Michigan high school football 2021: Predicting conference winners - Detroit Free Press
Michigan high school football will kick off this week.
Wright Wilson, Dana Gauruder, Tom Lang and Brad Emons predict conference winners and highlight games and players to watch for the 2021 MHSAA football season.
Catholic High School League
CENTRAL DIVISION
Predicted finish: 1. Novi Detroit Catholic Central; 2. Orchard Lake St. Mary's; 3. Warren De La Salle; 4. Birmingham Brother Rice.
Why Catholic Central: The Shamrocks have won or shared five out of the past six Central titles, and they ran the table last year with a bunch of juniors adapting to a new offensive scheme. Now, quarterback Declan Byle, wide receiver Owen Semp, running backs Mo Jaffer and Sean Field, and Kamron Davenport are primed for big senior seasons. But CC must watch out for St. Mary's, which hopes to send coach George Porritt out a winner in his 32nd and final season.
AA DIVISION
Predicted finish: 1. U-D Jesuit; 2. Dearborn Divine Child; 3. Detroit Loyola.
Why U-D Jesuit: Like most teams in the AA, the Cubs' 2020 season was a mixed bag. After beating Divine Child by five touchdowns, a 2-0 forfeit to Loyola kept them from going to the Prep Bowl. UD-Jesuit also performed well in one-point losses to Lake Orion and Oak Park (in the district playoffs). All of that has made the Cubs hungry for success this year, as QB Nathan Brown and WR Chris Mutebi hope to get the offense clicking.
INTERSECTIONAL-1
Predicted finish: 1. Madison Heights Bishop Foley; 2. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook; 3-tie. Ann Arbor Richard and Macomb Lutheran North; 5. Riverview Richard.
Why Bishop Foley: Ten starters return on offense and nine on defense from a team that won two playoff games last fall. WR Adam Kidder and RB/KR Jackson Zeiter — both juniors — are among the division's fastest players, so QB Dylan Gough won't hesitate to get them the ball. Riverview Richard is the three-time defending division champ, but the rest of the league has a wait-and-see attitude now that the Pioneers have a new coach and substantial graduation losses.
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INTERSECTIONAL-2
Predicted finish: 1. Clarkston Everest Collegiate; 2. Royal Oak Shrine; 3. Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett; 4. Marine City Cardinal Mooney; 5. Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes; 6. Allen Park Cabrini.
Why Everest: Again, the division should come down to Everest or Shrine, but the Mountaineers find themselves with more depth. The Mountaineers still have a sour feeling of "What if…" since a positive COVID-19 test removed them from last January's state semifinal against eventual Division 8 champion Centreville. University-Liggett, with its five-wide offensive scheme, could be a dark-horse contender.
Top players: Brady Ploucha, Divine Child Sr. OT/DT (Central Michigan); Will Beesley, De La Salle Sr. LB (Princeton); Lorenzo Vitti, Divine Child Sr. CB (Navy); DeCorion Temple, O.L. St. Mary's Sr. TE (Central Michigan); Jordan Cannon, O.L. St. Mary's Sr. LB; Owen Semp, Catholic Central Sr. WR; Cole Lacanaria, Brother Rice Sr. Slot; D.C. Temple, O.L. St. Mary's Sr. TE; Declan Byle, Catholic Central Sr. QB; Anthony Garrett, Loyola Sr. QB.
Top games: Pretty much any Central Division game will fit the bill. Prime picks include De La Salle at St. Mary's on Sept. 24 and Brother Rice at Catholic Central in the Boys' Bowl two days later. … Between the two, UD-Jesuit hosts Loyola in the AA's biggest rivalry game, on Sept. 25. … The Intersectional-1 favorite be established by the Bishop Foley at Cranbrook result on Sept. 18, while it could be Shrine at Everest for all the marbles in Intersectional-2 on Oct. 15. … The Central and AA winners match up, as do both Intersectional winners, in the Catholic League Prep Bowl on Oct. 22.
Extra credit: De La Salle rebounded from its 2019 hazing scandal to reach the Division 2 state championship game last January. Perhaps that's the start of a new streak of having at least one Catholic League team playing in the state finals. The string of 26 years ended in 2019 — when De La Salle was the league's best hope to reach Ford Field. For those who want to get technical, state champs that year included Monroe St. Mary-Catholic Central, which belongs to the Archdiocese of Detroit but plays in the Huron League.
