Conference: CAAC Blue
School: Jackson
Coach: Ben Pack
2011 Record: 1-8
Returning Starters: Matt Bell TE, Marshawn Kimble DT, Kahil Davenport DB, Mike Funkhouser RB, Skylar Mast OG, Ben Seppa DB moved to QB, Tony Anderson DT, Rourke Carrol TE
Other Key Contributors: Damarious Simpson LB, Montrice Simpson DE, Anterll Terrell SS, Caleb Moss SE, Kyle Brown LB, Elvis Haught OT, Jacob Rumler OT
Coach’s Comment: “We are all new to the change in the program and are experiencing a learning curve. We have a solid number of players at each grade. Our competitiveness will depend on our progress in preseason practice.”
School: East Lansing
Nickname: Trojans
Coach: Bill Feraco
2011 record: 9-2
Players Lost: four defensive starters and six offensive starters
Players Returning: seven defensive starters and five offensive starters
Coach’s Comment: “Although seven defensive starters return, there are none on the front…all four LBs and three of four DBs return … lost 2100 yards rushing and 1400 yards passing via graduation…potential there to offset some of that loss, but how much remains to be seen. The offensive line may be able to buy a bit of time until that potential might be realized; an important component, senior leadership, is present … as always, primary goal is to compete for a conference championship.”
School: Holt
Nickname: Rams
Coach: Al Slamer
Coach’s Record: 156-87
Players Lost: all-staters Ben Steward, tackle (Bowling Green); Evan Fischer, Place Kicker/Punter (Michigan State); Sawyer McFadden, tackle (Wayne State)
Players Returning: 12 starters from a Conference Co-Championship Team – Charles Waits LB, Austin Kent S, Chris Morgan SS, Trevor Stone DB, Colin Jones DE, Dustin Farrington DE, Scottie Hill DT, Joe Thurman DT, Jalen Scott TE, Ty Glover TB, Josh Marsh OL, Colin Jones TE/WR
Coach’s Comment: “The Holt Rams should be a solid team this year that has the potential to contend for a conference championship.”
School: Okemos
Nickname: Chieftains
Coach: Jack Wallace
2011 Record: 7-4
Players Returning: Jake Pendred QB, Javon Haines WR, Christopher Jones RB, Nathan Hall TE, Kevin Murphy OL
Coach’s Comment: “The team has been working hard with a great attitude.”
School: Fowlerville
Nickname: Gladiators
Coach: Bret Shrader
2011 record: 2-7
Players lost: All-league RB Lawrence Love, all-county WR Chad Soja
Players returning: Adam Coon OL/DL/LB 2-way all league, second-team all state OL; Jordan Jabara FB/LB, led team with 12 touchdowns; Nick Ross QB, threw for just over 900 yds; Brian Moran TE/DB, honorable mention TE; Zack Peterson OL/DL honorable mention league OL
Coach’s Comment: “Team showing great work ethic and great senior leadership.”
School: Grand Ledge
Nickname: Comets
Coach: Matt Bird
2011 record: 8-3
Key returning player: Jalen Brady QB, jr.
School: Lansing Everett
Nickname: Vikings
Coach: Marcelle Carruthers
2011 record: 4-5
Key returning player: Lucas Barner QB
School: Lansing Eastern
Nickname: Quakers
Coach: Robert McBride (second season)
2011 record: 1-8
Key returning players: Santiago Mendez QB, Jordan Taylor RB
School: Lansing Sexton
Nickname: Big Reds
Coach: Dan Boggan
2011 record: 7-4
Key player lost: Kyren Kemp
Key player returning: A.J. Hobbs