2023 High School Football Preview – SAC
One of the oldest and certainly tradition rich football leagues in Michigan gets ready for the 2023 season with Constantine again looking to take the Lakeshore division crown. But that doesn’t mean the rest of the members will just hand the trophy to the Falcons. Watervliet, South Haven, and Kalamazoo United all look to make leaps forward to loosen Constantine’s grip on the hardware.
2023 Southwestern Athletic Conference
SAC-Lakeshore
Allegan Tigers
2022 Record: 3-6 (1-4 SAC-Lakeshore)
Head Coach: Tony Danzig (3rd season, 5-13)
2023 Schedule:
8/24 vs. Cassopolis – 7:00 p.m.
8/31 at Comstock – 7:00 p.m.
9/8 at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix – 7:00 p.m.
9/15 at Delton-Kellogg – 7:00 p.m.
9/22 at South Haven – 7:00 p.m.
9/29 vs. Constantine – 7:00 p.m.
10/6 at Parchment – 7:00 p.m.
10/13 vs. Kalamazoo United – 7:00 p.m.
10/20 vs. Watervliet – 7:00 p.m.
Allegan did not reply to our request for a season preview.
Constantine Falcons
2022 Record: 9-2 (5-0 SAC-Lakeshore)
Head Coach: Jerry Schultz (4th season, 28-5)
2023 Schedule:
8/25 at Detroit Southeastern – 7:00 p.m.
8/31 at Benton Harbor – 7:00 p.m.
9/8 at Lawton – 7:00 p.m.
9/15 vs. Schoolcraft – 7:00 p.m.
9/22 vs. Watervliet – 7:00 p.m.
9/29 at Allegan – 7:00 p.m.
10/7 vs. Kalamazoo United – 1:00 p.m.
10/13 at South Haven – 7:00 p.m.
10/20 at Parchment – 7:00 p.m.
There simply isn’t a more dominant team in Southwest Michigan over the past 30 plus seasons than the Constantine Falcons. Constantine has had only 1 losing season after 1990, and that was in 2017 when they went 3-6. Since then, they’ve rattled off 5 straight playoff appearances, including a trip to the state semifinals in the pandemic shortened regular, and playoff lengthened season of 2020. Jerry Schultz begins season number four at the helm. He returns six starters on offense and six of defense, and boasts 38 players on the varsity roster and ten seniors.
Constantine will again run a flexbone style offense, led by Kam Wells 5’10” 180 Senior- QB, Xander Frederick 5’9″ 170 Senior- Wing, Jordan Monson 5″10″ 190 Senior- OG, Kaeden Wells 5’9″ 190 Junior FB
Carter Cartier 5″10″ 175 Junior Wing, and Owen Taylor 5″8″ 185 Junior OG. Ironically those same six players will be the ones leading the Falcons 4-3 defense. With Cartier serving as the kicker/punter on special teams, that is if they decide to kick it.
Coach Schultz said, “We return a solid group of skill players with a strong but athletic offensive line. When comparing weight room numbers, this is the strongest team we have had since I have been head coach. We are in year 2 of the defense and year 4 of the offense. Our players are starting to understand the systems allowing us to play fast. We have a SEC like schedule. There is really no off week, so we have to stay mentally tough the whole season if we want to accomplish our goals.”
He also expects to be on top of the SAC-Lakeshore division once again when the season ends.
Kalamazoo United Titans
(Kalamazoo Hackett, Kalamazoo Christian Co-op)
2022 Record: 5-5 (3-2 SAC-Lakeshore)
Head Coach: Troy Ayotte (4th season, 19-11)
2023 Schedule:
8/24 at Berrien Springs – 7:00 p.m. *after JV game)
8/31 vs. Otsego – 7:00 p.m.
9/9 at Schoolcraft – 6:00 p.m. *at Vicksburg
9/15 at Muskegon Catholic Central – 7:00 p.m.
9/22 vs. Parchment – 7:00 p.m.
9/29 vs. Watervliet – 7:00 p.m.
