WMC All Conference Football

L-R Ian Fox and Skylar Stalbaum. The Panther sophomores are among the players making Hesperia's football future bright.- Photo by Sky Milner

5 Packers, 3 Panthers and 3 Red Devils make squad 

The West Michigan Conference has announced their All-Conference teams.

In the Rivers Division. Hesperia and Holton both joined the conference this year and discovered quickly the level of competition will  face in league play.
North Muskegon took the title with a 6-0 (8-1 overall) conference record followed close behind by Ravenna at 5-1 (6-3). The Norsemen and Bulldogs placed 13 players each on the team. Hart put together a 4-2 (6-3) record with 10 Pirates making the squad while Mason County Central finished 3-3 (3-6) with a half dozen Spartans making the cut. Shelby went 2-4 (2-7) on the season, equaling their win total of the previous 7 seasons, and placed 3 on the team.
Hesperia ended at 1-5 (2-7) and the 0-6 (0-9) record of Holton reflected a young team that struggled with numbers.

HOLTON
The Red Devils selected were Tight End Hunter Zang, a Junior, Sophomore Guard Ethan Aleem, and Senior Defensive Back Chase Albright.
We asked Holton Head Coach Tommy Moore for a few words about his trio of players who made the all-conference team.
Hunter Zang Jr. #11. “The ideal size and speed for any HS program. Willing to do the dirty work needed to get things done. Total grit player who defines the word tough. Looking forward to what he can do for us in the future.”
Ethan Aleem Soph #55/33
“Ethan (Cork-screw) Aleem is a hardworking high motor guy. Willing to do whatever it takes for the team to succeed. When times got rough and we needed to play someone out of position, Cork-Screw was the man for the job. He lined up at G, H back, TE and even a few snaps at QB. Hardworking aggressive kid on both sides of the ball.” 
Chase Albright Sr #24
“Chase is the definition of a leader. When we asked for team captains he became a general. He does everything he can for his teammates on and off the field. Chase was the heart and soul of our team. Our record does not indicate at all how hard he worked every single snap. There is not a program in the world who wouldn’t want a Chase Albright on their team! Irreplaceable for sure!”

HESPERIA
For the Panthers Senior Alex Gleason may have finished the season with a cast on his arm but he also nabbed a spot on the squad as a Kick Return Specialist. His Panther teammates on the team were Sophomore Ian Fox at Defensive Back and Sophomore Running Back Skyler Stalbaum.
Coach Fehlen had this to offer on his players.
“Very proud of my guys. Alex suffered a broken hand in week 5 and a lot was left out there in terms of what he could have done. He was the best athlete who played on our team. Great senior leader.
“Skyler Stalbaum and Ian Fox showed the conference and our area what is to come for the next 2 years because they’re only sophomores and  just getting started.”
 
 FREMONT
While their football fortunes improved this past season the Packers had a rough inaugural season in the always competitive WMC. They placed 6th out of 7 teams in the Lakes Division a notch ahead of the OV team that gave Fremont their lone conference win. The WMC has been an elite conference for several years and the Lakes is loaded, as evidenced by having 5 of the 7 teams qualify for postseason games.Ludington and Whitehall will be in D4, Oakridge in D5, and Montague in D6.Each has a lot of playoff pedigree and visits by conference members to Ford Field are not a rare occurrence
The conference champion Whitehall Vikings placed 16 on the All Conference team and 11 came from the second place Oakridge Cards. The Ludington O’s added 8 players as did Manistee with 6 Wildcats from Montague being named.
5 Fremont players were selected to the team. Running Back Justin Dirheimer (So.) was the lone Packer on offense. The defensive team included Defensive End Gabe VanVleet (Sr.),Lineman Andrew Steger (Jr.), Punter Owen Hertel (Jr.) and All Around Michael Romero (Sr.).
Coach Hudson:
“These players have put together some very nice seasons statistically.  We are happy for them to be recognized for their hard work and performance on the field.  As always, it is a team game which means many players had to do their job for these individuals to put up some of the numbers, so we are very happy as a program to have as many players recognized as possible.”

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