Hartland Football's Unexpected Success Raises Hope For Future

Coming off a 4-5 record in 2009, the Hartland High School football team surpassed the expectations of many this year by making it to the playoffs in what coaches hope is a step in the right direction.

The Eagles lost to Holt 41-16 a week ago in the opening round of the state Division 1 playoffs, finishing 6-4 overall and placing fourth in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West Division. The Rams' win advanced them to a 7 p.m. game today at Howell.

"Playoffs in Hartland is not something that's been done very often," head coach Marcus Dukes said. "That's what we portrayed to our seniors. This year they can hold their heads high and say we are one of the few in Hartland history that earned that right to play in the playoffs."

When asked what offseason goals he hopes to achieve, Dukes spoke about winning and making the playoffs an expectation at Hartland, looking for annual playoff appearances to become a new tradition in the quest of becoming a consistent winner.

"I think the key now as a program is to make this (being in the playoffs) be the norm," he said. "The underclassmen have to embrace the opportunity and they will have to want to be back here next year."

Underclassmen who will highlight next year's squad on the offensive side of the ball include sophomore Stephen Milarch and junior Brandon Rayburn, who will compete for the starting quarterback role. Junior Travis Spears is likely to get the nod at running back, while fellow junior Trey Connor is expected to be the top receiver.

The defensive side of the ball will be led by current juniors Brad Maschke, a defensive tackle, and linebackers Cameron Fritts and Andrew Roy. The sophomore class includes Milarch at strong safety, Anthony Villar at defensive back and Andrew Skowyra at linebacker.

The current talent in this year's varsity squad will be bolstered by players from this year's 9-0 junior varsity team.

The seniors who highlighted the Hartland squad on the offensive side of the ball this year were quarterback Dan Richmond, running back Chad Hunt and leading receiver and defensive back Ryan Conway. The defense was led by Brent Kinsey, Mike Bair, Youssef Darwich and Jordan Martin.

Richmond ended the year passing for 10 touchdowns and more than 1,000 passing yards. Hunt was a force on the ground, rushing more than 230 times for more than 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns. Conway was the leading receiver with five touchdowns and averaged 25 yards per catch. He shined on defense, also, recording 28 tackles and two interceptions.

Jack Pippin, offensive coach for the Eagles, said he believes this year will have a positive long-term impact on the program.

"I think in the near future there is definitely going to be a change of tide in Hartland," Pippin said. "The school has really made an effort to help and get behind us. An example would be hiring new people for the weight room. Ciesz (Mike Cieszkowski) is our weight and training manager and we will have him for a full year. Those are important things to build a program."