West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake, Keego Harbor, Sylvan Lake

West Bloomfield Beacon: A look at local prep teams as gridiron season nears

» click to enlarge « Photo by Donna Agusti St. Mary’s quarterback Jalen Watts tosses the ball on a pitch play during the team’s scrimmage. The Eaglets enter the 2012 season as defending state champs in Division 3. Photo by Donna Agusti St. Mary’s quarterback Jalen Watts tosses the ball on a pitch play during the team’s scrimmage. The Eaglets enter the 2012 season as defending state champs in Division 3. Photo by Donna Agusti West Bloomfield coach Ron Bellamy, center, goes over the practice plan with assistant coach Kyle Kilpatrick. The Lakers are young but will have to grow up fast to take on traditionally the division’s two toughest teams in the first three weeks of the season. 0 Photo by Donna Agusti West Bloomfield coach Ron Bellamy, center, goes over the practice plan with assistant coach Kyle Kilpatrick. The Lakers are young but will have to grow up fast to take on traditionally the division’s two toughest teams in the first three weeks of the season.

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.

West Bloomfield High Lakers
Last season’s record: 2-7
League: Oakland Activities Association Red Division
Returning starters: Five

Offensive keys:
Senior running back Matt Farrow is the lone returning starter for an offense that averaged just below 20 points per game last season, and he’ll be counted on once again.

“Matt is a slasher, a guy that can run in there tough, but also make one cut and go,” coach Ron Bellamy said.

In order for Farrow and the rest of the offense to put up numbers, a brand-new offensive line will have to find its stride quickly.

“We’re young, but what I did was get a couple of coaches to help that have had success in different programs, and I think that’s going to be key for us.”

Defensive keys:
Last season, the Lakers gave up 35 points per game — the most since 1996 — with a core group of underclassmen. The coaches figured they make some lumps a year ago, but would be better for it when the 2012 season got under way.

“Now those kids are juniors, and we’re hoping the experience is going to be beneficial to their development this year,” the coach said.

Led by linebackers J.J. Bloom, John Hubbard and Marcus Brooks, West Bloomfield returns four starters.

“Those guys have played the most football,” Bellamy said.

Coach’s outlook:
Bellamy won’t have to wait long to see how his team holds up against some of the best in the OAA Red, taking on traditional powers Clarkston High and Lake Orion High in weeks two and three, respectively.

“For me, it’s kind of wait and see how we develop,” Bellamy said, adding that West Bloomfield was scheduled to scrimmage Farmington Hills Harrison to help them prepare for the daunting Red schedule.

“I’m hoping to put the kids in a tough situation like that and that they’ll respond,” he said.

Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Eaglets
Last season’s record: 12-2, Division 3 state champions
League: Catholic League Central Division
Returning Starters: Eight

Offensive keys:
Scoring nearly 500 points last year said a lot about the strength of the Eaglets’ offense.

And just for good measure, St. Mary’s scored 45 points in the D-2 final, cruising past Mount Pleasant High for the title.

Coach George Porritt, now in his 23rd year with the team, is hoping for more of the same.

“Our offensive line is fairly strong, and I think those guys are going to be a huge plus,” Porritt said during training camp.

And while the team did lose some of its key starters on offense, namely running back Spencer McInnis and quarterback Dan Clements, plenty of weapons are back in the fray.

Senior running backs Parker McInnis and Grant Niemiec will shoulder the load again.

“They are two of the key leaders of this team,” Porritt said. “I expect more of the same from them this year. They’re both kids that can really make a difference.”

Defensive keys:
As dynamite as the offense was, St. Mary’s defense may have been even better in 2011.

Aside from a 34-24 loss to Toledo St. John’s Jesuit in week two, the Eaglets didn’t allow more than 21 points in a single game the rest of the way. Much of that defensive core is back in the mix.

“Our defensive line is going to be real good,” Porritt said. “We have some senior linebackers that are strong, and some other guys that have adapted already. This should be a good group.”

