Rich Robinson, a former Howell football player, is channeling his lifelong passion for the sport into a comprehensive volume that will chronicle the program’s entire history.
His research spans fragile yearbooks, yellowed newspaper clippings and firsthand interviews with retired coaches and alumni, ensuring that every score, strategy and standout athlete is captured with accuracy.
The Research Journey
The project aims to document more than nine hundred games played since the team’s inaugural match in 1895, tracing the evolution of tactics, rivalries and community impact over more than a century.
A centerpiece of the book will be one‑page features that spotlight key players and influential coaches, offering readers concise yet vivid portraits of the figures who shaped Howell football.
Robinson also plans to explore the origin of the school’s nickname, the Highlanders, which emerged from a 1931 student vote that rejected the alternative “Chemung Chiefs” in favor of a name reflecting the region’s Scottish roots and lofty elevation.
Beyond the pages, the book will reignite a storied rivalry with Brighton, a contest that was renewed after a 39‑year hiatus, underscoring the enduring drama that defines Michigan high school football.