The Carlson Marauders finished 2022 with a 9-2 and their 3rd straight sharing of a Downriver League title. Gone are some great players, but the cupboard is not bare for Jason Gendron who enters his 2nd season as the head coach in Gibraltar.
Head Coach: Jason Gendron
Offensively the Marauders will be led by speedy Izaiah Wright. Wright wasn’t the featured back a year ago, but the 5-10, 195lb sophomore RB appears poised for a breakout season. Look for sophomore Avery Ortiz to carry the ball as well this season for the Marauders. There is currently a QB battle going on with both senior Jackson Zachary and junior Joe Krolak getting reps at the position. Whoever wins the battle, the other will most likely contribute elsewhere offensively. The line will be anchored by senior OT Zurowski.
Defensively, the Marauders were hit hard by graduation. Zachary and Krolak return in the defensive secondary, while senior Antonio Burrell returns at LB.
FNV Outlook: Expect Carlson to compete week in and week out in the Downriver League. Much of the Marauder’s success will depend on the type of season Wright and Ortiz have. They may be young, but as the saying goes, “speed kills”. Expect the usual suspects, Allen Park and Woodhaven to be in the way of another league title for Carlson with Trenton and Southgate Anderson having a say as well. Carlson will get a stiff test week 1 as the Airport Jets come to town for a much-anticipated match-up of old Huron League foes.
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This is a young team, but make no mistake, they are an amazing group of athletes. The grades behind them are also impressive. “Spoiler alert”: this will be a state championship winning team once they are all upperclassmen! 💪🏽
I’d give them a shot at a title in maybe d4, but their problem is they’re D2. You have no idea just how hard it is to win a title if you think a downriver team besides River Rouge could win a d2 title. Those private schools, and teams out towards grand rapids are amazing. I watched Carlson last year, both at JV and Varsity level. They are a great team in this area and do a great job. I didn’t see any of yesterday’s game, only the score. I really wasn’t expecting that, but I did expect Airport to be good so I’m not completely surprised, just didn’t expect that large of a margin.
You heard it here first Airport will beat Carlson by double digits. Not an Airport fan or being a hater against Carlson, just giving you all a spoiler.
What makes you say that? Have any reasons??
I think Airport’s experience will be the difference. Carlson loses a lot on defense, so I would give the edge to Airport’s offense in that matchup. And I think Airport’s defense will do enough to slowdown Carlson’s speed on offense. I expect it to be close early and Airport to pull away late. And if I’m wrong I will be here Thursday night or Friday to eat crow. And my name won’t be anonymous.
I doubt that