(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. 21 through No. 30 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.
21. DEARBORN EDSEL FORD (15-2-4): One of the fastest rising programs in the state during the past decade, Edsel Ford has come on strong and have spent some time in the Division 1 Top 15 the last three seasons. This team could emerge this season as a top-tier team as well. The only knock on the Thunderbirds is overall strength of schedule, where the Downriver League and their district isn’t nowhere as deep as what many other powerhouse programs in each division deal with on an annual basis. One can’t control the league or district a school is placed in, so Edsel Ford has done an admirable job building up its program to where it is today. Last season saw the Thunderbirds ring up a 78-19 scoring edge with 11 shutouts and hope to match that again this season. Edsel Ford is 7-0-1 through Sept. 6 with seven more shutouts and a sterling 39-1 advantage on the scoreboard thus far. There are nine players back that started some games for Edsel Ford, including senior Maslim Alahwas (M, All-League, All-State Honorable Mention). Seniors Saqer Nasser (G, All-League), Ahmed Alsaadi (D), Mohamed Ali (D), Ali Barman (M, All-District) and Muataz Abdelkader (M, All-District), juniors Abdul Abdulrahman (F) and Harith Nasser (F, All-District) and sophomore Muqadas Zarifi (F) also found their way into the starting lineup. Seniors Ahmed Darsham (F/M) and Sailan Almaweri (D) and junior Abdrabeh Darsham (D) also return for the Thunderbirds. Seniors Adam Shajrah (M) and Ibraheem Hachem (F), juniors Adam Rashad (G) and Abdulkareem Saleh (F) and sophomores Gift Simbo (F) and Caleb Willson (F) are the newcomers vying for playing time in an already crowded room.
22. UTICA EISENHOWER (14-2-3): Dating back to formation of the Macomb Area Conference in 1986, Eisenhower has routinely finished in the upper echelon of the MAC-Red Division year in and year out. The Eagles shared the crown last year with New Baltimore Anchor Bay (both at 7-0-3) before reaching the district finals for the third straight season. Last year, Eisenhower outscored its opposition 66-16 with eight shutouts and were only shut out one time, that sadly came in the district finals to Rochester Adams (2-0). So far this season, the Eagles have opened the year 3-0-2 through Sept. 5 with a 13-4 scoring edge and a pair of shutouts. There are 10 seniors, six juniors, two sophomores and a freshman on the varsity attempting to win another MAC-Red crown and perhaps win the school’s first district in several years. Seniors Alex Malacko (G) and Vincent Talerico (G) are quality keepers, while fellow seniors Carter Brasch (D), Benjamin Mazurek (D), Zef Gega (F), Jason Bruss (M), Caden Wahl (D), Mario Gjonaj (F), Pedro Tognolli (F) and William Sweis (D) lead the way. Juniors Ben Dotter (D), Brendan Klein (M), Emrah Hrustanoivc (M), Kaiden Demopolis (D) and JonPaul Yatooma (F) are all quality club players and are key components, while sophomores Vincent Pelle (M) and Niklas Neihsl (D) and freshman Adam Gjelaj (F) are three newcomers to watch.
23. LIVONIA STEVENSON (13-5-3): Dating back to the 1970s, Stevenson has won just about as many league or divisional championships as any team in the state. Case in point, last year the Spartans finished 11-1-2 in the KLAA-East Division to earn another division title in an eight-team division that has more depth than in recent years. Stevenson outscored its foes 64-29 last season with six clean sheets and opened the 2024 campaign 6-1-1 with two more shutouts and a 20-10 scoring edge. Seniors Nick Harper (F), Talan Skiver (M), Mitchell Lee (M) and Alex McGruther (D), along with junior Wil Brukoff (M) are the returning starters. Juniors Brody Shingledecker (M), Drew Erickson (D), Reece Williams (D) and John Hosari (D) and sophomores Dominic Allevato (F), Niko Zhuli (M) and Ian Hetherington (D) are the next wave of talented players that hope to carry on the Spartans’ 47-year history of quality teams and squads that can contend for league and district championships if not more. Stevenson lost in the district finals last season to Novi Detroit Catholic Central (1-0).
