Wildcats the favorite of three-star Bell

East Grand Rapids (Mich.) athlete Robert Bell started off his senior season in fine fashion last Thursday, helping lead his team to a 49-14 win over Orchard Lake St. Mary's in what was a rematch of last year's Division 3 state title game that the Pioneers also won. The rematch was a highly anticipated affair, but Bell and his teammates slammed the door quickly by jumping out to a 34-0 lead in the first half.

"We caught a little clip where they guaranteed a win and guaranteed a 14-0 season and we knew right then that we've got to get our mind focused and that this is not just a first game," Bell commented. "We had to come out with all we had, commit no errors and have fun."

The 5-11, 225-pound Bell is a three-star prospect and the No. 16 player in the state of Michigan. He plays fullback on offense and middle linebacker on defense for the Pioneers. Thursday evening he carried the ball six times for 49 yards and caught a two-point conversion. He also paved the way for running back Joe Glendening's 133 yards from his fullback position. Defensively Bell registered three solo tackles.

"The d-line helped me out a lot and the offensive line did really good," Bell said. "I set up the play for Joe to get touchdowns and blocking in pass (protection), so I think I did really good."

Bell picked up his first offer of the recruiting process from Western Michigan and has been hearing a good deal from Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois and several other MAC programs.

"They're all showing about the same amount of interest," Bell said of the MAC programs. "The in-state schools are really great. The MAC Conference is fast-paced, 4-3 base defenses just like I like. Eastern has the major that I'm looking for (Sports Fitness Administration Management) and they show a lot of interest."

Bell took an unofficial visit to Northern Illinois two weeks ago and the MAC programs have certainly piqued his interest, but Bell's dream schools is Northwestern.

"Northwestern is like the ideal school. They are in downtown Chicago and the Big Ten is the conference I want to play in," Bell said. "I contacted them not too long ago and have been emailing back in forth with the coach. I am going to be calling them non-stop in the next couple weeks to see when I can come up for an official visit or a game."

Bell recently scored a 27 on the ACT and carries a 3.0 GPA in the classroom, so his academic scores should suffice for the Wildcats' enrollment requirements. From here on out, Bell knows he needs to keep producing on the field in order to pull in that Northwestern offer.

"They want to see my senior season," Bell said. "I had a break out season last year and they want to see if I can keep that going and keep my mindset. They want me to keep focused. I just have to keep my mind on straight and keep doing what I've been doing."

While Bell works for that Northwestern offer, he is not going to overlook the offer he does have from Western Michigan and the interest he has received from other MAC programs.

"Northwestern's really my top school, but I can't put all my eggs in one basket if they don't come through," Bell remarked.

Northwestern has expressed interest in using Bell as an inside linebacker. His offer from Western Michigan is also for inside linebacker while Eastern Michigan is the one school talking about possibly playing defensive end.