FOOTBALL: CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE-CENTRAL DIVISION TEAM CAPSULES 2013
CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE-CENTRAL DIVISION TEAM CAPSULES 2013
Team Capsules compiled by Dan Stickradt. Email dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or follow on twitter @LocalSportsFans.
School: Birmingham Brother Rice
Nickname: Warriors
Coach: Al Fracassa, 44th season (416-117-7).
Assistant Coaches: Dave Sofran, Adam Kornienski, Richie Popp, Pat Lynch, Rich Grisan, Ben Rowden.Mark Goebel, Nick Vettraino.
2012 record: 12-2, 3-1 CHSL-Central (tied-first); Playoff run: Division 2 state champs.
Postseason Appearances: 25, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.
Offense: Multiple
Defense: 4-3
Players lost: Jon Reschke, Kevin Henry, Kyle Bindi, Lucas Cherocci, Cheyne LaCanaria, Kyle Marsh, Greg Marzec, Billy Pieroni, Griffin Anderson.
Key players returning: Jason Alessi, sr. SE-K (6-1, 180); Sage Baltrusaitis, sr. C (6-1, 260); Brian Walker, sr. RB (5-9, 225); Jon Forster, sr. P; Joshua Flye, sr. KR-TE (5-7, 165); Grant Perry, jr. KR-WR-DB (6-0, 180); Chris Carter, sr. CB (5-11, 190); Shaun Jones, sr. LB (5-11, 220); Shon Powell, sr. RB (5-7, 180); Corey Lacanaria, sr. WR (5-9, 180); Ty Kiafoulis, sr. TE (6-5, 230); Jeremy Hickey, sr. OL (6-5, 280); Matt Phillips, sr. OL (6-2, 250); Dominick Perkovic, sr. OL-TE (6-5, 235); Alberto Sandoval, sr. DL (6-4, 255); Alex Malzone, jr. QB-DB (6-3, 200).
Key Newcomers: Jack Grisan, sr. LB (6-2, 225); Jack Dunaway, jr. DE (6-3, 215); Marc Miller, jr. DT (6-3, 230); Riley Maher, soph. LB (6-1, 190); Navin Abro, sr. SS (5-10, 175)
Notes: This is Fracassa’s final season at the helm and he ranks high among the legendary high school coaches in the country in terms of wins and overall success. The Warriors have won back-to-back D-2 state titles and with several talented athletes back in the mix, there’s reason to believe that this team is capable of another long run.
School: Detroit U-D Jesuit
Nickname: Cubs
Coach: Oscar Olejniczak, first season.
Assistant Coaches: Nick Bowers, Nick Martin, Jeremy Bass, Edwin Piner, Chris Ruemenapp, Zach Weaver.
2012 record: 2-7, 0-4 CHSL-Central (fifth).
Postseason Appearances: 3, 1999, 2000, 2001.
Offense: Pro Style.
Defense: 4-3.
Players lost:
Key players returning: Stephen Ruemenapp, sr. C (6-3, 240); Lloyd Lyons, sr. OT (6-3, 265); Dillon Dixon, sr. WR-CB (6-1, 180); Paris Bennett, sr. LB (6-1, 215) (committed to Syracuse); Sheldon Doss, jr. CB (6-0, 185); Cornelius Aldridge, sr. DB (6-0, 185); Jacari Faulkner, sr. DE (6-4, 260) (committed to Western Michigan); Patrick Dery, jr.LB (5-10, 190); Tyler Cuckovich, sr. DE (6-4, 265).
Key Newcomers: Ryan Brand, jr. QB (5-10, 190) (transfer from Farmington Harrison); Kelechi Duru, sr. RB (5-10, 185); Jaren Kirkland, jr. RB (5-7, 165); Alex Allen sr. WR (5-7, 160); Anthony Allen, sr. LB (6-2, 240) (transfer from Redford Thurston); Tyler Johnson, sr. DL (5-10, 245); Randy Thomas, jr. DB (5-10, 265); Liam Lynch, sr. TE-LB-KR (6-1, 235); Thomas Forester, jr. K-P (5-6, 145).
Notes: U-D Jesuit has a new head coach and faces an uphill battle in the league, as three teams were state finalists last season. There is talent, so the Cubs need to gain some wins outside of the league and hope for the best. It’s been 12 years since the Cubs last made the postseason. The jury is out if Olejniczak and staff can right the ship.
