FOOTBALL: Michigan Independent Athletic Conference Team Capsules 2015
2015 MICHIGAN INDEPENDENT ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
TEAM CAPSULES
Below are the 2015 flint Metro League Football team capsules, as compiled by Dan Stickradt based on information submitted by coaches. He can be reached at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com. Follow on Twitter @LocalSportsFans.
COACHES POLL: 1. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian; 2. Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett; 3. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest; 4. Southfield Christian; 5. Westland Lutheran; 6. Auburn Hills Oakland Christian
SCHOOL: Auburn Hills Oakland Christian
NICKNAME: Robert Novy, first season
2014 RECORD: 4-5, 2-3 MIAC (fourth)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: None
KEY PLAYERS: Nick Lowell, sr. OT-DT (all-league); Elijah Kennedy, jr. OT-DT (all-league); Jesse Seckel, sr. RB-DB; Jacob King, sr. RB-DB; Tyler Rice, soph. TE-DE; Reece McConnell, soph. TB-DB
KEY LOSSES: Javarian Smith, QB (holds 14 school records; Lake Erie College; All-State); Ryan Kostich, jr. LB-RB (89 tackles; transferred to Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes)
NOTABLES: As the Lancers enter their eighth season (18-45 overall), they will do so under their third head coach. Gone are two of the program’s record-setters and a host of other players. Numbers are pushing 25 and there is ample size in the trenches for a small school, but overall the Lancers are young. Two years ago, Oakland reached the playoffs for a first time. If the new staff can develop this team quickly, then the Lancers could surprise. In all likelihood, they are still a year away as they will need to break in a new QB.
SCHOOL: Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett
NICKNAME: Knights
HEAD COACH: Dan Cimini, seventh season (25-20)
2014 RECORD: 8-2, 5-0 MIAC (first)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: 0-1, lost in D-7 pre-district to Royal Oak Shrine Catholic (42-25)
KEY PLAYERS: Connor McCarron, jr. QB-S; Thomas Jackson, sr. RB-DB (MIAC MVP); Charles Trey Cain, jr. DB-RB; Nicholas Gawel, sr. TE-LB-P; William Morrison, soph. WR-DB; Sean Fannon, sr. C-DT; Sam Durno, jr. OT-DT; Robert Whitiker, sr. WR-DB; Jonathan Elmer, sr. OT; Matthew Gushee, sr. OT-MLB; Brady McCarron, fr. OLB-K; Noah Miller, soph. DB; Jackson Walkowiak, jr. DE-S
KEY LOSSES: Caleb Stokes, OL-DL
NOTABLES: Here’s food for thought. Eight years ago the Knights didn’t even field a team, while in 2006 and 2007 the season was cut short due to low numbers. Now Liggett is coming off five straight postseason appearances including league championships in four of the last five years to showcase their quick turnaround. With most of last year’s team intact, the Knights should again contend for top honors in the MIAC and perhaps more.
SCHOOL: Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest
NICKNAME: Crusaders
HEAD COACH: Don Justice, 11th season at Northwest (66-76 at multiple schools)
2014 RECORD: 5-5, 1-4 MIAC (fifth)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: 0-1, lost in D-7 pre-district to New Lothrup (55-0)
KEY PLAYERS: Cameron Krzewski, sr. RB-LB; Danny Macks, soph. QB-LB; Andrew Houtos, sr. WR-DB; Jake Gunn, jr. OL-DL; Zack Alkire, soph. WR-DB; Evan Bowlds, jr. OL; Jack Santine, sr. RB-DE; Henry Dodson, soph. OL; Michael Justice, jr. QB-DB; Ben Hagen, sr. LB; Brendan McDonald, sr. LB
KEY LOSSES: Bryan Miskovich, QB-LB; Brandon Schrupp, OL-DL
NOTABLES: Northwest is another program that has fared well in recent years, making the postseason in six of the last 10 seasons. In their previous 18 campaigns, the Crusaders only had two winning seasons between 1987-2004. Six starters are back on defense and four on offense and several skilled athletes have amped up of their games. Can Northwest challenge Parkway and Liggett in the MIAC or stay back in the pack?
