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McCabe's Michigan Fab 50 Recruits - Class of 2009

01/30/09 12:44:41 | 0 Comments

BEST OF THE MIDWEST
Mick McCabe's Fab 50 Michigan recruits

By MICK MCCABE • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • January 29, 2009

Mick McCabe's Fab 50 Michigan recruits:
NAME POS HT WT HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE
1. William Campbell DT 6-5 317 Detroit Cass Tech Michigan
2. Blake Treadwell OL 6-2 270 East Lansing Michigan State
3. Chris Norman LB 6-2 207 Detroit Renaissance Michigan State
4. Andrew Maxwell QB 6-3 192 Midland Michigan State
5. Dion Sims TE 6-5 230 O.L. St. Mary's Michigan State
6. Larry Caper RB 5-11 215 Battle Creek Central Michigan State
7. Edwin Baker RB 5-10 204 Oak Park Michigan State
8. Jeremy Gainer LB 6-1 215 Livonia Clarenceville Michigan State
9. James Jackson WR 6-0 175 Grand Ledge Ohio State
10. Thomas Gordon DB 5-10 199 Detroit Cass Tech Michigan
11. Micajah Reynolds OT 6-5 318 Lansing Sexton Michigan State
12. Cameron Gordon WR 6-2 211 Inkster Michigan
13. Zac Matthias OL 6-5 297 Hemlock Wisconsin
14. Teric Jones RB 5-10 186 Detroit Cass Tech Michigan
15. Reid Fragel TE 6-8 251 Grosse Pointe South Ohio State
16. Bennie Fowler WR 6-2 185 Detroit Country Day Michigan State
17. Donald Spencer WR 6-4 197 Ypsilanti Michigan State
18. Cody Wilson WR 5-11 165 Rochester Adams Central Michigan
19. Dylan Farrington DE 6-5 217 Adrian Bowling Green
20. Jacob Pedersen TE 6-5 213 Menominee Wisconsin
21. Jeff Fantuzzi OT 6-4 276 Macomb Dakota Central Michigan
22. Charlie Chapman OL 6-6 275 Carleton Airport Indiana
23. Chris Blair TE 6-4 217 East Grand Rapids Western Michigan
24. Zurlon Tipton RB 6-1 195 Parkway Christian Central Michigan
25. Austin Collier QB 6-1 188 Standish-Sterling Bowling Green
26. David Box DT 6-2 262 Milan Western Michigan
27. Dana Dixon DB 6-3 171 Detroit Renaissance Michigan State
28. Jamonne Chester WR 6-1 194 Redford Covenant Indiana
29. Josh Hadel OT 6-6 280 Gladstone Western Michigan
30. Will Schwarz LB 6-4 212 Troy Central Michigan
31. Aaron McCord DT 6-3 270 Detroit Crockett Central Michigan
32. Drew Moulton WR 5-11 164 Midland Northwestern
33. Alex Andrus LB 6-4 237 Coopersville Ball State
34. A.J. Westendorp QB 6-2 180 Holland Christian N. Dakota State
35. Jason Johnson DB 6-1 185 Durand Central Michigan
36. Ali Alaboody RB 5-8 168 Dearborn Fordson Bowling Green
37. Shamari Benton DB 6-0 194 Birm. Brother Rice Central Michigan
38. Adam Fenton LB 6-2 204 Birm. Seaholm Central Michigan
39. Kenny Watkins DB 6-0 185 Birm. Brother Rice Minnesota
40. Tyler Van Tubbergen QB 6-4 195 Holland W. Ottawa Western Michigan
41. Robert Bell LB 5-11 225 East Grand Rapids Toledo
42. Jon Czerwienski OL 6-5 265 Fraser Central Michigan
43. Orlando McCord DE 6-4 231 Detroit King Eastern Michigan
44. Corey Sueing DE 6-3 235 GR Ottawa Hills Western Michigan
45. Justice Akuezue DE 6-3 204 Ann Arbor Huron Central Michigan
46. Evan Ray DB 6-0 190 Detroit Finney Central Michigan
47. Kyle Lark LB 6-0 225 Alma Western Michigan
48. Eric Fisher OL 6-7 260 R.H. Stoney Creek Central Michigan
49. Kyle Bryant OT 6-6 270 Detroit Southeastern Bowling Green
50. Rodney Woodland WR 5-7 170 OL St. Mary's Central Michigan

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Freep Best of The Midwest

01/30/09 12:39:49 | 0 Comments

A LOOK INSIDE
About the Best of the Midwest

FREE PRESS STAFF • January 30, 2009

Today the Free Press presents its 21st annual Best of the Midwest team. The team was chosen by college recruiting coordinators with an eye on the Feb. 4 signing date. (The signing period ends April 1.) Each was asked to pick and rank 20 prospects from the original Big Ten states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. The ballot was compiled by sports writer Mark Snyder, based on rankings by Rivals.com. Of the 111 recruits on the ballot, 77 received votes. No player was voted on every ballot. The top 20 vote-getters made the team.
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Ohio led the pack with six players. Illinois and Michigan tied for second with four each, Indiana had three, followed by Minnesota with two and Iowa with one. No Wisconsin players reached the Top 20.

Seven schools on this year's list have placed players on previous BMW teams: Cleveland Glenville, Detroit Cass Tech, Orchard Lake St. Mary's, East St. Louis, Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, Minneapolis Breck, and Orland Park (Ill.) Sandburg.

Cleveland Glenville leads all schools with 11 players selected to the team in 21 years. Cleveland St. Ignatius is second with nine. St. Paul (Minn.) Cretin-Derham Hall is third with eight. Bolingbrook (Ill.) and Orchard Lake St. Mary's are tied for fourth with seven players. Cincinnati Colerain and Detroit King have six; Oak Lawn (Ill.) Richards, Warren (Ohio) Harding, Massillon (Ohio) Washington, Farmington Hills Harrison, Birmingham Detroit Country Day and Wisconsin Oak Creek are next with five each. Detroit Pershing, Forest Park (Ill.) Rich East, Joliet (Ill.) Catholic and Westerville (Ohio) South each have four. East St. Louis, Minneapolis Breck and Orland Park Sandburg now have three.

