CHSL-INTERSECTIONAL 2 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.
CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE—INTERSECTIONAL 2
SCHOOL: Clarkston Everest Collegiate
HEAD COACH: Mike Pruchnicki, eighth season
2019 RECORD: 8-1, 4-0 CHSL-Intersectional 2 (first)
2019 POSTSEASON: Lost in D-8 pre-district to Flint Beecher (52-25)
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013
RETURNING STARTERS: Gio Mastermatteo, sr. QB/DB/P (5-10, 160); John Surran, sr. OL/DL (5-11, 190); Jack Lascecki, sr. TB/OL/DE (6-1, 225); Jimmy Neme, jr. SL/CB/WR (5-10, 170); Joey Thibodeau, jr. WR/SE/CB/K (6-1, 175); Aidan Beachamp, jr. OL/DE (6-5, 250); Michael McGrath, sr. WR/OL/DE (6-7, 230); Steven Zach, sr. OL/DL (5-10, 170); Dominic Cross, sr. WR/LB (5-11, 175); Steven Czach, sr. OL/DL; Johnny Nedwick, jr. SL/DB (5-8, 155); Diego Ramirez-Gomez, jr. OL/DL; Matthew Ross, jr. OL/DL
TOP PROSPECTS: The Mountaineers only graduated their kicker and that will be done by committee. There were no other seniors that started last season.
NOTABLES: This is the eighth season of the program and just the 12th for the high school overall. The Mountaineers have still qualified for the D-8 postseason every single season and have posted a 53-19 overall mark in that span. At the end of last season the Mountaineers didn’t start any seniors other than its kicker so this will be a veteran group with high aspirations.
SCHOOL: Waterford Our Lady Of the Lakes
HEAD COACH: Jeff Glynn, first season (8-20 career record as head coach)
2019 RECORD: 4-5, 1-3 CHSL-Intersectional 2 (fourth)
2019 POSTSEASON: None
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1983, 1992
RETURNING STARTERS: Benjamin Newby, jr. OL/DL (all-catholic); Guillermo Valdovinos, sr. WR/DE/K/P; Nate Asai, jr. RB/LB; Luke Ronquillo, soph. WR/FS; Paul Brower, soph. OL/DL
TOP PROSPECTS: Joseph Davies, soph. WR/CB/KR; Luke Clason, sopa. WR/CB; Aiden Gauthier, fr. QB/RB; William Burton, fr. QB/DE; Dylan Larsen, fr. OL/DL
NOTABLES: Over the past three decades, the Lakers have only missed the postseason three times (2019, 2011, 1996) and own 29 overall playoffs appearances. The 2015 D-8 state runner-up has not won a postseason game since that season, but hopes to reverse that trend this year. The enrollment is down to 116 students in 9-12 this school year, so Lakes must get the most out of its players, many whom will play both ways. Numbers are up to 23 on varsity with just one senior, five juniors, a large sophomore class of 11 players and five freshmen.
SCHOOL: Allen Park Cabrini
HEAD COACH: Brian Obrycki, second season
2019 RECORD: 3-6, 0-3 CHSL-Intersectional 1 (fourth)
2019 POSTSEASON: None
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2018, 2012, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 1995
RETURNING STARTERS: Ryan Kugelman, jr. QB/DB
NOTABLES: The Monarchs move down from the Intersectional 1 to the Intersectional 2 Division and won’t find it any easier. Several of Cabrini’s top players from last season graduated, although the Monarchs do have one of the better small-school quarterbacks in the area.
SCHOOL: Marine City Cardinal Mooney Catholic
HEAD COACH: Joe Quenelle
2019 RECORD: 4-5, 0-4 CHSL-Intersectional 2 (fifth)
2019 POSTSEASON: None
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1995, 1994
RETURNING STARTERS: No names submitted
NOTABLES: The Cardinals have not qualified for the postseason since making the cut three straight years from 2011-2013 and that was when the program competed in eight-man football. The rebuild continues for Cardinal Mooney, which gave up over 40 points a game in league play last season. The good news for the Cardinals is they won their last two games of the 2019 season and hope to carry some momentum into 2020.
SCHOOL: Royal Oak Shrine Catholic
HEAD COACH: Oscar Olejniczak, third season
2019 RECORD: 9-3, 3-1 CHSL-Intersectional 2 (second)
2019 POSTSEASON: Def. Ottawa Lake-Whiteford (21-16); def. Britton-Macon-Deerfield (23-6); lost in D-8 regional finals to Fowler (33-0)
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: 2019, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1977
RETURNING STARTERS: Conor Benson, jr. QB/DB/K (5-10, 160) (Division 7-8 All-State Honorable Mention; being recruited by Ivy League, D-II and D-III schools); Ugo Ike, sr. DE (6-4, 225) (recruited by NAIA schools); Chuck Niehaus, jr. TE/OLB (6-0, 185) (Division 7-8 All-State Second Team); Aaron Smith, jr. LB/DL (6-0, 195); Jacob Piekutowski, sr. LB/OL (6-0, 200); Alex Armenio, sr. P
PROSPECTS: Andrew Bala, soph. WR/DB (5-11, 155); Tommy Robinson, soph. WR/DB (5-10, 165)
NOTABLES: The Knights have made the cut for the postseason eight of the past 10 seasons, including reaching the regional finals a year ago. A couple of key players departed via graduation or transfer, but two All-State players return and there is ample holdover talent. Expect Shrine to again compete for league and district championships.
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