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Madison Heights Lamphere looks to improve on its 7-3 record in 2021.
Photo provided by Ray Ostrowski
Auburn Hills Avondale
Last season’s record: 4-6.
League: Oakland Activities Association Gold Division.
First game: at Warren Cousino High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
Graduating both its starting quarterback and two running backs from last year’s team, Avondale’s offense is young on paper, but could be strong on the field.
Seniors DeShawn Robinson (OL) and Terry Daniel (FB) will serve as the senior leaders while sophomores Cameron Washington (OL), Cooper Voeffray (WR) and Justin Greer-Sykes (WR) will look to make a name for themselves.
The defense will likely help determine Avondale’s success this year, as 10 of 11 starters from 2021 return. Alongside Robinson on the defensive line is senior Denzel White, who tallied 68 tackles and 10 sacks last season.
Seniors Reefe Henderson (DL), Mason Moore (DB) and Calvin Cade (DB) will solidify the senior-heavy defensive unit.
Look for junior Myles Moore to improve on his 2021 campaign in which he totaled 56 tackles and three sacks.
Berkley
Last season’s record: 7-3.
League: Oakland Activities Association Gold Division.
First game: vs. Milan High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
After a successful 2021 campaign brought Berkley back-to-back winning seasons, the graduation woes have hit the defensive unit hard.
Returning only one starter on the defense in senior defensive end David Rolands, senior leadership from Rolands mixed with unproven youth will be a recipe that Berkley is hoping leads to success.
“The seniors being what we expected them to be would be the main reason why we’re so successful,” Berkley coach Sean Shields said.
Berkley returns seven on the offensive side with senior running backs Savod Daniels and Miron Dover anchoring the offense.
Senior tight end Nolan Wesner and senior wide receiver Grant Clark will handle the bulk of the receptions.
Clawson
Last season’s record: 7-3.
League: Macomb Area Conference Bronze Division.
First game: vs. Perry High, 7 p.m. Aug. 26.
For the first time in school history, Clawson football made four straight playoff appearances after a six-game win streak last season propelled them to the playoffs.
Senior linebacker Braylon Davenport will lead the defensive side while senior wide receiver Carter Ervin will lead the offense.
Clawson will have a key matchup early as it faces state finals runner-up Marine City in week two.
Ferndale
Last season’s record: 1-8.
League: Oakland Activities Association Gold Division.
First game: at L’Anse Creuse High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
Call it growing pains for Ferndale in 2021, but there’s much more to expect this season from Ferndale coach Eric Royal and his guys.
Returning eight players on each side of the ball and graduating only three seniors last year, Ferndale’s experienced squad is looking to make some noise this season.
“Last year on any given snap, on all nine games, we were playing six to seven freshmen on all levels; I think that was a big eye-opener heading into this offseason,” Royal said. “Our experience coming back is going to be a huge help for us.”
Headlining the returning skill positions on the offensive side are seniors Darnell Bates (QB), Cordae McAllister (WR), and Jabari McCune (RB). Senior Donye Edward-Carson, senior Darrell Kern, senior Quintin Sands, and junior Lavar Croxton will man the offensive and defensive trenches.
Ferndale will be immediately tested in its first two weeks against Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse and Grand Rapids West Catholic, who combined for a 16-5 record in 2021.
Hazel Park
Last season’s record: 4-5.
League: Macomb Area Conference Bronze Division.
First game: vs. Imlay City High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
Having only one winning season since 2010, Hazel Park looks to improve on both sides of the ball heading into the 2022 season.
Hazel Park will play a MAC-Bronze schedule this year after going 1-4 in conference play in the MAC-Silver in 2021.
Hazel Park’s MAC-Bronze opponents for this season combined for a 14-30 record in 2021.
Senior linebacker Davion Jackson will lead the defensive unit while senior wide receiver Jihad Ragland and junior running back Darnell Johnson will anchor the offense.
Lake Orion
Last season’s record: 3-6.
League: Oakland Activities Association Red Division.
First game: at Utica Eisenhower High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
Hoping to return to its winning ways, Lake Orion returns a healthy amount of speed and athleticism to its team this year.
Senior wide receivers Dorian Hill and Caleb Jones will headline the wide receiving core while junior running back Billy Roberson will handle the bulk of the carries.
Edwin Morris (Sr.), Carlo Fortino (Sr.), and Connor O’Rourke (Jr.) will anchor the offensive front.
Lake Orion fields an experienced defensive unit with seniors Judah Kinne (DL), JP Patterson (DL), Alec Fisher (DL), and Patrick Rowland (LB) all returning.
Defensive backs Korbin Smith (Jr.) and Trey Pochmara (So.) are poised for a solid year.
Madison Heights Bishop Foley
Last season’s record: 8-2.
League: Catholic League Intersectional 1.
First game: at Pontiac, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
For the first time in school history, Bishop Foley earned four straight winning seasons and playoff appearances after a successful 2021 campaign.
