TVC West
Breckenridge
Nickname: Huskies
Coach: Kris Robinson
2013 record: 2-7
Players lost: N / A
Players returning: Wade San Miguel, Jordan Lumsden, Mitch Miller, Jayce Colthrop, Bo Collins, Kyle Smith,
Outlook: With Breckenridge being such a small school, health is crucial for the Huskies throughout a long grueling season.
Carrollton
Nickname: Cavaliers
Coach: Nathan Wotta (1st year)
2013 record: 4-5
Players lost: Ishmael Rembert, Dante Humes, Jacob Jolin, Will Feriend, Dion Sutton
Players returning: Logan Fischer, Austin Morley, John Laski, Adam Main, Brandon Hogan, James Huffman.
Coach’s comment: “We are young in a few spots this year, but those young guys have had a very good summer and followed the example of the upper classmen who have been good leaders. We are all excited to kick this season off.”
Ithaca
Nickname: Yellowjackets
Coach: Terry Hessbrook (11th year)
2013 record: 14-0 (56 straight wins)
Please See Pages 12-13 for season preview
Merrill
Nickname: Vandals
Coach: Jeff Buckley
2013 record: 3-6
Players lost: Hunter DeBeau, Austin Glazier, Kyle Jugnitsch
Players returning: Charlie Williams (lb/rb), Colin Tack (rb), Tyler Mason (t/de), Zach Welch (c/de)
Outlook: The Vandals have some key returnees and are looking to make progress in the second year under coach Jeff Buckley. Staying away from injuries will be crucial.
Saginaw MLS Cardinals
Coach: Karl Schmugge (6th year)
2013 record: 7-3
Players lost: 15
Players returning: Bragg Eastin, Nate Lindloff, Owen Heyn, Dillon Solomon, Tristan Pankow, Jacob Gonzales, Ben Burger, Zach Towne, Adam St. Clair, Ryan Last, Casey Williams, Andrew Schroeder.
Coach’s comment: “The TVC West is always a challenging conference, so week in, week out there is no easy game. We are also picking up to quality non-conference opponents in Bath and Birch Run, so our schedule will be challenge. Anytime you have Ithaca in your conference, you have your hands full. We have the potential to have a good season if we stay healthy and we have a few breaks go our way.”
Saginaw Valley Lutheran
Nickname: Chargers
Coach: Randy Finney
2013 record: 3-6
Players lost: N/A
Players returning: Juston Houthoofd, Royce Houthoofd, Blake Mauer, Nick Howard, Max Wood, Matt Korte, Jacob Wilson, Evan Fischer
Outlook: After finishing 3-6 a year ago, it’s not out the question to say Valley Lutheran could make the playoffs this season.
St. Charles
Nickname: Bulldogs
Coach: Jason Dinninger
2013 record: 5-4
Players lost: Kevin Brownlie, Josh Burgess, Chase Ruhlig
Players returning: Kyel Helfrich (db), Jacob Hedrich (ol), Nick Rappley (ol), Jared Fath (db), Payne Thompson (de/ot)
Outlook: The Bulldogs return a number of talented players this season. Helfrich and Fath are talented backs while Thompson (6-1, 200), Rappley and Hedrich lead a solid group of linemen.
St. Louis
Nickname: Sharks
Coach: Aaron Munderloh
2013 record: 2-7
Players lost: Matt Hasler, Jackson Miller
Players returning: Jacob Wells (ot/dt), Zach Mizer (db/qb), Jacob Saunders (fb/mlb), Jordan Crook (rb/fs), Marshall Rockafellow (og/dt)
Outlook: The Sharks return a solid group of seniors as they look to show improvement this season. Wells and Mizer both earned all-conference honors last year and will provide leadership.