By Nate Thompson
LocalSportsJournal.com

Pat Collins has noticed the passion of the fan base is a little different when comparing Montague to West Ottawa High Schools.

At Montague, where Collins won 159 games and three Division 6 state championships in an illustrious 17-year stretch, he said there would often be local townspeople who would approach him on the street and could identify key players by their first name.

West Ottawa coach Pat Collins.

That kind of fandom hasn’t reached that level at West Ottawa yet, but Collins is beginning to stir the pot.  Now entering his fourth season in the Panthers’ Black and Silver, Collins has the program on a steady upward trajectory and people are beginning to take notice.

The program had three-straight winless seasons beginning in 2019, including Collins’ first year at the helm in 2021, when they went 0-9 and scored just 128 points. Just a year later, the win total increased to four.  It stayed at four wins last season, but the Panthers surprised many by qualifying for the Division 1 state playoffs, where they were eliminated by a powerhouse Rockford squad, ending their season with a 4-6 record.

“In Year 1, it was all about getting acclimated and starting to build,” Collins said. “The program was really in a tough spot, with back-to-back winless seasons. Year 2, we were focused on beating the bottoms of the (Ottawa-Kent) Red and not be at the bottom ourselves. And last year, we wanted to beat the middles of the conference and get into the playoffs and we did that.

“This year, we’re chasing the top teams, which we expect to be Rockford, Grandville and Caledonia. We played Rockford tough in our regular-season game and had a tight game against Grandville. Now, it’s about finishing the job.”

Collins believes the Panthers will be right in the thick of the O-K Red race due to several key offensive playmakers returning, including senior running back Kayden Forbes, who Collins calls “the best running back I’ve ever coached.”

“And that’s saying a lot, considering some of the running backs we had at Montague,” Collins said.

Collins first noticed Forbes as an unknown freshman at a team camp. He proved he was the fastest player in attendance – upperclassmen and all – and has only continued to improve as he’s gotten older. Now, at 5-foot-8 and 210 pounds, Collins said Forbes plays a lot like recent University of Michigan standout Blake Corum.

“He’s a freak show,” Collins said. “Just his ability to stop and start, his balance. He may not have the measurable speed, but he also broke one against Rockford in the playoffs for 75 yards. He’s got great burst.”

Forbes rushed 236 times for 1,581 yards and scored 16 touchdowns a year ago, earning all-state honors.  

He’ll once again be taking handoffs from quarterback Connor Knapp, who moved from wide receiver 2 years ago, and impressed with his athleticism under center. Collins said Knapp is throwing more consistent and stronger passes, and has a better understanding of the offense.

In the pass game, Knapp will have three solid targets in senior wide receivers Ruben Esparza and Dylan Vruggink, and tight end Elijah Reynolds, who has good size at 6-3, 215 pounds.

The Panthers have a lot of size on the O-line, with three players more than 275 pounds, two of which are starters. Brady Grasmanis (6-0, 275) is returning at right tackle, while Alex Hernandez (6-5, 300) is back at right guard. Senior Bryce Rivera (6-4, 300) is the favorite at left guard, while junior Isaiah Rodriguez is a new starter at center and Quinn Basselin is penciled in at left tackle.  

Defensively, Collins said the Panthers are still trying to fill some holes and avoid playing too many athletes both ways. Forbes may be too good to keep on the sidelines though, as he’s also West Ottawa’s best pass rusher at end. Basselin and sophomore Alex Carrier will also be regulars on the defensive line.

Collins said Reynolds is a force at linebacker and will be joined by two other sure tacklers in junior Caleb Montgomery and Carrier’s brother, Charlie Carrier, a senior.

In the secondary, Esparza will start at one corner and could be joined by sophomore Abel Anaya, if the offensive coaches don’t play him primarily at receiver. The safeties are seniors Tai Hescott and Jake Gerritts.

Collins said the key for West Ottawa to return to the playoffs is taking care of business in the non-conference, which includes tilts against Grand Ledge and Zeeland West in Weeks 1 and 2. Both schools were playoff qualifiers a year ago.