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FOOTBALL: 2014 MICHIGAN INDEPENDENT ATHLETIC CONFERENCE TEAM CAPSULES

| August 27, 2014 | Comments (0)

2014 PREP FOOTBALL TEAM CAPSULES

 

MICHIGAN INDEPENDENT ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

 

 

LAST SEASON: http://northoaklandsports.com/2013/08/27/17371/

 

Team capsules compiled by senior editor Dan Stickradt and staff. Email dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or results@northoaklandsports.com. Follow on Twitter @LocalSportsFans and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Oakland-Sports/439028726180861.

 

 

Auburn Hills Oakland Christian

HEAD COACH: Bill Schaffer, fourth season (37th overall) (11-26 at Oakland Christian).

ASSISTANT COACHES: Rusty Mandle, Brian Hoffman, Joe Whitt, Jeremiah Nichols, Andrew Kern, Chris Lewis, Nick Quinn

2013 RECORD: 5-5, 3-2 MIAC (third).

2013 POSTSEASON: Lost in D-7 pre-district to Harbor Beach (54-0).

POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 1, 2013

KEY RETURNEES: Ryan Kostich, jr. RB-LB (6-0, 185); Javarian Smith, st. QB-DB-P (6-1, 185); Nick Lowell, jr. OL-DL (6-3, 245); Josh Morgan, soph. OL-DL (6-2, 300); Jake Milam, sr. OL-DL (5-10, 175); Daniel Cobb, sr. DE-OL (6-3, 170); Delijah Kennedy, soph. DT-OL (5-10, 20). Caleb Cotter, jr. SE-RB-WR (5-10, 165); Chad Christian, sr. OLB-QB-WR (5-8, 170); Rob Columbo, sr. OLB-OT (5-9, 165); AJ Hawkins, soph. MLB-FB (5-9, 260)

KEY NEWCOMERS: Jimmy Kern, sr. WR (6-1, 165). Bradley Miller, soph. WR-DB (6-6, 230); Ruben Bettinger, jr. K-RB-OLB (also playing soccer).

KEY LOSSES: Stephen Nichols, WR-DE (6-5, 220); Bobby Roose, DT-OT (6-0, 285); Preston Lasala, WR (6-5, 235); Cody Marazita, RB (5-8, 170); Chase Sumner, WR (6-4, 200); Drake Falconer, WR-CB (5-10, 160); John VanNoord, K-P (5-11, 160); Josh Morgan, soph. OG-DT (6-3, 280); (not playing this season); Aaron Kostich, DE (5-10, 160).

OUTLOOK: The Lancers broke through with not only their first winning season in program history last fall, but Oakland Christian also reached the postseason for the first time. This team only has 17 players and lacks depth, although there are pieces to the puzzle that could make this squad a league title contender. Kostich is the program’s first true running back, Smith is a D-I or D-II college prospect and there is plenty size in the trenches. Expect Oakland Christian to continue to climb upwards.

 

Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett

HEAD COACH: Dan Cimini, second season (5-5).

ASSISTANT COACHES: John Fowler, Dan Banka.

2013 RECORD: 5-5, 4-1 MIAC (Second).

2013 POSTSEASON: Lost in D-7 pre-district to Southfield Christian (27-14).

POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 8, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013.

KEY RETURNEES: Connor McCarren, soph. WR-QB (5-8, 170); Tommy Jackson, jr. RB-QB (6-1, 185); Matt Gushee, jr. MLB-OL (6-0, 240); Jake Smith, sr. FB (5-10, 170); Nick Goul, jr. WR-CB (6-0, 175).

KEY LOSSES: Antonio Malkoun, OT-DT (6-1, 235); Josh Dickens, OL-DL (6-0, 220); Darryl Lewis, TB-LB (6-1, 180); Lord Anthony Grisson, WR-CB (6-2, 190); Tommy Farr, OL-DE (6-1, 185);

OUTLOOK: If recent history can repeat itself, then the Knights should contend for a league title and postseason berth. There are several key components back from last year’s postseason squad. GPUL has reach the postseason the past four years, the only time that has happened in school history.

 

Rochester Hills Lutheran Noirthwest

HEAD COACH: Don Justice, 11th season

ASSISTANT COACHES:  Mario Borrocci, Harold Macks, Ryan Drews, Paul Houtos, Matt Berkseth, Paul Kasat, Tom Meissner.

2013 RECORD: 2-7, 0-5 MIAC (sixth).

2013 POSTSEASON: Did not qualify.

POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 6, 1999, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012.

KEY RETURNEES: Bryan Miskovich, sr. QB-DB (6-1, 175); Cameron Kizewski, jr. RB-LB (6-0, 195); Jacob Griem, sr. P-WR-DB (6-3, 180); Brian Schaupp, sr. OT-DT (6-2, 250);

KEY NEWCOMERS: Chris Sturges, sr. G-DE (5-10, 180); Ben Hagen, jr. RB-LB (5-11, 180); Andrew Houtos, jr. DB-WR (5-8, 160); Andrew Justice, sr. C-DE, (5-10, 160);  Jake Gunn, soph. RB-LB (5-8, 150);  Michael Justice, soph. QB-DB (5-10, 150).

KEY LOSSES: Nick Raby, OT-DT (6-0, 260); Jake Klausmeier, OG-LB (6-1, 215); Trevor  Schmidt, OT-DE-DB (5-11, 200); Nick Gapski, RB-LB (5-10, 185); Drake Uplinger, G-DT (6-0, 200).

