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8/23/06-Football
TOP 25 FOOTBALL TEAMS
BY MICK McCABE, FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
With last year's records and all-time records in he state playoffs.
1. Muskegon (7-3)
Playoff record: 17-11.
Top players: DB/WR/RB/QB Ronald Johnson; FB/LB Ashton Leggett; LB Terrian Kelly; RB/DB Toney; Bailey; junior OT Carlin Landingham; RB/DB Doriel Miller.
Outlook: The Big Reds have the best player in the state in Johnson, who will be used everywhere on offense except in the interior line. Leggett is another strong running threat. Eight starters return on offense and seven on defense. Injuries decimated last year's team, which still managed to make the state playoffs. A second state title in three years is a possibility.
2. Rockford (12-2)
Playoff record: 23-10.
Top players: RB/DB Zach Breen; FB Frank Heeringa; RB Michael Mudgett; DB/RB Jeremy Jones; WRs Nick McIntrye, Curt Mobley, Jeff Henry; DB/WR Callan Sherd; QB Tom Fusee.
Outlook: The Rams are attempting to become only the second school to win three consecutive state titles in the biggest class or division (Novi Detroit Catholic Central was the first). There is speed to burn in the backfield and if teams concentrate too much on stopping Breen, others will burn them. Rockford has its finest collection of receivers ever and even though QB Fusee was a back-up last season, he has paid his dues in the program and it ready to lead. The secret weapon is Sherd, a dangerous return specialist and a standout in the secondary.
3. Birmingham Brother Rice (12-2)
Playoff record: 46-12.
Top players: LB/FB Chris Colasanti; OT/DT Darris Sawtelle; DB/WR Kaunda Hancock; QB Mike Cappetto; junior WR-QB/DB Andy Lentz; TE Dan Youssif.
Outlook: The defending Division 2 state champs lost some fine players, but the Warriors are capable of another trip to Ford Field the day after Thanksgiving. Colasanti, who committed to Penn State, is a dominating defensive presence. Sawtelle, who committed to Tennessee, is an overwhelming force on the line. Cappetto (Duke) has added 30 pounds and is an improved passer.
4. East Grand Rapids (10-1)
Playoff record: 33-9.
Top players: RB Kelvin Grady; OT/DT Darrell Davis-Budaunarro; QB DeMarcus Grady; FB Luke Glendening; OG Jake Schwenneker; DT Casey Mester; C Spencer Merpi.
Outlook: There is much firepower on offense, led by the Grady cousins. Kelvin is the speedy TB and DeMarcus the nifty QB. Glendening is a threat at FB as well while returning kicks. The only thing that may be keeping East from its third state title in five years is a defense with only two returning starters and none in the secondary.
5. Lowell (9-2)
Playoff record: 16-6.
Top players: QB Keith Nichol; WR/DB Mike McElroy; LB/FB Kam Blake; sophomore Torsten Boss; OT Tyler Meppelink.
Outlook: Despite the presence of QB Nichol, there is not a lot of experience here. Nichol, who committed to Michigan State and is one of the top QBs in the country, will have a pair of fine receivers in McElroy and Boss. But the defense will have to progress quickly if Nichol is going to win a state title to go with the one he won as a sophomore.
6. Orchard Lake St. Mary's (11-1)
Playoff record: 32-9.
Top players: DB/WR Dionte Allen; QB Justin Siller; WR/DB Taurian Washington; LB/OG Alex Dilisi; DB/RB Chris Mitchell; DE/FB Blair Hollis.
Outlook: St. Mary's has the top skill-positioned players in the state _ bar none. Allen (Florida State) and Washington (Ohio State) were being recruited at the highest level and there are other Division I-A prospects. Siller, who broke a bone in his throwing hand late last season, will give the Eaglets an added dimension with his running. The defense, especially the secondary, will be superb. The only question surrounding this team will be the development of the offensive and defense lines. There is talent there, but it is young talent.
7. Farmington Hills Harrison (10-3)
Playoff record: 69-11.
Top players: WR/DB Mark Dell; DT/OT Ben Bojicic; TE/LB Calvin Mann; DB/WR Dan Sirovy; LBs Chris Hadley, Bob Rhinehart.
Outlook: The Hawks receiving corps may come in second to St. Mary's receivers, but it is an excellent ensemble featuring Dell, one of the top two-way players in the state. Mononucleosis will cause Sirovy to miss the first few games, but the Hawks are talented enough to get by until he returns. There is inexperience at QB, but Harrison will contend for a record 13th state title.
8. Macomb Dakota (10-3)
Playoff record: 11-6.
