By: Jonathan Szczepaniak | C&G Newspapers | Published August 24, 2022
Clinton Township Chippewa Valley
Last season’s record: 7-4.
League: Macomb Area Conference Red Division.
First game: at Detroit Catholic Central High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
Continuing its 10-straight playoff appearance streak, Chippewa Valley’s four losses last season all came within four points.
With that being said, the offense will have to face the loss of Youngstown State running back commit Cephus Harris III and Lafayette quarterback commit Ryan Schuster.
Schuster’s younger brother, Andrew, will take the reins at quarterback for Chippewa Valley in his junior season.
“We feel really good about having another Schuster at quarterback,” Chippewa Valley coach Scott Merchant said. “Andrew is his own guy; he’s a lefty, he’s a little taller, and he’s built like a linebacker.”
Schuster will have a bolstered receiving core with returning wideouts in junior Shamar Heard, sophomore DeShaun Lanier and senior leader Kaelin Shaw.
Senior Tyler Buchholtz (DE), junior Anthony Wright (DL) and senior Cameron Fraser (MLB) all return to a physical defensive unit that is eager to improve on its run defense.
“We have to be more physical on defense; we have to stop the run and force turnovers,” Merchant said. “We feel like we’re a lot bigger and a lot stronger than we were last year.”
Clinton Township Clintondale
Last season’s record: 5-5.
League: Macomb Area Conference White Division.
First game: at Grosse Pointe North, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
There was a change in the Clintondale locker room last season, and it all started after one game.
After starting 1-4 in 2021 and concluding a blowout loss to Marine City, Clintondale flipped the switch.
“We got blown out in Marine City, and our guys said that was enough,” Clintondale coach Dave Schindler said. “We played some of the best football in the last five games that we’ve ever played at Clintondale.”
Clintondale won four straight and made the playoffs to earn its third-straight playoff appearance, which last happened in 2004.
Clintondale will have a strong wide receiving core headlined by senior Jacorrie Bursey, and juniors Justin Hardnett and Shamar Pressley.
Senior quarterback Shane Keys will lead the Clintondale offense.
“He’s a smart kid with a strong arm, and he’s quick to run the ball,” Schindler said. “He’s everything we’re looking for in a quarterback.”
Fraser
Last season’s record: 6-4.
League: Macomb Area Conference Blue Division.
First game: vs. Troy Athens High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
With almost half of its roster containing seniors, leadership will be Fraser’s biggest strength as they build off their first back-to-back playoff appearances since 1994.
Seniors Marcellius Avery (RB) and Marlon Haugabook (WR) will lead the offensive unit, while senior linebackers Chris Carter and Zach Reedy anchor the defense.
Junior quarterback Jack Tury will command the huddle for Fraser.
“Nothing rattles him. He controls everything, and he doesn’t get too high or too low,” Fraser coach Jon Skladanowski said.
Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse
Last season’s record: 7-3.
League: Macomb Area Conference White Division.
First game: vs. Ferndale High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
It was a history-making season for L’Anse Creuse. For the first time ever in the football program, L’Anse Creuse made three straight playoff appearances following a 7-3 record in 2021.
With success comes challenge, and L’Anse Creuse will face a tough MAC-White schedule this season after competing in the Blue in 2021. L’Anse Creuse will face a six-week stretch consisting of Chippewa Valley, Utica Ford, Grosse Pointe South, Utica, St. Clair Shores Lakeview, and Roseville.
“We survive that and we take more wins than losses, we have a great chance to not only make the playoffs but be a well-tested team,” L’Anse Creuse coach Orande Roy said.
Roy has changed the culture of the program since taking over in 2019 and has the potential to make a huge splash this season with a senior-heavy offense.
Senior quarterback Jaiden Sanders will return under center, while senior wide receivers Donovan Weatherly and Mitchell Rivard are poised for a breakout year. Senior running back Alan OuYang returns to the offense this year after missing his junior season due to injury.
Junior defensive lineman Brandon Gordon and senior linebacker Stephfon White anchor the defensive unit.
Macomb Dakota
Last season’s record: 8-4.
League: Macomb Area Conference Red Division.
First game: vs. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice High, 4 p.m. Aug. 25.
Before falling to Romeo in regionals, Dakota was riding a six-game win streak that carried momentum into its 2022 campaign.
Dakota, who hasn’t missed the playoffs since 2000, returns senior quarterback Ethan Hamby along with seniors Quest Williams (TE), Owen Colpaert (WR) and Blake Garbarino (WR).
Seniors Michael Pittiglio (DT), Tyler Harper (OLB), Jacob Leija (FS) and Calvin Watson (OLB) lead an experienced defensive unit.
Dakota will face a difficult six-week opening stretch as they face Brother Rice, Utica, Anchor Bay, Stevenson, Chippewa Valley and Romeo.
Macomb L’Anse Creuse North
Last season’s record: 0-9.
League: Macomb Area Conference Blue Division.
First game: vs. Troy High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
Riding a 14-game losing streak that dates back to 2020, L’Anse Creuse North will transition to a Macomb Area Conference Blue schedule in 2022.
North will face Warren Cousino, who also currently holds a 14-game losing streak, in the second week of the season.
