Contest & Promos


Michigan High School Football Anvil Award Contest 2020!

Thanks so much to all of our great friends at Hungry Howies for sponsoring the Mr. Anvil and Mr. Football 2020 Contests! Their commitment to supporting this award for many years demonstrates Hungry Howie's love for all our communities!

Voting for the 2020 Michigan Anvil Award – sponsored by Hungry Howies – has concluded! The Anvil Award complements the Mr. Football contest but showcases the best Michigan High School “big men” – lineman and linebackers – in the state.

Congratulations to all player/contestants and to our Final Four below, and Michigan Mr. Anvil 2020 Winner – Rocco Spindler!!

And finally, while you are totally enjoying the Fall and Winter Sports Seasons – don’t forget to grab a few friends and a few pies from Hungry Howies – Home of the Original Flavored Crust Pizza!!! It’s a simple as ordering any of their delicious offerings. A true win-win for everyone!!!

Rocco Spindler - WINNER!!

Clarkston | OT / DT - Senior

Was a finalist for last year’s Anvil Award. Spindler was a starter for Clarkston’s state championship team as a freshman, and has rarely left the field since, playing both offensive tackle and defensive line for the Wolves. Played the final five minutes of the 2018 state title game with a torn labrum in his shoulder. Is committed to Notre Dame. FINAL STATS: 53 tackles, 25 assists, 2 sacks, 13 TFL, 1 blocked punt, 2 PBU, 1 INT, 24 QB hurries; 85 pancakes/knockdowns, hasn’t given up a sack in career.

Rayshaun Benny

Oak Park | OT / DL - Senior

It’s a measure of your value when your return helps a team go from winless to contender status. With Benny out of the lineup for five of the six regular-season contests, recovering from offseason knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus, Oak Park went winless through the COVID-shortened schedule, the program’s first sub-.500 campaign since 2011, and first winless regular season since 1985. In the postseason, with Benny back at full speed, Oak Park has gone 3-0, beating MAC Red contender Grosse Pointe South, Detroit U-D Jesuit and Downriver League leader Wyandotte Roosevelt, putting them in position to face Livonia Churchill (6-2) for the regional title before the season was put on pause. Coach Greg Carter says Benny, who plays both offensive tackle and defensive end, may be the best linemen he’s ever coached. Benny committed to Michigan State in November, making him the highest-ranked member of first-year coach Mel Tucker’s 2021 recruiting class. STATS THROUGH DISTRICT FINALS (4G): 16 tackles, four sacks

Damon Payne

Belleville | OT / DT - Senior

Was a finalist for last year’s Anvil Award. Only comes off the field for kickoffs and kick returns, playing both ways for the Tigers. Has lost about 20 pounds from his 2019 playing weight to get quicker, but is massively strong, racking up 59 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and eight sacks as a junior. When he signs with Alabama, he’ll be the first Michigan native to head to Tuscaloosa since Mark Ingram.

Michael Heldman

Romeo | DE - Senior

There’s something to be said for turning on the switch at the right time. After a 1-4 start, the Romeo Bulldogs won four straight, opening the playoffs with wins over MAC White co-champ Anchor Bay, MAC Red co-champ Macomb Dakota and the OAA White champ, previously unbeaten Stoney Creek. Heldman has flipped the switch, too, turning in what he termed his most memorable career game against Stoney Creek, recording three sacks and two forced fumbles in the 45-27 win that gave Romeo its first district title since 2016. On the season, Heldman has 16.5 sacks, putting him in the top 20 in MHSAA history for a single season. STATS THROUGH DISTRICT FINALS: 23 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, one safety, one blocked punt, one blocked PAT.