2014 Week 8 Football Playoff Listing

October 14, 2014

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Following 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. A caret (^) beside a school’s name indicates 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. 31. 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. 31.

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 on Oct. 26 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, 2814, 6-1, 92.286
2. Sterling Heights Stevenson^, 2767, 5-2, 75.143 
3. Clarkston, 2742, 7-0, 107.429 
4. Utica Eisenhower, 2712, 4-3, 65.714 
5. Grand Blanc^, 2668, 5-2, 68.857 
6. East Kentwood, 2592, 6-1, 85.143 
7. Rockford, 2555, 6-1, 94.286 
8. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2538, 4-3, 63.429 
9. Lake Orion, 2459, 4-3, 55.429 
10. Dearborn Fordson, 2411, 7-0, 101.714 
11. Northville^, 2298, 5-2, 67.571 
12. Holland West Ottawa^, 2293, 5-2, 77.571 
13. Canton, 2289, 6-1, 93.286 
14. Detroit Cass Tech, 2277, 7-0, 101.714 
15. Plymouth^, 2116, 5-2, 67.714 
16. Lapeer, 2112, 7-0, 94.857 
17. Utica Ford, 2090, 4-3, 53.000 
18. Hartland, 2007, 6-1, 92.857 
19. Monroe^, 1992, 5-2, 73.571 
20. West Bloomfield, 1929, 6-1, 87.714 
21. Dearborn, 1876, 4-3, 60.571 
22. Westland John Glenn, 1872, 4-3, 52.286 
23. Warren Mott, 1870, 4-3, 63.429 
24. Oxford^, 1864, 5-2, 73.571 
25. Livonia Stevenson^, 1848, 5-2, 67.286 
26. Saline, 1844, 6-1, 90.086 
27. Walled Lake Central^, 1815, 5-2, 74.429 
28. Romeo, 1770, 4-3, 61.000 
29. Hudsonville, 1759, 4-3, 58.000 
30. Waterford Mott^, 1738, 5-2, 74.429 
31. Rochester Hills Stoney Creek, 1711, 4-3, 54.429 
32. Livonia Churchill, 1696, 6-1, 85.286 
33. Grand Ledge, 1689, 4-3, 55.714 
34. Fraser, 1684, 4-3, 57.429 
35. Waterford Kettering, 1610, 4-3, 53.286 
36. Temperance Bedford, 1600, 4-3, 59.571 
37. Warren Cousino, 1588, 4-3, 59.571 
38. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1568, 6-1, 84.000 
39. Warren DeLaSalle, 1562, 4-3, 50.886 
40. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1507, 7-0, 101.714 
41. Walled Lake Western, 1502, 6-1, 87.429 
42. Traverse City Central^, 1490, 5-2, 77.429 
43. Oak Park, 1486, 6-1, 86.571 
44. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1484, 7-0, 107.429 
45. Ypsilanti Lincoln^, 1422, 5-2, 65.857 
46. Caledonia^, 1417, 5-2, 76.143 
47. Portage Central*, 1384, 5-1, 83.000 
48. Southgate Anderson, 1374, 4-3, 54.429 
49. Lansing Everett^, 1364, 5-2, 68.571 
50. Dearborn Edsel Ford, 1356, 4-3, 54.857 
51. Wyandotte Roosevelt^, 1351, 5-2, 74.714 
52. Detroit East English^, 1345, 5-2, 69.143 
53. Portage Northern, 1345, 4-3, 61.048 
54. Port Huron^, 1336, 5-2, 76.714 
55. Grosse Pointe North, 1310, 4-3, 59.857 
56. Ypsilanti Community^, 1300, 5-2, 64.857 
57. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1298, 7-0, 107.429 
58. Swartz Creek, 1285, 4-3, 56.571 
59. Battle Creek Lakeview*, 1278, 5-1, 84.238 
60. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1274, 6-1, 94.429 
61. Okemos, 1273, 4-3, 61.000 
62. Birmingham Groves, 1270, 6-1, 81.857 
63. Berkley, 1265, 6-1, 83.000 
64. Flushing, 1260, 6-1, 86.000 
65. Midland Dow, 1255, 7-0, 101.714 
