2024 Kickoff: Oxford vs. Utica Eisenhower Preview

Week 1 of the 2024 season will showcase dozens of incredible matchups around our great state. Near the top of my most anticipated Week 1 matchups is Oxford vs. Utica Eisenhower. These are two programs that I expect to have great success this season. For Oxford, they return a lot of their top talent (including their starting QB and RB). On paper, they should be a team that squeaks into the postseason. On the other side, IKE had themselves a great 2023 season. They lose some key starters, and it will be extremely interesting to see how they fill the holes left by their 2024 graduating class. Still, IKE is heading into this matchup as the favorite.   This article will preview both teams, and I'll focus my attention on each program's impact players.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Oxford</h2>   Last Season: 4-6 (5th OAA Red)   Don't let Oxford's 2023 season fool you- this is a team that should take a step up this season. Last season, they fell at home in their season opener against IKE, 20-6. This season, Oxford returns several key players as they look to rebound from a few lackluster seasons. Closing the gap between them and the elite teams, in addition to securing a playoff spot, are undoubtedly two big goals for this program. Oxford won't be the favorite in this matchup, but I do think there's a pathway to victory.   Impact Players   RB/MLB | [player_tooltip player_id='602107' first='Luke' last='Johnson'] | <a href="https://x.com/Luke_Johnson31">@Luke_Johnson31</a>   I have very little doubt that Oxford will lean heavily on [player_tooltip player_id='602107' first='Luke' last='Johnson'] this season. I've talked about Luke at length several times this offseason, but here's what you need to know. First and foremost, Luke is an incredibly hard worker. He proved it this offseason, as he attended dozens of camps and has undoubtedly improved his skillset while staying in amazing shape. Luke will be primarily utilized as a 3-down running back. At that position, Luke has the power to consistently convert those tough short-yardage runs and the explosiveness to take it to the house on any given down. Luke doesn't quite meet the athletic threshold to be a Division 1 prospect, but he's a great GLIAC prospect in my book. Luke should have a phenomenal season, starting during Week 1 against a familiar opponent.   LB/TE | [player_tooltip player_id='1148739' first='AJ' last='Krupa'] | <a href="https://x.com/aj_krupa30">@aj_krupa30</a>   In order to be a formidable team in the OAA Red, you must have a few standout defenders. This season, I expect AJ to take a step up and grow into an all-league linebacker. Last season, AJ made plenty of plays from his off-ball OLB position. Namely, I like how quickly AJ attacks the ball carrier once he diagnoses the play. The play at 1:20 showcases a great sideline-to-sideline play, demonstrating AJ's effort. This season, I'd love to see AJ take good steps up regarding pass coverage and overall aggression.   QB | [player_tooltip player_id='1148730' first='Jack' last='Hendrix'] | <a href="https://x.com/hendrixjack54">@hendrixjack54</a>   Last season, Jack won the QB job as a sophomore and put up some incredible highlights. Watching Jack's tape, I am incredibly impressed by how fast Jack plays. Time after time, Jack reads the field and gets the ball out incredibly quickly. In addition, Jack is extremely accurate on the run and has more play-action highlights than almost any quarterback. As long as Jack can take good care of the football and take calculated risks when they make sense, he'll be a phenomenal Quarterback in the OAA Red.   K/P | [player_tooltip player_id='899642' first='Drew' last='Cady'] | <a href="https://x.com/DrewCady4">@DrewCady4</a>   Kickers need more love! Seriously, I've seen special teams win or lose several high school football games. Drew is a phenomenal kicker and an even better punter. According to Kohls, Drew can punt the ball up to 53 yards with nearly 5 seconds of hang time. Field position is an incredibly important aspect of any football game, and I fully expect Drew to pin lots of teams deep in their own territory. I also know that Drew is capable of hitting deep, late-game field goals. I expect Week 1 to be close, and Oxford vs. IKE could come down to a kick!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Utica Eisenhower (IKE)</h2>   Last Season: 9-2 (1st MAC Red)   IKE took a big step forward last season. Although they had an early playoff exit, this team returns a ton of talent and has a phenomenal shot at defending its MAC Red Championship. Specifically, this team seems incredibly strong regarding its receivers and defensive line- which are two VITAL positions regardless of play style. IKE has another difficult schedule, but it's hard to imagine that this team won't make the postseason. Here are four impact players that will play key roles in defeating Oxford on Thursday.   Impact Players   WR | [player_tooltip player_id='566878' first='Braylon' last='Burnside'] | <a href="https://x.com/BurnsideBray05">@BurnsideBray05</a>   Braylon has been working behind the scenes for a long time, and I firmly believe he's about to have a breakout season. I've seen Braylon play a lot in the slot- and that's where I expect him to work this season. In 7on7 settings, Braylon is a lethal receiver against man coverage. He can run any in, out, or comeback route as good as any receiver in Michigan. You can't be a great route-runner without having great footwork, and Braylon has that great footwork. Braylon can fit in that Amon-Ra St. Brown type of role extremely well, and as long as Braylon does as much damage after the catch as I think he will, he'll be a MAC target by December.   ATH | [player_tooltip player_id='1113032' first='Bryce' last='Hurley'] | <a href="https://x.com/Bryce_Hurley1">@Bryce_Hurley1</a>   Now a senior, Bryce may be IKE's most valuable skill position player. Offensively, he's extremely well-repped in the slot and the backfield. Bryce is comparable to Braylon because he's an open-field YAC threat. Once he receives the ball via a screen or jet sweep, Bryce's eyes scan the field, and he explodes through any hole given to him. He also has the athleticism to surgically weave through tight spaces. In addition, Bryce had a great 2023 season as a defensive back and kick returner. I expect Bryce to have a big week 1!   OL/DL | Claudio Malaj | <a href="https://x.com/Clauddadaud">@Clauddadaud</a>   Claudio is not the most storied prospect, but he is a key piece of this IKE team. I really like Claudio's 2023 tape. Week after week, Claudio seemed to be a very consistent guard. Claudio will give it his all when blocking whoever is in front of him, and there are also a few impressive instances of pulling and clearing out massive holes for the ball carrier. A ton of teams have frankly bad interior linemen, but Claudio and co. make for a very well-rounded offensive line.   OL/DL | Mike Dziadula | <a href="https://x.com/MikeDziadula">@MikeDziadula</a>   Talk about great interior offensive linemen; Mike is everything you want in an interior lineman. He's big, tall, and surprisingly agile for his size. Ferris State has a STEAL with Mike, and he'll undoubtably play a huge role in IKE's success this season.

Week 1 of the 2024 season will showcase dozens of incredible matchups around our great state. Near the top of my most anticipated Week 1 matchups is Oxford vs. Utica Eisenhower. These are two programs that I expect to have great success this season. For Oxford, they return a lot of their top talent (including their starting QB and RB). On paper, they should be a team that squeaks into the postseason. On the other side, IKE had themselves a great 2023 season. They lose some key starters, and it will be extremely interesting to see how they fill the holes left by their 2024 graduating class. Still, IKE is heading into this matchup as the favorite.