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…
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Continue ReadingIt’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.
D1 Champion: Belleville
Key losses: Jeremiah Caldwell Jeremiah Caldwell 6'3" | 175 lbs | ATH Belleville | 2022 State MI , Aaron Alexander Aaron Alexander 6'1" | 205 lbs | ATH Belleville | 2022 State MI , Myles Rowser Myles Rowser 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Belleville | 2022 State MI , Christian Rapley Christian Rapley 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Belleville | 2022 State MI (and so many more)
Returning Assets: Bryce Underwood Bryce Underwood 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Belleville | 2025 State MI , Renzo Jennings Renzo Jennings 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Belleville | 2024 State MI , Nathaniel Johnson Nathaniel Johnson 6'5" | 305 lbs | OL Belleville | 2024 State MI , Jeremiah Beasley Jeremiah Beasley 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Belleville | 2024 State MI
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.
D2 Champion: De La Salle
Key Losses: Kadin Featherstone Kadin Featherstone 6'2" | 265 lbs | OL De La Salle | 2022 State MI , Alton McCullum Alton McCullum 6'0" | 195 lbs | WR De La Salle | 2022 MI , Will Beesley Will Beesley 5'11" | 205 lbs | DB De La Salle | 2022 State MI
Returning Assets: Brady Drogosh Brady Drogosh 6'5" | 205 lbs | QB De La Salle | 2023 State MI , Mason Muragin Mason Muragin 6'4" | 245 lbs | DL De La Salle | 2023 State MI , Jamari Allen, Triston Nichols Triston Nichols 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR De La Salle | 2023 State MI (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.
D3 Champion: Detroit MLK
Key Losses: Lynn Wyche-El Lynn Wyche-El 5'9" | 165 lbs | WR Detroit King | 2022 State MI , Terence Maize Terence Maize 5'11" | 290 lbs | DL Detroit King | 2022 State MI , Blake Bailiff Blake Bailiff 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Detroit King | 2022 MI , Terrence Brown
Returning Assets: Dante Moore Dante Moore 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Detroit King | 2023 State MI , Johnathan Slack Johnathan Slack 6'3" | 260 lbs | OL Detroit King | 2023 State MI , Jameel Croft Jameel Croft 6'1" | 165 lbs | DB Detroit King | 2023 State MI Jr., Sterling Anderson
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, Dante Moore Dante Moore 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Detroit King | 2023 State MI , is Michigan’s Mr. Football, and he’ll be returning for his senior season. In addition, Johnathan Slack Johnathan Slack 6'3" | 260 lbs | OL Detroit King | 2023 State MI is an incredible asset and one of the best linemen in the state. I mean, put Dante Moore Dante Moore 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Detroit King | 2023 State MI and Johnathan Slack Johnathan Slack 6'3" | 260 lbs | OL Detroit King | 2023 State MI 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.
D4 Champion: Chelsea
Key Losses: Carson Gray Carson Gray 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB Chelsea | 2022 MI , Nolan Sinkwitts, Ben Strzyzewski, Lucas Dunn, Russell Sullivan
Returning Assets: Thomas Shemwell, Seth Anstead, Jason Skoczylas II
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!
D5 Champion: GR Catholic Central
Key Losses: Nolan Ziegler Nolan Ziegler 6'4" | 205 lbs | DB Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2022 State MI , William J. Smith III, Joey Silveri Joey Silveri 6'1" | 200 lbs | QB Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2022 MI , John Passinault
Returning Assets: Connor Wolf Connor Wolf 6'3" | 180 lbs | QB Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2024 State MI , Joe Mullett, 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.