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Advanced Tech Academy 2024 Football Season Preview – Press and Guide

Idris Bevan August 19, 2024

It was another tough start on the field for the Dearborn Advanced Tech Academy football program in 2023.

The Lakers finished last season with just one win overall, finishing below .500 for the fifth time in as many years of existence. What was an encouraging and competitive start to the season dropped off significantly in the second half, as they were outscored 153-20 in their final four games.

The upcoming 2024 season will be the second year for head coach Lonnie Burkes, and another full year of the former River Rouge staffer’s system for a team that will still be young in 2023 is expected to pay off more this fall.

The return of 13 starters – eight of them on offense – should allow Tech to make great strides. And this group is led by Cobey Cureton Jr., who is back at center.

Cureton, who Burkes called a “student of the game” and “the state’s hidden gem,” actually earned the 2023 Press & Guide award for his play in the secondary, when he posted nearly 30 tackles and four interceptions. But the senior will once again steer the Lakers’ ship on offense after a junior season in which he scored 17 touchdowns and rushed for over 900 yards.

Cureton can also hand the ball back to its No. 1 running back from last year, Christian Calloway. Calloway, one of four All-Area selections last season, ran for over 1,200 yards and four touchdowns in just his second season.

Calloway is also expected to serve as a pass catcher and additional blocker when Cureton drops back into coverage. The Tech quarterback’s targets will include another 2023 all-around talent: Latrell Mason, who Burkes raves about for his “impressive hands” and ability to block out wide.

The Lakers have a handful of linemen, most if not all of whom play on both sides of the ball, returning to make an impact in the trenches. Perhaps none are more impactful than Xavier Lucy, who burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2023.

In addition to his presence as an offensive guard, Lucy will be a game-wrecker on defense after recording 32 tackles last season, seven of which resulted in sacks of opposing quarterbacks. Burkes, who was described by his head coach as a “monster in the trenches,” added that the sophomore put on 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason.

Lucy will have a familiar face and a true veteran of the Tech program by his side, as Amir McGee returns for another year of high school football. A three-year starter on the field, McGee was also a fixture on the school’s basketball team. Last season, he led the team in sacks on defense with nine.

Burkes has indicated that his senior lineman will also spend some time on offense this upcoming season. Both he and Lucy form the foundation of a line that Burkes says is the team’s strength.

On defense, two other notable playmakers return: linebacker Ronniel Tharpe and free safety Ayden Washington.

Tharpe, a junior, led Tech with 71 tackles last season and also scored two defensive touchdowns. Washington, meanwhile, will look to build on his four-interception sophomore season in 2023. Cureton will also support him in the secondary.

As for potentially impactful additions, Burkes pointed to rookies Anthony Hutchinson and Alex Tillman. The former Hutchinson should step in and get some targets in the passing game, while Tillman is seen as McGee’s likely successor in the trenches.

As they look to continue to grow the program and change the culture, Burkes said the overall goals for Tech remain to play harder and smarter while also taking care of the football.

Advanced Tech Academy Football Schedule 2024

(Home games are at Riverview Gabriel Richard unless otherwise noted)

Week 1 | at Detroit Old Redford Academy / August 30

Week 2 | vs Detroit Communication & Media Arts / September 6

Week 3 | at Royal Oak Shrine Catholic / September 13

Week 4 | vs. Hamtramck / September 20

Week 5 | at Erie Mason / September 27

Week 6 | at Flint Southwestern / October 4

Week 7 | vs. Lutheran Westland / Oct. 11 (home game at Lawrence Tech University)

Week 8 | at Rochester Hills Lutheran Westland / October 18

Week 9 | vs. Arts & Tech Academy of Pontiac / October 25

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Advanced Tech Academy 2024 Football Season Preview – Press and Guide

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Advanced Tech Academy 2024 Football Season Preview – Press and Guide

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