Prep football preview: King, Riverside could be collision course in City

Not only has Milwaukee King beat City Conference teams 40 straight times, but the Generals’ dominance has gone unchecked during that stretch.

Since that run, which includes playoff games and non-conference games, began in Sept. 2011, King has won all but two of its games against its City brethren by double-digits. The past two years no team from the conference has come closer than 20 points.

Might there be a changing of the guard this year?

King is once again the team to beat in the Blackbourn Division, but when it comes time for the conference championship game in October, it could meet a Riverside squad with the experience and potential to possibly snap the Generals’ streak.

While King will be young and inexperienced, the Tigers return a number of key players from a team that went undefeated in the Richardson Division last year.

How much will that experience matter when it count? Stay tuned.

Here is a closer look at the conference.

BLACKBOURN DIVISION

KING

Coach: Tom Wozniak, eight year.

2016 record: 10-1, 6-0 (first).

Returning all-conference players: Rashad Shabazz, jr., LB; Kameron Brown, sr., DB; Tay’jion Johnson, jr., OL-DL; Kris Goodrum, sr., DE; A.J. Paea, sr., OL.

Outlook: Young and athletic. That describes the Generals. This will be a rebuilding season by the standards they’ve set the past couple of years. The team will rely on a number of inexperienced players. That said, their hold on the division remains strong. They beat Vincent and Marshall, which finished second and third last year, by an average of 40 points. Watch out for Shabazz, who was the team’s second-leading tackler last season, and Brown, who was one of the fastest athletes at the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Combine in April.

MADISON

2016 record: 1-8, 1-5 (sixth).

Outlook: The Knights will have a new head coach for the third straight year.

MARSHALL

Coach: Stevie Calvin, second year.

2016 record: 5-5, 4-2 (third).

Returning all-conference players: Kerryon Taylor, sr., TE-DE; Dennis Brown, sr., QB-DB.

Outlook: Calvin earned the division’s coach of the year award after leading the Eagles to a second-place finish. A handful of all-conference players return this year. Expectations are high on both sides of the ball for Brown, who was a first-team all-division pick on defense. Taylor earned all-division nods on offense and defense. Week 1 and 2 games against Racine Horlick and Vincent will test this squad’s mettle.

NORTH

Coach: Mickell Harrell, fifth year.

2016 record: 0-9, 0-6 (seventh).

Returning all-conference players: Chris Boatman, sr., WR-DB; D’Angelo Pompey, sr., RB-DB; Ceavion Hill, sr., TE-DE.

Other key players: Kwamion Boatman, soph., WR-DB; Brian Humphrey, jr., WR-DB; Tyshawn Patrick, sr., QB; Mykale Spivey, sr.., OL-DL; Nick Thacker, sr., WR-LB.

Outlook: The Blue Devils endured a tough season last year. They’ll try to bounce back with a squad that has impressed Harrell with its speed and toughness. The coach will try to take advantage of that speed by getting his playmakers into space with the opportunity to make plays. Patrick led the team in passing last season; Pompey led it in rushing. Improvement will also hinge on North’s ability to play more disciplined and tackle better.

OBAMA SCTE

Coach: Kyle Henry, second year.

2016 record: 2-7, 2-4 (fifth).

Returning all-conference players: Torreon Ewing, sr., DB-K-P; Donovan Howard, sr., RB-LB-DB.

Other key players: Ahmad Blake, jr., OL-LB-DL; Terek Fletcher, jr., OL-DT; Kevonte Hamilton, jr., QB-LB; Jaymes Warrior, sr.,WR-DB; Jyris Jiles, sr., TE-DE; Darrell Hudson, sr., OL-TE-OLB.

Outlook: The Cougars really struggled early in 2016, but in the second half of the year was a competitive squad. Its two victories came within a three-week span that was followed by a close loss to division runner-up Vincent. Henry hopes to build on that finish with a strong group of upperclassmen who have a better grasp of the coach’s schemes and concepts in Year 2. He also has some talent at the skill positions in Howard, Blake and Hamilton. Howard gained 1,006 yards last season and averaged 7.7 yards per carry last season

VINCENT

Coach: Marvin Bailey, first season.

2016 record: 7-3, 5-1 (second)

Outlook: The Vikings have a team that should again contend for the division title. The program has gone from one league win in 2014 to three in 2015 to five last season.

WASHINGTON

Coach: Ladella Greer, third year.

2016 record: 4-6, 3-3 (fourth).

Other key players: Hunter Rushing, sr., QB; Leron Burroughs, sr., WR; Tim Singleton, sr., WR; Nate Collins, sr., WR; Antonio Thurmond, sr. DT.