66. South Lyon, 1254, 6-1, 87.143 
67. Southfield^, 1239, 5-2, 68.857 
68. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1212, 6-1, 88.714 
69. Mattawan, 1184, 4-3, 54.476 
70. Fenton, 1181, 7-0, 100.571 
71. Farmington, 1178, 6-1, 86.429 
72. Grand Rapids Northview^, 1177, 5-2, 66.429 
73. Warren Woods Tower, 1175, 6-1, 81.857 
74. Muskegon, 1157, 7-0, 101.714 
75. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, 1153, 4-3, 52.429 
76. Lowell, 1145, 7-0, 96.000 
77. Detroit Renaissance^, 1144, 5-2, 62.714 
78. Greenville, 1130, 4-3, 47.000 
79. Gibraltar Carlson, 1129, 4-3, 51.000 
80. Battle Creek Central, 1124, 4-3, 53.238 
81. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1113, 6-1, 85.286 
82. Detroit Cody, 1096, 4-3, 51.000 
83. Marquette, 1090, 6-1, 76.857 
84. St. Johns, 1088, 6-1, 84.286 
85. Byron Center, 1085, 6-1, 80.714 
86. Allen Park, 1069, 6-1, 83.143 
87. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1056, 4-3, 51.286 
88. Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 1054, 6-1, 90.000 
89. Mt. Pleasant^, 1050, 5-2, 65.714 
90. Mason, 1032, 4-3, 54.571 
91. St. Joseph, 1028, 4-3, 53.143 
92. Redford Thurston, 1024, 4-3, 54.286 
93. East Grand Rapids, 986, 4-3, 58.286 
94. Petoskey^, 965, 5-2, 68.857 
95. Trenton, 955, 4-3, 52.429 
96. Romulus^, 950, 5-2, 58.714 
97. Riverview^, 935, 5-2, 61.000 
98. DeWitt, 930, 7-0, 102.857 
99. Gaylord^, 927, 5-2, 65.429 
100. Linden^, 921, 5-2, 66.714 
101. Detroit Mumford, 919, 4-3, 54.571 
102. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, 914, 4-3, 50.571 
103. Cedar Springs, 910, 6-1, 81.571 
104. Grand Rapids Christian^, 895, 5-2, 70.286 
105. Fruitport, 890, 4-3, 51.000 
106. Stevensville Lakeshore, 887, 6-1, 88.476 
107. Niles^, 885, 5-2, 66.238 
108. Coldwater, 876, 6-1, 67.143 
109. Tecumseh, 869, 4-3, 58.000 
110. New Boston Huron, 867, 6-1, 78.571 
111. Warren Fitzgerald, 857, 4-3, 49.571 
112. Zeeland West, 850, 7-0, 86.857 
113. Dearborn Divine Child^, 848, 5-2, 61.571 
114. Bay City John Glenn^, 847, 5-2, 55.286 
115. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 845, 4-3, 47.857 
116. St. Clair, 844, 6-1, 84.286 
117. Edwardsburg, 839, 6-1, 77.143 
118. Chelsea^, 838, 5-2, 70.857 
119. Detroit Old Redford, 837, 4-3, 42.000 
120. Charlotte, 836, 4-3, 45.000 
121. Plainwell, 812, 6-1, 72.714 
122. Marysville, 806, 4-3, 52.571 
123. Spring Lake, 802, 4-3, 48.429 
124. Detroit Denby, 800, 4-3, 59.000 
125. Vicksburg^, 794, 5-2, 65.143 
126. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood^, 790, 5-2, 48.000 
127. Eaton Rapids, 773, 4-3, 47.714 
128. Cadillac, 747, 7-0, 100.571 
129. Goodrich, 737, 6-1, 74.000 
130. Three Rivers, 722, 4-3, 56.714 
131. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 717, 7-0, 87.238 
132. Yale^, 716, 5-2, 55.286 
133. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy^, 691, 5-2, 60.286 
134. Detroit Country Day, 690, 4-3, 51.714 
135. Allendale, 689, 4-3, 49.857 
136. Muskegon Orchard View, 662, 4-3, 45.143 
137. Williamston, 659, 6-1, 75.143 
138. Paw Paw, 657, 4-3, 47.571 
139. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 655, 4-3, 51.018 
140. Lansing Sexton, 652, 7-0, 105.143 
