Volume 1 • Issue 1
Aug. 31 - Sept. 6, 2016
Let the games begin! Great opening act: Sporting their familiar black and gold and honoring the legacy of their late coach, Dale Harvel, Detroit Martin Luther King football players were laser sharp in their opener, a 39-0 victory against Southfield High School for the Arts & Technology at the Prep Kickoff Classic. A list of opening game top performers appears inside. Photo by Rogers William Foster
Hiram E. Jackson
Jimmy Settles
When we rally behind our youth, our community wins Dear Supporters of Detroit Youth, Welcome to the debut edition of the “Best of Young Detroit,” a publication of UAW-Ford. This weekly section represents a partnership between UAW-Ford and the Michigan Chronicle. Across these pages, we wish to highlight young people in our community who are committed to “doing the right thing” in the classroom and through their participation in extra-curricular activities. We will begin this journey by highlighting fall high school sports, but we look forward to covering additional activities in the future, including dance, music, chess, debate and more. While showcasing dedicated youth, we also will shine a light on the many committed parents, teachers and coaches that make their participation possible. If you are looking for a consistent source of good news, we believe you will find it here, and in the process we hope to inform, educate and inspire our community. Thank you for reading. Sincerely,
Hiram E Jackson Jimmy Settles
Publisher Vice President Michigan Chronicle UAW
P2 | BOYD • Aug. 31 - Sept. 6, 2016
A special touch was added to the black and gold jerseys of defending Division 2 state football champions, Martin Luther King High School for the Crusaders’ Aug. 27 season opener at Wayne State University versus Southfield High School for the Arts & Technology. The name “Harvel” adorned the back of each jersey to honor the team’s beloved former coach, the late Dale Harvel. The Crusaders’ play on the field was special as well during the 39-0 victory, which featured the contributions of many standout performers including running back Kevin Willis (20 carries, 161 yards), quarterback Dequan Finn (139 yards passing, two TDs), and receiver Ambry Thomas (three receptions, 111 yards and a TD). A ferocious King defense allowed the Crusaders to build a 33-0 lead in the third quarter. Following is a listing of other top local performers during opening games: Adonte Calhoun, Denby, 205 yards rushing and three TDs in Denby’s 42-0 victory against Fredrick Douglass Romel Taylor, Denby, 110 yards passing and three TDs (two passing and one rushing) Denby defense, three interceptions, one fumble recovery and seven tackles for loss, while allowing only two first downs Donovan People-Jones, Cass Tech, three receptions for 100 yards and two TDs in Cass’ 45-27 victory against Oak Park Rodney Hall, Cass Tech, 9 of 15 passing for 77 yards and one TD; 10 carries for 70 yards and one TD Aaron Jackson, Cass Tech, 3 of 3 passing for 101 yards and two TDs Donovan Johnson, Cass Tech, 83-yard kickoff return for a TD to tie the score at 21 in the second quarter
Curtis Murphy, Southeastern, 120 yards passing; two TDs, including a 50-yard run; and an interception, in Southeastern’s 20-14 overtime victory against Ann Arbor Huron Lamark Gray and Creed Stegall-Monroe, Southeastern combined for 225 yards rushing Derrick Corbin, Western International, 103 yards on 10 of 12 passing attempts with 3 TDs, also rushed for a TD in Western International’s 62-0 victory against Detroit Leadership Academy Brent Watson, Western International, two TD receptions and an interception Darrick Jones, Osborn, 201 rushing yards, including two TDs in Osborn’s 20-10 victory against Delta Prep Mandel Berriman, 96 yards on 2 of 3 passing attempts, including a 65-yard TD to Raymon Gates, which put Osborn ahead Demetrius Christian, Central, 125 yards rushing and one TD in Central’s 20-15 victory against Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard D.J. Atkins, Central, 80-yard kickoff return for a TD Leotis Briggs, Central, 65-yard interception return for a TD D’Andre Cheatham, Central, nine tackles, 5 assists, three sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery Kyron Williams, Voyageur College Prep, 146 yards on 17 carries, including two TDs, in Prep’s 22-12 victory against Henry Ford. Dennis Smith, Voyageur College Prep, 11 tackles and one interception returned for an 86yard TD Daniel Knight, Voyageur College Prep, 10 tackles and four sacks
Cass Tech excels on the football field and produces strong student-athletes with help from UAW-Ford By Scott Talley Special to the Michigan Chronicle Cass Technical High School has long been known for academic excellence, but in recent years the school also has become a bona fide football power. The Technicians have advanced to six Division 1 state semifinals, including victories in the state championship game at Ford Field in 2011 and 2012. Cass is the pick of many, if not most high school football observers, to win this year’s Division 1 title, when the championship is settled in November. The Technicians, who opened the season Sunday with a very competitive 45-27 victory against Oak Park in the final game of the Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State are led by a host of talented performers including: All America receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, safety Jaylen Kelly-Powell, quarterback Rodney Hall and lineman Jordan Reid. Other standouts are Donovan Johnson (DB/RB), Zach Martin (DE/ LB), Desean Boyd (LB), Kelvin Ateman (OT), Kalon Gervin (DB), Donovan Parker (WR), Tim Cheatham (RB), Otis Doss (LB), Taron Young (LB/RB) and DeAndre Square (LB/S). While the Cass players are well known by fans and college recruiters, what may be a surprise to many is a resource that has contributed to the Technicians’ rise as a dominant football program. And that resource was made possible by a helping hand from UAW-Ford. “I said study lab or weight room, take your pick,” said UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles, recalling a conversation with Cass Tech football coach Thomas Wilcher, after UAW-Ford had made a decision to assist the student-athletes at Cass following a visit to the school, where the students’ needs were accessed. To Settles’ surprise, Wilcher chose the study lab, making Settles an instant believer in Wilcher and the Cass Tech program. “I knew right then that he cared about his kids,” said Settles, who said he made a false assumption that Cass Tech students had all the resources they needed before his visit to the school following the Technicians’ first state title season in 2011. Wilcher, a former standout football and track performer at Detroit Central and the University of Michigan in the 1980s, said
selecting the study lab was an easy choice. “Cass is about academics and in order to keep the team moving in the right direction, we had to keep the academics up,” said Wilcher, who notes that the study lab is used in a variety of ways including allowing students to do research papers, study at night, and type reports. “We had kids trying to type reports on their cell phones,” said Wilcher with a chuckle. “The study lab bridges the gap and helps to make a better student-athlete.” For the record, UAW-Ford also provided a complete renovation of the Cass Tech weight room, but it is the study lab that promises to provide the greatest assistance to Cass Tech student-athletes, even after they graduate from high school. “Having the study lab and being able to study together as a team is good,” said senior Anthony Clark (DE, OLB). “I didn’t study with the team my freshman year, but once I started to do that, I didn’t get below a 3.0. It motivates you to do the work—it’s a competition. “You have to be committed to do this and be part of this team. You’ve got to love it to do it and I love the sport and I love my team.” The study lab has also become a place where the Technicians have displayed their championship hardware. The proud studentathletes that compose the 2016 version of the Detroit Cass Tech football team will continue their pursuit of excellence on the field, when they return to action 4 p.m. Friday at Edison Academy.
