Detroit Catholic Central 49, Novi 35: Shamrocks pull away late to earn football district title

By Jake Thielen | MLive.com
on November 06, 2015 11:21 PM, updated November 07, 2015 12:53 AM

Detroit Catholic Central’s running game powered it to a win Friday night as the Shamrocks scored seven rushing touchdowns in a 49-35 victory over Novi in a Division 1 football district final at Detroit Catholic Central High School.

In a game that featured nine lead changes or ties, Catholic Central finally began to build a lead in the late stages of the third quarter.

Senior Alex Bock scored on a 48-yard run to break a 28-28 tie with 5:14 to play in the quarter to give the Shamrocks the lead. Bock was one of four Catholic Central players to score a rushing touchdown in the win.

On the ensuing Novi drive the Shamrocks defense stepped up its game with an interception from senior Chyle Johnson that ended a Novi drive into Shamrock territory. Catholic Central seized control of the opportunity and extended its lead to 42-28 thanks to a 54-yard touchdown run from senior Philip Schmitz.

Novi cut the lead to 42-35 after a 24-yard touchdown run from junior Nathan Hankerson with 5:13 to play, but could not get closer. Catholic Central recovered an onside kick attempt and marched down the field, scoring on a 36-yard run by junior Nicholas Capatina.

The Wildcats had one last chance to score in the final seconds, but a pass on a 4^th-and-goal play from the Shamrock 8-yard line fell incomplete. Catholic Central ran the clock out to seal its 49-35 win.

The Shamrocks (9-2) will play Romeo (10-1) in next week’s regional final at Romeo High School.

Capatina led Catholic Central with 16 carries for 217 yards and three touchdowns, and he said his blockers did a good job of giving him lanes to run through all night.

“The line did a great job today,” Capatina said. “Whenever they do a good job it’s really easy for me (to have success.)”

Schmitz had four carries for 76 yards and two touchdowns, while sophomore Cameron Ryan had eight carries for 65 yards and a touchdown.

Catholic Central coach Tom Mach said he was pleased with the play of his team, but he said Novi’s ability to match his team’s effort on offense made the game interesting.

“The offensive line I thought played great today – they opened up a lot of holes,” Mach said. “I think it was the story of two offenses that were clicking and two defenses that couldn’t stop the two offenses that were clicking. Whoever had the ball last, as the game was going, was going to win the football game.”

Senior Emanuel Jackson ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries for Novi. He also caught a team-high 14 passes for 116 yards.

Junior quarterback Alec Bageris threw for 292 yards on 26-of-40 passing, and junior receiver Anthony D’Annibale had eight catches for 150 yards and two touchdowns.

Novi coach Jeff Burnside said he made some adjustments as the game went on, but the Wildcats were unable to slow down the Shamrock offense.

“We kind of knew we were going to be in a shootout,” Burnside said. “We just said we have to keep scoring with these guys because we weren’t feeling really comfortable stopping them.”

Burnside said he was proud of the run the Wildcats had this season. Novi battled its way into the postseason by winning its final two regular season games and then upset West Bloomfield in the first round of the playoffs.

“This is a beautiful team, this is a team that I love,” Burnside said. “They’re a very resilient group of young men, and they’ve really done a really great job of just hanging in there. You talk about perseverance, this team is the definition of that word right there.”

http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/5542013349560482539/detroit-catholic-central-49-novi-35-shamrocks-pull-away-late-to-earn-football-district-title/

Clawson clinches fifth playoff berth in past six seasons with rout of East Detroit

By JAKE THIELEN
@MIPrepZone

CLAWSON – Senior Cam Jones and junior Justin Rudnicki combined for five rushing touchdowns for Clawson as the Trojans cruised past Eastpointe East Detroit, 47-6, in a non-league football game Friday night at Clawson High School.

Clawson (6-3) clinched a playoff berth, its fifth in the last six seasons, with the win. The Trojans will learn their playoff opponent when the field is announced on Sunday.

