By: Jonathan Szczepaniak | C&G Newspapers | Published August 26, 2024
METRO DETROIT — We’re back in full swing with gridiron action at the high school level. Here are previews for all teams in the C & G Newspapers coverage area in eastern Oakland County.
Auburn Hills Avondale
Last season’s record: 9-2.
League: Oakland Activities Association Gold Division.
First game: vs. Cedar Springs, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
With an OAA Gold league title to defend and six returners on each side of the ball, Avondale should be excited to hit the ground running once again in its 2024 campaign.
Avondale rattled off six straight wins to open its season last year, but the last thing head coach Bob Meyer said his team is concerned about is the past.
“The first thing we’re going to do in 2024 is forget about 2023,” Meyer said. “It’s over. We don’t care. The 2024 team will establish its own identity, we’re going to forge our own toughness, and we’re going to embrace the standards that will become Avondale football.”
Senior Justin Greer-Sykes headlines the wideout group alongside senior Cooper Voeffray, while senior running back Alijah Grigsby returns as well. Greer-Sykes, Voeffray and Grigsby combined for over 2,000 rushing yards last season and should be poised for another successful year with senior Cameron Washington, junior Caleb Johnson and junior Noah Smith returning on the offensive line.
Greer-Sykes (LB), Voeffray (DB), Washington (DT), senior Bryce Thomas (LB), senior Earl Arrington (LB) and senior Jacob Manley (LB) anchor the defensive unit.
Berkley
Last season’s record: 0-9.
League: Oakland Activities Association Gold Division.
First game: at Walled Lake Central, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
It’s all about having an elephant’s memory for Berkley.
Going winless in 2023, the Bears hope for a stronger showing in 2024 behind veteran-heavy defense led by junior Eli Khoury (DB), junior Ben Bullock (LB), junior Collin Richardson (DL), junior Jack Rittenbery (DL), senior Caleb Collins (LB), senior Blake Bridges (DB), senior Anthony Anderson (LB) and senior Parker Hadfield (DL).
“We have a lot of work to do to rebuild the foundation of this program,” first-year head coach Casey Humes said. “We’re trying to get back to the winning ways of the early 2010s and 2015s.”
Clawson
Last season’s record: 7-3.
League: Macomb Area Conference Bronze Division.
First game: vs. Perry, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
After finishing 5-5 and second in the league a year prior, Clawson kicked into high gear in 2023 to take the MAC Bronze title home and return to its winning ways.
Now defending league champions, Clawson will battle it out again in a competitive league after graduating a corps of all-league players, but the team does return all-league players Jacob MacCallum (OL/DE) and Shane Dunlap (OL/LB) to keep things going.
Ferndale
Last season’s record: 4-5.
League: Oakland Activities Association Gold Division.
First game: vs. Madison Heights Lamphere, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
The 2023 campaign was a minor step back for head coach Eric Royal and company, but Ferndale still found itself within one game of a shot at the league title.
Unfortunately, a loss to Auburn Hills Avondale slammed the door on its chances, but bringing back nearly all its starters on both sides of the ball has Ferndale poised for a big season.
“We’re not running from last year,” Royal said. “We’re embracing the fact that we felt like we underachieved, and we took that approach right into January. We’ve been going to work really hard with this year’s class, hoping to redeem ourselves and really send this class out on a high note.”
Senior quarterback Cullen Hock commands the huddle with senior Jaden Mills, senior Antonio Jones, senior Khamarey Thomas and sophomore El’yontae London at his disposal on the outside.
Seniors DeKari Smith and Gary Maxwell will handle the bulk of the carries with seniors Dereon Sturkey, Tyler Boyd, Randy Royal and junior Jeremiah Jones anchoring the offensive line.
Mills, Maxwell and Antonio Jones headline the defensive back group with Boyd, Jeremiah Jones, junior Kadynce Williams, senior DeAndre Miller and senior Bryce Ferguson (DL/LB) manning the trenches. Ferguson and junior Leonard Hines will also control the linebacker duties.
