Kyle Knapp - 2012 OL

Their are many good football teams on the west side of Michigan.  You often think of teams like Muskegon, Rockford, East Grand Rapids, Lowell, etc.  In the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference resides Portage Central who has played nothing but consistent football since the 70's.  Since 1976, Portage Central has only had four losing seasons: 2005, 2003, 1985 and 1979.  The Mustangs only have one state final appearance to show for their consistency.  In 2010 Portage Central beat Portage Northern for the second time during the season, the final game eliminated Portage Northern from the postseason but the Mustangs would fall to Lowell in week 11.   2011 will be another good year for the Mustangs, with a solid offensive line headlined by a top 2012 prospect, Kyle Knapp.


While Kyle Knapp has been at Portage Central he has experienced a lot more wins than losses, 27-6.  Knapp describes why the Mustangs have been able to achieve a winning tradition, "We've been able to have good athletes for many years and our coaching staff knows how to teach winning football."  During the 2010 season, Portage Central finished with a 9-2 record, racking up 421 points.  Knapp shared why the offense was able to move the ball so well, "The reason we were able to have a lot of success on offense was because our offensive line and back field have been able to communicate well."

A player like Knapp is always looking to get better and improve his skills.  Knapp, talks about his improvements throughout the 2010 season, "Before the 2010 season, I was a little out of shape and not very strong. I worked the entire off season and leaned out quite a bit and improved all my weight room numbers."  Knapp also talked about what he is doing now to prepare for the upcoming, 2011 season, "I am still focusing on getting stronger and trying to gain good weight. I lift every day that I can and have changed my diet so I'm eating more of the right foods." 


The Mustangs will have several tough opponents during the 2011 season but Knapp feels their biggest game is against their heated rivals, "We have to beat Portage Northern again this year. It is always a must win game and we have to keep our streak going."  The streak right now stands at 6 wins, the last Portage Northern win was 2006, 28-13.  The offensive line, Knapp feels will work really well together in 2011, "The offensive line will be solid this year. We all get along well and we are working hard to improve this off season."


During the last few weeks or so, Knapp's name has been hot in the media.  He has pulled in numerous offers and some are still coming.  Knapp reflects on what the scholarship offer's mean to him, "It has been a very fun experience. I feel like schools like my work ethic and my aggressiveness on the field. It is really cool to see my hard work paying off with these offers."

Kyle Knapp has already received offers from: Ball State, Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Florida International, South Alabama, Western Michigan and Toledo.  Knapp has one offer that stands above the rest as of now, "Right now Cincinnati is a stand out for me, but I am still very interested in many of the MAC schools and FIU."  Although the Bearcats may be Knapp's leader as of now, he is still hopeful for more offers from schools, "I would like to get a couple Big 10 offers, and I have really liked the conference since I was a little kid."


Knapp is not sure when he will make his decision, "I would like to wait until half way through the season to see how the teams are looking. I understand this may not be possible."  The Portage Central offensive lineman closed with his thoughts on the recruiting process, "This recruiting process has been very fun and I feel very blessed!"

Click here to view Portage Central's 2011 schedule.
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