The maxim of defense winning championships is a hackneyed but true statement. For the De La Salle Spartans, the goal of winning a third straight state title next fall will depend greatly on their defense. In this previous season, the Spartans went 14-0 and relied heavily on college bound players like Antoine Pickett, Blake Renaud, and Dylan Wynn.
Replacing these seniors will be the M&M linebacking core of Michael Barton and Michael Hutchings. Junior Barton led the team with 72 tackles while the sophomore Hutchings had 68 tackles. The defense gave up only 139 points over those 14 games that resulted in 10 points per game allowed average.
Hutchings was the only sophomore on the Spartan varsity team and made an immediate impact. His efforts got him recognized on the all state team for ESPN Rise and he was made California state sophomore of the year by Goldenstatepreps.com. At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, Hutchings can bench press 265 pounds, squat 405 pounds, and has a vertical of 31 inches.
The Spartans employ a 4-4 defense. This takes advantage of Hutchings' skills because he can play outside linebacker and also drop back to strong safety in certain situations.
Oregon State, Washington, and Washington State have offered Barton who says of the younger of the M&M boys, "Hutchings is an athletic kid and is almost always around the ball. He has the potential to be better. He works hard in the weight room, likes to compete, and is a nice kid to be around. He has the potential to be a great and impactful Division I college player if he keeps up the hard work. Hutchings has a lot of pressure on his shoulders to be a junior leader and step up on both sides of the ball next year. If he stays focused and works hard, I know he will succeed in this."
Hutchings is already working hard in preparation for the next season. He plans on attending the Stanford Invitational in spring. In addition, he is always working on his agility, lifting, and running with his linebacker coach, Coach Alumbaugh.
Hutchings says, "Next year, I plan on stepping up and leading the juniors on our team. Our job as juniors is to help lead the seniors to a state title and get better, because we have another year to achieve the ultimate goal of winning state. This upcoming season, I know Michael Barton expects me to step up and take on a large role of the defense and I do not want to let him down as he has worked three tough years for his senior season. As long as we want to put the work in, it pays off at game time."
Hutchings has been receiving numerous college brochures and inquiries. Officially, high school prospects cannot get their first offer until September 1st during their junior year. He is interested in the Pac-12 schools because they are still reasonable distances from home and a top football conference in the country. But all west coast schools are on his list.
The M&M boys plan to give something sweet for their Spartan fans next year. If Hutchings plays up to expectation, then opposing offenses will have a bitter taste and sore feeling. Watch for Hutchings to defend De La Salle's state title in Concord in the upcoming season.
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