Hazel Park
Last season’s record: 4-5.
League: Macomb Area Conference Bronze Division.
First game: vs. Imlay City, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
Hazel Park suffered two brutal losses to open its 2023 campaign (outscored 90-0), but quickly rebounded with back-to-back wins and a 4-3 finish to the year.
The Vikings play their league tough and were right there with Warren Lincoln and Clawson, but graduating all five of its all-league players leaves Hazel Park looking toward new players to step up.
Lake Orion
Last season’s record: 10-1.
League: Oakland Activities Association Red Division.
First game: at Northville, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
It would be impossible to find a team who was more dominant than Lake Orion in 2023.
Coming off a 4-6 season just a year prior, Lake Orion stormed out the gate to a perfect 9-0 regular season record and OAA Red league title, rekindling memories of the Lake Orion teams that dominated in the early 2010s and throughout the 2000s.
With a core group of returners, Lake Orion is hoping to replicate last season’s success behind senior quarterback Tristan Hill.
“Our goal is pretty simple,” head coach Chris Bell said. “With our schedule, our goal is to compete for the OAA Red championship.”
Hill will lead the offensive unit alongside an experienced group of wide receivers in senior Jackson Vasquez, senior Jahmari Cooper and junior Ryan Rocheleau, while the senior-heavy offensive line of Brennen Eliassen, Jacob Escobedo and Landon Morris will keep Hill upright.
Defensively, seniors Trey Pochmara, Austin Cahn and AJ Leitz will man the secondary with senior linebacker Payton McIntyre and senior defensive lineman Brendon Nepjuk complimenting a stout Dragons defense.
Madison Heights Bishop Foley
Last season’s record: 1-8.
League: Catholic High School League Intersectional #2.
First game: vs. Madison Heights Madison, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
Everything about last season was out of character for Bishop Foley, who had made the state playoffs and carried a winning record for five straight seasons.
Now under first-year coach Mike Cuddeback, the Ventures hope to return to their winning ways.
“We’ve been trying to get things together as quickly as we can and trying to get to know the kids, and the kids have been doing a great job,” Cuddeback said. “It’s been a pleasant surprise with the numbers we’ve been getting of kids coming out. We can’t complain. The kids are working hard.”
Senior quarterback Tad Dobek will command the huddle with senior Kolbe Martino (WR/RB) and senior running back Mason Kanar as his primary skill weapons.
Veteran mainstay Mitchell Brewer (OL/DL) will anchor the offensive and defensive line while senior David Malinowski (DB) and Martino headline the secondary.
Madison Heights Lamphere
Last season’s record: 7-3.
League: Macomb Area Conference Gold.
First game: at Ferndale, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
Madison Heights Lamphere has been a model for consistency the past four seasons, winning seven or more games and reaching the playoffs each year, but it hasn’t been up to the expectation of head coach Ray Ostrowski.
“My theme for the year is ‘consistency,’” Ostrowski said. “I think that’s been our biggest weakness in the past. For whatever reason, we’ve been inconsistent. I think it’s just harping on that, and make what we identify as a weakness (into) a strength.”
With senior quarterback and three-year starter Aidan Grzesikowski leading the offense alongside three-year starter Amaleki Harris-Ward at running back, Lamphere is poised for another successful year in its jump to the MAC Gold.
Seniors Quincy Twymon Jr. and Julius Gerald, who broke the school track record in the 200-meter, lead the wideout position. The Rams defense will be loaded with talent.
Senior Deandre Verge is the frontman for the defensive line with senior Brennan Zink and junior Mason Maczuga anchoring the linebacker spot.
Sophomore Devin Gardner Jr., Twymon and Grzesikowski keep the secondary steady.
Madison Heights Madison
Last season’s record: 0-9.
League: Macomb Area Conference Bronze.
FIrst game: at Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
Things just haven’t been going in the right direction for Madison Heights Madison football, but hopefully a new season brings some success the Eagles’ way.
