Sterling Heights Parkway Christian

Helmet courtesy of Michigan Helmet Project

League: Michigan Independent Athletic Conference
Last season: 2-7
Opening game: 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at Deckerville High

Offense

Key player: Anthony Johnson, junior, receiver

Johnson will be listed as a receiver, but as coach Todd Francis put it, “he’s a double threat in every sense of the term.”

Francis plans on running his offense through Johnson, both with the pass and with the run.

“He’ll catch some balls for us, but we’re going to have him carrying the ball, as well,” Francis said. “He’s an excellent athlete. He’s quick and fast, and we have to find ways to get the ball in his hands.”

Special teams

Key player: Aaron Mick, junior, kicker

Because of the team’s overall youth, there are still some question marks on offense and defense. But Francis was more than confident when talking about his special teams.

“We should be solid there,” he said.

Some of that confidence comes from the play of Mick, a kicker Francis called “very dependable.”

“They’re overlooked, but extra points can be important,” Francis added. “Aaron is very solid in that regard.”

Coach’s outlook

Given the talented players they lost to graduation and the adjustments every new coach implements, it is definitely a year of change for the Eagles.

Still, expectations are very similar to what they’ve been in years past.

“Our goal is to get better every day,” Francis said. “The key for our guys is to work as hard as we can to accomplish what we want to. … I’m enjoying things so far. It’s a great group of kids, and we’re having a good time.”