(Have photos to go with this story? Email pics to Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com and dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com and also list photo credit as well.)
MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
Michigan Soccer Network Web and Content Editor and Director of News Dan Stickradt scouts the schools No. 11 through No. 20 in our third annual Super 50 Boys Soccer Teams. Games through Sept. 5 were considered and three rounds of preseason surveys were issued in August asking for coaches’ input from across the state.
BY DAN STICKRADT
WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR | DIRECTOR OF NEWS
Michigan Soccer Network | Premier Media Group and affiliates
BUSINESS LINE: (248) 525-2349
CELL PHONE: (248) 884-1051
TW/X: @msn_stickradt @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork
NORTHVILLE, Mich. – Strange but true.
Northville has hoisted some championship trophies of various kinds over the years The school has been blessed with a lot of talent since launching its soccer program in the early 1980s. Divisional, conference tournaments, district, regional even weekend tournaments hardware has been earned and hoisted.
That’s what to be expected from a powerhouse program.
Except.
The Mustangs have never hoisted the grand prize on the final weekend of the season. Sure, Northville has played in the final week of the season, but never on the season’s final day. It’s true.
“We’re hoping that this is the year,” admitted Henry Klimes, the veteran presence on the sideline since 1990 who has coached many fine teams and has seen a boatload of college players jog out onto the pitch donning the Northville jersey.
Sitting in sprawling western Wayne County and just south of the border of Oakland County in a hotbed for soccer talent, Northville is lucky. There is a multitude of high-level club teams in that region of the state and virtually all of the Mustangs play for one of those clubs a great portion of the year.
Still, Northville has not had the best of luck in the Class A or Division 1 state tournament over the last 40-plus years. Even recently, the Mustangs lost in the state semifinals in both 2021 and 2023. The latter was a heartbreaking double overtime loss to Troy Athens (3-2) in last ear’s Division 1 Final Four. Athens went on to defeat KLAA rival Brighton in the state finals.
Three years ago, the Mustangs lost in the state semifinals to eventual state champion Okemos, 1-0.
“Those are always tough,” admitted Klimes. “We had really good seasons both of those years, which were two of our best years, honestly. Last year we felt we had all of the pieces to the puzzle but we just came up short to a very good program. The same thing in 2021. We lost to Okemos and the had (the Mr. Soccer) and are always a great program.”
Northville has won three state titles in girls soccer, those coming in 1984, 2004 and 2014, and have finished as the state runner-up in 2006 and 2022. The boys soccer program at Northville surprisingly has not been invited to the final party of the season since the MHSAA first launched in 1982.
In boys soccer, numerous schools to all sides of Northville have played in state title games and walked one of the state’s away with some serious hardware. Since Klimes became head coach at Northville some 34 years ago, the Mustangs have watched the like of Novi, Novi Detroit Catholic Central, Livonia Stevenson, Canton, Ann Arbor Skyline all win titles as schools within close distance to Northville. Even Walled Lake Central, Salem, Plymouth and a few others have played in a state title game.
Just to the north in talent-rich Oakland County, more than a dozen schools in that area have claimed crowns in one for the state’s divisions. But again, not Northville.
Could this be the year that the Mustangs break the hex?
It’s understandable that Northville is the Michigan Soccer Network’s top-ranked team overall in its Super 50 list. The Mustangs are again loaded and have high expectations. But will they find the right magic, the right mojo, get the right bounces or find a little bit of luck over the next few months? Or will some other D-1 school come in and steal the spotlight in the end?
Time will reveal.
Below are the MSN’s Super 50 teams in the early going of the 2024 campaign based on research gathered, plus more than 200 interviews conducted and surveys returned to the MSN staff. Be sure to check out our top teams by division, top players, conference breakdowns, team profiles and more in the upcoming weeks.
This list will also change on a daily basis and last season and games through Sept. 5 were considered. Last season’s record are in parentheses.
MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK SUPER 50:
(Through Sept. 5, 2024)
1. NORTHVILLE (19-3-2): Another great year for the Mustangs ended with a loss in the Division 1 state semifinals to Troy Athens, the second time in three seasons the program lost to the eventual state champion in the Final Four. Northville outscored the opposition 78-20 last season with 11 shutouts and were only blanked twice. In the state tournament the team outscored the opposition 19-7. The Mustangs, the KLAA-West Division and KLAA Conference Tournament winners last year, have started 5-0-0, avenging two regular season losses last season to Brighton by downing the Bulldogs 6-0 in the season opener. If that win didn’t open eyes, the Mustangs’ roster sure will. The team has started with an impressive 23-2 scoring edge with a multitude of returning starters and key reserves back in uniform. Seniors Alex McCallum (All-League First Team, All-State Second Team) and Haithem Al-Zoubi (All-League First Team) are one of the state’s most deadliest 1-2 punches around, while senior Gabe Riera (M, All-League First Team) is another capable target or facilitator. McCallum is a big physical hockey player who is hard to knock off the ball, while running-mate Al-Zoubi is more of a crafty-type player on the attack. Senior Nate Ewasek (M) will see an increased role, as will senior Jahen Roach (M) and senior newcomer Liam Rodriguez (M). Senior Collin Seargent (D, All-League First Team) is a third-year starting player on the backline, but an ankle injury during the second game of the season will shelf the talented defensive stalwart until October at the earliest. Seniors Ryan Asfari (D) and Nick Wilson (D) and juniors Jack Eisman (D) and Thomas Slater (D) all have varsity and high club experience playing along the backline. Seniors Zach Pfeiffer (All-League First Team) and Vedanth Pochhareddy and junior Daniel Shen are all quality goalkeepers and will serve as the final line of defense. The Mustangs appear to be deep with all of the players gaining minutes in the first couple of weeks, including seniors Kayden Bobel (F), Zane Khraizat (M), Chris Kou (M) and Josh Lee (M) and juniors Joshwin George (F), Henry Kutz (D), Lucas Rhee (M), Lucas Tanaskoski (M) and Aidan Dauti (D) providing depth.
2. PORTAGE CENTRAL (17-2-2): Another powerhouse program dating back to the 1980s, Portage Central has been a staple of success and consistency, routinely finishing in the top third of its conference in most years and winning a multitude of league and district championships along the way. Yet the Mustangs, much like Northville, have never captured an elusive state title in their storied past. Based on MHSAA archives, Portage Central captured regional crowns in 1983, 1990, 1991 and 1996 (the only year there was a quarterfinals round after the regional finals) and has a bevy of league and district championships to its credit. The Mustangs also lost in the regional finals in 1994, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2017, 2022 and 2023. Could this be the yet the Mustangs end decades of frustrations? Portage Central captured both the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles last season (10-1-0 against league opponents) before winning another district and reaching the regional finals before falling to Rockford, the same team that knocked the Mustangs out in 2022. This side outscored the opposition 65-14 with 13 shutouts and its high-powered offensive machine was only blanked one time. Junior forward Gavan Sherman is a 6-foot-1, 160-pound bulldozer with speed and was the highest ranked sophomore in Division 1 last year (All-State Third Team) after scoring 16 goals. Senior midfielder Aiden Phenicie (6-1, 165, All-State Honorable Mention) is the straw that stirs the drink and has great command on the ball and size in the center of the park. Junior Marshall Neuman (M) and senior William Tarpley (CB) are also returning starters. Although the Mustangs lost four All-SMAC players to graduation, there was plenty of talent waiting in the wings with agile 6-foot-6, 200-pound junior goalkeeper Gunnar Thorhallsso and seniors Christian Emery (D), Kyle Mills (D), Jack Hinze (M), Bryant Winstanley (F), Brody Wallace (F), Lucas Van Sweden (D), Logan Jezewski (D), Michael Kacmarski (F) and Nolan Clayton (D) all stepping into increased roles this year. Sophomores AJ Giebel (D) and Samuel Dietzel (D) and juniors Olin Rohrstaff (D), Jayce Handley (M), Elijah Greenwald (D) and Oliver Ruggiero (F) are newcomers fighting for playing time on a deep squad. So far this season Portage Central owns a 6-1 win over fellow powerhouse East Kentwood and has outscored the opposition 29-2 through Sept. 3 as part of a 5-0-1 start.