After a scoreless first quarter, Clawson started to take control of the game in the second quarter. The Trojans scored three rushing touchdowns in the quarter, two by Jones, to take a 21-0 lead into halftime.

East Detroit (0-9) got on the board early in the third quarter thanks to a 30-yard fumble return for a touchdown by junior Stephen Herd. However the Shamrocks could not close the gap any further.

Clawson extended its lead to 27-6 minutes later thanks to a 24-yard touchdown pass from junior Kourtney Manley to freshman Kamariell Manley. Kourtney Manley threw for 86 yards and a touchdown, and he added a 6-yard rushing touchdown.

Jones scored on a 40-yard touchdown run with 10:43 to play to extend the Trojan lead to 47-6, and trigger a running clock. He finished the game with 12 carries for 107 yards and three touchdowns.

Rudnicki rushed 15 times for 106 yards and two touchdowns, while senior Eric Hathaway added seven carries for 83 yards. Kamariell Manley led the Trojans with three catches for 54 yards.

Clawson coach Jim Sparks said his team was confident it could make a run to the playoffs this season, despite losing a lot of talent from last year’s squad. Sparks said the team returned only one offensive starter at the same position that he played last year and just two on defense.

“Our guys are to the point where we expect to win, so from day one they just kept working and did a great job,” Sparks said. “A bunch of kids (tried) out for the first time ever, that haven’t been players (before,) that came out as seniors. They were athletic, they bought into what we were doing and they worked hard.”

Sophomore Da’Shawn McCutchen led East Detroit statistically with 104 yard passing. Junior E’Dris Brown Jr. had a team-high 46 yards rushing, while senior Malik Haynes led the Shamrocks with four catches for 95 yards.

Last Updated: 10/23/2015 11:26:15 PM EST

http://www.miprepzone.com/oakland/results.asp?ID=17339

Mitchell’s big night lifts Madison past South Lake and to MAC Silver title

By JAKE THIELEN
@MIPrepZone

MADISON HEIGHTS – Junior Lance Mitchell ran for 306 yards and five touchdowns, as Madison Heights Madison rallied for a 56-42 win over South Lake in a Macomb Area Conference Silver Division game Friday night at Madison High School.

The win clinched the fourth consecutive MAC Silver Division title for Madison (7-1, 5-0 MAC Silver.) The Eagles have now won seven consecutive games against South Lake and are 11-1 against the Cavaliers all-time.

Madison jumped out to a 6-0 lead early, but lost the momentum when South Lake sophomore Jerodd Vines returned the ensuing kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown. The Eagles trailed 28-18 at the half, but chipped away at the Cavalier lead in the final two quarters.

A 3-yard score from junior Ryan Crews got the Eagles within two points, 28-26, in the third quarter and a 66-yard touchdown and two-point conversion by Mitchell tied the game at 34 early in the fourth quarter.

South Lake responded minutes later as junior quarterback Datrell Milling found junior Denali Johnson wide-open in the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown. A two-point conversion gave South Lake a 42-34 lead.

Madison stuck with its game plan of feeding Mitchell the ball, and he responded with another score from five yards out. The two-point play failed though and the Eagles trailed 42-40 with 7:55 to play.

After stopping Mitchell short of the yard to gain on a 4th-and-4 play, South Lake regained control of the ball with 2:39 to play and a chance to run out the clock. Two plays later though, Madison forced a fumble that was recovered by the Eagles’ Terrance Brown.

Seconds later, Mitchell scored his fifth rushing touchdown of the game to put Madison up 48-42 after a two-point conversion.

South Lake got the ball back with 1:39 left on its own 32-yard line, but on the first play of the drive Brown intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown with 1:27 left to seal the game for Madison.

Madison coach Drake Wilkins said he saw some things his team could take advantage of at halftime, and he told his team to just stick to the game plan. The adjustments worked in the second half.

“I told them to just do what we worked on all week long, do what we worked on and play Madison football,” Wilkins said. “Everything else will take care of itself. I said it would come down to the wire, but I don’t think (South Lake) could take this pressure or this pounding for four quarters.”