141. Whitehall, 644, 6-1, 64.714 
142. Grosse Ile^, 640, 5-2, 58.714 
143. Kalamazoo Hackett^, 635, 5-2, 51.429 
144. Detroit Collegiate Prep, 634, 4-3, 45.143 
145. Richmond, 630, 6-1, 75.143 
146. Imlay City, 629, 4-3, 40.571 
147. Grand Rapids South Christian^, 623, 5-2, 64.000 
148. Wyoming Kelloggsville^, 610, 5-2, 56.286 
149. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 609, 4-3, 40.429 
150. Saginaw Swan Valley, 602, 7-0, 83.429 
151. Clawson, 589, 4-3, 43.429 
152. Birch Run, 575, 6-1, 69.286 
153. Essexville Garber, 574, 4-3, 45.714 
154. Remus Chippewa Hills, 567, 6-1, 74.714 
155. Marine City, 553, 7-0, 88.000 
156. Flint Powers Catholic^, 553, 5-2, 65.571 
157. Freeland, 549, 6-1, 69.429 
158. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard^, 545, 5-2, 52.095 
159. Stanton Central Montcalm, 539, 4-3, 50.857 
160. Portland, 538, 4-3, 51.143 
161. Menominee, 532, 7-0, 90.381 
162. River Rouge, 530, 6-1, 72.167 
163. Detroit University Prep^, 530, 5-2, 58.571 
164. Frankenmuth, 528, 6-1, 72.857 
165. Gladwin^, 528, 5-2, 49.429 
166. Ida, 527, 6-1, 64.714 
167. Hopkins, 522, 6-1, 71.667 
168. Lansing Catholic, 515, 7-0, 90.286 
169. Almont, 512, 7-0, 82.286 
170. Newaygo, 506, 6-1, 70.429 
171. Olivet, 505, 6-1, 70.143 
172. Muskegon Oakridge, 501, 6-1, 68.286 
173. Berrien Springs^, 501, 5-2, 57.857 
174. Onsted^, 499, 5-2, 44.857 
175. Ovid-Elsie, 487, 4-3, 48.857 
176. Chesaning, 480, 4-3, 43.714 
177. Detroit Central Collegiate, 479, 4-3, 46.429 
178. Manistee, 479, 4-3, 42.571 
179. Stockbridge, 462, 4-3, 47.286 
180. Reed City, 461, 6-1, 68.143 
181. Clare^, 445, 5-2, 55.286 
182. Harrison, 444, 7-0, 70.857 
183. Kingsley, 439, 4-3, 45.286 
184. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 438, 7-0, 88.000 
185. Delton Kellogg, 428, 4-3, 41.952 
186. Lakeview, 426, 6-1, 56.000 
187. Beaverton, 422, 4-3, 39.714 
188. Calumet, 419, 4-3, 49.429 
189. Jonesville, 419, 4-3, 37.714 
190. Jackson Lumen Christi, 417, 7-0, 86.857 
191. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 417, 7-0, 96.000 
192. Negaunee, 417, 4-3, 39.286 
193. Millington, 414, 7-0, 86.629 
194. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 414, 7-0, 80.000 
195. Fennville, 407, 4-3, 38.143 
196. Ithaca, 405, 7-0, 83.429 
197. Sanford Meridian Early College^, 404, 5-2, 43.714 
198. Mason County Central, 404, 4-3, 36.000 
199. Hillsdale, 401, 6-1, 62.571 
200. Hanover-Horton, 399, 6-1, 54.429 
201. Boyne City, 395, 7-0, 72.381 
202. Grass Lake^, 395, 5-2, 45.857 
203. Madison Heights Madison, 393, 6-1, 83.000 
204. Morley Stanwood, 393, 4-3, 38.143 
205. Montrose, 392, 6-1, 62.429 
206. Tawas^, 385, 5-2, 59.800 
207. Elk Rapids, 384, 4-3, 44.095 
208. Niles Brandywine, 383, 6-1, 66.810 
209. Manchester, 379, 6-1, 68.286 
210. Watervliet, 378, 6-1, 54.429 
211. Quincy^, 375, 5-2, 27.778 
212. Vassar, 375, 4-3, 35.286 
213. St. Charles, 373, 4-3, 45.429 
214. Constantine, 371, 6-1, 68.524 
215. Bad Axe, 371, 4-3, 41.143 
216. Clinton, 367, 7-0, 75.429 
217. Vandercook Lake^, 366, 5-2, 48.286 
218. Laingsburg, 361, 4-3, 36.286 
219. Schoolcraft, 361, 4-3, 48.381 
220. Charlevoix, 353, 4-3, 45.286 
221. Flint Beecher, 350, 7-0, 80.000 
222. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 347, 6-1, 70.429 
223. Leroy Pine River, 343, 4-3, 39.429 
224. Ravenna, 342, 6-1, 60.143 
225. Carson City-Crystal^, 330, 5-2, 48.381 
226. Bridgman*, 327, 5-1, 59.000 
227. Ishpeming Westwood^, 318, 5-2, 43.571 
228. Marlette^, 316, 5-2, 46.286 
229. Lawton, 316, 4-3, 33.571 
230. Cass City, 314, 4-3, 38.714 
231. Homer, 312, 6-1, 54.286 
232. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 308, 7-0, 68.571 
233. Ishpeming*, 307, 7-0, 78.857 
234. Sandusky, 307, 4-3, 40.143
235. Traverse City St. Francis^, 305, 5-2, 55.810 
236. Burton Atherton^, 304, 5-2, 54.262 
237. Pewamo-Westphalia, 302, 6-1, 57.857 
238. Gobles, 301, 6-1, 56.857 
239. Dansville^, 301, 5-2, 47.286 
240. Iron Mountain, 298, 4-3, 42.000 
241. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 297, 4-3, 46.333 
242. Flint Hamady, 295, 4-3, 34.286 
243. McBain, 295, 4-3, 37.048 
244. Union City, 294, 7-0, 67.429 
245. Whittemore-Prescott, 283, 7-0, 74.286 
246. Mancelona, 282, 4-3, 28.571 
247. Saugatuck^, 281, 5-2, 44.714 
248. Detroit Loyola, 278, 7-0, 91.810 
249. Manton^, 276, 5-2, 43.619 
250. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic^, 273, 5-2, 53.429 
251. Hudson, 271, 6-1, 61.286 
252. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 270, 6-1, 60.000 
253. Cassopolis, 269, 4-3, 34.714 
254. Decatur, 262, 7-0, 81.143 
255. Lincoln Alcona, 260, 4-3, 33.714 
256. Iron River West Iron County, 259, 7-0, 78.143 
257. New Lothrop, 259, 7-0, 74.286 
258. Blanchard Montabella, 256, 4-3, 41.714 
259. Breckenridge, 247, 4-3, 39.286 
260. Onekama, 244, 4-3, 31.571 
261. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 243, 6-1, 61.429 
262. Suttons Bay, 243, 6-1, 63.976 
263. Indian River Inland Lakes, 242, 6-1, 47.714 
264. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 238, 4-3, 37.429 
265. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 237, 6-1, 50.000 
266. Petersburg-Summerfield, 233, 4-3, 41.143 
267. Harbor Beach, 232, 7-0, 72.000 
268. Bessemer*^, 231, 4-2, 35.750 
269. L'Anse, 230, 4-3, 36.286 
270. White Pigeon, 226, 4-3, 37.952 
271. Beal City, 222, 6-1, 66.000 
272. Lutheran Westland^, 221, 5-2, 47.000 
273. AuGres-Sims, 221, 4-3, 29.000 
274. Coleman, 217, 6-1, 55.667 
275. Mendon, 214, 6-1, 65.286 
276. St. Ignace, 211, 7-0, 68.571 
277. Fulton, 211, 4-3, 41.000 
278. Newberry, 211, 4-3, 31.667 
279. Pittsford^, 205, 5-2, 38.905 
280. Munising, 194, 6-1, 51.524 
281. Bark River-Harris^, 194, 5-2, 39.095 
282. Central Lake, 190, 4-3, 29.714 
283. Fowler, 189, 7-0, 66.286 
284. Morenci, 184, 6-1, 66.000 
285. Muskegon Catholic Central, 183, 7-0, 90.286 
286. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 171, 4-3, 43.905 
287. Climax-Scotts, 169, 7-0, 50.286 
288. Waterford Our Lady, 169, 6-1, 69.429 
289. Crystal Falls Forest Park*, 167, 5-1, 45.321 
290. Lake Linden-Hubbell, 163, 6-1, 60.179 
291. Frankfort*, 156, 5-1, 51.762 
292. Colon*^, 156, 4-2, 36.667 
293. Hillman, 139, 7-0, 59.429 
294. Baldwin, 137, 6-1, 51.000 
295. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 124, 4-3, 42.381 
296. Clarkston Everest Collegiate*, 105, 6-0, 62.476 


