The Dragons head into the
2015 season looking refreshed after a painful 4-5 season in 2014. Orion missed
the playoffs and was blown out on their homecoming for the first time since
2000.
Chippewa Valley meanwhile had
a successful season in 2014 finishing at 8-4 under Coach Scott Merchant. They
upset Macomb Dakota in the district finals and snapped a 16 game losing streak
in the process. The Big Reds would move to the regional final where they lost
in Detroit to Detroit Cass Tech 48-35.
Chippewa Valley returns a lot
of experience, 40 seniors led by quarterback Patrick Briningstool and wide receiver
Stephan Claiborne. The Big Reds run a spread miss direction offense which will
go along with their trick plays, they did a double reverse last season against
Orion. Chippewa Valley runs a multiple defensive look. They have six returning
offensive starters and five returning defensive starters.
Claiborne torched the Dragons
scoring two touchdowns and had over 100 yards receiving in their 38-35 win last
season at home. Briningstool did not play against Orion last season as he was
the backup to Tyler Kalka. The Big Reds will return a big offensive line led by
left tackle Jon Anderson and right guard Trevor Vergauwen. Also besides
Claiborne, Chippewa Valley returns wide receiver Jimmy Czarnik to go opposite
Claiborne. Anthony Rinaldi and Harris Morrison are going to be top targets for
Brinigstool. The Big Reds must replace Kyle Muller at tight end and will do so
with Zach Olvera. All of them are seniors. Jordan Flakes also a senior is
expected to be the team’s starting running back.
Claiborne will also play
defense as well as free safety and will be with Stanley Williams whom will play
strong safety. The cornerbacks will be Deantye Young, Karim Thomas, and Austin
Moussa. The defensive line will be led by Nicco Moroso, Darrick Gibson and Joe Viviano.
The linebacker core will be led by Drew D’Angelo and Ryan Fuller. All except
for D’Angelo are seniors.
Chippewa Valley is a team
that has dealt with tragedy in the last two seasons with one death in 2014 and
two deaths this summer. Nick Ureel passed away in 2014. Alex Mackmin passed
away in late May and Duncan Blair passed away in a car accident in Oscoda
County this month.
We’ll see what happens at
Wayne State on Thursday night.
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