In addition to his numbers on the ground, Mitchell added 47 receiving yards and a touchdown on a hook-and-ladder play in the first half. Junior Ryan Coleman also intercepted two passes for the Eagles.

Mitchell said scoring what proved to be the game-winning score gave his team a boost late in the game.

“It felt amazing because that got us back in the game, and that got us momentum,” Mitchell said. “We had to work hard for (the win) and it paid off.”

South Lake junior quarterback Datrell Milling threw for 271 yards and four touchdowns, and Vines had three total touchdowns for the Cavaliers. Senior Darrell Heard finished with five catches for 101 yards and a touchdown, while senior Anthony Morgan added four catches for 76 yards and a score.

Last Updated: 10/17/2015 12:04:16 AM EST

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Brad Tanner’s late interception seals win for Romeo in matchup of ranked teams

By Jake Thielen | MLive.com
on October 02, 2015 11:42 PM

Thanks in part to a crucial play from senior Brad Tanner, Romeo stayed unbeaten as the Bulldogs improved to 6-0 with a 26-14 win at Macomb Dakota Friday night.

Romeo, the No. 5 ranked team in Division 1, was in danger of losing its 12-point fourth quarter lead after things took a turn in favor of Dakota late in the game. A field goal attempt to stretch the lead to 15 with 3:05 remaining was blocked, and 18 seconds later Dakota scored on a 64-yard pass play to cut the Bulldog lead to just five.

When Romeo fumbled on its next possession to give the ball back to the Cougars, the stage was set for the defense to make another huge play. Romeo entered the game having only allowed 13 total points in its first five games.

Tanner said he watched and analyzed hours of film to prepare for the game, and with Dakota driving he saw an opportunity to make a play.

“I watched so much film so I knew the quarterback would telegraph his pass,” Tanner said. “I sat back, saw him go right to that receiver and I just jumped it.”

With the ball at the Romeo 34-yard line, Tanner seized his opportunity and intercepted the Dakota pass. The senior raced 70 yards, untouched, for a touchdown that gave Romeo a 26-14 lead with 1:33 to play.

The score set off a celebration among what had been a nervous Romeo sideline and packed cheering section. The defense rode that momentum and kept Dakota out of the end zone on its final drive to seal the 26-14 win.

In addition to making the big defensive play, Tanner also led his team with 70 rushing yards. Romeo co-coach Jason Couch said he’s happy to have a great two-way player like Tanner on his team.

“He’s a heck of an athlete – he saw the play a couple times before and broke on it perfectly,” Couch said. “I can’t say enough about him. Offensively, his stats aren’t going to show it, but when he’s occupying two or three guys when he runs the jet it opens up other things. He’s just a tremendous athlete.”

Romeo clinched a playoff berth with the win, which was no easy feat against a Dakota team that was 4-1 and ranked No. 7 in Division 1. The Cougars play in the MAC Red, a division that entered play Friday with three teams in the top 10 of the Division 1 rankings.

Despite facing a state power like Dakota, Tanner said Romeo was confident entering the game.

“We knew coming into the game it was going to be a tough game because it’s Dakota – they’re always good,” Tanner said. “Everyone was saying Dakota is the favorite because they’re MAC Red and we’re MAC White. We knew it didn’t matter; we just had to go out there and do our thing.”

http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/5874226216656881153/brad-tanners-late-interception-seals-win-for-romeo-in-matchup-of-ranked-teams/

Romeo 26, Macomb Dakota 14: late interception clinches playoff berth for Bulldogs.

By Jake Thielen | MLive.com
on October 02, 2015 10:59 PM

MACOMB – Brad Tanner ended a late scoring threat with an interception return for a touchdown and Romeo held on to defeat Macomb Dakota, 26-14, in a non-divisional matchup of Macomb Area Conference teams Friday night at Dakota High School.

Romeo (6-0, 4-0 MAC White) clinched a playoff berth with the win. The Bulldogs, ranked No. 5 in Division 1 by the Associated Press, are undefeated through six games for the first time since the 2008 season.

