SEASON OUTLOOK
Harrison's team will try to follow up an undefeated season and Division 2 state title with another dominant campaign.
Photo by Chris Fleck
: Cass Tech (Detroit). Harrison opens at the Big Game Prep Showdown at Eastern Michigan University against a Cass Tech team that made the semifinals in Michigan's biggest classification last year with a 13-1 record. The Technicians feature DB Terry Richardson, a
MaxPreps Top 100 Player in the Class of 2012, and Michigan linebacker recruit Royce Jenkins-Stone. Aside from that, Harrison will likely face Division 1 champion Lake Orion in a crossover with the Oakland Activities Association in the penultimate week of the season.
Aaron Burbridge averaged more than20 yards per catch last season andis part of a group of receivers expectedto do big things at Harrison.
Photo by Chris Fleck
: De La Salle (Warren) and Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills) are mentioned often as being teams that can play with Harrison, though both lost to Harrison in the playoffs by 10 points. League opponents Southfield and Adams (Rochester) are expected to be better.
Overall outlook: If Jake Vento can get the ball to his experienced and talented receivers on a consistent basis — and not throw it to the other team — Harrison's offense will excel at a level that few in Michigan can deal with. The defensive line will make life tough on all opposing offenses as well. The Cass Tech matchup is a tough one, but other than that, Harrison has a distinct advantage over its other opponents and should wind up as one of the state's top teams when the season ends. A top ranking to start the season is a certainty, and finishing on top is very likely.
Coach quote: "Our expectation is to defend the state title, no sense in hiding it. We don't emphasize it right away but we have a good opportunity. Everything went right last year, so if it all went right last year it might not this year. When a game was tight we always seemed to win it. (This year's team) could be right up there with our best but it depends on quarterback and linebacker. It’s hard to say it could be our best team. Last year's team played the hardest schedule we ever played. I would be satisfied if we are as good as last year but we have a great chance to be better."
- John Herrington
