North Muskegon football is smack in the middle of a golden stretch. The Norsemen head into 2025 riding one of the best runs in school history — two 12-win seasons in the last three years and a sparkling 32-5 record over that span.
Two years ago, they ripped off 12 straight wins before bowing out to Menominee in the Division 7 semis. Last fall, they proved it was no fluke, knocking off Menominee and marching right back to the semis before falling to Millington. Put it all together, and the Norse have won more than 86% of their games the past three seasons — that’s dynasty territory for a small-school program.
Now comes the big question: with a younger core stepping into the spotlight, can North Muskegon keep the golden era alive?
Coaching Staff
- HC/OC – Larry Witham
- DC – Bryan Rypstra
Key Returners
The Norsemen bring back five offensive starters and four on defense, led by names that made plenty of noise a year ago:
QB Bryce Colbert
RB Cullen Bartos
RB Hunter Wilder
OL PJ Wymer
OL Brennen Slayton
DB Jourdan Ealom-Yff
DL Clint Villalpando
QB Bryce Colbert is the engine. He was surgical last fall, completing 133 of 204 passes (65.2%) for 2,213 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just two picks. Efficiency like that makes him one of the most dangerous arms in West Michigan.
And he’s got plenty of help. The backfield duo of Cullen Bartos and Hunter Wilder is about as nasty as it gets — 1,171 yards and 23 touchdowns on only 161 carries, a ridiculous 7.2 yards per pop. Bartos adds value everywhere, hauling in 208 receiving yards on top of 79 tackles and two interceptions as an All-State DB. Wilder brings size, speed, and a growing role as a receiver, making him a threat from anywhere on the field.
Up front, PJ Wymer and Brennen Slayton return to give this offense a sturdy foundation. Put it all together, and North Muskegon has the firepower to light up scoreboards again.
On defense, the Norse bring the same attitude that’s fueled this run — fast, physical, relentless. Last season, they gave up just 20 total points in their first three conference wins (Shelby 43-7, Hesperia 49-7, Hart 42-6). That standard doesn’t change in 2025. This group is built to swarm and smother.
Incoming Talent/Breakout Canidates
- Cullen Bartos (Jr.) – A true two-way weapon, All-State caliber in the secondary.
- Oliver Fricke (Jr.) – The new man in the middle, set to take over at linebacker.
- Jourdan Ealom-Yff (Sr.) – Quick, scrappy corner who plays with edge.
- Hunter Wilder (Sr.) – Physical presence, capable of flipping the field.
2025 Schedule
Aug 28. – Pewamo-Westphailia
Sep. 5 – Shelby
Sep. 12 – @ Mason County Central
Sep. 19 – Hesperia
Sep. 26 – @ Hart
Oct. 3 – Montague
Oct. 10 – @ Ravenna
Oct. 17 – Newaygo
Oct. 24 – @ Oakridge
The Norsemen jumped out to a 4-1 start in 2024, rolling through Shelby, Hesperia, and Hart with lopsided wins. With Colbert steering the offense and plenty of weapons around him, there’s every reason to believe they can repeat that hot start.
But the road back to November glory won’t be easy. North Muskegon opens with a measuring-stick game against perennial power Pewamo-Westphalia — a matchup that should say a lot about this younger group right out of the gate. From there, the early Rivers slate (Shelby, Hart, Mason County Central) sets up well, but the back half is where things get real.
Montague looms in early October, and rivalry games between the Cats and Norse are never short on fireworks. Then comes a late-season trip to Oakridge, which may be the toughest test of the year — the Eagles’ physical style has derailed plenty of teams before the playoffs. And you can never overlook Ravenna, especially on the road, where the Bulldogs have been known to play spoiler.
As for the goals? They haven’t changed. North Muskegon is chasing a fourth straight WMC Rivers title, looking to cement its grip on the division. A ninth consecutive playoff berth is also on the list — this time with the added push to lock up home-field advantage in October. And of course, the dream sits at Ford Field, playing on the final weekend of November. Just as important, though, is soaking it all in. As Witham put it: “Every moment is special when you play high school football.”
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