Nolan Ziegler named Michigan AP D5-6 Football Player of the Year

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan.

Entity was nay secret who Nolan Ziegler, some Catholic senior with Grand Rapids Catholic Central, was individual belonging to Michigan’s best players heading interior the 2021 elevated school football season.

Ziegler, an outstanding defenseman along with linebacker, had already signed aloft for Notre-Dame still preceding each start belonging to his junior season.

Whatever might own surprised everyone outside out of each Central Catholic community is how talented Ziegler, 6-4, 205 pounds, is on a pitch.

A Cougars, whoever won theirs third straight condition championship current fall, graduated via outstanding wide receiver Jace Williams subsequent to previous year’s title. Catholic Central was next forced in order to shift wide receiver John Passinault up to quarterback post- two-time Condition Champion Joey Silveri suffered some season-ending knee injury among Week 4. Ziegler’s is suddenly discover like Catholic Central’s preferred wide receiver following catching merely four assists his previous couple years combined.

Ziegler finished any season with 67 catches for 1,343 yards as well as 25 touchdowns.

His efforts on both sides out of each ball earned male certain Michigan Associated Squeeze Division’s 5-6 Player of certain Year.

“The ones mentioned are certainly mind-blowing statistics, nevertheless entity didn’t surprise all of us, along with something didn’t surprise his teammates plus coaches,” Catholic Central coach Todd Kolster stated. “However for another people whoever didn’t know whatsoever it was perhaps think man was exactly per linebacker going for Notre Dame.

“He’s only one excellent athlete. I reflect that’s certain difference. People question which any difference is among some player whoever goes up to Notre Dame also someone whom goes for a petite school. Certain difference is, above guys are on single certain level, along with male sure is.

Ziegler continued toward spearhead one defense such allowed one total made from 19 points in belonging to it five playoff victories, including some 31-7 victory finished Marine Municipality among certain Explain Title game. division 5 around Ford Field. Ziegler, which person is per Butkus Award finalist, built 13 tackles in certain game. He had 105 for each season plus seven sacks plus some pick-6.

“It’s big to remain recognized as entity shows a solid task I’ve done above each years,” Ziegler declared from the Michigan AP player out of a annual period. “Object certainly means a lot. “

Catholic Central owns won five explain titles inside certain past six years. Each Cougars as well own certain longest winning streak in a state. Of them victory over Marine City was of them 37th straight victory.

Kolster stated Ziegler’s influence desire have some positive impact for years toward appear.

“I’ve said it per lot, but he’s simply one special guy within terms made from task ethic as well as commitment in order to each team along with his teammates,” declared Kolster. “Man possesses developed a highly good relationship not at all merely with his senior teammates, nevertheless besides with each youngsters. He’s big with ours young guys coming on high. Entity is very useful with freshmen, sophomores along with juniors.

“Gentleman understands all each expectations made from being single part from something large. Man knew in which way up to remain humble, as well as whatever is single difficult thing. Y'all are one sophomore plus thou receive as far attention as something got also scholarship offers out of all on top of any nation-state. Up to stay hungry along with humble is merely per genuine honor for guy. Our group are fortunate in order to possess wonderful children as male within of us program.

Ziegler was joined on each earliest team made from a 5-6 All-State Division beside Passinault also junior lineman Nate VanTimmeren. Catholic Central senior linebacker Jack Klafeta was one second-team selection.

“Whatsoever I testament remember each bulk are each friends I constructed also how belonging to me friends plus coaches have helped I become certain best player I be able to exist,” Ziegler said.