A look at the prospects for the Oakland Activities Association football teams for the 2026 season:
OAA RED DIVISION
CLARKSTON WOLVES
Coach: Justin Pintar (5th year)
Division: 1
Last year’s record: 10-2, 4-0 (OAA Red champs)
Key Returners on Offense: Alex Waszczenko (QB, Sr.), Brooks Kosin (OL, Sr.), Shane Dasuqi (WR/TE, Jr.), Drew French (WR, Sr.), Jackson Miller (OL, Sr.), Owen Murray (OL, Sr.), Carson Schramm (OL, Sr.)
Key Returners on Defense: Ty Duffy (LB, Sr.), Hunter Kauth (LB, Sr.), Wendell Childs Jr. (DB, Sr.), Malachi Switzer (DB, Sr.), Chase Grech (DL, Sr.), Jackson Miller (DL, Sr.), Owen Murray (DL, Sr.), Carson Schramm (DL, Sr.)
Strengths: Experienced QB, significant minutes back at WR/DB
Areas to Improve: Replacing key players from senior class
Outlook: As expected with a second-year quarterback and the talent of Boman brothers Lukas and Griffin, Clarkston had the stars to fly high in 2025, and may have gone higher had it not run into eventual D1 champion Detroit Catholic Central in regionals. Waszczenko still has some good athletes to throw to, and despite just three starters back on offense, Clarkston’s JV and freshmen teams went 9-0 last season, so that’s a good indicator more help is on the way. Pintar believes that despite the game experience along the lines, the potential is there for both groups to be good. Back-to-back games to open the season against South Lyon (at U of M) and on the road at Stoney Creek mean the Wolves will play one of the state’s tougher schedules.
LAKE ORION DRAGONS
Coach: Chris Bell (24th year)
Division: 1
Last Year’s Record: 1-8, 0-4
Key Returners on Offense: Anderson Adams (QB, Sr.), Braydon Blackston (OL, Sr.), Jack Sheffield (OL, Sr.), Drew McKay (OL, Sr.)
Key Returners on Defense: Owen Fisher (DB, Jr.), Michael Champine (DB, Sr.), Sam Buchanon (DL, Sr.), Jack Sheffield (DL, Sr.)
Strengths: Returning starting QB and O-linemen, defensive speed
Areas to Improve: Staying healthy, getting inexperienced players on defense acclimated
Outlook: The 2025 remake of M*A*S*H* could have taken place in Lake Orion with the way the team was decimated by injuries. After the Dragons won just one game last season — the last time that happened, Jimmy Carter was in office — expect a return to form. Adams is back as the starting QB and has some promising guys to get the ball to like James Bambard, JuJu Vining, AJ Catenacci (all seniors) and sophomore Owen Veeder. Four seniors on the offensive line should ensure he has the time to do so. Development in a hurry will be a key, particularly on defense. “Our returning players have to play at an elite level to compete in our league,” Bell said. “We have the talent to compete with everyone we play. It will come down to consistency and making plays when it counts.”
On opposite ends of OAA Red last season, Clarkston and Lake Orion each returning college-bound QBs
WEST BLOOMFIELD LAKERS
Coach: Zach Hilbers (4th year)
Division: 1
Last Year’s Record: 7-3, 2-2
Key Returners on Offense: Jaxson Carver (QB, Sr.), Kam Hall (WR, Jr.), Will Thornton (OL, Jr.), Tristan Hunter (OL, Sr.), Carson Pikur (FB, Jr.)
Key Returners on Defense: Bryce Tillman (DB, Sr.), Brice Chandler (DB, Sr.), Emon Lewis (LB, Sr.), Jamar Ray (DL, Sr.)
