2024 High School Football Preview – SACOne of the oldest and certainly tradition rich football leagues in Michigan gets ready for the 2023 season with Constantine again looking to take the Lakeshore division crown. But that doesn’t mean the rest of the members will just hand the trophy to the Falcons. Watervliet, South Haven, and Kalamazoo United all look to make leaps forward to loosen Constantine’s grip on the hardware.
2024 Southwestern Athletic Conference
Allegan Tigers
2023 Record: 5-4 (1-4 SAC-Lakeshore)
Head Coach: Tony Danzig (4th season, 10-17)
2024 Schedule
08/29 – at Cassopolis – 7:00 p.m.
09/06 – Comstock – 7:00 p.m.
09/13 – Galesburg-Augusta – 7:00 p.m.
09/20 – at Kalamazoo United – 7:00 p.m.
09/27 – at Constantine – 7:00 p.m.
10/04 – Parchment – 7:00 p.m.
10/11 – at Watervliet – 7:00 p.m.
10/18 – South Haven – 7:00 p.m.
10/25 – at Coloma – 7:00 p.m.
Allegan did not reply to our request for a season preview.
Coloma Comets
2023 Record: 3-6 (Independant)
Head Coach: Brian Klee (4th season, 3-14)
2024 Schedule
08/29 – Watervliet – 7:00 p.m.
09/06 – at Parchment – 7:00 p.m.
09/13 – at South Haven – 7:00 p.m.
09/20 – Saugatuck – 7:00 p.m.
09/27 – at Schoolcraft – 7:00 p.m.
10/04 – at Delton-Kellogg – 7:00 p.m.
10/11 – Lawton – 7:00 p.m.
10/18 – Galesburg-Augusta – 7:00 p.m.
10/25 – Allegan – 7:00 p.m.
For the Coloma Comets, its not so much, a “return” to football, it’s more like a “return to normal” After two years away from varsity competition, Coloma takes the next step in bringing back the program, which Klee has taken the steps to do.
Coloma returns to the SAC Conference this year, since playing as an independent school last season. Coloma played a JV schedule in 2022 before completing a 3-6 season last fall. And although Coloma struggled early, they finally turned the corner when the Comets defeated Class A Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 20-6.
Advance to this fall has 20 players on the team this season with 6 seniors and returns 10 players on both offense and defense.
The Coloma offense, under Klee’s direction will operate a Multiple Gun style attack, with junior Maverick Kraemer (6’0, 160) leading the team at quarterback. Behind him at running back will be junior Treyton Myers (5’9, 185) and senior Zacorious Tanner (6’2, 180). Coloma will also utilize a half back with Junior Jayelin Vawter (6’3, 235). As for the rest of the skill positions are sophomore tight end Dylan Groendyk (6’3, 175) and senior wide receiver Carson Ashley (5’9, 150). Providing the protection up front are guards senior Callen Hickmon (5’11, 190), and junior Evan Schadowsky (5’10, 255), and at tackle will be senior Jaymes Phillips (6’2, 240).
On the defensive side, in a 3-4 alignment, Vawter and Phillips will be on the defensive line. There are three juniors at defensive back, J’aevion McKay (6’0, 175), Izelle Brown (5’11, 165), and Kameron Baker (5’10, 150). Hickmon will be joined by fellow seniors Landon Kitchen (5’10, 180) and Cole Hartmann (6’2, 180) at linebacker.
Myers and Tanner will return kicks, while Tanner will also kick, and Groendyk will handle punts.
Klee tells us, “Entering my 4th season as head coach in Coloma and 11th overall with the program, I’m excited to return many players that picked up invaluable experience during the 2023 season. These guys are entering 2024 with some momentum after finishing with 2 wins out of our last 3 games of the 2023 season. The offseason has seen a growth in maturity as a team and good competition between teammates. Through the early preseason, the entire coaching staff can see that the guys are going to play at 100 miles per hour. The offensive line, tight ends and h-backs have a better grasp of the offense and should regularly open up huge running lanes for ball carriers like Treyton Myers and Zacorious Tanner. Meanwhile the defense should be able to utilize great team speed to disrupt blocking schemes and force turnovers.”