3. ROCHESTER ADAMS (12-8-3) Its strange to think about that back in 1999, the Highlanders finally won their very first district championship and eventually first state championship that season with 18 seniors on their loaded roster. Not much has changed for Adams over the last quarter century or in general as a program, as the program has only finished below five-hundred three times since its 1981 launch and even won a district title in one of those seasons (2019). Two seasons ago the Highlanders were 17-1-6 and finished fourth in the talent-laden Oakland Activities Association-Red Division before embarking on another state title run. The Highlanders again won a district title in 2023 before succumbing late to eventual state champion Troy Athens in the Division 1 regional semifinals. Although this team lost a trio of all-staters, including two-time Dream Team honoree Jackson Craft who opted out of playing college soccer, Adams is off to a fine beginning with a top-five ranking in Division 1 behind a 4-0-2 start. The Highlanders have outscored the opposition 15-2 with four shutouts while playing just about everybody on the roster and a tough schedule to boot. Following a rotating door of injuries last season that cut down on some likely wins and aided just a 34-27 scoring edge, Adams in s healthy now and has some of the state’s best players out on the pitch. In the back, senior Reid Dennis (6-foot-4) is a two-year starter coming off a fine club season with his Nationals ECNL club team and with his size and agility is a college prospect. With all of the injuries last year, juniors Brian You (M/F) and Chase Blackmore (F/M), sophomore Nick Tomezak (M) and Maxwell Craft (D) and seniors Anthony Page (D, All-District), Brendan Duff (D/M) and Carlos Castillo (D/M) all started numerous games last season. What helps make Adams more of a title contender this year is the newcomers, especially seniors Alex Rosin (M/F), Logan Lilla (M) and Anthony Piacentini (D) who are all taking a break from their Vardar MLS Next Academy schedule to try to help Adams win a state title. Rosin is committed to Notre Dame, last year’s NCAA Division I national runner-up, and is a Mr. Soccer candidate, while Lilla is headed to University of Detroit-Mercy and Piacentini will play at powerhouse Western Michigan. Sophomores Sam Beach (G), Owen Dekraker (D/M) and Jun Choi (M) are also battling for playing time on a deep roster that includes 15 seniors.
4. PLYMOUTH (9-7-6): Since opening its doors in the fall of 2002, Plymouth has had its fair share of ups and downs playing a tough schedule every year. Last season, the Wildcats saw massive improvements with a 5-5-5 league record and put fourth a tough defense that conceded only 20 goals and recorded six shutouts. The problem last season was scoring goals consistently, as Plymouth was shut out seven times and scored 46 total goals. This year Plymouth is expected to be one of the top teams in Division 1 but plays in the rugged KLAA-West Division and in one of the state’s loaded districts. So far Plymouth has started 6-0-1 and also captured the Balconi Tournament title for the first time. The Wildcats have outscored the opposition 15-1 and opened the season with six straight shutouts. Third-year starting senior center back Spencer Prouty (All-League, All-District) leads this team and is as an opposing player as there is in the state at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds. He helped lead his Michigan Jags U17 club team to the state cup and Midwest regional finals this past summer. Senior Will Dani (AM, All-League, All-District) is a college prospect and led the team in assists and was second in scoring last year. Seniors Michael Awazie (F, All-League First Team), James Steffen (D) and James JR Maitland (M) are also returning starters. Seniors Kareem Ali (D), Jackson Studenka, Garrett Bazick (F/M), Brennan Elliott (M), Kavi Behrend (M), Ian Timberlake (M/D) and Jordan Sneyd (D) also return, along with junior Javier Alex Vega (F) and sophomore Henry Maitland (M). Sophomores Camden Schlaud (G) and Evan Gaylord (G) will split time in goal and juniors Brendon Burkett (M), Michael Roberts (M/F), Alexander Lee (D), Simon Sherman (M), Brady Duggan (M) and Garrett Meeks (M) are vying for playing time as field players. The Wildcats did lose two key players in the school to the MLS Next Academy ranks, including senior Owen Christianson (F), last year’s leading goal scorer, and sophomore Eli Ring (F). But overall balance and depth have helped compensate those losses.
