CAAC White football preview 2023: Can Portland add to dominance in new-look league?
The Portland football program has been the dominant team of late in the CAAC White.
The Raiders have dropped just one league contest since the start of the 2015 season while capturing league championships in seven of the past eight years.
Portland will try to continue that success in the new-look CAAC White, which now includes Olivet and Lakewood. The two new schools join the White from the now-defunct Greater Lansing Activities Conference where they consistently finished as the top teams. Olivet is the reigning GLAC champion, while Lakewood was the runner-up.
Charlotte and Lansing Catholic, who each reached the playoffs last season along with Olivet and Portland, are expected to be among the other challengers in the league.
Here's an overview of the CAAC White.
▶ Coaches' predictions: 1. Portland, 2. Charlotte, 3. Lansing Catholic, T-4. Ionia, T-4. Sexton, 6. Olivet, 7. Lakewood, 8. Eaton Rapids
CHARLOTTE
▶ Last season: 9-2, 4-1 (2nd)
▶ Coach: Mike Sparks
▶ Playoff division: 4
SCHEDULE
Aug. 24 – Three Rivers
Aug. 31 – at Lakewood
Sept. 8 – Lansing Catholic
Sept. 15 – at Sexton, 5 p.m.
Sept. 22 – Ionia
Sept. 29 – Olivet
Oct. 6 – at Portland
Oct. 13 – Eaton Rapids
Oct. 20 – at Fowlerville
▶ Top returners: Ben Buzzard (QB/WR/DB), Carson Berkompas (TE/DL/LB), Cutler Brandt (RB/WR/DB/LB), Matteau Hulsebos, Reid Blasius, Van Reed
▶ Other contributors: Christian Powers (QB), Kaiden Holmes (RB/DB), Carter Moore (RB/DB) Colton Carey, Jackson Davy, Lucas Martin (OL/DL)
▶ Outlook: The Orioles have won 15 games over the past two seasons and their nine victories last spring were their most since 2004. Charlotte — which reached the second round of the playoffs and led Hastings after three quarters before falling in the district final — is looking to build on that success this fall with several key skill players back. Defensive speed and offensive big-play potential are two of the strengths for the Orioles.
EATON RAPIDS
▶ Last season: 0-9, 0-5 (6th)
▶ Coach: Wayne Dismuke (2nd season)
▶ Playoff division: 4
SCHEDULE
Aug. 24 - at Owosso
Aug. 31 – at Ionia
Sept. 8 – Lakewood
Sept. 15 – at Lansing Catholic
Sept. 22 – at Olivet
Sept. 29 – Portland
Oct. 6 – Sexton
Oct. 13 – at Charlotte
Oct. 20 - Clio
▶ Top returners: Carvontae Sheppard (WR/DB), Hayden Hendrickson (RB/DB), Ethan Morales (WR/DB), Ashton Collins (TE/DL), Keegan Gochenour (QB/DB), Josiah Stalter-Eickholt (RB/LB), Blake Stott (RB/DB), Kaleb Gochenour (OL/DL), Dylan Powell (OL/DL), Glenn Steien (TE/LB), Toby Olger (OL/DL), Dominique Monroe (OL/DL), Maximus Hutchison (RB/CB)
▶ Other contributors: Brogan McCrumb (WR/DB), Ethan Bush (WR/DB), Tristan Cataline (WR/LB), Jackson White (WR/LB), Cooper Oliver (QB/DL), Dylan Spickenreither (WR/DB), McKinnon Fox (WR/DB), Ean Anderson (FB/LB), Derick Stebleton (OL/DL), Trenton Stone (WR/DB), Tres Riskey (TE/DL)
▶ Outlook: The Greyhounds return eight starters on offense and defense and Dismuke believes things are trending up for the program. The second-year head coach saw commitment from players in the weight room during the offseason, the upperclassmen are coming together and said players have a chip on their shoulder. Eaton Rapids adjusted its offensive scheme and expects that to help this fall. If the Greyhounds can stay healthy and execute game plans for all four quarters, Dismuke believes they can find more success.
