By John Raffel
MaxPreps.com
Brother Rice Looking For No. 7 Under Fracassa
His Birmingham Brother Rice football team has one of the toughest schedules in Michigan.
But that has never stopped Albert Fracassa before, and the legendary 73-year-old football coach isn't letting it bother him this week as he and other coaches across the state get their teams ready for the nine-week regular season that opens this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Fracassa is coming off his sixth state title at Brother Rice, defeating Hudsonville 14-7 in the state championship game at Detroit's Ford Field to end the 2005 season at 12-2 on Thanksgiving weekend.
"It just seems like we were walking off the field in Detroit and here we are getting ready for our first game of the new season," Fracassa said.
Saturday, Brother Rice, a member of the Detroit Catholic Schools League, faces Detroit Denby, which plays in the Detroit Public Schools League.
"That's a Class A school that's getting a lot of good football players," Fracassa said. "I was watching a film on them and I could tell that we'll have a tough game. We will have our work cut out for us. We'll see what we can do."
But even if his team prevails, Fracassa realizes it won't be easy going 9-0 during the regular season.
"Everyone wants to beat us," Fracassa said. "We lost some very good football players."
But the cupboard isn't bare for the Warriors.
"We have three Division 1 players and others who will play on the Division II and III levels," he said.
Top prospects for the Warriors include returning All-State linebacker Chris Colasanti, and 6-6, 290-pound offensive tackle Darris Sawtelle.
"Sawtelle has the tools to be a great player," Fracassa said. "His grandfather was a great player for Tennessee and played for the Detroit Lions."
The five-week state playoffs are a long way off, but Fracassa wouldn't mind going after his seventh title.
"There's always a chance," he said. "We have such a tough schedule."
For the second weekend, Brother Rice plays at Toledo St. Francis De Sales in Ohio.
"But I have to worry about that first one," Fracassa said. "The first one is a big one. That game would give us some momentum."
Although he's 73, Fracassa gives no indication that he might soon retire.
"I'm coaching because of the kids," he said. "I'll try to coach as long as I can. I haven't changed. It's no big thing. What am I going to do if I don't coach? I don't play golf. I like going to school and seeing the kids and trying to get our kids to colleges. It's fun, especially now that we've won another state championship."
No. 110 For Belding and Greenville
One of the state's longest football rivalries resumes Friday night near the Grand Rapids area when Belding faces Greenville at Greenville's Black Field. They've met 109 times and Greenville coach Dave Moore, who has a 3-0 record against the Redskins, didn't take long to realize what a rivalry this was.
"I knew about the rivalry when I came here but I didn't realize how long it had been going on," he said. "109 years, that's amazing."
Belding coach Joel Wilker has a 2-5 record against Greenville.
"It's a great motivating factor for our first game," he said. "Many kids are playing their first varsity game in this one."
Girls Basketball: Frankfort Eyes Repeat
The state's girls basketball season starts Monday and the defending Class D champion, Frankfort, is hoping for another title.
Class D is the state's small-school division. Frankfort beat Lansing Christian, 39-37, in last year's title game. Tim Reznich is back as coach for Frankfort.
"We graduated four starters last year, including a girl who is playing for Western Michigan University," Reznich said. "That's a lot to lose for a small school like ours. But we do have six girls coming back. We're setting our goals high again. We'll be competitive."
Frankfort is led by Brenna Bankston, a 6-0 center and Division I prospect. He also has a fine point guard with Nicole Marshall and a strong two guard with Kelly Tousley.
"Our strength is always our defense," Reznich said. "We like to get after it."
Reznich figures his team has a legitimate shot at a state title, but so do squads like Portland St. Patrick and Lansing Christian.
"Engadine and Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart could also be there," he said.
The girls team was the toast of Frankfort after winning last year's title.
"It's a great community," Reznich said. "The support has been strong the last few years."
Girls Tennis: Season Underway
Girls tennis has also started its season across Michigan. The state finals are set for Oct. 6 for Upper Peninsula schools and Oct. 20-21 for Lower Peninsula schools.
Defending Lower Peninsula champs are Ann Arbor Huron in Division 1, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern in Division 2, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood in Division 3 and Detroit Country Day in Division 4.
In the Upper Peninsula, defending champions are Marquette in Division I and Ishpeming Westwood in Division 2.
The 2005 Miss Tennis, Emily Dudzik of Greenville, is now playing tennis at Western Michigan University. She was recognized as the top senior player in the state last year.