Hazel Park

First voyage

By Christian Davis
C & G Staff Writer

Hazel Park High football finding success with young group

HAZEL PARK — Even senior Charles Hill is a little surprised about how much the young Hazel Park High football team is improving with each practice.

With eight juniors starting on defense and six on offense, Hill believes the Vikings are on the brink of something special.

“Every week we get better, and the focus is getting there,” he said during practice Sept. 22.

The Vikings were 2-2 at press time and played at North Farmington Sept. 26. 

With so much inexperience, coach Scott Guthrie said there is still plenty to improve on, especially limiting mistakes, if his Vikings are going to make a run at the Oakland Activities Association Blue Division championship.

“They had a very good JV team last year, and it was just a matter of time when they were going to peak,” Guthrie said. “We haven’t proven ourselves yet, but we’re getting better each week.”

Junior Clinton Treadway is one of those players improving with each snap.

“The first game, I was nervous because it was my first time on varsity. But since then, I’ve just been playing like it’s any other game,” he said.

And players like Hill have helped ease the transition for the youngsters.

Guthrie said the senior leader didn’t miss a summer workout or practice.

“He’s definitely one that the younger guys can look at and say, ‘This is how we need to work,’” the coach said.

“I just try to do what I can,” Hill said modestly.

The Vikings know it’s going to take all the effort they can muster to make the playoffs. In the final three games of the regular season, they face Auburn Hills Avondale, Bloomfield Lahser and Ferndale High. The trio had an 11-1 combined overall record at press time.

Guthrie said his team would likely need to win at least two of those games to make the postseason, which is the Vikings’ goal.

“If we can continue to improve like we’ve done, I think we can get there,” Guthrie said of earning six wins to qualify for the playoffs.

Hill agreed.

“I think we need to just come out harder from here on out,” he said. “Every week, just keep working harder and be ‘HP’ football players.”

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1062.