2015 KENSINGTON LAKES ACTIVITES ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL TEAM CAPSULES 

 

Below are the 2015 KLAA Football team capsules. Compiled by Dan Stickradt based on information submitted by coaches. He can be reached at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com. Follow on Twitter @LocalSportsFans.

 

KLAA-SOUTH DIVISION

 

SCHOOL: Livonia Churchill

NICKNAME: Chargers

HEAD COACH: Bill DeFillippo (16-14)

2014 RECORD: 8-3, 4-1 KLAA-South (second)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: 1-1, lost in D-1 district finals to Plymouth Canton (56-21)

KEY PLAYERS: Marcus Sanders, jr. RB (2,00 all-purpse yards); Jake Wickens, sr. RB; Devin Obrec, sr. OT; Jalen Cochran, sr. OLB; Jared Stephens, sr. FS; Jake Stephan, sr. LB. 

KEY LOSSES: Brian Alsobrooks, QB (Eastern Michigan); Matt Skibinski, OT (Miami, Ohio); Tim Dulin, WR (North Dakota); Nick Davis, OG (Wayne State); Armon Perham, DT (Olivet); Dylan Padget, WR (Kalamazoo) 

NOTABLES: If the Chargers are to contend for a division title and playoffs berth, they will have to reload as eight players were lost to the college ranks. Churchill only returns four starters on defense and two on offense, so new opportunity awaits for those hoping to plug the holes vacated by graduation.

 

SCHOOL: Livonia Franklin

NICKNAME: Patriots

HEAD COACH: Chris Kalbert (62-74)

2014 RECORD: 2-7, 1-5 KLAA-South (fifth)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: None

KEY PLAYERS: Denzel Adams, sr. QB (649 rushing yards, 529 passing yards, 11 TDS); Joe Fortin, sr. OG; Josh Retting, sr. DT; Ryan Tracy, sr. DT; Ke Mauri, jr. LB; Chris Nehsail, jr. DB; 

KEY LOSSES: Mitch Gonyaw, RB; Nathan Rodgers, WR; Justin Gasaway, LB. 

NOTABLES: Franklin has goals to play much “tougher football” this season. The Patriots must learn how to win and may be able to do so behind seven returning starters back on both sides of the football. Early-season success may determine Franklin’s direction. 

 

SCHOOL: Plymouth

NICKNAME: Wildcats

HEAD COACH: Mike Sawchuk, 13th season (60-25)

2014 RECORD: 7-3, 3-2 KLAA-South (third)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: Lost in D-1 pre-district to Livonia Churchill (38-14). 

KEY PLAYERS: Chris Walls, sr. QB-WR; Michael Jordan, sr. OL; Elie Atallah, sr. OL; Cam Stella, sr. RB; Victor Abraham, sr. FS; Austin Scheffer, jr. DT; Darius Timmons, jr. MLB

KEY LOSSES: Deji Adebiyi, QB (Ohio Wesleyan); Kalen Dunham (Grand Valley); Anthony Kennet, RB-DL; Hussein Youseff, LB. Kevin Justice, LB. 

NOTABLES: The Wildcats have reached the postseason in seven of the last eight seasons and in eight of the previous 10 campaigns. With seven starters back on offense and six on defense and plenty of talent in the cupboards, there’s no reason why Plymouth won;t be in the hunt for a division title and postseason bid. 

 

SCHOOL: Plymouth Canton

NICKNAME: Chiefs

HEAD COACH: Tim Baechler (180-64).

