Zurlon Tipton (3) rushed for over 2,000 yards and scored 39 touchdowns for the Eagles in 2007 as a junior. He recently verbally committed to Central Michigan University. Source photo by Kevin Lozon

The Eagles, coached by Jason Hann, are playing shorthanded in terms of football personnel, with approximately 25 players on the squad. However, this arguably may be one of the most explosive teams in the not only Macomb County, but also the state this season.

“We know we have the talent with skill guys like (Zurlon) Tipton, (John) Talos, (Mitch) Michalski, (Brandon) Gennette, (Anthony) Johnson and (Matt) Cooper,” Hann said. “It’s going to begin and end with those guys. The question is going to be how these young kids up front develop on both sides of the ball.”

Parkway opponents will most likely focus their attention on shutting down Tipton, a senior running back who rushed for 2,245 yards last year and 39 touchdowns. He’s verbally committed to attend Central Michigan University in 2009.

“Zurlon can help you overcompensate for a lot of shortcomings,” Hann said. “We’re hoping having him in the backfield will help give our young kids up front some time to start to gel. He’s been productive for three years now and has nothing else to prove.”

Joining Tipton in the backfield is Cooper, a senior running back, and Gennette, a senior quarterback, who transferred over to Parkway from East Detroit. Gennette’s top targets through the air will be seniors Michalski and Nick Ventimiglia, sophomore Johnson, and the senior tight end in Talos.

The offensive line for Parkway is anchored by seniors Peter Toering, Mike Spangler, Jesse Endean, and junior newcomer Josh Schick.

“We’re definitely green inside on the offensive and defensive line,” Hann said. “We’ll get those kids progressing and keep getting better throughout the season. They’ll determine how far we’ll go.”

Because of their low numbers, many of the Eagle players will also play on the defensive side of the ball. Tipton will see action in the secondary and at linebacker, while Cooper, Talos, and Schick will vie for starting linebacker spots. Michalski and Johnson will join Tipton in the secondary, while Spangler, Toering and Endean will see action in the trenches.

“The key for us is staying healthy,” Hann said. “We already have a couple kids banged up and need to get healthy. This is the hand we’ve been dealt and there’s nothing we can do about (the low numbers). We have to look forward to what we got.”

The Eagles’ kicking duties will be handled by sophomore returnee Aaron Mick.

Parkway will compete in the Southern Michigan Football Conference this season and Hann believes this team can win the league for the fourth consecutive season.

“There’s no doubt we can win the league,” said Hann, whose Eagles have gone 9-0 during each of the past two regular seasons. “We only have one returning starter on the offensive line and it’s going to be trial by fire. The kids have to learn on the fly. We need to get the kids ready to play and do what they’re capable of doing. We’re the three-time defending champs and everyone is coming after us.”

Parkway opens its season this Thursday night against visiting Deckerville at Fraser High School. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.