The next 10

Twenty-three other players made the honorable mention list by being named on multiple ballots: Craig Drummond (Chicago Morgan Park), Reid Fragel (Grosse Pointe South), D.J. Hunter (Middletown), Patrick Ward (New Lenox Providence Catholic), Jordan Cotton (Mt Pleasant Community), Cameron Gordon (Inkster), Keenan Davis (Cedar Rapids Washington), Sam Longo (Bellbrook), Kyle Koehne (Indianapolis Cathedral), Edwin Baker, (Oak Park), Chris Norman (Detroit Renaissance), Jordan Kohout (Waupun), Shelby Harris (Mequon Homestead), Duwyce Wilson (Columbus East), Jordan Barnes (Ft. Wayne Homestead), Corey Linsley (Youngstown Boardman), A.J. Klein (Kimberly), Blake Treadwell (East Lansing), Storm Klein (Newark Licking Valley), C.J. Barnett (Clayton Northmont), Dan Fox (Rocky River St. Ignatius), Evan Watkins (Carol Stream Glenbard North), Anthony Battle (Chicago Mt. Carmel).

• Other players receiving votes (by state):

ILLINOIS (4): Darren Jones, Jon Budmayr, Mike Trumpy, Michael Buchanan.

INDIANA (6): Jordan Luallen, Dolapo Macarthy, Tyler Eifert, TyQuan Hammock, Edward Wright-Baker, Brooks Michel.

OHIO (6): Nate Klatt, Fitzgerald Toussaint, Bud Golden, Chris Williams, Bradley McDougal, Chris Fields.

WISCONSIN (3): Hank Jacobs, Jeff Budzien, Clay Gosse.

MICHIGAN (6): Andrew Maxwell, Teric Jones, Jeremy Gainer, Micajah Reynolds, Chris Norman, Zac Matthias.

MINNESOTA (2): Matt Garin, Casey Dehn.

IOWA (4): Brandon Wegher, Kyle Lichtenberg, Conor Boffeli, Jake Knott.

• Special thanks to Laurie Delves and Kristi Tanner for the assistance.

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Putnam/Davison... East vs. West, .. Commitment ... Article by McCabe

12/15/08 17:48:00 | 0 Comments

MICK MCCABE
Putnam's resignation from Davison a matter of commitment

December 12, 2008

The heartache from the 38-35 Division 2 semifinal loss to Muskegon hasn't disappeared.
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It may never go away for coach Jeff Putnam or his assistants.

Davison led the eventual state champs by 22 points, only to see their lead crumble in the final quarter.

"We still haven't really gotten closure with the Muskegon game in terms of analyzing the film and taking notes," Putnam said. "We're all about: What did you learn from the experience? How do we get better?"

Let's try this one first: Where are we coaching?

Putnam resigned from Davison this week after a remarkable 10-year run.

The resignation is difficult to figure because Davison was so close to playing for the state title, and it leaves you asking one question: Why?

"That's a tough one to answer in a public forum," Putnam said. "I've thought about it for weeks. How do you say it? It wasn't a good fit for me anymore. That's the best way I can put it without getting into particulars."

For 10 years, it seemed like the perfect fit.

Putnam, 53, is not a job jumper. He has been head coach at two schools and has a 159-77 record. He was at Lapeer West in 985-97 and won the '95 Class A state championship.

In 1999, he moved to Davison, where he turned around a struggling program and was 76-34 with 15 of the losses coming in his first three seasons.

"I don't want to say the wrong thing, and it comes back and they say: 'Aw, you left bitter.' " Putnam said. "We did a lot of good things in 10 years. Davison is a great community, and it's a good school system."

After all eight state football championships were won by schools from the west side, I wrote about why teams on that side of the state were flourishing.

Among the reasons I gave were improved coaching, vastly superior facilities and incredible community involvement. That prompted an e-mail from a coach on the east side, saying the No. 1 component is administrative commitment.

I thought that was a given, but evidently it isn't.

Many administrators I know on the west side are proud of what they can do for coaches, like making sure assistants are hired as teachers in the building.

On the east side, some administrators are fearful of being viewed as pro-athletics, which some interpret as being anti-academics.

I believe academics and athletics go hand-in-hand. To me, the football field and basketball court are additional classrooms.

"I just don't view athletics as extracurricular," Putnam said. "To me, athletics is a very significant part of the total package, like government is, like band is. Kids are drawn to different programs. I think there's great values in athletics, life lessons you can learn there. All these programs are important."

The trick is to find administrators who value athletics and deem them to be an integral part of school life.

"I do believe it revolves with leadership at every level," Putnam said. "It comes down to priorities and what you value. When I went to Davison, they were at the point they wanted to restore the program. They asked what it takes to be successful, and you make a commitment to it.

"They have to be as committed to the success of the programs as the coaches are."

In the end, that may be why Putnam and his staff will be looking at the Davison-Muskegon film while waiting to hear from a school wanting to make a commitment.

Wouldn't it be something if they ended up coaching on the state's west side?

Contact MICK McCABE at 313-223-4744 or mmccabe@freepress.com.

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McCabe not impressed with one of Michigan's top players?

11/20/08 12:10:07 | 0 Comments

Doesn't sound like Mick is all that impressed with Oak Park (MSU Commit) Edwin Baker

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All-KLAA gone overboard?

11/14/08 09:13:49 | 0 Comments

Mick on the All-KLAA Teams

I actually tend to agree with him on this....for the most part.

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McCabe on the "Silliness of the Catholic League"

08/26/08 08:44:23 | 0 Comments

Link

It began in January with a report that U-D Jesuit was attempting to leave the Catholic League's Central Division for football.
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That prompted a letter from Catholic League director Vic Michaels insisting that U-D had never requested a move. But too many people connected with the school had told me that U-D athletic director R.J. Lomas -- now the former AD -- repeatedly said U-D was leaving the Central for the report not to be true.

Well, here in the first week of the season, it is difficult to tell who is in the Central Division and who isn't.

Novi Detroit Catholic Central, Birmingham Brother Rice, Orchard Lake St. Mary's, Warren De La Salle, U-D Jesuit and Dearborn Divine Child are listed in the Central. However, only St. Mary's plays five league games; Rice, CC, De La Salle and U-D play four. Divine Child plays only three league games.

