Plymouth works diligently to return to program’s glory days
Senior Nick Dekiere looks for daylight during Plymouth’s Week 1 game against Traverse City Central.
Fourteen years after playing in the MHSAA Division 1 championship game against Lake Orion, Plymouth’s football program put in the work it takes to return to the days when their black-and-silver uniforms were symbols of relentless success.
After narrowly missing the playoffs in 2023, the Wildcats hit the weights with vengeance this past off-season with one goal in mind, asserted fifth-year head coach Greg Souldourian.
“Our goal this season is to make the playoffs — get bak to the program’s winning ways prior to the pandemic,” Souldourian said.
“We were three yards away last year (the Wildcats failed on a fourth-and-3 play late against Howell that could have forced forced an overtime and a potential victory). We need to figure out a way to win those games this season. No matter what it takes, we have to do what it takes to get it done.”
Souldourian, who has been a member of the Wildcats’ staff in some capacity for well over a decade, said he enjoys watching the growth his players make when there are no crowds.
“I love the grind of the off-season; watching the kids get after it,” he said. “I love watching these young men grow from baby-faced freshmen to experienced seniors. It’s a pretty amazing transformation to watch.
True ‘Grit’
“One of our camp shirts this off-season said ‘Grit’. Do whatever it takes.”
The Wildcats’ offense will be led by senior quarterback Logan Pheiffer, a first-year starter at QB who was a starting wide receiver in 2023.
“Logan has really worked hard on his development as a quarterback,” Souldourian said of his southpaw signal-caller. “Playing with (last year’s starting QB) Sam Plencner helped him a lot, I believe, because you can learn a lot watching someone like that.”
Pheiffer displayed signs of brilliance and poise in his team’s season-opening loss to Traverse City Central on Aug. 30, throwing two touchdown passes and breaking off multiple long runs.
Making life easier for Pheiffer will be fellow seniors Camden Short and Jimmy Cleveland, two sure-handed receivers who have big-play talent.
“Cam is like our Swiss army knife,” Souldourian said. “He’s a three-year starter who can run, catch and block. He’s also starting at linebacker.”
Dekiere’s expanded role
Big things are also expected from senior Brendan Seed, who was having a solid junior season in ’23 before an injury cut his campaign short.
Senior Nick Dekiere returns to give the Wildcats a bona fide running attack.
“He was a back-up last year to Jaxon McCaig, but he would have probably started for most of the other KLAA teams, he’s that good,” Souldourian said. “When he did play last year, he showed he has what it takes.”
The offensive line will be anchored by senior tackle Lucas Barnes, who is committed to play at the next level for Miami University in Ohio. Senior Eric Durecka will start at right tackle with Sage Hixson and Jacob Smith playing guard.
Joe Portman will be a two-way standout at center and middle linebacker, Souldourian stated.
“Joe kind of takes us back to the Tyler Goble days of being an important piece in the middle of our offense and defense,” Souldourian said, referring to one of the stars of the 2010 team.
Senior Braden Milliken is expected to play a key reserve/special teams role at defensive and offensive line.
Strong-legged kicker
Plymouth’s kicking duties will be handled by senior Daniel Vigo, who was perfect on extra points (41) and field goals (three) during his debut year of football last fall.
Defensive stalwarts will be LaRon Davis, a three-year starter despite his junior status.
“LaRon is the first player in the history of Plymouth Wildcat football to play significant minutes as a freshman,” Souldourian noted. “He’s explosive and super-athletic. He can do a standing back-flip with pads on, which you don’t see every day from someone who is 6-3 and 240 pounds.”
Additional defensive standouts in the team’s front seven will be Johnny Stran, Drew Kime, Preston Kocoloski and Max Hornbacher.
The secondary will be spearheaded by Michael Niemi, Brady Ender-Senholtz, Saamir Sain and Kaiden Moore.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
