2024 Football's Season-In-Review

By Garrett Pog

Community Christian College’s Football team had their ups and down this season, but one thing I constantly have to remind myself is that it’s not the stats or scoreboards that matter at this level of play. CCC has the unique ability to change the lives of young men in a way that many other colleges can’t. In the case of football schools in Michigan, I would argue CCC makes a bigger impact on the lives of young men than any other school in the state. To get a sense of the individuals who have improved tremendously both on and off-the-field, I had a chat with 4 football players who agreed to reflect on their time at Community Christian, and testify to the progress they’ve made at our school.

Brady Montie graduated from Allen Park High School in 2022, and committed to play at a 4-year program. It didn’t work out the way he expected, and he left before the 2022 season began.

Montie: “I thought my football career was over. In July of 2024, one of my friends texted me that Detroit had a football team and that I should check it out. I went to a practice, and decided that this was a place where I could rebuild my career and start over. I ended up with an offer to play at Wayne State and I'm grateful for the opportunity CCC gave me.”

Montie’s story isn’t an uncommon one for many students in this program. Cipriano Danz hadn’t seen a snap in almost 6 years, last playing in his sophomore season of high school.

Danz: “I got into a car accident, and then COVID came and ended my high school career. I came to the point where I thought I would never play again, until I received an opportunity to play here last year.”

Danz received many offers from 4-year programs, despite never seeing an in-game snap due to injury. He decided to transfer to Madonna University, where he will square off against Ralph Gaston Jr in NAIA play, who’s transferring from CCC to Lawrence Tech.

Gaston Jr: “I began my football journey at Albion College, where I had the opportunity to develop my skills both on and off the field. Afterward, I continued my education and athletic career at Ferris State University, further honing my abilities and gaining valuable experience. Unfortunately, I was unable to continue playing football for a period of time due to my grades. It was a tough but valuable learning experience that taught me the importance of balancing academics with athletics. Eventually, I transferred to CCC to continue pursuing my academic and athletic goals, striving to grow as both a student and an athlete.”

Chauncey Freeman is the lone standout in this group that had options coming out of high school. He detailed the tough choice he had to make following his 2023 graduation.

Freeman: “I had opportunities to play D3 & NAIA football, but Coach(es) [Jerrell] Allen & [Jeff] Reardon were texting me everyday, showing love, and telling me that I’m a D1 athlete, D2 at the very least. I would’ve been able to play at another school, but CCC was where the most love was shown.”

Those coaches were correct, as Freeman is now on his way to playing football for Northwood, a Division II program in Midland. Gaston Jr, nicknamed “The Captain” by his team, saw the significant difference in his work ethic before enrolling at Community Christian, and after.

Gaston Jr: “Attending CCC, an online school, played a significant role in preparing me for the academic challenges ahead. The online format taught me discipline, time management, and self-motivation, as I had to take full responsibility for staying on top of my coursework. Balancing academics with football required me to develop a strong work ethic and focus, skills that have been invaluable as I’ve continued my education. CCC’s structure helped me build a foundation of independence and adaptability that I will carry with me in all aspects of life.”

Pretty strong words for someone who was also tasked with leading the defense, and in some cases, the entire team. His leadership came to a head in a pretty awesome moment.

Gaston Jr: “My favorite play of the season came during a crucial fourth-and-goal situation against Hocking College. Backed up against our own end zone, I managed to snag an interception and return it 95 yards for a pick-six. It was not only a game-changing moment but also one of the greatest plays in CCC history, showcasing the heart and resilience of our team.”

I was there in person to witness this play, and to say it was one of the greatest plays in program history isn’t an understatement. The excitement in the stadium was so loud, they probably heard about it on Woodward. Though many players had highlight-reel moments that would make the SportsCenter Top 10, for some, it was the road trips that they’ll remember the most.