5. TROY (10-7-1): After winning the Oakland Activities Association Red Division and a loaded Division 1 district in 2022, Troy’s season was stalled out with a 4-3, shootout loss to league rival and eventual D-1 state champion Rochester Adams in the regional semifinals. Gone from that team was 16 players to graduation, leaving the cupboard somewhat thin at the beginning of the 2023 season. The Colts conceded nine goals in their first three contests last season and started 0-3-0. Troy eventually righted the ship, finishing with 10 wins, tying Rochester Adams for fifth in a loaded OAA-Red and reached the district finals before falling in overtime (3-2) to eventual D-1 state champion Troy Athens. The Colts finished with a 31-25 scoring edge and seven shutouts to showcase their growth over 10 weeks. This season Troy is one of the favorites in the OAA-Red and ranked well inside the top 10 in D-1 – and for good reason. The Colts opened 4-0-0 through Sept. 5, including 2-0-0 in conference play, and outscored their foes 8-2 with two more clean sheets. Second-year coach Adam Spinks challenged his team to only allow single-digit goals entering this year’s state tournament. This team will be defensive-minded with third-year starter and senior NCAA Division I recruit Nahuel Larroquette (CB) anchoring the backline. Seniors Andrew Pawlowski (CB), Santi Coronado (OB), Leo Penoza (M), Johnny Worrell (M) and Graham Bauman (F) all logged a ton of minutes last season and form an experienced nucleus. Juniors Nick Kamugunga (F), Zaren Ahmed (CB/OB) and Clay Cusmano (OB) and sophomores Noah Kamugunga (F) and Mateo Coronado (F/M) are key contributors. Junior Simeon Kolev and freshman Tyler Hayslett will split time below the framework for the Colts. Troy has not won a state title since 2003 but is one of several D-1 schools that have plans of making a go for a deep postseason run.
6. OXFORD (16-5-3): For the first time since moving up to Division 1 in 2010, Oxford captured both the OAA-Red Division and Division 1 district in the same season. In fact, the OAA-Red title was the first time Oxford had won the top division of the entire OAA. For a program that was highly-successful as a Class B/Division 2 school in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, the Wildcats have seen a resurgence the last couple of seasons. Last year this team outscored their opponents 52-28 with eight clean sheets before stalling out in the regional semifinals with the Wildcats’ top player in the hospital. This year the program is again ranked in the top 15 in Division 1 and off to a flying start with a 7-0-1 record. Oxford has outscored its opposition 24-5 with four shutouts in that streak. Fourth-year varsity veteran and three-sport standout Nolan Mauser (G, All-State Third Team) can be brilliant when needed be and is one of 13 seniors on this deep roster. Seniors Max Myrand (M/D), Coltrane Hudson (M), Anthony Jaboro (D), Tristan Warthun (F), Drew Cady (D) and Luca Erskine (M/F) are some of the top seniors in this group. Senior exchange student Abel Fjeldavli (M, Norway) has made a huge impact as a holding midfielder. Juniors Ryan Peisch (M), Ryan Clark (M/F) and Brayden Bowlby (F) also return, while sophomore Pedro Mota (M) and freshman Eric Pietsch (F) are some of the newcomers that have gained minutes. Oxford has been to the regional finals a few times in its past, mainly in the 90s and early 2000s, but never played on the season’s final day.
