2015 Week 9 Football Playoff Listing
October 20, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Here is a list of Michigan High School Athletic Association football playing schools, displaying their win-loss records and playoff averages through the eighth week of the season.
Schools on this list are in enrollment order for 11-player teams, with 8-player teams ordered by playoff average.
An asterisk (*) beside a record indicates a team has eight or fewer games scheduled. A caret (^) beside a school’s name indicates a team is one win away from playoff qualification.
Those schools with 11-player teams with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules, or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer, will qualify for the MHSAA Football Playoffs beginning Oct. 30. Schools with 5-4, 4-3 or 4-4 records may qualify if the number of potential qualifiers by win total does not reach the 256 mark. Schools with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer may be subtracted from the field based on playoff average if the number of potential qualifiers exceeds the 256 mark.
Once the 256 qualifying schools are determined, they will be divided by enrollment groups into eight equal divisions of 32 schools, and then drawn into regions of eight teams each and districts of four teams each. Those schools with 8-player teams will be ranked by playoff average at season’s end, and the top 16 programs will be drawn into regions of eight teams each for the playoff in that division, which also begins Oct. 30.
To review a list of all football playoff schools, individual school playoff point details and to report errors, visit the Football page of the MHSAA Website.
The announcement of the qualifiers and first-round pairings for both the 11 and 8-player playoffs will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 on the Selection Sunday Show on FOX Sports Detroit. The playoff qualifiers and pairings will be posted to the MHSAA Website following the Selection Sunday Show.
11-Player Playoff Listing
1. Macomb Dakota, 2921, 6-2, 88.375
2. Grand Blanc, 2727, 4-4, 51.750
3. Clarkston, 2707, 6-2, 76.500
4. Utica Eisenhower ^, 2669, 5-3, 75.875
5. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 2634, 6-2, 82.250
6. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2611, 6-2, 87.125
7. East Kentwood, 2581, 6-2, 81.875
8. Howell ^, 2567, 5-3, 65.625
9. Rockford ^, 2561, 5-3, 70.375
10. Dearborn Fordson ^, 2477, 5-3, 65.875
11. Detroit Cass Tech, 2285, 7-1, 91.875
12. Northville, 2281, 8-0, 108.000
13. Brighton, 2211, 7-1, 96.500
14. Troy Athens ^, 2153, 5-3, 61.750
15. Detroit Catholic Central, 2138, 6-2, 77.625
16. Utica Ford ^, 2080, 5-3, 71.125
17. Canton, 2076, 6-2, 83.000
18. Monroe, 2066, 4-4, 50.375
19. Lapeer, 2059, 8-0, 100.000
20. Plymouth, 2057, 6-2, 80.375
21. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 2025, 6-2, 81.625
22. Hartland ^, 2017, 5-3, 71.000
23. Novi, 2017, 4-4, 54.500
24. West Bloomfield, 1932, 8-0, 105.000
25. Dearborn, 1921, 4-4, 47.625
26. Saline *, 1879, 8-0, 107.000
27. Livonia Stevenson, 1831, 6-2, 83.500
28. Grandville ^, 1825, 5-3, 63.625
29. Warren Mott ^, 1810, 5-3, 66.750