2014 RECORD: 9-3, 5-0 KLAA-South (first)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: 2-1, Lost to Saline in Reached Division 1 regional finals (42-35)

KEY PLAYERS: Marcus Sanders, jr. FB (2,000 rushing yards); Antonio Alexander, sr. WR; Austin Simpson, sr. DT; DeMarco McKinney, sr LB; Jamal Allen, jr. DB

KEY LOSSES: Greg Williams, QB (holds most passing records at Canton); Gino Nolan, TE;

NOTABLES: The Chiefs graduated one of the best QBs in school history in Williams and is seeking a new leader at the signal-caller position to step up and lead the charge. If history has a say, Canton will still be a factor as the Chiefs have made the postseason in 14 of the past 15 years. This year’s version will be a run-oriented machine and has the line size to aid the ground assault.

 

SCHOOL: Wayne Memorial 

NICKNAME: Zebras

HEAD COACH: Donald Anderson, first season (24-23 at other schools)

2014 RECORD: 2-7, 0-5 KLAA-South (sixth)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: None

NOTABLES: A new coaching staff has the long-term vision of resurrecting the Zebras program, which hashes only ventured through some tough times in the past decade. Wayne has only amassed three wins in the past five years combined. The coaching staff is not focused on individuals, only building up the team for the future.

 

SCHOOL: Westland John Glenn

NICKNAME: Rockets

HEAD COACH: Steve Waller, first season

2014 RECORD: 6-4, 2-3 KLAA-South (fourth)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: Lost in D-1 pre-district to Saline (41-6)

KEY PLAYERS: Will Owens, sr. C; Jaylen Smith, sr. RB; Andrew Wicker, sr. LB; Courtney Cochran, sr. WR-SE

KEY LOSSES: DeShawn Baker, OL-DL (Central Michigan); Leon Crawford, LB-RB; Jamie Melchor, FS; Renardo Brown (Lake Erie); Javaughty Burns, DE-TE (Findlay)

NOTABLES: There’s only a combined three returning staters back for the Rockets, so in order to soar again this team will need to mature in a flash. The team will feature plenty of speed to help lessen the burden of inexperience.

 

 

KLAA-CENTRAL DIVISON

 

SCHOOL: Livonia Stevenson

NICKNAME: Spartans

HEAD COACH: Randy Micallef, third season (11-8)

2014 RECORD: 6-4, 4-1 KLAA-Central (tied-first)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: Lost in D-1 pre-district to West Bloomfield (34-6)

KEY PLAYERS: Austin Petrie, sr. RB (1,134 rushing yards); Ian Henzi, sr. K; Chris Tanderys, jr. QB (1,638 passing yards); Kyle Foster, sr. OL; Tyler Hudson, sr. OLB; Matt Brown, sr. DT

KEY LOSSES: CJ Weiss, SL-DB (Saginaw Valley); Brad Scott, DL-OL: Jack Furgeson, 

NOTABLES: The Spartans still return some talented offensive players, led by five returning starters, but need to fill in Weiss’ school record 59 receptions. Stevenson also has several third-year starters on the roster, so that experience could help get Stevenson to the postseason for the 12th time in 17 seasons. 

 

SCHOOL: Northville

NICKNAME: Mustangs

HEAD COACH: Matt Ladach, eighth season (47-22).

2014 RECORD: 6-3, 3-2 KLAA-Central (tied-third)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: Lost in D-1 pre-district to Plymouth Canton (48-7)

KEY PLAYERS: Alex Angelas, sr. OL; Jack Burke, jr. DB-WR-QB-K; Terrell Cunningham, jr. WR; Matt Komorous, sr. DL; Zach Prrystash, sr. DB-RB-WR; Justin Zimbo, sr. QB

KEY LOSSES: Zach Graham, OL (Northwood); David Moorman, OL (Wisconsin); Ryan Roberts, TE (Northern Illinois); P.J. Schnepp, RB (Grand Valley)

NOTABLES: Encompassing discipline and team concept, Northville’s coaching staff feels if this year’s contingent buys into their philosophy, the Mustangs could again  be a threat to contend for a division crown and reach the postseason for the sixth time in seven seasons. There’s a combined 10 returning starters and talented and versatile players all over the field.

