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8/21/2008-Football
Catholic League football capsules
By KEITH DUNLAP of The Oakland Press
Orchard Lake St. Mary's Eaglets
Head coach: George Porritt, 20th year (172-41)
Staff: Frank Janosz, Sean Clouse, Jeff Phillips, Fred Schultz, Don Buchanan
Last year: 11-3, 3-1 CHSL Central, lost to East Grand Rapids, 46-39, in five overtimes in Division 3 state final.
Why they'll make some noise: As is usually the case, lots of talent will be on display for the Eaglets this fall, with several Division I collegiate prospects on the roster. There aren't many better in the state than senior TE/DE Dion Sims (6-5, 230), a two-sport star who should end up at a big-time college program. However, Sims won't be the only reason St. Mary's passing game should be lethal. Senior WR Rodney Woodland (5-8, 170) has committed to Central Michigan, senior Suave Lavalis and senior Taylor Peruski (6-0, 180) are two more burners, while junior dual-threat QB Robert Bolden enters his second full year as the starter. The running game will be led by another highly-coveted college prospect in senior battering ram Justin Semmes (6-1, 215), who'll run largely behind mammoth tackle Christian Brandt (6-6, 285). Defensively, the Eaglets will be good as well, with six starters and nine seniors back, led by Sims, Woodland (DB) and a linebacking unit of Semmes, senior Shane Halas (6-3, 195) and junior Ernest Thomas (6-1, 195).
Why they won't: Other than Brandt, the offensive line will be filled with inexperience. Even with a great group of skill players, running the ball and line play is of the utmost importance to St. Mary's. There are also some kinks in the kicking game to work out.
The skinny: It's hard to imagine the Eaglets ever being bad, and they certainly will be an elite squad again this year. Don't be surprised if St. Mary's takes home a state-title trophy instead of a state runner-up one this November.
Birmingham Brother Rice Warriors
Head coach: Al Fracassa, 39th year (329-79-2)
Staff: Larry Zimmerman, Scott Merchant, Jamie Boerkoel, Keith Worth, David Sofran, Jeff Stachowiak, Chuck Padden
Last year: 8-3, 5-1, lost in a Division 2 district final at Rochester Adams, 24-21.
Why they'll make some noise: Because it's Brother Rice, and it might be a sign of Armaggedon if a day comes where the Warriors don't. The strength of this year's team is on defense, particularly at LB and in the secondary. Senior Shamari Benton (6-1, 193) is a Division I college prospect who will be a team leader at LB, senior DB Kenny Watkins (6-1, 192) has committed to Indiana, while sophomore Jimmy Pickens (6-1, 190) should be a fixture at safety for years to come. Seniors Peter Plaskey (6-4, 245), Matt Maletzke (6-0, 235) and John Miller (6-2, 221) will anchor the defensive line.
Why they won't: There is some uncertainty on offense, particularly with the talent at the skill positions the Warriors will have to replace. Andy Lentz at QB, Michigan State freshman Caulton Ray RB and speedy the Ron Dorsey-Austin at WR all graduated. Junior QB Frankie Popp did play most of the regular season last year when Lentz was injured, so he should be a seasoned player. Seniors Danny Henneghan (6-0, 188) and Shaquille Marshall (6-0, 223) will lead the running game, junior Kevonte Martin (6-1, 184) and Mark Makoski (6-1, 187) will be two of the wideouts, while seniors Jareth Glanda (6-4, 260) and Zack Cherocci (6-1, 242) return along the offensive line.
The skinny: Once again, the Warriors should be one of the top teams in the Catholic League and in the state. A stunning newsflash, we know. They would no doubt love another shot at Rochester Adams in the state playoffs, where the Highlanders eliminated the Warriors in what might have been the game of the year last year within Oakland County . If the rematch happens again in October or November, it would be another terrific scene.
Novi Detroit Catholic Central Shamrocks
Head coach: Tom Mach, 33rd year (283-68)
Staff: Roy Duadas, Mark Gagnon, Dan Anderson, George Kunec, Joe English
Last year: 10-3, 3-2, lost to Macomb Dakota, 17-7, in Division 1 state semifinal
Why they'll make some noise: The Shamrocks are one of the premier programs in the state, and despite significant roster turnover, they always seem to reload. Catholic Central has one of the area's best linemen in senior DL/OL Khaled Mheisen (6-5, 290), who missed most of last season with a broken ankle. Senior Nick Landry (6-4, 250) will also be an important two-way lineman, while the skill positions should be solid with senior WR/DB Kam Leiter (6-0, 180), senior WR/DB Steve Harding (6-0, 180), junior RB/DB Anthony Capatina (5-8, 170) and junior FB/DT Niko Palazeti (6-4, 220) back.
Why they won't: Only three starters are back on offense and one on defense for the Shamrocks, so plenty of new players are going to have to thrive in expanded roles right away.
The skinny: Catholic Central probably doesn't have as much talent as St. Mary's or Brother Rice, but even so, the Shamrocks will be a threat to them and everyone else in the county. As always, if the Shamrocks make the state playoffs, they'll be hard to eliminate.
Madison Heights Bishop Foley Ventures
Head coach: Paul Stanton, fifth year (22-18)
Staff: Jay Cohoe, Paul Delbot, Steve Bua
Last year: 3-6, 1-3, did not qualify for playoffs.
Why they'll make some noise: The Ventures return plenty of experience from last year's team, with eight starters on offense and nine on defense. Senior DE/WR Dylan Nabozny (6-3, 215), senior TE/LB Brad Bochniak (6-3, 210), senior RB/SS Sean Pattwell (5-11, 180) and senior OL/DL Mason Kasier (6-1, 295) will be counted on heavily both offensively and defensively, while Bishop Foley has a promising junior QB in Josh Blaksley (6-5, 215), who will also play LB on defense.
