#1 GLIAC NORTH
GRAND VALLEY STATE LAKERS (12-3 OVERALL, 7-2 GLIAC)

2014 Grand Valley State Preview (by Tony Nicolette, GLIAC Contributor)

While the goal of returning to the top of the GLIAC was not accomplished by Grand Valley State in 2013, the results were hardly disappointing.  Coach Matt Mitchell’s crew still managed to rack-up twelve victories in total and add the program’s eighth Regional Championship in the process.  That return to playoff form may well have caught the attention of the league and aided in garnering the Lakers the most first place votes in this year’s GLIAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

It’s hard to undersell the importance of experienced QB play, and Grand Valley believes they will have that this year in Heath Parling.  After leading the country in pass efficiency in 2011, the senior has battled injuries that have forced him to miss significant portions of the past two seasons.  If he can stay healthy, he’ll have most of his skill weapons back at his disposal.  While 1,200-yard receiver Brandan Green has moved on, TE Jamie Potts is back after leading the team in receptions last season.  Also back are GV’s top three ground gainers (Michael Ratay, Chris Robinson and Kirk Spencer) who combined to rush for more than 2,300 yards and catch 54 passes in 2013.  With most of the offensive line also slated to return, Grand Valley will retain nine starters from last year’s unit that finished in the top half of the league in most of the major statistical offensive categories.

Despite yielding 50 points twice last year, the Laker defensive unit still finished the season ranked third in the GLIAC in scoring defense yielding only 24.3 points per outing.  While three of the top five tacklers from last year have departed, the two of those five that remain will be key cogs for this year’s group.  Deonte’ Hurst (who tied for the team lead in tackles) will be the lynch-pin of the secondary that will try to lead the defense in replicating the 21 INT’s it registered a year ago.  Up front, Matt Mosely was a top-five tackler from his DE spot, including leading the team in tackles-for-loss.  If he and DT De’Ondre Hogan are able to continue their output from 2013, the defensive front could be a real strength for the Lakers.

Grand Valley will know a lot about its season right out of the chute as a trip to reigning GNAC Champ Azusa Pacific, a home opener against defending GLIAC Champ Ohio Dominican, and another roadie at arch-rival Ferris will pit the Lakers against three teams that combined to win 28 games in 2013…quite a rugged opening stretch.  In total, Grand Valley faces a rather daunting road slate as they’ll travel to take on four teams that won eight or more games last year, and five of the six teams on the road schedule posted a winning record a season ago.