Pemberville Eastwood’s recent dominance in the Suburban Lakes League does not look to be stopping soon. With six league champions returning from last year and more firepower joining the already talented Eagle squad, the league coaches tabbed them the favorites to win the league title. All eight coaches voted Eastwood as the top team in the preseason poll.

Central Michigan University signee and head coach’s son, Eric Cubberly, highlights an Eagle team that looks to win its fifth straight SLL title. Eric will join his older brother, Ryan, at Central Michigan next season. Cubberly returns for his senior season after winning the Division II state title at 152 pounds, placing 3rd at state as a sophomore, and taking 8th as a freshman.

However, the talent in the Eagles’ room does not stop with Cubberly. With the addition of Evan Roth, a two-time Division I state qualifier, the Eagles are looking at more than just winning the SLL. The Eagles want another shot at the Division II state championship as well. Other returning state wrestlers for the Eagles include Jeremy Foster (3rd at 171 in 2007, Qualifier at 171 in 2006, and 4th at 152 in 2005) and Justin Flores (Qualifier at 119 in 2007 and at 112 in 2006). Foster is coming off a football season in which he set many rushing records for the Eagles while leading his team to an 11-2 record and a Regional Final appearance.

Eastwood has a strong supporting cast to go along with these big guns. Tyler Hahn (103), David Eaton (125), and Seth Hoffman (145) are each returning this year to defend their 2007 SLL Individual Championships, while Freshman Tyler Hackworth joins the Eagles after qualifying for the junior high state championships.

Although the Eagles look primed to take another league title, there is plenty of other talent around the league. The coach’s vote put Bloomdale Elmwood at a preseason second with 51 points, Genoa third with 48, and Tontogany Otsego fourth with 45 points. These teams finished 3rd, 5th, and 6th respectively at last year’s Division III District at Owens Community College.

Otsego’s heavyweight, Jake Southwick, highlights the returnees from these three teams. Southwick finished fourth at the state meet last year as a junior, and is looking at a possible state championship this year. Otsego also returns state qualifier Andrew Johnson. Elmwood returns two state qualifiers in senior Mitchell Lee and junior Cody Alexander, while Genoa also returns a state qualifier of their own in Sophomore Scott Traver.

2007-2008 Suburban Lakes League Pre-season Coaches’ Poll
1. Pemberville Eastwood - 64 (8)
2. Bloomdale Elmwood - 51
3. Genoa - 48
4. Tontogany Otsego - 45
5. Millbury Lake - 30
6. Elmore Woodmore - 22
7. Kansas Lakota - 17
8. Gibsonburg - 11