Adrian's time to shine

ADRIAN — It's been awhile since Adrian football last entered a season with high expectations.

Once a yearly contender in the Southeastern Conference with winning records each year from 1999-2011, only missing the playoffs twice in the 13-year span and winning four district titles, the Maples have had only two winning seasons since.

Since a district title in 2016, the program saw the lowest of lows, with five-straight losing seasons including three winless seasons which included a 30-game losing streak from 2017 to 2021.

Enter Joel Pryzgodski, who in his first season leading Adrian guided the Maples to a 5-5 mark, a 5-4 regular season and a playoff berth. After a 2-3 start, the Maples finished 3-1 with wins against Owosso, Sturgis and Pinckney to go with a one-score loss to Jackson.

DAY ONE: Lenawee County football teams get practices underway

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"At the end of the day we're going to focus on getting one day better," Pryzgodski said. "We're going to compete hard with one another and we're going to get after it. We're going to focus on getting a little bit better each and every practice.

"I like the direction we're heading for sure."

Adrian hasn't won the SEC White since 2010, but perhaps this is the season the Maples return to glory.

If it is, leading them there will be senior quarterback Sean Parker, who will be in his fourth season under center for Adrian.

"Sean is a fun kid to be around," Pryzgodski said. "He's a three-sport athlete and he's going to be a three or four year letterwinner in all of them. He's a very cerebral, smart quarterback. He's the leader of our team. He's one of those guys who our kids will follow him.

"It's nice to have an almost coach-to-coach conversation. He thinks about the game a little bit differently than a lot of quarterbacks his age. You don't get around those kids very often, but when you do they are a lot of fun to coach."

Of course, you need more than an experienced quarterback to win games and the Maples are more than Parker himself.

On both the defensive and offensive line is senior Jaden Jankowski.

"He was one of our steadiest players last season and had another phenomenal offseason," Pryzgodski said. "He's a hard worker and he's going to be a handful for teams."

Junior running back and linebacker Chase Henline is also ready to give opposing teams headaches on both sides of the ball.

"He's put on some weight and he looks the part," Pryzgodski said. "I'm very excited to see what this season has in store for him."

Senior tight end and defensive end Antonio Brown, junior receiver Thomas Dayharsh both had solid seasons last year, but are looking to take another step this season. Senior offensive linemen Avery Lewis and Tyrone Johnson also bring experience to what's shaping up to be a loaded offensive line.

"(Brown) was a starting linebacker for us last year and will have more of a role for us on offense this year," Pryzgodski said. "I know (Dayharsh) set the Lenawee County receiving record in our Week 9 game last season ... he put on 15-20 pounds of muscle and looks like a different young man than at any point last year."

There is a lot to be excited about for Pryzgodski and his team, but there is one game in particular everyone gets excited for year-in-and-year-out, regardless of record.

Week 4, Tecumseh at Adrian.

The biggest rivalry in the county, it's been one-sided with Tecumseh taking the last 10 matchups. The Maples' last win against Tecumseh came in 2011 and the two didn't play in 2020.

While Tecumseh will be replacing much of its SEC White championship team, it's the first time in awhile both teams enter the game with any real expectations.

"There is a lot of respect between the two teams," Pryzgodski said. "At the end of the day, everyone is going to point to that date. We know what's on the line and I know how we felt last year after that game. Our kids are excited about it, but it's a ways down the way. It'll be fun, but that's four games in."

The game has potential to be one of the best all season, but potential is word Pryzgodski is weary of using.

"Potential is nothing until it actually happens," he said. "I'm very excited to see where the season goes for the guys. We have a tough schedule ahead of us, you never know. You can be great one minute and an injury or two you can fall back to where everyone else is at.

"If we stay healthy I like our chances. I'm very excited to what we have in store for this team."

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Adrian football expecting to win in 2023