Week 9 Football Playoff Listing

October 16, 2012

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. Schools on this list are in enrollment order. An asterisk (*) beside a record indicates that a team has eight or fewer games scheduled. A caret (^) beside a school’s name indicates that 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. 26-27. 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. 26-27. All 8-player teams, regardless of win total, are listed below.

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 6 p.m. on 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.

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11-Player Playoff Listing

1. Utica Eisenhower, 2772, 6-2, 85.250

2. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 2766, 6-2, 81.375

3. Clarkston, 2721, 8-0, 109.000

4. Howell ^, 2692, 5-3, 67.750

5. Grand Blanc, 2644, 4-4, 57.000

6. Macomb Dakota, 2608, 7-1, 94.750

7. Lake Orion, 2565, 7-1, 94.875

8. Rockford, 2526, 6-2, 81.625

9. Troy ^, 2502, 5-3, 65.125

10. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley ^, 2462, 5-3, 69.750

11. Dearborn Fordson, 2442, 7-1, 102.375

12. Holland West Ottawa, 2262, 6-2, 77.250

13. Northville ^, 2220, 5-3, 65.875

14. Detroit Cass Tech, 2200, 6-2, 80.125

15. Canton ^, 2166, 5-3, 63.500

16. Monroe, 2154, 6-2, 72.250

17. Detroit Catholic Central ^, 2060, 5-3, 65.792

18. Plymouth, 2050, 7-1, 89.875

19. Salem ^, 2039, 5-3, 67.500

20. Livonia Stevenson, 2005, 6-2, 78.250

21. Holt ^, 1992, 5-3, 61.750

22. Hartland, 1932, 7-1, 92.625

23. Warren Mott, 1879, 7-1, 79.625

24. Livonia Churchill, 1877, 8-0, 111.000

25. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, 1853, 6-2, 76.125

26. Saline, 1849, 7-1, 91.500

27. Grandville, 1846, 4-4, 47.750

28. Romeo, 1802, 4-4, 59.500

29. Dearborn ^, 1790, 5-3, 71.000

30. Rochester Hills Stoney Creek ^, 1777, 5-3, 62.125

31. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1772, 7-1, 80.875

32. Grand Ledge, 1743, 6-2, 76.125

33. Rochester ^, 1725, 5-3, 63.125

34. Traverse City West ^, 1720, 5-3, 64.625

35. White Lake Lakeland ^, 1700, 5-3, 62.750

36. Harrison Township L'Anse Creuse, 1680, 4-4, 48.500

37. Belleville, 1678, 4-4, 54.500

38. Ann Arbor Pioneer ^, 1670, 5-3, 65.625

39. Davison, 1664, 6-2, 69.750

40. Grosse Pointe South, 1648, 7-1, 90.625

41. Walled Lake Northern, 1599, 6-2, 84.375

42. Temperance Bedford ^, 1581, 5-3, 63.125

43. Walled Lake Western, 1553, 6-2, 77.375

44. Warren DeLaSalle, 1550, 4-4, 53.292

45. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1520, 7-1, 88.750

46. Ypsilanti Lincoln ^, 1520, 5-3, 58.500

47. Wyoming, 1515, 4-4, 41.429

48. Dearborn Edsel Ford ^, 1508, 5-3, 60.625

49. Midland, 1485, 8-0, 109.000

50. Oxford ^, 1481, 5-3, 69.875

51. Port Huron, 1473, 6-2, 76.000

52. Pinckney, 1448, 4-4, 50.000

53. Traverse City Central, 1429, 7-1, 88.250

54. Oak Park, 1391, 7-1, 99.500

55. Bay City Central, 1385, 4-4, 46.000

56. Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, 1364, 4-4, 46.250

57. Lansing Everett, 1359, 8-0, 111.000

58. Grosse Pointe North ^, 1353, 5-3, 60.875

59. Midland Dow ^, 1350, 5-3, 58.500

60. Birmingham Seaholm, 1349, 7-1, 90.750

