Throughout the next week or so I'll be profiling my preseason Top 10 high school football teams for the 2017 season in Michigan. Today, the spotlight is on my No. 9-ranked squad -- Utica Eisenhower.
9. Utica Eisehnower- Last season's overall record (12-1, lost in the Division 1 semifinals 32-28 to eventual state champion Detroit Cass Tech on a last-second TD catch by All-American WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (Michigan signee).
Top Players- Max Wittwer-6-3, 185-Sr.-QB, Derian Doherty-6-4, 280-Sr.-OL, Henry Janeway-6-4, 220-DE-LB-TE-WR, Assad Bujaidar-5-10, 170-Sr.-RB, Jack Morris-6-0, 180-Sr.-WR, Ben Mets-5-9, 165-Sr.-WR, Johnny Fantauzzo-5-10, 160-Sr.-DB.
Season opener- vs. Oak Park (7-4 last season) in Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State University, Aug. 26. First time meeting between these two power programs. Oak Park has some of the top individual talent in Michigan. The Knights are led by my No. 1 overall prospect in the state in senior OG Marquan McCall (6-4, 325, Kentucky verbal).
Interesting rivalry game- The Eagles have had Romeo's number the past two years, that's for sure. Last season, Eisenhower defeated the Bulldogs 16-14 on a last-second 37-yard field goal by senior kicker Anthony Tocco. Two years ago, the Eagles topped Romeo 17-14 in a Week 9 victory. It was the Bulldogs' lone loss of the season, as Romeo would go on to win the Division 1 state championship. A "Red Letter-type" of game, Eisenhower travels to Romeo for this season's match-up in Week 5. Stay tuned...
Overview- Head coach Chris Smith (a former Michigan State captain under George Perles and Nick Saban) has Eisenhower primed and ready for another crack at the Division 1 state title. Senior quarterback and high-level D-I college football prospect Max Wittwer (6-3, 185) is one of the most dynamic players in the state of Michigan and should be a handful for most opponents to contain. Last season, Wittwer (No. 8-ranked QB in Michigan) threw for 1,677 yards with 21 TDs and only four interceptions, while running for 819 yards and nine touchdowns. I have the Eagles ranked this high, not only because of the talent returning, but because of the way the 2016 season ended. The bitter taste/ache in Eisenhower's collective stomachs after last year's last-second loss to Detroit Cass Tech in the D-1 state semifinals has to gnaw at the Eagles. That setback, in my opinion, will motivate, galvanize and harden the resolve of this season's Eisenhower squad. The Eagles were so close, yet so far, last year to capturing a state title. Look for the well-coached and disciplined "Ike" squad to have another successful season in 2017. Though low on star-power as compared to other teams still to come on this Top 10 list, Eisenhower, like the school's namesake, isn't flashy, but, like the real man, all it does -- is win.
Up next- No. 8-ranked Saline.
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