2018 Week 8 Football Playoff Listing
October 9, 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 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.
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 at 7 p.m. 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, 6-1, 87.714
2. Dearborn Fordson, 2795, 6-1, 87.714
3. Utica Eisenhower, 2668, 4-3, 58.286
4. East Kentwood, 2651, 6-1, 88.857
5. Grand Blanc, 2637, 5-2, 73.571
6. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 2591, 3-4, 44.857
7. Clarkston, 2548, 6-1, 88.571
8. Rockford, 2481, 4-3, 59.000
9. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2462, 7-0, 115.429
10. Detroit Cass Tech, 2432, 7-0, 101.333
11. Lake Orion, 2393, 4-3, 56.857
12. Howell, 2387, 4-3, 55.571
13. Canton, 2260, 5-2, 73.286
14. Southfield Arts & Technology, 2244, 3-4, 45.857
15. Brighton, 2202, 6-1, 88.857
16. Holland West Ottawa, 2190, 5-2, 73.000
17. Oxford, 2170, 5-2, 81.000
18. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 2115, 3-4, 40.714
19. Dearborn, 2106, 4-3, 54.429
20. Hartland, 2104, 3-4, 41.000
21. Plymouth, 2060, 5-2, 71.000
22. Detroit Catholic Central, 2020, 5-2, 79.048
23. West Bloomfield, 2005, 5-2, 79.857
24. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, 1994, 4-3, 53.286
25. Monroe, 1949, 6-1, 84.857
26. Utica Ford, 1903, 3-4, 37.571
27. Hudsonville, 1879, 5-2, 70.762
28. Saline, 1834, 6-1, 88.857
29. Romeo, 1779, 5-2, 76.714
30. Detroit Western International, 1773, 5-2, 56.143
31. Lapeer, 1772, 7-0, 102.857
32. White Lake Lakeland, 1740, 5-2, 71.000
33. Grandville, 1729, 3-4, 48.429
34. Ann Arbor Skyline, 1701, 3-4, 40.000
35. Holt, 1692, 3-4, 45.714
36. Davison, 1687, 6-1, 86.429
37. Kalamazoo Central, 1672, 4-3, 59.571
38. Walled Lake Northern, 1672, 3-4, 39.286
39. Belleville, 1642, 7-0, 107.429
40. Traverse City West, 1634, 5-2, 73.571
41. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1628, 6-1, 93.143
42. Rochester Adams, 1621, 4-3, 60.000
43. Grosse Pointe South, 1593, 7-0, 102.857
44. Warren Mott, 1585, 5-2, 73.714
45. Waterford Mott, 1558, 4-3, 55.571
46. Saginaw Heritage, 1541, 4-3, 47.286
47. Warren DeLaSalle, 1474, 6-1, 92.857
48. Jenison, 1464, 4-3, 62.571
49. Temperance Bedford, 1462, 3-4, 45.571
50. Detroit U-D Jesuit, 1456, 3-4, 41.143
51. Livonia Franklin, 1443, 4-3, 55.143
52. Livonia Churchill, 1435, 5-2, 75.857
53. Ypsilanti Community, 1433, 3-4, 45.429
54. Dearborn Heights Crestwood, 1424, 7-0, 94.857
55. St. Clair Shores Lakeview, 1399, 4-3, 50.714
56. Traverse City Central, 1391, 6-1, 90.857
57. Okemos, 1381, 5-2, 65.333
58. Birmingham Seaholm, 1376, 6-1, 83.143
59. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1376, 5-2, 71.000
60. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1358, 3-4, 43.857
61. Oak Park, 1349, 7-0, 99.429
62. Portage Central, 1349, 5-2, 71.857
63. Royal Oak, 1335, 3-4, 43.571
64. Roseville, 1303, 5-2, 63.524
65. Birmingham Groves, 1298, 5-2, 65.429
66. Port Huron Northern, 1295, 6-1, 84.000
67. Midland, 1289, 4-3, 54.286
68. Portage Northern, 1284, 5-2, 73.286
69. Midland Dow, 1277, 5-2, 64.286
70. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, 1276, 6-1, 78.429
71. Flushing, 1275, 5-2, 77.857
72. North Farmington, 1264, 3-4, 38.857
73. Swartz Creek, 1262, 6-1, 86.571
74. Walled Lake Western, 1258, 5-2, 72.000
75. Jackson, 1229, 7-0, 101.714
76. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1226, 4-3, 51.000
77. South Lyon, 1225, 7-0, 102.857
78. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1215, 7-0, 104.000
79. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 1212, 3-4, 46.714
80. Southgate Anderson, 1206, 3-4, 40.714
81. Dexter, 1172, 5-2, 62.000
82. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1168, 4-3, 62.762
83. Detroit Renaissance, 1168, 4-3, 45.571
84. Ferndale, 1162, 5-2, 67.714
85. Fenton, 1160, 5-2, 69.857
86. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1154, 4-3, 48.286
87. Mattawan, 1153, 5-2, 66.667
88. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1149, 6-1, 77.429
89. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1142, 4-3, 54.000
90. Warren Woods Tower, 1126, 7-0, 81.143
91. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1115, 5-2, 67.571
92. Gibraltar Carlson, 1114, 6-1, 89.857
93. East Lansing, 1111, 6-1, 86.762
94. Farmington, 1111, 6-1, 91.143
95. Allen Park, 1105, 5-2, 75.429
96. Redford Thurston, 1098, 4-3, 45.571
97. Grand Rapids Northview, 1096, 5-2, 68.571
98. Garden City, 1080, 5-2, 61.571
99. South Lyon East, 1063, 4-3, 57.857
100. Mt. Pleasant, 1053, 7-0, 92.571
101. Eastpointe, 1022, 3-4, 40.429
102. Muskegon, 1022, 7-0, 105.143
103. Battle Creek Central, 1014, 4-3, 54.524
104. St. Joseph, 1010, 5-2, 72.857
105. Gaylord, 1002, 5-2, 59.429
106. DeWitt, 1001, 7-0, 108.762
107. East Grand Rapids, 998, 5-2, 72.429
108. Zeeland West, 997, 6-1, 87.429
109. Cedar Springs, 992, 6-1, 85.429
110. Warren Fitzgerald, 981, 3-4, 38.429
111. Linden, 977, 3-4, 43.714
112. Mason, 968, 3-4, 36.714
113. St. Johns, 955, 4-3, 54.286
114. Zeeland East, 955, 6-1, 80.714
115. Marquette, 952, 3-4, 43.393
116. Petoskey, 948, 4-3, 58.143
117. Detroit Mumford, 943, 5-2, 64.286
118. Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 940, 3-4, 38.321
119. Trenton, 914, 4-3, 59.143
120. Riverview, 913, 6-1, 72.571
121. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, 903, 5-2, 64.000
122. River Rouge, 897, 6-1, 71.714
123. Haslett, 895, 6-1, 78.429
124. Ortonville-Brandon, 887, 6-1, 87.429
125. Grand Rapids Christian, 886, 5-2, 74.429
126. Niles, 884, 3-4, 42.143
127. Parma Western, 870, 6-1, 72.857
128. Stevensville Lakeshore, 864, 4-3, 55.429
129. Hazel Park, 859, 3-4, 32.714
130. Chelsea, 851, 5-2, 69.400
131. Farmington Hills Harrison, 849, 5-2, 67.571
132. Spring Lake, 845, 5-2, 57.143
133. Marysville, 843, 4-3, 47.429
134. Fowlerville, 842, 3-4, 33.000
135. Edwardsburg, 838, 7-0, 91.429
136. Marshall, 830, 3-4, 39.714
137. Wayland Union, 829, 4-3, 51.571
138. Plainwell, 825, 5-2, 58.714
139. Carleton Airport, 811, 3-4, 36.000
140. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 809, 4-3, 54.429
141. St. Clair, 807, 5-2, 64.143
142. Sparta, 793, 4-3, 47.429
143. Charlotte, 766, 3-4, 33.000
144. Vicksburg, 762, 3-4, 33.857
145. Milan, 761, 5-2, 59.857
146. Goodrich, 758, 5-2, 62.143
147. Detroit Cody, 755, 5-2, 68.857
148. Allendale, 749, 3-4, 36.857
149. North Branch, 726, 6-1, 68.286
150. Croswell-Lexington, 724, 4-3, 49.429
151. Center Line, 720, 4-3, 45.286
152. Battle Creek Pennfield, 709, 4-3, 51.857
153. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 702, 4-3, 46.786
154. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy *, 701, 3-3, 37.143
155. Sault Ste. Marie, 700, 4-3, 45.714
156. Escanaba, 691, 5-2, 65.286