Strengths: Team Speed
Areas to Improve: Depth
Outlook: The Lakers were expected to fall somewhere between their 2023 (10-3) and 2024 (5-6) outcomes last fall, and that’s exactly what happened. They scored good wins over Rochester Adams and Groves, but made critical mistakes against Brighton in their playoff opener, losing 25-7 at home. Not that West Bloomfield won’t still need to be physical, but expect a more elusive offense this year orchestrated by Carver, a Davenport commit who should be more composed in the pocket with another offseason of refinement (though Hilbers points out freshman QB Ojore Hall is a name to remember). Senior cornerback Bryce Tillman-Jones (Ferris State) will be one of the leaders of the defense.
West Bloomfield looking to rely more on speed, improved QB Carver this fall
ROCHESTER ADAMS HIGHLANDERS
Coach: Tony Patritto (24th year)
Division: 1
Last Year’s Record: 10-3, 2-2
Key Returners on Offense: Brady Lindstrom (QB, Sr.), Drew Schaffner (OL, Sr.), Kent Lutzka (OL, Jr.), Lorenzo Sartor (RB, Sr.), Charles Durand (OL, Sr.)
Key Returners on Defense: Alex Hittle (DB, Jr.), Noah Reynolds (DL, Sr.)
Strengths: Offensive linemen
Areas to Improve: Replacing a strong senior class
Outlook: Perpetually underestimated and greater than the sum of its parts, the Highlanders may not have been perfect in the division last season, but they went on a roll after losing at Clarkston in Week 5, barreling all the way into the state semifinals before running into Cass Tech. For whatever Adams was able to overcome the past several seasons, including injuries to star quarterback Rino Watters, this year might be a different animal. There’s a whole lot of production to replace. Patritto and his staff run a tight ship, which almost ensures they’ll snatch at least one game no one will expect, but this might be one of the rare exceptions where a rebuild is the right read for the Highlanders.
OXFORD WILDCATS
Coach: Trevor Potts (2nd year)
Division: 1
Last Year’s Record: 7-3, 2-2
Key Returners on Offense: Chris Pullman (RB, Sr.), Brody Casper (WR, Sr.), Brady Hasselbring (TE, Sr.), Liam Samborski (OL, Sr.), Aidan Ryan (OL, Sr.)
Key Returners on Defense: Gavan Munson (DL, Sr.), Keedan Pociask (LB, Sr.), Greyson Boyle (DB, Sr.), Mack Dentry (DL, Jr.)
Strengths: Offensive, defensive lines
Areas to Improve: Replacing three-year starting QB
Outlook: Picked to finish at the bottom of the division last season in the preseason poll after graduating 16 seniors from the squad that won the Red Division in 2024, the Wildcats retained their grit under Potts, going 5-0 in one-score games. Doubt them again at your own peril. The Wildcats return 77% of their offensive yards gained by skill players, and nine starters on that side of the ball return overall. In addition, six of the top seven defensive linemen are back for Oxford. Maybe it’s that they lack the hype of the big recruits (Samborski is a Central Michigan commit) or don’t have the familiar name at quarterback, but the Wildcats probably aren’t being talked about enough heading into this fall. Expect them to be in the thick of the league race once again.
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OAA WHITE
STONEY CREEK COUGARS
Coach: Rick Powell (3rd year)
Division: 1
Last Year’s Record: 7-4, 2-2
Key Returners on Offense: Brandon Gergics (QB, Sr.), Brosie Telegadas (RB, Sr.), Ian Genzlinger (OL, Sr.), Will Siskosky (OL, Jr.), Brady Rigney (OL, Jr.)
Key Returners on Defense: Ryan Dezenski (LB, Sr.), Roark Stephens (DL, Sr.) Quinn Zezula (DB, Sr.), Travis Beloungea (DB, Sr.)
Strengths: OL, skill position returners
Areas to Improve: Closing out big games
Outlook: The stars seem to be aligning in the third year under Powell. The majority of the offensive production last year ran through Gergics and Telegadas, who are also third-year starters. A dozen starters return overall, including three on the O-line and at least one in every unit of the defense. After taking two of the state’s best teams in Harper Woods and Adams down to the wire last year, the potential to take another step forward and put a year up on at least one banner is there for Stoney. A Week 2 crossover at home against Clarkston will be one of the early chances for the Cougars’ to make their intentions known.
