CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE-AA DIVISION TEAM CAPSULES
Team Capsules compiled by Dan Stickradt. Email dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or follow on twitter @LocalSportsFans.
School: Father Gabriel Richard
Nickname: Fighting Irish
Coach: Brian Lemons, seventh season
2012 record: 11-2, 2-1 CHSL-AA Division (second)
Players lost: Ashton Hundley, Joe Kendzicky, Steve Tracy, Drew Diedrich, Kendric Fowler, Kevin Busch, Nick O’Donnell, Tyler Kirchoff, Sean Donnellon, Austin Hundley, Ryan Ferris, Arron Tishkoff, Nick O’Donnell, Steve Tracy
Players returning: Matt Johnson, jr. RB; Ken Kowalski, jr. LB-RB; DJ Newlin, sr. DB
Notes: The Fighting Irish are coming off perhaps their best season. They won the Catholic League playoffs and reached the D-5 state semifinals. Most starters graduated, though, and the team enters the 2013 season with far more question marks than in the past few years.
School: Divine Child Catholic
Nickname: Falcons
Coach: Steve Robb
2012 record: 4-5, 1-2 CHSL-AA Division (third)
Players returning: Brock Bacher, sr. DT; Collin Goslin, jr. QB; Anthony DiPonio, sr. DB; Tom Popiel, sr. LB; Mike Flory, sr. RB; Ryan Seurynck, sr. TE
Notes: There are 23 letterwinners returning for the Falcons, giving this squad plenty of experience to battle in a much improved CHSL-AA Division.
School: Loyola
Nickname: Bulldogs
Coach: John Callahan, fifth season
2012 record: 13-1, 6-0 CHSL-Intersectional Division (first)
Players lost: Malik McDowell, Keymonne Gabriel, J’Kwan Edward, Calvin Jackson, Marcus Hicks, Sterling Kimbrough
Players returning: Ka’John Armstrong, sr. OL; Darryl Clemons, jr. RB-LB; Chris Davis, sr. OG; Marvin Campbell, sr. RB; Durrell McIntyre, sr. WR; Keith Grays, sr. WR; Phil Engram, jr. LB; Allen Taylor, sr. LB; Patrick Harbin, sr. SE
Notes: Last year’s D-7 state runner-up received a promotion in the CHSL and was bumped up to the AA Division. The Bulldogs lost some talented players, but by no means will they fall off the map. This team will still be a player in the top 10.
School: Lutheran High School North
Nickname: Mustangs
Coach: Ryan Wesley, second season
2012 record: 5-4, 0-3 CHSL-AA Division (fourth)
Players lost: Eric Arthur, David Craig, JJ McGrath, Jacob Hocevar
Players returning: Will Kruse, sr. QB-SS; Trevor Mason, sr. RB-LB; Matthew Kennedy, sr. OL-DL; Vince Petitta, sr. RB-CB; David Halvorson, jr. RB-SS; Seth Majeski, sr. RB-LB; Jonathan Taykowski, sr. WR-RB; Travis McConell, sr. TE; Austin Bass, sr. DE; Jonah Taykowski, sr. OLB; Richard Harrington, jr. C
Key Newcomers: Andy Bielecki, jr. RB-DB; Destin Keene, sr. OL-DL; Brett Wagner
Notes: The Mustangs were a win shy of the postseason last year and struggled in league play. A bulk of the talent returns, including some third- and fourth-year players and improvement should be expected.
School: Notre Dame Preparatory
Nickname: Fighting Irish
Coach: Kyle Zimmerman, sixth season
2012 record: 9-2, 3-0 CHSL-AA Division (first)
Players lost: Andrew Winiarski, Vinny Famularo, Andrew Wodrich, Connor Cervone, Joe Kutil
Players returning: Jermaih Johnson, sr. RB; Anthony Gunn, jr. WR-DB; Brendan Newvine, sr. QB; Alex Stuart, sr. DE; Austin Cervone, sr. DL; Daniel Praet, sr. SE; Aiden Cullen, sr. LB
Notes: After a 4-5 season in 2010, the Fighting Irish have posted back-to-back playoff seasons and enter this season as one of the teams to beat in the CHSL-AA Division. Don’t be surprised to see Prep contending for another postseason berth.