157. Detroit Country Day *, 687, 5-2, 72.286
158. Flint Powers Catholic, 687, 4-3, 53.571
159. Romulus Summit Academy North, 684, 3-4, 31.238
160. Three Rivers, 682, 6-1, 78.571
161. Holland Christian, 672, 4-3, 47.857
162. Paw Paw, 670, 5-2, 59.857
163. Whitehall, 669, 5-2, 51.714
164. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 663, 4-3, 44.429
165. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 662, 6-1, 75.000
166. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 659, 4-3, 50.714
167. Otsego, 651, 4-3, 46.714
168. Lake Fenton, 648, 4-3, 38.143
169. Yale, 647, 4-3, 42.714
170. Ludington, 645, 5-2, 44.571
171. Alma, 643, 6-1, 71.714
172. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 643, 5-2, 61.429
173. Williamston, 619, 6-1, 80.429
174. Bridgeport, 618, 3-4, 39.143
175. Grand Rapids South Christian, 615, 4-3, 58.095
176. Big Rapids, 613, 4-3, 44.000
177. Grosse Ile, 609, 7-0, 84.571
178. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 608, 6-1, 70.571
179. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 602, 6-1, 79.571
180. Harper Woods, 594, 5-2, 48.429
181. Howard City Tri-County, 585, 3-4, 38.714
182. Freeland, 584, 5-2, 57.571
183. Dowagiac, 580, 3-4, 38.000
184. Essexville Garber, 576, 3-4, 36.286
185. Gladwin, 575, 3-4, 29.429
186. Saginaw Swan Valley, 573, 7-0, 98.286
187. Belding, 572, 5-2, 57.143
188. Muskegon Oakridge, 571, 6-1, 67.000
189. Macomb Lutheran North, 560, 6-1, 65.571
190. Birch Run, 552, 4-3, 48.429
191. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 551, 3-4, 35.429
192. Clawson, 550, 4-3, 40.143
193. Portland, 550, 7-0, 84.571
194. Frankenmuth, 549, 6-1, 75.143
195. Kingsford, 547, 3-4, 38.643
196. Olivet, 542, 7-0, 85.714
197. Detroit Osborn, 537, 6-1, 65.714
198. Lansing Catholic, 531, 6-1, 70.571
199. Remus Chippewa Hills *, 531, 3-4, 40.000
200. Cheboygan, 527, 4-3, 47.286
201. Grant, 525, 4-3, 40.571
202. Richmond, 524, 4-3, 51.143
203. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 513, 4-3, 53.571
204. Ida, 512, 5-2, 56.429
205. Hopkins, 507, 6-1, 71.714
206. Benzie Central, 505, 4-3, 47.714
207. Detroit Denby, 504, 5-2, 56.571
208. Reed City, 504, 7-0, 88.000
209. Almont, 503, 7-0, 81.143
210. Marine City, 503, 5-2, 63.143
211. Berrien Springs, 500, 6-1, 68.667
212. Dundee, 485, 4-3, 45.286
213. Caro, 473, 3-4, 27.143
214. Grayling, 473, 3-4, 38.143
215. Detroit Henry Ford, 472, 3-4, 34.429
216. Manistee, 472, 7-0, 76.571
217. Durand, 468, 3-4, 31.714
218. Coloma, 460, 3-4, 37.286
219. Gladstone, 459, 3-4, 33.857
220. Perry, 459, 3-4, 32.143
221. Ovid-Elsie, 453, 5-2, 57.714
222. Kalamazoo Hackett, 450, 7-0, 78.857
223. Clare, 449, 6-1, 63.571
224. Montague, 445, 6-1, 68.286
225. Newaygo, 445, 5-2, 60.571
226. Kingsley, 443, 6-1, 69.429
227. Hillsdale, 441, 7-0, 77.714
228. Houghton, 421, 3-4, 29.714
229. Boyne City, 418, 3-4, 28.143
230. Tawas *, 418, 4-2, 42.190
231. Michigan Center, 412, 6-1, 54.571
232. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 410, 6-1, 72.571
233. Negaunee, 404, 4-3, 40.000
234. Muskegon Catholic Central, 402, 3-4, 33.143
235. Constantine, 400, 6-1, 63.571
236. Fennville, 400, 6-1, 56.571
237. Maple City Glen Lake, 395, 3-4, 33.571
238. Detroit Edison Public School Academy, 394, 3-4, 26.810
239. Calumet, 392, 7-0, 83.429
240. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 392, 7-0, 80.000
