Everything you need to know about the 2025 KLAA football season

The reigning feeling among Kensington Lakes Activities Association football coaches was cautious optimism during Thursday’s Football Media Day hosted by Genitti’s Hole In The Wall in Northville.

Based mainly on the 16-team conference’s returning talent, Belleville was predicted to capture the East Division while Howell was selected as the team to beat in the West Division.

This is the final season for the KLAA as we know it, with the three Livonia schools relocating to a different conference following the final snap of 2025.

Following is a synopsis of each team heading into the 2025 season, which kicks off Aug. 28.

WEST DIVISION

BRIGHTON

Head Coach Brian Lemons’ team returns seven offensive starters and seven defensive starters from 2024 when it finished 8-3.

The Bulldogs’ key returners include Jack Carlson, Thomas Storm, Brayden Platt, Brady Shelton, Jayden Ciponaer, Dylan Edgeworth, Mason Grove, Jaeden Byrd and CJ Sageman.

When asked about what challenges await the Bulldogs this fall, Coach Lemons stated: “Competition in our league is tough; we need to develop depth and stay competitive.”

The Bulldogs’ motto this season: “Stay engaged.”

Brighton opens the season Aug. 28 at home against Dexter. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

CANTON

Head Coach Eric Newton returns four offensive starters and four defensive starters from 2024 when the Cobras finished 2-7.

The Cobras’ key returners include Colin Wetmore, Elliott Patten, Nick Dimitroff, Zion Malone and Jamari Storie.

When asked what challenges await the Cobras this fall, Coach Newton stated: “Our youth and inexperience will be big challenges for us.”

The Cobras’ motto this season: “Clock in.”

The Cobras open the season Aug. 28 when they host Livonia Churchill.

HARTLAND

Head Coach Aaron Metz returns eight starters on offense and five starters on defense from 2024 when the Eagles finished 3-6.

Key returners include Jack Lansing, Parker Sundman, William Tobin, Riley Foldenauer, Brett Karwowski, Michael Elliot and Carter Smith.

When asked what challenges await the Eagles this season, Coach Metz said: “Building a chemistry with new coaches and new schemes.”

The Eagles’ motto this season: “Rise above, strike with purpose.”

Hartland opens the season Aug. 29 at Oxford.

HOWELL

Head Coach Brian Lewis returns six offensive starters and six defensive starters from last season’s 11-1 team.

Key returners include Preston Barb, Jackson Pahl, Drew Lynn, Brayden Smith, Brody Stack, Mason Schumaker, Nate Rogowski, Gavigan Walraven, Wilson Zimlich, Bryce Kish, Christian Greene and Frank Kanka.

When asked what challenges await the Highlanders this season, Coach Lewis said: “Staying mentally dialed in throughout the duration of the season.”

The Highlanders’ motto: “Keep the main thing the main thing.”

Howell opens the season Aug. 28 at Traverse City West.

NORTHVILLE

Head Coach Brent Luplow returns seven offensive starters and five defensive starters from the 2024 team that finished 6-4.

Key returners include Cooper Derkach, Max DeFore, Austin McGarrow, Trae Hutchinson, Anthony Testani and Nolan Toomey.

When asked what challenges the Mustangs will face in 2025, Coach Luplow said: “Building chemistry, filling key roles and staying consistent.”

The Mustangs’ motto this season: “Relentless effort, stay united, improve every day.”

Northville opens the season Aug. 28 against Lake Orion at Wayne State University.

NOVI

Head Coach Jim Sparks returns three offensive starters and five defensive starters from the 2024 team that finished 6-4.

Key returners include Reece Pippin, Aaron Stewart, Colin Edwards, Anthony Madaferri, Jaxon McCarty, Emilio Acosta Casas, Cooper Koceski and Ty Anderson.

When asked what challenges the Wildcats will face in 2025, Coach Sparks said: “Replacing some key playmakers and building depth throughout the roster.”

The Wildcats’ philosophy this season: “Prepare to be our best each and every day. The teams in our league have a lot of talented and experienced players returning to their teams. We must be at our best in order to compete.”

Novi opens the season Aug. 28 at home against Traverse City Central.

PLYMOUTH

Head Coach Greg Souldourian returns three offensive starters and five defensive starters from the 2024 team that finished 3-6.

Key returners include Max Hornbacher, Saamir Sain, Kaiden Moore, Joel Dewberry, Ethan Sober, Hayden Schultz and Brady Lorezentti.

When asked what challenges the Wildcats will face throughout the 2025 season, Coach Souldourian said: “Replacing a lot of our key contributors from last year to our offense.”

The Wildcats’ motto: “Pound the rock!”

