Fennville football preview: 3 players to watch

FENNVILLE - The 2023 high school football season is bringing many changes to the Fennville Blackhawks team.

First-year coach Wendell Hughes Sr. is looking to bring consistency at the position while also trying to build a winning culture.

The 4-5 team lost many key players to graduation going into this season, leaving Hughes with young, but eager to learn kids.

Here are three standout players to pay attention to this season for Fennville:

Quinn Rosema

The senior starting quarterback for the Blackhawks looks to have a big season as the signal caller in Hughes’ full-house T offense. The captain for the team looks to have a big season after working hard all offseason.

As a junior, Quinn Rosema did damage in the passing game, making 20 receptions for 288 and three touchdowns, while making 44 tackles, forcing a fumble and recovering a fumble on the defensive side.

“Nobody works harder in the offseason than Quinn; the first time I met him, I found him in the weight room,” Hughes said. “He’s a great leader and very coachable. Our offense will only go as far as Quinn will take us. He’s been hand-in-hand with me learning our playbook.”

Jacob Miller

Senior Jacob Miller is one of the few seniors leading the Blackhawks into this season. In his first year playing football last season, he gained the respect of his teammates and coaches with his work ethic and determination to be great on both sides of the ball. He will be in a less celebrated position as a guard, but may see some time at the center position as well.

Miller will be in charge of leading the young guys who will be thrust into starting positions on the offensive line, but is more than prepared to do so. In 2022, he made two tackles in very limited action

“Jacob Williams has been very consistent in the weight room,” Hughes said. “He’s growing as a leader, when I first met him he was very quiet. He’ll be the leader on our offensive line; I like him at guard or center.”

Aidan Swingle

The feature full back in Hughes’ offense, junior Aidan Swingle will be primed for a standout season for Fennville. His activity in the offseason has him ready for the grind of the football and the potential to get off to a fast start offensively and defensively.

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In 2022, Swingle was everywhere on the field. As a sophomore, he carried the ball 19 times for 45 yards, but led the team with 92 receiving yards per game. He totaled 30 catches and led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns with 644 and 9 respectively. He also returned kicks and punts for the Blackhawks, averaging 29.1 yards per return.

“Aidan Swingle is a no-nonsense kid, but has a great smile,” Hughes said. “He’s a very hard worker. Throughout the summer he worked 9-5 and still came to the weight room to lift. He’s chomping at the bit to start his senior year and I’m expecting him to put up some big numbers in this offense.”

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Fennville football preview: 3 players to watch