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824/06-Football
2006 Catholic League Preview
By Tom Markowski and Beth Markowski
of The Detroit News
In coaches' consensus order of finish
Central Division
Birmingham Brother Rice: The Warriors won the Division 2 title and return eight starters, but coach Al Fracassa remains cautious. "You've got experience but you never can tell," he said. "You have to have the proper attitude." Chris Colasanti (LB/FB) is an extraordinary player and Darris Sawtelle (OT/DT) moves well at 290 pounds. Brian Wing (DL) is another returning lineman. Joey Henry (RB/DB/WR) and Kaunda Hancock (DB/WR) are playmakers, and Mike Cappetto (QB) made significant improvements.
Orchard Lake St. Mary's: Six starters return on offense. Dionte Allen (DB/WR), Taurian Washington (WR/DB) and Justin Siller (QB) are capable of making a big play. Alex Delisi (LB/G), Chris Mitchell (DB/RB) and Allen are three of five returning starters on defense.
Detroit Catholic Central: The Shamrocks could surprise. Coach Tom Mach will field a bigger, more physical team. Ts Nick Faulhaber (6-foot-2, 250) and Ryan Wiska (6-1, 270) have experience. Jeremy Bednarz-Gray (LB/RB) is one of the hardest hitters in the league. Jake Marmul (RB/DB), who missed his junior season because of an injury, is 100 percent according to Mach.
Warren DeLaSalle: After a disappointing 2005, the Pilots hope to be more physical offensively. Ts Anthony Vitale (6-4, 282) and Scott McClellan (6-8, 265) have size. Jimmy Berezik (RB) rushed for 600 yards as a junior and Shane Torzy (DB/WR) could see time in the backfield. Torzy and Don Fowler (WR/DB) are the best players. Brian Lewis (DB) might start at quarterback.
U-D Jesuit: The Cubs lost 27 seniors and have 37 on varsity. Sophomore Dion Sims (WR/DE) might get a chance to play quarterback later this season. RBs Joe Thompson and George Winn combined for 1,300 yards. Joe West (G/DT) is the best lineman and the secondary has experience -- Jon Kirkland, Craig Hamilton (WR) and Michael Joyner-Hill all saw significant playing time last season.
Dearborn Divine Child: First-year coach Jack Masserang is counting on 20 seniors, players who won the league title as freshmen. Returning starters include Aaron Dolkowski (RB/DB), Joe Selonke (G/DE), Aaron Cieslak (RB/LB), Anthony Ball (WR/DB) and Tim Farb (TE/DE). With 34 on varsity, depth could be a problem.
Intersectional 1
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep: Nine starters return on both sides for the Fighting Irish. Returning QB Kyle McMahon had 650 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing and 1,112 yards and nine touchdowns passing. Joe Zambito (FB) rushed for 700 yards and 10 touchdowns. Linemen Justin Gainge and Dan Hughes, who are both 6-3, 285, are returning starters.
Madison Heights Bishop Foley: Bishop Foley lost in the first round of the playoffs. Coach Paul Stanton must rebuild, especially offense. Three starters return on both sides including John Harris (TE/DE), Ian Coughlin (FB/MLB) and Shane Nabonzy, a 6-5, 260 offensive linemen.
Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard: This is the first year Gabriel Richard will have a home field. The new stadium is scheduled to be completed Sept. 1. Eleven starters return on offense, six on defense for the Fighting Irish. Vince O'Neill (RB/S) led the team in rushing and tackles. He is the only starter returning to the secondary. Pete Lussier (SE) led the team in receiving. Sean O'Neill (TE/DE) and Kevin Heemstra (OG/MLB) are experienced.
Detroit Loyola: The Bull Dogs' offense will be strong, with eight starters returning and a lot of good runners. Ralphiel Harris (RB/DE) led the team with 850 yards rushing. Six starters return on defense. Javon Sumner (C/DT), De'Ondre Robinson (RT/DT), Brandon Baldwin (QB/SS), Deris Solomon (WR), Branden Harris (WR/CB) and Justin Crispen (FB/LB) are key players.
Detroit Urban Lutheran: Seven starters return on both sides for Urban Lutheran. All the linemen (averaging 270 pounds) return. Raymond Hutson (QB/WR/DB) had 1,200 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns, three interceptions and 45 tackles. Other returning starters include Demetrius Brooks (FB/LB), Justin Cage (OG/DE) and Nicholas Swinton (C/LB). Two-way tackle Darnell Packeer (6-4, 330) is a transfer from Detroit Murray-Wright.
Marine CityCardinal Mooney: Cardinal Mooney lost in the second round of the playoffs. Three starters return on offense, four on defense. Key players include twins Rich (WB/OLB) and Greg (HB/OLB) Fernandez, Anthony Sadocha (WR/CB), Mark Heintz (C/DL) and Cody Joahchim (FB/OLB).
Intersectional 2
Waterford Lakes: The Lakers lost to Mendon in the Division 8 semifinals. Lakes has had 12 victories each of the past four years. Five starters return on offense, six on defense. Jake Sawicki (TB/DB) rushed for 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns. Andrew Barrowcliff (OG/MLB) and Nick Gerula (OT/NG) are returning starters.
Royal Oak Shrine: The Knights have a lot of experience. Eight starters return on offense, nine on defense, including several four-year starters. Paul Galloway (RB/MLB) is a Division 1 recruit. Steve McCollom (QB/DB) is a three-year starter. Mark Niehaus (RB/DB) returned seven interceptions for touchdowns.
Allen Park Cabrini: Cabrini lost in the first round of the playoffs. Five starters return on both sides but there are only six seniors. Ray Wojtala (QB/DB) starts for a second year at quarterback. Joe Vezina (WR/LB), Sean Pelty (C/DL) and Andy Femminineo (OG/DE) are three-year starters, and Brian Diroff (TB/LB) starts for a second year.
Riverview Gabriel Richard: Gabriel Richard has four offensive linemen and the backfield returning. Luigi Fiorelli returns at quarterback. Adrian Smith (TB/K) rushed for 600 yards. Bobby Steel (FB/LB) led the team in receiving. Other returning starters include Joe Schroeder (C/DE) and Chris Ochmanek (WR/S).
Taylor Light & Life: Wyandotte Mt. Carmel joined Light & Life in a cooperative program this year. Six starters return on offense, five on defense for the Crusaders. Aaron Layne starts at quarterback for the third year. Paul Posont (SE/WO) led the team with 489 yards receiving.
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