ROCHESTER STONEY CREEK PREVIEW: Cougars hope to gain valuable experience in rebuilding year

LEADER OF THE PACK: Rochester Stoney Creek will look to the leadership of senior lineman Nick Gajdzik, one of only two returning starters for the Cougars. Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

ROCHESTER HILLS — When Rochester Stoney Creek first opened its doors a decade ago, expectations for sports weren’t all that high. It was more of the “wait until a couple of years from now” approach.

After all, no powerhouse program is built overnight.

That is why football head coach Calvin Gross was so disappointed in the Cougars’ 2010 season. There was a large senior class that came up through the program, players that understood the system and had a firm grasp on expectations. For a program now far removed from its infancy days, Stoney Creek finished far below expectations last season.

The school is not new anymore, yet the Cougars dipped to a 2-7 overall mark in 2010, including 2-5 in the OAA White Division. That was preceded by four straight winning seasons, including state playoff berths in both 2006 and 2007. Overall, the program is 39-44 after the first nine years of varsity competition.

“I just don’t think we got the leadership last year that we need to succeed,” said Gross. “That is what is disappointing.”

Stoney Creek only returns two offensive players that were regular starters last season and no defensive starters. That might leave the expectations low for now. But Gross senses that some good things will come from this year’s group, even though the Cougars are expected to finish in the bottom third of the OAA White Division, which should be one of the state’s better conferences this year.

“I think our league is loaded this year,” admitted Gross. “I think that’s why it’s hard to say how well we’ll do. We have some talented athletes, but we have mostly new starters and a few sophomores. I honestly think we might be a year or two away from challenging in our league.”

Defending Division 2 state champion Farmington Harrison is the favorite in the OAA-White, which also features Rochester Adams, senior-laden Oxford, Southfield, Southfield Lathrup and Oak Park, all which have playoff aspirations. Farmington, which finished second in the league and reached the postseason, graduated most of its starters and may rebuild.

“From top to bottom, we have one of the better leagues around. I think our guys will gain some great experience this year,” said Gross. “Who knows what might happen if we can (pull a couple of upsets).”

Last year’s freshman team finished 9-0 and there is plenty of talent in the lower grades. The Cougars may take some lumps this season but be primed for the future.

There is some young talent on the roster, including as many as five sophomores. Sean Scullen (6-3, 190) is one of those 10^th graders and is challenging senior Brandon Arduino (5-8, 150) for the starting job at quarterback.

Whoever gains the starting nod at QB will fall under the protection of the team’s two returning starters — senior offensive guard Serge Andreou (5-10, 235), who Gross feels is one of the better players to play at Stoney Creek, and fellow senior center Nick Gajdzik (6-3, 225). Both were all-state wrestlers last March, with Gajdzik finishing second in the state in the 215-pound weight class and Andreou eighth at heavyweight.

Calvin Gross

The eligibility of senior Paul Ziemba will help. Ziemba (6-1, 205) sat out last season after transferring over from Warren DeLaSalle and he will play in the backfield this season. Seniors Connor Dean (5-11, 170) and Zack Northrup (5-7, 155), an all-league baseball player, will be the other featured running backs.

Junior Spencer Lendzion (6-0, 170) did not play last year after transferring from Birmingham Brother Rice. Lendzion should be one of the team’s top receivers. Another player that should have an impact is senior Mike Eldridge (6-2, 225), who will start on the offensive line alongside Andreou and Gajdzik.

Defensively and on special teams, there is ample opportunity for all, as all of last year’s starters graduated are opted not to return. Andreou (tackle), Gajdzik (tackle), Ziemba (linebacker), Dean (linebacker), Northrup (defensive back), Adruino (defensive back), Eldridge (tackle) and Lendzion (defensive back) could all be two-way starters.

There are 51 players on the varsity roster this season, although far more than half of those players are first-year varsity prospects.

“We’ll see who steps up and how well these guys come together and play as a unit,” said Gross of having to replace the entire defense.

Gross did say that with a change of guard, there is also a change in attitude among the players.

“We had a very good off-season with our weight training and speed training, and that shows commitment,” said Gross. “We were very effective throwing the ball this summer at some passing camps and we have some very good athletes on our lines. We have guys like Andreou and Gajdzik who bring toughness to both sides of the ball. These guys are all-state wrestlers and they bring energy to the team. We need that. They are also good leaders.

“Our goal is to focus on being better than last season,” continued Gross, recollecting the four straight winning seasons from 2006 through 2009. “We need to build a foundation for the future. We have some very good sophomores in the program, some which are up with us. I think we must lay the ground work this season to help us become a quality program (again). We had a couple of good years there, but we had a dismal season last year.”

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Category: High School, High School (M-Z), Prep Wraps, Rochester Stoney Creek