Division 1-5 State Champions; Will they repeat?

It’s a weird time during the offseason where most 7 on 7 camps have concluded, the basketball season is winding down, Spring Sports are ramping up, and summer is seemingly around the corner. In this article, I will make a case for every Division 1-5 State Champion as to if they can defend the title. <strong>D1 Champion: Belleville</strong> <strong>Key losses:</strong> <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12798261">[player_tooltip player_id="30160" first="Jeremiah" last="Caldwell"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14672901">[player_tooltip player_id="93771" first="Aaron" last="Alexander"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11685704">[player_tooltip player_id="160570" first="Myles" last="Rowser"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12810349">[player_tooltip player_id="30130" first="Christian" last="Rapley"] </a>(and so many more) <strong>Returning Assets:</strong> <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15872920">[player_tooltip player_id="247690" first="Bryce" last="Underwood"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15245266">[player_tooltip player_id="188011" first="Renzo" last="Jennings"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11978343">[player_tooltip player_id="188021" first="Nathaniel" last="Johnson"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14629631">[player_tooltip player_id="187999" first="Jeremiah" last="Beasley"]</a> Tap Tap. The Belleville Tigers were the most talented team in Michigan last season, and this season will be no different. They return one of the best Freshman Quarterbacks in the nation, alongside potentially a dozen other D1 prospects. This team is led by legendary coach Jermain Crowell, who commands the elite talent of this program very well. Of course, there are so many teams around the state hungry for the most prominent state title in Michigan, but still, I would bet on Belleville to win it all once again. <strong>D2 Champion: De La Salle</strong> <strong>Key Losses:</strong> <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11580757">[player_tooltip player_id="30280" first="Kadin" last="Featherstone"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11580115">[player_tooltip player_id="99351" first="Alton" last="McCullum"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11276094">[player_tooltip player_id="30205" first="Will" last="Beesley"]</a> <strong>Returning Assets:</strong> <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12865973">[player_tooltip player_id="186875" first="Brady" last="Drogosh"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12866025">[player_tooltip player_id="226712" first="Mason" last="Muragin"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12865923">Jamari Allen</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/4831906">[player_tooltip player_id="240757" first="Triston" last="Nichols"] </a>(and so many more) I will be shocked if De La Salle doesn’t repeat. The Pilots return an incredible amount of starters for 2022, and the sheer talent with those starters is mind-blowing. The job that Dan Rohn has done as head coach is nothing short of sensational, and this program has quickly risen as one of the most dominant in the state. Good luck to any D2 team that hopes to knock off De La Salle. <strong>D3 Champion: Detroit MLK</strong> <strong>Key Losses:</strong> <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13190028">[player_tooltip player_id="30148" first="Lynn" last="Wyche-El"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12533324">[player_tooltip player_id="30181" first="Terence" last="Maize"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11472563">[player_tooltip player_id="30213" first="Blake" last="Bailiff"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16682424">Terrence Brown</a> <strong>Returning Assets:</strong> <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12957981">[player_tooltip player_id="30316" first="Dante" last="Moore"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13190183">[player_tooltip player_id="30317" first="Johnathan" last="Slack"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13190148">[player_tooltip player_id="30325" first="Jameel" last="Croft"] Jr.</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13746142">Sterling Anderson</a> Man, the Division 3 State Championship was a battle and the most entertaining game I watched all season. This was a team for the ages, and they may be even better next season. One of the top QB prospects in the nation, [player_tooltip player_id="30316" first="Dante" last="Moore"], is Michigan’s Mr. Football, and he’ll be returning for his senior season. In addition, [player_tooltip player_id="30317" first="Johnathan" last="Slack"] is an incredible asset and one of the best linemen in the state. I mean, put [player_tooltip player_id="30316" first="Dante" last="Moore"] and [player_tooltip player_id="30317" first="Johnathan" last="Slack"] on most teams team in the state, and that team instantly gets put into the State Championship conversation. I see DeWitt regressing this season, so just a few teams could challenge King for the crown. Yet, I still think King has the best odds. <strong>D4 Champion: Chelsea</strong> <strong>Key Losses:</strong> <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/4553588">[player_tooltip player_id="159900" first="Carson" last="Gray"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11268638">Nolan Sinkwitts</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/6677399">Ben Strzyzewski</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11290393">Lucas Dunn</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11329239">Russell Sullivan</a> <strong>Returning Assets:</strong> <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15160230">Thomas Shemwell</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14837256">Seth Anstead</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13092572">Jason Skoczylas II</a> Both D4 Finalists have huge graduating classes and will have a hard time returning to the State Championship. The 2021 Chelsea team is one to remember forever, though much of this team will be in college, and there will be too many new faces to predict a return to Ford Field. Look for a new team like Freeland to make the jump! <strong>D5 Champion: GR Catholic Central</strong> <strong>Key Losses:</strong> <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11204803">[player_tooltip player_id="30137" first="Nolan" last="Ziegler"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11259707">William J. Smith III</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11281882">[player_tooltip player_id="30214" first="Joey" last="Silveri"], </a><a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11259676">John Passinault</a> <strong>Returning Assets:</strong> <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14688240">[player_tooltip player_id="188030" first="Connor" last="Wolf"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15176705">Joe Mullett</a>, many young offensive linemen Now, this is an interesting one. Catholic Central will be a young team next season, but their sheer talent and ability to reload makes them the favorite to win the state championship... Again. This is the most dominant team in the state, but they will have some competition with some teams such as Marine City. As long as their young talent plays like I think they will, they’ll be in a prime position to repeat.