League: Independent Offense Harris ended his sophomore season playing like a seasoned pro in the Division 4 state final. He totaled 896 yards on 44 completions and threw 13 touchdown passes. He also rushed for another score in the Yellowjackets’ run-first offense. “We’re going to have the ability to run with Josh, but at the end of last year, he proved he could throw the ball,” coach Dan MacLean said. “Josh has got a good deep arm that keeps defenses honest, and he’s shown good accuracy on the underneath stuff.” DCD will have its work cut out for it replacing graduated playmakers such as wide out Bennie Fowler, who had 11 total touchdowns, and running back O’Neil Swanson, who had 13 scores. Senior tight end Jason Ray caught 10 passes and scored three touchdowns as a junior, and will be a bigger part of the passing game with junior receiver Kenny Knight and senior receiver Brett Smith. Junior running back Lee Bailey and senior fullback Joe MacLean will carry the load in the rushing attack. “All those guys have got good speed and are good open-field runners,” MacLean said. Marquee matchup: At 4 p.m. Sept. 12, Harris faces 2008 Division 8 state champion Muskegon Catholic Central, which gave up slightly more than seven points per game, at Muskegon Catholic Central. Defense Edins, along with senior defensive tackle Chris Hogan, is a three-year starter and a veteran of two state championship games. “Just getting to the state finals for two years gives the kids a lot of confidence in themselves and in our system,” MacLean said. “They believe in each other and their coaches, and you get a bump in motivation because they know what is possible.” Sophomore Marlon Harrison and junior David Brown lead the DCD linebackers, while senior defensive tackle D’Angelo Taylor helps anchor the front seven. Marquee matchup: Edins faces Midland High’s offense, which averaged 38 points per game in 2008, at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at home. Special teams Bukari, the son of DCD soccer coach Bob Bukari, knows what a state champion looks like, and MacLean believes his left foot will be a big part of taking the Yellowjackets to a third-straight state finals game as they search for their first title in that run. “He gives us another scoring threat,” MacLean said. “Last year was his first year in football, and he’s gone to a lot of camps this summer. He’s got a really strong leg, and he’s very accurate on kickoffs.” Coach’s outlook “It’s a very long season,” MacLean said of the grind from August to November. — Brad D. Bates 
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