Conference: CAAC Red
School:DeWitt
Nickname: Panthers
Coach: Rob Zimmerman
Last Year’s Record: 9-2
Players Lost: Ethan Rennaker, Collin Rennaker, Ryan Wieber, Ryan Potrykus, JL Purves, Alex Harless
Players Returning: 4 starters on offense – Ryan Anderson (receiver), Noah Evans (TE), Mitchell Tarn (OL), Chris Ruby (slot)
5 starters on defense – Noah Evans (OLB), Jimmy Melton (DL), Jeremiah McReady (DB), Chris Ruby (DB), Billy Kirkendall (DB)
Coach’s Comment: “Solid nucleus of returning players plus a very talented group of JV players coming up. Very talented at the skill positions on offense. Will be a young team for the first time in four seasons. Key will be how fast the youthful team grows up.”
School: Fowlerville
Nickname: Gladiators
Coach: Bret Shrader
Last Year’s Record: 2-7
Players Returning: Adam Coon (OL), Jordan Jabara (FB/LB), Nick Ross (QB), Brian Moran (TE/DB), Zack Peterson (OL/DL)
Coach’s Comment: “The team is showing great work ethic and great senior leadership.”
School: Haslett
Nickname: Vikings
Coach: Charlie Otlewski
Last Year’s Record: 5-5
Players Returning: Sam Rathbun, Tom Baldwin, Derek Smith, Conor Brewer, John Jakard, Sam Wegenke, Danny Turpin. Graham Riley, Connor Wilson, Jeff Pointkowski, Bryce Dickman, Josh Magyar, Tyler Colege, Griffin Fox, John O’Brien
Coach’s Comment: “The core seniors have been outstanding in directing our team. We have great expectations for this group, as they do of themselves.”
School: Ionia
Nickname: Bulldogs
Coach: Mike Holes
Last season’s record: 2-7
School: Owosso
Nickname: Trojans
Coach: Tom Harkema
Coach’s Record: 5-4, 2-3
Players Lost: 18
Players Returning: 15
Coach’s Comment: “As always we need to stay healthy. I have a good core of 15 seniors returning, led by all-league first team Ian Johnson RB, Matt Freeman OL, Robert Geoghegan LB, along with returning starters Matt Guyski TE/DE, Blake VanStrate C, Josh Partain LB/G, and Brad Rigoulot TB/S. We will be running the ball more this year, and our defense has to keep showing the improvements we had at the end of the year. We won our last three games to give us our first winning season in 10 years.”
School: St. Johns
Nickname: Red Wings
Coach: Dave Mariage
Last Year’s Record: 7-3
Players Returning: Blake Cooper (OG), Josh Rademacher (OT), Alex Dominguez (C), Chris Lindquist (TE), Ben Procter (DT), Chris Lindquist (DE), Shane Krumm (LB)
Coach’s Comment: “We have great enthusiasm for the game, and it’s a very positive group. We need to find toughness on defense to make big stops in key situations.”