CHSL-AA DIVISION
SCHOOL: Father Gabriel Richard
NICKNAME: Fighting Irish
HEAD COACH: Brian Lemons, sixth season (42-10)
2011 RECORD: 8-3, 2-1 CHSL-AA Division (second); Postseason: def. Capac (35-0); lost to Almont (42-14) in Division 5 district finals
RETURNING STARTERS: Ashton Hundley, sr. RB (5-10, 165); Joe Kendzicky, sr. QB (6-1, 185); Steve Tracy, sr. WR (5-10 170); Drew Diedrich, sr. TE (6-3, 245); Kendric Fowler, sr. OL (6-3, 280); Kevin Busch, sr. OL (6-0, 185); Nick O’Donnell, sr. OL (5-9 230) Tyler Kirchoff, sr. OL (6-4 225); Sean Donnellon, sr. LB (6-0 190); Austin Hundley, sr. DL (5-10, 200); Ryan Ferris, sr. CB (5-10, 180); Arron Tishkoff, sr. DE (6-1, 180); Nick O’Donnell, sr. DT (5-9, 230); Ashton Hundley, sr. CB (5-10, 165); Steve Tracy, sr. DB (5-10, 170); Drew Diedrich, sr. DT (6-3, 245); Joe Kendzicky, sr. QB (6-1, 185); Steve Tracy, sr. WR (5-10, 170)
KEY PROSPECTS: Blaise Sterns, sr. WR (6-2, 190); Matt Johnson, soph. RB (5-10, 200); Pat Wolf, sr. WR (6-1, 190); Ken Kowalski, soph. LB (5-10, 170); Carsten Dembeck, sr. LB (6-0, 180) DJ Newlin, jr. DB (5-10, 175)
NOTABLES: The Irish finished second in their league last season and reached the district finals. The good news is that 18 players who started games last season and 40 players total are on varsity. The bad news is that the CHSL is loaded as usual, meaning teams will have to earn wins. Many coaches feel that Gabriel Richard is the favorite in the CHSL-AA Division, so a ninth postseason berth is likely a reality.
SCHOOL: Divine Child Catholic
NICKHAME: Falcons
HEAD COACH: N / A
2011 RECORD: 4-4, 1-2 CHSL-AA Division (tied-third)
SCHOOL: Notre Dame Preparatory
NICKNAME: Fighting Irish
HEAD COACH: Kyle Zimmerman, fourth season (26-14)
RETURNING STARTERS: Jermaih Johnson, jr. RB (5-10, 180); Andrew Winiarski , sr. OL (6-1, 240) (third-year starter); Vinny Famularo, sr. LB (6-0, 190); Andrew Wodrich, sr. DE (6-6, 210); Aidan Cullen, jr. LB (5-10, 190)
KEY PROSPECTS: Connor Cervone, sr. DL (5-9, 150); Anthony Gunn, soph. SS-WR-RB (6-1, 195) (transfer from Brandon); Brendan Newvine, jr. QB (6-0, 175) (transfer from Clarkston); Joe Kutil, sr. QB (6-6, 210)
NOTABLES: After starting 0-4 in 2010, the Fighting Irish embarked on a 15-game win streak through the second half of 2010 and the regular season of 2011, which ended in a district final loss to eventual Division 5 state runner-up Marine City. Notre Dame lost several key players to the college ranks, but by no means will this team fall off the map. There is ample holdover talent and there are several rising stars who will very much keep the Fighting Irish in the hunt for another division title and potential playoff spot.
SCHOOL: Lutheran North
NICKNAME: Mustangs
HEAD COACH: Ryan Wesley, first season
2011 RECORD: 4-5, 0-3 CHSL-AA Division (fourth)
RETURNING STARTERS: Will Kruse, jr. QB (6-1, 170) (third-year starter); Trevor Mason, jr. RB/LB (6-1, 190); Eric Arthur, sr. OL/DL (5-10, 185); Jonathan Taykowski, jr. WR/DB (6-0, 170); Matthew Kennedy, jr. OL/DL (5-11, 205); David Craig, sr. RB/SS (5-11, 180) (third-year starter); Vince Petitta, jr. RB/CB (5-11, 165); JJ McGrath, sr. P/K, (6-3, 220) (fourth-year on varsity; All-State last season; Division I recruit)
KEY PROSPECTS: David Halvorson, jr. RB/SS (5-8, 165); Seth Majeski, jr. RB/LB (6-0, 165); Jacob Hocevar, soph. OL/DL (6-1, 270)
NOTABLES: The Ryan Wesley era begins with high hopes, as there are several key returnees, including an all-state kicker and a third-year starter at quarterback. If the Mustangs can put it together, a couple more wins and a postseason berth are both reachable goals.