Take a look at all 12 area football progams

Lenawee County’s football teams open the season Thursday with high expectations among some schools.

Tecumseh returns county offensive player of the year in AJ Bryan while Clinton is coming off a state semifinal appearance. Lenawee Christian is looking to get back into the 8-Player state championship discussion while Adrian looks to capitalize on its rebound season last year with a whopping 16 returning starters.

Here’s a look at the county’s football teams:

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LENAWEE 11: The top players coming into 2023

ADDISON

2022: 5-5, qualified for Division 8 playoffs

Coach: Joshua Lindeman, 10th season, 48-37

League: Cascades Conference West Division

Returning starters offense (4): Seniors Spencer Brown (RB), Brandon Pepper (G); Junior Gunner Demeuse (TE); Sophomore Quincy Smith (TE).

Returning starters defense: Seniors Rowden DiDomenico (DT), Jaxon Whittemore (LB), Spencer Brown (CB); Juniors Joe Clark (LB), Bryon Creech (LB), Caleb Potts (CB).

Newcomers to watch: Junior Josh Ray, defensive back.

Outlook: Brown was first team All-Conference after rushing for 1,426 yards and scoring 19 touchdowns. He’s the team captain. Pepper is another captain and the strongest kid on the team. With three linebackers

Coach says: “The veterans on the team have a lot of experience. They get after it and the guys we have in camp are a good group. We are still a pretty young team with a lot of new players filling in some important roles.”

Note: Panthers have qualified for the playoffs four straight seasons.

Season opener: 7 p.m. Thursday, at home vs. Detroit Voyager.

ADRIAN

2022: 5-5, qualified for the Division 4 playoffs

Coach: Joel Przygodski, second season, 5-5

League: SEC-White

Returning starters offense (10): Seniors Avery Lewis (OL), Caden Robertson (OL), Cameron Johnson (OL), Chad Dayharsh (OL), Tyrone Johnson (OL), Tristan Hayes (WR), Sean Parker (QB); Juniors Thomas Dayharsh (WR), Carson DeKeyser (WR), Chase Henline (RB).

Returning starters defense (6): Seniors Jaden Jankowski (DL), Donte Lester (DL), Chase Cowen (LB), Kaden Pifer (DB), Hayes (DB); junior Antonio Brown (LB).

Newcomers to watch: Junior Isaiah Fox (WR/DB); Sophomores Zach Hassan (WR/DB) and Rylee Grayer (OL/DL).

Outlook: Parker is entering his fourth season as starting quarterback. Last year he threw for more than 2,000 yards and rushed for more than 500 yards. He has complete command of the Maple offense. Jankowski is another four-year starter and will likely be a two-way starter.

Coach says: “We return a large number of players on both sides of the football as well as in the kicking game. Having only four seniors on last season's team, we played a lot of juniors and sophomores over the course of the season. We are looking to take the next step forward as a program and contend for the SEC White Conference title and another Play-off berth. We have a lot of work to do, but the guys are up for the challenge.”

First game: 7 p.m. Friday at home vs. Ann Arbor Pioneer.

BLISSFIELD

2022: 5-4

Coach: Ron Estes, 16th season, 97-55.

League: Lenawee County Athletic Association

Returning starters offense: Seniors Jack Deatrick (QB), Julius Brown (OT), Zach Andrews (OG), Matt Houttieker (C), Zane Wolfe (OT), Gabe Schnoor (WR), Trey Bris-Bois (WR), Tyler Ganun (WR); Juniors Kassidy Lenze (RB), Kip Fisher (TE).

Returning starters defense: Seniors Brown (DL), Gavin Gentz (DL), Bris-Bois (DB), Brayden Fetzer (DB); Junior Fisher (LB).

Newcomers to watch: A.J. Weirich (LB), Mason Case (DB).

Outlook: Lenz has homerun speed and was the teams’ top rusher last year. Brown is a four-year starter and captain. Fisher is one of the top returning linebackers in the league.

Coach says: “We should be an experienced, strong team.  Most of the starters we have back started for three years.”

Note: Kicker Dove Eitzen is one of the top-rated punters and placekickers in the Midwest.

First game: 7 p.m. Friday at home vs. Whiteford.

BRITTON DEERFIELD

2022: 5-4

Coach: Erik Johnson, 7th season, 23-33

League: Tri-River 8

Returning starters offense (5): Seniors Carson Johnson (WR), Leland Smith (WR), Colin Johnson (OL) and Brayden Shiels (TE); Junior Caden Eby (OL).

Returning starters defense (5): Seniors Aden Anspach (LB), Smith (DB), Colin Johnson (LB), Shiels (DB), James Bunker (DL).

Newcomers to watch: Juniors Keegan Bush (QB/LB), Jayden Brooks (RB/LB), Caden Freeman (RB/LB); sophomores Owen Bates (OL) and Drew Bunker (OL/DL).

