Airport Jets 2023 Team Preview

The Airport Jets finished with a 7-3 record in 2022, their best finish since going 8-2 in 2011. Coach Jim Duffy’s team has high expectations as they enter the 2023 season.

Head Coach: Jim Duffy

Assistant Coaches: Tim Duffy Jr., Derek Anderson, Matt Pinter, Josh Webb, Jeff Goins, Justin Nye, Scott Ross, Rob McGrath, Frank Stasa III, Derek Friedline, Josh Brewer.

Returning Starters:

Offense: Cooper Nye, Jack Mills, Colin Nowak, Nolan Zajac, Brett Moore, Jacob Hanning, Issac Kemp

Defense: Jack Mills, Matt Foor, Nolan Zajac, Issac Kemp, Zak Vanbuskirk, Nolan Zajac, Cooper Nye, Tristan Philbeck, Brett Moore

Offensively, the Jets return much of their offensive production. Much of that centers around four seniors who will be playing their 4th year of varsity football. QB Cooper Nye returns under center after throwing for 1,678 yards and 14 TD’s. RB/SB Jack Mills (20 TD’s in 2022)has the ability to find the end zone every time he touches the ball. WR/RB Colin Nowak (38 reception in 2022)is an electrifying player who will run by people. TE Nolan Zajac is yet another weapon for the Jets on offense. Senior Jacob Hanning and junior Issac Kemp will anchor the left side of the line that did suffer heavy graduation losses.

Defensively, Airport returns 9 starters from a group that gave up nearly 28 ppg last season. The success of the defense will center around the defensive line that includes senior DE Matt Foor along with junior DE Tristan Philbeck and junior DT Jack Buck. Senior Brett Moore is a solid player in the secondary and will team with Mills and Nowak to make that a team strength. Zajac and Nye return at linebacker.

Coach Duffy’s League Outlook:  Riverview is the favorite.  SMCC and Flat Rock both made regional final runs with a lot of kids coming back. It sounds the same year after year, but it’s true: Top to bottom the Huron League will be competitive week in and week out.  

FNV Outlook: This could be a special year in Carleton and expectations should be high. Airport will have a powerful offense, but their ultimate success will depend on how well the Jets play defensively in their 2nd season under Defensive Coordinator Derek Anderson. The first four weeks of the season could determine the direction the Jets will go. With Carlson, Riverview, Flat Rock and SMCC right out of the gate, Airport could potentially start the season 0-4. With that said, if they start strong (3-1 or 4-0), the Jets could win their first league title since that 2011 season or get their first double-digit win season since 2003.

Like the content, please help support your local blogger by scanning below.