Tanner’s interception came at a crucial time for Romeo, which led by 12 points late in the fourth quarter but was in danger of losing that lead.

After a safety gave Romeo a 19-7 lead with 8:07 to play, the Bulldogs got the ball back with intentions of running out as much of the clock as possible. A drive that lasted 5:02 ended in a blocked field goal attempt however, giving Dakota a chance to rally.

No. 7 Dakota (4-2, 2-1 MAC Red) answered quickly with a 64-yard touchdown completion from junior Brett Droski to junior Evan Sivec. The extra point drew the Cougars within five points, 19-14, with 2:47 to play.

On the ensuing Romeo drive, the Bulldogs reached Dakota territory but fumbled the ball back to the Cougars. With 2:33 left in the game Dakota had the ball at its own 42-yard line needing a touchdown to take the lead.

The Cougars made it as far as the Romeo 34-yard line, setting the stage for Tanner’s game-sealing interception. On the next play Tanner read the pass play, jumped the route and raced down the right sideline for a touchdown with 1:33 to play.

Needing two scores now, Dakota drove the ball into Romeo territory but ran out of time, and the Bulldogs held on for a 26-14 win.

Romeo had outscored its opponents 200-13 before this game, and the Bulldog defense was again up to the task of slowing down a potent offensive team. The Bulldogs’ co-coach, Jason Couch, said his defense was prepared to face Dakota and star running back Kaiser Carleton.

“Coach (Curt) Rienas and the defensive staff spend a ton of time and work very hard to get the kids in the right places, but the boys played fast and they have motors on them,” Couch said.

Romeo senior Paul Hurley threw for 136 yards on 6-of-9 passing, including a 41-yard touchdown to senior Lucas Schimon in the second quarter. Tanner ran for 70 yards on 11 carries and senior Dominic Bongiorno added 47 yards and a touchdown.

Senior Zach Nies made a 34-yard field goal and kicked three extra points to round out the scoring for Romeo.

Dakota coach Mike Giannone said Romeo’s advantage in time-of-possession was the difference in the game.

“(Romeo) controlled the ball,” Giannone said. “We only had the ball I think four times in the second half. They’re a good football team.”

Carleton ran 10 times for 94 yards, but was held out of the end zone. Droski threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns, including a 5-yard score to junior Dimitrij Donakov.

http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/5874228216670881273/romeo-26-macomb-dakota-14-late-interception-clinches-playoff-berth-for-bulldogs/

Chippewa Valley’s Darian Greeley returns from injury to lead Big Reds to an emotional win

By Jake Thielen | MLive.com
on September 26, 2015 12:52 AM

Friday’s Macomb Area Conference football game between host Clinton Township Chippewa Valley and Warren Mott proved to be a special one for the home team.

The game was featured as the Big Reds’ Cancer Awareness game, and as a result many of the spectators, band members and cheerleaders wore purple, as did the Chippewa Valley coaches. Players from both Chippewa Valley and Warren Mott wore purple socks to show support for the cause.

All of the Chippewa Valley coaches and players were announced after the game to be representing or playing for someone affected by cancer. Junior running back Darian Greeley was announced as playing for Nick Ureel, a former Chippewa Valley football player who passed away from cancer in April of 2014.

In front of a loud home crowd, Greeley and the Big Reds started off well, driving deep into Mott territory. But a Chippewa Valley fumble that was returned by Mott for a touchdown ended the drive in a sour note.

Late in the first quarter, Greeley rolled an ankle on a four-yard run and had to be helped off the field. He sat out the rest of the half, and without Greeley the Big Reds fell behind 17-3 at one point and trailed 23-12 at halftime.

Chippewa Valley coach Scott Merchant said the first half went about as poorly as it could have for his team, but he added that the game’s theme provided extra motivation for his team to try and stage a comeback in the second half.

“When you do a benefit game you don’t want ever want to let anybody down,” Merchant said. “You’re playing for a lot of great people, some that have passed away and some that are fighting for their lives.”

The fortunes for Chippewa Valley did begin to turn in its favor after halftime. Despite clearly being hobbled by the ankle injury Greeley returned to the game for the team’s opening drive of the second half.

