2010 All-Area Football: Weapons on both sides of the ball spark postseason accolades

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

For the first time since 2003, an area football team captured a state title. That’s why there is no great surprise that this year’s all-area team has a Lake Orion flavor to it.

The Dragons have multiple first-team and second-team honorees, but by no means occupy the whole squad. Several other teams in the www.northoaklandsports.com coverage area had fine seasons, with Rochester Adams, Clarkston, Rochester, Auburn Hills Avondale, Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, and Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes/Clarkston Everest Collegiate Unified al making the playoffs.

Adams, WOLL and Avondale all won first-round games and several teams had players that earned multiple postseason accolades.

Those standout players on both sides of the football can be found on the 2010 NOS All-Area Football Team, as selected by NOS staff in conjunction with area coaches.

Below are the profiles of all of the first-team players, which is made up of 13 offensive and 13 defensive players. Lake Orion’s Chris Bell was selected as Coach of the Year.

FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE

Quarterbacks

SEAN CHARETTE, Lake Orion: This strong-armed junior saw his season come to an end in the regional finals, as he suffered a broken foot against Utica Eisenhower in the first half. The three-year starter still had an exceptional season despite watching his team win their final three games and the state championship without him. An All-OAA Red Division honoree, Charette finished the year 87-for-147 passing for 1,503 yards with 20 touchdown passes against only five interceptions in 12 games. He had a long of 72 yards, averaged 125.3 passing yards a game and had a quarterback rating of 183.2. Charette added 52 carries for 223 yards with three rushing touchdowns.

MITCH ROBINSON, Auburn Hills Avondale: Named honorable mention all-state in Division 3, the 6-0, 175-pound Robinson had one of the greatest seasons passing in state history. Setting multiple school records, Robinson was 218-for-384 passing for 3,606 yards, third all-time in the state, and set a single-season state record with 46 touchdown passes. He added nine rushing touchdowns and directed an offense that scored over 40 points a game. Robinson, also an all-league baseball player as a catcher, earned All-OAA Blue Division and All-County Second Team honors this season.

“Mitch is very underrated. He had the most touchdown passes in the state,” said coach Steve Deutsch. “He stepped up and led this team. He’s a great kid. He has a great arm. I know people really like him as a baseball player, but I think he has a chance to be a college quarterback.”

Running Backs / Slot Backs

MARQUES STEVENSON, Lake Orion: Stevenson received special mention on the Associated Press All-State Division 1-2 squad, but few would argue that he was one of the state’s best carrying the football. A three-year varsity veteran, the 5-9, 185-pound Stevenson was instrumental in leading the Dragons on the ground attack. He played in all 14 games, collecting 1,966 rushing yards on 253 attempts, averaging 7.8 per carry with a long of 80, and 25 rushing touchdowns.  He averaged 140.4 yards a game despite being pulled in many routs long before the game was completed. He added eight catches for 109 yards and had nine kickoff returns for 196 yards. His best outing came in the districts finals, where he amassed 288 rushing yards.

DANNY NEY, Lake Orion: Despite missing one game with an injury, Ney was one of the many vaunted weapons in the Dragons’ attack. The senior had 521 rushing yards on 65 attempts, an 8.0 average, had a long of 73 and finished with five rushing touchdowns. He added 11 catches for 318 yards, a 28.9 average, a long of 48 yards and four more receiving touchdowns. He was second on the team with 923 all-purpose yards.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

JAKE DUZEY, Troy Athens: This third-year starter has committed to Iowa, but not before he departs Athens as one of its all-time best football prospects. Also the starting center on the school’s basketball team, Duzey deploys his explosive 4.4 speed to get to the corners and empty spaces in a hurry. He finished with 38 receptions for 629 yards and four touchdowns for a team that finished 3-6. He also started at defensive end. To earn multiple postseason honors, including All-OAA Red Division, All-County First Team and All-State by several publications.

“We’re going to miss him,” said coach Josh Heppner. “Jake is a special player.  He draws a lot of attention on the field and he still makes great catches. The thing about Jake is that its all about the team, not about himself. He’s a team guy. He did whatever we asked of him to help the team.”

