Denby (6-4) defeated previously unbeaten Collegiate Prep 36-6 in week 1 of the playoffs while Milan (8-2) thrashed Chavez Academy 48-18. These two schools have never met in football.
Denby plays in the rugged Tier 1 of the PSL’s East Division. Three of their losses are to Detroit MLK, Cass Tech and East English Prep. The Tars are coached by former UM player Tony Blankenship who has a knack of turning around struggling programs. Junior RB Adonte Calhoun is a rugged back who is getting DI interest. Senior LB’s Calvin Moore and Otis Grimes lead the defense along with junior DE Rahim Ali.
Milan is thankful to have another home game after Denby’s defeat of Collegiate Prep. The offense has been led all season by junior QB Demetrius Barnes and junior RB Trace Lindeman. The defense is led by senior LB Cortez Gray.
This should be a great match up between to good teams and even better head coaches. Denby very rarely travels out of the city of Detroit to play a game. Milan’s biggest strength is speed and Denby has seen a lot of that on their schedule. Pick: Milan 28 Deny 20
Good Luck Milan FR Dad
For what they are worth, here are the 2015 season previews for Detroit Denby football from the Freep and Detroit News:
From the Freep (http://www.freep.com/story/sports/high-school/2015/08/26/high-school-football-preview-detroit-psl/32379683/):
Denby
Strength: Defense.
Top players: Junior RB Adente Calhoun; LB Otis Grimes; LB Calvin Mooro; DB/WR Jakhal Thompson; RB/DB Demetrius Washington; WR/DB Lamont Montgomery; DT Michael Curry; DT Ed O'Brien; DE Rheim Al; DB Brian Hopson; WR/DB Michael Knox; OG William Goodwin; OG Andre Thompson.
Outlook: A state playoff team a year ago, the 790-student Denby is ridiculously the smallest team in this division by a landslide–about one-third the size of Cass, half the size of King and 500 fewer students than East English. Calhoun rushed for over 1,200 yards last season and is the key to the running game.
From the News (http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/high-school/2015/08/21/detroit-public-school-league-football-preview/32140761/):
"Denby drew the short straw being grouped in the same division as Cass Tech, East English Village and King. Rather than complain, coach Tony Blankenship views it as an opportunity for his players to prove they can hang with the big dogs. "We know it's difficult, but we'll be well prepared," he said. The bad news is Denby will have to play all three within a four-week span."
FWIW, both publications picked Denby to finish 4th in their division, but it's no slight when those other teams are King, Cass Tech, and East English Village–all teams that are still alive in the playoffs and expected to win their games this week.
Good luck Milan! Steamroll them and show them what the league is made of!
KC
#5 in Calhoun.
Watching film on Denby is hard to determine how good they are. Looks like #5 runs hard. Hope we have a big crowd! All you Huron League fans are more than welcome to come out and support the big reds.
#9 Dad
Good luck Big Reds! Smcc fan
Should be a heck of a game. If Milan gets that running game going they will be hard to stop, not sure how good Denby's defense is I respect the job Hoskins has done at Milan, I would like to see him get his first district title Friday night. Give me the home team. Milan 35-21. EM
I for one think this game comes down to the defense for both teams. If Milan can run the football it opens up the whole offense.
If Denby can run the ball it could be even closer. Excited for this game, even better that it's at home. That too should play a big part.
Good luck to Denby. I know the Big Reds will come out fired up.
#9 Dad
This will be a great test for Milan. If they take care of the football and stop the big play I believe they can be victorious. Home field is a plus. Get out there Milan faithful and make some noise.