Last year’s Zeeland West football team had the mission of looking like the same program after the retirement of Hall of Fame coach John Shillito.
Mission accomplished.
The Dux were 8-4 and reached the Division 3 regional final, losing a heartbreaker 36-34 to Lowell in one of the best playoff games involving area teams in recent memory.
Two points away from reaching the state semifinals despite having graduated 75% of its starters from the previous season.
The cohesion was because Jeff Bolhouse was a part of the system for years before becoming the head varsity coach.
He knew the players and the system, and more importantly, they knew and trusted him.
And the Dux were off and running.
Now in year two of the Bolhouse era, here is a look at three keys to the season:
Will Holman have another dominating season?
Brandon Holman is one of the most athletic and talented running backs we have seen come through Zeeland West.
That is saying something because it is a list that includes Danny Bauder, Keaton Hendricks, Darius Perisee, Chase Peddie, Wyatt Geurink, Andy Plaska, Skyler Geurink and Holman’s brother Parker.
But Brandon Holman has the knack for not only making big plays like his forebearers. But he makes them in big moments.
Holman was the one that caught the Hail Mary pass after it bounced off a West Ottawa defender to win at the buzzer.
He carried the Dux through their playoff run.
Holman had 183 carries for 1,262 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also caught 16 passes for 420 yards and six touchdowns. He had 135 tackles on defense, four interceptions, including one for a score. He also had a kick return for a touchdown, getting him in the end zone in a fourth way. He was first-team all-state.
If he stays healthy, the Dux will be off and running again.
“Our biggest strength is that many of our players played a lot of downs last year,” Bolhouse said. “We have several players that already have two years of varsity experience. The key to the season is that we need to stay healthy and avoid injuries. We don’t have a large number of players, but we have quality players.”
On the line
While runners like Holman are obviously key, it is the offensive line that runs the Wing-T or Power-T offense.
The system needs multiple holes to open up for the backfield so that there is more than one option on who will get the ball. It sounds simple but that means every lineman has to execute their block on every play.
The Dux have had spectacular linemen over the years.
The line will be anchored by Jace Henry, who as all-conference and all-region last year at center.
Secondary strength
The Dux have been one of the dominant programs in the state for two decades.
They run the ball well, block well, and defend the run well.
If there is one area that has at times been a struggle it is defending the pass.
But this year’s team has Holman and Logan Nash both returning in the secondary and have proven to make big plays.
The duo managed nine interceptions and 170 tackles combined last year. Nash snagged two of his interceptions in the playoffs, helping the Dux to a run to the regional final.
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: High school football previews: 3 keys for Zeeland West Dux this season
Reporting by Dan D’Addona, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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By Dan D'Addona, Holland Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
