Madison Heights

The Wilkins' effect

By Mike Moore
C & G Staff Writer

In first year, coach takes Madison to playoffs, despite predictions

MADISON HEIGHTS — It was a typical fall afternoon. The weather, the colors, everything was just right Oct. 27 at Madison Heights High.

The only thing out of the ordinary, it seemed, was the varsity football team. The Eagles were hard at work preparing for their opening-round playoff game.

Most expected a down season for the Eagles. But there they were, defying the odds and getting set for a game against Almont, which was played after press time.

How did they get there?

The answer to that question stood on the field with his team, donning a purple jacket, a whistle and a plan.

“I heard the talk when I got here, that we’d win one, maybe two games all year,” said Madison football coach Drake Wilkins, who in his first year guided his team to a 5-4 regular-season record. The former Public School League coach is in his ninth consecutive playoff.

“I never listened to all that, though. I knew if we worked hard, if we put in the effort and if the kids bought into my system, the results would come right away.”

The results came, despite the challenge Wilkins inherited. A challenge that included the graduation of many starting seniors, including one the state’s top running backs, and a team loaded with youth and inexperience.

So why did it work?

“We respected and trusted him from day one,” junior running back Bakari Allen said. “He’s been coaching for a long time. He knows what he’s doing, and he knows how to get things out of his team.”

“I don’t know if there is any other coach who could have gotten us to this point,” added senior tackle Corey Kenney. ”Once we started working with him, we really started believing in ourselves, believing we could be a good team when everyone said we couldn’t.”

If there’s one characteristic about Wilkins that is impossible to miss, it’s his blatant honesty.

When asked about making the playoffs and whether he was satisfied, Wilkins said, “I’m happy to be in, there’s no doubt about that. At the same time, we can’t be totally pleased.

“People predicted us to win once or twice. I expected us to win seven, maybe even eight games, and we could have. I would have preferred more than just five wins. Things can be so close, though. There isn’t much difference in being 5-4 and being 7-2, just a few plays here and there. But you have to expect that from a young team.”

One thing Wilkins constantly referred to was the work ethic of his young team.

“Never once have I questioned their work ethic. I’ve been real proud of that all season,” he said.

“We get that from him,” Allen said. “We could never quit. He pushes us too much. It’s like we want to work hard for him because we really believe in what he’s telling us.”

If Madison won Nov. 1, it would play in the district final either Nov. 7 or Nov. 8.

If the Eagles lost, Wilkins and those scheduled to return would most likely already be focusing on the 2009 season.

“The teams I’ve coached in the past have lived and died in the weight room,” Wilkins laughed. “If I have an entire offseason with this group, a chance to really push them, we’re going to be right in the thick of things.”

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038.