241. Ishpeming Westwood, 391, 5-2, 55.429
242. Millington, 390, 5-2, 60.286
243. Ithaca, 388, 6-1, 62.571
244. Ecorse, 387, 6-1, 65.143
245. Sanford Meridian Early College, 387, 3-4, 31.857
246. Blissfield, 383, 5-2, 64.571
247. Byron, 380, 4-3, 46.857
248. Montrose, 379, 5-2, 59.714
249. Delton Kellogg, 378, 5-2, 57.571
250. Hemlock, 374, 6-1, 57.857
251. Harrison, 372, 3-4, 32.571
252. Morley Stanwood, 369, 5-2, 48.286
253. Quincy, 369, 4-3, 40.143
254. Elk Rapids, 366, 5-2, 44.143
255. Napoleon, 365, 5-2, 46.143
256. Beaverton, 362, 5-2, 53.000
257. Grass Lake, 357, 7-0, 76.571
258. Jackson Lumen Christi *, 356, 7-0, 91.429
259. Traverse City St. Francis, 355, 7-0, 93.714
260. Flint Hamady, 353, 7-0, 82.286
261. Schoolcraft, 353, 6-1, 76.143
262. Niles Brandywine, 352, 5-2, 46.429
263. Kent City, 351, 7-0, 73.143
264. Lutheran Westland, 349, 3-4, 24.810
265. Detroit Central, 348, 3-4, 31.143
266. Lake City, 348, 7-0, 73.143
267. Leroy Pine River, 348, 5-2, 46.000
268. Vermontville Maple Valley, 347, 3-4, 30.857
269. L'Anse, 344, 3-4, 34.286
270. Ravenna, 344, 4-3, 38.571
271. Lakeview, 340, 3-4, 30.286
272. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 332, 3-4, 27.143
273. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 331, 5-2, 69.429
274. St. Louis, 331, 3-4, 33.429
275. Oscoda, 329, 6-1, 55.000
276. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 328, 4-3, 49.429
277. McBain, 327, 5-2, 54.143
278. North Muskegon, 327, 4-3, 35.000
279. Hartford, 322, 4-3, 33.857
280. Roscommon, 319, 6-1, 70.286
281. Madison Heights Madison, 316, 7-0, 102.857
282. Pewamo-Westphalia, 315, 7-0, 69.714
283. Clinton, 313, 6-1, 58.857
284. Bad Axe, 311, 4-3, 36.429
285. Detroit Community, 308, 7-0, 63.048
286. Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 306, 6-1, 60.476
287. New Lothrop, 302, 7-0, 84.571
288. Springport, 302, 7-0, 67.429
289. Allen Park Cabrini, 300, 5-2, 44.429
290. Sandusky, 300, 7-0, 65.143
291. Lawton, 299, 3-4, 26.286
292. Iron Mountain, 298, 5-2, 58.571
293. Union City, 297, 4-3, 39.857
294. Cass City, 291, 6-1, 64.571
295. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 287, 3-4, 29.857
296. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 282, 6-1, 60.143
297. Detroit Loyola, 280, 5-2, 66.286
298. Harbor Springs, 280, 6-1, 54.810
299. Manton, 280, 4-3, 38.571
300. Centreville, 279, 7-0, 65.143
301. Whitmore Lake, 278, 3-4, 28.429
302. Saugatuck, 273, 6-1, 59.000
303. Blanchard Montabella, 269, 3-4, 26.286
304. Sand Creek, 266, 4-3, 36.143
305. Detroit Leadership Academy, 264, 3-4, 27.524
306. Cassopolis, 261, 7-0, 70.857
307. Saranac, 257, 5-2, 39.143
308. Concord, 255, 3-4, 28.857
309. Marlette, 255, 3-4, 32.714
310. Hudson, 252, 3-4, 30.000
311. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic, 252, 3-4, 28.429
312. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 250, 7-0, 67.429
313. Carson City-Crystal, 248, 6-1, 48.857
314. Gwinn, 246, 5-2, 44.571
315. Iron River West Iron County, 246, 5-2, 44.000
316. Dansville, 244, 5-2, 46.714
317. Reading, 244, 7-0, 70.857
318. Addison, 243, 4-3, 35.286
319. Flint Beecher, 237, 5-2, 48.429
320. Holton, 234, 5-2, 43.714
321. Ishpeming, 233, 7-0, 74.286
322. Ubly, 232, 5-2, 46.143
323. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 226, 6-1, 60.238
324. White Pigeon, 225, 5-2, 49.143
325. Breckenridge, 224, 7-0, 67.429
326. Harbor Beach, 222, 6-1, 59.714
