FOOTBALL: 2014 CHRISTIAN ATHLETIC LEAGUE OF AMERICA TEAM CAPSULES
2014 PREP FOOTBALL TEAM CAPSULES
CHRISTIAN ATHLETIC LEAGUE OF AMERICA
Team capsules compiled by senior editor Dan Stickradt and staff. Email dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or results@northoaklandsports.com. Follow on Twitter @LocalSportsFans and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Oakland-Sports/439028726180861.
Troy Home School Defenders
HEAD COACH: Joshua Sherman, second season (2-8).
ASSISTANT COACHES: Frank McCord.
2013 RECORD: 2-8, 1-8 CFLA.
2013 POSTSEASON: Def. Battle Creek Apocolypse (47-6).
KEY RETURNEES: Julian Raxton, sr. RB-DB; Matt Vanryoer, sr. QB-WR-DB; Joe Vanryoer, sr. WR-DB; AJ Blessman, sr. OL-DL (6-2, 250); Matt Wydick, jr. LB-OL; Montana Essian, sr. WR-TE-DB (6-0, 175).
KEY NEWCOMERS: Not available.
KEY LOSSES: Only graduated two players.
OUTLOOK: Two years ago the Defenders featured 15 seniors and sported a fine 7-1 record, while last season they rebuilt with many underclassmen. This year’s squad has 20 players signed up, but the coaching staff is having a difficult time getting consistency in terms of numbers to show up to practice on a daily practice. The program is also bouncing around from various churches, elementary schools and vacant lots for practices, wherever they can find due to liability issues. The program, one of the original seven teams from the CALA inaugural season back in 2008, still play home games at the Auburn Hills Community Center Shark Tank.
Grand Rapids Home School Patriots
HEAD COACH: Mark VanDyke, sixth season (24-18).
2013 RECORD: 4-6, 4-5 CFLA.
2013 POSTSEASON: Lost to Lansing Ingham County Home School (14-6).
KEY RETURNEES: Levi Hull, Cameron Bekkering, Jonathan Peroni
KEY NEWCOMERS: Jake Hall, Shay Heimstra
KEY LOSSES: Ed Burres
OUTLOOK: After the program’s first losing season in its 15-year history, the Patriots look to make their mark in the CALA this year with a fully returning offensive backfield. QB Levi Hull will have some additional offensive threats this year after the Patriots have added some key underclassemen to increase the depth at every skill position.
Ann Arbor Washtenaw Home School Saints
HEAD COACH: Greg Goodman, second season (8-1).
ASSISTANT COACHES: Gary Frodyma.
2013 RECORD: 8-1, 8-0 CFLA (regular season champions; lost first-place CFLA Bowl Game).
2013 POSTSEASON: Lost to Detroit Westside Christian Warriors (22-20).
Detroit Downriver Home School Wolfpack
HEAD COACH: Daryl Patrick, first season.
ASSISTANT COACHES:
2013 RECORD: 7-3, 6-3 CFLA.
2013 POSTSEASON: Def. Leo-Cedarville (Ind.) Tri-State Christian (42-30)
Howell Livingston County Home School Knights
HEAD COACH: Doug Auxier first season.
ASSISTANT COACHES: Jason Kile.
2013 RECORD: 3-6, 3-5 CFLA.
2013 POSTSEASON: Lost to Flint Genesee County Home School Warriors (42-8).
Lansing Ingham County Home School Pilgrims
HEAD COACH: Craig Clark, second season (4-2).
2013 RECORD: 4-2, 3-1 CFLA.
2013 POSTSEASON: Def. Grand Rapids Grand Valley Home School (14-6).
OUTLOOK: In its first season, the Pilgrims played a shortened schedule of six games, four against league competition. This year the program will play the limit of 10 games, including the CFLA Week 10 Bowl Game.
Coldwater Branch County Home School Messengers
2013 RECORD: First-year program.
OUTLOOK: This is a debut program in the Christian Athletic League of America, a league entering its seventh campaign. The conference, made up of home school units and small parochial schools from Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, gives students an opportunity to compete in high school football that might not have had the chance in the past.
Flint Genesee County Home School Warriors
HEAD COACH: Chuck Curton, fourth season.
ASSISTANT COACHES: Tony Giraud.
2013 RECORD: 5-4, 4-4 CFLA.
2013 POSTSEASON: Def. Howell Livingston County Home School Knights (42-8).
Battle Creek Home School Horsemen
HEAD COACH: Andy Fedewa
2013 RECORD: 0-10, 0-8 CFLA (ninth).
2013 POSTSEASON: Lost to Troy Home School Defenders (42-6).
OUTLOOK: This program switches its nickname from the Apocolypse to the Horsemen
Fort Wayne (Ind.) Kings Home School Crusaders
HEAD COACH: Lynn Swing, first season.
ASSISTANT COACHES: Matthew Roberts.
2013 RECORD: First-year program.
OUTLOOK: This is a debut program in the Christian Athletic League of America, a league entering its seventh campaign. The conference, made up of home school units and small parochial schools from Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, gives students an opportunity to compete in high school football that might not have had the chance in the past.
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