FOOTBALL: OAKLAND ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION RED DIVISION TEAM CAPSULES 2013
OAKLAND ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION RED DIVISION
TEAM CAPSULES 2013
Team Capsules compiled by Dan Stickradt. Email dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or follow on twitter @LocalSportsFans
School: Clarkston
Nickname: Wolves
Coach: Kurt Richardson, 28th season (190-77).
Assistant Coaches: Tom Hurley, Ryan Kaul, Jeff Long, Tony Miller, Rich Porritt, Steve Pearson, Phil Price, Brian Zezula, Pete Gallagher.
2012 Record: 11-1, 7-0 OAA Red Division (first).
Playoffs Run: Def. Davison (41-0); def. Grand Blanc (35-19); lost to Rockford in D-1 regional finals (25-14).
Postseason Appearances: 16, 1977, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.
Offense: Pro-I
Defense: 4-3
Players Lost: Jessie Chadwell, Craig Columbo, Ben Kaminsky, Nick Azzopardi, Nathan Yeloshan, Chris Calvano, Alex Dicea, Eric Eberle.
Key Players Returning: Ian Eriksen, sr. RB (5-10, 185); Nick Mattich, sr. OL-DL (6-3, 300); David Beadle, sr. OL (6-5, 295); Adam Mattich, jr. OL (6-0, 270); Cole Shewins, sr. TE (6-6, 210); DJ Zezula, jr. QB (5-11, 190); Caine Watlington, sr. WR; Shane Hynes, sr. K-P (5-8, 160); Reid Kaminski, sr. DB (5-11, 160); Tim Cason, sr. DB-WR (6-0, 180); Adam Kline, jr. WR (6-0, 190); Bryce Witherspoon, jr. DT (6-1, 265); Alex Peck, sr. LB (6-0, 175).
Key Newcomers: Joe Popp, jr. WR-DB (5-10, 170).
Notes: “We have a lot of talent, but we have a lot of work to do. We can’t rely on what we did last year or the fact that we have several Division I football players. We have to go do it on the field. We have to remember that we play for the name on the front of the jersey.”
School: Lake Orion
Nickname: Dragons
Coach: Chris Bell, 16th season (129-41).
Assistant Coaches: Dave Tooley, Darin Tooley, John Blackstock, Eric Jennings, Mike Heath, Brad Fischer, Jay Cohoe, Brian Schwartz, Kevin Misiak.
2012 Record: 11-2, 6-1 OAA Red Division (second).
Playoffs Run: Def. Sterling Heights Stevenson (35-0); def. Utica Eisenhower (10-7); def. Macomb Dakota (51-35); lost to Detroit Cass Tech in D-1 state semifinals (34-27).
Postseason Appearances: 17, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.
Offense: Spread
Defense: 4-3
Players Lost: Jacob Miller, Chaz Miller, Derric Williams, Nick White, Nick Booker, Brandon Clements, Nick Vogelmeier, Derek DeLaura, Durham Basso, Travis Hill, Joey Friedman.
Key Players Returning: Zak Arnold, sr. RB-WR (6-0, 175); Corey Ester, sr. WR-RB (5-9, 170); Dominick Giovinazzo, sr. RB (5-10, 185); Chris Leigh, sr. RB (6-0, 195); Trenton Elkins, sr. OL-DL (5-9, 245); Nick Sally, sr. OL (6-2, 200); Brennan Rourke, sr. LB (6-0, 215); Charlie Highland, sr. DB (5-9, 165).
Key Newcomers: Kyle Bell, sr. QB-DB (5-9, 170); Matt Krause, jr. RB (5-9, 200); Conner Grant, jr. QB-LB (5-9, 175); Brad Chisholm, sr. DB (5-11, 160); Ryan Solarczyk, sr. OT (6-3, 230); Tom Iselli, sr. C (5-11, 195); Zach Greene, sr. WR (5-10, 165).
Notes: “We should again have a very good football team. We had a great offseason and summer, we’ve got very good team speed, we’re bigger up front than we have been the past couple of years, and we have a lot of experience back from a team that reached the state semifinals.”
School: Pontiac
Nickname: Phoenix
Coach: Damian Redmond, second season (1-8).
Assistant Coaches: Lorenzo Robinson, Big Vanover, Chris Wright Henry Jackson, Donzell Humphrey.
2012 Record: 1-8, 1-6 OAA Red Division (tied-sixth).
Postseason Appearances: 2, 2009, 2011; Before Merger: Pontiac Central, 4 (1991, 1995, 2001, 2007); Pontiac Northern, 7 (1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007).
Offense: Multiple
Defense: Multiple
Players Lost: Jody Harrison, Blake Samuels, Trajan Seay, Roosevelt Wheeler, Blake Daniels, Chrles Walker, Tavares Miles, Moses Miles.