7. TROY ATHENS (20-3-2): Few teams in Michigan play the type of overall schedule as the Red Hawks do on an annual basis. It paid dividends for Athens last season. After finishing third in a loaded OAA-Red Division, the Red Hawks engaged in another deep tournament run and ended with the school’s seventh state title and sixth state crown since the MHSAA adopted the sport back in 1982. It was Athens’ second title in a five-year period, while the school has also finished state runner-up two other times in its storied past. But with last year’s title run brings this year’s question marks. There were 16 players that graduated from an incredibly deep team last season and that has created plenty of opportunity this season. Athens does bring back two electric players in senior Marc Delikat (M/F, All-State Second Team) and junior Daniel Kadiu (M, All-State Honorable Mention) from a team that outscored the opposition 76-17 with 12 shutouts and the Red Hawks did not play a bunch of cupcakes either. Senior Nick Rossi (M) was also a starter last season while senior JP Hupman (CB) also started some games and will anchor a new back line this year. Seniors Jason Bouna (F), Roshan Khan (G), Fares El-Makrouky (M/F) and Charlie Ciak (M) and juniors Gavin Faro (M/D) and Brady Roskelly (M) were all on the state championship roster but did not necessarily play a ton of minutes behind 16 seniors. Junior Braeden Hupman (M/F) and sophomore Mario Dzebo (F/M) are two of the many newcomers that have made an impact for a team that started 4-1-1 through Sept. 5 and outscored its opponents 19-5 with two clean sheets. For just the third time since launching its program back in 1981, Athens has a new head coach in Kevin McConnell, who was a 1988 Troy Athens grad and an accomplished player for the Red Hawks 1984-1987 (fall seasons).
8. BYRON CENTER (11-7-2): The Bulldogs are another team that came on strong late last season and after upsetting state-ranked East Kentwood (1-0) in the Division 1 district opener in 2023, eyes were turned to Byron Center. This year the program returned all but three pieces and are clicking on all cylinders and on all ends of the field to start the 2024 campaign. Byron Center is off to its best start in program history at 8-0-0 and has outscored the opposition 31-4 with four shutouts. That comes after last season’s fourth-place finish in the Ottawa Kent Conference-White Division and 30-24 scoring edge and nine clean sheets. The Bulldogs have moved into the OKC-Green Division this year where they are the favorites. Senior goalkeeper Luke Philo (All-State Honorable Mention) is a three-sport, athletic freak-of-nature and the 6-foot-4 standout is an old-school college recruit in soccer, hockey and lacrosse. Senior Brennan Walker (M, All-League First Team) and juniors Kaleb Smith (All-League First Team), Carlos Castro (D, All-League First Team) and Isaac DeVries (D, All-League First Team) are also back in uniform. Senior Brody Leyendecker (F), junior Brody Bennett (OB/M), a former MLS Next Academy player at Midwest United, are also experienced players. Seniors Nik Blok (F/M), Blake Teunissen (D) and Kevin Simo (D/M), juniors Andrew Singquefield, Zach VanZanten, Andre Rodriguez (G), Tate Pellow, Cooper Mitchell, Ben Weber, Reid Vanlddekinge, Carson Olsen, Ethan Roede and Carson Piering are all vying for time. Tomorrow’s stars today include freshman Braylen Legge and sophomore Allister Allan (M/F). This team has great depth and is a squad quite capable of doing some serious damage this season.
9. PONTIAC NOTRE DAME PREP (14-6-1): With 16 players back, the Fighting Irish have been building towards this season for quite some time. Notre Dame Prep last played in the state finals back in 2000 as they finished as the Division 2 state runner-up. Last season, NDP put up some impressive numbers as a Division 3 state-ranked team, posting 14 wins, outscoring the opposition 65-18 with seven shutouts but were eventually ousted in the district finals by eventual state runner-up Detroit Country Day (2-0). That came in a crowded district that will not change this season. The Irish posted an eye-turning 4-0 victory in late August over Division 2 top-ranked Warren De La Salle and have been the No. 1 ranked team in D-3 since the beginning of the season. Notre Dame Prep is 8-0-0 through Sept. 5 with a 25-3 scoring edge and six more shutouts behind an experienced and hungry group. The Independent Irish will play a multitude of state-ranked opponents or top-flight schools from each of the state’s four divisions and may take a loss or two this season. But that will be preparation for a very tough district once again, as both DCD and unbeaten Macomb Lutheran North are back in this same district. Player-wise, Notre Dame Prep has several high-level club players back in uniform and they are one of the better teams in the state overall in the early going of the 2024 campaign. Senior Will Lanham (F/M) is a two-time All-State choice and one of the top players in the state. Junior Will Kilpatrick (D) is also a likely NCAA Division I or Division II recruit like Lanham, while seniors Edzui Lis (M) and Mike Khouri (D) are fourth-year varsity veterans. Juniors Matthew Marshesh (M), Ben Liparto (M) and Nick Gembi (G) and seniors AJ Paulson (M), Felipe Emmanuel Sanchez (M) and Alex Rushchak (M) all started games last season as well and provide a ton of wealth and experience to a loaded roster. The experience does not end there as seniors AJ Valentine (D), Henry Graff (D), Ethan Jensen D) and Charles Graff (D) plus junior Alex Apolonio (M) all played varsity minutes a year ago. There are also eight newcomers on the roster that hope to gain some minutes on a deep roster.
