Multi-Skilled Hines Sparks Milan Charge
September 14, 2018
By Doug Donnelly
Special for Second Half
MILAN – It’s a good thing Tristen Hines doesn’t get tired.
“Tristen doesn’t want to come off the field, and we don’t want him to come off the field,” said Milan football coach Jesse Hoskins. “He’s that type of player.”
Hines is a 5-foot-11, 170-pound junior already in his third season on the varsity football team for Milan, which is off to a 3-0 start and tied atop the Huron League standings. During the past couple of seasons, he’s played running back, wide receiver and quarterback on offense as well as cornerback and strong safety on defense. He also returns kickoffs and punts.
No matter where he plays, he’s electric.
“The cool thing about Tristen is he doesn’t know how to be lazy,” Hoskins said. “He plays hard and enjoys it. He could play just about any offensive position. He’s a legitimate Division I recruit.”
Early in his career, Hines played mainly just defense for Milan. As a freshman, he made an impact on the Big Reds defense, intercepting seven passes and joining in on 76 tackles. As a sophomore, he moved into more of an offensive role. When the season began he was a wide receiver, but an injury to starting Milan quarterback Dyllan Jones forced Hoskins to put the athletic Hines into the QB spot.
“Our system fits a mobile type of quarterback and Tristen is just that, plus he passes the ball well,” Hoskins said. “This year, with D.J. (Dyllan Jones) returning and Hunter Aeschbacker at running back, we decided to keep Tristen at wide receiver.”
Hines was happy with the move back to wide receiver.
“I think for the team, that is the best position for me,” he said. “I like it better there. I like to go one-on-one with the defender and get out into space. If the defense must pay attention to me, that opens things up for the other guys.”
Hoskins said there are various plays in the Big Reds’ playbook to get the ball into Hines’ hands.
“We have a few wrinkles,” the seventh-year Milan coach said with a smile.
The performance Hines had last week in Milan’s 46-24 win over Flat Rock made Hoskins and the Milan coaches look like geniuses. Hines caught six passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns from his wideout spot, ran for a touchdown and returned a blocked field goal 80 yards for a fifth score.
In three games this season, Hines has 102 yards rushing, 323 receiving, 448 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns. In Week 2, Hines rushed for one touchdown and had more than 100 receiving yards against Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central. It was a thrilling Milan victory, with the final touchdown coming with less than a minute left in the game.
Milan’s Evan Furtney caught the game-winner from Jones. Hines couldn’t believe the finish.
“We got the ball with four or five minutes left, which seemed like plenty of time,” he said. “In the huddle, I was like ‘All right, let’s get this down the field.’ But, we kept getting penalties and moving back. Finally, it was fourth down and it was like, ‘somebody has got to make a play.’ … I knew the ball wasn’t coming to me. When D.J. threw it up and Evan came down with it, I just started jumping up and down. That was crazy. I’ve never been in a game like that, where it came down to the final seconds.”
Hines and Furtney are best friends.
“I knew one of us was going to have to make a catch or make a play,” he said. “I was happy for him.”
The Big Reds host Riverview (2-1) tonight in Milan’s first home game of the season.
“It should be pretty exciting,” Hines said. “This year feels a lot like 2016 when we won the league. Last year, we were sort of expecting to be the best team in the league, but with injuries and everything, it didn’t work out.”
Milan did finish 5-5 last year and made the playoffs for the third consecutive season. The Big Reds have a long and prosperous football tradition. They have made the playoffs 17 times over the years and have had some outstanding football players, dating back to University of Michigan and American Football League standout Joe O’Donnell, for whom the Milan football stadium is named.
Hines looks like the next Big Red to play Division I college football. He’s received interest from several Mid-American Conference schools, from the University of Toledo to Eastern Michigan University. The University of Cincinnati has stayed in contact, and recently Indiana and Michigan State University assistant coaches have reached out to him. There are no offers yet, but Hines isn’t worried about that for now.
“I know that will happen eventually,” he said. “I don’t dwell on it. I am focused on my team right now.”
