Edsel Ford Thunderbirds Prepare for Upcoming Season

The Edsel Ford High School varsity football team is looking for redemption and a return to the state playoffs this year.

The Thunderbirds ended their season with a 5-4 record in 2012.

Coach Mark Tyler said one of the biggest challenges moving forward will be the team's youth and inexperience at the varsity level. 

The Thunderbirds will be returning three starters and has 30 new players.

"A team's character must be constant. We will learn from our mistakes and build upon the strengths of our young squad," Tyler said.

The team will also rely heavily on standout players Craig Galliard and Alex Atooly for leadership, Tyler said.

In anticipation of a tough season, the varsity team has been practicing Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m to 2 p.m. leading up to its first matchup against Sterling Heights on Aug. 29.

"I can't predict how our season will go, but we have a difficult schedule ahead of us," Tyler said. "I'm looking forward to the day-to-day and week-to-week strides forward our squad will make."

For more information on the Thunderbirds schedule, visit the team's website.