10. GRAND BLANC (11-5-4): What does a program do after graduating 17 players including most of the starting lineup? If you’re Grand Blanc, it’s reloading the arsenal, keep on winning and contending for at least a league championship. This program has a long history of success. The Bobcats started 3-1-1 this season with a 15-5 scoring edge. A year ago, Grand Blanc was senior-heavy and outscored the opposition 68-21, recorded nine shutouts and won the Saginaw Valley League (9-0-2) before succumbing to Clarkston (1-0) in a Division 1 district semifinals match. Senior Lincoln Floyd (M/F, All-State Third Team) is the reigning SVL Conference MVP. Senior Owen Cooper (D) is the other returning starter, while sophomore Raymond Gregory (M) and junior Brodie Harris (M) are the other returning lettermen. The rest of the roster is made up of newcomers, but as a large school with a bevy of club soccer players, coach Nick Thomas had some quality prospects waiting in the wings behind an unusually large graduating class. Surprisingly, Grand Blanc has been a powerhouse program for more than 40 years but still is seeking its first state title.
(Have photos to go with this story? Email pics to Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com and dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com and also list photo credit as well.)
BOYS SOCCER: MSN SUPER 50 TEAMS POSITIONS 41-50: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/boys-soccer-super-50-teams-positions-41-50
BOYS SOCCER: MSN SUPER 50 TEAMS POSITIONS 31-40: https://www.michigansoccernetwork.com/post/boys-soccer-msn-super-50-teams-positions-31-40
BOYS SOCCER: MSN SUPER 50 TEAMS POSITIONS 21-30: BOYS SOCCER: MSN Super 50 Teams Positions 21-30:
BOYS SOCCER: MSN SUPER 50 TEAMS POSITIONS 11-20:
BOYS SOCCER: MSN SUPER 50 TEAMS POSITIONS 1-10: TBA
(MSN will compile a random sampling of game results from around the state each day. To send in results from high school varsity, club, amateur, pre-pro, semi-pro or professional soccer, email all pertinent details to Communications Specialist / Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com and dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com or submit information right on the correct link on the MSN website at https://www.michigansoccernetwork.com/reportascore. Please submit the competing teams, location and date of game, final score, overall and league records, goals, assists, goalkeepers and saves, standout defenders, players of the match, and any other pertinent details of the game. If there are courtesy action photos available, feel free to submit them at the above-listed emails.)
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(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer involving teams, players or coaches with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com, or call 248-884-1051 or 248-525-2349. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com and jonathan@thepremiermediagrp.com.)
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(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer involving teams, players or coaches with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com, or call 248-884-1051 or 248-525-2349. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com and jonathan@thepremiermediagrp.com.)
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Michigan-based Premier Media Group is expanding ... don't miss out on coverage
SHELBY TWP., Mich. – The Premier Media Group is expanding its broadcast net.
And we want you.
The Michigan-based PMG, founded in 2022, its flagship production the Michigan Soccer Network and all other affiliates, is actively scheduling games in a wide variety of high school leagues and conferences, small colleges, amateur, pre-professional, youth club, and other avenues of the beautiful game in Michigan.
The schedule for the fall semester is starting to fill up across Michigan.
The daily connections are being made and the spreading of our brand has brought in great reviews.
Would the coaches, administration, student-athletes, players and fans like for us to broadcast a game near you?
Regardless of the now-popular remote broadcast games, on-location broadcast games, on-location shows or in-studio daily shows, there is a simple process. Visit the website www.michigansoccernetwork.com or click below for details.
PMG will also be holding various “Win A Free Broadcast” contest at various parts of the fall, winter (indoor) and spring seasons.