— Wilson
Charter School Conference
EAST DIVISION
Predicted finish: 1. Warren Michigan Collegiate; 2. Detroit Edison; 3. Harper Woods Chandler Park; 4. Mount Clemens; 5. Pontiac Arts & Tech.
Why Warren Michigan Collegiate: The Cougars have overwhelmed their division foes for many years and last season was no different, as they won every contest by at least 28 points. They lost a one-point decision to Clinton in the Division 6 regionals. This year's squad is spearheaded by senior quarterback Deion Black, wide receiver Tre Redding and running back Jaylen Snead. Javion Mathews, Joshua Kennedy and Anthony Thomas anchor both lines, while junior Mikquan McClain will make his presence felt at running back and linebacker.
WEST DIVISION
Predicted finish: 1. Romulus Summit; 2. Detroit Leadership; 3. Detroit Community; 4. Detroit Voyageur; 5. Southfield Bradford, 6. Melvindale Academy.
Why Romulus Summit: Summit will be looking to reach the district final for a third consecutive year. Freshman LaDanian Woods jumps right into the lineup at quarterback for a school that has posted 15 wins the past two seasons. Tight end and linebacker Dylan Purry causes matchup problems on both sides of the ball. Jaylen Swain — like Purry a four-year starter — will make an impact as a wideout and defensive back. Linebacker Markel Holt and two-way players Jeremiah Dallas-Martin and Dayshawn Jones are proven performers.
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Top players: Warren Michigan Collegiate QB/DB Deion Black, WR/DB Tre Redding, RB/DL Jaylen Snead; Summit TE/LB Dylan Purry, WR/DB Jaylen Swain, LB Markel Holt; Edison RB/LB Jordan Kennedy.
Top game: Romulus Summit vs. Detroit Leadership, Sept. 17. The Dragons blanked the Cougars last season, 19-0. That avenged a two-point loss to Detroit Leadership the previous season. Can the Cougars contain Summit freshman quarterback Woods, who coach Matthew Swain calls one of the best young arm talents in the area? That could be the deciding factor.
— Gauruder
Detroit Public School League
DIVISION I
Predicted finish: 1. Cass Tech; 2. King; 3. Renaissance; 4. Mumford; 5. Henry Ford; 6. Western; 7.East English Village.
Why Cass Tech: To no one's surprise, it's a two-team race between Cass and King once again. While former head coach Thomas Wilcher took a job with Michigan State, he didn't leave behind an empty cupboard — several returning starters played key roles in Cass' 2020 PSL championship victory (41-19 over King). The 2021 Technicians will be a bit different from recent years in that their strength (and size) is in the trenches, providing great protection for junior QB Leeshaun Mumpfield to find receivers.
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DIVISION II
Predicted finish: 1. Southeastern; 2. Central, 3. Denby; 4. Collegiate Prep-Northwestern; 5. Cody; 6-tie. Osborn and Pershing; 8. Communication and Media Arts; 9. Douglass.
Why Southeastern: It's more like a three-team race in the smaller division, but several factors are working in the Jungaleers' favor: Division II's top returning running back, DeSean Matthews, following blocks of the top returning offensive lineman, Camren May, guided by the reigning coach of the year, Courtney Dinkins. Central, which has played for the PSL II title for the past several years, must rebuild in the skill positions. Denby has been solid recently as a mid-sized school, and now can emerge from the shadow of King.
Top players: Lynn Wyche-El, King Sr. WR; Deone Walker, Cass Tech Sr. OT/NG; Dante Moore, King Jr. QB; Masai Reddick, Cass Tech Sr. OL (Tennessee); Jameel Gardner, Cass Tech Sr. WR (Bowling Green); Jameel Croft, King Jr. DB; Camren May, Southeastern Sr. OL/DL; Jackson Pruitt, Cass Tech Sr. OG; Chansey Willis, King Sr. WR; DeSean Matthews, Southeastern Sr. RB.
Top games: When's the Cass-King showdown? That would be Sept. 10 at King, and a rematch is likely in the PSL title game, Oct. 15 at East English Village. … In Division II, catch the 1-2-3 punch of Southeastern at Central, Central at Denby and Denby at Southeastern on successive Saturdays beginning Sept. 11. … Outside the PSL, King brings in defending Division 2 state champion Muskegon Mona Shores on Sept. 3 — the same night Renaissance hosts River Rouge and Cass travels to Muskegon.
