CMAC football preview 2023: Fowler, Laingsburg and Pewamo-Westphalia looking to repeat

Pewamo-Westphalia had been alone in its rule atop the CMAC for seven straight seasons.

That changed last fall when Fowler and Laingsburg joined the Pirates as league champions.

Fowler handed P-W its first league setback since 2014, while Laingsburg then knocked off the Eagles to create a tie atop the CMAC standings.

That trio hopes to again be in the mix for a league title again. Bath, which reached the playoffs last season, will also try to emerge as a factor.

Here's an overview of the CMAC teams.

▶ Coaches' predictions: 1. Pewamo-Westphalia, 2. Fowler, 3, Laingsburg, 4. Bath, 5. Dansville, 6. Saranac

BATH

▶ Last season: 6-4, 3-3 (4th)

▶ Coach: Shane Lorenz (2nd season)

▶ Playoff division: 7

SCHEDULE

Aug. 24 – at Chesaning

Aug. 31 – Pewamo-Westphalia

Sept. 8 – Lutheran Westland

Sept. 15 – at Fowler

Sept. 22 – Stockbridge

Sept. 29 – Laingsburg

Oct. 6 – at Saranac

Oct. 13 – at Dansville

Oct. 20 - Perry

▶ Top returners: Max Parry (LB), Sam Wonch (LB), Bradlee Uhlmann (RB), Cole Chamberlain (DB), Brayden Bennett (QB), Jacob Kuhn (OL), Brayden Teachworth (OL), Andrew Raphael (LB), Quinton Raphael (DL), Michael Friend (DL)

▶ Other contributors: Nolan Rowley (HB), Thomas Vang (DB), James Gossett (OL), Jay Kreisler (WR), Ethan Wicks (DB), Keegan Hunt (DL), Aden Briggs (WR)

▶ Outlook: The Bees had their highest win total since 2013 last season while reaching the playoffs. Lorenz said Bath has a great foundation of returners and incoming players who can help the program try to build on its success. Defense is a strength for the Bees, who have six starters returning. Bath believes its offensive line has a chance to also be strong. The Bees aim to make it back to the playoffs.

DANSVILLE

▶ Last season: 3-6, 2-4 (5th)

▶ Coach: Zach Mendez (2nd season)

▶ Playoff division: 8

SCHEDULE

Aug. 25 – Leslie

Aug. 31 – Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest

Sept. 8 – at Saranac

Sept. 15 – at Pewamo-Westphalia

Sept. 22 – Fowler

Sept. 29 – at Perry

Oct. 6 – at Laingsburg

Oct. 13 – Bath

Oct. 20 – at Stockbridge

▶ Top returners: Camden Graf (OL/DL), Trent Ackerson (QB/LB), Alex Baker (DL/RB), Quinnton Burgett (WR/DB)

▶ Other contributors: Chris Myatas (OL/DL), Mayson Burgett (RB/DB)

▶ Outlook: The Aggies will lean on senior leadership and their offensive line as they look to have an improved season. Graf has been a starter on the offensive line since his freshman year and is an anchor. The leadership will be vital with Dansville having a young squad. Mendez said the Aggies can have success if they buy in to the offensive system and are disciplined on defense.

FOWLER

▶ Last season: 10-2, 5-1 (T-1st)

▶ Coach: John Spicer (5th season)

▶ Playoff division: 8

SCHEDULE

Aug. 24 – at Grosse Pointe Wood University Liggett, 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 31 – Saranac

Sept. 8 – Perry

Sept. 15 – Bath

Sept. 22 at Dansville

Sept. 29 – at Pewamo-Westphalia

Oct. 6 – at Frankfort

Oct. 13 – at Laingsburg

Oct. 20 - McBain

▶ Top returners: Evan Curtiss (OL/DL), Zach Halfmann (WR/LB), Carter Lance (WR/DB), Tristan Smith (LB), Adyn O’Rourke (OL)

▶ Other contributors: Alex Halfmann (OL/DL), Asher Koenigsknecht (WR)

▶ Outlook: The Eagles are coming off their second season with double-digit victories under the direction of Spicer. Last year’s success included claiming a share of the CMAC title and winning a district crown. Leaning on experience will be vital for Fowler as it replaces a lot of size lost from last season. Curtiss provides some of that size and committed to Grand Valley this month. The Eagles have experienced skill players back, but Spicer sees the development of the offensive line as one of the biggest keys to the season.

