CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE
CHSL—INTERSECTIONAL 1
— Team capsules compiled by Daniel Stickradt. Email dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Follow on Twitter @HSSportsScene and @LocalSportsFans
SCHOOL: Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett Knights
LEAGUE: CHSL-Intersectional 1
HEAD COACH: Dan Cimini, ninth season (41-25)
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 10-1, 5-0 MIAC (first)
KEY RETURNEES: William Morrison, sr. WR-DB; Brady McCarron, jr.. OLB-K; Noah Miller, sr. DB
OUTLOOK: After years of competing in the MIAC or Metro Conference before that, Liggett makes the leap into the Catholic High School League. That upgrade alone should help the Knights become more competitive. Liggett has been to the postseason seven straight years after not even fielding a team in 2008 and recording just three wins from 2004-09.
SCHOOL: Riverview Gabriel Richard Pioneers
LEAGUE: CHSL-Intersectional 1
HEAD COACH: Tom Michalsen (22-26)
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 3-6, 1-2 CHSL-Intersectional 1 (third)
KEY RETURNEES: Devin Slaughter, sr. OL/DL/LB; Eric Wigginton, sr. WR/DB; Devin Gleason, sr. QB; Kyle Alonte, jr. QB/DB/WR; Kenny Esquible, soph. DL/OL; Nevin Hughes, jr. RB/DE
KEY NEWCOMERS: Nathan Palumbo, soph. RB; Evan Orme, jr. OL/DL/P; Ivan Hernandez, soph. K
OUTLOOK: A mix between experience and youth, plus quality size for a small school, should give the Pioneers the edge to be a contender in the division and perhaps return to the postseason after a one-year hiatus in 2016.
SCHOOL: Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood Cranes
LEAGUE: CHSL-Intersectional 1
HEAD COACH: Joe D’Angelo (229-87-4)
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 7-3, 3-0 CHSL-Intersectional 1 (first)
KEY RETURNEES: Christopher Smith, sr. OG/DE (Harvard commit); Aaron Wiggins, sr. RB (A.P. All-State Honorable Mention); Kobi Russell, jr. WR (A.P. All-State Honorable Mention); Torrell Williams, jr. DB/WR; Trevor McConnell, sr. QB; Pierson Cooke, sr. K/P (A.P. All-State); Marqis Stokes, sr. CB/WR; Tim Hauxwell, sr. OL
KEY NEWOMERS: Danny Files, jr. OL/DT; Jack Fairman, soph. LB
OUTLOOK: Three years ago Coach D’Angelo decided to go go young in his lineup. Now it is paying dividends. The defending Intersectional-1 Division and Prep Bowl champions have also made the postseason three straight times. Expect this year’s Cranes to again compete for a league title and extend their season into the playoffs.
SCHOOL: Allen Park Cabrini Monarchs
LEAGUE: CHSL-Intersectional 1
HEAD COACH: Ken Briere, second season
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 2-7, 0-3 CHSL-Intersectional 1 (fourth)
KEY RETURNEES: Matt Bzura, sr. QB; Sam Solis, sr. OL/DL; Noah Hamid, jr. OL/DL; Jack Freeman, sr. C/LB; Chris Lucas, sr. SS/WR/RB; Dominic Villareal, sr. WR/DB
OUTLOOK: Coming off four straight losing seasons and just a combined 10 wins in that stretch, the Monarchs and Coach Briere are eager to tighten down defensively and pack more of an offensive punch this season. Cabrini will play home night games for the first time, as lights were recently installed at its field.
SCHOOL: Macomb Lutheran North Mustangs
LEAGUE: CHSL-Intersectional 1
HEAD COACH: Dave Daniels, first season
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 4-5, 2-1 CHSL-Intersectional 1 (second)
KEY RETURNEES: Joel Vandermeer, sr. WR/DB; William Morrison, js. WR-DB; Brady McCarron, jr. OLB-K; Noah Miller, sr. DB
OUTLOOK: In five of the past six years, the Mustangs have finished under five-hundred and have not reached the postseason since 2010. A new head coach is installing his new system with the hopes of a revival. Lutheran North seven straight times from 2001-2007, but have only qualified one time since that season.