61. Battle Creek Lakeview ^, 1347, 5-3, 61.875

62. Garden City, 1344, 4-4, 48.125

63. Portage Central ^, 1340, 5-3, 62.375

64. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1337, 4-4, 48.750

65. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1336, 6-2, 84.250

66. Portage Northern, 1328, 7-1, 87.875

67. Caledonia, 1308, 6-2, 73.500

68. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1304, 7-1, 90.750

69. Farmington Hills Harrison ^, 1302, 5-3, 67.750

70. Detroit Martin Luther King ^, 1287, 5-3, 66.375

71. Detroit Cody ^, 1282, 5-3, 57.589

72. Farmington, 1278, 6-2, 79.250

73. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 1278, 4-4, 52.000

74. South Lyon, 1262, 4-4, 48.625

75. Taylor Truman, 1253, 7-1, 91.750

76. Berkley, 1225, 4-4, 47.125

77. Flushing, 1225, 4-4, 44.375

78. Swartz Creek, 1223, 7-1, 86.750

79. Southfield ^, 1218, 5-3, 69.625

80. Fenton, 1202, 7-1, 88.750

81. Grand Rapids Northview, 1180, 7-1, 82.500

82. Lowell, 1177, 7-1, 93.875

83. Holly, 1172, 4-4, 48.875

84. Bay City Western, 1171, 7-1, 79.875

85. Gibraltar Carlson, 1160, 4-4, 46.375

86. Muskegon, 1144, 8-0, 114.000

87. East Lansing ^, 1142, 5-3, 59.000

88. Mattawan, 1124, 7-1, 86.875

89. Allen Park ^, 1120, 5-3, 60.250

90. Marquette *, 1112, 5-3, 66.875

91. Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, 1109, 4-4, 57.125

92. Lapeer West, 1101, 6-2, 78.375

93. Detroit Renaissance, 1094, 4-4, 45.125

94. Redford Thurston ^, 1088, 5-3, 60.000

95. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1080, 7-1, 84.750

96. St. Johns ^, 1068, 5-3, 62.375

97. Zeeland East, 1067, 8-0, 102.000

98. Byron Center ^, 1032, 5-3, 63.000

99. Detroit East English, 1030, 7-1, 89.750

100. Mt. Pleasant, 1014, 4-4, 52.125

101. Owosso ^, 1012, 5-3, 57.875

102. Lansing Waverly ^, 1011, 5-3, 57.375

103. St. Joseph, 974, 4-4, 53.875

104. Mason ^, 969, 5-3, 52.000

105. Petoskey ^, 967, 5-3, 64.875

106. Milan, 959, 8-0, 93.000

107. Sault Ste. Marie ^, 959, 5-3, 55.625

108. Grand Rapids Christian, 954, 7-1, 92.625

109. Cedar Springs, 950, 4-4, 37.000

110. DeWitt, 931, 6-2, 78.625

111. Fruitport, 929, 8-0, 86.000

112. Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 926, 6-2, 85.575

113. Bloomfield Hills Lahser ^, 925, 5-3, 60.375

114. Linden, 923, 7-1, 87.625

115. Niles, 920, 4-4, 45.750

116. Hazel Park, 909, 4-4, 46.625

117. Stevensville Lakeshore, 906, 8-0, 117.000

118. St. Clair, 901, 7-1, 83.750

119. Haslett, 894, 4-4, 50.125

120. South Lyon East, 891, 4-4, 51.125

121. Tecumseh, 887, 7-1, 78.500

122. Sturgis, 882, 4-4, 47.375

123. Melvindale, 879, 4-4, 49.500

124. Carleton Airport ^, 868, 5-3, 55.250

125. Detroit Central Collegiate ^, 868, 5-3, 59.750

126. Charlotte, 851, 6-2, 67.375

127. Chelsea ^, 851, 5-3, 63.875

128. Hastings, 850, 6-2, 67.750

129. Plainwell, 832, 6-2, 67.750

130. Cadillac, 820, 6-2, 68.000

131. Edwardsburg, 805, 6-2, 61.500

132. North Branch ^, 803, 5-3, 51.000

133. Hamilton ^, 801, 5-3, 60.071

134. Marysville, 794, 6-2, 71.500

135. Escanaba, 791, 4-4, 48.750

136. Warren Lincoln, 791, 4-4, 42.250

137. Zeeland West ^, 791, 5-3, 62.750

138. Detroit Old Redford, 787, 4-4, 33.107

