Football State Semifinals Scores and Recap.

Written Saturday November 22nd at 3:30 PM

The State Semifinals did not go as well for the OAA in the Divisions One and Two State Semifinals. Here are the recaps. 

Detroit Cass Tech 48, ADAMS 22: The Highlanders needed to play clean and turnover free football but they were not able too against Detroit Cass Tech at Troy Athens in all three phases of the game. Adams started with the football but fumbled at the Detroit Cass Tech 43 yard line but the Highlanders defense stopped the Technicians on fourth down. The Highlanders offense had a three and out and a bad punt has the ball at the Adams 16 yard line which ended up being a 11 yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Julian Taylor and a 7-0 lead for Detroit Cass Tech. The Highlanders answered after getting a 39 yard pass play then quarterback Ryland Watters found wide receiver Matt Toepneer on a fourth and goal on a 11 yard touchdown pass and added a two point conversion with Watters and Toepneer for a 8-7 Adams lead. Detroit Cass Tech responded on a Corey Sadler kickoff return and then Taylor added his second touchdown from 18 yards out giving the Technicians a 14-8 lead. Adams has had chances but they turned the ball over on downs giving Detroit Cass Tech another opportunity which they converted as quarterback Donald Tabron hit Sadler from 26 yards out extending the Technicians lead to 21-8 heading into the half. Adams recovered an onside kick to start the second half but the Detroit Cass Tech defense forced the Highlanders to turn the ball over on downs. Taylor added his third rushing touchdown from 13 yards out and a 28-8 Detroit Cass Tech lead. The Highlanders answered as Watters ran for a nine yard touchdown plus a two point conversion making it 28-15 Detroit Cass Tech. Adams recovered a fumble and had another chance to get the score closer but Sadler got an interception sealing the Highlanders fate which led to Taylor's fourth score of the game from 11 yards out and a 35-15 Detroit Cass Tech lead. The Technicians added another touchdown to go up 42-15 but the Highlanders went with the Watters to Toepneer combination from 67 yards out to make it 42-22 Detroit Cass Tech. Taylor would add his fifth touchdown from 32 yards to make it 48-22 Detroit Cass Tech. The Highlanders finished the season at 10-3. They lose a lot of proven talent that made two Division One State Semifinal appearances including Watters. Adams will be back that is for sure.

 

Dexter 41, GROVES 6: The Dreadnoughts quarterback receiver duo was at it on Saturday afternoon at Ypsilanti Lincoln against a really good Falcons defense. Dexter starting the scoring as quarterback Cooper Arendt found wide receiver Cole Novara for a 26 yard touchdown and a 7-0 Dexter lead. Groves went three and out and then the Dreadnoughts went to the ground as running back Brady Arbaugh ran a 10 yard rushing touchdown for a 14-0 lead for Dexter. The Falcons answered as quarterback LaVelle Shannon found running back Carter Hladki off the play action pass from 54 yards out but missed the two point conversion for a 14-6 Dreadnoughts lead. Arbaugh added his second touchdown of the first quarter from three yards out making the score 21-6 Dexter. Arendt found Novara again for his 50th touchdown pass of the season, a 48 yard passing touchdown and a 27-6 Dexter lead. The duo added another score which was Novara's 27th receiving touchdowns from 31 yards out and a 34-6 Dreadnoughts lead heading to the half. Both touchdown State records from Arendt and Novara were broken in this game. They added a fourth conversion from 30 yards out making it 41-6 Dexter forcing a running clock. The Dreadnoughts shut down Jeremiah Whitley and the Falcons. Groves dreams of going to Ford Field will have to wait another season as the Falcons finished with a 9-4 season.The Falcons have Whitley coming back and they were pretty young this season. Dexter heads to Ford Field for the first time in school history to play Orchard Lake St. Marys.

I'll have my thoughts on both games on the podcast.