Extra credit: Yet again the PSL has a new alignment, condensing four divisions into two. Division 1 has seven teams (made up of schools in MHSAA divisions 1-4) and Division 2 has nine (MHSAA divisions 5-8). While that seems unbalanced,league director Jay Alexander said the driving factors were to eliminate the extreme discrepancies in enrollment between division foes and have a more equitable system for qualifying for state playoff berths.
— Wilson
Downriver League
Coaches poll: 1. Woodhaven; 2. Allen Park; 3. Wyandotte Roosevelt; 4. Gibraltar Carlson; 5. Trenton; 6. Southgate Anderson; 7. Dearborn Edsel Ford; 8. Taylor; 9. Lincoln Park.
Why Woodhaven: Very simply, the Warriors seem to have the most depth, retuning nine senior starters from last year's league-leading 7-2 team that went down to Cass Tech in the playoffs. Senior Cornell Perry returns at strong safety/slot back and is committed to Syracuse for college ball.
Top games: Allen Park vs. Wyandotte is a tough opener for two top teams. Then Woodhaven gets Allen Park on Sept. 24. And on Oct. 8, Woodhaven wants to avenge last year's loss to Wyandotte. Carlson hopes to hang in there long enough to help determine the league outcome when playing Woodhaven in Week 9.
Top players: Woodhaven S/WR Cornell Perry, WR/CB Darion Nundley, RB/DB Dorian Davis, QB Ashton Mohlman; Southgate RB/DE Brennan Means and OL/LB Charlie Mickel; CarlsonWR/DB Jaishaun Williams, RB/LB Cody Britt and TE/DE Ben Przytula; Allen Park QB/LB Ethan Gajewski and OL/DL Brady Montie (6-4, 290); Lincoln Park WR/DB Jon Jackson; Wyandotte QB Donavan Canterberry, RB Deandre Bell, WR/TE Ethan Breaux.
— Lang
Huron League
Predicted finish: 1. Milan; 2. Riverview; 3. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central; 4. New Boston Huron; 5. Carleton Airport; 6. Grosse Ile; 7. Flat Rock; 8. Monroe Jefferson.
Why Milan: This season, it seems there will be more of an emphasis around the league on playmakers, and Milan has two of the best: dual-threat QB Cole McElvany and elusive RB-WR/DB Jett Isaacs. The duo powered the Big Reds into the regional final last winter. The Big Reds will get a push from Riverview, seeking to become the Huron's first back-to-back champ since SMCC in 2014-15.
Top players: Cole McElvany, Milan Sr. QB; Isaac Smith, New Boston Huron Sr. WR; Jett Isaacs, Milan Sr. RB-WR/DB; Landon Kincaid, Riverview Sr. TE/DE; Joey Sinarski, Flat Rock Sr. OT/DT.
Top games: The league slate begins in the second week, but there are several openers worth checking out: Riverview christens its new field against Dearborn Divine Child on (Week 1), Almont visits SMCC in a battle of 2019 finalists (Week 1), and Milan challenges Warren Michigan Collegiate, Aug. 28 at Madison Heights Bishop Foley. … In conference play, Milan at Riverview (Oct. 1) could decide the Huron League outcome, while Riverview at Huron (Sept. 10) will be an early indicator.
Extra credit: Under the "all in" playoff format last season, the Huron League collectively put up 12 postseason wins — most of them against members of neighboring conferences. Riverview and Huron each had their playoff runs ended by Division 3 state finalist River Rouge, an independent team. Milan and Grosse Ile fell in the regional finals to Williamston and Grand Rapids Catholic Central, respectively.
— Wilson
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Independent Schools
The buzz: Metro Detroit's nonaffiliated teams pack quite a punch. Birmingham Detroit Country Day is the defending Division 4 state champion, exemplifying the maxim "defense wins championships." QB Brandon Mann will be the face of the Yellowjackets this fall. … While River Rouge faces a near-overhaul of its starting lineup, the Panthers remain well-stocked with college prospects, most notably returning starting WR Jalen Holly. … Harper Woods has several college prospects, but plays one of the toughest schedules statewide. The Pioneers will lean on two senior transfers, WR Tay'Shawn Trent and QB Vinny Booth, before joining the Oakland Activities Association in 2022. … Pontiac Notre Dame Prep has been solid in recent seasons, if not flashy. … New to the independent ranks this year: Livonia Clarenceville (formerly of the MIAC), Highland Park Sigma Academy (a new school, coached by Al Demps, most recently at Eastpointe) and Auburn Hills Oakland Christian (playing 8-man football).