10/7 at Constantine – 1:00 p.m.
10/13 at Allegan – 7:00 p.m.
10/20 vs. South Haven – 7:00 p.m.
Kalamazoo United did not reply to our request for a season preview.
Parchment Panthers
2022 Record: 5-4 (2-3 SAC-Lakeshore)
Head Coach: Richard Roth (1st season)
2023 Schedule:
8/24 at Coloma – 7;00 p.m.
8/31 vs. Delton-Kellogg – 7:00 p.m.
9/8 vs. Galesburg-Augusta – 7:00 p.m.
9/15 vs. Dowagiac – 7:00 p.m.
9/22 at Kalamazoo United – 7:00 p.m.
9/29 at South Haven – 7:00 p.m.
10/6 vs. Allegan – 7:00 p.m.
10/13 at Watervliet – 7:00 p.m.
10/20 vs. Constantine – 7:00 p.m.
Playoff success hasn’t been something that has been associated with the Parchment football team, but they’re looking to change that.
The Panthers program last won a regional championship in 1991, 8 years before the MHSAA playoff field expanded, and when they were a member of the old Kalamazoo Valley Athletic Association. Since then Parchment has gone 2-7 in the playoffs.
Enter Richard Roth, the new head coach of the Parchment football team. If the name sounds familiar, it should as he was the previous coach at Fennville for two seasons. Roth was exactly 9-9 at Fennville over those two season, transitioning the Blackhawks from 11-player to the 8-player game. Roth is back coaching 11-player with Parchment and takes over a team that went 5-4 last season, a winning season yes, but playoff qualifier, no.
Roth will not only be the head coach, but he will also be calling the plays as the offensive coordinator, and he’s running the Mike Leach “Air Raid” spread offense. Parchment has five starters from last year coming back on offense, and will count on Seniors Aydin Johnson (OT), Alex Oldenburg (OG), Ben Pelletier (Slot), Jamil Rivera-Griffin (RB) and Juniors Matthew Lovell (OT), AJ Parsons (WR), and the Quarterback Jalen Kampen. Parchment also will use junior Jaden Taylor in multiple positions in the offensive scheme.
Parchment will line up in a 4-3 defensive alignment, and have six starters returning from 2022. In addition to Johnson, Oldenburg, Rivera-Griffin, Taylor, and Lovell. Junior Landon Meredith will be a key defensive back. Johnson will play on defense like Taylor will on offense, in multiple positions. Taylor will also handle kick returning duties.
Parchment has 28 players on the roster this season, 10 of them are seniors, but coach Roth says it’s the junior class that will dictate how the season will play out.
According to Roth, “The 2023 Season Outlook for the Panthers will revolve around our Junior class being able to develop into the key players we believe they can become. Many of these Juniors received playing time throughout the previous season which will be very valuable as they step into full time starter roles for the 2023 season.”
“Our offensive and defensive lines will look to be key components to our 2023 outlook and will look to be the backbone our team needs to be successful.”
“Our goal is to compete for our conference championship and a playoff berth.”
He expects Constantine as the team to beat in the division this season.
South Haven Rams
2022 Record: 2-7 (1-4 SAC-Lakeshore)
Head Coach: Mark Eddy (5th season, 13-23)
2023 Schedule:
8/24 vs. Dowagiac – 7:00 p.m.
8/31 vs. Ada Forest Hills Eastern – 7:00 p.m.
9/8 at Delton-Kellogg – 7:00 p.m.
9/15 at Lawton – 7:00 p.m.
9/22 vs. Allegan – 7:00 p.m.
9/29 vs. Parchment – 7:00 p.m.
10/6 at Watervliet – 7:00 p.m.
10/13 vs. Constantine – 7:00 p.m.
10/20 at Kalamazoo United – 7:00 p.m.
South Haven’s young team last year comes into 2023 a year older and with a lot more experience. Another benefit for the Rams young team last year means that they have plenty of experience coming back.