OUTLOOK: After reaching the postseason four times between 2008 and 2012, Northwest dipped into a rebuilding mode last season with only two wins and a last-place finish in the MIAC. Overall, the season was uncharacteristic in recent times and one that hopes to become an anomaly. There seems to be far more experience heading into this season than last year, a nice starting point.

 

Southfield Christian

HEAD COACH: Larry Weiss, third season (13-8).

ASSISTANT COACHES: Craig Schoon, Kirk Orr, James Shmitkie

2013 RECORD: 10-2, 5-0 MIAC (first).

2013 POSTSEASON: Def. Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett (27-14); def. Madison Heights Bishop Foley Catholic (28-24); lost in D-7 regional finals to Detroit Loyola (50-7).

POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2, 2008, 2013.

KEY RETURNEES: Bobby Banks, sr. RB  (6-1, 200); Kam Garner, sr. WR/CB (6-1, 185); Blake Washington, sr. WR-DB (6-1, 185); Ryan Hanson, sr. K-P (5-10, 160); Cameron Gannin, sr. WR-DB (6-0, 170); Deshawn Moore, jr. WR-LB (5-10, 175)

KEY LOSSES: Steven Helms, OG-DT (6-1, 280); Matt Taylor, C (5-8, 190); Jack Harrington, WR-DB (6-1, 185); Harding Sears, WR-DB (6-3, 220); Jonathan Sarwer, QB (6-0, 190).

OUTLOOK: The Eagles could repeat as a postseason squad if it can replenish its size in the trenches that graduated. There is plenty of speedy weapons at the skill positions. If these players are allowed to shine, then expect more of the same this autumn.

 

Sterling Heights Parkway Christian

HEAD COACH: Co-Coaches Ron Sanders and Chris Vitale, first season.

ASSISTANT COACHES: Brandon Gennette, Eric Eosley.

2013 RECORD: 5-5, 2-3 (fourth).

2013 POSTSEASON: Lost to Ottawa Lake-Whiteford in D-8 pre-district (57-6).

POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 6, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013.

KEY RETURNEES: Jake Hensley, jr. OT-DT (6-4, 290); Riley McManus, jr. OL-LB (6-2, 220);

Matthew Couture, jr. OL-DL; Eric Dalen, jr. RB/LB; Dominic DeClaire, jr. OL-DL; Dominic Delicata, soph. WR-LB; Austin Fuller, jr. RB-DB; Todd Hatch Jr., jr. OL-DL; Mark Hess, jr. WR/DB; Ricardo Marble, soph. QB-DB; Josiah McLain, jr. WR/DB; Daniel Merren, jr. WR/DB; Andrew Morlan, jr. OL-DL; Michael Ostlund, sr. WR-DB; Noah Ouellette, sr. OL/DL; Benjamin Turner, jr. K-P.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Caleb Joy, fr. QB-DB; Kyle Hensley, fr. OL-DL; Joseph Hatch fr. OL-DL; Jacob Couture, fr. OL-DL; Christian Dryer, fr. OL-DL; Alex Challengoe, fr. OL-DL.

KEY LOSSES: Noah Allen, QB-DB (5-10, 155); Phil Lapinski, TE-LB (6-0, 230); Roger Narlock, OL-DL (5-11, 235); Nick Halaas, LB-OG (5-10, 210); Cole Mayfficult , LB-WR (6-4, 200); Nathan Schick, RB-DB-K-P (5-11, 170); Dylan Thompson, OLB-WR (5-10, 165).

OUTLOOK: Although the Eagles lost their key offensive weapons, there is great size on the lines that will help develop the running attack and air assault. Parkway hopes to join the league’s upper half, although with the league bringing back plenty of talent from top to bottom, the Eagles could finish up just about anywhere under a new coaching staff. Nevertheless, this will be a team to keep an eye on this fall.

 

Westland Lutheran

HEAD COACH: Paul Guse, 13th season (42-66)

ASSISTANT COACHES: Jim Richter, Bill Wade, Steve Faith, Mike Schatz.

2013 RECORD: 2-7, 1-4 MIAC (fifth).

2013 POSTSEASON: Did not qualify.

POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2, 2011, 2012.

KEY RETURNEES: Kole Niemi, sr. C-DL (6-0, 150); Brad Hura, js. OG-DE (6-1, 230);); Jacob Davenport, sr. TE-RB-LB-FS (6-0, 160); Austin Olson, sr. RB-DB (5-11, 170); Caleb Richter, sr. -OLB (5-7, 140); Travis Frye, sr. OT-DE (6-1, 250); Jacob Bavol, sr. OLB (5-7, 140); Thomas Kruger, sr. OG-DT; Cleveland Tarp, sr. CB; Nate Abbott, sr. LB.

KEY LOSSES: Conus Kruger, sr. LG-DT (6-0, 240); DJ Guse, sr. QB (6-0, 150); Newman Harper, sr. WR-DB (6-0, 150); Luke Bonkowski, sr. LB (5-11, 150); Josh Reigel, sr. OT-DT (5-11, 160); Jonah Lambert, OG (6-1, 160).

OUTLOOK: With 33 players on variety, the Warriors have perhaps the largest roster in the league, which will help them in the depth department. Westland has a bulldog in the backfield in Davenport, who compiled than 1,300 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns last season. With plenty of experience overall, the Warriors will be much more competitive in a more well-balanced league.

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About Dan Stickradt: DAN STICKRADT | SENIOR EDITOR dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com View author profile.

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