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KLAA Pre-Season Media Coverage

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PHSCatsFan	KLAA Pre-Season Media Coverage		Lead	[-]
Sophomore Posts: 21 08/18/09 12:54 PM	Tags : None With the season right around the corner, I thought I drop these articles in the forum for those looking for info on KLAA teams. Feel free to add info on teams in your area.
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PHSCatsFan	Speedy Chiefs primed to build on 10-2 campaign	#1	[url]	[-]
Sophomore Posts: 22 08/18/09 12:56 PM	When legendary Spanish captain Hernando Cortes secretly burned his fleet of ships on April 21, 1519, to prevent his army from retreating from an against-the-odds battle, he unknowingly provided inspiration for this year's Canton football team. The Chiefs' official slogan this fall is "Burn the Boats," in recognition of Cortes's bold but effective maneuver on the shores of Veracruz almost 500 years ago. "Cortes was telling his guys that, 'Hey, our backs are against the wall, we're cutting our connections to our safety net and it's time to battle'," said Canton assistant coach Rich Mui, explaining the Chiefs' unique rallying cry. Despite being outnumbered by the enemy by a ratio of 300-to-1, Cortes's soldiers prevailed. The only things burning at Canton's two-a-day practices this summer have been the soles of their running backs' cleats. The top six members of the backfield's nucleus have posted sub-4.7-second 40-yard-dash times - a feat that would leave even Cortez shaking his head in amazement. "This is one of the fastest teams I've coached," said Chief head coach Tim Baechler. "Now if we can just keep them healthy. "They're working hard right now and the chemistry is coming together. It's a fun team to coach." History in the making Baechler is rapidly closing in on his 100th victory at Canton (he has 127 career wins) after just 11 years at the helm. He will take a 92-31 mark into the Aug. 28 season opener at Brighton. "I guess it means that you've been coaching a long time," he said smiling, alluding to the fast-approaching milestone. "What makes me feel good about it is that when I came here, a lot of people told me I'd never be able to develop a winning tradition at Canton. I'm proud, too, of the fact that I've done it with most of the same coaching staff. We're like a family." Eight starters return from a 2008 offense that scored 456 points and came within a late collapse against Livonia Stevenson from advancing to the Division 1 semifinal round. Engineering the potent tight-T alignment will be senior quarterback Kevin Delapaz, who is a threat to beat defenses with his legs, left arm and poise. "Kevin is very calm under fire," said Baechler. "He has an incredible ability to make plays when the pressure's on. "He's also effective because you only have to tell him something once. He has a great memory and he's a great athlete." Backing up Delapaz will be junior Ben Merbler, who led the Chiefs' junior varsity squad to an unbeaten record in 2008. Speed to burn Canton's stable of running backs is fast and deep. Kevin Buford is the fastest of the group, having clocked a 4.5 40. Hard-running Ron Gaudi, elusive Davion Stackhouse and fleet-footed Josh Nolan and Ryan Powell will also get reps at running back. Senior Adam Payter returns at fullback following an accolade-filled 2008 season. "A couple of them will be playing defense, so they'll all get a shot," said Baechler. The Chiefs' receiving corps will be paced by senior returning starter Arron Boudreaux, who is also a special-teams return threat. Powell will also see time at wide out with Alex Dixon, Angelo Lanava and Garrett Bryden in line for snaps at tight end. The offensive line will be anchored by senior center Ryan Dunleavy. In the mix to join Dunleavy on the O-line are tackles Joey Galanty, Alex Marsh and Jack Slater; and guards Alex Gilo and Chris Hilton, both returning starters. Dunleavy, Dark-Bird lead 'D' An abundance of speed will help offset the fact that only three starters are returning on the defensive side of the ball. The defensive line will be led by Dunleavy and Dakota Dark-Bird, a three-year varsity starter. Also earning reps are Tyler Hult, Ben Poirer and Mike Sams. The Chiefs' line-backing unit will be sparked by senior Alex Dixon, who is being moved inside following a stellar year at outside linebacker in 2008. Bryden and Matt Gunnis will also play inside. Manning the outside slots will be Slater, Jake Underwood, Merbler and Jeff Straub. Patrolling the Chiefs' defensive backfield will be cornerbacks Boudreaux, Nolan and Powell; and safeties Stackhouse and Buford. The starting place-kicker spot was still up for grabs as of Friday. Among the candidates is freshman Connor Shannan, who also plays soccer. Last Edited By: PHSCatsFan 08/18/09 1:06 PM. Edited 2 times.