8-Player Playoff Listing

1. Rapid River, 108, 7-0, 55.429
2. Peck, 158, 7-0, 54.857
3. Battle Creek St. Philip, 157, 7-0, 52.571
4. Bellaire, 151, 7-0, 52.000
5. Portland St. Patrick, 96, 7-0, 51.429
6. Lawrence, 191, 7-0, 44.571
7. Deckerville, 183, 6-1, 44.286
8. Cedarville, 158, 6-1, 44.286
9. Owendale-Gagetown, 49, 6-1, 41.571
10. Waldron, 89, 5-2, 34.857
11. Kingston, 191, 4-3, 33.286
12. Morrice, 196, 4-3, 29.381
13. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 188, 3-4, 24.238
14. Burr Oak, 69, 4-3, 24.000
15. Caseville, 81, 3-4, 23.714
16. Engadine, 85, 3-4, 22.714
17. New Haven Merritt Academy, 145, 4-3, 22.286
18. Posen, 90, 3-4, 21.000
19. Ontonagon*, 138, 3-3, 18.857
20. Webberville, 189, 3-4, 18.714
21. Ewen-Trout Creek, 135, 2-5, 13.286
22. Eben Junction Superior Central, 126, 2-5, 13.286
23. Akron-Fairgrove, 99, 2-5, 11.571
24. Kinde-North Huron, 172, 1-6, 11.143
25. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 147, 1-6, 9.286
26. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran*, 101, 1-6, 8.429
27. Tekonsha, 146, 1-6, 8.000
28. Brimley, 144, 1-6, 7.619
29. Litchfield, 106, 0-7, 3.000
30. Flint Michigan School for the Deaf, 56, 0-7, 2.571
31. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 54, 0-7, 2.476

Moore Making Case as Best of Martin Luther King's QB Greats

By Tom Markowski
Special for Second Half

October 7, 2021

It might come as no surprise to many, but we could be watching the best quarterback that's ever been a part of the rich football history at Detroit Martin Luther King.

Let's begin with Darnell Dickerson, an `86 King graduate. Dickerson was the Detroit News' No. 1 Blue Chip prospect and went on to play at Pittsburgh. More recently there's Dequan Finn, who led King to the 2016 Division 2 title. Finn is currently the back-up quarterback at Toledo.  

Now there's Dante Moore. Moore (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) is still a junior, so there's still much for him to accomplish, and for us to witness, at King.

As a freshman, Moore led the Crusaders to the Division 2 title game before they lost to Muskegon Mona Shores, 35-26. Last season, King lost to River Rouge, 33-30, in a Division 3 Regional Final. This season, King is 5-1 and one of the favorites to win the Division 3 title. Its only loss was Carmel High, 42-40. Carmel (6-1) is one of the top teams in Indiana.

Tyrone Spencer is in his sixth season as King's head coach and he realizes, with Moore, he has a special player.

“He's very poised, mature for his age,” Spencer said. “He's a class act on and off the field. He's got a great arm and great accuracy.”

