Flint Metro League
Clio
Nickname: Mustangs
Coach: Todd Richards
2013 Record: 0-9
Players lost: Tyler Eible, Luke Weslowski
Players returning: Zack Takacs (WR/CB), Austin Pease (G), Mike Thygesen (G), Jake Wilkinson (RB/LB), Jake Hardaker (FB/LB)
Outlook: The Mustangs return some good size and some physical players and are looking forward to their first year under Richards.
Fenton
Nickname: Tigers
Coach: Jeff Setzke
2013 Record: 8-2
Players lost: Luke Idoni, Johvi Reynolds, James Claborn
Players returning: Evan Welch (TE/DE), Bryce Roney (WR), Alec Thomas (WR/CB), Connor Kovacs (LB), Ross Ebert (QB), Paul Idoni (RB/DB)
Outlook: “We have a good group of senior and junior athletes,” Setzke said. “Combined, they have only lost three league games in high school. We have five returning starters on offense and six on defense.”
Kearsley
Nickname: Hornets
Coach: Jeff Putnam
2013 Record: 2-7
Players lost: Matt Weine, Aaron Jones, Anthony McMasters
Players returning: Kyle Alburtus (FB/LB), Anton Webster (CB), Tyler Phipps (C)
Outlook: Veteran Flint-area coach Jeff Putnam takes over as coach as he returns to the Metro. He will have some talented players to work with this year.
Flushing
Nickname: Raiders
Coach: Robert Oginsky
2013 Record: 3-6
Players lost: Aaron Walker, Dalton White, Alex Yue, Tyrice Jenkings, Baigh Brotherton, Brandon Bitterman
Players returning: Chris Johnson, Brandon Herold, Mitch Albert, Jacob Matus, Nolan Rawlings, Justin Rau
Outlook: The Raiders are new to the Metro this year and excited to be back in a league with some former Big 9 foes. “Our strength will be our offensive line,” Oginsky said. “Our philosophy is ‘Work hard.’ “
Holly
Nickname: Bronchos
Coach: Ryan Culloty
2013 Record: 4-5
Players lost: Tom O’Connor, Tyler Flores, Kyle Pepper
Players returning: Noah Brenner (OL), Travis Henski (OL/LB), Adam Tooley (WR/LB), Avery Bishop (DL), Javon Barr (RB)
Outlook: The Bronchos have a solid corps of veterans returning and are looking to climb over the .500 mark this season.
Linden
Nickname: Eagles
Co-coaches: Denny Hopkins, Nick Douglass
2013 Record: 7-4
Players lost: Cam Cook, Charlie Gergel, Nick Sioui, Jay Klocek
Players returning: Austin Buerkel, Jake Marshall, Andy Roberts, Andrew Kost, Austin McNeill, Kyle Korman, Marshael Ryan, Zack Kentish, Kevin Bates, Mike Gold
Outlook: “We have 17 returning starters and strong senior leadership,” Douglass said. “Linden looks to be near the top of the Metro at season’s end and make a play-off run.”
Brandon
Nickname: Blackhawks
Coach: Tim Pizzala
2013 Record: 4-5
Players lost: Nick Keller, Matt Sears, Blake Rehan
Players returning: Shane Arnold (C), Sean Russ (DT), Peter Nicaj (NT), Nick Udocon (WR/LB)
Outlook: Brandon is looking to climb over the .500 mark this season. It suffered some heavy graduation losses but returns some quality linemen on both sides of the football.
Swartz Creek
Nickname: Dragons
Coach: Brad Brown
2013 Record: 4-5
Players lost: Kevin Weiler, Brandon Fitch
Players returning: Caleb Tilley (WR/CB), Brett Pero (WR/FS), Kyle Jones (LB), Brandon Ross (DB)
Outlook: The Dragons received a big boost with the transfer of quarterback Gage Smith, an all-conference player at Linden. Smith will ignite what should be a prolific passing attack.