30. Holt ^, 1788, 5-3, 58.750
31. Utica, 1788, 4-4, 55.625
32. Davison ^, 1765, 5-3, 62.750
33. Hudsonville, 1763, 6-2, 85.000
34. Belleville, 1735, 7-1, 94.250
35. Ann Arbor Skyline, 1703, 4-4, 44.250
36. Romeo, 1673, 8-0, 110.000
37. Grand Ledge, 1663, 8-0, 97.000
38. Waterford Mott ^, 1651, 5-3, 63.750
39. Grosse Pointe South, 1629, 6-2, 82.125
40. Traverse City West, 1623, 4-4, 48.875
41. Livonia Churchill, 1620, 4-4, 50.250
42. Livonia Franklin ^, 1615, 5-3, 60.875
43. Walled Lake Northern ^, 1611, 5-3, 65.250
44. Warren DeLaSalle, 1572, 6-2, 87.157
45. Sterling Heights, 1561, 6-2, 74.125
46. Temperance Bedford, 1561, 4-4, 51.250
47. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1537, 8-0, 108.000
48. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1533, 4-4, 48.625
49. Oak Park ^, 1530, 5-3, 66.125
50. Warren Cousino ^, 1514, 5-3, 62.250
51. Detroit U-D Jesuit ^, 1486, 5-3, 62.250
52. Caledonia, 1476, 4-4, 50.625
53. Traverse City Central, 1474, 8-0, 105.429
54. Walled Lake Western, 1462, 8-0, 112.000
55. Midland, 1419, 7-1, 88.875
56. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1403, 4-4, 43.250
57. Dearborn Edsel Ford, 1380, 4-4, 48.250
58. Portage Northern, 1375, 4-4, 51.625
59. Lincoln Park ^, 1363, 5-3, 62.750
60. Portage Central, 1351, 8-0, 103.000
61. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1346, 6-2, 78.250
62. Battle Creek Lakeview ^, 1344, 5-3, 66.875
63. Grosse Pointe North, 1341, 4-4, 51.125
64. Detroit East English, 1338, 6-2, 70.625
65. Swartz Creek, 1322, 4-4, 52.875
66. Southfield-Lathrup ^, 1320, 5-3, 57.875
67. Dearborn Heights Crestwood, 1308, 4-4, 42.750
68. Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills, 1280, 4-4, 49.000
69. Southfield ^, 1269, 5-3, 66.000
70. North Farmington, 1267, 4-4, 49.875
71. Port Huron Northern, 1260, 4-4, 46.875
72. Midland Dow, 1256, 7-1, 85.625
73. Berkley, 1248, 6-2, 73.375
74. Birmingham Groves, 1248, 8-0, 100.000
75. Royal Oak, 1248, 4-4, 46.375
76. Jackson, 1244, 6-2, 69.250
77. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1239, 8-0, 108.000
78. South Lyon, 1224, 4-4, 52.125
79. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1218, 7-1, 94.625
80. Grand Rapids Northview, 1183, 4-4, 51.500
81. Farmington ^, 1176, 5-3, 65.625
82. Mattawan, 1175, 4-4, 50.250
83. Lowell, 1168, 7-1, 94.875
84. Detroit Renaissance, 1140, 4-4, 40.875
85. Gibraltar Carlson ^, 1140, 5-3, 60.125
86. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1124, 6-2, 79.625
87. East Lansing, 1123, 4-4, 50.625
88. Muskegon, 1113, 6-2, 88.500
89. Fenton, 1108, 7-1, 94.500
90. Ypsilanti Community, 1088, 4-4, 51.125
91. Byron Center, 1070, 6-2, 72.500
92. Holly ^, 1068, 5-3, 67.875
93. Redford Thurston ^, 1064, 5-3, 68.125
94. Mt. Pleasant, 1061, 6-2, 73.625
95. Ortonville-Brandon ^, 1060, 5-3, 61.875
96. Allen Park, 1058, 7-1, 95.625
97. St. Johns, 1053, 6-2, 81.500
98. Zeeland East ^, 1040, 5-3, 73.400
99. Mason, 1033, 6-2, 71.375
100. Orchard Lake St. Mary's *, 1032, 6-1, 93.450
101. Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, 1030, 4-4, 49.875
102. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1010, 4-4, 45.375