Why they won't: As is the normally the case with small schools, depth and injuries could always derail a run at a league title. Also, Bishop Foley has to play tough road games at Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep.
The skinny: Stanton and his staff threw a lot of younger players into the fire last year, and they took their lumps with Bishop Foley enduring a losing season. However, that experience should pay off for all those returnees this year. Bishop Foley has every reason to believe it can contend for a CHSL Intersectional 1 title and a playoff spot.
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep Fighting Irish
Head coach: Greg Ganfield, first year
Staff: Brad Zube, Dave Durand, Jerry McGhee
Last year: 8-2, 4-1, lost to Detroit Crockett, 45-13, in first round of Division 4 playoffs.
Why they'll make some noise: Notre Dame Prep has a good collection of athletic, skilled players, particularly at WR. Seniors Phil Sakalian and Matt Rzpecki and sophomores Branch Kampe and Christian Guzzardo will provide good targets in the passing game for senior QB David Owenby. Junior FB Chad Powers will be an important part of the running game and junior Evan Sassack is a returning starter at DB.
Why they won't: Size is a problem for the Fighting Irish, so they'll have to avoid getting outmuscled on the line this year. Seniors Joe Koterba, Andrew Stouffer and Hazim Nezam play on both sides of the ball, and will do everything they can to make sure that doesn't happen. Experience also isn't on the side of the Fighting Irish, given only two starters return.
The skinny: Notre Dame Prep has qualified for the playoffs the past two years, but doing so again will require the newcomers to grow up fast. If Notre Dame Prep can survive the first part of the season with so many new players and a new coaching staff, it can challenge for a postseason berth by October.
Royal Oak Shrine Knights
Head coach: John Goddard, 16th year
Staff: Mike McCollom, Joe Quesnelle, Brian Rich, Paul Gardner, Larry Sermo, Colin Kelly
Last year: 7-3, 4-1, lost to Grass Lake, 12-9, in the first round of Division 7 playoffs.
Why they'll make some noise: This might be the biggest, most experienced team Goddard has had at Shrine. For a small school, it's rare to have 18 seniors on a roster, but that's the luxury the Knights enjoy. Many of them can play, too. Senior RB Anthony Cade (6-1, 195) is a Division I collegiate prospect, a great blend of size and speed who will also play LB on defense, senior QB/LB Jamal Townsell (6-3, 210) will be a steadying influence wherever he is on the field, senior WR/DB Billy Konzal (5-9, 165) is another speedy playmaker, while both the offensive and defensive lines have good players, headlined by seniors Patrick Sterk (6-5, 270) and Brent Castine (5-11, 185).
Why they won't: While the Knights have a lot of seniors on the roster, some of them didn't play varsity last year and will be getting their first taste of big-game action. Other than that, it's hard to imagine much will stop the Knights.
The skinny: The Knights should not only be the heavy favorites in the CHSL Intersectional 2, but don't be surprised if they're a good bet to make a run at a Division 7 state title once the playoffs start.
Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes Lakers
Head coach: Mike Boyd, 43rd year (324-100)
Last year: 9-3, 3-2, lost 42-20 to Fulton in Division 8 regional final
Why they'll make some noise: The Lakers have been the county's best small-school program for quite some time, and it's hard to imagine them not being so again. Senior RB L.J. Stolarski (5-8, 160) will be counted on to lead the running game, as will senior OL Nick Burnham (5-11, 195). Defensively, the Lakers have the potential to be solid behind Burnham, junior LB John Kroll (5-10, 170), senior DL Eli Roque (5-10, 205), senior DB Jamie DiDio (5-10, 155) and junior LB Adam Beans (5-9, 160).
Why they won't: This will be as youthful a team as Boyd has ever had in his four-decade tenure at WOLL. Of the 40 players on the team, half are freshman and sophomores and only six are seniors. With many of the players in their developmental stages and just starting to get in the weight room, the Lakers will be a small outfit in addition to an inexperienced one.
The skinny: With such a green roster, it might be asking a lot of the Lakers to compete with Royal Oak Shrine and Allen Park Cabrini for a CHSL Intersectional 2 crown. However, WOLL has a rich tradition of success, and if the youngsters can mature and survive the first half of the season, the Lakers can be playing their best ball at the end of the year and possibly be a factor come playoff time.
Catholic League at a glance
Defending divisional champions: Orchard Lake St. Mary's/Birmingham Brother Rice (Central), Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (Intersectional 1), Allen Park Cabrini (Intersectional 2)
Defending Prep Bowl champions: Brother Rice (AB), Notre Dame Prep (CD)
What's new: Not a whole lot. There still isn't another league with such long-tenured coaches, with Fracassa, Mach and Boyd combining for 115 years of coaching experience at their schools. About the only thing new is the arrival of Greg Ganfield, who will be in his first year at Notre Dame Prep.
Predicted orders of finish:
Central — 1. Orchard Lake St. Mary's; 2. Birmingham Brother Rice; 3. Novi Detroit Catholic Central; 4. Warren De La Salle; 5. Dearborn Divine Child; 6. Detroit U-D Jesuit
Intersectional 1 — 1. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard; 2. Madison Heights Bishop Foley; 3. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep; 4. Loyola; 5. Riverview Gabriel Richard
Intersectional 2 — 1. Royal Oak Shrine; 2. Allen Park Cabrini; 3. Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes; 4. Marine City Cardinal Mooney; 5. Detroit Urban Lutheran; 6. Taylor Light & Life/Wyandotte Mt. Carmel
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