Clinton Township, Harrison Township, Mount Clemens

Mount Clemens-Clinton-Harrison Journal: A look at local prep teams as gridiron season nears

» click to enlarge « Photo by David Schreiber Mount Clemens quarterback and co-captain Troy Taylor, pictured with the football, runs the option during an early season practice. Mount Clemens football coach Harold Penn, in his third year, said his team must stay consistent on offense and disciplined on defense if it hopes to have a successful campaign. Photo by David Schreiber Mount Clemens quarterback and co-captain Troy Taylor, pictured with the football, runs the option during an early season practice. Mount Clemens football coach Harold Penn, in his third year, said his team must stay consistent on offense and disciplined on defense if it hopes to have a successful campaign.

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.

Check back in the paper and online throughout the season for more football coverage, including photos, game previews and recaps, team and player features, rankings and picks.

And don’t forget to follow along with us on Twitter and Facebook for live updates from select games.

Clintondale Dragons

Last season’s record: 5-4
League: Macomb Area Conference Bronze Division
Returning starters: 18

Offensive keys:

Coach Dave Schindler said the offensive line has to be a key cog in order for Clintondale to challenge for a league title and make a playoff run.

The Dragons, according to Schindler, should get big contributions from quarterback Marquise Chavez, running backs James Shue and Malik Hazzard, and tight end Lonnell Davis.

Clintondale scored 21.8 points per game last season.

Defensive keys:

Just like on the offensive side of the ball, the play of the Dragons’ defensive line will determine how successful the team is this season.

Davis, a defensive end, is expected to anchor the defensive front four.

The Dragons allowed 22 points per game last season.

Coach’s outlook:

“Our goal is to compete for the league championship and make the playoffs,” Schindler said.

Clintondale last won a league title in 2010.

Mount Clemens Battling Bathers

Last season’s record: 4-5
League: Macomb Area Conference Bronze Division
Returning starters: 10

Offensive keys:

Third-year coach Harold Penn said his team needs to be more consistent on the offensive end.

He’s looking at offensive linemen Kalvan Williamson, Roberto Moya and Donald Ridgell, along with tight end Eric Rice and running back Marquell Sanders, to lead the group.

Mount Clemens averaged 26.8 points per game last season.

Defensive keys:

Penn said his Bathers must stay disciplined on defense if they are going to improve on their 2011 performance.

The Mount Clemens coach said defensive linemen Ridgell, Rice and Moya, along with linebacker Williamson and defensive back Sanders, will have to lead the defensive effort if Mount Clemens is to have a successful campaign.

The Bathers allowed 23.7 points a game last season.

Coach’s outlook:

“I expect the division to be very competitive and hard-fought this year.”

Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse Lancers

Last season’s record: 4-5
League: Macomb Area Conference Blue Division
Returning Starters: 17

Offensive keys:

Coach Don Roda expects his experienced senior-laden offensive line to lead the way for the Lancers.“They really started clicking the last part of (last) season. We’re hoping we pick up where we left off with them. Everything happens up front.”

The line will be looking to protect veteran quarterback Lucas Lanzon, a MAC Blue All-Conference honoree last year.
Defensive keys:

On defense, Lanzon will again be looked upon to help guide the Lancers. The starting middle linebacker returns to a unit that features some question marks at outside linebacker, according to Roda.

Up front, L’Anse Creuse features a pair of “bookends” in senior defensive ends Bill Bowmer and Joe Lech, who the head coach said are “going to be phenomenal.”

Coach’s outlook:

“We’ve had high expectations for this senior group ever since they came into high school,” Roda said. “They’ve been very dedicated in the weight room, their offseason workouts. It’s really a good group of kids.”

The coach said the team’s goal is to make the playoffs, something it hasn’t done since 2003. It’s come close in recent years, missing out by a couple of games last year and going 5-4 in 2009.