We welcome Essa Kellah from Prep Redzone to break down the players to watch heading into the 2026 season.

We spend time talking about the Class of 2027, including many of the top players in West Michigan, we also look ahead to some of the rising talent in the 2028 and 2029 classes.

Plus, we discuss some of the top talent from around the state and take a look at the teams that could make some noise in West Michigan and across Michigan this Fall.

If you want to know who the next big names in Michigan high school football might be, this is the episode for you.

0:00 Announcing what the season will look like on Local Legends

2:15 Playing at Godwin Heights

12:45 College playing days

17:00 Getting the job at Prep Redzone

20:15 Playmakers Association

21:30 Great Lakes Sports Card & TCG Show

23:15 East vs. West

26:30 Donald Tabron II commits to Texas A&M

29:15 Grading the class of 2027 in Michigan

33:15 Grant Adloff, East Grand Rapids - Michigan State

35:20 Caleb Pugh, Grand Rapids Christian - Indiana

37:55 Dewey Young, Kalamazoo Central - Colorado

38:50 Hunter Hankamp, Coopersville - Central Michigan

39:45 GVSU, Ferris State, Northwood

42:00 Recarder Kitchen, Muskegon - Michigan

44:21 Great Lakes Sports Card & TCG Show

46:07 Lundon Hampton, Kenowa Hills - Michigan

48:48 Elliott Neff, Thornapple Kellogg - Kansas

50:39 East Kentwood secondary

53:15 Cam Payne, Byron Center - uncommitted

54:50 Bryce Backus, Caledonia - uncommitted

57:03 DJ Hardiman, Grandville

58:22 Isziah Walker & Julius Hoskins, Godwin Heights

1:00:35 Trey Snip, Hudsonville '28

1:01:55 Martellis Forest, Godwin Heights '28

1:03:15 Jonah Hamp, Hastings '28

1:04:25 Odin Spencer, GR Catholic Central '28

1:06:25 Will Smith, West Catholic '29

1:08:25 Bryce Jackson, River Rouge '29

1:09:15 Stephon Hendrix Jr., Davison '29

1:10:55 Godwin Heights 2026

1:16:00 Best teams in the state

1:19:40 Sleeper teams

1:23:09 Prep Redzone

1:24:28 Next week preview

From just one win in 2 seasons at Montague to three State Championships as a head coach, Pat Collins has experienced just about everything high school football can offer.On the latest episode of Local Legends, West Ottawa head coach Pat Collins takes us through his remarkable football journey.Collins grew up in Montague loving the game, eventually quarterbacking the Wildcats to the State Championship game as a senior. After playing at Hope College and beginning his coaching career at Spring Lake, West Ottawa and Reeths-Puffer, he returned to his alma mater as head coach.What followed was one of the most successful runs in West Michigan high school football.Collins led Montague to back-to-back State Championships in 2008 and 2009, with star quarterback Cody Kater leading the way. We talk about the incredible battles with Oakridge and Ravenna in the West Michigan Conference, and the remarkable 2008 season when four Muskegon County schools won State Championships.We also discuss navigating the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when Collins led Montague to another State Championship — this time with his son, Drew, at quarterback.Eventually, Collins made the difficult decision to leave his hometown program and take over at West Ottawa, a Division 1 program and his wife's alma mater. He discusses helping the Panthers reach the playoffs in 2023 and the challenge of building West Ottawa into a consistent winner.And we look ahead to the 2026 season and what Collins expects from the Panthers.

Unity Christian head football coach Craig Tibbe joins Local Legends to tell the remarkable story of one of Michigan's most successful high school football programs. Coach Tibbe reflects on playing for and later coaching with legendary South Christian coach Bob Blacquiere. He shares how Unity Christian launched its football program in 2003 and eventually transformed into one of the state's premier programs.

The conversation revisits Unity Christian's three trips to the MHSAA State Finals, including the unforgettable 2018 State Championship team led by quarterback Isaac TeSlaa, who now plays wide receiver for the Detroit Lions.

Tibbe also looks back at the record-setting 2021 offense that scored more points than any team in Michigan history and the heartbreaking 55-52 State Finals loss after surrendering a 28-point second-half lead. Finally, we preview the 2026 season as Unity Christian looks to replace 18 starters from last year's State Finals team, opening the new campaign with a rematch against Divine Child.