Outlook: The Purgolders have the potential to put points on the board. Rushing completed 50% of his passes for 836 yards last season. Flinn, who played some quarterback and who was the second-leading rusher last season, leads a talented corps of receivers. With the meat of the team’s schedule in the second half of the year, the Purgolders have a chance to build momentum before facing their toughest competition.

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RICHARDSON DIVISION

BAY VIEW

Coach: Jeff Wallack, fourth year.

2016 record: 5-5, 4-2 (tied second).

Returning all-conference players: Isiah Wright, sr., QB; Andre Childs, sr., WR; Greg Lehman, sr. DL; Emmanuel Johnson, sr., LB.

Other key players: Nick Cook, sr., WR; Jemecko Price, sr., WR; Josh Williams, sr., RB; D.J. Tomlinson, sr., DL; Anthony Woods, sr., OL; Josue Roman, jr., WR-K.

Outlook: Two years ago the Redcats opened the season with one of the longest losing streaks in the area. Today they’re expected to contend for the division title thanks to a quality senior class and a standout in Wright, who was accounted for nearly 3,000 yards rushing and passing last season. The Division I prospect is one of a handful of three-year starters on the team.

BRADLEY TECH

Coach: Scott Flood, second year

2016 record: 4-6, 3-3

Returning all-conference players: Rayshawn Simpson, jr., RB-LB; Christopher Reed, soph., DB; Ivron King-Perkins, jr., RB-LB.

Other key players: Jahvonni Carter, sr., WR-DB; Orlando Nickerson, sr., WR-TE-DL; Javarise Byrd, sr., QB.

Outlook: The Trojans hope to build off a strong finish to last regular season. They won three of four during that stretch to qualify for the playoffs and then suffered a close loss to Washington the next week. Flood has a good group of skill players returning led by Byrd, who is back on the field after being injured last season.

HAMILTON

Coach: Andrew Thompson, second year

2016 record: 6-4, 4-2 (tied for second).

Returning all-conference players: Xavier Davis, sr., QB; Lazabia Jackson, sr., RB; Edwin Ferrer, sr., OL-DL; Angel Huertas, jr. OL-DL.

Other key players: Augustin Quezada, sr., OL; Josh Johnson, jr., DB; Donovan Parker, jr., WR-DB.

Outlook: The Wildcats belong in the upper tier of teams in the league with Bay View and Riverside. Davis is a four-year starter who is closing in on 5,000 yards passing and rushing. Jackson led the team with 950 yards while averaging 6 yards per carry. Four starters on the offensive line are back and just three starters must be replaced on defense. The pieces are in place for a big season.

PULASKI

Coach: Kelby Mosley, third year.

2016 record: 5-4, 2-4 (tied for fifth).

Outlook: The Rams have a big hole file with the loss of 1,600-yard rusher Amen Ashley.

REAGAN

Coach: Greg Roman, third year.

2016 record: 3-6, 2-4 (tied for fifth).

Returning all-conference players: Max Gullard, jr., RB-LB; Isaac Wells, jr., TE-LB.

Outlook: This is Year 3 for the Huskies program and the players have a greater grasp on the team’s schemes, and according to Roman, are asking good questions. Gullard is a tackling machine. He was also all-conference at fullback. With him and Wells anchoring the defense, Roman has a couple of hard-nosed players to set the tone.

RIVERSIDE

Coach: Pat Wagner, 15th year

2016 record: 6-4, 6-0 (first)

Returning all-conference players: Jerrell Gimpl, sr., OL; Travis Hayes, sr., RB; Trayveyon Williams, sr., LB; Corey White, jr., DB; Zyir Ireland, sr., DE.

Other key players: Jahari Clark, jr., QB.

Outlook: After an early-season scare against Reagan, the Tigers stormed through the division to win its first conference/division title since 2012. The team have what it takes to go back to back. The defense has experience, team speed and the bulk of the offensive skill players are back. Early non-conference games at Pewaukee and against Kingsford (Mich.) will provide a glimpse of what kind of team Riverside will have beyond league play.

SOUTH

Coach: Sam Steinhoff and George Rainey, first year.

2016 record: 3-6, 0-6 (seventh).

Returning all-conference players: None.

Other key players: Devion Pembleton, sr., OL-DL; Brison Bynum, sr., RB-DB; Enriquie Santiago, jr., OL_DL; Miguel Canales, jr., RB-DB; Erix Just-Perez, jr., DE.

Outlook: The Cardinals have a limited roster due to number of players. The running game and rush defense are the team’s strengths. Rainey, a former Cardinals standout, returns to his alma matter.