Regional Final Football Thoughts.

Written Friday November 14th at 9:30 PM

Clarkston: The Wolves defense was shredded by Novi Detroit Catholic Central on the ground and in the air on Friday night falling 42-13 on their home field. The Shamrocks are a very good team on both sides of the football. I took an interesting quote that Novi Detroit Catholic Central Coach Justin Cessante said to MIPrepZone's Brian Everson after the game. "Clarkston is a team that wants to keep things in front of them but if you start running the ball, they have to honor it" he said after the game. The Wolves for the most time in their games all season kept everything in front of them. Clarkston loses a lot of proven experience (40 seniors) which includes Hayden Flavin, Hank Horning, and the Boman twins to graduation. They will have a solid core coming back especially in the sub varsities which both teams went unbeaten and Alex Waszczenko coming back at quarterback. The Wolves will be back next season.

Adams: The Highlanders had some trouble with the Macomb Area Red Division Champions Romeo in the regional finals early trailing 7-6 on their home field but they didn't panic and followed their system. Adams exploded late in the second quarter and outscored the Bulldogs 23-6 from the second quarter on to win 29-13 on Friday night. Adams is going to need a lot more in the Division One State Semifinals with Detroit Cass Tech looming in what will be a very difficult game next week.

Groves: The Falcons was getting dominated in the time of possession game by the Huskies on the road that ran a Wing T offense but they hung in there despite only having the football for two minutes and thirty seconds and trailed 7-3 heading into halftime. Groves exploded in the second half outscoring St. Clair Shores Lakeview 34-7 in the second half earning a 37-14 win over the Huskies in St. Clair Shores. Jeremiah Whitley had 19 carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns for Groves while the others got going which led to multiple points. The onside kick was big for the Falcons because it forced St. Clair Shores Lakeview to get out of the Wing T offense and force them to throw which gave Groves defense more opportunities to create mistakes. The Falcons have a tough matchup looming with Dexter in the Division Two State Semifinals next week. Groves fell 28-27 to Orchard Lake St. Marys in the Division Two State Semifinals last season but this could be an opportunity to get to Ford Field, all they have to do is beat the Dreadnoughts.

Harper Woods: The Pioneers had special teams and offensive turnovers which cost them dearly against Dearborn Divine Child on Saturday afternoon falling 10-6 at Westland John Glenn. Harper Woods also had seven penalties which was also key in the game. Credit the Falcons defense for shutting down the Pioneers high octane offense. The Falcons went to a Wing T which they played time possession football along with the wildcat. The Pioneers made mistakes which ended up being the difference in the game. Harper Woods loses a lot of proven talent but will be back next season.