Top players: QB James Stallons; RBs Greg Gay, Quinten Trotter; LB Zach Puszczyk; DE Jeff Dowdell; DB John Schultz.
Outlook: Five starters return on each side of the ball for the Division I semifinalists. The strength of the team will be in the offensive backfield where Stallons, who committed to Wisconsin, is a dangerous passer and has two fine backs in Gay and Trotter. The problem is in the inexperienced offensive line.
9. Grandville (7-4)
Playoff record: 14-7.
Top players: DB/WR Sam Russell; QB R.C. Thompson; LB Jordan Richardson; DT Aaron Szarowicz; LB Matt Bunker; DB Nate Duemler; LB Scott Hawken.
Outlook: The no-huddle spread offense and the passing of Thompson will grab everyone's attention, but it will be Grandville's defense that keeps the Bulldogs competitive in the toughest league in the state. Eight starters return defensively and the Bulldogs will be tough against the run and the pass.
10. Canton (11-3)
Playoff record: 12-7.
Top players: RB/DB Dershawn McClendon; DT Donnie Laramie; LB Colin O'Shaughnessy; NG Wardell Fuqua; DBs/RBs Chris Bogdanski, Chris Woudstra.
Outlook: If Canton is headed back to the Division 1 state finals again it will be on the strength of its defense, where eight players have a ton of experience. It will also be because of the running of McClendon, who rushed for over 2,000 yards and earned all-state honors besides being a terrific safety. The Chiefs will have to replace the guts of the interior offensive line, but the Chiefs didn't return much a year ago and still wound up in Ford Field.
11. Davison (8-2)
Playoff record: 7-8.
Top players: WRs/DBs Jeremy Wilson, Garrett Stephens, Michael Zeller; OT/DT Aaron Ball; junior QB Jared Cowen; LB Adam McMurray; DE Eric Jarvie.
Outlook: With the outstanding trio of wide receivers, the ball will be in the air a lot at Davison. But teams that drop too many defenders into pass coverage will be hurt by an effective running attack. There are several key returnees that will make Davison a playoff team again.
12. Lake Orion (9-3)
Playoff record: 9-10.
Top players: NG Josh Allison; junior QB Chris Lum; LBs Shawn Vernon, Chase Goff; DBs Nick Dunstan, Joe Barnes, Jake Goddard; TE Mike Tuzik.
Outlook: This could be the year the Dragons make a lot of noise in the state playoffs. Allison, who committed to Minnesota, leads eight returning starters on defense. The LBs are solid and three of the four secondary players are back. Lum completed 65% of his passes with eight TDs and one interception last season as a sophomore before breaking his foot.
13. Novi Detroit Catholic Central (7-4)
Playoff record: 54-8.
Top players: LB/FB Jeremy Bednarz-Gray; DT/OT Nick Faulhaber; DB Dave Galiyas' RB/DB Jake Marmul; OT-C/DT Ryon Wiska.
Outlook: The defense, which the program is built around, returns six starters so the Shamrocks should be improved. Last season CC gave up 190 points, the most since 1971. If the offensive line continues to improve, the Shamrocks can contend for the Central Division title.
14. Milford (9-3)
Playoff record: 2-2.
Top players: TB/LB Mike Petrucci; OT/DT Joel Foreman; OG Mike Nevils; OT junior Jeremy Snook; C Matt Newton; DB Jeff Goodin; DE Kyle Frankenvich.
Outlook: The Mavericks are officially a power in the Kensington Valley. Petrucci is a threat receiving and carrying the ball. With four starters back on the offensive line, Milford will pile up yardage on the ground. The defense should be better than a year ago.
15. Monroe (5-5)
Playoff record: 4-10.
Top players: QB/DB Audie Cole; junior RBs Jesse Johnson, Brandyn Harris; C Craig Suydam; DB Tyler Lewis; LBs Trevor Tippor, Lustin Droulliard, Chris Cadle.
Outlook: The passing ability of Cole will allow Monroe to do much more than simply run the wing-T. Harris is the fastest player on the team and Johnson is a threat carrying the ball or catching it out of the backfield. One of the main keys will be the development of the LBs, who played well in spots last season.
16. Bay City Central (6-4)
Playoff record: 5-7.
Top players: OT Ed Schiattone; OT Nate and OG Vinnie Zanotti; TE Mike McFarland; TBs Keonte Bell, junior Luther Ware; WR/DB Derrick Smith; junior DB/RB Trenton Robinson.
Outlook: With four offensive linemen returning, Central will have a dynamite running attack. Central also has the most speed it has had in decades, so it will go to the spread formation to take advantage of its track stars disguised as football players.
