HILLSDALE COUNTY — 8-player football programs are back on the gridiron this weekend as the season gets underway for MHSAA high school football.
More: Reading football seniors are ready to take down rivals in pursuit of a Big 8 crown in 2024
Teams will be playing Thursday and Friday nights. Athletes and coaches had a chance to discuss their teams this season and made a case for why they will be a competitive playoff fighter going into October. Included in this year’s preview is special game highlight notes such as our pick for the biggest game of the year for 8-player football.
More: Jonesville football captains discuss team X factors that will make them winners in 2024
Camden-Frontier
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Last Season: 6-4 (4-2 League)
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2023 Playoffs: Regional Semifinal loss to Lenawee Christian (56-6) 2024
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2024’s Biggest Game: At Pittsford Friday, Oct. 11; 7 p.m.
Things to Know: With the graduation of his son, Ethan Wickham, former coach Rob Wickham will be spending the fall watching Worm play at Bluffton University football after retiring from the head coach position. The RedHawks enter 2024 with new head coach Ethan Corkle, a former player (2019) turned assistant coach who looks to provide a fresh take on the power-run offense after implementing it into the offense last season.
Key departures include Wickham, a receiver/defensive back, 2023 Dream Team DPOTY Brayden Miller, now assistant coach, and dream team quarterback/defensive back Logan Leggett.
Players to Watch: The offense will run through returning dream team running back and senior Kaiden Conroy, who impressed in the summer scrimmage and is going to be in the conversation for 8-player POTY in 2024. Devin Wolff, starting OL/DL, was an honorable mention dream team honoree who looks to provide experience to a younger front in the trenches. Jim Hagaman joins Wolff on the line as another senior. Luis Thilo looks to take over the quarterback position, and he looked sharp slicing up defensive secondaries at the summer scrimmage.
Quotes:
“(The playoffs), it’s been the standard for so long. We’ve been in the playoffs in every year except one. We are looking to go above that, and I think that will be a big driving factor for this team with all the heart we have.” – Ethan Corkle
“We have a lot of will power on this team. We have good energy at practices, good energy at the scrimmages so far. So, I’m hoping that carries into the games and that our energy can carry us a long way.” – Kaiden Conroy
More: The best game to watch this season for each 8-player Hillsdale County football team
Litchfield
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Last Season: 4-5 (3-3 League)
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2024’s Must-Win Game: Home vs. Tekonsha, Friday, Oct. 18; 7 p.m.
Things to Know: Coach Michael Langhann in 2022 helped lead the Terriers to break a 20-game losing streak and earn a winning record for the first time since 2011. In 2023, a loaded senior class of players, including school record holding QB Tyler Bills and record holding LB Junior Alvarez, earn four big wins during a much tougher schedule. Langhann returns for his third season at the helm, looking to exceed expectations once-again as the Terriers look to reload at multiple positions.
Key losses for Litchfield including Bills, Alvarez and dream team receivers Miguel Pedroza and Brandon Campbell.
Players to Watch: Senior Hunter Snyder takes the reigns at quarterback, who we saw in action at the scrimmage running a tough power QB option package. Senior lineman Jerome Vasquez anchors the trenches. Freshman receiver Gavin Gutting has made an impression at receiver in his first varsity experience. Sophomore Brayden Bradley looks to be a hard hitter on defense next to Ben Baker at MIKE linebacker.
Quotes:
“We’re different. We got a different culture and a different face of our program. These younger guys are stepping in, saying ‘It’s ours to lose’, and we’re going to hit first and ask questions later. That’s a different kind of football (for us), because we were very finesse before, and now we’re a little bit tougher.” – Michael Langhann
“We’ll put up a fight with everyone” – Hunter Snyder
More: 8-player football teams battle in preseason scrimmage action
North Adams-Jerome
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Last Season: 1-8 (1-5 League)
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2024’s Locked-In Victory Prediction Game: Home vs. Burr Oak Friday, Sept. 13; 7 p.m.
Things to Know: It has been a tough two seasons for coach Dave Price and the Rams. Two 1-8 seasons have been a stark contrast to their 5-4 season in 2024, their second winning season since joining 8-player in 2017. Coach Dave Prize returns a solid core of players as numbers look to be stronger for the program this season; they co-op their football program with Will Carleton Academy, where a couple star players will be playing basketball this winter.
Key losses for the Rams include Braxton Smith, a 24 graduate and dream team honorable mention lineman.