James Ross is the biggest departure, but with the linebacking trio of Sean Bauer, Justin Chavis and Sean Harrington, opponents aren’t going to have an easy go of it.

Coach’s outlook:
While there has been some roster turnover, many key pieces of last year’s championship squad are back. The schedule, in the Central Division and in crossovers, will certainly challenge the guys in red and black, but Porritt believes this team is just as capable of getting back to Ford Field as any that has come before it.

“Traditionally, we always believe that we are a team that can battle for a state title,” he said. “When you play in this league, you know what comes with that. The kids understand the work ethic it takes to be successful, and these games are only going to get us ready for the challenge down the line come playoff time.”

Walled Lake Northern Knights
Last season’s record: 5-4
League: Kensington Lakes Activities Association North Division
Returning starters: 13

Offensive keys:
Much like it had in 2011, balance is the main thing coach Brett Moore wants to see from his offense in 2012.

The Knights rushed for roughly 1,980 yards a year ago while passing for 1,905.

“I feel like with the offensive line we have, and (senior) Jake (Ginstir) back at running back, we’re going to be able to run the ball,” Moore said. “The ability to pass and catch is the key. If we can do that, it’s going to be huge.”

Senior quarterback Collin O’Donnell returns to the starting spot for the first time since his sophomore season. Fellow senior Matt Kosmalski should be his top target in the passing game.

O’Donnell, who was the backup last season, enters this campaign with all his coach’s confidence.

“He knows what to expect,” Moore said. “He came to camp in excellent shape and ready to go.”

Defensive keys:
Consistency was the biggest challenge for Northern’s defense last year.

Twice last season — in week one and week in nine losses — the Knights allowed 56 points. In the seven games in between, they allowed more than 21 points only three times and had a 5-2 record.

“This year, the focus is on getting our kids to do their assignments, and do them to the best of their ability,” Moore said. “This is an experienced group with a strong front seven.”

More than half the starting defense is back from a year ago, as well.

“That’s huge,” the coach added. “They had a great offseason getting ready, but what’s more, they understand what’s required and what to do now. They know what’s expected of them from the get-go.”

Coach’s outlook:
Last year’s 5-4 mark was the first winning season at Northern since 2005, when it also posted a 5-4 record. But those four losses came by a combined 20 points, so things could have turned out much differently.

With that in mind, and trying to ride the momentum of last season’s 3-1 finish in the final four weeks, Moore hopes his 2012 team can qualify for the postseason.

“We want to be a team playing in late October,” he said simply. “Right now, we don’t have that much depth, so we have to stay healthy. But if we can do that, I like how this team looks.”

Walled Lake Central Vikings
Last season’s record: 9-3
League: Kensington Lakes Activities Association North Division
Returning starters: Nine

Offensive keys:
There’s little secret as to what the Vikings are going to do offensively this fall, and coach Bob Meyer has little doubt as to just how his guys are going to do it.

“We’re going to run the triple option,” he said. “We’re going to control the clock, run the ball, use all four downs, and we’re going to score a lot.”

That, more or less, is what the Vikings did all of 2011, averaging more than 31 points en route to nine wins and a Division 1 district title.

Quarterback Eric Rosteck will guide the group. While Zach Goor is the go-to running back, Nick Krumm is the speedster in the slot, and Mike Dobrowolski anchors the offensive line.

Defensive keys:
Interestingly, Meyer said much of the offense’s success depends on and comes from the play of the defense.

“We’re a team that will bend, but won’t break,” he said. “Our kicker, Brian Maxwell, is going to kick the ball to the end zone, our defense will try and force a punt, and hopefully, our offense gets the ball at midfield.”

The linebacking core, namely Matt Boulus and John Glenn, serve as the strength of the unit. Meyer said Devyn Bogert are keys along the defensive line.

Coach’s outlook:
With three straight playoff appearances to fall back on, there’s little doubt as to what the Vikings want to do in 2012.