"(Michigan Soccer Network) has does a great job making these kids feel special,” offered Michal Hatfield, girls soccer coach at Trenton High School who also coaches in the Detroit City FC youth club system. “The broadcasts were professionally done and we were very pleased when they did our games. They did a great job with (play-by-play), graphics and postgame interviews with the kids. And a lot of people saw it. We had uncles and aunts that have never seen their nieces play get a chance to watch them on YouTube). And all of the kids were able to jump on there (the YouTube channel) afterwards and watch the game.”
The MSN staff had the pleasure of broadcasting multiple games the last two school years for schools in the Oakland Activities Association and have received its fair share of feedback. The goal is to conduct broadcasts of games throughout the state of Michigan, especially in the larger populated regions.
“MSN has done a great job with broadcasts in our league (Macomb Area Conference),” said Trevor Foster, current head coach of the Romeo girls soccer program, goalkeepers coach for Oakland University’s soccer programs, and director at the Michigan Goalkeepers Academy. “I know the girls love it. And I know some of the parents were putting their earphones on and listening to the game when they were (in the stands) and it gives relatives a chance to watch games that they normally wouldn’t be able to.
“It’s as close to professional (broadcast) as any broadcast of high school soccer that you will see out there,” added Foster. “Plus, they do all types of (amateur and pre-professional) leagues out there (in Michigan).”
“We were very pleased, especially with the knowledge of high school soccer in the state of Michigan from the play-by-play announcers and color commentators,” said Todd Heugh, the current director of athletics at Troy Athens High School and a former coach at the school. “They put together a valuable (product) and the games are live on YouTube for everyone to watch, even if you are (a relative or an alumni) not in the area. I know coaches go on there (YouTube), too, to watch games of an upcoming opponent.”
The PMG staff has a goal of 100-plus games this fall from mid-August through November. The Michigan Soccer Network conducted a record 50 remote or in-person broadcasts during the month of June.
PMG also has contacts within Michigan, the Midwest and even in different parts of the U.S. and have become broadcast partners for more than 15 different leagues or franchises within those leagues over the past three years. PMG has multiple broadcasting rights for within the USL-League Two, USL-W League, UPSL, MWPL, NISA, WSPL and more and constantly expanding its web of coverage both on various YouTube channels and on our website at www.michigansoccernetwork.com. It has broadcasted more high school boys soccer and high school girls soccer at more than 75 high schools in Michigan.
“MSN has been a great media partner for the Bucks and AFC,” said Costa Papista, President of the Flint City Bucks and Flint City AFC of the USL-League Two and USL-W League, respectively. “The production and overall quality of our live broadcasts are professional grade. Flint City fans, sponsors and supporters greatly appreciate the MSN quality. We are always receiving excellent feedback and comments from our fans and visiting fans as well.”
And now the busy season starts in earnest with high school, college and youth club team beginning the 2024-25 school year.
To schedule a game or to consult team members of our broadcast, reach out to the following persons in the PMG family of networks: Broadcast Director Jonathan Turner, 248-525-2083, jonathan@thepremeiermediagrp.com or new Director of Scheduling / Office Manager Alaina Gagnon, at agagnon@thepremiermediagrp.com and inquire about the broadcast options, packages, special packages and more.
For news on the soccer scene in Michigan, check out the MSN website at www.michigansoccernetwork.com for daily updates, game recaps, feature stories, previews and more for teams, players and coaches from a wide variety schools, amateur teams, colleges and youth club teams.
The PMG and MSN staff will continue to reach for its goal of providing quality broadcast on any network and in-depth coverage and content on it website.
INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE
Interested in internships in broadcasting, communications, journalism, public relations or sales and marketing in the sports world? The Premier Media Group is seeking applications for current college students or students entering their senior or junior years of high school that have a career interest in working in different capacity of a constantly-evolving media world.
Contact both Broadcast Director Jonathan Turner at 248-525-2083 or jonathan@thepremeiermediagrp.com and Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at (248) 525-2349 and dstickradt@thepremeiermediagrp.com.
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer involving teams, players or coaches with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com, or call 248-884-1051 or 248-525-2349. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com and jonathan@thepremeiermediagrp.com.)
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