OLSM Football News 2007

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8/23/07-Football

O & E Top Players To Watch

Below are the Observer Eccentric area's 2007 preseason top football players to watch list.

1. JONAS GRAY, Birmingham-Detroit Country Day sr. RB (5-10, 220) - Trailblazer and three-sport standout has committed to Nebraska. State's No. 1-rated player had 1,252 yards and 21 TDs last season. Contributor on Yellowjackets' state championship basketball and track teams last year.

2. DEON'TAE PANNELL, Birmingham Groves sr. C (6-6, 305) - Four-year veteran is being courted by Michigan State and Penn State. Strong and agile, Pannell will strike fear in the trenches.

3. KENNY DEMENS, Birmingham-Detroit Country Day sr. LB (6-1, 225) - One of the state's top defensive players, Demens is a swarming and imposing player who had 90 tackles last year. Another track and field standout like several on this list.

4. ETHAN RUHLAND, Lake Orion sr. OL/DT (6-5, 270) - Big and mobile lineman has committed to Michigan State. He'll again clear the path for a deep and talented offense.

5. CHRIS LUM, Lake Orion sr. QB (6-3, 185) - Class A First-Team all-stater had 27 touchdown passes last year and more than 1,700 passing yards. MSU, Illinois and several MAC schools are keeping tabs on this three-sport star, who was part of Dragons' state championship baseball team.

6. CAULTON RAY, Birmingham Brother Rice sr. RB-DB (5-9, 190) - Speedster rushed for 1,100-plus yards last year with 11 TDs in making the radar screen at MSU, CMU and Cincinnati. He has explosive steps and can find the holes as good as anybody.

7. BRUCE HORNER, Farmington Harrison sr. WR-DB (6-1, 180) - Transfer from Groves has committed to Cincinnati. He's a big-play receiver who'll shine in his new confines.

8. GERALD SCARBER, Farmington Harrison sr. WR (5-11, 165) - Transfer from Southfield will become a deadly threat in a dynamite offense. He has 4.4 speed in the 40 and is at his best once the ball is in his hands.

9. DION SIMS, Orchard Lake St. Mary's jr. WR-TE-DB (6-5, 220) - Had to sit out last season after transferring from Detroit U-D Jesuit. Considered the state's best prospect at tight end, Sims is sure-handed and dangerous in the red zone.

10. NORMAN SHUFORD, Farmington Harrison sr. TB-DB (5-9, 180) - Exceptionally fast and a hard mark for the opposition. D-I prospect can cut on a dime and make others look silly.

11.) CRAIG SACHA, Farmington Harrison sr. QB (6-3, 185) - Strong-armed and heady QB, Sacha now has a dangerous arsenal at his disposal. Few will be able to match his numbers if his OL develops.

12. ZACH LINE, Oxford sr. RB-LB (6-2, 195) - A Division I recruit who is being looked at MSU, CMU, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan, among others. Hard-hitting, fast and difficult to haul down when carrying the football.

13. TREVOR STAPLETON, Birmingham Seaholm sr. RB-SE (6-1, 200) - Back and healthy, four-year veteran will put up big numbers this season after missing most of last season.

14. PAUL GYARMATI, Birmingham Brother Rice sr. LB-FB (6-1, 220) - Veteran on the line will swarm opposing QBs and RBs in a heartbeat.

15. JUSTIN JOHNSON, Birmingham Seaholm sr. OL-DL (6-3, 260) - Big, strong, agile, this lineman will toss away the opposition as he does the shot put in the spring.

16. KEVIN DAVIS, West Bloomfield jr. RB (5-10, 160) - Missed last season with an injury. Davis has 10.6 speed in the 100 meters and great field vision. He will help Lakers upgrade their status this season.

17. KAYON SWANSON, Southfield sr. OL-DL (6-2, 285) - A big and physical player, Swanson will clear the way for a speed-laden team.

18. JOSH RENEL, Rochester Adams sr. RB-KR (5-9, 170) - The Highlanders' go-to guy should plow his way to some impressive numbers this season. Not huge for a back, but powerful.

19. NICK THOMAS, Birmingham Brother Rice sr. DB-WR (5-10, 180) - Two-way all-league player had 58 tackles last year and those numbers should increase. Very quick with great instincts.

20. ADONIS ADONAKIS, Walled Lake Central sr. LB-RB (6-0, 230) - Fierce and hard-hitting linebacker can put the hurt on people. Relentless worker in the trenches.

21. JIMMY POPP, Clarkston sr. RB (6-0, 190) - There's plenty of pop and speed in the footsteps of this RB, who will put up even more numbers in a talented backfield.