0:00 Recapping the summer6:00 Playing and coaching at South Christian15:00 Starting the football program at Unity26:00 Getting close in 200830:20 Isaac TeSlaa and the 2018 title39:30 2021 records and heartbreak47:30 2025 run to Ford Field53:00 2026 Preview

Forest Hills Northern head football coach Eddie Ostipow joins Local Legends to reflect on a coaching career that has spanned more than three decades and several successful stops across Michigan.Ostipow shares stories from his journey through Owosso, Jenison, Charlotte, East Kentwood, Forest Hills Eastern, Greenville, and now Forest Hills Northern. Along the way, he discusses the mentors and players who shaped his career, including current Ole Miss starting quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.The conversation also turns to family, as Eddie talks about coaching his son, Owen Ostipow, who enters his third season as Forest Hills Northern's starting quarterback this Fall before heading to Ferris State.Finally, Ostipow opens up about why this season will be his last as Forest Hills Northern's head coach as he prepares to retire from teaching. While this chapter is coming to a close, he also shares why coaching may not be completely out of his future.

Grandville High School Head Varsity Football Coach Eric Stiegel joins the Local Legends Podcast to discuss one of West Michigan's most consistent football programs.

Now entering his 13th season leading the Bulldogs, Stiegel has guided Grandville to the MHSAA Playoffs in 11 of his 12 seasons, compiling a 77-39 record while staying committed to the Tight T offense that has become a trademark of his program.

In this episode, Coach Stiegel shares:

Why he has continued to believe in the Tight T offense at one of Michigan's larger high schools.

The lasting influence of legendary coach John Shillito and the mentorship that helped shape his coaching career.

The emotional roller coaster of last season including the heartbreaking overtime loss to Cass Tech and the injury to standout Tank Terry.

Why he believes Grandville is ready to replace a large group of graduating starters.

What makes the OK Red one of the toughest football conferences in Michigan.

#LocalLegendsPodcast #GrandvilleFootball #MichiganHighSchoolFootball #OKRed #EricStiegel #HighSchoolFootball #FootballPodcast #MHSAA

Muskegon is the winningest high school football program in Michigan history, and head coach Shane Fairfield has added plenty to that legacy. As the winningest coach in Muskegon history, Fairfield joins the Local Legends Podcast to discuss his journey from assistant coach to leading one of the state's premier programs.

Coach Fairfield reflects on winning State Championships in 2017 and 2023, the lessons he's learned throughout his career, and what he expects from the Big Reds heading into the upcoming season.

If you're a Michigan high school football fan, this is an inside look at one of the state's most successful programs from the coach who continues to lead it.

#MichiganHighSchoolFootball #Muskegon #LocalLegendsPodcast #MHSAA #HighSchoolFootball #BigReds #FootballPodcast #MichiganFootball

For 33 seasons, Jeff Smith built one of the premier football programs in Michigan.On this episode of the Local Legends Podcast, Jason Hutton and Ryan Oshnock sit down with the legendary former East Lansing head football coach to look back on a remarkable career that included a 293-93 record, the 1991 Class A State Championship, and generations of outstanding players and coaches.Coach Smith shares stories about his extraordinary coaching staff that helped shape East Lansing's success, coaching Notre Dame and NFL running back Randy Kinder, lessons learned from more than three decades on the sidelines, and the people and moments that defined his coaching legacy.If you love Michigan high school football history, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Known throughout the state as the "Son of Swami," Mick spent 55 years at the Detroit Free Press, covering thousands of games, athletes, coaches, and unforgettable moments. Along the way, he became one of the most trusted and respected voices in Michigan sports journalism.On this episode of Local Legends, Mick joins Jason Hutton and Ryan Oshnock to share stories from his incredible career, discuss the evolution of high school sports in Michigan, revisit some of his favorite memories, and reflect on the people and moments that shaped generations of athletes.If you love Michigan high school sports, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Coach Herrington was the only head varsity football coach at Farmington Hills Harrison (1970-2018), leading the Hawks to 13 state championships.Coach talks to Jason and Osh about the great players he coached, how he turned the program into a juggernaut, why he is still coaching, and more.

Pewamo-Westphalia head football coach Jeremy Miller joined Jason and Osh to talk about winning state championships, what makes people want to stay at P-W, a strong community bond, and much more.