 

SCHOOL: Novi

NICKNAME: Wildcats

HEAD COACH: Jeff Burnside, fifth season (17-19)

2014 RECORD: 4-5, 3-2 KLAA-Central (tied-third)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: None

KEY PLAYERS: Emanuel Jackson, sr. RB (2,000 total yards); Alec Bageris, jr. QB; Johnny Davis, sr. OL: Dylan Haggard, sr. DT; Ian Patterson, jr. LB; Nick Sabo, sr. DB

KEY LOSSES: Steve Davis, OL; Joe Haddad, OL; Jared Engebretson, OL; Matt Sabo, RB

NOTABLES: Novi has some talented offensive players at the skill positions but must replace five starters from the offensive line. There are only four returning starters on defense and the Wildcats lack overall depth defensively. Staying away from injury bug will be crucial for Novi.

 

SCHOOL: Plymouth Salem

NICKNAME: Rocks

HEAD COACH: Kurt Britnell, seventh season (16-38)

2014 RECORD: 2-7, 1-4 KLAA-Central (fifth)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: None

KEY PLAYERS: Shaw Lyall, sr. DB-WR (injured last season); Freddie McGee, sr. DB-WR; Trevor Nowaske, jr. LB (all-league); Deston Langford, sr. DB-RB; Jacob Miller, sr. DB-RB-WR; Jason Arnold, jr. DB

KEY LOSSES: Devin Cameron, LB (Toledo); Lucas Callahan, OL; Uday Singh, DL (Hillsdale)

NOTABLES: Taking care of the football and providing “ball security” will be a focus for the Rocks this season, as they struggled in that department last fall. Staying away from the injury bug this season will also be crucial, as Salem was decimated by injuries a year ago. This program has only had one winning campaign in the last 17 seasons (2012) and has not reached the postseason since 1991.

 

 

 

SCHOOL: South Lyon

NICKNAME: Lions

2014 RECORD: 8-2, 4-1 KLAA-Central (tied-first)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: Lost in D-2 pre-district to Walled Lake Western (14-13)

KEY PLAYERS: Nick Pagano, sr. WR; Connor McGee, sr. RB; Spencer Magee, sr. OL; Trevor Tank, sr. LB (all-league); Jeff Dill, sr. DL (all-league); Braxton Blackwell, jr. DB

KEY LOSSES: Anton Skupin, QB (Eastern Michigan); Joe Newman, DB (Saginaw Valley); Tim McPhee, DB (Adrian); Hunter Casebolt, DL (Adrian); Jameson Donahue, LB; Brandon Hakala, OL 

NOTABLES: The split between South Lyon and South Lyon East did hurt the Lions, who are apparently on the upswing again thanks to postseason berths in three of the last four seasons. To keep the train headed in the right directions, Coach Thomas’ main concern is getting a lineup of mostly new starters to “get to the speed of the varsity level.” With eight new starters on both sides of the ball, quick progress will be needed. 

 

SCHOOL: South Lyon East

HEAD COACH: Joe Pesci, first season

2014 RECORD: 0-9, 0-5 KLAA-Central (sixth)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: None

KEY PLAYERS: Jordan Thibodeau, sr. OL; Joel Trent, sr. OL; Garrett Read, sr. WR; Shane Patterson, jr. LB; Josh Smith, sr. FS; JD Simon, sr. DB

KEY LOSSES: Trent Willenborg, WR (Akron)

NOTABLES: There is only one way for this program to travel and that is up. This is the eighth school year for South Lyon East and the program is 14-50 overall with just one postseason berth (2012). The Cougars will be learning a new offense and defense so a quick study will be needed to right the ship this year. 