TROY ATHENS RED HAWKS
Coach: Tom Cook (5th year)
Division: 1
Last Year’s Record: 4-5, 2-4
Key Returners on Offense: Will Goetz (OL, Sr.), Daniel Williamson (OL, Sr.), Kyle Mendoza (OL, Sr.), Jayden Yousif (OL, Soph.), Cal McGavin (OL, Jr.), Macklin Ciurla (RB, Sr.), Brian Pierce (RB, Sr.)
Key Returners on Defense: Will Goetz (DL, Sr.), Macklin Ciurla (DB, Sr.), Brady Ossman (DB, Sr.), Brian Pierce (DB, Sr.), Alex Prisciandaro (DB, Sr.) Thomas Cook (LB, Sr.)
Strengths: Returners on the offensive line
Areas to Improve: Youth at several defensive positions
Outlook: Troy Athens hasn’t won a league title since 1992. Are the Red Hawks the dark horse of the White Division? At the least, they’re flying under the radar after finishing near the bottom of the Blue Division last season. That’s because they bring back everyone on the offensive line, and Ciurla should be one of the most feared skill players in the division, though one of the lesser known ones after playing behind a senior-heavy group last year. Jack Bouren, a senior that Cook says can sling it, will be behind center, while Brian Pierce, another senior, is expected to get a bulk of carries.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS BLACKHAWKS
Coach: Scott Merchant (2nd year)
Division: 1
Last Year’s Record: 2-7, 0-6
Key Returners on Offense: (Bennett Kostus (OL, Sr.), Jack Canine (OL, Sr.), Will Xintaris (OL, Jr.), Jad Almsaddi (WR, Sr.), Caden Whitmire (FB, Sr.)
Key Returners on Defense: CJ Thomas (DL, Sr.), Will Merchant (LB, Sr.), Kayden Gulley (LB, Sr.), Jad Almsaddi (DB, Sr.), Jonny Bahu (DB, Sr.)
Strengths: Strong senior class
Areas to Improve: Depth, passing game
Outlook: It’s hard to get a read on how much to expect from the Black Hawks. On one hand, Merchant is an excellent, experienced coach, and it’s reasonable to expect that, after setting a foundation, they’ll be expected to be more in the second year under the staff’s system. In fairness, last year’s two wins matched their win total from 2023 and 2024 combined. Even so, their nine starters returning is tied (with Troy) for the fewest in the White Division, so it’s going to take some leaps. Either way, there’s no shying away from the competition with some challenging Red Division crossovers against West Bloomfield and at Lake Orion. An improved Black Hawks team would further cement the idea that every game in this division is going to be a toughly and tightly contested.
TROY COLTS
Coach: Chris Frasier (10th year)
Division: 1
Last Year’s Record: 3-6, 1-5
Key Returners on Offense: Teddy Moore III (RB, Sr.), Matthew Jackson (WR, Sr.)
Key Returners on Defense: Cole Oury (DB, Sr.), Blake Gould (LB, Jr.)
Strengths: Leadership
Areas to Improve: Depth
Outlook: The Colts had to cope with replacing their star QB-WR tandem from 2024 last season, and that was reflected in the results as they managed just 21 points altogether over the final six games of the season. That should be an area where Troy sees improvement between a stronger Moore, a versatile Oury, and Jackson, a red-zone threat. Those three are among nine starters back for the Colts altogether. “We’re excited to compete in the new OAA White and we look forward to renewing some rivalries with some local teams as well,” Frasier said.
Rivals Troy, Troy Athens both aiming to be competitive in neighborly division
ROCHESTER FALCONS
Coach: Erik Vernon (18th year)
Division: 1
Last Year’s Record: 5-5, 1-3
Key Returners on Offense: Matt Dyki (QB, Jr.), Marcus Aidem (OL, Sr.), Nate Tandy (WR, Sr.), Callen Sieber (TE, Sr.), Blake Czechowski (RB, Sr.), Drew Jarvis (RB, Sr.)
