MICHIGAN INDEPENDENT ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Team Capsules compiled by Dan Stickradt. Email dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or follow on twitter @LocalSportsFans
School: Oakland Christian
Nickname: Lancers
Coach: Bill Schaeffer, third season
2012 record: 2-7, 0-5 MIAC (sixth)
Players lost: Josh Rupright, Chris Polite
Players returning: Stephen Nichols, sr. WR-DE; Javarian Smith, jr. QB-DB; Ryan Kostich, soph. SL-DE; Bobby Roose, sr. DT-OT; Preston Lasala, sr. WR; Cody Marazita, sr. RB; Chase Sumner, sr. WR
Coach’s comment: “This is our sixth season, but this is really our first real varsity in terms of experience. We now have guys that have played three or four years, a lot of juniors and seniors, and we understand the game a whole lot better. We have a few exceptional athletes, and I think we’re going to surprise a few people.”
School: University Liggett School
Nickname: Knights
Coach: Dan Cimini, first season
2012 record: 8-3, 5-0 MIAC (first)
Players lost: Nate Gaggin, Joe Manniacci, Antoine Cres, Nicky Kassab, Kavaughn Jackson, Drew Jerome, Dan Baird, Antoine Crews
Players returning: Antonio Malkoun, sr. OT-DT; Josh Dickens, sr. OL-DL; Tommy Jackson, soph. RB-QB; Matt Gushee, soph. MLB-OL; Darryl Lewis, sr. TB-LB; Lordanthony Grisson, sr. WR-CB; Jake Smith, jr. FB; Tommy Farr, sr. OL-DE; Nick Goul, soph. WR-CB
Coach’s comment: “We still have some good players back, but when you lose an all-state quarterback and a couple of other real good players, it takes time to fill those shoes. I feel confident with the players we have back that we can still contend in our league and hopefully make the playoffs again.”
School: Lutheran High School Northwest
Nickname: Crusaders
Coach: Don Justice, 10th season
2012 record: 5-4, 4-1 MIAC (second)
Players lost: Nathan Drews, Josh Morrison, Ben Agosta, Ian Wellhousen, Matt Mischley, Greg Maynard, Josh Macks, Justin Novack, Evan Carter
Players returning: Nick Raby, sr. OT-DT; Jake Klausmeier, sr. OG-LB; Trevor Schmidt, sr. OT-DE-DB; Nick Gapski, sr. RB-LB; Drake Uplinger, sr. G-DT
Coach’s comment: “It will be interesting this year because we lost a lot of key players. We have some nice new kids coming up, and there doesn’t appear to be a team in our league that everyone thinks will dominate. If our younger guys grow up quickly, then I think we’ll have another good season. If not, then it will be a rebuilding year.”
School: Parkway Christian
Nickname: Eagles
Coach: Todd Francis, fifth season
2012 record: 4-5, 1-4 MIAC (fifth)
Players lost: Jonny Kocik, PJ Dysarczyk, Jake Schwartz
Players returning: Noah Allen, sr. QB-DB; Phil Lapinski, jr. TE-LB; Roger Narlock, sr. OL-DL; Nick Halaas, sr. LB-OG; Cole Costerowicz, sr. LB-WR; Nathan Schick, sr. RB-DB-K-P; Dylan Thompson, sr. OLB-WR
Coach’s comment: “If our upperclassmen step up and our freshmen and sophomores mature, then we should have a better season than last year. We return some key guys at key spots. We hope to contend in our league this season and get back to the playoffs. That’s always the goal. We were a little young last season, but I feel we should be improved this year.”
School: Southfield Christian
Nickname: Eagles
Coach: Larry Weiss
2012 record: 3-6, 2-3 MIAC (fourth)
Players lost: Jason Fusco, Justin Pritchett, Eion Donnelly
Players returning: Bobby Banks, jr. MLB-TB; Steven Helms, sr. OG-DT; Matt Taylor, sr. C; Jack Harrington, sr. WR; Harding Sears, sr. WR; Jonathan Sarwer, sr. QB; Ryan Hanson, jr. K-P; Cameron Gannin, jr. WR-DB; Deshawn Moore, soph. WR-LB
Coach’s comment: “This is my second year here, so I think the boys have a better understanding of our system and what is expected, so we should be better just with that [knowledge]. We have some good players back, especially at the skill positions. We hope to move up in our league and hopefully reach the playoffs. The boys are hungry.”
School: Westland Lutheran
Nickname: Warriors
Coach: Paul Guse
2012 record: 6-3, 3-2 MIAC (third)
Players Lost: Nick Andrzejewsk, Greg Klein, Alex Glinn, Jacob Richter, Martin Kemp, Alex Reardon, Ricky LaChance, Cullan McNamara.
Players returning: Kole Niemi, jr. C-DL; Conus Kruger, sr. LG-DT; Brad Hura, jr. OG-DE; DJ Guse, sr. QB; Jacob Davenport, jr. TE-HB; Newman Harper, sr. WR-DB; Austin Olson, jr. SL-DB; Josh Reigel, sr. OT; Caleb Richter, jr. OLB; Luke Bonkowski, sr. LB
Key Prospects: Travis Frye, soph. OT; Jonah Lambert, sr. OG; Jacob Bavol, jr. OLB
Coach’s comment: “We have some good athletes at the skill positions, but we are not all that big as we have been. Our conference is wide open, with almost everyone in the same boat in terms of returning players. It should be an interesting year in our league.”