FOOTBALL: OAKLAND ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION BLUE DIVISION TEAM CAPSULES 2015
2015 OAKLAND ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION TEAM CAPSULES
Below are the 2015 Oakland Activities Association 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.
OAA BLUE DIVISION
SCHOOL: Auburn Hills Avondale
NICKNAME: Yellowjackets
HEAD COACH: Steven Deutsch, 14th season at Avondale
2014 RECORD: 5-4, 4-3 OAA-Blue (fourth)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: None
KEY PLAYERS: Brennan Kuhn, sr. LB-FB; Chris Keyes, sr. OL-DL; Jerimiah Evans, sr. DE-DT-TE; Vontrez Glasper, sr. OL-DT; Tyler Grosz, sr. QB-FS; Vince Wright, jr. TB; Ahmad Sharon, sr. SL; Robbie Ginther, sr. DE
KEY LOSSES: Chase Lalla, RB-LB; Josh Holloman, RB; Tiroca Battle, DT; Jalen Saunders, WR; James Prince, SE; Travis Janes, sr. QB (not playing, all-league); Colby Tuck, LB
NOTABLES: After going 0-9 back in 2007, Avondale has fielded seven straight winning seasons, and narrowly missed the postseason last year thanks to a pair of mid-season losses by a combined six points. The Yellowjackets took a hit when two-year starter QB Travis Janes, an All-State baseball player, opted to concentrate on that sport. Avondale will have a powerful line in the trenches and some quality players at the skilled positions, although three-time 100 meters state champion Josh Holloman graduated. There should be enough in the tank to produce a winner again this season and this team could contend for a league title.
SCHOOL: Berkley
NICKNAME: Bears
HEAD COACH: Chris Sikora, second season (6-4)
2014 RECORD: 6-4, 5-2 OAA-Blue (tied-second)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: 0-1, lost in D-2 pre-district to Birmingham Groves (35-13)
KEY PLAYERS: Nolan Givan, sr. WR-LB; Austen Wood, sr. LB-RB-P-K (113 tackles); Carlton Williams, sr. LB-RB; Ian King O-Line, sr. OL; David Karwaski, soph. WR; Chauncey Bridgewater, jr. RB; Dante Little, jr. DT; Floyd Hudson, jr. DT; Cullen Sanner, jr. DE
KEY LOSSES: Jake Cummings, QB; Brandon Kamo, C; Michael Budurowich, LB; Michael Harvey, DB; Dakota Drabek, DL; Jake Bills, DL; Austen Wood, LB; Nolan Givan, WR-SE
NOTABLES: The Bears returned to the playoffs last season for only the third time in 15 years. This season the program brings back a combined nine starters and appears to be on the upswing with a fine arsenal of talent. Most coaches pick the Bears to finish in the top three in the division. Could another postseason berth and league title be on the horizon?
SCHOOL: Birmingham Groves
NICKNAME: Falcons
HEAD COACH: Brendan Flaherty, 15th season (64-72)
2014 RECORD: 7-3, 5-2 OAA-Blue (tied-second)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: 1-1, lost in D-2 district finals to Birmingham Brother Rice (49-7)
KEY PLAYERS: Cedric Boswell, sr. RB (All-State in track); Doug Rouche, sr. P; Nick Moore, sr. DB; Sammad Ali, sr. FS; Ethan Rice, sr. LB; Nathan Lazor, sr. DB
KEY LOSSES: Zach VanFaussien, QB; John Stevens, OG; Nate Wikol, OT; Connor Haenni, OT; Davion Curry, DB; Devin Light, OT; Nick Barry, WR; Kyle Sherman, LB-RB; Jordan Palmer , OL-DL; Zac Grasl, DL; Indress Abdul-Wasi, DE
NOTABLES: The Falcons have been blessed with team speed the last few years, which has led to postseason berths in three of the past four years, and one playoff win last season. Groves will still counter with blazing speed this year in the aforementioned Boswell. Groves will need to develop a mostly new offensive line and quarterback this season if it is to contend with Avondale and Berkley this season for top honors in the OAA-Blue.
SCHOOL: Ferndale
NICKNAME: Eagles
HEAD COACH: Eric Royal, second season (4-5)
2014 RECORD: 4-5, 3-4 OAA-Blue (fifth)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: None
KEY PLAYERS: Kobe Falls, jr. OL-DL; Ronald Gohagon, sr. RB-LB; Gradell Mosely, sr. WR-DB; Joseph Welbeck-White, jr. OL; Kyle Thomas, jr. OG-DT; Zoser Little, soph. RB
KEY LOSSES: Markell McCoy, QB; Darius SinClair, RB; Trenton Carson, DE; Chris Pecorelli, OL; Jacob Sinawi, OL; Juwuan Reyes, OL-DL
NOTABLES: With enrollment dropping to around 700 for the year, the Eagles are now the smallest school in the OAA by a large margin. This means Ferndale does not have the depth as the other 23 schools in the league and must stay away from the injury bug. The Eagles do have ample team speed and size on the lines, plus this team is in its second year under Royal. It would not be far-fetch to see the Eagles be one of the better teams in their league.
