CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE
CHSL—CENTRAL DIVISION
— Team capsules compiled by Daniel Stickradt. Email dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Follow on Twitter @HSSportsScene and @LocalSportsFans
SCHOOL: Birmingham Brother Rice Warriors
LEAGUE: CHSL-Central Division
HEAD COACH: Adam Korzeniewski, first season
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 7-4, 1-2 CHSL-Central (third)
KEY RETURNEES: Rubin Williams, sr. LB; Caleb Jackson, sr. CB (Air Force); Mac Minara, sr. SE; Nickel Laurenlelle, sr. DT/.
OUTLOOK: For only the third time in more than four decades, Brother Rice has a new coach, as David Sofran is out after going 20-12 in three seasons and Adam Korzeniewski is into the head role. The Warriors have reached the postseason in 17 of the past 18 seasons, including last season where they lost in the pre-district to Birmingham Groves. In 2015, Rice finished below five-hundred for only the fourth time with the other three losing campaigns coming in the school’s infant stages (1962-64). Competing for league titles and postseason berths will again be the norm at Brother Rice.
SCHOOL: Novi Detroit Catholic Central Shamrocks
LEAGUE: CHSL-Central Division
HEAD COACH: Dan Anderson, first season
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 13-1, 3-0 CHSL-Central (first)
KEY RETURNEES: Carson Kovath, sr. RB/LB; Ryan Cam, sr. RB/LB; Isaac Darkangelo, sr. RB/LB; Matt Young, sr. LB/RB; Joe Natoci, sr. OL/DL; Andrew Paxton, sr. OL/DL; Nick Carrey, sr. OL/DL; Mike Harding, sr. TE/DE
KEY NEWCOMERS: Marco Gennich, soph. QB; Nate Anderson, jr. WR/DB; Liam Cunningham, sr. RB/DB; Jack Downs, sr. Wr/DB; Jake Hinshaw, sr. QB; Ryan Birney, jr. WR/DB; Parker Bohland, jr. RB/DB; Noah Shanlian, jr. RB/LB; Connor O’Neill, sr. DB/RB; Labor Morgan, sr. LB/RB; Samih Beydoun, jr. LB/RB; Brendan Doyle, sr. K/P
OUTLOOK: Tom Mach retired after moving into third all-time with wins in Michigan history. Longtime assistant Dan Anderson steps up for the D-1 state runners-up Shamrocks and will try to keep one of the state’s elite programs at or near the top of the pyramid. The Shamrocks have 64 players on varsity and plenty of holdover talent to keep things at a high level.
SCHOOL: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Eaglets
LEAGUE: CHSL-Central Division
HEAD COACH: George Porritt, 29th season (268-72)
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 10-4, 2-1 CHSL-Central (second)
KEY RETURNEES: RaShawn Allen, sr. QB/RB/WR/DB; Ky’ren Cunningham, sr. LB; Caleb Priekshorn, sr. QB; Donnie Whalen, sr. OG/DT; Nathan Coolidge, sr. DT; Ben Fee, sr. K/P; Nick Gerds, sr. OLB
OUTLOOK: The defending D-3 state champs are one of the state’s premier programs, reaching the postseason in 12 of the past 14 years and 17 of 20 campaigns. Overall, OLSM has captured seven state titles. With George Porritt at the helm once again, expectations of long postseason runs will remain again in 2017.
SCHOOL: Warren DeLaSalle Pilots
LEAGUE: CHSL-Central Division
HEAD COACH: Mike Giannone, second season
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 4-5, 0-3 CHSL-Central (fourth)
KEY RETURNEES: Brendan Madigan, sr. LB/RB; George Tannyhill, sr. RB; Jake Badalamenti, sr. DB/KR/WR; Dan Moudowski, jr. DL/OL; Cam Crosby, sr. TE
OUTLOOK: Three years removed from a state championship, the Pilots hope to have a resurgence after finishing only 4-5 last season. Former Macomb Dakota coach Mike Giannone has a talented group at his disposal, but also a loaded schedule as DeLaSalle will try to make the postseason a 10th time in 12 years.