Top players: Tay'Shawn Trent, Harper Woods Sr. WR (transfer from Eastpointe) (Michigan); Christion Stokes, Harper Woods Sr. RB/S (West Virginia); Jalen Holly, River Rouge Sr. WR/DB (Bowling Green); Davonte Miles, River Rouge Sr. DL; Brandon Mann, Country Day Sr. QB/S/P; Jacob Oden, Harper Woods Soph. Ath.; Vinny Booth, Harper Woods Sr. QB (transfer from Divine Child); Evan Noga, Notre Dame Prep Sr. TE/DE; Jaylen Watson, River Rouge Soph. WR; Breon Key, Harper Woods Sr. OT/DT.
Top games: As the season picks up steam, so do the independent schools' schedules. Harper Woods visits Orchard Lake St. Mary's on Sept. 10 and Detroit Loyola is at Notre Dame Prep that same night. … Notre Dame Prep is at Harper Woods Sept. 17. … The following week (Sept. 24) features Country Day at Harper Woods, while Divine Child is at Notre Dame Prep. … In Week 9 (Oct. 22), River Rouge hosts Southfield A&T and Country Day is at Birmingham Brother Rice.
Extra credit: Beyond the titles for Country Day last year and River Rouge in 2019, four other schools have won state championships while playing as independents. Muskegon Catholic Central leads with seven titles, most recently in 2013 (Division 8). That list also includes Saginaw Nouvel (three, most recently in Div. 7 during 2011), Muskegon (1986 and 1989 Class A), and Whittemore-Prescott (2000, Div. 6).
— Wilson
Kensington Lakes Activities Association
EAST DIVISION
Predicted finish: 1. Belleville; 2. Livonia Churchill; 3. Dearborn Fordson; 4. Livonia Franklin; 5. Livonia Stevenson; 6. Dearborn; 7. Westland Glenn; 8. Wayne Memorial.
Why Belleville: With Division I-caliber playmakers all over the field, the only question concerning the Tigers (coming off a 10-1 season) is finding a suitable replacement for quarterback Christian Dhue-Reid, a four-year starter who went 44-2 during his career and reset the MHSAA all-time touchdown passing mark. Belleville will have plenty of tests in the East Division looming facing regional finalist Churchill (6-3), Fordson (5-3) and Franklin (5-4).
WEST DIVISION
Predicted finish: 1. Canton; 2. Brighton; 3. Howell; 4. Northville; 5. Hartland; 6. Plymouth; 7. Novi; 8. Plymouth Salem.
Why Canton: Fourth-year coach Andrew LaFata has a solid core of returning players from last year's 8-1 squad, led by the talented backfield of senior back Zack Badger, who cracked the 1,000-yard barrier, and Wesley Faulkner. The patented Canton Wing-T attack will be anchored on the offensive line by senior Giulian Bodiu, while Arturo Trevino takes over at quarterback. If Canton slips up, likely contenders for the West Division title include Brighton (4-3 along with Howell (4-4), which looks to be much improved under second-year coach Mike Lewis.
Top players: Belleville DB Myles Rowser (Arkansas commit) ATH/WR Christian Rapley, WR/DB Jeremiah Caldwell, ATH Aaron Alexander (U-M commit); Churchill CB Joshua Brown, WR Bailey Brooks; Fordson WR Antonio Gates Jr. (MSU commit), OL Ka'Marii Landers; Franklin RB Cordel Mabins, QB Zac Olesuk; Stevenson OL Shaun Shahu, LB Quincy Salter; Dearborn QB Ali Murray, DE Ray Berry; John Glenn RB Dae Scott, RB Damon Powers; Wayne OL/DL Kaden Anderson, DE/TE, Jason Jones; Canton RB Zack Badger, OL/DL Giulian Bodiu; Brighton OL/DT Aiden Webb, OT Jack Story; Howell QB Nolan Petru, RB August Johanningsmeier (WMU commit); Northville WR Kai Saunders, OL/DT Jake Merritt; Hartland K/P Nathan Diebert (LSU commit), QB/WR Brad Sollom; Plymouth OT/LB Tyler Harris, QB Connor Sherman; Novi DL Tommy Phimister, DB/WB Tyler Patrick; Salem RB Ty Wagner, OL Nick Barrett.
Top games: Belleville at Churchill, Sept. 10. This early-season showdown should go a long way to determining who will win the East Division and possibly the KLAA overall. Another pivotal matchup is Oct. 1 when Brighton visits defending West champ Canton, a game that could decide the division crown. The best opening season game is Aug. 26 when Fordson tackles Canton in the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State.
