It's high school football season once again in the Lansing area.  And the usual suspects project to be at top of this year's poll.

Grand Ledge, Lansing Catholic, Pewamo-Westphalia, and Ithaca made it to the semifinals in 2015.  With P-W and Ithaca getting to Ford Field.  All four teams figure to be strong again in 2016.

Here's a look at the inaugural power rankings for the 2016 season.

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    1

    Grand Ledge

    Last Season: 12-1

    The Comets will be tested early with games against Hudsonville, and the long-awaited contest with DeWitt in Week 2.

    Grand Ledge loses key players like running back Ba Blamo, but starting QB Nolan Bird returns for his junior year.  The Comets have almost 70 players on varsity, that alone will keep them among the top teams in the area.

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    2

    DeWitt

    Last Season: 9-2

    Quarterback Will Nagle returns for coach Rob Zimmerman.  And he'll lead another potent offense for the Panthers.

    DeWitt opens on the road at Linden and Grand Ledge, we'll have a good idea how tough this team is very early on.

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    3

    Portland

    Last Season: 10-1

    The defending CAAC White champs have gobs of talent returning in 2016.  They also have the memory of a 21-14 playoff loss to Lansing Catholic to stew over for an entire year.

    The Red Raiders get Lansing Catholic at home in week 4, that will likely decide the White title this season.

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    4

    Lakewood

    Last Season: 7-3

    The defending GLAC champions have virtually their entire defense back, plus QB Kyle Willett is back.

    Head coach Nick Boucher has a real good squad returning and a GLAC title is possible again.  Tough games against Olivet and Stockbridge will tell the tale for the Vikings.

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    5

    Pewamo-Westphalia

    Last Season: 13-1

    All-State running back Jared Smith is back for another season.  The record-breaker will try to surpass his incredible 2015 season, where he became the first runner in history to rush over 3,000 yards.

    Eighteen starters come back for head coach Jeremy Miller, and we'll find out alot about this team when they host state power Monroe St. Mary Catholic in week 1.

    If they get past that game, 9-0 is very possible plus another deep playoff run.

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    6

    Jackson

    Last Season: 8-3

    Head coach Scott Farley took the Vikings back to the playoffs in 2015.  They look to contend in the CAAC Blue in 2016.  They host league favorite Grand Ledge on September 23rd.

    If they can win that game, a CAAC Blue title is within reach.  As well as another playoff run.

     

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    7

    Lansing Catholic

    Last Season: 11-2

    Tony Poljan and Tony Palmer are gone, but eight starters return for coach Jim Ahearn.  And he's got highly touted QB transfer Michael Lynn III at the controls for the Cougars.

    Catholic opens a new stadium this year, and that will be a factor in how this team does in 2016.  Winning the CAAC White will be tough, but another playoff berth is possible.

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    8

    Haslett

    Last Season: 6-4

    The Vikings look to take a step up in the CAAC Red.  Sixteen starters come back from a playoff squad.

    The schedule is tough, but manageable.  Don't be shocked if Haslett contends for the Red title in 2016.

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    9

    St. Johns

    Last Season: 8-4

    The Red Wings failed to win the CAAC Red over DeWitt, but got revenge on the Panthers in the playoffs.

    A blowout loss to perennial power Orchard Lake St. Mary's soured a district-title winning season.

    Coach Dave Mariage always has a great program year after year, expect more of the same this season.

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    10

    Ithaca

    Last Season: 14-0

    Terry Hessbrook's state powerhouse won their fifth state title in six seasons in 2015.  But they move up to Class B this season, and that means they will very likely in Division 5 come playoff time.

    The Yellow Jackets have a great offensive system that you don't see much of at a school this small.  They open with Clare in week 1.  If they get by that, 9-0 is likely once again plus another long playoff run.

     

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