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8/24/05-Football

Top Football Team
Brother Rice is primed for title run

By Tom Markowski / The Detroit News

1. BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE

(10-1, Class A)

BIRMINGHAM -- As Al Fracassa enters his 49th season as a head coach, the last 37 at Birmingham Brother Rice, no one knows for sure -- and many have speculated -- if this will be his last.

Fracassa, 72, has reiterated that as long as his health remains good, and he still has the passion to coach, he will continue to do so.

"It's still fun," he said. "It's still interesting. I'm excited. I'm still looking forward to tomorrow."

This season promises to be a memorable one for Fracassa, especially if it's his last.

Brother Rice, which has won five state titles since the playoffs began in 1975, is The Detroit News' top-ranked team in the preseason. Brother Rice was 10-0 last season before Orchard Lake St. Mary's upset it in the second round of the Division 2 playoffs. A dozen starters return plus two others who will have a major impact this season.

Seniors John Goebel and Mike Radlick each start in the backfield and the secondary and understand what's at stake for them and their coach.

"John and I have been talking about that," Radlick said. "It (state title) would be our gift back."

Goebel's brother, Mark, also played for Fracassa before he played at Michigan State. The rich tradition at Brother Rice is something the Goebel family understands.

"He's not getting any younger," John Goebel said of Fracassa. "One of these years he's going to retire. If it's this year we'd like to have him go out with a title."

The schedule would appear to favor Brother Rice. After its opener against at Evansville (Ind.) Reitz on Saturday, Brother Rice plays five of its next seven games at its home field, Southfield-Lathrup. Its annual game against Detroit Catholic Central is at a neutral site, on Sept. 18 at Ford Field.

Brother Rice fans have pointed to this season since 2002, when the freshmen team -- those players are seniors this year -- went undefeated.

Among the seniors are guard Steve Haskell, linebacker Matt Pickens, nose guard Manny Sullivan and Goebel and Radlick.

Also in this class is tight end Charlie Gantt, who didn't start last season but has improved greatly. He's 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds and has made an oral commitment to Michigan State.

Among the top juniors are quarterback Mike Cappetto, linebacker Chris Colasanti, a transfer from Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, and Darris Sawtell, a 6-4, 280-pound two-way tackle. Sawtell is named for his grandfather, Darris McCord, a defensive lineman for the Detroit Lions from 1955-67.

"It's a good core group," Goebel said. "You can't have a good varsity team without a supporting class. It's not just the seniors. It takes a lot of commitment, by the coaching staff and the players."

2. LOWELL

(14-0, Class A)

Lowell returns three starters on both offense and defense, including junior QB Keith Nichol, who committed to Michigan State. Gabe Delnick (RB) didn't start last year but played. Coach Noel Dean said Delnick, who squats 650 pounds, is the strongest player he has had in 10 years. Brock Graham and Mike McElroy return in the secondary. Brad Shea (TE) is a college prospect. Evan Ormiston (OT) and Kam Blake (LB) are juniors.

3. BAY CITY WESTERN

(10-1, Class A)

Western lost to Muskegon by a point in a Division 2 district final. It returns six starters on offense, seven on defense. QB Mike Beiser, Kevin Wegener (LB/G) and Josh Biddle (NG) made first-team all-conference as juniors. Two-way back Jeff Gwizdala (6-2, 205) is likely headed to a Mid-American Conference school. Nolan Fick (SB-S) is small but quick. An area of concern is inexperience on the offensive line.

4. ALLEN PARK

(11-2, Class A)

With 16 starters back, and others who contributed, Allen Park is poised to make a title run. Derek Brighton (RB/WR/DB) is the team's best player, but Justin Victor (FB/LB) and Phil Doerfler (G) also are college prospects. Luke Heide (TE/LB) and Anthony Savone (LB/RB) are right behind. Juniors Jay Gillespie (DT) and Joe Rencsok (OT) are two of the eight returning linemen.