Hines said he’ll probably end up playing cornerback in college.
“That’s where I want to play,” he said. “When I first started football, back in the third grade, I was always on defense. I loved to hit. I think defense is where I’ll be in college.”
Hoskins thinks once one school puts an offer on the table for Hines, there will be a domino effect and other teams will follow. Hines just wants to keep his Big Reds in contention for a Huron League title and a playoff berth.
“I’m just focused on playing football for Milan and winning,” Hines said. “That’s what it is all about. That is what makes football fun, to win.”
Doug Donnelly has served as a sports and news reporter and city editor over 25 years, writing for the Daily Chief-Union in Upper Sandusky, Ohio from 1992-1995, the Monroe Evening News from 1995-2012 and the Adrian Daily Telegram since 2013. He's also written a book on high school basketball in Monroe County and compiles record books for various schools in southeast Michigan. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for Lenawee and Monroe counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) Milan’s Tristen Hines pushes forward for another yard during last week’s win over Flat Rock. (Middle) Hines breaks for the end zone during a Week 1 victory at Bridgeport. (Photos courtesy of the Milan football program.)
MHSAA Provides Update on 2025 Football Playoff Hopefuls, Bracket Reveal Schedule
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 23, 2025
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, plus information on this season's MHSAA Playoffs bracket and Finals schedule announcements.
Schools on this list are divided by division and ordered by playoff average. The top 32 teams by playoff average in each 11-player division and top 16 teams by playoff average in each 8-player division will qualify for the MHSAA Football Playoffs beginning Oct. 31. Divisions were determined prior to the start of the season, and the lists below include not only teams currently positioned to potentially qualify, but also the next eight teams in each division.
To review a list of all football playoff schools, individual school playoff point details and to report errors, visit the Football Playoff Point Summary page.
The announcement of the qualifiers and first-round pairings for both the 11 and 8-player playoffs will take place at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, on the “Selection Sunday Show” on the NFHS Network. A subscription is not required to watch the Selection Sunday Show.
The playoff qualifiers and pairings will be posted to the MHSAA Website following the Selection Sunday Show, and times and dates will be added Monday, Oct. 27.
The MHSAA Football Playoffs conclude with the 8-Player Finals on Nov. 22 at Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome and 11-Player Finals to be played Nov. 28 and 30 at Ford Field.
11-Player Division 1
1. Clarkston, 7-1, 83.125
2. Hudsonville, 8-0, 82.000
3. Detroit Catholic Central, 8-0, 76.661
4. Grand Blanc, 8-0, 76.625
5. Saline, 7-1, 75.875
6. Belleville, 7-1, 74.500
7. Howell, 7-1, 72.875
