Utica Eisenhower coach Chris Smith addressed his team after a 26-13 win at Macomb Dakota on Sept. 1, 2016.
First-team offense
E: Jerrod Vines
South Lake, 6-feet-1, 175 pounds, Jr.
Accomplishments: One of the most dangerous receivers in the state. Can score going deep or outrun defenders on the jet sweep. Caught 61 passes this year for 858 yards and 18 TDs.
• All-Detroit football first team offense, defense
OL: Kris Campbell
Warren Mott, 6-2, 290, Sr.
Accomplishments: A punishing blocker and four-year starter, Campbell started on both offense and defense for the Marauders. Has offers from the Air Force Academy and Holy Cross.
OL: Jaylen Clark
Warren Fitzgerald, 6-7, 310, Sr.
Accomplishments: A three-year starter at left tackle, the offense thrived on the ground and through the air behind Clark. Team ran for 3,062 yards this year, 2,168 last season and 2,304 when he was a sophomore. Helped Najon Moore break the school’s rushing records for a season and career.
OL: Joe Schneider
Romeo, 6-3, 282, Sr.
Accomplishments: A workaholic, Schneider is in the weight room every morning at 6 a.m. Played offensive tackle until the team needed him to move to center to improve the run game. Has a 3.697 grade-point average.
OL: Matt Surma
Utica Eisenhower, 6-4, 265, Sr.
Accomplishments: Two-year starter, Surma is a big, athletic lineman who uses power and technique to make key blocks. Helped this year’s offense become the best rushing unit of all time at Ike with 3,369 yards and a 7.2 yards per carry average. The team scored 72 touchdowns and averaged 42.5 points per game.
OL: Ryan Doss
Grosse Pointe North, 6-2, 240, Sr.
Accomplishments: Three-year starter on the line he was an excellent run blocker for Jared Jordan and was great on the counter trap at left tackle.
E: Jaylen Hall
Dakota, 6-4, 175, Sr.
Accomplishments: Set single season records for passing yards and TDs for the Cougars. Had 43 receptions this year for 1,107 yards and 18 TDs. For his career had 58 receptions for 1,422 yards and 20 TDs. Averaged 25.7 yards per catch.
QB: Max Wittwer
Utica Eisenhower, 6-3, 175, Jr. (captain)
Accomplishments: Guided the greatest offenses in Ike history. A two-year starter, Wittwer was MVP of the MAC Red Division. Completed 88 of 141 passes for 1,677 yards and 21 touchdowns, and threw just four interceptions. A dual threat, he rushed for 819 yards on 109 carries and scored nine rushing touchdowns as the team racked up a record 509 points, 72 touchdowns and 42.5 points per game. “Max is an outstanding leader and quarterback,’’ said Coach Chris Smith.
• All-East: Eisenhower’s Max Wittwer helps the Eagles soar
Slot: Nate Goralski
Romeo, 5-8, 160, Sr.
Accomplishments: A two-year starter, he proved to be a terror at the wing position in the Romeo offense. Rushed for 576 yards and caught another 17 passes for 223 yards. Great vision and explosiveness for a 160-pounder.
RB: Jack Provencher
Eisenhower, 5-9, 195, Sr.
Accomplishments: A three-year starter, Provencher set the school record for rushing yards in a season with 1,434, an 8.7 yards per carry average. He scored 24 rushing TDs and added another two through the air. On defense he started at safety and recorded 36 tackles and three interceptions.
RB: Jared Jordan
Grosse Pointe North, 5-10, 210, Sr.
Accomplishments: Three-year starter and a stud in the North backfield, Jordan was the team’s offensive MVP, carrying the ball 259 times for an amazing 2,203 yards and an 8.5 yards per carry average. He scored 28 rushing TDs and tacked on another two receiving for 30 total and 180 points. Set the school rushing record with 342 yards.
K: Cam Shook
Grosse Pointe South, 6-1, 185, Jr.
