The Watch

The local gridiron is loaded with young talent, as a ton of skilled underclassmen are getting ready to make an impact this upcoming prep football season for their respective teams.

Let’s take a look at some of the best around to WATCH out for:

Juan Johnson (MH Madison) – Top running back in the area’s sophomore class

Glacier Wallington (Oxford) – Could wind up going down as one of the Wildcats all-time greats, will hurt opposition with his arms and his feet in his second year quarterbacking TEAM ROWLEY and his presence will help cushion the blow from losing all-state running back Prescott Line (SMU)

Anthony Gunn (Pontiac NDP) – Was one of the best pass rushers in the Flint Metro at Ortonville Brandon as a freshman last fall and will certainly make some noise in the Catholic League with NDP this year

Ray Buford (Southfield) – D1-caliber wide receiver as only a soph who will learn all the RIGHT WAY to do things from senior captain Brandon Bean

Dior Johnson (Southfield) – D1-caliber wide receiver as only a soph who will learn all th RIGHT WAY to do things from senior captain Brandon Bean

Matt Falcon (Southfield) – Fastest FAB Frosh in the state!!!! Will see time in the Bluejays backfield this season

Johnny Kelley (Oak Park) – Lockdown corner and playmaker in the secondary that will help lead the Knights defense....expect to see him find his way into the squad's offensive scheme by at least next season as a junior

D.J. Zezula (Clarkston) – The next great C-Town field general!!!

Drew Matich (Clarkston) – Another Matich monster in the trenches for the Wolfpack aka TEAM K-RICH!!

Nate Grys (MH Bishop Foley) – The next great Ventures multi-sport SUPERSTUD, who will be entering his second year under center for the Foley varsity

Dakota Kupp (Waterford Mott) – Headlining the Corsairs gridiron resurgence as one of the area’s quickest-improving signal callers

Alex Malzone (Birmingham Brother Rice) – Has TREMENDOUS upside…..might be the next superstar quarterback in the Catholic League, set to spell returning starter Cheyne Lacarnaria this season as a soph, before taking full control of the reins for the Warriors 'O' next fall

Grant Perry (Birmingham Brother Rice) – Pure Playmaker!!! ‘NUFF SAID!!

Ryan Brand (FH Harrison) – In the hunt for the Hawks starting quarterback job after home-schooling last year as a freshman....nice pocket presence for never having competed in high school ball until now

James LaLonde (WL Western) – Versatile and deadly in the open field!!

Sal Mastromatteo (Waterford Lakes) – Gutty sophomore QB entering his second year calling signals for the BLU CRU and ready to LIGHT IT UP!!!(Man, for being known traditionally for their rushing prowess, TEAM BOYD has found itself some good quarterbacks these last few years….)

Nick Krumm & Zac Goor (WL Central) – This pair are the leaders of an encouraging group of incoming sophomores for the Vikings aka TEAM MEYER!!!