Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Macomb Dakota’s Rodney Hush knocks a pass away from DeWitt’s Jason Fleey during the East’s 9-0 win in the Michigan High School Football coaches Association’s East-West All-Star Game July 19 at Spartan Stadium.

By Brad D. Bates
C & G Sports Writer

Macomb Dakota’s Rodney Hush ended his prep career the same he way he started it — impressing coach Mike Giannone.

Hush took part in the East’s 9-0 win in the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association East-West All-Star Game July 19 at Spartan Stadium, and with Giannone sitting in the stands, he impacted the game on offense, defense and special teams.

“We got to sit in the stands, see exactly what he was doing and say, ‘That’s our guy,’” Giannone said July 21. “He stands out. Even though he’s small, Rodney always stands out.”

Hush posted modest All-Star stats — 38 yards returning, one pass defended and a touchdown pass that was called back on an illegal blocking penalty — for a player who averaged 19.8 yards per reception, 8.1 yards a carry and intercepted five passes during his senior season.

But it was that trademark versatility that led Warren De La Salle coach Paul Verska — who led the East squad — to choose him as part of his team.

“Rodney is a playmaker,” Verska said. “Going into the All-Star game, he had a lot to prove because a lot of the college coaches didn’t recruit him real hard.

“I look at a player’s heart, and I know Rodney has the heart of a champion.”

Hush, who stands 5 feet 8 inches, went into the All-Star game as the shortest player on the East roster. But as he has done his whole career, he used that as motivation.

“He’s limited with his size, but he makes up for it with his aggression,” Giannone said. “He’s got great hand-eye coordination to do the things he does in baseball and great leg strength to stop and go like he does in football.”

That athleticism is why Hush’s college plans are still up in the air.

“I might go to Oakland University to play baseball,” said Hush, who was named to the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association’s Division 1 All-State team for a second straight year.

But that response may come from the fact that Hush’s most recent game played was on the diamond rather than the gridiron.

“I know Saginaw Valley has been after him,” Giannone said. “After the (All-Star) game, he was leaning toward football. But then he went and played a baseball game and probably changed his mind.

“Whatever sport he’s playing last will probably be the one he chooses.”

After winning two Division 1 state titles and two Macomb Area Conference Red Division titles in football, Hush admitted that the All-Star game was less intense than normal football games. But with it being the last time he put on a Cougars helmet, it was still special.

“It was a lot easier because the coaches told us just to go out and have fun playing football,” Hush said of the difference between the All-Star game and regular or postseason games.

“It was emotional, though. It was the last time I’ll put that helmet on. I had a lot of good times in that helmet, so it was a nice way to end it.”

Along with adjusting to the fact he would no longer wear a Cougars helmet, Hush also had to adjust to a week of living and practicing with new teammates, like Clinton Township Chippewa Valley’s Ricky Shorkey.

“Shorkey is a crazy kid, and he knows how to hit,” Hush said. “At first, we didn’t talk. But as the week went on, we became pretty good friends.

“I roomed with (Macomb L’Anse Creuse North’s) Erik Thompson, and we’d hang out with Ricky. I really enjoyed how much we bonded. I didn’t think we’d come together that much, but we did.”

You can reach Sports Writer Brad D. Bates at bbates@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1029.