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	The Ypsilanti Courier A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Flyers ready to soar in 08'

By Dave Merchant, Staff Writer

PUBLISHED: August 28, 2008

The Willow Run football team was on the outside looking in last year and Coach Rufus Pipkins doesn't want that to happen to his team this season.

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Last year the Flyers finished with a 5-4 record and were on the verge of being invited to the state playoffs when they didn't quite get the invite.

"We just missed getting into the playoffs last year," Pipkins said. "The Mega Gold is a tough league it is hard to tell who the toughest opponent is.

"Inkster moved up to the Blue and Redford Thurston moved down making them one of the bigger schools. Robichuad and everyone in the gold is very competitive. You have to play hard every week."

Leading the way for the Flyers is senior Keith Marks (six-foot, one inch and one-hundred and ninety pounds). He plays safety, running back, receiver and special teams. As a four-year starter for the Flyers he is getting looks at by Mid-American Conference teams.

"It feels like we can really win this year," Marks said. "I think we might be able to shock some people. This is the best team we have had since I have been here."

Another key returnee is senior quarterback Joseph Channey (5-11, 190) who also plays safety.

"He has a cannon of an arm," Pipkins said. "He is definitely a threat for us."

Channey said he is excited about this season.

"We have a good offensive line," he said. "I am really looking forward to this season."

Senior Michael Lloyd (6-4, 230) will play tight end and tackle and is a three-year starter. Junior Garrett Davis (6-3, 260) is a returnee lineman who bulked up over the last season.

"He started as a freshman for us and he really took a lot of lumps," Pipkins said. "It helped him get better as a sophomore and he went to a lot of camps over the summer."

Another key senior will he Jack Britcher (6-1, 270) defensive lineman. Junior Anthony Gardette will see time on the offensive and defensive lines.

"We have a lot of sophomores on the team who will have to step up," he said. "A lot of starters will have to go both ways because we don't have a lot of depth."

The locals will open the season 7 p.m. Friday at home against Warren Connor Creek. Last year they beat Connor Creek 25-0.

"They are athletic and have good speed," he said. "Their running back is good and we will have to contain him. They like to run mostly and do a lot of sweeps."

Willow Run has two non-league games on the roster for the first week and week 9. Currently week 9 is open for them so they only have eight games on the schedules.

Teams in the Mega Gold include Dearborn Heights Crestwood and Annapolis, Ecorse, River Rouge and a game against Dearborn Edsel Ford (Mega crossover).

Contact Staff Writer Dave Merchant at 697-8255 or dmerchant@heritage.com