In the past four seasons, Madison has tallied only three wins, including two winless seasons in 2020 and 2023.
Pontiac
Last season’s record: 3-6.
League: Oakland Activities Association Gold Division.
First game: vs. Detroit Douglass, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
For Pontiac, it’s all about keeping the fire alive.
Pontiac stormed out the gate with back-to-back wins against Madison Heights Bishop Foley and Detroit Lincoln-King, but the season quickly got out of hand with a 1-6 finish.
Pontiac will rely on the play of senior quarterback Khanye Donalson, who will have senior Fa’Marzay Jeffery as his top target and juniors Bryce Brown and Dallas Coleman anchoring the offensive line.
Juniors Desean Johnson (DB), Deandre Johnson (LB) and Terrell Chatmon (DL) will be manning the defensive unit for Pontiac.
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Last season’s record: 9-1.
League: Independent.
First game: vs. Detroit Central, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
A perfect regular season was spoiled by Corunna in districts, but Pontiac Notre Dame Prep is hoping to return this season with its eyes on its sixth straight playoff appearance.
Graduating quarterback Jacob Tuttle and a slew of other all-region talent is a tough void to fill, but junior defensive back Brody Sink, an all-region selection, and senior defensive lineman Drew Heimbuch, an all-state selection, will anchor a defensive unit that allowed just under 10 points per game last season.
Rochester
Last season’s record: 3-6.
League: Oakland Activities Association White Division.
First game: vs. Fraser, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
Not many teams faced two state champions last year in the regular season, but Rochester was one of them.
Taking its bumps and bruises, Rochester, who returns nine starters on each side of the ball, is ready for its experience and veteran leadership to shine in 2024.
“Last year, we were really young,’ head coach Erik Vernon said. “The season didn’t go quite the way we wanted it to, but we had to play a lot of the young kids. (The) good news is, coming into this year, we have a lot of experience coming back.”
Senior running back Jack Lower, an all-region selection, will command the bulk of the carries with senior Curtis Adair under center and senior Quentin Hatchett as the primary wideout.
A senior-led offensive line of Breandan Roscoe, Anthony Kyritsis and Adam Glinski have Lower poised for another standout season.
Defensively, Lower and senior Zack Davis control the linebacker group with Glinski, senior Antonio Abro and senior Seth Payne in the trenches. Senior Emilio Marquez and junior Devin Grabke command the secondary.
Rochester Adams
Last season’s record: 6-4.
League: Oakland Activities Association Red Division.
First game: at Romeo, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
The 2023 campaign was the kind of season Adams hasn’t been accustomed to the past few seasons.
“Our season last year was very disappointing,’ head coach Tony Patritto said. “We had great kids that worked really hard, but we didn’t have the results we wanted to. These guys have worked their butts off to get us back to where we belong.”
Back with a strong core and motivated off last season’s underachievement, Adams hopes to show the OAA Red that it’s back to form.
Junior quarterback Rino Watters will command the offense with senior running back Matteo Humbert, senior Paxton Battershell and senior wideout Lachlan Tillotson as the primary skill players.
Defensively, expect senior Liam Kania (DL/LB) and senior Tommy Offer (DB) to improve the defensive efforts alongside Humbert (LB) and Tillotson (DB).
Rochester Hills Stoney Creek
Last season’s record: 3-6.
League: Oakland Activities Association White Division.
First game: at Warren Cousino, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
A trip back down to the OAA White may just be what Stoney Creek needs to get back on top.
When the Cougars were last in the OAA White in 2020, it swept its league opponents and went undefeated in the regular season.
Under first-year head coach Rick Powell, Stoney Creek will look to get back to its winning ways behind a small core of veterans.
Senior all-region defensive back Sam Fogler leads the veteran unit alongside senior offensive lineman Spencer Beckeman, a Western Michigan University commit, senior offensive lineman Noah Gojcaj, senior linebacker Brandon Dobos, senior linebacker Nolan O’Connor and senior defensive lineman Rudy Hernandez.
