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Dakota Football 2009 Team profile

Offense

QB : For the first time in the last 3 years Dakota will be returning a QB with significant game experience. JR #11 Mark Morris(5'11 165) will lead the Cougar offense. Mark has an accurate arm and the ability to make plays with his legs. He came up to the varsity last year in week 4 and spilt snaps the rest of the year. This year getting all the reps with the first team and having a whole camp to prepare he should vastly improve on his TD/INT ratio(5/4), completion percentage(.569),rushing yardage(156),rushing TD's(4) and QB rating(77). Mark's dad is OC Brad Morris, that can only help in Mark's development. The only potential issue with this position would have to be depth. The current roster does not have another QB listed, my guess is it would probably be a call up from the JV or just a talented athlete playing another position currently, who could make some plays.

RB: The Cougars main rushing threat in 09 will be JR #9 Brandon Hughes(5'8 195). Last year as a sophomore Brandon rushed for 276 yards on 60 carries and scored 8 TD's. After week 2 he was used primarily as a short yardage back and slot receiver/H-back. As the feature back he is poised to have a break out year. While not the fastest back in the league Hughes is a north/south power runner who is very strong and will punish opposing defenses. He has good strength testing 11x225 at the Michigan Preps combine. Late in games this season expect Brandon to break some big runs as his physical style wears on the defense. It appeared that JR #26 Spencer Miller(5'8 140) was getting reps as the 2^nd back. Don't be surprised though to see Coach G go with Ryan Spicuzzi and Gerald Jackson as a change of pace from Hughes. Another SOPH. that's listed on the roster is RB #14 Ian Hathaway (6'0 175). I recently found out he was moved back down to JV but could be called up later in the season, so he is another back to keep your eye on.

WR/TE: Not a lot of experience returning with the WR group but it looks to have some good talent and depth. The sole returning starter is probably the Cougars most explosive player in JR WR/DB #3 Gerald Jackson(5'6 145). Gerald last year had 30 receptions for 364 yards and 4TD's. He is also very dangerous on special teams as a return man. SOPH. #2 Seth Balogh(5'8 150) has a good chance to start and saw a lot of reps with the first team as did SR Joe Campbell(5'10 170) who should lock up the other starting WR spot.Defensive starters SR #4 Ryan Spicuzzi(5'9 175) and JR #10 Deandre Smith(6'0 180) will see time at WR. The Cougars are fortunate enough to have two good prospects at TE as well. SR TE/S #5 Jordan Gay(6'0 170) who started a few games last year at WR catching 4 balls for 103 yards and JR #48 Chad Kozumplik (6'1 210). Both took reps with the first team and could be solid contributors. Gay seems to be a better pass threat and Kozumplik seems to be a more classic TE who will be a strong blocker at the point of attack.

Ryan Spicuzzi pictured above

OL: This will definitely be the strength of the Cougar offense. The O line returns 3 starters all SR's. The anchor will be SR LT #77 Trevor Wiitanen(6'2 275). Trevor is an extremely strong, he tested at 15x225 at the Michigan Preps combine. For his size and strength though he is very athletic and moves his feet and hips well. That may have something to do with his hockey background. Lining up next to Wiitanen at LG will be returning starter SR #75 Greg Martin(6'2 295). Greg is another athletic big guy who can pass block and pull to the edge to lead on running plays. The last returning starter is SR C #78 Ryan Cornelissen(6'1 299). Ryan took the job at C after week 3 last year and never looked back turning in a solid JR season, he should be even better as a SR. The RG spot seems to be a bit unsettled. SR Zachary Hamden(6'2 299) took most of the reps with the first team and would appear to be #1 on the depth chart at this point. However JR # 73 Joe Fransi(6'2 299) and JR #64 Josh Garza (6'0 220) also worked with the first team and are competing for playing time. RT will be filled by JR #74 Bernard Taylor(6'3 265). Bernard is a transfer from MLK. Bernard is another athletic O lineman and has a very good chance to play on Saturdays in a couple of years with his ability. He has a good punch in his pass set, and a quick first step. Moves his feet very well for someone his size and probably could add even more weight to his frame.

