Today's installment of Michigan's Top 10 high school football teams for the 2017 season looks at my No. 3-ranked club -- Muskegon.
3. Muskegon- Last year's record (12-2, lost to Orchard Lake St. Mary's 29-28 on a last-second TD pass in the Division 3 state championship game).
Top players- Ladarius Jefferson-6-2, 215-Sr.-QB-LB (Central Florida verbal), Antwan Reed-6-7, 295-Sr.-OT (Penn State verbal), Anthony Bradford-6-6, 330-Jr.-OT, Eli Jackson-6-1, 285-Sr.-DT, Ali'Vonta Wallace-6-1, 210-Jr.-LB-RB, Willie Shanks-6-1, 170-Sr.-CB-RB, C.J. Jefferson-6-0, 175-Sr.-SB-S, Davion McCall-5-9, 155-Sr.-WR, Marquis Cooper-6-2, 280-Jr.-OG, Billie Roberts-6-4, 225-Soph.-DE-TE.
Season opener- vs. Ann Arbor Pioneer at Muskegon, Aug. 25. In Week 2, the Big Reds travel to Lincolnshire Stevenson (Ill.), a Chicago suburban powerhouse. Last season, Muskegon lost to visiting Stevenson (8-2 last year) 38-35, missing on a last-second field goal attempt to tie the game and send it into overtime.
Interesting Muskegon tidbit- There might not be another city in Michigan more high school football crazy than Muskegon. I think I can pretty much say with confidence there's not another city with a population just under 40,000 in the United States that produces more Division I-level college football and NFL talent or more state championship/runner-up teams than Muskegon. This hard-scrabble, blue-collar town just off the shores of Lake Michigan, year-in-year-out, produces some of the finest individual talent and top-ranked squads the Great Lakes State has to offer. With Michigan's winningest program (Top 10 nationally in wins, as well) in Muskegon and, in my humble opinion, one of the country's best small-school football programs in Muskegon Catholic Central, the city that raised one of my favorite actors, Harry Morgan (Colonel Sherman T. Potter of "M*A*S*H" fame, 1933 graduate of Muskegon High) is, indeed, "high school football central" every fall in Michigan. Since 2000, five different Muskegon football programs have either won a state championship or finished runner-up, including Muskegon (D-2 state champions-2008, 2006, 2004, D-2 runner-up- 2013, 2012, D-3 runner-up- 2016, 2014); Muskegon Mona Shores (D-2 runner-up-2014); Muskegon Orchard View (D-4 state champions-2004); Muskegon Oakridge (D-5 state champions-2008, 2005, D-5 runner-up-2003) and Muskegon Catholic Central (D-8 state champions- 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2008, 2000, D-7 runner-up-2006, 2001).
Overview- Just four points... When Muskegon harkens back on its 2016 season, the Big Reds can look at only four measly points separating them from an undefeated and state championship-winning year. Muskegon's two losses last season came by a combined four points and, to twist the proverbial knife even further, both defeats came in the last minute of the fourth quarter. It's one of the reasons I have the Big Reds ranked this high. Yes, Muskegon has eight or so Division I-level (high, mid, low) prospects on its team, but what makes the Big Reds so dangerous this year are two words -- four points. I believe Muskegon will be hungry to atone for those two setbacks this upcoming season. Leading the Big Reds this year will be senior QB Ladarius Jefferson (6-2, 215, No. 3-ranked player in Michigan). Jefferson is similar to Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett in build, arm strength and leadership abilities, I believe. At running back, junior Ali'Vonta Wallace (6-1, 210) and senior Willie Shanks (6-1, 170) will get plenty of carries, while senior C.J. Jefferson (6-0, 175) and senior Davion McCall (5-9, 155) will be the top receivers for Muskegon. More than anything, it's upfront where the Big Reds will punish opponents, with senior OT Antwan Reed (6-7, 295) and juniors OT Anthony Bradford (6-6, 330, Alabama, Michigan State, Ohio State, Georgia offers) and OG Marquis Cooper (6-2, 280) dominating in the trenches. Defensively, senior DT Eli Jackson (6-1, 285) and sophomore DE Billie Roberts (6-4, 225) will cause havoc all season long at the line of scrimmage and in the opponent's backfield, while at linebacker, Jefferson (No. 1-ranked LB in Michigan) and Wallace (No. 2-ranked junior LB in Michigan) will be all over the field for Muskegon. In the secondary, Shanks and Jefferson will be key contributors as the Big Reds' last line of defense.
Up next- No. 2-ranked Detroit Catholic Central.
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