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
Struggle Transforming Into Success as Loy Norrix Builds Best Season since 1990s
By
Pam Shebest
Special for MHSAA.com
October 22, 2024
KALAMAZOO — Over Lorenzo Robertson’s first three years as head coach, the Kalamazoo Loy Norrix football team won a total of three games.
His patience and guidance have paid off this year, leading to the Knights' first five-win season since 1998.
A win against crosstown Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference East foe Kalamazoo Central in Friday’s regular-season finale would clinch an outright league championship for the Knights and potentially provide enough boost to get them back into the MHSAA Playoffs for the second time in school history – and first since 1997, when Loy Norrix featured future pros (Todd) T.J. Duckett and Little John Flowers.
Both Loy Norrix and Kalamazoo Central are 5-3 overall and 3-0 in SMAC East play heading into this weekend. The Knights finished 1-7 a year ago and entering this fall had won a combined 10 games over the last 12 – but they’ve guaranteed their first winning regular season in 26 years.
“We turned it around with a new commitment to the classroom,” Robertson said. “A lot of our kids are (now academically) eligible whereas when I got here, a lot of our kids struggled to keep the lower levels eligible. Those kids are now seniors, and they’re all doing well.”
Robertson said when he was hired, athletic director Andrew Laboe told him one of the key focuses was to get the players stronger.
When the new coach realized there was no weight training program, he started one.
“Where I come from (Bloomfield Hills Lahser, Pontiac and Dearborn Heights Robichaud), weights were very important to the point that we had a class for it during the school day for the football team and those that wanted to take the class that weren’t football,” Robertson said.
Robertson also implemented offseason training, and during the second summer camp this year he realized this could be the turnaround season.
“I knew the boys were getting it quickly, and we were able to move fast through the summer,” he said. “Because they had it down through the summer, when the season started, we hit the ground running.
“During our scrimmages, we were miles ahead of the teams we scrimmaged, though they were good teams. I could tell we were ready to go; we were moving fast. I knew that would carry over, just watching them in the summertime.”
Robertson also makes sure the players know the team’s history.
“Our coaches do a good job of researching,” he said. “Every team we play, we give (players) stats on when was the last time we beat ’em, how many times through the years, what’s our record down through the years. We teach these kids history of the Norrix program before we play.”
Before Robertson, things got so bad that in 2020 the football team, struggling to field players, left the SMAC and played as an independent.
This year, after four seasons away, the Knights are back in the conference.
“After our first SMAC game (we felt more competitive) because people were saying you won’t survive in the SMAC – and we come to the SMAC and it’s our best year,” said senior wide receiver/safety Rashad Waller. “That was really when I knew, oh yeah, I know this is it.”
A four-year varsity player, Waller said he stuck it out through the lean seasons because he knew things were bound to improve.
As a freshman, “watching behind the older guys and realizing they don’t have the time (to improve), I don’t want to be that guy,” he said. “I had to make my team lock in.
“Everybody in my class was tired of losing, so we just locked in and got it done. Coaching got a lot better, and guys really wanted it bad and made it happen.”
Waller already owns two school records. He returned two kickoffs for touchdowns to set a single-game record Sept. 20 against Mattawan. Both TD returns went for 99 yards, another all-time Norrix best and long enough to tie the MHSAA 11-player record for kickoff return distance as well.
Another senior, left guard/defensive tackle Will Dominianni, also weathered the previous three dismal varsity years.
“We were a young program with a new head coach, so all of us kind of grew into our roles when it comes to the coaching staff and players as well,” he said. “That was a big thing.
“We’ve really become a tight-knit group over the past couple years with all of us freshmen getting moved up on varsity our freshman year, so it was a bit like baptism by fire. We’ve all embraced the struggle together.”
Dominianni is one of the team’s rotating captains.
“Will Dominianni has probably been captain most of the year,” Robertson said. “David Jones is also having a great season.”
Jones, a junior running back/safety, is a second-year varsity player.
“The new guys we have are more dedicated (than previous years),” he said. “We’re coming together as a team. I knew it could change, and it did.”
Robertson said the success is a total team effort.
“We have a three-headed monster, sometimes a four-headed monster, at running back with David Jones, Maddox Pirochta, Christian Euceda. They have great per-carry averages.
“Whenever we get in trouble, we can give the ball to any of those three. Our running backs coach (Kierre Stinnette) does a great job rotating them in games.”
Robertson also credited his new defensive coordinator, Damion West, brought up from the junior varsity. “We promote from within,” Robertson said. “He’s pitched a couple shutouts with our defense. That will always keep you in games.”
Robertson added that the offensive line also has been a big improvement.
“This could be the best line I’ve had since being here, and we’re young with only two seniors in that group,” he said.
The quarterback position is shared by senior Jalen Evans and junior Jonavan Hare.
Besides working with players, Robertson also is building a rapport with parents, another key to the program’s success.
“When I came here, there was no parent booster program,” he said. “I’ve always known a parent booster group anywhere I’ve coached.
“We started that from scratch, and since that’s got rolling with our first group of parents, all the way to now has grown. Volunteerism has grown, and I always think that’s key to growing programs.”
He said he’s also thankful the administration stuck with him during the lean years.
“I think they saw the change in the boys through the years; that kept me here,” he said. “The boys are doing better in school, better citizens and that’s also important.
“Sometimes wins and losses are put on the back burner to what kind of young man you are bringing into the world. Football is such a life-teaching sport.”
Robertson is steeped in life-teaching skills.
A retired minister, he currently commutes to Detroit for his job as captain in the Detroit Fire Department.
“(The fire department job) helps me not take anything for granted with all the tragedy I see and everything else that goes on,” he said. “It helps me care on a personal level, on a human level, for the boys.
"They see a working man, they see somebody who’s a family man that’s dedicated to them. I’ve got common sense, no-nonsense and I think that’s what attracts them.”
Once those players are attracted to the program, Waller has some advice for them.
“A lot of the younger guys complain about playing time, but coach is watching, so just keep your head on and keep grinding,” he said. “You’re gonna get your chance. Other than that, don’t worry about all the offers and all that stuff. It will come eventually.
“The first two years just work on getting your body right, getting fast and keep your grades up – and it will be the best two years of your life.”
Pam Shebest served as a sportswriter at the Kalamazoo Gazette from 1985-2009 after 11 years part-time with the Gazette while teaching French and English at White Pigeon High School. She can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Calhoun, Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Kalamazoo Loy Norrix’s David Jones (6) sprints down the sideline during a Week 6 win over Battle Creek Lakeview. (2) Clockwise from top left: Knights coach Lorenzo Robertson, Will Dominianni, Rashad Waller and Jones. (3) Dominianni (64) helps protect his backfield against Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills. (4) Waller gets to the edge against St. Joseph. (Action photos by Steve Andrie; headshots by Pam Shebest.)