2016 Week 8 Football Playoff Listing
October 11, 2016
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 seventh 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. 28.
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. 28.
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. on Oct. 23 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, 2976, 4-3, 55.714
2. Utica Eisenhower, 2700, 7-0, 108.571
3. Clarkston ^, 2683, 5-2, 74.143
4. Grand Blanc, 2628, 4-3, 63.571
5. East Kentwood, 2596, 4-3, 60.143
6. Southfield Arts & Technology, 2581, 4-3, 59.286
7. Rockford ^, 2563, 5-2, 77.143
8. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2518, 4-3, 67.286
9. Howell ^, 2499, 5-2, 71.857
10. Dearborn Fordson, 2487, 7-0, 104.000
11. Lake Orion ^, 2418, 5-2, 71.571
12. Detroit Cass Tech, 2368, 7-0, 92.571
13. Northville, 2325, 6-1, 94.429
14. Salem, 2172, 4-3, 56.429
15. Brighton, 2142, 6-1, 88.714
16. Detroit Catholic Central, 2128, 7-0, 106.514
17. Novi, 2050, 4-3, 54.857
18. Oxford, 2042, 4-3, 57.429
19. Canton ^, 2035, 5-2, 74.714
20. New Baltimore Anchor Bay, 1987, 4-3, 50.571
21. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, 1986, 6-1, 83.143
22. Dearborn, 1978, 6-1, 87.571
23. Lapeer ^, 1932, 5-2, 64.286
24. Saline, 1923, 7-0, 105.905
25. Bloomfield Hills, 1831, 7-0, 100.571
26. White Lake Lakeland, 1822, 4-3, 53.714
27. Grandville, 1810, 6-1, 88.571
28. Hudsonville, 1797, 6-1, 88.714
29. Warren Mott, 1768, 6-1, 86.286
30. Grand Ledge, 1694, 6-1, 84.143
31. Belleville ^, 1668, 5-2, 71.286
32. Davison, 1668, 7-0, 97.143
33. Rochester Adams ^, 1666, 5-2, 71.143
34. Romeo ^, 1641, 5-2, 82.429
35. Rochester, 1632, 4-3, 59.857
36. Walled Lake Northern ^, 1631, 5-2, 70.714
37. Kalamazoo Central, 1615, 4-3, 57.048
38. Grosse Pointe South ^, 1600, 5-2, 74.286
39. Temperance Bedford, 1597, 6-1, 83.143
40. Detroit Western International, 1584, 4-3, 44.286
41. Brownstown Woodhaven ^, 1579, 5-2, 68.857
42. Detroit East English, 1579, 4-3, 51.429
43. Livonia Churchill, 1578, 4-3, 60.857
44. Traverse City West ^, 1552, 5-2, 71.429
45. Flint Carman-Ainsworth ^, 1522, 5-2, 67.571
46. Livonia Franklin ^, 1507, 5-2, 74.000
47. Warren Cousino, 1496, 6-1, 82.714
48. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1487, 6-1, 79.714
49. Detroit U-D Jesuit *, 1482, 5-1, 82.905
50. Jenison ^, 1481, 5-2, 65.000
51. Oak Park ^, 1409, 5-2, 76.000
52. St. Clair Shores Lakeview ^, 1409, 5-2, 62.714
53. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1404, 4-3, 53.524
54. Traverse City Central, 1394, 7-0, 101.714
55. Port Huron, 1392, 4-3, 52.429
56. Midland, 1388, 4-3, 49.857
57. Portage Central, 1388, 6-1, 89.619
58. Portage Northern, 1378, 4-3, 60.071
59. Walled Lake Western, 1370, 6-1, 97.286
60. Grosse Pointe North ^, 1367, 5-2, 69.857
61. Battle Creek Lakeview *^, 1353, 4-2, 63.619
62. Hamtramck, 1352, 4-3, 43.071
63. Dearborn Edsel Ford, 1346, 4-3, 50.286
64. Berkley ^, 1319, 5-2, 71.714
65. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central ^, 1316, 5-2, 70.000
66. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1311, 6-1, 88.857
67. Port Huron Northern ^, 1288, 5-2, 62.571
68. Wyoming, 1288, 4-3, 49.714
69. Pinckney ^, 1276, 5-2, 73.286
70. Midland Dow, 1254, 7-0, 94.857
71. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1250, 4-3, 56.875
