Ferndale, Berkley

Woodward Talk: A look at local prep teams as gridiron season nears

» click to enlarge « Photo by David Schreiber Ferndale High quarterback Eric Ellis reads the defense and hands the ball off to running back Termichael Brown in a scrimmage Aug. 17 at Clinton Township Chippewa Valley. Photo by David Schreiber Ferndale High quarterback Eric Ellis reads the defense and hands the ball off to running back Termichael Brown in a scrimmage Aug. 17 at Clinton Township Chippewa Valley. Photo by Donna Agusti Berkley High football coach Jeff Burnside talks to his team during a recent practice. The Bears are looking to get back on track after a 4-5 season last year. 0 Photo by Donna Agusti Berkley High football coach Jeff Burnside talks to his team during a recent practice. The Bears are looking to get back on track after a 4-5 season last year.

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.

Ferndale High Eagles
Last season’s record: 4-5
League: Oakland Activities Association Blue Division
Returning starters: 13

Offensive keys:
The Eagles have plenty of weapons, including running backs Tyree Bell, Shaquan McGriff and Termichael Brown, and tight end Nate Brisson.

Dispersing the ball is veteran starting quarterback Eric Ellis.

“The key to our offense will be Ellis’ ability to make big plays and limit his turnovers, like he did last year in his eight starts. He only turned the ball over twice all season and threw eight touchdowns for over 900 yards,” coach Ryan Dunlap said. “He is very athletic, and we’ll be running him much more this season.”

Defensive keys:
With eight starters back, the defense is expected to be even better than the squad that gave up 20 points per game.

Linebackers Brown, Tyree Bell and McGriff are leading the squad.

“The linebackers may be my best unit as a whole that I have had here. All three are just juniors and can really play,” Dunlap said. “All 11 starters can really move. Our team speed on defense is really quite something.”

Coach’s outlook:
With 30 players on the roster, Dunlap said depth is the biggest issue.

“If we can stay healthy and our second teamers continue to fight for time, we should do well in the league. I’m not sure there is another team with as many returning starters as we have, so our experience should be a positive factor as well,” Dunlap said. “We fully expect to compete for the league title and are eager to work towards earning a playoff spot in October.”

Berkley High Bears
Last season’s record: 4-5
League: Oakland Activities Association Blue Division
Returning starters: Seven

Offensive keys:
The Bears averaged 28 points a game last season, including a 66-point performance against Hazel Park High in the eighth week of the season. Still, Berkley fell short of having a third consecutive season with a winning record, losing three games by a total of 11 points.

Eric Hudson returns to the backfield and will see some time at receiver. “He’s an explosive runner with great hands and is a key in the kick return game, as well,” coach Jeff Burnside said of Hudson.

Dennis Bevza and Armen Brus are the only returning starters to the offensive line, and Burnside said they are capable of playing any position along the line.

They’ll be protecting Alex Agbay at quarterback. He takes over after missing his junior season to injury.

Defensive keys:
Much of the Bears’ woes last season came on the defensive end, giving up more than 21 points per game in six contests, including three of 37 points or more.

To keep from that happening again, Matt Koerner returns to his linebacker spot where he was All-League and led the team in tackles. Fellow linebacker Manny Bellamy and defensive lineman Veldo Funwie join him as returning starters.

Coach’s outlook:
Burnside said last season’s finish doesn’t sit well with the team, and they’ve been working hard to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“We do have some question marks along the defensive and offensive lines where depth could be a concern,” he said. “If we can stay healthy and some young players step in, we could have a very productive season.”