Western Lakes football preview

Western Division

School

Poll

Strength

Top players

Outlook

Livonia
Franklin
(5-4, 4-4)

58

Speed, strength

QB Jesse Carpenter; RB Cole Kelly; OL/LB Pat Cecile; TE/LB Jeff McCullough.

With 13 starters returning, coach Chris Kelbert expects big things. The team lost four games by a combine 21 points.

Canton
(12-1, 7-0)

56

LBs,
defensive
quickness

RB Dalton Walser; LB Dan Wanshon; SS Adam Powers.

Coach Tim Baechler expects his team to compete after two strong seasons where the Chiefs lost just four games.

Wayne
Memorial
(5-4, 3-3)

46

Team
speed

QB David Freeman; Jr. RB Alan Freeman; RG/DT Zac Kyle; RT Mike Davis; WR Antwain Calloway.

Coach Craig Hnatuk expects his team to compete because it has great chemistry. He guides a tough and nasty group.

Walled
Lake
Western

(6-4, 6-1)

38

Special
teams

OL Miklovan Gjokaj; OL Jake Dryer; Soph. QB Sam Welch; RB Montel Nix-Fleming; K Matt Watko.

Coach Mike Zdebski's team has the least coming back of any team in the league, but his kids are football smart and the team has potential.

Plymouth
(3-6, 3-5)

37

Speed,
strength

RB Myron Puryear; DE/TE Ronnie Goble; C/SS Spencer Tobin; DE/OT Sam Richards.

The Wildcats are shooting for the playoffs in coach Mike Sawchuk's first season, but the ball has to bounce the right way.

Northville
(2-7, 2-5)

32

Experience,
LBs

LB Greg Hasse; RB Andrew Devine; OT Kevin Kotas; Jr. WR Kris Baumgardner.

Coach Ryan Hockman has 16 starters back from a team that struggled to finish games. Expect to see the ball in the air. The Mustangs aren't opposed to throwing the ball 60 times per game.

 

Lakes Division

 

School

Poll

Strength

Top players

Outlook

Walled
Lake
Central

(9-3, 7-1)

47

Speed,
athleticism

LB/RB Adonis Adonakis; RB Steve Robinson; RB Mike Denison; DB Derek Bahri; QB Jack Kennedy; OL Brandon Decker.

Coach Bob Meyer expects to be a playoff team. The theme is "To Continue the Climb." The team was a regional finalist last season.

Livonia
Stevenson
(6-4, 5-2)

45

Experience

QB Mitchell White; SE Myles White; DB Pat York; RB Austin White.

Stevenson will rely on newcomers to the varsity to provide depth. How they fare will go a long way toward determining the team's success.

Livonia
Churchill
(3-6, 3-5)

40

Depth

TE/DE Kevin Tabone; WR Ryan Whittum; QB T.J. Tilley; RB Daran Carey; FB Max Dicicco.

It's an experienced team that returns nine on defense. The JV team went 8-1 last season, so team should challenge for a playoff spot.

Walled
Lake
Northern
(3-6, 2-4)

34

Defense

OT/DL Josh Phillips; WR/RB/FS Thomas Ropek; LB Jared Rose; WB/QB/DB Ryan Lotan; DE Russ Brandt; LB Mason Cummings; DL Alex Janis.

Coach Mike Fras says this will be the strongest up-the-middle defense in the league. The offense is young. The team is counting on six sophomores on offense.

Westland
John Glenn
(3-6, 3-5)

34

Defensive
front

RB C.J Woodford; RB Ryan Lopez; QB Keshawn Martin; RB Dazz Bragg; OL Greg Bevel; DL Adam Sonak.

Coach Todd DeLuca expects to be a power running team with play-action passes. Trying to develop the receiving corps.

Plymouth
Salem
(0-9, 0-7)

25

Commitment
to improving

Jr. QB Heath Parling; WR Jesse Pointer; Jr. TB Anthony Mullins; WR/DL Jeremy Epley; DL Tom Engle.

Second-year coach Parker Salowich expects to be able to compete in all nine games as he is still building a program.

BY VINCE ELLIS, FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BY VINCE ELLIS, FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER