Boys' football preview – The County Press

Imlay City's Christopher Galiana looks to make a big impression for the Spartans. Photo: Kylee Rankin

ALMONT

The Raiders will take to the field this season looking for revenge and a chance to claim the top spot in the Blue Water Area Conference after finishing last season in second place, just one game behind their division rival Imlay City.

Imlay City was the team to beat in the BWAC. Almont quickly caught up to the Spartans as the Raiders played Imlay City to a 2-2 tie and suffered a 4-3 loss. That was Almont's only blemish on their record, dropping the Raiders to second place.

“I think the quality of the league has improved every year I've coached,” said Martin Camaj, who has been Almont's head coach for three years. “I think it will continue to improve because we have a lot of dedicated coaches from top to bottom.”

Camaj also mentioned that his father, Djon Camaj, former Almont head coach who led Almont to the state championship semifinals in 2011, will join him on the sidelines as an assistant coach.

The biggest departures after a season in which Almont finished 14-1-3 overall and 10-1-1 in the BWAC include Ian Feldman, Stojan Tasevski, Michael Bicja and Bain Abitheira. Abitheira leaves a big hole as he was the starting goalie last season and posted nine shutouts.

Parker DeLange of Lapeer returns to the Lightning for his final season. Photo by Kylee Rankin

Key player and standout player Pjeter Lucaj, a senior, will start at forward. Senior Gio Cardona will play midfield, while junior Bashkim Sinishtaj will also play midfield. Gabriel Nuculovic, junior, will play a key role in midfield and forward. Almont has also added talent with newcomers Tristian Meyer and Liam Braun.

“Our biggest challenge this year will be to adapt to the new roles of each player,” added Camaj. “But we are experienced, competitive and determined this season.”

IMLAY CITY

The Spartans have their eyes on the postseason as the 2024 season begins. After consistently finishing atop the Blue Water Area Conference and winning four straight district titles, Imlay City now looks to get past the regional round where its postseason dreams have ended each year.

“Our biggest challenge this season will be to do better than last season and get past the regional semifinals,” said Luis Hernandez, who has been head coach for 15 years. “We have a good group and if we can get a few things right, we'll be in top shape.”

Last season, Imlay City went 16-5-1 overall and 11-0-1 in league play, winning a BWAC and a district title. Imlay City's biggest league rival was Almont, and that will certainly be the case this year. Imlay City tied Almont 2-2 in the finals and narrowly defeated Almont 4-3 in their second meeting of the season.

The Spartans have a big gap to fill in goal, as both goalies, Quintin Ramirez and Omar Lopez, are from last year's graduating class. Ramirez and Lopez combined for seven shutouts last season. Other seniors leaving include Chris Madrid and Angel Barragan in defense.

“We have several important returnees, but the really standouts are Nery Vega, Sebastian Salcedo, Christopher Galeana and Diego Deluca,” added Hernandez.

Vega and Sebastian Salcedo, both seniors, will lead the midfield, while Galeana, a senior, will step in on defense and Deluca, also a senior, will play on offense.

Imlay City has also added depth to its roster ahead of the upcoming season with a strong group of younger players. Second-year additions include Giovani Salcedo in midfield and Alan Valdivinos in defense, while newcomers include Juan Hernandez and Giovani Barragan in midfield and Damian Leon in defense.

“We will use every game this season as an opportunity to improve and learn from our mistakes,” commented Hernandez. “Every game will be treated as the last game. I just want to add that we hope all the teams out there have a great and safe season. I can't wait for our season to begin!”

LAKEVILLE

The Falcons have an advantage over the competition this season, boasting a strong roster of experienced players from a team that had a 10-7-2 record last year and finished third in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference.

With only four departures in Caden Lee, Parker Schisler, Riley Carr and Laredo Thomas, LakeVille will have eight seniors and five juniors on the court this season. Returning seniors include Colin Bowen, Brady Peterson, Brady Carr, Tyler Banyas, Logan Lang, Doug Hoyt, Wyatt Hascall and Carter Norris. Juniors Alex Terwilliger, Konner Nelson, Marcus Scott, Max Hook and Chase Egan will join the roster. LakeVille rounds out its talent with two freshmen, Adam Lumley and Logan Damm, who will make their debut on the varsity team.

Bowen, Brady Carr, Peterson and Norris will serve as team captains this season. Lang will also be an important part of the offense.

“The core of our team has been playing together for 12 years. I’m excited to see what they do as seniors!” said third-year head coach Jerrid Hunt.

LakeVille's biggest rivals in the MMAC are Chesaning, which won the league and finished 10-0 in league games, and Byron, which won the second league games.

LAPEER

With only three key departures, the Lightning are on a winning streak this season and will look to build on the success of last season, in which Lapeer finished with an overall record of 11-5-4, including a 6-1-4 record in the Saginaw Valley League, good for a fourth-place finish.

While the graduate losses are minimal, they will still have a major impact as the Lightning will be without Carter Baese, Kaden Capstick and Gavin Bolte. To fill the gaps, veteran All-League first-teamer Parker DeLange will play in the midfield and veteran Raymond Megie Jr. will also play in the midfield. Veteran defensemen Nolan Lange and Lucas McLaren and junior defenseman Josh Kenny will also return to the field this season along with Jonathon McLaren up front.

Head coach Chad Kenny, who is in his third consecutive season and 28th season overall with Lapeer Soccer, stressed that the team is mature and experienced and will enter the season full of determination and also ready to play hard when needed.

“I'm excited to see how our guys respond to being targeted,” Kenny added. “Lapeer only lost one league game last year. The opponents will play their best game against us. Hopefully we'll be ready for that.”

Lapeer also faces the difficult task of competing in the Saginaw Valley League, which features powerhouses Grand Blanc and Flint Powers, who compete for the state title year after year, and tough opponents like Midland Dow, Midland and Saginaw Heritage.

“The SVL is one of the toughest soccer leagues in the state. Every year, teams from the SVL go deep into the state championship,” noted Kenny.

NORTHERN BRANCH

The Broncos are excited to have a young, new face at the helm of the coaching staff this season as Hunter Robinson takes over the program. Robinson, a former North Branch football player and 2020 graduate, is jumping into this new adventure following the departure of former coach John Burke.

North Branch lost just three players to graduation, including Leyton Hutchins, Alex Simpson and Ethan Dinanath. This gives the Broncos a full roster of experienced players. Meris Cehajic and Brayden Dhooghe will take on leadership roles alongside Justyn Howland, Evan Cook, Joel Bruman, Andrew Howell and Liam Macentyre.

Robinson also noted that North Branch has added numerous freshmen to complement the already full roster.

“We have a strong team this year with a lot of new faces,” Robinson said of his team. “I think with our strong core of juniors and seniors, we have a good team and a good influence on the younger kids coming up.”

Robinson will look to improve a team that struggled last season, finishing fifth in the league with an overall record of 3-12-4 and 3-8-1 in the Blue Water Area Conference. The BWAC is full of tough opponents for the Broncos, including powerhouses Imlay City and Almont, as well as tough opponents like Armada and Croswell-Lexington.

— Kylee Rankin