MUSKEGON, Mich — They were so close to winning the division 2 state championship last season, but the Muskegon Big Reds came up short in a thrilling game against Birmingham Brother Rice at Ford Field. This season, winning a state championship is already on the Big Reds mind. “Anyone from division 1 to division 8 to 8-man football, your ultimate goal is to win a champiuonship, you always want the grandaddy of them all and if we didn’t have that as our goal than I shouldn’t be the head coach here” head coach Shane Fairfield said.
Muskegon returns several talented players on defense led by defensive tackle Kenneth Finely and linebacker William Hunt. “Our defense can be extremely good because we have a lot of hitters, we got better in coverage and we know the game, it’s been slower since we played all 14 games (last season)” Hunt said.
There are not as many returners on offense, in fact, guard Mailk King is the only full-time starter that is back but quarterback Deshaun Thrower did get some playing time under center a year ago. “Last year when I got here I was still trying to learn the offense and learn the reads so this year I’m more comfortable and I know the offense way better than I did last year and it should be running real smooth” Thrower said. Thrower, known for his ability to throw the football, will be called upon to run the Muskegon option this season. “Witht he addition of Deshaun having a full summer with us and having played 14 games last year he has a better understanding of ouor offense and then we’ve adapted some things around what he does, he’s going to be an exciting young man to lead our offense” Fairfield added.
The Schedule is tough as always, the Big Reds open with Grand Haven followed by Grand Rapids Christian, Rockford and Lowell before OK Black play begins and that conference is going to be very good this season.
