Take Two? Hawks Team Has Talent To Repeat

Not many football teams have as much talent this season as defending state champion .

The Hawks are returning a good portion of the roster that led them to the school’s 13th state championship, including senior wide receiver and defensive back Aaron Burbridge and senior lineman Mario Ojemudia. They are two of Michigan's top rated players.

Burbridge is ranked among the top 20 receivers in the country.

At the end of July, Burbridge announced on his Facebook page that he is committing to play football at Michigan State. Ojemudia will be taking his talents to the University of Michigan. He verbally committed to the school over the summer. 

“The expectations are very high, and they know that,” head coach John Herrington said.

Both have worked hard to improve this offseason. Herrington said both are a little bigger and stronger than they were last season. 

Ojemudia led the team in 2010 with 112 tackles and nine sacks.

“He’s relentless, he’s very difficult to block, and we think he’ll be dominating,” Herrington said of the 6'3", 230-pound tackle. “A lot of people will double team him, we’re sure of that. So Jake Slobin and our nose guard Jordan Head will be open to make plays.”

Herrington said that even if Ojemudia's numbers didn’t improve this season, he’d be thrilled if the lineman just repeated the kind of season he had last year.  

As good as Ojemudia is, Burbridge might be better. Herrington called the receiver a “college ready” player. Herrington’s only worry is that Burbridge will get too much attention from his own quarterback in the passing game.

“I’m sure we will have a little Burbridge vision,” Herrington said.

Two other players back at the skill positions are tight end Devin Funchess and receiver Gairus Coleman. Both of them should have big seasons playing opposite Burbridge.

Tommy Vento was the one throwing the passes to the trio last year. This year, it will be his younger brother, Jake Vento. The senior is moving under center, taking over for his brother.

And those will be big shoes to fill. Tommy led the Hawks to a state title by throwing for over 2,200 yards and 26 touchdowns .

Herrington thinks the younger Vento brother is up to the task.

“I think he’s going to do a great job, he’s a multi-threat quarterback he can run and pass,” Herrington said. “He really was an outstanding receiver. He knows the offense, and he’s very smart, he was picked as one of our captains as well.”

Two question marks for the Hawks are at the running back and linebacker positions. They were very uneven running the ball on offense last season, and two of the team's top backs graduated. The inexperienced group will have a good line to run behind, but how much they can produce remains to be seen.

Defensively, Harrison brings back seven starters. Only one of them is a linebacker. Both of the team’s inside linebackers graduated, and Herrington is relying on some sophomores to play big minutes.

The team’s experience is something that Herrington thinks will give the Hawks a big time edge in overcoming those weaknesses.

“Our big advantage is that we have guys that have played in the state championship, that’s a big deal,” Herrington said.