OAA WHITE DIVISION TEAM CAPSULES
PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEWS 2012
OAKLAND ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION
TEAM CAPSULES
Team capsules compiled by Dan Stickradt. He can be reached by email at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com. Follow on Twitter @LocalSportsFans)
OAA WHITE DIVISION
Farmington
HEAD COACH: John Bechtel, 14th season (75-65).
ASSISTANT COACHES: Tom Burk, Jason Albrecht, Greg Smith, Harvey Heitman, Chuck Petitpas, Rod Risner
2011 RECORD: 6-5, 4-3 OAA White Division (tied-fourth); Postseason: Def. Detroit Henry Ford (49-19); lost to Southfield (27-9) in Division 2 district finals.
NICKNAME: Falcons
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 8, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011.
OFFENSE: Pro-I
DEFENSE: 4-4
RETURNING STARTERS: Ryan Caprathe, sr. OT-DT (6-5, 305); Connor Mohr, sr. FB-LB (6-0, 205); Isaiah Gourdine, sr. FS-TE (6-3, 200); Jordan Degreffenreed, sr. RB-DB (5-9, 185); Keenan White, sr. OT-DT (6-3, 275); John Perry, sr. TE (6-1, 195); Curtis Brunson, jr, WR-DB (5-11, 175).
KEY PROSPECTS: Josh Craven, jr. WR (6-3, 195); Antonio Dokic, jr. OG (6-2, 230);
Troy Mitchell, sr. QB (5-11, 185); Ken Hammond, sr. SS (5-11, 180); Mike Purry, sr. DT (6-3, 1645); Luke Dennis, sr. K-P.
NOTABLES: Farmington has made the postseason in seven of the past 14 years seems to have the right type of personal to keep the Falcons competitive this season. The problem in the OAA-wHite is that every team is talented and with newcomer North Farmington aboard, gives the league 6-of-8 teams that reached the postseason last season. Farmington should be one of many team engaged in a heated dogfight this autumn.
Farmington Harrison
HEAD COACH: John Herrington, 43rd season at Harrison; 51st overall (385-88-1).
ASSISTANT COACHES: John Witkowski, Dave Thorne, John Herstein, Ron Rice, Ron Brown, Will Coleman.
2011 RECORD: 10-1, 7-0 OAA White Division (first); Postseason: Def. Birmingham Seaholm (35-0); lost to Birmingham Brother Rice (30-7) in Division 2 district finals.
NICKNAME: Hawks
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 28, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998; 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011.
OFFENSE: Pro-I
DEFENSE: 30-40 Front Combo
RETURNING STARTERS: Lorenzo Collins, jr. TB (6-0, 200); Jake Slobin, sr. NT/OG (5-11, 235); Darius Coleman, sr. SE-CB (5-9, 180); Ed Huckelby, sr. LB-FB (5-11, 190); Noah Downs, sr. RT (6-4, 315).
KEY PROSPECTS: Doran Fields, sr. SE (6-0, 200).
NOTABLES: The Hawks were ranked nationally last season, only to see their season end shortly in the district finals by eventual state champion Birmingham Brother Rice. Most of the starting lineup has departed, yet many coaches in the league feel Harrison will again contend based on its tradition of 37 winning seasons and only five losing seasons under Herrington.
North Farmington
HEAD COACH: Todd Schultz, fifth season.
2011 RECORD: 7-3, 6-2 OAA Blue Division (tied-first); Postseason: Lost to Birmingham Brother Rice (34-8) in Division 2 pre-districts.
NICKNAME: Raiders
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 6, 1978, 1991, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2011.
OFFENSE: I-Formation
DEFENSE: 4-3
RETURNING STARTERS: James Ward, sr. RB-CB; Itoh Buley, sr.; Jordan Blaylock, sr. QB; Jason Ervin, sr. WR; John Wilson, sr. WR; Drew Correll, sr. C-DT; Justin Shelton, sr. OG-LB; Alec Londal, sr. OG-LB; Josh Kayster, sr. OT-DT; Yanni Bills, sr. DT; Kameron MacNear, sr. NT.
