GAC Blue
Atherton
Nickname: Wolverines
Coach: Jared Noel
2013 Record: 5-4
Players lost: Ernesto Felton, Devin Stadfeld, Joey Curran
Outlook: The Wolverines suffered heavy graduation losses and will be doing some rebuilding this season.
Bendle
Nickname: Tigers
Coach: Mark Chapman
2013 Record: 6-4
Players lost: Dion Reed, Tevin Pully, John Pike
Players returning:, Darian Weatherford (QB/LB), Mike Bateman (WR/DB), Austin Nordberg (T/DE)
Outlook: It’s a mixed bag this year. Bendle lost a number of sizable, veteran offensive linemen, but it returns outstanding team speed. It also boasts talented young players.
Bentley
Nickname: Bulldogs
Co-Coaches: Ryan Tomaselli, Jeff Losey
2013 Record: 3-6
Players lost: Brandon McKone, Wyatt Thomas, Devin Pipkin, Kenny Pilarski, Armando Castillo-Alaniz
Players returning: Austin Nickles (G/LB), Matt McCollum (QB/LB), Antonio Gutierrez (RB/DB), Tyler Pinter (RB/LB), Ernesto Gonzalez (RB/DB), Dominic Johnson (OL/DL)
Outlook: “Being the second year with our system, we are clicking better and the mental mistakes are being reduced,” Tomaselli said. “We have a solid linebacker crew returning, with Austin Nickles leading the defense. We have been playing well and playing the most physical I have seen as a co-head coach.”
Byron
Nickname: Eagles
Coach: Dave Richardson
2013 Record: 6-3
Players lost: Dustin Blom, Joel Lanning, Andy Wiggins
Players returning: Wyatt Beard (S), Hunter Tonti (QB/S), Levi Joslin (WR/CB), Nathan Foster (RB/LB), Charlie Geiger-Smith (C/DE), Hunter Berecz (G/DL)
Outlook: “We are looking to continue the momentum from the past several seasons,” said Richardson. “Offensively, we are going to continue to try to play at a fast tempo and try to mix running and throwing equally. Defensively, we will stay with our 4-3 defense and use our team speed to get to the ball and disrupt offensive schemes.”
Hamady
Nickname: Hawks
Coach: Gary Lee
2013 Record: 0-8
Outlook: The Hawks struggled through a winless campaign last fall. This year’s squad will have some talented young athletes but will again face a challenging schedule.
Genesee
Nickname: Wolves
Coach: Mark Brimmer
2013 Record: 2-6
Players lost: Derek Hopper, Phillip Jones
Players returning: Royce Jacobs (QB/FS), Sam Saunders (RB/LB), Chase Diamond (G), Aaron Seymour (DL), Jordan Abu-Aita (RB)
Outlook: The Wolves have a new coach and look to rebound from last year’s down season. They have some good size and talented athletes in the backfield, so a bounce-back season may be in store.
New Lothrop
Nickname: Hornets
Coach: Clint Galvas
2013 Record: 12-1
Players lost: Amari Coleman, Josh Wendling, Taylor Krupp, Brandon Green, Owen Wilson
Players returning: Ben Muron (QB), Chris Jamick (OL/DL), Jarrett Hafner (OL/DL), Logan Vansumeran (WR/DB), Brodie Bennett (WR/DB), David Robertson (OL/DL), Quentin Taylor (RB/LB), Luke Harris (OL/LB)
Outlook: “We will be inexperienced in many positions this year, but we have had a tremendous off-season, which should help us transition after losing 12 seniors,” Galvas said. “Ben Muron returns on offense to provide some leadership for the young offensive backs. Defensively, our front seven should be one of the strong points of our team.”