How can everyone in a six-team league not play five league games? Who's eligible to play in the Prep Bowl?

"They're all eligible," said Michaels. Winning percentages will determine the Prep Bowl participants.

This makes no sense. Divine Child will not play Brother Rice or De La Salle, and U-D will not play CC.

"When we initially set that up, U-D was not going to play St. Mary," Michaels said. "And then they agreed to play Week 2 out of our season to allow for an imbalanced schedule but still the opportunity to make the Prep Bowl."

If you're in a division, you should play all teams in your division, right?

"No," said Michaels. "The board felt, and the athletic directors felt, we could have a league where everybody doesn't play everyone and still allow them to remain in that division. It's not uncommon in the Big Ten, for example. There are schools that don't play each other in the Big Ten and they still have a Big Ten champion. We just kind of followed a guideline similar to that."

Comparing the six-team Central to the 11-team Big Ten is like comparing apples to automobiles. And the Big Ten teams play the same number of games.

"This isn't the first time we've done this," Michael said. "We've been doing it for two or three years in the Intersectional leagues. When Notre Dame Prep moved into the Intersectional, they didn't play Light & Life and Urban Lutheran."

Notre Dame Prep didn't play some teams because it was ridiculously larger than those teams. U-D is not the smallest school in the Central.

"They asked for relief," Michaels said of U-D. "Realistically, there isn't a whole lot of relief. We don't have a number of schools at that level to put them in."

But U-D's enrollment is just under Rice's and significantly above St. Mary's, which is why it was ludicrous for Lomas to want out of the Central. And he did want out.

"R.J. Lomas was the athletic director, and I'm sure he felt he was speaking for U-D," Michaels said. "Their alumni, their president, they didn't want out. You know what, maybe he was talking about himself, because he's out of the Central Division."

Yes he is, but it is still difficult to tell who is in and who isn't.

Contact MICK McCABE at 313-223-4744 or mmccabe@freepress.com.

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Freep's Detroit Catholic League Preview

08/25/08 08:15:09 | 0 Comments

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CENTRAL DIVISION
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Coaches Poll: 1. Warren De La Salle, 57; 2. Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 55; 3. Birmingham Brother Rice, 48; 4. Novi Detroit Catholic Central, 43. 5. Dearborn Divine Child, 34; 6. U-D Jesuit, 33.

Birmingham Brother Rice
2007 record: 4-1, 8-3.
Strength: Defense.
Top players: SS Shamari Benton; OT Zach Cherocci; OT Jareth Glanda; RB Dan Henneghan; LB Shaquilla Marshall; DE Pete Plaskey; sophomore S Jimmy Pickens; junior WR Kevonte Martin.
Outlook: Rice will play non-league opponents Oak Park, Muskegon and Penn High near South Bend, Ind. (3,000 students) before hitting the always tough Catholic League schedule. "Our defense will have to play their tails off," said coach Al Fracassa.

Divine Child
2007 record: 1-4, 3-6.
Team strength: Depth.
Top players: Junior QB Marty Mitchell; OT Anthony Vella; DT Shea Marentette; DE Devin Kachinosky; C Sean Heiss; TE Sean Frank (6-4, 220); junior RB/LB Adam Forster, NG Rudy Fiscelli; LB Zack DeBiasi; RB Jason Popiel.
Outlook: Multiple two and three-year starters return to try lifting the program back up. "We've not had great success in the last few years, but these kids are looking forward to bringing back the great Divine Child tradition," said coach Jack Masserang.

Novi Detroit Catholic Central
2007 record: 3-2, 10-3.
Team strength: Defense.
Top players: WR/DB Steve Harding; WR/DB Kam Leiter, OT/DT Nick Landry; OT/DT Khaled Mheisen; junior TB/DB Anthony Capatina; FB/DT Niko Palazetti.
Outlook: DCC reached the state semifinals last year before losing to Macomb Dakota, but only three return on offense; one on defense. "Championships are won with defense and that's what we're stressing number one," said veteran coach Tom Mack. "We are relatively inexperienced compared to the past but we should have more overall speed this year to hopefully make us a better football team.

Orchard Lake St. Mary's
2007 record: 4-1, 11-2.
Team strength: Defense.
Top players: FB/LB Justin Semmes; WR/DE Dion Sims (6-6, 235); WR/CB Suave Lavallis; OT/DE Gabe Sharette (6-6, 230); FB/LB Pierce Niemic; WR Tayler Peruski; RB Sam Fioroni; junior QB Robert Bolden.
Outlook: St. Mary ended last season with a five-overtime loss in the state finals to East Grand Rapids. The Eaglets start this season at EGR's home field. "We need to play really good defense early this season to let the offensive line get their feet under them and grow up quick," said coach George Porritt.

Detroit U-D Jesuit
2007 record: 0-5, 0-9
Team strength: Offensive speed.
Top players: OL/DL Justin Abney (6-4, 265); RB/DB Michael Joyner Hill; RB/LB Jamal Butler; OL/DL Jeff Baker; OL/DL William Lamping; WR/DB Mike Wenderski (6-5, 215); junior OL/LB Keith Jones.
Outlook: With low numbers of players in the program the team will have to play together as a unit. "We should be successful due to experience coming back," said coach Paul Windham. "There's some speed on offense and some tough kids on defense. The defense will have to do well for us to win."

Warren De La Salle
2007 record: 3-3, 6-4.
Team strength: Experienced defense.
Top players: DB Jim Martinez; DB John Martinez; FB/LB Chet Privett; OL/ Jordan King (6-3, 275); S/RB Alex Pierse; junior DL Steve O'Shell (6-1, 255) and junior DL Matt Privett (5-11, 265), OL Brad Neaton.
Outlook: More starters return on offense and defense (16 total) than ever in last seven years. Coach Paul Verska said: "We have to stay healthy, which everyone says, but if you look back at our state championship in 2006, we had the same core of guys playing at the end of the year that we started the season with."

INTERSECTION I

Coaches Poll: 1. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 38; 2. Detroit Loyola, 34; 3. Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 32; 4. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 32; 5. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 24.

Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard
2007 record: 3-1, 5-4.
Team strength: Skill positions.
Top players: junior QB Josh Herbeck (hon. men. All-state); junior WR/K Mike Yocum; junior OT Joe Miekstyn; RB Max Hartsell; WR Jeff Lemanski; DT Patrick Didonato; DE Houston Staub; LB Jeff Rowinski.
Outlook: Scoring should be Richard's best option under new interim coach Brian Lemons, who said the team is very talented offensively with four offensive linemen returning, plus all skill positions return except one. "Last year we relied on passing, but we are much more balanced and can run the ball this year," Lemons said.

Detroit Loyola
2007 record: 2-2, 7-3.
Team strength: Speed.
Top players: RB Kevin Harris (averaged 170 yards per game); OG/NT Ozurumba Nyeche; QB/LB DeAndre Ulmer; OG/LB Thomas Hervey; WR/QB Desmond Hill; FB D'Angelo Harris; sophomore OT/LB Tanez Hervey.
Outlook: Just three starting seniors graduated, but many linemen won't return in '08, turning this season into a rebuilding year. Former Pontiac ND Prep head coach John Callahan is new offensive coordinator.

Madison Heights Bishop Foley
2007 record: 1-3, 3-6.
Team strength: Experience (17 returning starters)
Top players: LB/TE Brad Bochniak (6-3, 210); OT/DT Mason Kasier (6-1, 295); DE/WR Dylan Nabozny (6-3, 210); TB/S Sean Patwell; junior QB/LB Josh Blakeslee (6-5, 215); DB/WR James Fredal; OT/DT D.J. Finwall.
Outlook: If the team stays healthy, the experienced starters should make the Ventures very competitive to make a run at the division title and get back to the state playoffs for a fourth time in the last five years, said coach Paul Stanton.

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
2007 record: 4-0, 8-2.
Team strength: Skill positions.
Top players: Junior S Evan Sassack; WB/CB Phil Sakalian; QB David Owenby (from Stoney Creek); sophomore WB/SS Branch Kampe; junior FB/LB Chad Powers; OG/DT Joe Koterba; junior OG/LB Mike Maltese; WR/CB Matt Rzepecki.
Outlook: New coach Greg Ganfield, who moved back to southeast Michigan after five years in North Carolina, said: "We have kids that can make plays, but most haven't done so before at the varsity level. We'll be able to throw, catch and run, but that's of course all predicated by if we can block well."

Riverview Richard
2007 record: 0-4, 2-7.
Team strength: Depth.
Top players: QB/CB Phil Adkins; OT/DT Trevor Razo; WR/S Patrick Piszker; OT/DT John Friedrich; OG/LB Ron Hall; OG/NT Sean Miller; FB/TE Frank Hayes; OT/DT Nick Hovey; OG/LB Mike Kruso.
Outlook: Offense is getting a makeover from a spread run to a I-Power running formation, to get the hand-off closer to the line of scrimmage. "We want to make sure we gain positive yardage on every play," said new coach Mark Angellotti. The program has grown 50% since the end of last year, "and the enthusiasm level has grown about 200%."

INTERSECTION II

Coaches poll: 1. Royal Oak Shrine, 47; 2. Allen Park Cabrini, 43; 3. Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, 42; 4. Marine City Cardinal Mooney, 35; 5. Detroit Urban Lutheran, 32.

Allen Park Cabrini
2007 record: 5-0, 9-2.
Team strength: Strength, toughness and position diversity.
Top players: FB/LB Matt Kling; OG/NG Brian Obrycki; WR/OLB Jake Femminineo; OT/DT Tim Gering; OG/DT Chris Sekerak; WR/DB Joe Page; junior C/DT Joshua Sugg.
Outlook: Team can surprise this year due to core players' ability to play multiple positions, helping fill many holes left by experienced graduates - but many players are still young. Looking for fifth consecutive trip to state playoffs.

Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes
2007 record: 3-2, 9-3.
Team strength: none.
Top players: RB L.J. Stolarski; HB Jamie DiDio; junior LB John Kroll; junior OT Nick Burham; LB Karl Romkema.
Outlook: After reaching the regional finals last year, coach Mike Boyd said: "This is our first year going in which no positions are a lock, we lost so many players. We saw this coming three years ago because this year's senior class had only a few guys come out as freshmen. We're young and we lack size; their dad's are huge so they must have gotten their mothers' genes."

Marine City Cardinal Mooney
2007 record: 2-3, 3-6.
Team strength: Defense, experience.
Top players: LB Justin Distelrath (6-4, 210); WR/DE Brad Meyers (6-4, 220); QB/S Ryan Beaton (6-5); HB/DL Tony Campbell; TE/S Joe Broderick; HB/LB Cameron Pytleski.
Outlook: This year's team, which has about two dozen players, started taking shape last season when, "this year's seniors took control of the team as juniors near the end of last year so there is good leadership going into this season," said coach Eric Lamont. "They're hoping to take the team to a different level."

Royal Oak Shrine
2007 record: 4-1, 7-3.
Team strength: Experience.
Top players: QB Jamal Townsall (6-3, 200), RB/LB Anthony Cade (15 TDs); OG/LB Brent Castine; OT/DT Patrick Sterk (6-4, 265); WR/DB Adam Jensen; WR/DB Billy Konzal; OT/DT Josh Wilt.
Outlook: Shrine will have a senior starting at every position this year compared to no retuning players on offense when the season began last year. The Knights will be strong at the skill positions, and the offensive line is the largest of any Shrine team in the last 16 years.

Detroit Urban Lutheran
2007 record: 1-5, 2-7.
Team strength: Offense.
Top players: QB Kevin Kennedy; junior RB Sean Crump; MLB Anthony Lisbon; OT/DT Daniel Jackson; OT/DT Jamal Williamson; junior WR Julius Hope; SS Dorian Lancaster.
Outlook: Offensive line will lead what's expected to be a strong running game. Many seniors are in their third year as starters in a young program, so their leadership will guide the results.

By Tom Lang, special writer.

