Jonker Having Breakout Season

Hudsonville (MI) junior RB/SS Jordan Jonker is one of the state's most improved players. Dedicating himself to the weight room, this season's version of Jonker has been bigger, stronger and faster and it has shown as he has lead his team to the playoffs and racked up interest from colleges along the way.

The Hudsonville Eagles are 8-1, but that one has left a mark. The Muskegon Big Reds rolled into town earlier in the season and laid a 52-0 defeat down on the Eagles. Hudsonville's star junior RB Jordan Jonker remembers the turning points.

"We got off to a slow start, our quarterback threw a pass they called a fumble, then we fumbled the kickoff, our coaches took us out in the 3rd quarter cause they didn't want to show them any more."

A move with the thought in mind that the two teams would likely see each other again.

This Friday, they will, this time in Muskegon as the teams face each other again in the 2nd Round of the state playoffs. Jonker will be the key as the Big Reds gave up over 200 yards rushing last week in a narrow 38-35 win over Ottawa Hills.

Jonker, who has 1300 yards and 17 touchdowns on the season is ready for the challenge. He should be. He has been preparing for this all summer.

"I think I played at like 170 last year," he remembers, "and I'm around 190 right now."

It is his work ethic and athleticism that has various colleges recruiting him. He also had strong showings at several camps this past summer.

"I went to camps at Michigan, Notre Dame and Wisconsin," he said, "I've sent tape to them, Michigan State and Central Michigan."

Right now, Jonker says Notre Dame, Michigan State and Wisconsin are his three favorites and although he has put up impressive rushing stats this season, most teams would like to use his strength and closing speed elsewhere.

"They're mostly saying defense right now," he said of his recruitment, "I would play strong safety [in college], be a run stopper. On our team, I play outside linebacker, sometimes they move me down to defensive end and even nose guard sometimes."

With his team in the thick of a tight playoff race, Jonker has not had too much of a chance to take visits, but he has been to nearby East Lansing twice this season. The Spartans are also recruiting Hudsonville's other junior star QB Casey Blackport and it is possible the two could end up playing in the same place.

"Yeah, we visited Michigan State together," Jonker reported, "It would be nice to have someone I know with me."

There is plenty of time for the Blackport and Jonker to take visits, read all the letters and send out all their film. For right now, their focus is on the Big Reds and avenging that early season loss. After all, this is precisely why they've been running all those sprints and lifting all those weights.

"We will be ready."