Sterling Heights

Sterling Heights Sentry: A look at local prep teams as gridiron season nears

» click to enlarge « Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Utica Ford II defensive back Jack Goss is one of the team leaders on defense. Goss is the lone returning starter on a Falcons defense that allowed nearly 24 points a game in 2011. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Utica Ford II defensive back Jack Goss is one of the team leaders on defense. Goss is the lone returning starter on a Falcons defense that allowed nearly 24 points a game in 2011. Photo by Deb Jacques Utica Stevenson coach Steve Goralski and the Titans look to improve on last season's 1-8 finish. Stevenson opens the season Aug. 23 at Howell. 0 Photo by Deb Jacques Utica Stevenson coach Steve Goralski and the Titans look to improve on last season's 1-8 finish. Stevenson opens the season Aug. 23 at Howell.

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.

Utica Ford II Falcons
Last season’s record: 5-4
League: Macomb Area Conference Red Division
Returning starters: Three

Offensive keys:
Coach Todd Winters said his young offense, which will have nine new starters, must start fast and keep that momentum going over the course of the season.

Winters, in his fourth year with Ford II, said he knows the unit will make some mistakes, but it must limit those mistakes while also staying aggressive.

Winters said he expects tight end Trevor Belevak, offensive lineman Matt Marinello and running back Alex Gauonsks to stand out on offense. The offense averaged 24.1 points per game last season — 33.2 points in wins.

Defensive keys:
Winters’ defense brings back just one starter from a year ago. He said it’s vital the starters pick up the nuances of the 3-4 defense. He said players must be mindful of their responsibilities.

Winters is looking for Belevak, who plays linebacker, and defensive back Jack Goss to lead the unit. Goss is the lone returning starter on that side of the ball.

Ford II allowed 23.9 points per game last season — 14.6 in wins and 35.5 in losses.

Coach’s outlook:
“We hope to be competitive every week and challenge for the MAC Red title. We should be able to finish in the middle to the top of the division, and it’s tough when it comes to football.

“But we’re just so young. We have to mesh quickly.”

Sterling Heights High Stallions
Last season’s record: 1-8
League: Macomb Area Conference Gold Division
Returning starters: Eight

Offensive keys:
Coach Brent Widdows installed a new offense partway through last season, going from a spread zone blocking scheme to a double Wing-T, and has not looked back.

After managing just 20 total points in their first four games — all losses — Sterling Heights reached the 20-point mark three times in its last five games of 2011.

Widdows, in his fourth year with the Stallions, said he sees the play of quarterback Jacob Hines, center Anthony Solitro, running back Alec Johnson and left tackle Gabe Hahn as keys to the team’s success.

Defensive keys:
Sterling Heights will run a 4-4 defense, which will see one of the Stallions’ defensive backs act as a “rover,” playing hybrid linebacker/safety and playing in the box more frequently.

Using this scheme, Widdows said, gives the team the flexibility to switch to either a 4-3 or 3-4 set, possibly leading to confusion for opposing offenses.

Widdows said linebacker Michael Adour will lead the defense. He said defensive end Derrow Sanders, defensive tackle Brad Rudow and cornerback Jimmy Turner should make plays on that side of the ball, as well.

Coach’s outlook:
“I told the guys we could either be 3-6 or 6-3. I think we need to start out fast. We have a tough game week one against (Dearborn Edsel Ford) that we have to win. Our schedule gets even tougher with four or five returning playoff teams and a state runner-up in Marine City.

“We need to start fast and stay focused.”

Sterling Heights Parkway Christian Eagles
Last season’s record: 5-4
League: Michigan Independent Athletic Conference
Returning starters: 10

Offensive keys:
Coach Todd Francis, who employs an option attack, said the play of the offensive line is vital to the team’s success. He said the group has been working hard together so far this season.

Francis, in his fourth year, said he’s looking at center P.J. Dysarczyk and offensive guard Roger Marlock to lead that offensive line.

Defensive keys:
Francis emphasized the importance of his defense to maintain its attacking style. The Eagles will run several blitz packages.

Francis said linebacker Phil Lapinski will be called upon to lead the unit.

Coach’s outlook:
“We’re really young all over the field. We only have nine upperclassmen on the 31-man roster.
“I’m interested to see what this team has.”

Utica Stevenson Titans
Last season’s record: 1-8
League: Macomb Area Conference Red Division
Returning starters: 10

Offensive keys:
Coach Steve Goralski said running the football effectively and limiting turnovers will be key if Stevenson is to improve on a disappointing 2011 campaign.

The Titans also hope to improve on their 12.8 points-per-game average from last season. Stevenson’s offense was improved at the end of 2011, averaging 23.6 points per game in three of their last four contests.

Goralski is counting on tight end Jerod Fisher and wide receiver Tyler Sykes to pace Stevenson’s attack.

Defensive keys:
Goralski said the Titans must create turnovers and get to the ball if they hope to be successful.

Stevenson’s defense struggled at times last season, allowing 28.9 points per game.

The Stevenson coach expects Fisher, who plays linebacker, and Sykes, at defensive back, to play well on defense.

Coach’s outlook:
“Our kids have been working very hard this offseason. We just want to be better and keep getting better each week. We play in a tough division and know we have to bring it every week.”