Marion's football team opens the season next week.
File photoMARION – Football has been successful in this northeastern Osceola County community, and the Eagles are hoping to continue to do well 8-player style.
Chad Grundy’s team was 10-2 last season and conference and regional champs. The Eagles play in the West Michigan D League.
“Winning our second regional was a big moment for us last season,” Grundy said. “Thomas Jenema was a linebacker and tight end for us. He was a four-year starter and helped us win back to back regionals and will be a big loss for us. Keegan Baldwin was our center the last two years and will be missed for his leadership and his play at center. He only had a couple of bad snaps over his two years and ran our offensive line.”
Marion is led by Mason Salisbury at quarterback and linebacker. He is a three-year starter and team leader and had over 2,300 total yards last season.
Weston Cox is a middle linebacker and offensive guard and leader on the defense who had 25 tackles in Marion’s first playoff game last year.
Aadin Yowell is a defensive back and receiver “who is a great route runner and should make some big plays for us,” Grundy said. “He started at safety last season.”
Gavin Prielipp is a defensive back and running back who ran for over 600 yards last season despite missing time due to injury. Braden Prielipp is a running back and linebacker, who had over 400 yards receiving last season and “we are expecting more this season,” Grundy said.
Cole Meyer is a linebacker and running back who “started as a freshman last season and played many positions and should have a big season this year on offense and defense,” Grundy said, adding defensive tackle Wyatt Schmidt “started last season and had a big year as a run stopper for us.”
Alex Johnson is a defensive tackle and guard, “who had a great season on offense and also had a big part on the D-line,” Grundy said.
The Eagles expect another successful season.
“We are expecting to compete for a long playoff run,” Grundy said. “We need to
stay healthy and hopefully we will be playing in mid-November. Our team speed should be really good this season. We have been working on running better routes and giving more attention to detail.”
In the conference, “I think that Mesick will be strong and Brethren always plays us tough,” Grundy said. “ I think we will be in the mix for a league title but you have to come to play every Friday or you could get beat.”