103. Hamtramck, 984, 4-4, 39.625
104. St. Joseph, 980, 7-1, 91.500
105. East Grand Rapids ^, 975, 5-3, 72.875
106. Petoskey, 970, 6-2, 75.393
107. DeWitt, 960, 7-1, 101.875
108. Romulus ^, 956, 5-3, 58.625
109. Trenton, 953, 7-1, 93.750
110. Linden, 947, 7-1, 92.750
111. Cedar Springs ^, 943, 5-3, 60.250
112. Gaylord ^, 940, 5-3, 55.018
113. Sturgis, 926, 6-2, 67.625
114. Riverview, 912, 6-2, 60.500
115. Grand Rapids Christian ^, 905, 5-3, 66.625
116. Parma Western ^, 876, 5-3, 55.250
117. Haslett ^, 875, 5-3, 64.000
118. Stevensville Lakeshore ^, 874, 5-3, 70.750
119. New Boston Huron, 871, 4-4, 45.375
120. Warren Fitzgerald ^, 871, 5-3, 55.125
121. Fruitport, 865, 4-4, 43.196
122. Coldwater, 863, 8-0, 97.000
123. Marshall, 863, 7-1, 85.875
124. Vicksburg, 858, 6-2, 66.500
125. Edwardsburg, 851, 8-0, 90.000
126. Sault Ste. Marie ^, 850, 5-3, 63.804
127. Bay City John Glenn ^, 847, 5-3, 50.554
128. Chelsea, 845, 7-1, 82.375
129. Zeeland West, 840, 8-0, 100.000
130. Ada Forest Hills Eastern, 828, 8-0, 97.000
131. Dearborn Divine Child, 827, 4-4, 49.700
132. Milan, 820, 6-2, 69.625
133. Plainwell, 807, 4-4, 44.500
134. Fowlerville, 800, 4-4, 50.500
135. Coopersville, 797, 4-4, 40.000
136. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 794, 7-1, 69.875
137. Detroit Denby, 790, 4-4, 50.500
138. Marysville, 783, 6-2, 76.250
139. North Branch, 758, 4-4, 40.500
140. Center Line, 754, 4-4, 42.000
141. Goodrich, 754, 6-2, 68.071
142. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 728, 7-1, 88.625
143. Allendale, 720, 4-4, 42.500
144. Escanaba, 719, 4-4, 54.411
145. Warren Lincoln ^, 697, 5-3, 49.250
146. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy, 692, 6-2, 65.786
147. Detroit Country Day, 685, 7-1, 80.214
148. Comstock Park, 682, 6-2, 73.500
149. Detroit Cesar Chavez Academy, 681, 6-2, 56.625
150. Croswell-Lexington, 668, 6-2, 63.500
151. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 668, 7-1, 78.750
152. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 665, 6-2, 64.250
153. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 658, 7-1, 89.500
154. Williamston, 657, 4-4, 48.500
155. Corunna, 656, 7-1, 76.339
156. Whitehall ^, 656, 5-3, 50.375
157. Paw Paw, 653, 4-4, 42.375
158. Alma ^, 642, 5-3, 54.000
159. Detroit Collegiate Prep, 632, 8-0, 83.286
160. Benton Harbor, 631, 4-4, 54.000
161. Lake Fenton, 625, 4-4, 44.821
162. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 624, 7-1, 69.375
163. Saginaw Swan Valley ^, 613, 5-3, 52.875
164. Dowagiac ^, 611, 5-3, 56.875
165. Flint Powers Catholic, 610, 6-2, 69.000
166. Big Rapids ^, 609, 5-3, 53.000
167. Richmond, 605, 7-1, 80.625
168. Wyoming Godwin Heights ^, 602, 5-3, 45.000
169. Remus Chippewa Hills, 600, 6-2, 68.375
170. River Rouge, 593, 7-1, 77.750
171. Clawson ^, 592, 5-3, 48.000
172. Birch Run ^, 583, 5-3, 54.125
173. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 573, 6-2, 67.250
174. Gladwin, 571, 4-4, 36.625
175. Freeland, 563, 8-0, 91.000
176. Macomb Lutheran North, 563, 4-4, 37.625
177. Portland, 563, 8-0, 100.000
178. Essexville Garber, 557, 4-4, 42.750
179. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 556, 4-4, 43.500
