By Frank Vajcner and Chris Schultz
The Whiteford Bobcats and Detroit Leadership Cougars will meet for the first time ever in football @ Allen Park Cabrini. The Cougars are only in their fifth season as a varsity program, while the Bobcats are in the playoffs for a ninth consecutive season.
Whiteford Bobcats (5-2, 21st playoff appearance, 22-19 playoff record)
The Bobcats have been a perfect 9-for-9 making the playoffs under Jason Mensing. Known for running the double wing offense, the Bobcats have shifted into multiple sets. Sophomore QB Shea Ruddy is a threat passing (51-82, 877 yards, 9 TDs) and running (510 rushing yards, 4 TDs). Devon Shaw (722 rushing yards, 12 TDs) and Cole Giesege (441 rushing yards, 7 TDs) have been effective running the ball. Ruddy’s favorite targets are Jack Andrews (13 catches, 339 yards, 6 TDs) and Levi Hillard (13 catches, 201 yards).
Leaders for the Bobcats on defense include Noah Bauman (25 tackles, 9.5 TFL, forced fumble), Jake Iott (32 tackles, 6.5 TFL, sack, forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries), Hillard (36.5 tackles, 5 TFL, 4 fumble recoveries), and Giesege (23.5 tackles, 2 TFL, 10 PBU, 3 interceptions).
Detroit Leadership Academy Cougars (4-3, 2nd playoff appearance, 1-1 playoff record)
Detroit Leadership Academy is coached by Kareem Sadler (16-10) who is in his 3rd season at the westside school. Sadler prepped at Detroit Martin Luther King where he played for the Crusaders and was part of a coaching staff that won 3 state titles. The Cougars are led by Jahiem Stokes (QB/Hybrid) who is a 3-year starter and an excellent athlete. Coach Sadler described Stokes as a “good student with college interest and wherever he goes, our team goes”. Leadership likes to run the ball and is basically a running back by committee type team. They are young upfront and a well-rounded team that will take what the defense gives them.
On defense, the Cougars give up 16 ppg. The defense is led by a stout defensive line that includes Lapeer Neal (DE) and Zander Neal (DT). The three losses have come to solid programs (Michigan Collegiate, Summit Academy and Detroit Edison) who are all still alive in the MHSAA playoffs.
Outlook: The Cougars might be the higher seed, but the Bobcats have been in these types of games more often. Experience could be the difference. Expect this to be a solid early-round match-up where the winner will play the winner of the Detroit Southeastern and Petersburg Summerfield game.
- Chris: Whiteford
- Gary: Whiteford
- Frank: Whiteford
The thing about coach Mensing is that he can win even if the other team has better players.