7. Rochester Adams, 6-2, 72.875
7. Rockford, 6-2, 72.875
10. Detroit Cass Tech, 8-0, 72.500
11. Brownstown Woodhaven, 7-1, 70.750
12. Oxford, 6-2, 70.000
13. Romeo, 6-2, 69.875
14. Brighton, 6-2, 68.250
15. West Bloomfield, 6-2, 67.750
16. Davison, 7-1, 67.375
17. East Kentwood, 6-2, 67.000
18. Dearborn Fordson, 6-2, 66.250
19. Farmington, 6-2, 65.875
20. Macomb Dakota, 6-2, 64.625
21. Northville, 6-2, 63.750
22. Utica, 6-2, 63.375
23. Grand Ledge, 6-2, 62.000
24. Rochester Hills Stoney Creek, 5-3, 58.750
25. Utica Eisenhower, 5-3, 57.375
26. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 5-3, 57.125
27. Grandville, 4-4, 54.125
28. Jenison, 4-4, 53.375
29. Hartland, 4-4, 52.500
30. Dearborn, 4-4, 50.500
31. Salem, 4-4, 50.250
32. Ann Arbor Huron, 4-4, 49.625
33. Rochester, 4-4, 48.875
34. Kalamazoo Central, 5-3, 48.500
35. Caledonia, 3-5, 44.286
36. Novi, 3-5, 44.250
37. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 3-5, 43.750
38. Livonia Stevenson, 3-5, 43.625
39. Holt, 4-4, 43.250
40. Walled Lake Northern, 3-5, 42.375
11-Player Division 2
1. South Lyon, 8-0, 75.875
2. Dexter, 7-1, 73.875
3. Gibraltar Carlson, 8-0, 73.375
4. Portage Central, 8-0, 72.500
5. Grosse Pointe South, 7-1, 70.125
6. Midland Dow, 7-1, 66.750
7. Walled Lake Western, 6-2, 65.875
8. Port Huron Northern, 6-2, 65.625
9. Livonia Franklin, 6-2, 64.750
10. Muskegon, 6-2, 64.458
11. White Lake Lakeland, 6-2, 64.375
12. St. Clair Shores Lakeview, 6-2, 61.125
13. Byron Center, 5-3, 59.875
14. North Farmington, 5-3, 59.500
15. Portage Northern, 6-2, 59.179
16. Warren Cousino, 6-2, 59.125
17. Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 5-2, 58.893
18. Birmingham Groves, 5-3, 55.000
18. Birmingham Seaholm, 5-3, 55.000
20. Lansing Everett, 5-3, 54.875
20. Traverse City Central, 5-3, 54.875
22. Lincoln Park, 5-3, 53.500
23. Allen Park, 5-3, 53.250
24. Traverse City West, 4-4, 52.500
25. Roseville, 4-4, 52.000
25. Temperance Bedford, 4-4, 52.000
27. Muskegon Mona Shores, 5-3, 51.875
28. Waterford Mott, 4-4, 51.000
29. East Lansing, 3-5, 49.000
30. Grand Rapids Northview, 5-3, 48.875
31. Milford, 4-4, 47.250
32. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice, 4-4, 47.161
33. South Lyon East, 4-4, 47.125
34. Warren Mott, 4-4, 46.875
35. Midland, 4-4, 45.000
36. Dearborn Heights Crestwood, 5-3, 44.375
37. Saginaw Heritage, 3-5, 43.000
38. Ferndale, 4-4, 41.875
39. Southgate Anderson, 3-5, 41.750
40. Battle Creek Central, 4-4, 41.625
40. Berkley, 4-4, 41.625
40. Oak Park, 3-5, 41.625
11-Player Division 3
1. DeWitt, 8-0, 76.458
2. Mount Pleasant, 8-0, 75.000
3. Gaylord, 8-0, 65.625
4. Niles, 8-0, 65.000
5. Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, 7-1, 64.750
6. Warren Fitzgerald, 7-1, 63.750
7. Adrian, 7-1, 58.500
7. East Grand Rapids, 6-2, 58.500
9. Detroit Martin Luther King, 5-3, 57.667
10. Cedar Springs, 7-1, 57.500
11. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 6-2, 56.875
12. Port Huron, 5-3, 56.250
13. Hastings, 6-2, 56.000
13. Lowell, 6-2, 56.000
15. Fenton, 5-3, 55.625
16. Mason, 5-3, 53.625
16. St. Joseph, 5-3, 53.625
