2013 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Blissfield Royals

Lenawee County Athletic Assoc.

2013 Blissfield Royals

Team photo from left:

Row 1: Joey Wright, Dakota Suiter, Jacob Bayer, Daniel Barta, Christian Waynick, Tyler Watters, Tyler Clark, Chris Barrus

Row 2: Adam Forche, Dylan Nowak, Damon Mosser, Randy Estes, Luke Cassaubon, Jacob Clark, Garrett LaRoy, Dakota Underwood

Row 3: Nick Keinath, Harley McKelvey, Emilio Rosas, Alex Zaciewski, Jason Klauda, Josh Hall, Andre Williams, Alex Slomski, Nate Milner

ABOUT THE TEAM:

Coach: Adam Schiermyer, first year

Last season: 6-5, 5-2 Lenawee County Athletic Association

Returning letter winners: 8

Returning starters: Offense 3, defense 4

Schemes: Pistol/​3-4

Top players: Seniors Dakota Suiter, 6-1, 170, RB-​LB; Tyler Watters, 6-2, 240, TE-​LB; Dakota Underwood, 6-5, 220, OL-​DL; Chris Barrus, 6-2, 180, OL-​DL. Junior Luke Cassaubon, 5-10, 160, QB-​DB. Sophomore Nick Keinath, 6-1, 160, WR-​DB.

Outlook: Schiermyer takes over for Ron Estes, who turned a struggling program into an annual playoff contender. In 11 seasons under Estes, Blissfield went 76-39 with eight playoff appearances.

Schiermyer, a former baseball and football standout at Morenci who went on to play at Adrian College, returns to the area after 11 years in Arizona where he was a head coach for the first time last season (3-8).

The Royals were Division 6 state runners-up in 2007 and qualified for the playoffs last year.

“Ron did a great job and it's a good foundation,” Schiermyer said. “I came into a good situation. Now my job is to take it and put my philosophy behind it and take it to the next level.”

Schiermyer said he will guide the program under a three-word philosophy: pride, attitude, and responsibility.

“It can be used not only on the football field but also will help them become successful in society," he said.

He has 26 players and looks for leadership from his 10 seniors.

But the Royals are young and lack a lot of experience. Size and strength also are potential concerns.

“I think a key for us this year will be conditioning," Schiermyer said.

BLISSFIELD SCHEDULE

Aug. 29-Whiteford

Sep. 6-at Clinton

Sep. 13-Hudson

Sep. 20-at Dundee

Sep. 27-at Columbia Central

Oct. 4-Hillsdale

Oct. 11-at Erie Mason

Oct. 18-Onsted

Oct. 25-at Ida