What conference is your Lansing area high school team in? Here is a breakdown
Find out what conference your Lansing area high school team belongs to.
East Lansing made a big splash last season when it won the CAAC Blue championship and reached the state semifinals, its deepest playoff run since 2007.
This postseason success continued the tradition of long playoff runs by CAAC Blue teams, with DeWitt regularly finishing among the bottom four teams in Division 3 in recent years.
East Lansing will look to defend its Blue League title as several key players, including senior running back and Michigan State freshman Jace Clarizio, return to the team.
But the rest of the CAAC Blue has other plans. DeWitt is looking to return to the top of the Blue standings for the first time in a few seasons. Grand Ledge and Everett, who made the playoffs last season, will try to compete for the crown. Others like Holt, Waverly and Okemos hope to improve this fall.
Here’s a look at the teams in CAAC Blue:
▶ Coaches’ predictions: 1. East Lansing, 2. DeWitt, 3. Grand Ledge, 4. Everett, 5. Holt, 6. Waverly, 7. Okemos
DEWITT
▶ Last season: 7:3, 5:1 (2.)
▶ Trainer: Rob Zimmerman
▶ Playoff Division: 3
SCHEDULE
29 August – in Haslett
6 September – in Mason
September 13 – in Waverly
September 20 – Hurricane (West Virginia)
September 27 – in East Lansing
October 4 – Holt
October 11th – at Grand Ledge
October 18 – Okemos
October 25 – Everett
▶ Best returnees: Abram Larner (sr.) WR/DB, Elliott Larner (sr.) QB/DB, Traverse Moore (jr.) RB/DB, Jadon Bender (jr.) WR/DB, Jacob Schofhaar (jr.) TE/DL, Cooper Chambers (jr.) LB, Andrew Nehf (jr.) OL/DL, Drew Rumsey (jr.) OL/DL, Gavin Dusseau (sr.) FB/DL, Cooper Popoff (sr.) OL/DL, Luke Nolen (jr.) OL/DL, Will Hayes (sr.) OL/DL, Charlie Winsor (sr.) DB/RB, Trendan Bashore (sr.) WR/DB, Tyler Dusseau (sr.) DL
▶ Other contributors: Will Kawika Solomon (jr.) DL, Miller Wing (jr.) DB, Ian Sosebee (jr.) WR/DB, Jackson Hildebrant (jr.) OL, Tyler Bashore (so.) RB/LB, Max Holtz (jr.) ) LB
▶ Outlook: Zimmerman sees many of the same traits in this year’s team as he did in his 2020 team, which won the program’s first state title, and the 2021 team that finished as state runner-up. DeWitt has a great core of returning talent, including playmakers like Abram and Elliott Larner, Moore and Bender, who committed to Central Michigan. The Panthers have high expectations, with eight starters returning on offense and seven on defense. Zimmerman called this team his strongest and says it has many players with big-play ability.
EAST LANSING
▶ Last season: 10:3, 6:0 (1.)
▶ Trainer: Bill Feraco (Season 21)
▶ Playoff Division: 2
SCHEDULE
August 29 – Portage Central
September 6th – in Hudsonville
13 September – Grand Ledge
September 20 – in Okemos
September 27 – DeWitt
October 4 – in Davison
October 11 – in Everett, 6 p.m.
October 18 – Waverly
25 October – in Holt
▶ Best returnees: Juston Aljaari (sr.) OL/DL, Isaiah Armstrong (sr.) TE/K, Jeff Bridges (sr.) DB, Jay Carnegie (sr.) DL, Jace Clarizio (sr.) RB, Ben Fletcher (sr.) QB, Owen Fortman (sr.) WR, Darryle Geter III (sr.) DB, Gus Greenwalt (sr.) OL, Isaiah McCrary (sr.) LB, Dwataye Sams Jr. (sr.) RB, Tommy Stout (sr.) ) OL, BJ Windham (sr.) WR/DB
▶ Other contributors: Anthony Green (so.) LB, Mario Montes (jr.) OL/DL, Isaiah Lott (sr.) TE, Grover Patterson (jr.) LB, Owen Sanford (jr.) L
▶ Outlook: The Trojans have several key players back from their squad that reached the Division 2 semifinals last season and are hoping for another strong season. Clarizio, who has committed to Michigan State, and Geter, who has committed to Grand Valley State, lead a strong group of returning talent. Although the Trojans have seven starters back on offense and six on defense, Feraco said there are key holes to fill on both lines and at receiver and tight end.
