Farley named top coach in Div. 1-2

Sat, Nov 28, 2009    to del.icio.us

It was agonizing for Grand Haven head coach Mike Farley during his first three seasons as head coach of the Buccaneers' varsity football team:

Three seasons and three near-misses to the Division 1 playoffs.

But Farley kept the course, kept developing young talent, and the Bucs put everything together in Year 4, totaling a 9-2 record, challenging Rockford for the top spot in the brutally tough O-K Red Conference, earning the program's first playoff berth and win since 1999, and nearly upsetting the Rams on their home field in the second round of the playoffs.

For his achievements, Farley was named the Associated Press Division 1-2 Coach of the Year, while a pair of Bucs' linemen also earned All-State honors.

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Senior defensive/offensive tackle Jordan Goetz was a first-team selection, while senior offensive lineman Kelsey Kilbry earned honorable mention recognition.

"I attribute (the award) to all of the great kids in the program who worked so hard in the off-season and throughout the year," Farley said Friday evening. "It's also a tribute to the great coaches in our program. We've been able to assemble a tremendous staff over the past year, and it's really throughout the entire high school level, not just varsity.

"That's why I really consider this a program award, because so many contributed to it."

Goetz was the heart and soul on the Bucs' interior, as he led a defense that held opponents to an average of only 11 points per game in 11 games.

"He's a kid that has such a high motor and his intensity is unrivaled," Farley said. "This is a kid who is a converted fullback and linebacker. We came to him his junior year and asked if he could play D-line for us. We told him it would really help our team."

Goetz's dedication in the weight room and success is summer power lifting competitions enabled him to make the switch to the defensive line with ease.

"Because of his dedication in the weight room, the kids voted him captain," Farley said.

Goetz was also a key facet in the Bucs' Thunder Formation, a mid-season addition that featured his lead blocking and tough, between-the-tackles running of Dalton Stenberg. The formation accounted for 13 touchdowns for the Bucs, Farley said.

Farley admitted Kilbry struggled somewhat during his junior season and was likely in a battle for playing time with some talented underclassmen before the season started. His dedication during summer training helped him take the next step, however, Farley said.

"As soon as we hit two-a-days, you knew he was going to be something special," Farley said.

Kilbry recorded over 50 pancake blocks on the offensive line, and also excelled in protecting junior quarterback Adam Poel.

GHOLSTON NAMED TOP PLAYER IN DIV. 1-2

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Southeastern was the best team in the Detroit Public School League each of the past two seasons, and William Gholston was a big reason for the Jungaleers' success.

Southeastern won 20 games the last two seasons and captured a Division 1 district title in each season, the school's first two.

Gholston, a 6-foot-7, 255-pound linebacker/tight end, headlines the 2009 Associated Press Division 1-2 All-State team, earning Player of the Year honors as voted on by a 10-person panel of sports writers statewide.

This season Gholston had 115 tackles and 27 sacks. He recovered two fumbles and returned an interception for a touchdown.

"It was hard to step up and have a better year than he did last season, but he did," Southeastern coach Donshell English said. "He was our leader. Every time we needed to make a big play he did. Most kids make their biggest transition from their junior to senior years. It's a maturity thing. They start to get it.

"They understand what it takes to be good. He's been able to do that. This season he concentrated on working with his hands more on defense."

Gholston committed to Michigan State before the start of the season, but English said it's likely he will take two, possibly more, official visits to other schools.