Football Questions.

Written Monday June 8th at 5:15 PM

As we say goodbye to the 2014-2015 school year we will address each football team's key player heading into the fall next season.

Blue:

Avondale:

Key Player: QB Travis Janes:
What they need to address: Balance

With Josh Holloman now gone to Cincinatti the pressure will be on Travis Janes to carry the Yellow Jackets who have been up and down in recent seasons. Avondale will be one of the top contenders in the Blue. The Yellow Jackets start the season against New Boston Huron, a team that went to the Division Three state semifinals a year ago. Avondale will have their hands full to say the least.

Berkley:

Key Player: WR/SS Nolan Given
What they need to address: Depth

The Bears made the playoffs last season, now they need to retain it. Nolan Given has been hyped to be the best player at Berkley. The Bears depth will be a huge problem heading into 2015 and they do have a tough matchup with a Holly team that has a new defensive staff. Expect Berkley to be a solid team this season but depth is an issue.

Hazel Park:

Key Player: QB Jared Schultz:
What they need to address: Everything

It was a tough ride for coach Kyle Rowley's Vikings but if they need a spark then look at their best athlete in Jared Schultz. Schultz will be on the field a lot next season on both sides of the ball. Hazel Park allowed 416 points last season and only scored 20 points. That must change if the Vikings want to go on the right path.

Pontiac:

Key Player: ???
What they need to address: Stability

It has been a rough few seasons at Pontiac, their head coach passed away at the end of the season. They haven't been the same since Brad Zube left for Stoney Creek in 2011. The Phoenix need stability in the worst way and it could start early if they can beat North Farmington in the season opener. Pontiac also must address its defense where they allowed 361 points last season, that must change if they want to be competitive.

Ferndale:

Key Player: OL Kobe Falls:
What they need to address: Depth

The Eagles made a great first step and they must continue to make strides. They do have to replace a lot of skill guys but they do have the line to make a run. Why Kobe Falls is key heading into the next season?, he could play both lines and create pressure if he were to be on the defensive line. Depth is an area where Ferndale must address. If they can get the numbers up, the Eagles could be a dark-horse in the Blue and their week one match-up is a favorable one for them as they take on Garden City, a team that was 3-6 a season ago.

Groves:

Key Player: RB Cedric Boswell:
What they need to address: Quarterback

The Falcons had a strong year last season but there will be more pressure on the them to keep things going. Groves will have the weapons led by Cedric Boswell, Chase Swoopes, and Collin Heard. They did lose Zach Van Fossen to graduation. If they can find a quarterback, then there is no reason why the Falcons shouldn't win this division. They have the rivalry game with Seaholm to start the season and they could do some damage this year.

Lathrup:

Key Player: QB Reggie Harris
What they need to address: Offense

The Chargers had a lot of missed opportunities from a season ago. They went 4-5 but their offense struggled at times only scoring 165 points, that must change. Lathrup like Pontiac also lost their head coach to an unexpected death. The Chargers will play a good Detroit University Prep team whom made the playoffs a season ago in week one so the start is critical if Lathrup wants to make their move.

Royal Oak:

Key Player: LB Everett Bateman
What they need to address: Stability

The Ravens have their fourth coach in six seasons but they do move down a division where they were obliterated by every White foe and Troy. Everett Bateman becomes the new leader of the Ravens and their defense was horrible last season allowing 397 points. Royal Oak is in a new division and will be looking to get back into the playoffs for the first time since 2006 and fix a nightmarish 6-57 streak since 2007.

White:

North Farmington:

Key Player: FB/LB Jake Cohen
What they need to address: Both Offense and Defense

The Raiders need to address both sides of the ball if they want to be competive heading into the season. Jake Cohen will be the leader for a Raiders team that didn't score 200 points last season. North Farmington also needs to address it's defense where they allowed 259 points. The Raiders also need to beat somebody good like their arch rivals Farmington, Harrison, Adams, Oak Park, or Southfield if they want to be in the playoffs. This is not the Blue folks.

Seaholm:

Key Player: RB/LB Troy Hariston
What they need to address: Experience

The Maples struggled in their first season in the White and it won't get any easier with a tough schedule brewing. Troy Hariston will be counted on to do a lot for Seaholm. The Maples must fix their defense that allowed 282 points if they want to surprise people in the White. They will play their arch rival Groves week one but it won't get any easier from there with whom they got on the schedule.

Farmington:

Key Player: LB David Reese
What they need to address: Quarterback

The Falcons moved up a division after destroying the Blue last season only to lose to Oak Park. Farmington lost Desmond Kirpatrick to Waterford Mott but the Falcons could be better off without him. They do need to find a quarterback and the schedule isn't pretty after Royal Oak so they need to beat some team if they want to return to the playoffs.

Rochester:

Key Player: OL/DL Zach Hale
What they need to address: Skill Positions

The Falcons last season were young at the skill positions but they should have experience this season. The schedule is not friendly though as they have to play Lapeer week one again after they were destroyed 42-0 by the Lightning last season. Rochester must address a defense that allowed 312 points and they still haven't beaten Adams since 1996 which has been bothering every Rochester alumni. The Falcons need to address both sides of the ball in a hurry if they want to contend this season.

Adams:

Key Player: QB Kyle Wood
What they need to address: Consistency

The Highlanders have missed the playoffs two of the last three seasons but they do play in a tough division. Adams lost to Stoney Creek in week one last season which cost them a trip to the playoffs. Kyle Wood must continue to make the next step. He will have weapons to go to but the question will be at running back. If the Highlanders improve on this step, they could be a dangerous team this season.

