Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Xenith Kickoff Classic kicks off this week at Wayne State University, and it will display 6 of the most anticipated matchups in the state. A great tradition in its 17th season, I can only wish I was there to watch the festivities unfold. This article will preview those six matchups and what a Week 1 Win would mean for these programs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>August 25 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brother Rice vs. Dakota (4pm)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The opener may turn out to be the best game of the weekend. Better yet, it displays a ton of young talent and top-tier senior talent. I'm incredibly excited to see how [player_tooltip player_id='409670' first='Ethan' last='Hamby'] and the explosive Dakota offense match up against the always great Brother Rice secondary. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Dakota, they've been feeling a bit overlooked this offseason despite a vast 2023 class and two postseason wins in 2021. Looking at their roster, not only are they experienced, but also a noticeably tall team. Knowing how well this team is coached and how it reloads year after year, I say Dakota has a chance to go exceptionally far this season, but it all starts here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other hand, Brother Rice is a similarly tall team with just as much star talent. [player_tooltip player_id='186866' first='Nolan' last='Ray'] is set up to have a historic season behind a great offensive line. If Brother Rice can find a way to control the game offensively, they have a great shot at victory. Defensively, the Warriors have a fantastic front 7 led by players such as [player_tooltip player_id='248004' first='Andrew' last='LaBarre'] and Alex Birach. As I said earlier, I always have confidence in Korzeniewski-led secondaries, so I know they'll perform well even though there aren't any top-tier names in that group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stevenson vs. West Bloomfield (7pm)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a super intriguing matchup in which West Bloomfield will be the heavy favorite, but Stevenson proved us wrong multiple times last season. This will be a battle of the defenses. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like any other year, West Bloomfield comes into this game with multiple Power-5 commits with one of the most talented rosters in the state. If [player_tooltip player_id='249012' first='Reqez' last='Nance'] takes off like I think he will, it may be a historic season for him, [player_tooltip player_id='162651' first='Semaj' last='Josiah Morgan'], and the rest of the WB passing offense. The run game will also be excellent with [player_tooltip player_id='243472' first='Kenneth' last='Jones'] III in the backfield while [player_tooltip player_id='30318' first='Amir' last='Herring'] anchors the offensive line. <br>Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='187991' first='Jamir' last='Benjamin'], [player_tooltip player_id='80954' first='Brandon' last='Davis-Swain'], and others round out a dominant and balanced squad. I see very few weaknesses on this entire team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now for Stevenson, they're still a talent team playing in the MAC Red, but having to replace stars such as Biagio Madonna won't be easy. They have a solid defense with Keion Singletary, [player_tooltip player_id='300724' first='Tyler' last='White'], and others. Offensively, if [player_tooltip player_id='248809' first='Evan' last='Watson'] has a breakout season like Biagio had last year, this team will be just fine. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>August 26</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Allen Park vs. Roosevelt (4pm)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game may be a shootout as both teams have an impressive arsenal of receivers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Allen Park was a criminally underrated program in 2021 as they went 9-3, with 8/9 of those wins by two or more possessions. Though, the 2022 class was huge for the Jaguars, losing their QB and a bulk of their offensive line. Kevin Lebron and Seydou Diallo will have to step up and become great weapons throughout the season. Likewise, their defense will be interesting to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roosevelt was a decent team last season, going 4-5 and missing the playoffs. [player_tooltip player_id='250046' first='Chase' last='Cline'], George Lovell, and Chance Persondek are all returning skill players that have a chance to be one of the best trios in the state, and they'll need to compete in the downriver league. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Belleville vs. Novi (7pm)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Belleville needs no introduction as they have a loaded team and are the defending D1 State Champions. This team is incredible and will go extremely far. This is the #1 team to beat in Michigan. I'm so excited to see [player_tooltip player_id='247690' first='Bryce' last='Underwood'] play his Sophomore season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Novi, on the other hand, went 5-5 last season, failing to do much damage against the best of the best. They have an excellent running game led by senior Cole Shires, but I don't see Novi doing much against this Belleville team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>August 27</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dexter vs. Groose Pointe South (1pm)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a matchup where Dexter will be the heavy favorite, while GP South will showcase some under-the-radar talent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It will always be tough losing your best senior athlete, especially when his name is Will Johnson, the #1 player in the 2022 class. GP South has some guys, and I'm excited to see who surprises me. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's looking like Dexter's year. There's no excuse not to dominate the regular season with [player_tooltip player_id='162655' first='Cole' last='Cabana'], [player_tooltip player_id='243465' first='Reeves' last='Taylor'], [player_tooltip player_id='30328' first='Brennan' last='Parachek'], <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11782197">Brendon Valerio</a>, and others. The offense should show up and show out, but I'll be more interested to see what the defense looks like in this game and throughout the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cedar Springs vs. River Rouge (4pm)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm immensely excited for this matchup as we have two insanely talented teams and the only Grand Rapids area team making the trip to Wayne State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>River Rouge has the potential to be a championship contender, as 2 out of 3 2021 losses were against Detroit MLK or De La Salle. [player_tooltip player_id='190093' first='Nick' last='Marsh'] and Chrisitan Johnson are perhaps the scariest WR-QB Duo in the state, while they have a great front 7 on defense, plus more defenders looking to make names for themselves. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cedar Springs was criminally underrated last season as they went 7-3, beating Muskegon and losing to two State Championship teams with GRCC and DeWitt. This season, they have a good amount of talent to replace, but overall this is a well-coached team and very respected on the West Side. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->