Week 13 Results - In It To Win It

With an exciting week of game last weekend, some teams were able to experience the thrill of victory. Others agonized over a lost opportunity. While some are

With an exciting week of game last weekend, some teams were able to experience the thrill of victory. Others agonized over a lost opportunity. While some are grabbing their sneakers to start basketball or a singlet to get on the wrestling mat, 16 teams will have one last chance at glory because of their efforts last week. It will take a good week of practice and a lot of focus to ensure that the game plan put in this week will be effective. With that said, let’s take a look at the semifinal games profiled last Thursday.

Capital Area – Division 1

Detroit Catholic Central 31 Holt 0

The Shamrocks got back to business last week with their eighth shutout of the season. Detroit Catholic Central was able to keep Holt quarterback Jordan Beachnau to 84 rushing yards, which is great considering he finished the season with 1,088 rushing yards. He also had 52 yards on six pass completions. As usual, the Shamrocks utilized their double headed monster at running back. Niko Palazeti carried the rock 25 times for 172 yards and two touchdowns while backfield mate Anthony Capatina ran 15 times for 75 yards and a touchdown. Holt threatened to score once, but their fourth and goal from the three yard line was stuffed at the two shortly before halftime.  Detroit Catholic Central will play Sterling Heights Stevenson for the Division 1 state championship on Saturday.

North – Division 7

Traverse City St. Francis 34 Ravenna 7

The Gladiators went hard and fast at the Bulldogs. They had a 13-0 lead when Ravenna was close to the goal line on their second possession of the game. Then, on fourth and goal, running back Jamohn Martin tried to throw an option pass but it was intercepted by Matt Zakrzewski and returned 102 yards for a touchdown. That pushed the lead to 21-0 at the half. Running back Joe Kerridge ran 14 times for 98 yards and a touchdown. Ben Swan toted the ball 11 times for 91 yards and a score. Max Bullough, who was just named the Division 7-8 player of the year, had 15 tackles. He also caught a seven yard touchdown pass from Riley Bullough. Ravenna Coach Dusty Fairfield had an interesting quote after the game, “The University of Traverse City St. Francis is an exceptional football team. They’ve got a great football staff, but I’ll speak for all of the Division 7 and Division 8 public schools in the state of Michigan. It’s frustrating, Not whining, it’s frustrating to work as hard as we do in our rural towns and have to face teams that have two Big Ten players already signed. As far as I’m concerned, for two years in a row, we’re the best pubic Division 7 school in the state of Michigan.” Traverse City St. Francis will play Hudson (a public school) on Saturday morning.

Mid Michigan – Division 5

Clare 27 Millington 14

With this win, Clare will play in their first ever state championship game. It was a tough battle, but Clare ended a great run by Millington in Coach Tim Furno’s final season. Quarterback Kris English completed eight of his 11 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown while also running 10 times for 56 yards and two more scores. Travis Smith ran nine times for 67 yards and a touchdown. Matt English was the leading receiver with four receptions for 91 yards. Tight end Zachery Jelenek caught a screen pass on third and seven and proceeded to race 60 yards for the go-ahead score. The defense held Millington to 17 yards of offense in the first half. They did roar back though, tying the game at seven and again at 14, but weren’t able to win the game. Clare plays Jackson Lumen Christi late Saturday afternoon.

West – Division 6

Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 23 Constantine 14

The Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central Falcons stuck to the game plan they have employed all season; run the ball and pass when they feel like it. Three players ran the ball at least 10 times. Leader of the pack was T.J. Lovell who ran 16 times for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Jack Cusumano ran 13 times for 88 yards while quarterback Mike Howey toted the rock 10 times for 45 yards. Howey also passed the ball four times and completed two of them, both to Seth Gonyea, for 37 yards. Constantine had a decent game, especially when you consider how inexperienced they were at the beginning of the season. Quarterback Jacob Bower completed four of his 10 passes for 50 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Robbie Balentine caught one of those footballs and ran 14 yards for a score. Shawn Tucker rushed 13 times for 63 yards and the other touchdown. Payton White ran 12 times for 58 yards in the losing effort. No one expected Constantine to play this well and they far exceeded expectations.

Detroit – Division 2

Inkster 12 Warren DeLaSalle 3

The Pilots held Inkster in check for most of the game, but a turnover on offense early in the game was tough to overcome. Luckily, Inkster’s defense brought their “A-game.” Facing third and four on the Viking five yard line Nathan Lindsey intercepted a DeLaSalle pass and returned it 96 yards for a touchdown. The Pilots held Devin Gardner in to one of his worst games, especially in the first half. He finished the game seven of 16 for 75 yards and two interceptions. Gardner made it for it late, with a 12 yard touchdown run with just over a minute left in the game. Coach Greg Carter has been in state championships many times and knows what it takes. He has a great offense and a defense to match. It will be a good test against Lowell Friday afternoon.