Watch - Big Reds 2014 Season Preview Trailer

It's that time of the year, ladies and gentlemen. Big Red alum Will Gardner (c/o '09) has put together a preseason preview video for the upcoming season. If this doesn't get you excited, nothing will. Two days until kickoff!

Opponent Watch: Novi Detroit Catholic Central

Senior TE/DE Caleb Hendershot

(Photo by Julian H. Gonzalez/Detroit Free Press)

Team: Novi Detroit Catholic Central
Location: Novi, MI
Head Coach: Tom Mach
2013 Record: 11-3, 3-2
Nickname: Shamrocks
Colors: Royal Blue/White
Conference: Catholic League - Central
Enrollment: 2,134


Muskegon and Detroit Catholic Central have several things in common. Both are tradition-rich programs that have seen their fair share of success, with both schools claiming at least one state title in the past decade. On the other hand, both programs have felt the sting of defeat;  Each team is eager to put last season behind them and dive head-first into a classic East v. West showdown.

In an interview with MLive's Tom Barry, Shamrocks coach Tom Mach believes his team has what it takes to make it back to Ford Field this fall:

“Our kids have practiced really hard for us,” Mach stated. “We don’t have the secret formula to winning a state championship every year, but if we work hard and get better each week, then we will have what it takes to win it all. We can put ourselves in a good position this year.“We’re really young, though. We graduated a lot of seniors last year and we have a lot of guys who will be playing their first varsity game in the opener (Aug. 29 at Muskegon). There’s no way to predict how well we can do when you’re playing in your first game. I like what I see, though. I’m optimistic that we have what it takes to be a fine football team.”

Key Players:

Cameron Hendershot: A senior TE/DE, Hendershot will be one of DCC's team captains this season. After racking up 58 tackles and 12 yards per catch in 2013, Hendershot will be a go-to player both on offense and defense for the Shamrocks.

“This team has put in a ton of hard work and has a great attitude,” the 6-foot-3, 240-pound Hendershot said. “We’re going to do more to finish every play and do what’s best for the team. We look a lot better on the lines. We can still improve on our skill positions, but we are getting there.”

DCC Senior Jordan Jenkins (46) attempts to tackle Brother Rice QB Alex Malzone (12)
Jarrad Henderson / DFP

Jordan Jenkins: Jenkins was the team's leading tackler last year, notching 89. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound linebacker should be even better this year, and a tough match-up to handle.

The Shamrocks lost their starting quarterback, two leading running backs, starting linemen, and their top DB's to graduation. A lot of young guys will be filling in, but talent is there.

Senior quarterback Joe Fanning (6'1", 190) was DCC's back-up to Sean Birney last season, so expect him to be your starter unless someone else impresses.

According to last year's official roster, Francesco Russo (6'0", 255) and Graham Gausden (6'4", 260) are their largest listed returning lineman. Size isn't everything, and one thing we know about the Shamrocks is that they boast the top lines in the state year in and year out. No word on who their starting lines may be this year, but something tells me they will be pretty good.

 As far as receivers go, DCC has size, size and more size. The Shamrocks have several receivers returning that are 6'0" and above that could pose a problem to Muskegon's DB's.

Prediction Based on Flimsy Evidence:

Both teams have lost key players to graduation, but Muskegon happens to return more firepower. The game will be played in Hackley Stadium, a place Muskegon has been nigh unbeatable over the past decade. DCC is a legit threat and will be one of the top teams in Division 1 this year, but the Big Reds will pull through this year. Next year's game may be a different story.

Maxwell: Muskegon 24, Novi Detroit Catholic Central 21

Najee: Muskegon 42, Novi Detroit Catholic Central 22

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Alumni Update - Ronald Johnson Cut By Seattle Seahawks

Muskegon and USC fans everywhere were excited when it was announced that Ronald Johnson (c/o '07) had been signed by the Seattle Seahawks last week. Unfortunately the excitement did not last long, as it has been announced that the Seahawks are parting ways with Johnson:

Johnson, 26, had been signed since the start of training camp, and was attempting to come back from a broken ankle suffered in the 2012 pre-season camp with the Philadelphia Eagles. Coach Pete Carroll and the rest of the coaching staff likely weren't confident in the strength of Johnson's ankle, and made cuts to make space for future transactions.

While being cut from the Seahawks means his playing career is put on hold, Big Red Nation will continue to support 'Rojo' as he makes his next step toward making an NFL roster. Stay tuned for more news.



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Alumni Update - Ronald Johnson Signs With Seattle Seahawks

Former Muskegon star Ronald Johnson (c/o '07) has been given another shot at his dream, signing with the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.

According to Pro Football Talk’s Curtis Crabtree, Johnson, 26, will be taking the roster spot of tight end Anthony McCoy, who has been placed on the injured reserved after injuring his left Achilles Tendon last Tuesday.

Johnson (left) and Carroll (right) at USC.

Michigan's number one recruit coming out of the 2007 class, Johnson has not played in any games since being drafted in the sixth round of the 2011 draft out of USC, where he played for current Seahawks coach Pete Carroll through the 2009 season.

 Johnson will be given every chance to compete and earn a roster spot for the upcoming season, as Seattle's team is littered with players who were 'no names' and 'passed over' during their college and pro careers. This seems to be the perfect environment for Johnson to thrive, and display some of the magic he showed us so many times while donning the Big Red uniform.


*In order to make the team, Johnson must make all three NFL-mandated roster cuts over the course of the pre-season. The dates for these roster cuts can be seen below:

NFL Roster Cut Dates:

August 26, 2014: Prior to 3 p.m. CDT, clubs must reduce their rosters to a maximum of 75 players on the active list.

August 30, 2014: Prior to 3 p.m. CDT, clubs must reduce rosters to a maximum of 53 players on the active/inactive list.

August 31, 2014: Beginning at 11 a.m. CDT, clubs may establish a practice squad of eight players by signing free agents who do not have an accrued season of free agency credit or who were on the 46-player active list for less than nine regular season games during each of any accrued seasons. A player cannot serve on the practice squad for more than three seasons.




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