Way too Early Football Ranks.

Written Monday May 13th at 6:00 PM

These aren't my official rankings, just ranking teams based how the offseason has gone so far, so here they are and whom the teams have coming into the season. It's only early folks we have spring and summer to go before fall starts.

1. Oak Park: The Knights have a ton of talent returning when you look at them. Oak Park may have probably the best defense in the State led the best player in the State in defensive end Marquan McCail. McCail is not alone though as the Knights have a loaded defense as mentioned led by defensive backs Enzo Jennings and Jalen Robinson along with lineman Justin Rogers and Don Price. Now a lot of Oak Park’s players go two positions. The Knights are stout offensively as well as they have quarterback Dwan Mathis whom is ready to take the next step. Oak Park has other players with major talent including running backs Torraino Richardson and Cashiual Goldsmith along with wide receivers KaJuan Sutton, Gregory Lassiter, Gary Gayle, Robert Daniel, and Kevin Bradley. Oak Park will be loaded this season so this could be an interesting season for coach and Athletic Director Greg Carter.

2. West Bloomfield: The Lakers have beefed up their wide receiving corps for quarterback Bryce Veasley by adding three wide receivers via transfers in Collin Heard (Groves), Bryce Thompson (Birmingham Brother Rice), and AJ Abbott (Northville) to go along with Taj Mustaffa, Christian Fitzpatrick, and tight end James Falkner. If there is one weakness to this team, it will be up front despite all that talent West Bloomfield has they must address their lines up front now they have guys like Javon Foster and Max Green that help them but they have to address it if they are going to be a serious contender this season.

3. Seaholm: The Maples are an underrated team to keep an eye on this season. Seaholm returns a ton of experience from a team that struggled but were in a ton of close ball games last season. The Maples return quarterback Gray Kinnie and he’ll have some weapons for the Veer offense that coach Jim DeWald runs in running backs Chase Powers and Matt O’Connor along with wide receivers Nick Lang and Vashnav Siddapureddy. Seaholm will also be stout defensibly as well in defensive end Carter Stagner and linebackers Tre Hairston and Danny Hartwood. The Maples will be for real this upcoming season.

4. Orion: Everyone talks about Southfield Arts and Tech, Clarkston, and West Bloomfield. I wonder why no one is talking about the Dragons. Orion has not been the same football powerhouse since 2012 but they do have a ton of talent coming back from a team that made the playoffs last season. The Dragons have defensive lineman Jordan Lewis, defensive end Hunter Lagerquist, along with superback Johnny Haggitt, running backs Dylan Frank and Danny Del Otero. Orion also has quarterback John Marshall, offensive lineman Brendan Robinson, and wide receiver Pierce Burke. It could be an interesting first season for coach John Blackstock but I’m surprised not a lot of people are talking about the Dragons, they could be a scary team come this fall.

5. Clarkston: The Wolves will be a threat once again this season but if you look at Clarkston there could be a major weakness this season. The Wolves return Michael Fluegel at running back to go along with wide receivers Connor Heaton and Spencer Lenardson. The question for Clarkston will be up front with their line play and quarterback. The Wolves will be talented defensibly especially at linebacker as Zach Scott, Roman Santos, Brendan Barker, and Max Nicklin all return. Coach Kurt Richardson’s team will be an interesting group to keep an eye on this offseason.

6. Harrison: The Hawks have only two years left as a school but coach John Herrington’s team will be loaded this season. Harrison will be led by quarterback Noah Hendricks along with running back Moet Andrews and wide receiver Joseph Stevens whom both transferred in from Farmington. The Hawks will have Notre Dame commit defensive end Ovie Oghoufo and defensive end Roedrick Heard leading the defense along with lineman Maverick Hansen. Harrison will be a solid football team once again this season.

7. Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors have taken a hit with the departures of some players transferring out or graduating but knowing coach Tim Conley’s team they will be fine. Southfield Arts and Tech has a solid quarterback in John Darby, whom is a duel-threat quarterback. Darby will have some playmakers to throw too in wide receivers Barry Ginyard, Elijah Soloman, and Cameron McEvans and a solid ground attack in David Wilson and Marcus Faqua. The Warriors will have a strong offensive line to protect Darby in Juan Walker, Jelani Wells, and Ahmad Kabir. They will have solid defense led by linebacker Christian Rush and lineman Edward Usuomon. It will be interesting for Southfield Arts and Tech as they have a ton of depth to work with, they will need that to have another strong season.

8. Adams: The Highlanders are going to be an interesting team this upcoming season. They did lose their quarterback Kyle Wood to graduation so there are some questions there but they do have wide receiver Vincent Gray back along with running backs Cole Mitchell, Steve Roncelli, and Chase Karletta. If Adams can get good line play in their veer attack and quarterback play as well then coach Tony Patrino’s team could be very well in the hunt.

