2018 Week 7 Football Playoff Listing
October 2, 2018
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 sixth 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.
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. 26. 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 32 programs will then be divided into two divisions of 16 each based on enrollment. The playoff in that division also begins Oct. 26.
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 Oct. 21 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, 3114, 5-1, 79.500
2. Dearborn Fordson, 2795, 5-1, 82.167
3. Utica Eisenhower, 2668, 3-3, 51.667
4. East Kentwood, 2651, 5-1, 83.500
5. Grand Blanc, 2637, 4-2, 69.667
6. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 2591, 3-3, 48.333
7. Clarkston, 2548, 6-0, 98.667
8. Rockford, 2481, 3-3, 47.167
9. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2462, 6-0, 110.667
10. Detroit Cass Tech, 2432, 6-0, 92.800
11. Lake Orion, 2393, 3-3, 48.667
12. Howell, 2387, 4-2, 62.500
13. Canton, 2260, 4-2, 65.167
14. Brighton, 2202, 5-1, 84.833
15. Holland West Ottawa, 2190, 5-1, 78.000
16. Oxford, 2170, 4-2, 69.000
17. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 2115, 3-3, 45.000
18. Dearborn, 2106, 3-3, 45.833
19. Plymouth, 2060, 4-2, 65.167
20. Detroit Catholic Central, 2020, 5-1, 87.500
21. West Bloomfield, 2005, 5-1, 87.500
22. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, 1994, 4-2, 59.500
23. Monroe, 1949, 5-1, 80.071
24. Hudsonville, 1879, 5-1, 78.100
25. Saline, 1834, 5-1, 87.500
26. Romeo, 1779, 5-1, 85.833
27. Detroit Western International, 1773, 4-2, 53.167
28. Lapeer, 1772, 6-0, 97.333
29. White Lake Lakeland, 1740, 4-2, 66.667
30. Ann Arbor Skyline, 1701, 3-3, 44.500
31. Davison, 1687, 6-0, 96.000
32. Kalamazoo Central, 1672, 4-2, 67.500
33. Belleville, 1642, 6-0, 105.333
34. Traverse City West, 1634, 4-2, 71.000
35. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1628, 5-1, 85.833
36. Rochester Adams, 1621, 3-3, 51.167
37. Grosse Pointe South, 1593, 6-0, 97.333
38. Warren Mott, 1585, 4-2, 71.000
39. Waterford Mott, 1558, 4-2, 61.000
40. Saginaw Heritage, 1541, 3-3, 42.667
41. Warren DeLaSalle, 1474, 5-1, 82.167
42. Jenison, 1464, 4-2, 69.000
43. Detroit U-D Jesuit, 1456, 3-3, 45.833
44. Livonia Franklin, 1443, 4-2, 62.000
45. Livonia Churchill, 1435, 4-2, 72.167
46. Dearborn Heights Crestwood, 1424, 6-0, 88.000
47. St Clair Shores Lakeview, 1399, 3-3, 45.500
48. Traverse City Central, 1391, 5-1, 88.500
49. Okemos, 1381, 4-2, 64.100
50. Birmingham Seaholm, 1376, 5-1, 79.500
51. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1376, 4-2, 63.833
52. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1358, 3-3, 48.500
53. Oak Park, 1349, 6-0, 96.000
54. Portage Central, 1349, 4-2, 66.333
55. Royal Oak, 1335, 3-3, 48.333
56. Roseville, 1303, 4-2, 58.667
57. Birmingham Groves, 1298, 4-2, 60.167
58. Port Huron Northern, 1295, 5-1, 79.333
59. Midland, 1289, 3-3, 47.000
60. Portage Northern, 1284, 4-2, 62.500
61. Midland Dow, 1277, 4-2, 58.667
62. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, 1276, 5-1, 76.667
63. Flushing, 1275, 4-2, 69.167
64. North Farmington, 1264, 3-3, 43.000
65. Swartz Creek, 1262, 5-1, 82.167
66. Walled Lake Western, 1258, 4-2, 62.500