139. Coopersville ^*, 781, 4-3, 48.607

140. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 780, 6-2, 78.375

141. Spring Lake ^, 778, 5-3, 53.321

142. Holland Christian, 771, 4-4, 46.750

143. Three Rivers ^, 760, 5-3, 48.125

144. Ogemaw Heights ^, 759, 5-3, 63.750

145. Goodrich, 748, 6-2, 61.500

146. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy *, 729, 6-1, 73.036

147. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 727, 4-4, 48.125

148. Marshall ^, 723, 5-3, 55.500

149. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 720, 7-1, 89.750

150. Big Rapids, 706, 7-1, 68.875

151. Croswell-Lexington, 704, 8-0, 91.000

152. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 704, 6-2, 70.000

153. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 701, 8-0, 98.000

154. Otsego, 698, 6-2, 62.500

155. Yale, 689, 4-4, 45.250

156. Detroit Country Day, 685, 7-1, 90.125

157. Comstock Park, 678, 7-1, 83.071

158. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 674, 8-0, 93.000

159. Armada, 667, 4-4, 44.750

160. Whitehall, 663, 4-4, 38.625

161. Grand Rapids South Christian ^, 660, 5-3, 58.000

162. Battle Creek Pennfield, 656, 7-1, 64.875

163. Richmond ^, 656, 5-3, 58.750

164. Grosse Ile, 649, 7-1, 76.875

165. Saginaw Swan Valley, 642, 6-2, 64.375

166. Paw Paw, 639, 8-0, 85.000

167. Allendale, 636, 7-1, 81.750

168. Williamston ^, 636, 5-3, 54.375

169. Cheboygan, 631, 6-2, 72.000

170. Marine City, 629, 7-1, 89.500

171. Alma ^, 614, 5-3, 54.750

172. Saginaw Valley Lutheran ^, 608, 5-3, 38.125

173. Dowagiac, 605, 8-0, 88.000

174. Livonia Clarenceville ^, 597, 5-3, 53.125

175. Midland Bullock Creek, 586, 4-4, 45.125

176. Clawson ^, 582, 5-3, 50.250

177. Remus Chippewa Hills ^, 581, 5-3, 49.250

178. Essexville Garber ^, 572, 5-3, 49.125

179. Clinton Township Clintondale, 570, 8-0, 83.000

180. Lake Fenton, 564, 7-1, 76.750

181. Grant ^, 562, 5-3, 54.000

182. Freeland, 561, 6-2, 70.250

183. Kingsford, 559, 7-1, 83.750

184. Portland, 555, 7-1, 83.750

185. Gladwin, 547, 6-2, 62.125

186. Almont ^, 543, 5-3, 57.125

187. Detroit Community, 543, 4-4, 25.696

188. Flint Powers Catholic, 542, 8-0, 98.000

189. Menominee, 539, 7-1, 90.750

190. Macomb Lutheran North ^, 537, 5-3, 53.875

191. North Muskegon, 532, 4-4, 40.875

192. Standish-Sterling Central ^, 532, 5-3, 54.750

193. Hopkins, 531, 8-0, 81.000

194. Detroit University Prep, 528, 7-1, 65.714

195. Grayling, 516, 8-0, 77.000

196. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 515, 7-1, 81.875

197. Allen Park Cabrini, 512, 6-2, 56.625

198. Olivet ^, 509, 5-3, 47.375

199. Frankenmuth, 507, 8-0, 90.000

200. Newaygo, 507, 6-2, 59.625

201. Grand Rapids West Catholic ^, 503, 5-3, 65.542

202. Ida ^, 503, 5-3, 48.875

203. Capac, 495, 4-4, 42.125

204. River Rouge, 495, 8-0, 74.286

205. Manistee ^, 493, 5-3, 44.958

206. Carrollton, 492, 7-1, 65.875

207. Lansing Catholic, 487, 7-1, 85.625

208. Reed City, 480, 8-0, 90.000

209. Dundee, 476, 6-2, 58.125

210. Muskegon Oakridge, 474, 8-0, 84.000

211. Kingsley ^, 473, 5-3, 42.750

212. Jackson Lumen Christi, 472, 8-0, 94.000

213. Buchanan, 467, 6-2, 61.625

214. Leslie, 467, 8-0, 77.000

215. Clare, 465, 6-2, 66.500

