Davison Cardinals 2017 Football Preview

City / County: Davison / Genesee

School Mascot Name: Cardinals
2016 Record: 10-1
Conference/Division: Saginaw Valley League - Blue
2017's Expected Division for Playoffs: Division 1
Record last 3 seasons: 19-11
Record last 5 seasons: 29-20
Record last 10 seasons: 60-42

Head Coach: Kyle Zimmerman
Head Coaching Experience: 4th at Davison. 10th overall
Assistant Coaching Staff:
Randy Schlak - Director of Football Operations
Blaise Glennie - Defensive Coordinator & DEs
Mike Sullivan - DLine
Dean Leach - LBs
Shon Hart - DBs (Corners)
William Cooper DBs (Safeties)
Tim Pizzala - WRs
Dave Tatti - RBs & Special Teams
Louie Rivas - OL
Pat Ryan - OL
Captains:
Gabe Ellis & Garret Goyette are both going to be 3 year starters this fall. We choose our Captains weekly based on who's earning that honor.
Returning Starters on Offense: 5
Returning Starters on Defense: 5
Returning Key Players:
Gabe Ellis - LB - Senior
Garrett Goyette - TE - Senior
Anthony Fordham - DB - Senior
Tariq Reid - RB - Senior
Austin Roland - WR - Senior
Chase Chittick - DE - Senior
Cari Terry - DB - Senior
Trevor Brown - LB - Senior
Max Slezak - WR - Junior
Arron Gilmore - DT - Junior
Shawn Scofield - OL - Junior
Upcoming Players:
Lamar Hay - RB - Senior
Elijah Tiggart - OL - Senior
Tommy Goyette - OL - Senior
Brian Schaffer - OL/DL - Senior
Cal Stefanko - LB - Junior
Cannon Hall - QB - Junior
Caleb Smith - DB - Sophomore
Team Strength(s) for 2017:
On offense we lost 4 starters on our OLine and 2 are heading to the GLIAC to continue playing (GVSU & Northwood). With that being said we do return, in my opinion, the best running back in the state of Michigan! Tariq Reid is a football player and his best shows out on Friday nights. A lot of guys can can get it done at camps, look good in compression shirt, shorts and hit desired times on a stopwatch. I won't lie, Tariq Reid doesn't blow you away in that setting. But when it's 7:00pm on Friday night, the clock starts and #21 has his number called there is nobody around who's better at getting downhill on a defense with the ability to punish defenders in the box and on the perimeter. Couple that with a incredible amount of growth this summer on the perimeter from Garret Goyette, Austin Roland, Lamar Hay, Max Slezak, Cannon Hall and Anthony Fordham we feel even though we graduated some great kids we have some weapons in place that are ready to be let loose.

We have a 3-year starter at LB in the middle for us in Gabe Ellis. His ability to get us in the right front and orchestrate the schemes we want will elevate the level of play from our front 7 that we feel could be our best yet if they continue to develop and work their craft.
Biggest Shoes / Holes to Fill in 2017:
We watched 4 All League OL kids graduate in the spring. On paper we have holes. In reality, we have kids that have been ready and now are gonna get their shot! Same situation at QB where we lost a 3-year starter. The confidence our staff and players have in #14 Cannon Hall is something you don't see normally this fast and that's a tribute to him and the work he's out in to earn it.
2017 Season Outlook:
Have a AMPEDD practice on August 7th and then do it again the next day! Consistency day in and day out will be what takes us to another level this year. Without it, we will be in danger of not being prepared for something and in November that can't happen.
Outlook on Conference/Division:
Carman Ainsworth is gonna have one of their best teams that I've seen in my 4 years up here. Week 3 at Cardinal Stadium and Homecoming Week 7 vs Lapeer should be nothing less than AMPEDD!

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