The Prep Ball Report

Ishpeming 20 vs. Detroit Loyola 14:  Loyola came into this absolutely dominating any team that stood in their way in the playoffs.  But Ishpeming, a team from the UP, would not be intimidated by Loyola and one of the best players in the state, Malik McDowell.  Eric Kostreva scored all of the three touchdowns for the Hemitites on his way to accumulating 182 rushing yards on the game.  Keymonn’e Gabriel put Loyola’s ground game on his back going for 129 yards and one touchdown on 21 carries.

Detroit Cass Tech 36 vs. Detroit Catholic Central 21:  In a rematch of the 2011 D-1 championship,  the score of this game does not indicate how much this game was dominated by Cass Tech.  From the beginning of the game on Jourdan Lewis’ 89 yard touchdown reception for the Technecians, which was their first play from scrimmage, to the end on Delano Hill’s 84 yard interception return to put icing on the cake.  CC turned the ball over five times, three fumbles and two interceptions.  The big fumble being a Kenton Gibbs 58 yard fumble return for a touchdown on CC’s second possession of the game.  Jayru Campbell did not have to throw the ball much going 4-12 for 154 yards and one touchdown.  The ground game of Cass Tech was led yet again by Mike Weber, going for 186 yards on 20 carries.  David Houle led CC with 13 carries for 77 yards.

Portland 12 vs. Grand Rapids West Catholic 9:  Portland completed their magical season winning the D-5 state championship.  The Raiders big play man throughout the postseason seemed to be jr. receiver Austin Brandt.  Brandt saved his best for last because on his only four receptions, he went for 178 yards and one touchdown with his long being a 94 yard catch.  Travis Russell led West Catholic from his quarterback position going 20-39 for 208 yards.  But  was intercepted three times making the difference in this game.

Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 37 vs. Grand Rapids Christian 40:  The last game for football in Michigan turned out to be what everyone hoped for and more.  The ending to this game went like this.  Trailing by 3 three with 2:06 remaining in the game, there was no panic on the Eagle side-line, especially when you have the a soon to be Michigan State Spartan receiver and basketball star in Drake Harris on your team.  Harris came up big for the Eagles on two fourth down conversions, to set up a Joel Schipper field goal, to send the game into OT.  Overtime rules in the Michigan are quite interesting.  The ball is placed at the 10 yard line and the team gets four chances to score, if perhaps the team gets a field goal, the other team could win on a touchdown or tie the game on a field goal as well.  St. Mary’s would get all the way down to the three yard line and call a timeout.  On 4-3, St. Mary’s decided to go for it, and failed, Matt Linehan tried to find Parker McInnis through the air and it was no good.  Christian got the ball, and on their first play from scrimmage, Schipper once again knocked through a field goal this time winning the game from 27 yards out.  The passing game of Christian allowed the Eagles to win this football game.  Drake Harris had a monster 243 yards on eight receptions for one touchdown.  The dynamic duo of Grant Niemic and Parker McInnis in the back field for St. Mary’s led the Eaglets’ ground game with Niemic amassing 168 yards on 28 carries, and Parker McInnis obtaining a outstanding 269 yards on 25 carries.  Van Jefferson led OLSM in receiving yards with five receptions for 79 yards and one touchdown.

Tags: Ford Field, MHSAA Football Finals, State Finals