216. Roscommon ^, 461, 5-3, 48.125

217. Kalkaska, 459, 6-2, 44.750

218. Millington, 459, 7-1, 72.875

219. Lakeview ^, 457, 5-3, 43.000

220. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 446, 6-2, 62.464

221. Harper Woods ^, 440, 5-3, 41.083

222. Boyne City, 437, 8-0, 72.000

223. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 437, 6-2, 63.625

224. Negaunee, 433, 7-1, 73.500

225. Elk Rapids, 432, 4-4, 37.000

226. Manistique ^, 430, 5-3, 43.875

227. Beaverton, 422, 4-4, 33.750

228. Hemlock, 421, 7-1, 82.875

229. Shelby, 417, 6-2, 64.625

230. Detroit Consortium, 416, 6-2, 53.411

231. Vassar, 416, 7-1, 59.875

232. Clinton, 413, 8-0, 80.000

233. Maple City Glen Lake, 409, 8-0, 66.000

234. Michigan Center, 406, 7-1, 65.625

235. Manchester, 404, 6-2, 57.625

236. Calumet ^, 402, 5-3, 50.375

237. Ithaca, 402, 8-0, 84.000

238. Montrose Hill-McCloy, 400, 7-1, 74.875

239. Niles Brandywine, 396, 6-2, 50.982

240. Grass Lake, 395, 7-1, 69.750

241. Hillsdale, 391, 8-0, 80.000

242. Madison Heights Madison, 391, 7-1, 78.250

243. Ecorse ^, 390, 5-3, 43.411

244. Montague, 390, 7-1, 72.875

245. Laingsburg, 388, 4-4, 33.375

246. Sanford Meridian ^, 388, 5-3, 46.625

247. Jonesville, 383, 6-2, 54.250

248. Saranac, 383, 4-4, 39.250

249. Cass City, 379, 4-4, 34.375

250. Constantine, 371, 7-1, 64.875

251. Grandville Calvin Christian, 371, 6-2, 56.625

252. Vandercook Lake, 371, 4-4, 37.375

253. Watervliet, 369, 8-0, 69.000

254. Schoolcraft, 366, 8-0, 83.000

255. Blissfield, 364, 4-4, 43.500

256. Byron Area, 364, 7-1, 56.875

257. Indian River Inland Lakes, 364, 4-4, 33.500

258. Bronson ^*, 361, 4-3, 34.679

259. Iron Mountain, 354, 4-4, 41.625

260. Reese, 350, 8-0, 78.000

261. Union City ^, 350, 5-3, 40.875

262. Burton Bendle, 348, 7-1, 56.875

263. Flint Beecher, 347, 4-4, 39.375

264. Pellston, 347, 4-4, 20.375

265. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian ^, 346, 5-3, 38.750

266. Saginaw Nouvel, 344, 6-2, 77.250

267. Carson City-Crystal, 337, 6-2, 48.125

268. Hartford, 337, 6-2, 65.929

269. Marlette, 336, 4-4, 35.375

270. Flint Hamady ^, 334, 5-3, 39.375

271. Whittemore-Prescott, 328, 6-2, 59.375

272. Sandusky, 327, 4-4, 37.554

273. Bloomingdale, 326, 4-4, 31.375

274. Dansville, 323, 6-2, 52.375

275. Springport ^, 319, 5-3, 43.750

276. Bridgman ^, 318, 5-3, 47.089

277. Lawton, 317, 7-1, 65.625

278. Lake City, 316, 7-1, 58.875

279. Pewamo-Westphalia, 316, 6-2, 56.500

280. Manton, 315, 4-4, 26.500

281. Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 309, 4-4, 38.625

282. Ishpeming, 307, 7-1, 66.750

283. Detroit Douglass *, 306, 5-3, 58.750

284. Unionville-Sebewaing, 303, 4-4, 34.750

285. Evart, 302, 6-2, 44.625

286. Homer, 302, 4-4, 29.375

287. Traverse City St. Francis, 299, 4-4, 41.125

288. Detroit Loyola, 298, 8-0, 87.000

289. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest *, 298, 5-3, 45.875

290. Lincoln Alcona *, 292, 6-2, 47.125

291. Genesee ^, 288, 5-3, 36.000

292. Mancelona, 288, 8-0, 63.000

293. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic, 284, 4-4, 45.500

294. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 283, 7-1, 63.625

295. Reading, 283, 7-1, 65.375