As for the SAC, according to Klee, “We are excited to re-enter regular conference play in the SAC Valley after having had an independent schedule for football last year. The division should be very competitive as it is filled with good coaches and quality talent. With that said, Lawton is probably on the top of everyone’s list with the run that they’ve had the past 3 years”
Coloma opens the season at home with their rivals from Watervliet on Thursday, August 29th.
Constantine Falcons
2023 Record: 10-2 (5-0 SAC-Lakeshore)
Head Coach: Shawn Griffith (20th season, 165-54)
2024 Schedule
08/29 – Delton Kellogg – 7:00 p.m.
09/06 – Benton Harbor – 7:00 p.m.
09/13 – at Schoolcraft – 7:00 p.m.
09/20 – South Haven – 7:00 p.m.
09/27 – Allegan – 7:00 p.m.
10/04 – at Kalamazoo United – 7:00 p.m.
10/11 – Parchment – 7:00 p.m.
10/18 – at Watervliet – 7:00 p.m.
10/25 – at Lawton – 7:00 p.m.
The 2023 Constantine season was the 100th season in school history, the first century has been very good. Coach Shawn Griffith would like to start the second century of the Falcons football team even better than the first century ended. Constantine finished a 10-2 last season, which would be an outstanding season for any other team be outstanding, but Constantine isn’t any other team. There is a reason why the Falcons only have had 1 losing season in the last 30 years. And coach Griffith isn’t about to explain how he does it.
The Falcons will continue to run a Wing T style offense. With Griffiths calling the plays as well. He has only 3 starters returning on offense. Griffiths says is key offensive players are QB Brody Jones (5-8, 165, Sr.), G Canon Manley (6-1, 230, Sr.), C Joel Fish (6-1, 230, Sr.), T Even Davidhizar (6-3, 220, Sr.), and TE Lucas Stears (6-2, 185, Sr.). The players up front will be key to keep the deception based offense running smoothly.
On the defense, which Griffins says they will have to play great defense to keep themselves in games. Constantine returns four starters. With Manning also playing Linebacker, and Jones at Safety. Joining them are DT Brandon Long (6-0, 260, Sr.), and CB Cooper Juday (6-1, 150, Sr.,) Constantine’s Defensive Coordinator Darrin VandenBerg plans on a 3-5-3 defense. Something that few teams have the ability to play. On special teams, Senior Isaac Swearinger will handle kicking and punting.
Constantine will have a great chance to start the season, with 4 of their first 5 games at home, before playing 3 of their last 4 on the road, with their last two games at Watervliet and at Lawton. But they must get through the rest of the schedule first.
Griffith said his team is “New faces and thin on bodies, we must stay healthy.” He also says Kalamazoo United is a favorite in the league and says they bring back a ton of talent.
Constantine will open the season on August 29th at home against Delton-Kellogg
Delton-Kellogg Panthers
2023 Record: 3-6 (1-3 SAC-Valley)
Head Coach: Brooks Smith (1st season)
2024 Schedule
08/29 – at Constantine – 7:00 p.m.
09/06 – Hartford – 7:00 p.m.
09/13 – at Watervliet – 7:00 p.m.
09/20 – at Lawton – 7:00 p.m.
09/27 – at Saugatuck – 7:00 p.m.
10/04 – Coloma – 7:00 p.m.
10/11 – at Galesburg-Augusta – 7:00 p.m.
10/18 – Schoolcraft – 7:00 p.m.
10/25 – Parchment – 7:00 p.m.
First year Panthers coach Brooks Smith first job at Delton Kellogg is to stop the countdown. Not the game clock, but the number of wins DK has had the last three seasons. Delton Kellogg went 5-4 in 2001 and had 1 less win and 1 more loss each of the following two seasons.