67. Jackson, 1229, 6-0, 100.000
68. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1226, 4-2, 57.500
69. South Lyon, 1225, 6-0, 96.000
70. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1215, 6-0, 98.667
71. Southgate Anderson, 1206, 3-3, 45.333
72. Dexter, 1172, 4-2, 54.667
73. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1168, 4-2, 71.924
74. Detroit Renaissance, 1168, 3-3, 39.500
75. Ferndale, 1162, 4-2, 62.667
76. Fenton, 1160, 5-1, 79.333
77. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1154, 3-3, 42.833
78. Mattawan, 1153, 4-2, 62.333
79. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1149, 5-1, 70.167
80. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1142, 3-3, 46.500
81. Warren Woods Tower, 1126, 6-0, 76.000
82. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1115, 4-2, 61.167
83. Gibraltar Carlson, 1114, 5-1, 86.000
84. East Lansing, 1111, 5-1, 79.767
85. Farmington, 1111, 5-1, 84.833
86. Allen Park, 1105, 4-2, 70.500
87. Redford Thurston, 1098, 3-3, 39.500
88. Grand Rapids Northview, 1096, 4-2, 59.833
89. Garden City, 1080, 4-2, 58.167
90. South Lyon East, 1063, 4-2, 63.833
91. Mt. Pleasant, 1053, 6-0, 92.000
92. Muskegon, 1022, 6-0, 105.333
93. Battle Creek Central, 1014, 4-2, 61.533
94. St. Joseph, 1010, 4-2, 66.167
95. Gaylord, 1002, 5-1, 68.667
96. DeWitt, 1001, 6-0, 106.667
97. East Grand Rapids, 998, 4-2, 61.500
98. Zeeland West, 997, 5-1, 83.333
99. Cedar Springs, 992, 5-1, 80.833
100. Warren Fitzgerald, 981, 3-3, 43.333
101. Linden, 977, 3-3, 48.500
102. Mason, 968, 3-3, 40.167
103. St. Johns, 955, 3-3, 47.000
104. Zeeland East, 955, 5-1, 75.333
105. Marquette, 952, 3-3, 47.167
106. Petoskey, 948, 3-3, 46.000
107. Detroit Mumford, 943, 5-1, 71.167
108. Trenton, 914, 4-2, 66.500
109. Riverview, 913, 5-1, 68.500
110. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, 903, 5-1, 71.333
111. River Rouge, 897, 5-1, 68.833
112. Haslett, 895, 5-1, 79.333
113. Ortonville-Brandon, 887, 5-1, 81.833
114. Grand Rapids Christian, 886, 5-1, 82.167
115. Parma Western, 870, 5-1, 67.500
116. Stevensville Lakeshore, 864, 3-3, 48.333
117. Chelsea, 851, 4-2, 66.000
118. Farmington Hills Harrison, 849, 5-1, 76.833
119. Spring Lake, 845, 5-1, 61.667
120. Marysville, 843, 3-3, 44.333
121. Fowlerville, 842, 3-3, 36.333
122. Edwardsburg, 838, 6-0, 84.000
123. Wayland Union, 829, 4-2, 58.500
124. Plainwell, 825, 4-2, 52.333
125. Carleton Airport, 811, 3-3, 39.500
126. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 809, 4-2, 60.300
127. St. Clair, 807, 4-2, 54.500
128. Sparta, 793, 3-3, 43.000
129. Milan, 761, 5-1, 64.667
130. Goodrich, 758, 4-2, 58.833
131. Detroit Cody, 755, 4-2, 61.500
132. Allendale, 749, 3-3, 40.667
133. North Branch, 726, 5-1, 67.500
134. Croswell-Lexington, 724, 3-3, 42.833
135. Center Line, 720, 3-3, 43.000
136. Battle Creek Pennfield, 709, 4-2, 58.667
137. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 702, 4-2, 53.071
138. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy *, 701, 3-2, 42.233
139. Sault Ste. Marie, 700, 4-2, 51.167
140. Escanaba, 691, 4-2, 58.786
141. Detroit Country Day *, 687, 4-2, 66.167
142. Flint Powers Catholic, 687, 3-3, 47.500
143. Three Rivers, 682, 6-0, 86.667
144. Holland Christian, 672, 4-2, 54.667