IONIA
▶ Last season: 4-5, 2-3 (T-3rd)
▶ Coach: Chad Rhynard
▶ Playoff division: 4
SCHEDULE
Aug. 25 – at Belding
Aug. 31 – Eaton Rapids
Sept. 8 – at Portland
Sept. 15 – Olivet
Sept. 22 – at Charlotte
Sept. 29 – at Sexton, 5 p.m.
Oct. 6 – Lansing Catholic
Oct. 13 – St. Johns
Oct. 20 – at Lakewood
▶ Top returners: Travis Tucker Jr (QB/DB), Brennan Brownell (RB/LB), Tyson Brownell (RB/LB), Aden Wenzel (OL/DL), Henry Castle (TE/LB), Carter Starks (TE/DE), Spencer Tooker (WR/S), Hunter Barker (OL/DL), Braylon Granger (WR/C).
▶ Outlook: With eight starters returning on defense and all their ball carriers back, the Bulldogs have a good foundation back from a squad that won three of four to close 2022. Rhynard knows the White will be difficult but believes Ionia has enough talent on its roster to get enough victories and qualify for the playoffs.
CAAC BLUE: Football preview 2023: DeWitt, East Lansing pegged as frontrunners
LAKEWOOD
▶ Last season: 6-3, 3-1 (2nd GLAC)
▶ Coach: Matt Markwart
▶ Playoff division: 5
SCHEDULE
Aug. 25 – Battle Creek Pennfield
Aug. 31 – Charlotte
Sept. 8 – at Eaton Rapids
Sept. 15 – at Portland
Sept. 22 – Sexton
Sept. 29 – at Lansing Catholic
Oct. 6 – at Olivet
Oct. 13 – Perry
Oct. 20 – Ionia
▶ Top returners: Bryson Haight (QB/DB), Cole Anderson (RB/DL), Ethan Goodemoot (RB/DL), Marcus Courtney (RB/LB), Tucker Blair (OL/LB), Jayden Manhart (OL/DL), Eli Jablonski (WR/DB), Colt Endsley (WR/DB), Shane Raffler (WR/DB), Brennen Lehman (TE/DL), Levi Carter (OL/LB), Sam Mazurek (TE/LB)
▶ Other contributors: Chris Webb (WR/DB), Brian Aguilera (OL/DL), Justin Edwards (WR/DB), Kayden Fisk (TE/LB), Ryan Galgoci (WR/DB), Christian Harton (WR/DB), Loggan Murray (OL/DL), Ashton Phiefer (OL/DL), Thomas Schafer (OL/DL), Jackson Thomas (TE/DB), Seth Willette (QB/DB)
▶ Outlook: The Vikings consistently were among the top two teams during their run in the GLAC. Now Lakewood begins a new era as it transitions back to the CAAC. Helping that transition will be having some experience back. Lakewood returns six starters on offense and seven on defense. Anderson, Lehman, Goodemoot and Jablonski are returning starters on offense and defense.
LANSING CATHOLIC
▶ Last season: 6-6, 2-3 (T-3rd)
▶ Coach: Jim Baker (3rd season)
▶ Playoff division: 6
SCHEDULE
Aug. 24 – at Waverly
Aug. 31 – Sexton
Sept. 8 – at Charlotte
Sept. 15 – Eaton Rapids
Sept. 22 – at Portland
Sept. 29 – Lakewood
Oct. 6 – at Ionia
Oct. 13 – Olivet
Oct. 20 – at Pewamo-Westphalia
▶ Top returners: Braden Rabideau, Alex Fernandez, Xavier Luea, Sean Durr, Josh Pritzlaff, Jacob Alverado, David Magaway,
▶ Other contributors: :Braydon Smith, Ben Selesky
▶ Outlook: The six wins last season for the Cougars were the fewest for the program since going 6-5 in 2013. Lansing Catholic bounced back from an 0-3 start last fall to reach the playoffs, adding to its postseason streak. The trip to the postseason included the Cougars winning a district title for a fourth straight season. Lansing Catholic returns experience on the offensive and defensive lines from that squad. Baker said he has a young team with great upside.
OLIVET
▶ Last season: 7-3, 5-0 (1st GLAC)
▶ Coach: Gabe Priddy (8th season)
▶ Playoff division: 5
SCHEDULE
Aug. 25 – Remus Chippewa Hills
Aug. 31 – Portland
Sept. 8 – at Sexton, 5 p.m.