 

 

 

KLAA-NORTH DIVISION

 

SCHOOL: Walled Lake Central

NICKNAME: Vikings

HEAD COACH: Bob Meyer, 15th season (60-54)

2014 RECORD: 9-3, 4-1 KLAA-North (tied-first)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: 2-1, lost in D-1 regional finals to Clarkston (40-22)

KEY PLAYERS: Ogundeji Adetokumbo, sr. DE (committed to Notre Dame); Ethan Rodriguez, sr. RB-DB; Ryan Kalis, sr. TE; Nick Tinson, sr. OL-DL

KEY LOSSES: Nick Krumm, QB (Michigan State); Drake Temple, S (Hillsdale); Cody Patterson, DB (Northwood)

NOTABLES: With six returning starters back on offense and five on defense, there will be a mix of experience and youth this season for the Vikings, who reached the Elite Eight last season in D-1. WL Central has one of the state’s top defensive players and a host of other playmakers on both sides of the football who should keep the Vikings quite relevant in 2015. 

 

SCHOOL: Walled Lake Northern

NICKNAME: Knights

HEAD COACH: Brett Moore (34-31)

2014 RECORD: 4-5, 1-4 KLAA-North (fifth)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: None

KEY PLAYERS: A.J. Chuchla, sr. RB; Ray Abbott, sr. SB; Adam Rabaut, sr. SB-DB; Duval Green, sr. DB; Joe Long, sr. DE; 

KEY LOSSES: Brendan O’Donnell, QB; Jamie Demers, OT; Jake Boerner, C; Jordan Grodman, DB

NOTABLES: Entering its 14th school year and 13th as a varsity program, WL Northern is hoping to rebound from a down year in 2014. The Knights made the postseason in 2012 and 2013 only to dip under the radar last season. With seven starters back on offense and six on defense, there’s reason to believe that last season was a hiccup. WL Northern was hit hard by injuries last season, but younger players gained some valuable playing time which should bode well this season. The Knights are one of the more experienced team in the KLAA.

 

SCHOOL: Walled Lake Western

NICKNAME: Warriors

HEAD COACH: Michael Zdebski (127-54). 

2014 RECORD: 9-2, 4-1 KLAA-North (tied-first)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: 1-1, lost in D-2 district finals to Farmington Harrison (10-9)

KEY PLAYERS: Kyle Thomqas, sr. QB (over 2,500 all-purpose yards); Jake Prokes, sr. TB; Dan Barrett, sr. C; Alex Gammo, sr. OG; Tyler Shreve, sr. OT-DT; Cody White, jr. SE; Darnell Lanier, sr. LB; Jackson Neracher, sr. DB; Bryce Brand, sr. DL (All-State transfer from Detroit U-D Jesuit); Ryan Steiner, sr. DL; John Camilleri, sr. K (All-State Dream Team)

KEY LOSSES: John Witkowski, SL (All-State, Mt. Union); Matt Jenkin, OL; Zach Johnson, DL: Marcus Bailey, SE (Wayne State). 

NOTABLES: With six starters back on both sides of the football and two highly-touted recruits, the Warriors have the capabilities to be very good. The Warriors are in a very competitive division of the KLAA so top performers will need to shine in order for WL Western to pull away from the pack. 

 

SCHOOL: Waterford Kettering

NICKNAME: Captains

HEAD COACH: Shaun Warner

2014 RECORD: 5-4, 2-3 KLAA-North (fourth)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: None

KEY PLAYERS: Jacob Netscke, sr. Henry Mitzerak, sr. QB; Chandler Johnson, sr. OL; Evan King, sr. RB; Jacob Mortimore, sr. LB; Jacob Netscke, sr. DB (All-State in track); Matt Hall, sr. NGwi

KEY LOSSES: Danotiss Smith, RB (all-State in football and track); Keyron Payne, DB; Austin Wood, RB-LB

NOTABLES: The bad news is that the Captains must replace two 1,00-yard rushers. The good news is that six starters are back on both sides of the ball and there is still plenty of speed and athleticism in the lineup. Kettering is coming off its first back-to-back winning seasons since 1997 and 1998 and will not be a pushover as it was in a 14-year span of losing seasons (1999-2012). 

