Let’s play some football!

Area squads kick off season this Thursday

 

TRI-CITY AREA — The start of another gridiron campaign is just around the corner.

The 2025 season kicks off this Thursday with Almont hosting Marysville, Imlay City entertaining Flint Powers, Capac going to Potterville and Dryden visiting North Huron. Those clashes are slated to get underway at 7 p.m.

In Almont, James Leusby begins season 11 as the Raiders head coach.

Almont is coming off an outstanding 9-1 overall campaign, including a pacesetting 7-0 Blue Water Area Conference record.

The Raiders saw to it that they would earn a spot in the Division 6 state playoffs again. It was there Almont faced Ovid-Elsie, bowing out with a 44-21 opening round setback.

Chase Battani (runningback/linebacker), Dylan Taylor (offensive line/defensive line), Cole Willard (offensive line/defensive line), Luke Winkler (runningback/defensive back), Chase Davedowski (quarterback), Brent Corneau (tight end/defensive line), Eric Haddon (linebacker), Nolan Maxlow (split end) and Tim Miller (linebacker) were Almont’s biggest losses due to graduation.

Grand Valley State University commit Sean O’Neil (kicker), Ryder Baker (defensive tackle/guard), Liam Szymanski (tackle), Jacob Stewart (fullback), Gordon Stolecki (defensive end), Matthew Bacholzky (runningback/defensive back), Dominic Medley (defensive end), Dustin Claeys (guard/linebacker) Aiden Howard (defensive back) and Colten Karbel (linebacker) are Almont’s top returnees.

Almont heads in to the upcoming season as one of the teams that is likely to battle it out for the distinction of league champions.

“I think Almont, Armada, Cros-Lex and North Branch are all top contenders,” Leusby commented. “The number of kids playing football has me excited about the future of football for our small town,” he noted.

“Also, once again, I must thank all the local businesses that go above and beyond for our program. We would not be as successful without their support.”

Almont opens the 2025 campaign this Thursday when it hosts Marysville. The non-league encounter is slated to get underway at 7 p.m.

At Imlay City, Dave Brown enters his fourth season as the Spartans’ head coach.

Imlay City has their sights on besting last year’s 2-7 overall mark. That included a 1-6 Blue Water Area Conference mark, good for seventh place.

Jayden Hall (offensive line/defensive line), Brody Spreeman (offensive line/defensive line), Jerry Zheng (offensive line/defensive line), Travis Bush (offensive line/linebacker), Tanner Land (wide receiver/defensive back), Matt Evans (quarterback/defensive back), and Andrew Cezik (runningback/linebacker/kicker) were Imlay City’s biggest losses due to graduation.

Travis Tramontana (runningback/linebacker), Noah Gaboyes (wide receiver/linebacker) and Eddie Dervishi (tight end/defensive line) are Imlay City’s top returnees.

Brown listed Almont, Armada and Cros-Lex as the BWAC title favorites this fall.

“We are young and excited about our athletes,” Brown commented. “The numbers in the program are going up which should help us,” he noted.

Imlay City starts the season this Thursday when it entertains Flint Powers. The non-league meeting lists a 7 p.m. starting time.

In Capac, Bill Nestle and Troy Schneider start their second season as co-coaches of the Chiefs.

Their squad will attempt to improve on last year’s 5-4 overall mark. That included a 3-4 Big Thumb Conference Blue Division showing, leaving them tied for fourth place.

To accomplish that objective, Capac will need to overcome the graduation loss of Alan Uribe-Arce. He showcased his skills at quarterback, running back and linebacker a year ago.

Sam Schneider (runningback/defensive back), Boston Vock (wide receiver/defensive back), Seth Turner (wide receiver/defensive back), Zach Stroup (defensive end/linebacker/offensive line), Brody Tesnow (quarterback/defensive back), Gabe Peters (runningback/defensive back), and Wiley Roose (tight end/linebacker) are Capac’s top returnees.

“We are looking forward to a good season with many returning players,” Nestle commented. “We have some juniors that will provide added depth to the team,” he noted.

Capac gets their season underway this Thursday when it travels to Potterville. The non-league clash is scheduled for 7 p.m.

At Dryden, Hunter Gall returns for his third season as the Cardinals head coach.

Dryden is coming off a 4-5 overall campaign. That included a 2-5 Big Thumb Conference Blue Division record, good for a tie for sixth place.

Sonny Coscione (wide receiver and defensive back), Owen Gall (center and linebacker), David Insley (wide receiver and linebacker) and Preston Kuligowski (guard and tackle) were Dryden’s biggest losses due to graduation.

Gianni Coscione (quarterback), Satiago Perales (wide receiver), Brady Schneider (wide receiver/runningback) and Rowan Handley (wide receiver and cornerback) are Dryden’s top returnees.

Gall listed Deckerville and Brown City as the league title favorites.

“We are a bit on the younger side this season,” Gall commented. “We only have one senior, but luckily our junior class has a lot of experience,” he noted.

“On the offensive side of the ball, we have a lot of returning talent at key positions. I think we will be an exciting team to watch and I see us improving each week as our younger guys gain more experience.”

Dryden kicks off their season this Thursday when it travels to North Huron. That battle begins at 7 p.m.