72. Birmingham Groves, 1248, 7-0, 105.143
73. Jackson, 1243, 4-3, 56.571
74. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1240, 4-3, 56.429
75. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1198, 4-3, 50.571
76. Lowell, 1165, 7-0, 109.714
77. Holly ^, 1164, 5-2, 65.143
78. Bay City Central, 1158, 4-3, 52.143
79. Greenville ^, 1142, 5-2, 69.714
80. Fenton ^, 1138, 5-2, 75.286
81. East Lansing ^, 1117, 5-2, 67.143
82. Ferndale ^, 1117, 5-2, 58.571
83. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1100, 4-3, 55.571
84. Allen Park, 1094, 7-0, 107.429
85. Byron Center, 1070, 6-1, 81.857
86. Muskegon, 1052, 6-1, 84.143
87. Orchard Lake St Mary's, 1040, 4-3, 64.827
88. Ortonville-Brandon, 1034, 6-1, 78.286
89. Detroit Cody ^, 1015, 5-2, 64.143
90. Mason, 1009, 6-1, 77.286
91. Zeeland East, 1007, 6-1, 78.286
92. DeWitt, 1002, 6-1, 88.714
93. St. Joseph ^, 989, 5-2, 73.095
94. East Grand Rapids ^, 979, 5-2, 76.000
95. Trenton ^, 969, 5-2, 74.714
96. Linden ^, 940, 5-2, 62.000
97. Coldwater ^, 929, 5-2, 68.429
98. Romulus, 929, 6-1, 79.571
99. Grand Rapids Christian, 912, 6-1, 85.571
100. Warren Fitzgerald, 891, 6-1, 78.143
101. New Boston Huron ^, 886, 5-2, 63.143
102. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 880, 6-1, 73.714
103. Chelsea, 867, 7-0, 97.238
104. Redford Union ^, 865, 5-2, 59.714
105. Stevensville Lakeshore, 865, 4-3, 62.143
106. Vicksburg, 861, 6-1, 72.857
107. Dearborn Divine Child ^, 859, 5-2, 63.629
108. Zeeland West ^, 857, 5-2, 75.714
109. Edwardsburg, 855, 7-0, 85.714
110. Marshall, 849, 4-3, 52.857
111. Bay City John Glenn ^, 838, 5-2, 62.000
112. Fowlerville ^, 833, 5-2, 59.857
113. Cadillac ^, 817, 5-2, 62.857
114. Hamilton ^, 810, 5-2, 65.286
115. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 797, 6-1, 69.333
116. Marysville, 794, 7-0, 96.000
117. Adrian, 792, 4-3, 55.952
118. St. Clair, 784, 4-3, 55.143
119. Milan, 775, 6-1, 85.000
120. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 749, 4-3, 52.286
121. River Rouge, 741, 6-1, 74.000
122. Allendale ^, 735, 5-2, 63.286
123. Three Rivers, 730, 6-1, 73.286
124. Escanaba, 722, 6-1, 76.286
125. Detroit Mumford, 714, 6-1, 79.524
126. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy *, 708, 5-2, 62.762
127. Ludington, 695, 6-1, 54.571
128. Detroit Country Day, 692, 7-0, 85.714
129. Alma, 674, 6-1, 75.143
130. Battle Creek Pennfield, 669, 4-3, 48.571
131. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 660, 6-1, 73.190
132. Croswell-Lexington ^, 659, 5-2, 58.714
133. Lake Fenton, 654, 7-0, 83.429
134. Grosse Ile, 653, 6-1, 76.143
135. Whitehall, 653, 4-3, 48.857
136. Flint Powers Catholic, 647, 4-3, 54.143
137. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 644, 7-0, 92.571
138. Benton Harbor, 643, 7-0, 86.857
139. Corunna, 639, 6-1, 68.286
140. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 629, 6-1, 80.714
141. Grand Rapids South Christian, 621, 4-3, 53.571
142. St. Clair Shores South Lake ^, 617, 5-2, 67.429
143. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 614, 7-0, 84.571
144. Dowagiac, 610, 4-3, 50.286
145. Lansing Sexton, 610, 4-3, 59.143
146. Hancock, 608, 4-3, 37.429
147. Saginaw Swan Valley, 607, 4-3, 48.000
148. Detroit Denby, 593, 6-1, 64.429
149. Muskegon Oakridge, 590, 6-1, 64.857
150. Southfield Bradford Academy ^, 587, 5-2, 54.048