SCHOOL: Southfield Christian
NICKNAME: Eagles
HEAD COACH: Larry Weiss, fifth season (14-16)
2014 RECORD: 1-8, 0-5 MIAC (sixth)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: None
KEY PLAYERS: DeShawn Moore, sr. WR-DB; Rodger Johnson, sr. HB-DB; Josh Guerra, sr. OL-LB; Jamie Brockway, sr. QB-DB
KEY LOSSES: Bobby Banks, RB-LB (Central Michigan); Kameron Garner, WR-CB (Cathage College)
NOTABLES: This is the 10th season of Southfield Christian football and the first chapters have seen numerous coaching staffs, two postseason appearances (2008, 2013) and three winning seasons. A combined 10 starters are back as the Eagles try to climb out of the MIAC cellar after a rebuilding campaign. There are 10 seniors on a roster of 25 and plenty of experience.
SCHOOL: Sterling Heights Parkway Christian
NICKNAME: Eagles
HEAD COACH: Co-coaches Rod Sanders and Chris Vitale
2014 RECORD: 6-4, 3-2 MIAC (third)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: 0-1, lost in D-8 pre-district to Harbor Beach (61-0)
KEY PLAYERS: Michael Ostlund, WR-DB; Noah Oulette, sr. OL-DL; Austin Fuller, sr. WR-RB-DB; Todd Hatch, sr. OL-DL; Jack Hensley, sr. OL-DL; Caleb Joye, soph. QB-DB; Josiah McLain, sr. WR-DB; Riley McManus, sr. OL-MLB; Andrew Morland, sr. OL-DL; Ben Turner, sr. K-P; Dominic Delicata, jr. WR; Montana Essian, sr. QB-RB-DB (transfer from Clinton Twp. Clintondale); Matthew Couture, soph. OL; Caleb Allen, jr. WR-DB; Kyle Hensley, soph. TE-DL; Dominic Gallagher, jr. LB-FB; Jacob Bambrick, jr. QB-DB; Julian Davis, soph. RB; Maurice Hutchinson, soph. DL-TE
KEY LOSSES: Michael Ostlund, WR-DB; Noah Ouelette, OL-DL; Caleb Schumake, RB; Ricardo Marble, jr. DB-QB (transferred)
NOTABLES: Parkway ventured through last season with only three seniors on the roster, but still won six games and reached the postseason. With over 20 players back, plus some transfers, and this team is stacked for a fine season. The Eagles are experienced, quick, big and physical and are picked by many to win the MIAC for a reason. Seven of the school’s nine games are against teams that reached the postseason last season, which should help prepare the Eagles to become a playoff-worthy opponent if they meet expectations.
SCHOOL: Westland Lutheran
NICKNAME: Warriors
COACH: Paul Guse’, 14th season (47-71)
2014 RECORD: 5-5, 4-1 MIAC (second)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: 0-1, lost in D-8 pore-district to Ottawa Lake-Whiteford (64-6)
KEY PLAYERS: Luke Smith, jr. QB; Michael Lachance, sr. TE-DE; DJ NyKiel, jr. RB-CB; Jeremy Orme, jr. OL; Andy Faith, jr. FS.
KEY LOSSES: Jacob Davenport, RB-LB; Austin Olson, RB-FS; Thomas Kruger, OG-DT; Travis Fry, OT; Caleb Richter, FB-LB; Cleveland Tarp, SL-CB; Nate Abbott, LB
NOTABLES: The Warriors reached the postseason in 2001, 2012 and 2014. To keep the train headed down the right tracks Westland must replace several starters that graduated. With over 30 players, mostly underclassmen, there is opportunity for younger players to shine. Quick maturity will need to take place or the Warriors will be saddled with some baptism under fire.
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Category: Auburn Hills Christian Acadamy, Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, High School, Rochester Hills Lutheran NW, Uncategorized
