Deer Valley football player Malik Hutchings defies odds, hopes for miracle

ANTIOCH, Calif. — It was an uncertain, if not lost time in the spring for then-Deer Valley (Antioch) junior Malik Hutchings.

He'd just transferred from De La Salle (Concord), where he had spent 2.5 years playing largely in non-varsity basketball and baseball programs, back to the neighborhood public school, where childhood friends had forever encouraged him to attend. His older brother Michael, a first-team All-American linebacker for the nationally ranked Spartans, was about to graduate and head off to USC.

And their father, Mike, a popular, larger-than-life figure, known around the community as "Big Mike," had just been diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer.

"It was sort of hard to smile much around that time," Hutchings said.

But while gathering his thoughts during a quiet workout in the school's weight room, Hutchings rose from a bench, threw out his chest and stretched out his then 6-foot-3, 235-pound frame fully.

It would be a stand for the ages.

Unbeknownst to Hutchings, a football recruiter from UTEP was on campus, asking coach Rich Woods about Deer Valley players. The recruiter got one look at the imposing Hutchings and asked: "What about him?"

Woods broke it to the recruiter that Hutchings didn't play football, he hadn't since the seventh grade. But that didn't deter the recruiter one bit.

"He told me if I went out for football my senior year, he'd offer me a scholarship on the spot," Hutchings said.

Just like that?

"Just like that," Hutchings said.

The following week, with a large nudge from his uncle James (a Deer Valley assistant football coach), Hutchings joined the team and his new path and life was carved.

Now 6-4 and 250 pounds, Hutchings is the San Francisco Bay Area's sixth-leading tackler (138) for Northern California's No. 13 team (10-1) that travels to De La Salle Friday for a North Coast Section Division I semifinal contest. De La Salle (11-0), the country's No. 6 team according to MaxPreps, hasn't lost to a Northern California team since 1991, a span of 246 games.

Hutchings, big and fast but raw, has since earned scholarship offers from Hawaii, Idaho, UC Davis and Portland State, but Pac-12 programs such as Washington State and Colorado appear to be warming up to the notion of a one-season wonder. Especially with his bloodlines and instincts.

"Funny how life can change so fast," Hutchings said. "I sort of fell out of love from football (in middle school). I wasn't very big. But I grew and everyone tried to get me out to play like my brother. I didn't plan on any of this. But then everything just fit.

"Coming out for football has been the best decision of my life."

His father's health was a big part of that decision. Big Mike was a high school standout himself in high school and junior college as a tight end. He and Michael talked football incessantly.

"It's definitely what bonded us," Michael said.

Said Mike: "But I never, ever forced or wanted Malik to play if he didn't want to. I just wanted him to have fun and to find his way."

Malik, in his heart, knew his dad would love it if he played football. Especially if it could help him secure a college scholarship.

With strong grades and offers growing, that appears imminent.

"Better than all that is that Malik truly seems happy and he's having fun," Mike said.

It's no such thing watching his father going through chemotherapy and radiation treatments. It's a struggle each day for Mike to get out of bed, let alone make practices and the games. But he rarely misses watching Malik play.

"To see him fighting makes me fight a little harder each day at practice," Malik said. "If he can battle what he's going through I can get through the game of football."

Starting Deer Valley receiver and safety Nzuzi Webster, who grew up with Hutchings since the second grade, said he's seen more passion from his friend than ever before.

"I think he's definitely playing for his dad," Webster said. "He's always played hard, but I just see even more heart and desire. He's pushing it to the limit."

Michael agrees. He talks with his younger brother at least three times a week and offers advice. The true USC freshman, who has 19 tackles, watches Hudl highlights of his brother.

"He's obviously raw and relying on pure instinct," Michael said by phone Tuesday. "It's been so long since he last played, but he's picked it up fast. He's a big guy who moves fast and hits hard.

"The main thing I see is Malik has his confidence back. I'm so happy for him and proud. Football has definitely re-sparked him."

But De La Salle has a knack of smothering opponents' spark, a fact Michael is all too aware of. He's in an unusual spot, rooting for both the Spartans and his brother on Friday.

He's warned his brother: "It's going to be the most physical game you'll ever be involved in. You'll be tested all four quarters and you can never let up."

He's offered this advice playing the Spartans: "He told me not to be scared, that they are human beings, the same age as us," Malik said. "He told me to just go all out and leave it all on the field."

Big Mike knows that won't be a problem.

"Malik will keep fighting no matter the situation," he said. "I think he sees what goes on at home up close every day and that has an effect. He won't back down. Not today or tomorrow or ever."