LAINGSBURG

▶ Last season: 6-3, 5-1 (T-1st)

▶ Coach: Brian Borgman (22nd season)

▶ Playoff division: 7

SCHEDULE

Aug. 24 – at Durand

Aug. 31 – at Wyoming Kelloggsville

Sept. 8 – Pewamo-Westphalia

Sept. 15 - Chesaning

Sept. 22 – Saranac

Sept. 29 – at Bath

Oct. 6 – Dansville

Oct. 13 – Fowler

Oct. 20 – at Essexville Garber

▶ Top returners: Jack Borgman (RB/DB), Jayse Grettenberger (OL), Jackson Audretsch (TE/LB), Brock Johnston (DL), Seth Sivak (LB)

▶ Other contributors: Lucas Matthews (QB), Vince Klont (WR), Max Powers (RB), Riley Kiffer (OL), Tucker Dunn (OL), Adam Essenberg (DB), Logan Holm (DL)

▶ Outlook: The Wolfpack are coming off a strong season that was highlighted by claiming a share of the CMAC title. Laingsburg fell just short of making the playoffs and has a group of 20 seniors who will lead the way as they try to earn a spot in the postseason. Quarterback Ty Randall, one of the leading passers in Greater Lansing last fall, is out for the season with an injury but Laingsburg has a returning two-way starter in Jack Borgman. He is among three returning starters on both sides for the Wolfpack, who hope to get a lift from seniors who were in support roles last fall.

PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA

▶ Last season: 6-5, 5-1 (T-1st)

▶ Coach: Jeremy Miller

▶ Playoff division: 7

SCHEDULE

Aug. 25 – at North Muskegon

Aug. 31 – at Bath

Sept. 8 – at Laingsburg

Sept. 15 – Dansville

Sept. 23 – at Cheboygan, 2:30 p.m. (at CMU)

Sept. 29 – Fowler

Oct. 6 – at Jonesville

Oct. 13 – Saranac

Oct. 20 – Lansing Catholic

▶ Top returners: Dylan May (QB/DB), Gavin Nurenberg (OL/LB), Gabe Miller (HB/DL), Trevor Spitzley (OL/DL), Grant Pohl (WR/LB), Will Bengel (RB/LB), Carter Wirth (TE/DL), Trent Piggott (OL/DL), Blake Birchmeier (WR/LB)

▶ Other contributors: Kyle Thelen (WR/DB), Drew Trierweiler (WR/DB), Brayton Thelen (RB/LB), Ethan Miles (OL/DL), Collin Schneider (OL/LB), Kiefer Trimmer (OL/DL), Tyson Miles (OL/DL), Cayden Spitzley (OL/DL), Ethan MacFarland (OL/DL)

▶ Outlook: The six victories last fall were the fewest for the Pirates since 2009. P-W still managed to claim a share of the CMAC title and reach a district final. With eight starters returning on offense and defense, the Pirates hope to boost that total as they look for a 28th straight season with a winning record. Miller said P-W has a lot of returning experience and a large senior class that put in a lot of work as they look to find success.

SARANAC

▶ Last season: 2-7, 1-5 (6th)

▶ Coach: Kirk Jackson (3rd season)

▶ Playoff division: 8

SCHEDULE

Aug. 25 – St. Louis

Aug. 31 – at Fowler

Sept. 8 – Dansville

Sept. 15 – Galena (Illinois)

Sept. 22 – at Laingsburg

Sept. 29 – at Stockbridge

Oct. 6 – Bath

Oct. 13 – at Pewamo-Westphalia

Oct. 20 – Wyoming Kelloggsville

▶ Top returners: Maddox Foster (RB/LB), Sam Sterzick (QB), Lance Morries (OL/DL)

▶ Other contributors: Chase Stephens (RB/DB), Warren Hill (RB/LB)

▶ Outlook: The RedHawks haven’t won more than two games in a season since 2018 when they finished 7-3. They will try to increase their win total this season with what Jackson said is good talent returning on offense and defense. Foster and Morries are among the key components on both sides. Jackson said improved team numbers should help Saranac.

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: CMAC football preview 2023: Pewamo-Westphalia favored to add to streak