— Emons
Lakes Valley Conference
Predicted finish: 1. South Lyon; 2. Walled Lake Western; 3. White Lake Lakeland; 4. Waterford Mott; 5. Walled Lake Northern; 6. South Lyon East; 7. Waterford Kettering; 8. Walled Lake Central; 9. Milford.
Why South Lyon: The Lions (5-3), who had their opening-round 2020 postseason tourney prematurely cut short by a positive COVID-19 result, return seven starters on offense and eight on defense for sixth-year coach Jeff Henson. The biggest issue facing South Lyon will be replacing four starters on the offensive line, but a solid group of juniors coupled with an undefeated and dominant JV squad should be able to fill the void.
Top players: South Lyon WR/DB Quinn Fracassi, QB Dawson Skupin, RB/DB Dakota Blackwell; Walled Lake Western QB Drew Viotto, LB/RB/WR Aidan Vaughan (Air Force commit), WR Koen Entringer (CMU commit), DB/WR Darius Taylor; Lakeland QB Tate Farquhar, G/DL Dillon Gacki; Waterford Mott CB Teshawn Johnson, Ashton Tong DB/WR, OG C.J. Aldred; Walled Lake Northern WR/DB Drew Garcia, QB Nathan Dunlap; South Lyon East OLB/RB Khari Johnson, OL/DL Grant Roslinski; Kettering WR/DB Zarek Zielinski, RB/OLB Zane Grant; Walled Lake Central WR Ryan Nelson, RB Malachi Vincent; Milford QB Billy Sternberg, DB Jake Pasuit.
Top games: It will be an early-season test as South Lyon visits Walled Lake Western on Aug. 26. The Lions then play back-to-back against Division 4 state champ and nonconference foe Beverly Hills Detroit Country Day on Sept. 17 at home followed by another key LVC matchup on Sept. 24 at Lakeland.
— Emons
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Macomb Area Conference
RED DIVISION
Predicted finish: 1. Sterling Heights Stevenson; 2. Macomb Dakota; 3. Grosse Pointe South; 4. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley; 5. Romeo; 6. Utica Eisenhower.
Why Stevenson: The Titans have come up big in the past two seasons. The current crop of players has five postseason victories and were knocked out of the playoffs each time by the eventual state champions. While that doesn't guarantee success in the Red — where most of the division's teams have a legitimate shot — the Titans' chances increase behind a trio of senior playmakers: RB/LB Jordan Kwiatkowski, RB/S Jordan Ramsey and QB Biagio Madonna.
WHITE DIVISION
Predicted finish: 1. New Baltimore Anchor Bay; 2. Warren Mott; 3. St. Clair Shores Lakeview; 4. Utica; 5. Utica Ford II; 6. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North.
Why Anchor Bay: The Tars have had a year to adjust to the system brought in by Mike Giannone, who guided Macomb Dakota and Warren De La Salle to two state titles apiece. Not that last year required a big learning curve — Anchor Bay was the surprise winner of the White Division in 2020, upsetting Warren-Mott in the final league game.
BLUE DIVISION
Predicted finish: 1. Port Huron; 2. Harrison Township L'Anse Creuse; 3. Fraser; 4. Port Huron Northern; 5. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore; 6. Sterling Heights.
Why Port Huron: Yes, the Big Reds graduated seven All-MAC players and former coach Ryan Mullins retired, but Port Huron's program is still in a good place. Longtime assistant Dan Perkins takes the reins, so there's no reason to change things. Expect the Big Reds — who have won eight games in each of the past two seasons — to lean heavily on RB Gabe Mose.
GOLD DIVISION
Predicted finish: 1. Roseville; 2. Grosse Pointe North; 3. Eastpointe; 4. Warren Woods Tower; 5. St. Clair; 6. Warren Cousino.
Why Roseville: The Panthers were contending for the Gold crown last fall but fell to Eastpointe (who has several question this time around). WR Tyrell Henry is one of the MAC's top playmakers and if defenses double-team Henry, that will create opportunities for the athletic junior Amare Snowden. The Panthers have a focal point in the trenches with Miami of Ohio commit Malachi Clark.
SILVER DIVISION
Predicted finish: 1. Marine City; 2. Marysville; 3. Warren Fitzgerald; 4. Clinton Township Clintondale; 5. Madison Heights Madison; 6. Hazel Park.
