INDEPENDENTS / OTHERS
— Team capsules compiled by Daniel Stickradt. Email dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Follow on Twitter @HSSportsScene and @LocalSportsFans
SCHOOL: Birmingham Detroit Country Day Yellow Jackets
LEAGUE: Independent
HEAD COACH: Dan MacLean
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 13-1, Independent
KEY RETURNEES: Isaiah Johnson, sr. RB/DB; Kolin Demens, sr. NB/LB (D-I offers from Michigan, Michigan State) Christian Love, sr. DL/OL; Alex McKeen, sr. WR/DB; Alex Skakits, sr. OL/DL; Connor Coffman, sr. HB/LB; Connor Matthews, sr. OL/DL; Shane Miller, sr. OL/LB; Omar Kazziha, sr. OL/DL; Terrell Payne, sr. WR/DB; Rethink Aggarwal, sr. OL/DL
KEY NEWCOMERS: Jack Pulte, jr. WR; Robert Pousac, sr. OL/DL (transfer); Darrin King, jr. WR/DB; Demetrious Champion, jr. TE/DE; Anthony Toma, jr. QB; Josh Winowich, jr. RB/LB; Ahlon Mitchell, soph. DB/QB; Nick Jackson, jr. OL/DL; Max Zimmerman, jr. K/LB; Ryan Luft, jr. DB; Anthony Ammori, soph. RB/DB
OUTLOOK: With a high-powered offense, the Yellow Jackets soared to the D-4 title game only to be stymied by Grand Rapids Catholic Central (10-7). With a bevy of talent back and a large and talented cast of newcomers, DCD will again be a force to be reckoned with and a threat to win a state title.
SCHOOL: Pinckney Pirates
LEAGUE: SEC White Division
HEAD COACH: Rod Beaton, first season
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 8-3, 4-1 KLAA-West (second)
KEY RETURNEES: Derek Crowley, sr. OL/DL; Jack Wurzer, sr. QB; Cauy Hendee, sr. Ol/ILB; Nick Cain, sr. DB/WR; Alex Wasyl, sr. DB/WR/RB; Nolan Houghteling, sr. WR/OLB; Levi Collins, sr. ILB/RB; Michael Antal, sr. OLB/WR
KEY NEWCOMERS: Jacob Price, jr. DE/OT
OUTLOOK: The Pirates recorded eight wins for the first time since 1989 and reached the second round of the postseason for only the second time in school history. Pinckney reached the postseason for only the fifth time in 2016. This season, the Pirates will compete in the SEC-White Division with the likes of Ypsilanti Lincoln, Chelsea, Ypsilanti, Dexter, Tecumseh and Adrian.
SCHOOL: Southfield Bradford Academy Bulldogs
LEAGUE: Charter School Conference
HEAD COACH: Ki’erre Gaut, fourth season
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 8-3, 3-2 CSC (third)
KEY RETURNEES: Joshua Hannah, jr. OT; Victor Nelson, jr. DT; Dekaris Berry, sr. RB; Blake Grice-Brunson, sr. WR; Sharon Rhodes, sr. RB/LB; Quintez Harris, sr. LB; Doran Burt, jr. OL/DL
KEY NEWCOMERS:
OUTLOOK: The Bulldogs enter their ninth season coming off their first postseason berth and first winning season overall. There is plenty of returning talent to keep Bradford Academy in the mix in the Charter School Conference. Overall, the Bulldogs are 22-44 all-time, but have come a long ways since their inception.
SCHOOL: Ferndale University Academy Driving Eagles
LEAGUE: Independent
HEAD COACH: Eric Royal
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 7-3
KEY RETURNEES: Keshawn Smith, sr. QB; Zoser Little, sr. RB/LB (1,541 yards, 21 TDs); Torian Belton, jr. OT/DT; Trey Merian, sr. WR/SE; Delrice Davis, sr. HB/LB:Ethan Simpson, sr. P; John Stellers, sr. K
KEY NEWCOMERS: Donovan Pitts, jr. OL/DL; John Thompson, sr. RB/WR/SE; Angel Defay-Marrero, jr. Ol/DL; James Darby, sr. WR/CB (transfer from Detroit King)
OUTLOOK: The Driving Eagles returning a quality amount of talent from a playoffs team.
SCHOOL: Whitmore Lake Trojans
LEAGUE: Tri-County Athletic Association
HEAD COACH: Brian Boron, second season
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 2-7, 1-6 TCAA (seventh)
KEY RETURNEES: Ryan Thomas, sr. RB/LB; Bryan Pasciack, sr. QB/DB; Steven Leach, sr. RB-DB; Nate Ogden, sr. OL; Joey Turnau, sr. OL/DE; Evan Spiegelberg, sr. OL; Izaak Angel, jr. RB/DB; Alex Williams, soph. OL/DL; Luke Burkhart, sr. TE/DE/P
KEY NEWCOMERS: Evan Romeo, soph. RB/DB (transfer from South Lyon East); Zach Kobeck, soph. OL; Kyle Watts, sr. K/TE/LB; Aiiden Peltier, sr. OL; Logan Kurth, fr. OL.
OUTLOOK: Brian Boron has the duty of rebuilding the Trojans, who have won just three games the past two years. Whitmore Lake last made the playoffs in 2013. The Trojans have seen the numbers increase this season and bolster a large, hungry senior class looking to right the ship.
