General | February 14, 2019 | 11:50
Muskegon vs. Warren De La Salle
Friday, August 30, 7 p.m.
Wayne State University
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Warren De La Salle and Muskegon square off in a rematch from Week 1 of the 2018 season in the nightcap on Day 2 of the 2019 Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic (Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.) at Wayne State University in Detroit.
Muskegon won the matchup last year, 36-21.
De La Salle is looking to three-peat in head coach Mike Giannone's fourth season at the helm, while Muskegon is looking to get back to the Division 3 state championship game for the fourth straight season (won the Div. 3 title in 2017).
The Pilots will have their hands full trying to contain dual-threat Big Reds passer Cameron Martinez, a 3-star recruit, according to 247Sports, who possesses offers from Michigan and Michigan State, among many.
According to Muskegon head man Shane Fairfield, Martinez will be expected to throw the ball more in 2019. If he can do so effectively, the Big Reds will easily be one of the toughest teams in Michigan to beat all season.
The Pilots, meanwhile, will have a new face under center. Nolan Schultz, who led DLS to a Division 2 state title in 2018, graduates this spring.
According to Giannone, the void at quarterback will more than likely be filled by either senior Anthony Stepnitz, who was the starting QB last season until getting hurt against Birmingham Brother Rice in Week 4, or junior J.C. Ford.
Tickets are available online at
detroitsports.org/pkctickets with a portion of the proceeds benefitting each school. For a limited time only, fans will receive 15 percent off their order in honor of the event celebrating 15 years. One ticket grants admission to all games on that particular day.
Muskegon Big Reds
Head coach: Shane Fairfield
2018 finish: 13-1 (Lost to Detroit King, 41-25, in the Division 3 state championship game)
All-time record against Warren De La Salle: 3-0 (Last played in Week 1 of 2018; beat De La Salle, 36-21)
Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic record: 2-0 (Last played in 2009; Beat Detroit King, 40-21)
Key players (year they're entering in fall): Senior quarterback Cameron Martinez, senior center D'Andre Mills-Ellis, senior tight end and left tackle Billie Roberts, senior TE Jordan Porter, senior running back Tarran Walker, senior wide receiver Quenten Reynolds, senior WR Japrie Henderson, senior defensive back Kolbe Lewis, sophomore DB Myles Walton, junior safety Julius Sims, junior S Tyreese Oakes and junior QB Amari Crowley.
Expectations for the 2019 season: "We want to first win the league (the Ottawa-Kent Black division) and then find a way to win a state title," Fairfield said.
Thoughts on playing in the Prep Kickoff Classic: "It'll be a good travel for us," Fairfield said. "There's not a lot of motivation needed for this matchup, as we're facing a state championship-caliber football team (Warren De La Salle)."
He added, "This experience at Wayne State should provide the players with great, lasting memories, and allow many eastsiders to see us play for the very first time."
Warren De La Salle Pilots
Head coach: Mike Giannone
2018 finish: 12-2 (Defeated Muskegon Mona Shores, 29-16, in the Division 2 state championship game)
All-time record against Muskegon: 0-3 (Last played in Week 1 of 2018; lost to Muskegon, 36-21)
Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic record: 0-3 (Last played in 2017; Lost to Lowell, 36-6)
Key players (year they're entering in fall): Senior offensive tackle Grant Toutant, senior offensive lineman Adam Zep, senior defensive end Justin Desmet, senior safety Braden Babich, senior defensive back Ricky Pearson II, senior DE/linebacker Michael Young, senior running back/DB Jordan Rogers, junior RB Brett Stanley, sophomore safety Will Beesley (will fill in on offense, such as at RB), senior RB Muzzie Kahari, senior RB/slotback Gino Pelione, senior quarterback Anthony Stepnitz, junior free safety and QB J.C. Ford and senior kicker/punter Daniel Heppler.
Expectations for the 2019 season: "We want to win the Catholic League, make the state playoffs and make some noise in the playoffs," Giannone said.
Thoughts on playing in the Prep Kickoff Classic: "It's going to be a great atmosphere at Wayne State with Muskegon coming in to play us," Giannone said. "We're going to do our best to defend (Cameron) Martinez and to score more points against them than last year."
