high school football JACKSON CITIZEN PATRIOT/ThE ZONE8 TuESdAy, AuguST 24, 2010

Lumen Christi Titans Date Opponent 2009 Last10Aug. 27 at Portage Northern L 33-26 0-1Sept. 2 MATTAWAN W 49-9 1-0Sept. 11 BC LAKEVIEW W 42-0 3-0Sept. 17 at BC Central W 42-7 3-0Sept. 24 at Marshall W 34-0 6-0Oct. 1 COLDWATER W 41-0 4-0Oct. 8 HARPER CREEK W 26-21 3-0Oct. 15 at Sturgis W 49-7 4-0Oct. 22 KALAMAZOO CENTRAL W 44-20 2-0

“Because of our inexperience, everything is a question mark. We’ve got a lot of things to get cleaned up. We’re going to have to get good in a hurry. “

Putting together back-to-back state championship runs for the third time (Lumen Christi pulled that off in both 2000-01 and 2003-04) is probably too much to ask. It’s tough, however, to bet against coach Brogan and the boys.

Brogan

THE SCHEDULE

COACH’S QUOTE

OUR TAKE

• Last year: 13-1, 7-0 SMAC East• CoaCh: herb Brogan (31st season, 268-62)

• sMaC titLes: 4 (league member since 2006)

• Last League titLe: 2009 (SMAC East)• aLL-tiMe pLayoff reCord: 56-11

• Longest pLayoff run: Eight state titles

Lumen Christi made state championship No. 8 look easy last year. The Titans overcame a home loss to Portage Northern to start the season to reel off 13 straight wins. The playoff run even included a few lopsided wins as the Titans topped Ann Arbor gabriel Richard 40-0, Stockbridge 42-14, Madison heights Madison 27-14, Muskegon heights 42-18 and Clare 42-7.

A LOOK AT 2009

The defending division 5 state champions will bring plenty of new faces to the lineup this year as the entire starting 11 on offense from last year graduated.

The newcomers have been waiting for a chance.

n the quarterback: Amani Bass (6-1, 180, soph.) and Conor Alexander (6-1, 170, jr.) are both competing for the starting job for the Titans. Bass is a big-time running threat, while Alexander is expected to be the bigger passing threat.

n the one to watch: RB Michael Cremeans (5-10, 180, sr.). he rushed for 364 yards and three scores as the fourth-leading rusher a year ago. “he’s good,” coach

herb Brogan said. “he looks much improved. he’s always had a burst, but he’s cutting better than he’s done in the past.”

n other top returning letterwinners: T Sean delius (6-4, 205, sr.), g/T Marshall hesslau (6-2, 240, sr.), g/T Steve hesslau (5-11, 220, sr.), C Neil youngdahl (6-2, 210, sr.), WR Colton Brannick (6-1, 175, sr.), RB Aaron Fernandes (5-9, 160, sr.), T/TE Jack Maino (6-0, 210, sr.), T Andrew Stevens (6-3, 240, sr.), g Cody Shay (6-0, 190, sr.), TE Ian Baker (6-1, 215, sr.).

n Key newcomers: FB Jason Cross (5-8, 195, sr.), WR Xavier Willis (6-1, 180, jr.).

As exciting as the Titans offense was a year ago, the defense made things easier on the coaches by pitching four shutouts and allowing one touchdown in four other games.

The defense will also sport a new look as just three regulars return.

n the one to watch: Ng Spencer Moran (5-10, 170, sr.). “he’s good,” coach herb Brogan said. “And is always around the ball.”

n other returning starters: SS Chris hawkins (5-8, 160, sr.), CB Christian Chase (6-0, 170, sr.), LB Trevor Fryt (6-0, 180, sr.). “Those are the kids who have to anchor us and make sure everyone is in

the right position and right coverages,” Brogan said.

hawkins had 43 tackles and an interception last year. Chase is the second-leading returning tackler. he was in on 27 tackles and also had one interception.

n other top returning letterwinners: dT Allan Blank (6-1, 200, sr.), dT Caleb Wilson (6-1, 190, sr.), dE Mike Augustine (6-4, 210, sr.), Ng John Paul Berkemeier (5-9, 160, sr.), LB Trent Johnson (5-10, 170, sr.), dT gabe Larson (6-0, 195, sr.), LB Erik Cropsey (6-1, 185, jr.).

n Key newcomers: LB gus Park (6-1, 185, jr.), LB A.J. Abrams (6-1, 180, soph.), dB Willis.

THE OFFENSE THE DEFENSE

high school football JACKSON CITIZEN PATRIOT/ThE ZONE10 TuESdAy, AuguST 24, 2010

S E N I O R T O W A T C HLUMEN CHRISTI —

Running Back

Mic

ha

el c

reM

eans

Citizen patriot • JaKe May

Michael Cremeans is the young-est of four standout athletes in the Cremeans family and this

year gets his chance at a starting spot in the offensive backfield of the de-fending division 5 state champions.

his oldest sister, Rita, is a university of Michigan graduate and 2002 gradu-ate of Jackson high School, where she competed on the softball, tennis and swimming teams.

Sister Colette, another Michigan graduate, graduated from Lumen Christi in 2004. She was captain of the Jackson swim team (a co-op with Lu-men Christi) and played volleyball and soccer.

Cara, a 2009 Lumen Christi gradu-ate, is running cross country and track for Western Michigan university.

Michael Cremeans is also looking forward to a big year in the school building. he is Lumen Christi’s senior class president.

n favorite high school sports memory so far? “Winning the division 5 state championship and being able to hold the trophy over your head with all the excitement around.”

n hobbies away from football? “hanging out with friends and water sports. I love any form of skiing and the outdoors.”

n favorite pro football player? “I’d have to say (Baltimore Ravens linebacker) Ray Lewis. he just has the mindset he’ll never lose, and you have to respect a guy who plays without pads in the legs on his pants.”

n favorite college football team? “The Maize and Blue. I’ve always been a die-hard Michigan fan.”

n do you have any sports su-perstitions? “Before the game I get the same sub from Subway. Chicken breast with lettuce, green pepper, onion and Italian dressing. I also have a Tigers T-shirt I wear underneath my uniform every game.”

n What’s your team’s key to hav-ing a successful season? “This year, we have 22 new starters. Success will come from playing as a team. The defense will be the anchor, but the of-fense will have to put points on board.”

n What’s the best bit of sports ad-vice you’ve received? “you have to be able to work for what you want.”

n What’s your pregame ipod play-list? “Music to get me pumped up, Eminem and fast-paced music to get me ready to go.”

n does your team have a motto this year? “ ‘deeds not words’ — we can’t be living off of last year’s season. We can’t just be saying we won last year. It has to be done this year.”