Detroit Cass Tech’s Demetric Vance
First-team defense
DL: Alaric Jackson
Detroit Renaissance, senior, 6-7, 285.
Highlights: A beast in the middle of the offensive and defensive lines, Jackson recorded 110 tackles and 12 sacks. “He led the way for a 1,300-yard rusher on
offense,” coach Lou Beatty said.
DL: Edrick Mathews
Detroit Cass Tech, senior, 6-3, 285.
Highlights: Big, strong and massive across the Technicians’ defensive line, he led the team entering the state semifinals with 12 sacks and 24 tackles for loss, and totaled 68 tackles on the season.
Committed to Toledo.
DL: Leon Page
Detroit King, senior, 6-3, 240.
Highlights: A disruptive force at end, Page recorded 52 tackles and nine sacks. Also had 16 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
DL: Cedrick Lattimore
Detroit East English, senior, 6-5, 265.
Highlights: Lists J.J. Watt as one of his favorite athletes. The Iowa commit had 51 tackles, a Watt-like 17 sacks and 22 tackles for loss. As a tight end, caught 22 passes for 375 yards and nine touchdowns.
LB: Adonte Calhoun
Detroit Denby, junior, 5-10, 210.
Highlights: A hard-hitting linebacker who performed well on both sides of the ball. On offense, he rushed for 1,345 yards and 15 touchdowns, and was one of the team’s leading tacklers. Sharp in class with a 3.5 grade-point average.
LB: Kailen Abrams
Detroit Loyola, junior, 6-2, 218.
Highlights: Coach John Callahan said Abrams, with a year of high school left, is one of the best linebackers in the state. Recorded 22 tackles in a loss to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. Had an eye-opening 1491/2 tackles entering the state semifinals, 12 tackles for loss and 51/2 sacks. Is a sideline-to-sideline demon.
LB: Jaquez Williams
Detroit Collegiate Prep-Northwestern, senior, 6-0, 180.
Highlights: Registered 72 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions. On offense, had 25 catches for 375 yards and four touchdowns. Also kicked extra points and field goals.
DB: Scott Nelson
U-D Jesuit, junior, 6-2, 185.
Highlights: Two-year starter had a fine season with five interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. Had three fumble recoveries and returned one for a TD. Posted eight pass breakups and had 55 tackles and five tackles for loss. Returned a punt for a TD and had 1,955 all-purpose yards.
DB: Demetric Vance Jr.
Cass Tech (captain), senior, 6-2, 210.
Highlights: The U.S. Army All-America is headed to Michigan State with quite a résumé as a free safety. Had four
interceptions, 55 tackles and caught three touchdown passes. Also an all-state track performer. “He uses his speed to pull balls out of the air and close in on the running back,” coach Thomas Wilcher said.
DB: Lavert Hill
Detroit King, senior, 5-10, 175.
Highlights: A force on both sides of the ball, Hill had 33 tackles and eight
interceptions. Broke up 12 passes and tacked on 585 yards as a kick returner with two TDs. Had 21 receptions for 511 yards and five touchdowns, including a huge 85-yarder against Cass Tech in the PSL title game.
DB: Jaylen Kelly-Powell
Detroit Cass Tech, junior, 6-0, 190.
Highlights: A big-time recruit, the
speedster runs a 4.45 40-yard dash and brings a punch when he hits. A three-year varsity performer already, he had two interceptions this year and 53 tackles. On offense, he gained 145 yards on 14 carries with three touchdowns. Holds more than 30 college offers.
Coach: Jimmy Hill
Detroit Collegiate Prep-Northwestern.
Highlights: Led the team to a 9-0 regular season before losing in the first round of the playoffs. “It was great to see my kids who have worked so hard to build
something at this school be rewarded,” he said. “I had an extremely hardworking team on the field and in the classroom.”
All-Detroit football: Corley a great catch for King
All-Detroit football first-team offense
All-Detroit football second team, honorable mentions