Bishop Foley will look to continue its historic success this year as it returns a healthy number of starters on both sides of the ball.
Seniors Jackson Zeiter (RB) and Adam Kidder (WR) headline the senior-led offense, while seniors Lorenzo Martinez (WR) and Angelo Costanza (QB/DB), who was first team all-state last year, complement the offense.
Costanza, who played at the wideout position last year, transitioned to quarterback this year after Bishop Foley graduated its starter last season.
”We’re still doing what we’re doing, but we’re going to tailor it to his skill set,” Bishop Foley coach Brian Barnes said.
Senior defensive linemen Nathan Brewer, Drew Mleckzo, Logan Renner and Jack Hopkins solidify a physical front four.
Madison Heights Lamphere
Last season’s record: 7-3.
League: Macomb Area Conference Silver Division.
First game: vs. Sterling Heights, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
Lamphere football has become a problem for other teams, and high school football fans should start to take notice.
After earning back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2010, coach Ray Ostrowski has his guys fired up for the 2022 season.
Sophomore Aidan Grzesikowski will command the offense for Lamphere while seniors Sema-j Ramsey and Aidan Robinette round out the wide receivers for Lamphere.
Senior running back Ben Hernandez will take the place of his brother, Nico, who graduated in 2022, as the feature back for Lamphere’s offense while sophomore Amaleki Harris-Ward will be an athletic threat offensively.
Senior David McKalpain (OL/DL) and junior Trent Jackson (OL/DL) will man the trenches for Lamphere.
While the last two years have been an impressive turnaround for Lamphere, the 2022 season will be a true testament to what Lamphere football can become.
“As soon as the culture changes and develops, you’re going to have a powerhouse here,” Ostrowski said.
Madison Heights Madison
Last season’s record: 2-7.
League: Macomb Area Conference Bronze Division.
First game: vs. Eastpointe High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
The 2022 season was a blow to Madison’s 16-year playoff streak, but 2022 could be a step forward toward another streak. Madison came out the gate 2-0 last season before dropping seven straight.
Senior running back Corey Hana and junior wide receivers Jamarion Jones and Melik Munson return to the Madison offense this year in hopes of regaining the offensive success that Madison found early last season.
Junior cornerback Dior Walker and senior defensive tackle Zane Dunnigan will control the defensive unit for Madison.
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Last season’s record: 7-3.
League: Independent.
First game: at Clinton High, 7 p.m. Aug. 26.
While three straight winning seasons is something to be proud of, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep is going to have a tough test in 2021.
While Marine City and Harper Woods — both losses in 2021 — are not on the schedule this year for Notre Dame Prep, they’ve been replaced with Gladwin and Clinton, who combined for an 18-4 record last year.
Notre Dame Prep’s young squad will be headlined by juniors Jacob Tuttle (QB) and Bradon Prater (RB).
Rochester
Last season’s record: 5-4.
League: Oakland Activities Association White Division.
First game: vs. Utica High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
While Rochester didn’t return a large number of starters for 2022, the team has seniors and returning starters in all the right places.
Senior quarterback Alex Bueno returns under center while seniors Jaiden Bolden (WR/DB) and Grant Calcagno (RB/DB) solidify crucial skill spots for Rochester.
Seniors Noah Putrus (LB) and Khamani Potts (DE) add veteran leadership to a young defensive core.
Rochester will have an early test this season as it faces Utica, Rochester Adams, Bloomfield Hills, Southfield A&T, Harper Woods, and Oak Park in its first six weeks of play.
Rochester Adams
Last season’s record: 13-1.
League: Oakland Activities Association Red Division.
First game: vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
What a year it was for the Rochester Adams football program.
Aside from winning the Oakland Activities Associaton-White league title, Rochester Adams won 13 straight games before falling to Belleville in the Division I state championship.
Adams will have to fill the voids of a few key senior departures, but a strong junior varsity team should give Adams some added depth for this season.
Junior tight end Brady Prieskorn is poised for another dominant year after showing why he’s one of the best tight ends in the country in 2021.
Seniors Parker Picot (QB) and Nick Paterra (WR) will return to bolster the offense alongside Prieskorn.
Senior Tait Picot returns to the linebacking core after breaking Adams’ single-season tackles record in 2021.
Joining Picot on defense are seniors Hassan Murray (DT), Tanner Buck (MLB) and Rocco Orsini (MLB).
Adams coach Tony Patritto said there’s one key factor this team needs to achieve if it’s going to return to Ford Field.
“If we develop that kind of chemistry with this team, our plan is to win the state championship,” Patritto said.
Adams will end its regular season with a heavy two-week stretch against Harper Woods and Sterling Heights Stevenson.
Rochester Hills Stoney Creek
Last season’s record: 4-5.
League: Oakland Activities Association Red Division.
First game: at Detroit Mumford High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
After last season spoiled Stoney Creek’s attempt at making three straight playoff appearances for the first time in school history, coach Nick Merlo’s squad returns battle-tested for 2022.
