Emminger family is all in
when it comes to football

  If you placed a sample of the Emminger family's DNA under a high-powered microscope, you may find that the strands are connected by molecule-sized footballs.

  From August through November, football rules in the Emminger's Canton home.

  Four of the five Emminger boys -- recently graduated oldest brother Jamie, Plymouth senior Phil, sophomore Nate and sixth-grader Isaac -- have made their mark on local gridirons.

  And 7-year-old Andrew's day is just around the corner.

  "Andrew's probably going to start playing next year for the (Plymouth-Canton) Steelers," said Phil Emminger, a defensive leader on Plymouth's surging 9-2 squad. "He's going to be good. He feels no pain."

  Natives of Pittsburgh, the Emmingers are providing a talent-rich pipeline to Plymouth's football program -- both on the field and off.

  Dad Douglas is the head coach of the freshmen Wildcats. Jamie, who graduated in June after starring as a wide receiver and linebacker for the 'Cats, serves as one of his dad's assistants.

  Phil and Nate (who was promoted from the junior varsity squad last month) are key members of a Plymouth defense that has yielded just 21 points in its last three games heading into Saturday's 1 p.m. Division 1 regional final at Novi Detroit Catholic Central.

  "That family has done so much for Plymouth's football program," said Wildcats head coach Mike Sawchuk. "The mom (Theresa) is so supportive, too. She'd probably play, too, if we let her.

  "All of the Emmingers have such a great work ethic. Phil is like the quarterback of our defense and Nate is just a football junkie. They're just really good kids. They're very disciplined and do what they're asked to do."

  A close-knit crew, the Emmingers rarely find time to sit down for a family meal once two-a-days kick off in early August.

  "It's pretty crazy around our house during football season," said Phil. "We don't really see each other too much. When I get home from practice, Isaac will be at Steelers practice and Nate is usually watching film with the offense. It's crazy, but it's fun."

  One of the brightest days of a spectacular fall for the Emmingers came last month when Phil found out he would be sharing the defensive backfield with Nate.

  "My dad and I were going to a college visit at Robert Morris University and my dad got a call from coach Sawchuk," Phil Emminger remembered. "As soon as he told my dad that Nate was getting called up to play varsity, I texted Nate and told him to get ready for a phone call.

  "For me, it was about time he got called up to varsity. I was hoping he'd get to play up the whole year because I knew he had it in him. But he needed some growing up to do on JV."

  Nate Emminger, who has earned the nickname "Mighty Mouse",  has been in impact player ever since his promotion. In Friday's district final victory over Canton, he caught a touchdown pass and intercepted a Chief pass in the end zone.

  On Monday morning, Phil Emminger's classmates showed their appreciation for his contributions in the Wildcats' Friday night victory over Canton.

  "I got a standing ovation in my first-hour class," he said.

  "I didn't get any of that," Nate added, smiling.

  The three oldest Emmingers played junior football for the Canton Lions' organization. Isaac is the first to play for the Steelers.

  "We're from Pittsburgh, so we wanted to play for the Steelers," said Nate. "But the Steelers had a waiting list when Nate and I were playing and the Lions didn't, so we played for the Lions."

  "Isaac knew one of my former baseball coaches, Angelo Lanava, who coaches the Steelers freshmen team, so he wanted to play for somebody he was familiar with, so he switched to the Steelers," Phil said. "Isaac is speedy and he's fearless."

  If all goes as planned, there will be an Emminger playing for the Wildcats at some level for the next several years. Isaac will be a freshman at Plymouth in 2013, the year Nate graduates.

  Andrew will be a freshman at Plymouth the year after Isaac graduates.

  "We're lucky to have them," Sawchuk said of the Emmingers. "I've heard the younger ones are going to be a lot like they're brothers, which is a good thing."

  Ed Wright can be reached at (734) 453-1980 or info@plymouthcantonsports.com.


Nate Emminger picks off a Canton pass to help seal the Wildcats' 17-7 victory in Friday's district final. (PlymouthPictures.com photo)

Isaac Emminger (2) scored a touchdown in the Plymouth-Canton Steelers' playoff victory over the Westland Meteors on Sunday. (PlymouthPictures.com photo)