Smith will have 8 seniors to depend on as his team gets used to their new coach. Smith will also take control of the offense, running gap schemes from a T and spread formations. He’ll count on junior Matthew Swift, senior Luke Vanderwall, and senior Cooper Sandusky on the offensive line, with Sandusky also playing running back. Like his dad Jason Sandusky played at St. Joseph in the early 90’s. Also at running back are seniors Dylan Fichtner, Gauge Stampfler, and Tristan Boze.
The Panthers will set up in a 4-2-5 defensive set under coordinator Jamie Collins. Fichtner will also play at DB, Swith on the D-Line or Linebacker, Vanderwall on the D-Line, and Sebastian Rojas at defensive back.
Smith says his team hopes to get better everyday and gel as a team. Delton-Kellogg will start the season on Thursday, August 29 at Constantine.
Galesburg-Augusta Rams
2023 Record: 2-7 (0-4 SAC-Valley)
Head Coach: Chuck Hadley (3rd season, 6-20)
2024 Schedule
08/29 – at Decatur – 7:00 p.m.
09/06 – Cassopolis – 7:00 p.m.
09/13 – at Allegan – 7:00 p.m.
09/20 – Schoolcraft – 7:00 p.m.
09/27 – at Lawton – 7:00 p.m.
10/04 – at Saugatuck – 7:00 p.m.
10/11 – Delton-Kellogg – 7:00 p.m.
10/18 – at Coloma – 7:00 p.m.
10/25 – South Haven – 7:00 p.m.
Galesburg-Augusta did not reply to our request for a season preview.
Kalamazoo United Titans
(Kalamazoo Hackett, Kalamazoo Christian Co-op)
2023 Record: 5-5 (3-2 SAC-Lakeshore)
Head Coach: Troy Ayotte (5th season, 24-16)
2024 Schedule
08/29 – Berrien Springs – 7:00 p.m.
09/06 – at Otsego – 7:00 p.m.
09/13 – Lawton – 7:00 p.m.
09/20 – Allegan – 7:00 p.m.
09/27 – at Watervliet – 7:00 p.m.
10/04 – Constantine – 7:00 p.m.
10/11 – at South Haven – 7:00 p.m.
10/18 – at Parchment – 7:00 p.m.
10/26 – vs. Jackson Lumen Christi at Ford Field, Time TBA
Kalamazoo United did not reply to our request for a season preview.
Lawton Blue Devils
2023 Record: 9-3 (3-0 SAC-Valley)
Head Coach: A.J. High (1st season)
2024 Schedule
08/29 – Benton Harbor – 7:00 p.m.
09/07 – at Traverse City St. Francis – 4:00 p.m.
09/13 – at Kalamazoo United – 7:00 p.m.
09/20 – Delton-Kellogg – 7:00 p.m.
09/27 – Galesburg-Augusta – 7:00 p.m.
10/04 – at Schoolcraft – 7:00 p.m.
10/11 – at Coloma – 7:00 p.m.
10/18 – Saugatuck – 7:00 p.m.
10/25 – Constantine – 7:00 p.m.
The 2023 Lawton Blue Devils lost only two games last season. One was a 22-10 lost to Constantine in week 3, and a 27-24 loss to North Muskegon in the district finals. The 2023 Lawton Blue Devils had head coaching moves after each of those losses. Longtime head coach Wade Waldrop resigned after the loss to Constantine, citing “personal reasons.” A.J. High was named as the interim coach. Then when Lawton fell in the district championship game. The Blue Devils removed the “interim” part of High’s coaching title.
A.J. High begins his first season with Lawton as head coach, after serving as the offensive coordinator. High certainly earned the removal of the “interim label” as after Lawton’s 2-1 start, he won the next seven straight games before the playoff loss.