Why Marine City: The Mariners have a veteran team with athletes who have seen a lot of playing time. RB Charles Tigert and junior QB Jeff Heaslip run a highly effective offensive attack. If that isn't enough, Marine City has had just one losing season in the last 40 years and has missed the playoffs just three times in the past 30.
BRONZE DIVISION
Predicted finish: 1. Madison Heights Lamphere; 2. St. Clair Shores South Lake; 3. Warren Lincoln; 4. Center Line; 5. Clawson; 6. New Haven.
Why Lamphere: Although Ray Ostrowski becomes the Rams' third head coach in three years, the momentum is squarely centered at 13 Mile Road and John R. Last year, Lamphere swept the Bronze by shutting out four out of their five foes, and linebackers Drew Webster and Tristan Gist are back in the mix. Lamphere had its best season in 45 years and nearly upset eventual state champion Country Day in the district final.
Top players: Will Johnson, GP South Sr. WR/DB (Michigan); Tyrell Henry, Roseville Sr. WR/DB/P (Michigan State); Jordan Kwiatkowski, Stevenson Sr. RB/LB (Central Michigan); Omari Embree, Woods-Tower Sr. RB/CB/KR (Army); Ryan Schuster, Chippewa Valley Sr. QB (Lafayette); Keyone Nixon, Dakota Sr. CB (Akron); Joe Klunder, GP South Sr. DE (Michigan); Jordan Ramsey, Stevenson Sr. RB/S (Central Michigan); Malachi Clark, Roseville Sr. OL/DL (Miami of Ohio); Cephus Harris, Chippewa Valley Sr. RB (Youngstown St.); Charles Tigert, Marine City Sr. RB/DB; Maddox Mozal, St. Clair Sr. OL/DL; Luke Hall, Anchor Bay Jr. QB; N'Christian Gilbert, Mott Sr. WR/LB; Amare Snowden, Roseville Jr. WR/DB.
Top games: Every Red Division contest is meaningful, but the ones attracting the most attention should be Stevenson at GP South (Sept. 10) and Chippewa Valley at Dakota (Sept. 17). … Other potential division-deciding showdowns include Mott at Anchor Bay (Sept. 10), Marysville at Marine City (Sept. 10), Roseville at GP North (Sept. 17), L'Anse Creuse at Port Huron (Sept. 24) and South Lake at Lamphere (Oct. 8).
Extra credi: The Macomb Area Conference knows how to spread the wealth. Over the past five seasons, 25 of the league's 36 schools have won (outright or tied for first in) their respective divisions. GP South leads the pack with four titles over that span — all in the White Division. Port Huron (Blue and Gold), Madison (Silver) and Marine City (Silver) have all figured in three division titles.
— Wilson
Michigan Independent Athletic Conference
Predicted finish: 1. Whitmore Lake; 2. Lutheran Westland; 3. Dearborn Advanced Tech Academy; 4. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian 5. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest.
Why Whitmore Lake: The Trojans have competed well in the MIAC since joining in 2019, winning a title in their inaugural campaign and going 5-1 against current league opponents. Although Whitmore Lake skews young this year with just four seniors, the Trojans have a difficult offense to stop once all the pieces are in place.
Top players: Paul Davenport, Lutheran Westland Sr. RB/LB; Tariq Harris, Dearborn ATA Sr. RB-TE/LB; Alex Tanner, Whitmore Lake Sr. OL/DE; Drew Powers, Parkway Christian Jr. OG/DT; Nathan Francis, Whitmore Lake Jr. RB/LB.
Top games: Whitmore Lake faces perhaps its toughest test of the season Aug. 26 at Ann Arbor Fr. Gabriel Richard — the source of the Trojans' lone playoff win in the past 15 years (2019). … In league play, Whitmore Lake hosts Lutheran Westland on Sept. 17. … Lutheran Westland kicks off the league slate with a rivalry game against Lutheran Northwest on Sept. 10.
Extra credit: It's a streamlined MIAC for 2021, as the league's top two teams from last year have left for greener pastures. Livonia Clarenceville is playing an independent schedule against schools its own size to position itself for a playoff berth, and Auburn Hills Oakland Christian becomes Oakland County's first school to transition to eight-man football.
— Wilson
Michigan Metro Athletic Conference
Predicted finish: 1. Ecorse; 2. Detroit University Prep; 3. Detroit University Prep Science & Math.