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Freep's Macomb Area Conf. Preview - 2008

08/24/08 22:25:15 | 0 Comments

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(All players are seniors unless noted)
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RED DIVISION

Coaches poll: 1. Macomb Dakota, 60; 2. Utica Eisenhower, 53; 3. Utica Ford 43; 4. Chippewa Valley, 42; 5. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 39; 6. Romeo, 33.

Macomb Dakota

2007 record: 14-0, 5-0

Strength: Defensive speed

Top players: QB Mike Romanchik; sophomore H-back Gerald Jackson; WR/S Dan Meurer; TE Dan Miller; DT Mike Laamanen; OT/DT Jeff Fantuzzi; C Joe Palm; MLB Tom Tobin; K Adam Mazza.

Outlook: The back-to-back Division 1 state champions are loaded again, but coach Mike Giannone says any success this year has to start with the defense, which is quicker than last year's. Fantuzzi, a Central Michigan signee, anchors the offensive line.

Eisenhower

2007 record: 6-4, 4-1

Strength: Offense

Top players: QB Taylor Copacia; RB/DB Mike Farr; WR/DB Brett Kauten; WR Kirk Dandurand; junior TE/OLB Joe Wirth.

Outlook: Copacia threw for more than 2,000 yards last year, Farr rushed for a team-best 11 TDs and Dandurand led with 52 catches. Leaning heavily on a strong junior class last year, this is the year the Eagles must succeed.

Chippewa Valley

2007 record: 7-4, 3-2

Strength: Offensive and defensive lines.

Top players: RB/LB KyeRell Williams; H-back Alex Dzierbicki; OL/DB Brent Vergauwen; NG Brandon Cathey; WR Tyler Danna; OL/DL Jared Modrak.

Outlook: The Big Reds have more than 180 players in their program, which has coach Mike Carr encouraged. "We don't return a lot of starters, but we don't want to give up the big plays, and we want to make big plays," he said.

Utica Ford

2007 record: 5-4, 2-3

Strength: Offensive and defensive lines.

Top players: QB/S Rodney Ambrose; TB Nick Rowe; OL/DL Shane Jesiel; OL/DL Matt Nemer-Kaiser; LB Mike Risk; RB/LB John Amore; WR/CB Chad Pace.

Outlook: The players in the trenches are not only big, but more athletic than most of Ford's recent teams. Keeping Rowe healthy (800 rushing yards, 9 TDs in seven games last year) is a key.

Stevenson

2007 record: 2-7, 1-4

Strength: Leadership

Top players: Junior QB Jason Fracassa; junior WR D.J. Meishman; RB Thomas Beaurem; S Robert Strong; LB Ryan Mattingly; DB Ryan Battaglia; DL Dan Lydick; OT Carl Marinelli.

Outlook: The Titans need to score more points this year. After passing for 3,000 yards over his first two seasons, Fracassa looks even better. "He's a junior. It's his team now," coach Rick Bye said.

Romeo

2007 record: 8-2, 5-1 White

Strength: Success.

Top players: OL/DL Luke Humphrey; OL/DL Chris Brock; QB Ricky Roth; OL/DL Andrew Stebbin; LB Matt Distelrath; DE Mark Bacci; DL Nick Duronio; S Aaron Laurain.

Outlook: Coach Curt Rienas sees his group as a bunch of overachievers. He's hoping the success his senior class has achieved helps the Bulldogs make the leap to the Red.

WHITE DIVISION

Coaches poll: 1. Cousino, 53; 2. Grosse Pointe North, 47; 3. Anchor Bay, 42; 4. Utica, 37; 5. (tie) L'Anse Creuse North and Warren Mott, 36.

Warren Cousino

2007 record: 11-1, 6-0

Strength: Offensive line

Top players: C Nick Mighion; G Kenny Delarge; OT Kyle DeMaria; OT Jakob Bottitt; TE Matt Balkema.

Outlook: Losing 36 seniors is tough, but the Patriots counter with 28 incoming seniors. Balkema (6-9, 300 pounds) is a sizable threat at tight end.

Anchor Bay

2007 record: 1-8, 0-5 Red

Strength: Enthusiasm

Outlook: The good news? The Tars will be more competitive for new coach Phil Latona in the MAC White. The bad news? They open against state champion Dakota.

Grosse Pointe North

2007 record: 6-4, 4-2

Strength: Defense

Top players: FB/LB John Neveux; WR/DB John-Michael Guest.

Outlook: The Norsemen always seem to be in contention each year - with seven state playoff berths since 1998 - but have to replace a great deal of experienced contributors.

Utica

2007 record: 3-6, 1-5

Strength: Offense

Top players: T/DE Martin Volja; OL/DL Danny Ori; TE/LB Lou Pizzo; QB Jason Bryan; SB/DB Kyle Kelly; WR Adam Luckow; OL Josh Brennan; K Bobby Adkins.

Outlook: Switching the offense from the wing-T to a spread, plus setting up a new defensive scheme, has injected some excitement and more players - from 41 last year to 63 on varsity - into the program.

L'Anse Creuse North

2007 record: 6-4, 5-1 Blue

Strength: Balance

Top players: LB Jack McCabe; junior LB Nick Vertram; FB/NT Larry Morrison.

Outlook: The Crusaders earned their first league title since 1996 and their first-ever state playoff berth and now have moved up to the MAC White. The team has a nucleus of solid talent.

Warren Mott

2007 record: 6-3, 4-2 Blue

Strength: Speed

Top players: OL/DL Chaz Pichette; RB/LB Steve Workman; junior QB/DB Ben Filimon; junior WR/DB Martez Kelly; junior WR/DB Torico Searcy WR/LB C.J. Olaniyan.

Outlook: Filimon rushed for more than 1,100 yards last year. The Marauders have plenty of team speed and have several returning skill players.

BLUE DIVISION

Coaches poll: 1. Port Huron, 45; 2. Grosse Pointe South 43; 3. Sterling Heights, 39; 4. Port Huron Northern, 38; 5. Roseville, 31; 6. Fraser, 30.

Port Huron

2007 record: 7-3, 5-1

Strength: Offensive line

Top players: OL/DL Matt Wilcox; OL/DL Tim Bartlett; DB Chris Catti.