18. Zeeland West, 6-2, 53.125
19. Holly, 5-3, 52.500
20. Marysville, 6-2, 51.125
21. Redford Thurston, 6-2, 50.625
22. Zeeland East, 5-3, 50.250
23. Coldwater, 6-2, 49.375
24. Linden, 6-2, 49.125
24. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, 5-3, 49.125
26. Trenton, 4-4, 48.250
27. Marquette, 5-3, 48.000
28. Riverview, 6-2, 45.750
29. Coopersville, 4-4, 45.500
30. Warren De La Salle Collegiate, 3-5, 44.929
31. Owosso, 5-3, 44.875
32. Bay City John Glenn, 5-3, 42.625
33. Bay City Western, 3-5, 41.375
34. Fruitport, 4-4, 40.875
35. Petoskey, 4-4, 40.125
36. Stevensville Lakeshore, 3-5, 38.000
37. Ypsilanti Community, 3-5, 37.500
38. Jackson Northwest, 3-5, 36.125
39. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 2-6, 35.375
40. River Rouge, 2-6, 35.292
11-Player Division 4
1. Harper Woods, 8-0, 84.750
2. Williamston, 8-0, 65.375
3. Goodrich, 8-0, 64.875
4. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 8-0, 64.750
5. Chelsea, 7-1, 63.750
6. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 7-1, 61.625
7. Haslett, 6-2, 58.125
8. Escanaba, 7-1, 57.750
9. Dearborn Divine Child, 7-1, 57.042
10. Portland, 8-0, 56.000
11. Ludington, 8-0, 54.375
12. Redford Union, 6-2, 52.625
13. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 7-1, 52.375
14. Madison Heights Lamphere, 5-3, 51.875
15. Center Line, 7-1, 51.250
15. Paw Paw, 5-3, 51.250
17. Big Rapids, 7-1, 51.125
18. Edwardsburg, 6-2, 50.375
19. Vicksburg, 5-3, 48.875
20. Grand Rapids South Christian, 4-4, 47.625
21. Freeland, 6-2, 47.375
22. Tecumseh, 5-3, 47.000
23. Macomb Lutheran North, 7-1, 45.625
24. Grand Rapids Christian, 5-3, 45.500
25. Harper Woods Chandler Park, 6-2, 44.250
26. Spring Lake, 5-3, 43.750
26. Three Rivers, 4-4, 43.750
28. St. Johns, 4-4, 42.500
29. Lansing Sexton, 5-3, 42.250
30. St. Clair, 5-3, 41.750
31. Ortonville Brandon, 4-4, 39.000
32. Fowlerville, 4-4, 38.875
33. Holland Christian, 4-4, 38.750
34. Detroit Henry Ford, 4-4, 37.500
35. Lake Fenton, 3-5, 37.375
36. Croswell-Lexington, 4-4, 36.750
37. Clio, 4-4, 35.875
38. Otsego, 3-5, 35.542
39. Charlotte, 4-4, 35.500
40. Sparta, 3-5, 34.500
11-Player Division 5
1. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 8-0, 72.475
2. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 7-1, 58.625
3. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 6-2, 55.375
4. Frankenmuth, 7-1, 55.250
5. Romulus Summit Academy North, 7-1, 54.375
6. Saginaw Swan Valley, 7-1, 53.500
7. Richmond, 7-1, 53.125
8. Ogemaw Heights, 7-1, 52.250
9. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard, 8-0, 51.736
10. Monroe Jefferson, 7-1, 51.625
11. Detroit Southeastern, 6-2, 50.250
12. Armada, 6-2, 46.750
13. Whitehall, 5-3, 45.000
14. Clare, 6-2, 44.000
15. Michigan Center, 8-0, 43.875
16. Kingsford, 6-2, 43.444
17. Berrien Springs, 5-1, 43.375
18. Detroit Denby, 6-2, 42.667
19. Flat Rock, 5-3, 41.750
20. Gladwin, 5-3, 41.500
21. Howard City Tri County, 5-3, 40.875
22. Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep, 6-2, 40.542
23. Muskegon Oakridge, 5-3, 40.250
24. Dowagiac, 5-3, 40.167
25. Romulus, 4-4, 39.500
26. Negaunee, 5-3, 39.194
