De La Salle is the Heavy Favorite in Division 2
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The De La Salle Pilots had only one 1-score game in their 13-0 state championship 2021 season, and they outscored their playoff opponents 214 – 62 in the postseason. The Pilots tore through the state and did not face much…
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Continue ReadingThe De La Salle Pilots had only one 1-score game in their 13-0 state championship 2021 season, and they outscored their playoff opponents 214 – 62 in the postseason. The Pilots tore through the state and did not face much resistance, and even more impressive; they return most of their top talent. Dan Rohn has rebuilt this program into a powerhouse. If their record wasn’t telling enough, over 100 college coaches from across the nation attended their college fair. Now, I’ll discuss some of their top athletes, then discuss crucial games this coming season.
Last 5 Seasons
2017: 12-2, State Championship W vs. Franklin
2018: 12-2, State Championship W vs. Mona Shores
2019: 5-5, Round 1 Playoff Disqualification
2020: 7-5, State Championship L vs. Mona Shores
2021: 13-0, State Championship W vs. Traverse City Central
Players to Watch
QB Brady Drogosh Brady Drogosh 6'5" | 205 lbs | QB De La Salle | 2023 State MI
It seems that most of the MI QB attention goes to Dante Moore Dante Moore 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Detroit King | 2023 State MI , Bryce Underwood Bryce Underwood 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Belleville | 2025 State MI , or CJ Carr CJ Carr 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Saline | 2024 State MI , but Brady Drogosh Brady Drogosh 6'5" | 205 lbs | QB De La Salle | 2023 State MI has proven his stripes as an elite QB as well. The 6’5″ superstar carried the team on his back last season and had scouts and media members’ jaws dropping throughout the postseason. His measurables are ideal at 6’5″, and his fundamentals, from his throwing motion to his footwork to his hips/lower-body movement has earned him the right to be a future Cincinnati Bearcat.
WR Triston Nichols Triston Nichols 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR De La Salle | 2023 State MI
Nichols is an athletic, tall receiver coming off a sensational basketball season. He’s recently been offered by Grand Valley State and Wayne State for excellent reason. You cant cover him 1-on-1, as Nichols has good release with great double-move/hesitation ability. At 6’3″, 200lbs, along with his basketball experience, Nichols also makes for an ideal physical receiver who can go up and get 50/50 balls if he has to. I hope to see even more improvement when it comes to burst and general route-running. One minor issue I see in his game is that he holds the ball a bit far from his body, increasing the likelihood of a fumble.
DE Mason Muragin Mason Muragin 6'4" | 245 lbs | DL De La Salle | 2023 State MI
Muragin is the enforcer of the defense. During the State Championship, I watched him win many battles against Saginaw Valley State commit Kadyn Warner. Muragin has a wide array of speed moves that he mixes to make himself unpredictable. He had a school-record 32 TFLs in 2021 and offers from Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Air Force, and Akron, among many others. He’s a game-breaking talent on the defensive side of the ball that is immensely difficult to gameplan for.
More Players: Brendan Dignan, Rhett Roeser Rhett Roeser 6'0" | 220 lbs | RB De La Salle | 2024 State MI , Brian White II, Jamari Allen, Aaron White
It’s at this point that I usually discuss hurdles to jump. With De La Salle’s 13-0 2021 season and the returning talent, there are few, if any, steps they need to take for a “better” season.
Important matchups
Week 2 vs. Muskegon
Muskegon is a historically elite program with a ton of returning talent, especially in the class of 2024. They have a potentially elite Quarterback that there is minimal film of, with an elite offensive line, talented RB, and SB, with one of my favorite playbooks in High School Football. In addition, Muskegon always prioritizes their defensive prowess, and they have elite coaching. Muskegon could be the best team De La Salle faces all season.
Week 4 vs. Brother Rice
This rivalry runs deep, and this is always a close matchup. Brother Rice was The Pilot’s only 1-possession game all season, and the Warriors return a bunch of talent. This is a game everyone should have their eye on.
Week 8 vs. River Rouge
River Rouge is a highly talented team that won 7 games last season, losing to State-Champion Detroit MLK in the playoffs. They have one of the best Quarterbacks in the state alongside an elite receiving core. This late-season test should prepare them for the playoffs.
Playoffs
De La Salle will fall short if they don’t win the state championship. I fully expect to see this team at Ford Field, and I expect them to raise the State Championship Trophy once more. Though anything can happen in the playoffs, and if they get upset, oh what a day that will be.