17. Holt (10-1)
Playoff record: 8-8.
Top players: RB Tony Scott; DE/OT James Terrell; LBs/FBs junior Mitch Zajac, Joe Powers; WR/DB Andy Sawyer; QB Mike Holleran.
Outlook: Holt will have a new look offensively, with a ground game revolving around the blocking and power running of Zajac and the nimbleness of Scott. The offensive and defensive lines will be solid and the play at LB will be outstanding.
18. Dearborn (6-4)
Playoff record: 6-8.
Top players: DB/WR Danny McKae; DB/WR Brett Fimbinger; OL/DL Mike Ajami; junior OT/DL NevinCQ Shearer; NG/FB Mo Kassab; LB Amier Rustom; OG Andrew Hamet; DE Nate Snider.
Outlook: The Pioneers will be in the running for the Mega Red title because of their overall experience. The defense will be better than it has been in years and the offensive line will be solid. The question is whether any playmakers will emerge. If the Pioneers skill position players come through, look out.
19. Adrian (8-2)
Playoff record: 10-9.
Top players: QB Steven Threet; TE/LB Brad Ohrman; DB/WR Ryan Meyers; OT Riley Cunningham; C/NG Isaiah Cavin.
Outlook: Only two starters return defensively so the offense will have to carry the Maples and it is more than capable. To complement the strong arm of Threet, Adrian has four quality receivers. The threat of Threet's passing will create opportunities for the running game.
20. Clarkston (8-3)
Playoff record: 9-9.
Top players: QB Eric Ogg; TE/LB Bren Bergquist; P/K Ryan Breen; WR/DB Kevin Badgerly; junior LB Carlo Mollicone; junior RB Jimmy Popp.
Outlook: Ogg was impressive starting the final eight games last season. He keeps his composure and does an excellent job running the option. The defense will be tough again and the X-factor could be Breen, who committed to Penn State. He is a terrific punter and kicker, who can get the Wolves out of a lot of jams.
21. Sterling Heights Stevenson (10-1)
Playoff record: 23-15.
Top players: LB/TE Steve Battaglia; WR Matt Delekta; OG Joe Karpinsky; junior OTs Rick Abraham, Jordan Harvey; DE Will Baker; K/P Tom Klonowski.
Outlook: Virtually every playmaker from last year's MAC Red championship team is gone including Danny Stiefel, the programs best QB in at least 30 years. But the Titans do return quality players on both lines and at LB. The Titans won't be as explosive, but the defense should be top-notch again.
22. Midland (8-3)
Playoff record: 16-16.
Top players: DEs Pete House, Justin Barnes; DTs Jeremy Suave, Zach Bugosh; QBs Jake Yoder, sophomore Andrew Maxwell.
Outlook: The offense will need a major overhauling with the graduation of RB Jimmy Parsons, a four-year starter, as well as an experienced line. But there are 30 veterans back along with a strong nucleus on defense, which has always been Midland's calling card. The Chemics are in pursuit of their 30th consecutive winning season.
23. Utica Eisenhower (8-2)
Playoff record: 25-14.
Top players: TE/DT Mario Lulgjuraj; QB Anthony Gill; TB Matt Szubielski; WR Jacob Gough; DE Chris Callender; OG/DSE Miles Allan; K/P Justin Meram; LB Keith Ulatowski; TE Charles Barone.
Outlook: Long-time Eisenhower followers will be stunned when they see the Eagles in a two-tight end alignment with a power running attack. Although Ike doesn't have a lot of returning staters, there are many players with game experience with has created good competition for playing time.
24. Allen Park (10-1)
Playoff record: 26-16.
Top players: LB/FB Mike Moynihan; TB/LB Anthony Savone; junior RB/DB C.J. Maszal; OT/DT Joe Rencsok; TE/LB Mark Heide; OG/DT Joel Rahn.
Outlook: Only five starters return on what will be a young and inexperienced team that could start four or five sophomores. But the Jags are at the point where they are successful year in and year out because of the program that has been built. There is good speed in the skill positions and the defense will be its usually tough self.
25. Hudsonville (12-3)
Playoff record: 21-8.
Top players: Tes Devin Boglitsch, Justin Cooke; OT/DT Trevor Ikerd; WR-RB Zeke Fowle; junior DB John Tanis; LB Scott Kykema; P Josh Kramer.
Outlook: The Division 2 runner-up lost most of its experience and will rely on some sophomores and juniors at key positions. That could be a dangerous proposition trying to compete in the OK Red -- the toughest league in the state. The Eagles might not match up physically with some of the teams in the Red, but their overall team speed will help them qualify for the state playoffs for the fifth straight time.
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