RAY TILLMAN, Auburn Hills Avondale: This senior returned to the football field last season after taking his sophomore year off. Now after a two-year stint on the varsity, Tillman has drawn plenty of interest from Division I coaches in both football and basketball. With Central Michigan, Toledo and Bowling Green three of the pursuers, Tillman made a statement this season with 83 catches 1,727 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns, second in school history. On defense, he added four interceptions as a defensive back and made the AP All-State First Team for Division 3-4.

ZACK ZOTT, Lake Orion: The Dragons mixed up their passing and running game quite well and Zott became the No. 1 target in the air for Dragons quarterbacks Sean Charette and Cole Schaenzer. The 6-foot-4 senior, also a standout left-handed pitcher in baseball, finished with 29 catches for 622 yards, a 21.4 average, 10 touchdowns and a long of 72 yards. He averaged 44.4 receiving yards a game.

Offensive Linemen

JOE STEPHAN, Rochester Stoney Creek: Playing on both the offensive and defensive lines, Stephan was a physical force in the trenches. Standing at 6-2, 240, Stephan earned Team MVP honors for his play. Many of the offensive plays the Cougars ran were on his side of the line, while he was a difficult mass to block and he overpowered players on the opposite side of the football. He was the Cougars’ leading tackler the past two years on offense and had three fumble recoveries and two interceptions this season. Stephen is being courted by some Division II and Division II schools, along with Division I Buffalo.

“Joe is one of our captains and our best football player,” said coach Calvin Gross. “He is looking at playing next year at the University of Buffalo. He has great feet and very strong. I moved him around on the offensive line as either a tackle or tight end…had to change his number a few times. He has great hands and is our best blocker. On offense he had one receiving touchdown and eight catches as the tight end. On the defensive side he played linebacker and defensive line and was very strong there.”

BLAKE MCGHEE, Lake Orion: Simply a pile mover on the line, McGhee earned Special Mention on the AP Division 1-2 All-State Team. At 6-2, 295 pounds, McGhee had the ability to create plenty of space for Lake Orion’s plethora of talented skilled athletes. The Dragons’ team totals is an attribute to McGhee and his linemates’ play: 249.4 rushing yards per  game, 132.8 passing yards an outing, 505 total points and 5,350 total yards offense.

SPENCER CAIRO, Rochester Adams: At 6-3, 295 pounds Cairo was a bull to block on the line. The All-County Second Team and All-OAA White Division standout at center started since the mid-point of his sophomore year and is now a Division I recruit, gaining interest from Buffalo and Western Michigan. He played on three playoff teams during his tenure at Adams.

“He was the leader of our offensive line,” said coach Tony Patritto. “He was a great run-blocker, very quick on (his feet).”

BRAD NYLEN, Rochester Adams: At 6-6, 220 ponds, Nylen was force on the line for Adams, despite missing a couple of games with an elbow injury. A fine blocker with quick feet for a team that finished 8-3 and reached the district finals, Nylen is also an all-state lacrosse player who has the talent to play either sport in college. He also plays varsity basketball as a post player.

“He was our MVP before he got hurt with the dislocated elbow,” said Patritto. “When he was healthy, he was very valuable to us. I thought we missed him a lot in (the postseason).”

All-Purpose

ANDREW HAMMETT, Rochester Adams: A three-year starter, Hammett played multiple positions on both sides of the ball. He was a key defensive back on defense and split time between wide receiver and quarterback on offense. The 6-3, 185-pound Division II recruit, who also plays basketball, was among the team’s leaders in tackles and had over 500 yards of offense receiving and passing.

“He was one of our best corners and he played wherever we need him to on offense,” said Patritto.

Kicker

LUCAS BLANKENSHIP, Troy: This is the second time in four years that the Colts have produced an all-state kicker. The 6-1, 170-pound senior, who had a 3.89 GPA and is being courted by Division I and Division II schools, Blankenship was 17-of-18 on extra  points, nailed 9-of-13 field goals with a long of 45 yards. He totaled 44 total points. He was named honorable-mention all-state on the AP Division 1-2 team, along with All-county First Team and All-OAA Red Division.