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PHSCatsFan	'Cats' leadership skills match talent level	#2	[url]	[-]
Sophomore Posts: 23 08/18/09 1:00 PM	Members of the Plymouth football team's actions will speak louder than their words this fall, but their words will make quite an impact, too, according to head coach Mike Sawchuk. "We have more vocal leaders this year than we've ever had before," said Sawchuk, whose team made its third trip to the Division 1 state football playoffs in 2008. "Our vocal leadership is awesome. "This is a great group of young men. They worked their tails off during the off-season. We had about 90 percent perfect attendance at the off-season workouts, so this team will work." Sawchuk revamped his program's weight-lifting program following a visit to the University of Miami's football facility this off-season. "I talked to their strength-and-conditioning guy and learned a lot about what they do," he said. "We still do the core lifts every day, but there's more of a total body workout after the core lift." Muscling up The change has had a positive impact on the players. "We're sore all over now after a workout, and that's a good thing," said senior center Keith Choma. "We used to kill our upper body or lower body every other day, but now we kind of do everything together. It seems like everybody is maxing out every day. We're all so much stronger than last year." There will be some familiar faces across the field on Aug. 28 when Plymouth opens its season against Salem. Former Wildcat offensive coordinator Kurt Britnell was hired as the Rocks' head coach this past spring and he brought a few more Plymouth assistant coaches with him. "It was already a rivalry, but it will be even more intensified with my former coordinator over there," said Sawchuk. "I'm very happy for them. Who wouldn't be happy to see one of their assistants become a head coach." New-look 'O' Like the workout program, the Wildcats' offense will also take on a new look. The team will utilize a spread, no-huddle attack that should leave defenses with little time to make adjustments. "It's the same offense that the University of Michigan runs," Sawchuk said. As of Friday, it was yet to be determined who will be guiding the offense as senior Ryan Barrera and junior Vic Hicks are both in the mix. "They're both great athletes with great arms," said Sawchuk. "They're both smart kids, too, so it's going to be tough. One thing is for sure, though: Whichever of the two isn't playing quarterback will be on the field somewhere." Spear-heading the Wildcats' talented group of running backs will be senior Jenarian Caldwell, who has been clocked at 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. Sawchuk also has extreme confidence in the abilities of Jerel Jenkins, Tommy Whitlow and Tony Rhodes. "Rhodes is my Mike Alstott," he said, referring to the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers' bruising fullback. "He'll run over people." Catching on The catalysts for the 'Cats' receiving corps will be senior Brennen Beyer and junior Jake Morris. Junior basketball player Justin Moss is just some completed paperwork away from joining the team. With the 6-foot-6 Moss in the line-up with the 6-4 Byer, the Wildcats would be tough to defend in goal-line passing situations. "Just throw it up there," Sawchuk said. The offensive line is the deepest Sawchuk has been blessed with in his four seasons on the job. Among those flanking senior center Keith Choma will be Jordon Birman, Matt Priebe, Matt Sheridan, Mark Wallath and Tyler Goble. Senior standout Daryl Cohn returns to anchor the defensive line, which will also include Wally Eppler, Austin Gosnell, Jacob Zawaski and Beyer. The starting line-backing unit will be sparked by senior Jamie Emminger (the group's lone returning starter), Rhodes and Goble. Tyler Grosh, Morris, transfer student Alex Ruffin and Phil Emminger will lead the defensive backfield. Unique weapon The Wildcats' kicking game will rest in the reliable hands, er, foot of junior Kyle Brindza, who is being recruited by several Division 1 college programs. Brindza booms kick-offs through the end zone with regularity and he's converted a 60-yard field in practice. "Not only is Kyle a weapon, but he's an unbelievable person," said Sawchuk. "He does everything right. He's in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he has awesome grades -- he's just an awesome kid who works his butt off every day."