180. Detroit University Prep ^, 555, 5-3, 50.196
181. Southfield Bradford Academy, 550, 4-4, 36.768
182. Ida, 548, 8-0, 92.000
183. Kingsford, 547, 6-2, 69.196
184. Marine City ^, 540, 5-3, 58.125
185. Muskegon Oakridge, 538, 6-2, 61.214
186. Algonac, 532, 7-1, 78.750
187. Frankenmuth, 529, 8-0, 86.000
188. Olivet ^, 524, 5-3, 54.875
189. Chesaning, 523, 4-4, 44.125
190. Detroit Henry Ford ^, 523, 5-3, 47.625
191. Lansing Catholic, 517, 7-1, 77.875
192. Almont, 513, 6-2, 61.375
193. Onsted, 509, 4-4, 34.125
194. Detroit Central Collegiate, 508, 6-2, 60.000
195. Berrien Springs, 495, 7-1, 77.431
196. Parchment ^, 493, 5-3, 42.875
197. Stockbridge, 493, 6-2, 56.250
198. Ovid-Elsie, 491, 6-2, 66.750
199. Reed City, 491, 8-0, 89.778
200. Dundee, 489, 4-4, 37.500
201. Grayling, 489, 6-2, 60.375
202. Standish-Sterling, 489, 4-4, 39.750
203. Clinton Township Clintondale, 486, 4-4, 50.250
204. Menominee, 480, 8-0, 100.444
205. Harper Woods ^, 476, 5-3, 49.339
206. Manistee, 469, 6-2, 54.911
207. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 463, 7-1, 67.875
208. Buchanan, 459, 8-0, 89.000
209. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 442, 6-2, 70.500
210. Clare ^, 437, 5-3, 47.500
211. Kalkaska, 437, 4-4, 37.500
212. Kingsley ^, 431, 5-3, 47.000
213. Harrison, 430, 6-2, 55.250
214. Hillsdale ^, 430, 5-3, 50.500
215. Jackson Lumen Christi, 426, 6-2, 72.625
216. Warren Michigan Collegiate ^, 421, 5-3, 58.536
217. Calumet, 419, 6-2, 55.260
218. Lakeview, 417, 4-4, 34.875
219. Sanford Meridian Early College, 408, 8-0, 79.000
220. Detroit Pershing, 405, 4-4, 34.250
221. Ithaca, 402, 8-0, 84.000
222. Byron ^, 399, 5-3, 44.250
223. Delton Kellogg ^, 398, 5-3, 54.000
224. Millington, 398, 7-1, 78.875
225. Montague, 396, 8-0, 85.000
226. Burton Bendle, 393, 7-1, 66.875
227. Oscoda ^, 391, 5-3, 38.625
228. Detroit Edison Public School Academy ^, 390, 5-3, 44.750
229. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 389, 8-0, 93.000
230. Roscommon, 388, 4-4, 36.625
231. Montrose ^, 386, 5-3, 49.464
232. Morley Stanwood, 386, 6-2, 54.375
233. Constantine, 385, 4-4, 45.000
234. Negaunee, 385, 6-2, 57.143
235. Maple City Glen Lake, 384, 4-4, 40.750
236. Boyne City, 383, 7-1, 66.875
237. Hanover-Horton, 382, 4-4, 35.375
238. Grass Lake, 380, 4-4, 37.125
239. Niles Brandywine ^, 380, 5-3, 40.875
240. Adrian Madison, 379, 4-4, 33.625
241. Vassar, 377, 7-1, 64.750
242. Mason County Central ^, 376, 5-3, 51.000
243. Laingsburg ^, 373, 5-3, 39.250
244. Watervliet, 372, 7-1, 74.875
245. Madison Heights Madison, 367, 7-1, 83.875
246. Manchester, 365, 7-1, 65.875
247. Schoolcraft, 357, 8-0, 84.000
248. Bangor, 356, 4-4, 31.375
249. Charlevoix ^, 350, 5-3, 43.125
250. Leroy Pine River, 349, 4-4, 41.500
251. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 345, 8-0, 84.000
252. St. Charles, 345, 4-4, 39.500
253. Lawton, 342, 6-2, 54.375
254. Vandercook Lake, 341, 7-1, 63.750
255. Clinton, 335, 8-0, 73.000
256. Lake City, 331, 4-4, 45.625
257. Traverse City St. Francis, 320, 8-0, 89.429
258. Ishpeming Westwood ^, 315, 5-3, 46.802
259. Hesperia, 310, 8-0, 71.000
260. Sandusky, 310, 8-0, 72.000
261. Iron Mountain ^, 309, 5-3, 47.329
