GREATER THUMB AREA CONFERENCE—WEST DIVISION
— Team capsules compiled by Daniel Stickradt. Email dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Follow on Twitter @HSSportsScene and @LocalSportsFans
SCHOOL: Bad Axe Hatchets
LEAGUE: GTAC-West Division
HEAD COACH: Kelly Durr
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 1-8, 0-5 GTAC-West (sixth)
OUTLOOK: After going winless in conference play in 2016, the Hatchets are looking to spring a couple of upsets and move up the GTAC ladder.
SCHOOL: Cass City Red Hawks
LEAGUE: GTAC-West Division
HEAD COACH: Scott Cuthrell
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 6-4, 3-2 GTAC-West (third)
OUTLOOK: In a wide-open GTC-West, the Red Hawks will look to soar up the standings and make a run at the conference title.
SCHOOL: Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port-Laker Lakers
LEAGUE: GTAC-West Division
HEAD COACH: Stephen VerBurg
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 7-3, 4-1 GTAC-West (second)
OUTLOOK: After finishing second in the GTAC-West, the Lakers are looking to overtake defending champion USA with an experienced squad.
SCHOOL: Reese Rockets
LEAGUE: GTAC-West Division
HEAD COACH: Bob Bouvy
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 5-5, 2-3 GTAC-West (fourth)
KEY RETURNEES: Bo Schember, sr. C; Luke DuRussel, sr. TB; Mat Nobles, sr. WB; T.J. Rambo, sr. OG; Kyle Stockmeyer, sr. TE
KEY NEWCOMERS: Mason Hawes, soph. OT/DT;
Adam Fisher, jr. QB; Tanoah Troublefield, jr. TE; Jarod Wortman, jr. OT/DT; Gabe Robinson, jr. P
OUTLOOK: After starting 4-1, the Rockets lost three straight to end season. This year’s squad features a large offensive line and a lot of team speed. That could spell a winning formula for a team expected to contend in the conference race.
SCHOOL: Unionville-Sebewaing Patriots
LEAGUE: GTAC-West Division
HEAD COACH: Josh Hahn, first season
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 9-2, 5-0 GTAC-West (first)
KEY RETURNEES: Cooper Kauffold, sr. LB/OG; Josh Lang, sr. SE/RB; Hunter Bohn, sr. CB/RB; Miles Geiger, sr. DL/OT; Blake Pierson, sr. DL/OG; Glenn Shook, sr. DL/OL; Alan Rabun, sr. DL/RB/K
KEY NEWCOMERS: Brendan Prime, sr. SS/TE; Micah Cramer, jr. S/QB; Chase Suber, jr. CB/RB
OUTLOOK: The Patriots ventured from a 1-8 squad in 014 to a 9-2 team in 2016. This season, USA counters with an experienced team that is capable of repeating as GTAC-West champs and advancing in the postseason.
SCHOOL: Vassar Vulcans
LEAGUE: GTAC-West Division
HEAD COACH: Jason Kiss, 11th season (59-38)
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 3-6, 1-4 GTAC-West (fifth)
KEY RETURNEES: Ricardo Macon, jr. QB/LB Phil Baudoux, sr. RB; Mason Morely, sr. OL/DL; Trevor Bellamy, sr. OL/LB; Steven Hecht, sr. WR; Phil Baudoux, sr. WR; Collin Bowden, sr. LB/WR; Hunter Backer, sr. DB; Trejyn Callahan, sr. DT; Steven Hecht, sr. DT; Hunter Baker, RB/KR; Jackson Noel, sr. WR/DB
KEY NEWCOMERS: Richardo Vela, jr. RB/LB; Logan Nelson, sr. WR/DB; Kyle Wlaker, jr. OL/DL; Ricardo Macon, jr. QB/LB
OUTLOOK: With eight players on both side of the ball with experience starting games last season, the Vulcans are one of the more experienced teams in the league. Vassar has as good a shot as anybody to claim the conference crown.
— Team capsules compiled by Daniel Stickradt. Email dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Follow on Twitter @HSSportsScene and @LocalSportsFans