LAKES VALLEY ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL TEAM CAPSULES 2020
Below are the area’s prep football conferences and area teams within these leagues. Capsules compiled by veteran sports writer Dan Stickradt based on research and information gathered from coaches’ preseason surveys. Corrections and changes can be made by emailing to dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com. Follow on Twitter @LocalSportsFans and on several social media platforms.
LAKES VALLEY ASSOCIATION
SCHOOL: Waterford Kettering
HEAD COACH: Ken Schmidt, fourth season (7-20)
2019 RECORD: 4-5, 4-4 Lakes Valley Association (tied-fourth)
2019 POSTSEASON: None
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2013, 1994,
RETURNING STARTERS: Eric Craft, sr. WR/DB (6-2, 185) (committed to Saginaw Valley State); Demajia Thomas, sr. WR/LB (5-11, 175); Bryan Donner, sr. OL/DL (6-4 250);
Cooper Trayeye, sr. OL/DL (5-8, 310); Drake Spencer, jr. FB/LB (6-1 195)
TOP PROSPECTS: Zarek Zelinski, soph. WR/DB (6-2, 175); Caleb Roux, sr. QB (6-5, 195) (multiple offers for college lacrosse); Chris Sanford, jr. K (5-11, 160)
NOTABLES: The Captains defeated arch-rival
Waterford Mott (49-28) for the first time since 2013 last season and appear to be slowly righting the ship. This program has only reached the postseason twice in school history (1994, 2013) and only posted winning seasons five times in the past 30 years (1994, 1997, 1998, 2013, 2014). Could Kettering take another step forward in this shortened season and improve upon last year’s fifth-place finish? There’s seems to be a core group of talented athletes and this group is hungry to shock some programs in the Lakes Valley.
SCHOOL: Waterford Mott
HEAD COACH: Chris Fahr, 10th season (69-66)
2019 RECORD: 5-4, 4-4 Lakes Valley Association (tied-fourth)
2019 POSTSEASON: None
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2007, 2006, 1999
RETURNING STARTERS: Keone Sanders, sr. CB/RB/KR (5-9, 190); Xaiyon Styles, sr. RB/LB (5-10, 225); Ashton Tong, jr. QB/WR/DB/KR (6-3, 225); C.J. Aldred, jr. OL/DL (6-3, 310); Syrr Sanders, sr. WR/DB (6-4, 170); Xavier Chassen, sr. DE (5-11, 230); Jamal Pettaway, sr. RB/LB/KR (5-10, 175); Daniel Keiser, jr. RB/LB (6-0, 200); Connor Frantum, sr. OL/DL (6-0, 245); Dayshawn Wilson, jr. RB/LB (5-11, 200); Eric Davis, jr. WR/DB (6-4, 175)
TOP PROSPECTS: Jack Beno, sr. QB (6-0, 210); Malique Eaton, jr. RB/DE (5-11, 225); Kaleb Eaton, soph. OL/DL (6-4, 325); Marcos Garcia, jr. K; Cody Mcloughlin, jr. P; Jaylin Varice, jr. RB/KR
NOTABLES: After qualifying for the Division1 postseason four straight times from 2014-2017, the first time the program had ever qualified more than two straight years, the Corsairs dipped slightly and were a combined 9-9 the past two seasons. There are eight returning starters back on offense and nine on defense and early indications is that Mott is one of many teams that will close the gap on league leaders Walled Lake Western and South Lyon. The Corsairs counter with speed and great size on the lines and should return to being a formidable foe to where it was earlier in the past decade.
SCHOOL: Milford
HEAD COACH: Garfrey Smith, third season (2-16)
2019 RECORD: 1-8, 1-7 Lakes Valley Association (eighth)
2019 POSTSEASON: None
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2011, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2002
RETURNING STARTERS: Alex Hiipakka, sr. LB; Billy Sternberg, sr. QB/DB/WR; Brandon Gibson, sr. QB/DB; Trevor Lee, sr. OL/DL; Victor Elicerio, sr. OL/DL; Benjamin Coloske, sr. WR/DB (all-league); Trey Hayes, jr. WR/DB; Connor Heitman, sr. LB/TE/RB (all-league); Trevor Leigh, sr. OL/DL (all-league); Sebastian Naughton, sr. DB/WR (all-league); Nick Briggs, jr. DL; Willam Sjogren, sr. DB/WR; Dustin Cummins, sr. LB/RB; Drake Durbin, sr. DL/OL; Scott Briggs, jr. DL/OL; Garrison Stehr, jr. WR/DB; Donte Taylor, jr. OL/DL; Ethan Young, sr. LB/TE; Caleb Holmes-McGahan, sr. OL/DL; Kristopher Hauser, sr. OL/DL
NOTABLES: Coming off of back-to-back 1-8 campaigns and seven straight losing seasons (9-54 in that stretch), Milford is hoping that Year 3 under Garfrey Smith will be a grand turnaround season. The Mavericks will feature a varsity, junior-varsity and freshmen teams for the first time in years with over 100 players in the program, showcasing their growth in the younger grades. This could be the most improved team in the nine-school league.
SCHOOL: South Lyon
HEAD COACH: Jeff Henson, sixth season
2019 RECORD: 8-2, 7-1 Lakes Valley Association (second)
2019 POSTSEASON: Lost in D-2 pre-district to Fenton (31-28)
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2019, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002
RETURNING STARTERS: Gus Taylor, sr. OL/DL (6-4, 235); Eric Walrath, sr. OL/DL (6-2, 290); Adam Walrath, sr. OL/DL (6-2, 275); Ryan Schamp, sr. OG/NG (6-0, 200); Isaac McComb, sr. OL/DL (6-2, 260); Jordan Singleton, sr. RB (5-10, 180); Evan DeFrank, sr. DB/QB/RB (5-11, 175); William Stayonovich. sr. K (5-8, 175)
TOP PROSPECTS: Quinn Fracassi, jr. RB/WR (5-10, 155)
NOTABLES: The Lions have made the postseason 12 times in the last 20 years and six times in the last decade. The program was an impressive 18-3 the last two seasons including arrow first-round loss to Flint Metro League champion Fenton a year ago. The Lions still return a solid core and have some girth and pile movers on the offensive and defensive lines that will again help this program retain its presence near the top of the LVA standings.
