OAA BLUE DIVISION 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.
OAKLAND ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION — BLUE DIVISION
SCHOOL: Auburn Hills Avondale
HEAD COACH: Corey Bell, second season
2019 RECORD: 4-5, 3-3 OAA Blue Division (fourth)
2019 POSTSEASON: None
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2018, 2017, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2005, 2004, 2000, 1999, 1995, 1990, 1988, 1987, 1986,
RETURNING STARTERS: David Holloman, sr. RB/DB (6-1, 195) (committed to Indiana); Brian Keturakis, sr. LB/DE/RB (5-10, 230); Garett Voeffray, sr. WR/DB (5-10, 175); Corban Small, sr. WR/DB (6-3, 180); Jeremiah Wheeler, sr. OL/DL (6-2, 245); Kobe Jackson, sr. WR/DB (5-8 160); Reece Betts, sr. QB/LB (6-0, 185); DeShawn Robinson, soph. LT/DT (6-1, 260); Adam Yagley, sr. OL/DL (5-10, 205); Jeremiah Wheeler, sr. OT/DT (6-1, 220); Spencer Rasmussen, jr. DT/OT (5-10, 270); Javonn Carter, sr. WR/K/P/LB (6-0, 175)
TOP PROSPECTS: Alfonzo Merritt, fr. OL/DL (6-2, 235); Eric Christoff, fr. WR/DB (5-10, 165)
NOTABLES: Avondale enters the second year under direction of Corey Bell and will be more accustomed to this staff’s coaching style. The Yellowjackets bolster 24 seniors and have a couple of newcomers that will aid the goals of competing for an OAA-Blue and district titles. There are plenty of weapons at the skilled positions, most notably David Holloman who recently committed to Indiana. One of the state’s top sprinters in track even though there wasn’t a 2020 season, Holloman is one of Michigan’s faster football players and will be the focal point on a deep well of speedy players. This could be one of Avondale’s best seasons to date if they stay healthy.
SCHOOL: Berkley
HEAD COACH: Sean Shields, third season (4-14)
2019 RECORD: 2-7, 1-5 OAA Blue Division (sixth)
2019 POSTSEASON: None
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2010, 2009, 1999, 1996, 1994,
RETURNING STARTERS: Cody Rigley, sr. LT/DT/DE (6-1, 280) (recruited by Hope College, Mount Union, Heidelberg); Liam Sarris, sr. WR (6-2, 200) (missed most of last season, fourth-year starter, recruited by Brown, Harvard, Hope College); Ian Domzalski, sr. QB/RB/DB (5-10, 170) (recruited by Hope College); Henry Pennington, jr. MLB/FB (5-11, 215); Jake Domzalski, sr. RB/WR/CB/KR (5-9, 160); Aaron Sugerman, sr. MLB/TE (6-0, 185); Hunter Robinson, jr. K/P
TOP PROSPECTS: Johnny Colman, soph. OLB/RB (5-10, 180); David Rolands, soph. RT/DE (6-4, 235)
NOTABLES: The bad news for the Bears is that they struggled at times last season. The good news is that these Bears are much improved, welcoming back nine starters on both sides of the football. This team should be able to be much more competitive and perhaps climb a few rungs in the OAA-Blue. There is improved size in the trenches and this team is healthy, having suffered injuries to key players last season.
SCHOOL: Bloomfield Hills
HEAD COACH: Dan Loria, eighth season (since merger, 25-40)
2019 RECORD: 2-7, 0-6 OAA Red Division (seventh)
2019 POSTSEASON: None
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2017, 2016
RETURNING STARTERS: Tanner Slazinski, sr. QB (6-3, 185) (Saginaw Valley State; 1,900-plus passing yards as junior); Brody Miller, sr. LB
NOTABLES: The Blackhawks drop down to the OAA Blue Division after struggling the past three years in the OAA Red Division. In the OAA-Blue, Bloomfield Hills enters a wide open race where teams will play six league games, having two league games wiped out due to the shortened season. The Blackhawks are 25-40 since the 2013 merger of Lahser and Andover. The Blackhawks have perhaps the top quarterback in the division but must replace most of its skilled players and a bulk of its offensive and defensive lines.
