The Flying Dutchmen, led by senior co-captain Jeremiah Purnell (53) kick off their 111th season in 2021.
Football at a Glance
- Roster Size: 116
- Returners: 79, including 34 letterwinners
- Captains: Brady Eding, Jeremiah Purnell, Rylee Schultz, Joey Stark
- 2021 Fall MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll: Second Place
- 2020 Spring Record: Did not play
- 2019 Record: 9-2 overall, 7-0 in MIAA play
- 2019 Recap: The Flying Dutchmen clinched their 21st MIAA championship and the first league title in 12 years with an undefeated record against MIAA opponents. Hope advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first time in school history. The Flying Dutchmen, who lost in the first round to Wartburg College (Ohio), 41-3, matched the 1984 school record for wins in a single season.
- 2019 Postseason Honors: Center Zach Smith was awarded the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s top center in NCAA Division III and named an American Football Coaches Association All-American. Linebacker Mason Dekker was selected to the Associated Press NCAA Division III All-America Teams. Head coach Peter Stuursma was chosen as the AFCA’s Region 4 Coach of the Year in Division III. Dekker and quarterback Mason Opple headlined the All-MIAA teams as the defensive and offensive MVPs, respectively. They were joined on the All-MIAA teams by 12 teammates, including first-team selections in Smith, receiver Christian Bos, running back Kenyea Houston, offensive tackle Timothy Ivery, defensive tackle Jake Babb, safety Luke Beckhusen, and punter Austin Heeres. The second-team selections were: running back Connor Mellon, guard Noah de Velder, offensive tackle Brady Eding, and linebacker Jeremiah Purnell.
Right tackle Brady Eding (64) anchors the offensive line.
Coach’s Outlook
“I am as excited as I have ever been for a football season. I think it’s because I’m just excited for our players to experience a football game again. [The opener] is a culmination of a lot of energy and work by our guys.” — Head coach Peter Stuursma
Football Roster
The Flying Dutchmen’s roster of 116 players features 14 seniors, 32 juniors, 34 sophomores, and 36 freshmen.
Offense
“When you return a league player in Brady Eding, who is a potential preseason All-American, 6-foot-7 and 304 pounds, at right tackle, that's a pretty good start. The offensive line is where you have to start because the game is won up front. Our receiving corps is outstanding from top to bottom. We have experience in our H-backs and tight ends. We start with Kenyea Houston and Daniel Romano at running back; our tailback situation is outstanding. Joey Stark is going to start at quarterback on Friday. I wouldn’t be surprised if Chase Brown gets in there in certain situations. I feel good about our offense.” — Head coach Peter Stuursma
Defense
“Our linebacker corps, top to bottom, is as solid as we’ve ever had. You start with a four-year starter in Jeremiah Purnell. Adam Gill is his partner, and they make a great combination. Up front, Rylee Schultz is in the middle; he’s as strong as there is on our team. We’re going to play a lot of guys in that position because you need to keep guys fresh there. At the corner position, David Clark has had an outstanding career and is coming back for his fifth year. Ryan Young is very athletic and long. Our safety position, Adam VanderKooy, is as good as I've seen at that position in my time here. He hits, and he’s the brains behind our organization on defense. We have another returner in Brady, who’s experienced. We’ve got a lot of pieces in place, but you gotta do it.” — Head coach Peter Stuursma
Kenyea Houston (26) returns after rushing for 1,046 yards and 11 touchdowns during the 2019 season.
Key Returners
Brady Eding
Right tackle and co-captains Brady Eding (64) anchors the Flying Dutchmen’s offensive line. The fifth-year senior/business and classical studies major has started 21 games over the past two seasons. Eding (6-7, 304) earned All-MIAA Second Team honors in 2019. He was voted to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District Football Team for the 2020-21 school year.
Kenyea Houston
Running back Kenyea Houston (26) is Hope’s leading returning ground gainer. The senior and mechanical engineering major ran for 1,046 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2019 en route to receiving All-MIAA First Team honors.