Outlook: The Big Reds want to do a lot offensively. Most of it is possible, though, from a strong offensive line. The playoffs are a realistic goal.

Grosse Pointe South

2007 record: 5-4, 3-3 White

Strength: Depth

Top players: TE/DE Reid Fragel;

Outlook: Watch out for Fragel (6-7, 255), who has committed to Ohio State. The key will be replacing a load of skill players that pushed the Blue Devils within one win of last year's playoffs.

Port Huron Northern

2007 record: 1-8, 0-6 White

Strength: Team hunger

Top players: QB Tyler Thomas; RB Joe Mathews; DL Aaron David; LB Alex Zondlak; RB/LD Colby Brooks; OL Dan Siemen.

Outlook: The Huskies are looking for a bounce-back season and hope a good dose of experience through the roster will make that happen.

Roseville

2007 record: 2-7, 2-4

Strength: Skill players

Top players: QB/DB Brett Makowski; RB/DB Derrick Johnson; junior WR Brandon Gouch; junior RB/DB Nathan Hammer.

Outlook: The Panthers allowed more than 30 points per game last year, which has to improve. Johnson was Roseville's leading rusher last year.

Fraser

2007 record: 3-6, 3-3

Strength: Offensive line

Top player: OL Jon Czerwinski.

Outlook: Czerwinski, a Central Michigan recruit, keys the offensive line, which will have to open some big holes for an untested group of quick skill players.

GOLD DIVISION

Coaches poll: 1. Marine City, 60; 2. (tie) St. Clair and Warren Woods Tower, 51; 4. L'Anse Creuse, 42; 5. Clintondale, 36; 6. East Detroit, 30.

Marine City

2007 record: 13-1, 6-0

Strength: Offensive line

Top players: RB/WR Chad Allemon; sophomore RB Jamal Abrams; TE Brent Weil; OL Steve Churhan; DE Jason Byrd; DB Matt Connin; NG Russ Ferqueron.

Outlook: Coming off the Division 4 state championship, the Mariners need to replace QB Brendon Kay (Louisville) and deal with a tougher league schedule. The offensive line is intact, which helps Allemon and Weil (both are three-year starters).

St. Clair

2007 record: 8-3, 4-2

Strength: Aggressiveness

Top players: DB Wil Hunter; LB Jeremy Cook; DB Paul Westrick; DL Nick Hudolin; FB Josh Meldrum; WB Blake Frantz; RB Caleb Potvin; OL Jeff Lelito; OL Scott McPhee

Outlook: St. Clair needs to be able to run the option. Defensively, an inexperienced but athletic group has the potential to be solid.

Woods Tower

2007 record: 7-3, 5-1

Strength: Athleticism

Top players: TB Jeff Weeks; junior QB Scott Postl; junior WR-TB Roland Thomas; WR Brett Hickey; OT Kyle Guzowski.

Outlook: Coach Dan Eberhardt sees the Titans as a team of overachievers. "Our kids sometimes expect to win, even when they shouldn't."

Clintondale

2007 record: 5-4, 2-4

Strength: Defense

Top players: RB/LB Dan Sawicki; LB Denzel Rodgers; DL James Charles; FS James Bethea; RB Christian Drake; OT John Lee.

Outlook: Eight returning starters will make the defense strong. Sawicki is a three-year contributor.

East Detroit

2007 record: 0-9, 0-6

Strength: Team unity

Top players: QB Joe McLaren; MLB Kevin Smith; RB/S-LB Nick Frontierre.

Outlook: First-year coach Dennis Pascoe is working to build a "going to work" mentality on every play. He wants the Shamrocks to do all the little things to build up a program.

SILVER DIVISION

Coaches poll: 1. Warren Fitzgerald, 58; 2. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, 53; 3. Madison Heights Madison, 48; 4. Marysville, 41; 5. St. Clair Shores Lakeview, 38; 6. Center Line, 34.

Fitzgerald

2007 record: 5-4, 3-3 Gold

Strength: Defense

Top players: Junior TE/LB Austin Gray; DB Ben Smith; RB/LB C.J. Carroll; LB Nick Ancona; OL Justin Walters; OL James Scott; WR/DB Marcus Steen.

Outlook: The key is getting an inexperienced offense to produce quickly. The linebackers are fast and good, perhaps the best trio on one team in the league.

Lake Shore

2007 record: 5-4, 5-2

Strength: Offensive experience

Top players: QB Greg Santo; RB/LB Andrew Lovins; C/ILB Tom Cortis; WR/FS Chris Davis; RB Damon Shepherd; C Vince Dombrow.

Outlook: The offense should be able to build on its 2007 average (14 points per game). A senior class that has enjoyed success for years could lead the Shorians to a good year.

Madison

2007 record: 12-1, 7-0

Strength: Tradition

Top players: DE/OT DeAndre Ducham; Mike Brehmer LB; OT/DT Corey Kenny; RB/DB Becari Allen.

Outlook: New coach Drake Wilkins has a tall task: Replace a quarterback and two rushers who combined for 3,300 yards. Coming off such a successful season should help, but Wilkins says: "I need some of the young players to play above their heads."

Marysville

2007 record: 0-9, 0-6 Gold

Strength: Schedule

Top players: RB Aaron Day; LB Adam Gray; OL/DL Mike Verbeke; OL/DL Bo Pedrotti; junior RB/DB Devin Herr.

Outlook: Last season was only the third losing season in school history for the Vikings. A move to the Silver could reverse their fortunes.

Lakeview

2007 record: 5-4, 4-3

Strength: Intelligence

Top players: WR/SS Chris Lovely; C Chris Hatrey; junior LB/TB Austin Bittorelli; WR/CB Matt Calleja.

Outlook: Three of Lakeview's losses last year were by three points or less, "because we didn't turn it on until the second half. We want to click earlier," said coach Josh Heppner.

Center Line

2007 record: 4-5, 1-5 Gold

Strength: Offensive line

Top players: OL Kyle Thorson; RB/OLB Lael Johnson; FB/DL Cullen Redmon; TE/DE John Essenmacher; QB/DB Eric Sherrod.

Outlook: Having six starters back on offense means a lot, but the key will be getting a relatively untested defense to provide a boost.