 

SCHOOL: Waterford Mott

NICKNAME: Corsairs

HEAD COACH: Chris Fahr, fourth season (40-46 at multiple schools)

2014 RECORD: 6-4, 4-1 KLAA-North (tied-first)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: Lost in D-1 pre-district to Walled Lake Central (35-14)

KEY PLAYERS:  Corbin Moorer, sr. RB (995 rushing yards); Avery Carter, sr. WR-DB; Trey Christian, sr. LB; Jimmy McFadden, sr. LB Avery Carter, sr. FS; Eric Bilvkosky, sr. OL; Jimmy Shadwell, sr. OL; Brendan Kennedy, sr. OL; Tyrese Mays, sr. CB-SL; Marco Quintero, jr. CB-RB; Zach Loll, jr. WR

KEY LOSSES: Dakota Kupp, QB *All-State, Central Michigan); Randy Bicknell, RB; Adam Upleger, LB (All-State); Louy Compton, LB (Ellsworth College)

NOTABLES: After six straight losing seasons, Mott made an about-face turnaround last season. As part of a reval of boys sports last season, the Corsairs have several multi-sport athletes on the roster, including several sprinters from a regional 

 

SCHOOL: White Lake Lakeland 

NICKNAME: Eagles

HEAD COACH: Joe Woodruff, first season (128-68 overall)

2014 RECORD: 3-6, 0-5 KLAA-North (sixth)

POSTSEASON iN 2014: None

KEY PLAYERS: Adam Kleckner, sr. WR-DB; Jason Wooster, sr. RB-DB; Kyle Welling, sr. OL-DL

KEY LOSSES: Graduated seven starters from both sides of the football

NOTABLES: Behind a new coaching staff, Lakeland is trying to rebuild glory years. The Eagles reached the postseason from 2006-2008 but has not won over five games in any one season since then. Woodruff and staff are trying to identify players in each grade that you will help this program be consistently competitive. 

 

 

 

KLAA-WEST DIVISION

 

SCHOOL: Brighton

NICKNAME: Bulldogs

HEAD COACH: Brian Lemons (58-19 at multiple schools)

2014 RECORD: 4-5, 2-3 KLAA-West (tied-fourth)

POSTSEASON iN 2014: None

KEY PLAYERS: Grant Dunatchik, sr. QB; Joey Clifford, sr. RB (1,121 rushing yards); Brendan Klaus, sr. OL); 

KEY LOSSES: Nick Brish, S (Mt. Union); Alex Zielinski, TE (Miami Ohio); Tyler Trish LB (Hope College

NOTABLES: Brighton has reached the postseason in 14 of the past 19 years but took a step backward last fall. Learning a new system in a hurry will determine how well the Bulldogs will do under a new coaching staff. This is a wide open division so the opportunity is there for Brighton to return to glory. 

 

SCHOOL: Grand Blanc

NICKNAME: Bobcats

HEAD COACH: Joe Delaney

2014 RECORD: 5-4, 4-1 KLAA-West (tied-first)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: None

KEY PLAYERS: Zach Leedom, sr. QB-RB; Chandler Tucker, sr. LB; Blake Bogan, jr. WR (all-league); Ryon Honea, sr. LB; Robert Mora, sr. SS

KEY LOSSES: Tre’von Avery, QB (Wayne Stage, 1,815 passing yards); Matt Mastermatteo, WR; Tony Roland, LB (All-State)

NOTABLES: Grand Blanc is another team that has enjoyed success in recent years, reaching the postseason in 11 of the previous 16 campaigns with 11 winning seasons in 12 years. The Bobcats did miss the playoffs in 2014 and are eager to gain a postseason bid this year. Only three starters are back on both sides of the ball, so this team is lacking in experience but not athleticism and speed. 

