Saginaw Valley Conference
North Division
School: Bay City Central
Nickname: Wolves
Last year’s record: 4-5
Coach: Morley Fraser, 27th season
Coach’s record: 141-110 (.562)
School: Bay City Western
Nickname: Warriors
Last year’s record: 7-3
Coach: Bruce Mann, fourth year at Western, 10th year overall
Coach’s record: 45-41 (.523) overall, 19-11 (.633) at Western
Key losses: QB Austin Pichiotino, WR Nick Vachon, NG Jeremy Gwizdala, C Carl Pagot
Key returnees: WR Charles Proctor, OL Ryan Morgan, OL Jrew Brickel, LB Jon Metz, DE Cameron Roth
Coach’s Comment: “We’re not very big, not terribly fast, but we work our butts off and we’ll win football games based on our character.”
School: Midland
Nickname: Chemics
Last year’s record: 9-2
Coach: Eric Methner, fifth season
Coach’s record: 36-9 (.800)
Key losses: RB Avery Chatman, C Joe Vieau, OT Andrew Wylie, WR Alec Moulton, LB Andrew Delong
Key returnees: RB Travis Patten, QB Alec Johnson, OT Steven Elmer, FS Alex Goodwin, LB Scott Naples
Coach’s comment: “We went into camp with quite a few question marks. We started a lot of seniors last year. Guys are starting to step up, and our leadership has been terrific. I like the direction we’re heading. If we keep working hard and improving, I think we have a shot at being a pretty good football team.”
School: Midland Dow
Nickname: Chargers
Last year’s record: 3-6
Coach: Jason Watkins, fourth year
Coach’s record: 17-12 (.586)
Key losses: Matt Hus, Nick Kivi, Ben McRae, Travis Schultz
Key returnees: DB Cole Skinner, QB Brennan Miller, WR Zach Hook, RB Alex Hus, WR John Brandon, DL Billy Schuette, WR/DB Gavin Groszek, TE/LB Brent Acton, DL Alan Corbeille, TE/LB Robert Rogowski, RB/DB Lucas Bourelle, DL Tyler Reiseg, LB David Saead, OL/LB Gabe Miller, OL Justin Scott, OL Devon Thompson, OL Donnie Doughty, OL Chase McNamara
Coach’s comment: “We’ve had a great off-season, tremendous effort by the kids. We’re looking forward to a successful year.”
School: Mount Pleasant
Nickname: Oilers
Last year’s record: 13-1
Coach: Jason McIntyre, seventh season
Coach record: 60-12 (.833)
Key losses: WR-RB Dustin Lee; WR Colton Odykirk; DB Dustin Lee; FB-TE Eric Baumann; QB Ryan Elliott; DL Mitch Baxter; DB Jordan Wilson; LB Spencer Moran; DE Trevor Wilson; C Nick Partie; OL Chris Sallee; DB Doug Cesena; DL Zach Pashenee
Key returnees: RB Michael Tweh; OL-DL Matt Keller; WR-OLB Antonio Povinelli; OL Jamie Hoyt; OL Erik Belco; DB-LB Cory Williams; DB Evan Huber.
Coach’s Comment: “With the success we have had the past few seasons, the expectations within our program have increased. Furthermore, we are going to have a much larger target on our back this season. Unfortunately, we lost a great deal of experience from last year’s team. We are replacing almost our entire defense. We are going to need to develop younger players in important roles and do it fast. This is by far one of the most difficult schedules our school has ever had. We open with Dewitt and Flint Powers Catholic before we even start our always tough league schedule. We may have some growing pains early but I think if we get the right chemistry, there is a chance to get better each and every week.”
School:Saginaw
Nickname: Trojans
Last year: 2-7
Coach: Michael Colbert, 2nd year
Coach record: 2-7 (222)
Key losses: Tre’von Bentley, Curtis Harris
Key returnees: Darius Price; Terrance Spiller; Leonard Mushatt; Julian Henderson; Alvarez Moultie; Ra’Sean Coleman; Ariz Staton; Darius Steele; Keyon Addison; Darrion Buckner
Coach’s Comment: “There are a few “unknowns” for us at this point. We’ve lost some of the key players from this past season, and we’re still trying to find out what the underclassmen can contribute. We have a ton of seniors on this year’s team with playing experience. So that’s a good thing! We know that we have a great group of individuals in regards to work ethic, character and guys who are committed. We’ll know more as we work through summer practices to find out whose skills are going to be utilized for us this season.”
School: Saginaw Arthur Hill
Nickname: Lumberjacks
Last year: 1-8
Coach: Will Luzar, second season
Coach record: 1-8 (.111)
Key losses: RB Yenta Sanders; LB Keary Dillard; QB Mike Copes
Key returnees: OL Jeff Dukes; OL Zach Johnson; DL Nick Trigg; QB Jamar Hardy; WR Anthony Debardelaben.
Coach’s Comment: “Kids have been working hard and we are expecting better things from our team this year, as long as we play as a team.”
School: Saginaw Heritage
Nickname: Hawks
Last year: 5-4
Coach: Don Maloney, third season
Coach Record: 9-9 (.500)
Key losses: Jay Carmichael; Marquise Evans; Josh Thompson; Branden Ramirez
Key returnees: WR-S Kyle Telder; RB-S Marquin Evans; T-DN Marcus Wright; OT-DT Michael Buchanan; QB-S Brian Cole; WR-DB Dan Sproull; WR-DB Zack Vega; K-P Sam Spradlin
Coach’s Comment: “This season’s group of athletes should be competitive with the expanding Saginaw Valley Conference. The SVC will be a tough challenge and strong in the North Division. We have a tough schedule, but if we stay healthy, I think our athletes should be competitive throughout the season.”