FOOTBALL: KLAA-SOUTH DIVISION TEAM CAPSULES 2015
2015 KENSINGTON LAKES ACTIVITES ASSOCIATION
FOOTBALL TEAM CAPSULES
Below are the 2015 KLAA Football team capsules. Compiled by Dan Stickradt based on information submitted by coaches. He can be reached at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com. Follow on Twitter @LocalSportsFans.
KLAA-SOUTH DIVISION
SCHOOL: Livonia Churchill
NICKNAME: Chargers
HEAD COACH: Bill DeFillippo (16-14)
2014 RECORD: 8-3, 4-1 KLAA-South (second)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: 1-1, lost in D-1 district finals to Plymouth Canton (56-21)
KEY PLAYERS: Marcus Sanders, jr. RB (2,00 all-purpse yards); Jake Wickens, sr. RB; Devin Obrec, sr. OT; Jalen Cochran, sr. OLB; Jared Stephens, sr. FS; Jake Stephan, sr. LB.
KEY LOSSES: Brian Alsobrooks, QB (Eastern Michigan); Matt Skibinski, OT (Miami, Ohio); Tim Dulin, WR (North Dakota); Nick Davis, OG (Wayne State); Armon Perham, DT (Olivet); Dylan Padget, WR (Kalamazoo)
NOTABLES: If the Chargers are to contend for a division title and playoffs berth, they will have to reload as eight players were lost to the college ranks. Churchill only returns four starters on defense and two on offense, so new opportunity awaits for those hoping to plug the holes vacated by graduation.
SCHOOL: Livonia Franklin
NICKNAME: Patriots
HEAD COACH: Chris Kalbert (62-74)
2014 RECORD: 2-7, 1-5 KLAA-South (fifth)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: None
KEY PLAYERS: Denzel Adams, sr. QB (649 rushing yards, 529 passing yards, 11 TDS); Joe Fortin, sr. OG; Josh Retting, sr. DT; Ryan Tracy, sr. DT; Ke Mauri, jr. LB; Chris Nehsail, jr. DB;
KEY LOSSES: Mitch Gonyaw, RB; Nathan Rodgers, WR; Justin Gasaway, LB.
NOTABLES: Franklin has goals to play much “tougher football” this season. The Patriots must learn how to win and may be able to do so behind seven returning starters back on both sides of the football. Early-season success may determine Franklin’s direction.
SCHOOL: Plymouth
NICKNAME: Wildcats
HEAD COACH: Mike Sawchuk, 13th season (60-25)
2014 RECORD: 7-3, 3-2 KLAA-South (third)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: Lost in D-1 pre-district to Livonia Churchill (38-14).
KEY PLAYERS: Chris Walls, sr. QB-WR; Michael Jordan, sr. OL; Elie Atallah, sr. OL; Cam Stella, sr. RB; Victor Abraham, sr. FS; Austin Scheffer, jr. DT; Darius Timmons, jr. MLB
KEY LOSSES: Deji Adebiyi, QB (Ohio Wesleyan); Kalen Dunham (Grand Valley); Anthony Kennet, RB-DL; Hussein Youseff, LB. Kevin Justice, LB.
NOTABLES: The Wildcats have reached the postseason in seven of the last eight seasons and in eight of the previous 10 campaigns. With seven starters back on offense and six on defense and plenty of talent in the cupboards, there’s no reason why Plymouth won;t be in the hunt for a division title and postseason bid.
SCHOOL: Plymouth Canton
NICKNAME: Chiefs
HEAD COACH: Tim Baechler (180-64).
2014 RECORD: 9-3, 5-0 KLAA-South (first)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: 2-1, Lost to Saline in Reached Division 1 regional finals (42-35)
KEY PLAYERS: Marcus Sanders, jr. FB (2,000 rushing yards); Antonio Alexander, sr. WR; Austin Simpson, sr. DT; DeMarco McKinney, sr LB; Jamal Allen, jr. DB
KEY LOSSES: Greg Williams, QB (holds most passing records at Canton); Gino Nolan, TE;
NOTABLES: The Chiefs graduated one of the best QBs in school history in Williams and is seeking a new leader at the signal-caller position to step up and lead the charge. If history has a say, Canton will still be a factor as the Chiefs have made the postseason in 14 of the past 15 years. This year’s version will be a run-oriented machine and has the line size to aid the ground assault.
SCHOOL: Wayne Memorial
NICKNAME: Zebras
HEAD COACH: Donald Anderson, first season (24-23 at other schools)
2014 RECORD: 2-7, 0-5 KLAA-South (sixth)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: None
NOTABLES: A new coaching staff has the long-term vision of resurrecting the Zebras program, which hashes only ventured through some tough times in the past decade. Wayne has only amassed three wins in the past five years combined. The coaching staff is not focused on individuals, only building up the team for the future.
SCHOOL: Westland John Glenn
NICKNAME: Rockets
HEAD COACH: Steve Waller, first season
2014 RECORD: 6-4, 2-3 KLAA-South (fourth)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: Lost in D-1 pre-district to Saline (41-6)
KEY PLAYERS: Will Owens, sr. C; Jaylen Smith, sr. RB; Andrew Wicker, sr. LB; Courtney Cochran, sr. WR-SE
KEY LOSSES: DeShawn Baker, OL-DL (Central Michigan); Leon Crawford, LB-RB; Jamie Melchor, FS; Renardo Brown (Lake Erie); Javaughty Burns, DE-TE (Findlay)
NOTABLES: There’s only a combined three returning staters back for the Rockets, so in order to soar again this team will need to mature in a flash. The team will feature plenty of speed to help lessen the burden of inexperience.
[polldaddy poll=6414054]
Category: Featured Articles, Football, High School, High School (M-Z), Most Recently Updated Stories, Prep Wraps, Sport, Top Stories, Uncategorized