Jeremiah Purnell
Linebacker and co-captain Jeremiah Purnell (53) is Hope’s top returning tackler and key signal-caller for the defense. The senior psychology major totaled 47 tackles during the 2019 season, including seven tackles for loss.
Rylee Schultz
Defensive lineman and co-captain Rylee Schultz (45) will be a key part of the Flying Dutchmen’s effort to stop opponents. The fifth-year senior and business major made 27 tackles during the 2019 season, including one sack.
Football Schedule
The Flying Dutchmen kick off the season on Friday, Sept. 3 with a 6 p.m. home game against Anderson University (Indiana) at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium. The first of six home games this season is part of Community Appreciation Night, presented by Old National Bank.
On Saturday, Sept. 25, Hope will host the University of Northwestern (Minnesota) for the college’s annual Purple Community Game to benefit Van Andel Institute’s cancer and neurodegenerative disease research and science education efforts.
The MIAA season kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 2 against Kalamazoo College at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium. The Flying Dutchmen will host Adrian College on Saturday, Oct. 23 for the college’s One Big Weekend celebration with alumni.
Hope’s Senior Day is Saturday, Nov. 6 against Albion College at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium.
The 2021 Hope Football co-captains: Brady Eding (64), Joey Stark (10), Jeremiah Purnell (53), and Rylee Schultz (45)
Coaching Staff
This is the sixth season for Hope under the direction of head coach Peter Stuursma '93. During his tenure, he has led the Flying Dutchmen to a 32-9 overall record, including a 23-3 mark against MIAA opponents. Hope has finished second or higher in the MIAA standings in each Stuursma-led season. As a player, Stuursma served as co-captain for the Hope College football team during his senior season. He was a running back and special teams player. Stuursma received the team’s Allan C. Kinney Award after the 1992 season despite playing in only three games due to an injury.
This year’s coaching staff includes defensive coordinator Mike Ricketts, offensive coordinator Andrew Hawken, linebackers coach James Ross III, receivers and special teams coach Mike Lapciuk, quarterbacks coach Jim Caserta, cornerbacks coach Dave Gkekas, defensive line coach Ted Manning, running backs coach Dave Lidgard '85, offensive line coach Hunter Thompson, assistant offensive line coach Jake VanderVeen '17, and assistant defensive line coach Zach Telfor '19.
By The Numbers
- 0 — Number of interceptions thrown by Hope quarterbacks during the 2019 season.
- 111 — Seasons the Flying Dutchmen have played football, including 2021.
- 463 — Points scored by Hope during the 2019 season, the most in school history.
- 471 — All-time wins for the Flying Dutchmen in 874 games (471-365-38).
- 651 — Days between Hope Football games from the end of the 2019 season to the start of the 2021 season.
- 2,954 — Rushing yards for the Flying Dutchmen in 2019, a school record.
Quarterback Joey Stark (10) is starting the 2021 season opener vs. Anderson (Ind.).
Home Field Advantage
Ray and Sue Smith Stadium
Ray and Sue Smith Stadium is a 5,322-seat facility that has been Hope Football’s home since 1979. Formerly known as Holland Municipal Stadium, the facility was purchased by the college from the City of Holland in 2012. A Pro Turf playing surface was added in 2012. The $3.3 million Jim Heeringa Athletic Center locker-room building was added in the north end zone at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium in 2021.
Jim Heeringa Athletic Center
The 10,000-square-foot Jim Heeringa Athletic Center opened in August 2021 when fall camp started. It is located in the north end zone at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium. There are 125 lockers that are used by the football, baseball, and softball teams during the school year; an athletic training/rehabilitation room, player position meeting rooms for teaching and film review with state of the art technology and enhancements; a refueling station for post-practice, laundry and equipment rooms, and equipment storage. In the main hallway, historical moments and notable performances for the football, baseball, and softball programs are displayed to honor tradition and excellence.
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Credits:
Lynne Powe, Steve Herppich, Alan Babbitt