CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE
CHSL—AA DIVISION
— Team capsules compiled by Daniel Stickradt. Email dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Follow on Twitter @HSSportsScene and @LocalSportsFans
SCHOOL: Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard Fighting Irish
LEAGUE: CHSL-AA Division
HEAD COACH: Brian Lewis, first season
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 3-6, 0-2 CHSL-AA Division (third)
KEY RETURNEES: Michael Engelhardt, sr. QB/DB; Sean Meisling, sr. OL/DL; Joe Plencner, sr. RB/LB; Chris Hill, sr. RB/DB; Andrew Kendzicky, sr. WR/DB; Nick Brookins, sr. WR/DB
OUTLOOK: A former University of Michigan assistant under Brady Hoke, Brian Lewis takes over the reigns at AAGR. After eight straight postseason appearances from 2008-2015, the Fighting Irish dipped to 3-6. Lewis hopes that was just a one-year hiccup.
SCHOOL: Dearborn Divine Child Falcons
LEAGUE: CHSL-AA Division
HEAD COACH: John Filiatraut
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 10-3, 1-1 CHSL-AA Division (second)
KEY RETURNEES: Quinn Blair, sr. QB/WR/DB; Aidan Hutchinson, sr. OL/DL; Theo Day, sr. CB; Cam Smith, sr. LB (Northern Michigan); Cameron Uabaniak, sr. WR/SE
OUTLOOK: Reaching the postseason for only the fourth time in the past decade and 11th time overall, the Falcons there advanced to the D-3 state semifinals for the first time in school history before falling to eventual champion Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (49-7). there is still some quality holdover talent and Divine Child figures to both contend for a division championship as well as another postseason bid.
SCHOOL: Detroit Loyola Lions
LEAGUE: CHSL-AA Division
HEAD COACH: William Tandy, first season
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 11-3, 2-0 CHSL-AA Division (first)
KEY RETURNEES: Anthony Robinson, jr. RB
OUTLOOK: The Lions have reached the postseason 10 straight times and 12 times in the last 15 seasons. Loyola has a new coach in William Tandy, but a solid roster of returnees and again will have high expectations. Division 7 Loyola was a state finalist in 2016, reached the Final 4 in 2015, won a state title in 2014 and finished as the state runner-up in both 2012 and 2013. That’s a quality track record.
SCHOOL: Detroit U-D Jesuit Cubs
LEAGUE: CHSL-AA Division
HEAD COACH: Oscar Olejniczak
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 6-3, Independent
KEY RETURNEES: Joe Ziedas, sr. OT; Brian McNamara, sr. LB; Elijah Collins, sr. LB/RB; Carlos Vettorello, sr. DB
OUTLOOK: After playing an independent schedule in 2016, the Cubs have landed down in the CHSL-AA Division where they should be more competitive. The Cubs have reached the playoffs the past two years and three of the past four seasons and were voted as the league favorite this season.