Key Players Returning: Jalin Nealy, jr. WB (5-11, 180); Edwin Jimenez, jr. OL (6-0, 260); Jalen Mays, sr. OL (6-3, 300); Dario Franklin, sr. OL-DL (6-3, 280);
Notes: Pontiac is coming off a rough campaign and with number low and the fact that the district nearly became a charter district over the summer, Redmond and staff have their work cut out for the Phoenix, who are playing in an improved OAA-Red against much bigger schools.
School: Rochester
Nickname: Falcons
Coach: Erik Vernon, fifth season (16-21).
Assistant Coaches: Dale Clark, Eddie Hillary, Nick Merlo, Steve Fox, Bill Ames, Steve Fox, Jim DeJaeger, Eric Magiera, Nate Farley.
2012 Record: 5-4, 4-3 OAA Red Division (tied-third).
Postseason Appearances: 4, 1988, 1993, 1999, 2010.
Offense: Multiple
Defense: 4-3
Players Lost: Manny Mendoza, James Ward, John Doroshewitz, Peter Dusat, Miles Dale, Jimmy Harten.
Key Players Returning: Shwan Shadaia, sr. OL-DL (6-0, 210); Shane Shadaia, sr. FB-OL-DE (6-0, 190); Kyle Hilstead, sr. OL (6-1, 250); Sam Figurski, sr. OL (6-2, 195); Cameron Daniels, sr. OL (6-3, 290); Max Biezinski, sr. OL (6-3, 250); Gustavo Hernandez, sr. OL (6-0, 260); Demetrius Magee, sr. CB-WR (5-10, 180); Tyler Carten, sr. RB-DB (6-1, 210); Julian Cutraro, sr. TE-DB (5-9, 170); Jacob White, sr. MLB (5-10, 190); Brad Bersbach, sr. LB (5-11, 195); Aaron Morgan, sr. LB (5-9, 160).
Key Newcomers: Kevin Byrd, sr. QB-DB (6-4, 190) (transfer from West Bloomfield; injured last season); Zack Libby, sr. LB (5-11, 180); Dylan Meier, jr. P; Justin Van Dyke, sr. K.
Notes: “We have a lot of seniors, we are senior heavy, so we have a lot of experience. This season we want to finish games. Last season we didn’t finish well and we needed up losing our final two games, which cost us a playoff berth.”
School: Rochester Stoney Creek
Nickname: Cougars
Coach: Brad Zube, second season (5-4); fifth overall (16-12).
Assistant Coaches: Matt Topie, Louis Adams, Rich Koch, Matt Luhmann
2012 Record: 5-4, 4-3 OAA (tied-third).
Postseason Appearances: 2, 2006, 2007 (opened 2002-03).
Offense: Spread Motion
Defense: 5-2
Players Lost: Jack Stablien, Sam Clayman, Kyle Bricknell, JaQuis Jamison, Stu Gadigan, sr. OL-DL (injured, out for year).
Key Players Returning: Sean Scullen, sr. RB-QB-DB (6-2, 205); David Kerr, sr. OL (6-2, 260); Justin Allor, sr. QB-RB-DB (5-11, 185); Noah Beck, sr. RB (5-8, 160); Alex Schnurr, sr. WR-K (6-0, 175); Jack Van Almen, sr. LB (6-1, 215); Peter Price, sr. DE (6-0, 210); Brandon Ballard, sr. DB-LB (5-10, 185); Joe Cox, jr. RB-SS-P(5-10, 200); Joe Platz, jr. DL (6-2, 215); Ben Kast, sr. DB; Ryan Andrusz, sr. DE (6-2, 215).
Key Newcomers: Nick Rangos, sr. RB (5-7, 160); Scott Reader, jr. HB-WR (5-8, 150); Jack Allen, jr. RB (5-10, 175); Andrew Price, jr. (5-10, 175); Jack Allen, jr. CB (5-10, 180); Nick Lalonde, jr. DB (5-10, 170).
Notes: “We have a lot of experience and I know expectations are high. But we want to keep improving and hopefully make the playoffs. We would love to challenge Clarkston and Lake Orion, but since they formed the (OAA) Red, nobody else in our league is beaten them. You have to respect them. We hope to give them a challenge.”
School: Troy
Nickname: Colts
Coach: Gary Griffith, 30th season.
Assistant Coaches: Duane Losey, Chris Frasier, Ryan Frasier, Jim Pobursky, Keith Thomas, Don Johnson
2012 Record: 5-4, 4-3 OAA Red Division (tied-third).
Postseason Appearances: 13, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2007, 2008, 2009.
Offense: Spread Pistol
Defense: 52 Shade
Players Lost: Justin Losey, Thomas Richardson, Greg Webber, Brian Johnson, Connor Hayden, Joe Leonard, Torrence Cherry, Terrance Cherry; Quincy Walker, Eric Hagen.
