The Edwardsburg Eddies are still king of the hill, but with so many changes from last season, there is some doubt if the Eddies can maintain that for the first time in some a while. Kevin Bartz stepped down after nearly 3 decades of turning the Eddies program into a state powerhouse. They didn’t have to look very far for his replacement, they just looked along the sidelines. Assistant Coach Dan Purlee takes over an Eddies program that went 11-2 last year. Niles enters the season as the only other Wolverine Conference school that finished the regular season above .500 record, and a loss to Edwardsburg in the playoffs. Scot Shaw leads the Vikings home, literally, as Niles did not play a single game at home last year while their new artificial turf surface was installed.
2023 Wolverine Conference Preview:
Edwardsburg Eddies
2022 Record: 11-2 (7-0 Wolverine)
Head Coach: Dan Purlee (1st season)
2023 Schedule:
8/25 vs. Grand Rapids West Catholic – 7:00 p.m.
9/1 at Chelsea – 7:00 p.m.
9/8 vs. Plainwell – 7:00 p.m.
9/15 at Three Rivers – 7:00 p.m.
9/22 at Otsego – 7:00 p.m.
9/29 vs. Paw Paw – 7:00 p.m.
10/6 at Niles – 7:00 p.m.
10/13 vs. Vicksburg – 7:00 p.m.
10/20 at Sturgis – 7:00 p.m.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. That’s the goal of the 2023 Edwardsburg Eddies as they head into some murky waters for the first time in a decade. Gone is previous head coach Kevin Bartz and the nearly three decades of experience on the Edwardsburg sidelines. Dan Purlee now is the man who has the unenviable task of trying to replace a living legend. Purlee does have previous head coaching experience in Cassopolis and has been on the Eddies staff as an assistant under Bartz.
But this year’s team will look a lot different. Edwardsburg has no returning starters from the 11-2 squad that fell 26-20 in the Division 4 semi-finals to eventual undefeated state champion Grand Rapids South Christian. Not only do the Eddies return no starters from the team last year, only three starters are back from the Eddies defense.
Edwardsburg’s varsity roster has 44 players this season and 18 seniors.
Purlee says his key players running the familiar Power T offense include, Zac Zache, TE, 6’0, 180, Senior
Jaylin McClare, OT, 6’0, 240, Senior, Keegan Parsons, RB, 5’10, 160, Senior, Walker Karafa, OG, 5’10, 190, Junior, Oscar Morris, RB, 6’1, 220, Junior, Nick Walker, OG, 6’1, 200, Junior, and Grant Griffin, TE, 6’0, 190, Junior. Those same players will also be the same key players on dense with Zache at Safety, McClaire on DL, Parsons and Safety, Morris at LB, Walker at OLB, and Griffin at LB.
It’s rare for the Eddies to do any kicking as PAT’s and Punts are not sometime they do frequently, or at all. But Carter Houseworth will be kicking off.
Purlee tells us. “Graduated 28 Seniors a year ago. We will be young and inexperienced at the varsity level, only returning 3 starters. We have a motivated Senior class with some promising new additions, along with a strong group of Juniors. Our guys are hardworking, tough kids. We are not big, so it will be important that we play smart and fast. Expectations continue to be high at Edwardsburg, and we believe our kids can live up to those expectations.”
He goes on to say about the Wolverine Conference race this year. “The Conference will be tough from top to bottom. Each team will present a challenge.”
Edwardsburg opens the season at home against Grand Rapids West Catholic. The game was moved from Thursday to Friday because of the concerns of the hot weather.
Niles Vikings
2022 Record: 6-5 (3-4 Wolverine)
Head Coach: Scot Shaw (3rd season, 11-9)
2023 Schedule:
8/24 vs. St. Joseph – 7:00 p.m.
8/31 at Lakeshore – 7:00 p.m.
9/8 vs. Three Rivers – 7:00 p.m.
9/15 at Otsego – 7:00 p.m.
9/22 at Sturgis – 7:00 p.m.
9/29 vs. Vicksburg – 7:00 p.m.
10/6 vs. Edwardsburg – 7:00 p.m.
10/13 at Plainwell – 7:00 p.m.