9. Rochester: When I look at a football team that could be a sleeper, this is it. I talked to Dan Stickradt of North Oakland Sports and he is high on the Falcons. Rochester will have a senior heavy team this season led by quarterback Bret Burtaw and wide receivers Drake Reid and Dave Karwaski. If the Falcons can get strong line play and develop a strong running game to go along with a defense that was better than the last two seasons then maybe this team could make the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

10. Ferndale: The Eagles made the playoffs for the first time since 2008 last season. Ferndale merged with Ferndale University through the MHSAA’s Co-OP program. Eagles coach Eric Royal will be loaded this season especially at running back with Zoser Little and quarterback KeShawn Smith. If Ferndale can get some line play on both sides of the football then the Eagles could make the playoffs for a second straight year.

11. Farmington: The Falcons moved down a division from the White to the Blue and they have a new coach in defensive coordinator Kory Cioroch. Farmington will have some experience returning next season especially on defense, led by defensive end Donovan King. The Falcons will have a quarterback competition between quarterbacks Kaleb Muhammad and Chandler Coultrip for the starting job for the team. Whomever is the quarterback will throw the football to Cameron Johnson and have three running backs to hand the football off too in Kendall Williams, Nathaniel Shaw, and Oscar Glenn. Farmington has a ton of talent back, hopefully Cioroch will get this football program back in the right direction.

12. Groves: The Falcons lost a ton of talent from a team that went to the State Semifinals and found out that their best athlete Collin Heard transferred to West Bloomfield. Coach Brendan Flaherty’s team will be very young this season. Groves will likely start quarterback Markis Alexander whom takes over for Zach Van Fossen and wide receiver/defensive back Khalil Dawsey. The Falcons will have players to fill those roles but they could take a bit of a step back.

13. Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks had their best season ever going undefeated and had a big win over Orion to close out the season last season. Now Bloomfield Hills will be in the Red but they did lose a lot of talent from that team but a few of them remain in quarterback John Paddock, defensive end Jack Sape, and wide receivers Jack Irschmer and Jiovanni Harris. The Blackhawks will have to replace a ton of defensive players. It would be an interesting season for Bloomfield Hills, they will have to ride Paddock’s arm this season.

14. Oxford: The Wildcats are going to be an interesting team this season when you look at them. Parker Fleming returns at quarterback and running back Ben Krause will be pounding the rock for coach Bud Rowley’s team. Oxford must address their defense, wide receivers, and their line this offseason. If they can do that then the Wildcats could make some noise this season.

15. Avondale: The Yellow Jackets made a late season run but it wasn’t enough as they finished 4-5, missing out on the playoffs. Avondale returns their two top play-makers in wide receivers David Hinton and Nick Whiteside. Coach Ed Couturier's veer offense must address the quarterback spot, along with both lines, defense, and running back spot even though Anthony Moran is expected to be the running back for the Yellow Jackets. Avondale could be a playoff team this season, keep an eye on them.

16. Berkley: The Bears will have to reload a bit for coach Chris Sikoria’s team but his team will have some talent moving up a division. Berkley will have to address their quarterback situation but they have a solid lineman in Babacar Diop and running back Keder Browning. It could be a tough road for the Bears but if there is a football program that’s ready to take the next step up its Berkley.

17. Athens: The Red Hawks are an interesting team to keep an eye on this offseason but they have some players returning in the form of running back Jake Cavazos and wide receivers Nate Oprinka and Nick Cotton. Coach Josh Heppner must address his quarterback situation along with line whom he is very excited about this season.

18. Stoney Creek: The Cougars struggled in Bob Lantzy’s first season but Stoney Creek returns Frank Potenza. Lantzy must address the Cougars defense that wasn’t good last season. Stoney Creek moves down a division which should help things but the competition will be tough. The Cougars have to address their issues before the season starts.

19. Troy: The Colts will be an interesting team to keep an eye on this season. They have a new coach in Todd Frasier and a ton of experience returning. Troy will be led by quarterback Drew Pijanowski. Pijanowski's top wide receiver will be Corey Pischel and the Colts has a good offensive lineman in Alex Sampson. Troy’s defense will be better as well led by lineman Max Guiltar and linebacker Johnathan Douglass. The Colts will need a good running game if they want to make some noise this season.

20. Royal Oak: The Ravens could be a team to keep an eye on this season but last season they were a disappointment going 2-7. Royal Oak returns defensive back Pat Teshow and fullback Will Stevens but they have to address other areas if they want to get better this season. It could be a tough season again for coach Ray McMann.

21. Hazel Park: The Vikings were one of my disappointing teams last season. Hazel Park does return quarterback Damien Eward along with wide receivers Logan Hamilton and Cameron Harris. Coach Kyle Rowley will need to address their running game if they want to compete along with their line play as well. It could be a long season at Hazel Park again.

22. North Farmington: The Raiders need a new football coach that Todd Schultz stepped down to focus on Athletic Director duties. This football program still has athletes when you look at North Farmington. There is a quarterback competition between Brendan Hudson and Nigel Weems along with a running back competition between Dylan Gordon and Taj Cheathem, and they have two wide receivers in Myles Gresham and Jaylen Ferguson. Just got to get a head coach in there and this program should be on the rise.

23. Pontiac: The Phoenix struggled last season but coach John Thompson continues to build his program over in Pontiac. It could be a long season again for the Phoenix.