2004 Football

With six returning starters on offense and five on defense, DeWitt had high expectations for a program that had advanced to the state championship game in both 2002 and 2003. Imposing size on both sides of the ball allowed the Panthers to dominate the Capital Area Activities Conference en route to a perfect 9-0 regular season and a #1 ranking in Division 4. The Panther offensive line led the way for three 1,000 yard rushers and DeWitt’s defense only allowed 6.6 points per game heading into the playoffs. DeWitt crushed Corunna (35-6) and Battle Creek Harper Creek (29-6) at home to capture the District Championship. The Panthers stormed to their fourth consecutive regional title with a 35-7 victory over Pontiac Notre Dame Prep. DeWitt trailed by 12 early in the state semi-final, but earned its third straight trip to the Silverdome with a 27-12 win over Grosse Ile. Unfortunately, the state title dream ended once again with a 31-14 loss to Muskegon Orchard View in the state championship game. The 2004 Boys Football team included the following members: Matt Ashbrook, Zachary Blankenship, Joe Bliesener, Justin Braska, Scott Brewster, Mat Brynick, Sam Celentino, James Chestnut, Todd Colville, Andrew Coveart, Casey Curtis, Todd Decatur, Sam Evans, Chadd Fletcher, Anthony Garavaglia, Ryan Graham, Doug Hixson, Jeff Horn, Julian Horn, Mark Hunsaker, Scott Irrer, Josh Jimmerson, Dan Jorgensen, Andy Joslyn, Brandon Kacel, River Karaba, Alex Kashenider, Ken Keener, Ron Keener, Ryan Kelly, Kyle Laurent, James Leonard, Josh Lloyd, Braden Mack, Chris Martlew, Ken McClure, Michael McGiveron, Highland McKenna, Justin Meeder, John Mena, Troy Mitchell, Kyle Montgomery, John Moyer, Mike Neal, Stefan Nieman, Justin Olson, Adam Placer, Erik Pung, Cory Rademacher, Brandon Rennaker, Brian Richey, Kyle Richey, David Saenz, Rick Saenz, Matt Scarane, Andrew Schaar, Austin Schaar, Nick Shafer, Chris Starkey, Tom Sullivan, Rickie Theis, Nick Trago, Ryan VanArsdall, Dan VanDreumel, Joe Vertalka, Cody Wagner, Cody Worden, Andy Zarkovich, Head Coach Rob Zimmerman, Assistant Coaches Bob Acre, Kendall Crockett, Rick Galardi, Mike Schanski, John Vertalka, Tim Williams, Manager Corey Garza, and Trainers Josh Paquet and Matt Zaremski.