FLINT METRO LEAGUE TEAM CAPSULES
Team Capsules compiled by Dan Stickradt. Email dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or follow on twitter @LocalSportsFans
School: Clio
Nickname: Mustangs
Coach: Nate Taylor, season
2012 record: 0-9, 0-8 FML (ninth)
Players lost: Aaron Huff, Chris Lanyi.
Players returning: Tyler Eible, sr. OT; Luke Weslowski, sr. RB-CB; Zach Pakacs, jr. WR-CB
Key Newcomers: Riggs Robinson, jr. RB; Jimmy Ziobro, jr. QB
Coach’s comment: “The hardest part is trying to get these guys to believe that they can win. Our numbers are the biggest they have been here in many years. It’s also the hardest working group I’ve had since I’ve been here — by far.”
School: Fenton
Nickname: Tigers
Coach: Jeff Setzke, 21st season
2012 record: 9-2, 7-1 FML (tied-first)
Players lost: Cody Hovevar, Nick Chappell, Joe Diller, Jacob Keesee, Mitch Shegos, Damon Thomas, Alex Okepein, Brennam Clarke
Players returning: Scott Lukas, sr. WR-DB; Luke Idoni, sr. DE; Tyler Hudson, sr. DT; McKay Hamilton, sr. FS
School: Kearsley
Nickname: Hornets
Coach: Rod Schuch, fourth season
2012 record: 3-6, 2-6 FML (tied-sixth)
Players lost: Nate Kamert, Richard Conrad, Lance Mucha, Vinnie Brandt, Zack Link, Trevor Oaks, Alex Schmitter, Caleb Pyscher, Matt Romono, Brett Morin
Players returning: Matt Weine, sr. RB-P; Aaron Jones III, sr. OT; Anthony McMasters, sr. CB; Hayden Prine, sr. SE; Cedric Moten, jr. WR.
Notes: The Hornets graduated most of their size and must develop new linemen to aid the return of several skilled athletes. If the big men in the trenches develop, then Kearsley could surprise in a wide-open FML. The Hornets must also learn how to win, as the program has not won more than five games in a season since 1998.
School: Holly
Nickname: Bronchos
Coach: Ryan Culloty, fifth season
2012 record: 5-4, 4-4 FML (fifth)
Players lost: Johnny Williams, Evin Papuga, Kyle Vandel, Jake Schuermann, Kyle McCarty, Andrew Giles, Zach Diehl, Josh Sayles
Players returning: Tom O’Connor, sr. OL; Jake Zorn, jr. QB; Andrew Scott, sr. WR; Ben Kopopitski, sr. OL; Jose Martinez, sr. OL; Kyle Pepper, sr. LB-RB; Tyler Flores, sr. DB; Adam Tooley, soph. DL; Avery Bishop, jr. DT
Coach’s comment: “We are a lot like most of the teams in our league. We lost several two- and three-year starters to graduation and have some holes to fill. It all goes down to the younger guys stepping up and filling those holes and the seniors providing great leadership. If we get both of those, then we will be competitive.”
School: Lapeer East
Nickname: Eagles
Coach: Jake Weingartz, sixth season (27-21)
2012 record: 3-6, 2-6 FML (tied-sixth)
Players lost: Joe Perry, Austin Greenleaf, Gibson Finch, Nate Catalano
Players returning: Kyle Rachwal, sr. LB-TE; Anthony Hebert, jr. DT-OT; Dan Perry, sr. OL-DT; Jake Perry, sr. FB; Matt Frank, sr. WR; Ben Muir, sr. RB; Travis Mersino, sr. RB-DB; Trevor Fisher, jr. WR-DB
Key Newcomers: Eli Hunt, soph. QB-DB; Connor Schulte, jr. LB
Coach’s comment: “We had 12 sophomores and a freshman on varsity last season, so we were really young. I think with a year experience and the fact that we have most of our team back, we should be a lot better than we were last season.”
School: Lapeer West
Nickname: Panthers
Coach: Mike Smith, 16th season
2012 record: 6-4, 6-2 FML (third)
Players lost: Michael Ledington, Cody Perkins, Zeshawn Jones-Parker, Brandon Welling
Players returning: Kevin Essenmacher, sr. OL-LB; Hunter Sharrard, sr. QB; Brenden Stocker, sr. DB-FB; Mark Cox, sr. LB-WR; Nick Harris, sr. DL; Noah Raymond, sr. DE-LB; Matt Place, sr. DB-WR; Malik Deverell, sr. RB
Notes: This is the last year of Lapeer West football, as the Panthers will be merged into Lapeer Community High. West has five returning starters back on offense and six on defense but must replace some key skilled athletes if the Panthers are to stay in the hunt in their final season in the FML.
School: Linden
Nickname: Eagles
Coach: Dennis Hopkins
2012 record: 9-2, 7-1 FML (tied-first)
Players lost: Ed Walterhouse, Travis Hull, Taylor Anderson, Nick Carlson, Shaye Brown, Mitch Juhl, Cody Grandy, Ben Armstrong, Matt Weirenga, Patrick Ryan, Mitch Ryan, Joey Williams, Blake North, Cody Grandy, Travis Hull, Connor O’Connell, Aaron Kersten, Mason Belbot
Players returning: Marshael Ryan, jr. TE-WR; Austin McNeil, jr. OG; Kyle Korman, jr. DE.; Cameron Cook, sr. P
Key Newcomers: Garrett Beaudry, sr. WR-OLB; Charlie Gergel, sr. OG-LB; Nick Sioui, sr. OG-NG; Ian Webb, sr. OG-LB; Austin Buerkel, jr. WR-DB; Mike Gold, jr. WR-DB; Zack Kentish, jr. WR-DB; Andrew Kost, jr. C-DE; Jake Marshall, jr. WR-DB; Gage Smith, jr. QB-SE; Andy Roberts, jr. OT-LB; Kevin Bates, soph. RB-P; Noah Sargent, soph. QB-SE
Notes: Linden has been a factor in the FML on a regular basis for the past 15 years. The Eagles lost a large number of starters to graduation, leaving the door open for new opportunity. The Eagles could stroll through a rebuilding year or just simply reload. Time will tell.
School: Brandon
Nickname: Blackhawks
Coach: Tim Pizzala, fifth season
2012 record: 1-8, 1-7 FML (eighth)
Players lost: Larry Bland, Nick Wummell, Derek Klanke, Blake Nivelt
Players returning: Blake Rehan, sr. LB; Andrew Derry, sr. DB; Nick Keller, sr. QB; Matt Sears, sr. RB; Shane Arnold, jr. C; Ian Harrington, sr. LT; Dominik Delbuco, sr. OG; Jake Sutherland, jr. WR; Ryan Eldon, sr. LB; John Ware, sr. LB; Matt Howlett, sr. DB; Brad Howlett, sr. DB; Chase Cochran, sr. CB; Trevor Bourdreau, sr. CB
Coach’s comment: “We will be better than last season. Last year, we only had a couple of returning starters and a roster of mostly first-year varsity players. Now we have a big senior class and these guys are hungry. They want to get back the playoffs.”
School: Swartz Creek
Nickname: Dragons
Coach: Brad Brown
2012 record: 7-3, 6-2 FML (tied-third)
Players lost: Travis Campbell, Jaylen Schoefield, Max Cummings, Clay Black, Devin Mosholder
Players returning: Kevin Weiler, sr. OL-DL
Notes: The Dragons made the playoffs for the first time in 2012 but must replace most of their starting lineup due to graduation.