Football season kickoff: Almont, Imlay City, Capac, Dryden ready to launch campaigns

TRI-CITY AREA — The start of football season is just a day away.

The 2026 campaign gets underway this Thursday with Almont going to Marysville, Imlay City heading to Flint Powers and Dryden hosting Peck. The following day sees Capac entertain Potterville. These encounters all are slated to get underway at 7 p.m.

At Almont, James Leusby starts his 12th season as the Raiders’ head coach.

Almont is coming off yet another outstanding season, having gone 12-1 overall a year ago. That featured a pacesetting 7-0 Blue Water Area Conference record.

The Raiders again secured a spot in the Division 6 state playoffs. It was there that the Raiders enjoyed a lengthy run, claiming district and regional titles before seeing their tournament path wind down with a triple overtime loss to eventual state champion Jackson Lumen Christi in the semifinals.

Matthew Bacholzky (running back and defensive back), Jacob Stewart (running back and linebacker), Dustin Claeys (offensive and defensive line), Liam Szymanski (offensive tackle),  Dominic Medley (defensive tackle), Cohen Ferqueron (linebacker), Gordon Stolecki (defensive end) and Sean O’Neil (kicker/punter) were Almont’s biggest losses to graduation.

Blake Lane (quarterback/defensive back), Brody Corneau (running back/defensive back), Rian O’Neil (tight end), Logan Schapman (wide receiver), Dylan Hartman (center), Ian Meyers (offensive tackle), Colten Karbel (linebacker), Ayden Battani (linebacker) and Shepherd Moussiaux) are Almont’s top returnees.

Leusby believes several teams have the potential to be in the hunt for the BWAC title this season.

“I always have a hard time predicting the league because there are a lot of good teams in the league and you never know what each program is going to have coming back,” Leusby said. “That being said, I expect the BWAC to be very competitive again this year and obviously we expect to be right in the hunt for the conference championship.”

He said it will be a very competitive conference this year.

“If you need me to give you an order, I would put Richmond, Almont, Armada and Lutheran North at the top, but I do not think there is a huge separation between the top teams and the rest of the BWAC. There are several teams capable of making a run at the league title and I would not read much into a preseason order.”

Almont opens the season this Thursday with a road trip to Marysville. The non-league encounter lists a 7 p.m. starting time.

Other teams to watch

IMLAY CITY — In Imlay City, Dave Brown begins season five as the Spartans’ head coach.

Imlay City is coming off a 3-6 overall campaign. That included a 1-6 Blue Water Area Conference showing, good for seventh place.

Travis Tramontana (linebacker), Eddie Dervishi (tight end/defensive line) and Alex Pettke (offensive and defensive line) were Imlay City’s biggest losses due to graduation.

Bret Lestage (wide receiver), Trysten Whiting (wide receiver), Javoni Pena (wide receiver), Danny Rojas (runningback) Bryce Homer (quarterback), Lincoln Goward (offensive line) and Ethan Ayers (offensive line) are Imlay City’s top returnees.

Brown listed Almont as the favorite for the BWAC title this fall.

Imlay City starts the 2026 campaign this Thursday when it travels to Flint Powers. The non-conference clash lists a 7 p.m. starting time.

CAPAC — At Capac, Jason Anglin begins his first season as the Chiefs’ head coach.

He takes over the sideline assignment from Coaches Bill Nestle and Troy Schneider, who guided Capac to a formidable 8-3 overall mark a year ago. That included a 5-2 Big Thumb Conference Blue Division showing, good for a share of third place with Brown City.

Capac advanced to the Division 1 playoffs for eight-player squads, reached the regional championship clash before bowing out with a loss to Kingston.

Sam Schneider (running back and defensive back), Wiley Roose (tight end), Gavin Dams (offensive line), Brenden Bussone (linebacker), Seth Turner (defensive back), Brody Tesnow (quarterback), Boston Vock (wide receiver), Peyton Frankowiak (defensive line) Gabe Peters (defensive back) and Zach Stroup (linebacker) were Capac’s top losses due to graduation.

Kaleb Pietrzak (offensive and defensive line), Connor Powers (offensive and defensive line) and Preston Vamvas (running back and linebacker) are Capac’s top returnees.

Anglin said it is tough to determine which teams could be factors in the hunt for the Big Thumb Conference Gold Division titles this fall.

“We have a shot to be there as well,” Anglin stated. “It will all come down to how soon we adjust from our graduation losses,” he noted.

Capac kicks off their season this Friday when it hosts Potterville.  The non-league game is slated to get underway at 7 p.m.

DRYDEN — In Dryden, Hunter Gall enters his fourth season as the Cardinals’ head coach.

Dryden will be looking to improve on last year’s 5-4 overall campaign. That included a 3-4 Big Thumb Conference Blue Division record, paving the way to a fifth-place finish.

Rowan Handley (wide receiver/cornerback) was Dryden’s lone loss to graduation.

Gianni Coscione (quarterback and linebacker), Santiago Perales (wide receiver and safety), Brady Schneider (running back and linebacker), Luke Taylor (tight end and defensive end) Callum Brown (defensive tackle), Gavin Prusakiewicz (center), Logan Korth (wide receiver and cornerback), Luke Kage (wide receiver and cornerback) and Tyler Roberts (guard and defensive end) are Dryden’s top returnees.

Gall listed Deckerville and Kingston as possible league title contenders in the Big Thumb Conference Gold Division where Dryden will now play this season.

Dryden starts the 2026 campaign this Thursday where it will host Peck. That non-league meeting lists a 7 p.m. starting time.