This season it really won’t change, High is head coach and he will still be the offensive coordinator. They’ll still run the Lawton Power T and Gun Offense, but the young men running it will be very new. Lawton returns just 3 starters on offense this season. Lawton’s biggest problem is finding a replacement for quarterback Aiden O’Brien who will be playing wide receiver at Hope College this fall. (Also alongside Lakeshore’s Trevor Griffiths). Junior Brady Quick is tabbed as the starting quarterback this season. High lists his key offensive players; Mason Mayne (SR. OL/DL), Cole Burk (SR. TE/DL), Adrian Mata (SR. OL/DL), Kaedon Miller (SR. OL/DL), Caiden Mitchell (JR. RB/LB), Greyson Burrous (JR. RB), Owen Matthies (JR. RB/OLB), Ethan Middleton (JR. TE/DL), Braydon Russell (JR. TE/LB), Hyden Markle (JR. OL/DL), Carter Chisholm (Soph. OL/DL)
Lawton’s defense is a lot more experienced with 7 starters returning from the Blue Devils 9-2 season. Again High lists his key players as; Mason Mayne (SR. OL/DL), Cole Burk (SR. TE/DL), Austin Garcia (SR. FS), Hayden Merriman (SR. CB), Dalton Douglas (SR. OL/DL), Tim Willoughby (SR. CB), Caiden Mitchell (JR. RB/LB), Jack Fletcher (JR. RB/OLB), Owen Matthies (JR. RB/OLB), Rocky Karsen (JR. TE/LB), Caleb McLemore (JR. OL/DL). The Blue Devils will line up in what High calls, The “32” Rush Defense, run by defensive coordinator Jose Martinez.
Lawton has assigned junior Chase Triemstra has their place kicker and punter.
Lawton will field a varsity roster of 27 players this season, being led by 10 seniors.
Coach High tells us, “We lost 20 seniors and many 3 year starters from last season’s 9-2 team. They will be tough to replace but we feel that this year’s players have had a great off season and are poised for another great season. We have a large Junior class that has meshed well with the senior class. Our defense will be a strength! Offensively we have many new starters but have a good combination of size and speed on offense! We feel confident that we can play with everyone on our schedule, and if we can stay healthy, make a run in the playoffs! The key will be to stay healthy!”
He expects Schoolcraft and Constantine to be the tougher opponents this year.
Lawton opens the season with a home game on Thursday, August 29th against Benton Harbor.
Parchment Panthers
2023 Record: 4-5 (2-3 SAC-Lakeshore)
Head Coach: Richard Roth (2nd season, 4-5)
2024 Schedule
08/29 – Comstock – 7:00 p.m.
09/06 – Coloma – 7:00 p.m.
09/13 – at Dowagiac – 7:00 p.m.
09/20 – Watervliet – 7:00 p.m.
09/27 – South Haven – 7:00 p.m.
10/04 – at Allegan – 7:00 p.m.
10/11 – at Constantine – 7:00 p.m.
10/18 – Kalamazoo United – 7:00 p.m.
10/25 – at Delton-Kellogg – 7:00 p.m.
Parchment, at least on paper, took one step back from where they were in 2022 under first year coach Richard Roth. The Panthers went 6-3 in 2021, followed by a 5-4 season in 2022, and a 4-5 record last year. However Roth now with a full year under his belt looks for more from his team.
Parchment has a very experienced and senior heavy squad this year with 28 players on the roster and 17 of them members of the class of 2025.
There are 7 starters returning on offense and 7 returning on defense. One of those 17 seniors, Jalen Kampen will be the Panthers starting quarterback, leading the Spread Option Air Raid offense. Roth will also be calling the plays as the offensive coordinator. Roth’s key players on offense include Kampen, as well as; Jaden Taylor, Slot/RB, SR., Parker Grooten, OT, SR., Nathan Terry, OT, SR., Isaiah Barnum, WR, SR., AJ Parsons, WR, SR., Cam Warner, WR, SR., Isaac Gostlin, RB, SR., BJ Hunt, QB, JR., Anthony Croy, OG, JR.