Key Returners on Defense: Marcus Aidem (DL, Sr.), Luca Ferrara (DL, Sr.), Wade Youngblood (DL, Jr.), Jake Welch (LB, Sr.), Jackson Zook (LB, Sr.), Mathias Hernandez (LB, Sr.)
Strengths: Senior leadership, defensive line, experienced QB
Areas to Improve: Lack of experience in the defensive backfield
Outlook: Not to sound like a broken record, but in a division where many of these programs haven’t added numbers to their league title banners lately, the Falcons have as good of a shot as any this year. They bring back the most starters of any (13), including a third-year starting QB in Dyki, and Tandy is an athletic playmaker for him to air it out to. Like Stoney Creek, it’s a big senior class with high hopes. But after being outscored by Adams and Stoney Creek 99-13 over the course of three contests against their rivals last season, the onus is on the Falcons to prove the offense can deliver. They’ll get that chance beginning with a home game against the Highlanders on Sept. 3.
Rochester quarterback Matt Dyki (9) attempts a pass in a 10-0 home victory over Southfield A&T Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (BRYAN EVERSON – MediaNews Group, file)
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OAA BLUE DIVISION
HARPER WOODS PIONEERS
Coach: Rod Oden (9th year)
Division: 3
Last Year’s Record: 11-1, 4-0 (OAA White champs)
Key Returners on Offense: Dakota Guerrant (WR, Sr.), Deandre Bidden (WR, Jr.), Errol Lewis Jr. (OL, Jr.), Randy Ellis Jr. (OL, Jr.), Kamari Shepherd (OL, Soph.), Mikhi Jones (RB, Sr.), AJ Henley (TE, Jr.)
Key Returners on Defense: Jayden Evans (DB, Jr.), Jeremiah McCall (DL, Jr.), Mikhi Jones (MLB, Sr.), Jesse White (LB, Sr.)
Strengths: Significant percentage of returners
Areas to Improve: Replacing starting quarterback
Outlook: Filling the shoes of Nate Rocheleau, a three-year starter for the Pioneers, is about one of the only questions plaguing a team that has some of the best top-end talent in the state. Let’s be honest: Harper Woods not winning the division would be a shock. The receiver group alone is bursting with talent, headlined by Oregon commit Guerrant, but also including Jefferson (Ferris State), Henley (whose offers include Iowa State, Washington, Indiana and Michigan) and Bidden (he’s got similarly impressive offers, also). Lane (Grand Valley State), There’s multiple players on defense already committed to various schools, while both McCall and Evans appear destined for Power-4 programs. With 36 players altogether returning from the two-deep roster, the Pioneers have high expectations and will be hungry to prove last year’s first-round loss to Divine Child was an aberration, even if they have moved up a division.
BIRMINGHAM GROVES FALCONS
Coach: Brendan Flaherty (26th year)
Division: 2
Last Year’s Record: 9-4, 3-1
Key Returners on Offense: Alex Simpson (WR, Jr.), Jeremiah Whitley (RB, Sr.), Taj Kareem (WR, Soph.), Ayrton Zeile (QB, Jr.), Freddy Sorensen (WR, Sr.), Adrian Bryant (WR, Sr.), Blake Riggins (WR, Sr.), Henry Roberts (OL, Sr.), Jackson Tipton (TE, Sr.)
Key Returners on Defense: Sherman Christian (DB, Jr.), Malik Cipullo (DL, Sr.), Kam Smith (DL, Jr.), Landon Lewis (LB, Jr.), Ezra Brown (DL, Sr.)