EVERETT
▶ Last season: 5:5, 3:3 (4.)
▶ Trainer: Jaleel Canty
▶ Playoff Division: 2
SCHEDULE
August 29 – Sexton, 5pm
September 5 – Detroit UD Jesuit, 5 p.m.
September 13 – Okemos, 5 p.m.
September 20 – in Waverly
September 27th – at the Grand Blanc
Oct 4 – Grand Ledge, 6pm
October 11 – East Lansing, 6 p.m.
18 October – in Holt
October 25 – in DeWitt
▶ Best returnees: Mason Chadwell (sr.) WR, Nizjai Davidson (sr.) QB/S, Kharon Turnley (sr.) DL/TE, Eugene Allen Jr. (sr.) LB, Javari Funches (jr.) RB/LB, Logick Lyoya (jr.) RB/DL, Mujtba Al-Rabiah (jr.) OL, Emmett Leidl (jr.) OL
▶ Other contributors: Irumva Dieu (jr.) OL/LB, Isaiah Fundunburks (jr.) LB/QB, Nicholai Hanson (sr.) OL/DL
▶ Outlook: The Vikings made the playoffs last spring for the first time since 2014 and have some experience back with seven starters on offense and six on defense. That includes Chadwell, who has committed to play at Saginaw Valley State. Canty sees the offensive line as a strength and believes playing together throughout the season and continuing to do the little things is key for Everett.
BIG TIP
▶ Last season: 6-4, 4-2 (3rd opener)
▶ Trainer: Joe Brya (Season 6)
▶ Playoff Division: 1
SCHEDULE
August 29 – Holland West Ottawa
September 6th – at Battle Creek Lakeview
September 13th – in East Lansing
20 September – Holt
27 September – Waverly
October 4 – in Everett
October 11 – DeWitt
October 18 – Detroit Catholic Central
October 25 – in Okemos
▶ Best returnees: Preston Bohnet (sr.) WR/LB, Zecheriah Jones (sr.) WR/DB, Tyler Konieczny (sr.) OL, Jayxlon McAllister (sr.) OL/DL, Anthony Baker (so.) RB/LB, Gabe Lopez (RB/LB), Gavin Wegenke (sr.) WR, Max Bernard (sr.) DL, Mason Myers (jr.) DB, Kingston Nixon (so.) QB/DB, Drew Westfall (sr.) DB, Jordan Ellsworth (sr.) DB
▶ Other contributors: Brady Williams (jr.) QB, Coleman VanFossen (so.) TE/LB
▶ Outlook: Bohnet, McAllister and Jones return as two-way starters for Grand Ledge, which has four starters on offense and seven on defense. The Comets hope these returnees will help them navigate a challenging schedule that includes non-league games against Holland West Ottawa and Detroit Catholic Central. Grand Ledge is seeking its fifth consecutive postseason appearance and Brya sees developing its passing game and depth in the trenches as one of the keys to that.
GET
▶ Last season: 2:7, 1:5 (6.)
