MILAN – There’ll be no déjà vu for Milan – and that’s a good thing.
The Big Reds had been 10-0 four times heading into the district final game and each time they saw their season end in the 11th game.
But as they’ve shown all season, this year’s team was different as the Big Reds secured the that 11th win in style with a dominant 56-22 victory over the Romulus Summit Dragons to win the program’s fourth district title, this one being in Division 4.
It didn’t take long for the Big Reds to get going as they scored 35 points in the first quarter and added two more in the second to put the game out of reach before halftime.
Tristen Hines dazzled once again, effortlessly weaving through the Summit defense for multiple touchdowns. The victory also set a school record for wins in a season, cementing this team’s legacy.
“That’s special,” said Milan coach Jesse Hoskins. “11 wins is hard to come by and there’s been a lot of great Milan teams.”
More: See photo gallery from Milan vs. Romulus Summit
More: See statewide scores from district finals
Milan's Tristen Hines (7) dodges Romulus Summit players and runs for a touchdown in the Division 4 district title game at Milan high school on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019.Jenna Kieser
THE HINES SHOW CONTINUES
The Eastern Michigan commit kept his dazzling senior season going and it didn’t take long for him to show why he’s one of the best players in the state.
On Milan’s first offensive play of the game, Hines broke free for a 61-yard rushing touchdown. He then found the end zone in two plays on their next drive, this time from 37 yards out to push the lead to 14-0 with nine minutes to go in the first quarter.
Hines then put his arm to work with two TD passes to Kendrick McBride and showed how dynamic his skillset is by returning a kickoff 70 yards for a score – all in the first half.
“It means a lot,” Hines said on setting the school record for wins. “Now, we’re just looking to (Detroit) Country Day.”
Romulus Summit coach Matt Swain was well aware of Hines’ talent having coached him in little league. The Dragons, they knew all about Hines’ abilities but were unable to find a way to contain him as he made plays seemingly whenever he wanted.
“The kids saw him in person and I think it was a startle for them,” Swain said. “I’m a defensive guy and I put this on me, we couldn’t stop him. We were undisciplined.”
Watch how the star athlete put up another big performance Friday night in the video below.
‘THEY HAYMAKERED US’
Milan's Tristen Hines (7) and Romulus Summit's Charles Coy (6) look at the referee's going before the coin toss in the Division 4 district title game at Milan high school on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019.Jenna Kieser
Swain tried to prepare his team for how dynamic the Big Reds were and he knew they would come out with energy.
The Dragons were unable to match that energy in a game with more on the line than any team in the program’s 16-year history had ever faced, and it showed.
Before Summit could blink, they were down by 14, then 28, then 35, all before the second quarter.
“They kind of haymakered us,” Swain said, referencing a boxing term. “It took us some time to wake up and by the time we woke up, it was far gone.”
Though their season came to an end on Friday, Swain was more than appreciative on his team’s effort throughout the season.
“But I do appreciate these boys for the season they had and the hard work they put in," he said. "They took the school somewhere they’ve never been. It didn’t go the way we wanted it to go, but they made history too.”
COLLECTIVE EFFORT
While Hines shined, he wasn’t the only Milan player who made a big play Friday night.
Evan Furtney returned an interception for a touchdown, Jett Isaacs scored on an eight-yard run and picked off a pass and Cray Pennington ripped the ball out of a Summit players’ hands for a turnover. Not to mention the two TD receptions by McBride.
It was the kind of performance that showed how dangerous the team could be when everyone contributed.
“We just prepared in practice,” McBride said. “We came out and balled out. We just want win. I just want to send my seniors out with a (championship) ring.”
GETTING THE MONKEY OFF THEIR BACK
It was well known that the Big Reds couldn’t quite get over the hump and collect that 11th victory, but they made sure this would be the year where they’d get the monkey off their back.
Each week the team passed a new test and put together a near-flawless performance Friday to put this year’s team in the record books.
“It makes me think of guys I played with. It makes me think of guys that I coached my first year that we went 1-8,” Hoskins said. “I hope they can kind of share in this in some way.”
Swain had nothing but good things to say about the Big Reds and Hoskins, who coached Swain’s two brothers.
“The better team won tonight,” Swain said. “Hats off to Milan, hats off to Jesse (Hoskins). He runs a class organization and I respect the heck out of him. I’m proud of Milan and I wish them the best of luck in the next round.”
Now, the Big Reds will play in their biggest game in school history against undefeated Detroit Country Day next week for the regional crown and a spot in the state semifinals.
“Those are the exciting ones,” Hoskins said of the upcoming showdown. “Those are the ones you prepare for all season. Let’s go, I’m geeked.”
REACTIONS FROM THE WIN
Tristen Hines (7) intercepts the ball in the Division 4 district title game at Milan high school on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019.Jenna Kieser
SCORING SUMMARY:
1ST QUARTER
M – Tristen Hines 61-yard run (2-point good)
M – Hines 37-yard run (PAT no good)
M – Jett Isaacs 8-yard run (PAT no good)
M – Evan Furtney 40-yard interception return (2-point good)
M – Kendrick McBride 4-yard pass from Hines (Isaacs kick)
2ND QUARTER
R – Jaylen Bowles-Swain 35-yard pass from Charles Coy (Julian Sahagun kick)
M – Hines 70-yard kickoff return (Isaacs kick)
R – Dylan Purry 15-yard interception return (Sahagun kick)
M – McBride 25-yard pass from Hines (Isaacs kick)
3RD QUARTER
M – Cole McElvany 3-yard run (Isaacs kick)
R – Dae’on Johnson 35-yard pass from Bowels-Swain (2-point good)
4TH QUARTER
No scoring
UP NEXT:
Milan: The Big Reds advance to the regional final to set up a showdown with Detroit Country Day next week, setting up a can’t-miss matchup between two of the top teams in the state in Division 5. if the Big Reds win, it would be the program’s first regional title in school history.
Summit: The Dragons had their best season in program history and closed the season at 8-3, the team’s third winning season in a row.
MORE:
See statewide scores from district finals
Best MLive photos from district finals
Michigan school high football highlights from district finals
See how Ann Arbor-area football teams fared in district finals play
Player of the Year top 10: Tristen Hines is a difference maker
Saturday’s district finals schedule