Senior running back Jon Fogler returns as the offensive focal point while senior Sam McDermott and junior Jonah McKay solidify the receiving core.
Fogler will be running behind an experienced offensive line with Kendall Pope (Sr.), GianMarco LoChirco (Sr.), Calvin Gibson (Sr.), Jacob Kropchak (Jr.), and Roman Lambert (Jr.) anchoring the offensive line.
The defense returns nine starters with senior Seth Luhmann and junior Adam Bazzi as the linebacking core while junior Kyle Parks (DB) and senior Ben Korson (DL) will add contributions as well.
Stoney Creek has another impressive schedule with West Bloomfield, Rochester Adams, Anchor Bay and Clarkston all making appearances.
“We really believe that to make runs in the playoffs we’re going to face MAC Red and OAA schools in the playoffs,” Merlo said. “We’d rather sharpen our swords and go through the gauntlet to get to the playoffs.”
Royal Oak
Last season’s record: 2-7.
League: Oakland Activities Association Gold Division.
First game: at Holly High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
If Royal Oak is to find success this year, it’ll be mainly behind its strong junior and senior classes. The junior varsity team went 7-2 in 2021, and the varsity squad has recouped a healthy amount of talent for the 2022 season.
The offense will be manned by senior quarterback Hudson Sidle, and he’ll have Central Michigan commit and senior running back Mekhi Jenkins by his side for another season.
“Mekhi is the most explosive back that I’ve seen in my 16 years of coaching football,” Royal Oak coach Dustyn Truitt said.
The offensive line returns four starters in senior Evan Towery, senior Elly Finch, junior Aiden Tesch, and Carsen Troub.
Junior linebackers Steven Johnson and Anthony Garcia will command the linebacking core while juniors Colton De Shais and Owen Louwers will lead the secondary for Royal Oak.
“Our biggest key to being successful this year is to shore up the defense,” Truitt said. “Last year they surrendered 30.1 points per game, and if any team is giving up that many points, they’re not going to win; we’ve really been preaching home that these guys have to limit the scoring.”
Royal Oak Shrine
Last season’s record: 5-4.
League: Catholic League Intersectional 2.
First game: vs. Grass Lake High, 7 p.m. Aug 26.
Following an 0-3 start, Shrine Catholic rallied behind a four-game winning streak to finish the season with a winning record for a third straight year.
Senior wide receiver Andrew Bala and senior running back Luke Thompson return to command the offense while senior Collin Buchanan and junior Calvin Labiano anchor the trenches.
Shrine features a no-huddle offense with multiple formations and personnel.
“It has its challenges to be honest with you. It takes a lot of patience and understanding,” Shrine coach Oscar Olejniczak said.
With only 26 players on the roster and 11 being freshmen, Shrine will have to work overtime to prepare its personnel for both a no-huddle offense and to play on both sides of the ball.
Southfield A&T
Last season’s record: 2-7.
League: Oakland Activities Association White Division.
First game: vs. Cass Tech High, 7 p.m. Aug. 26.
After a 2-1 start last season, Southfield A&T went winless in their final six matchups to miss out on a playoff berth.
While the program has struggled to reclaim its 2016 success, when it went 8-4 and made it to regionals, juniors Isaiah Marshall (QB) and Tashi Braceful (WR) will headline a strong Southfield A&T offense.
Senior free safety Devon Buskin, junior defensive end Mathias Davis, and junior Jalen Todd will look to anchor the defensive unit.
Southfield A&T opens up with a tough four-week stretch against Cass Tech, Clarkston, Harper Woods and Rochester.
Troy
Last season’s record: 8-2.
League: Oakland Activities Association Blue.
First game: at L’Anse Creuse North High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
Talk about a hot start for Troy football in 2021 as coach Chris Frasier’s squad won eight straight games to open the season.
Frasier said the success from the senior group last season has carried over into the team for 2022.
“I think our guys overall have a lot of confidence from watching the seniors last year,” Frasier said. “I think this group is using last year and the senior group from last year as a role model.”
With only four returning starters on each side of the ball, seniors Darius Whiteside II (WR) and Max Hayden (OL) will provide the offensive leadership that Frasier will lean on.
Junior running back Nolan Block will handle the bulk of the carries this year.
Seniors Ray Mazreku (ILB) and Nick Friesen (SS) will lead a defensive unit that allowed just over 11 points per game in 2021.
Troy Athens
Last season’s record: 5-4.
League: Oakland Activities Association Blue Division.
First game: at Fraser High, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
While Troy Athens achieved its first winning season since 2015 last year, it didn’t feel right with how the team ended the year.
Athens started 4-0 before dropping four of its last five to end the year, but it’s a new team with a new coach as Tom Cook steps in as head coach.
Athens will have the bulk of its offense returning, as seniors Austin Pokley (RB) and Kyree Harper (WR) headline the skills positions for the Athens offense.
Seniors Alex Afnan (DL) and Jaden Najm (DB) solidify the senior leadership on a defensive unit that returns only four starters from 2021.
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