Buccaneer fever contagious
Thu, Nov 5, 2009 
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BY MATT DEYOUNG
mdeyoung@grandhaventribune.com
Denny VanHall has spent many a Friday evening camped out at Buccaneer Stadium watching Grand Haven's high school football team suffer through one disappointing season after another.
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Because of a near-fatal heart attack suffered last summer, VanHall is no longer able to attend games quite as frequently, but he still follows the Buccaneers every Friday night, and he's thrilled with the success the team has achieved.
"I haven't been to as many games as I wanted. I have a low immune system, so I can't get out in the rain, so instead I curl up in my chair, turn on my radio and listen to Jack (VanSchelven) and Jim (VanDam)," said VanHall, a lifelong Grand Haven resident and fan of area sports teams. "It's been really exciting. We haven't had this much excitement since 1970, 71. It's amazing how football, more than any other sport, brings the community together. I suppose it's because more people can go to the games and it's more social."
VanHall, a Realtor at Greenridge Realty, was hoping the weather would clear up so he could make it to last Friday's playoff contest against Grand Ledge, but that obviously didn't happen.
VanHall's oldest son, Brad, played for the Buccaneers in the fall of 2005 and 2006. Those teams went a combined 5-13. The two touch base every Friday night to talk about Grand Haven football.
"Every year, I can remember going to games, and we always found ways to lose," VanHall said. "We finally got over the hump and found ways to win the last couple games. It's exciting to watch. I like to go to the freshmen and JV games to see the kids coming up, but I didn't even know half these kids on defense."
VanHall feels the Buccaneers have a great chance at upsetting No. 1-ranked Rockford Rams on Friday night.
"I think we're due to beat them," he said. "They have to be thinking that they struggled to beat Kentwood and yet Grand Haven shut them out. If we can stick with them at halftime, we have a good chance to beat them. (Coach Mike) Farley's got those kids convinced they can beat anybody."
Many fans around Grand Haven are of the same opinion. The outpouring of support for the Buccaneers' football team has been a huge boost to the program.
"The support is great," said local Realtor Betty Pierce. "It's great for the kids to be a part of a winning team, and it's great for the community."
"It's the boost the whole city needed," added Ron Dryer of Dyer & DeWeerd Heating & Cooling. "I think this year just happens to be their time, and the kids like to know the community is behind them. It means a lot to them."
John Helder, who works at Z-Tire in Grand Haven, follows the games every Friday on WGHN.
"That's a very good feature and those guys do a very good job. They're great to listen to," Helder said. "It takes a very good attitude and a good coach to produce what's happening. When customers are in here, I hear them talk about (the Bucs)."
The community support certainly isn't lost on the team.
"We're a team that can play the game and give the community something to believe in," senior defensive tackle Jordan Goetz said. "We had great attendance for our playoff game last week even when it was raining out. We're getting great support from the community and from our family."