Strengths: Senior leadership
Areas to Improve: Last year’s success and coaching
Outlook: Groves followed that path that Flaherty believed last season, expecting that it might take some time to find a groove. Following a 2-3 start (with losses, in fairness, to Oxford, Harper Woods and West Bloomfield), The Falcons won their last four of the regular season, including the rivalry battle with Seaholm. They then doubled up on Warren schools Mott and Cousino for a district title and beat SCS Lakeview for a regional crown before being eliminated by Dexter in the semifinals. Whitley returns as one of the state’s most exciting tailbacks after racking up 1,421 rushing yards, a single-season record for the program, and 17 TDs. Cipullo returns to menace quarterbacks after having over 15 sacks as a junior. Keep an eye on Zeile, a signal-caller who initially began his prep career at Stoney Creek.
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SOUTHFIELD A&T WARRIORS
Coach: Antwon Robinson (1st year)
Division: 2
Last Year’s Record: 1-8, 0-4
Key Returners on Offense: N/A
Key Returners on Defense: N/A
Strengths: N/A
Areas to Improve: N/A
Outlook: The celebrated 2023 season seems far, far away. Keith McKenzie was critical of the Warriors entering his second season in charge of the program, but not a whole lot changed as the offense struggled to manufacture points and all but one of A&T’s losses came by three or more scores. With McKenzie departed, Antwon Robinson, an exceptional defensive back for the Southfield Bluejays in the late 2000s, returns to his hometown to try and turn the ship around. He played at Wayne State, then later returned to the Warriors where he served in a variety of roles, including defensive coordinator and interim head coach.
Birmingham Seaholm’s Will Forberg runs with the ball in a 42-19 defeat to Farmington Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (KEN SWART – For MediaNews Group, file)
BIRMINGHAM SEAHOLM MAPLES
Coach: Jim DeWald (15th year)
Division: 2
Last Year’s Record: 5-5, 4-2
Key Returners on Offense: Brody Gable (QB, Sr.), Ben Swisher (RB, Sr.), Will Forberg (SB, Sr.), Jake Coyle (SB, Sr.), Liam McDonald (OL, Sr.)
Key Returners on Defense: Will Forberg (DB, Sr.), Wesley McPeak (LB, Sr.), Luke Henrich (DL, Sr.)
Strengths: Depth on both sides of the line
Areas to Improve: Defensive back experience
Outlook: The Maples generally veer somewhere between solid and very good — they’ve made the playoffs all but one of the past eight seasons under DeWald — and this year should be no exception. The combination of Gable’s poise and Swisher’s physicality will set the tone, and they believe that junior Dylan Ruddy and senior Roen Lugar will compliment the other returning playmakers to create enough explosive plays. In addition to a quartet of seniors alongside McDonald, junior Ethan Joy and sophomore Harrison Bowers will push for time on the O-line. Swisher will provide depth in the secondary, while the aforementioned Joy and Bowers should see time on the D-line as well. “Our goals remain unchanged: compete for an OAA Blue championship, earn a berth in the MHSAA state playoffs, and make a deep postseason run,” DeWald said.
WATERFORD MOTT
Coach: Tra’Jan Seay (2nd year)
Division: 2
Last Year’s Record: 5-5, 5-3
Key Returners on Offense: Tory Robinson (WR, Sr.), Beckett Lietzke (OL, Jr.), Adrian Thompson (OL, Jr.), Juvone Stovall Jr. (RB, Soph.), Logan Farnum (WR, Sr.), Kaden Burrell (WR, Sr.)
Key Returners on Defense: Tory Robinson (DB, Sr.), Christian Cole-Hill (DB, Soph.), Julian White (DB, Sr.), Logan Farnum (DB, Sr.), Laden Gaeth (LB, Sr.)
Strengths: Talent, passion, grit
Areas to Improve: Replacing great senior class
Outlook: Mott could be defined as “pretty good” in its first year under Seay and last in the LVC. The Corsairs pulled out big wins over Milford and Walled Lake Western early on, then lost to D5 finalist Notre Dame Prep and dropped games against South Lyon and Lakeland by three points combined. They bring back 11 starters — six on offense, a handful on defense — with Robinson arguably being the most talented after catching 38 balls for over 900 yards and six TDs to go with 61 tackles and three interceptions on defense. The season opener at Troy Athens should shed some light on how competitive Mott might be in the Blue.