296. Decatur, 277, 6-2, 48.625

297. Britton Deerfield ^, 276, 5-3, 49.250

298. Ubly ^, 275, 5-3, 36.625

299. Brown City ^, 272, 5-3, 51.000

300. Gobles, 271, 7-1, 53.750

301. Iron River West Iron County, 270, 4-4, 38.375

302. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 268, 7-1, 61.875

303. Hudson, 264, 4-4, 39.125

304. Waterford Our Lady, 263, 6-2, 57.500

305. Mayville ^, 258, 5-3, 44.554

306. Saugatuck, 257, 4-4, 30.125

307. Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech, 254, 6-2, 54.137

308. New Buffalo, 250, 4-4, 29.875

309. Marcellus ^, 249, 5-3, 34.250

310. Harbor Beach, 245, 7-1, 65.750

311. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 243, 6-2, 40.536

312. Vestaburg, 242, 6-2, 50.375

313. Coleman, 239, 4-4, 34.125

314. New Lothrop, 237, 8-0, 71.000

315. Bessemer *, 233, 5-2, 41.929

316. L'Anse, 233, 6-2, 45.375

317. Petersburg-Summerfield, 232, 4-4, 33.625

318. Stephenson, 229, 6-2, 44.125

319. Merrill ^, 228, 5-3, 46.000

320. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 220, 4-4, 38.375

321. Manistee Catholic Central ^, 219, 5-3, 34.625

322. Mendon, 216, 8-0, 76.571

323. Beal City, 213, 8-0, 82.000

324. Pittsford, 213, 6-2, 43.250

325. St. Ignace La Salle, 207, 8-0, 56.000

326. Lutheran Westland ^, 204, 5-3, 50.679

327. Mio ^, 203, 5-3, 36.696

328. AuGres-Sims ^, 199, 5-3, 36.071

329. Pickford, 197, 6-2, 47.750

330. Onaway ^, 194, 5-3, 36.000

331. Powers North Central ^, 194, 5-3, 30.875

332. Central Lake ^, 193, 5-3, 38.411

333. Fowler, 186, 7-1, 67.875

334. Climax-Scotts, 183, 8-0, 56.000

335. Muskegon Catholic Central ^, 181, 5-3, 49.458

336. Morrice, 171, 4-4, 28.875

337. St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic *, 171, 6-1, 50.196

338. Colon ^, 164, 5-3, 31.750

339. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 164, 6-2, 44.446

340. Baldwin *, 160, 6-2, 42.286

341. Lake Linden-Hubbell, 159, 4-4, 26.321

342. Hillman, 145, 4-4, 28.768

343. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 121, 7-1, 70.875

344. Iron Mountain North Dickinson *, 112, 8-0, 66.429

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8-Player Playoff Listing

1. Deckerville, 194, 7-1, 55.875

2. Marine City Cardinal Mooney, 185, 4-4, 24.917

3. Battle Creek St. Philip, 182, 5-3, 34.375

4. Kinde-North Huron, 180, 4-4, 27.583

5. Kingston, 175, 4-4, 27.583

6. Cedarville, 169, 8-0, 65.571

7. Tekonsha, 163, 1-7, 10.750

8. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 162, 4-4, 32.625

9. Bellaire, 161, 5-3, 36.429

10. Peck, 156, 7-1, 46.083

11. Ewen-Trout Creek *, 146, 1-6, 9.250

12. Brimley *, 145, 2-5, 15.107

13. Eben Junction Superior Central *, 132, 5-2, 39.196

14. New Haven Merritt *, 130, 1-5, 9.542

15. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran *, 118, 1-5, 7.208

16. Litchfield, 115, 1-7, 8.625

17. Rapid River, 115, 7-1, 48.875

18. Portland St. Patrick, 104, 8-0, 57.000

19. Akron-Fairgrove, 95, 6-2, 36.458

20. Caseville, 90, 0-8, 3.750

21. Engadine *, 89, 3-4, 21.554

22. Rock Mid Peninsula, 87, 2-6, 17.418

23. Waldron, 87, 6-2, 37.375

24. Posen, 84, 2-6, 14.268

25. Burr Oak, 79, 3-5, 17.875