262. McBain, 307, 6-2, 64.625
263. Hartford ^, 305, 5-3, 48.125
264. Cass City, 304, 6-2, 51.125
265. Bridgman, 303, 7-1, 58.750
266. Gobles, 301, 4-4, 41.125
267. Marlette, 298, 4-4, 34.875
268. Union City, 298, 4-4, 35.875
269. Burton Atherton, 296, 4-4, 28.893
270. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 296, 4-4, 36.125
271. Homer, 294, 7-1, 66.500
272. Pewamo-Westphalia, 292, 8-0, 74.000
273. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest ^, 292, 5-3, 43.500
274. Flint Hamady, 291, 6-2, 52.911
275. Dansville, 289, 7-1, 58.875
276. Springport ^, 287, 5-3, 46.875
277. Saginaw Nouvel, 285, 7-1, 68.561
278. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 284, 6-2, 57.625
279. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 282, 6-2, 55.000
280. Harbor Springs ^, 281, 5-3, 38.750
281. Flint Beecher *, 278, 5-2, 59.964
282. Ishpeming *, 278, 7-0, 79.000
283. Carson City-Crystal ^, 277, 5-3, 38.875
284. Detroit Loyola, 276, 6-2, 70.339
285. New Lothrop, 276, 8-0, 83.000
286. Saugatuck, 271, 8-0, 69.000
287. Ubly, 271, 6-2, 53.375
288. Cassopolis, 270, 6-2, 55.625
289. Concord, 267, 6-2, 54.250
290. Whittemore-Prescott ^, 267, 5-3, 47.875
291. Decatur ^, 266, 5-3, 39.000
292. Hudson, 265, 4-4, 35.625
293. Lincoln Alcona ^, 265, 5-3, 36.768
294. Unionville-Sebewaing ^, 262, 5-3, 47.250
295. Detroit Allen Academy *, 258, 5-3, 41.250
296. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 255, 7-1, 55.625
297. Indian River Inland Lakes ^, 251, 5-3, 34.875
298. Onekama, 250, 7-1, 51.946
299. Petersburg-Summerfield, 240, 6-2, 53.500
300. White Pigeon, 231, 4-4, 29.250
301. Beal City, 228, 7-1, 73.250
302. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 226, 7-1, 59.750
303. Merrill ^, 225, 5-3, 49.000
304. St. Ignace, 225, 7-1, 59.857
305. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 223, 7-1, 65.875
306. Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech ^, 219, 5-3, 44.250
307. Mayville, 217, 4-4, 32.375
308. L'Anse ^, 215, 5-3, 44.778
309. Newberry, 211, 6-2, 46.196
310. Pittsford ^, 211, 5-3, 37.536
311. Vestaburg ^, 205, 5-3, 34.500
312. Mendon ^, 200, 5-3, 44.250
313. Bark River-Harris, 194, 6-2, 50.006
314. Morenci, 191, 6-2, 54.625
315. Munising, 191, 6-2, 49.196
316. Central Lake, 189, 6-2, 42.500
317. Fowler, 183, 6-2, 45.625
318. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian ^, 178, 5-3, 47.875
319. Muskegon Catholic Central *, 177, 5-2, 60.089
320. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 170, 7-1, 48.161
321. Climax-Scotts, 163, 8-0, 61.286
322. Crystal Falls Forest Park *, 163, 5-2, 46.720
323. Frankfort, 160, 7-1, 67.375
324. Waterford Our Lady, 157, 8-0, 87.000
325. Lake Linden-Hubbell, 155, 8-0, 68.683
326. Colon ^, 153, 5-3, 35.411
327. Hillman, 146, 6-2, 40.768
328. Baldwin *^, 144, 4-3, 34.643
329. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart ^, 142, 5-3, 42.375
330. Bay City All Saints ^, 118, 5-3, 29.429
331. Clarkston Everest Collegiate ^, 113, 5-3, 46.250
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Battle Creek St. Philip, 144, 8-0, 63.000
2. Owendale-Gagetown, 49, 8-0, 60.143
3. Posen, 84, 8-0, 60.000
