Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett

Helmet courtesy of MichiganHelmetProject.org

League: Michigan Independent Athletic Conference
Last season: First season since 2005
Opening game: 4:30 p.m. Aug. 28 against Warren Connor Creek at home

Offense

Key player: Jake Goldberg, senior, quarterback

For a team that’s going to rely heavily on the option attack, it helps to have a solid option quarterback.

Enter Goldberg.

“He’s an outstanding athlete,” coach Dan Cimini said. “He played quarterback in middle school and has shown in practice that he can run the option very well. He’s going to be a huge factor in our offense this season.”

Special teams

Key player: Dan Zukas, senior, kicker/punter

There aren’t too many kickers at the high school level that coaches would trot out for a 50-yard field goal on a consistent basis, but according to Cimini, Zukas is one such kid.

“A great weapon,” he said. “Anytime we’re near the 30-yard line, he gives us a chance to get some points.”

Coach’s outlook

For a school that’s been without a football team since 2005, Cimini said the atmosphere around campus is unlike anything he’s seen.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “Everyone — from the athletic department to the students, to the parents — is fired up about this season.”

Cimini added that while excitement is high, expectations should be, as well.

“We didn’t bring back the program to go 0-9,” he said. “We expect to win plenty of games.”

— Mike Moore