Accomplishments: Two-year starter at kicker and punter with a fantastic work ethic. Had19 punts land inside the 20. Shovels the field to practice field goals in the winter. Made eight of 12 field goals with a long of 38 yards. Made 29 of 30 extra points.
All-Detroit: Cass Tech’s Hall, People-Jones click on, off the field
First-team defense
DL: Patrick Nauert
Grosse Pointe South, 6-3, 270, Sr.
Accomplishments: Three-year starter who played on the offensive and defensive lines. Worked out at 5 a.m. in the offseason. Was the team’s anchor in the middle and made it tough for offenses to run inside. Had 68 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Committed to Air Force.
DL: Dez Lance
Sterling Heights Stevenson, 6-3, 265, Sr.
Accomplishments: The most talented lineman Stevenson has had in recent years, Lance recorded 52 tackles this year, 13 tackles for loss, two sacks and two touchdowns; one on offense and one on defense. “The combination of his size, speed and strength is impressive, but his attitude and football IQ is what truly makes him special.’’
DL: Nate Maniaci
De La Salle, 6-1, 215, Sr.
Accomplishments: A First-team All-Catholic League Academic member, Maniaci had 43 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three sacks and nine quarterback hurries. Great in the classroom, he has posted a 4.05 grade-point average and scored a 30 on the ACT. “He was a dominant force at the strong side end for us,’’ said Coach Mike Giannone.
DL: Andrew Sharp
Grosse Pointe South, 6-4, 240, Sr.
Accomplishments: A three-year starter his versatility and athleticism made it difficult for teams to move the ball inside. Had 39 solo tackles and 16.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 quarterback sacks. Committed to Miami of Ohio. “He was a quiet leader on and off the field, but did things the right way,’’ said Coach Tim Brandon.
LB: Nick Carl
Dakota, 6-0, 210, Sr.
Accomplishments: A sideline-to-sideline hitter, Carr drove the defense with 98 tackles and 10 tackles for loss this season. Also contributed five sacks and an interception. A nose for the football.
LB: Darian Greely
Chippewa Valley, 5-8, 180, Sr.
Accomplishments: A key member on both sides of the ball. As a strong safety he recorded 61 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks and broke up three passes and forced a fumble. On offense ran the ball 120 times for 624 yards and three touchdowns. Had 14 receptions for 93 yards and two scores as the team’s captain. A member of the wrestling team.
LB: Gleo Wade
Clintondale, 5-11, 205, Jr.
Accomplishments: A two-way star, Wade rushed for 579 yards and scored six TDs on offense. On defense he recorded 73 tackles, eight for loss. He also had five sacks, four forced fumbles, recovering two.
LB: John Fisher
Warren De La Salle, 6-0, 201, Sr.
Accomplishments: Recorded 73 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and three quarterback hurries. Deflected two passes and recovered two fumbles. First-team All-Catholic League member.
DB: Jaalon Brown
Warren Mott, 6-0, 170, Sr.
Accomplishments: “He was the quarterback of our defense,’’ said Coach Tom Milanov. “He’s a tough, hard-nosed player with great field awareness.’’
DB: Kade Messner
Romeo, 5-9, 170, Sr. (captain)
Accomplishments: A three-year starter, he has a high football IQ and is the leader of a complex defense. On offense, gave the Bulldogs a burst at the wing position. Registered 43 solo tackles and assisted on 25 others. Had three tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.
DB: Johnathon Stroble
Eisenhower, 5-10, 175, Sr.
Accomplishment: From the first game of the season Stroble was a ball hawk in the Eagles secondary. Recorded 54 tackles and seven interceptions. On special teams he averaged 13.4 yards per punt return. Leader of a secondary that allowed just 89 passing yards per game.
Coach: Chris Smith
Eisenhower
Accomplishments: The former Clintondale Dragon and Michigan State Spartan has built a solid program at Ike. Team won the MAC Red and went undefeated before Saturday’s semifinal loss to Cass Tech. Smith has led the program the last five years and has been in the program for 20. Has compiled a record of 38-16 in five years.
