General | February 20, 2017 | 8:59
The 2017 high school football season will begin in exciting fashion with the
Detroit Sports Commission Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State's Tom Adams Field from Thursday, Aug. 24, until Saturday, Aug. 26.
And to get it started, reigning Division 2 state finalist Walled Lake Western will square off with West Bloomfield on Thursday at 4 p.m.
The Warriors, making their first PKC appearance, will experience a significant amount of turnover from last year's squad, including offensively with the losses of primary quarterback John Tracy and do-it-all weapon Cody White, who starred most prominently at receiver.
However, Warriors head man Mike Zdebski will have competent replacements taking the reigns for those two in 2017. This includes highly touted Southfield A&T transfer and dual-threat quarterback Sam Johnson III, who will be a junior this fall. Also, expect Justin Thomas, who will be a senior, to take a significant number of White's reps at wideout, at least to start the season.
As for West Bloomfield, receiver Taj Mustapha, who is a class of 2018 player, should be a player to watch out for all season long. And he could be the difference maker in the 2017 PKC opener, especially when you factor in the loss of WLW defensive back Jack Dodge. Dodge recorded a multi-interception season in 2016.
Ticket information will be announced at a later date.
BREAKDOWN
Walled Lake Western vs. West Bloomfield
Thursday, August 24 at 4 p.m.
Walled Lake Western Warriors
Head coach: Mike Zdebski
2016 finish: 12-2 (Lost to Detroit King, 18-0, in the Division 2 state final)
All-time record against West Bloomfield: 1-0 (Defeated West Bloomfield, 7-6, in 1981)
Prep Kickoff Classic record: N/A (first appearance)
Key players (year of school that players are entering is indicated): Senior wide receiver and safety Justin Thomas, junior quarterback Sam Johnson III, senior center Joey George, senior offensive lineman Ryan Dickinson, senior inside linebacker Jonathon Moffett, senior ILB Zak Kempster, senior defensive back Dylan McGorisk, senior DB Ben Riley and junior offensive tackle Spencer Brown.
Season expectations: "We lost four or five all-state players from last year's team," Zdebski said. "When you lose a bunch of big-timers, it's about how all the new guys are going to fill in."
One of the "big-timers" for Zdebski to replace is Michigan State signee Cody White, who not only excelled at wide receiver last fall with nine touchdown receptions but also at quarterback when needed. He completed 30-of-57 pass attempts for 597 yards and eight touchdowns.
He added, "I think we have the potential to be as good as last year, if not better. Let's see what happens during the summer when we start throwing the ball around a little."
He also commented that the new varsity players, including Johnson, a transfer from Southfield A&T, are "fitting in quite well."
Thoughts on playing in the Prep Kickoff Classic: "We want to take advantage of the opportunity to play at Wayne State," Zdebski said. "It's a great opportunity to play with some of the best teams in the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan."
He added, "Between us and West Bloomfield, it should make for a very appealing game and a big crowd. I think playing West Bloomfield provides us with great exposure and a chance to get ready for the playoffs."
He also commented that you need to play "good teams" to get ready to win in the playoffs.
West Bloomfield Lakers
Head coach: Ron Bellamy
2016 finish: 6-5 (Lost to Southfield A&T, 41-6, in the Division 1 district championship round)
All-time record against Walled Lake Western: 0-1 (Lost to WLW, 7-6, in 1981)
Prep Kickoff Classic record: 1-0 (Defeated Dearborn, 35-13, in 2014)
Key players: Senior quarterback Bryce Veasley, senior wide receiver Taj Mustapha, senior free safety Nick Seidel, senior left tackle Javon Foster, senior strong safety Niko Mosley, senior offensive and defensive lineman Maxwell Green, senior defensive back Richard Sanders and senior DB Chase Swoope.
Season expectations: "We finished third behind Clarkston and Southfield A&T in the OAA (Oakland Activities Association) Red last season," Bellamy said. "We're trying to build on that, as expectations will be high. It's just a matter of our boys being ready to compete in practice and when that first game rolls around."
Thoughts on playing in the Prep Kickoff Classic: "There's no better way to start football in the state of Michigan," Bellamy said. "It's an honor to play in the Prep Kickoff Classic. There's a lot of teams that are state powers with serious credentials. It means a lot to the kids to play on a college campus. I know in Oakland County, the game's going to be a pretty big deal, with us being less than 20 miles away from each other."
He added, "We're going up against a great Walled Lake Western team. We've scrimmaged them before. It's going to be fun, and I think you're going to see two high-powered offenses.
Helmet graphics courtesy of Michigan Helmet Project
