Since I've listed, position-by-position, the top players/prospects in the state of Michigan for the class of 2016 and ranked my top 92 (and still growing) players/prospects for the class of 2017, I figured it was time to switch gears a bit and focus on some of the Great Lakes State's best high school football teams for the upcoming season.
Here are the top five high school football squads for the state of Michigan heading into the 2015 season. As always, Michigan fields some of the nation's best teams and programs year after year and this season appears to be no different.
Michigan's top five football teams for the 2015 season-
1. Orchard Lake St. Mary's- The defending Division 3 state champions return seven starters on offense and four starters on defense entering the 2015 campaign. Last year, OLSM (12-2 a year ago) scored 395 points (28 points per contest), while allowing only 159 points (11 points per game average) the entire season. Playing in one of the country's toughest conferences (the Detroit Catholic League Central Division), the Eaglets' two losses last season came on a combined 15 points to national powerhouse Birmingham Brother Rice (28-20 and 35-28).
Offensively, St. Mary's returns quarterback senior Brendan Tabone (6-0, 185) and blazing tailbacks seniors Justin Myrick (5-10, 190) and Ryan Johnson (5-9, 170). Johnson has reportedly been clocked at 4.4 in the 40. Blocking for Myrick and Johnson will be returning starter fullback senior Pierce Bauer (5-11, 210). All around talent, senior Brandon Adams (5-11, 195), who will line up at running back and receiver, returns and is one of the state's top utility-type players. At receiver, OLSM returns shifty junior Kahlee Hamler (5-9, 165), a 4.4 open field nightmare for opposing defenses. Hamler has already been offered by Michigan State and multiple other D-I programs. Up front, leading the charge will be returning seniors tackle Cameron Kolwich (6-4, 285) and guard Scott Kowalski (5-10, 235). Kolwich has verbally committed to Northwestern and is one of Michigan's best.
Defensively, St. Mary's could be absolutely lethal. The Eaglets' back seven could be one of the nation's fastest and most talented. Orchard Lake will have to find some big bodies up front (never a problem for the Eaglets), since all four starters graduated, but its linebacker corps could be Michigan's best. To begin with, the state's No. 1 junior Josh Ross (6-1, 225, MSU, U-M, Ohio State, Notre Dame among offers) will be making tackles sideline to sideline from his linebacker position. Add fellow blue-chip junior Dwayne Chapman (6-1, 210, with multiple D-I offers) and returning starter Bauer to the linebacker group and that's as good as any unit in Michigan. In the secondary, junior D-I prospect Richard Bowens (6-1, 175, Minnesota offer) and Hamler will man the cornerback spots, while returning starter senior Tyler Cochran (6-2, 185) and Myrick will line up at safety.
Special teams will be stellar with Adams returning to handle both the punting and kicking duties, while Hamler is one of the state's most electrifying kick returners.
Up next -- No. 2-ranked Detroit Cass Tech.
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