Back Row: Joe Olson, George Duggins, Vince Coleman, Tomarion Steward. Front Row: Dom Piggue, Tyson Terpstra, Bishop Davis.
(Photo courtesy of Ron Rop)
By Ron Rop
LocalSportsJournal.com
There’s a lot to like about the 2025 version of the Mona Shores Sailors.
Remember a year ago when the road weary Sailors traveled to Grand Blanc, River Rouge and Flint Hamady to kick off the season? While the Sailors captured victories in all three games, there’s no arguing the fact it was a grueling start to the season.
The script has been flipped for 2025 as the three aforementioned teams are heading to Sailor Stadium in the first three weeks of the 2025 campaign. Certainly, the faithful followers of the Sailors are going to enjoy a three-game homestand against some solid competition.
But, there’s more, the Sailors host rivals Reeths-Puffer and Muskegon as well.
“Some of our biggest rivals we get to play at home, which is awesome for us,” said Coach Matt Koziak.“
The season concludes on the road against Toledo Central Catholic, with its roster that boasts 12 Division 1 recruits. That game will be in Toledo or at Ford Field in Detroit if Toledo Central Catholic wins their league.
“Last year, in my opinion, was the hardest schedule Mona Shores has ever had with the road games and the teams that we played,” said Koziak. “It will be hard again this year, but we’ve got some good home games.”
Koziak, the eternal optimist, sees good things from his squad.
“This is probably the best two-a-days I’ve had in my 15 years of coaching here,” said Koziak. “Everyone was excited the first day. Then Day 2, Day 3 and Day 4 came around and their energy has just been incredible. That’s the only thing that stands out to me. Their willingness to get better has just been incredible to me.”
He also is beaming with the thoughts of having workhorse senior running back Tomarion Stewart back for his third season on varsity. The bruising 6-0, 221-pounder can not only run around defenders, but run over them if they step into his path.
“When in doubt, you hand the ball off to him and it makes you look like a good coach,” Koziak said. “We’re super blessed to have him back. He’s a tremendous talent. What’s great about him is his unselfishness and for having offers, he’s the most humble young man and his teammates love that about him. What a great guy to lean on.”
Other explosive weapons on offense include senior Bishop Davis (5-8, 162), junior JC Tornes (6-0, 181) and senior Dominic Piggue (5-9, 193).
Up front, the Sailors will lean on senior Vince Coleman (6-0, 289), a Davenport University commit. Junior tackle Kesean Collins (6-3, 304) will take up a lot of space up front, along with junior Mateo Alvarez (5-10, 264) and senior Joe Olsen (6-0, 241).
“Those are some guys up front who really have an opportunity to help Ike (Steward) out,” Koziak said.
Not all the news is good, however. Senior George Duggins, a big wide receiver/defensive back, hopes to be back in October after suffering an injury during the summer.
At quarterback, there’s a big hole to fill with the graduation of Jonathan Pittman, a three-year starter. But Koziak likes what he sees so far.
Senior Joe Thole (5-11, 202), a transfer from the Kalamazoo area, along with sophomore Owen Terpstra (5-8, 160) and junior Andrew Fisher (6-0, 196) have all made strong showings in the early going.
“They all have their strengths, they all have their weaknesses, but it’s great competition between the three of them and we’ll see who is the guy,” Koziak said.
On defense, there are some of the same guys who will be working the trenches.
Tornes and Davis are returning at cornerback and Duggins will be at safety upon his return. Piggue is a strong safety and Tyson Terpstra is a solid linebacker.
There are some holes to fill as the Sailors lost a pair of all-state linemen, but Koziak is confident he has the replacements to do a solid job.
The Sailors head into the season with a 45-man roster, one of the biggest groups since Koziak took the reins. That aids in depth when the injury bug hits.
Koziak is looking at another banner season for the OK Green with the Sailors, Big Reds, Rockets and Byron Center. Forest Hills Northern and Grand Rapids Union also have made strides in recent years.
