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Season Preview: St. Michael

By Jason Lamb, 810 Varsity, 07/28/22, 4:45PM CDT

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Guardians want to continue ascent in 2022

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St. Michael the Archangel raised the bar last season; setting the standard for 2022 and seasons to come.

The Guardians set new program records with seven wins (7-4), two playoff victories and 11 games played. They beat Lexington and Lawson in the playoffs before falling to Richmond 70-14 in a Class 2 district final.

Third year head coach Andrew Pitts lost 13 starters and 18 lettermen to graduation, but the Guardians’ cupboard is far from bare. 11 starters and 19 lettermen return this fall.

“I feel like this season we have a chance to do something SMA has never done, and that’s to win a district championship,” said senior lineman Zach Berry. “I feel like we have the weapons to do that this season. Even though we did lose a lot of valuable seniors from last season, I think we’ve filled those spots with good players.”

The 6’2”, 225-pound senior earned first team All-District honors as an offensive lineman last fall. He was also second on the defensive side of the ball with 48 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and a pair of sacks. He leads a group of O-lineman featuring senior Gunna McTamney, Jaeden Smith, 6’5” junior John Garside, and junior Carter Gulick.

The group will protect a new starting quarterback. Cam Zaun is a 6’1”, 170-pound junior.

“We also have a number of talented pass catchers,” said Pitts. “Caleb Briggs (5’11”, 175), returns for his senior year after catching 30 receptions for 616 yards and eight touchdowns last season. We lose the all-time leading rusher in school history in Ellis Edwards, but Chandler Prosser (6’0”, 175-pound senior) is going to impress this season. He has great speed and strength.”

Seniors Avery Brown and Aidan Niewald will be the top two wide receivers.

“We’re looking for Avery to breakout this year. Aidan is a big target at 6’3”. He’s very athletic and strong for a wide receiver,” said Pitts.

The strength of the Guardians' defense will be the linebackers.

“We have a talented, strong, and experienced linebacker core with four guys returning with lots of starting experience,” said Pitts. “They’re led by Prosser, senior Blaise Rastorfer (6’0”, 170), and sophomore Hayden Drake (5’10”, 185). Each started last year. On the defensive line, we have returning starter Zach Berry.”

Other returning starters on defense include senior cornerbacks Karson Jones and Brady Simpson, junior linebackers Lucas Estes, Chris Sartain, Hayden Drake, and Collin Stanfield, and junior defensive lineman Trey Hoots and Cole Barrera. Max Ellis was an All-District first team pick at kicker as a junior.

The Guardians have joined the Crossroads Conference, and will open the 2022 season with a pair of home games against new conference Summit Christian Academy and Class 2 finalist St. Pius X.

“I’m very excited for the upcoming season. We graduated some talented seniors, but I have no doubt there are young guys that are going to step up and fill those spots,” said Briggs. “I believe this year will be the hardest working team St. Michaels has had and I cannot wait for August 26.”

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