“Lucas developed into a fine kicker,” said coach Gary Griffith. “He was very consistent. He has a very live leg and he’s very accurate. I think he has a chance to be a good college kicker.”

FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

Linebackers

ALEC TRUMBLE, Rochester Adams: Those carrying the football had to meet Trumble face-to-face, as the 5-11, 195-pound Trumble led the Highlanders in tackles in the regular season.  The hard-hitting linebacker has some Division II interest for both football and lacrosse.

“Alec was one of our leaders on defense all season,” said Patritto. “Alec had some great games this season.”

NICK FRYE, Lake Orion: Lake Orion’s linebackers unit was a fearsome group and Frye was the leader of that all-star band. He was the team’s top senior in that group, ranking among the team’s leaders for tackles, and is picking up plenty of college interest. The 6-1, 210-pound senior earned All-OAA Red Division and All-County Honorable Mention status

ZACH COLLINS, Clarkston: A three-year starter, this junior has made a name for himself as one of the best to play for the Wolves with one season to go.  He finished with 95 tackles, solos and assists combined, and the 6-1, 190-pound stalwart earned All-OAA Red Division and All-County Second Team accolades. On the AP All-State  Team for Division 1-2, he was listed as honorable mention.

“I think he has a chance to be the best linebacker we’ve ever had. He’s already one of them,” said coach Kurt Richardson. “It seems like he was always in making the play. There are a lot of schools looking at him. Some of the Big ten schools have an eye on him.”

PRESCOTT LINE, Oxford: With his older brother Zach Line playing at Southern Methodist, this 6-1, 215-pound junior is making a name for himself as a football player and wrestler. On the grid-iron, he led the Wildcats in tackles with 95 and had 400-plus yards rushing with seven touchdowns.

“He goes after people,” said coach Bud Rowley. “He’s a fine football player, our best (linebacker). He’s making name for himself.”

JOHN MATTAR, Troy: The 5-10, 205-pound Mattar was brought during his sophomore year and was a major impact ever since. The senior finished a the Colts’ leading tackler as both a junior and senior, picking up 79 first hits, 245 assists, 104 total tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and one fumble recovery. The two-time all-league honoree in the OAA Red Division and Team MVP was also used as a fullback during his final game, picking up 231 yards on 20 carries and four touchdowns. He has picked up some interest from some Division II and Division III schools.

“John was our leading tackler the past two years. He was always making the play,” said Griffith. “He might not be a Division I prospect, a little undersized, but I think he can make plays.”

Defensive Lineman

DOMINIC ORLANDO, Auburn Hills Avondale: While the Yellowjackets’ defensive line and linebackers unit was full of inexperienced underclassmen, this senior was a rock on defense. He finished with a team-best 123 total tackles, best in the area, which is also one of the highest totals in school history.

“He’s 5-9, 185 and he plays a lot bigger than that,” said Deutsch. “We were really young on defense and we needed for someone to step up and be a leader. I thought Dom did a great job. We had a really young defense and Dom took charge.”

NICK MCINALLY, Clarkston: This returning starter had two fine years helping anchoring the Wolves’ line. The 6-1, 225-pound senior earned All-OAA Red Division and Al-county Honorable Mention status, finishing among the team leaders for tackles and helping the defensive-minded Wolves back to the state postseason for the eighth straight season. McInally also spent some time on the offensive line.

“He was better on the defensive line. He is a strong kid who really had a good year for us,” said Richardson. “With all of the injuries we had this season, we had to win games with defense. Nick was one of our best defensive players.”

ADAM GROS, Lake Orion: At 5-10 and 195 pounds, Gros might have seemed a little undersized, but the senior lineman hit lick a truck. He was amongst the Dragons’ leaders in tackles and had many clutch plays throughout the season. He earned All-OAA Red Division and honorable mention All-County honors as a senior.

NICK BRUEWER, Rochester: There wasn’t a more improved team in Oakland County than Rochester and Bruewer was an unsung hero for the Falcons, who reached the state playoff for the first time since 1999. Bruewer, an All-OAA Red Division and All-county honorable mention honoree, used his powerful frame to break through the offensive line and make tackles with regularity.

