Summiit Academy Dragons @ Milan Big Reds

By Frank Vajcner

The undefeated Milan Big Reds look to move to 11-0 as they host a Summit Academy team that is having their best season in school history

Summit Academy (8-2, 4-1 Charter School Conference)

The Dragons have only had football as a varsity sport since 2004, but they are having their best season in school history under second-year head coach Matthew Swain. They picked up their first playoff win in school history last week with an 18-12 win over Redford Union.

The Dragons are led by junior QB Charles Coy III, who can beat opponents with his arm and his feet. Coy’s favorite targets include WRs Dae’on Johnson and Terry Curtis, as well as TE Dylan Purry. Deon Mayes and Kolby Hamilton are the Dragons’ go-to options at RB, with Hamilton also being utilized in the passing game. Curtis is also dangerous as a kick returner.

Defensively, the Dragons are headlined by DL Cameron Earnest and Felix Foucher, with the latter being a four-year starter. Other players to watch on defense are LBs Markel Holt and Jonathan Hall, and DBs Antonio Pittman and Curtis. As a unit, the Dragons allow a paltry 8.3 points per game.

Milan (10-0, 7-0 Huron League)

Jesse Hoskins and company are 10-0 for the fifth time in school history, despite having to survive a late two-point conversion from Airport last week in a 14-13 win. The Big Reds are led on offense by QB Tristen Hines, an Eastern Michigan commit. Hines has accounted for nearly 2400 yards of total offense, and 22 touchdowns. While it is Hines who leads the Big Reds in rushing, RB Cole McElvany has emerged late in the season to take away some of the workload. When Hines looks to throw the ball, his favorite targets are WRs Kendrick McBride, Evan Furtney, and Jett Isaacs. Isaacs has also been reliable at kicker, as he has made 20-of-26 PATs, and 9-of-12 field goals.

Defensively, the Big Reds are led in tackles by LB Justin Wojtysiak with 107. Other names on defense to watch include DL Cray Pennington (7 sacks) and Parker Reed (14 TFLs), LBs Noah Cartwright (83 tackles) and McElvany (86 tackles), and DBs Isaacs (5 interceptions) and Hines (75 tackles, 8 TFLs, 3 INTs). The Big Reds allow 15.3 points per game.

FNV thoughts: Summit is a team that can match Milan in terms of athleticism. In terms of coaching and other intangibles, the Big Reds appear to have the edge. Can Summit continue to take their game to another level? Expect a good one in Milan on Friday night.