SCHOOL: Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
LEAGUE: Independent
HEAD COACH: Pat Fox, second season
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 4-5, Independent
KEY RETURNEES: Joe Depillo, sr. TE; Eli McLean, sr. DB; Bryce Baringer, sr. K/P
OUTLOOK: In its first year as an independent, the Fighting Irish started 4-1 but lost their final four contests. Part of that was playing an unfamiliar schedule and part was playing schools mostly larger than Notre Dame Prep. The Irish will again play eight new opponents with the only repeat being Detroit Public Safety Academy.
SCHOOL: Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Panthers
LEAGUE: Independent
HEAD COACH: Mike Boyd Jr., 18th season.
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 8-3, Independent
KEY RETURNEES: Tate Hausbeck, sr. QB; Alex Wrobel, sr. TB/LB; Kyle Allen, sr. OL/DL; Kenny Kujawa, sr. WR/DB; Pete Snyder, sr. WR/DB; Justin Kuligowski , sr. LB; Tom Sapak, sr. DE;
KEY NEWCOMERS: Colin Schultz, sr. OL-DL
OUTLOOK: District finalists last season, the Panthers return plenty of experience and a large senior class as they hope to advance deeper into the postseason this fall. Novel is very deep with receivers and hard-hitting linebackers and will expect to wreak havoc on opponents.
OTHERS / 8-MAN FOOTBALL
SCHOOL: Akron-Fairgrove Vikings
LEAGUE: NCTL-Stripes 8 Man
HEAD COACH: Adam Foster
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 1-8, 1-6 Mid-Michigan 8-Man League
KEY RETURNEES: Joseph Tolls, sr. OL/DL; Conner Cetas, sr. OL/DL; Jacob Southgate, sr. RB/DB; Hunter Ruppel, sr. DB/RB/DE; Logan Herman, soph. WR;
OUTLOOK: This will be the ninth season of 8-man football fir the Vikings, who only have an enrollment of around 75 students in grades 9-12. coming off only six wins the past three seasons and a 1-8 record last year, A-F really only has one way to go.
SCHOOL: Burton Madison Academy Eagles
LEAGUE: NCTL-Stars 8-Man
HEAD COACH: David Dunning
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 4-5, 3-4 Mid-Michigan 8-Man League (fifth)
OUTLOOK: A newer school in its fourth school year and fourth of football, the Eagles are looking to climb over the five-hundred mark for the first time this season.
SCHOOL: Flint International Academy Flames
LEAGUE: NCTL-Stars 8-Man
HEAD COACH: Shane Tallmadge, second season
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 6-3, 5-2 Mid-Michigan 8-Man League (third)
OUTLOOK: For a debut program in 2016, the Flames burned bright with a very respectable 6-3 overall record. Can they take the next step and make a postseason run?
SCHOOL: Flint Michigan School For The Deaf Tartars
LEAGUE: Independent
HEAD COACH: Clayton Parks
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 3-6, Independent
OUTLOOK: This is the second season of prep football for the Tarters, who play mostly other deaf high schools from the Midwest and small independents. Only four opponents will be from Michigan this season.
SCHOOL: Kingston Cardinals
LEAGUE: NCTL-Stars 8-Man League
HEAD COACH: Brandon Jones
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 3-5, 1-4 NCTL 8-Man
KEY RETURNEES: Dez Carter, sr. WR/DB; Garret Green, jr. QB; Gunnar Thompson, soph. OL/DL; Mason DeBlois, jr. OL/DL; Brian Hobson, jr. WR/DL; Aric Hobson, jr. RB/DB; Hunter James, jr. QB/DB; Lane Torrey, jr. RB/DB; Andrew Tucker, jr. DL/OL; Quin Western, sr. WR/DB
OUTLOOK: Entering its seventh campaign of 8-Man football, Kingston is looking to reach the postseason for the first time since 2014 when they reached the regional finals.
SCHOOL: Mayville Wildcats
LEAGUE: NCTL-Stars 8-Man League
HEAD COACH: Mike Campbell
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 4-5, 3-2 NCTL 8-Man League (third)
KEY RETURNEES: Mike Redfield, sr. QB/DB; Logan
LaBean, sr. MLB/RB; Jeffrey Frost, sr. TE/DL; Nick Phillips, sr. WR/RB/LB; Jackson Schenk, sr. OL/DL; Cory Hess, sr. OL/DL; Vinny Damiani, sr. OL/DL
KEY NEWCOMERS: Nate Dawson, soph. RB/QB/DB; Dillon Andress, jr. RB/DB; Aaron Pollard, jr. RB/DB
OUTLOOK: In its second season of 8-man football, the Wildcats will only feature 13 varsity players
SCHOOL: Owendale-Gagetown Bulldogs
LEAGUE: NCTL-Stripes 8 Man
HEAD COACH: James Wencel
LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 8-2, 6-1 Mid-Michigan 8-Man League
KEY RETURNEES: Derek Vincent, sr. WR; Brandon Binder, soph. RB; Michael Ray, sr. OL; Matt Fritz, sr. WR/DE; Cord Clarkson, jr. RB/LB; Branden Fritz, jr. OL/DE; Ben Schultz, jr. TE/DE
OUTLOOK: Part of the original group of 8-Man teams in 2009, the Bulldogs have reached the postseason six straight years and have recorded either eight or nine wins the past five seasons. Expect O-G to again engage in a league title run and compete for a postseason berth in the 8-Man circles, where there are now 62 programs statewide.
— Team capsules compiled by Daniel Stickradt. Email dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Follow on Twitter @HSSportsScene and @LocalSportsFans