Warren

A CYO dynasty

By Mike Moore
C & G Staff Writer

St. Anne football program has track record unlike any other

WARREN — The word “dynasty” is often tossed around when speaking of certain collegiate and professional sports teams.

The Boston Celtics, the New England Patriots, heck, even the Detroit Red Wings of the past 11 years can be thrown into the conversation.

But what about youth football?

Can a program of seventh- and eighth-grade athletes ever be considered a dynasty? Those familiar with the Warren St. Anne football program would answer with a resounding “yes.”

For 33 years, St. Anne has been a part of the Catholic Youth Organization. For nearly all of those 33 years, success has been the defining term to describe the program.

During that time, the Eagles racked up a 233-57-2 record. A total of 24 division titles have been earned, only two losing seasons have been recorded, and thanks to the CYO title achieved a few weeks ago, St. Anne has now won five titles in 11 championship game appearances.

“There’s a great tradition of football here,” said Nick Sherevan, the eighth-grade team’s only head coach in program history. “The goal-setting, the work ethic, everything we do centers on a commitment to excellence.”

In the 2008 CYO title game, which was held Oct. 25 at Ford Field, St. Anne earned its fifth championship with a 22-4 victory against Birmingham St. Regis. The Eagles have also won titles in 1990, 1999, 2004 and 2005.

“That was the toughest game we played all year,” Sherevan said of the final. “This is great for the kids, though. They deserved to be here and deserved to win. … This was probably the most talented team I have ever worked with. The chemistry they played with was unreal.”

When asked about the success he has garnered, Sherevan remained modest, saying, “The first thing I tell parents is that if all we do is make their sons better football players, then we have failed them. This is more than just football. This is about setting goals, working hard and following faith.”

It’s also about producing future prospects.

According to Sherevan, the Eagles currently have 40 alumni on Warren De La Salle’s three high school teams. The varsity squad was unbeaten heading into the second round of the Michigan High School Athletic Association playoffs.

Of the 31 kids on St. Anne’s roster — kids that come from all across Macomb County, the Grosse Pointes, Troy and Hazel Park — 26 are expected to enroll at De La Salle next fall.

In all, St. Anne has five teams, beginning with third- and fourth-graders. The eight-grade team, which does have some seventh-graders on its roster, is the one that represents the program in the CYO playoffs.

“When kids leave this program, they are ready to play high school football,” Sherevan added. “Whether it’s at De La Salle or any other program they choose to play at, they are ready for that next level.”

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038.