Who are the top linemen in Livingston County football in 2023?
They are the guys who are rarely noticed on the football field, unless they’re sacking the quarterback.
But their coaches and teammates notice them, because no team wins without strong play in the trenches.
Today’s breakdown of the top players at various position groups in Livingston County shines a light on the guys whose names rarely show up in the newspaper.
These are the top linemen in the county entering the 2023 season:
1. Bobby Kanka, Howell, Jr.
Kanka is a rare prospect in Livingston County, good enough to receive — and accept — a scholarship offer from Michigan before starting his junior season.
He showed flashes of why he received so much college attention before an injury sidelined him the final three games of his sophomore season. Kanka shared the Livingston County lead with four sacks, making 36 tackles and forcing two fumbles.
Kanka was a first-team all-county defensive lineman last year after making the second team as an offensive lineman at Pinckney his freshman year. He will play defensive end and tight end.
“He is really focused on his technique and fundamentals,” Howell coach Brian Lewis said. “He’s not just going through the motions, because it’s what we’re telling him to do. He’s trying to work on specific things. That’s been the most impressive thing from a 16-year-old is to say, ‘Hey, I’m going to be this intent at what I’m working at.’”
2. Hayden Lorius, Brighton, Sr.
Lorius made second-team all-county last year as a key member of an offensive line that helped Brighton average 301.6 yards per game last season.
The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder will play left tackle and see some time at defensive tackle.
“He’s probably one of the top offensive linemen in our league,” Brighton coach Brian Lemons said. “He’s a very recruitable big guy. He’s going to do a great job for us.”
3. Cooper Pyle, Hartland, Jr.
Pyle has been starting on Hartland’s offensive line since his freshman year, playing guard and tackle on a run-first team that produced two 1,000-yard rushing seasons from Joey Mattord. He was a second-team all-county selection last season.
Pyle hasn’t played defense in the past, but will see action on that side of the ball.
“He’s bigger and stronger than he was before,” Hartland coach Thomas Stevenson said. “He went to a lot of college camps this summer and got some good exposure, some good work in there. We’re looking for Coop to have a good year on the offensive line for us.”
4. Kaden Custodio, Hartland, Sr.
Hartland is counting on doing some damage with Custodio lining up at guard next to Pyle.
Custodio received honorable mention all-county last season while helping Mattord rush for 1,322 yards.
“He’s the hardest worker on the team,” Stevenson said. “Everybody should want a Kaden Custodio on their team. He’s worked really hard at being a leader.
“Kaden does some different things, obviously being a smaller guy, than Cooper. He’s able to, with technique and his football I.Q., hold his own against some guys who are bigger.”
5. Braeden Chiles, Brighton, Sr.
Chiles made a name for himself by kicking some big field goals, including the game-winners against Hartland and Northville, but he was also a key part of a strong defensive line.
Chiles, a defensive end, made 25 tackles and intercepted a pass against Dearborn Fordson at Michigan Stadium.
“His recruitability is as a kicker,” Lemons said. “Defensive end wise, he’s one of our solid kids. He played some D-end and D-tackle as a sophomore for us, so this is his third year. You can’t ask for a more solid guy at that position. He’s not going to be flashy and do all these crazy things, but he’s going to be very tough.”
Others to watch: Jaydn Devota, Fowlerville, Sr.; Jacob Esch, Fowlerville, Sr.; Fredy Flores-Diaz, Hartland, Jr.; Hunter Weaver, Pinckney, Sr.
Contact Bill Khan at wkhan@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillKhan.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Who are the top linemen in Livingston County football in 2023?