10/20 vs. Paw Paw – 7:00 p.m.
The Niles Vikings look like they are on the verge of taking a big step in their football program. Since the Vikings last won a conference title in 2001, Niles has fallen short of that goal every year since. Niles last won the SMAC-West in 2001, the first year of the then Big 16, Niles has been in two other conferences since then. But having found a more stable home in the Wolverine Conference, the Vikings under third year head coach Scot Shaw are serious contenders in a wide open Wolverine Conference for the first time in decades.
While Shaw says the Wolverine still runs through Edwardsburg until somebody proves otherwise. With Edwardsburg under the direction of a new coach and no returning starters on offense and three on defense, many of the other Wolverine Conference coaches are pointing their sights at the Vikings.
Shaw says he has 14 starters back on offense and 10 on defense, but did not name any of his key players. We do know Talon Brawley will be the staring quarterback for the Vikings.
Another benefit for Niles is, they will actually have a true home game this season. Niles played all 11 of their games on the road as Viking Stadium was under construction with its new artificial turf field being installed. The turf surface wasn’t ready until after the season concluded, leaving Niles playing home games at Berrien Springs, two games at St. Joseph and their homecoming game against Paw Paw, being played at Paw Paw.
Now with their home stadium back, the Vikings take try to take a big bite out of an old nemesis in their first game when they host St. Joseph. The Vikings and Bears haven’t faced each other since 2019 after Niles announced they were leaving the SMAC Conference. That game in 2019 was the 100th matchup in the series before being put on hold until this season. St. Joe has a 65-33-2 record in the first 100 meetings.
Niles will run a Flexbone offense this season, and with that offense in place for a third season the familiarity will come naturally for the Vikings. Defensively, Niles will have multiple sets on defense but will mostly be in a 3-4 defensive front. Niles has 38 players on the varsity roster with 14 seniors.
Shaw tells us, “It is a very unique situation to have this many returning starters back. We are still relatively young but very experienced. Hopefully our young kids have grown.”
Niles first two games are against their former SMAC rivals St. Joseph and then at Lakeshore. The game with St. Joseph will be heard on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM and the game at Lakeshore will air on 95.7 Y-Country.
Niles opens up Wolverine Conference play at home against Three Rivers in Week 3.
Otsego Bulldogs
2022 Record: 0-9 (0-7 Wolverine)
Head Coach: Scott McDougall
2023 Schedule:
8/24 vs. Coopersville – 7:00 p.m.
8/31 at Kalamazoo United – 7:00 p.m.
9/8 at Vicksburg – 7:00 p.m.
9/15 vs. Niles – 7:00 p.m.
9/22 vs. Edwardsburg – 7:00 p.m.
9/29 at Sturgis – 7:00 p.m.
10/6 vs. Plainwell – 7:00 p.m.
10/13 at Paw Paw – 7:00 p.m.
10/20 vs. Three Rivers – 7:00 p.m.
Otsego did not reply to our request for a season preview
Paw Paw Red Wolves
2022 Record: 4-6 (3-4 Wolverine)
Head Coach: Dennis Strey (3rd season, 9-11)
2023 Schedule:
8/25 vs. Big Rapids – 7:00 p.m.
8/31 at Berrien Springs – 7:00 p.m.
9/8 at Sturgis – 7:00 p.m.
9/15 vs. Vicksburg – 7:00 p.m.
9/22 at Plainwell – 7:00 p.m.
9/29 at Edwardsburg – 7:00 p.m.
10/6 vs. Three Rivers – 7:00 p.m.
10/13 vs. Otsego – 7:00 p.m.
10/20 at Niles – 7:00 p.m.
Paw Paw head coach Dennis Strey enters his third season as head coach of the Red Wolves program, he was an assistant coach for the program as well. The one thing that he’s always had by his side is the same thing he’s had by his side since they were born, one of his son’s. Strey’s son Dennis Jr. graduated in 2022 and is now playing at Eastern Michigan, his other son Darrin was on the team last year, but the youngest will now play a larger role entering his junior year.
Paw Paw was 4-6 in 2022, and this 30 member squad returns a good portion of the starters on both sides of the ball. The Red Wolves bring back seven starters on their full house T offense, and eight players on their 4-4 defense.