151. Belding ^, 585, 5-2, 57.429
152. Portland, 579, 7-0, 92.571
153. Remus Chippewa Hills, 577, 6-1, 71.714
154. Richmond, 562, 6-1, 71.714
155. Freeland, 561, 7-0, 94.857
156. Essexville Garber ^, 550, 5-2, 55.286
157. Algonac, 547, 7-0, 83.429
158. Ida, 546, 6-1, 70.429
159. Carrollton, 543, 4-3, 43.143
160. Kingsford ^, 543, 5-2, 65.607
161. Olivet ^, 541, 5-2, 57.714
162. Harper Woods, 540, 4-3, 43.429
163. Frankenmuth, 533, 7-0, 85.714
164. Lansing Catholic, 532, 6-1, 78.571
165. Grandville Calvin Christian, 531, 4-3, 46.357
166. Grant ^, 520, 5-2, 53.000
167. Kalkaska, 517, 6-1, 62.286
168. Almont, 497, 4-3, 44.429
169. Shepherd, 497, 4-3, 46.571
170. Manistee, 496, 4-3, 40.857
171. Reed City, 496, 7-0, 88.000
172. Grayling, 492, 4-3, 42.143
173. Berrien Springs *^, 482, 4-2, 57.214
174. Buchanan *^, 476, 4-2, 55.095
175. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 475, 6-1, 65.714
176. Durand, 463, 4-3, 38.571
177. Parchment, 448, 4-3, 42.571
178. Brooklyn Columbia Central ^, 442, 5-2, 51.714
179. Menominee, 439, 7-0, 90.857
180. Hillsdale, 432, 4-3, 42.571
181. Ithaca, 426, 7-0, 78.857
182. Clare, 419, 6-1, 68.286
183. Pinconning ^, 417, 5-2, 49.143
184. Montague, 414, 6-1, 62.000
185. Tawas *^, 412, 4-2, 41.381
186. Hemlock, 411, 4-3, 39.714
187. Harrison, 410, 4-3, 40.571
188. Calumet, 406, 6-1, 67.000
189. Michigan Center, 406, 4-3, 35.000
190. Morley Stanwood ^, 404, 5-2, 52.714
191. Lakeview, 402, 4-3, 42.857
192. Delton Kellogg, 401, 4-3, 45.143
193. Negaunee, 400, 7-0, 82.857
194. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 398, 6-1, 68.333
195. Adrian Madison, 397, 4-3, 40.000
196. Boyne City ^, 396, 5-2, 61.571
197. Charlevoix, 393, 6-1, 61.143
198. Millington, 393, 6-1, 70.571
199. Beaverton ^, 387, 5-2, 51.429
200. Constantine ^, 386, 5-2, 59.429
201. Montrose, 386, 4-3, 45.571
202. Byron ^, 385, 5-2, 56.286
203. Quincy ^, 381, 5-2, 42.429
204. Jackson Lumen Christi ^, 380, 5-2, 65.429
205. Napoleon ^, 380, 5-2, 49.429
206. Watervliet ^, 380, 5-2, 56.286
207. Maple City Glen Lake ^, 379, 5-2, 53.143
208. Manchester, 378, 4-3, 38.571
209. Detroit Edison Public School Academy *^, 374, 4-2, 44.000
210. Houghton Lake, 374, 4-3, 44.286
211. Laingsburg, 374, 6-1, 58.000
212. Roscommon, 367, 6-1, 68.143
213. Grass Lake, 363, 7-0, 69.714
214. Kent City ^, 362, 5-2, 53.571
215. New Haven, 362, 4-3, 44.143
216. Schoolcraft, 358, 7-0, 76.571
217. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 355, 4-3, 53.571
218. Ravenna ^, 350, 5-2, 55.143
219. Leroy Pine River, 347, 6-1, 67.000
220. Madison Heights Madison, 343, 4-3, 62.000
221. Traverse City St. Francis, 341, 7-0, 77.714
222. Bath, 336, 4-3, 34.857
223. Lawton, 333, 6-1, 55.714
224. Clinton ^, 331, 5-2, 53.857
225. Flint Hamady ^, 329, 5-2, 56.143
226. Reese ^, 328, 5-2, 48.286
227. Detroit Delta Prep ^, 327, 5-2, 50.143
228. McBain, 326, 4-3, 46.000
229. Burton Atherton, 316, 4-3, 34.000
230. Homer ^, 313, 5-2, 55.000
231. Bridgman, 312, 4-3, 33.786
232. Galesburg-Augusta, 312, 4-3, 31.857
233. Iron Mountain ^, 302, 5-2, 51.143
234. New Lothrop, 298, 7-0, 77.714
235. Gobles ^, 289, 5-2, 50.714
236. Saugatuck, 289, 7-0, 68.571
237. Cass City, 288, 4-3, 42.286
238. Pewamo-Westphalia, 288, 7-0, 70.857
239. Gwinn ^, 287, 5-2, 50.571
240. Cassopolis, 278, 6-1, 62.976
241. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 277, 7-0, 71.429
242. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, 275, 4-3, 35.429
243. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 274, 6-1, 57.857
244. Carson City-Crystal, 268, 4-3, 31.143
245. Sand Creek, 268, 7-0, 64.381
246. Hudson, 267, 6-1, 70.143
247. Unionville-Sebewaing, 267, 6-1, 62.571
248. Detroit Loyola, 266, 6-1, 71.286
249. Hesperia, 265, 4-3, 38.000
250. East Jordan, 261, 4-3, 29.143
251. Ubly, 260, 7-0, 67.429
252. Dansville, 259, 4-3, 37.571
253. Springport, 259, 6-1, 55.429
254. Concord, 258, 6-1, 57.857
255. Onekama ^, 254, 5-2, 40.143
256. Whittemore-Prescott, 251, 4-3, 36.762
257. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic ^, 249, 5-2, 54.714
258. Saginaw Nouvel ^, 248, 5-2, 56.905
259. Petersburg-Summerfield, 247, 4-3, 33.857
260. Lincoln Alcona, 245, 6-1, 55.357
261. Decatur, 243, 4-3, 33.714
262. Evart, 242, 4-3, 39.429
263. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 242, 7-0, 66.286
264. Iron River West Iron County, 241, 4-3, 39.196
265. Beal City ^, 239, 5-2, 51.714
266. Breckenridge, 235, 7-0, 62.857
267. St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic, 232, 6-1, 53.000
268. Harbor Beach, 231, 4-3, 32.286
269. St. Ignace, 219, 6-1, 56.857
270. Norway, 214, 6-1, 56.714
271. Newberry, 212, 6-1, 52.286
272. Pittsford, 206, 4-3, 34.000
273. Mendon ^, 203, 5-2, 51.500
274. Morenci, 201, 4-3, 42.429
275. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary ^, 200, 5-2, 50.429
276. Vestaburg ^, 195, 5-2, 44.429
277. Merrill ^, 191, 5-2, 39.000
278. Fowler ^, 185, 5-2, 44.571
279. Martin, 178, 4-3, 31.143
280. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 173, 4-3, 41.429
281. Frankfort, 171, 7-0, 61.714
282. Gaylord St. Mary, 170, 6-1, 43.000
283. Climax-Scotts, 169, 7-0, 59.810
284. Muskegon Catholic Central, 163, 7-0, 83.429
285. Lake Linden-Hubbell, 157, 7-0, 73.571
286. Colon ^, 156, 5-2, 37.095
287. AuGres-Sims, 149, 6-1, 52.143
288. Hillman, 146, 4-3, 32.857
289. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 146, 4-3, 35.000
290. Waterford Our Lady ^, 134, 5-2, 54.333
291. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 115, 6-1, 56.571
292. Felch North Dickinson ^, 95, 5-2, 37.857
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Deckerville *, 177, 7-0, 61.714
2. Engadine, 91, 7-0, 58.286
3. New Haven Merritt Academy, 165, 7-0, 56.000
4. Powers North Central, 115, 7-0, 54.190
5. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 168, 7-0, 53.714
6. Portland St. Patrick, 92, 7-0, 52.762
7. Stephenson, 177, 6-1, 46.857
8. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 159, 6-1, 46.762
9. Lawrence, 186, 6-1, 46.571
10. Owendale-Gagetown, 48, 6-1, 45.429
11. Cedarville, 156, 6-1, 44.286
12. Fife Lake Forest Area, 162, 6-1, 41.048
13. Pickford, 149, 6-1, 40.857
14. Peck, 143, 5-2, 39.952
15. Battle Creek St. Philip, 143, 5-2, 38.381
16. Rapid River, 116, 5-2, 38.190
17. Webberville, 178, 5-2, 38.000
18. Flint International Academy, 185, 5-2, 35.857
19. Camden-Frontier *, 159, 5-1, 35.762
20. Morrice, 168, 4-3, 33.905
21. Tekonsha, 135, 4-3, 28.286
22. Hale, 129, 4-3, 27.286
23. Onaway, 190, 4-3, 25.143
24. Marion, 132, 3-4, 24.286
25. Posen, 94, 3-4, 22.095
26. Waldron, 83, 3-4, 21.857
27. Ontonagon, 126, 3-4, 21.054
