School: DeWitt
Nickname: Panthers
Coach: Rob Zimmerman
2012 record: 10-3
Players lost: Ryan Anderson, Andrew Clements, Noah Evans, Jimmie Melton.
Players returning: Jacob Heath, Chris Bukoski, Chris Ruby, John Lippert, Justice Shankel.
Notes: The Panthers return plenty of talent from a team that fell to Grand Rapids Christian in the state semifinals. Another deep playoff run make be in the cards this season as well.
School: Fowlerville
Nickname: Gladiators
Coach: Jack Wallace
2012 record: 1-8
Players lost: Adam Coon, Jordan Jabara, Zachary Patterson, Brian Moran.
Notes: The Gladiators were hit hard by graduation. Two-way line standout Adam Coon will be missed as well as a number of other key veterans.
School: Haslett
Nickname: Vikings
Coach: Charlie Otlewski
2012 record: 4-5
Players lost: Connor Brewer, Tom Baldwin, Sam Rathbun, Dan Turpin.
Players returning: Graham Riley, Connor Wilson, Griffin Fox, Blake Roe, Bryce Dickman.
Coach’s comment: “We always have high expectations, but with so many young players in 2013 and a tough schedule, we will need to grow up fast.”
School: Ionia
Nickname: Bulldogs
Coach: Chris Schrauben
2012 record: 3-6
Players lost: Ryan Klumpp, Jordan Miller, Mike Cory, Bryan Nummer.
Players returning: Colin Prominski, Kyle Parks, Mason Eldridge, Brian Wiles.
School: Owosso High School
Nickname:Trojans
Coach: Tom Harkema
2012 record: 7-4 won 1st playoff game in school history
Players lost: 24
Players returning: 11
Coach’s comments on season: “We are very inexperienced group. But I feel we can still have a successful season because we have a great group returning and had a good JV team last year.”
School: St. John’s
Nickname: Red Wings
Coach: Dave Mariage
2012 record: 8-4
Players lost: Bryce LaBar, Josh Hafner, Cameron VanAtta, Josh Rademacher, Kris Lindquist, Ben Proctor.
Players returning: T.J. Havens, Adam Young, Adam Zciciak, Kody Stockwell.
Notes: The Redwings were hit hard by graduation. Senior running back T.J. Havens gives St. Johns a talented back to build around while Adam Young is an all-league lineman.