Senior quarterback Andrew Lowe will lead the North offense this season.
Macomb Lutheran North
Last season’s record: 6-4.
League: Catholic League Intersectional 1 Division.
First game: vs. St. Clair Shores South Lake High, 7 p.m. Aug. 26.
Following a 6-4 campaign last season, Macomb Lutheran North will look to improve on last year’s success.
After carrying a 2-3 record, North won four straight to punch its playoff ticket.
North made back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since 2007, and its balanced attack on both sides of the ball will strive for a third-straight appearance.
Mount Clemens
Last season’s record: 4-6.
League: Charter School Conference East Division.
First game: vs. Warren Lincoln High, 7 p.m. Aug. 26.
While Mount Clemens finished on a four-game losing streak, its 4-6 record was sufficient enough to earn back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since 1994.
Mount Clemens will feature an athletic offense led by junior running back Marquis Cribbs, senior wide receiver Eli Taylor, senior running back Josh Allen and senior wide receiver Amarious Gaines.
Sterling Heights
Last season’s record: 1-8.
League: Macomb Area Conference Blue Division.
First game: at Madison Heights Lamphere High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
From 2017-2021, Sterling Heights has won two or more games only once (2019). Sterling Heights averaged only eight points per game in its first three matchups in 2021 before the offense started to catch fire.
They’ll look to get the offense going early this year as they take on a tough Madison Heights Lamphere team in their opener.
Sterling Heights Parkway Christian
Last season’s record: 3-6.
League: Michigan Independent Athletic Conference.
First game: vs. Marine City Cardinal Mooney High, 7 p.m. Aug. 26.
Offense is a big key for Parkway Christian entering the 2022 season.
Junior running back Kyler Maiorana returns after a successful 2021 year and will lead an offense that looks to improve on its 11 points per game last year.
Senior linebacker Hunter Nysen, junior linebacker Mark Nesler Jr. and senior defensive tackle Jack Wolgast will forefront the Parkway Christian defense.
Sterling Heights Stevenson
Last season’s record: 10-3.
League: Macomb Area Conference Red Division
First game: vs. West Bloomfield High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
Stevenson’s success in 2021 amounted to a state semifinals loss and a 10-3 record, but crucial losses in running backs Jordan Kwiatkowski and Jordan Ramsey will affect Stevenson on both sides of the ball.
The defensive unit returns five starters with the secondary looking to have the most experienced group.
Seniors Tyler White, Kion Singletary and Jayden Kardasz, and junior Ahmad Hrhor, lead the experienced secondary for Stevenson.
Junior running backs Lucas Timbuc and Alex DeLorey headline the backfield, while Singletary and junior Evan Watson anchor the wideout spot.
Freshman Andrew Knight will command the huddle after impressing coaches early on in the summer.
Knight and Stevenson will be tested early as they face West Bloomfield in the opener.
“We feel we have a program that can compete with anybody, and that’s what we set out to do,” Stevenson coach Justin Newcomb said. “Every snap is a playoff-level snap in week one.”
Utica
Last season’s record: 5-5.
League: Macomb Area Conference White Division.
First game: at Rochester High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
While Utica’s roller coaster season ended in a 5-5 record, there’s a lot to like about Utica football heading into the 2022 season.
Utica, who went 1-3 in out-of-conference play, will face a new field of non-conference opponents who combined for a 18-21 record in 2021.
Seniors Tommie Boyd (WR/DB), Michael Bahoura (RB/LB), Jack Malone (QB/DB) and Julien Kilburg (RB/LB) are expected to provide the senior leadership for Utica.
Utica will have experience in the trenches with seniors Jacob Bush, Daniel Yarrington, Sal Chirco and Jake Garrison.
Utica Eisenhower
Last season’s record: 1-8.
League: Macomb Area Conference Red Division.
First game: vs. Lake Orion High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
After a 1-8 campaign in 2021 snapped its seven-year playoff streak, Utica Eisenhower’s schedule this season continues to be a powerhouse-loaded field.
Eisenhower was swept in conference play and went 0-2 against Oakland Activities Association opponents Lake Orion and West Bloomfield, who will be on Eisenhower’s 2022 schedule.
Seniors Benett Cardamone (WR/DB) and defensive end Luke Aniel headline the returning starters for Eisenhower.
Junior quarterback Preston Crum will lead the huddle as the offensive unit looks to improve on its 14 points per game in 2021.
Utica Ford II
Last season’s record: 3-6.
League: Macomb Area Conference White Division.
First game: vs. Temperance Bedford High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
In search of its first winning season since 2011, Ford will rely on its senior leadership to be the focal point of its success.
Senior quarterback and three-year starter Luke Kameg will run the offense in his final season, while juniors Jack Nilson (WR) and Conner Karash (RB) and senior team captain and wide receiver Niko Nunnery will be reliable targets in the Ford offense.
Senior team captain and linebacker Victor Hitzelburger and senior defensive tackle Ricardo Jackson will serve as the defensive leaders.
Sophomores expected to make an impact this season are Cam’Ron Flowers, Diego Harden, Dylan Isrow, Hunter Whitt and Michael Brown.
“We’re looking for some kids that played in our sophomore class to really take the lead this year,” Ford coach Mike Szalkiewicz said.