28. Mayville, 196, 3-4, 20.857
29. Burton Madison Academy, 198, 3-4, 19.714
30. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 97, 3-4, 18.524
31. Manistee Catholic Central, 189, 3-4, 18.000
32. Eben Junction Superior Central, 125, 2-5, 16.286
33. Burr Oak, 72, 2-5, 15.143
34. Brethren, 152, 2-5, 14.143
35. Caseville, 98, 2-5, 13.143
36. Flint Michigan School for the Deaf *, 47, 2-4, 12.333
37. Bellaire, 133, 2-5, 12.143
38. Baraga, 150, 1-6, 9.048
39. Ewen-Trout Creek, 115, 1-6, 9.000
40. Carney-Nadeau *, 140, 1-5, 8.762
41. Covert *, 95, 1-5, 8.190
42. Charlton Heston Academy, 137, 1-6, 8.000
43. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 118, 1-6, 7.571
44. Pellston, 169, 0-7, 3.952
45. Kinde-North Huron, 157, 0-7, 3.333
46. Litchfield, 85, 0-7, 3.143
47. Akron-Fairgrove, 105, 0-7, 3.000
48. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 193, 0-7, 2.762
Brighton Memories Close to Henson's Heart
By
Steve Vedder
Special for MHSAA.com
November 7, 2017
Drew Henson admits he'll still sneak an occasional peak at the record book.
After 20 years and professional careers in two sports, a quick glance isn't about vanity for Henson. The former Brighton football and baseball star said he's simply curious whether his myriad records are withstanding the test of time.
"Sometimes somebody will send me (a link), and I'll look to see if anybody is getting close," Henson said. "I've got to see who is coming up."
Henson, 37, graduated from Brighton in 1998 having set 11 major hitting records, eight of which he still holds 20 years later. He's also noted among the state football record setters after throwing for 5,662 yards and 52 touchdowns during his Bulldogs career. Twice he threw for more than 2,000 yards in a season during an era right before spread offenses made doing so a much more regular occurrence. In addition, he was a standout basketball player as well at Brighton and his class’ valedictorian.
In baseball, Henson is still the all-time career leader in hits (257), doubles (68), home runs (70), grand slams (10) and RBI (290). The 70 homers is 23 more than those hit by any other Michigan high school player, including eventual major leaguers such as Nate McLouth (Whitehall), Ryan LaMarre (Jackson Lumen Christi) and Zach Putnam (Ann Arbor Pioneer). Henson drove in at least 78 runs every season sophomore through senior years. He's the state's all-time leader in RBI by 87. He also continues to hold national high school records for career RBI and grand slams.
Henson's senior baseball season is unquestionably the best ever amassed by a Michigan prep player. He set single-season records with 22 homers and 83 RBI, batted .605 and went 14-2 as a pitcher, including appearing in an MHSAA tournament game in which he struck out 20 of 21 batters, allowing batters to make contact with a pitch only twice.
Now living in Tampa, Fla., Henson he still views the records the same way he did before he departed to play quarterback at University of Michigan and then eventually sign $3.5 and $17 million contracts with the Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees, respectively. Henson, who once fielded ground balls beside Derek Jeter and battled Tom Brady for a starting job, played on four Brighton baseball teams that averaged about 30 wins per year.