24. CLARKSTON (14-3-1): Expectations were through the roof last season, where the Wolves spent a month ranked No. 1 in Division 1 and were MSN’s No. 1-ranked team in the Super 50 in 2023. The Wolves were still dangerous, but somewhat leveled off late in the year, finishing a disappointing fourth in a loaded OAA-Red Division and losing in the D-1 district finals to Oxford (3-2). Clarkston was led by the monstrous trio of Mr. Soccer Sebi Roy, who is taking a gap year this season before heading off to Harvard in January, forward Brendan Gerard (Northwood University) and midfielder Robbie Wisser Jr. (Saginaw Valley State University). They all graduated and left a massive void in the Wolves’ lineup. Who will score this season is the biggest question mark for a program that has won five districts in the last decade and also reached the regional finals in 2021 and 2022. Seniors Brayden Cooper (F/M) and Tyler Niemi (M), sophomore Fagen Roy (CB/M), a physical 6-foot-4 future NCAA Division I college player, and fellow sophomores Connor Vogelei (M), Drew Salkowski (G/D) and Jameson Duty (CB) all played on the varsity as freshmen. Seniors Evan DesJardins (D) and Preston Mogk (D), juniors Owen Halloway (D/CM), Jackson Artiss (G), Milan Patton (M) and Micah Amega (M) also return. Junior Brendan Sesti (CB) comes back from the Vardar MLS Next Academy where he played last season and is one of 12 new players on the roster. Clarkston outscored its foes 45-25 last season but has only mustered seven goals after the first 2.5 weeks of the campaign.
25. MASON (13-3-5): The Bulldogs have been a powerhouse program dating back to the 1980s and enjoyed another stellar campaign a year ago, including a Capital Area Athletic Conference-Red Division, district and regional titles before advancing to the Division 2 state title game. Mason lost 3-0 to Grand Rapids Christian on the season’s final day, but still does bring back a solid core from last year that should keep them in contention this year. The Bulldogs, who have won three of the last four CAAC-Red titles, outscored the opposition 69-15 with 11 shutouts last season and have played a rugged schedule through Sept. 5. Mason is 5-2-0 overall to start the new campaign with a 19-4 scoring edge and two more clean sheets. There are nine returning starters back, including seniors Alex Palmer (D, All-League First Team), Blendi Jahiri (M, 17 goals, 16 assists, All-League First Team), Medi Rexhedi (F, 11 goals, All-League First Team),), Colin Lomax (D, All-League First Team),), Maddox Armour (D, All-League Honorable Mention) and Collin Winters (M, six goals, 11 assists, All-League First Team) along with juniors Mikey Krysiak (G), Brandon Nay (M/G, All-League First Team) and Brock Straub (M, All-League First Team). Juniors Wesley Rogers (F) and Thomas Slezak (D/M) also gained ample minutes last season off the bench. There are 10 reserves back from last season and this team is again very deep only graduating four players total and just two starters.
26. BIRMINGHAM SEAHOLM (8-6-5): The Maples may not have enough firepower to win the OAA-Red Division this season, but in a league where all eight schools are above average or elite, they’ll still be a worthy opponent. Seaholm is 2-3-1 to start the year but has been involved in four one-goal games and five of the Maples’ opponents are ranked in Division 1 or Division 2 or listed as honorable mention. Senior Chase Henderson (M/F, All-State Honorable Mention, All-League) is a quality player and the team’s field general who could wind up on a college roster. Junior Patrick McCarthy (M/D, All-League), seniors Angel Nikolaj (F, All-League) and Drew Stice (M/D) and sophomores Liam Kerr (D) and Gavin McLoughlin (M) are all key players. Juniors Marco Rodrigues (F) and Kaden Kotila (D/M) should also help, while senior Sam Rosales (G) and sophomore Brady Feldmeier (G) split time in net.
27. NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL (13-8-0): Two years ago, Catholic Central had a bevy of seniors (19) and won its fair share of championships, including the Balconi Tournament, CHCL-Central Division, CHSL Bishop Tournament, district and regional crowns before bowing out in the Division 1 state semifinals to Rockford (3-0). That team won 21 games and featured a multitude of future college players. Last season the expectations were curbed as just one returning starter (Sawyer Simon, now at Kalamazoo College) and just nine total players were back. The Shamrocks gave up an unusual 11 goals in their first four games last season before settling down and gradually righting the ship and taking it out of choppy waters. Catholic Central ended up finishing second in the CHSL-Central Division behind league newcomer Toledo (Ohio) St. John Jesuit before winning a tough and wide-open district. The Shamrocks also advanced to the D-1 regional finals before being ousted by eventual state runner-up Brighton. That was one of veteran Gene Pulice’s better coaching jobs from the start of the campaign to the end. The Shamrocks opened up this season with a 2-3-1 record but played some great out-of-state competition from Indiana and Ohio at the recent Noblesville Invitational (Ind.) and all of the losses were to quality opponents. Expect this team to be a top-three squad in the CHSL-Central Division once again and the Shamrocks should contend for another district championship this season. Seniors Daniel Bravado (M) and Joseph Goudeseune (D) are third-year varsity veterans, while seniors Gabe Moote (M), Charlie Salvatore (D/F), Carter Barnes (F), Julian Quick (M/F) and Matteo Sillestri (M) are back for their second seasons on varsity. Juniors Grant Mooradian (F), Brandon Ventura (M), Jacob Sievert (M) and Dharuv Naik (M) also return. There are several newcomers on this roster, mainly up from the JV-A squad trying to work their way into the rotation.
