A conference championship brings expectations, and the Ludington Orioles enter the 2026 football season with plenty of them.
After finishing 9-1 overall, winning the West Michigan Conference-Lakes title with a perfect 6-0 league record, and advancing to the Division 4 district semifinals last season, the Orioles will look to reload rather than rebuild under head coach Brent Gillett.
Replacing a senior class that helped define last year’s success won’t be easy, but Gillett believes this year’s group has the talent and work ethic to keep Ludington among the area’s best.
“We will be a young team, but a group of young guys that have had a ton of success at the lower levels,” Gillett said. “It’s a collection of kids that are really excited to show what they can do as a team.”
Youth Takes Center Stage
While the Orioles graduated several standout players, including stars Cam Gunsell and Walt Autrey, the cupboard is far from empty.
Leading the returning group is Taj Williams, a senior wide receiver and defensive back who earned First Team All-West Michigan Conference and First Team All-Region honors at wide receiver last season.
Joining him are senior linemen Blake Nelson and senior receiver/defensive back Brody Jones, along with junior quarterback Asher Forfinski, who saw varsity action over the past two seasons and now steps into the starting quarterback role.
The Orioles will rely on those veterans to guide one of the conference’s younger rosters.
Strength Starts Up Front
Ask Gillett where this year’s team is strongest, and the answer comes quickly.
“Our D-Line is the strength of our team right now,” he said. “We feel really good about that group. As a whole, we are as strong as a Ludington football team has been since I’ve been here.”
That physicality begins with an offseason commitment that the coaching staff emphasized from day one.
Coach Rich Kirby’s strength program has produced noticeable gains throughout the roster.
“The vast majority of our kids have bought in,” Gillett said. “It has shown in our strength gains, but I also get the feeling that we are closer as a team earlier in the year because most of them have lifted together all offseason.”
New Faces Ready to Contribute
Several underclassmen have impressed throughout the summer and are expected to play significant roles immediately.
Keep an eye on:
- Jayce Hodges, Sophomore — Jet Back/Defensive Back
- Maks Shimunek, Sophomore — Running Back/Linebacker
- Chase Gable, Junior — Offensive Line/Defensive Line
Gillett noted that all three have been among the team’s most dedicated offseason participants, rarely missing lifting or speed training sessions.
Leadership Will Determine the Ceiling
Talent isn’t Ludington’s biggest question entering the season.
Leadership is.
“I think our biggest challenge is replacing the leadership and experience from last year’s team,” Gillett said. “Our senior class from last year were the unquestioned leaders of our group.”
The coaching staff has spent the offseason challenging players to grow beyond football.
“We have challenged our kids to grow, not just as football players, but as humans and leaders in our program.”
Eyes on Another Conference Title
Despite the youth movement, Ludington isn’t lowering expectations.
The Orioles’ goal remains simple:
Repeat as West Michigan Conference champions.
Before conference play begins, however, they’ll face one of their toughest tests immediately.
“It’s hard for us to look past Week 1 against Coopersville,” Gillett said. “Last year, going to Coopersville and playing in that atmosphere was one of the most memorable games for a lot of us. We know they’re a good team and a good program.”
2026 Schedule
Ludington’s season begins with more than just a preseason tune-up. The Orioles open with an Aug. 20 scrimmage at Big Rapids, the same program that ended their 2025 season with a heartbreaking 32-31 loss in the Division 4 District Semifinals. While the result won’t count in the standings, it provides an early measuring stick and an opportunity to see how this year’s younger team stacks up against a familiar postseason opponent.
From there, Ludington opens the regular season with another tough test against Coopersville before entering West Michigan Conference play. Road trips to Fremont, Muskegon Oakridge, Whitehall, and Manistee, along with home conference games against Orchard View, Montague, and Hart, highlight a challenging schedule. If the Orioles can build confidence against Big Rapids and carry that momentum into the opener, it could set the tone for another conference championship run while showing just how far they’ve come since where last season ended.
Season Prediction
Ludington enters the season as the favorite to repeat in the West Michigan Conference-Lakes, but the margin is likely to be much smaller than a year ago.
The Orioles have proven skill players returning, a defensive line that could be among the area’s best, and one of the strongest offseason programs in the conference. The biggest unknown is replacing the production and leadership of last year’s senior class while breaking in a new starting quarterback.
The conference schedule won’t allow much room for error. Road trips to Fremont, Oakridge, Whitehall, and Manistee will all be challenging, while rivalry games against Montague and Whitehall always carry added intensity.
The season may ultimately be defined by the opener against Coopersville. A strong showing would give this young team confidence heading into conference play.
If Ludington’s offensive playmakers develop quickly and the new leaders emerge, another conference championship is well within reach.
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