Grandville
Location: Grandville, MI
Head Coach: Eric Stiegel (1st year)
Current Record: 2-0
School Colors: Maroon/White
Conference: Ottawa Kent - Red

Muskegon and Grandville each sport a 2-0 record heading into Friday's game, and both teams happen to share the same color scheme. However, that's where the similarities end between the two programs.

Grandville is no stranger to success. In 1996, the Bulldogs went 12-1 on the season, finishing with a state championship trophy. From 2000-2006, Grandville was one of the better programs in West Michigan, with a record of 50-28 over that span.

Recent years have been a different story. From 2007-2013, the Grandville program has been in a serious funk, mustering a 20-43 record which includes a winless season in 2011 (0-9).

Despite several seasons of ineptitude, hope is on the horizon. The Bulldogs have a new coach in Eric Stiegel, and with him comes hope for brighter days ahead. During his previous coaching job at Taylor Truman High School, he led the program to 17 wins and two playoff berths during the past two seasons. Before Stiegel landed there, the school had reached the playoffs just once.

Grandville Coach Eric Stiegel:

“Most of these guys haven’t experienced success, but they have a lot of game experience, which translates into a lower learning curve. We have some very good pieces of the puzzle; it’s just going be a matter of putting them all in the right place so that Grandville can get back to the successes of the past. Grandville has a history of blue-collar toughness, and we really want to get back to that, on both sides of the ball."

"Coach Stiegel has definitely brought a different attitude," senior Brian Cappiello said. "We're a more physical football team and that comes with the offense, running the Wing-T.
"The biggest difference is we're just executing."

Key Players:  

Ben Sinclair, Parker Reminga and Brian Cappiello (RBs): The trio combined for 277 yards on the ground on 32 carries and Five touchdowns in Grandville's week 1 win over Jenison. Muskegon's stout defense should be able to keep them in check, but if they don't, this game could get interesting.

Jake Garbarino, Ian Hall and Eppe Saarenheimo (DL): These guys limited Jenison to just 41 yards rushing on 17 carries in the first half. Jenison ended up with just 143 yards of total offense in their week 1 matchup. Led by wrestling state qualifier Saarenheimo (6-0, 225), Grandville's line plays with a chip on their shoulder. Alas, Jenison isn't Muskegon. We'll see what happens there.

Prediction Based On Flimsy Evidence:

Grandville will be running the Wing-T offense, which suits the current players well. Grandville racked up 402 rushing yards and six touchdowns against Jenison in week 1. Muskegon has the superior talent on defense, and should be able to limit Grandville's big plays. Grandville's Defensive line is tough, but hasn't faced an offense like Muskegon's.

One thing that Muskegon needs to improve on is protecting the ball. The Big Reds have committed far too many turnovers in the first two games. Turning the ball over on the road could result in unwanted consequences. All in all, Grandville's program is new and improved, but the Big Reds should win handily on Friday.

Muskegon 44, Grandville 19

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