MUSKEGON, MI – Even though his Muskegon High School football-playing days concluded more than 10 years ago, some things have not changed about Jason Hannett.
He is a true football player, and people still think highly of the hard-hitting difference-maker despite his shorter stature.
“If you look at the roster stats back in Muskegon days, it says 5-9,” he beamed, “but I’m 5-7 ½. I’m just 5-7 (and 195 pounds).”
Hannett, who in his three varsity seasons with the Big Reds helped them win two state championships (2006 and 2008), is back doing his thing for the undefeated, semi-pro Muskegon Mustangs.
In the Mustangs’ 50-34 Great Lakes Football League playoff-opening win over the West Michigan Patriots Saturday night at Holton High School, Swiss-Army knife Hannett played what he considers one of the better games of his debut season with the team.
Muskegon Mustangs football player Jason Hannett poses for a photo with his daughter, Journee, 6, after his team's 50-34 victory over the West Michigan Patriots Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, at Holton High School in Holton, Mich.
“He’s just a young man with a great heart,” said Tony Annese, the current head coach for Ferris State University, who was Hannett’s coach at Muskegon during his three varsity seasons. “He was very determined to be the best he could be, worked his craft every day and (is) just a very likable young man and great, great person to be around,” Annese said. “It was just a pleasure being able to coach him.”
The Mustangs (11-0) host the GLFL Western Conference title game at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Holton against the Kalamazoo Titans, who are two-time defending champions. Muskegon rolled Kalamazoo, 50-18, in the teams’ previous meeting July 13.
Should the Mustangs win Saturday, they will advance to the GLFL title game against the Eastern Conference champion. The winner of the GLFL overall title earns an invite to a national game in Daytona, Fla.
“I keep telling these guys, the harder we work in practice, the easier the road will be. They’ve just got to focus on doing the right thing and the rest will take care of itself,” said Mustangs coach Brad Haney, who is in his fourth season at the helm.
Hannett has emerged as one of the leaders for the Mustangs. After his Big Reds career ended, Hannett played one season at Grand Rapids Community College under Annese. He spent a stint playing semi-pro ball for the Grand Rapids Force. Last year, while living in Texas, he played for the Dallas Bulldogs. His mother moved to Texas when Hannett was in 10th grade, and he went down there for a bit to broaden his horizons.
When Hannett moved back to Muskegon, Haney figured it was worth a phone call to gauge interest in playing for the Mustangs. The rest is history.
“He’s huge because he helps us on more than just defense. He helps us out on kickoff, kick return,” Haney said. “ … He does it all. Like I said, we use him on punt, kickoff, kick return, defense … and he even runs the ball. He’s a really good running back. His assets are better for us on defense, so that’s where he plays for us.”
In 2008, Hannett’s senior season and Annese’s third state-championship run in five seasons, Hannett was a do-everything dynamo. That fall, he was the leading rusher and top tackler for the undefeated Big Reds. In the state-title game, a 34-14 win over Warren De La Salle, Hannett rushed for a game-high 155 yards and three touchdowns, and he registered a team-best 10 tackles to go along with three sacks and a forced fumble
Hannett and Annese had a special relationship, and they remain in contact today.
Muskegon football coach Tony Annese hugs Jason Hannett after he left the game against Warren De La Salle in the Big Reds' 34-14 state-championship win on November 28, 2008.
“In all honesty, I look at coach Annese as a dad, as a father figure – he’s a great father figure for a lot of young men around the area,” Hannett said. “And as far as coach Annese goes, himself, it was about life lessons. You’re always going to deal with something, you’re always going to have adversity, you’re always going to have an extra problem or somebody is going to bring an issue, but it’s about adversity.
“How are you going to deal with the situation, what’s going to be your outcome and your good-vibe putout, to make the situation better? Whatever the situation is, it was about life lessons with coach Annese. That’s why I’m thankful for him right now because I’m a strong man.”
Hannett, who turned 28 years old on July 30, calls himself a family man. He has three children of his own, and a “stepbaby” makes four. When he is not working at Herman Miller, or playing and practicing for the Mustangs, he is chasing his children around or vice versa.
During his time at Muskegon High, as much as the Big Reds relied upon Hannett, he leaned upon coaches and educators.
“He leaned on the teachers. He spent some time living with a teacher or two. He leaned on them – they were a part of his family,” Annese said. “I mean, the whole school adored him because he was such a respectful young man and just a pleasure to be around.
“Jason, he texted me a couple weeks ago, ‘Hey, we’re playing Grand Rapids on Saturday. I’d love for you to come watch.’ I couldn’t make it, but it’s pretty cool,” Annese said. “He’s still connected with me and I love to visit with him.”
Hannett is proud to wear “Muskegon” across his chest, just like his high-school days, and he gets to do so with the Mustangs.
By the way he talks, there will be a future for him with the Mustangs as well.
“I’m still playing football, so I’m doing something right,” Hannett said with a smile.