And Corey Stiles, Slot, SO.
Lining many of those same players will line up in Parchment’s 4-3 defensive alignment under DC Orval King Jr. With Taylor (DB), Parsons (LB), and Hunt (DB) playing on defense as well. Joined by Deven Berner, LB, Sr., Landon Meredith, DB/LB, Sr., Shawn Butler, DB, Sr., Travis Brazier, DE, Sr., Matthew Lovell, DE, Sr., Nathan Terry, DE, Sr., and Jakob VanderMeer, DT, Jr.,
Jaden Taylor will serve as the kick returner on special teams.
Roth says the Panthers have speed at every position, and the offense will rely on the experience of his offensive line as well as the talent from his skill players, including all-conference players Jalen Kampen and Jaden Taylor. The Panthers plan to “win the game in the trenches” with Matthew Lovell, Nathan Terry, Parker Grooten, and Deven Berner all with 2+ years of experience.
The Panthers team speed will be a big factor on the defense as well. Roth sees Constantine as well as South Haven to be favorites in the SAC. However Roth says they should be competitive and their goal is to be in contention for a playoff spot in October.
Parchment opens the season on Thursday August 29 at home against Comstock.
Saugatuck Trailblazers
2023 Record: 8-3 (2-2 SAC-Valley)
Head Coach: William Dunn (22nd season, 133-59)
2024 Schedule
08/29 – at Buchanan – 7:00 p.m.
09/06 – at Lakeview – 7:00 p.m.
09/13 – Brandywine – 7:00 p.m.
09/20 – at Coloma – 7:00 p.m.
09/27 – Delton-Kellogg – 7:00 p.m.
10/04 – Galesburg-Augusta – 7:00 p.m.
10/11 – at Schoolcraft – 7:00 p.m.
10/18 – at Lawton – 7:00 p.m.
10/25 – Watervliet – 7:00 p.m.
Saugatuck did not reply to our request for a season preview.
Schoolcraft Eagles
2023 Record: 7-3 (3-1 SAC-Valley)
Head Coach: Nathan Ferency (7th season, 42-19)
2024 Schedule
08/29 – vs. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (at Ithaca HS) – 6:00 p.m.
09/06 – Centreville – 7:00 p.m.
09/13 – Constantine – 7:00 p.m.
09/20 – at Galesburg-Augusta – 7:00 p.m.
09/27 – Coloma – 7:00 p.m.
10/04 – Lawton – 7:00 p.m.
10/11 – Saugatuck – 7:00 p.m.
10/18 – at Delton-Kellogg – 7:00 p.m.
10/25 – at Muskegon Catholic Central – 7:00 p.m.
Schoolcraft did not reply to our request for a season preview.
South Haven Rams
2023 Record: 6-4 (4-1 SAC-Lakeshore)
Head Coach: Mark Eddy (6th season, 19-27)
2024 Schedule
08/29 – at Dowagiac – 7:00 p.m.
09/06 – Holland – 7:00 p.m.
09/13 – Coloma – 7:00 p.m.
09/20 – at Constantine – 7:00 p.m.
09/27 – at Parchment – 7:00 p.m.
10/04 – Watervliet – 7:00 p.m.
10/11 – Kalamazoo United – 7:00 p.m.
10/18 – at Allegan – 7:00 p.m.
10/25 – at Galesburg-Augusta – 7:00 p.m.
It’s only fitting that this season is an Olympic year, because after returning 16 starters last season, the Rams will be “passing the torch” to a team that returns 13 starters this season.
Mark Eddy’s team benefitted greatly from a wealth of returning experience, going 6-4 a year ago, and went from 1-4 in the division to 4-1.
A ground and pound Single Wing offense will be run by the Rams offense again this season, and with 7 returning starters there shouldn’t be any drop in the success of the ground game. Eddy himself be calling the Rams plays on the field. With some of his key starters including three seniors, tackle Gavin Covey (6’0, 250), guard Ethan Hodge (5’9, 190), and tight end (6’4, 245).
