Name: New Lothrop
Nickname: Hornets
Coach: Clint Galvas
2012 record: 10-1
Players lost: Austin Newman, Leo Harris, Jameson Toma, Michael Mucha
Players returning: Amari Coleman, Josh Wendling, Taylor Krupp, Owen Wilson, Tom Merlow, Brandon Green
Coach’s comment: “I think the expectations are pretty high. We have a lot back on both sides of the ball and in key spots. We should contend for the league title again. The league is improved this year, and we have the toughest schedule in the five years that I’ve been here. We open with Traverse City St. Francis, and we close with Pewamo-Westphalia on the schedule — both state powerhouses. We’ve got five playoff teams on the schedule, and that’s tough, but in the long run, it should help us prepare for a long playoff run.”
Name: Nouvel Catholic Central
Nickname: Panthers
Coach: Mike Boyd
2012 record: 9-3
Players lost: Josh Schipper, Matt Ross, Brad Ross, Josh Koeplinger
Players returning: Tyler Jacqmain, Ryan Sullivan, Garrett Graham, Ryan Collins, Tyler Hendricks, Griffin Weigl, Jake Jimenez, Evan Sasiela
Coach’s comment: “I think we have outstanding leadership. We will be a well-conditioned and very fast team. I think on the defensive side of the football, we should be able to keep ourselves in games because of how I expect us to play defense. We have some playmakers on offense, but we have to solidify a couple things on offensive line.”