Why Ecorse: The biggest factor is the Red Raiders played a full schedule last season while the other two schools opted out in the wake of the pandemic. Ecorse has also reached the state playoffs in four out of five years since U-Prep last earned a post-season berth. UPSM has never been in a playoff game.
Top players: Bradford Houston, U-Prep Jr. WR/DB; Cortez Larkins, U-Prep Soph. QB/DB; Andre Till, U-Prep Soph. OL/DL.
Top games: There are just three MMAC contests this fall: UPSM is at Ecorse on Sept. 10, while University Prep hosts Ecorse on Sept. 24 and UPSM on Oct. 1 (in the "U-Prep Classic"). … Outside of the league, Ecorse welcomes Flint Hamady on Oct. 15 — it's a rematch of the only "close" game the Red Raiders played in 2020.
Extra credit: Three MMAC football teams are more than last year, when only Ecorse and Melvindale Academy for Business and Technology took the field (Ecorse won the head-to-head matchup, 42-0). Technically, there are nine MMAC schools, but four don't have football, River Rouge went independent and Dearborn Advanced Technology Academy plays a Michigan Independent Athletic Conference (MIAC) schedule. Melvindale ABT, by the way, is not one of the MMAC's nine — it joined the Charter School Conference this year.
- Wilson
Oakland Activities Association
RED DIVISION
Predicted finish: 1. West Bloomfield; 2. Clarkston; 3. Lake Orion; 4. Southfield Arts and Technology; 5. Oxford, 6. Rochester Hills Stoney Creek.
Why West Bloomfield: Although All-American RB Donovan Edwards and former head coach Ron Bellamy each leaving for Michigan football reduced the team's star power, the way the Lakers dominated everyone in the playoffs last winter indicates they may not be ready to loosen their grip on the Division 1 state championship trophy just yet. The Lakers have been susceptible to a trap game in the past, but as long as it doesn't come against rival Clarkston, they should be OK in the league.
WHITE DIVISION
Predicted finish: 1. Oak Park; 2. Birmingham Groves; 3. Rochester Adams; 4. North Farmington; 5. Birmingham Seaholm; 6. Rochester.
Why Oak Park: True, the Knights suffered through a winless 2020 campaign in the Red Division, but they put together a playoff run to the Division 2 semifinals that will be talked about for years. And the other White Division coaches seem to put a lot of stock in Greg Carter's team moving down from the Red to the White this year. While Groves will pose a challenge, the Falcons have lost their last four contests against Oak Park (including a forfeit in 2020).
BLUE DIVISION
Predicted finish: 1. Ferndale; 2. Auburn Hills Avondale; 3. Berkley; 4. Bloomfield Hills; 5. Farmington; 6. Troy Athens; 7. Troy; 8.Royal Oak; 9. Pontiac.
Why Ferndale: The Eagles have a good corps of three-year starters and are strong in the trenches. If they can coach up skill players — not normally a problem at Ferndale — they should live up to expectations. Every league loss Ferndale has suffered in the past three years has come at the hands of a team that immediately moved up into the White Division, indicating the Eagles have held their own against similar programs.
Top players: Jaden Mangham, Groves Sr. WR/S (Michigan State); Dillon Tatum, West Bloomfield Sr. Ath; Michael Williams, West Bloomfield Sr. DE-LB; Aaron Rice, North Farmington Sr. WR/CB (Navy); Glenie Cross, Oak Park Sr. S; Semaj Morgan, West Bloomfield Jr. WR; Joey Thede, Lake Orion Sr. TE/DE; Amir Herring, West Bloomfield Jr. OT/LB; Dayvon Young, Southfield A&T Sr. WR; Cole Dellinger, Clarkston Jr. OL/DL.
Top games: The West Bloomfield-Clarkston rivalry has climbed to a new level ever since the Wolves beat the Lakers, 3-2, in the 2017 Division 1 state championship. They'll meet Oct. 1 at West Bloomfield. … In the White Division, Oak Park travels to Groves in an OAA White showdown game on Sept. 24. That same night in the Blue, Avondale looks to beat Ferndale for the first time in four seasons, at Ferndale. … Nonconference: Clarkston plays Davison Aug. 27 in the season opener at the Big House, North Farmington has a rematch against Traverse City Central Oct. 22, and Groves welcomes Sterling Heights Stevenson that same night.
