Marion's Grundy honored as AP 8P Coach of the Year

A phenomenal season on the field has led to special honors off of it for four individuals in the Marion football program.

Head coach Chad Grundy was named the Associated Press’ Eight-Player All-State coach of the year Monday while senior defensive back Gavin Prielipp earned second team honors.

Junior defensive lineman James Williams and junior linebacker Cole Meyer earned honorable mention recognition.

The Eagles finished the season at 12-1 overall and as MHSAA Eight-Player Football Division 2 state runner-up after a 36-18 loss to Adrian Lenawee Christian in the championship game last month in Marquette.

It marked the first time Marion had broken through to the finals after three straight losses in the state semifinals to Powers North Central.

The Eagles beat Lake Linden-Hubbell in this year’s semis to advance.

Grundy, in his seventh year at Marion, is honored.

“It’s very humbling,” he said. “The recognition that our team is getting means we’re getting to where we want to be.

“It’s nice to see that people recognize the work that we’ve been doing as a staff and by our players.”

While getting to the finals capped an incredible season, there were some trying times for Marion in 2023.

The Eagles opened a week late after not being able to schedule an opener.

After that, both Suttons Bay (Week 7) and Bellaire (Week 9) forfeited, meaning Marion played just once in the final three weeks of the regular season.

They bounced back, though, and crushed Bay City All Saints 64-14 to open the playoffs before beating Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 28-6 to win a fourth straight regional title. Following was a thrilling 42-36 win over Lake Linden-Hubbell in the semifinals.

“The hard work these kids put in stands out,” Grundy said. “We had some games canceled but they sill came to practice and worked their butts off every day, even if we didn’t have a game.

“We had a tough road but every game we played, they stepped it up. That was great to see because we played some tough teams to get to the finals.”

Prielipp had 10 interceptions and nearly 50 tackles for the Eagles.

Williams recorded 63 tackles, including 17 for a loss with nine quarterback sacks. Meyer recorded 93 tackles, including 17 in the win over Sacred Heart.

Marion’s defense allowed just 9.3 points per game this past season.

Also on the All-State team, some say it looks like Sam Lutz plays with his hair on fire, even before he removes his helmet.

Playing with crackling energy and a burning competitive spirit — and fire-red hair to match — Lutz ignited Adrian Lenawee Christian’s undefeated state championship run.

Now, the senior quarterback puts a candle on top by earning 2023 Michigan Associated Press Player of the Year honors as the top eight-player football player in the state.

“He’s got plenty of spunk — and he’s a redhead, too,” said Lenawee coach Bill Wilharms, who also coached 2020 Player of the Year and fellow redhead Jameson Chesser. “People keep asking ‘What’s the deal with all these redheaded kids you keep throwing at us?’”

“Sam’s got that same type of fire about him, where he just hates to lose,” Wilharms added. “It’s not the winning, it’s the idea of losing that drives him. That’s a nice problem to have.”

Lutz headlines the All-State eight-player team that also features Lenawee defensive lineman Easton Boggs, offensive lineman Tyler Salenbien and linebacker Paul Towler.

They powered the Cougars to a third state championship in four seasons, which only left their team leader lamenting about the one that got away.

Lutz had his team in contention for the 2022 title when he suffered a dislocated shoulder that stunted Lenawee’s season. The student with a 4.15 GPA committed to his rehabilitation, spending a lot of time at the 3 Dimensional Physical Therapy center adjacent to the school and coming back even stronger.

“That injury really motivated him,” Wilharms said. “He really wanted to get that shoulder back and he acted way beyond his age while staying in recovery mode and strengthening mode. He did everything he needed to do. We knew he’d be back.”

Lutz returned with a vengeance, unleashing a high-speed, high-energy attack in every game as No. 1-ranked Lenawee scored 40 or more points in 12 straight games. The 5-foot-7, 165-pound sparkplug finished 116 of 163 passing for 2,003 yards and 32 touchdowns while throwing just two interceptions. He also rushed for 1,019 yards and 29 touchdowns on 121 carries.

For good measure, the defensive back recorded 52 tackles, two fumble recoveries and six interceptions — two he returned for touchdowns.

But it was his leadership and competitive spunk that was on full display while leading the Cougars to a 36-18 victory over Marion in the Division 2 state final. He was virtually flawless while completing 20 of 23 passes for 350 yards and three touchdowns, rushing for two more scores and registering 10 tackles on defense.

Inland Lakes was the only other team with more than one first-team All-State selection, landing quarterback Aiden Fenstermaker and wide receiver Jacob Willey on the honor squad. Running backs Matthew Rahilly of Newberry and Dylan Ball of Deckerville and wide receiver Mekhi Wingfield of Concord round out the skill positions.

The offensive line features Climax-Scotts Josh Walman and Powers North Central’s Max Nason while the defensive line includes Grand Rapids NorthPointe’s Alex Pranger and Merrill’s Grant Vedrode. Bridgman’s Nolan Staniszewski is at linebacker with Norway’s Ian Popp and Au Gres’ Cole Pendred as All-State defensive backs.

Pickford’s Tommy Storey and Gobles’ Eli DeYoung are All-State as athletes while Portland St. Patrick’s Tyler Groothuis is the team’s kicker and Wyoming Tri-Unity’s Vergel Heath is the punter.