State Contender Profile: Dakota Cougars

Alex O'Brien

July 14, 2020 @ 12:00 PM

Head Coach: Greg Baur Division: 1 Conference: Macomb Area Conference – Red 2019 Overall Record: 6-5 Returning Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id="29684" first="D.J." last="Stepney"] | DB | 2021 (Central Michigan commit) [player_tooltip player_id="29574" first="Eric" last="Reese"] | DB | 2021 (Central Michigan commit) [player_tooltip player_id="29606" first="Clinton" last="Roberson"] | WR | 2021 (Central Michigan commit) [player_tooltip player_id="29650" first="Jordan" last="Rice-Reno"] | DL | 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="29655" first="Jack" last="Murray"] | LB | 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="29664" first="Uko" last="Umana"] | RB | 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="30025" first="Michael" last="Pruchnic"] | DL | 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="29911" first="Zach" last="Mullins"] | OL | 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="30331" first="Joey" last="Pruchnic"] | DL | 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="29711" first="Zach" last="Droski"] | QB | 2021 Analysis: Dakota enters the 2020 season looking to rebound after a 6-5 finish last season. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="29711" first="Zach" last="Droski"] returns for his senior season surrounded by plenty of weapons in senior running back [player_tooltip player_id="29664" first="Uko" last="Umana"], junior running back [player_tooltip player_id="30193" first="Caiden" last="Sloan"] and senior receiver [player_tooltip player_id="29606" first="Clinton" last="Roberson"]. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="29911" first="Zach" last="Mullins"], junior [player_tooltip player_id="30179" first="Cooper" last="Phillips"] and junior [player_tooltip player_id="30274" first="Riley" last="Smalarz"] lead the offensive line, which will be key to the offense’s performance. The Cougar defense is loaded with talent, which starts up front with senior [player_tooltip player_id="29650" first="Jordan" last="Rice-Reno"], senior [player_tooltip player_id="30025" first="Michael" last="Pruchnic"] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="30331" first="Joey" last="Pruchnic"]. Senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="29655" first="Jack" last="Murray"] and senior defensive backs [player_tooltip player_id="29574" first="Eric" last="Reese"] and [player_tooltip player_id="29684" first="D.J." last="Stepney"] are also top tier talents in the state at their positions. With the talent they have on their roster, Dakota should see a big jump in the win column this season and could be set up for a deep playoff run.