It is one of the most storied high school football programs in Michigan, but Brother Rice has not tasted much success since winning a state championship in 2013. That state title was the third straight for the Warriors and the final game for legendary head coach Al Fracassa. Adam Korzeniewski enters his third season as the head coach at Brother Rice and is looking for his program to take the next step.
In each of Korzeniewski’s first two seasons, Brother Rice has gone 7-4, each season ending with a loss in the second round of the state playoffs. The Warriors opened last year with three straight wins before dropping back-to-back games against Catholic League Central Division foes Warren De La Salle (13-0) and Detroit Catholic Central (21-0). Korzeniewski and the Warriors rallied with three wins in their last four games of the season to enter the postseason at 6-3.
Brother Rice took care of Livonia Churchill 27-14 in the first round of the postseason last year before being eliminated by crosstown rival Birmingham Groves in Round 2, 38-24. It was the second time in three seasons the Warriors have fallen to Groves in the second round of the state playoffs. Will this finally be the year Brother Rice breaks through and contends for a state championship?
Key Losses
The Warriors will miss running back James Donaldson who came on strong at midseason and finished with multiple 100-yard rushing games. Donaldson will play lacrosse at Georgetown. Korzeniewski will miss defensive tackle Max Saylor who is now at Central Michigan. The Warriors will also miss wide receiver/free safety DaRon Gilbert, now a defensive back at Lafayette College.
Offense
Any talk of the Brother Rice offense begins with QB Greg Piscopink (6-2, 185). The senior enters his third season as the Warriors starter and is the key to the team’s up-tempo spread offense. Blessed with 4.5 speed, Piscopink is as adept a runner as he is a passer. He’ll be joined by senior Patrick O’Hara (5-9, 185) in the backfield. O’Hara played in the slot last season but moves to the backfield where he will get more touches. A talented athlete, O’Hara is committed to Michigan to play lacrosse.
On the outside, Piscopink is blessed with some talented receivers including junior Rocco Milia (6-2, 190), sophomore Ryan Browne (6-3, 185), and senior Jonathan Tillman (6-2, 185) who holds a handful of FCS offers as a defensive back. In the slot for the Warriors will be Cole Lacanaria and Gianni Dalimonte. Both have excellent speed and the ability to get vertical.
Holy Cross commit Luke Newman (6-4, 265) heads up an offensive line that could be very good. Newman and fellow senior Collin Hubbs (6-1, 245) will line up at the tackles for the Warriors. Senior Brian Carroll (6-2, 235) will be at one guard giving Brother Rice a lot of experience up front. Senior Brendan Holt (6-3, 215) will be used at tight end.
The Warriors averaged 22.7 points per game last season, but the experience of Piscopink, the talent surrounding him, and a faster-paced spread offense should see the Brother Rice offense improve greatly in 2019. The Warriors were shut out in back-to-back Catholic League games with De La Salle (13-0) and Catholic Central (21-0). Defenses will have a tough time shutting down the Warriors in 2019.
Defense
Korzeniewski coordinates a defense that returns a ton of experience and a wealth of talent. Senior captain Jimmy Phillips (6-1, 195) heads up a very good linebacking corps that includes fellow senior Ohannes Sarkisian (6-1, 185). The defensive line is stout and fast. Defensive end Mason Everly (6-1, 195) is a Rutgers lacrosse commit and senior Danny Ervin (6-3, 215) brings his basketball skills to the football field. Junior Matthew Andoni (6-0, 270) anchors the defensive tackle spot and Newman will see some time there as well.
The strength of the Brother Rice defense is an athletic secondary led by Tillman, a 2020 prospect. At 6-2 and 185 pounds, Tillman has great length, physicality, and cover skills. He is joined by junior Mikkos Stewart, a 6-0, 180-pounder who doubles as the Warriors point guard on the basketball team. A fantastic on-ball defender on the court, his coverage skills translate to the gridiron.
The safeties are Milia and Browne. Milia, a 2021 prospect, is extremely versatile and with his size and speed has played both linebacker and safety for the Warriors. Browne is one of the fastest of the Warriors, covers a lot of ground, and has a penchant for being physical.
2019 Schedule
The schedule gods didn’t do the Warriors any favors. Brother Rice will play the first game of the season in Michigan when it opens against Utica Eisenhower in the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic on August 29. Four weeks into the season, Korzeniewski and his Warriors will face the Catholic League gauntlet – Warren De La Salle, Novi Detroit Catholic Central, and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. That precedes a trip to Noblesville, Indiana, to take on Guerin Catholic followed by a Week 8 game against rising power Lapeer, which went 11-1 last season.
2019 Outlook
With the season opener against Eisenhower and Catholic League powers De La Salle, Catholic Central, and St. Mary’s; it is extremely important for Korzeniewski and company to get off to a good start. A win over a program such as Eisenhower could give the Warriors the impetus they need to start the season 3-0 after winnable games with Holy Names (Ontario) and the University of Detroit Jesuit.
The success of the 2019 season could likely depend upon the midseason stretch that includes the three Catholic League powers in successive weeks. The Warriors have not beaten Catholic Central in the last four seasons. That all could change in 2019 as the Warriors have a highly explosive offense and a veteran defense that should get even better as the season wears on. With an outstanding coaching staff, this could be the year Brother Rice finally gets over the hump and advances deeper into the state playoffs.