Less than three minutes into the third quarter, Greeley scored on an 8-yard pass from senior quarterback Patrick Briningstool. A two-point conversion brought the Big Reds within three, 23-20.

Chippewa Valley took the lead for the first time after a 49-yard touchdown pass from Briningstool to senior Stanley Williams, but it gave the lead back in the opening minute of the fourth quarter.

However, Greeley and Briningstool weren’t done – the pair connected again, this time for a 12-yard touchdown, to give the Big Reds a 34-30 lead with 8:04 to play.

From there it was the Chippewa Valley defense’s turn to shine, as the Big Reds stopped Mott on a fourth down play inside their won 10-yard line with 3:08 to play. On the next Mott drive senior Stefan Claiborne sealed the game with an interception that allowed the Big Reds to run out the clock and earn the comeback victory.

Greeley said playing for Ureel meant that sitting out the second half wasn’t an option for him.

“My friend Nick, I had to play for him,” Greeley said. “I said a prayer during halftime, wrapped (the ankle) up, came back out and scored two touchdowns. It’s an honor to play for my friend that passed away.”

Briningstool said Greeley showed a lot of determination by battling through his injury to make crucial plays for the team.

“(Greeley) has a lot of heart in the backfield – he plays for his team, not for himself,” Briningstool said. “It’s good that he got rewarded with those plays because he deserves it.”

With the win, Chippewa Valley improved to 4-1 and 3-1 in the MAC Red Division. Being back in the hunt for a division title is also a piece of good news for a team that’s had to deal with a lot of bad news over the last few years.

In addition to losing Ureel, the Big Reds had two players from the team pass away during the offseason this year.

“We’ve had a lot of really harsh things happen over the past 16 months, and I’m incredibly proud of them coming out and battling and not giving up,” Merchant said. “That’s what we’ve had to do ever since Nick passed away in April 2014 from cancer.”

Chippewa Valley will look to stay in the hunt for the Red Division title when it travels to play Utica next week.

http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/2116646928844368848/chippewa-valleys-darian-greeley-returns-from-injury-to-lead-big-reds-to-an-emotional-win/

Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 34, Warren Mott 30: Big Reds make big plays in second-half comeback

By Jake Thielen | MLive.com
on September 25, 2015 11:49 PM, updated September 26, 2015 12:22 AM

Clinton Township Chippewa Valley overcame a slow start as the Big Reds rallied in the second half to defeat Warren Mott, 34-30, in a Macomb Area Conference Red Division game at Chippewa Valley High School Friday night.

Chippewa Valley (4-1, 2-1 MAC Red) trailed by as many as 14 points on two occasions, but thanks to a dangerous passing game it was able to chip away at the Marauder lead in the second half.

Senior quarterback Patrick Briningstool opened the second half by leading a drive that culminated with an 8-yard touchdown pass to junior running back Darian Greeley, trimming what had been a 23-12 deficit to 23-20 after a two-point conversion.

The Big Reds took their first lead of the game later in the quarter after a 49-yard touchdown pass from Briningstool to senior Stanley Williams. Chippewa Valley led 27-23 entering the final quarter of play, but Mott was able to battle back.

Junior quarterback Michael Pond scored on a 4^th-and-goal play from three yards out less than a minute into the fourth quarter to give Mott the lead once again, 30-27. Pond ran the ball for a team-high 27 times for 86 yards and scored two touchdowns.

However Chippewa Valley answered thanks to the combination of Briningstool and Greeley once again. This time the pair connected for a 12-yard score to put Chippewa Valley up 34-30 with 8:04 to play.

Mott (4-1, 2-1 MAC Red) had its best chance to tie with 3:08 to play, but the Marauders were stopped one yard short of the line to gain on a 4^th-and-8 play from the Big Red 12-yard line. The Mott defense forced a three-and-out to get the ball back, but an interception from Chippewa Valley’s Stefan Claiborne on the ensuing drive sealed the game for the Big Reds.

