From the 1983 Class A state championship Birmingham Brother Rice team which featured four future NFL players (Mike Lodish-DT-UCLA, Mike Farr-WR-UCLA, Mel Farr Jr.-RB-UCLA, Bob Kula-OG-MSU), plus Notre Dame recruit and All-American linebacker Matt Dingens and WMU signee quarterback Allen Syzdlowski, to the 2000 Division 3 state championship Farmington Hills Harrison squad which ended the season ranked No. 4 in the nation by USA Today and starred two future NFL players (Drew Stanton-QB-MSU and Chris Roberson-RB-WR-EMU), plus MSU wide receiver Agim Shabaj, BGSU cornerback Terrell Mayberry, CMU tight end Dave Condeni and Missouri tailback Marcus Woods, the state of Michigan has produced some of the country's best teams throughout the years. This season is no different as the Great Lakes State is full of powerhouse squads that are stacked with major Division I college talent.
Though it's early in the preseason (though not too early -- it's only two short months until the season officially kicks off), here are my top five teams heading into the 2013 campaign.
1. Clarkston-The Wolves finished 11-1 overall last season losing to Rockford 25-14 in the Division 1 regional final (state quarterfinals for you old-school guys). Ranked No. 1 for multiple weeks last year, Clarkston is aiming to advance farther in the state playoffs in 2013 making up for last season's earlier-than-expected exit. The Wolves have four future Division I college football players returning to their line-up this year including senior offensive guard-defensive tackle and Western Michigan recruit Nick Matich (6-4, 270), a top 25 overall player in Michigan, and seniors defensive tackle and Michigan State commit David Beedle (6-5, 275), defensive back-wide receiver Tim Cason (6-0, 185), a WMU verbal and Eastern Michigan recruit tailback Ian Erickson (5-10, 185). Other top performers for Clarkston this season will be senior kicker Shane Hynes (5-8, 170) and junior tight end Cole Chewins (6-7, 205). Chewins is ranked as one of the state's top 25 juniors and is already receiving looks from big-time D-I programs.
2. Grand Rapids Christian-The Eagles ended last season 13-1 overall and Division 3 state champions. Christian defeated Orchard Lake St. Mary's in a thriller 40-37 in overtime to claim the title. The Eagles return three seniors who are major D-I college football recruits and a junior linebacker that has Big Ten or SEC written all over him. Leading Christian this season will be senior wide receiver Drake Harris (6-4, 185). Harris, who has verbally committed to the University of Michigan and is the No. 2-ranked recruit overall in the state and one of the nation's best, finished with a Michigan High School Athletic Association Finals record of 243 yards receiving on eight catches in sparking the Eagles to last year's state championship. Anchoring the line up front for Christian will be senior offensive tackle Tommy Doles (6-5, 250), a Northwestern recruit, while massive sophomore tackle Ben Hoerle (6-4, 280) looks to break into the starting line-up in 2013. While Harris receives most of the attention, the Eagles have a second receiver to look out for in Dwayne Barfield (6-2, 180) a supremely talented player who also is a lockdown-type cornerback for Christian. Barfield is one of my sleepers entering this season. He's a guy who has Big Ten talent and size, but isn't getting the looks he deserves, in my opinion. At linebacker, the Eagles return Qi'antae Ewing (6-3, 225), one of Michigan's top 25 juniors. Other returning starters for Christian include senior slot back Sam Kuiper (5-9, 170), senior defensive tackle Jeremy Stygstra (6-2, 265), junior defensive tackle Juwan Jarnegan (6-1, 220), senior linebacker Ethan Badger (6-1, 195), junior linebacker Mitch Damstra (6-3, 185) and junior defensive back Malik McLaughlin (5-9, 185). A player to possibly watch out for this year could be senior defensive end DaRohn Scott (6-8, 235). A D-I college basketball recruit, Scott could wreak havoc rushing the quarterback or by creating a difficult passing lane with his long arms.
