Joe Droppers

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.

Droppers, who was All-MIAA in 2013 and 2012, joins his brother Josh as a three-time, first-team offensive lineman. Josh Droppers was All-MIAA from 2009-2011. Their brother, Jacob, made the first team in 2006-07.

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.

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).

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. Crook tied for first in the MIAA with four interceptions in six league games. Gerger tied for the MIAA lead with 8.5 sacks during league play.

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.

Senior kicker Aaron Mick of Clinton Township, Michigan (Sterling Heights Parkway Christian HS), was an All-MIAA Second Team selection. 

The Flying Dutchmen finished the season with a 6-4 record, including a 3-3 mark in MIAA play.