Pallone’s Preseason Award Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My final article before the 2025 season kicks off. This offseason has been a blast. A ton of in-person evals, new names, and anticipation for the 2025 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The wait is nearly over! In the short time between today and tomorrow, here are a few predictions for (mostly) fake awards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mr. Football - [player_tooltip player_id='212358' first='Corey' last='Sadler'] Jr.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's time a non-QB wins Mr. Football. I discussed it in a recent article about Mr Football, but in short, rarely does Mr. Football go to a player who did not make it to the State Championship, rarely goes to a non-QB, and VERY rarely goes to a non-senior. There's zero question that [player_tooltip player_id='212358' first='Corey' last='Sadler'] is the #1 prospect in Michigan. A truly elite, must-watch athlete. If Cass Tech makes another state championship appearance, I beleive Corey has excellent odds to win the award. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Most Improved Program (D1) - East Kentwood</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Year 2 of a historically excellent head coach, and year 2 of a Power 4 committed Quarterback. Several great reasons to believe that East Kentwood will take another major step forward this season. EK has the best odds to take a big leap forward than any program in Division 1. The biggest school in Michigan, a mountain of talent, and a coaching staff working tirelessly to get EK atop the OK Red. QB play will be great, but I feel this team's ceiling lies in the improvement of the offensive and defensive lines. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Most Improved Program (D2) - Brother Rice</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A historic powerhouse looking for a comeback. Anyone who is in touch with Michigan High School Football is expecting Brother Rice to return as State Championship contenders in the next couple of years. A mountain of young talent, year 2 of a new head coach, and one of the most difficult schedules in Michigan. I don't think Brother Rice wins this hypothetical award in the regular season. I predict a lackluster regular season, but a surprising postseason run for Brother Rice. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Most Improved Program (D3) - Detroit MLK</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though Detroit MLK made another state championship appearance in 2024, they are highly expected to be far better than they were last season. They made an addition at QB while keeping practically all of their best starters from 2024. Easy pick for the most improved team in D3. River Rouge came close, but I beleive they are likely still a year out from being most improved. We're still in the preseason, but it looks like Detroit MLK is on a crash course with De La Salle in the postseason. The winner of that game will likely win the state championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Senior - <em>Easton Wychers</em> - Byron Center</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't exactly know what to expect from the new Byron Center Quarterback. All I know is that I'm expecting great things. Large endorsements from coaches and fellow members of the media have me extremely intrigued about this senior's upside. I'll have my work cut out for me this weekend, but I will do my absolute best to check out what Easton does against Hudsonville. Not many prospects break out as a senior, but I beleive Easton will be in for a phenomenal breakout year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Junior - <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1157439' first='Duke' last='Banta']</em> - Detroit Catholic Central</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Get ready for a lot of Catholic League. Honestly, Duke and the next two picks were quite easy. Duke has it. There are other QBs with D1 offers who have yet to play significant Varsity reps. Out of all of the inexperienced Junior QBs with D1 offers, I am most confident in Duke. Fully expected to be the uncontested starter, [player_tooltip player_id='1157439' first='Duke' last='Banta'] should put his talent on full display. Love his arm talent, and the timing on some of his throws. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Sophomore - <em>[player_tooltip player_id='212645' first='Grayson' last='Thurston']</em> - De La Salle</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thurston is set to take over as De La Salle's QB1. He should be an immediate upgrade from last season. This offseason, I've seen a tremendous amount of poise from Thurston. He's able to make any throw. Arm talent is P4-level. He proved to be an excellent playmaker at the JV level. He's being thrown into the fire a bit with the most difficult schedule in the state, but I strongly beleive that Grayson will prove that he's a Power 4 prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Freshman - <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1593244' first='JJ' last='Chevalier']</em> - Detroit Catholic Central</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I simply don't see a reality where [player_tooltip player_id='1593244' first='JJ' last='Chevalier'] isn't the #1 breakout freshman this season. Everything I've heard about JJ has been phenomenal. The University of Michigan offer is all you really need to know. JJ has a chance to be a generational talent at running back. Expect to hear JJ's name for years to come. He could be the piece that propels Detroit Catholic Central to a State Championship victory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->