OAK PARK KNIGHTS
Coach: Greg Carter (16th year)
Division: 3
Last Year’s Record: 4-5, 3-3
Key Returners on Offense: Muhammad El-Mubarak (QB, Sr.), Christian DuBose (WR, Sr.), Kaiden Taylor (WR, Sr.), Jaedan Randolph (OL, Sr.), Terreon Taylor (OL, Sr.), Kenneth Anderson (OL, Sr.)
Key Returners on Defense: Tamaj Sykes (DB, Sr.), Ivaan Burrow (LB/DB, Sr.), Syncere Barnes (LB, Sr.), Marlon Harris (LB, Jr.), Raychard White (DL, Jr.)
Strengths: Overall team speed, leadership
Areas to Improve: Offensive and defensive line depth
Outlook: In this space last year, it was written that the season opener against Farmington could be telling. Well, it was. They lost by five to the Falcons, and that was the story of the Knights’ season: Seaholm, Notre Dame Prep and Lake Orion beat Oak Park by a combined five points. Turning four losses by a total of 10 points into wins is doable, especially with seven starters on offense and five on defense returning. Most notably, they have some experienced talents that support the high hopes in third-year starting QB El-Mabarak (Lawrence Tech), and junior defensive lineman Raychard White Jr., who already has D1 offers from Kent State and Georgia State. The Knights are capable of qualifying for the playoffs this year, where, if they do, they’ll be competing in D3.
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OAA GOLD
FERNDALE EAGLES
Coach: Donovan Jackson (2nd year)
Division: 2
Last Year’s Record: 5-4, 4-0 (OAA Gold champs)
Key Returners on Offense: WR El’yontae London (WR, Sr.), Xander Vinyard (TE, Soph.), Carl Tramble (WR, Sr.), Cayden Jackson (WR, Soph.)
Key Returners on Defense: Xander Vinyard (DL, Soph.), Donnovan Edwards (DB, Soph.), Gavin James (DL, Soph.), Carl Tramble (DB, Sr.), Cayden Jackson (DB, Soph.)
Strengths: Athleticism at skill positions
Areas to Improve: N/A
Outlook: Jackson brought a culture of winning to Ferndale and led the program to a division title in his first year as head coach. That overall record is deceiving considering the Eagles lost to Lamphere in double-overtime, along with Harper Woods. A senior group that includes Central Michigan commit Carl Tramble is complimented by what looks to be an extremely talented Class of 2029 that may have multiple players destined for NCAA D1 ball. It’s not a shock then that Ferndale was again picked to repeat in the Gold. The Eagles schedule outside of the division matches their ambitions as they again face Lamphere and Harper Woods, along with Groves.
Football Notebook: Defending OAA Gold champs Ferndale focused on all-around improvements
AUBURN HILLS AVONDALE YELLOW JACKETS
Coach: Isaiah Gourdine (1st year)
Division: 3
Last Year’s Record: 1-8, 1-3
Key Returners on Offense: Brock Taylor (QB, Sr.), Trindon Devealt (WR, Sr.)
Key Returners on Defense: Vance Flores (DL, Sr.), Robert Dale (DL, Sr.)
Strengths: Strong leadership
Areas to Improve: Growing the roster
Outlook: It wasn’t so long ago that Avondale was on top, enjoying a nine-win campaign in 2023 under Bob Meyer (whose Kettering team will play Avondale in Week 2). Asking Gourdine to come in and guide the Yellow Jackets to that kind of year is a lot, but expect a better showing than last year when the Yellow Jackets failed to score double-digit points in six outings. Gourdine says he’s blessed to have the opportunity to improve the love of the program in the community and the players seem to be taking a liking to his staff, which bodes well.
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BERKLEY BEARS
Coach: Daniel Earls (1st year)
Division: 2
Last Year’s Record: 4-5, 3-1
Key Returners on Offense: Ian Filipp (WR/TE, Sr.)