Players to Watch: The heart and soul of the offense and defense according to coach Price will be senior Will Thielen, a co-op student athlete from WCA. He is a returning dream team honoree on defense, where he plays linebacker. He takes over the quarterback position this season and is a dynamic playmaker. Connor McKay, senior tight end, looks to be his top target and is a strong route runner that provides experience to the offense. Junior Nathan Todd will be another option for Thielen to target and should be a solid defensive player for the Rams. Another name to keep an eye out for is Kaleb Hale, running back, who is currently injured but should return to the team.
Quotes:
“We have a good returning senior class this year, led by Will Thielen our quarterback. He’s the rock of the team and we’re expecting big things out of him this year.” – Dave Price
“My brother Max played quarterback for quite a while before me and my cousin Kyle before him. So, it’s a little tradition here, but I love playing ball with these guys.” – Will Thielen
More: ‘Let’s play football’: Hillsdale seniors look to get payback against LCAA rivals in 2024
Pittsford
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Last Season: 7-3 (5-1 League)
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2023 Playoffs: Regional Semifinal Loss to Climax Scotts (32-20)
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2024’s Toughest Game: At Climax-Scotts Friday, Oct. 25; 7 p.m.
Things to Know: In just their second year of 8-player football, longtime coach, and 2023 County Coach of the Year, Mike Burger led the Wildcats to a near-perfect conference run and an appearance in the 8-player playoffs. Burger returns many key staff members but also gains son Jake Burger as a teacher and coach, graduate and former player for the Hillsdale College Chargers.
Key losses for Pittsford included Dream Team OPOTY Gavyn Carden at quarterback, dream team receiver Bryce Williams, dream team lineman Eli LaBo, dream team defensive lineman Lane Lewis, dream team receiver Dyrk Hensley and dream team linebacker Legend Gore.
More: Position battles heat up at Pittsford football’s 2024 team scrimmage
Players to Watch: Junior Jacob Drawe won a competitive quarterback battle with Hunter Peiffer in the offseason, and the lefty brings athleticism to the position that should keep the Wildcat offensive engine humming another season. Returning senior receiver and defensive back Teagan Williams, younger brother of Bryce Williams, will be his top target on the outside. Anthony Governo, senior running back, will be in the mix for running back dream team honors at the end of the season. Senior lineman Conner Osborn is a returning honorable mention dream team honoree from 2023.
Quotes:
“I think we are where we need to be. We really worked hard in the weight room over the summer. We’re way stronger and faster…We’re tough, we’re nasty and we aren’t really scared of anybody.” – Anthony Governo
“Our guys really worked hard in the weight room. We did four days-a-week. We had guys in every time, and they were working and sweating and developing that culture and comradery. That’s what it takes in football.” – Mike Burger
More: New head coach Joe Williamson and Hillsdale football prepare for 2024 with confidence
Waldron
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Last Season: 2-7 (0-6 League)
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2024’s Biggest Rivalry Game: Battle for the Jug – At Camden-Frontier Friday, Sept. 13; 7 p.m.
Things to Know: Coach Anthony Roney and the Spartans probably should have been a playoff team in 2021 with their 6-3 record. The past two years however have brought 2-7 campaigns to the Spartan hopeful, including a 2023 season where the team went 0-6 in league play. While the team loses several quality starters, the return of some dynamic playmakers looks to give the Spartans a fighting edge in the newly formed SCAA Blue Division.
Key losses for the Spartans include dream team co-captain (defense) and linebacker Sam Williams, dream team center AJ Wilson and dream team lineman Cam Kurtz.
Players to Watch: Collin Williams returns as the team’s leading receiver from last season and biggest playmaker, earning five takeaways on defense in 2023. Senior Alec Shamplo transitions from fullback to tight end this year and will be relied on at the linebacker position to replace the leadership left by Sam Williams. Seth Williams is a junior this season, and the 6-foot 5 quarterback looks to be even more in tune with the offense. Troy Shamplo looks to be another receiver target for Seth Williams and should see plenty of targets.
Quotes:
“We got a lot of utility stuff, a lot of fast guys and our line is pretty decent, too. Once we get that pass blocking down it’s going to be really hard defending us.” – Alec Shamplo
“We’re just trying to win, fight and battle. This year, we’re really here to fight.” – Seth Williams
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: 8-Player Football Big Preview