145. Paw Paw, 670, 4-2, 55.000
146. Whitehall, 669, 4-2, 49.500
147. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 663, 3-3, 39.500
148. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 662, 5-1, 67.333
149. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 659, 3-3, 40.167
150. Otsego, 651, 3-3, 38.167
151. Lake Fenton, 648, 3-3, 36.333
152. Yale, 647, 3-3, 36.167
153. Ludington, 645, 4-2, 37.167
154. Alma, 643, 5-1, 63.500
155. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 643, 5-1, 67.333
156. Williamston, 619, 5-1, 75.000
157. Grand Rapids South Christian, 615, 3-3, 46.200
158. Big Rapids, 613, 3-3, 34.833
159. Grosse Ile, 609, 6-0, 77.333
160. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 608, 6-0, 78.667
161. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 602, 5-1, 76.667
162. Harper Woods, 594, 4-2, 41.500
163. Freeland, 584, 5-1, 63.500
164. Dowagiac, 580, 3-3, 42.167
165. Gladwin, 575, 3-3, 32.333
166. Saginaw Swan Valley, 573, 6-0, 96.000
167. Belding, 572, 5-1, 63.333
168. Muskegon Oakridge, 571, 6-0, 73.333
169. Macomb Lutheran North, 560, 5-1, 61.667
170. Birch Run, 552, 4-2, 54.667
171. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 551, 3-3, 38.833
172. Clawson, 550, 3-3, 33.167
173. Portland, 550, 6-0, 82.667
174. Frankenmuth, 549, 5-1, 70.167
175. Olivet, 542, 6-0, 78.667
176. Detroit Osborn, 537, 5-1, 61.833
177. Lansing Catholic, 531, 5-1, 66.167
178. Remus Chippewa Hills *, 531, 3-3, 44.500
179. Cheboygan, 527, 4-2, 51.500
180. Grant, 525, 4-2, 45.167
181. Richmond, 524, 4-2, 55.667
182. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 513, 3-3, 44.833
183. Ida, 512, 5-1, 62.000
184. Hopkins, 507, 5-1, 68.833
185. Benzie Central, 505, 3-3, 39.333
186. Detroit Denby, 504, 5-1, 62.467
187. Reed City, 504, 6-0, 88.000
188. Almont, 503, 6-0, 76.000
189. Marine City, 503, 5-1, 70.167
190. Berrien Springs, 500, 5-1, 64.833
191. Dundee, 485, 4-2, 50.500
192. Caro, 473, 3-3, 29.333
193. Grayling, 473, 3-3, 42.167
194. Detroit Henry Ford, 472, 3-3, 39.333
195. Manistee, 472, 6-0, 69.333
196. Durand, 468, 3-3, 33.500
197. Coloma, 460, 3-3, 40.833
198. Gladstone *, 459, 3-3, 37.333
199. Ovid-Elsie, 453, 4-2, 51.000
200. Kalamazoo Hackett, 450, 6-0, 74.667
201. Clare, 449, 5-1, 56.667
202. Montague, 445, 5-1, 58.167
203. Newaygo, 445, 4-2, 51.833
204. Kingsley, 443, 5-1, 66.167
205. Hillsdale, 441, 6-0, 70.667
206. Houghton, 421, 3-3, 32.000
207. Tawas *, 418, 3-2, 34.667
208. Michigan Center, 412, 5-1, 48.833
209. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 410, 5-1, 68.500
210. Negaunee, 404, 3-3, 35.500
211. Muskegon Catholic Central, 402, 3-3, 36.000
212. Constantine, 400, 5-1, 63.333
213. Fennville, 400, 5-1, 52.667
214. Maple City Glen Lake, 395, 3-3, 35.333
215. Calumet, 392, 6-0, 78.667
216. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 392, 6-0, 77.333
217. Ishpeming Westwood, 391, 4-2, 51.000
218. Millington, 390, 5-1, 65.333
219. Ithaca, 388, 5-1, 56.833
220. Ecorse, 387, 5-1, 58.000
221. Blissfield, 383, 4-2, 63.000
222. Byron, 380, 4-2, 52.333
223. Montrose, 379, 4-2, 52.000
224. Delton Kellogg, 378, 5-1, 63.333
225. Hemlock, 374, 5-1, 51.333
226. Harrison, 372, 3-3, 35.500
227. Morley Stanwood, 369, 4-2, 45.333
228. Quincy, 369, 4-2, 42.833