4. Powers North Central, 198, 8-0, 58.000
5. Morrice, 169, 7-1, 55.875
6. Deckerville, 178, 7-1, 54.750
7. Waldron, 88, 7-1, 45.875
8. Cedarville, 144, 6-2, 44.375
9. Lawrence, 189, 7-1, 43.127
10. Engadine, 85, 6-2, 42.375
11. Peck, 152, 6-2, 42.071
12. New Haven Merritt Academy, 148, 6-2, 40.464
13. Rapid River, 111, 5-3, 40.000
14. Portland St. Patrick, 87, 6-2, 36.625
15. Stephenson, 186, 5-3, 36.000
16. Onaway, 196, 5-3, 34.000
17. Pickford, 164, 5-3, 32.875
18. Marion *, 145, 4-3, 27.744
19. Bellaire, 134, 4-4, 26.875
20. Kingston, 187, 4-4, 26.875
21. Webberville, 184, 4-4, 26.000
22. Baraga, 164, 4-4, 25.500
23. Kinde-North Huron, 147, 4-4, 24.500
24. Tekonsha, 148, 4-4, 23.625
25. Caseville, 91, 4-4, 23.411
26. Akron-Fairgrove, 99, 3-5, 20.589
27. Ewen-Trout Creek, 126, 2-6, 14.750
28. Hale *, 132, 2-5, 14.554
29. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 190, 2-6, 13.637
30. Burr Oak, 75, 2-6, 12.750
31. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 108, 2-6, 12.250
32. Ontonagon, 129, 2-6, 12.000
33. Eben Junction Superior Central, 123, 1-7, 8.125
34. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 103, 1-7, 7.875
35. Pellston, 170, 1-7, 7.000
36. Litchfield, 92, 0-8, 3.875
37. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 120, 0-8, 3.750
38. Brimley, 142, 0-8, 3.125
39. Flint Michigan School For The Deaf *, 47, 0-7, 2.982
40. Covert *, 91, 0-6, 2.220
Hutchinson Makes Name at Divine Child
By
Tom Markowski
Special for Second Half
September 13, 2017
DEARBORN – Often, a child of a successful athlete has difficulty living up to that standard.
To this point, that’s not the case with Aidan Hutchinson.
He plays a similar position as did his father Chris, an All-America defensive lineman at University of Michigan in 1992. But there are differences as well between father and son – although like his dad, Aidan also will head to Ann Arbor after he graduates from Dearborn Divine Child.
All Falcons fourth-year coach John Filiatraut knows is that he hit the lottery when the Hutchinsons decided Aidan would attend Divine Child – not that he didn’t see it coming, given Aidan’s mother, Melissa Hutchinson, and his two older sisters, Mia and Aria, all attended the Catholic school.
“They’re great people,” said Filiatraut, a 1986 Divine Child graduate. “It’s a treat. Coaches can complain and whine with the best of them. But we’re lucky to have Aidan.
“And Chris is not very intrusive. I was worried about that at the beginning. With his background, it would be easy to step in. We as coaches are trying to do things right here. (Chris) is committed to Aidan and for him to do this on his own, and not cast a shadow on Aidan.”
Coming off its winningest season (10-3) since 1985 and a Division 3 Semifinals berth in 2016, Divine Child is off to a 3-0 start this fall.
As for those differences between father and son, size is one. The elder Hutchinson was 6-foot-2 and weighed 221 pounds when he graduated from high school. His playing weight at U-M was 250. His son is 6-6 and weighs 255 pounds, and is considered one of the top prospects in the class of 2018. Aidan plays defensive end and tight end. His father was a defensive tackle.
