Justin St. Ours | Daily Press Escanaba's Bryant Maki hauls in a touchdown reception in the end zone against the Sault, Ont. Korah Colts Sept. 13, 2019 at Escanaba. Maki was recently named to the Detroit Free Press All-State first team. Looking on are Escanaba's Grant LaMarche (11) and Korah's Noah Grasley (3).

ESCANABA — After enjoying a spectacular junior season playing wide receiver for the Escanaba Eskymos, Bryant Maki was rewarded for it by being named to the Division 4 Detroit Free Press All-State first team recently.

“I was very surprised when I got it, but definitely happy and thankful that I received this great of an honor,” said Maki, who currently plays for the Esky basketball team and was recently inducted into the National Honor Society at EHS.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Maki was also named to the All-U.P. Dream Team and Great Northern Conference first team this season after averaging five catches and 80 yards per game. He finished the season with seven touchdowns.

“For me, it was definitely just the offseason and everybody that helped me get to that point in the offseason that helped me get better during the season,” Maki said. “I want to thank everybody that helped me, we definitely had a great team. I couldn’t have done it without all the coaches either and all the fans, so thanks to everybody who came and supported the team throughout the season.”

Esky coach Dave Howes, who guided the Eskymos to another 7-2 regular season, had high praise for Maki.

“He’s one of those kids you just like to see get that accolade because he’s great in the classrom, he’s a great character kid, has a great family and is a great football player. He’s an all-around wonderful kid,” Howes said. “He’s very deserving and he’s an extremely hard-working kid. He worked really hard during the summer. You tell him to do something one time and he’ll do it. He had a great year all because of his hard work. I look forward to having him one more year for his senior year.”

Despite also playing baseball and being a three-sport athlete, Maki noted he decided to start focusing and training for football about a year ago and wants to play college football somewhere. He added that Michigan Tech is on his radar right now because of its engineering program, but nothing is definite.

“I’m still into basketball and baseball, still a three-sport athlete, but I’m mainly into football and that is my plan moving forward into college,” he said. “But nothing is definite at the moment.”