Michigan's top five teams -- No. 3 Muskegon

3. Muskegon- Though the Big Reds might not have even the most talented team in Muskegon (arguably that would be Muskegon Mona Shores, my No. 6-ranked squad in Michigan), what the defending Division 3 state runner-up does have is a burning fire in its belly few in the state can match. For the past three seasons, the Big Reds (12-2 last year) have come tantalizingly close to winning a state championship, only to fall short in the title game. Prior to last season, Muskegon had lost in consecutive years to Birmingham Brother Rice in the Division 2 state championship contest (35-28 in 2012 and 38-21 in 2013), before dropping a hard-fought 7-0 game to Orchard Lake St. Mary's in the D-3 final in 2014. It's safe to say the Big Reds (Michigan's all-time winningest program and ranked in the top 10 in the nation for victories) are tired of making the long trek across the state from the far western shores of Lake Michigan to downtown Detroit's Ford Field in the southeastern part of the state, only to suffer three straight defeats.


Because of its recent history, I'm ranking Muskegon as my No. 3 team in the state heading into the 2015 season. To make matters worse, the Big Reds, for the first time in a long stretch, weren't even the best team in their own city last year. Mona Shores (eventual Division 2 state runner-up in 2014) beat Muskegon in a colossal heavyweight battle 48-27 in Week 9, handing the Big Reds their first loss of the season as the state playoffs loomed. So, as one can see, Muskegon has a lot to play for this season -- possibly more than in usual years.


Of course, the proverbial cupboard is far from bare, talent-wise, within the Big Red program heading into the 2015 campaign. To start with, Muskegon just might have the best offensive line on the west side of the state, and possibly the top O-line in Michigan. Four of the five starters return upfront from last season's state runner-up squad. Returning for the Big Reds will be senior tackle Corion Ross (6-3, 245), senior guard Dylon Oplinger (6-1, 240), senior center Khari Wilcox (6-0, 230) and senior guard Derices Brown (6-1, 255). If that wasn't enough size, experience and talent in the trenches, Muskegon also returns senior tackle Juanye Johnson (6-3, 285), who was injured and unable to play in last season's final. Johnson is being recruited by Big Ten and MAC schools and is the No. 3-ranked offensive lineman in Michigan. At quarterback, the Big Reds will have junior Kalil Pimpleton (5-7, 160). Though diminutive, Pimpleton is an absolute jet on the field and will be hard to find behind Muskegon's massive offensive line. As always, the Big Reds will have speed all over the field, with junior receiver Jacorey Sullivan (6-2, 205, 4.6 40) aiming for a breakout season in 2015.


Defensively, Muskegon allowed just 14 points per game last year and returns five starters from a season ago. At defensive end, senior Jordan Redmond (5-10, 190) returns to rush the passer, while the Big Reds will have plenty of big bodies to rotate at the tackle spots. At linebacker, senior Tarrion Hill-McKay (6-1, 210) is one of the state's best, using his speed to make tackles from sideline-to-sideline. In the secondary, Muskegon returns cat-quick seniors Keyante Carpenter (5-10, 180), A.J. McClanahan (5-11, 160) and Jacarius Scott (6-0, 165), along with Sullivan.


Up next -- No. 4-ranked Detroit King