Helmet courtesy of Michigan Helmet Project

League: Macomb Area Conference Blue Division
Last season: 1-8
Opening game: 7 p.m. Aug. 27 against Clinton Township Clintondale at home

Offense
Key player: Patrick Kelly, senior, quarterback

Last year, Kelly set a new completions record at Fraser, connecting on 111 passes and breaking former star and current NFL quarterback Jim Sorgi’s record of 91. Combine that with Kelly’s experience and improved physique entering his senior year, and the Ramblers have plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the 2009 season.
           
“He worked real hard in the offseason, grew about 2 or 3 inches and put about 20 pounds of muscle on,” Fraser coach Joe Kaczanowski said. “He had the smarts last year and a good enough arm to get it done. Now, with a year under his belt and how much he’s improved physically and how hard he’s worked, we’re expecting just a dynamite season from him.
           
“As far as I’m concerned, I think he’s one of the best in the county at that position. I’m really, really happy with how he’s progressed.”
           
It’ll help Kelly that senior wide receiver Keith Thomas, a big and speedy target, has “shined” in offseason workouts.
           
Marquee matchup: Kelly will likely want eyes in the back of his helmet to be on the lookout for Warren Mott senior defensive end C. J. Olaniyan, one of the top prospects in the state, when the Ramblers hit the road to play Mott at 7 p.m. Sept. 25.

Defense
Key player: Brandon Jackson, senior, defensive end
           
Jackson, like Kelly, is a returning starter who has grown leaps and bounds in the offseason, and has the coaching staff equally excited about his potential in the 2009 campaign.
           
“His understanding of what he’s supposed to do at his position and his technique has just gone through the roof,” Kaczanowski said. “He’s worked hard. He’s dropped about 15 pounds, and he’s looking quick and doing everything right.”
           
Marquee matchup: Jackson can make things easier on the rest of Fraser’s defense if he can get to and contain Roseville High senior quarterback Tyler Blair when the Ramblers travel to play the Panthers at 7 p.m. Sept. 11.

Special teams
Key player: Austin Belfiori, senior, return man

Kaczanowski said Belfiori was “going to do everything for us.”

“He’s just a super athlete, smart, he can do it all,” the coach said.
Belfiori will also play wide receiver and strong safety for the Ramblers.

Coach’s outlook
If the Ramblers are going to turn things around, it’ll come down to the seniors to right the ship.

“I’m really impressed with my senior leadership,” Kaczanowski said. “These kids, they’re a tight group. They get along together real well. They’ve just been taking charge and doing a real good job of helping people and patting each other on the back and that kind of stuff.”