Gary Guthrie is the defensive coordinator for the Rams 4-4 defense with 6 starters coming back. On defense, South Haven’s key players include senior defensive back Elijah Eddy (5’11, 160), senior linebacker Cade Hahn (5’9, 180), and junior Jacob Bosman (6’0, 190).
South Haven, who have fielded great players on special teams include August Zoet at kicker and punter and Eddy returning kicks.
Coach Eddy said his team is very excited about the upcoming season. “We have put in a good offseason, and the attitude is good.”
He goes on to say that Constantine is still the favorite in the division this season.
South Haven will begin the season on Thursday August 29th at Dowagiac. Before returning for their home opener against Holland at Historic Radcliffe Field the following week.
Watervliet Panthers
2023 Record: 3-6 (1-4 SAC-Lakeshore)
Head Coach: Joshua Tremblay (6th season, 18-27)
2024 Schedule
08/29 – at Coloma – 7:00 p.m.
09/06 – at Brandywine – 7:00 p.m.
09/13 – Delton-Kellogg – 7:00 p.m.
09/20 – at Parchment – 7:00 p.m.
09/27 – Kalamazoo United – 7:00 p.m.
10/04 – at South Haven – 7:00 p.m.
10/11 – Allegan – 7:00 p.m.
10/18 – Constantine – 7:00 p.m.
10/25 – at Saugatuck – 7:00 p.m.
After posting back to back winning seasons, Watervliet took a considerable step backwards in 2023, finishing at 3-6 overall and 1-4 in the SAC-Lakeshore division. But one thing that sixth year head coach Josh Tremblay will have to address is the Panthers offense.
Watervliet scored just 123 totals points in their 9 games last season, the only season worse in recent history was in 2007 when the Panthers scored just 98 total points, the Panthers offense will have to start putting points on the board, and especially during SAC divisional play, the defense will have to step up as well. During SAC-Lakeshore divisional games last season, Watervliet was outscored 59-161 in those 5 games, scoring 6 points or fewer 3 times, falling to Constantine 35-0, Kalamazoo United 25-6, and falling at home to South Haven 51-6.
While Watervliet did beat their rival Coloma last year, there was only 1 game where Watervliet scored 20 points or more, and that was their Week 8 game against Parchment 31-14. Tremblay certainly has his work cut out for him this season, as he will be running the Panthers spread offense.
Watervliet returns 5 starters on offense from last year, and will be led on the field by junior quarterback Caleb Jewell. Watervliet will have to overcome the loss of senior running back Owen Epple who is lost for the season with an injury. So at running back will be senior Carson Underwood and junior Dee White. White will also line up at wide receiver for the Panthers. On the offensive line are sophomore Deandre Rose, junior Wyatt MacMillan, and Senior Trent Crain.
Defensively, the Panthers will also have 5 starters returning and set up in a 3-5-3 alignment. Epple was slotted to play linebacker before his season ending injury. Underwood and seniors Jayson Bauschke and Logan Schaefer at linebacker. White at safety, and senior Jordan Brule at defensive back.
Trembley has not selected his special teams punter or kicker as of yet, but has junior Cole Getz, Jewell, and Underwood as returners.
Watervliet will have 23 players on the roster this season with 10 senior players.
Coach Tremblay says, “(Watervliet is) Looking to compete each week in a tough Conference. We will need some guys to step up to replace last years big group of Seniors.”
As for the schedule, he points to three games. “Constantine is always a tough match-up, Coloma – Cross-town rivalry Game, and South Haven should be tough again as well.”
Watervliet opens the season with their archrivals Coloma on Thursday, August 29th. Watervliet’s first home game isn’t until week 3 against Parchment. Three of Watervliet’s first four games are on the road.
Tomorrow, Lakeland and Wolverine Conference