Farmington Hills, Farmington

Farmington Press: A look at local prep teams as gridiron season nears

» click to enlarge « Photo by Edward Osinski Farmington High gets some offensive work as the season approaches. Coach John Bechtel called this one of his best teams ever. Photo by Edward Osinski Farmington High gets some offensive work as the season approaches. Coach John Bechtel called this one of his best teams ever. Photo by Nicholas Barry Farmington Hills Harrison running back Todd Moore rumbles through the Birmingham Brother Rice defensive line in a scrimmage Aug. 17. 0 Photo by Nicholas Barry Farmington Hills Harrison running back Todd Moore rumbles through the Birmingham Brother Rice defensive line in a scrimmage Aug. 17.

It’s finally here.

High school football season has arrived. And to help you get familiar with all the local teams, we present our annual football preview, chock full of information to review right up until the first kickoff.

Farmington High Falcons
Last season’s record: 6-5
League: Oakland Activities Association White Division
Returning starters: 11

Offensive keys:
The Falcons scored their second most points (277) ever last season; only the 2002 team scored more.

Farmington returns five starters from that squad, including bruising running back Connor Mohr and slasher Jordan Degreffenreed.

They’ll be protected by linemen Keenan White, Michael Purry and Ryan Caprathe, and tight ends Isaiah Gourine and John Perry.

Defensive keys:
While the offense flourished last season, the defense gave up nearly 25 points per game and is looking to improve on that number.

The Falcons return six starters, and many of the offensive key players are potentially pulling double duty.

Mohr returns to his familiar spot at linebacker and is joined by Perry to solidify the unit.

Defensive linemen Caprathe, Purry and White will try to give their linebackers clear lanes, and Brunson, Degreffenreed and Gourine patrol the secondary.

Coach’s outlook:
The Falcons made it four straight trips to the playoffs last season before eventually falling to Southfield High in the second round.

Coach John Bechtel hopes to see that consistency continue.

“We have very high expectations,” he said. “This is one of our best teams.”

Farmington Hills Harrison Hawks
Last season’s record: 10-1
League: Oakland Activities Association White Division
Returning starters: Nine

Offensive keys:
The Hawks averaged 37 points per game last season with an attack on the ground and through the air.

This season, it’ll be more of a ground attack, according to coach John Herrington.

“We think we can run the ball pretty well with outstanding tailback Lorenzo Collins and fullback Eddie Huckleby,” he said. “I think we’ll have to be a bit more of a ball-control team.”

When the Hawks do throw, it’ll be either Robert Powell or Ryan Brand, as both compete for the starting quarterback job.

Defensive keys:
As dominant as the offense has been in recent years, the defense may have been even better. The Hawks gave up 12 points per game last season and held opponents to seven points or less six times.

For that trend to continue, Herrington said, new faces have to step up.

The Hawks replace their entire secondary.

“I think we have a ways to go. I think (the secondary) is doing OK, but we’re a little concerned with all the spread offenses that we see. I think we have the talent to do it, but it’s a work in progress,” he said.

Coach’s outlook:
Harrison has won double-digit games the last two seasons, including the state championship in 2010.

“Like always at Harrison, we have high expectations. We set the bar high, but it’s going to be a learning process, and we have to come along quickly with the teams on our schedule,” Herrington said.

North Farmington Raiders
Last season’s record: 7-3
League: Oakland Activities Association White Division
Returning starters: Six

Offensive keys:
Last season, the Raiders scored the most points (272) since 1978, but they have some big shoes to fill this time around.

Coach Todd Schultz is leaning on running backs Shamare McCorvey, Itoh Buley, Chauncey Bridges and James Ward.

“I’m just going to rotate those guys and keep some fresh horses in there,” Schultz said.

Defensive keys:
The Raiders start a brand- new linebacking core, but have experience up front with Buley and Anwar Alqurneh at defensive ends.

“Those guys are huge for us, and we have a few guys that also rotate in last year, so I think our defensive line is probably our strength,” Schultz said. “We probably have eight guys that I can put in there and get the job done.”

Coach’s outlook:
After sharing the OAA Blue title last season, the Raiders now take a shot at the OAA White title, a division they were in three years ago.

“There are quite a few playoff teams from top to bottom in that division. There really isn’t a night off,” Schultz said. “(Our guys) are aware of the caliber of teams that are in the White, and we know we have to buckle up and go.”