High school football in Detroit is rich in tradition, dating back over 100 years, whether you cheered for a team in the Public School League, or a team in the Catholic High School League. Teams like Cooley, King, and Cass Tech, out of the PSL, and de Porres, Loyola, and UofD Jesuit have all had success on the gridiron in the city at one point in their respective leagues. But who reigns supreme? We take a look at the top five Detroit High School football programs of all time.
1. Saint Martin de Porres Eagles
History: de Porres was located on the city's west side, at 13436 Grove Street. For a school that never had an enrollment of over 500 students, it is still amazing that they were able to win 41 state titles in track and field, boys and girls basketball, and football. The school sadly closed in 2005. Detroit Cornerstone High School now occupies the building and gym.
Why they are here: To this day, no other program in the Catholic League has more state titles in football that de Porres. The Eagles have 12, de Porres has been closed for 11 years, and the next closest school still only has 10. There is no telling how many more titles they could have added to their already impressive trophy case. "DP", as its proud alumni likes to affectionately call it, was dominate in its heyday for a school of its size, and the obstacles they had to face, compared to other catholic schools in the area. No high school, public or private, comes close to what they accomplished on the field over a 30-year span, and the de Porres football family is not shy about letting you know about it.
Notable players: Ron Thompson and Greg Carter (head coaches), Rodney Culver, David Grimes, Chuck Winters, Corey Parker, Daryl Graham, Lamar Mills, Chris Singletary, Kevin Glenn, Maurice Gaddie, Shannon McClain, Martez Johnson, Donovan Dooley, Carlos Simpson, Aaron Glaspie, Bryon Glaspie, Justin Brantley, Allan Ball, Talani Russell, Prince Pack, Terance Thomas.
Program accomplishments: 12 state titles in five different classes/divisions (Class D: 1978,1981 Class C: 1982,1983,1984,1988 Class CC: 1990,1992,1995,1996 Division 7: 2001 Division 8: 2003), 13 state title game appearances, 9 CHSL titles
2. Martin Luther King Crusaders
History: Located just on the outskirts of downtown Detroit, at 3200 East Lafayette. It opened in 1901 as Eastern High School, until it was renamed in 1968. The old building on Lafayette stood for 45 years, and a new one was resurrected in 2012. Only the theater from the old building remains.
Why they are here: No public school in Detroit has had more longevity when it comes to success on the gridiron, than King. They have been dominant in the PSL for over 30 years. Check the numbers. Legendary head coach Jim Reynolds took over dormant program in the 1980s, and quickly turned it into a state power. King has produced a number of college and NFL players over that time, and played in 12 of the last 15 city title games, winning eight times. No PSL school has played in more state title games than King's four, and are tied with a familiar league foe when it comes to state titles, with two. King won its moment recent title in 2015, in dramatic fashion, scoring on a 40-yard hail mary as timed expired.
Notable players: Jim Reynolds and Dale Harvel (head coaches), Rod Hill, Darnell Dickerson, Gerald McBurrows, Clarence Thompson, Deon Johnson, Larry Harrison, Samad Cain, Ernest Shazor, Ron Johnson, Anthony Adams, Kevin Vickerson, Jerrell Herring, Donovan Dickerson, Darrin Williams, Nick Perry, Dennis Norfleet, Avonte Maddox, Donnie Corley, Armani Posey.
Program accomplishments: 2 state titles (Division 2: 2007,2015), 4 state title game appearances, 12 PSL titles.
3. Cass Technical Technicians
History: Cass Tech first opened in 1907, and is named after former governor Lewis Cass. The new Cass Tech sits at 2501 Second Avenue, and the state-of-the-art building was built in 2004. The former building stood from 1917-2011.
Why they are here: No school in the state of Michigan has had a run quite like Cass Tech has had over the last 10 years. They have won no less than 11 games since 2010, and have been to six straight Division 1 state semifinals, which is a record. Cass Tech does not quite have the deep history that King has, but at the rate they are headed, they will be at the top of this list in no time. They two have two state titles, and is the only PSL team to win back-to-back state titles in 2011 and 2012. Cass Tech is also second to none when it comes to the number of Division 1 athletes produced over the last 10 years. Even the last five years.
Notable Technicians: Thomas Wilcher (head coach), Walter Clago, David Boone, Curtis Greer, Harlan Huckleby, Clarence Williams, Emory Jones, Marco Cooper, Roderick Maples, Vernon Gholston, Joe Barksdale, Will Campbell, Boubacar Cissoko, Thomas Gordon, Dior Mathis, Royce Jenkins-Stone, Jourdan Lewis, David Dawson, Damon Webb, Mike Weber, Jayru Campbell, Mike Onwenu.
Program accomplishments: 2 state titles (Division 1: 2011,2012), 3 state title game appearances, 5 PSL titles.
4. Denby
History: Located on the city's north east side, at 12800 Kelly Road, Denby is named after former Michigan legislator Edwin C. Denby. The current building was built in 1930, and was listed on the National Register of Historical Places in 2005.
Why they are here: Denby has not had much success outside of the city, but the numbers are there as far as city play goes. They have the most PSL titles in league history, with 14, and won three in a row from 1945-1947, and a record five consecutive city titles from 1965-1969, which is a PSL record. Times have been tough for the Denby football program as of late, with its last city title coming 20 years ago in 1996. But, the east side staple has still managed to produce some extraordinary players.
Notable Tars: Don Stuckey and Drake Wilkins Sr. (head coaches), Charles Lewis, Shantee Orr, Travis Recee, Robert Strickland, Glenn Winston, Carlton Downs. Ralph Sewell, James Bailey, Jason McWilliams, Robbie Mixon, Raynard Lewis.
Program accomplishments: 14 PSL titles.
5. Crockett/East English Village Prep
History: Stability might not be a word associated when it comes to Crockett's location. The first building was opened in the Detroit Medical Center in the late 1990s, before relocating to old Burroughs Middle School off of Van Dyke. That building closed down in 2012, and so did Crockett, who consolidated with Finney to become East English Village Prep. The current building is on the old Finney grounds at 5020 Cadieux.
Why they are here: Both Crockett and EEVP have both had short life spans, with Crockett having played only 15 seasons of football, and four for EEVP. But, one thing remains consistent, and that is head coach Rod Oden, who has been the head man since 2005. For a small school, Crockett did very well during its time. The Rockets went to two state semifinals and won two PSL titles in 2004 and 2011. EEVP has already been to one PSL city title game, and has been competitive in the PSL since its inception.
Notable Rockets/Bulldogs: Steven McGee and Rod Oden (head coaches), John Thompson, Brandon Graham, Ashton Gaines, Aaron McCord, James White, Brian Blackburn, Desmond King, Khalid Hill, Anton Curtis, Nate Boleware.
Program accomplishments: 2 PSL city titles.
