Key members of the 2023 Leslie High School varsity football team include, from left, Tanner Craft, Hunter Coltrain, Coach Tim McCann, Jayden Colby, and Matt Dexter.
By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports
(August 18, 2023 2:00 PM ET) For the second time in two seasons, Leslie High School will have a new head football coach.
Tim McCann took over the program after a 2-7 second in 2022.
McCann is a 2005 Leslie graduate who played college football at Albion College.
He has coached in the program at various levels for a number of seasons. McCann is the fifth head coach in the program since 2016.
McCann said the Blackhawks will concentrate on running the football.
“We need to bring Leslie back to our roots,” McCann said during JTV Media Days. “Our goal is to get better every day.”
The Blackhawks have many veteran players including Hunter Coltrain (TE/LB) who is a fourth-year starter and a leader on defense.
Quarterback Jayden Colby is a three-year starter, as is Matthew Dexter (OL/DL), and Logan Demaray (OL/DL).
Tanner Craft (OL/DL) is a second-year starter along with senior Cam Lewis (OL/DL). Evan Dexter (RB/LB) is expected to see more times this season as a sophomore.
Players who are expected to make an impact include senior Brogan Dodge (RB/LB), junior Jacob Phillips (WR/DB), and sophomores Hudson Phillips (OL/DL), Braedon Romero (RB/DB), Donovan Barr (RB/DB), and Evan Craft (LB/RB).
Leslie will play in the Eastern Division of the new Cascades Conference.
“Napoleon has to be the top contenders (in the conference) after their strong years … with Grass Lake and Manchester not far behind,” McCann said. “But don’t count us out.”
Leslie High School 2023 Football Schedule
Aug. 25 Leslie at Dansville 7 p.m.
Aug. 31 Stockbridge at Leslie 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 Leslie at Addison 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 Michigan Center at Leslie 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 Leslie at Manchester 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 Leslie at Napoleon 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 East Jackson at Leslie 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 Leslie at Grass Lake 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 Cascades Crossover TBD