KEY PROSPECTS: Chauncey Bridges, jr. TB-FS; Malik Fuller, soph. TB-CB; Shamare McCorvey, sr. FB; Bobbly Williams, sr. QB; Chris Townes, sr. OT; Jordan Brown, sr. OT; Wesley Heidkamp, jr. OT; Deshawn Myers, jr. DT; Alonte Mayweather, jr. CB.
NOTABLES: North Farmington won its final seven regular season games last season to earn a share of the OAA Blue Division title with Birmingham Groves and reach the Division 2 postseason. The good news is that there are plenty of starters or reserves back from last season. The bad news is the Raiders have been promoted to the OAA White Division, which produced five playoff teams last season. Where North Farmington falls into the mix this season is anyone’s guess.
Oak Park
HEAD COACH: Greg Carter, second season (3-6 at Oak Park); 16th overall as head coach.
ASSISTANT COACHES: Robert Leak, Adam Carter, Anthony DeGrazia, William McMichael, Daniel Graham.
2011 RECORD: 3-6, 2-5 OAA White Division (sixth); did not qualify.
NICKNAME: Knights
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 4, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005
OFFENSE: Spread, I-Formation
DEFENSE: 4-2, 4-3
RETURNING STARTERS: Bryan Williams, sr. WR-SE (6-2, 180); Malik Washington, sr. TB-DB (5-9, 185); Michael Clendlan, sr. CB (5-10, 170); Harrison Shelby, sr. OG-DT (6-4, 350); Jalen Williams, sr. RT-DT (6-4, 280).
KEY PROSPECTS: Storm Hudson, jr. SS-RB (6-0, 190; transfer from Utica Eisenhower); John Kelly, soph. FS-RB (5-10, 180).
NOTABLES: Last season was a transition year for Carter and the Knights, as the team was a mix of holdovers and transfers from a variety of schools. Oak Park was competitive in several games but lost four games by 10 points or less. This could be the wild card of a very competitive OAA-White. There is plenty of talent and a great coaching staff. If the Knights put it all together, some of those close losses will turn into wins.
Oxford
HEAD COACH: Bud Rowley, 36th season (38th overall) (228-110-1).
ASSISTANT COACHES: Dave Brown, Kyle Rowley, Bill Keenist Jr., Luis Gomez.
2011 RECORD: 7-3, 5-2 OAA White Division (tied-second); Postseason: Lost to Rochester Adams (26-20) in Division 2 pre-district.
NICKNAME: Wildcats
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 17, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011.
OFFENSE: Pro-I
DEFENSE: 4-4
RETURNING STARTERS: Glacier Wallington, soph. QB-DB (5-9, 175); Logan Money, sr. OL (6-4, 270); Piper Thaler, sr. DL (6-2, 210); Andrew Davis, sr. OL-DL (5-10, 180); Zach Hadorn, sr. OL-DT (6-2, 230); Marty Giannola, sr. LB (6-0, 180).
KEY PROSPECTS: Chase Lalla, soph. FB-OLB (5-9, 170); Scott Stubenrausch, soph RB-DB (5-6, 160); Nathaniel Brubaker, sr. WR-SE (6-4, 185); Liam Logan, sr. RB (6-0, 170); Kyle Anderson, sr. TE-OLB (6-4, 210; injured last season); Matt Strzelecki, jr. TE-LB (6-1, 190); Vinnie Griffith, sr. LB-FB (5-10, 190); Brennen Orr, sr. WR-SE (5-10, 180); Kyle Reason, jr. RB-OLB (5-10, 175); Joseph Regan, jr. RB-OLB (5-10, 180). Richard Martin, jr. OL-DL (6-3, 230); John Parker, fr. RB-DB (5-9, 160); Jeremy White, jr. RB (5-10, 170).
NOTABLES: Gone are four standout players who are now on college rosters, including Mr. Football Prescott Line (southern Methodist) and lineman Collin Goetz (Central Michigan).the Wildcats do welcome back Glacier Wallington, who was an rare all-league QB as a freshman and a host of experience players. Oxford has several multi-sport athletes coming from basketball, lacrosse and wrestling. They likely won’t put up the gaudy numbers like last season, but should have enough to stay in the upper echelon of the OAA-White.
Rochester Adams
HEAD COACH: Tony Patritto, 10th season (84-22); 15th overall.