22. DEREK BOYD, Rochester Stoney Creek sr. OL (6-1, 225) - Fourth-year starter led the team in tackles and sacks last year and has improved his speed and strength.

23. JAKE HEINRICH, Rochester Adams sr. DT-OL (6-2, 205) - Versatile player gets the job done on both sides of the ball. Powerful and quick.

24. MATT SANDERS, Farmington sr. WR-DB (6-3, 190) - All-league player is sure-handed and quick.

25. BRANKO HAMILTON, Troy sr. QB (6-0, 180) - Third-year starter is a heady player who will guide a experienced team.

OTHERS TO WATCH (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Kojo Appiah, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood sr. RB-DB (5-10, 175); Derek Bahri, Walled Lake Central sr. WR-DB (6-1, 175); Brandon Bass, Southfield jr. DB-WR (5-9, 160); Dave Brunley, Bloomfield Hills Lasher sr. OG (6-0, 280); Justin Cameron, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood sr, OL-DL (6-4, 225); Zac Clouse, Lake Orion sr. LB (5-9, 210); Billy Cribbs, Rochester sr. QB (6-0, 190); Dylan Cruz, Bloomfield Hills Andover sr. OL-DL (6-0, 250); Zak Cummings, Bloomfield Hills Lahser sr. DE-OL (6-3, 285); Mike Dennison, Walled Lake Central sr. RB-DL (6-1, 215); Matt Fischer, Clarkston sr. OL (5-11, 260); Eric Fisher, Rochester Stoney Creek jr. OL (6-6, 230); Miklovan Gjokaj, Walled Lake Western sr. OL-DL (6-1, 250); Carl Goeckel, Orchard Lake St. Mary's sr. DL (6-1, 220); Taylor Gray, North Farmington sr. QB (6-0, 185); Tyler Gust, Bloomfield Hills Lahser sr. QB-DB (6-1, 170); Brice Johnson, Troy sr. OL (5-11, 215); Danny Johnston, Oxford sr. LB-TE (6-2, 220); Markeith Jones, Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest sr, DT-RB (5-11, 215); Kevin Kelly, Lake Orion sr. DL-TE (6-3, 220); Mitch Kessell, Birmingham Seaholm jr. DL/TE (6-5, 245); Steve Kowalski, Farmington jr. DL-OT (6-1, 245); John Lamb, Southfield sr. TE-DE (6-4, 240); Andy Lentz, Birmingham Brother Rice sr. QB (5-11, 170); Kevonte Martin, Birmingham Brother Rice soph. WR-DB (6-0, 160); Chris Massa, Rochester Stoney Creek sr. DB-RB (6-0, 195); Kionne McCoy, Southfield-Lathrup sr. sr. LB (5-10, 215); Cortez Mckinley, Lake Orion sr. RB (5-8, 175); Aaron McNamara, Rochester sr. LB (5-10, 190); B.J. McNorton, Auburn Hills Avondale sr. DB-RB (5-8, 155); Carlo Mollicone, Clarkston sr. TE-LB (6-0, 215); Kris Morris, Orchard Lake St. Mary's sr. WR-SE-QB (6-4, 210); Cam Nabors, Rochester sr. DB-WR (5-10, 165); Jordan Nieri, Troy Athens sr. RB-ILB (6-0, 220); Montel Nix-Flemming, Walled Lake Western sr. WR (5-10, 175); Brian O'Conner, Birmingham Seaholm jr. LB (6-1, 190); A.J. Palko, Lake Orion sr. LB-RB (5-10, 230); Dave Pardun, Troy sr. RB (5-9, 195); Tayler Peruski, Orchard Lake St. Mary's jr. WR (6-0, 190); Drew Pyles, West Bloomfield sr. QB (5-11, 180); Steve Robinson, Walled Lake Central sr. RB (5-10, 200); Thomas Ropek, Walled Lake Northern sr. RB (5-10, 180); Matt Sargent, Orchard Lake St. Mary's sr. OG/DE (6-1, 220); Steve Sitko, Rochester Stoney Creek sr. DB-WR (5-8, 165); Erik Thompson, Clarkston sr. RB (5-8, 145); Kevin Tshiamala, Troy Athens sr. ILB-OL (6-0, 260); Edison Vushaj, Walled Lake Western jr. OLB (6-4, 220); Matt Watko, Walled Lake Western sr. K/P (5-7, 155); Aaron Whaley, Southfield sr. DL-WR-KR (5-9, 180); Jon Wright, Clarkston sr. OL (6-2, 275); Julian Wyatt, Southfield sr. WR-DB (5-8, 165).

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