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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