SCHOOL: Ferndale
HEAD COACH: Eric Royal, seventh season
2019 RECORD: 4-5, 4-2 OAA Blue Division (third)
2019 POSTSEASON: None
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2001, 1996, 1987
RETURNING STARTERS: Antoine Brown, sr. DB/RB
TOP PROSPECTS: Most of the roster is first-year starters
NOTABLES: Ferndale had its fall sports season called off in early August, then was back on again after the governor reinstated football. Ferndale is always competitive and always fields a team with loads of speed, but coach Eric Royal must replenish the pipelines — and quickly — as most of the starters from last season graduated. The team was outscored 205-148 last season after the team reached the postseason three straight times from 2016-2018. There are several question marks up and down the lineup.
SCHOOL: Pontiac
HEAD COACH: Charles White, second season
2019 RECORD: 0-9, 0-6 OAA Blue Division (seventh)
2019 POSTSEASON: None
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2011, 2009
RETURNING STARTERS: Isaac Burrow, jr. QB/DB (5-11, 175); Antwon Herring, sr. RB (5-9, 200); Kavion Ethieon, jr. OL/DL (6-2, 220) (state qualifier in wrestling); Obeil Barreto, sr. FB/LB/K (5-9, 205); Brendan Mickala, sr. TE/OT/DT (6-3, 200); Jermaine Taylor, jr. WR/DB (6-0, 175)
TOP PROSPECTS: John Flowers, jr. WR/DB (6-2, 195); Demari Wall-Matlock, soph. OT/DE (6-5, 270)
NOTABLES: This is the 12th season since merger of Pontiac Central and Pontiac Northern and one that should see the Phoenix turn the corner on the competitive front. Pontiac has posted eight straight losing seasons (5-66 record in that span) and 23-77 overall in last 11 seasons. The team’s numbers have increased to 32 on varsity, the most in several years, with wrestlers, basketball and track athletes dotting the roster.
SCHOOL: Rochester
HEAD COACH: Erik Vernon, 13th season
2019 RECORD: 1-8, 1-5 OAA White Division (sixth)
2019 POSTSEASON: None
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2010, 1999, 1993, 1988
RETURNING STARTERS: Bobby Kronner, sr. WR (6-1, 170); Alex Bueno, soph. QB/CB (5-9, 160); Josh Smith, sr. DL/OT (6-3, 270); Aiden Harris, sr. WR/TE (5-10, 170); Preston Schroyer, jr. WR/SE (5-9, 155); Noah Howes, sr. LT (6-4, 260); Anthony Piccirilli, sr. LB (6-0, 175); Kavan Troy, sr. SE (5-8, 150); Nick Terenzi, jr. C (5-10, 210)
TOP PROSPECTS: Jeff Hawkins, jr. RB/LB (5-9, 160); Jaiden Bolden, soph. CB (5-8, 150); Grant Calcagno, soph. RB/WR (5-10, 160); Nick Lionas, jr. DE (6-1, 180); Balaaj Forcon-Alhuk, jr. DT (5-10, 180); Humzah Abu Shanab, jr. DT (6-5, 205); Andrew Hebekeuser, jr. WR/DB/QB (5-11, 160)
NOTABLES: Rochester only had 11 seniors last season and suffered through a rash of injuries and a major rebuilding campaign. The Falcons return over 80 percent of their roster and have severely improved their team’s size in the trenches and their overall team speed. Now down in the OAA Blue Division, Rochester is one of the favorites and will not sneak up on anyone with its wholesale improvements. The team also has more depth and will start the season without having to play starters both ways, although several players are capable of doing so. This program has not won a postseason game to date and has not captured a league title since 1993. Could this be the year that drought ends?