BRONZE DIVISION

Coaches poll: 1. Warren Lincoln, 52; 2. Madison Heights Lamphere, 49; 3. Clawson, 42; 4. New Haven, 39; 5. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 36; 6. Mt. Clemens, 31.

Lincoln

2007 record: 5-4, 4-3

Strength: Experience

Top players: QB Donovan Durham; FB/LB Steve Convery; RB/FS DeAndre Tucker; G James Tucker; LB Adam Tartin.

Outlook: With a load of veterans, the Abes will need to use their experience to finish off some games they could have won last year - which would have placed Lincoln in the playoffs.

Lamphere

2007 record: 4-5, 3-4

Strength: Defense

Top players: RB David Shoebottom; sophomore QB Ryan Horvath; S Steve McAlpine; LB Derek McCoy; DB Dan Super.

Outlook: An experienced defense should be improved this year. Although the Rams are young overall, they will need to get some offensive production to have a shot.

New Haven

2007 record: 4-5, 4-3

Strength: Teamwork

Top players: RB/MLB Chris Hessel; G/LB Quinton Cowart; junior TB/DB Tyler Baade; RB/LB Shawn Robinson.

Outlook: Hessel is a three-year varsity performer who brings a level of toughness. Watch out for Baade, a speedy back.

South Lake

2007 record: 1-8, 1-6

Strength: Speed

Top players: LB/OL James LaClair; FB/LB Desmond Richardson; junior FB/SS Keyshawn Davis; junior RB/LB Nick Manic.

Outlook: LeClair led the Cavaliers in tackles (119 total) last year. Overall, the defense will have to wrap up and tackle, not just fly to the ball, says coach Mike Brosnan.

Mt. Clemens

2007 record: 0-9. 0-7

Strength: Team unity.

Top players: WR/LB Pettway; OT/DT Trevonne Jones; RB/S Johnathan Martin; sophomore NB Sherman Jones; QB/FB Cedric Powell.

Outlook: The path to improvement starts with consistency, says coach Wayne Poole. "We just have to take every game one week at a time."

(L'Anse Creuse and Clawson did not participate.)

Rick Schulte, special writer

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Freep's Huron League Preview - 2008

08/24/08 22:23:26 | 0 Comments

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Coaches poll: 1. Carleton Airport 75, 2. Milan 70, 3. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 64, 4. Monroe Jefferson 56, 5. Riverview 46, 6. Flat Rock 41, 7. New Boston Huron 40, 8. Grosse Ile 24.
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(All players are seniors unless noted)

Airport

2007 record: 9-2, 6-1

Strength: Offensive backs

Top players: OL/DL Charlie Chapman, RB/CB Jake Behrik, junior LB Drew Nava, RB Derek Baker, sophomore RB Jodeci Mays, junior LB Dylan Close, C Rusty LeBlanc.

Outlook: Even without an abundance of returning starters, coach Eric Redmond says, "This might be the quickest team I've ever had. We expect to score points; we just need more experience and we need to hang on to the ball." Chapman (6-7, 285) has committed to Indiana.

Milan

2007 record: 9-3, 6-1

Strength: Defense

Top players: DL David Box, DL Eric Gunderson, junior DL Thom Box, LB Demetries Love, LB Kenny Barrett, OL Jereme Chie, OL Aaron Straub.

Outlook: Although the Big Reds graduated TB Ron Spears, who rushed for 2,501 yards last season, coach Steve Robb is comfortable with the returning talent on his defense - including David Box, a Western Michigan recruit. Having 23 seniors on the roster should also help.

St. Mary Catholic Central

2007 record: 8-3, 5-2

Strength: Tradition

Top players: OL John Platt, junior RB T.J. Lovell, TE Chris Giarmo, G/LB Nathan Gonyea, RB/CB Martellis Simon, RB/CB Mike Strimpel.

Outlook: The Falcons hope to build on a streak of five straight playoff appearances. "We lost a lot of starters, and we're young and inexperienced, but the kids are working hard and they know the system," coach Jack Giarmo said. Lovell rushed for 1,000 yards as a sophomore.

Jefferson

2007 record: 4-5, 4-3

Strength: Experience

Top players: OT Craig Miller, OT, Tom Trevarrow, RB/CB Aaron Currey, QB Kyle Strube, LB Jake Ellison, C Thaddeus Deer, G/DE Dave Dover, E/DE Blaze DuBois.

Outlook: Last year "we lost a couple of ballgames we should have won," said coach Marc Cisco, beginning his 43rd season. "We have a lot of guys who had plenty of playing time a year ago, and now we need them to step up and be leaders." The Bears return nine offensive and eight defensive starters.

Riverview

2007 record: 4-5, 3-4

Strength: Coachability

Top players: DE Jim Kirkwood, DE Matt Wais, TE Nick Price, FB Kevin Hodges, junior TB Andrew White, DB Dan Emerson, OL Anthony Liberty.

Outlook: Coach Nick Gross says the Pirates have a lot of openings in the lineup, with just four returning starters. "Hopefully we get kids who can step up and play their roles," he said. "We've got a good team filled with kids who really care about the game and our team goals."

Flat Rock

2007 record: 5-4, 3-4

Strength: Attitude

Top players: TB Matt Grunow, junior QB Dan Chickeral, C/MLB Adam Pavilanis, OT/DE Terry Denman, OT Matt Vey, OE/DE Scott Mayes, junior G/DE Phil Vroman, DT Jacob Ritchie.

Outlook: Although the small size of the team (19) could make the Rams vulnerable, coach Joe Pruchnicki refuses to dwell on it. "We had some key losses (to graduation), but the kids coming back are pretty competitive," he said. "Flat Rock always has some hard-nosed kids."

New Boston Huron

2007 record: 3-6, 1-6

Strength: Strength

Top players: Junior QB Andrew Mayrand, WR/TE Robbie Damico, junior OL/DL Sherwood Harris, WR Blake Claiborne, TB Nick Wellman.

Outlook: Several different adjectives could describe the Chiefs - including fast, big, strong and young. "We graduated 19 seniors and a lot were starters," coach Dan Kalbfleisch said. "This group of juniors has been successful at other levels. We'll see what kind of effort we put forth."

