Clare’s Warner makes first-team Div. 5-6 All-state
It was no secret that Grand Rapids Catholic Central senior Nolan Ziegler was one of Michigan’s top players heading into the 2021 high school football season.
Ziegler, a standout strong safety and linebacker, had already committed to Notre Dame even before his junior season began.
What might have surprised everyone outside of the Catholic Central community was just how talented an athlete the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Ziegler is on the field.
The Cougars, who won their third consecutive state championship this fall, graduated standout receiver Jace Williams after last year’s title. Catholic Central was then forced to move wide receiver John Passinault to quarterback after two-time state champion Joey Silveri suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4. Ziegler suddenly found himself as Catholic Central’s go-to receiver after catching just four passes his previous two years combined.
Ziegler finished the season with 67 catches for 1,343 yards and 25 touchdowns.
His efforts on both sides of the ball have earned him Michigan Associated Press Division 5-6 Player of the Year.
“They are certainly eye-popping statistics, but it did not surprise us, and it did not surprise his teammates and coaches,” Catholic Central coach Todd Kolster said. “But for other people
who didn’t know what he was about might think he was just some linebacker going to Notre Dame.
“He is just a great athlete. I think that’s the difference. People ask what’s the difference between a player going to Notre Dame and someone who is going to a smaller school. The difference is those guys are at a certain level, and he certainly is.”
Ziegler continued to spearhead a defense that allowed a combined 19 points in its five postseason victories, including a 31-7 win over Marine City in the Division 5 state title game at Ford Field. Ziegler, who is a Butkus Award finalist, had 13 tackles in the game. He had 105 for the season and seven sacks plus a pick-6.
“It’s great to be recognized because it shows the hard work that I’ve put in over the years,” Ziegler said about earning Michigan AP Player of the Year. “It definitely means a lot.”
Catholic Central has won five state titles in the past six years. The Cougars also have the state’s longest winning streak. Their victory over Marine City was their 37th consecutive win.
Kolster said Ziegler’s influence will have a positive impact for years to come.
“I’ve said it a lot, but he is just a special guy just in terms of his work ethic and commitment to the team and his teammates,” Kolster said. “He has developed a really great rapport not only with his senior teammates, but the young guys. He is great with our young guys coming in. He is very helpful with the freshmen and sophomores and juniors. He understands all the expectations of being part of something great. He has been able to stay humble, and that’s a tough thing. You are a sophomore, and you get as much attention as he has received.
Ziegler was joined on the Division 5-6 All-state first team by Passinault and junior lineman Nate Vantimmeren.
Clare’s A.J. Warner is one of two first-team specialists.
FIRST TEAM
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Nolan Ziegler, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Sr.
QUARTERBACKS
John Passinault, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Sr.
Joey Baker, Lansing Catholic, Sr. RUNNING BACKS
Owen Sampson, Ida, Sr.
Tim Kloska, Grand Rapids West Catholic, Jr.
David Millikin, Grayling, Sr.
Cole Lindow, Frankenmuth, Sr. WIDE RECEIVERS
Alex Watters, Lansing Catholic, Sr. Nolan Ziegler, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Sr.
Curtis Knapp, Jonesville, Sr.
Zach Person, Kingsford, Sr. LINEMEN
Hunter Potier, Gladstone, Sr.
Alex Vansumeren, Essexville Garber, Sr.
Nathan Vantimmeren, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Jr.
Brandon Felts, Clinton, Jr. Bo Poljan, Lansing Catholic, Sr. Ashton Benkert, Frankenmuth, Sr. Lenny Bjorn, Calumet, Sr.
Camren May, Detroit Southeastern, Sr.
LINEBACKERS
Mason Knippen, Lansing Catholic, Sr.
Maddox Woods, Shepherd, Jr. Terrence Hayes, Detroit Southeastern, Jr.
Brett Peterson, Kingsley, Sr. DEFENSIVE BACKS
Ethan Patrick, Portland, Sr.
Kaydin Hiland, Michigan Center, Sr. Seth Jackson, Reed City, Jr. Charles Tigert, Marine City, Sr. SPECIALISTS
AJ Warner, Clare, Sr.
DJ Voltz, Carollton, Sr.