SALEM

Head Coach Landon Garrett returns seven offensive starters and seven defensive starters from the 2024 squad that finished 2-7.

Key returners for the Rocks include Luke Creighton, Landon Garrett II, Nye Turner, Drew Eisenbeis, Kyle Candito and Caleb Chinyadza.

Challenges facing the Rocks entering the 2025 season, according to Coach Garrett, are: “A tough away schedule.”

Salem’s motto: “Burn the Boats.”

Salem opens the season Aug. 28 at home against Utica Ford.

EAST DIVISION

BELLEVILLE

Head Coach Calvin Norman is returning one offensive starter and two defensive starters from the 2024 team that finished 10-2.

Key returners include Charles Britton, David Jackson, Jr., Shawn Reid, Trenton Foley and Kendall Franklin.

When asked about challenges facing the Tigersin 2025, Coach Norman said: “Playing our younger players.”

The Tigers’ mottto: “Believing in the process.”

CHURCHILL

Head Coach Allen Feigel returns six offensive starters and six defensive starters from the 2024 team that finished 3-6.

Key returners include Dalvon Wideman, Ali Taleb, Braylon Hall, Peyton Gout, Max Schwesing, Issac Grith, Sage Adams and Ethan Mezigian.

When asked what challenges the Chargers will have to face in 2025, Coach Feigel stated: “Confidence.”

Churchill’s philosophy this fall: “Stack victories by doing the little things the right way.”

The Chargers open Aug. 28 at Canton.

DEARBORN

Head Coach Matt Giarmo returns four offensive starters and four defensive starters from a 2024 team that finished 6-5.

Key returners include Scott Szalkowski, Nayef Awada, Ali Badaoui, Noah Mortada and Ahmed Sayed.

Challenges facing the Pioneers this season, according to Coach Giarmo: “Replacing almost the entire offense and adjusting to new systems on offense and defense.”

The Pioneers’ philosophy this season: “Competein every game and be the vest version of Dearborn football.”

Dearborn opens the season Aug. 29 against Dearborn Heights Crestwood.

FORDSON

Head Coach Mohamed Chaytou returns five offensive starters and five defensive starters from the 2024 team that finished 5-5.

Key returners include Firas Awadallah, Ali Alziyadi, Husayn Abdulsater, Raymond Snow Jr., Hadi Dabaja, Mohamed Rihan, Murtadha Allabhha and Tyrone Reaves, Jr.

When asked what challenges the Tractors will have to overcome in 2025, Coach Chaytou stated: “Staying healthy, focused and disciplined.”

The Tractors’ motto: “Focus on the details and improve every day.”

FRANKLIN

Head Coach Chris Kelbert is returning four offensive starters and six defensive starters from a 2024 team that finished 7-4.

Key returners include Brendan Bache, Chris Chaput, Ben Grayson, Jake Kotrych, Adien Kirby, Bryce Napier and Ian Snyder.

Challenges facing the 2025 Patriots, according to Coach Kelbert, include: “Depth, lack of experience and offense.”

Franklin’s philosophy for the upcoming season: “Continue to build the Franklin football tradition. Continue to be a team that plays hard and aggressively.”

The Patriots open the season Aug. 28 at Berkley.

JOHN GLENN

Head Coach Milton Jones Jr. returns six offensive starters and three defensive starters from a 2024 team that finished 3-6.

Key returners include Mike Gray, Julian McLeod, Max Czarnik and Jeremiah McKinney.

Challenges facing the 2025 Rockets, according to Coach Jones, include: “Creating depth within the defensive line.”

The Rockets’ 2025 motto: “Alignment, assignment and execution.”

John Glenn opens the season Aug. 28 at River Rouge.

STEVENSON

Head Coach Randy Micallef returns five offensive starters and three defensive starters from the 2024 team that finished 5-5.

Key returners include Tasso Kotsogiannis, Michael Haverland, Quinn Nolan, Cole Welch, Luke Beri and Charlie Van Eeuwen.

Challenges the Spartans will have to overcome this season, according to Coach Micallef, include: “Lack of experience in key positions.”

The Spartans’ philosophy: “Control the controllable and focus on the details.”

Stevenson opens the season Aug. 28 at North Farmington.

WAYNE MEMORIAL

Head Coach Eric Pettway returns seven offensive starters and 10 defensive starters from the 2024 team that finished 0-9.

Key returners include Davion Wilson, Keyshawn Evans, Antoine Howze, Ian Rameriez and Jayden Saylor.

Challenges for the Zebras this season, according to Coach Pettway, include: “Building a culture of hard work and consistency.”

The Zebras’ 2025 motto: “Get 1% better every day.”

Wayne opens the season Aug. 28 at Romulus.