27. Detroit Cody, 5-3, 38.250
28. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 5-3, 37.375
29. Yale, 4-4, 36.125
30. Whitmore Lake, 6-2, 36.054
31. Shepherd, 5-3, 36.000
32. Hopkins, 4-4, 35.625
33. Hazel Park, 5-3, 35.375
34. Detroit Voyageur College Prep, 4-4, 34.625
35. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 3-5, 32.125
36. Muskegon Orchard View, 4-4, 31.375
37. Alma, 3-5, 30.750
37. Cheboygan, 3-5, 30.750
39. Midland Bullock Creek, 4-4, 30.500
40. Birch Run, 4-4, 29.125
11-Player Division 6
1. Almont, 8-0, 59.375
2. Jackson Lumen Christi, 5-3, 56.042
3. Detroit Edison, 7-1, 53.000
4. Belding, 7-1, 52.375
5. Olivet, 7-1, 49.625
6. Kent City, 8-0, 48.500
6. Marine City, 6-2, 48.500
8. Montrose, 8-0, 45.750
9. Reed City, 6-2, 45.500
10. Kingsley, 6-2, 45.000
11. Traverse City St. Francis, 6-2, 43.446
12. Flint Hamady, 6-2, 42.375
13. Ecorse, 6-2, 41.875
14. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 5-3, 41.054
15. Ovid-Elsie, 6-2, 39.625
16. Calumet, 6-2, 39.230
17. Boyne City, 5-3, 39.000
18. Durand, 6-2, 38.625
19. Ida, 6-2, 37.750
20. Detroit Pershing, 5-3, 37.375
21. Clawson, 5-3, 34.875
21. Napoleon, 5-3, 34.875
23. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 4-4, 34.250
24. Central Montcalm, 6-2, 34.000
25. Montague, 4-4, 33.500
26. Flint New Standard Academy, 7-1, 32.750
27. Buchanan, 5-3, 32.333
28. Adrian Madison, 5-3, 32.250
28. Detroit Central, 5-3, 32.250
30. Sanford Meridian, 5-3, 30.875
31. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 5-3, 29.500
32. Clinton Township Clintondale, 4-4, 29.250
33. Kalkaska, 5-3, 29.143
34. Lansing Catholic, 2-6, 29.000
35. Gladstone, 3-5, 28.444
36. Hart, 4-4, 28.375
37. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 3-5, 28.250
38. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic, 5-3, 27.125
39. Onsted, 3-5, 27.000
40. Mason County Central, 4-4, 26.625
11-Player Division 7
1. Menominee, 8-0, 54.028
2. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 7-1, 51.000
3. Charlevoix, 8-0, 43.250
4. Millington, 7-1, 41.000
5. Pewamo-Westphalia, 7-0, 40.893
6. Schoolcraft, 7-1, 40.125
7. Clinton, 6-2, 39.500
8. Constantine, 6-2, 39.250
9. Saginaw Valley Lutheran, 8-0, 38.125
10. Hanover-Horton, 6-2, 37.500
11. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 6-2, 37.250
12. Cass City, 6-2, 36.625
12. Lawton, 6-2, 36.625
14. North Muskegon, 6-2, 35.571
15. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 7-1, 34.875
16. Bronson, 7-1, 34.625
17. McBain, 6-2, 34.375
18. Ithaca, 6-2, 33.250
19. Harrison, 6-2, 31.500
20. Saranac, 6-2, 30.321
21. LeRoy Pine River, 5-3, 29.375
22. Detroit Community, 5-3, 29.278
23. Ravenna, 4-4, 29.125
24. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, 4-4, 28.554
25. Union City, 5-3, 27.875
26. Shelby, 5-3, 27.500
27. Jonesville, 5-3, 26.750
27. Leslie, 4-4, 26.750
29. Manton, 5-3, 26.500
30. Burton Bendle, 5-3, 26.250
31. Galesburg-Augusta, 4-4, 25.625
32. Burton Atherton, 4-4, 25.250
33. Morley Stanwood, 3-5, 24.500
34. Quincy, 5-3, 24.000
35. Stockbridge, 4-4, 23.250
36. Coloma, 3-5, 23.125
37. Houghton Lake, 3-5, 22.500