Outlook: Colin Johnson is a three-year starter who was all-league last year at offensive line and could see time at quarterback this season. Johnson, Caden Kubacki and Jeremiah Bishop, a freshman, all could see time at quarterback. Smith is a talented receiver and free safety with strong leadership qualities. The team has more depth than it has had over the last several seasons.

Coach says: “I believe our ceiling can be high, but we have to gel together as a team and focus on getting better one practice at a time.”

Note: The Patriots are 14-6 since moving to 8-Player football.

First game: 7 p.m. Friday at Lenawee Christian.

CLINTON

2022: 12-1, reached Division 6 semifinals.

Coach: Casey Randolph, third season, 21-4

League: LCAA

Returning starters offense (6): Seniors Nik Shadley (RB), Wyatt Hicks (G), Nate Page (OT); Juniors Andy Fair (QB), Jake Felts (RB), Mason Brodie (G).

Returning starters defense (4): Seniors Shadley (DB), Cole Breitenwischer (OLB); Juniors Fair (S) and Felts (ILB).

Newcomers to watch: Senior Tyrus Hayes (OL/LB); Teddy Pizio (G/DE).

Outlook: Shadley and Breitenwischer both earned all-state recognition last season on defense and return, as does quarterback Andy Fair. Brodie moves from guard to tight end.

Coach says: “We look to use our challenging schedule to our advantage in preparation for the post season. We will face five ranked teams and seven playoff teams in our nine-game schedule.”

Note: Clinton won its first 12 games of the season last year.

First game: 7 p.m. Friday at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep.

HUDSON

2022: 9-2

Coach: Dan Rogers, fourth season, 27-6

League: LCAA

Returning starters offense (3): Seniors Logan Ryan (TE) and Brennan Marshall (RB); Junior Beckett McCaskey (RB).

Returning starters defense (7): Seniors Austin Marry (DB), Cole Marry (DE/LB), Ryan (DE), Barron Mansfield (DE/LB), McCaskey (LB), Marshall (DB) and Jacob Pickford (LB).

Newcomers to watch: Coy Perry, Bradley Bertram, K.J. Walker, Tucker Miller, Malachi Marshall.

Outlook: Hudson welcomes back a lot of experience, especially at the skill positions and defense.

Coach says: “Our schedule will be a grind and we need to stay healthy and compete each week. A key to our success will be how quickly our offensive line develops as a group. We need to continue focusing on working hard and improving every day.”

Note: Hudson’s losses last season were to Division 6 semifinalist and Division 7 state champion Jackson Lumen Christi.

First game: 8 p.m. Thursday at home vs. Hanover-Horton.

LENAWEE CHRISTIAN

2022: 8-3, lost regional final

Coach: Bill Wilharms, 11th season, 78-27

League: SCAA-A Division

Returning starters offense (5): Seniors Sam Lutz (QB), Easton Boggs (TE), Jesse Miller (WR), Tyler Salenbien (C), Levi Beech (G).

Returning starters defense (6): Seniors Paul Towler (LB), Miller (CB), Lutz (S), Boggs (DE), Seth Davis (LB), Brenner Powers (CB).

Newcomers to watch: Senior Blake Drogowski (WR/CB); Junior Gage Hammang (OL/DE); Elijah Lutz (RB), Zach Cherfan (WR).

Outlook: Lutz sets the table for the Cougars on offense. He will have plenty of weapons to get the ball to, such as Boggs, Towler and Miller, all capable of making big plays. He should have solid protection from Salenbien and Beech. The Cougars will have to find new defensive linemen.

Coach says: “We have a nucleus of kids that have been blessed to have been part of either one or two state championship runs. It is now their chance to set their own identity and create their own history at LCS.  We have to continue to lay the foundation of what Cougar football is about and that is to display Christian ethics while respecting the game and giving every amount of effort on each play. If we do that, we will have a successful season no matter what.”

Note: LCS is 32-3 since becoming an 8-Player program.

First game: 7 p.m. Friday at home vs. Britton Deerfield.

MADISON

2022: 5-4

Coach: Scott Gallagher, third season, 10-8

League: LCAA

Returning starters offense (5): Seniors Cam Groff (OT), Caleb DeLeon (RB), Nolan Matthews (C), Jayden Holly (WR); junior Seth Mutter (G).

Returning starters defense (8): Seniors Groff (DT), DeLeon (DE), Nate Decker (LB), Holly (CB), Miles Frank (CB), Xavier Rodriguez (LB); Juniors Dominic Velasquez (DE), Mutter (DT).

Newcomers to watch: Junior JaLonn Border (WR/LB); Brian Dopp (QB), Junior Tillman (RB).

Outlook: DeLeon was a workhorse last year, rushing for more than 1,000 yards and carrying a big workload on his 5-10, 190-pound frame. Having three offensive lineman back should help Dopp, who steps in the quarterback spot. Grof has a high football IQ and is an excellent two-way starter.

Coach says: “Our team strength will be having very talented depth behind every position. The position battles are getting very competitive, and we have a lot of guys who have the opportunity to contribute in a big way. … We are excited to begin this new chapter in Madison football. We know the challenge ahead of us competing in the LCAA, but we also know the rewards as well.”

Note: Madison was in the TCC for 50 seasons.

First game: 7:30 p.m. Thursday at home vs. Columbia Central

MORENCI

2022: 2-7, including a forfeit win and a forfeit loss

Coach: Nick Wilson, first season

League: Tri-River 8

Returning starters offense: Senior Shamus Alcock (QB); Junior Michael Rising (RB); Sophomores Blake Glass (RB), Emmanuel Depalma (OL), Tucker Betz (OL).

Returning starters defense: Alcock (CB), Rising (S), Glass (LB), Depalma (DL), Betz (DL).

Newcomers to watch: Carlos Calderon, Van Ekins

Outlook: Morenci is thin on numbers and already has canceled its JV season. Alcock and Rising lead the team by example, effort and attitude.

Coach says: “The work ethic of our players is our strength, even though we are young and inexperienced. We are very young this year. Every week will allow us to show improvement."

Note: Morenci will play four Ohio schools.

First game: 7 p.m. Friday vs. Toledo Christian at Toledo Start High School.

ONSTED

2022: 1-8

Coach: Aaron Amthor, second season, 1-8

League: LCAA

Returning starters offense (8): Seniors Hunter Kelley (QB), Cannon Ruttofsky (WR), Alex Schmidt (OL) and Brennen Connett (OL); Juniors Aiden Paquin (WR), J.T. Hill (WR), Xavier Gibbs (RB) and Luke Manders.

Returning starters defense (2): Seniors Cole Kish (DL) and Cam Kina (DL).

Newcomers to watch: Juniors Griffin Amthor (WR), Weston Rumsey OL).

Outlook: Manders and Kelley both started some games at quarterback last season due to injuries. Manders finished with 1,004 passing yards and eight touchdowns while Kelley threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns. Hill caught 30 passes for 491 yards while Gibbs rushed for 532 yards.

Coach says: “This team is a team that has put a lot of work in during the off-season and looking to turn the program around.”

Note: Since reaching the semifinals in 2019, Onsted is 3-22.

First game: 7 p.m. Thursday at Napoleon.

SAND CREEK

2022: 2-7

Coach: Marc Spicer, third season, 9-11.

League: Tri-County Conference

Returning starters offense (6): Seniors Jacob Schamberger (OL), Jordan Illenden (WR), Trevor Opel (WR), Daniel Meckley (OL); Junior Reid Hewitt (OL); Sophomore Ivan Wilkinson (RB).

Returning starters defense (8): Seniors Illenden (FS), Schamberger (DE), Meckley (DT), Carson Preston (S), Connor Pickens (C), Nathan Lakatos (DE); Junior Hewitt (DT); Sophomore Wilkinson (LB).

Newcomers to watch: Senior Harley Sharrock (G/DT), Cole Scharer (QB).

Outlook: Wilkinson is a speedster and has a chance to become a dynamic running back for the Aggies. Illenden is moving from quarterback to wide receiver in the Aggie offense and should be a playmaker. Scharer is the new quarterback.

Coach says: “We feel like we have a lot of playmakers on both sides of the ball and with our new offense we will be able to get them the ball in space. We return a lot of starters on defense and have challenged them to really learn our scheme to be able to adjust to all the different offensive we will see this season.”

Note: The Aggies have four new schools on its schedule – Edon, Ohio; Montpelier, Ohio; Bronson and Springport.

First game: 7 p.m. Friday, home vs. Quincy.

TECUMSEH

2022: 10-1, reached the second round of the playoffs

Coach: Greg Dolson, eighth season, 27-36

League: SEC-White

Returning starters offense (5); Seniors A.J. Bryan (RB), Max Bledsoe (OL), Ashton Platt (OL), Bryant Batyik (WR), Diego Juarez (WR).

Returning starters defense (4): Seniors Max Danley (DB) and Ryan Barrie (LB); Juniors Tyler Clement (DB), Cooper Barkway (DB).

Newcomers to watch: Junior Ben Abbott (QB), Sophomore Rocco Williams (QB).

Outlook: Bryan is one of the best players in southeast Michigan. Over the past two seasons he has rushed for more than 2,500 yards and 50 touchdowns. Three-year starter Bledsoe anchors the offensive line. Abbott and Williams are battling to be the starting quarterback.

Coach says: “Everything we do in our program is built on scoring points and being in better shape than our opponent. We will play as fast as possible, and we will look to create turnovers on defense so we can get the ball back to our offense. Everything for us is built on our running game and our offensive line. We feel really good about our line. That, combined with AJ, should keep us in games.”

Note: Tecumseh had its most wins in a season since 1991 last year.

First game: 7 p.m. Friday at Jackson Northwest.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Take a look at all 12 Lenawee County football programs for 2023