Trevor Wiitanen pictured above

Defense:

DL: The front seven of the defense with four returning starters should lead the way for a defensive unit that was one of the best in Macomb County last year giving up only 17 points in one 6 game stretch including a shutout of the best offensive team in the county in SHS. Look for even better results this season. We'll start at DE with SR #24 Bryce Watts(6'1 225). Bryce had a very good JR season with 40 tackles and 1 sack. While the numbers don't jump out at you remember that Dakota does play a 3 man front that is set up for the LB's to make plays. Moving to NG from DE will be the most productive Cougar D lineman from last year SR #55 Josh Wixson(6'2 235). Josh recorded 5 sacks and 50 tackles, Josh is a high motor type of player who plays with a lot of intensity and never seems to take a play off. Rounding out the other DL spot will be Jason Byers. No not the former Dakota OC & current Warren Fitzgerald HC although that is his uncle but the SR DE #95(6'0 210). Jason did not get a ton of playing time last year, but in recent years the program has become a SR dominated program and many Cougars who sit their JR make huge contributions when they get there chance as SR's to play.


Bryce Watts pictured above

LB: The LB corps returns two starters, both of whom are captains. SR LB #6 Tyler Robichaud(5'9 185) had a good JR campaign finishing with 75 tackles and 2 sacks. From the look of things thus far Tyler will be making the move to play inside this year. The other returning starter is SR #4 Ryan Spicuzzi (5'9 175). Ryan led the team in tackles as a JR with 95 and also finished with 2 sacks. Ryan was an All Metro East selection as well who will see some time on the offensive end this year. SR #40 Andrew Sylvester(6'1 180) and SOPH. #13 Jon Jarvie(6'0 165) are both new starters and round out the LB corps, if those two can play as well as thier namesakes this should be a very strong unit for Dakota.

Tyler Robichaud pictured above

DB: The secondary also returns two starters in Jordan Gay and Gerald Jackson. Jordan did a nice job at the S position last year finishing with 3 int and 25 tackles. Gerald Jackson made the move to play both ways at mid season when he joined the defense. Gerald added an INT, and 14 tackles and will be the Cougars best cover corner. The other CB spot will be SR #21 Deontae Rex(5'9 160). Deontae started the first few games last year before Jackson took over, with that valuable experience under his belt he should have a good SR year with the physical tools he has to work with. The last S spot will be filled by Deandre Smith who could play offense as well. Dakota's safety's are both 6'0 and very athletic which should enable them to make some plays on the ball this year with the pressure the front 7 can apply. Two non starters who took reps with the first team are JR #12 Bobby Edwards(5'10 160) and SR #22 Brandon Glaub(5'10 160), they will probably be the main backup's in the secondary or could play in a nickel or dime look.

K/P: The kicking duties will be handled by JR #16 Kris Selita(6'0 175).

Team Captains: Ryan Spicuzzi,Bryce Watts,Trevor Wiitanen,Tyler Robichaud

2009 Enrollment: 2,438

Coaching staff: HC Mike Giannone 12^th year. Overall record 96-32. Playoff record 22-7. Record vs current MAC Red teams 27 -19. Detailed breakdown vs Red. VS CV 8-6.VS Ike 7-4.VS SHS 5-6. VS Ford 5-1.VS Romeo 2-2 . At 96 wins Coach G is almost assured of getting his hundredth win and becoming eligible for the hall of fame this season.

Asst Coaches: DC Greg Baur, OC Brad Morris, ST/DL Matt Carley,ST/DB Paul Tocco, WR Andrew Pfannes,OL Angelo Ploufee.

2009 Outlook: With 11 returning starters from a 9-2 MAC Red championship team Dakota should have a strong year and compete to win a 4^th straight MAC Red title and 9^th straight playoff appearence. This should be an up year for the Red with SHS as many people's #1 team in the state and Dakota & Romeo ranked anywhere from 5-15 in many polls. Those teams along with possible playoff contenders Ike,CV and Ford will make the Red a very tough league for any team to win. Come playoff time as usual we will probably see some rematches of the better Red teams and whoever comes out of that district/region will have a great shot of celebrating at Ford Field Thanksgiving weekend.

2009 schedule

8/27 @ Anchor Bay 7:00

9/3 CV 7:00

9/11 Romeo 7:00

9/18 @ Port Huron 7:00

9/25 @ SHS 7:00

10/2 GPN 7:00

10/9 @ Ford 7:00

10/16 @ Ike 7:00

10/23 LCN 7:00

Dakota 09 Roster