26. Owendale-Gagetown, 60, 6-2, 36.333

27. Flint Michigan School For The Deaf *, 45, 1-5, 7.833

Robichaud 3-Sport Legend Wheatley Selected to National High School Hall of Fame

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

March 11, 2024

The playing career of 1991 Dearborn Heights Robichaud graduate Tyrone Wheatley remains one of the most storied in Michigan high school sports history. His prestige gained during that early stage of his athletic stardom has been recognized nationally as well, as Wheatley was one of 12 honorees announced today as this year’s inductees into the National High School Hall of Fame by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

Wheatley – who grew up in Inkster and is currently the head football coach at Wayne State University – will be inducted as one of 11 honorees selected for the 41st Hall of Fame class at a ceremony during the NFHS summer meeting July 1 in Boston. The rest of the class is made up of three more athletes, four coaches, two former state association administrators and a game official. Wheatley was nominated by the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

Wheatley will become the Hall of Fame’s 10th inductee from Michigan, joining the MHSAA’s first full-time Executive Director Charles E. Forsythe (inducted 1983), River Rouge boys basketball coach Lofton Greene (1986), Warren Regina athletic director, softball and basketball coach Diane Laffey (2000), Fennville basketball and baseball standout Richie Jordan (2001), Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett boys and girls tennis coach Bob Wood (2005), Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook hockey standout Jim Johnson (2007), Owosso football, basketball and baseball all-stater Brad Van Pelt (2011); Vermontville Maple Valley baseball national record holder Ken Beardslee (2016) and retired MHSAA Executive Director John E. “Jack” Roberts (2022).

To the greater public, Wheatley surely is best known as a star running back for University of Michigan who went on to play 10 seasons in the NFL for the New York Giants and Oakland Raiders. However, he is arguably most glorified in Michigan high school athletics for his accomplishments on the track, where as a junior in 1990 he became the first (of still only two) athletes to win four individual events at an MHSAA Lower Peninsula Finals – placing first in the 100 and 200-meter dashes, 110-meter hurdles and long jump. He led Robichaud to the Class B team title that day, scoring 40 of its 49 points. Wheatley completed his high school career in 1991 with three more Class B individual track & field championships and nine total over his final three seasons; he was injured in the 100 during that senior-year meet and could not run his final race to attempt another four-title day.

Wheatley’s meet records of 13.7 seconds in the 100 at the 1991 LP Class B Final and 23-10¾ in long jump in 1989 still stood when the four-Class track & field format was retired after the 1999 season. He also remains the only athlete to win the 100 three times at the prestigious Mehock Relays in Mansfield, Ohio, also finishing first in the 110 hurdles and 200 and runner-up in the long jump at that meet in 1991.

