FOOTBALL: MICHIGAN INDEPENDENT ATHLETIC CONFERENCE TEAM CAPSULES
MICHIGAN INDEPENDENT ATHLETIC CONFERENCE TEAM CAPSULES
Team Capsules compiled by Dan Stickradt. Email dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or follow on twitter @LocalSportsFans
School: Auburn Hills Oakland Christian-Auburn Hills Christian Unified
Nickname: Lancers
Coach: Bill Schaeffer, third season.
Assistant Coaches: Rusty Mandle, Brian Hoffman, Joe Whitt, Jeremiah Nichols, Andrew Kern, Chris Lewis, Nick Quinn
2012 Record: 2-7, 0-5 MIAC (sixth).
Postseason Appearances: None
Offense: Veer
Defense: 4-3
Players Lost: Josh Rupright, Chris Polite.
Key Players Returning: Stephen Nichols, sr. WR-DE (6-5, 220); Javarian Smith, jr. QB-DB (6-0, 180); Ryan Kostich, soph. SL-DE (6-0, 185); Bobby Roose, sr. DT-OT (6-0, 285); Preston Lasala, sr. WR (6-5, 235); Cody Marazita, sr. RB (5-8, 170); Chase Sumner, sr. WR (6-4, 200).
Key Newcomers: Josh Morgan, fr. OG-DT (6-3, 280); Chad Christian, jr. OLB-QB-WR (5-8, 170) (transfer from Troy Christian Leadership Academy); Aaron Kostich, sr. DE (5-10, 160); Rob Columbo, jr. OLB-OT (5-9, 165); AJ Hawkins, fr. MLB-FB (5-9, 260); Drake Falconer, sr. WR-CB (5-10, 160); John VanNoord, sr. K-P (5-11, 160).
Coach’s comment: “This our sixth season, but this is really our first real varsity in terms of experience. We know have guys that have played three or four years, a lot of juniors and seniors and we understand the game a whole lot better. We have a few exception athletes and I think we’re going to surprise a few people.”
School: Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett
Nickname: Knights
Coach: Dan Cimini, first season.
Assistant Coaches: John Fowler, Dan Banka.
2012 Record: 8-3, 5-0 MIAC (first).
Playoffs Run: Def. Detroit Douglass (15-14); lost to Detroit Loyola in D-7 district finals (50-7).
Postseason Appearances: 7, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2011, 2012.
Offense: Pistol Spread
Defense: Multiple
Players lost: Nate Gaggin, Joe Manniacci, Antoine Cres, Nicky Kassab, Kavaughn Jackson, Drew Jerome, Dan Baird, Antoine Crews.
Key Players Returning: Antonio Malkoun, sr. OT-DT (6-1, 235); Josh Dickens, sr. OL-DL (6-0, 220); Tommy Jackson, soph. RB-QB (6-1, 185); Matt Gushee, soph. MLB-OL (6-0, 240); Darryl Lewis, sr. TB-LB (6-1, 180); Lord Anthony Grisson, sr. WR-CB (6-2, 190); Jake Smith, jr. FB (5-10, 170); Tommy Farr, sr. OL-DE (6-1, 185); Nick Goul, soph. WR-CB (6-0, 175).
Key Newcomers: Connor McCarren, fr. WR-QB (5-8, 170).
Coach’s comment: “It’s nice to be back (at Liggett) coaching football. We still have some good players back, but when you lose an All-State quarterback and a couple of other real good players, it takes time to fill those shoes. I feel confident with the players we have back that we can still contend in our league and hopefully make the playoffs again.”
School: Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest
Nickname: Crusaders
Coach: Don Justice, 10th season.
Assistant Coaches: Mario Borrocci, Paul Houtos, Nate Myers, Harold Macks, John Rea, Glenn Martin, Todd Strahan, Tom Meissner, David Krzewski, John Quigley
2012 Record: 5-4, 4-1 MIAC (second).
Playoffs Run: Lost to Flint Beecher in D-7pre-district (39-33).
Postseason Appearances: 6, 1999, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012.
Offense: x
Defense: x
Players Lost: Nathan Drews, Josh Morrison, Ben Agosta, Ian Wellhousen, Matt Mischley, Greg Maynard, Josh Macks, Justin Novack, Evan Carter.
Key Players Returning: Nick Raby, sr. OT-DT (6-0, 260); Jake Klausmeier, sr. OG-LB (6-1, 215); Trevor Schmidt, sr. OT-DE-DB (5-11, 200); Nick Gapski, sr. RB-LB (5-10, 185); Drake Uplinger, sr. G-DT (6-0, 200).
Key Newcomers: Bryan Miskovich, jr. QB-DB (6-1, 175); Cameron Kizewski, soph. RB-LB (6-1, 210); Jacob Griem, soph. P-WR (6-3, 185); Brian Schaupp, jr. OT-DT (6-1, 240).
