FOOTBALL: CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE-AA DIVISION TEAM CAPSULES
CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE-
AA DIVISION TEAM CAPSULES
Team Capsules compiled by Dan Stickradt. Email dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or follow on twitter @LocalSportsFans.
School: Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard
Nickname: Fighting Irish
Coach: Brian Lemons, seventh season (18th overall; 43-13).
Assistant Coaches: Gary Staub, Steve Posa, Dan Gallimore, Dave Lawrence, Joe Sheridan, Vic Doman, Mike Girskis, James Cook and Sabastian Gada
2012 Record: 11-2, 2-1 CHSL-AA Division (second).
Playoffs Run: Def. Dundee (49-0); def. Lake Fenton (24-0); def. River Rouge (16-6); lost to Portland in D-5 state semifinals (28-23).
Postseason Appearances: 9, 1981, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Offense: Multiple
Defense: 4-3
Players Lost: Aston Hundley, Joe Kendzicky, Steve Tracy, Drew Diedrich, Kendric Fowler, Kevin Busch, Nick O’Donnell, Tyler Kirchoff, Sean Donnellon, Austin Hundley, Ryan Ferris, Arron Tishkoff, Nick O’Donnell, Steve Tracy.
Key Players Returning: DJ Newlin, sr. TB-SS (5-11, 170); Nate Winnie, sr. C-LB (6-1, 225); Paul Galloway, sr. WR-DB-KR (6-0, 170); Matt Johnson, jr. LB-FB (5-11, 210);Steven Tim, sr. DE-TE (6-3, 195); Ken Kowalski, jr. LB-RB (5-11, 190);
Key Newcomers: Kevin Masini, jr. QB-P-K (6-0, 180); Hayden Staub, soph. DB-TB (5-10, 160); Even Fosha, soph. SS-WR (6-5, 180); John Yocum, jr. DB-WR-KR (5-10, 170); Mike Wolf, jr. K (5-9, 160).
Notes: The Fighting Irish are coming off perhaps their best season, winning the Catholic League playoffs and reaching the D-5 state semifinals. Richard graduated most of its starters and enters the 2013 season with far more question marks than the past few years.
School: Dearborn Divine Child
Nickname: Falcons
Coach: Steve Robb
2012 Record: 4-5, 1-2 CHSL-AA Division (third).
Postseason Appearances: 9, 1975, 1982, 1985; 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010.
Key Players Returning: Brock Bacher, sr. DT; Collin Goslin, jr. QB; Anthony DiPonio, sr. DB; Tom Popiel, sr. LB; Mike Flory, sr. RB; Ryan Seurynck, sr. TE.
Key Newcomers:
Notes: There are 23 returning letterwinners back for the Falcons, giving this squad plenty of experience to battle in a much improved CHSL-AA Division.
School: Detroit Loyola
Nickname: Bulldogs
Coach: John Callahan, fifth season.
Assistant Coaches: Tim Schule, Joseph Rayles, Andrew Crumm, Wayne Pritchett, Matt Dunbar, Tony Phant, Tory Johnson, Blaine Woodland.
2012 Record: 13-1, 6-0 CHSL-Intersectional Division (first).
Playoffs Run: Def. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic (36-7); def. Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett (50-7); def. Britton-Macon-Deerfield (32-0); def. Flint Beecher (54-6); lost to Ishpeming in D-7 state finals (20-14).
Postseason Appearances: 8, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Offense: Double Wing
Defense: 4-6.
Players Lost: Malik McDowell (transferred to Southfield; state’s top prospect), Keymonne Gabriel, J’Kwan Edward, Calvin Jackson, Marcus Hicks, Sterling Kimbrough.
Key Players Returning: Ka’John Armstrong, sr. OT-DT (6-6, 270); Darryl Clemons, jr. RB-LB (6-2, 205); Chris Davis, sr. OG (6-1, 245); Marvin Campbell, sr. RB (5-9, 190); Durrell McIntyre, sr. WR (6-2, 195); Keith Grays, sr. WR (6-1, 185); Phil Engram, jr. LB (5-11, 210); Allen Taylor, sr. LB (5-9, 225); Patrick Harbin, sr. SE (6-2, 210).
Key Newcomers: Derek Schaller, sr. QB (6-2, 205); (transfer from Lapeer East); Anthony Fitzpatrick, soph. DL-OL (5-9, 215).
Notes: Last year’s D-7 state runner-up received a promotion in the CHSL, being bumped up to the AA Division. The Bulldogs lost some talented players, but by no means will fall off the map. This team will still be a player in the top 10.
School: Macomb Lutheran North
Nickname: Mustangs
Coach: Ryan Wesley, second season (5-4).
Assistant Coaches: Will Ebel, Bryan McConnell, Tim Taykowski, Corey Eng
2012 Record: 5-4, 0-3 CHSL-AA Division (fourth).
Postseason Appearances: 9, 1990, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010.
Offense: Multiple
Defense: 3-4
Players lost: Eric Arthur, David Craig (Albion College), JJ McGrath (Michigan), Jacob Hocevar (transfer to Ohio), Ryan Trammell (Albion).
Key Players Returning: Will Kruse, sr. QB-SS-P (6-3, 205) Trevor Mason, sr. RB-LB (6-1, 195); Matthew Kennedy, sr. OL-DL (6-0, 215); Vince Petitta, sr. RB-CB-KR; David Halvorson, jr. RB-SS; Seth Majeski, sr. RB-LB (6-0, 175); Jonathan Taykowski, sr. WR-RB-KR (6-2, 180); Travis McConnell, sr. TE (6-4, 175); Austin Bass, sr. DE (6-4, 210); Jonah Taykowski, sr. OLB (6-3, 195); Richard Harrington, jr. C (5-9, 230).
Key Newcomers: Andy Bielecki, jr. RB-DB-KR (5-8, 160); Destin Keene, sr. OL-DL (6-4, 220); Brett Wagner, jr. K (5-7, 140); Brett Wagner, jr. K (5-9, 160)
Notes: The Mustangs were a win shy of the postseason last season and struggled in league play. A bulk of the talent returns, including some third- and fourth-year players and some improvement should be expected.
School: Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Nickname: Fighting Irish
Coach: Kyle Zimmerman, sixth season (35-16).
Assistant Coaches: x
2012 Record: 9-2, 3-0 CHSL-AA Division (first).
Playoffs Run: Def. Livonia Clarenceville (41-20); lost to Birmingham Detroit Country Day in D-4 district finals (14-12).
Postseason Appearances: 7, 1984, 1995, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012
Offense: x
Defense: x
Players Lost: Andrew Winiarski, Vinny Famularo, Andrew Wodrich, Connor Cervone, Joe Kutil.
Key Players Returning: Jermaih Johnson, sr. RB (5-10, 190); Anthony Gunn, jr. WR-DB (6-1, 195); Brendan Newvine, sr. QB; Alex Stuart, sr. DE; Austin Cervone, sr. DL; Daniel Praet, sr. SE; Aiden Cullen, sr. LB.
Notes: After a 4-5 season in 2010, the Fighting Irish have posted back-to-back playoff seasons and enter this season as one of the teams to beat in the CHSL-AA Division. Don’t be surprised to see Prep contending for another postseason berth.
Team Capsules compiled by Dan Stickradt. Email dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or follow on twitter @LocalSportsFans.
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