FOOTBALL: CHSL-AA DIVISION TEAM CAPSULES 2015
2015 CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE TEAM CAPSULES
Below are the 2015 Catholic High School League football team capsules, as compiled by Dan Stickradt based on information submitted by coaches. He can be reached at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com. Follow on Twitter @LocalSportsFans.
CHSL-AA DIVISION
SCHOOL: Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard
NICKNAME: Fighting Irish
HEAD COACH: Michael Girskis, first season
2014 RECORD: 7-3, 2-2 CHSL-AA Division (third)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: 0-1, lost in D-5 pre-district to Ida (24-0)
KEY PLAYERS: Jacob Donnellon, sr. OT-DT; Nate Schoenle, sr. WR-DB; Robbie Kerchoff, sr. FB-LB; Miles McGirt, sr. TB; Brendon Frederick, jr. OT-DT; John Jensan, sr. C; Mark Hass, sr. OG; Robbie Kirchhoff, sr. FB-LB; Josh Kretlin, jr. TB; Jack Gaderick, jr. QB; Jake McQueen, sr. WR; David Hebda, jr. CB; Henry Hebda, jr. CB; Alex Wilder, jr. DE; Brian Victor, sr. LB; Luke Simon, jr. LB-SE; Thomas Holowicki, jr. K-P
KEY LOSSES: Matt Johnson, QB-LB; Ken Kowalski, FB-LB
NOTABLES: Girskis inherits a program that has reached the postseason seven straight years after making the cut only four times in its history before this recent streak. There are even returning starters back on both sides of the ball, a good indication that the Fighting Irish will be playoffs worthy team again this fall.
SCHOOL: Dearborn Divine Child
NICKNAME: Falcons
HEAD COACH: John Filiartaut, second season (7-4)
2014 RECORD: 7-4, 3-1 CHSL-AA Division (second)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: 1-1, lost in D-3 district finals to Redford Thurston (37-17)
KEY PLAYERS: Jimmy Seewald, sr. QB; Danny Blade, sr. WR-DB; Shane Fugate, sr. WR-DB; Matt McNeff, sr. OL; Sam Thibault, sr. OL; Quinn Blair, jr. WR; Jack Hoover, sr. SE; Eric Gillis, sr. LB
KEY LOSSES: Collin Goslin, Mike O’Brien
NOTABLES: The Falcons not only ended a three-year postseason drought last season, they even won a playoff game. There’s a combined 11 starters back, meaning Divine Child still has a solid nucleus of athletes to keep them in a hunt. With Loyola losing a large crop of talent, the division is wide open. Will the Falcons take charge?
SCHOOL: Detroit Loyola
NICKNAME: Bulldogs
HEAD COACH: John Callahan, seventh season (65-10)
2014 RECORD: 14-0, 4-0 CHSL-AA Division (first)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: 5-0, captured D-7 state title with win over Ishpeming (29-8)
KEY PLAYERS: Nick Lee, sr. QB; Anthony Fitpatrick, sr. OL-LB; Blaine Woodland, sr. RB-DB; Cailen Abrems, jr. LB-OL; Keith Johnson, soph. LB-OL
KEY LOSSES: Graduated most of starting lineup
NOTABLES: Reaching the postseason in 10 of the past 13 seasons, including eight straight, the Bulldogs finally won their first state title in 2014 after losing in the D-7 finals in 2012 and 2013. Loyola will have plenty of opportunity for younger players to step in and carry on the tradition thanks to mass losses to graduation. Another postseason berth won’t be a stretch. Reaching the state title game for a fourth straight season might be.
SCHOOL: Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
NICKNAME: Fighting Irish
HEAD COACH: Pat Fox, second season (3-6; 135-85 over 25 seasons at multiple schools)
2014 RECORD: 3-5, 1-3 CHSL-AA Division (fourth)
POSTSEASON IN 2014: None
KEY PLAYERS: Luke Adams, jr. RB-LB; Matt Durkin, sr. QB; Pat Anger, sr. RB-C; Matt Wynarski, sr. LT; Joe Mukhtar, sr. WR-FE; Kyle Sassack, jr. OT-DT; Bryce Barringer, jr. K-P; Mitch Woodrich, sr. DE-OT; David Pohlman, sr. OG-DT
NOTABLES: Fox came in at a good time last season, a campaign already slated with a major rebuilding tag. He instilled his system and now a roster of returnees, eight on offense and six on defense, should be able to improve upon last year’s three-win season. Seven of the last 10 years the Irish have reached the postseason. Making it eight in 11 years is a realistic goal.
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