Cass Tech is our pick to successfully fend off all challengers this season in Michigan.
Photo by Chris Fleck
11-3
Head coach: Thomas Wilcher
Team previewCass Tech's resounding 49-13 victory over Detroit Catholic Central resonated around the state. It was, after all, the first Division 1 state title for a Detroit PSL team. In 2012, Cass Tech will be expected to once again play for the title, as it is flush with talent. Though it lost more than a half-dozen Division 1-caliber players to graduation, it has an equal amount of seniors who are expected to play on Saturdays, including Michigan commits
Jourdan Lewis and
David Dawson. Sophomore quarterback
Jayru Campbell gained valuable experience last season and will be even better this fall.
Cass Tech will need to replace three players found on the list of
Michigan Class of 2012 Division 1 signees2. Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills)2011 finish: 10-4
Head coach: Al Fracassa
Team previewLegendary head coach Al Fracassa once again has a team capable to battling for a state title. Running back
Brian Walker is one of the more talented players Brother Rice has had at the position. Thought he's only 5-foot-9, quarterback
Cheyne Lacanaria has a good handle on the offense and is a key returner for the Warriors. Michigan State-bound linebacker
Jon Reschke is a luxury that most teams in the state don't have. Brother Rice ranks No. 4 on our list of Michigan's Top 10
most consistent football programs.
3. St. Mary Prep (Orchard Lake)2011 finish: 11-2
Head coach: George Porritt
Team previewIt may be without star linebacker James Ross, now at Michigan, but St. Mary will be in the thick of things in the Detroit Catholic League. Junior
Jalen Watts Jackson and senior
Grant Niemiec provide a formidable one-two punch at running back.
Parker McInnis could also see carries when he's not roaming the secondary. The line play should be solid for St. Mary, but the team will need to retool at linebacker to replace Ross and others. St. Mary Prep is ranked No. 6 in the June, 2011 list of
Michigan's Top 10 football dynasties
4. Catholic Central (Novi)2011 finish: 12-2
Head coach: Tom Mach
Team previewCatholic Central looked to be poised for another state title last season, before a stunning blowout loss to Cass Tech. As such, not only will the 2012 version of the Shamrocks be talented, but it will be hungry. Six-foot-3, 240-pound
Wyatt Shallman can be a difference-maker at several positions. You can find Catholic Central three times on the list of
Michigan state football champions in the past 10 years. You can also search for Catholic Central players on our list of
2011 Michigan All-League football teams.
5. East English Village Prep (Detroit)2011 finish: N/A
Head coach: Rod Oden
In its first year of existence, East English Village Prep is a new school that combines former Detroit public schools Crockett and Finney. Crockett, which beat Cass Tech twice last season, has provided most of the players to East English Village Prep, including Michigan commit Khalid Hill and defensive back Desmond King. With state of the art facilities and a fresh start, this program is one to watch in the future.
