With the class of 2018 position rankings complete, along with my top 100 players for the class of 2019 and top 20 gridders for the class of 2020 finished, I'll now shift my focus to Michigan's best high school football teams for the 2017 season. Beginning with this post (and in the ensuing days), I'll profile the Great Lakes State's preseason Top 10 prep football squads for the upcoming 2017 year. Today's first installment is my selection for the state's preseason No. 10-ranked team -- River Rouge.
10. River Rouge- Last season's overall record (11-2, lost 20-14 to eventual state runner-up Detroit Country Day in the Division 4 semifinals).
Top Players- Reggie Pearson-5-11, 185-Sr.-SS (Wisconsin verbal), Lee Payton-6-3, 220-Sr.-TE (WMU verbal), Eric Chenault-6-0, 215-Sr.-LB-WR, Corry Thomas-5-10, 175-Jr.-CB, Alex Carter-5-10, 215-Sr.-RB, Julien Lee-6-4, 320-Sr.-DT, Ja'veon Coleman-6-1, 280-Sr.-DT, Tyler Carter-6-2, 230-Sr.-DE, Baron Sholar-6-0, 205-Sr.-LB, Dalen Parker-6-5, 195-Sr.-WR, K.J. Worthy-5-10, 185-Jr.-DB, Caleef Jenkins-5-10, 220-Jr.-RB, Yusuf Abdul-Aziz-5-10, 205-Jr.-LB, Dontrell Walker-6-1, 275-Jr.-OG.
Season opener- vs. Detroit East English Village (5-4 last season) in Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State University, Aug. 26.
Interesting out-state match-up- Week 8 at Indianapolis Warren Central, Oct. 13. Warren Central is one of the top programs in Indiana, if not the Midwest. Last season, the Warriors finished 10-2 overall losing in Indiana's "Big School" state semifinals 28-7 to eventual runner-up Greenwood Center Grove. Ironically, Warren Central defeated Center Grove 21-16 to open the season last year. The Warriors also beat eventual "Big School" state champion Carmel 40-30 in Week 8 last season. Warren Central features one of the country's top junior wide receivers in David Bell (6-2, 190). Last year, as a sophomore, Bell caught 68 passes for 1,201 yards and 17 TDs.
Overview- Coach Corey Parker has built a state powerhouse at River Rouge. In the past three seasons, the Panthers are a combined 33-6 overall. Last year, River Rouge reached the Division 4 state semifinals, while in 2015, the Panthers advanced to the Division 5 state championship game before falling 40-34 to Grand Rapids West Catholic. In 2014, River Rouge again finished with double-digit wins ending up 10-2 overall. This upcoming season, Parker, truly one of Michigan's best all-around coaches, should have his Panthers primed for another run at a state title. With a powerful running game highlighted by senior Alex Carter (5-10, 215, 4.5 40) and receivers senior Eric Chenault (6-0, 215) and senior Lee Payton (6-3, 220), River Rouge should score points in bunches this year. But it's defensively why I have the Panthers ranked this high. With D-I college football talent at every level, River Rouge will physically dominate opponents this season. With seniors Julius Lee (6-4, 320) and Ja'veon Coleman (6-1, 280) clogging the middle up front and senior Tyler Carter (6-2, 230) causing havoc from his DE position, the Panthers should have little trouble controlling the line of scrimmage this year. At linebacker, senior Baron Sholar (6-0, 205) and Chenault are physical, hard-hitting players, while in the secondary senior SS Reggie Pearson (5-11, 185) and junior CB Corry Thomas (5-10, 175, 4.4 40) are two of the best in the Midwest at their positions for their respective class years.
Up next- No. 9-ranked Utica Eisenhower.
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