OAA RED DIVISION TEAM CAPSULES
PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEWS 2012
OAKLAND ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION TEAM CAPSULES
(Team capsules compiled by Dan Stickradt. He can be reached by email at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com. Follow on Twitter @LocalSportsFans)
OAA RED DIVISION
Clarkston
HEAD COACH: Kurt Richardson, 26th season (179-76).
ASSISTANT COACHES: Jeff Long, Pete Gallagher, Tom Hurley, Ryan Kaul, Phil Price, Brian Zezula, Tony Miller, Steve Pearson, Rich Porritt
2011 RECORD: 7-4, 6-1 OAA Red Division (tied-first); Postseason: Def. Pontiac (40-12); lost to Walled Lake Central (45-26) in Division 1 district finals.
NICKNAME: Wolves
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 15, 1977, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011.
OFFENSE: Pro-I
DEFENSE: 4-3
RETURNING STARTERS: Ben Kaminsky, sr. RB-LB (5-8, 205); Jesse Chadwell, sr. OT (6-6, 270; committed to Illinois); Craig Columbo, sr. OL (6-4, 280); Nick Azzopardi, sr. OL (5-10, 240); Nick Mattich, jr. DL-OL (6-3, 250); Nathan Yeloushan, sr. TE-LB (6-2, 200); Eric Eberle, sr. OL (6-2, 275); Chris Calvano, sr. LB (6-1, 185); Alex Dicea, sr. DB-WR (5-10, 170).
KEY PROSPECTS: DJ Zezula, soph. QB (6-0, 180); Dylan Hancoock, sr. LB (6-3, 170); Ian Ericksen, jr. RB (5-9, 165); Jared Yaroch, sr. WR (5-10, 160); Tim Cason, jr. WR (6-2, 185); Alex Dicey, sr. WR (5-10, 160); Adam Kline, soph. WR (6-3, 175); David Beedle, jr. DT (6-5, 260); Bryce Witherspoon, soph. DT (6-0, 215); Alex Peck, jr. LB (5-9, 175); Caine Watlington, jr. LB (5-10, 160).
NOTABLES: Last season was marred by two forfeit losses due to the use of an ineligible reserve player and a second-round postseason exit where the Wolves were run out of their own stadium. There’s plenty of talent back, especially on the massive offensive and defensive lines, and every reason to believe that Clarkston will again be in the hunt for a league title and more. If the skilled athletes mature behind the protection of the area’s biggest linemen, than this could also be a team to watch come postseason time.
Lake Orion
HEAD COACH: Chris Bell, 15th season (118-39 at Lake Orion); 19th overall (138-59).
ASSISTANT COACHES: Dave Tooley, John Blackstock, Mike Heath, Eric Jennings, Brad Fischer, Jay Cohoe, Todd Gordon, Darin Tooley, Brian Schwartz, Rob Scranton, Kevin Misiak
2011 RECORD: 6-4, 6-1 OAA Red Division (tied-first); Postseason: Lost to Walled Lake Central (20-17) in Division 1 pre-districts.
NICKNAME: Dragons
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 16, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011.
OFFENSE: Spread
DEFENSE: 4-3
RETURNING STARTERS: Jacob Miller, sr. RB (51-0, 185; 954 rushing yards, 13 TDs); Chaz Miller, sr. WR (6-6, 180; 460 rec. yards); Jeremy King, sr. WR-K (6-0, 180); Corey Ester, jr.SL (5-9, 165); Zak Arnold, jr. SL (6-0, 175); Joey Friedman, jr. C (5-10, 190); Derric Williams, sr. LB (6-2, 215); Nick White, sr. LB (6-0, 190); Nick Booker, sr. DB-SL (5-9, 175); Brandon Clements, sr. DB-WR (6-0, 175).
KEY PROSPECTS: Chris Leigh, jr. SL (5-11, 180); Trenton Elkins, jr. OL (5-10, 240; state placer in powerlifting); Travis Hill, sr. DL (6-2, 230); Durham Basso, sr. DL (6-0,190); Derek Delaura sr. QB (6-0, 200).
NOTABLES: After winning the state championship in 2010, the Dragons were a bit of a disappointment last, finishing 6-4 with a first-round exit. Lake Orion does not have great size on the field, but ample speed with several members of its 2012 state championship track team on the gridiron and plenty of experience on both sides of the football. There’s no reason to believe that Lake Orion won’t contend for another league championship and make the postseason for the 12th straight time. Is there enough magic for a deep postseason run? With three Final Four berths under Bell, including 2009 and 2011, no one should be surprised that this team is still alive deep into November.
Pontiac
HEAD COACH: Damian Redmond, first season.
ASSISTANT COACHES: Damon Odneal, Kerry Tolbert, Harry Porter, Lorenzo Robertson, William Gholston, Sam Rogers, Henry Jackson
2011 RECORD: 6-4, 4-3 OAA Red Division (fourth); Postseason: Lost to Clarkston (40-12) in Division 1 pre-districts.
NICKNAME: Phoenix
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2, 2009, 2011; Before Merger: Pontiac Central (1991, 1995, 2001, 2007); Pontiac Northern (1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007).
