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Macomb County's top 5 football players of the 2000s
Who’s the best high school football player from Macomb County in the 2000s?
That’s a straightforward question with a straightforward answer: Jason Fracassa, the quarterback at Stevenson from 2006-09.
Like his grandfather, legendary Brother Rice coach Al Fracassa, Jason’s name is all over the MHSAA record books.
He’s the state leader in career touchdown passes (97), season passing yards (4,433 in 2009), career passing yards (10,615), career passing attempts (1,104), season completions (266 in 2009) and career completions (656).
For good measure, he led Stevenson to a 13-1 overall record and a state championship game appearance in 2009 (though the Titans lost to Detroit Catholic Central in the final).
In addition to Fracassa, here are four other players to remember from the first decade of the 2000s.
John DiGiorgio, Eisenhower linebacker/running back (2000). A player where stats simply don’t matter. He’s the best defensive player I’ve seen, and his game in the 2000 state semifinals against Detroit Catholic Central was phenomenal. He was the heart and soul of the Eisenhower team that advanced to the Division 1 state finals in 1999 and 2000.
Chris Lomasney, Chippewa Valley running back (2000). As a senior in 2000, Lomasney set the MHSAA single-season rushing record by gaining 2,890 yards in 13 games for the Big Reds. His 41 rushing touchdowns in 2000 are the second-most in a season in state history. His performance helped Chippewa Valley reach the state semifinals.
Joe DiGiorgio, Eisenhower quarterback/defensive back (2000-01). John DiGiorgio’s younger brother, Joe passed for 2,132 yards and 25 TDs in 2001 as he guided the Eagles to a third straight trip to the state finals. He was also a tremendous, hard-hitting safety.
Zurlon Tipton, Parkway Christian running back (2005-08). Tipton rushed for 2,243 yards and scored 38 touchdowns as a junior in 2007, and he finished with 94 TDs in his high school career, which puts him tied for sixth in MHSAA history.
What do you think of this list? Does Dakota offensive lineman Kyle Cook deserve to be here? Or a member of one (or both) of the Cougars’ back-to-back state championship teams? What about De La Salle running back James Berezik? Stevenson wide receiver Frank Zombo or quarterback Danny Stiefel? Or somebody else?
We’d like to hear what you think. Please remember to be respectful in the conversation.
Labels: football
posted by Macomb Daily Sports Department at
12:23 AM
17 Comments:
I'm surprised Chris Lomasney didn't further his football career. He played for Michigan Tech and then we heard nothing about him!
The DiGiorgio brothers deserve praise for their football talent. They we absolutely dominant!
I'm looking forward to seeing Zurlon Tipton get more playing time with Central. He has the ability, if he remains healthy, to be a play maker for the Chippewas!
I didn't know Frank Zombo was a receiver in high school! He played defensive end for Central.
Thanks for the comment. I believe Chris Lomasney had one or two terrific seasons at Michigan Tech before he was injured.
Jimmy Berezik was one of the best running backs in Michigan High School history. Also, in college he was the all time leading rusher in DII history and he only played 3 years of college!
Thanks for the Sports Update.
Who's the best who went on after graduating from a Macomb County High School who may not have played sports to be successful? Any Doctors out there who may be curing an illness or beauticians who are operating their own business taking care of Seniors? Surely, we have produce more than football players.
Eric Thompson from Lanse Creuse North - was one of the best backs the MAC ever seen
CJ Olaniyan from Warren Mott - One of the best overall athletes in the MAC in the last five years. Played WR, TE, DE. Now he is taking his talents to Penn State University. When he was healthy, he was a flat out freak no one could block him
Sorry but Berezik wasn't close to being the all-time D2 leading rusher. Top in GV history is still very very good though
Olaniyan wasnt that good. His senior year he got held without a sack against two Sophomore tackles on the Romeo team
WHAT ABOUT ALLEN JEFFERSON WARREN DELASALLE
Allen Jefferson was no doubt terrific, but we were just trying to limit ourselves to players from the decade of the 2000s.
DEANDRE JOHNSON FROM MADISON HEIGHTS MADISON
Mark Krzesak
James AND John Martinez of De La Salle for sure deserve to be in here... they were undersized and made everyone they played against look silly. Both won Macomb Player of the Year...All-State...Dream Team...led DLS to '09 State Championship and helped DLS to State Championship as Sophomores.
What about LJ Robertson? The rb from Stevenson. He had 2200 yards in 12 games, and led his team to the state championship!
Might be a better fit for nerd forums?
Macomb?
Stiefel from Stevenson was by far the best QB I have ever watched in macomb county in last 30 years. Not only was he pure passer he could run as well.
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