From left to right: Aaron Burbridge, Devin Funchess and Mario Ojemudia.
Photo by Chris Fleck
The best way to make up for losing Michigan's Mr. Football is to bring back a pair of Detroit Free Press All-State Team players.
Harrison, coming off a dominant 14-0 campaign and a Division 2 state title with a 524-163 scoring margin, will look to give legendary coach John Herrington his 14th state title. The pieces are certainly there to make Harrison one of the best teams from Michigan in recent memory, as both
Mario Ojemudia and
Devin Funchess are committed to the University of Michigan.
Jake Vento is going to move to quarterback to replace his brother Tommy Vento, Mr. Football from last season. Jake Vento has starred at receiver and defensive back, so there's not a question about talent. The question is if he can commandeer the Harrison offense well enough to keep the team on top.
Passing targets abound for Jake Vento, and he'll have some help with an offensive line that carries some experience to make up for a lack in size. On defense, a youthful group of linebackers could be a weakness, but teams will have to fight through a talent-laden defensive line to exploit that — a daunting task.
Harrison has a big batch of talent returning, a coach who is 14th all-time on the national coaching victories list and a division that will have a hard time keeping up. Romping through the schedule is a very real possibility, and if Harrison wants to climb high in the Xcellent 25 during the season, it'll have to post a flawless mark.
Local look: "Coach Herrington doesn't give off the aura that he's smarter than everybody else, but he is. He doesn't rely on one certain offense, like living and dying with the spread option or power running attack. He can genuinely adapt his offense to his personnel. They're always so well-prepared. They may not win it all but they are unquestionably the No. 1 team now. The defensive line is going to be awfully good and I love their receivers. Maybe the strength is that there isn't one area that dominates. It'll be a well-balanced team."
- Mick McCabe, Detroit Free Press
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