Cass Tech made the right moves in a 45-27 season opening victory against Oak Park on Sunday, Aug. 28 at Wayne State. The same is true of the Technicians off the field where they are committed to being true scholar-athletes. Photos by Rogers William Foster
Aug. 31 - Sept. 6, 2016 • BOYD | P3
Cross-country is a family affair at Renaissance High, with lifelong benefits
Running for a purpose: Upholding a strong cross-country tradition begun by coaches like Rick Miotke and Harry Weaver, a respected quartet of coaches continue to guide Renaissance runners to success that is carried over to track and field and the game of life. By Scott Talley Special to the Michigan Chronicle Students enter Renaissance High School to be academically challenged and for those Renaissance students that choose to run cross-country, another type of challenge awaits. “Cross country teaches you a lot about yourself,” said Renaissance senior Ayanna Hayes, about the sport that requires running five kilometers, or 3.1 miles, generally over challenging grassy and dirt terrain, which includes hills. Like many athletes have experienced, Hayes’ first attempt at cross-country was far from pretty. “I stopped after two miles, but I learned I that I was not a quitter, so I couldn’t give up on cross-country,” said Hayes, whose persistence was rewarded when the Phoenix captured a girls Detroit Public School League championship last fall on the Belle Isle course. “It was just an unbelievable feeling to know that all of the hard work paid off,”
said Hayes, who was further rewarded by being named a captain on the girls’ team for the upcoming season. Like several of her teammates, Hayes also is a standout on the track, where she excels in the 400 meters. An honor roll student, Hayes looks forward to running collegiately and is shooting for the 2020
P4 | BOYD • Aug. 31 - Sept. 6, 2016
or 2024 Summer Olympics. Hayes’ comments speak to the longterm benefits of cross-country, benefits that actually go beyond athletics. “Our kids see the growth of walkable lanes and bike lanes in our city, and they understand that is where our culture is going, and they want to be a part of that as adults,” said LaCema Womack, who has coached young athletes in Detroit for more than 20 years. “We have a very good population here at Renaissance, and a population that really likes crosscountry, but grades will always be first.” Womack is a part of a team of coaches, which will be guiding the Renaissance runners this season. The coaches are respected on the local, national and international level. In addition to Womack, the coaching team includes Calvin Johnson, Reggie Osborn, and former Olympic track standout Darnell Hall. “We have that team concept, which I really, really like,” Womack said. “We’re all in this together as a team and we have developed a good family unit to support the kids. It’s school first regardless, and then other extra-curricular activities, and then the sports. You truly have studentathletes at Renaissance.” Feature stories, results and updates about boys and girls cross-country will appear in this publication throughout the season. Story ideas are welcomed and coaches and community members are encouraged to email story ideas to stalleyassociates@gmail.com
Manuel’s historic swimming victory will also impact Detroit youth
The 2016 Summer Olympics featured many inspirational stories, including a special event in the pool when Simone Manuel became the first African American female to win a gold medal in an individual event (100-meter freestyle). In total, Manuel won two gold and two silver medals at the Rio Games. Members of Detroit’s swimming community say Manuel’s success will positively impact youth swimming locally. “In a word, youth swimming participation is growing, and we expect to see that Olympic bloom,” said Ja’Von Waters, a club coach for the Detroit Recreation Swim Team, which is affiliated with USA Swimming. “Our new wave of swimmers coming up in the area are definitely inspired by Simone Manuel, just as African American pioneers like Maritza Correia (the first black woman to earn a place on the U.S. Olympic team) and Cullen Jones (three-time medalist at the 2012 London Summer Olympics) inspired Simone Manuel.” Waters coaches club members ranging in age from 6 to 17. His club is an important feeder organization for local school swimming teams, including girls that will be participating this fall in Detroit Public Schools meets. This publication will reach out to Waters and his fellow coaches to identify student-athletes to feature during the fall season. Story suggestions and results from Detroit school coaches are also appreciated and can be submitted by emailing stalleyassociates@gmail.com.
Special Thanks! Special thanks are in order to the many people that responded so kindly and quickly to make this debut issue possible, including the Michigan Chronicle staff, the Detroit Public Schools Athletic Department and coaches, and UAW-Ford staff. Feedback and story ideas also are welcomed from members of our community and can be submitted by emailing stalleyassociates@gmail.com.