With the opening kickoff to the 2017 season only a few days away, I conclude my preseason list of Michigan's Top 10 squads. Today's installment takes a glance at the Great Lakes State's No. 1-ranked team heading into the 2017 campaign -- Detroit King.
1. Detroit King- Last season's record (13-1, Division 2 state champion, defeated Walled Lake Western 18-0 for the title).
Top players- Jaeveyon Morton-5-10, 175-Sr.-DB-WR (Iowa State verbal), Tyrece Woods-6-2, 245-Jr.-LB-DE, Marvin Grant-6-2, 195-Jr.-DB-RB, Erik Gibson-6-2, 195-Sr.-WR-DB-LB (Minnesota verbal), DeQuan Finn-6-2-185-Jr.-QB, Josh Mayberry-6-2, 295-Sr.-OG-C, Maurice White-6-5, 250-Sr.-DE (Toledo verbal), Jeremiah Hardge-6-3, 265-Sr.-OT, Arric Thomas-6-3, 315-Sr.-OG, James Davis-6-0, 305-Sr.-OG-C-DT, Marcel Wilson-6-4, 315-Sr.-OT-NG, Qaadir Ali-6-2, 215-Sr.-LB-RB, Aaron Pitts-6-1, 190-Sr.-DB, Jalen Bell-5-11, 275-Jr.-DT, Darrell Wyatt-6-3, 185-Jr.-WR, Jalen McGaughy-6-2, 200-Jr.-WR, Rashawn Williams-6-1, 190-Soph.-DB-WR, Deondre Buford-6-4, 215-Soph.-DE.
Season opener- vs. Indianapolis (IN) Cathedral in the Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State University, Aug. 26.
Interesting program tidbits- While my No. 2-ranked team Detroit Catholic Central might have the most difficult schedule Week 1 through 9 this upcoming season, King, without question, at least in my opinion, has the most demanding and physically-daunting first two games of the 2017 year. The Crusaders open the season taking on Indiana traditional power Indianapolis Cathedral, while in Week 2, King travels to Ohio to square off against one of the Buckeye State's top programs in Toledo Central Catholic. The Crusaders will definitely be "Fighting Irish" to begin the season, as both opponents share the same team nickname. Cathedral (7-5 last season) yearly plays one of the country's toughest schedules. The Irish already have a game under their belt in 2017, dropping a hard-fought 35-28 contest to host Louisville (KY) St. Xavier (No. 2-ranked in Kentucky), Aug. 18. Despite the loss, Cathedral is ranked No. 1 in Indiana's 5-A Division heading into the 2017 campaign. The Irish this year are led by seniors OG Emil Ekiyor (6-3, 325, U-M verbal), RB Markese Stepp (6-0, 225, Notre Dame verbal) and LB Hugh Davis (6-1, 215, Boston College verbal). Stepp ran for 203 yards and three TDs in Cathedral's season-opening loss last week. In Week 2, King will face Toledo Central Catholic (13-1 last year, lost in Division III state semifinals). The Irish are a combined 38-6 the past three seasons, winning a state championship in 2014, while finishing as state runner-up in 2015. Last season, Central Catholic's James Hudson (6-5, 295, DT) signed with Michigan.
Season preview- The two-time defending Division 2 state champion Crusaders, led by coach Tyrone Spencer, look to have yet another top team in 2017. King gets the nod as Michigan's No. 1-ranked squad because of its offensive line. I believe the key to any successful football team starts upfront, on both sides of the line of scrimmage, and the Crusaders have one of the Midwest's best O-Lines (along with a top-flight D-Line, as well). But it's the offensive line, at least on that side of the ball, that will set the tone this season for King. Leading the charge upfront for the Crusaders will be seniors C-OG Josh Mayberry (6-2, 295), OT Jeremiah Hardge (6-3, 265), OG-C James Davis (6-0, 305), OG Arric Thomas (6-3, 315) and OT Marcel Wilson (6-4, 315). At quarterback, the Crusaders return junior DeQuan Finn (6-2, 185, Arkansas State offer), while senior Qaadir Ali (6-2, 215) and junior Marvin Grant (6-2, 195) will get carries at RB. At receiver, Minnesota-commit senior Erik Gibson (6-2, 195), Iowa State-commit senior Jaeveyon Morton (5-10, 175), juniors Darrell Wyatt (6-2, 185) and Jalen McGaughy (6-2, 200, Northern Illinois offer), and sophomore Rashawn Williams (6-1, 190, Ohio State, Kentucky offers) round out a deep and talented pass-catching corps. Upfront, defensively, King will be strong with Toledo-commit senior DE Maurice White (6-5, 250), junior DT Jalen Bell (5-11, 275), sophomore DE Deondre Buford (6-4, 215) and Davis. At linebacker, junior Tyrece Woods (6-2, 245, my No. 1-ranked player overall for the class of 2019 in Michigan) will make plays all over the field, along with Ali. Woods will also line up at DE this season, moving around throughout each and every game. In the secondary, the Crusaders will be led by senior Aaron Pitts (6-1, 190), Grant (my No. 6-ranked player overall for the class of 2019 in Michigan, Notre Dame, U-M, Indiana, Iowa offers), Morton, Gibson and Williams.
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