Chippewa Valley coach Scott Merchant said his team refused to give up after its poor start.

“The first half went about as badly as it could of gone for us, especially the end of the half to give up a touchdown on the last play,” Merchant said. “But our kids are resilient.”

Briningstool threw for 315 yards on 23-of-34 passing with four touchdowns and one interception. Nine different receivers caught a pass for Chippewa Valley with Williams (two catches for 92 yards) and Claiborne (seven catches for 71 yards) leading the way.

The slow start didn’t faze Briningstool, who said the team remained confident despite trailing early.

“We just got a little bit more focused,” Briningstool said. “We just didn’t come out with the fire we had in the second half. We’re a second half team – you guys saw that’s the team we are, and that’s the team we will be going forward.”

Pond threw for 201 yards on 15-of-20 passing with one touchdown and one interception. Juniors Andre Chandler and Maurice Allen both finished with four catches for 70 yards, with Allen scoring on a 58-yard catch and run on the last play of the first half.

http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/1116630928711368635/clinton-township-chippewa-valley-34-warren-mott-30-big-reds-make-big-plays-in-second-half-comeback/

Netschke, defense fuel Kettering to shutout win over WL Central

COMMERCE TWP. – One week after being held off the scoreboard offensively, Kettering responded with a shutout of its own as the Captains defeated Walled Lake Central, 17-0, in a Kensington Lakes Activities Association North Division game Friday night at Walled Lake Central High School.

The game was a defensive struggle early, with Kettering leading just 3-0 at halftime thanks to a 30-yard field goal from senior Jacob Netschke. However the Captains were able to extend their lead in the second half.

Netschke came up with another big play for Kettering (3-1) in the final minute of the third quarter, hauling in an 8-yard touchdown pass from senior Henry Mistrzak on a fourth-and-goal play. His extra point gave the Captains a 10-0 advantage.

The Kettering defense did its part to hold the lead on the ensuing Central drive. With the Vikings facing a fourth-and-1 play on the Kettering 38-yard line, the Captains stopped the ball carrier in the backfield to turn the ball back over to the Kettering offense.

Long runs from senior Travell Weatherby and junior Tony Walker set up another goal-to-go situation for the Captains, and once again Kettering would convert on a fourth down play. This time Netschke pulled the ball away from a Central defender trying to make an interception and held on for his second score of the game to extend the lead to 17-0.

Kettering coach Shaun Warner said Netschke has the ability to make tough receptions when the team needs it the most.

“(Netshcke’s) a state finalist in the high jump, so he’ll get up there (to make catches,)” Warner said. “He’s a really tough kid, and I’d like to have 11 of him (on the team.)”

Kettering recorded three consecutive sacks to end the next Central drive, and the Captains were able to run out the clock to seal the victory.

Netschke said responding with a shutout win after losing 44-0 last week was a great feeling.

“Last week we struggled, so this week we really worked on our defense,” Netschke said. “We stepped up big when it counted.”

Netschke finished with five catches for 71 yards and two touchdowns, while Mistrzak finished with 98 yards passing and two touchdowns. Senior Evan King led the Captains with 14 carries for 63 yards.

Walled Lake Central (0-4) played most of the game without star defensive end Adetokunbo Ogundeji, who left the game in the first quarter with an injury and did not return. Senior Ethan Rodriguez led the Vikings with 32 yards rushing.

The Vikings will look to get in the win column next week at Lakeland, while the Captains will play at Walled Lake Northern.

Last Updated: 9/19/2015 12:05:46 PM EST

http://www.miprepzone.com/oakland/results.asp?ID=17033

Pair of second-quarter defensive scores lifts Rochester Adams past Birmingham Seaholm

BIRMINGHAM – Rochester Adams gained momentum from defensive touchdowns on consecutive plays in the second quarter as the Highlanders rebounded from a slow start to earn a 34-14 victory over Birmingham Seaholm in an Oakland Activities Association White Division football game at Seaholm High School Friday night.

With the score tied, 7-7, just past the half-way point of the second quarter, Adams (2-1, 1-1 OAA White) took the lead for the first time thanks to its defense.