3. Detroit Cass Tech- The two-time defending Division 1 state champions are absolutely loaded once again in 2013. Fresh off their victory over Detroit Catholic Central 36-21 in last year's final, the Technicians (12-2 last year) are looking to win three straight big school titles in a row. Cass would be the first school to accomplish that feat since Detroit Catholic Central (2001, 2002, 2003). Returning to lead the Technicians will be highly-recruited junior signal-caller Jayru Campbell (6-3, 190). Campbell has quarterbacked Cass Tech to its past two state championships. He's already being recruited by Notre Dame, Michigan and Michigan State to name but a few of the major schools hoping to sign the strong-armed QB. Campbell, of course, is far from a one-man show. He'll hand the ball off to arguably the top running back in the state in junior Mike Weber (5-10, 195). At wide receiver-cornerback, the Technicians return Ohio State recruit senior Damon Webb (5-11, 185), one of Michigan's top five players. Up front, Cass returns senior offensive tackle Nashon Burns (6-4, 295), a three-year starter and a D-I recruit, along with Michigan's No. 1 junior player Josh Alabi (6-4, 245). Alabi, also a big-time defensive end, is being recruited by all the D-I major powers including Alabama, LSU and Big Ten schools. At linebacker, the Technicians return three D-I talents in seniors William White (6-2, 220), a Toledo recruit who had multiple Big Ten offers, Michigan State verbal Deon Drake (6-1, 215) and Gary Hosey (6-0, 230), also a bruising fullback. Bowling Green State recruit senior Brian Sanders (6-4, 220) returns at defensive end, while senior cornerback Phillip Parham (5-9, 170), who's receiving D-I looks, also returns for Cass Tech.
4. Birmingham Brother Rice-Like Cass Tech, the perennial powerhouse Warriors (12-2 a season ago) look to win their third consecutive state championship in 2013. Brother Rice defeated Muskegon 35-28 to hoist last season's Division 2 state championship trophy. In 2011, the Warriors beat Lowell 24-14 for the D-2 state crown. Returning to pace Brother Rice this year will be junior quarterback Alex Malzone (6-3, 200). Malzone, who's being recruited by Big Ten schools, has a rocket for an arm and will have talented receivers to pass the ball to in senior Jason Alessi (6-0, 180), also a top DB and kicker, and senior tight end Ty Kiafoulis (6-5, 230), an elite athlete who'll play baseball at Michigan. Up front, the Warriors will feature one of Michigan's best pure centers in senior three-year starter Sage Baltrusaitis (6-1, 250) and offensive guard Matt Phillips (6-3, 240). At tailback, Rice returns D-I prospect senior Brian Walker (5-8, 225) and senior Shon Powell (5-7, 185). On defense, senior tackle Alberto Sandoval (6-3, 250), a D-I recruit, along with senior linebacker Shaun Jones Jr. (6-0, 215) and senior cornerback Chris Carter (5-11, 190), who's getting Big Ten looks, return to lead on that side of the ball.
5. Muskegon-The Big Reds, coming off a tough loss to Birmingham Brother Rice in the Division 2 title game last season, are striving to take that next step this year and capture a state championship. Muskegon (12-2 last year) is looking to win its fourth state title since 2004. The Big Reds won crowns in 2004, 2006 and 2008. One of the nation's top 10 all-time winningest high school teams, Muskegon is one of Michigan's and the Midwest's top programs. Returning to lead the Big Reds in 2013 will be senior defensive tackle and Western Michigan University recruit Kenny Finley (6-3, 265). Finley is one of Michigan's top 25 players. At defensive back, Muskegon returns multi-talented D-I prospect senior Deshaun Thrower (6-1, 195), who also will line-up at QB for the Big Reds. At running back-cornerback will be senior speedster John Hall (5-11, 190), who's a threat to take it the distance anytime he touches the ball, while opening holes at offensive guard will be senior Malik King (6-4, 285), a Ball State commit. Special teams should be a strong suit for Muskegon with accurate senior kicker Adrian Briseno (5-7, 160) returning. Holding down the fort in the middle defensively will be senior linebacker Will Hunt (6-1, 225), another Big Red who has D-I skills.