"A lot of factors created those opportunities for me. You don't set records like that without playing on a good team with good teammates," he said.
"We were a good hitting team from one through nine in the order. Our goal was to try and win state every year. I wouldn't have hit the homers or driven in the runs every year without my teammates. I have a lot of vivid memories of high school that are near and dear to my heart."
Former Brighton coach Mark Carrow said it's no surprise to him that Henson still owns the record book two decades after graduating. Carrow said Henson was the perfect blend of work ethic and natural talent.
"I coached for 34 years, and he was without question the best player I ever saw," Carrow said. "From the time he came to us as a freshman, it took one look at him throwing or one look hitting to know he was special.
"If there was a checklist for what you wanted in a baseball or football player, he checked the top of the box every time. He could throw 97, 98 (mph) and he could hit. He could dominate a game."
Carrow said the records are even more remarkable when you consider Henson every season would draw more than 40 walks, many intentional.
"Scouts used to come to the games, and I mean teams' top scouts," Carrow said. "And they'd say Drew was as good as they had ever seen."
Henson’s parents both were Division I college athletes, and his father Dan coached football at four Division I programs. Still, Drew’s dual sport professional career nearly took a different path as a youngster. While Henson started playing T-ball as a 5-year-old, his first love during his preteen years was basketball. Henson didn't play his first competitive football game until the eighth grade.
Considering he had interests in virtually every sport and at least in part because his father was a football coach, Henson thought of himself as a "gym rat" growing up. He would tag along to his father's practices, devour box scores in the paper and prop himself in front of the television on fall afternoons.
Much of high school athletics today is focused on specialization, but Henson said he never considered narrowing his sports to one. In fact, he encourages his young daughter to play as many sports as she can fit in.
"It never got dull for me," he said. "For a lot of kids today, it's too much for too long. You don't get a mental break. You can start to lose you."
While Henson's high school career was one for the record books, and he helped the Wolverines to a 9-3 record and Cotton Bowl win in 2000, his professional career never took off. He was a third-round draft pick by the Yankees (97th overall) in 1998 and sixth-round pick of the NFL's Houston Texans in 2003.
He stalled at Triple-A in the Yankees system, but did make the major leagues in 2003, singling off the Orioles' Eric DeBose for his only big league hit. He wound up retiring from baseball following the season after hitting .248 with 67 homers and 274 RBI in 501 minor league games. He was 23 years old.
In the NFL, Henson wound up making one start for the Cowboys in 2004 and in 2008 joined the Lions for a season. Henson threw one touchdown pass as a Cowboy, to Jeff Robinson in 2004.
Henson, who in July of 2015 still rated a profile in Sports Illustrated a decade after throwing his final pass in the NFL, has been asked many times about his lack of success in professional sports. Past speculation states he was rushed through the Yankees' chain, while participation in professional baseball may have stunted his football development.
Two decades after leaving Brighton, Henson said he still answers the question of which sport was actually his favorite the same way: with diplomacy.
"I've always said nothing was more fun than to play baseball, but there is also nothing like being in the huddle on the football field," he said. "It's hard to say which I liked more. You can play baseball every day, but you can only play football once a week."
The one regret Henson may harbor has to do with patience. If he had to do it all over again, Henson said he'd force himself to slow down and enjoy the process. Henson said he often felt he had to play catch-up in both sports.
"I would tell my younger self to have more patience. There were so many opportunities after my junior year (of college) that would have still been there as a senior," he said. "Because of that I wish I would've had more patience and let the process play out."
Henson said his message to youngsters who face the same challenge is simple.
"Society is so go, go, go," he said. "You just have to learn to hit the pause button. If you're always on to the next thing, you're not embracing the moment. I wish I had done more of that.
"If you like to work and put in the time, you can be successful. All that goes into it. If you have the heart and desire and pay attention to detail, you will be successful."
PHOTOS: (Top) Drew Henson starred during the fall at Brighton’s quarterback. (Middle) Henson struck out 20 of 21 batters he faced in a 1997 game against Walled Lake Western. (Below) Henson also was a basketball standout, averaging 22 points per game according to a Sports Illustrated profile published in 1998. (Football and basketball photos courtesy of Brighton High School).