5. ROCKFORD

(12-2, Class A)

Rockford is loaded with confidence following its first state championship. The offense begins in the backfield, where juniors Zach Breen, a halfback, and fullback Frank Heeringa will carry the load. Jon Von Eschen will switch to QB from WR. The top returning linemen are Nate Host (G) and Ian Bartholomew (DL). Ryan Sheafor (TE/LB) is one of the few players who will go on offense and defense. The kicking game again is sound with junior Mark Schlauldt.

6. STERLING HEIGHTS STEVENSON

(12-2, Class A)

Stevenson lost in the Division 1 final, and could be better this season. It returns seven offensive starters. L.J. Robertson (RB) leads a high-powered offense. Danny Stiefel (QB) improved with every game last season and he'll have two quality receivers back: Matt Deletka and Ricky Vennettilli. Josh LaRocque (G/DT) is a force, and Steve Kohut and Brandon Kotcher have experience in the secondary.

7. MUSKEGON

(14-0, Class A)

Muskegon has three returning starters, but don't expect it to go through a rebuilding year. The roster is young -- five sophomores might start. Junior Ronald Johnson (FS) has been offered a scholarship by Michigan. Among the top seniors are returning starters Jason Ruud (QB) and Kortney Covington (C). Karey Morrow (RB/LB) contributed last season and will be the featured back.

8. ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY'S

(11-2, Class A)

St. Mary's has one of the state's top juniors in Dionte Allen (WR/DB/KR). It also has five returning starters on defense, four transfers (three from Detroit De Porres) who will start, and a solid kicking game with Andrew Jones (P) and Steve Andrews (K). An area of concern early in the season is an inexperienced line. Two-way tackle Matt Brimer (6-3, 315) is the cream of the crop.

9. GRAND BLANC

(9-3, Class A)

Grand Blanc won its first district title and returns 10 starters on offense. Chris Smith, a three-year starter, will switch from G to OT. Sophomore Mark Ingram (RB) is the son of former Michigan State and NFL receiver Mark Ingram. Lance Smith (DB) is a three-year starter and the team's top college prospect. Kyle Carson (LB) led the team in tackles last season.

10. MACOMB DAKOTA

(9-4, Class A)

Coach Mike Giannone said this is his best team -- Dakota reached the Division 1 semifinals last season before losing to Sterling Heights Stevenson. Dakota returns QB James Stallons, WR Marcus Lancaster, a three-year starter, and all five offensive linemen. The best of the linemen are John Stipek (G/DE) and Durim Bozhdaraj (OT). Five defensive players return, including Josh Jarvie (LB) and Ronnie Vigneau (LB).

11. LAKE ORION

(6-4, Class A)

Expectations are high for Lake Orion, which returns seven starters on defense along with QB Brad Hood. Andy Miller (RB) returns and Joe Nowicki (DB) will play WR this season, along with returning starter David Wurst. Wurst and Josh Allison (DT) were two of four sophomores who started in 2004. Chase Goff (LB) and Scott Avery (DT) are big hitters.

12. WARREN DELASALLE

(4-5, Class A)

Never mind that 2004 record. This is a different, more complete team. Twelve transfers bolster a two-platoon system that returns 17 starters. One of the transfers, WR Emmanuel Johnson, will stretch defenses. Cecil St. Pierre (QB), Dan Kosho (RB) and Rob Monarch (G) are among the returning players on offense. Rover back Shane Torzy, Matt Hayden (LB) and Sam Arker (LB) have experience.

13. MIDLAND

(8-2, Class A)

Midland is always solid on defense and will be difficult to score against because of six returning starters. Scott High and Zack Vantonne are back at DE and Luke Dinnan is at DT. The secondary is sound with George Prokop and Michael Goodwin. Jim Parsons (RB/DB) is a four-year starter and the top back in the Saginaw Valley High School Association. Eddie Fillmore (OT) is the only returning offensive lineman.

14. DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL

(4-5, Class A)

Catholic Central fell on hard times last season, but the Shamrocks will bounce back, new facilities and all. Steve Thill, at 5-10, 230 pounds, is typical of a C.C. nose guard in size and strength. Rob Forte will take over at QB, Brad Wolfe moves from DE to LB and Mike Parrelly (RB) likely will be the featured back. John Conover (WR/DB) and Chris Davis (LB/RB) have experience.

15. ST. JOHNS

(11-3, Class B)

The defense will be formidable with seven returning starters, led by DT Brian Sawyer (6-2, 280), whom coach Dave Mariage said is one of his top athletes. Tom Wood (LB/FB) and Heath Sutherland (DB/TB) are three-year starters. Jeremy Childrey (DB) is another top senior. The junior class is strong with Austen Conley (LB), Tyler Dickinson (DE) and Dustin Mills (QB), a transfer from Grand Ledge.

16. TRAVERSE CITY WEST

(10-1, Class A)

Ten starters return from a team that lost to Rockford in the Division 1 district final. Eric Gordon (LB/RB) committed to Michigan State, and Tony Thompson (QB) rushed for 1,200 yards and passed for 17 touchdowns. The offensive line is experienced with Josh Hazelton (G), Jake Stinson (OT) and Nick Stull (G/DE). Defensively, Adam Root (DE) returns and Ben Sledder is the top defensive back.

17. CANTON

(10-1, Class A)

Canton has four returning starters but is a senior-dominated team. It has depth: The junior varsity team went 9-0 last season. Shawn Little (QB) returns for his third season. Junior Deshon McClendon (RB), Andy Rossow (RB/DL) and Mike Edwards (LB), who moves from G to HB, will carry the ball in Canton's T-formation. Ryan Jonik (OT) appears ready to have a big season, his first as a starter.

18. BATTLE CREEK CENTRAL

(8-3, Class A)

There's a lot to like about Central's backfield of Jeffrey Alexander and Brandon Reynolds, each of whom rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season. Seniors will start on the offensive line, and Mark Rogers is back at QB. Marcus Evans is a 255-pound TE, and Myles McNichols (CB) returns to anchor what promises to be an excellent secondary.

19. CLARKSTON

(6-4, Class A)

Clarkston has depth with 72 players on varsity and five returning starters on offense and defense. Any number of backs could move Mike Kittle (RB/DB) to QB. An experienced offensive line, led by Ben Horstman (C) and Ben Allen (G), will provide big holes for Nick Devault (RB/DB) and Kyle Cummings (RB/DB). Ben Berquist (LB/TE) and Steve McIsaac (LB/FB), a state power-lifter, are mainstays.

20. NOVI

(9-3, Class A)

Novi has four returning starters, and many believe Milford will win the Kensington Valley Conference. Nevertheless, Novi has shown consistency the last six seasons, and that shouldn't change this year. Brothers Brandon (WR/DB/QB) and David (TB) Carnegie are game-breakers. QB Steve Hart will run the option and Danny Sprys (G) and Tom Spifch (OT/LB) will anchor the line. John Favorite (LB/FB) leads the defense.

TEAMS TO WATCH

Ann Arbor Pioneer (8-3), A; Davison (8-3), A; Detroit King (7-3), A; East Grand Rapids (10-2), B; Farmington Hills Harrison (4-5), A; Flint Carman-Ainsworth (6-4), A; Grand Rapids Catholic Central (8-3), B; Grand Rapids South Christian (11-2), B; Grandville (7-3), A; Hudsonville (10-2), A; Lansing Sexton (8-3), A; Marshall (6-4), B; Milford (5-4), A; Monroe (5-4), A; Muskegon Orchard View (14-0), B; Portage Central (7-4), A; Saginaw Heritage (5-4), A; South Lyon (10-3), A; Utica Eisenhower (10-1), A.

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