By: Jonathan Szczepaniak | C&G Newspapers | Published December 16, 2022
MACOMB COUNTY — A successful program and a true embodiment of the Macomb County community, the St. Clair Shores Green Hornets football program was well represented on Dec. 5 as the All-County high school football team was announced.
The banquet, held at Zuccaro’s Banquets & Catering in Chesterfield Township, honored the best football players in the Macomb County area but brought together some familiar faces as well.
“Personally speaking, it was amazing,” Green Hornets President Don Quest said. “I actually spoke to Darren Hawkins, who plays at Chip (Chippewa Valley), and I called his dad. He was moved by how many kids we coached and were recognized there.”
Twelve former Green Hornets players were named to the All-County team, but the foundation for their success was laid long before their high school years.
Collecting only one win their freshman year on the Green Hornets, the 2023/2024 high school graduation class would make two Eastern Suburban Football League Super Bowls and reach the playoffs for four straight years.
“It was great to see so much growth we went through together from one win our freshman year of the Hornets, then the playoffs next, and then to the championship,” DJ Quest said. “Every year, we got better and better, and to have a team that would trust the process and continue coming back to the Hornets every year was great.”
DJ Quest, a junior fullback at Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, was one of five Parkway Christian players who were former Green Hornets to be named All-County.
One of Parkway Christian’s key leaders this season, senior lineman Drew Powers, said the Green Hornets program made the biggest impact off the field for him.
“Joining the Green Hornets was like joining a big family,” Powers said. “Some of my best friends are from the Hornets that I talk to everyday, and the people I don’t see every day, I still talk to when I do get the chance to see them.”
Green Hornets honored
• James Brown, junior, Lake Shore High School (St. Clair Shores)
• Darren Hawkins, senior, Chippewa Valley High School (Clinton Township)
• Matthew Horak, senior, Lakeview High School (St. Clair Shores)
• Toby Mitchell, senior, Lakeview High School
• Tyler Griffin, senior, Lakeview High School
• Gabe Johnson, junior, Roseville High School
• Kyler Maiorana, junior, Parkway Christian School (Sterling Heights)
• DJ Quest, junior, Parkway Christian School
• Hunter Nysen, senior, Parkway Christian School
• Mark Nesler, junior, Parkway Christian School
• Drew Petty, senior, Lake Shore High School
• Drew Powers, senior, Parkway Christian School