Fogler will handle the bulk of the carries offensively with senior Asher Lackowski also contributing.
The OAA White, who had two state champions last year, isn't necessarily a step down from the OAA Red, especially when Stoney Creek has two OAA Red crossovers in Lake Orion and Rochester Adams, but maybe a change in scenery will be the recipe for a successful season.
Royal Oak
Last season’s record: 3-6.
League: Oakland Activities Association Gold Division.
First game: vs. Detroit Lincoln-King, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
The record may not reflect it to some, but Royal Oak took massive strides in 2023 with its 3-6 record.
“There’s kind of this realization that with a lot of hard work and preparation, we can compete,” head coach Colin Campbell said. “I think they saw that, but I think they also understood that there was more there. With some additional hard work, additional buy-in, and continued efforts, there’s more on the table. The guys just want to go out and compete and show what Royal Oak is all about.”
Riding the momentum of last year, Royal Oak will look to expand on its win total with seniors Julien Burns (WR) and Ben Machiniak (WR) leading the offense while senior Payden Morrison (LB), senior Blaze Jeffries (DB) and senior Frank Minnick (LB) command the defensive effort.
Royal Oak Shrine Catholic
Last season’s record: 1-8.
League: Catholic High School League intersectional #2.
First game: vs. Arts & Technology Academy of Pontiac, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
Returning 10 players on offense and all 11 on defense, there is hope that Shrine Catholic will improve in 2024.
Senior running back Josh Cairo leads the offensive unit while senior linebacker Logan Porada and sophomore linebacker Caleb Widdows will control the defense.
Southfield A&T
Last season’s record: 13-1.
League: Oakland Activities Association White Division.
First game: vs. Flint Beecher, 7 p.m. Aug. 30.
Returning as the defending Division 1 state champions, Southfield A&T brings in an entirely new look, especially with first-year coach Keith McKenzie.
If you looked at the starting 11 on each side of the ball last year, it’s almost an entirely new group who is still hungry to defend its title.
“I can’t say we have a squad full of seniors right now, but one thing I see in my short time as the head coach is we have a lot of guys committed to the program and they’re excited to learn and eager to get better,” McKenzie said.
Senior wideout Tyjuan Esper returns after a standout season as a junior while senior linebacker Jordan Melton and junior linebacker Kenneth Brooks return as the veteran leaders on the defensive side.
Troy
Last season’s record: 5-4.
Oakland Activities Association Blue Division.
First game: at Bloomfield Hills, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
Troy’s senior veterans are hoping their final year ends with a league title in the school’s grasp.
“The one thing I can say about the returners is that I have a good group of four or five kids that are at least three-year varsity players, and that experience is invaluable,” head coach Chris Frasier said. “The biggest thing now is teaching those upcoming juniors about what the expectation is, because it isn’t JV football anymore. It’s big time.”
Behind senior quarterback Noah Oury (Grand Valley State University commit), senior wideout Jaielen Peacock (Saginaw Valley State University commit) and senior offensive lineman Lucas Tic, Troy’s offense hopes to continue its success from 2023 while seniors Greg Tester (LB), John Spreitzer (DT) and Jackson Barrett (DB) anchor the defensive unit.
The big question still remains around who will take over the running back duties after mainstay Nolan Block graduated in 2024, but the Colts have enough talent to challenge their league opponents for the title.
Troy Athens
Last season’s record: 3-6.
League: Oakland Activities Association Blue Division.
First game: at Birmingham Seaholm, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
The record doesn’t look the best on paper, but Athens fought in nearly every game last season until the very end.
Behind a slew of returners on both sides of the ball and an impressive leadership group, Athens hopes to turn the corner this season.
Senior Anthony Dunlap (RB/LB), junior Cainan Hanbury (RB/LB) and junior Nathan Piggott (WR/DB) are expected to lead Athens on both sides of the ball, while senior defensive back Elliot Booth will also help anchor the defensive efforts.