Strey himself will be calling the plays as offensive coordinator as well. He’ll depend on his 6’7 285 pound son Darrin to provide the running lanes on the offensive line. Austin George 5’10 230 Sr., will also start on the O-Line. At Tight End will be Nathan LeMere (5’8 180 Sr.) and P.J. DeYoung at Running back (5’7 190 Sr.).
Darrin Strey will also be key on the defensive line, and joining him up front will be Gavin Turk (5’10, 195 Sr.) with a pair of junior linebackers behind them Bryson Newell (5’11-185) and Cody Connolly (6’1-185).
Troy Vandenberg (6’0-185 Sr.) will handle the kicking and punting duties.
According to Strey, “With a lot of returners on both sides of the ball, Paw Paw is determined to have a great season. Many saw action as Sophomores last year and have worked hard alongside this year’s senior class in the off season to improve a great deal in strength and quickness. Paw Paw needs to have a fast start and keep improving every week to be ready to make a playoff run.”
Strey says Niles is the favorite in the conference this season.
Paw Paw opens the season with a home game at Falan Field against Big Rapids on August 25th at 7:00 p.m.
Plainwell Trojans
2022 Record: 4-5 (2-5 Wolverine)
Head Coach: Brian Huberty (1st season)
2023 Schedule:
8/24 vs. Hamilton – 8:00 p.m.
8/31 vs. Coldwater – 7:00 p.m.
9/8 at Edwardsburg – 7:00 p.m.
9/15 vs. Sturgis – 7:00 p.m.
9/22 vs. Paw Paw – 7:00 p.m.
9/29 at Three Rivers – 7:00 p.m.
10/6 at Otsego – 7:00 p.m.
10/13 vs. Niles – 7:00 p.m.
10/20 at Vicksburg – 7:00 p.m.
Plainwell will have a new coach this season in the form of Brian Huberty. Unfortunately for Plainwell, he is the 5th new head coach in the last six seasons. However Huberty not only is a former assistant coach at Plainwell, he was a player as well. Huberty graduated from Plainwell in 1996 and was an assistant from 2003-2018.
Plainwell returns 3 starters from last year and will depend heavily on offense from seniors Landon DeVaney, Landon Shannon, Ryan McDaniel, Jaxson Miller, and Noah Miller. The Trojans plan to run a spread offense this season.
The Trojans expect to line up in a 3-4 defensive alignment, and return 5 starters from last year, and will count on Senior Michael Gonyeau, and juniors Abel Jorgenson, Marco Vega, and Adin Young.
Landon DeVey will also be the punter/kicker for Plainwell.
Coach Huberty expects Vicksburg to be on top of the Wolverine Conference this season, followed by Niles, Edwardsburg and then Plainwell. He said. “The Wolverine Conference is always a tough league. We look to be competitive, work hard and grind every practice and game out.”
Plainwell has 35 players on the varsity roster and 15 seniors.
Sturgis Trojans
2022 Record: 5-5 (4-3 Wolverine)
Head Coach: Chance Stewart (4th season, 11-15)
2023 Schedule:
8/25 at Coldwater – 7:00 p.m.
8/31 vs. Kalamazoo Central – 7:00 p.m.
9/8 – vs. Paw Paw – 7:00 p.m.
9/15 at Plainwell – 7:00 p.m.
9/22 vs. Niles – 7:00 p.m.
9/29 vs. Otsego – 7:00 p.m.
10/6 at Vicksburg – 7:00 p.m.
10/13 at Three Rivers – 7:00 p.m.
10/20 vs. Edwardsburg – 7:00 p.m.
Sturgis was one of four teams that finished second in the Wolverine Conference last year, unfortunately three of those four teams were out of the playoffs in the first round. But advance the clock to this season, Sturgis might the most experienced teams in the Wolverine this season.
Sturgis may only have 25 on their roster, but 19 of them are seniors. Plus the Trojans return nine starters from last years 5-5 team and eight on defense.