OFFENSE: Multiple
DEFENSE: Multiple
RETURNING STARTERS: Jody Harrison, sr. QB-DB (5-10, 175); Blake Samuels, sr. DE-OT (6-2, 240); Trajan Seay, sr. WR-DB (6-0, 170).
KEY PROSPECTS: Most of the starting lineup will be first-year starters. Roosevelt Wheeler, sr. WR-TE-DB; Blake Daniels, sr. LB-RB; Charles Walker, sr. OL-DL; Tavares Miles, sr. OL-DL; Moses Miles, sr. OL-DL.
NOTABLES: Hard times could be upon Pontiac’s first-year coaching staff. Numbers have dropped to around 50 players in grades 9-12 and most of the starters were lost to graduation, lack of interest or disciplinary reasons. Meanwhile, as enrollment keeps dropping overall just a few short years after the merger, the other teams in the OAA Red are all slated for better years and the Phoenix must better mature and come together in a hurry if they are able to remain a playoffs-caliber team.
Rochester
HEAD COACH: Erik Vernon, fourth season (11-17).
ASSISTANT COACHES: Dale Clark, Jim DeJeager, Steve Fox, Eddie Hillary, Bill Ames
2011 RECORD: 4-5, 2-5 OAA Red Division (tied-sixth); did not qualify.
NICKNAME: Falcons
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 4, 1988, 1993, 1999, 2010.
OFFENSE: Multiple
DEFENSE: 4-3
RETURNING STARTERS: Manny Mendoza, sr. WR-DB (6-3, 205; all-league; Division I prospect); John Doroshewitz, sr. QB-DB (6-2, 190); Schwan Shadaia, jr. OL-DL (6-0, 205); Shane Shadaia, jr. OL-LB (6-0, 190); Peter Dusat, sr. OL (6-4, 230).
KEY PROSPECTS: Demetrius McGhee, jr. RB-WR-CB (5-10, 180); Miles Dale, sr. K-P (6-1, 175; committed to Cincinnati for soccer); Jimmy Harten, sr. OL (6-4, 230).
NOTABLES: Injuries and disciplinary action hurt the Falcons last season, along with a couple of close losses. Rochester did win its final three games last season and with plenty of experience, healed wounds and with one of its largest offensive and defensive lines in years, Rochester is primed for an improved season. The program seems to in better shape overall as Vernon and staff that have made the Falcons far more competitive than some of the other teams in the past decade-plus.
Rochester Stoney Creek
HEAD COACH: Brad Zube, first season (fourth overall).
ASSISTANT COACHES: Louis Adams, Rich Koch, Matt Topie, Dave Reyburn, Sean Cobb, Mark Swaha, Vineet Kaul, Nick Schilling, Buzz Zube, Paul LaFrance, Garfrey Smith
2011 RECORD: 1-8, 0-7 OAA Red Division (eighth); did not qualify.
NICKNAME: Cougars
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2, 2006, 2007 (opened 2002-03).
OFFENSE: Spread Motion
DEFENSE: 5-2
RETURNING STARTERS: Sean Scullen, jr. RB-QB-DB (6-2, 175); Jack Stablien, sr. OL (6-3, 275); David Kerr, jr. OL (6-1, 215); Stu Gadigan, jr. OL (6-2, 225); Sam Clayman, sr.LB (6-0, 210; injured half of last season).
KEY PROSPECTS: Justin Allor, jr. QB-RB-DB (5-11, 180); Noah Beck, jr. RB (5-9, 165); Alex Schnurr, jr. WR-K (6-1, 185); Jack Van Almen, jr. LB (6-0, 185); Peter Price, jr. DE (6-2, 215); Kyle Bricknell, sr. DB (5-10, 170); Brandon Ballard, jr. DB-LB (5-9, 180); JaQuis Jamison, sr. DB (5-11, 170).
NOTABLES: After dropping its final eight games last season, the Cougars made a coaching switch and brought in Brad Zube, who coached Pontiac to a postseason berth last season. Stoney Creek has a very talented junior class that is used to winning, going 9-0 as freshmen two years ago and 7-2 on the junior varsity last season. Will this group help the Cougars add a few wins this season in a new division (OAA-Red) or will they continue to struggle? This could be one of the more intriguing teams in the entire OAA. Don’t count this team out, at least getting back to around five-hundred if other teams in the OAA-Red falter. This team is also set for the future, with as many as 18 juniors slated for starting positions this season.
Troy
HEAD COACH: Gary Griffith, 39th season
ASSISTANT COACHES: Duane Losey, Chris Frasier, Ryan Frasier, Jim Pobursky, Keith Thomas, Don Johnson
2011 RECORD: 3-6, 3-4 OAA Red Division (fifth); did not qualify.
NICKNAME: Colts
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 13, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2007, 2008, 2009.
