GAC Red
Durand
Nickname: Railroaders
Coach: Mark Worsham
2012 Record: 2-7
Players lost: Tyler Phillips, Hadyn Havard, Jacob Sabja
Players returning: Jordan Pearce, Eli Walter, Kyle Graham, Jacob Yager
Notes: After winless seasons in 2010 and 2011, the Railroaders finished with a pair of wins last season. New coach Mark Worsham looks to build on that success this season.
Beecher
Nickname: Bucs
Coach: Courtney Hawkins
2012 Record: 8-5
Players lost: Eric Cooper, Tyrone Southward, Kermit Craig, Kareem Blaylock
Players returning: Brandon Mixon, Robbie Brown, Tevon Bailey, Marcus Wright, Mustafa Hopkins, Marquis Colburn
Notes: The Bucs advanced all the way to the Division 7 state semifinals last season before falling to Loyola. While the Bucs were hit hard by graduation, they still have plenty of talent returning for their coach, a former Michigan State University star.
Goodrich
Nickname: Martians
Coach: Tom Alward
2012 Record: 8-3
Players lost: Mitch Rubio, JR Dawley, Cody Krause, Kyler Klimek
Player returning: Andrew Sweet
Notes: Graduation hit the Martians hard, but the program has a history of success, having qualified for the playoffs four of the past five years. Look for newcomers to step up.
Lake Fenton
Nickname: Blue Devils
Coach: Eric Doyle
2012 Record: 8-3
Players lost: Nick VanDuser, Tyler Begley, Zac Zielinski, Lance Hasenfratz, Austin Frank
Players returning: Neil Allor, Chase Hull, Tyler Smith, Alex Schwartz, Tim Symons, Andy Donoho, Logan Readdy, Gage Smith, Brandon Keen
Coach’s comment: “We have a talented group, led by seven third-year varsity players. We should have very good team speed on both sides of the football.”
Montrose
Nickname: Rams
Coach: Dennis Reinhart
2012 Record: 10-2
Players lost: Caleb Reinhart, Sam Kitts, Kyle Kettler
Players returning: Malik Taylor, Jimmie Hodge, Dakota Jelinek, Riley Warren, Ben Turchi, Tyler Doyle
Notes: The Rams loss a battering ram in Caleb Reinhart but have a slew of talented players returning. They have seen their playoff runs stopped by eventual state champion Ithaca the past three seasons, and it will be no surprise if the two heavyweights square off again some time in November.
Mount Morris
Nickname: Panthers
Coach: Ben Almasy
2012 Record: 4-5
Players lost: Chase Nagy, Brad Clark, Shabonn Boone, Kody Goodman
Players returning: Isaiah Collins, Tony Saldana, Bryce Watts
Notes: The Panthers have fallen one win short of a winning season the past three years. With a potent offense, Mt. Morris is seeking the elusive fifth win and maybe more this season.
Perry
Nickname: Ramblers
Coach: Rob Porritt
2012 Record: 4-5
Players lost: Shane Devota, Corbin Curtis
Players returning: Dillon Brooks, Kenny Polhemus, Jebediah Spencer, Dakota Hart, Alex Proudfoot
Notes: The Ramblers will be playing their last year in the GAC before moving to a new conference next season in the greater Lansing area. Running back Dillon Brooks will try to make the final season in the GAC a memorable one.