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Coaches poll: 1. Carleton Airport 75, 2. Milan 70, 3. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 64, 4. Monroe Jefferson 56, 5. Riverview 46, 6. Flat Rock 41, 7. New Boston Huron 40, 8. Grosse Ile 24.
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(All players are seniors unless noted)
Airport
2007 record: 9-2, 6-1
Strength: Offensive backs
Top players: OL/DL Charlie Chapman, RB/CB Jake Behrik, junior LB Drew Nava, RB Derek Baker, sophomore RB Jodeci Mays, junior LB Dylan Close, C Rusty LeBlanc.
Outlook: Even without an abundance of returning starters, coach Eric Redmond says, "This might be the quickest team I've ever had. We expect to score points; we just need more experience and we need to hang on to the ball." Chapman (6-7, 285) has committed to Indiana.
Milan
2007 record: 9-3, 6-1
Strength: Defense
Top players: DL David Box, DL Eric Gunderson, junior DL Thom Box, LB Demetries Love, LB Kenny Barrett, OL Jereme Chie, OL Aaron Straub.
Outlook: Although the Big Reds graduated TB Ron Spears, who rushed for 2,501 yards last season, coach Steve Robb is comfortable with the returning talent on his defense - including David Box, a Western Michigan recruit. Having 23 seniors on the roster should also help.
St. Mary Catholic Central
2007 record: 8-3, 5-2
Strength: Tradition
Top players: OL John Platt, junior RB T.J. Lovell, TE Chris Giarmo, G/LB Nathan Gonyea, RB/CB Martellis Simon, RB/CB Mike Strimpel.
Outlook: The Falcons hope to build on a streak of five straight playoff appearances. "We lost a lot of starters, and we're young and inexperienced, but the kids are working hard and they know the system," coach Jack Giarmo said. Lovell rushed for 1,000 yards as a sophomore.
Jefferson
2007 record: 4-5, 4-3
Strength: Experience
Top players: OT Craig Miller, OT, Tom Trevarrow, RB/CB Aaron Currey, QB Kyle Strube, LB Jake Ellison, C Thaddeus Deer, G/DE Dave Dover, E/DE Blaze DuBois.
Outlook: Last year "we lost a couple of ballgames we should have won," said coach Marc Cisco, beginning his 43rd season. "We have a lot of guys who had plenty of playing time a year ago, and now we need them to step up and be leaders." The Bears return nine offensive and eight defensive starters.
Riverview
2007 record: 4-5, 3-4
Strength: Coachability
Top players: DE Jim Kirkwood, DE Matt Wais, TE Nick Price, FB Kevin Hodges, junior TB Andrew White, DB Dan Emerson, OL Anthony Liberty.
Outlook: Coach Nick Gross says the Pirates have a lot of openings in the lineup, with just four returning starters. "Hopefully we get kids who can step up and play their roles," he said. "We've got a good team filled with kids who really care about the game and our team goals."
Flat Rock
2007 record: 5-4, 3-4
Strength: Attitude
Top players: TB Matt Grunow, junior QB Dan Chickeral, C/MLB Adam Pavilanis, OT/DE Terry Denman, OT Matt Vey, OE/DE Scott Mayes, junior G/DE Phil Vroman, DT Jacob Ritchie.
Outlook: Although the small size of the team (19) could make the Rams vulnerable, coach Joe Pruchnicki refuses to dwell on it. "We had some key losses (to graduation), but the kids coming back are pretty competitive," he said. "Flat Rock always has some hard-nosed kids."
New Boston Huron
2007 record: 3-6, 1-6
Strength: Strength
Top players: Junior QB Andrew Mayrand, WR/TE Robbie Damico, junior OL/DL Sherwood Harris, WR Blake Claiborne, TB Nick Wellman.
Outlook: Several different adjectives could describe the Chiefs - including fast, big, strong and young. "We graduated 19 seniors and a lot were starters," coach Dan Kalbfleisch said. "This group of juniors has been successful at other levels. We'll see what kind of effort we put forth."
Grosse Ile
2007 record: 0-9, 0-7
Strength: Experience
Top players: TE/DE Evan Pilkington, QB Joe Tobin, junior RB Dex Teen, K Andy Leonard.
Outlook: With just three seniors, the Red Devils are young, but at least they're experienced, as coach John Bodner explains: "We got to play a lot of young guys last year. We will probably start five to seven sophomores this year as well; most of our starters will be juniors."
Wright Wilson, special writer