229. Elk Rapids, 366, 4-2, 39.333
230. Napoleon, 365, 5-1, 50.000
231. Beaverton, 362, 5-1, 56.833
232. Grass Lake, 357, 6-0, 70.667
233. Jackson Lumen Christi *, 356, 6-0, 88.000
234. Traverse City St. Francis, 355, 6-0, 89.333
235. Flint Hamady, 353, 6-0, 82.667
236. Schoolcraft, 353, 5-1, 70.000
237. Niles Brandywine, 352, 4-2, 43.286
238. Kent City, 351, 6-0, 66.667
239. Lutheran Westland, 349, 3-3, 26.367
240. Detroit Central, 348, 3-3, 34.167
241. Lake City, 348, 6-0, 72.000
242. Leroy Pine River, 348, 4-2, 40.000
243. L'Anse, 344, 3-3, 37.833
244. Ravenna, 344, 3-3, 32.667
245. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 332, 3-3, 31.000
246. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 331, 4-2, 63.633
247. St. Louis, 331, 3-3, 35.167
248. Oscoda, 329, 5-1, 48.800
249. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 328, 3-3, 38.500
250. McBain, 327, 4-2, 50.833
251. North Muskegon, 327, 3-3, 29.833
252. Hartford, 322, 4-2, 35.667
253. Roscommon, 319, 5-1, 67.333
254. Madison Heights Madison, 316, 6-0, 100.000
255. Pewamo-Westphalia, 315, 6-0, 61.333
256. Clinton, 313, 5-1, 56.500
257. Bad Axe, 311, 3-3, 31.333
258. Detroit Community, 308, 6-0, 56.000
259. Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 306, 5-1, 60.833
260. New Lothrop, 302, 6-0, 81.333
261. Springport, 302, 6-0, 61.333
262. Allen Park Cabrini, 300, 5-1, 48.667
263. Sandusky, 300, 6-0, 64.000
264. Lawton, 299, 3-3, 29.667
265. Iron Mountain, 298, 4-2, 52.000
266. Union City, 297, 3-3, 32.833
267. Cass City, 291, 5-1, 57.833
268. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 282, 5-1, 59.333
269. Detroit Loyola, 280, 4-2, 57.000
270. Harbor Springs, 280, 6-0, 60.267
271. Manton, 280, 4-2, 42.667
272. Centreville, 279, 6-0, 61.333
273. Saugatuck, 273, 5-1, 56.667
274. Sand Creek, 266, 4-2, 39.367
275. Cassopolis, 261, 6-0, 66.667
276. Saranac, 257, 4-2, 32.167
277. Concord, 255, 3-3, 32.833
278. Marlette, 255, 3-3, 36.333
279. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic, 252, 3-3, 30.667
280. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 250, 6-0, 61.333
281. Carson City-Crystal, 248, 6-0, 53.333
282. Gwinn, 246, 4-2, 38.500
283. Iron River West Iron County, 246, 5-1, 47.500
284. Dansville, 244, 5-1, 49.500
285. Reading, 244, 6-0, 68.000
286. Addison, 243, 3-3, 30.167
287. Flint Beecher, 237, 4-2, 44.167
288. Holton, 234, 5-1, 48.500
289. Ishpeming, 233, 6-0, 68.000
290. Ubly, 232, 4-2, 41.500
291. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 226, 5-1, 50.100
292. White Pigeon, 225, 4-2, 44.333
293. Breckenridge, 224, 6-0, 58.667
294. Harbor Beach, 222, 5-1, 55.000
295. Norway, 220, 3-3, 30.167
296. Rogers City, 220, 5-1, 50.000
297. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 220, 6-0, 61.333
298. Petersburg-Summerfield, 219, 3-3, 31.667
299. Decatur, 216, 4-2, 40.333
300. St. Ignace, 209, 3-3, 31.167
301. Detroit Public Safety Academy, 206, 5-1, 45.200
302. Munising, 201, 3-3, 32.000
303. Mendon, 193, 3-3, 24.500
304. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 193, 6-0, 58.667
305. Merrill, 186, 3-3, 31.700
306. Pittsford, 186, 6-0, 58.667
307. Three Oaks River Valley, 186, 4-2, 36.833
308. Athens *, 185, 3-2, 36.167
309. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 183, 5-1, 46.333
310. Martin, 183, 3-3, 30.867
311. Saginaw Nouvel, 180, 3-3, 31.500
312. Frankfort, 174, 4-2, 38.500
313. Fowler, 170, 4-2, 34.833
314. Detroit Southeastern, 154, 4-2, 51.333
315. Waterford Our Lady, 128, 4-2, 41.667
316. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 115, 6-0, 59.733
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Colon, 162, 6-0, 61.333
2. Pickford, 156, 6-0, 60.000
3. Morrice, 182, 6-0, 54.667
4. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 173, 6-0, 52.533
5. AuGres-Sims, 160, 6-0, 50.667
6. Onekama, 131, 5-1, 48.033
7. Engadine, 102, 5-1, 46.167
8. Suttons Bay, 189, 5-1, 43.767
9. Hillman, 140, 5-1, 43.500
10. Powers North Central, 109, 5-1, 43.333
11. Peck, 136, 5-1, 43.000
12. Bellevue, 185, 5-1, 42.167
13. Posen, 78, 5-1, 39.333
14. Kingston, 187, 5-1, 37.833
15. Deckerville, 175, 4-2, 37.333
16. Fife Lake Forest Area, 183, 4-2, 36.000
17. Camden-Frontier, 176, 4-2, 34.833
18. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 122, 4-2, 34.833
19. Brethren, 143, 4-2, 34.767
20. Battle Creek St. Philip, 178, 4-2, 34.667
21. Mayville, 185, 4-2, 33.500
22. Rapid River, 127, 4-2, 33.500
23. Genesee, 169, 4-2, 33.467
24. Stephenson, 159, 4-2, 32.595
25. Manistee Catholic Central, 181, 4-2, 29.433
26. New Haven Merritt Academy, 154, 3-3, 29.333
27. Tekonsha, 121, 4-2, 29.333
28. Cedarville, 151, 4-2, 29.167
29. Portland St. Patrick, 102, 3-3, 28.333
30. Eben Junction Superior Central, 121, 3-3, 27.000
31. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 125, 3-3, 26.595
32. Kinde-North Huron, 130, 3-3, 24.333
33. Pellston, 167, 3-3, 24.333
34. Onaway, 187, 3-3, 23.700
35. Mesick, 202, 3-3, 23.167
36. Bellaire, 131, 2-4, 21.500
37. Caseville *, 95, 3-2, 21.200
38. North Adams-Jerome, 146, 3-3, 21.000
39. Marion, 139, 3-3, 20.433
40. Burr Oak, 74, 3-3, 20.167
41. Lawrence, 171, 2-4, 20.167
42. Webberville, 176, 2-4, 19.667
43. Ontonagon, 173, 3-3, 18.833
44. Central Lake *, 190, 2-3, 17.300
45. Bay City All Saints, 77, 2-4, 15.333
46. Rudyard, 159, 2-4, 14.667
47. Owendale-Gagetown, 57, 2-4, 13.667
48. Waldron, 65, 2-4, 12.167
49. Bear Lake *, 94, 1-4, 9.733
50. Hale, 122, 1-5, 9.667
51. Ashley, 94, 1-5, 8.667
52. Atlanta, 74, 1-5, 8.667
53. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 156, 1-5, 8.500
54. Burton Madison Academy, 163, 1-5, 7.567
55. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 201, 1-5, 7.167
56. Brimley, 154, 1-5, 7.167
57. Felch North Dickinson, 83, 0-6, 3.167
58. Flint International Academy, 171, 0-6, 2.833
59. Carney-Nadeau, 133, 0-6, 2.500
60. Litchfield, 81, 0-6, 2.500
61. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 100, 0-6, 2.167
62. Baldwin *, 120, 0-5, 1.867
Clarkston Surges by Kicking it Forward
By
Tom Markowski
Special for Second Half
October 27, 2016
CLARKSTON – Coach Kurt Richardson held a disdain for kickers. He didn’t trust them. He contends that a poor kicking game cost his Clarkston football team the 2000 Division 1 Semifinal, a 17-15 loss to eventual champion Grand Ledge.
Three years before, Clarkston had lost one-point games to Rochester (20-19) and Troy (21-20) that cost the Wolves an opportunity to play in the playoffs. Again, the kicking game had let him down.