Defensive Backs

TONY HARRIS JR., Auburn Hills Avondale: This two-way player rarely left the field and was equally effective as a defensive back as he was a slot receiver/back. He finished among the team’s leaders in tackles, had four interceptions, three which he returned for touchdowns, on the defensive side. On offense, the 158, 160-pound Harris had 51 catches for 745 yards, six receiving touchdowns and three more rushing touchdowns. He earned All-OAA Blue Division and honorable-mention all-county honors. Harris is garnering college interest as a basketball player, as he is a three-year starter as a point guard.

“Tony was our best all-purpose player. We used him in all sorts of positions,” said Deutsch. He made some great defensive plays and he was one of our key players on offense as a slot. He’s a very good athlete, very shifty with the ball and hard to tackle. He’s one of the reasons for our success this season.”

TY FOLTZ, Clarkston: The 7-3 Wolves looked to their defense to carry the load and Foltz was a sparkplug in the secondary. Checking in at 5-9 and 150, Foltz played bigger than his frame and came through with clutch interceptions, pass deflections and tackles all season.

“Ty was a big-time player for us. He made some great plays in every game,” said Richardson. “He made some great defensive plays against West Bloomfield that helped us win that game.”

JAKE MILLER, Rochester Stoney Creek: This 5-10, 175-pound senior was a three-year starter for the Cougars and was effective on both sides of the football. He played safety, slot running back and returned kicks, rarely coming off the field. He had two kickoff returns this season and five for his career. He was his team’s leading rusher with 668 yards and six rushing touchdowns and ranked among the team leader in defensive plays.

“I think he could have opportunities to play in college but I think he really wants to play baseball in college. He is still a very good all-around football player,” said Gross. “Wherever we played him, he played well. He’s very versatile.”

Punter

MIKE KITCHNER, Oxford: The next in line of many standout punters and kickers at Oxford, Kitchner was the All-OAA White Division punter this season. At 6-3 and 190 pounds, Kitchner averaged around 36 yards a punt, but the junior also used his soccer speed to run the football on a handful of fake punts this season.

“He has a fine leg, but we also used him as a weapon to fake punts and run the football. He gained us a few first downs this season,” said Rowley. “We have him back for another year.”

COACH OF THE YEAR

CHRIS BELL, Lake Orion: In his 13^th season as head coach, Bell and his staff finally put it all together for a run to the state championship in Division 1. The Dragons finished a fine 13-1, 5-0 in the postseason, won the OAA Red Division at 7-0 and added district and regional titles to a long list of titles the Dragons have won under Bell’s leadership. His team outscored the opposition 505-154, averaging 36.1 point a game. Bell’s team has made the postseason in 12 of 13 years at Lake Orion, missing only in 2001. He is 112-35 in his career at Lake Orion and 133-53 in his head coaching career, which includes stints at Linden and Center Line St. Clement. His team also finished as the state runner-up in 2008 and reached the state semifinals in 1998.

2010 ALL-AREA FOOTBALL TEAM

FIRST TEAM-OFFENSE

QB:     Mitch Robinson         A.H. Avondale

QB:     Sean Charette             Lake Orion

RB:     Marques Stevenson Lake Orion

SL:      Danny Ney                   Lake Orion

WR:    Jake Duzey                   Troy Athens

WR:    Zack Zott                       Lake Orion

WR:    Ray Tillman                  A.H. Avondale

OL:      Blake McGhee             Lake Orion

OL:      Spencer Cairo             Roch. Adams

OL:      Brad Nylen                   Roch. Adams

OL:      Joe Stephen                 Roch. Stoney Creek

AP:      Andrew Hammett     Rochester Adams

K:        Lucas Blankenship     Troy

FIRST TEAM-DEFENSE

LB:      Alec Trumble               Roch. Adams

LB:      Nick Frye                       Lake Orion

LB:      Zach Collins                  Clarkston

LB:      Prescott Line                Oxford

LB:      John Mattar                  Troy

DL:      Dominic Orlando        A.H. Avondale

DL:      Nick McInally              Clarkston

DL:      Adam Gros                    Lake Orion

DL:      Nick Bruewer                Rochester

DB:     Tony Harris Jr.             A.H. Avondale

DB:     Ty Foltz                            Clarkston

DB:     Jake Miller                      Roch. Stoney Creek

P:        Mike Kitchner                Oxford

COACH OF THE YEAR

Chris Bell      Lake Orion          13^th Season

SECOND TEAM-OFFENSE

Quarterbacks: Nick Bradley, Rochester sr.; Tony Annese, Rochester Adams jr.

