Logan Crandall
Meet starting left tackle Logan Crandall. A 2006 graduate of Cedar Springs High School, Logan has always stood out on the football field. After playing high school ball and wrestling at Cedar Springs, Logan went on to coach for Cedar Springs, as well as play in the semi-pro ranks with the Lakeshore Cougars since 2008. He is currently the offensive line coach for Holland West Ottawa High School.
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Off the field, Logan is currently an engineer. He enjoys working out, playing basketball, and hanging out with his dog, Bo. His biggest idols are his parents, as well as every football coach he played for in Cedar. “Oh yeah, also new Hawks QB Manny Hodges,” said Crandall. “That guy is going to set this league on fire and is too cool!”
“The day after the Cougars season ended in the playoffs last year, Hawks owner/head coach David Lange reached out to me and said he was going to do everything he could to bring me home to the Hawks,” said Crandall, when asked why he chose to become a member of the West Michigan Hawks. “After that, I set out to recruit a handful of talented former teammates and bring them to the already formidable team in place. Coach Kapolka has done a fantastic job building the high school team into a powerhouse and I wanted to help bring another exciting football product to Cedar Springs. It’s an opportunity for former high school players to continue their football careers and help build excitement about football in the community! I couldn’t be happier about my decision to come home and play for the Hawks!”
Lange had nothing but great things to say about Logan, as well. “Logan was not only a guy that we wanted, but a guy that we needed. A Cedar Springs product, and a good one. Why wouldn’t we want him? He’s big, he’s fast, and he knows how to create holes for our running backs. Logan is a great athlete, a true leader, and someone the line can look to. He has great speed for his size and I think he will be a tremendous addition to the line.”
JaVon Welch
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Meet West Michigan Hawks linebacker JaVon Welch. A versatile athlete, Welch played numerous sports in high school, including basketball, football, track and field, swimming, and bowling. After high school at Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills, Welch went on to play college football at Valparaiso University. Upon the conclusion of his time at Valparaiso, he jumped on the opportunity to join the semi-pro ranks.
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After playing with the Lakeshore Cougars last season, a season in which he was voted into the All-Star game and named as the All-Star Game MVP, he decided to make his way over to Cedar Springs to play with the Hawks.
Welch, whose biggest idols are his father Kevin Welch and brothers Keyven Welch and Amir Harris-Welch, also has some coaching experience in semi-pro ranks. He spent a full season as a defensive coordinator.
When Welch isn’t on the field, he enjoys hunting and fishing with his father and brothers.
When asked why he wanted to come to Cedar Springs and be a member of the Hawks organization he said, “I played a tournament game with them, and I noticed what they did off the field. I was very impressed. I wanted in!”
Head coach/owner David Lange is glad that Welch is on his side, and not an opponent. “JaVon is a proven leader. He shows it time and time again. He is an outstanding linebacker, and is the kind of hitter that make running backs think twice before running to his side.”
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Jeremy Schreiber
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Meet West Michigan Hawks lineman Jeremy Schreiber. A 2008 graduate from Cedar Springs High School, Schreiber has played football since he was eight years old. He also threw shot put and discus on the track and field team from seventh grade until graduation, and coached rocket football all throughout high school.
Jeremy’s biggest role models are his mother Wendy Schreiber, and his uncle Travis Nichols. “My mom taught me to how to persevere when things aren’t going your way, and to make the best of what you have,” he said. “As for my uncle, he’s always been there for me, whether it was being in the chain gang of my first football game, or helping me catch my first fish.”
When he isn’t on the gridiron, Jeremy enjoys shooting, working on cars, and spending time with his kids.
“I had heard about the Hawks, but I didn’t really consider playing for the team until Coach Lange contacted me and asked me to come out to a practice,” said Schreiber. “After I got to see what the organization is all about, and the work I saw from the guys on the team, I figured it would be great to lace up the cleats and play again for my home town team.”
Head coach David Lange enjoys Jeremy’s work ethic, amongst many other things. “Jeremy is a very hard working football player. He is smart and consistent, especially with his play recognition. He is a very solid lineman who does very well fighting in the trenches.”
Meet the Hawks - 2016
Neil Gillett
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Meet West Michigan Hawks center Neil Gillett. A graduate from Kent City High School, Neil played football until his sophomore year of high school, then chose to wrestle. He ended up wrestling at Pima Community College in Arizona.
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Gillett’s biggest idols off the field are his mother and Jesus. His biggest sports idols are Larry Bird, Brett Favre, Kirk Gibson, and (golfer) Fred Couples.