Extra Credit: When West Bloomfield dominated defending champion Davison, 41-0, in last January's state championship, they brought the OAA its fifth Division 1 title in the past 11 years — tops of any conference over that span. Clarkston (2017, 2014 and 2013) and Lake Orion (2010) are the OAA's other recent state champs. Rochester Adams (Div. 2, 2002), Troy (Class A, 1994) and Oxford (Class BB, 1992) also own championship banners. Of course, the now-closed Farmington Harrison won a state-best 13 titles, but only the last one (Div. 2, 2010) came while the Hawks were in the OAA.
— Wilson
Southeastern Conference
RED DIVISION
Predicted finish: 1. Saline; 2. Dexter; 3. Monroe; 4. Temperance Bedford; 5. Ann Arbor Huron; 6. Ypsilanti Lincoln; 7. Ann Arbor Skyline; 8. Ann Arbor Pioneer.
Why Saline: The Hornets went undefeated in the division last season and haven't lost more than one regular-season game since 2012. Senior Larry Robinson and sophomore CJ Carr, grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, are a potent 1-2 punch at quarterback. Senior wideout Caden Winston provides an inviting target. Seniors Giuseppi Gottfried, Garrett Beazley and Luke Masters spearhead the offensive line. A quartet of seniors — lineman Joe Raupp, linebacker Zach Antal and defensive backs Max Koehn and Carter Smith — are the cornerstones of the defense.
WHITE DIVISION
Predicted finish: 1. Chelsea; 2. Pinckney; 3. Jackson; 4. Ypsilanti; 5. Tecumseh; 6. Adrian
Why Chelsea: The Bulldogs have gone deep in the state playoffs in recent years, including a run to the Division 3 semifinals last season. The offense is loaded, headed by All-State running back Trent Hill. Senior quarterback Carson Gray has several talented wide receivers to seek out, including Ben Strzyzewski, Nick Fisk and Lucas Hanifan. Cole Munson is also a factor in the backfield. Seniors Robert Sutch and Russell Sullivan anchor the offensive line. Linebacker Diego Medel and defensive back Strzyzewski highlight a defensive unit with six returnees.
Top players: Saline DL Joe Raupp, WR Caden Winston; Chelsea QB Carson Gray, RB Trent Hill; Dexter TE/DE Brennan Parachek, OL James Livingston and RB Cole Cabana; Huron CB Tyler Bivens; Pinckney RB Bryce White, LB Vinny Patierno.
Top game: Chelsea vs. Pinckney, Sept. 17. This one could decide the White Division title, though Jackson could also make some noise. Pinckney two-way starters Alex Olenik and Charlie Lovell will need to win scrimmages battles to keep Chelsea's star running back Trent Hill in check. Pirates quarterback Jimmy Bona has to find top receivers Caleb Wardlow and Colin Smith while running back Bryce White must find gaps to match the Bulldogs' high-powered attack.
— Gauruder
Western Wayne Athletic Conference
Predicted finish: 1. Redford Union; 2. Dearborn Heights Crestwood; 3. Redford Thurston; 4. Romulus; 5. Dearborn Heights Robichaud; 6. Melvindale; 7. Garden City; 8. Annapolis.
Why Redford Union: Last year the Panthers (7-2, 4-1) had to forfeit their season opener to eventual champion Crestwood, which has changed coaches this year with six-year assistant Jamal Al taking over for Mike Berry. Fourth-year RU coach Ian Iler has a deep and experienced team with seven starters returning on offense, led by do-it-all two-way senior back Curtis Keels — who has an offer from Arkansas Pine-Bluff — along with 6-foot-5 junior quarterback Cory Chavis. The defense, which returns eight starters, will be anchored by tackle Andre Evans.
Top players: Redford Union ATH/DB Curtis Keels; DT Andre Evans; QB Cory Chavis; Crestwood RB/LB Tronice Hammond, QB-DB Zain Abdullah; Thurston OL/DL Caleb Gardner, OL/DL Malachi Batts, OL/DL Jay'Van Watson; Romulus DB/WR Troy Cranford, OL/DK Owen Roper; Robichaud DB/WR Terrance Perkins, DB/WR Jaylen Carter; Melvindale OL/DL Richard Wyn, OL/DL Donovyn Baker; Garden City RB/CB Owen McGraw, RB/LB Kaden Williams; Annapolis, OL/DL Tarik Kaliman, QB/DB Hassan Rivers.
Top games: On Aug. 27 in the opener, Redford Union faces Pewamo-Westphalia, the Central Michigan Athletic Conference champion who finished 7-1 last year. Other key WWAC games are Sept. 17 (Crestwood at RU) and Oct. 1 (RU at Thurston).
— Emons
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