2023 Football: St. Philip, Climax-Scotts among teams to watch in 8-player division
Momentum can be a powerful thing, especially if you are a young team looking to build confidence.
St. Philip only had two seniors last year and started the season with only 13 players on the roster. That led to the Tigers losing four of their first five games.
However, St. Philip won its final four games, scoring 50-plus points in each, as the Tigers went on a late-season run at a playoff spot, that just came up short.
With a bulk of its roster coming back, St. Philip is hoping to get back to the postseason and become a part of a growing group of quality 8-player football teams who have become perennial power programs in the area.
"We are hoping to carry what we started last year into this year," said returning St. Philip quarterback Colt Myers. "We have to remember how it feels to win and try to recreate that."
The Tigers, again, have low numbers with only 12 players on the preseason roster and just two seniors. But many of those players have varsity experience and St. Philip coach Marc Pessetti is hoping to lean on that to build on last year's 5-4 finish.
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"We are still having trouble consistently getting people in the program. And for us to survive, we have to have three- and four-year players. Too often, we have young players out there, maybe before they are ready," Pessetti said. "We are going to be solid with some third-year players coming back this year, that helped us to a winning record.
"Those players learned last year, that if they go to work, they will improve. We saw those improvements on film and we hope to take that into this year. We hope they remember what it took to win last year and use that this year."
Myers brings experience at the quarterback position, taking over that role a year ago for St. Philip. Returner Brady Lightfoot will move from tight end to running back to bring even more athleticism to the backfield. Third-year player Cristian Gaona brings experience to the offensive and defensive line.
Seniors Magnus Scriber and Desmond Byrne will offer leadership and will take important roles as two-way players.
"The key for us is we have to stay healthy. As it is, we are going to have to play some freshmen to put out a starting lineup," Pessetti. "But the guys are willing to work and we will get ready for the season."
Here's a look at the key 8-player football teams in the Enquirer readership area:
Colon
Coach: Kevin Bennett (1st season)
Last Year: 10-1; League champs
Top returners: Maverick Downs, sr.; Kaleb Thaxton, sr.; Kyle Muntain, sr.; Owen Wilson, jr.; Hunter Jones, sr.; Johnny Greenwald, jr.; Wyatt Downs, jr.
Outlook: After along successful era under Robbie Hattan, which resulted in two state finals appearances, Colon will have a new head coach in 2023 in Kevin Bennett. Bennett formerly coached at Eaton Rapids and Merritt Academy and takes over a Magi team that went 10-1. Colon lost seven seniors to graduation, but has some experience on the roster as players take over new roles. Maverick Downs will slide in at quarterback and Kaleb Thaxton and Kyle Muntain give Colon some good athletes at the skill positions.
Climax-Scotts
Coach: Tyler Langs (3rd season)
Last Year: 8-2
Top returners: Miles Shannon, sr.; Josh Walman, sr.; Max Bleeker, sr.; Feron Piper,sr.; Kristain Heighton, sr.; Billy Felton, sr.
Outlook: Climax-Scotts had a standout season in 2022, going 8-1, with its only loss coming to state power Colon. The Panthers had a short visit to the playoffs, however, falling in the first round to a Mendon team that advanced to the state finals. C-S did extend a playoff streak that dates back to 2003 and will look to keep that going once again with a group with a solid returning senior group. Senior Miles Shannon, at 6-foot-6, is one of the top athletes in the area and returns at receiver. Seniors Josh Walman and Max Bleeker bring experience to the offensive line. The defense will be led by returners Feron Piper and Kristian Heighton. Heighton also looks to step in to take over at the quarterback spot as well.
Tekonsha
Coach: Jordan Morrison (1st season)
Last Year: 7-2
Top returners: Emmitt Blashfield, sr.; Ben Mead, sr.; Dylan Griffith, jr.
Outlook: Tekonsha has a new head coach in Jordan Morrison, who is taking over an Indians team that won a division title and advanced to the playoffs. However, Tekonsha suffered heavy graduation losses and will be looking to fill in some key holes on an offense that had over 2,500 yards on the ground last year. Emmitt Blashfield takes over at quarterback after his older brother was in that spot the last three years. All-conference linebacker Ben Mead will lead the defense and Tekonsha returns just one lineman in Dylan Griffith.
Athens
Coach: Nathan Kiefer (8th season)
Last Year: 4-5
Top returners: Landon Bennett, sr.; Cori Kidd, sr.; Parker Edwards, sr.; Grant Asher, sr.; Maxwell Hiatt, jr.; David Baird, sr.; Everett Toole, sr.;
Outlook: Athens feels like it has the football program going in the right direction, having made the playoffs in three seasons under head coach Nathan Kiefer, and must missing the postseason by one game in three other seasons, in the last seven years. The Indians have a strong offensive line returning, led by three-year starter and captain Grant Asher. Senior running back Landon Bennett averaged 14 yards per carry at running back and can be a difference maker in the 8-player game.
Maple Valley
Coach: Marty Martin (9th season)
Last Year: 3-6
Top returners: Cam Carpenter, sr.; Ayden Wilkes, Andrew Shepard, Skyler Cook, Callan Hoefler, Nicholas Martin, Owen McGlocklin, Brody Trowbridge.
Outlook: Maple Valley features a wealth of experience with 10 returning starters, as the team is looking to make a big jump from a 3-6 season a year ago. That group is led by all-conference two-way player Cam Carpenter. The Lions bring back their starter at quarterback in Ayden Wilkes as well as skill players Andrew Shepard and Skyler Cook. Maple Valley also hopes to rely on a defense led by returners Callan Hoefler and Nicholas Martin.
Bellevue
Coach: Patrick Bernheisel (2nd season)
Last Year: 0-9
Top returners: Noah Loren, Seth Keeson, Caleb Dolham, Ben Murphy, Nick Patterson, Griffin Boyer, Nick Flemming, Aaden Sloan, Roger Endsley, Riley Beaumont.
Outlook: Bellevue is hoping to continue its rebuild after a winless season in 2022 with 10 returning players on the roster. Second-year head coach Patrick Bernheisel continues to put in his system for the Broncos as they look to compete among a strong 8-player group of teams in the area.
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter @billbroderick
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: 2023 Football: St. Philip, C-S among teams to watch in 8-player
