By Sean Budlong
Schoolcraft’s 2015 football season appeared magical through nine games. A perfect 9-0, the Eagles offense steamrolled teams and its defense was among the stingiest in the area. All of that changed in the first round of the playoffs as Constantine upset the Eagles 31-28. That loss will be motivation for a team that fielded 21 juniors last season.
Schoolcraft will be led by familiar names. Ricky Clark returns at quarterback, where he was named Kalamazoo Gazette Football Player of the Year after passing for 1,666 yards and 22 touchdowns. Two of his favorite targets return to torment opposing defenses. Caleb and Nolan Anspaugh are dynamic catching or rushing the ball.
The Anspaugh brothers are joined by experienced skill position players Payton Hoskins, Ethan Sharp, Ben Crowfoot and Aaron Lenning. While the backs will get the glory, the games are won on the line of scrimmage. Schoolcraft must replace critical pieces of their offensive and defensive lines. However, the Eagles will look to Thomas Meadows, Collin Tone, and Vince Morris to set the pace on offense.
Schoolcraft gave up an average of 18 points per game last season. This season, the defense could be even better. Spencer Fox will be one of the leaders of a unit that will be deep in strength, speed, talent, and experience. Between Fox, Darren Kehoe, Hoskins, Clark, and Meadows, the Eagles averaged over 25 tackles per game last season.