Mark Eddy’s Rams bring back nine starters on offense and seven starters from South Haven’s 2-7 team from last year. The valuable knowledge gained running the Rams deception based singe wing offense should pay off with so many coming back.
Coach Eddy says there are seven key players playing offense and defense. They are Covey Gavin Jr. 5’8 190, Dannenberg Brady Sr. 6’0 190, Harrington Xavion Sr. 6’0 220. Hiatt Simon Sr. 5’8 218. Onley Shane Sr. 6’0 215, Williamson Parker Sr. 6’2 175, and Gagnon Dakota Sr. 6’2 186. In addition to those seven Landon Sutherland Jr. 6’0 235 will also be on offense.
In the Rams 4-4 defensive alignment, joining the seven key players from offense, will be Elijah Eddy Jr. 5’9 150, Cade Hahn Jr. 5’8 170, and Jacob Bosma So. 5’11 175.
August Zoet So. 6’1 160, and Carter Lindsay Sr. 5’9 150 will be key special teams players for the Rams.
Eddy says, “We have many players returning with real game and pressure experiences. We also have leadership and an excellent work effort. We also have a dedicated administration and coaching staff. We will compete in every scenario.”
He says, “Constantine is still the favorite.” In the SAC
South Haven opens the season at Historic Radcliffe Field against Dowagiac.
Watervliet Panthers
2022 Record: 6-4 (3-2 SAC-Lakeshore)
Head Coach: Joshua Tremblay (5th season, 15-21)
2023 Schedule:
8/24 at Brandywine – 8:00 p.m.
8/31 at Dowagiac – 7:00 p.m.
9/8 vs. Berrien Springs – 7:00 p.m.
9/15 vs. Coloma – 7:00 p.m.
9/22 at Constantine – 7:00 p.m.
9/29 at Kalamazoo United – 7:00 p.m.
10/6 vs. South Haven – 7:00 p.m.
10/13 vs. Parchment – 7:00 p.m.
10/20 at Allegan – 7:00 p.m.
It may have taken longer than most fans, players, parents, and supporters of Watervliet football would have liked, but the Panthers are close to becoming the team of old again as they enter the 2023 season.
Watervliet slightly improved on their 5-4 regular season finish in 2021 with a 6-3 regular season finish in 2022. But both seasons ended the same way with a loss to SAC-Lakeshore division rival Constantine in the first round of the playoffs.
Watervliet has 25 players on the senior heavy roster. Of those 25 players, 15 of them are in grade 12. The good news for Watervliet is the Panthers have nine starters back on the offense, and those same nine players return on defense.
Tremblay lists his key players as
2 Jacob Schaefer Sr. 6-4 / 195 QB/LB
3 Wyatt Epple Sr. 6-1 / 170 WR/FS
22 Chase Tremblay Sr. 5-10 / 155 WR/DB
24 Kaiden Bierhalter Sr. 6-3 / 190 WR/DB
52 Joe Coulombe Sr. 6-0 / 195 OL/LB
7 Carson Underwood Jr. 5-9 / 175 RB/LB
20 Owen Epple Jr. 5-9 / 165 RB/LB
60 Zach Rader Sr. 5-7 / 250 OL/DL
With 55 Ben Parritt Sr. 6-0 / 220 OL only on offense.
Watervliet again will work from a spread offensive formation under Tremblay as the offensive coordinator as well. On defense, Watervliet will align themselves in a 3-5-3 look, under defensive coordinator Kevin Eastman.
Ben Parritt will handle the place kicking duties, with Wyatt Epple punting. Chase Tremblay and Epple will return kicks.
Asked about his outlook for the upcoming season, Coach Tremblay said, “We are looking to improve on our Playoff run from last year. We were fairly young and our Conference and Playoff schedule that 2nd half was a tough road against some really solid teams. Our goal is to improve each week and to compete in every game. We’ll see where that puts us when all is said and done!!”
Tough Conference games with Constantine and Kalamazoo United – With a few tough newly added Conference Teams mixed in Iike South Haven. Cross-town rival Coloma will return to Varsity action this year and that date is always earmarked on the schedule.