Seaholm (1-2, 1-1 OAA White) had driven the ball into Highlander territory, but on a fourth-down play, the Maples fumbled the ball for the first of five times on the night. Adams’ Jamie Perry was there to scoop up the ball for the Highlanders, and the senior returned the fumble 70 yards for a touchdown to give his team the lead.

On the very next offensive play for Seaholm, Adams senior Jake Anderson recovered another Maples’ fumble and took it to the end zone for another score. The two touchdowns, scored just 20 seconds apart, gave Adams a 21-7 advantage, and Adams coach Tony Patritto said it helped get his team some confidence.

“We weren’t playing well on defense in the first half, and we told the kids ‘if you get a chance to make a play you have to make it’ and they did,” Patritto said.

The Maples battled back just before halftime as senior Leigh Murray connected with senior Daniel Rebock for a 22-yard touchdown pass to make the score 21-14. That was as close as Seaholm would get, however.

Adams recovered a loose ball on the opening kickoff of the second half to set up the offense with great field position. Junior quarterback Kyle Wood extended the Adams’ lead to 28-14 with a 9-yard touchdown run a few plays later.

Patritto said Wood is capable of making big plays when the Highlanders need them.

“We can throw the ball a little bit better, we can catch it better and we can block better, but I’m really pleased with Kyle,” Patritto said. “He tucked the ball, and made a really important score for us, and he made some big throws in tough situations. I’m very, very proud to be his coach.”

Seaholm was not able to get much going offensively in the second half, and Adams took advantage by controlling the clock. Sophomore Chase Kareta sealed the game for Adams with a 5-yard touchdown run, his second score of the day, with 4:37 to play in the game.

Wood finished the game with 91 yards on 10-of-21 passing and added 21 yards and a score on the ground. Kareta had five carries for 42 yards and two touchdowns.

In addition to his passing touchdown, Murray scored on a 5-yard run in the first quarter for Seaholm.

Senior Nick Sierpien led the Maples with 52 yards on 14 carries.

http://www.miprepzone.com/oakland/results.asp?ID=16971

Detroit Catholic Central and senior Tyler Laurentius earn emotional win over Muskegon

By Jake Thielen | MLive.com
on August 29, 2015 12:59 AM, updated August 29, 2015 11:32 PM

As Detroit Catholic Central capped its 15-12 comeback win over Muskegon the players rushed the field in celebration, which isn’t unusual in a high school game. But this time one of the players broke free from the group and ran to the back of the near end zone.

Catholic Central senior Tyler Laurentius had spotted his mother watching the game and went to give her a hug.

“(I said) ‘I love you’, and she said I love you too,” Laurentius said when asked what he said to her after the game.

The win was special for Laurentius, who said his mother has been diagnosed with brain cancer, and that she’s been battling the disease for several months. As a result he’s dedicated the season to her with the hope that it will end with a state championship.

”(It was) very emotional – this one’s for her,” Laurentius said. “We found out she was pretty sick at the end of last season, so this season’s all for her.”

Laurentius’ family had a good view of the action as Tyler and the Shamrock defense held Muskegon off the scoreboard in the final seconds while clinging to a three-point lead. The Big Reds made it as close as the Shamrock 7-yard line, but could not score to tie or take the lead.

Muskegon missed a field goal as time expired, setting off the Shamrock celebration on the field.

“It was awesome – right in front of the student section and right in front of my mom,” Laurentius said. “(The win) was really big for all of us, not just me.”

Laurentius played a crucial part in the win, making several tackles and intercepting a pass in the fourth quarter that helped preserve the Shamrock lead. He said the final defensive stand was the result of a good team effort.

“We came out focused; we’ve been really working hard,” Laurentius said. “After last season (4-5 final record) it was a little disappointing for us – it wasn’t a normal Catholic Central season here. Knowing we had six home games, we wanted to come out here and win for everyone.”

http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/8555968592707127910/detroit-catholic-central-and-senior-tyler-laurentius-earn-emotional-win-over-muskegon/