ASSISTANT COACHES: Mark MacFarland, Dick Kennedy, Dave Wilson, Jeff Springer, Tom Offer
2011 RECORD: 7-4, 4-3 OAA White Division (tied-fourth); Postseason: Def. Oxford (26-20); lost to Port Huron (27-21) in Division 2 district finals.
NICKNAME: Highlanders
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 15, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011.
RETURNING STARTERS: Kyle Niswonger, sr. LB-RB (6-2, 210); Ben Hart, sr. FB-KR-LB (5-10, 185); Matt Cobb, sr. DE-OT (6-2, 270); Alex Lang, sr. OT-DE (6-1, 210); Jack Twitty, sr. WR-SE (6-1, 180); Avery Taylor, sr. RB (5-9, 160); Jordan Shive, jr. WR-DB (5-10, 170; currently injured).
KEY PROSPECTS: Matt Sokol, jr QB (6-5, 215).
NOTABLES: The Highlanders have reached the postseason 15 straight seasons, the longest streak of the 25 programs in the OAA and longest of the 53 programs inside Oakland County. Can the Highlanders find a way to make it 16 straight? There are some question marks but plenty of holdover talent.
Southfield
HEAD COACH: Tim Conley, eighth season (45-28).
ASSISTANT COACHES: Paul Windam, Milton Jones Jr., Vernon Burden, Russel Johnson, Marlin Friendly, Dan Deegan, Kellen Reeves, James Cooks, Justin Williams, Tom Conley, Andy Green
2011 RECORD: 8-3, 5-2 OAA White Division (tied-second); Postseason: Def. Birmingham Groves (53-7); Farmington (27-9); lost to Birmingham Brother Rice (16-6) in Division 2 regional finals.
NICKNAME: Bluejays
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 9, 1979, 1985, 1990, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011.
OFFENSE: Spread
DEFENSE: 4-3
RETURNING STARTERS: Brandon Bean, sr. SS (6-0, 180); Jeff Madison, sr. WLB (6-1, 205); Willie Duncan, sr. MBL (5-11, 230); Carterris Carter, jr. SS (5-11, 190);
KEY PROSPECTS: Darius Danz, sr. RB-LB (5-10, 170; transfer from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s); Chukes Okorafor, sr. DE (6-0, 220); Jordan Cry, jr. SLB (6-1, 200); Lawrence Marshall, jr. DE (6-5, 225); Lion King Conoway, jr. DE (6-5 205); Chris Williams, jr. DT (5-11, 210).
NOTABLES: The Bluejays lost plenty of talent from their Elite Eight team. There is still plenty of team speed and depth at the skilled positions with several quality players who were waiting in the wings last season. There are also seven players who are being recruited by Division I and Division II coaches, so the components are here for another successful season. Southfield will play a very tough non-league schedule to go along with a stiff OAA-White schedule. If the line play develops in a hurry, then this team will be in the hunt for a league crown and more.
Southfield Lathrup
HEAD COACH: Stephon Thompson, 14th season (56-68).
ASSISTANT COACHES: Ben Holloway, Eric Armstead, Wel Jarbow, Duran Stebens, Willie Norwood.
2011 RECORD: 2-7, 1-6 OAA White Division (seventh); did not qualify.
NICKNAME: Chargers
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 4, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2007.
OFFENSE: Pro-I
DEFENSE: Odd Base
RETURNING STARTERS: Antwan Herbert, sr. WR-LB (6-2, 195); Andre Adams, sr. RB (5-11, 225); Alan Clark, sr. WR (5-11, 170); Martell Moncrieff, sr. LB (6-0, 200); Karlos Williams, sr. ILB (6-0, 230); Nick Timmins, sr. ILB (6-0, 205); Darryl Scofield, sr. DL (6-0, 210).
NOTABLES: The Chargers are coming off back-to-back 2-7 seasons and may be victim of being in a very deep conference in last few years. The OAA-White produced five playoff teams last season and could do the same. Lathrup will simply have to improve in order to climb a few notches this season. The Chargers were outscored 269-131 last season and 270-169 in 2010.
Team capsules compiled by Dan Stickradt. He can be reached by email at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com. Follow on Twitter @LocalSportsFans)
[polldaddy poll=6414054]
Category: High School, High School (M-Z), Most Recently Updated Stories, Oxford, Prep Wraps, Rochester Adams, Top Stories, Uncategorized