School: Novi Detroit Catholic Central
Nickname: Shamrocks
Coach: Tom Mach, 38th season.
Assistant Coaches: x
2012 record: 9-5, 3-1 CHSL-Central (tied-first); Playoff run: Division 1 state runner-up; lost to Detroit Cass Tech (36-21).
Postseason Appearances: 24, 1979, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.
Offense: Pro-Style.
Defense: 4-3
Players lost: Wyatt Sherman, Anthony Darkangleo, Derek Edwards, David Houle, Kevin Walsh, David Widzinski, Jon Malone.
Key players returning: Zach Bock, sr. RB-DB (6-0, 185); Alex Galiyas, sr. OL-DL (6-2, 260); Dylan Roney, sr. TE-DE (6-2, 230); David Wright, sr. LB (6-1, 205); Sean Birney, sr. DB (6-0, 175).
Key Newcomers: David Wright, sr. TE (6-1, 205); Danny Collins, sr. RB-DB (5-10, 190); Connor Holton, sr. RB (6-1, 200); Chris Oyoke, sr. DL (6-5. 340); Cameron Hendershot, jr. DE (6-4, 225).
Notes: Escaping the path of a brutal schedule, the Shamrocks reached the D-1 state title game the past two years. This team rarely rebuilds, so high expectations again surround the program. The Shamrocks have some extra incentive this season, playing for a fallen comrade. David Widzinski, who started as a sophomore last season, died suddenly in the offseason. The Shamrocks will play for him and look to return to glory as one of the state’s top teams.
School: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
Nickname: Eaglets
Coach: George Porritt, 25th season (218-59).
Assistant Coaches: Frank Janosz, Jeff Phillips, Don Buchanan, Sean Clouse, Bobby Clouse, Mark Lengel, Mike Lawrence, Jeff Hoffman.
2012 record: 11-3, 3-1 CHSL-Central (tied-first); Playoff run: Division 3 state runner-up; lost to Grand Rapids Christian in overtime (40-37).
Offense: Spread
Defense: 4-4
Postseason Appearances: 19, 1977, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.
Players lost: Matt Linehan, Austin Johnson, Andrew Koterba, Grant Niemiec.
Key players returning: Jalen Watts-Jackson, sr. WR-DB (5-11, 180); Jeremy Schram, sr. OG (6-4, 285); Julian Jones, sr. NG (6-0, 240); Jeff Robinson, sr. RB-DB (5-10, 230); Spencer Hurst, sr. K-P (5-11, 190); Michael Linihan, jr. LB-RB (6-1, 200); Mark Zanders, sr. RB-DB (5-9, 180).
Key Newcomers: Tyson Smith, jr. QB-DB (5-10, 180); Ja’Mar Antwine, jr. RB-LB (5-10, 165); Garrett Edgell, jr. RB; Ross Moore, jr. LB.
Notes: The Eaglets lost in the D-3 finals last season on a last-second field goal. This team has its strengths and weaknesses, a very young on the offensive line and breaking in a new quarterback is a glaring hole but OLSM welcomes back and experience defensive front and secondary. One thing that time has proven is that the Eaglets do not rebuild, they reload and fans should expect this team to be in the league title chase and postseason once again.
School: Warren DeLaSalle
Nickname: Pilots
Coach: Matthew Lewis, first season.
Assistant Coaches: Mike Lewis, Rick Corona, Brian Kelly.
2012 record: 5-4, 1-3 CHSL-Central (fourth).
Postseason Appearances: 9, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011.
Offense: Multiple
Defense: Under Front
Players lost: Shane Morris, Josh Cox, Andrew DiFranco, Cordell Crosby, Kyle Anderson, Chris DeSrosiers, Allan Jefferson, Jordan Avgousti.
Key players returning: Brent Morris, sr. WR; Mario Agosta, sr. WR-DB; Sam Badalamenti, sr. OLB-WR; Stephen Garrity, sr. OL-DL; Jared Wrangler, sr. LB-WR.
Key Newcomers: Carter Wilson, sr. WR; Giovanni Rescigno, sr. QB-DB.
Coach’s comments: We will be young, but look forward to developing our youth throughout the season. We have one of the most difficult schedules in the state, which really minimizes our room for error but creates a great opportunity for our program. We had a tremendous commitment to the offseason workout program. We hope that the effort and enthusiasm showed in the off-season will carry into the fall.”
Team Capsules compiled by Dan Stickradt. Email dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or follow on twitter @LocalSportsFans.
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