Key Players Returning: Jay Darrish, sr. QB (6-0, 180); Justice Bigelow, sr. DB (6-2, 180); Danny Wunderlich, sr. P-WR-FS (6-2, 180); Davis Strobridge, sr. LB-RB-SS (5-10, 220); Damian Howard-Doney, sr. OG (6-2, 290);Erich Hagen, sr. K (6-5, 230).
Key Newcomers: Jon Hornsby, jr. OT (6-2, 215); Eric Papandrea, jr. SL (5-9, 170); Jermikal Simmons, sr. SL (5-5, 130); Chris Koumoutsopoulos, jr. OG-DT (6-1, 220); Eric Soreide, sr. ILB (5-9, 185); Christian Purnell, sr. CB (6-0, 150); Matt Grecky, sr. OLB (5-11, 185); Conan Stoehr, sr. NG (5-7, 210).
Notes: Troy is coming off three straight seasons without a playoff berth, which includes a 13-14 record in that span. The Colts lost their final game last season to Oxford in a must-win game. Troy has several fine athletes which could keep them in the top half of the OAA-Red and hopefully in contention for its first playoff berth since 2009.
School: Troy Athens
Nickname: Red Hawks
Coach: Josh Heppner, fourth season (sixth overall, 14-23).
Assistant Coaches: Mike DiVito, Neal Mozdzierz, Tom Cook, Mike Pierce, Steve Culp, Steve Mitzel, Matt Rawlik, Brad Robinson, Joe Simony, Max Blank, Bill Tokar.
2012 Record: 2-7, 1-6 OAA Red Division (tied-sixth).
Postseason Appearances: 6, 1989, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2011.
Offense: Multiple
Defense: 4-4
Players Lost: Joe Shields, Sam Haskell, Lonnie Jaynes, Jalen Thomas, Grant LaBeau, Max Blank, Andrew Hazen, Ivan Kharcenko, James Ortmann.
Key Players Returning: Lucas Bezerra, sr. TE-DE (6-4, 235); Thomas Lance, sr. DT-TE-OT; Craig Bazen, sr. RB-DB (6-2, 185); Jake Nelson, sr. QB-DB-LB (6-2, 195); Jake York, sr. OL-DL (6-4, 215); Brandon Elliott, jr. K (5-10, 165); Ryan Ruckensfuss, jr. OL (6-4, 260); Luke Spinek, sr. DL (6-0, 225).
Key Newcomers: Alex Mussat, jr. QB-WR-DB (6-2, 190); Andrew Robinson, sr. OL (6-0, 215); Joe Coussens, sr. DB-WR-RB (5-11, 180); Joe Haddad, sr. OL-DL (5-10, 225); Brennan McHugh, jr. LB-RB (5-10, 185); Kyle Skinner, sr. LB-FB (6-1, 205); Derick Nelson, jr. RB-WR-LB (6-1, 185); Ehron Enyedy, sr. DB-WR (5-10, 175); Lorenz Banks, sr. LB-FB (5-11, 185).
Notes: “With the Red Hawks coming off of an extremely disappointing 2012 football season, we are looking to bounce back with the same kind of presence we had regarding our 2011 team. Overall size in numbers will be low for us this year at all levels, but much of the off-season has been spent building relationships with our players and coaches that will carry us back to the level of play expected of championship football teams.”
School: West Bloomfield
Nickname: Lakers
Coach: Ron Bellamy, fourth season (7-20).
Assistant Coaches: Mike Marshall, Phil Sacha, Reggie Wynns, Kyle Kilpatrick, Guy Monarch, Keith Smith.
2012 record: 2-7, 1-6 OAA Red Division (tied-sixth).
Postseason Appearances: 2, 2000, 2008.
Offense: Pro-Style
Defense: 4-3
Players Lost: Matt Farrow, Keith Love, John Hubbard, Jeff Poole, Chaz Monarch.
Key Players Returning: JJ Blom, sr. ILB-TE (6-2, 200); Austin Vance, sr. OG (6-1, 250); Obbie Jackson, jr. CB-WR (6-0, 170); Brighton Unaegbu, sr. WR-FS (6-1, 185); Michael King, jr. RB-CB (5-7, 165); Trishton Jackson, soph. QB-DB (6-3, 180); Robert Powell, sr. QB-DB (6-1, 185); Eddy Wilson, jr. DT-OT (6-4, 255); Justin Hollins, jr. DT (6-2, 280); Matthew Curtis, sr. FS-WR (5-8,170); Connor Genryh, sr. K (5-10, 165).
Key Newcomers: Mayon Mosley, soph. SS (5-11, 175); Chris Williams-Watkins, sr. RB-LB (5-8, 190).
Notes: “Last season we were very young, starting six sophomores and a freshman in a lot of games. We had a couple of close losses where we held leads in the first half. We hope to turn those games into wins this season and finish above five-hundred. The ultimate goal is to make the playoffs.”
Team Capsules compiled by Dan Stickradt. Email dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or follow on twitter @LocalSportsFans.
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