Outside of football, Gillett can be found at church, doing volunteer work, golfing, or eating sushi.
“I love football, especially the team aspect,” he said when asked why he chose to be a Hawk. “Being part of a functioning organism is special. Nothing brings you closer to a group of guys faster than going out to fight with them. Being one of the older guys on the team, I think I realize how limited my time is still playing the game, so I really relish every moment I get practices, games, everything.”
Head coach/owner David Lange had great things to say about Gillett. “Neil is a guy that every coach would love to have. He is talented as a center, and he is uplifting for the team. Outside of football he is a big teddy bear. Put a helmet and some pads on and the man can do some serious damage up front! I love Neil as a player and as a person, and I think he will contribute a lot in to the success of this team.”
Brant Brooks Sr.
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Meet West Michigan Hawks running back Brant Brooks Sr. A 2006 graduate from Muskegon Heights High School, Brooks has always been a stand out on the football field. During his high school playing career, he earned All-Area honors at running back and corner back. After high school, he joined the semi-pro ranks. He has also played for two different arena league teams, and got a couple looks from college teams. He has played in three different championship games, but is still looking for his first championship ring.
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Outside of playing football, Brooks’s hobbies include spending time with his family, coaching football, and helping his son achieve his dreams in the game of football.
His biggest idol is his older brother David Sain, who recently passed away. “He has always inspired me, and I still look up to him,” said Brooks.
“I wanted to join the Hawks because I heard nothing but good things about them,” he said. “When I came to check them out, Coach Lange and the rest of the staff welcomed me with open arms and made me feel right at home, like this is where I’m supposed to be. I love this team and my teammates, and I’m honored to be a part of this movement. This is going to be a great year for the Hawks, and I’m proud to be able to say that I’m a part of it.”
“Brant is a very hard worker,” said head coach/owner David Lange. “He never stops moving his feet, and hits the holes with a lot of power. It’s no easy task to bring him down once he hits his stride. His tackle-breaking ability is top notch, as well. He brings an element to this team that we desperately needed, and we are very grateful that he is on our side.”
Robert Bell
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Meet West Michigan Hawks safety Robert Bell. A graduate from East Grand Rapids High School, Bell earned a scholarship to play collegiate football at the University of Toledo. He also played for Team USA in the World Junior Championships in 2009, when the team earned a gold medal. Bell took his talents to Europe to play professionally for two seasons after college.
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When not on the football field, Bell enjoys doing whatever comes to mind with his girl friend Amanda. Two-day vacations, golfing, and swimming are among their favorite activities.
Bell’s biggest idol is his mother, Dawn Wright. “She still works overtime at her career job and for the past seven years has picked up a second job just to keep herself busy,” said Bell. “She’s taught me positive ways to deal with adversity and I thank her everyday for being my mother and a great example of the way to be in life! Loving, caring, hardworking!”
Bell is ecstatic to be a part of the Hawks organization. “I’ve been a part of many different organizations, whether I’ve been paid, or paying to play, and I believe this organization is headed in the right direction,” he said. “The fact that Coach Lange implements playing for causes is the simple fact as to why I put my body on the line for this team. I want to be a Hawk for every reason that we are out helping the community and giving back to those who are in need of the awareness!”
Coach David Lange enjoys the experience that Bell brings to the table.
“Robert Bell is by far above and beyond one of the most humbling and easy people to be around,” he said. “His love for the game is second to none. His football background is enough to make any coach smile, playing college ball for the Toledo Rockets, then taking his talents over seas. This guy is good and is the kind of hitter that makes your jaw drop. His knowledge of football is at the top. He is definitely a great leader that I think a lot, if not all, can look up to.”
Charles Manny Hodges
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Meet West Michigan Hawks quarterback Charles “Manny” Hodges. A 2008 graduate from Creston High School, Hodges has experience in numerous different sports dating back to his high school days. Those sports include football, basketball, and track.
His biggest idols in life are his hard-working parents. When not on the football field, Hodges likes bowling and enjoying time with his kids.
“What made me want to be a West Michigan Hawk was the love and dedication of everyone that I tried out for this team with,” said Hodges.
Head coach David Lange is thrilled to have a competent signal caller on the team.
“Manny is a phenomenal quarterback, and a great leader. He is definitely a guy who can take charge, and is also quite a play caller,” said Lange. “It definitely takes quite a bit to get him rattled.”