Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic Preview
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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.
August 25
Brother Rice vs. Dakota (4pm)
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 Ethan Hamby Ethan Hamby 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Macomb Dakota | 2023 State MI and the explosive Dakota offense match up against the always great Brother Rice secondary.
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.
On the other hand, Brother Rice is a similarly tall team with just as much star talent. Nolan Ray Nolan Ray 6'0" | 195 lbs | RB Brother Rice | 2023 State MI 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 Andrew LaBarre Andrew LaBarre 6'1" | 230 lbs | ATH Brother Rice | 2023 State MI 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.
Stevenson vs. West Bloomfield (7pm)
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.
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
Reqez Nance
Reqez
Nance
5'10" | 180 lbs | QB
West Bloomfield | 2024
State
MI
takes off like I think he will, it may be a historic season for him,
Semaj Morgan
Semaj
Morgan
5'10" | 175 lbs | WR
West Bloomfield | 2023
State
MI
, and the rest of the WB passing offense. The run game will also be excellent with
Kenneth Jones
Kenneth
Jones
5'10" | 195 lbs | RB
West Bloomfield | 2023
State
MI
III in the backfield while
Amir Herring
Amir
Herring
6'3" | 255 lbs | OL
West Bloomfield | 2023
State
MI
anchors the offensive line.
Defensively,
Jamir Benjamin
Jamir
Benjamin
5'10" | 175 lbs | DB
West Bloomfield | 2024
State
MI
,
Brandon Davis-Swain
Brandon
Davis-Swain
6'4" | 230 lbs | DL
West Bloomfield | 2024
State
MI
, and others round out a dominant and balanced squad. I see very few weaknesses on this entire team.
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, Tyler White Tyler White 5'10" | 165 lbs | ATH Stevenson | 2023 MI , and others. Offensively, if Evan Watson Evan Watson 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Sterling Heights Stevenson | 2024 MI has a breakout season like Biagio had last year, this team will be just fine.
August 26
Allen Park vs. Roosevelt (4pm)
This game may be a shootout as both teams have an impressive arsenal of receivers.
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.
Roosevelt was a decent team last season, going 4-5 and missing the playoffs. Chase Cline Chase Cline 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Wyandotte Roosevelt | 2024 State MI , 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.
Belleville vs. Novi (7pm)
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 Bryce Underwood Bryce Underwood 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Belleville | 2025 State MI play his Sophomore season.
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.
August 27
Dexter vs. Groose Pointe South (1pm)
This is a matchup where Dexter will be the heavy favorite, while GP South will showcase some under-the-radar talent.
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.
It’s looking like Dexter’s year. There’s no excuse not to dominate the regular season with Cole Cabana Cole Cabana 6'0" | 185 lbs | RB Dexter | 2023 State MI , Reeves Taylor Reeves Taylor 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Dexter | 2023 MI , Brennan Parachek Brennan Parachek 6'5" | 225 lbs | TE Dexter | 2023 State MI , Brendon Valerio, 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.
Cedar Springs vs. River Rouge (4pm)
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.
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. Nick Marsh Nick Marsh 6'3" | 195 lbs | WR River Rouge | 2024 State MI 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.
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.