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PHSCatsFan	Rejuvenated Rocks aim for return to glory days	#3	[url]	[-]
Sophomore Posts: 24 08/18/09 1:11 PM	Leave it to a former Rock to pump some program-altering adrenaline into a once-dominant Salem football program. Not long (probably just a matter of minutes) after Salem graduate and former football player Kurt Britnell was hired to replace Parker Salowich this past spring, he hit the ground running, installing new schemes and strategies. The most important thing Britnell has done, however, is change something that can't be found in a playbook, senior Blake Abbey stressed. "From last season to this season, the change in attitude has been amazing," said Abbey, the Rocks' starting center. "Everybody is thinking positive and we're enjoying the sport more than we ever have." Turning a high school football program around takes hard work and long hours -- two things Britnell has embraced. "The attitude of the kids has been great," said Britnell, the former offensive coordinator at Plymouth. "They've been very coachable. They listen to everything we have to say because they're hungry to start winning. "It's been a lot of hard work so far, but not harder than I thought it would be. We're trying to do everything right and in a positive way, and it seems to be paying off so far. "We've had a few lulls in the two-a-days, but every team goes through that." 'Hire' expectations Britnell received some positive off-the-field news last week when he found out he had secured a teaching job at the Plymouth Canton Educational Park. Salowich was hampered by not being on the campus during the day to build the program. "Salem's football program has gone from having no coaches who were teachers at the Park to having five in one year," said Britnell, who will teach special education at Plymouth High School. "The presence of coaches in the buildings is huge and we will have coverage in all three schools." The Rocks' offense promises to be improved this season thanks in large part to a mammoth, athletic offensive line that will be anchored by Abbey, who is the smallest of the bunch at 205 pounds. He'll be joined by Ed Merhi (6-foot-4, 325 pounds) and Dana Baltazar (6-4, 285); and guards A.J. Smith (6-1,2 260) and the relatively small Devin Burke (6-1, 215). QB battle As of Wednesday, a battle for the starting quarterback spot was being waged by senior captains Jake Peterson, who stands 6-7, and Brian Maksimovic. "We have quite a few position battles going on," revealed Britnell, "but that's a good thing. We want to create competition among positions. The only position that has been settled so far is offensive line." Peterson and/or Maksimovic will be throwing to a receiving corps that includes senior Alex King ("He's been doing a great job out there," Britnell said), Drew Thompson, Maksimovic (if he's not the quarterback), Derek Draplin and Kyle Middleditch. In addition to kicking and punting, Ethan Walsh will man the starting tight end spot to begin the season. Leading the race for the starting running back slots are Devon Mullins and Aronde Watkins. Most of the starting offensive linemen will also see stints on the defensive side of the ball, Britnell said. "We're going to have our best 11 football players on the field as much as possible," he added. "Mike Guido and Colin Gross will also be rotating in there." Linebacker should be a strength for the Rocks, thanks to the presence of Austin Root, Aronde Watkins and Walsh. The defensive backfield, which is still a work in progress, will include Mullins, King and Nick Giannini.
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patsfan		#4	[url]	[-]
Sophomore Posts: 22 08/18/09 11:32 PM	The Patriots, coming off a 5-5 season, lost first-team All-Observer signal caller Mark McRobb to graduation. McRobb, who accounted for 1,889 combined passing and rushing yards. He assumed the job from another first-team All-Area pick in Jesse Carpenter. Carpenter, meanwhile, took over the position from another first-team All-Area pick Matt McCullough, who led the Patriots to a 10-1 record in 2005. They were three reasons why the Patriots have made the postseason three of the past four years. There a few questions marks for this year's 2009 Patriot squad. That's because Kelbert returns a slew of starters led by 6-foot-3, 305-pound first-team All-Area tackle Nate Coleman, along with 6-1, 195-pound senior running back Mike Baumgardner, who earned second-team All-Observer honors. But the big question mark remains quarterback as senior Mike Beasley (6-0, 168) and junior Brent Marzion (5-9, 170) are vying for the starting nod. "Our offense will be based around the run, which always has opened up the passing game,'' Kelbert said. "Hopefully we can do the same this year. "Both are good quarterbacks, but they don't have the experience right now that you have to have to make the reads. Sometimes they look good, and sometimes not so good. But if they can make the third down throws when we need them and don't turn the ball over, it will allow us to move the ball.'' Franklin's deep at running back with the return of the speedy Baumgardner along with seniors Mike Gadsby (5-11, 200) and Chris VanTuyl (5-9, 165). "Baumgardner's a wingback who has gotten pretty strong, he's gained 10-to-15 pounds,'' Kelbert said. "He's got speed on the edge, but he's become more physical. He wants to put his shoulder down and become a more powerful back. "Gadsby has decent speed and one of the most athletic on the team. He's got great hands in the open field and can make people