Shiawassee football capsules
Owosso Trojans
League: CAAC Red
Coach: Bryan Carpenter
2014 Record: 1-8, 0-5 6th
Players lost: Jalen Weekley (QB), Gavin Barnes (WR), Grant Drake (WR/S)
Players returning: Brendan Hrcka (OL), Nathan Nicevski (QB/S), Ethan McNamara (WR), Louden Newbury (LB), Dakota Berneth (OL/DT)
Outlook: The Trojans are looking for improvement this season and have some key returnees around whom to build. Senior Brendan Hrcka (6’8″, 305 pounds) is a massive offensive tackle who is getting college looks. He is a punishing run blocker who will anchor what should be a solid line. Senior Dakota Berneth (6’1″, 280) is another big, strong lineman who will impact the game on both sides of the line. Junior Nathan Nicevski (6’2″, 170) returns at quarterback. A tall, rangy pocket passer with good touch, Nicevski can move well and pick up yardage on the run. Senior Ethan McNamara will see time at wide receiver, while senior Louden Newbury (6’2″, 190) will make an impact at linebacker.
Corunna Cavaliers
League: GAC Red
Coach: Kyle Robinson
2014 Record: 2-7, 2-4 4th
Players lost: Marshall Walters (QB), Tristen Betts (OL)
Players returning: Jerod Fattal (QB), Spencer Mort (WR/S), Corey Mort (WR/CB), Cooper Clapp (G/DL), Max Nations (C/DT), Brandon Blair (T/DE), Michael Parker (FB/LB), Michael Kersjes (SB/LB)
Outlook: The Cavaliers return plenty of talent and skill on both sides of the line and are primed for a rebound this season. At quarterback, junior Jerod Fattal is looking to step in. The Cavaliers have a pair of talented receivers in senior twins Spencer (6’3″, 145 pounds) and Corey Mort (6’3″, 145). Both brothers are elusive, with good hands, and are also standouts in the secondary on defense. Corunna also has a strong group of linemen. Junior Brandon Blair (6’4″, 235) has been a starter since his freshman season and is an anchor of the offensive line. Junior center Max Nations (6’1″, 285) is a returning all-conference player and another cornerstone of the line. Junior defensive tackle Cooper Clapp (6’2″, 260) is an all-conference player who leads the defense. Senior linebacker Michael Parker (5’11”, 170) leads the linebackers, with the Mort brothers heading up the secondary.
Durand Railroaders
League: GAC Red
Coach: Mark Worsham
2014 Record: 1-8, 1-5 6th
Players lost: Matthew Hunt (WR/CB), Nathan Johnson (OL), Jacob Wagner, Andrew Francis
Players returning: Austin Yager (QB/LB), Ty Hart (FB/LB), David Baker (FB/LB), Jake Will (G/DT), Randy Will (G/DT), Remington Wurtz (RB/CB), Max Rexin (C)
Outlook: The Railroaders were young last season and will still be on the young side this fall, but with more experience. Junior quarterback Austin Yager (5’11”, 150 pounds) is an experienced quarterback who provides a dual threat. Senior running back/cornerback Remington Wurtz (6’0″, 155) earned all-conference honorable-mention honors last year. Senior David Parker (6’0″, 228) and junior Ty Hart (5’11”, 180) will see action both in the offensive backfield and at linebacker. Junior twins Jake (5’10”, 200) and Randy Will (5’10”, 205) were both honorable-mention all-conference players who will see action at guard on offense and at defensive tackle.
New Lothrop Panthers
League: GAC Blue
Coach: Clint Galvas
2014 Record: 11-1, 6-0 1st
Players lost: Ben Muron (QB), David Robertson (OL), Brode Bennett (DB), Zach Kalisek (DL), Jarrett Hafner (OL)
Players returning: Caleb Symons (TE/DE), Quentin Taylor (RB/LB), Luke Harris (C/LB), Alex Kulhanek (WR/LB), Taylor Morse (OL), Keith Tunstall (OT/DE), Steven Garza (RB), Erick Birchmeier (RB/DB)
Outlook: The Panthers have some big, strong, talented players returning and will be a force again in the GAC Blue. They do have to replace graduated quarterback Ben Muron. At running back, senior Quentin Taylor (6’3″, 210) is a powerful runner who gained over 700 yards last year. Senior Steven Garza is another talented runner. Erik Birchmeier will see time at running back, as well. Caleb Symons (6’4″, 210) is a big, physical tight end who also earned all-conference honors at defensive end. Senior middle linebacker Luke Harris (6’3″, 240) anchors the defense, where he is a big-time hitter. Taylor also provides a physical force at outside linebacker on what should be a dominating defense.
Chesaning Indians
League: TVC Central
Coach: Jason Gray
2014 Record: 5-4, 3-4 4th
Players lost: JT Gross (QB), Travis Young (RB), Harrison Ervin (RB), Kody Keyes (WR), Colton Vrable (OL), Adam Rasmussen (OL), Dustin Whitehead (DE), Shawn Wells (DE)
Players returning: Jacob Redmond (FB/LB), Jacob Wright (OL/DT), Levi Wendling (DE), Brett Helvie (OT), Drew Eastwood (RB/FS), Carl Bates (TE/LB), Danny Nicol (FB/DE), Bryan Moore (RB)
Outlook: The Indians featured a prolific offense last season, as they averaged 35.1 points per game, the highest average since the 1999 team averaged 42 points. A number of key players, however, have graduated from that offense. Chesaning does return some speedy running backs in seniors Drew Eastwood and Bryan Moore. Senior fullback Jacob Redmond (5’10”, 200 pounds) also returns. The offensive line returns tackle Brett Helvie, while Jacob Wright (5’10”, 200) also returns up front, along with senior tight end Carl Bates. Defensive end Levi Wendling (6’4″, 230) leads the defensive charge that includes Wright at defensive tackle, Redmond at linebacker, and Eastwood at safety.
Morrice Orioles
League: Central Michigan 8 Man
2014 Record: 6-5, 1-1 2nd
Players lost: J.D Eva (RB), Xavier Martin (RB), Matt Morneau (OL), Jesse Watz (RB/DE)
Outlook: The Orioles made a successful debut into 8-man football last season. Not only did the Orioles turn in a winning season, but they also reached the regional final in the playoffs. The Orioles have a good nucleus this season. Senior Joe Wesley is a four-year varsity player who is a returning all-conference linebacker and offensive lineman. Senior running back Jake Rivers also earned all-conference honors last year. Talented senior Nick Hart returns at quarterback. Sophomore Zach Dixon will see time at running back and at linebacker. Senior Kole Riley returns along the defensive line.
Perry Ramblers
League: Greater Lansing
Coach: Jeff Bott
2014 Record: 1-8, 0-5 6th
Players lost: D.J. Rodgers (TE/DE), Sam Cairns (OL/DL), P.J. Tharnish (OL/LB)
Players returning: Riley Winn (TE), Mike Gamza (RB), Josh Shaw (RB/DL), Dalorean Graves (RB), Hunter King (RB/DB), Bradley Cronk (QB/DB), Nathan Kidd (OL/DL)
Outlook: With a number of key skill position players returning, the Ramblers have the potential to put up plenty of points this season. Junior quarterback Bradley Cronk (6’1″, 170 pounds) is a versatile athlete who will put the offense in gear. Junior running back Josh Shaw (6’2″, 210) is a punishing back who turned in some big games last year. Senior running backs Mike Gamza, Dalorean Graves, and Hunter King also add depth and talent at running back. Senior tight end Riley Winn earned all-conference honors and is another key returnee.