The game against Coloma will be on September 15 at Panther Stadium. Watervliet opens the season on August 24 at Brandywine.
SAC – Valley
Delton-Kellogg Panthers
2022 Record: 4-6 (1-3 SAC-Valley)
Head Coach: Ryan Bates (2nd season, 4-6)
2023 Schedule:
8/24 BYE WEEK
8/31 at Parchment – 7:00 p.m.
9/8 vs. South Haven – 7:00 p.m.
9/15 vs. Allegan – 7:00 p.m.
9/22 vs. Lawton – 7:00 p.m.
9/29 vs. Saugatuck – 7:00 p.m.
10/6 at Decatur – 7:00 p.m
10/13 at Schoolcraft – 7:00 p.m.
10/20 vs. Galesburg-Augusta – 7:00 p.m.
Delton-Kellogg did not reply to our request for a season preview.
Galesburg-Augusta Rams
2022 Record: 3-5 (2-2 SAC-Valley)
Head Coach: Chuck Hadley (3rd season, 4-13)
2023 Schedule:
8/24 vs. Decatur – 7:00 p.m.
8/31 at White Pigeon – 7:00 p.m.
9/8 at Parchment – 7:00 p.m.
9/15 vs. Homer – 7:00 p.m.
9/23 at Schoolcraft – 6:00 p.m.
9/29 vs. Lawton – 7:00 p.m.
10/6 vs. Saugatuck – 7:00 p.m.
10/13 at Comstock – 7:00 p.m.
10/20 at Delton-Kellogg – 7:00 p.m.
Galesburg-Augusta did not reply to our request for a season preview.
Lawton Blue Devils
2022 Record: 9-3 (3-0 SAC-Valley)
Head Coach: Wade Waldrup (5th season, 39-7)
2023 Schedule:
8/24 at Benton Harbor – 7:00 p.m.
9/1 vs. Traverse City St. Francis – 7:00 p.m.
9/8 vs. Constantine – 7:00 p.m.
9/15 vs. South Haven – 7:00 p.m.
9/22 at Delton-Kellogg – 7:00 p.m.
9/29 at Galesburg-Augusta – 7:00 p.m.
10/6 vs. Schoolcraft – 7:00 p.m.
10/13 at Saugatuck – 7:00 p.m.
10/20 vs. Comstock – 7:00 p.m.
Lawton did not reply to our request for a season preview.
Saugatuck Trailblazers
2022 Record: 2-6 (0-3 SAC-Valley)
Head Coach: William Dunn (21st season, 125-56)
2023 Schedule:
8/24 vs. Buchanan – 7:00 p.m.
8/31 vs. Lakeview – 7:00 p.m.
9/8 at Brandywine – 7:00 p.m.
9/15 at Union City – 7:00 p.m.
9/22 vs. Coloma – 7:00 p.m.
9/29 at Delton-Kellogg
10/6 at Galesburg-Augusta – 7:00 p.m.
10/13 vs. Lawton – 7:00 p.m.
10/20 vs. Schoolcraft – 7:00 p.m.
Saugatuck did not reply to our request for a season preview.
Schoolcraft Eagles
2022 Record: 7-4 (3-1 SAC-Valley)
Head Coach: Nathan Ferency (6th season, 35-16)
2023 Schedule:
8/24 at Comstock – 7:00 p.m.
8/31 at Centreville – 7:00 p.m.
9/9 vs. Kalamazoo United – 6:00 p.m. at Vicksburg
9/15 at Constantine – 7:00 p.m.
9/23 vs. Galesburg-Augusta – 6:00 p.m.
9/29 vs. Muskegon Catholic Central – 7:00 p.m.
10/6 at Lawton – 7:00 p.m.
10/13 vs. Delton-Kellogg – 7:00 p.m.
10/20 at Saugatuck – 7:00 p.m.
Schoolcraft did not reply to our request for a season preview.
Next preview: Wolverine Conference
