CAAC Blue football preview 2023: DeWitt, East Lansing pegged as frontrunners
Under the direction of coach Rob Zimmerman, the DeWitt football team has made a habit of winning league championships.
After a minor slip last season when the Panthers tied for third in the CAAC Blue race (although they still reached the state semifinals), they are back to being the league favorites this fall, according to the league coaches.
DeWitt had its streak of league titles in different divisions of the CAAC end at 16 last season when Holt and Grand Ledge tied for the Blue crown.
The Rams and Comets, along with East Lansing — all playoff teams from last season — expect to battle with the Panthers atop the conference in 2023.
Waverly will look to build on the momentum established last season under coach DeYeya Jones and also be a factor, while Everett and Okemos aim to take steps forward.
Here's an overview of the teams in the CAAC Blue.
▶ Coaches' predictions: 1. DeWitt, 2. East Lansing, 3. Grand Ledge, 4. Holt, 5. Waverly, 6. Everett, 7. Okemos
DEWITT
▶ Last season: 9-4, 3-2 (3rd)
▶ Coach: Rob Zimmerman (28th season)
▶ Playoff division: 3
SCHEDULE
Aug. 24 – Haslett
Aug. 31 – Mason
Sept. 15 – East Lansing
Sept. 22 – at Holt
Sept. 29 – Grand Ledge
Oct. 6 – at Okemos
Oct. 13 – at Everett
Oct. 20 – Waverly
▶ Top returners: Elliott Larner (QB/DB), Abram Larner (WR/DB), Jensen Ridley (WR/DB), Traverse Moore (WR/DB), Rece Baker (RB/LB), Jacob Schorfhaar (TE/DE), JT Whitman (OL/DE), Linkin Stine (OL), Pierce Maxim (OL/DL), Brandon Beckner (WR/DB), Dom Ryan (DL), Jadon Bender (WR/DB), Robert Lilley (RB/LB), Donny Perry (OL/DL), Jack Schieding (TE/LB), Caden Reynolds (OL/DL)
▶ Other contributors: Gavin Dusseau (LB/TE), Tyler Dusseau (DL), Luke Nolen (OL/DL), Trenden Bashore (WR/DB), Cooper Chambers (LB/RB), Max Holtz (LB/RB), Will Solomon (OL/DL), Johnny Swarze (K), Linkin Dodds (K)
▶ Outlook: The Panthers have high aspirations once again after not winning the league but still making a run to the final four in Division 3 last season. DeWitt has plenty of talent as usual, with several young players attracting college attention, including Bender (CMU) and Moore (Toledo) both holding Division 1 offers. Despite having a roster featuring plenty of youth, the Panthers have nine returning starters on offense and five on defense. Staying healthy and getting off to a fast start are key with three difficult games to open the season.
EAST LANSING
▶ Last season: 8-4, 4-2 (3rd)
▶ Coach: Bill Feraco (20th season)
▶ Playoff division: 2
SCHEDULE
Aug. 24 – at Portage Central
Aug. 31 – Hudsonville
Sept. 8 – Okemos
Sept. 15 -at DeWitt
Sept. 22 – at Grand Blanc
Sept. 29 – Everett
Oct. 6 – at Waverly
Oct. 13 – Holt
Oct. 20 – at Grand Ledge
▶ Top returners: Juston Aljaari (OL), Charlie Baker (WR), Laz Cabrera (OL), Jay Carnegie (DL), Jace Clarizio (RB), Noah Lopez (RB/LB), Jalen McFadden (DB), Tommy Stout (OL), Javon Thomas (OL/DL), BJ Windham (DB)
▶ Other contributors: Isaiah Armstrong (K), Owen Fortman (WR), Colin Kapilovic (TE), Darryle Geter (WR/DB), Dwataye Sams, Jr. (RB),
▶ Outlook: East Lansing has had eight straight winning seasons and will look to put together another this fall. The Trojans will chase that success with several key returners back. Clarizio, a junior with offers from Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan, is among the starters back on offense. Thomas, who is committed to EMU, is a returning starter on both sides. Thomas is among the experienced players back on the offensive line, while the talent in the backfield is also a strength. The Trojans are inexperienced at quarterback and receiver and how quickly things come together there will play a role in their success.
EVERETT
▶ Last season: 2-6, 0-5 (6th)
▶ Coach: Jaleel Canty (4th season)
▶ Playoff division: 2
SCHEDULE
Aug. 25 – at Sexton, 5 p.m.
Aug. 31 – at Eastern, 5 p.m.
Sept. 8 – Waverly
Sept. 15 – Kalamazoo Loy Norrix
Sept. 22 – at Grand Ledge
Sept. 29 – at East Lansing
Oct. 6 – Holt
Oct. 13 – DeWitt
Oct. 20 – at Okemos
▶ Top returners: Nizjai Davidson (QB/S), Kharon Turnley (DE), Javari Funches (LB/RB), Aiden Greenburg (OL), Emmett Leidi (OL), Lajune Lubrin (WR/DB), Sincere Wright (WR/DB)
▶ Other contributors: Mason Chadwell (WR), Logick Lyola (RB), Nigel Williams (DL)
▶ Outlook: The Vikings scored just 72 points last fall while finishing near the bottom of the CAAC Blue. Everett will try to turn things around with eight returning starters on offense and nine on defense. Chadwell owns an offer from Marshall, among other Division I interest, and could help the Vikings improve on offense. Canty said Everett is focused on controlling the controllables.