KICKER
Diego Przeslakowski, Kingsford, Sr. COACH
Jim Baker, Lansing Catholic
SECOND-TEAM
QUARTERBACK
Cowen Keller, Jonesville, Jr. RUNNING BACKS
Aidan Bellisle, Menominee, Sr.; Zach Tetler, Marine City, Jr.; Bobby Hoth, Boyne City, Sr.; Dryden Nelson, Calumet, Sr.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Jeremy Pilch, Stockbridge, Sr.; Tre’von Redding, Warren Michigan Collegiate, Sr.
LINEMEN
Lavonte Sims-brown, Mt. Morris, Sr.; Kyle Kloska, Grand Rapids West Catholic, Sr.; Garrett Domack, Jonesville, Sr.; Reis Phillips, Portland, Sr.; Heston Wiggs, Constantine, Sr.; Evan Sampson, Durand, Jr.; Drew Priddy, Olivet,
Jr.; Kadyn Lachappelle, Millington, Sr.; Brandon Devries, Kalamazoo United, Sr.; Nate Rivard, Midland Bullock Creek, Jr.; Logan Heath, Michigan Center, Sr.; Boyd Chambers, Midland Bullock Creek, Sr.; Caden Vansickle, Manistee, Jr. LINEBACKERS
Jack Klafeta, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Sr.; Zach Painter, Williamston, Sr.; Alan Bjorn, Calumet, So.; Jacob Bush, Boyne City, Sr. DEFENSIVE BACKS
Kaden Mcdonald, Gladwin, Jr.;
Cole Jankowski, Frankenmuth,
Sr.; Laszlo Arpin, Flint Powers Catholic, Sr.; Tendaji Alexander, Clawson, Sr.
SPECIALISTS
Phil Nelson, Negaunee, Jr.; Kaden Jewett, Boyne City, Sr.
KICKER
Alex Cordone, Clawson, Sr. COACHES
Marc Jarstfer, Gladwin; Doug Samuels, Comstock Park; Marty Malcolm, Standish-sterling.
HONORABLE MENTION
QUARTERBACKS
Carson Irwin, Dundee; Clay Fowler, Olivet; Nick Wheeler, Gladwin; Carter Campau, Midland Bullock Creek; Jude Moeggenborg, Shepherd.
RUNNING BACKS
Desean Matthews, Detroit Southeastern; Corey Vanderputte, Muskegon Oakridge; Dylan Everett, Montague; Sam Goethals, Kingsley; True Beeman, Kingsley; Tyler Dewitt, Comstock Park; Laine Thibault, Standish-sterling; Logan Kokotovich, Gladwin; Peyton Brooks, Midland Bullock Creek.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Dylan Cragg, Grayling; Karon Allen, Detroit Southeastern; Ronin Russell-dixon, Grand Rapids Catholic Central; Dawson John, Clare; Logan Anthony, Essexville Garber; Parker Grzegorczyk, Midland Bullock Creek.
LINEMEN
Logan Horn, Hillsdale; Sparty Skillern, Grayling; Drew Morris, Portland; Michael Humphries, Napoleon; Brady Redmer, Grand Rapids Catholic Central; Chase Raymond, Standish-sterling; Jake Punches, Clare; Hayden Mcdonald, Montague; Ethan Jozsa, Muskegon Oakridge; Delano Townsend, Flint Hamady; Dylan Mcdonald, Durand; Beau Harriger, Maple City Glen Lake; Kaden Patterson, Kingsley; Connor Carmody, Clare; Lincoln Mckinnon, Gladwin.
LINEBACKERS
Bennett Vandenberg, Constantine; Owen Griffith, Constantine; Joey Mchugh, Boyne City; Jack Cook, Grand Rapids Catholic Central. DEFENSIVE BACKS
Joey Mahaney, Williamston; Drew Kaeckmeister, Saginaw Swan Valley; Luke Matusik, Millington; Cos Davis, Birch Run.
SPECIALISTS
Brady Jacobs, Grant; Jaden Herrick, Corunna.
KICKERS
Andrew Kooi, Montague; Blaise Millar, Essexville Garber.
PUNTERS
Jack Neer, Boyne City; Denny Belmonte, North Muskegon.
COACHES
Scott Shankel, Reed City; Todd Kolster, Grand Rapids Catholic Central; Phil Martin, Frankenmuth.