2017 Football preview: Bath Bees

Read article : 2017 Football preview: Bath Bees

Matt Stephens(Photo: Submitted)

LAST YEAR

4-5, 4-3 CMAC (T-3rd)

SCHEDULE (last year's score)

Aug. 25 — Durand (L 21-19)

Sept. 1 — Potterville (W 46-0)

Sept. 8 — Fowler (W 17-14)

Sept. 15 — at Pewamo-Westphalia (L 76-0)

Sept. 22 — Saranac (W 54-26)

Sept. 29 — Dansville (L 22-8)

Oct. 6 — at Fulton (W 33-30)

Oct.13 — at Laingsburg (L 36-25)

Oct. 20 — at Perry (L 52-7)

COACH

Matt Stephens

Age: 27

Playing experience: Fulton 2005-07, Alma College 2008-09

Head coaching experience: Bath 2015-present

Career record: 5-13

Full-time job: Bath High School teacher

Assistant coaches: Chris Rypstra, Jeremy Stephens, Alex Schrauben, Jim Dudzinski

MORE:2017 prep football previews: Team-by-team

FOURCAST

LEADING THE WAY

Bath has seven returning starters on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Zach Parry and wide receiver Cade Bucht are among five seniors set to start on both sides of the ball. Stephens said this core group has three years of varsity experience and has helped build the program and hopes to leave a positive mark in its final year.

REPLACING THE RUN 

The Bees lost both of their leading rushers to graduation. Bath looks to diversify the run game and divide carries between multiple backs. Stephens said Jaylen Richardson-Green, Aime Mafuta and Gavin Parry will look to pick up the slack.

CMAC CONQUEST

The Bees have never won a CMAC title. Stephens believes the team has enough confidence it can compete with anyone, including reigning state champion Pewamo-Westphalia. Bath hopes to overcome a tough league schedule to make the playoffs for the first time since 2013. 

CREATING A CULTURE

Stephens is looking to build a program at Bath. He hopes rising enrollment leads to larger numbers on the football field. His hope is to field a JV team and create a culture of confidence and winning.

ROSTER 

1 Jack Skidmore WR/DB sr.

3 Chaz Hatt WR/DB sr.

4 Gavin Parry RB/DB fr. 

5 Addison Crowell WR/DB jr.

6 Cade Bucht WR/DB sr.

7 Robert Mocnaj QB/LB jr.

8 Joey Emery WR/DB sr. 

9 Zach Parry QB/LB sr. 

10 Mechak Mafuta WR/QB/LB jr.

11 Paul Harris WR/DB sr.

12 Aime Mafuta RB/DB sr. 

20 Jaylen Richardson-Green RB/DB sr. 

52 Cleo Friend OL/LB sr.

54 Austin Rhyndress OL/DL jr. 

55 Cody Alexander OL/DL jr. 

63 Steven Marlow OL/DL sr. 

65 Steven Schimanski OL/DL jr. 

71 Dustin Hiatt OL/DL jr.

72 Ron Miller OL/DL sr. 

73 Joey Hovey OL/DL sr. 

74 Kyle Jones OL/DL sr. 

RETURNING STARTERS (7 on offense, 7 on defense)

OFFENSE

Zach Parry QB

Cade Bucht WR

Joey Emery WR

Jaylen Richardson-Green RB

Cleo Friend OL

Austin Rhyndress OL

Paul Harris WR

DEFENSE

Zach Parry LB

Cleo Friend LB

Cade Bucht DB

Paul Harris DB

Austin Rhyndress DL

Chaz Hatt DB

Kyle Jones DL

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS

OFFENSE

Addison Crowell WR

Amie Mafuta RB

DEFENSE

Steve Schimanski DL 

Mechack Mafuta LB

Addison Crowell DB

- Jake Atnip