GRAND LEDGE
▶ Last season: 9-3, 5-1 (T-1st)
▶ Coach: Joe Brya (5th season)
▶ Playoff division: 1
SCHEDULE
Aug. 24 – at Holland West Ottawa
Aug. 31 – Battle Creek Lakeview
Sept. 8 – at Holt
Sept. 15 – at Waverly
Sept. 22 – Everett
Sept. 29 – at DeWitt
Oct. 6 – at Lapeer
Oct. 13 – Okemos
Oct. 20 – East Lansing
▶ Top returners: Mac Fourman (RB/DB), Preston Bohnet (QB/WR/DB), Logan Allen (OL/DL), Denali Smith (WR/LB), Noah McCartney (WR/DB), Jayxlon McAlister (OL/DL), Ryan Beattie (OL/DL), Jake Eberhard (OL/DL), Jameson Patten (QB/WR/DB)
▶ Other contributors: Zecheriah Jones (WR/DB), Cooper Parks (WR/DB), Gabe Lopez (RB/LB), Tyler Konieczny (OL/DL),Gavin Wegenke (QB/WR/DB)
▶ Outlook: A few of the major players from the Comets’ team that won CAAC Blue and district championships last season are gone, including all-state performers Shawn Foster and Teddy Williams. There are some key faces back who will be joined by a lot of new faces. Grand Ledge has experience on the offensive line, in the secondary and in the backfield that Brya said will be key. If the Comets can be more physical in the trenches and see growth from their QBs this fall, Brya believes Grand Ledge can once again be successful.
HOLT
▶ Last season: 7-4, 5-1 (T-1st)
▶ Coach: Chad Fulk (9th season)
▶ Playoff division: 1
SCHEDULE
Aug. 24 – at Mason
Aug. 31 – Swartz Creek
Sept. 8 – Grand Ledge
Sept. 15 – at Okemos
Sept. 22 – DeWitt
Sept. 29 – Waverly
Oct. 6 – at Everett
Oct. 13 – at East Lansing
Oct. 20 – at Ann Arbor Huron
▶ Top returners: Justin Harris (OL), Santana Trainor (OL)
▶ Other contributors: Sergio Hunt (LB), Aaron Czewski (LB), Michael Aimery (WR/DB), Cooper Benson (QB), LaDon Hatcher Jr. (RB), Ethan Melville (DB/QB), Seth Holtry (FB/DL), Maddox Wright (OL/DL), Caydon Kelley (OL), Mikah Williams (WR), Manollo Williams (TE), Noah Parks (LB/TE)
▶ Outlook: After finishing tied atop the CAAC Blue standings last fall, the Rams enter the fall with a young and inexperienced group. Holt has no returning starters on defense and just Harris and Trainor back as starters on offense. With the departure of 33 seniors from last season, Holt looks to learn at an accelerated pace. How quickly they grow and remaining healthy with a smaller than normal roster are among the biggest keys for the Rams.
OKEMOS
▶ Last season: 0-8, 0-5
▶ Coach: Efe Scott-Emuakpor (2nd season)
▶ Playoff division: 2
SCHEDULE
Aug. 24 – St. Johns
Aug. 31 – at Clio
Sept. 8 – at East Lansing
Sept. 15 – Holt
Sept. 22 – at Waverly
Sept. 29 – at Clare
Oct. 6 – DeWitt
Oct. 13 – at Grand Ledge
Oct. 20 - Everett
▶ Top returners: Dominic Eastman (WR/DB), Alejandro Urrea (QB), Nathan Precise (LB), Joey Regan (DB), Braeden Vrane (LB), Anthony Shiel (WR/DB), Allen Carter (RB), Cameron Wardell (TE/LB), Warren Reeves (OL/DL), Sam Carr (OL), Hunter Shepherd (LB), Francesco Casagrande (RB/LB)
▶ Other contributors: Jayden Townsend (DL), Charlie Folino (DB), Jaymes Wells (RB/LB), Atticus Joy (WR/DB)
▶ Outlook: Number issues and injuries forced the Wolves to finish their season at the junior varsity level last fall. Okemos has improved numbers this fall and hopes to compete. The Wolves return most of their team from last season and Scott-Emuakpor said those returners are stronger, more confident and have a better understanding of the schemes being implemented. With the overall depth at the varsity level not great, staying healthy will be a big key.
WAVERLY
▶ Last season: 4-5, 2-4 (5th)
▶ Coach: DeYeya Jones (2nd season)
▶ Playoff division: 3
SCHEDULE
Aug. 24 – Lansing Catholic
Aug. 31 – Jackson
Sept. 8 – at Everett
Sept. 15 – Grand Ledge
Sept. 22 – Okemos
Sept. 29 – at Holt
Oct. 6 – East Lansing
Oct. 13 – at Haslett
Oct. 20 – at DeWitt
▶ Top returners: Jahi Wood (RB/LB), Justice Dungey (OL/DL), Evan Walker (WR/DB), Deon Taylor (WR/DB), Caden Bell (RB/LB), Kharee Davis (RB/LB), James Ezell Jr. (WR/DB), Cincier Fundunburks (OL/DL), Logan Lee (OL/DL), Jeremiah Spencer (ATH)
▶ Other contributors: Jaice Harris (WR/DB), Dominic Stone (QB), Treyvon Miller (QB/DB), Jeremiah Evans (WR/DB), Cedric Jackson (RB/LB), Kevin Butler (OL/DL), Taiwan Bird (OL/DL)
▶ Outlook: Behind one of their best starts in program history, the Warriors doubled their win total in Jones' debut season as coach. Waverly hopes to build on that in the second season under the direction of the staff. The Warriors have several returners at key positions, including two-way starters in Bell, Dungey, Walker and Wood. Jones hopes the returning experience results in more discipline and fewer mistakes, which hurt Waverly at times last fall.
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: CAAC Blue football preview 2023: DeWitt, East Lansing among favorites