Montie: “My favorite moment from CCC was our trip to Snow College and New York. I haven't traveled much outside of Michigan and Ohio, so traveling the country to play these games was crazy to me. It's an experience I will never forget.”

Brady Montie was also appreciative of the experience he got on the field this season.

Montie: “CCC has prepared me for what competition will feel like at a higher level. With some of the schools we faced, and the kids they had, we were playing top tier teams on a level I haven't played before. It let me know that I can run with them and possibly excel.”

Chauncey Freeman’s big takeaway in preparation was also on the field.

Freeman: “CCC prepared me to play at Northwood by having me guard the best receiver all game for every team we played against, and taught me how to put my athleticism and technique to good use.”

For Cipriano Danz, his resilience and adversity go beyond the classroom and the football field, and he shared a great deal of gratitude for the time he spent here.

Danz: “CCC has prepared me for a lot. It was one of the hardest things I’ve done mentally. I couldn’t let the JUCO life break me because I knew I had a bright future, and this is something I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid. I know I can overcome any adversity that’s thrown my way, CCC really gave me the motivation to take everything seriously, and work 10 times harder than I already was. I knew I had to be better than the day before, and all the work has paid off.”

I would be remiss if I spent all this time highlighting some of the athletes that are moving up to the next level, and didn’t give any praise to the staff that’s helped them get to this point. Our athletes shared which coach has been most transformative in their journey here.

Montie: “Coach [Jerrell] Allen was my favorite because I could see the passion he had for the players and the city that our team represents. And his passion drove me to continue to play throughout all the adversity we faced.”

Freeman: “My favorite(s) were Coach [Jeff] Reardon, Coach Allen, and Coach [Zac] Garvin. They were the coaches I had the best relationship with due to the fact that I played this year with personal issues, and they checked on me every chance they had, making sure I was okay mentally and stayed on track in the classroom.”

Danz: “It’s hard for me to pick just one coach because I played WR at first then switched to DB. I honestly feel like I had a great relationship with all of the coaches, and they taught me alot about life, not just football. Coach Allen helped me out mentally, growing more mature on and off the field with tough love and not letting me be “average,” and that’s what I really needed. I appreciate him so much for that. Coach Reardon gave me the opportunity that changed my life, and always made sure I was good mentally and that meant a lot. I had a great bond with my coaches.”

Gaston Jr: “Every coach I had at CCC was incredible to play for, each bringing unique knowledge, passion, and motivation to the game. They pushed me to be my best both on and off the field, creating an environment where I could grow as a player and a person. Their belief in me and the team made every game and practice a rewarding experience.”

So with every class that moves on to another adventure, we’re sure to welcome in another group of unproven talent, just waiting to make their mark at Community Christian College. To any player that’s uncertain if they should commit here, this is what our (recent) alumni had to say:

Montie: “If someone was thinking of enrolling at CCC to play football, I would say do it. It opened up doors that I couldn't have dreamed of a year ago. I took a chance with CCC and it paid off huge. If I didn't play here, I probably would've regretted it.”

Danz: “I would say [play here], bet on yourself even when the whole world is against you. You are the reason if you will be great or not, don’t listen to anyone that is doubting you. Chase your dreams!”

Gaston Jr: “To any future student-athlete considering enrolling at CCC, I would say it’s a place that will truly test your hard work, dedication, and desire to succeed. The unique online format requires you to take responsibility for your own growth, both academically and athletically, giving you the opportunity to see how far your determination can take you. At CCC, you’ll have the chance to push yourself, not just on the field, but also in finding out who you are and what you’re capable of. If you’re ready to put in the work and stay focused on your goals, CCC can be the perfect environment to prepare you for success in school, sports, and life.”

Freeman: “To the future Lions, this JUCO route is not easy or for the weak, especially at CCC. People will criticize you because of the choice of school. No matter what adversity you are going through, if you stay in the books, and work hard on and off-the-field, you will get everything you want out of this. Everything is earned, not given!”

Well said.