Running Backs/Slot Backs: Cody Devoe, Rochester jr.; James McDonald, Troy sr.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: Billy Klotz, Rochester sr.; Chris Canada, Clarkston sr.; Phil Annese, Rochester Adams sr.

All-Purpose: Cole Schaenzer, Lake Orion sr.

Offensive Linemen: Andrew Aurand, Troy Athens jr.; David French, Rochester sr.; Brock Nelson, Rochester Stoney Creek sr.; Blair Williams, Lake Orion sr.

Kicker: Trent Drumheller, Rochester Stoney Creek sr.

SECOND TEAM-DEFENSE

Linebackers: Nick Reed, Rochester sr.; Justin Baetz, Clarkston sr.; Alex Fine, Lake Orion sr.; Eric Mischley, Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest sr.; Jon Gall, Lake Orion jr.

Defensive Linemen: A.J. King, Troy Athens sr.; Evan Rourke, Lake Orion sr.; Sukhman Sidhu, Rochester Adams sr.; Steve Carpenter, Clarkston sr.

Defensive Backs: Trevor Gilbertson, Troy sr.; Tyler Curtis, Rochester Stoney Creek sr.; Tyler Misiak, Lake Orion sr.

Punter: T.J. Dean, Rochester jr.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Auburn Hills Avondale: Ryan Brancheau, sr. WR; Trevon Burrell. sr. RB-LB; Jordan Harris, sr. OL-DL; Auburn Hills Oakland Christian: Andrew Kern, sr. LB; Justin Recker, sr. LB-OL; Clarkston: Alex Barta, Clarkston jr. K; Joey Goss, jr. RB; Lake Orion: Andrew Shafkalis, jr. DL; Kyle Searle, sr. K; Nick Luby, sr. OL; Cody Campbell, soph. OL; Joey Kohler, Lake Orion sr. OL; Oxford: Aaron Stuk, sr. LB/TE: Darren Lumpkin, sr. RB; Cody Collier, sr. DB/WR; Clayton Spiker, sr. DB; Rochester: Marcel Johnson, sr. DT; Kurt Apostol, jr. LB; Diego Camp, sr. LB; Elisha Marshall, sr. OL; Lawrence Walls, jr. OL-DL; Rochester Adams: Cameron Casey, sr. K; Edward Williams,  sr. RB; Darrian Bell, sr. RB; Rochester Stoney Creek: Nick Gajdzik, jr. OL; Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest: Austin Wellhausen, sr. WR/DB; Robert Heiss, sr. OL; Matt  Gapski, jr. RB; Ryan Joseph, jr. WR/DB; Austin Meissner, jr. LB; Nathan Drews, soph. QB; Troy: Michael Bishop, sr. DB; Jarrett Boshniak, jr. DE; Greg Webber, soph. OG; Marc Wade, sr. LB; Troy Athens: Christian Conley, sr. TE/DB; Tyler  Everlove, sr. DB; Joe Kemp, sr. RB; Troy Christian Leadership Academy: Mitchell Essian, jr. QB-RB-LB; Mclane Essian, soph. QB-RB-LB; Joe Porter, sr. OT-DE; Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes/Clarkston Everest Collegiate Unified: Mike Sullivan, sr. QB/LB; Anthony Caizzo, sr. RB; Austin Karbowski, sr. WR.

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Category: All Area Teams, Auburn Hills Avondale, Auburn Hills Christian Acadamy, Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, Clarkston, Clarkston Everest Catholic, Lake Orion, Oxford, Prep Wraps, Rochester, Rochester Adams, Rochester Hills Lutheran NW, Rochester Stoney Creek, Stats / Area Leaders, Troy, Troy Athens, Troy Christian Leadership Acadamy