miss.'' (2 of 2) Coleman, who has started since his sophomore year, anchors a senior-laden offensive line that will also include Sean McAuliffe (6-2, 245), Brian Nixon (6-2, 230) and Nate Robinson (6-0, 255), the latter whom missed most of last season after getting injured in last year's 41-40 season-opening overtime loss to Livonia Stevenson. Advertisement "The interior line is very good, very strong,'' Kelbert said. "We've been saying that four of five games we lost last year were because we were physically beaten up front. As a goal, that it is one area that we have to change.'' The Patriots open the 2009 season with daunting schedule which includes Division 1 state semifinalist Stevenson (at home) followed by Walled Lake Western (on the road). "Our goal is to take the program another step forward,'' Kelbert said. "We've made the playoffs and have had some fine winning seasons, but we'd like to make a drive in our division (KLAA South). With two games left in our division last year we were in first place, then lost our last two. We'd like to be like the '05 team where we're going for a title in our conference and make a playoff run. Coleman, who has started since his sophomore year, anchors a senior-laden offensive line that will also include Sean McAuliffe (6-2, 245), Brian Nixon (6-2, 230) and Nate Robinson (6-0, 255), the latter whom missed most of last season after getting injured in last year's 41-40 season-opening overtime loss to Livonia Stevenson. Advertisement "The interior line is very good, very strong,'' Kelbert said. "We've been saying that four of five games we lost last year were because we were physically beaten up front. As a goal, that it is one area that we have to change.'' The Patriots open the 2009 season with daunting schedule which includes Division 1 state semifinalist Stevenson (at home) followed by Walled Lake Western (on the road). "Our goal is to take the program another step forward,'' Kelbert said. "We've made the playoffs and have had some fine winning seasons, but we'd like to make a drive in our division (KLAA South). With two games left in our division last year we were in first place, then lost our last two. We'd like to be like the '05 team where we're going for a title in our conference and make a playoff run.''
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Spartan2008StateChamps		#5	[url]	[-]
Junior Posts: 215 08/21/09 10:31 AM	Livonia Stevenson has been among the state's elite Division 1 football teams the past two years. The Spartans are coming off a 10-3 season after reaching the state semifinals following a runner-up finish and a trip to the state finals in 2007 at Detroit's Ford Field. One constant has been third-year starting running back Austin White, a 6-foot, 190-pound senior who recently committed to Michigan. The four-year varsity player rushed for 1,610 yards and scored 32 touchdowns last season. "Austin is a pretty known quantity by now," Stevenson head coach Tim Gabel said. "He is the most complete back I've ever seen at field level, and that includes his will to compete. "He will contribute in a lot of different ways. That includes defense." White, however, is far from being a one-man show. The Spartans have plenty of returning seniors to help complement White and give it another go in playoffs. Tight end Jordan El-Sabeh (6-4, 206) and senior split end Stephen Pollard (6-1, 179) will team up with slotback Johnny Pauley (5-7, 158) and fullback Mike Beyer (6-1, 197) to provide an offensive spark. "Jordan is a very dogged blocker and has soft hands for a kid as physical as he plays," Gabel said. Looking to replace first-team All-Observer quarterback Jacob Gudeman, who threw for 1,340 yards and nine touchdowns, are brother Jon Gudeman (5-10, 175) and Brendan O'Hara (6-1, 189). Three veterans, meanwhile, will also anchor the offensive line including center David Bogart (5-10, 270), Jon Aneed (6-1, 238) and Joe Swingle (6-3, 225). El-Sabeh will also help anchor a defense which also includes senior tackle Austin Micallef (6-1, 270) and senior linebacker Erick Melton (6-0, 200), the latter whom has made great strides during the off-season. "Jordan was our only true two-way player last year, and it's shaping up that way again this year," Gabel said. "He just is so consistently good at what he does." Melton will be joined at linebacker by junior Duran Onwuemene (5-7, 217), who saw varsity playing time last year in the playoffs at fullback. (2 of 2) Stevenson's secondary will consist of Bryan Koessler (6-2, 200), Will Burek (6-1, 177), Alex Law (6-1, 165), White and Gudeman. "It's our deepest area," Gabel said of the defensive back corps. "White is just too good at safety to leave off the field, but Jon (Gudeman) and Bryan (Koessler) bring a lot of game experience from last year. Both Will (Burek) and Alex (Law) have really bounced back from injuries that kept them out of the mix last season." The Stevenson coach has been encouraged by the team's preseason effort so far. "By and large, we've had a good first week of practice," said Gabel, who resigned last December after 14 seasons, but reconsidered and returned a month later. "We have competition at a lot of spots, so we probably are trading off some team cohesiveness right now for increased focus in practice. For the time being, that's a good trade until we really we really see how certain individuals respond to actual competition." And if the last two years are any indication, the Spartans should be able to make some postseason waves once again.
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