28. NEW BOSTON HURON (15-7-0): Last year Huron had an explosive offense which compiled 94 goals, one of the higher totals in the state. The Chiefs conceded 57 goals and only posted five shutouts, signaling that there’s work to be done on the defensive side if they are to contend for Huron League and district championships this season. If the Chiefs do, then they could do some serious damage in the postseason as well. Huron lost in the district finals last season to Riverview after finishing second in the league last year. Seniors Aidan Dolencic (M/F), Noah Manthei (D) and Roman Pritt (M), juniors Mason Thomas (M/F), Mason Jasinski (D), Ian Petrick (F/D, All-State Third Team), Jordan Stasak (D/M) and California MLS Next transfer Johann Vasquez (M) form a unit that will help this team snare some of the limelight this season. Petrick set the single-season school record with 39 goals last season. Huron is ranked again well inside the Division 2 top 10 and climbing up the charts. Junior Ian Ankenbauer (G) is another newcomer that has played well in the early portion of the season. Huron started 5-0-1 with a 44-4 scoring edge, again showcasing the firepower on this roster.
29. GRAND RAPIDS SOUTH CHRISTIAN (16-5-2): Much like Hudsonville Unity Christian, South Christian has been a Division 3 state powerhouse for a few decades but now find its way up in Division 2 this school year. The run to league and district championships will not be easy. The Sailors will press on and will look to still contend despite a tougher schedule. Last season, South Christian outscored its opposition 88-21 with 10 shutouts before losing to Unity Christian in a shootout in the regional finals (3-2). The Sailors were Ottawa Kent Conference-Gold Division and district champions last season behind a seasoned bunch. This year they have not skipped a beat, posting a 6-1-1 record to start with a 28-4 scoring edge and six more shutouts. Seniors Will Kuiphof (F, All-League First Team, All-State First Team), Wyatt Sall (D, All-League First Team, All-State Second Team), Bryce Kilbourne (F, All-League First Team, All-State Third Team), Ike Kwantes (D, All-League First Team) and Nolan Fackler (D, All-League Honorable Mention, All-State Second Team, 6-3, 175) are part of a talented returning cast for the Sailors. Senior Zander Daley and junior Nickson Tanui are quality keepers for a team with all seniors and juniors. Seniors Alex Fretz, Max DeVries, Trevor DeJong, Sam VandeKieft, Caleb Kuipers, Elijah Wolhert, Sam Haverdink (D) and Carson Knoll are returnees and part of a 14-member senior core on this deep roster. Juniors Max Kuipers, Isaac House, Parker Saladin, Ethan White, Nick Hunderman, John Onderlinde, Ezra Miller, Nolan DeMats and Brock Hoekwater are also vying for minutes in a crowded room.
30. HUDSONVILLE UNITY CHRISTIAN (21-2-1): The Crusaders won’t be allowed to defend their Division 3 state championship in either boys soccer or girls soccer this school year. Unity Christian was bumped up enrollment-wise to Division 2, where the road instantaneously gets much tougher for a school trying to replace seven starters and some key depth players. There are five starters and 15 total players back from last year’s tournament roster, but a significant amount of the offense that outscored the opposition 76-21 last season departed via graduation. The team also posted 10 shutouts and a 0.96 goals-against-average defensively. Jack Kamminga (F/M, All-State Second Team) is one of the state’s better juniors and has taken the reigns of this team on the offensive end, while senior Nathan Pung (D) is the top retuning defender. Sophomore Alen Deppe (G) and seniors Mason Heyboer (D/M) and Isaac Dykstra (D/M) are also returning starters. Juniors Logan Lutke (M/F), Cody Waters (M/F) and Scott Vredevoogd (M) have been asked to step into starting roles and produce for a team that started 5-1-1 and outscored the opposition 15-6. Seniors Cullen Tinklenberg (G), Lucas VanMaanen (F), Deacon Broene (M/F), Ryllen Tinkelberg (M/F), Chase Hager (M/F) and CJ Swanson (D) are also back and are enjoying more time on the pitch. There are also several juniors and sophomores promoted from last year’s junior varsity that are nice depth pieces this season. The Crusaders were also moved over to the OKC-Black Division from the OKC-Blue Division but will still see some heavy-hitters in that group as well. Unity finished second in the OKC-Blue standings to eventual Division 2 state semifinalist Holland Christian last season before making its run to the D-3 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.)
MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
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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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