Chris Hutchinson grew up in Houston and played football at Cypress Creek High before going on to University of Michigan, where he played four seasons and was named first team All-America as a senior defensive lineman in 1992. Chris Hutchinson said private school education was all new to him, but he couldn’t be more pleased with the educational – and now with his son – athletic experiences his family has enjoyed.
Not surprisingly, Aidan has accepted a scholarship offer to attend U-M. He did make unofficial visits to Notre Dame and Wisconsin, in addition to his interest in attending Penn State, but eventually U-M won out.
And so far his senior season has unfolded as planned.
“We’re 3-0. It’s great,” he said. “Michigan is undefeated. We’re undefeated. It’s all great.”
Chris Hutchinson didn’t allow Aidan to play tackle football until he was in the seventh grade. Aidan did play flag football, and other sports like soccer, but his father held him out of the physical contact until he thought Aidan was ready.
“It was a big change for me,” Aidan said of playing tackle football. “I had to learn a lot because most of the other kids had been playing two or three years. It wasn’t too bad a transition. I just had to learn quickly.”
Despite his size, and his weight as an infant (11 pounds, one ounce), Aidan wasn’t a large child growing up. He weighed 135 pounds when he was in the eighth grade, then 160 as a freshman playing on the line on Divine Child’s junior varsity team. Over the next two years, he grew seven inches and added 70 pounds.
“I’ve been (growing) all through high school,” he said. “Am I done growing? I don’t think so, but I’m hoping I am.”
The answer is likely the former. Aidan just turned 17 last month (Aug. 9).
Though his size is a plus once he gets to college, there are times when it can work against him at the high school level.
“It’s different when you’re 6-6 going against a 6-foot kid,” Chris Hutchinson said. “You have to keep your head down, and stay low.”
Chris Hutchinson, who’s a doctor in the emergency room at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, understands it’s not his place to coach his son from the sideline, even though, as the team physician, it’s his job to be on the sideline. He keeps a safe distance and allows Filiatraut and his staff do their jobs.
At home, it’s a different story. The two view film constantly to determine where improvements can be made.
“Thank God for Hudl,” Chris said. “I only focus on technique. When Aidan tells me they’re using a double team, I ask what type? There are different ways you can use a double team.
“It’s important not to be that dad who coaches. There are way too many dads who do the coaching thing. The hardest thing for me is not to say something, and have him come to me. When they do ask, then you can go forward.”
Aidan is quick for his size, and he attributes much of that quickness and his ability to react quickly to the other sport he plays, lacrosse. He started playing lacrosse the same year he began playing tackle football, and to him they go hand in hand.
“It’s a ton of fun (playing lacrosse),” he said. “My whole group of friends play. All six of us started (on varsity) as freshmen, so we should be pretty good this year. There’s no question it helps me in football. One hundred percent. It helps with my hip movement, and in lacrosse it forces you to back pedal.”
Filiatraut said Hutchinson is a special part of a special team at Divine Child. Its quarterback, Theo Day, is one of the state’s best. Day led the Falcons to the Division 3 Semifinals last season and has committed to sing with Michigan State.
“Aidan gives great effort all of the time,” Filiatraut said. “Honestly, he’s on the shy side. He’s trying to figure it all out. He’s doing his best to be a vocal leader, but it’s not in his nature.
“He’s got a ton of want-to. He wants to be good, and to get better.”
Tom Markowski is a columnist and directs website coverage for the State Champs! Sports Network. He previously covered primarily high school sports for the The Detroit News from 1984-2014, focusing on the Detroit area and contributing to statewide coverage of football and basketball. Contact him at [email protected] with story ideas for Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) Deaborn Divine Child’s Aidan Hutchinson grabs a water break while dad and team physician Chris Hutchinson keeps an eye on the field. (Middle) Hutchinson blocks against Benton Harbor during his team’s Week 1 win. (Below) Aidan, Chris, mom Melissa and U-M coach Jim Harbaugh take a photo after Aidan commits to sign with the Wolverines. (Photos courtesy of the Hutchinson family.)