Sorry it's been so long between posts, but, as usual, life happens. Here is the latest installment in my 2017 preseason Top 10 teams for the state of Michigan -- Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
7. Grand Rapids Catholic Central- (13-1 last season, Division 4 state champion, defeated Detroit Country Day 10-7 to win the title).
Top Players- Jalen Mayfield-6-5, 255-Sr-DE-OT (Michigan verbal), Nolan Fugate-6-1, 210-Sr.-LB-RB, Aidan Burns-6-3, 215-Sr.-DE-TE, Jack Bowen-6-1, 180-Sr.-QB, Henry Sommerdyke-6-3, 280-Sr.-OG-NG, Grant Bearss-6-1, 245-Sr.-DE-OG, Luke Harmon-6-5, 245-Jr.-OT-DT.
Season opener- In a re-match of last season's D-4 state championship game, the Cougars kickoff the 2017 year hosting the Yellowjackets of Detroit Country Day, Aug. 25. The Yellowjackets (13-1 last season) are loaded once again this year, returning one of the nation's top linebackers in senior Kolin Demens (6-2, 215, 4.5 40) and disruptive senior defensive tackle Christian Love (6-1, 285). The Catholic Central-Country Day opener will be one of the state's best Week 1 contests.
Interesting program tidbits- A perennial powerhouse on Michigan's west side, Catholic Central has been a dominant Grand Rapids area program for decades. Former Cougars include George Andrie (6-6, 260), one of "Michigan's All-Time Top 50 Pro Football Players" (my book -- sorry, shameless plug), who was an All-Pro defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys (1960s-70s), an original member of the legendary "Doomsday Defense" and a Super Bowl champion (1971 season); Mike Kadish, a former Notre Dame All-American defensive tackle, an NFL first round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins and a Super Bowl champion (1972 season); Mike Keller, an All-Big Ten player at Michigan and an NFL linebacker with the Dallas Cowboys (1970s) and current Minnesota Vikings running back Bronson Hill (EMU).
Overview- The Cougars look to make it two straight D-4 state championships in 2017. With a strong offensive and defensive line, a returning senior quarterback, a punishing run game and the state of Michigan's No. 2-ranked overall player in senior DE-OT Jalen Mayfield (6-5, 255), Catholic Central will be a load for any team to handle this upcoming season. Mayfield is dominant on both sides of the football, but look for senior RB-LB Nolan Fugate (6-1, 210, 4.5 40) to wreck havoc all over the field this year. Whether it's running the football or making tackles from sideline to sideline on defense, Fugate is a big-time D-I-level talent. Other top players for the Cougars will be senior DE-TE Aidan Burns (6-3, 215), senior OG-NG Henry Sommerdyke (6-3, 280), senior DE-OG Grant Bearss (6-1, 245) and junior OT-DT Luke Harmon (6-5, 245). Harmon, like Mayfield, is a bonafide Big Ten-level talent. Also returning for his second season as a starter will be senior quarterback Jack Bowen (6-1, 180). Bowen connected with then senior WR Michael Brown (now playing at Miami, OH) for a 44-yard, fourth quarter, state championship-winning TD pass last season. With skill and experience on both sides of the football, Catholic Central will, once again, be one of Michigan's top teams in 2017.
Up next- No. 6-ranked Walled Lake Western.
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