SCHOOL: Royal Oak
HEAD COACH: Ray McMann, sixth season
2019 RECORD: 2-7, 2-4 OAA Blue Division (fifth)
2019 POSTSEASON: None
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2006, 2017
RETURNING STARTERS: Jesse Hoisington, sr. TE/DE (6-5, 240) (recruited by Michigan State and Western Michigan); Jayden Hakkany, sr. RB/DB (5-11, 180) (recruited by D-II and D-III schools); Tommy Gardella, sr. K (5-10, 160); Dustin Moser, sr. LB (5-10, 160); Kyler Thompson, sr. WR/CB (6-1, 160); Ben O’Neil, sr. P (5-6, 150)
TOP PROSPECTS: Mekhi Jenkins, jr. RB/DB (5-11, 185); Hunter Gerwolls, sr. TE/LB (6-1, 185); Evan Towery, jr. OT/LB (6-3, 225); Dana Crosby-Gray, sr. DT (6-2, 365)
NOTABLES: This is the 15th season since merger of Kimball and Dondero. Since that time the Ravens have posted four winning seasons and two postseason berths. This could be a pivotal season for Royal Oak, as McMann has stayed with the program for six years and there is some quality college prospects on this team. This could be a sleeper pick in the OAA-Blue and a team that others might not want to be in a close affair late in the contest because the Ravens have one of the league’s best kickers. This should be a significantly improved team.
SCHOOL: Troy
HEAD COACH: Chris Frasier, fourth season
2019 RECORD: 0-9, 0-7 OAA White Division
2019 POSTSEASON: None
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2017, 2009, 2008, 2007
RETURNING STARTERS: Ethan Block, jr. RB/SS/KR (5-7, 170); Sebastian Orzame, sr. WR/KR (5-7, 140); Brennan Taylor, sr. ILB/TE (5-10, 185); Jack Matthews, sr. ILB/FB (6-0, 180); Ryan Peluso, sr. P/K (5-9, 150) (five-star punter, D-I and D-II college recruit)
TOP PROSPECTS: Darius Whiteside II, soph. WR/DB (6-1, 160); Max Hayden, soph. RT/DT (6-3, 240); Nolan Block, fr. RB/SS (5-6, 160)
NOTABLES: The Colts had low numbers last season, lack of experience and also lacked size. In the OAA White Division that spelled disaster. Now down in the OAA-Blue, Troy is looking to bounce back. The Colts have better numbers in the upper (40 on varsity) and lower grades and will continue to reconstruct a once proud program. Troy was in the Division 1 Final Four as recent as 2007 but are 12-34 over the last five seasons, including winless campaigns in 2015 and 2019. Expect the Colts to be significantly more competitive this season and perhaps win some games. There is only one way to go and that is up.
SCHOOL: Troy Athens
HEAD COACH: Billy Keenist Jr., third season
2019 RECORD: 3-6, 2-4 OAA White Division (fifth)
2019 POSTSEASON: None
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2011, 2004, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1992, 1989
RETURNING STARTERS: Waides Ashmon, sr. TB/OLB (5-11, 220); Nate Hazen, sr. QB/DB (5-11, 180); Colin Siterlet, sr. RG/OLB (6-0, 230); Nate Wooley, sr. LT/DT (6-2, 240); Trey Vincent, sr. RB/WR/DB (5-11, 175); Andre Shelton, jr. WR/DB (5-9, 160); Aidan Ingram, sr. NT (5-11, 200); Andrew Pokley, sr. WR/LB (6-0, 175)
TOP PROSPECTS: Joe Neubecker, soph. K/P; Ben Nast, jr. LB/FB (6-0, 170); Kyree Harper, soph. WR/DB (5-9, 175)
NOTABLES: With only two winning campaigns in 10 seasons, Athens moves down to the OAA Blue Division and should be much more competitive. Although there are only 27 varsity players, there are larger numbers in the lower grades and the Red Hawks hope to continue to build up those numbers. Athens does have one of the top players in the league in RB Waides Ashmon, improved size and athleticism and goals to improve upon last year’s three-win season.The last time Athens finished above five-hundred was 2015 and the last time the Red Hawks reached the postseason was 2011.
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