SE MICHIGAN

Summerfield Bulldogs

SUMMERFIELD SENIORS, FROM LEFT: Row 1: Jake Ogle, Zach Collins, Brad Sweeney, Blane Kottke, Shiloh Robinson, Spike Cress, Skyler Krueger Row 2: Derrick Garner, manager; Mike Phillips, Andrew Cilley, Lucas Diver, Dakota Ladd, Taylor Wentworth, Caleb Krueger, Jordan Link, Steve Schankin

Coach: Erik Johnson, fifth season

Last season: 8-4, 5-2 Tri-County Conference

Returning letter winners: 15

Returning starters: Offense 7, defense 7

Schemes: Pro style/4-3

Top players: Seniors Lucas Diver, 6-4, 170, QB; Dakota Ladd, 6-1, 180, LB; Jake Ogle, 5-11, 165, S; Mike Phillips, 5-10, 257, DT; Brad Sweeney, 5-10, 225, DE; Junior Josh Golkiewicz, 5-10, 180, RB.

Outlook: Johnson said he wants the Bulldogs' run-pass split to be even this year, and he looks to have the right pieces.

Diver, who threw for more than 1,000 yards as a junior last season, will have most of his top targets back while Golkiewicz appears poised to threaten the school's single-season rushing record.

The junior came up from the junior varsity halfway through last season and rushed for more than 1,400 yards in seven games. (A.J. Prebula holds the school record with 1,629 yards in 1992).

Defensively, third-year starters Phillips and Sweeney anchor the defensive line and three of four starters return in the secondary. The Bulldogs also return Ladd, who led the team with 121 tackles last year.

Among the biggest questions for a team seeking its third district championship in four years is the development of a new-look offensive front. Summerfield breaks in three new starting linemen.

"Our offensive line has looked good together," Johnson said. "They're a talkative group. We're making all the strides to be a pretty good football team this year."

2012 SUMMERFIELD SCHEDULE

Aug. 24-Erie Mason

Aug. 30-at Ida

Sept. 7-Adrian Madison

Sep. 14-Sand Creek

Sep. 21-at Morenci

Sep. 28-Whiteford

Oct. 5-at Britton-Deerfield

Oct. 12-Clinton

Oct. 19-at Whitmore Lake