Seven Hope College football players have received All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association First Team Honors for the 2014 season, including three-time honorees Dean DeVries and Joe Droppers.
The Flying Dutchmen also had one second-team selection.
Achieving All-MIAA football honors is a tradition for one Hope family. Current All-MIAA honoree Joe Droppers (2012-14) is the fifth member of his family to achieve the honor. He joined his grandfather Don "Doc" Van Hoeven (1955), his father Kurt (1978), his brother Jacob (2006-07), and his brother Josh (2009-11) as first team all-league players. And all of them have been offensive linemen.
"Joe was named 1st Team All-MIAA for the third consecutive year, which is quite a feat in itself," Hope coach Dean Kreps said.
DeVries claimed All-MIAA First Team honors at punter. The junior from Grandville, Michigan (Grandville HS), topped the MIAA in punting with a 42.5 yard average in six league games, including a long of 69 yards.
"His 42.7 yards per punt average (for all games) broke the all-time, Hope College single-season record," Kreps said. "He was as consistent as any player on our team.
Wide receiver Taylor Brynaert joined Droppers on the All-MIAA First Team Offense. It is the first All-MIAA honor for the senior from Washington, Michigan (Romeo HS).
"I hate to see Taylor go. He finished fourth in the league in receptions and receiving yards," Kreps said. "The thing I will remember about Taylor is that when we needed a big catch, he made it. Just a great competitor."
Three seniors from Hope's defense made first team: defensive back Kirby Crook of Beech Grove, Indiana (Beech Grove HS), defensive lineman Stephen Gerger of Laingsburg, Michigan (Laingsburg HS), and linebacker Cody Lindemulder of Mulliken, Michigan (Lakewood HS).
It is Lindemulder's second consecutive All-MIAA recognition and the first for Crook and Gerger.
Lindemulder led the MIAA with 13.3 tackles per game in six league games.
"Cody has been a consistent performer for us for four years," Kreps said. "He has great range and can run. Not only was he a great linebacker, but has handled all of our long snapping."
Crook tied for first in the MIAA with four interceptions in six league games.
"Kirby finally got his due as a first team all-conference player," Kreps said. "He is a great cover corner who played much bigger than he is. He made a run at the single season interception record and the career interception record."
Gerger tied for the MIAA lead with 8.5 sacks during league play.
"Stephen had a great year for us putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks," Kreps said. "He was tied for first in the league with 11 sacks in all games on the year."
The Flying Dutchmen also landed first-team recognition in special teams for senior return specialist Brandon Zervas of Spring Lake, Michigan (Spring Lake HS). It is his first All-MIAA honor.
"Brandon is so deserving of being named First Team All-MIAA return specialist," Kreps said. "Our kickoff return team finished seventh in the nation. and Brandon had a return average of 27 yards per return. Outstanding!"
Senior kicker Aaron Mick of Clinton Township, Michigan (Sterling Heights Parkway Christian HS), was an All-MIAA Second Team selection.
"Aaron tied for first place in points scored by a kicker in the MIAA this season with 66," Kreps said "He also broke the single season record for FG's by kicking 13 this season while also performing all of the kickoff duties."
The Flying Dutchmen finished the season with a 6-4 record, including a 3-3 mark in MIAA play.