SCHOOL: South Lyon East
HEAD COACH: Joe Pesci, seventh season (15-32)
2019 RECORD: 3-6, 3-5 Lakes Valley Association (tied-sixth)
2019 POSTSEASON: None
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2018, 2012
RETURNING STARTERS: Ayden Oliver, sr. RB/QB/SE (5-11, 170); Jonah Westlund, jr. OL/DL (5-11, 280); Hakiim Perry, sr. OL/DL (5-10, 240); Dorian Armstrong, sr. WR/DB (5-10, 190); Braeden Tillman-Jones, jr. WR/DB (5-9, 160); Zander Desentz, sr. QB/DB (6-0, 155); James Patrick, sr. P (5-10, 180); Hannah Becker, sr. K (5-5, 130); Drake Willenborg, sr. WR;
NOTABLES: The Cougars are entering year 14 with high expectations, having made the postseason a second time in 2018 and going 3-6 in last year’s rebuilding season. Two years ago South Lyon East set a school record for wins (six). There is a nice blend of experience and newcomers on this roster and the mix could help this team climb the standings after finishing sixth last season. The Cougars are dedicating the season to would-be junior Trevon Tyler who died last November. It will be under the banter ‘Play For Tre.’
SCHOOL: Walled Lake Central
HEAD COACH: Joe Perusse, second season
2019 RECORD: 0-9, 0-8 Lakes Valley Association (ninth)
2019 POSTSEASON: None
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2017, 2014, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2000,
RETURNING STARTERS: Austin Wilson, sr. RB/LB; Blake Nelson, sr. TE/DE (6-4, 230) (Division I recruit); Rafael Davish, sr. OG/DT (5-10, 225); Jacob Ayar, sr. OG/DT (6-0, 210); Mitchell Strohl, sr. DE; Corwin Pepper, sr. DB (6-1, 175)
NOTABLES: The Vikings only had 11 seniors during Coach Joe Peruses first season and lacked experience all over the field. The result was a winless campaign. But there is only one direction to head and that is up. Six players who earned All-LVA honors last season are back and so are several seniors and juniors who gained their baptism under fire last season. Walled Lake Central last reached the postseason in 2017 before the last two years’ 2-16 mark and were in the Division 1 regional finals as recent as 2014. There likely won’t be a deep postseason ride this year, but a winless season likely won’t happen either.
SCHOOL: Walled Lake Northern
HEAD COACH: Terry Battle, first season
2019 RECORD: 3-6, 3-5 Lakes Valley Association (tied-sixth)
2019 POSTSEASON: None
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012
RETURNING STARTERS: Ryan Cornelius, sr. RB/DB (all-league)
NOTABLES: The Knights enter their 19th season having reach the playoffs four times — all in the past decade.
SCHOOL: Walled Lake Western
HEAD COACH: Michael Weiskopf, first season
2019 RECORD: 11-2, 8-0 Lakes Valley Association (first)
2019 POSTSEASON: Def. Flushing (35-7); def. Fenton (49-21); def. Livonia Churchill (21-14); lost in D-2 state semifinals to Muskegon Mona Shores (57-56)
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1992
RETURNING STARTERS: Zach Trainor, sr. QB (6-2, 205, Eastern Illinois); Malachi Bolden, sr. OT/DT (6-3, 310); Caidon Haliburton, sr. OG/NG (6-2, 325); Carlos Gonzales, sr. DB (5-5, 135); Justin Gabriel, sr. WR (5-6, 150); Matt Vallieres, sr. DT/OG (6-6, 315)
TOP PROSPECTS: Thomas Young, jr. RB/WR/DB (5-10, 180); Darius Taylor, soph. WR (5-8, 150)
NOTABLES: Of the nine schools in the Lakes Valley, no school has enjoyed more postseason success than Walled Lake Western. The Warriors have reached the postseason 10 the straight times and have qualified for the playoffs 21 times in 24 seasons. Overall, Walled Lake Western is 36-20 all-time in the postseason and have posted 10 straight postseason appearances. The school is 298-215-2 since opening doors back in 1969 and considering that only three times in three decades (1990, 1994, 2009) that Western finished below five-hundred the winning tradition should continue.
SCHOOL: White Lake Lakeland
HEAD COACH: Joe Woodruff, sixth season
2019 RECORD: 7-3, 6-2 Lakes Valley Association (third)
2019 POSTSEASON:
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2008, 2007, 2006, 1982
RETURNING STARTERS: Mike Sherrell Jr., sr. WR/OLB/SE; Shane Ells, sr. LB/RB (fourth-year starter); Mark Tingle, sr. DL/RB; Tate Farquhar, jr. QB; Colin Carson, sr. OL/DL
NOTABLES: For only the second time in school history, the Eagles are coming off qualifying for the postseason three straight times. Lakeland also did the trick back in 2006-2008 as well. The program has beaten every team in this league at least once over the past five years and now hopes to do so all in one season as one of the league favorites in 2020. The program is coming off four straight winning seasons, all under Woodruff, which is the first time that has ever happened since the school opened in 1974. The Eagles only lost to runner-up South Lyon by a point last season and by 25 to league champ and state semifinalist Walled Lake Western, although the latter graduation a large amount of starters.
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