▶ Trainer: Chad Fulk
▶ Playoff Division: 1
SCHEDULE
29 August – Mason
September 6th – at Swartz Creek
September 13th – Flint Carman-Ainsworth
September 20 – at Grand Ledge
September 27 – Okemos
October 4 – in DeWitt
October 11 – in Waverly
October 18 – Everett
October 25 – East Lansing
▶ Best returnees: Michael Aimery (jr.) RB/DB, BJ Henry (sr.) DB, LaDon Hatcher (jr.) RB/DB, Ethan Melville (jr.) QB/DB, Mikah Williams (jr.) WR/DB, Manollo Williams (jr.) TE/DE, Aaron Czewski (sr.) LB/FB, Ja’Saivion Taylor (sr.) WR, Carl Flinton (jr.) DE, Bryson DeSmith (jr.) TE/LB, Cooper Benson (sr.) .) LB/QB, Seth Holtry (sr.) DL/OL, Santana Trainor (sr.) OL/DL, Carter Herron (sr.) OL/DL, Carlos Gills (sr.) OL, Justin Harris (sr.) OL/DL, Martel Moore (jr.) OL/DL, Chase Boomershine-Krumm (sr.) WR, Jack Fisher (jr.) K, Jamel Eiland (sr.) WR/DB
▶ Other contributors: Cherbel Manuel (so.) OL, Greyson Widmeyer (jr.) WR, Cruz Diaz (jr.) WR, Isaiah Weatherspoon (jr.) FB/DL, Logan Cypher (sr.) RB, Weston Walker (jr.) OL, Blake Bristow (jr.) LB
▶ Outlook: The Rams expect a significant improvement after having 12 sophomores in the starting lineup last season. Holt has 10 starters back on both offense and defense. Herron, Czewski, Hatcher and Benson were two-way starters for a team that Fulk said is experienced but young. Fulk noticed a lot of resilience from his team last season and believes a strong start this fall could give the Rams a confidence boost as they look to succeed.
OKEMOS
▶ Last season: 0:9, 0:6 (7.)
▶ Trainer: Efe Scott-Emuakpor (Season 3)
▶ Playoff Division: 1
SCHEDULE
29 August – in St. Johns
6 September – Clio
September 13 – in Everett
September 20 – East Lansing
27 September – in Holt
October 4 – Waverly
October 11 – Coldwater
October 18 – in DeWitt
October 25 – Grand Ledge
▶ Best returnees: Alejandro Urrea (sr.) WR, Nathan Precise (jr.) LB/RB, Joey Regan (sr.) LB, Cameron Wardell (jr.) DL, Sam Carr (sr.) OL, Hunter Shepherd (jr.) LB, Jayden Townsend (sr.) LB, Charlie Folino (jr.) DB, Atticus Joy (so.) TE/WR, Xavier Ford (jr.) WR, Anthony Shiel (sr.) WR/DB, Hoyt MCCaughna OL/DL, Warren Reeves (sr.) DL, Gabe Hart (jr.) OL/DL, Jace Beland (sr.) OL
▶ Other contributors: Blake Burke (so.) QB, Brett Burak (so.) WR, Miles Wallace (so.) OL, Marshaun Hallums (jr.) RB/DB, Malaki Hallums (jr.) DB, Jamaris Graham (jr.) DB
▶ Outlook: The Wolves are in the third year of a rebuilding process under Scott-Emuakpor and are focused on ending a 40-game losing streak that is the longest in the state entering the season. Okemos has seven starters back on offense and defense and many of those players have played a significant number of snaps. With a larger offensive line and a more experienced front seven, the Wolves have some of the key players they need to improve.
WAVERLY
▶ Last season: 2:7, 2:4 (5.)
▶ Trainer: DeYeya E. Jones (Season 3)
▶ Playoff Division: 3
SCHEDULE
29 August – in Wayland
September 6 – in Jackson
September 13 – DeWitt
September 20 – Everett
September 27th – at Grand Ledge
October 4 – in Okemos
October 11 – Holt
October 18 – in East Lansing
October 25 – Tecumseh
▶ Best returnees: Cayden Bell (sr.) RB/LB, Cedric Jackson (sr.) TE/LB, Jeremiah Spencer (sr.) ATH, Kevin Butler (sr.) OL/DL, Jaice Harris (sr.) WR/DB, DeMatre Bruton (sr.) FB/DE, Jordan McCoy (sr.) QB/LB, Dominic Stone (sr.) QB/LB, Braylon Aikens-Young (jr.) WR/DB
▶ Other contributors: Elijah Campbell (jr.) WR/DB, Robert Dorsey (jr.) QB, Malik Embry (jr.) WR/DB, Jibreel Goins Jr. (jr.) RB/LB, Taiwan Byrd (sr.) OL/DL, Ding Chol (see above) OL/DL
▶ Outlook: Bell and Spencer are third-year starters and will look to help the Warriors make a splash. They will be crucial for a Warrior team that includes many players with limited varsity experience. Jones said his program has depth at a few positions. Building a running game and developing a passing attack will be crucial for Waverly to improve its 2023 results.
Contact Brian Calloway at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.
