Bailey Takes Over Successful Addison Program

Key participants for the Addison High School varsity football team in 2024 are, from left, Coach Harry Bailey, Heith Burton, Caleb Potts, Byron Creech, Josh Ray, and Joe Clark.

By Jeff Steers | JTV Sports

Monday August 26th

(8-26-2024, 12:00PM): New Addison High School football Coach Henry Bailey said there was “zero chance that Addison players wanted that (the hiring of a new varsity football coach) to happen.”

But the Panthers have adapted well due to the fact that Bailey is also the strength and conditioning coach at the school and had a chance to work with the students for nearly a semester earlier in the year.

Bailey takes over for Josh Lindeman who led Addison to a Cascades Conference championship in the new 12-team league last year. Lindeman is now coaching at Manchester.

He has experience taking over programs as Bailey was the interim head Coach for Adrian College the second half of the season in 2023. Bailey played football at Hudson High School and Adrian College.

Bailey started at Addison in March as a strength and conditioning instructor and football coach.

“That gave us a chance to get to know him,” senior Captain Heith Burton said. “We are happy with what we got.”

Addison has made the playoffs the last five seasons and won the Cascades Conference in four of those seasons.

Key returnees for the Panthers are seniors Joe Clark (FB/LB), Heith Burton (G/LB), Gunnar Demeuse (TE/DE), Josh Ray (QB/S), and Byron Creech (RB/LB).

Demeuse, Burton, and Ray were a first-team all-conference player for the Panthers in 2023.

Senior Caleb Potts (LB), junior Quincy Smith (OL/DL), and sophomore Lincoln McFate are players the Panthers will count on this season.

Smith was a first-team all-conference lineman for Addison in 2023.

Addison will continue to run the Wing-T offense and hopes to deceive defenses with more fakes, motion, and passing.

The Panthers have a new coaching staff that includes former Addison linebacker Nick Trumble.

Addison High School Football 2024 Schedule:

Aug. 29 Addison at Clintondale 6 p.m.

Sept. 6 Addison at Manchester7 p.m.

Sept. 13 East Jackson at Addison 7 p.m.

Sept. 20 Addison at Columbia Central7 p.m.

Sept. 27 Jonesville at Addison 7 p.m.

Oct. 4 Addison at Homer

Oct. 11 Hanover-Horton at Addison 7 p.m.

Oct. 18 Addison at Vandercook Lake7 p.m.

Oct. 25 Cascades Crossover at Addison 7 p.m.

Addison High School football player Heith Burton is expected to be an offensive lineman and defensive linebacker for the Panthers in 2024.

Chelsea State Bank Football Media Day Interview with Head Coach Harry Bailey: