Team Preview: Birmingham Seaholm

<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Overview</strong></span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Seaholm Maples have been rolling these past few years, having advanced to the state semifinals in 2019, and earning an #1 seed in the 2020 MHSAA DII playoffs before being upset by crosstown rival Groves in the 2nd round. Led by 10th-year head coach Jim Dewald, the Maples seek another deep playoff run, but they’re going to have to earn it. Seaholm is faced with an incredibly difficult schedule, with their opposition sporting a 73% 2020 regular-season win percentage. Looking back at the 2020 season, the Maples went 4-2 with their losses being against undefeated D1 powerhouse Clarkston, and Stoney Creek, the 2020 Undefeated OAA White champions. Seaholm also had key victories against crosstown rival Groves (35-28), Rochester Adams (20-17), plus a 42-6 beatdown of Sterling Heights in the playoffs. Needless to say, after a few very rocky seasons, Seaholm is back and they’re here to stay.</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>2021 Schedule/Games to watch</strong></span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">August 28 Vs Byron Center </span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">It’s not common that you see two teams from completely separate sides of the state come together to play a regular-season game, but that’s exactly what’s going to happen in week 1. Byron Center is coming off a good 2020, winning the Ottawa-Kent White division with a 5-1 record before being upset in the first round of the playoffs. Mark this one on your calendar as a rare west-east matchup against two great teams with much to prove.</span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">September 2 Vs Clarkston</span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">August 10 @ Rochester</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">August 17 Vs Groves</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">- Last year’s rivalry matchup was the most thrilling game I watched all year. The game was back-and-forth, with the game-defining moment being Seaholm’s [player_tooltip player_id="29727" first="Caleb" last="Knoer"] chasing down and stripping #8 ranked MI prospect, [player_tooltip player_id="30134" first="Jaden" last="Mangham"], at the goal-line preventing a go-ahead touchdown with a touchback. The Maples went on to win the thriller 35-28, although Groves got their revenge in the playoffs. Mark this on your calendar as a can’t-miss rivalry matchup.</span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">August 24 @ Adams</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">September 8 Vs North Farmington </span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">- North Farmington had an impressive 2020, advancing to the final 8. They had key regular-season wins against Adams &amp; Oxford, with the anticipated matchup with Seaholm being forfeited due to a loss of power. Both teams should be coming into this one fighting to be at the top of the OAA White.</span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">September 15 @ Lake Orion</span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">September 22 Vs Stoney Creek</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Players to watch</span> </span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true"><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9913022/Jacob-Vance">Jacob Vance</a>, LB - Per usual, Seaholm has a great linebacker group with Jacob Vance looking to lead the Maples defense. Vance is a hard-hitting backer who excels at reading the run game and blitzing off the edge. Vance has also shown to be a powerful runner. </span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true"> </span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true"><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11548053/Jack-Trinch">Jack Trinch</a>, RB/WR - Heading the slot position, Trinch brings important speed and elusiveness to the Maples offense. Seaholm often puts him in motion achieving big speed-in-space plays or serving as a great decoy. Already earning all-league honors in 2020, Trinch is undoubtedly going to be receiving an even larger role. </span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true"> </span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true"><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13214805/Brenden-Barrett">Brenden Barrett</a> DE/RB - With the departure of ’20 Butler commit [player_tooltip player_id="30034" first="Jake" last="LaBarre"], Brenden Barrett looks to fill some big shoes and lead the Maples defensive line as a Junior. Barrett is an unselfish player who shows the ability to read an offense and plays his role exceptionally well. Barrett uses his 6’1 250lb size to his advantage as he’s shown to pancake an offensive lineman. </span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true"> </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>X-Factor: Offensive Line</strong></span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Running a Veer offense requires stellar physicality, communication, and trust. This all starts in the trenches with the Offensive line. The Maples have had some incredible offensive line groups with last season’s group sporting All-State lineman [player_tooltip player_id="29628" first="Caden" last="DeWald"]. With key losses on the offensive line, the Maples must continue to find a way to dominate the trenches if they wish to run stellar Veer. </span>