38. Detroit Northwestern, 2-6, 22.250
39. Otisville LakeVille Memorial, 2-6, 22.125
40. Bath, 4-4, 21.946
11-Player Division 8
1. Hudson, 8-0, 46.000
2. Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech, 8-0, 44.903
3. Madison Heights Madison, 7-1, 43.375
4. Harbor Beach, 8-0, 40.000
5. Beal City, 8-0, 39.875
6. Maple City Glen Lake, 6-1, 38.554
7. Allen Park Cabrini, 8-0, 37.750
8. Springport, 8-0, 36.250
9. Decatur, 6-2, 35.000
10. Bark River-Harris, 6-1, 34.605
11. Fowler, 6-2, 34.571
12. New Lothrop, 5-3, 34.500
13. White Pigeon, 6-2, 32.750
14. Unionville-Sebewaing, 6-2, 32.375
15. Southfield Bradford Academy, 5-3, 31.722
16. Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central, 6-2, 31.250
17. Mancelona, 5-3, 29.250
17. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 5-3, 29.250
19. East Jordan, 5-3, 28.643
20. Genesee, 4-4, 28.250
20. Manchester, 5-3, 28.250
22. Iron Mountain, 5-2, 27.911
23. Frankfort, 5-3, 27.893
24. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 5-3, 27.875
25. Centreville, 4-4, 27.625
26. Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, 4-4, 27.375
27. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 3-5, 26.625
28. Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, 5-3, 25.667
29. Reese, 4-4, 24.500
30. L'Anse, 5-3, 24.375
31. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, 4-4, 22.929
32. Petersburg Summerfield, 4-4, 22.875
33. Muskegon Catholic Central, 3-5, 22.375
34. Reading, 3-5, 22.000
35. Ubly, 3-5, 21.750
36. West Iron County, 3-4, 21.250
37. Farwell, 3-5, 20.750
37. St Louis, 2-6, 20.750
39. Vassar, 2-6, 18.500
40. Vermontville Maple Valley, 2-6, 18.375
8-Player Division 1
1. Norway, 8-0, 37.696
2. Martin, 8-0, 37.333
3. Blanchard Montabella, 8-0, 35.125
4. Indian River Inland Lakes, 8-0, 34.375
5. Kingston, 7-1, 32.750
6. Gobles, 6-2, 31.190
7. Pickford, 6-1, 31.179
8. Bessemer, 7-1, 31.083
9. Bay City All Saints, 6-2, 30.268
10. Central Lake, 5-3, 30.250
11. Merrill, 6-2, 29.625
12. Capac, 6-2, 29.500
13. Brown City, 6-2, 29.250
14. Climax-Scotts, 6-2, 29.125
15. Newberry, 6-2, 28.768
16. Breckenridge, 5-3, 28.643
17. Marcellus, 5-3, 26.565
18. Concord, 4-4, 24.875
19. Colon, 5-3, 24.625
20. Fulton, 4-4, 24.500
21. Dryden, 4-4, 24.393
22. Rogers City, 4-4, 23.589
23. Brimley, 3-5, 22.601
24. Eau Claire, 4-4, 21.833
8-Player Division 2
1. Onekama, 8-0, 36.250
2. Portland St. Patrick, 8-0, 35.607
3. Mendon, 8-0, 34.750
4. Britton Deerfield, 7-1, 34.625
5. Deckerville, 7-1, 33.875
6. Grand Rapids Sacred Heart, 7-1, 33.565
7. Felch North Dickinson, 8-0, 33.458
8. Pittsford, 7-1, 32.375
9. Mio, 7-1, 31.143
10. Morrice, 7-1, 30.875
11. Powers North Central, 6-2, 30.375
12. Cedarville, 6-2, 30.000
13. Lake Linden-Hubbell, 6-2, 29.833
14. Gaylord St. Mary, 7-1, 29.000
15. Marion, 6-2, 28.125
16. Hillman, 5-3, 26.714
17. Waldron, 5-3, 26.250
18. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 5-3, 26.125
18. Au Gres-Sims, 5-3, 26.125
20. St. Ignace, 5-3, 26.018
21. Kinde North Huron, 5-2, 25.357
22. Bear Lake, 6-2, 24.750
23. Peck, 5-3, 24.089
24. Brethren, 4-4, 23.375