Coach’s comment: “It will be interesting this year because we lost a lot of key players. We have some nice new kids coming up and there doesn’t appear to be a team in our league that everyone thinks will dominate. If our younger guys grow up quickly, then I think we’ll have another good season. If not, then it will be a rebuilding year.”
School: Southfield Christian
Nickname: Eagles
Coach: Larry Weiss
Assistant Coaches: Dante Garland, Craig Schoon, James Schmitke, Kirk Orr
2012 Record: 3-6, 2-3 MIAC (fourth)
Postseason Appearances: 1, 2008
Offense: Spread, Veer
Defense: 4-3 or 3-5.
Players Lost: Jason Fusco, Justin Pritchett, Eion Donnelly.
Key Players Returning: Bobby Banks, jr. MLB-TB (5-10, 180); Steven Helms, sr. OG-DT (6-1, 280); Matt Taylor, sr. C (5-8, 190); Jack Harrington, sr. WR-DB (6-1, 185); Harding Sears, sr. WR-DB (6-3, 220); Jonathan Sarwer, sr. QB (6-0, 190); Ryan Hanson, jr. K-P (5-10, 160); Cameron Gannin, jr. WR-DB (6-0, 170); Deshawn Moore, soph. WR-LB (5-10, 175)
Coach’s comment: “This is my second year here, so I think the boys have a better understanding of our system and what is expected, so we should be better just with that (knowledge). We have some good players back, especially at the skilled positions. We hope to move up in our league and hopefully reach the playoffs. The boys are hungry.”
School: Sterling Heights Parkway Christian
Nickname: Eagles
Coach: Todd Francis, fifth season.
Assistant Coaches: Mark Rudzinski, Matt Duynslager, Jim Sinsel, Raleigh Ross, Damarius Jackson, Alex Lowe.
2012 Record: 4-5, 1-4 MIAC (fifth).
Postseason Appearances: 5, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010.
Offense: Spread Option
Defense: Multiple
Players Lost: Jonny Kocik, PJ Dysarczyk, Jake Schwartz.
Key Players Returning: Noah Allen, sr. QB-DB (5-10, 155); Phil Lapinski, sr. TE-LB (6-0, 230); Roger Narlock, sr. OL-DL (5-11, 235); Nick Halaas, sr. LB-OG (5-10, 210); Cole Costerowicz, sr. LB-WR (6-4, 200); Nathan Schick, sr. RB-DB-K-P (5-11, 170); Dylan Thompson, sr. OLB-WR (5-10, 165).
Key Newcomers: Jake Hensley, soph. OT-DT (6-4, 290); Riley McManus, soph. OL-DL (6-2, 220).
Coach’s comment: “If our upperclassmen step up and our freshmen and sophomores mature, then we should have a better season than last year. We return some key guys at key spots. We hope to contend in our league this season and get back to the playoffs. That’s always the goal. We were a little young last season but I feel we should be improved this year.”
School: Westland Lutheran
Nickname: Warriors
Coach: Paul Guse
Assistant Coaches: Jamie Hawley, Jim Richter, Bill Wade
2012 Record: 6-3, 3-2 MIAC (third).
Playoffs Run: Lost to Melvindale Academy of Business Tech in D-8 pre-district (48-22)
Postseason Appearances: 2, 2011, 2012.
Offense: Wing T or Spread
Defense: 4-2-5 or 4-4
Players Lost: Nick Andrzejewsk, Greg Klein, Alex Glinn, Jacob Richter, Martin Kemp, Alex Reardon, Ricky LaChance, Cullan McNamara.
Key Players Returning: Kole Niemi, jr. C-DL (6-0, 150); Conus Kruger, sr. LG-DT (6-0, 240); Brad Hura, jr. OG-DE (6-1, 230); DJ Guse, sr. QB (6-0, 150); Jacob Davenport, jr. TE-HB (6-0, 160); Newman Harper, sr. WR-DB (6-0, 150); Austin Olson, jr. SL-DB (5-11, 170); Josh Reigel, sr. OT-DT (5-11, 160); Caleb Richter, jr. OLB (5-7, 140); Luke Bonkowski, sr. LB (5-11, 150).
Key Prospects: Travis Frye, soph. OT (6-1, 250); Jonah Lambert, sr. OG (6-1, 160); Jacob Bavol, jr. OLB (5-7, 140).
Coach’s comment: “We have some good athletes at the skilled positions, but we are not all that big as we have been. Our conference is wide open, with almost everyone in the same boat in terms of returning players. It should be an interesting year in our league.”
Team Capsules compiled by Dan Stickradt. Email dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or follow on twitter @LocalSportsFans
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