The high school football playoffs just ended, and it was an exciting finish to the season for athletes, parents, alumni, and local fans in the community. It is rewarding and fun to follow your team as it advances each week after a big win, hoping to win a state championship. It is also extremely tough to lose a close playoff game with everything on the line.
This was the case for Birmingham Groves. The Falcons were 12-0 heading into the Michigan Division 2 State Semifinals. They were coming off a massive win over Warren DeLaSalle and had a ton of momentum. They found themselves in a back-and-forth battle with Orchard Lake St Mary for a chance to go to Ford Field and play for a State Championship. Ultimately, St. Mary’s came out on top in a 28-27 overtime victory. The Falcons fell short in their best season since the program started in 1960.
These big games and seasons unite everyone and create lasting memories that people will talk about for years. It also helps fuel the fire for all the underclassmen returning and the growth of the program. Avery Gach (University of Michigan), Noah Sanders (Toledo), and Chris Little (Grand Valley State) are seniors who had outstanding careers and will all be impact players at the next level.
As we start a new chapter for Falcons football, the top prospect returning is Mattia Andriano. Avery Gach was a dominating right tackle for Groves, and Andriano did the same on the left side, playing either left guard or left tackle. At 6’4”, 280 pounds, Andriano was a significant factor in Groves’ success in 2024 and will anchor the offensive line in 2025.
As a result of his performance this season, Andriano earned 1st Team All-Region honors selected by the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association.
Although Groves didn’t achieve its ultimate goal, head coach Brendan Flaherty has turned this program into a state powerhouse team, making it to the state semifinals four times since 2016. They also knocked off Warren DeLaSalle in the regional finals 21-19. DeLaSalle played in the last four state championship games and was a roadblock in previous years, beating Groves in the semifinals in 2018 and 2022.
“I appreciate and love playing for Coach (Brendan) Flaherty. He has a unique ability to push us to be better as players and people. He understands the game well and always knows how to motivate us the right way. He creates a positive environment where we can learn, grow, and compete at a high level. You always know that he’s got your back, and he truly cares about each player’s development, both on and off the field,” said Andriano.
Andriano discussed the team’s mindset, work ethic, and how they came together to pursue a common goal. “We knew we had a talented team from the start, but we also understood that success isn’t just about having skill—it’s about how we come together as a unit. We believed and trusted one another, knowing everyone was giving their best and working towards the same goal. It took a lot of dedication and teamwork, and we overcame challenges.”
Italian Heritage
Andriano has a unique story about his family and background. “My parents are from Italy. They moved to the U.S. in 2010 when I was just 2 years old, coming here for my dad’s job in the automotive industry. They fell in love with Michigan and worked hard to build a life and a home here. Now, my heart feels split between Michigan and Italy. Their dedication and sacrifice have always motivated me to push myself and do my best in everything I do. Even though I grew up in Michigan, I have a strong connection to my Italian heritage and am proud of it.”
Mattia’s parents didn’t know much about American football when he started playing, but they were athletes when they were younger. “My dad was a professional volleyball player, and my mom was into swimming. They’ve always encouraged me to stay active and pursue sports, not just for the physical benefits, but also for the important lessons they teach about teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.”
In middle school, Mattia was too big to play football with his age group because of the weight restrictions in youth football. “Not being able to play the game I loved motivated me to work on my skills, and when I got to high school, I was ready to step up and make an impact.”
High School Success
Even though Andriano had limited game experience before high school, he transitioned well and started varsity as a sophomore. Mattia showed flashes of being a blue-chip recruit and has emerged as one of Groves’ top prospects in the 2026 recruiting class.
Last summer, Andriano attended college camps at Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Indiana, Ohio State, Purdue and Toledo.
During his junior season this year, Andriano had big games against some of the best teams in Michigan, including Orchard Lake St Mary, DeLaSalle, West Bloomfield, and Harper Woods. Groves is in a tough OAA White Division, and they played some powerhouse teams throughout the Division 2 State Playoffs.
EFN Evaluation
On film, Andriano has all the physical traits college coaches seek in an offensive lineman, including his size, strength, and athleticism. Mattia played left guard in the first half of the season and then moved to left tackle for the last half. He has a lot of versatility to play multiple positions but is projected as an interior lineman. Andriano shows a consistent, aggressive mentality at the point of attack and finishing his blocks. His attitude and demeanor are similar to Gach’s, and their physical style of play sets the tone at the line of scrimmage. As a two-year starter and only 16 years old, Andriano is still just scratching the surface of his development.
Offseason Development
Andriano didn’t waste any time getting back to work once the football season ended. He lifts with his team, works with Jim Browne at Athlete’s Edge for speed, performance, and football combine training, and does big-man fundamental training with Ed Carducci at Power 5 Football.
Carducci has worked with Andriano for the last two years. He gave us feedback on his development and where he sees him at the next level. “Mattia is tall and carries his weight well. He is incredibly athletic for a kid his size. You can see the strength and explosion when he takes his first step and gets into his blocks. He has excellent lateral quickness to react to defenders. His conditioning and motor allow him to finish blocks consistently. He will get a lot of Division 1 interest this offseason once Signing Day and the transfer portal window is over.”
Class of 2026
When it comes to getting recruited by colleges, Andriano is focused on what he can control and knows that is what will help him accomplish his goals. “I am young for my grade, but I am getting the right help to develop me. I have some big goals for playing at a high level in college. I am committed and driven to put in the extra hours of training needed to improve across the board. My offseason goal is to get better each day. I want to be at my best by June for college camps and in August for the 2025 season,” said Andriano.
The 2026 class is waiting patiently in the wing as colleges finish recruiting the 2025 class. The late signing period is on February 5th. The landscape of college football changes daily, but the elite players will always rise to the top. Andriano is one of these prospects and has proven himself during Groves’ playoff run. It is just a matter of time before he starts receiving opportunities for the next level and being recognized within his class.
