The West Michigan Ironmen moved to the CIF from the IFL for the 2017 season. The team went 4-8, winning three of four at one point. The team was quarterbacked by Alex Carder, who threw for 1,845 yards, 30 scores and 12 interceptions. Donovan Campbell caught 55 passes for 622 yards and eight touchdowns. Cory Johnson hauled in 46 passes for 558 yards and eleven scores. Korey Ringer blasted through defenses on the ground, scoring 31 times and racking up 669 yards. Despite scoring 42 times on the ground, the Ironmen defense also gave up 41 rushing scores. Six of the team's losses came by seven points or less, as well, as West Michigan was nearly a powerhouse in year one. Three losses came to title game runner-up Omaha by two, three, and three points each.