By Scott Decamp
LocalSportsJournal.com

 As a former player and assistant coach for hard-nosed programs at Muskegon Catholic Central and Muskegon, respectively, Justin Ego certainly appreciates power football.

If Ego’s Ravenna football team is going to have success in the 2024 season, then it will very likely be because the Bulldogs’ big boys up front got the job done.

Ravenna coach Justin Ego.

The ‘Dogs are looking to get back on track after an injury-riddled 3-6 campaign last fall. They’re tweaking their offensive scheme around leading linemen Cayden Caniff, Nash Hoffman, and Brennan Buskirk, who will pave the way for runners such as the versatile Derek Finlay.

“With the line being more of our strength, we’re going to be a little more power this year and hopefully get some movement up front,” said Ego, who carries a 21-18 overall record into his fifth season at the Ravenna helm. The Bulldogs have been running the option-based veer under Ego.

“At the end of the day, football is football – moving that D-line a little bit. If we get three or four yards, that’s a good play. We kind of realize that not every play is a 50-yard touchdown.”

With a varsity roster number in the 18-player range – only six of them seniors – staying healthy and well-conditioned will be critical for the Bulldogs.

“We always talk about, ‘We’re all we’ve got.’ And, you know, with 18 players, at some point your number is going to get called,” Ego said.

Vying for the starting quarterback spot are junior Dylan May and sophomore Jaxson Wilburn. The 6-foot-5 May is more of a passer, while Wilburn is more of a running threat.

Regardless of who wins the starting QB spot, the other will fill a role as a starting receiver or slot , according to Ego.

Ravenna does have some size up front, beginning with Caniff. The 6-2, 260-pound junior is a third-year starter on the line. He was a first-team All-West Michigan Conference Rivers Division selection last season.

Hoffman, a senior, brings athleticism with his 6-3, 225-pound frame. He was injured in Week 2 last fall and missed the rest of the season.

Buskirk is a 5-11, 225-pound junior, one of the players Ego applauded for their offseason work.

One of the more experienced Bulldogs is Finlay, who is a quiet leader.

The 6-1, 185-pound senior, who is in his fourth season on the varsity squad, holds down running back, linebacker, and place-kicking spots.

“He’s a kid, who for four years now, has done everything we’ve asked. He’s never asked, ‘Why?’ or ‘Why not?’ (or) ‘Why didn’t he get this?’ (or) ‘Why does he have to do this?’” Ego said about Finlay, who was a first-team All-WMC Rivers Division linebacker in 2023.

“He’s just one of the guys who we wish we had 30 of them because he is all football all the time and he will work his tail off.”

Ego said the Bulldogs have been holding each other accountable all summer and that he’s appreciated their camaraderie and group togetherness.

As Ego pointed out, it’s one thing hearing it from a coach, but it tends to mean even more coming from a peer.

“We’ve been working hard this whole summer,” Finlay said. “Everybody’s been showing up, and if you don’t, we’ve been holding everybody accountable no matter what. We’ve been working hard, getting our plays in. Everybody’s been disciplined.”

Finlay and Ego both believe Ravenna can get back to competing for WMC Rivers and Division 7 district titles. The Bulldogs finished fourth in the seven-team WMC Rivers last season with a 3-3 record.

Ravenna faces big tests throughout its schedule, starting with the Aug. 30 season opener at Beal City, which made it to the Division 8 semifinals last fall and finished with an 11-2 record.

The Bulldogs will encounter a gauntlet in their final three games: On the road against 2023 Division 7 state semifinalist North Muskegon and neighboring rival Oakridge in Weeks 7 and 8, respectively, followed by a home contest against Montague in Week 9.

“A tough stretch there at the end. We need to make sure we come out of the gates (strong) against Beal City. I think that’s a great test for us,” Ego said. “Getting out of the gates this year will be big for us and making sure we’re healthy down that last stretch.”