Mark Lewis

Local Sports Journal

ALLENDALE – The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and in this case, neither Potts mugdoes the football.

Grand Valley State University sophomore Jamie Potts received All-American tight end honors this week for his play this past season.

Potts, a former quarterback at Oakridge High School, rolled to several school records this season, helping the Division 2 Lakers to a 12-3 campaign which ended with 27-13 loss to Northwest Missouri State in the National semifinal round. Potts hauled in seven catches for 77 yards and a score in the loss.

Potts set tight end records with 899 receiving yards, 54 receptions (both team highs) and scored a record 11 times in 2013.

As a redshirt freshman in 2012, Potts received All-GLIAC Academic honors, ranking third on the team with 17 catches for 327 yards and two scores.

Potts’ outstanding prep career at Oakridge was capped with an incredible senior season, where he rushed for 1,561 yards on 193 carries and 24 scores, while also throwing for 696 yards and 10 scores.

Potts also finished his senior season with 64 tackles and two picks at defensive back. He was named to the Division 5-6 All-State team by the Detroit News as a defensive back, to the Division 5 All-State by the Detroit Free Press, to the Division 5-6 All-State team from the Associated Press, and earned All-West Michigan Conference honors at quarterback, defensive back and kicker, while being named honorable mention at punter.

Potts entered his senior year having already accounted for 1,563 rushing yards, 26 touchdowns, 1,236 passing yards and 16 passing TDs. He also was placed his senior season on the MHSFCA All-Academic honorable mention team.

Potts also plays outfield and is a DH for the Laker baseball team, and was named last season to the GLIAC All-Tournament team, hitting .313 with 11 runs, six doubles, 15 RBI and with a .433 slugging percentage.

Laker senior offensive lineman Matt Armstrong also picked up All-American honors, improving on an All-American Honorable Mention season in 2012.