Former Sturgis Quarterback Chance Stewart returns for his 4th season on the Trojans sidelines, and it would be no surprise that the former quarterback would be the team offensive coordinator as well. Sturgis will run a pro style offense in 2023 with the team being led by Senior Quarterback Taner Patrick (5’10-185). The Trojans will use two tight ends with Seniors Gibson Cary (6’1-210) and Cal Lamb (6’4-200), another target will be senior WR Rasean O’Tey (5’6-160). Sturgis’ offensive line will be built around senior lineman Matthew Wickey (6’5-305).
Cary will also line as a Linebacker on defense. Joining him will be seniors Brenen Myers (5’8-185) and O’Tey at defense back. On the Defensive line Sturgis has two more over 300 pounds with seniors Logan Markey (6’2-330) and Alex Massey (6’2-325). Sturgis will line up in a 4-3 defensive set.
Coach Stewart tells us, “Veteran football team that has a lot of experience. 13 seniors have been starters since their sophomore year. Exciting group that has bought in for four years and anxious to see what it leads to this year. Team is ready to get back in the playoffs again and win our first playoff game since 2004.”
Sturgis last playoff wins came in 2004 when the Trojans defeated Lakeshore in Stevensville 37-0, then blanked Three Rivers 28-0 the following week, but then fell to Charlotte 40-21 in the regional final. Sturgis fell to Mason 49-12 in the first-round last season.
Stewart sees Niles, his Sturgis Trojans and Edwardsburg as the favorites in the Wolverine Conference this season.
Three Rivers Wildcats
2022 Record: 5-5 (5-2 Wolverine)
Head Coach: Chris Gilliam (1st season)
2023 Schedule:
8/24 at Charlotte – 7:00 p.m.
8/31 vs. Adrian – 7:00 p.m.
9/8 at Niles – 7:00 p.m.
9/15 vs. Edwardsburg – 7:00 p.m.
9/22 at Vicksburg – 7:00 p.m.
9/29 vs. Plainwell – 7:00 p.m.
10/6 at Paw Paw – 7:00 p.m.
10/13 vs. Sturgis – 7:00 p.m.
10/20 at Otsego – 7:00 p.m.
Three Rivers is the 4th of the 8-member Wolverine Conference to be under new management this season with Chris Gilliam now occupying the home sideline of Armstrong Field. However Gilliam is not new to being a head coach, which is exactly what Three Rivers was looking for when replacing longtime head coach J.J. Wagner. Gilliam is a native and graduate of Flint and was the head coach at Birch Run high school for 19 years and then years at Adrian High School. Gilliam also play college football at Olivet College.
The Wildcats will use mostly a spread offense, but can run multiple offenses as well. Defensively the Wildcats will change to a 5-0 front, with 5 on the line.
Key players for offensive coordinator Travis Rohrer include, Caleb Quake 6’0”, 170 Sr., Sam Reynolds 5’10”, 235 Jr., Jaxon Smith 6’1”, 220 So., Drew McClain 5’6”, 155 Sr., and Luis Warmack 5’10”, 175 Sr.
On defense the key starters for Three Rivers are, Tre Rohrer 5’9”, 165., Heston Saunders 6’2”, 185., Jace Gray 5’9”, 170., Luis Warmack 5’10, 175., Drew McClain 5’6, 155, and Maddox Hagen 5’10, 170
Coach Gilliam describes his team as “Young. Good speed. Versatility with many players ability to play multiple positions on both sides of the ball. Veteran QB that can throw and run. Depth at running back.”
He said, until somebody beats them, Edwardsburg should be considered the Wolverine Conference favorite.
Vicksburg Bulldogs
2022 Record: 5-5 (4-3 Wolverine)
Head Coach: Thomas Marchese
2023 Schedule:
8/24 vs. Portage Northern – 7:00 p.m.
8/31 at Gull Lake – 7:00 p.m.
9/8 vs. Otsego – 7:00 p.m.
9/15 at Paw Paw – 7:00 p.m.
9/22 vs. Three Rivers – 7:00 p.m.
9/29 at Niles – 7:00 p.m.
10/6 vs. Sturgis – 7:00 p.m.
10/13 at Edwardsburg – 7:00 p.m.
10/20 vs. Plainwell – 7:00 p.m.
Vicksburg did not reply to our request for a season preview.
Next preview: Lakeland Conference