Wheatley was similarly accomplished on the high school football field, leading his team to a state championship in 1990 and earning a Parade All-America honor. Over three varsity seasons total he ran for a combined 4,257 yards and 67 touchdowns, including 2,010 yards and 33 scores on 208 carries as a senior in 1990 – the latter despite playing quarterback half of that season (and throwing five touchdown passes). He played quarterback, running back, defensive back, punter, kicker and returned kicks, and he scored 252 points over 13 games as a senior and 484 over 38 career games.

Wheatley also was a standout on the basketball court for Robichaud, averaging 14 points and 16 rebounds per game as a senior in earning all-state recognition in that sport as well.

“My city where I come from, Inkster, means the world to me. I grew up in an incredible era of sports in Michigan (with successful University of Michigan and Detroit pro teams) … but if you ask me who my idols were, they were the guys I grew up with playing on the playground,” Wheatley said. “After you come from a basketball game where you see Jarvis Walker drop 30, or Earl Jones running the last 200 of a race backwards … you hear people talk about them, you hear their reverence about them, and I just wanted to be put in the conversation of the best to come out of Inkster, forget the state. I can tell you this for sure: I’m not the best athlete to come out of Inkster, just the person who got the recognition. And my foundation was built watching, taking notes, preparing, working out and just trying to be one of the guys.

“(Robichaud was) the step. Because without Robichaud … Michigan, the NFL, me coming back to coach, it doesn’t happen,” Wheatley said. “Without the Robert Yaucks (his football coach at Robichaud), the Coach (Leit) Jones (his Robichaud track coach), the Coach (Mercer) Brysons, the (coach) Wade Cooks, the (coach Jeff) Flounorys, the Millie Hursins (his academic advisor) of the world, this doesn’t happen. Without my high school teammates, none of this happens. So it’s not just a step. What’s the saying – the first impression is the lasting and best impression? Robichaud was it.”

Wheatley returned to Robichaud as its varsity football coach in 2007 and led that team to a 9-2 record and the MHSAA Playoffs for the first time since 1994 – after Robichaud had finished 0-9 the previous season. He has served as an assistant football coach at four college programs including U-M and Syracuse, and with the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos.

He also served as Morgan State University's head coach from 2019-21 and just completed his first season as head coach at Wayne State, which finished 3-8 – an improvement of two wins from 2022 and the program’s best record since 2019.

Wheatley graduated from University of Michigan in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. He and wife Kimberly have five children: Tyrone Jr., Terius, Tyrique, Tiana and Tamari. Tyrone Jr., an offensive tackle, played this past season for the New England Patriots.

“Many of us who grew up in Michigan grew up as fans of Tyrone Wheatley because of what he accomplished at the college level – but his legendary story begins at Dearborn Heights Robichaud, where his outsized athletic ability was on full display in every sport he played,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said. “Michigan has produced several professional athletes in a variety of sports and nearly 50 Olympians in track & field alone, and what Tyrone Wheatley achieved as a high school athlete remains a standard few have approached. We are ecstatic that he will deservedly take his place among the all-time elite high school athletes nationally as well.”

The National High School Hall of Fame was started in 1982 by the NFHS. The 11 individuals were chosen after a two-level selection process involving a screening committee composed of active high school state association administrators, coaches and officials, and a final selection committee composed of coaches, former athletes, state association officials, media representatives and educational leaders. Nominations were made through NFHS member associations. Also chosen for this class were athletes Joe Mauer (Minnesota), Takeo Spikes (Georgia) and Dot Ford Burrow (Mississippi); sport coaches Paula Kirkland (South Carolina), Gary Rankin (Tennessee), Roy Snyder (Pennsylvania) and Ronald Vincent (North Carolina); former state association administrators Mike Colbrese (Washington) and Marie Ishida (California), and baseball/football game official David Core (Oklahoma).

For more on this year’s Hall of Fame class, visit the NFHS Website.

PHOTO Tyrone Wheatley crosses the finish line first during one of his nine MHSAA Finals track & field championship victories. (MHSAA file photo.)