Grosse Ile

2007 record: 0-9, 0-7

Strength: Experience

Top players: TE/DE Evan Pilkington, QB Joe Tobin, junior RB Dex Teen, K Andy Leonard.

Outlook: With just three seniors, the Red Devils are young, but at least they're experienced, as coach John Bodner explains: "We got to play a lot of young guys last year. We will probably start five to seven sophomores this year as well; most of our starters will be juniors."

Wright Wilson, special writer

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McCabes Top 25 teams for 2008 (21-25)

08/24/08 22:20:48 | 0 Comments

I'll update as more are released

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Mick McCabe has selected the state's top 25 teams. We'll unveil five each day until we reach No. 1 Thursday.
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21. Lansing Everett

In 2007: 9-2. Playoff record: 2-4. Top players: QB Reggie Williams; RB Devon Beauford; WR Michael Frisbee; DB Lavelle Walker; DB John Ross.

Outlook: Nine starters return from Everett's most productive offense in more than 60 years. Williams ran and passed for more than 1,000 yards, and Beauford rushed for more than 1,500. The defense isn't as experienced, but it is talented.

22. Muskegon

In 2007: 9-2. Playoff record: 23-12.

Top players: LB/FB Jason Hannett; QB Elan Banks; RB Tony Davis; OG D.J. Merritt; WR Karey Webb; DE Carlton Johnson.

Outlook: The Big Reds return just three starters, so this is a rebuilding season. The process will be helped now that coach Tony Annese is returning. Although inexperienced, this is a bright group that has run the system at lower levels.

23. Coopersville

In 2007: 8-4. Playoff record: 20-10.

Top players: LB/OT Alex Andrus; OT/DT Jake Daley; QB Brett Pfahler.

Outlook: The Broncos made the playoffs the hard way, losing their first three games and then winning eight straight, including two playoff games. Andrus (Ball State) is one of the state's top linebackers.

24. Clinton Twp. Chippewa Valley

In 2007: 7-4. Playoff record: 16-9.

Top players: TB KyeRell Williams; LB/RB Alex Dzierbicki; OT/DT Brent Vergauwen; NG Brandon Cathey; WR Tyler Danna.

Outlook: The MAC Red is the toughest league in the east, and the Big Reds will be in contention thanks to excellent lines. Chippewa Valley should be able to move the ball as Williams emerges as one of the best backs in Macomb County.

25. Flint Carman-Ainsworth

In 2007: 2-7. Playoff record: 4-6.

Top players: LB/RB Lance Simmons; OG Ricky Clemons; DB/WR Devon Elam; DT/OG Tremondae Branch; OT Aaron Brandt.

Outlook: Nate Williams, who inherited a Flint Hamady program that was 8-82 in 1996-2005 and turned in 7-3 and 8-2 seasons, takes over at Carman-Ainsworth. Look for an improved defense that struggled mightily last season.

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McCabe's Top 25 Players

08/24/08 22:18:52 | 0 Comments

Looks like we'll have to wait day to day for more rankings ... I'll update this as the new rankings become available.

I'll also copy and paste these since the news and freep links seem to go bad so quick these days ....

Link

Free Press sports writer Mick McCabe has selected the state's top 25 players. We'll unveil five players each day until we reach No. 1 on Thursday.
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25

Orlando McCord

OT/DT

Detroit King

Vitals: 6-4, 245

Scouting: In '07, he was overshadowed by the defensive exploits of All-America teammate Nick Perry, but he was solid as a two-way performer. He has the versatility to play several positions but will probably be a DE in college.

24

Tevon

Conrad

OT/DE

Detroit Pershing

Vitals: 6-8, 309

Scouting: A winter on the basketball court helped him slim down from 325 pounds and proved invaluable to his footwork. He is a devastating run blocker who has learned to stay low when coming off the ball.

23

Thomas Gordon

DB/QB

Detroit Cass Tech

Vitals: 6-0, 210

Scouting: An ankle injury forced him to miss the first four games last season. He can run and pass, which will make him dangerous in the PSL, but college coaches look to use his speed in the secondary, probably at a safety spot.

22

Cody

Wilson

WR/DB

Rochester Adams

Vitals: 5-9, 180

Scouting: He recorded 60 tackles and six interceptions in '07. He will play slotback this season so Adams can take advantage of his route-running abilities as well as hand him the ball on counters. Committed to Central Michigan.

21

Cameron Gordon

WR

Inkster

Vitals: 6-3, 205

Scouting: A transfer from Melvindale, college coaches love his physical approach. He runs exact routes and has excellent speed. His toughness combined with his speed makes him a nightmare for DBs.

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AAAM vs. MHSAA ... If you can't beat em, ... SUE EM!

07/08/08 09:58:17 | 0 Comments

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PREPS: MHSAA sued by rival Davis

Robert Davis, the founder of the Amateur Athletic Association of Michigan, filed a civil lawsuit against the Michigan High School Athletic Association on Tuesday in Wayne County Circuit Court.

Davis charged that the MHSAA, which sponsors postseason tournaments for 28 high school sports, is using scare tactics and misinforming member schools about the legality of joining other athletic associations.

He is asking the court to void an MHSAA membership resolution that specifically prohibits schools from joining AAAM or any other athletic association, which he says is a violation of established case law.

Davis cited the 2004 case of Breighner v. MHSAA, in which the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the MHSAA "is a creature of its members, with no independent authority over schools or students."

"It's very clear that the Michigan Supreme Court has said that Michigan schools are in no way obligated to join the MHSAA, and Michigan schools remain free to join other athletic associations like the AAAM," Davis said.

MHSAA communications director John Johnson declined to comment because the organization had yet to be informed of the lawsuit Wednesday.

Davis announced the formation of the AAAM in February and had set a goal of July 1 to enlist 100 schools for his postseason tournaments -- which would require the schools to leave the MHSAA. Davis has since extended the deadline.

No date has been given to hear the civil case.

By Vince Ellis

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McCabes Top 25 teams for 2008 (21-25)

McCabe's Top 25 Players

AAAM vs. MHSAA ... If you can't beat em, ... SUE EM!