Sept. 15 – at Ionia
Sept. 22 – Eaton Rapids
Sept. 29 – at Charlotte
Oct. 6 – Lakewood
Oct. 13 – at Lansing Catholic
Oct. 20 – at Gull Lake
▶ Top returners: Dayton Ballard (DB/WR), Landon Bloss (DL/OL), Levi Browning (DL/OL), Luke Evert (DL/OL), Tayven Feldpausch (DB/WR), Ben Kelenske (DL/OL), Kam Lake (DL/OL), Kadeem McDowell (DL/OL), Hudson O’Dell (DL/OL), Wyatt Pocklington (DL/RB), Jackson Sandmire (DL/OL), Jackson Sinclair (DL/TE), Andrew Stolberg (DL/OL), Chase Williams (LB/OL), Dawson Feldpausch (LB/TE)
▶ Other contributors: Patrick Priesman (LB/QB), Ty Evert (DB/RB)
▶ Outlook: Priddy is back for a second stint leading the Eagles after previously serving as coach from 2013 to 2019. His latest stint coincides with Olivet’s move to the CAAC. The Eagles take a young and inexperienced team into the White with several major pieces from last year’s GLAC championship team gone. Just four starters are back on defense and six on offense. Priddy said the expectation for Olivet is to compete at a high level every week.
PORTLAND
▶ Last season: 10-2, 5-0 (1st)
▶ Coach: John Novara (25th season)
▶ Playoff division: 4
SCHEDULE
Aug. 24 – at Ovid-Elsie
Aug. 31 – at Olivet
Sept. 8 – Ionia
Sept. 15 – Lakewood
Sept. 22 – Lansing Catholic
Sept. 29 – at Eaton Rapids
Oct. 6 – Charlotte
Oct. 13 – at Sexton
Oct. 20 – Berrien Springs
▶ Top returners: Caden Thelen (RB/DB), Mark Meyers (OL/LB), Caleb Bower (DB), Danton Marowelli (OL), Conner Kazamer (DB), Reice Thelen (DL), Chris Battley (WR), Barrett Brennan (RB)
▶ Outlook: Caden Thelen, Meyers and Battley return as starters on both sides for the Raiders, who are coming off a season that featured league and district titles. Portland will try to repeat in the expanded CAAC White led by 11 returning seniors and a strong junior class. Depth, team speed and strength are strengths for the Raiders entering the season. The development of the players adjusting to varsity will be one of the keys to the season.
CMAC: Football preview 2023: Fowler, Laingsburg and Pewamo-Westphalia looking to repeat
SEXTON
▶ Last season: 4-5, 2-3 (T-3rd)
▶ Coach: Johnel Davis
▶ Playoff division: 4
SCHEDULE
Aug. 25 – Everett, 5 p.m.
Aug. 31 – at Lansing Catholic
Sept. 8 – Olivet, 6 p.m.
Sept. 15 – Charlotte, 5 p.m.
Sept. 22 – at Lakewood
Sept. 29 – Ionia, 5 p.m.
Oct. 6 – at Eaton Rapids
Oct. 13 – Portland, 5 p.m.
Oct. 20 – at Eastern, 5 p.m.
▶ Top returners: De'Amoor Andrews (RB/LB), Devon Hodges (WR/DB), Van Norman (OL/DL), Joshua Hart (OL), Dequarious Jones (QB/TE), Kyle Brown (OL/DL)
▶ Other contributors: Joseph Pizzo (QB/DB), Jo Jo Stewart (WR/DB), Damian Mack Brown (RB/LB), Tyler Thomas (RB/WR)
▶ Outlook: The J-Dubbs haven't had a winning season since going 8-4 in 2017, but Davis believes he has a group that can change that this fall and lead a postseason return. Sexton has seven starters back on offense and eight on defense. Davis has liked the leadership, chemistry and commitment displayed in the offseason. After growing under the Friday night lights last season, Sexton looks to take another step. The J-Dubbs hope to control the ground game on both sides and play with discipline.
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: High school football preview 2023: Get to know the CAAC White teams