Southfield:

Key Player: QB Sam Johnson III
What they need to address: The Hype

There has been a lot of buzz surrounding the Blue Jays football team with Matt Falcon their running back going to Michigan. The key will be their incoming quarterback Sam Johnson III. Johnson has performed well in the middle school ranks and is a YouTube sensation but must get ready to play some good defenses in the White and also Detroit Cass Tech at Wayne State in week one. Southfield always has athletes and depth and they could make a run to the State title this season, last season they were close losing to Warren De Lassale. The Blue Jays must be careful and not let the hype get to them or they are in trouble.

Oak Park:

Key Player: OT JaRayond Hall
What they need to address: Skill Positions on Offense

The Knights had a strong 2014 season but the question will be is can they repeat it? probably not but Oak Park will still have talent especially up front with JaRayond Hall and Marquan McCall. They do need to address the running back spot but they have a good defense to still be a force in the White. The schedule is brutal for the Knights go to Grand Valley State to play Zeeland West, a team that averages 50 points per game. Oak Park will be ready for that one but if they can find consistency and balance, then the Knights could be right there again.

Harrison:

Key Player: DE Khaid Kareem
What they need to address: Depth

The Hawks have had strong teams and last season was one of them. The question for Harrison will always be depth. They have the athleticism to match with any team. The match week one with East Kentwood is going to be a tough one as the Hawks have to go west to Grand Valley State but they went to Portage Central a few seasons ago. Khaid Kareem is key because he has been getting a lot of attention lately with his college choice but Harrison will have the athletes to make noise in the White this season.

Red:

Clarkston:

Key Player: RB Nolan Eriksen
What they need to address: Expectations

The Wolves fresh off their two State Championships will have a tough chore if they want to three peat. Clarkston returns Nolan Eriksen but they will have a quarterback competition with Stration Harris and Jacob Wagner. If Eriksen stays healthy, the Wolves could be dangerous again. Clarkston will be very good but they could struggle a bit as their schedule is tough early with trips to Dakota and West Bloomfield. It could be an interesting season in Clarkston.

Orion:

Key Player: WR/DB Jaylen Wiggins
What they need to address: Everything

The Dragons were just a mess last season on both sides of the ball and it resulted in the team missing the playoffs for the first time since 2000. Orion was awful on offense last season, only scoring 219 points, that's not good and allowing 246 points. The Dragons have quarterback, wide receiver, running back, and defensive issues to address. If Orion can address these then they could be back to the team Dragons fans are accustom too. The Dragons have five home games this season but they have to go to West Bloomfield and Clarkston but they start with Chippewa Valley at Wayne State and that won't be an easy thing to do.

West Bloomfield:

Key Player: QB Triston Jackson
What they need to address: Defense

The Lakers made the playoffs for the first time since 2008 last season and had wins over Orion, Oxford, and Stoney Creek all on the road last season. Gone however is Eddy Wilson, the team's best defender. West Bloomfield must address their defensive line and linebacker spots if they want to get deeper into the playoffs. The Lakers will have Triston Jackson back at quarterback along with wide receiver Navon Mosley. Those two could be the best duo in the state. The schedule is nice as well as Orion, Oxford, Clarkston, crossover, and Stoney Creek all have to come to West Bloomfield. The Lakers will be a very dangerous team come this fall.

Oxford:

Key Player: LB/FB John Patrick
What they need to address: Skill Positions

The Wildcats made the playoffs again last season but they lost a lot of talent from a season ago. Oxford has to play a tough road schedule with trips to Orion, West Bloomfield, Stoney Creek, and Romeo for week one. John Patrick will led the leader this season. The Wildcats have to replace their quarterback, running back, and receiving core and also replace some key defensive players. The schedule and players they lost could make things tough for Oxford this season.

Stoney Creek:

Key Player: WR/DB Hunter LaFave
What they need to address: Both Offensive and Defensive Lines

Stoney Creek lost a very good defender in Andrew Price last season. Now they must address their defense and offensive lines. Expect the Cougars to be very competitive this season. They do need to score more than 225 points last season with their option attack. Stoney Creek should be a solid team led by Hunter LaFave to carry them this season.

Bloomfield Hills:

Key Player: DB Josh Hussey
What they need to address: Defense

The Blackhawks to some will be better heading into 2015 but when you allow 723 points the last two seasons (315 points last season) then it could be a problem. Bloomfield Hills returns Josh Hussey to that defense. The Blackhawks offense will have a quarterback competition this season in Eli Sherman and Stone Fiertz but they have a big line returning back and they will have to rely on that line to do so. Bloomfield Hills travels to Walled Lake Northern week one in what is expected to be a battle of two good offenses but if the Blackhawks want to make the next step they must address the defense.

Troy:

Key Player: LB/RB Ramon Conty
What they need to address: Offense

The Colts were oddly one of the best defensive teams in the Red last season, only allowed 226 points. Ramon Conty will be counted on to lead the Colts defense but the question will be on the other side of the ball. Troy lost a lot of talent from a season ago but the key will be is can they score enough points to keep up with teams. The Colts will be a team that will rely on its defense again especially with Sterling Heights Stevenson, a team that Troy wants revenge for after losing 7-3 last season.

Troy Athens:

Key Player: LB/RB Bradley Robinson
What they need to address: Defense

The Red Hawks are 6-21 since they made the playoffs in 2011 (lost to Romeo) and a huge problem of that is their defense. Athens has been a gold mind to offenses allowing 629 points the last two seasons including 327 points last season. The Red Hawks were better offensively with 197 points scored but their defense led by Bradley Robinson must improve quick if Athens wants to get back to the playoffs again.