 

SCHOOL: Hartland

NICKNAME: Eagles

HEAD COACH: Brian Savage, fourth season (18-11)

2014 RECORD: 7-3, 4-1 KLAA-West (tied-first)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: 0-1, lost in D-1 pre-district to Grand Ledge (14-0)

KEY PLAYERS: Andy Maschke, sr. DL (all-league); Alex Vydick, sr. LB; Aaron Laird, sr. LB; Noah Marshall, sr. QB (All-league); Hayden Hutalla, jr. OL-DL

KEY LOSSES: Jake Economou, DL (Slippery Rock); Jared Gohl, OL (Hillsdale)

NOTABLES: All sports considered, Hartland had an incredible year in 2014-15, including astute runner-up finish in wrestling and a D-1 state title in baseball. On the grid-iron, the Eagles shared a league crown and reached the postseason. Hartland lost a lot of its “leaders,” according to Coach Savage and had many versatile athletes that left holes by graduation. The Eagles return a combined seven starters and yet are not void of athletes that should keep them in the league’s upper echelon. 

 

SCHOOL: Howell

NICKNAME: Highlanders

HEAD COACH: Aaron Metz (44-27)

2014 RECORD: 4-5, 3-2 KLAA-West (third)

POSTSEASON in 2014: None

KEY PLAYERS: Brett Chaperon, sr. QB (1,290 yards); Dan Collins, sr. OL; Wil Manson, sr. OL; Greg Kearns, sr. K; Thomas Lassitter, sr. DB; Trevor Wetzel, sr. DB; Joe Senecal, sr. LB

KEY LOSSES: Jared Pietila, LB-OL (all-league); Michael Betz, WR-DB (Michigan Tech); Evan Siemen, RB (All-league, Livingston County Player of the Year).

NOTABLES: Howell has reached the postseason in seven of the past 10 years. The Highlanders also missed the past two seasons and dipped under the five-hundred mark.  A total of 13 starters are back, including seven on offense where a talented QB can thrive behind a beefy offensive line. The running game and defensive backs is where Howell has voids to fill. If the Highlanders can reload there, this team should be in the hunt for championships. 

 

SCHOOL: Milford

NICKNAME: Mavericks

HEAD COACH: Tim Gough, second season (1-8)

2014 RECORD: 1-8, 0-5 KLAA-West (sixth)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: None

KEY PLAYERS: Jackson Hale, sr. DL; Joe Larson, sr. QB; Jacob Jones, sr. OL; Adam Stebbins, sr. LB; Blake Peterson, sr. DL

KEY LOSSES: Tyler Carrier, RB (Lake Erie College); Dylan Sanders, OL (Grand Valley); Chad Comis, LB

NOTABLES: In a wide open division, the Mavericks have a legitimate shot of righting the ship and becoming much more competitive thanks to a combined 11 returning starters. The new coaching staff is hoping the players can learn new schemes in the same time become much more consistent. If anything, the Mavericks are rarer to snap a seven-game losing streak and turn the tables on back-to-back losing seasons. 

 

SCHOOL: Pinckney

NICKNAME: Pirates

HEAD COACH: Jakob Gailitis, fourth season (14-15)

2014 RECORD: 3-6, 2-3 KLAA-West (tied-fourth)

POSTSEASON IN 2014: None

KEY PLAYERS: Nate Houghtelling, sr. OT-DT; Bryce Heatwole, sr, OT; Jarrett Bohn, sr. RG; Brandon Wiese, sr. CB; Joey Bachmeier, sr. OLB

KEY LOSSES: Josh Hess, QB; Justin Eagy, WR

NOTABLES: Six starters are back on both sides of the football and Pinckney, which had 11 straight losing seasons from 2000-2012 only to make the playoffs in 2013, want to reverse the trends of recent decades (three winning seasons in 20 years). The Pirates sunk below five-hundred last season but did win two of their final three contests. If new players at the skill positions can step up and produce, this team could surprise.