Second team
Offense
E: Pete Ciaravino, Grosse Pointe North
OL: Louis Thom, Romeo
OL: Matt Cook, Dakota
OL: Luke Gorniak, Sterling Heights Stevenson
OL: Salvator Vultaggio, Eisenhower
OL: Josh Warlick, Clintondale
E: Henry Wilson, Grosse Pointe South
QB: Brett Droski, Dakota
RB: Lance Mitchell, South Lake
RB: Karry DeBose, Cousino
RB: Najon Moore, Fitzgerald
K: George Brophy, Grosse Pointe North
Defense
DL: Mike Kizer, Fitzgerald
DL: Bryan Carie, Romeo
DL: Logan Smith, Eisenhower
DL: Davion Cameron, Romeo
DL: Horatio Williams, Grosse Pointe South
LB: Danny Smyk, Eisenhower
LB: Mike Rice, Warren Cousino
LB: Aidan Comes, Grosse Pointe South
DB: Steve Killop, De La Salle
DB: Sam Colson, Warren Lincoln
DB: Davis Graham, Grosse Pointe South
Honorable mention
Receivers: Bryan Gordon, Fitzgerald; Andre Chandler, Warren Mott; Evan Sivec, Dakota; Maurice McBride, Chippewa Valley; Carter O’Donell, Chippewa Valley; DaShawn Mills, L’Anse Creuse; Dillon Webb, Grosse Pointe North; Jerrell Davis, East Detroit; Antonio Goins, South Lake; Michael Braker, Grosse Pointe South; Alex Iafrate, Utica Ford; Preston Smith, Utica Ford.
Linemen: Jackson Franklin Gallus, Roseville; Jared Jones, Cousino; Jordan Jones , Cousino; John Cwiklinski, Grosse Pointe North; Gio Kizer, Fitzgerald; Dequan Watson, Cousino; Daijon Deassure, South Lake; Noah Lumetta, Eisenhower; Cody Bastian, Dakota; Brenden Siwajek, Dakota; Josh Warlick, Clintondale; Denzel Felton, Utica; Colin Motloch, Utica; Sam Kowalski, Utica Ford; Garrett Clark, Grosse Pointe North; Ronnie Keener, Grosse Pointe North.
Quarterbacks: Datrell Milling, South Lake; Mike Pond, Warren Mott; Ben Maleszyk, Cousino; Bjorn Bjornsson, Grosse Pointe North; Jordan Irwin, Anchor Bay; Logan Mico, Grosse Pointe South; Christian Robinson, East Detroit; Tommy Schuster, Chippewa Valley; Connor McCarron, Grosse Pointe Liggett.
Running backs: Sean Russaw, Warren Lincoln; Kaiser Carleton, Dakota; Steven Charies, Chippewa Valley; Kenyatte Byron, Utica Ford; Nathan Ayers, Utica; Chris Wise, Lakeview; JhordanCQ Rush, Grosse Pointe South; Charles Caine III, Grosse Pointe Liggett.
Linebackers: Jerome Cooper, Sterling Heights Stevenson; Alex Bogan, Utica Ford; Ivan Kesto, Utica; Ivan Kesto, Utica; Zach McCrory, Utica Ford; Sheldon Cage, Grosse Pointe North.
Defensive backs: Jalen Norman, Lakeview; Darrian Barrett, Warren Lincoln; Johnathon Stroble, Eisenhower; Jayvon Wilson, Warren Mott; Terell Cunningham, South Lake; Jerome Cooper, Stevenson; Omar Warlick, Clintondale; Jacob Hinkle, Grosse Pointe South; Jack Doerer, Grosse Pointe South; Kavon Higdon, Utica; Trent LaCroix, Grosse Pointe North.
Kickers/punters: Zabith Wilson, Chippewa Valley; Anthony Secchi, Cousino.