SCHOOL: Hazel Park
NICKNAME: Vikings
HEAD COACH: Kyle Rowley, second season
2014 RECORD: 0-9, 0-7 OAA-Blue (eighth)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: None
KEY PLAYERS: Jared Schutlz, sr. QB-FB-DB; Jalen Adams, WR-DB-RB; Toriano Belton, sr. TE-DE; Malik Harrison, jr. WR-DB; Damian Ewald, soph. QB
KEY LOSSES: Alonzo Derverger, DT; Antonio Hussey, RB-DB; Marquis Hill, WR-LB; Michael Booker, LB-WR; Sean Sharay, OL-DL
NOTABLES: What the Vikings have going right for them is that they are in their second season with new athletics facilities, a second-year under Coach Rowley’s system, a quality sophomore QB behind center and increased numbers. Two years ago, Hazel Park had to cancel its junior variety and freshmen programs. What hurts Hazel Park is that it’s coming off four straight losing seasons, including back-to-back 0-9 campaigns, and just a combined seven wins in four years. Simply put, no player in the program is used to winning. Much like nearby Royal Oak, a new mindset must be instilled. This will be a pivotal season for the Vikings.
SCHOOL: Pontiac
NICKNAME: Phoenix
HEAD COACH: Pete Scott, first season
2014 RECORD: 1-7, 1-6 OAA-Blue (seventh)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: None
KEY PLAYERS: Jhamal Hazard, sr. RB-DB; Archie Samuel, sr. RB-DB; Alfonso Hernandez, sr. WR-DB; Quayvawn Mason, sr. RB-LB
KEY LOSSES: Wayne Kirkland, LB; Dario Franklin, TE; Romello Wheeler, DB; Chris Modest, OL-DL; Dario Franklin, OL; Marquise Lopez, DT
NOTABLES: John Lloyd, the program’s head coach last season. passed away last November at the age of 39 of a brain aneurysm. The Phoenix did show some spark of being competitive at times but were often out-manned by low numbers. The vanity only has around 25 players this season. Fitness levels and willingness of iron-man football could help Pontiac manage this season as their appears to be some quality speed at the skilled positions.
SCHOOL: Royal Oak
NICKNAME: Ravens
HEAD COACH: Ray McMann, first season
2014 RECORD: 0-9, 0-8 OAA-White (eighth)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: None
KEY PLAYERS: Brendan Beerer, sr. QB-DB; James Hahn, sr. OL-DL; Everett Bateman, sr. OL-LB; Alex Pauls, sr. C-DE; Noah Kochanski, RB-DB
KEY LOSSES: Brandon Gerard, RB; Brian Foster, SE; Oni Tesho, LB
NOTABLES: Since Kimball and Dondero merged in 2006, there has only been two winning seasons (2006, 2007) and an overall record of 19-64. Four of the last seven seasons have been winless campaign, including last season. The Ravens have also had numerous coaching staffs, including three in the last six years. This year’s staff has its work cut off for them as only a combined five starters are back. The Ravens will go young and hopes a change of direction will happen sooner than later. This program is starved for success, as it has been nine years since the last conference title and postseason appearance.
SCHOOL: Southfield Lathrup
NICKNAME: Chargers
HEAD COACH: x Solomon, first season
2014 RECORD: 4-5, 3-4 OAA-Blue (fifth)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: None
KEY PLAYERS: Khali Williams, sr. WR; Eyinonma Uwazorike, sr. DL; Keith Powe, jr. LB-RB; Dejuan Jones-Givens, jr. DB; Sterling Alexander, sr. RB; George Mitchell, sr. C; Quentin Pitts, jr. OT; Greg Gilliam, sr. RB; Terrance Hancock, sr. DB; Roman Porter, sr. SS; Lance Hawkins, sr. DL
KEY LOSSES: Eldraga Meeks, RB; Brandon Amos-Dixon, LB; Earl Anderson, OL; Kebba Sammeh, K; Josh Dotson, DL; Zack Washington, DB; Brandon Amos-Dixon, DB-WR; Carl Wren, DB; Earl Anderson, LB
NOTABLES: Lathrup lost is Hall-of-Fame coach Keith Stephens Sr. to cancer in the offseason and is dedicating the season to him. The Chargers also learned that the school is on the financial chopping block and is almost certainly going to close within the next two years. With that said, Lathrup will field some talented players this year. Will they gel enough to make this season a winner or will a swan song be an eighth straight losing campaign? Time will tell, although Lathrup had a three-win increase last season.
[polldaddy poll=6414054]
Category: Auburn Hills Avondale, Featured Articles, Football, High School, High School (M-Z), Most Recently Updated Stories, Pontiac, Prep Wraps, Sport, Stats / Area Leaders, Top Stories, Uncategorized