Moore, 16, attended a number of camps throughout the country this past summer including many in the South including at Auburn, Clemson, Florida State and Georgia. At the Elite 11 camp in California, Moore was able to gauge how he measures up to a number of the top quarterbacks in the country, many of whom are a year older, and he more than held his own.

In only four games on the field (two wins came by forfeit), Moore has completed 67 of 95 pass attempts, for 1,280 yards and 17 touchdowns. He's received 27 scholarship offers including from Michigan and Michigan State.

Despite all of the hype Moore has received, he remains grounded. He's a quiet leader, but a leader nonetheless. As a sophomore he was elected captain, a rarity for any program but especially one as successful as King.

Detroit Martin Luther King football“I remember my first snap (as a freshman) against Detroit Catholic Central at Wayne State,” he said. “It was crazy. Now I'm a junior, and I'm just thankful being with my teammates at a school like King.”

Moore was King's starter from day one, and he remembers well that first game against DCC – a 24-22 defeat against the Shamrocks, who went on to share the Detroit Catholic League Central title.

“It was crazy, taking my first snap,” Moore said. “Now I'm a junior. It goes so fast.”

Life has its twists and turns, and Moore has had his share. Born in East Cleveland, Ohio, Moore and his family moved to Detroit when he was 5. His father grew up in the Detroit area and went to Southfield High, where he competed in basketball, football and track, and job opportunities brought Otha Moore and his family back to Detroit.

But before all that took place, Moore and his family had moved to Lorain, located just west of Cleveland, then they went to live with his grandmother on a farm in Lancaster, located just southeast of Columbus. Too young to be responsible for chores such as milking cows and such, Moore did get a taste of farm life and the early-to-bed, early-to-rise lifestyle.

In addition to football, Moore began playing soccer at an early age. From second grade through eighth Moore was on the pitch either as a goalkeeper or a striker. He credits that sport for improving his footwork. When asked if he'd play soccer if King sponsored the sport, Moore quickly replied yes and admits he misses the game. He does get a few opportunities to show those foot skills; Moore is King's punter and has handled the place-kicking duties at times.

There was a transitionary period, country life to the big city, but Moore said because he's the out-going type, it didn't take him long to make new friends. It was this type of personality that years later would lead to a relationship that would not only grow into a strong friendship, but one that would have a lasting effect on his development as a quarterback.

While working out at a Southfield health club, Moore recognized Devin Gardner – the former Inkster star and Michigan quarterback/receiver – going through his workout. Moore wasn't going miss out on this chance meeting. He introduced himself, and they almost instantly became friends. For the past three years or so, Gardner has worked with Moore, mostly during the offseason. But rarely does a week go by when the two don’t talk about football, school, you name it.

“We talk about anything,” Moore said. “We tell each other jokes. We go to fairs together. He gives me advice on how to be a better man in my life. He's making an impact. He gets me mentally prepared.”

Moore first acknowledges his father as the one who's had the greatest impact in his life – athletically, emotionally and socially. After that, it's his other family – the King coaching staff – who has played such an important part in his development.

First there's Spencer, then there's quarterback coach Jerrell Noland – a former King quarterback (2007 graduate) who played at Kentucky State – and Terel Patrick, King's offensive coordinator. Both Spencer and Patrick coached under one of the icons in Detroit's coaching history, James Reynolds, and Patrick like Noland also played for Reynolds.

“I lean on (Patrick's) shoulder,” Moore said. “He helps me break down film and be prepared. It's not all about football at King. It's family.”

As for college, Moore has placed those decisions on hold until after the season.

“I'm just thankful I have the opportunity to play at a school like King,” he said. “I'm concentrating on the season and winning a state title. At the end of the season, I'll narrow down my choices.”

Tom Markowski primarily covered 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. He also is a former correspondent and web content director for State Champs! Sports Network. Contact him at [email protected] with story ideas for Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties.

PHOTOS (Top) King quarterback Dante Moore (5) avoids the pressure during a 41-34 Week 3 win over Detroit Cass Tech. (Middle) Moore interviews after the game with Bally Sports Detroit. (Photos by Quintin Love Jr.)