Romeo senior Brad Tanner
First-team offense
E: Stefan Claiborne
Chippewa Valley, senior, 6-feet-2, 185 pounds.
Highlights: Four-year starter has a school record 10 blocked kicks in his career and caught a school-record 59 passes this season for 665 yards and seven touchdowns. Had 14 kickoff returns for a 27.9 yard average and on defense had 79 tackles, two tackles for loss, four interceptions, three pass breakups and one forced fumble. Committed to Western Michigan.
OL: Adam Wojcik
Macomb Dakota, senior, 5-9, 260.
Highlights: Anchored the Cougars line as the starting center. A two-year starter. “Great punch, good feet and balance,” said coach Mike Giannone. “Leader of our offensive line.”
OL: Malachi Taylor
Warren Mott, senior, 6-0, 260.
Highlights: Dominant on defense and offense as a run blocker on the offensive line. On defense had 33 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Drew double teams on most nights as a force in the middle of the defense.
OL: Derek Hentkowski
Utica Eisenhower, senior, 6-1, 250.
Highlights: A three-year starter at center, Hentkowski also got it done in the classroom with a 3.55 grade-point average. School had the second-best rushing total in its history this season.
OL: Zach Olvera
Chippewa Valley, senior, 6-2, 225.
Highlights: Should have been a tight end, but because of a shortage of offensive linemen he moved to fill in at tackle. Was one of the team’s most consistent linemen for a group that struggled at times.
OL: Jerome Davis
Warren Cousino, senior, 6-3, 270.
Highlights: Cousino runners piled up more than 2,000 yards behind the guard. He was voted outstanding lineman of the year by his peers. “Jerome is very dedicated in the weight room,” said coach Brad Nettles. “He scored 26 on his ACT. A good football player, a good student and even better young man.”
E: Brad Tanner
Romeo (captain), senior, 6-2, 180.
Highlights: Had a fantastic year in helping the Bulldogs to the state title. Entering the semifinals, had carried the ball 61 times for 683 yards and 10 TDs. Had 28 catches as a receiver for 548 yards and six touchdowns. Had 22 total TDs. On defense had 27 tackles, 12 pass breakups and an interception return for a touchdown that beat Macomb Dakota. Had a great regional final against Novi Detroit Catholic Central in the secondary and with a 63-yard kickoff return.
E: Jalen Martin
Chandler Park Academy, senior, 6-2, 200.
Highlights: A deep threat, Martin hauled in 45 passes for 988 yards and 11 TDs. Had 110 rushing yards for another score and had two kick returns for touchdowns.
QB: Patrick Briningstool
Chippewa Valley, senior, 6-1, 195.
Highlights: Broke every school passing record. This year completed 187 of 293 passes for 2,375 yards and 25 TDs with just seven interceptions. Finished with 52 career TD passes. Carried the ball 82 times for 204 yards and four TDs.
RB: Kaiser Carleton
Macomb Dakota, junior, 5-7, 170.
Highlights: Rushed for 1,342 yards on 179 carries. Caught 17 passes for 270 yards. Tallied 1,612 all-purpose yards and scored 19 TDs rushing, plus two receiving.
RB: Kumehnnu Gwilly
Utica, senior, 6-2, 210.
Highlights: The top back in the MAC for the last two seasons, the Central Michigan-bound star rushed for 1,497 yards on 188 carries and scored 20 touchdowns. A three-year captain, “he has the ability to put his foot down and explode off a cut,” said coach Tony Smith.
K: Dominic Nardozzi
Macomb Dakota, junior, 5-7, 150.
Highlights: Made all 44 of his extra points and converted six of eight field goal attempts. Had a long of 47 yards and scored 59 points.
—teams selected by Mick McCabe,
capsules written by Perry A. Farrell
All-East football first-team defense
All-East football second team, honorable mention