327. Norway, 220, 3-4, 29.143
328. Rogers City, 220, 6-1, 60.143
329. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 220, 7-0, 60.952
330. Petersburg-Summerfield, 219, 4-3, 37.714
331. Decatur, 216, 4-3, 36.429
332. St. Ignace, 209, 4-3, 33.714
333. Detroit Public Safety Academy, 206, 6-1, 52.524
334. Munising, 201, 4-3, 34.286
335. Mendon, 193, 4-3, 32.714
336. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 193, 6-1, 53.286
337. Merrill, 186, 4-3, 32.952
338. Pittsford, 186, 6-1, 54.286
339. Three Oaks River Valley, 186, 4-3, 33.714
340. Athens *, 185, 3-3, 31.857
341. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 183, 6-1, 53.333
342. Martin, 183, 4-3, 34.905
343. Saginaw Nouvel, 180, 4-3, 36.429
344. Frankfort, 174, 4-3, 34.714
345. Fowler, 170, 4-3, 32.857
346. Detroit Southeastern, 154, 4-3, 46.000
347. Climax-Scotts *, 148, 3-3, 33.429
348. Waterford Our Lady, 128, 4-3, 39.000
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Colon, 162, 7-0, 64.000
2. Pickford, 156, 7-0, 64.000
3. Morrice, 182, 7-0, 59.429
4. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 173, 7-0, 58.667
5. Powers North Central, 109, 6-1, 53.286
6. AuGres-Sims, 160, 7-0, 52.571
7. Onekama, 131, 6-1, 50.381
8. Suttons Bay, 189, 6-1, 48.286
9. Bellevue, 185, 6-1, 48.095
10. Engadine, 102, 6-1, 47.714
11. Hillman, 140, 6-1, 47.714
12. Deckerville, 175, 5-2, 42.571
13. Posen, 78, 6-1, 41.857
14. Kingston, 187, 6-1, 41.714
15. Rapid River, 127, 5-2, 40.429
16. Brethren, 143, 5-2, 40.190
17. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 122, 5-2, 38.143
18. Peck, 136, 5-2, 37.810
19. Tekonsha, 121, 5-2, 35.571
20. Fife Lake Forest Area, 183, 4-3, 35.429
21. Battle Creek St. Philip, 178, 4-3, 34.000
22. New Haven Merritt Academy, 154, 4-3, 33.857
23. Mayville, 185, 4-3, 32.857
24. Kinde-North Huron, 130, 4-3, 32.571
25. Genesee, 169, 4-3, 30.857
26. Camden-Frontier, 176, 4-3, 30.429
27. Stephenson, 159, 4-3, 28.714
28. Marion, 139, 4-3, 28.048
29. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 125, 4-3, 27.714
30. Portland St. Patrick, 102, 3-4, 27.571
31. Webberville, 176, 3-4, 27.429
32. Cedarville, 151, 4-3, 26.857
33. Eben Junction Superior Central, 121, 3-4, 26.571
34. North Adams-Jerome, 146, 4-3, 26.286
35. Onaway, 187, 4-3, 26.238
36. Manistee Catholic Central, 181, 4-3, 25.905
37. Ontonagon, 173, 4-3, 25.571
38. Bellaire, 131, 3-4, 24.500
39. Pellston, 167, 3-4, 23.143
40. Mesick, 202, 3-4, 22.857
41. Lawrence, 171, 3-4, 22.286
42. Caseville *, 95, 3-3, 20.952
43. Burr Oak, 74, 3-4, 19.286
44. Rudyard, 159, 3-4, 17.714
45. Central Lake *, 190, 2-4, 16.810
46. Bay City All Saints, 77, 2-5, 16.381
47. Ashley, 94, 2-5, 14.714
48. Owendale-Gagetown, 57, 2-5, 12.571
49. Waldron, 65, 2-5, 12.286
50. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 201, 2-5, 11.143
51. Bear Lake *, 94, 1-5, 10.048
52. Hale, 122, 1-6, 9.143
53. Atlanta, 74, 1-6, 8.714
54. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 156, 1-6, 8.429
55. Burton Madison Academy, 163, 1-6, 7.476
56. Brimley, 154, 1-6, 7.143
57. Litchfield, 81, 1-6, 7.143
58. Felch North Dickinson, 83, 0-7, 3.714
59. Flint International Academy, 171, 0-7, 3.143
60. Carney-Nadeau, 133, 0-7, 2.857
61. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 100, 0-7, 2.429
62. Baldwin *, 120, 0-6, 1.881
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).