Cass Tech relies on more than athletic ability to mold team

Cass Tech High School won another Division One football state championship this past weekend. But for student-athletes in the Detroit school - it's not just about the accomplishments on the field.

"We have some great kids here," Head Football Coach Thomas Wilcher said.

The team celebrated the third state championship in six years this week but it's what they're also doing that should be making headlines. Here's what we mean:

Donovan Peoples-Jones - DPJ for short - is a star receiver. But he also carries a 3.9 GPA and dreams of being a doctor. The guy giving him the ball is quarterback Rodney Hall. He's the best in the state.

Then there's Donovan Parker - P for short - and the other Donovan, Donovan Johnson. Both young men have a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Last but certainly not least is Jaylen Kelly-Powell. The safety is being recruited by 43 colleges - and he carries a 4.0 GPA.

This championship is even more sweeet for Hall. He broke his ankle last year and couldn't play in the final game - that they lost. He admits when the ankle broke, he broke down.

"Yeah I cried. I cried for y'all because you were crying," he said.

When Charlie talked to the four of them - they literally took over the interview. You've got to watch what happened in the video above.

You have to building skills, you have to do team building skills where the kids get a chance to learn about one another," Wilcher said.

It works - on and off the field.

"It's not just about athletics it's about academics," Wilcher said. "It's always special to have kids dream about something they dream about doing."

Maybe their success on the field has something to do with their success with each other. Maybe that's the winning formula.

"We have a great track record right now, so I'm very very happy," Wilcher said.