Greater Thumb West
School: Reese
Nickname: Rockets
Coach: Bob Saylor
2012 record: 10-1
Players lost: Trevor Albers, Adam Jansen, Matt Frost, Brandon Bauer
Players returning: Cody Peyock, Archie Naert, Tony Bentley, Tanner Vanpetten, Jacob Somerville
Coach’s comment: “Our expectations never change. We want to win the opener, win the Sugar Bowl, win the league, go undefeated, and make a playoff run. That’s what we chase. This team has a good chance to achieve some of those goals. We open a tough schedule with Montrose and have Whittemore-Prescott for a closer. The bottom line is, if you want to compete at the state level, you have to play the competition.”
School: Vassar
Nickname: Vulcans
Coach: Jason Kiss
2012 record: 7-3
Players lost: Stephen Bragg, Jon Blasius, Garrett Daenzer, Nathan Greaves
Players returning: Eli Harper, Williams Abbott, Michael Pratt, Lamont Morrison
Coach’s comment: “Really, we are looking to build on what we’ve done. We’ve had enough playoff appearances that I hope that is second nature with us. We want to be successful, and you have to win the league. But Laker High is on the way up and Reese is still the power after winning a third straight championship. We know we have to go through them. Some of the kids that played last year, we will have to maneuver them around. We have to get over that and get ready to play. That’s the test. We have to learn new positions and still be successful.”
School: Unionville-Sebewaing Area
Nickname: Patriots
Coach: Jason Beagle
2012 record: 4-5
School: Laker
Nickname: Lakers
Coach: Adam Gryeauskas
2012 record: 4-5
School: All Saints Central
Nickname: Cougars
Coach: Joe Willey
2012 record: 0-9
Players returning: Tyler Neering, Nick Hunter, Jon Janer, Chase Skorzcewski, Paris Cobbs, Nate Christe, Adam Butch, Zach Goik
Coach’s comment: “The excitement is back in the air at All Saints; we have a great history, and as I looked around the halls I could see the trophies, so I had to analyze why we are 1-17 in the past two seasons. After watching the weight room and last year’s films, it was very apparent that our kids had just forgotten the work and fundamentals it takes to win. So we stole a concept from the University of Miami and simply asked our kids if they were doing what it takes to ‘Deserve Victory.’That has been our motto all season, and as they continue to work and learn what it takes, the excitement is building. I expect that our kids will be hungry and driven to succeed week in and week out.”
Name: Bad Axe
Nickname: Hatchets
Coach: Mark Manenti
2012 record: 2-7
School: Cass City
Nickname: Red Hawks
Coach: Scott Cuthrell
2012 record: 5-4
Players lost: Brennan Ricker, Kelby Rowell, Andy Kaake, Austin Baker
Players returning: Dakota Hardle, Braden Perznowski, Drew Fields, Watson Moore, Jacob Perry, Al Adams, Michael Mulligan, Shane Rasmussen, Curtis Dickinson
Coach’s comment: “Last year we were 3-3 in the league, and we are senior-loaded this year. We want to be very competitive and in position for that title game for the league. We want to be there and be in the playoffs. That’s what we’ve worked for all winter, and things are going good right now.”