“This is a playoff football team. That is our only goal,” said Meyer. “We’re going to work to get our six wins, hopefully more, and then see where that takes us.”

Walled Lake Western Warriors
Last season’s record: 11-2
League: Kensington Lakes Activities Association North Division
Returning starters: One

Offensive keys:
The Warriors were explosive on offense last year, averaging nearly 33 points per game, including 35 in a Division 2 semifinal loss to Lowell High.

But things have changed a bit since 2011.

Actually, things have changed a lot.

“We don’t have a single starter back,” coach Mike Zdebski said. “With that in mind, our offensive line is going to have to do some things for us.”

“It’s going to be a balancing act, especially early on,” Zdebski added. “But if we can get our guys in space, the athletes we have will make some things happen.”

Quarterback Kyle Bambard will run the offense. Split ends Nick Heglin and Jake Neracher, along with slot backs Matt Carroll and Kyle Ford, are expected to be the main weapons.

Defensive keys:
The Warriors don’t have much experience on the defensive side of the ball either, which left Zdebski stressing the fact that success will depend upon a total team effort.

“Assignment football is going to be key for us,” he said. “We have to have kids executing their job on every play. One mistake defensively will really hurt us.”

Western was strong all year on defense last fall, allowing just 17 points per game.

Coach’s outlook:
“The hope for this season is to get better on a daily basis,” Zdebski said. “If we can do that, things will take care of themselves.”

Western has had just one losing season since 2001, a 3-6 mark in 2009.

Birmingham Brother Rice Warriors
Last season’s record: 10-4, Division 2 state champion
League: Catholic League Central Division
Returning Starters: 10

Offensive keys:
Scoring points certainly wasn’t a problem for Rice in 2011, especially as the season wore on and the playoffs got going.

But a lot of that had to do with running back Devin Church, who was outstanding during the Warriors’ run to a state title.

Church may be gone, but there’s no need to panic.

“What the offensive line can do determines how good we’re going to be,” said coach Al Fracassa, now in his 44th season at Rice. “We’ve got some experience there, and if they block the way they can, we’re going to be able to run the ball just fine.”

Junior Brain Walker steps in as the go-to back.

Cheyne Lacanaria, who started many games last year under center, is back as the full-time starter this fall.

“He handles the offense real well,” Fracassa said of his senior quarterback. “He’s in charge when he’s in there, and that’s what I like.”

Defensive keys:
Much like the offense, Rice’s defense only got better as the fall of 2011 progressed.

With a 4-4 record and needing a win to possibly earn a playoff spot, Rice cruised past Chandler Park Academy 38-2.

In the five playoff wins, the defense allowed double digits just twice and allowed more than 14 points just once.

“We certainly hope to pick up where we left off,” Fracassa said with a laugh.

So what’s the key?

“Linebackers,” he added.

Rice returned nearly its entire secondary and most of its down linemen, so if the team’s backers can do their job, scoring may be at a premium for opponents.

“We’ve got an excellent defensive coaching staff that is committed to getting the best out of those kids that we can,” Fracassa said. “That could be a very strong unit.”

Coach’s outlook:
When last year’s D-2 final ended, many wondered out loud if Fracassa had coached his final game.

At 79, he’s won seven state titles, numerous league titles and holds the career coaching record for wins in the MHSAA.

But he said he’s having too much fun to walk away.

“I’m taking things one day and one game and one year at a time,” he added.

As for this year, he knows how talented his team is, how the potential to win the first back-to-back state title in program history looms, but he also understands the challenge his guys are about to face.

“We know teams are going to be gunning for us right off the bat against (defending D-1 champ) Cass Tech,” he said. “These kids will give it their best shot every game we play. They are mature enough to understand how difficult winning a title is. To try and do that again is going to be that much more difficult. That’s the ultimate goal, but right now the philosophy is to enjoy every moment we have and let the rest take care of itself.”