OFFENSE: Spread Option
DEFENSE: Multiple
RETURNING STARTERS: Justin Losey, sr. WR-RB-QB-DB-KR (5-8, 155; all-league in 2011); Thomas Richardson, sr. OL (6-4, 295; all-league last season; MAC and GLIAC schools showing interest); Greg Webber, sr. OL (6-2, 295; all-league last season; MAC and GLIAC schools showing interest; fourth-year starter); Brian Johnson, sr. OL (5-9, 215); Davis Strobridge, jr. LB (5-9, 220); Connor Hayden, sr. DE (6-1, 200); Danny Wunderlich, jr. P-WR-DB (6-0, 170); Joe Leonard, sr. RB-DB-KR (5-8, 160);
KEY PROSPECTS: Jay Darish, jr. QB (5-11, 170); Torrence Cherry, sr. SL-RB-KR (5-9, 160; transfer from Indiana); Terrence Cherry, sr. SL-RB-KR (5-9, 160; transfer from Indiana); Juwaun Jackson, sr. RB-DB-KR (5-9, 160; transfer from Southfield); Justice Bigelow, jr. DB; Quincy Walker, sr. DB; Eric Hagen, sr. K.
NOTABLES: With many of key players back, some positions switches and a beefy offensive and defensive lines with plenty of experience, early indications point to the Colts to having a much better season. Troy, which lost its final three games last season, has perhaps its biggest lines in the trenches in many years, should
Troy Athens
HEAD COACH: Josh Heppner, fourth season (12-16).
ASSISTANT COACHES: Mike DiVito, Neal Mozdzierz, Tom Cook, Steve Culp, Steve Mitzel, Bill Tokar, Nate Hughes
2011 RECORD: 7-3, 5-2 OAA Red Division (third); Postseason: Lost to Romeo (34-31) in Division 1 pre-districts.
NICKNAME: Red Hawks
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 6, 1989, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2011.
OFFENSE: Multiple
DEFENSE: 4-4
RETURNING STARTERS: Joe Shields, sr. RB-DB (5-11, 165); Sam Haskell, sr. RB-WR-DB (5-9, 165); Lonnie Jaynes, sr. LB-RB (5-11, 215); Jalen Thomas, sr. OT-DT (6-5, 280); Grant LaBeau, sr. DT-OT (6-2, 225); Max Blank, sr. WR-DB (6-0, 160); Andrew Hazen, sr. MLB (5-11, 210); Ivan Kharcenko, sr. WR-RB-LB (6-1, 185).
KEY PROSPECTS: James Ortmann, sr. QB (6-1, 195); Lucas Bezerra, jr. TE-DE (6-4, 215; MAC schools showing interest); Thomas Lance, jr. DT-TE (6-2, 210); Craig Bazen, jr. RB-DB (6-0, 170); Jake Nelson, jr. LB (6-1, 170); Brandon Elliott, jr. K (5-11, 170); Ryan Ruckensufss, soph. DL-OL (6-2, 230).
NOTABLES: The Red Hawks snapped a seven-year streak of finishing under five-hundred and not making the playoffs last season. Perhaps injuries halted Athens from making a run in 2011. Part of the Red Hawks’ resurgence is that Heppner and his staff has vowed to stick around for a while. The other half is that Athens is simply getting better football players than in recent years. Athens should continue to be a top-half team in the OAA-Red this season and don’t be surprised if the Red Hawks are one of the 32 teams in the D-1 state tournament in late October. This team has plenty of size and team speed to compete with the big boys.
West Bloomfield
HEAD COACH: Ron Bellamy, third season (5-13).
ASSISTANT COACHES: Mike Marshall, Phil Sacha, Reggie Wynns, Kyle Kilpatrick, Guy Monarch, Keith Smith
2011 RECORD: 2-7, 2-5 OAA Red Division (tied-sixth); did not qualify.
NICKNAME: Lakers
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2, 2000, 2008.
OFFENSE: Pro-Style
DEFENSE: 4-3
RETURNING STARTERS: Matt Farrow, sr. RB-DB (5-9, 190); Keith Love, sr. OL-DL (6-2, 240); John Hubbard, sr. FB-LB (5-10, 190); Jeff Poole, sr. WR-DB (5-11, 180); Chaz Monarch, sr. SS (6-1, 180).
KEY PROSPECTS: JJ Blom, jr. ILB (6-0, 200).
NOTABLES: The Lakers may have lot of players to graduation, yet the coaching staff feels like the younger players in the program are better football players with higher football IQs. West Bloomfield may be victim this season of some several more experienced teams, but like league foe Stoney Creek has far more underclassmen than seniors.
(Team capsules compiled by Dan Stickradt. He can be reached by email at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com. Follow on Twitter @LocalSportsFans)
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