“We didn’t have kickers,” Richardson said. “We made kickers. We tried a soccer player once back then, and it didn’t work.”
Enter the Breen brothers, Andrew and Ryan. Andrew Breen was Clarkston’s kicker in 2003. Ryan Breen followed and was the kicker in 2005 and 2006. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but Clarkston hasn’t missed the playoffs since 2002. You won’t get Richardson to say that.
Andrew Breen went on to kick for Tiffin University (Ohio), and every place-kicker since has gone on to college as a kicker – including his brother, Ryan, who went to Penn State.
The others include Alex Barta, who went on to kick for the U.S. Naval Academy. Then there’s Shane Hynes, the place-kicker on the 2013 Division 1 championship team, who is currently Kent State’s place-kicker. Alex Kessman was the place-kicker on the 2014 Division 1 title team, and he’s at Pittsburgh after graduating from high school this past June.
Zach Mansour is Clarkston’s place-kicker this season. And although he hasn’t decided what college he will attend next year, rest assured Mansour will be on a roster somewhere, whether it’s at the Division I level or below.
“Andrew kind of broke up the ice,” Richardson said. “It’s made a big difference. What also comes out of making field goals and having good kickers is now we’re kicking the ball in the end zone and teams are starting from their 20.”
Ryan Breen doesn’t remember exactly when it happened, but his life changed when he was a freshman at Clarkston High.
Breen and his brother were soccer players throughout their childhood. Then his freshman year his brother was a senior and Clarkston’s kicker, and something clicked. Ryan was just having fun working with his brother, shagging footballs, when he got the urge to try it.
Something clicked for the Clarkston football program as well.
“Coach Kurt realized, after a while, that kicking is so much part of the game,” Ryan Breen said. “He started to trust me my junior and senior years. He’d been let down so much (by kickers). It’s frustrating.
“It opened his eyes that (Clarkston’s) kicking game could be so good.”
Ryan gives credit to his brother for starting what has become a fraternity of kickers at Clarkston. And it continues today with Ryan Breen giving back – or paying it forward, if you will.
Clarkston is a sports-crazed community with football and basketball taking the lead. The fan support these teams receive is as fervent as any in the Detroit area. When an athlete experiences success at a school like this, often that person is motivated to give back. That’s what Breen has done.
“My brother kind of got me into it,” Ryan said. “We were athletes first. My freshman year I’d help him, chasing the footballs after he kicked them. I figured I’d do it for him. I never thought I’d kick. We never thought we’d kick.”
At first, his experience in college led Ryan to go back to Clarkston and share his expertise with the next kicker in line, Barta.
“I got with Alex and his dad,” Ryan said. “I tried to lend the knowledge I had.”
After coaching as a volunteer, Ryan came on staff at the junior varsity level for three seasons. He was there to start this season, but was forced to leave due to the time commitment he had with his business in Oakland County. He’s hoping that soon, perhaps in a year or so, his business will become less demanding and he’ll return to Richardson’s staff.
But he’s left his mark, and others have picked up his lead. Those who have followed, like Mansour, are reaping the benefits.
Mansour handles the place kicking and kickoff duties for Richardson, and he’s 5 of 7 on field goal tries with a long make of 45 yards. A junior, Jermaine Roemer, is the punter and, at this point, it appears he will replace Mansour as the team’s place-kicker next season.
“I was close with Shane (Hynes) and Alex (Kessman),” Mansour said. “I got a ton of knowledge from them. And Shane learned from Barta. I’m close with Jermaine. And Tristan Mattson is on (junior varsity). I’ll be working with him after the season.
“We’ve gotten so good with our kicking. It puts us ahead of other teams. When I worked with Shane and Alex, they were brutally honest. They’ll break you down. They yelled at me. It’s not to hurt your feelings. It’s all for the game.
“Paying it forward? It’s kind of my job. Jermaine and I developed a good relationship. We’ve had that reputation of having good kickers, and we want to keep it that way.”
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) Zach Mansour kicks off Clarkston's season against Lapeer on Aug. 26 at Michigan Stadium. (Middle) Shane Hynes follows through on a kick during the 2013 Division 1 Final at Ford Field. (Click to see more of top photo from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)