Preseason watch list: CHSL

James Ross - LB - Orchard Lake Saint Mary’s
Arguably the best defensive player in the state will headline an always tough defense that should carry Saint Mary’s back to the Division 3 state finals. Ross, who committed to Michigan earlier this year, is as good as it gets at linebacker, a sure tackler and a big hitter who can play against the run and the pass.

Keith Stonestreet - RB/DB - Orchard Lake Saint Mary’s
Stonestreet is as reliable of a player as you can find on both sides of the ball. The senior corner can shut down most receivers he lines up across from and can come up with the big play on offense. Stonestreet will likely get plenty of action on both sides, and if he can continue to improve like he has in the years prior, the Eaglets won’t miss a beat on either side of the ball in 2011.

Devin Church - RB/DB - Birmingham Brother Rice
Church can do a little bit of everything at running back, whether it be running the ball between the tackles or taking it to the outside or catching the ball out of the backfield. Defensively he is another fundamentally sound corner that the Warriors could rely on down the road. Church committed to Northern Illinois earlier this summer.

Nick Rao/Cheyne Lacanaria - QB - Birmingham Brother Rice
Rao and Lacanaria are currently battling for the starting quarterback job, but they both could see some time under center throughout the season. Regardless of who it is, the Warriors quarterback will be in a great spot to succeed with the weapons he’ll be surrounded with. With a very dangerous group of running backs to play with, their presence will only make the job easier for the eventual starter.

Matthew Godin - DL - Novi Detroit Catholic Central
Godin, who committed to Michigan in the spring, is very good at rushing the quarterback, but some would argue that he’s even better against the run from his defensive end position. Godin can play a number of positions defensively, whether he plays at end, inside at tackle or on occasion at linebacker. The fact that Catholic Central can use Godin in a variety of ways will make the Shamrock defense very hard to plan against.

Matt Doneth - TE - Novi Detroit Catholic Central
Doneth, a two sport star (Basketball/Football), has all of the intangibles to play tight end for Catholic Central. He’s a great blocker and just as good of a receiver. Look for Doneth to have a monster season this year with basketball teammate Kyle Cooper throwing the ball his way from time to time at quarterback.

Raymond Brown - ATH - Royal Oak Shrine
Brown will play all over the place on offense this season, grabbing some carries at running back, but will line-up in situations where he will be a receiver. Brown is tough to bring down for defenders because of his build, but he also brings some extra speed which makes him all the more dangerous in the Shrine offense.

Jake Doetsch - RB/DL - Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes
Doetsch, had a bit of a breakout season last year as a sophomore, proving to be disruptive on the defensive line for Lakes, averaging nearly six tackles per game and almost one sack per contest. With the Lakers losing a handful of players on defense from last season, look for Doetsch to have a big time junior campaign this season.


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