Flashback: Big Play Leads Off Big Reds
July 26, 2016
By John Johnson
MHSAA Communications Director
Highlighted by what was then an MHSAA Finals kickoff return record, Muskegon takes on Detroit Martin Luther King in this week’s 80s Finals Flashback series on MHSAA.tv.
The fifth game in our weekly summer series is the 1988 Class A Football Final between the Big Reds and the Crusaders.
Week of July 25 – Muskegon 16, Detroit Martin Luther King 13 – 1988 Class A Football Final – Muskegon's Marcus Longmire dashed 89 yards for a touchdown on the opening kickoff of the second half as the Big Reds downed Detroit Martin Luther King, 16-13, in the Class A Final. Longmire's TD gave Muskegon a 16-0 lead, but the Crusaders did not fold. On second down of the following series, King quarterback Zolton Hall hit David Bowden on a 76-yard touchdown pass. Hall scored with 3:36 remaining in the third to cut the Big Reds’ lead to three, but the Crusaders were unable to score again. (Click here to watch Longmire’s kickoff return)
A new game will be posted online each Monday through the week of August 22. DVDs may be purchased directly from the MHSAA.tv Website – just click the “Get DVD” button below the player.
Previous Flashbacks
July 19: Northport 80, Beal City 78 – 1988 Class D Boys Basketball Final - Watch
July 12: Detroit Cass Tech 52, Saginaw 51 – 1987 Class A Girls Basketball Final - Watch
July 5: Traverse City 24, Detroit Catholic Central 14 – 1988 Class A Football Final - Watch
June 28: Saginaw Buena Vista 33, Flint Beecher 32 – 1986 Class B Boys Basketball Final - Watch
Flashback 100: Duckett's High School Domination Extended to Shot Put Circle
May 8, 2025
In 1997, Todd “T.J.” Duckett made history at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Class A Finals by setting a meet shot put record with a throw of 63 feet, 6 inches. He surpassed his own milestone just two years later, launching the shot 64 feet, 0.5 inches at the 1999 Finals — an all-Finals (regardless of Class or Division) record that stood for 17 years until Oxford’s Connor Bandel delivered a remarkable toss of 67 feet, 5.75 inches in 2016.
Duckett's dominance in track & field was unmistakable. While competing for Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, he claimed four Class A Finals championships, including shot put titles in 1997, 1998, and 1999. He also was a member of the school’s victorious 400-meter relay team in 1997.
Though those accomplishments were impressive, Duckett was equally celebrated on the football field. Named Parade Magazine’s National Player of the Year as a senior, he drew national attention as a top recruit at both running back and linebacker. At Michigan State, Duckett left a lasting legacy, finishing his collegiate career with 3,379 rushing yards — sixth-most in program history, not far behind his older brother, Tico, who ranks third. T.J.'s 29 rushing touchdowns place him eighth on the Spartans' all-time list. One of his most iconic moments came in 2001, when he caught the game-winning touchdown pass as time expired in a thrilling 26–24 victory over rival Michigan.
Following his junior season, Duckett declared for the NFL Draft and was selected in the first round in 2002 by the Atlanta Falcons. He went on to enjoy a seven-year professional career, playing for four teams — Atlanta, Washington, Detroit, and Seattle — and finishing with 44 career touchdowns.
Previous "Flashback 100" Features
May 6: MHSAA Titles Just Start for NCAA Champion, Olympian Stark - Read
May 1: Legendary Actor Played Multiple Sports Roles at Country Day - Read
April 23: Legacy Program Provided Start for Pioneering NBA Official Schroeder - Read
April 11: Rice's Championship-Winning Ways Started at Flint Northwestern - Read
March 28: Youngquist's Times Still Among MHSAA's Fastest - Read
March 18: After 40 Years, Coles' Shot Remains Among Century's Most Famous - Read
March 7: Walled Lake Northern's Hellebuyck Reigns as NHL's Elite Netminder - Read
Feb. 27: Zeerip's Mat Stats Remain Rarely-Challenged Chart Toppers - Read
Feb. 21: Before TV Stardom, Kerwin Excelled as All-State Skier - Read
Feb. 14: Detroit Central Star Voted into Pro Football Hall of Fame - Read
Feb. 6: Multi-Sport Star Look Becomes Super Bowl Officiating Legend - Read
Jan. 31: Johnson Family Put Magical Stamp on Michigan High School Hoops - Read
Jan. 24: Future Hall of Famers Face Off First in MHSAA Class A Final - Read
Jan. 17: First-Ever WNBA Draft Pick Rocked at Salem, Won Titles at Tennessee - Read
Jan. 10: Despite Launching Before 3-Point Line, Smith Still Tops Scoring List - Read
Jan. 3: Edison's Jackson Earns Place Among State's All-Time Elite - Read
Dec. 20: Future Olympian Piper Leads Grosse Pointe North to Historic Heights - Read
Dec. 13: The Other Mr. Forsythe in Michigan School Sports - Read
Dec. 6: Coleman's Legendary Heroics Carry Harrison Through Repeat - Read
Nov. 29: Harbaugh Brothers' Football Roots Planted in Part at Pioneer - Read
Nov. 22: 8-Player Football Finals Right at Home at Superior Dome - Read
Nov. 15: Leland Career Helps Set Stage for Glass' International Stardom - Read
Nov. 8: Future Baseball Pro Led Escanaba's Legendary Football Title Run - Read
Nov. 1: Michigan High School Baseball Trio Provide World Series Voices - Read
Oct. 25: Before Leading Free World, Ford Starred for Champion GR South - Read
Oct. 18: Mercy Links Legend Becomes World Golf Hall of Famer - Read
Oct. 11: Fisher Races to Finals Stardom on Way to U.S. Olympic First - Read
Oct. 4: Lalas Leaves High School Legacies on Ice & Pitch - Read
Sept. 27: Tamer's History-Making Run Starts in Dexter, Continues to Paris - Read
Sept. 20: Todd Martin’s Road to Greatness Starts at East Lansing - Read
Sept. 13: James Earl Jones, Dickson High Hoops to Hollywood Legend - Read
Sept. 6: Pioneers' Unstoppable Streak Stretches 9 Seasons - Read
Aug. 30: Detroit dePorres Rushes to 1995 Class CC Football Championship - Read
(Football photo courtesy of Michigan State University.)