Key Returners on Defense: Ian Filipp (DL, Sr.)
Strengths: Strong core of leaders
Areas to Improve: Lack of competitive snaps as a unit
Outlook: Former coach Casey Humes had a big senior class (20-plus) in 2025 and the Bears had their best season since 2021 (when they finished 7-3), giving Ferndale a fight while winning the rest of their Gold Division games. Now, Earls arrives after most recently serving as offensive coordinator at Taylor, who averaged 16.4 points last season. He’s looking to build a new culture at the school with a young core he believes has a bright future, but conceded that Berkley’s first three games (Livonia Franklin, Groves and Ferndale) “may be the toughest I’ve ever had.”
ROYAL OAK RAVENS
Coach: Collin Campbell (4th year)
Division: 2
Last Year’s Record: 4-5, 2-2
Key Returners on Offense: Ray Loosle (OL, Jr.), Kyle Morrison (OL, Jr.), Will Rowe (OL, Jr.), Caden Scott (TE, Sr.), Gage Orzel (RB, Sr.), Marcus Thompson (WR, Jr.)
Key Returners on Defense: Will Rowe (DL, Jr.), Caden Scott (DL, Sr.), Gage Orzel (LB, Sr.), Aaron Hilgendorf (LB, Jr.), Eugene Robertson (LB, Sr.)
Strengths: Returning experience
Areas to Improve: Depth
Outlook: Royal Oak should be one of the top contenders in the Gold this season. Campbell’s teams have taken small steps forward the past several seasons and now have a number of players who started as sophomores and juniors — they have seven starters returning on offense, six on defense, though some of those are two-way guys — suiting up again. The Ravens will hope they can take care of business and put themselves in position to try and knock off the reigning division champs, Ferndale, in what could be a pivotal Week 7 contest in Royal Oak.
WATERFORD KETTERING
Coach: Bob Meyer (1st year)
Division: 3
Last year’s record; 1-8, 0-8
Key Returners on Offense: Luke Romzek (QB, Sr.), Jack Buczek (TE, Sr.), Everhett Boyd (TE, Sr.) Sawyer Dubbs (WR, Sr.), Austin Brooks (RB, Soph.), Logan Bigelow (OL, Sr.), Hayden Ramirez (OL, Sr.)
Key Returners on Defense: Braylon Downey (LB, Jr.), Kamarion Thomas (DL, Soph.), Josh Wagner (LB, Sr.), Jack Buczek (DL, Sr.)
Strengths: Renewed dedication to the program
Areas to Improve: Adjustment to “change”
Outlook: A little change of scenery might do the Captains some good. Opponents outscored them by a total of over 300 points in the final year of competing in the LVC, so rather than going up against Walled Lake Western or South Lyon, getting their feet back underneath them in the Gold seems appropriate. Meyer brings a wealth of coaching experience that includes previous turnaround efforts, and he seems utterly determined to change the direction of the program after proclaiming at OAA media day that Kettering wouldn’t be 1-8 again. It’ll be fascinating to see how the project begins considering the Captains open with Livonia Clarenceville, one of Meyer’s former stops.
PONTIAC PHOENIX
Coach: Wendell Jefferson (4th year)
Division: 4
Last year’s record; 1-8, 0-4
Key Returners on Offense: Mikhail Mott (RB, Sr.), Carlos Solano (OL, Sr.), Daemaris’King Wright (QB, Soph.), Trevon Chatmon (OL, Sr.)
Key Returners on Defense: Mikhail Mott (LB, Sr.), Carlos Solano (DL, Sr.), Trevon Chatmon (DL, Sr.)
Strengths: Strong work ethic
Areas to Improve: Inexperience
Outlook: The Phoenix look to have some experience back in their front seven, but claim to be young otherwise. They won the battle for the city by beating Arts & Tech Academy of Pontiac to start last season, but then struggled to score throughout the year, altogether getting shut out in four of their defeats. Interestingly, they’ll battle a number of teams in flux as at least three of their first four opponents have first-year head coaches.
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