ORTONVILLE BRANDON PREVIEW: Lessons learned could help Blackhawks reach postseason field

DROPPING BACK: Ortonville Brandon senior Shane Mahaffy and the Blackhawks were quite effective in the passing game last season, racking up more than 1,800 yards in the air. Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

ORTONVILLE — Having something whisked away when it’s within reach can leave a bitter taste in the mouth of any football player or coach. That collectively best describes Ortonville Brandon’s football season last year.

The Blackhawks, who had only two winning seasons in the previous decade and have not been to the postseason since 2000, started the 2010 season with four blowout wins and outscored the opposition 291-76 in those contests. Brandon only won one of its final five games, a Week 7 victory over Swartz Creek (34-7).

Entering the final two weeks of the season, the Blackhawks needed just more win to get in the playoffs. It didn’t happen.

Brandon dropped a 28-27 decision to eventual Flint Metro League champion Linden in Week 8 and in Week 9 entered the rivalry game with Holly with both teams standing at 5-3. Holly won the contest, 35-28, to advance to the postseason. Brandon called it a season.

“I’m hoping that we learned some lessons last season,” said Brandon coach Tim Pazala.

Part of Brandon’s struggles in the second half of last season was scheduling. The four losses came to teams that finished ahead of the Blackhawks in the final FML standings. The other was player personal, as a handful of players were suspended for some off the field events.

That is all in the past.

Brandon returns several key players this season and should be in the thick of a wide-open league that could see 5-6 teams competing for the league championship. Fenton, Holly, Lapeer West, Lapeer East and Linden are the other schools that could contend this season in the nine-school FML.

“I think we have a group of guys that have worked hard to get ready for this season,” said Pizzala. “I think we have as good of a shot as anybody in our league.”

AT A GLANCE: Ortonville Brandon football coach Tim Oizzala (left) watches intently at a recent practice. Pizzala beleives his senior-laden team can improveupon last year's 5-4 record. Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt

Brandon has not won a conference crown since 2000, when it shared the OAA Division III title with Birmingham Seaholm and Southfield. The only other league titles in recent years were back-to-back crowns in the OAA Division IV in 1996 and 1997.

If the Blackhawks are to emerge from the heap in the FML this season, it will do so from a talented senior class, including two of the more talented players in the league.

Senior quarterback Shane Mahaffy (5-10, 170) is back after throwing for more than 1,800 yards last season. Senior lineman Justin Mezsets (6-4, 300) is a Division I prospect with plenty of mobility in the trenches.

There’s plenty more size and experience on offense. Seniors Matt Selak (6-5, 250) and Matt Smith return to the line with Selak a third-year starter. Seniors Dylan Everett (6-3, 205), Ryan Barnes (5-9, 160) and Zach Fernandez (6-0, 205) are all capable receivers and will again be targets of Mahaffy’s darts.

The Blackhawks are trying to break in a new running game. Senior David Ryan (5-10, 170), junior Blake Nivelt (5-10, 175) and sophomore Blake Rehahn (5-8, 190) are possibilities for the ground assault.

LOOKING FOR SPACE: Ortonville Brandon's Dale Ryan is one of many hopefuls that will try to bolster the Blackhawks' running game in 2011. Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt

Smith and senior Derek Dalling (6-0, 180) are the key linebackers. Davis is back at defensive end, and seniors Ryan Barnes (5-8, 150) and Brandon Lee (5-10, 160) are returnees in the secondary. Junior Cody Feltner (6-2, 170) is a versatile junior who will serve as the kicker, punter, defensive back and a receiver.

The Blackhawks are trying to lock down any defensive deficiencies that allowed them to give up 145 points in the 1-4 losing streak to end last season and the 221 total points surrendered throughout the entire nine-game campaign.

“We do have a couple of holes to fill, but we bring back a lot of guys from last year,” said Pizzala. “We also have a large senior class (26) that is eager to make up for last year and (qualify) for the playoffs.

TOWERING PRESENCE: At 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, Ortonville Brandon's Justin Mezsets is an imposing figure inside the trenches on Friday nights. Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt

“I think we have the potential to have a good season,” added Pizzala, whose team has the exact same schedule this season. “Right now we’re just getting ready for our opener with Clio. That’s our main concern right now.”

To submit information to www.northoaklandsports.com, e-mail dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com.  To advertise, e-mail advertising@northoaklandsports.com . Follow us on Twitter @LocalSportsFans and more than a dozen other social media networks.

Tags: Flint Metro League Football, high school football, Ortonville Brandon, Ortonville Brandon Football, Ortonville Brandon Football Preview 2011, prep football

Category: High School, High School (M-Z), Ortonville Brandon, Prep Wraps